"Rescued by the dashing Ricardo Garcia, she not only becomes more aware of the handsome man, but also vows that she'll never be a damsel in distress again. Using the timeless method of blackmail, she convinces her uncle to teach her to fight and becomes a masked crusader in the night."
Pages: 70 pages
Publisher: Ruby Lioness Press on September 3rd 2012
Form: E-book (from tour for an honest review)
Genre: Historical Romance
Amazon: (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: (Nook)
Excerpt: see below!
"When Catalina Rodriguez is attacked by a would-be rapist and rescued by the dashing Ricardo Garcia, she not only becomes more aware of the handsome man, but also vows that she'll never be a damsel in distress again. Using the timeless method of blackmail, she convinces her uncle to teach her to fight and becomes a masked crusader in the night, saving other damsels from robbers and rough handling.
However, scandalous rumors and dwindling funds force Ricardo and Catalina to marry. Not immune to each other's charms, their marriage starts fiery, but when one of Catalina's nightly escapades results in dire consequences, she is forced to spurn her husband's amorous advances…or reveal a secret that could turn him away from her forever.
Ricardo’s not a man to be cuckolded or left in the dark. Is his wife having an affair with El Capitan, the masked savior? If so…they will both pay." ~From Goodreads
Maiden Behind The Mask was bit of a slow starter, but when it got going it was great. Romance genre has been in the need of a spicy female-Zorro story for sure! Chevrestt has written a well rounded novella with a sassy strong lead and a gorgeous man to back her up - and not forgetting few kicks and giggles.
Catalina was fun to read, she had the headstrong heroine down to a T, in a time when women didn't have the luxury of being powerful on their own terms. Ricardo Garcia was a nice balance to her, a hot guy with a strong head and a cute butt and one big jealous streak - he was a compliment to Catalina, she needed someone who was charming, sexy and just as strong willed as her.
The romance was almost to the sweet end but not quite, we had the action, the adventure and sword play in the main role, but there was a nice amount of sexual tension to keep Catalina and Garcia on their toes so to speak. A chance encounter forced them to marry, both believing it was going to be loveless marriage but it's a miracle what few weeks in bed does to suspicions like that. ;)
Rating :
Selena's hand shook, but the pesos were transferred to the dirty palm. The man laughed with glee, the crowd dispersed, and Catalina was left with a dirty, starving horse.
"We'll get you fed and cleaned up," she promised the horse, patting its neck. A cloud of dirt rose in the air, and Catalina struggled not to cough. "I shall call you La Reina, because once in my establo, I shall treat you like a queen. Your body may be beaten, but your spirit is not broke."
"Catalina?" Her maid's voice tentative as it interrupted her quiet chattering. "Whatever possessed you--"
"Fetch me a mozo," Catalina interrupted her. "Take the remaining pesos and fetch me a groom. La Reina is going to her castle." She wasn't offering more explanations than that. She didn't owe anyone an explanation. She'd done what was right.
As her maid turned to comply, heading toward the livery, a loud pffffht rendered the air. Catalina stared at the mare in surprise, aghast.
Selena froze and swung around to admonish her charge. "Senorita! Your behavior has been questionable enough this day. Mind yourself." She shook her head and her finger both before turning back the task at hand.
Catalina heard her muttering as she sashayed away. She was too surprised and too tired to defend herself, but the breeze picked up, and a waft of foul air assaulted her. Catalina immediately tugged a delicate, lace handkerchief from her sleeve and placed it over her nose as she glared at the horse.
La Reina snorted and pawed the ground. Catalina could swear the horse was laughing at her. She merely shook her head. "Dios mio, and you let me take the blame for that?"
Pffffhht. Pfffht.
La Reina whinnied and bared her teeth as though she was smiling.
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