Masquerade

Moser writes inspirational fiction with a strong, historically accurate foundation in this new offering, set in 1885 in New York City. Twin protagonists Charlotte Gleason, wealthy English heiress, and Dora Connors, her maid, decide to take fate (and love) into their own hands and switch places upon their arrival in America. Dora, having never experienced material comfort, jumps at the chance to "become" Charlotte and marry a very wealthy American suitor, Conrad Tremaine, in Charlotte's stead. Charlotte, whose idea it was to trade places, finds herself penniless and on the streets of New York, alone and desperate. Both young women find themselves utterly discombobulated and ill-at-ease pretending to be the other. Through some expected plot twists, Charlotte and Dora learn a few tricks, and lessons, about life. In the end, they find their way back to being comfortable in their own skins. Moser's work is nicely done and thoroughly entertaining throughout, even with a predictable storyline. (Aug.)