Andalin is accustomed to her father’s frequent travels—and to being left behind. So when he returns home and instructs her to pack her belongings, she is bewildered—but there is no time for questions as she is whisked away on a mysterious journey under the cover of night. When their tense flight leads them into the forbidding Black Forest, the pair quickly finds themselves in great peril. With … little hope of escape, father and daughter are spared when rescue appears in the form of the mysterious Dark Rider, a notorious deadly highwayman feared by all he meets. But his assistance does not come without a price: he is taking Andalin with him. Now her fate rests in the hands of the enigmatic masked man whose secrets are inescapably tied to the beautiful young woman now in his charge.
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Wow,wow,wow!
This was such a good book I could not put it down!
This book is a gothic tale at its best and I will enjoy reading many times over.
It is full of mystery, suspense, humor and romance and a rescue or two. The characters and location is well developed and creates a world all its own.
Andalin and Ellison are both delightful characters that are fun to follow and see develop through the book.
Would love to see more of them and the other characters in future stores!
I love any story that might have whispers of a Beauty and the Beast theme. The feel is there but it also has so much originality. This Regency Romance is also a FairyTale with a lot of mystery behind the background of Ellison, The Masked Baron. The small hints dropped throughout the story keep the reader constantly guessing about the Baron’s actions and secrets. Andalin’s curiosity fuels the plot as she seeks to learn more about the man who becomes her ward and protector. Ellis vows to make her a lady and secure a prestigious match for her. The romance ensues as The Baron starts having feelings for her. Behind all of this is a “story” about a witch named Sephira who lived long ago in the Black Forest. You soon learn there may be some truth behind this story of the witch. The cover adds so much to the mystique of the dangers found within The Black Forest and the Dark Rider who wanders within its black depths.
This book offers so much with mysteries, twists and turns, and a budding friendship that turns to romance. Readers also are left to ponder how gossip and outside appearances don’t always tell the true story. I recommend this book to all readers, as this is a clean romance that will keep you continually reading until the very end.
THE MASKED BARON is a story of wrong assumptions, loss, justice, friendship and love. The characters are endearing and the story sweet.
This felt very much like a reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. I enjoyed the various twists and the constant underlying feeling of danger. There were several nods to the classic fairy tale, but the author really made the story her own. There was this feel of mystery throughout the story and slowly pieces of what happened and why are slowly unveiled.
I adored these characters, especially as they grew on me as the story progressed! Andalin is sweet and caring. She’s also loyal, particularly to her father. Much is thrown at her all at once with a very unusual situation and she slowly grows into her role and finding her place in this new life of hers. Ellis is vague and hidden with the mask he wears and in his interactions with Andalin. He slowly finds himself opening up to Andalin and torn between what he feels is his duty and the growing romance with her. The servants were fun additions as were Ellis’ friends. The romance is very sweet, but with some sparks in the end.
I had a bit of a time getting into this story. It didn’t help that I found the heroine rather petulant in the beginning (she did grow on me as the story went and when she wasn’t acting childish), and the plot was just so preposterous that I had quite a time believing anything was plausible. It just didn’t make sense to me, and not only in the beginning and when other things came to light, but also in the end with Ellis’ sister’s situation. I just couldn’t make myself buy it, so I think readers’ would need to suspend belief quite a bit to enjoy this one, or just take things as realistic without wanting it to be logical or true to the time period. The dialogue wasn’t always smooth either and I felt the chemistry lacking between the characters until towards the end.
In the end, was it what I wished for? Overall, I had issues with the story, but still enjoyed it. It’s an interesting twist on a classic fairy tale. I liked the characters and the romance was sweet.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales, especially for retellings! This book definitely brought the moodiness and uncertainty to life as Andalin’s small world is upended and she comes to live at the neglected estate of a reclusive masked baron. I enjoyed the details that made the story its own, including the Regency setting that grounded the fantasy-like feeling and the mystery behind the Black Forest and Ellis’ family. It didn’t feel predictable or cliché. I especially enjoyed watching Andalin and Ellis warm up to each other and begin to understand the nuances of their personalities. There were a few things that didn’t quite add up for me, and some scenes where I thought more development would have been beneficial, but overall it was an intriguing story with a cast of characters that were vibrant and memorable. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
This is my first book by this fairly new author but if all of her books capture and hold my attention like this one did, it won’t be my last. I didn’t want to put it down. There’s so much to love about this story. First, there’s the Dark Rider–is he a highwayman to be feared as the stories in the surrounding towns say he is? There’s Andalin, whose father brings her to the home of the Dark Rider to live, but why does he do it? And there’s a Beauty and the Beast feel to the story for all of us who still love fairy tales.
