UNMASQUED: An Erotic Novel of the Phantom of the Opera

Author: Colette Gale ISBN: 0451221370 8/2007 EROTIC/HISTORICAL Publisher: NAL HEAT
Time Period: 19th Century Paris

Christine Daaé has heard the rumors of the hideous Phantom said to haunt the great Opera House, but she alone knows the truth of the man she calls her Angel of Music. For as he tutors her to become a brilliant singer, he also teaches her about hidden passions. He comes to her only in the darkness, awakening her with the velvet timbre of his sensual voice and arousing her with his touch. He is real. Her inspiration. Her Ange de Musique. But beautiful Christine has attracted the attention of Opera House patrons Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, and his lascivious brother, the Comte, who has his own reason for hating the mysterious Phantom. Soon Christine will find herself torn between the luxurious life of the handsome Vicomte and the only man who understands her music and her deepest desires. She will have to make the choice between living a life in the light of nineteenth-century Paris society—or spending the rest of her days revealing her love to the Phantom in the shadows of the Opera's catacombs.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Rumor says the Opera House is haunted, but Christine Daaz knows it is her angel that keeps to the shadows there. He comes to her with his seductive voice and gentle touches, arousing within her a fire that demands attention. Someday, Christine knows that the singing lessons from her Musique d'Ange will allow her to obtain her dream to become star of the stage—but until then, she longs for his next visit.

Hidden away in the shadows of the Opera House, Erik finds himself drawn to Christine's beauty and potential. His obsession for her continues to grow until he finds himself needing to touch her. She is his love, and he will do anything to keep her.

Many stories exist that tell the story of the Phantom of the Opera, but none are as sensual or thought provoking as Colette Gale's UNMASKED. She paints a vivid picture of the characters living and performing on stage in nineteenth century Paris. This beautiful, but sad story, enthralls from the beginning, drawing me deep into the world where I believe Eric and Christine truly exist. UNMASKED is a story of love and obsession, as well as perversion and acceptance.

Christine is an orphan who grew up at The Opera House. Young and beautiful, many men desire her. Her dream is to star on the stage, and with the help of her angel, she believes this will happen. She desires Eric, but in some ways he frightens her. Christine is made real by her reactions. As she grows closer to Eric, she must learn to accept his imperfections and value the strength of his love.

Eric's story is heartbreaking. Here is a man that has been tortured all of his life and is condemned to live in the shadows. His love for Christine becomes an obsession in which he will do anything to possess her. Although he seems as dark and mysterious as expected, his story here allows for a better understanding of his character. I felt close to this character, and although I felt sorry for his past, I had hope that there may be happiness in his future.

UNMASKED is filled with breathtaking action and spellbinding surprises that drew me into the story. The mystique and the magic are still there in this new and imaginative retelling of a favorite story, but in many ways I felt closer to the characters. The wonderful dialogue and the character interactions bring the story to life. Christine and Eric's story is a heated erotic romance in which passion is vividly described.

For all the above reasons, UNMASKED is a memorable tale that makes this a definite keeper that I plan to read again and again.

Anita Hartsell