ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE by Tamara Hughes (Guest Post/Giveaway)

I love romantic movies and TV shows. They are by far my favorite to watch. I guess it goes along with my addiction to romance books.

And historical ones…don’t get me started. The costumes, the language…so cool. I only wish there were more to see. I feel like I’ve gotten to them all at one time or another. Although the really good ones I’ll watch again and again.

Here are my top 5:

1. North & South: This one is my very favorite. I’m not talking the one with Patrick Swayze in the Civil War. This is a British mini-series from a while ago that starred Richard Armitage. It focuses on the cotton mills in northern England (the town of Milton) back in Victorian times. Margaret Hale is a newcomer to the town. She’s a privileged, middle-class girl from the south who disapproves of how the cotton mill owners treat their workers. Enter John Thornton, a handsome cotton mill owner. They clash at first, but their attraction is undeniable. I love John. He’s an honest guy, who’s only trying to do what’s best for his factory and the people who work for him. He grows to love Margaret, but doesn’t believe she’ll return his affections, and when he professes his love and asks her to marry him…sigh…that scene is touching and compelling. Wow. If you haven’t seen it, you should.

2. Pride & Prejudice: Ah, the Jane Austen classic. There are many versions of this movie, but my favorite stars Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Yes, I know there are a lot of fans of the Colin Firth one, and I like him too, but Matthew Macfadyen…he played Mr. Darcy so well. When the movie first came out, he was criticized for his brooding, quiet portrayal, but there are moments in the movie that were so appealing, like when he flexes his hand after he helps Elizabeth into the carriage and how hard it is for him to tell her his feelings. Amazing.

3. Persuasion: I could list quite a few movies based on Jane Austen stories. Sense & Sensibility with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, and Alan Rickman is very good. But my next choice is a lesser known Jane Austen story, Persuasion. This movie is about love lost and found again. As a young woman, Anne Elliot broke her engagement with Frederick Wentworth because of pressure from her family. He became a sailor and went out to sea, making a name for himself. The story begins years later when he returns. Although there is awkwardness between Anne and Frederick, they both still have feelings for each other, and over time they reunite. So sweet.

4. Jane Eyre: Another classic. This one by Charlotte Bronte. Again there are tons of movies out there, but the one that sticks in my mind stars Timothy Dalton. I think this was a mini-series made in 1983 before he was famous. He was a great Mr. Rochester, and the story speaks for itself. An orphaned Jane Eyre ends up a governess in Mr. Rochester’s home, only to fall in love with her employer and he to her, if it weren’t for the crazy lady upstairs.

5. The Catherine Cookson movies: Okay, this isn’t one movie, but I wanted to point out some of the grittier romance movies out there. While I usually like more of the sigh-worthy romances, these intrigue me. The Girl, The Moth, The Wingless Bird, and The Rag Nymph are some of my favorites. But beware, the endings aren’t all happiness and birds. While the couples do end up together, they have to sacrifice to do it, so they’re a little worse for wear.

Series that have romance as a side story like Robin Hood and Merlin are also fun. And I’ve started to watch Reign, which I’m really enjoying.

Hope you found a new movie/show to watch from my list. And if you have a favorite, please let me know. I’m always looking for more.

Once Upon a Masquerade
by Tamara Hughes
EBook: 293 pages
Release Date: February 10, 2014
ISBN: 978-1622664511
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

New York City, 1883
A Prince Charming meets his match…Self-made shipping magnate Christopher Black first spies Rebecca Bailey at a masquerade ball and is captivated by her refreshing naiveté and sparkling beauty. She’s a stark contrast to the hollow behavior of the ton and the guile of his former fiancée, but the closer he gets to her secrets, the further she pushes him away.
A Cinderella with a secret…Rebecca is drawn to the charismatic Christopher from the first, but she cannot risk him discovering that she is really a housemaid impersonating an heiress. Her father's life depends on it.
A Happily Ever After that could never be…When Christopher’s investigation of the murder of his best friend leads him straight to Rebecca, he fears his ingénue may be a femme fatale in disguise.  Now he must decide if he can trust the woman he's come to love, or if her secrets will be his downfall.

About Tamara:

A small town girl with a big imagination, Tamara Hughes had no idea what to do with her life. After graduating from college, she moved to a big city, started a family and a job, and still struggled to find that creative outlet she craved. An avid reader of romance, she gave writing a try and became hooked on the power of exploring characters, envisioning adventures, and creating worlds. She enjoys stories with interesting twists and heroines who have the grit to surmount any obstacle, all without losing the ability to laugh. To learn more, stop by her website: www.tamarahughes.com.

Tour Giveaway Details:
1 $25 Amazon Gift Card US Only
3 eBooks of ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE International

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Tour Schedule

Week 1:

2/10/2014- The Passionate Bookworms- Review

2/10/2014- Night Owl Reviews- Guest Post

2/11/2014- Dandelionn Wine Book Blog- Review

2/11/2014- HEA Romances With a Little Kick- Guest Post

2/12/2014- The Reading Addict- Review

2/12/2014- 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!- Interview

2/12/2014- Lola Karns- Guest Post

2/13/2014- Kate's Book Life- Review

2/13/2014- Book Liaison- Guest Post

2/14/2014- Army Wife Reviews- Review

2/14/2014- Bending The Spine- Interview

Week 2:

2/17/2014- Always Reiding- Review

2/17/2014- Book Flame- Guest Post

2/18/2014- Stitch Read Cook- Review

2/18/2014- Reading Between the Wines               - Guest Post

2/19/2014- Bookgirl Knitting- Review

2/19/2014- Manga Maniac Café- Interview

2/20/2014- Fab Fantasy Fiction- Review

2/20/2014- Imagine a World- Interview

2/21/2014- lilybloombooks- Review

2/21/2014- Fade Into Fantasy- Interview