Andalin/Annie is a far braver girl than I would ever hope to be. She willingly goes with her father to the home of a man who she discovers is the infamous Dark Rider. At first she doesn’t know why Ellison/Ellis wants her there so she makes things a little harder on him (and herself) until she realizes she’s been acting like a child, then she starts changing her attitude. There’s no way I would’ve followed anyone into the dark forest at night; just reading about it was enough for me.
Ellison/Ellis was so mysterious. From the beginning I doubted that the stories about the Dark Rider were true. That’s the only thing I got right in this story. The reason why Ellison wears a mask isn’t what you’d think. One of my favorite scenes is when Andalin sees him without the mask. He’s a wonderful character and I fell in love with him before the end of the book.
I was surprised at the twist towards the end of the book. I call it a twist because it wasn’t what I thought was going to happen and it took me completely by surprise. One of the best parts is there’s a happily ever after for more than one character. *sigh* I look forward to more wonderful stories by this author.
What a delightful book! As a lover of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, it wasn’t hard to see the similarities between this book and that old fairy tale. But Walker has thrown in enough personal touches that the story feels fresh and new. I loved meeting Andalin and Ellis and especially enjoyed reading about their encounters. Andalin reluctantly settles into her new circumstances but is understandably wary of her host, Lord Cadogen, whose reputation as the Dark Rider is well-known to her. Ellis, at the beginning, sees Andalin as a means to an end. As the two get to know each other though, a friendship develops with stronger feelings growing in the background. Andalin’s curiosity leads her to attempt to figure out why Ellis behaves the way he does while she is trained in ladylike behavior. But Ellis’s quest, and his enemies put Andalin at risk and threaten to negate their developing relationship. With twists and turns aplenty, The Masked Baron was a quick and compelling read. A great book for readers who enjoy a fairy-tale based, historical romance with plenty of wit to carry the day.
Wow! This book had the most unique storyline, filled with mystery and venturing into the mythical. The characters were multifaceted and so well written, I didn’t want to put this book down!
I’m always in the mood for a good Regency romance. And also a good fairy tale retelling. Put them together, and I’m a happy reader!
This book has a bit of a Beauty and the Beast feel to it. I loved the way the author did that without copying the story. It’s so well-written and there were parts of this one that I never would have guessed were coming. That made me happy.
Andalin is the main character. I loved her character. She was not perfect, I loved how she was able to realize that as the story progressed. Not being perfect made her seem all the more real to me.
Then there’s Ellison. I wasn’t quite sure what to think of him at the beginning. He really did seem to be a beast and the way all the stories of him related him to be. But by the end, I loved his character. Everything he did throughout the book was for the benefit of someone else. That’s really a telling feature of his character.
Make sure to take time to read this one. I LOVED it!
I was sent a copy of The Masked Baron as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I was really excited to read the The Masked Baron by Anneka Walker, but it wasn’t as I expected. It’s marked as a regency romance, but it’s unlike anything else for this genre and it felt like it was in the wrong category. Regency romance tends to fit within the historical Regency Era and has certain writing conventions adhering to the societal structure of that time. This book seemed more like a fairy tale romance to me. It also felt like it didn’t need to be marked with a specific historical time period or setting.
The action in the story moved fairly quickly and I enjoyed unraveling the mystery. Most fairy tale books tend to retell a classic fairy tale, but this book told a brand new fairy tale that was creative and unique. The relationships between the characters were interesting and dynamic. It was a compelling read and a fun escape. I would recommend it to those who enjoy fairy tales and romance. It was also clean and wholesome. Adults and Young Adults (YA) would enjoy this story.
