Title: A Gilded Cage
Series: Masquerade 2
Author: Joy Lynn Fielding
Genre: Historical/public exhibition, bondage
Length: Novella (97 pages)
Publisher: Siren Publishing (August 20th, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Perry Sinclair is blissfully happy living in Italy with his lover, Jack Fitzwarren. He finds as much happiness in the peace of Jack’s vineyard as he does in the decadent delights of Venice in full Carnevale, where everyone is masked, and nothing is forbidden. Jack is a fugitive from English justice, wanted for a crime he did not commit. When Perry’s ex-lover, Gilbert, arrives in Venice, Perry realizes that the safety they thought Jack had found in Venice is nothing more than an illusion.
Perry attempts to assuage Gilbert’s desire to experience Venice and Carnevale, as well as his seemingly endless curiosity about just why Perry has remained in Venice. He must do all of this without giving rise to any suspicion of Jack’s presence, because if Jack is discovered, he will face the noose. Meanwhile, Gilbert has an agenda of his own, and Perry is faced with an agonizing choice.
Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/a-gilded-cage
Reviewer: GiGi
Review: This second book in the Masquerade series starts with Perry and Jack happy as clams, after bringing in their harvest of grapes for the season. But, the happiness is short-lived. Soon Perry receives word that his past on again/off again lover, the one who abandoned him on his grand tour, is back in town. Gilbert is curious as to why his friend-with-benefits has remained in Venice, and on top of that, he expects Perry to once again fall at his feet and fulfill his sexual needs. Perry can’t seem to keep Gilbert entertained enough to stop snooping into Perry’s reasons for staying in Venice, but he needs to protect Jack’s identity. Protect him from being arrested under false accusations of murder.
No matter how many cathedral tours, art and architecture lectures, or local Carnivale sexual encounters he plies Gilbert with, he can’t get him off the scent of the real reason Perry is here. Will he fall to Gilbert’s demands for a renewal of their sexual past just to keep Jack safe? Will Jack make a mistake in his jealousy and either unveil himself or take to another’s bed to soothe his insecurities? Unfortunately, Gilbert discovers Perry’s real passion in his sketchbook. Perry couldn’t hide the identity of the male figure he drew so lovingly in his sketches and soon Perry and Jack are on the run. And Jack just couldn’t stay away from his lover even to keep them both safe.
Many close encounters add to the excitement and tension of the story, and we’re left with a cliffhanger only because we know that Perry and Jack can’t go on happily forever on the run. I’m curious to see how this adventure, and running from the law is solved in the next issue.