Behind The Mask

Chalise has been gone from the Mississippi River town of Ascension for nearly a decade.  After a short-lived modeling career in New York, her life comes crashing down around her after the death of her beloved father.  Avoiding Ascension equates to avoiding a deeply wounded heart; the wounds inflicted by her high-school sweetheart Chaz.  However, Chalise decides it time to put the past behind her and give into the inevitable draw back to her roots.

With high hopes of new beginnings, she plans to open a luxury spa but soon learns that Chaz has similar career goals of starting anew.  Chalise will find old memories die hard as the past comes to challenge her perceptions about everyone she has always held dear.  When the masks of truth are unveiled, will she be able to let grudges die so she can finally live the happily ever after she has always dreamed of?

“Behind The Mask” is a quick, fun novella which sweeps us away into a blissful bayou, contemporary fairy tale, complete with prince and princess.  Set in the enchanted heart of Louisiana, one can almost smell the magnolia trees in bloom, taste the sweet tea, and feel the southern hospitality first hand.  This story is filled with sweet romance and lively characters which don’t disappoint. The ending was a bit anticlimactic.  There was build up with the mayor and it seemed like there would be conflict, then it was left hanging.  Besides this, it was a perfect page turner!

Mary B. Rose