Please note that I received a free copy of this book to read, however, this is my honest opinion.
Generally when I imagine a “retelling of Beauty and the Beast”, I expect a story of a young woman who influences a man’s change from a selfish, callous beast to a caring, charming gentleman.
Ellis is not the beast I expected. He is so much better.
Ellis is everything I had hoped for in a love interest. He is never unfeeling or rude. He is brave, mysterious, heroic, and incredibly romantic. Swoon!
Andalin is just as fantastic. She is flawed and likeable. The character development she experiences drives the story, weaving through the twists the plot has to offer.
Walker has written a wonderful story, full of intrigue, mystery, and romance.
This story is a nod to Beauty and the Beast. While it doesn’t follow the fairy-tale exactly it is obvious enough to see likenesses in it. But instead of having a mystical castle with enchanted servants the mystical part lays in the story of the witch and the dark forest. The servants are all normal humans that are loyal to their master. Things like that are stark differences that make the story Ms. Walker’s own instead of copying the fairy-tale.
The story takes most of the book to unfold. There are secrets that the reader doesn’t get to know about before the reveal to the characters so I really couldn’t guess how it was all going to play out. Kept me wondering the whole time. I kept trying to guess the last secret and I was pretty much all wrong. The secret stayed a secret until it was revealed.
There are multiple villains in the book and a number of side characters that added to the story. There could be additional books about some of those characters in the future. They were rounded out to be real people enough to make me want to see their happily ever after too. I can guess how things went for two of them but Miss Dubois is mysterious enough to have anything happen in her story.
I enjoyed the story overall though I think I liked the hero better than the heroine. But I kinda find that to be the case in the fairy-tale too so it pretty much fits.
Sex: kisses
Language: no
Violence: yes
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book through Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it.
What a unique and captivating regency romance! The author combines elements of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast with the legends of regency highwaymen and then adds her own spin on it. Her story touches on the universal themes of family, forgiveness, and healing and this adds a deeper layer to the adventure.
The book was suspenseful – full of mystery and plot twists (as well as plenty of swoon worthy moments) as the heroine tries to separate fact from fiction and discover who she can trust. I simply could not put this one down!
I received a complimentary advanced copy but am choosing to leave a review of my own opinions.
The Masked Baron by Annika Walker
Wow this is not what I anticipated. I thought it was just another regency romance. Boy was I wrong. This was basically a retelling of beauty and the beast. The story captured my attention from the very beginning. Andalin ( love the name) is the daughter of a merchant working in her fathers store. She is being pursued by a pompous arrogant man. To get her away from this man, her father takes her to a remote manor, to become the word of a Baron. So she can be taught how to be a lady and marry well Ellis has been haunted by his past tragedies. The characters are strong and the story flows really well. I struggled to put it down. I felt like there were twists and turns to kept it from being to predictable. This was a clean romance. I would definitely read more from this author. Thank you to you covenant communications
for a copy of this book to review
Lord Ellis Cadogen lives a life of mystery and sorrow. The only remaining member of his family, Ellis lives a life of solitude while trying to solve the mystery of the forest surrounding his home. Andalin lives a quiet, humble life in a small village. When her father makes a deal with the mysterious Dark Rider, she finds her world turned upside down as she adjusts to being under Lord Cadogen’s generous care. Temper and sparks fly with each of their interactions, creating a thrilling and wondrous journey that I was happy to be apart of.
Reviving this ‘tale as old of time’, into something new and exciting, Anneka R. Walker has created an enjoyable retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Magic and mystery give you new turns in every chapter and the characters endear themselves to your heart.
