by Susan S., guest reviewer
Ms. Donovan has written a gripping suspense- thriller meant to charm and chill her readers. During the day you’ll run background checks on everyone you know and meet. Nights will offer no respite, bringing only maniacal laughter with its starlit skies.
Recommendations: If you enjoyed the movies Touched by Evil, Sleeping with the Enemy, and Enough you’re going to enjoy this novel. It’ll also appeal to readers who enjoy mystery, suspense, thrillers, and anyone who watches the television show C.S.I.
Michael Alan DeVeccio (hero) has a net worth of 49 billion dollars. He’s the CEO of the DeVeccio Empire (a thriving construction company) which builds luxury resorts. Mr. DeVeccio has it all! The drop-dead good lucks, a twenty-four room mansion, servants, sports cars, everything a man could want; he’s the epitome of the crème de la crème. There’s only one thing he wants, yet doesn’t have; an heir.
Margot Montgomery (heroine) is a golden haired beauty. She’s self-sufficient, has a wonderful career, caring friends, and a loving family. As head curator of a Mexican art museum, her career is her passion. The only passion missing from her life is the romantic kind.
When Margot and Michael meet sparks will fly, and romance will bloom. Until a 10 year old unsolved murder begins to unravel. The revelation of secrets will cause a re-emergence of the Red Rock Slasher. The body counts are growing, and Margot has just registered on the Slasher’s radar. Will Michael protect her? Or, will a handsome homicide detective (Diego Santiago) save Margot from a fate far worse than death?
Margot’s to-do list:
- Remain Alive
- Get out of an unhappy marriage
- Stop the Red Rock Slasher
`Course, if she can’t accomplish the first, two and three are moot points!
Author’s strength lies in her ability to show the progression of the Slasher’s psychopathic tendencies.
My thoughts: It’s eerie when someone drugs Margot with hallucinogenic drugs. And when the murderer’s last hold on reality slips, the emergence of his different identities is purely sinister.
Favorite scene: Detective Santiago knows the gravity of keeping duty and desire as far from each other as possible. When he’s no longer capable of hiding his feelings for Margot, he’ll let her know. Mmm-hmm, no question!
Rating: 4 Stars
Whimsical Publications, LLC, Copyright 2010, Suspense/Thriller, Print Pages 268.
ISBN-13# 978-1-936167-06-7.
Mask of the Betrayer
There’s a sequel in the works. Book two titled Vendetta will continue the story two years after book one. It promises us more suspense, more drama, and a wedding.
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This post was written by...
Susan S. – who has written 104 posts on Love Romance Passion.
Susan adores any paranormal character in leather, can't get enough of those unscrupulous rakes, and has a special fondness for law enforcement officers. If there’s a hero/heroine with a badge she's all over it! You may also see her around the web as Witchy Woman because of her love for magic, broomsticks, and black cats. Learn more about Susan in Meet the Review Staff at Love Romance Passion.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Susan. Thank you for the fantastic review of Mask of the Betrayer. I am honored to receive such accolades, and your comparison to such movies is a real thrill, let me just say! You mentioned my strength being in the unveiling of Michael’s psychosis. Thank you. I wanted to convey the dark demons that hauntedt the character with very real and accurate description. In order to do this, I took psychology classes to best understand how fragile the mind is. It can bend. It can break. It can snap. I hope readers will enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you once more, Susan, for the wonderful review. Well, back to work on the sequel! Have a great summer.
Sharon
Sharon, I still can’t believe a sweet charming gal like you can write a chiller thriller like MASK! It scared me silly. Is Oliver’s book another horror story? Please tell me it’s going to be one of your sweet romances. I wish you success with all your books. Happy July 4th. Linda
Sharon Donovan’s Mask of The Betrayer was a thrilling ride for me. The inner mind of a sinister beast is revealed and his charm could fool anyone. I loved this story!
What a position to be in!!!
Great story by a talented author. More!!
Thanks, Mary. So glad you enjoyed it and felt Margot’s fear of the beast once unleashed. What a position to be in is right. Here’s hoping we never know!
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for stopping by LRP.
I love authors who do research for their novels. The accuracy always comes through in the writing. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for the sequel’s release. Take care, Sharon.
Mary,
You pinned the tail on the donkey; he certainly “did” know how to charm. Thanks for popping in!
“Gripping” is the word I’ve searched for since I first read the excerpt of “Mask of The Betrayer.” Eerie is good, too. I like how it was compared to three movies.
Congratulations, Sharon on the great review and a job well done. Woo-hoo! Break out the champagne!
That sound like really scary and very interesting
I personal like this kind of writing.
Linda, I really gotcha with the suspense side of me, huh? Smile. As far as Oliver’s story goes in Charade of Hearts, there is a bit of all of my tag lines in it. Romance Suspense Intrigue and Faith. That’s all I’m saying!
Sharon
Hi Laurie. Gripping. I like that, thanks, and you nailed it with eerie too! I’m pleased to announce the video is in from Triad Productions and I will be debuting it. Coming soon to a blog near you!
Sharon
Hi Maria, thank you for commenting. I love suspense books too! I hope you might consider reading Mask of the Betrayer. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Sharon
I’m a big fan of horror films and this book sounds like it would make a great movie. I look forward to buying this book and enjoying every moment of suspense!