A Masked Deception

Title: A Masked Deception
Author: Mary Balogh
First Printing: 1985
Purchase Date: 13th March 2006
Purchase price: £4.27
Retail price: $3.50
Purchased from:



On book cover:

The handsome, dashing, wealthy Richard Adair, the seventh Earl of Brampton, was caught in a most devilishly difficult tug of war.

Claiming his hand was shy and demure Margaret Wells, who became his bride in an icily arranged marriage designed to produce an heir in a boringly proper alliance. Claiming his heart was a nameless charmer who concealed her face behind a mask and displayed her body in a daring gown as she made the Earl give himself over to a scandalously improper passion.
Both of them desperately wanted Richard Adair – and both dreaded to think what would happen should he discover that they were one and the same two faced young lady.

Comments on book:

This is the author’s first Signet Regency Romance and it is also the first Signet book of hers that I read. Incidentally, it is also her first published book. It is thin, only 224 pages and may be finished in one sitting if you’re a fast reader.

I thought the storyline was ok but perhaps the story could have been elaborated longer and explained further – especially on the side of Richard Adair. But it was her first book, so exceptions must be allowed and the limit in the number of pages have also limited the creativity of the author in writing the book. In a thicker book perhaps, the earl would have a history and a well explained reason for his unpleasant behaviour but sadly, in a thin signet book like this one, the readers must simply accept changes in behaviour with short and simple explanations.

Rating: 6/10 - Ok read