The beginning of this book was kind of frustrating to me; I was kind of frustrated by how much the readers were kept in the dark about why things were happening, like why Ellison really wanted to take Andalin on as his ward and why he wore a mask, and both Andalin’s and Ellison’s emotions seemed to be all over the place (which would perhaps be realistic but the writing of those emotions felt messy or jarring sometimes). In the middle, it picked up for me, but then the ending wrapped up too soon. All in all, I liked the premise but the execution could have been better.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Masked Baron
Anneka R Walker
https://www.facebook.com/AnnekaRWalker/
Release date 03/02/2020
Publisher Covenant Communications
Blurb :
Andalin is accustomed to her father’s frequent travels—and to being left behind. So when he returns home and instructs her to pack her belongings, she is bewildered—but there is no time for questions as she is whisked away on a mysterious journey under the cover of night. When their tense flight leads them into the forbidding Black Forest, the pair quickly finds themselves in great peril. With little hope of escape, father and daughter are spared when rescue appears in the form of the mysterious Dark Rider, a notorious deadly highwayman feared by all he meets. But his assistance does not come without a price: he is taking Andalin with him. Now her fate rests in the hands of the enigmatic masked man whose secrets are inescapably tied to the beautiful young woman now in his charge.
My review :
When a young woman finds herself estranged from everyone and everything she has ever known in a home full of secrets …
In this regency set retelling of The Beauty and The Beast fairytale, Beauty is a stubborn and mannered miss easily swayed by rumormongers and gossips, and the Beast, a man on a mission to extract revenge for his family’s destruction.
This is my second read by Mrs Anneka R. Walker, and I had hope for a witty tale like in Love In Disguise. While it has its fun and clever moments, this story has few spaces for humor.
Andalin is quite young and her reactions show it, for the first third of the story, she was more a pouting spoiled child than a miss on the verge of a whole new future.
I tried to understand her as she was torn from all she ever known but she let rumors alter her own judgement and by that she makes it more challenging to find her place in Ellis’ household.
Ellis is a man surrounded by secrets and lies, he lives in an in between world, hidden from society but also in the many talks of it. But behind the mask he wears, there is still a man with a heart, and whatever he is said to have done, his true actions show the goodness he wears in his soul.
Sure, his need for revenge made him the bearer of many deceits and some might hurt Andalin if she learns about them.
I loved him more than Andalin, probably because of her youth and often immature actions but in time she came to grow and be the one woman to stand by Ellis. Ellis is not perfect, he hides and without truly lying he keeps things secret by omission, why I knew Andalin will have to flourish in the right way to be able to accept everything he kept from her.
The side characters add charm and entertainment to this story, supporting Ellis and trying to show Andalin the right path.
4 stars for this coming of age tale, where one has to leave behind the childhood fears to face life’s challenges.
I was granted by the publisher Covenant Communications an advance copy. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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FIVE STARS! This is a superb story. Beauty and the Beast meets Regency era. Wonderful storytelling! I sure hope there are two more stories planned to round out the characters 🙂
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive
reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I loved this unique spin on Beauty and the Beast! It had so many different elements just jam packed into one story! There was action, mystery, intrigue, romance, and magic! Walker weaves a magical story unlike any other fairy tale retelling I have ever read. I enjoyed every moment Andalin took as she tried to unravel who The Masked Rider really was. Ellis was a complete mystery to me the entire time and whenever I thought I had him figured out, Walker would throw something unexpected my way! The entire time I read she kept me guessing, wondering, and throwing me curve balls! The Masked Baron is an outstanding tale and one I highly recommend! I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was given an advance copy of The Masked Baron, and the following is my honest review.
The Masked Baron by Anneka R. Walker is a Beauty and the Beast story like you never heard. I loved it! This book is full of mystery, secrets, and of course my favorite…romance! I though Walker’s first book Love in Disguise was excellent, but this one is…(insert dramatic sigh)…amazing!!!! I had a hard time putting this book down. The author had me captivated the whole time! I had to force myself to put the book down so I can get some sleep and to go to work. The rest of the time I was reading.
This is a must read for all regency readers, Beauty and the Beast fans, and for any girl who wants to drool over a dashing masked Baron in her imagination.
What a fun story! I loved that this was loosely based on Beauty and the Beast. I loved how mysterious the hero was and the idea that there may have been magic in the Dark Forest. I loved how the heroine was able to look beyond the hero’s mask and see the real him. The novel kept you on the edge of your seat with the mystery that surrounded the Dark Rider and his family and when you knew what really happened, it was a relief. I really like Anneka Walker’s books and this one was great!
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.