UNMASKED

Author: Virginia Henley ISBN: 0451216059 9/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: SIGNET (NAL)
Time Period: 1644

Thirteen years ago, Alex Greysteel Montgomery, an Earl and double agent—now working to restore King Charles II to the throne—was betrothed to the impetuous Velvet Cavendish. Their parents saw the engagement as a business opportunity— and although Greysteel has always had an affinity for Velvet, she has not returned his affections. Once she is united with Greysteel, Velvet is determined to break their bond. She has had her sights set on none other than King Charles II since she was a young girl….and what ordinary man could compete? But Greysteel is equally determined to wed the fiery beauty who has stirred him like no other—and conquer and rule her heart…

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I want to begin my review by saying that I am a HUGE Virginia Henley fan. She writes a book and I am right there, ready to buy it. All of the books that I have she's written are on my keeper shelves. That being said, I also would like to say that I truly believe that every author has missed their mark at least once in their career. For Ms. Henley, I believe that UNMASKED is that book.

Every once in awhile I find a heroine that is so unlikable, it doesn't matter what angle I try to spin on her, she just ticks me off. Velvet is that heroine. She is self centered, spoiled, egotistical and has no regard for her husband at all. She flaunts convention, even to the point of embarrassing people around her, and she has dreams about another man while in bed with Greysteel. Oh, and the other man that she dreams of? The wonderfully lecherous Charles Stuart, who sexed his way right through every woman in his court while he was king—and did so in front of his wife. What a man to dream about when you are in bed with a gorgeous, strong, gracious man who knows that you are an unbearable shrew yet still chooses to love you, bless his little naive heart. The only thing that Velvet did that redeemed her a slight bit in my mind was when Greysteel was sick in the end and she literally risks her life to save him. It is about time, if I do say so myself. Unfortunately, too much of the book has already gone by and I just can't like her, even if she were saving an entire army platoon of men.

There is also one little matter that had me not knowing whether I wanted to throw up or throw this book out. While King Lecher is in a carriage with one of his many mistresses—gettin' it on—it talks about her pulling back his foreskin to finish the job, if you will. That is the most disgusting thing that I have ever read in my life—and I have read a lot of books. Blech!

The only saving grace in this entire book is Greysteel. He is courageous and strong, ready to do anything for his king and yet trying desperately to hold on to his marriage to the insufferable Velvet. Alas, even Greysteel was not enough to save this book. I love Virginia Henley and will buy more of her books in the future, but can we please omit any passages dealing in foreskin and possibly give me a heroine that I don't want to strangle?

Kristal Gorman