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Masks

M. Dalto (Goodreads Author),

Myra Fiacco

Marlena Frank (Goodreads Author)

R.J. Garcia (Goodreads Author)

Kristin Jacques (Goodreads Author)

Merry Jones (Goodreads Author)

Sarah Lampkin (Goodreads Author)

C. Vonzale Lewis (Goodreads Author)

, more…

4.86 · Rating details · 14 ratings · 12 reviews

For some, Mardi Gras is a celebration. For others, it's a dangerous game.

Masks is a collection of 11 short stories by authors from various writing backgrounds. Each story takes a unique look at the celebration of Mardi Gras, from the bright and beautiful party culture to the dark and dangerous mysteries behind the fun. The collection includes stories in the historical ...more

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400 pages

Published March 31st 2020 by Filles Vertes Publishing

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Lists with This Book

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo

Mardi Gras -- Fasching -- Fastnacht -- Karneval -- Carnaval -- Carnival -- Carnevale -- Lent

62 books — 20 voters

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Average rating 4.86 ·

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· 14 ratings · 12 reviews

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Nov 15, 2019 Candace Robinson rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

If youre looking for a book full of mystery and intrigue, then this is it! I love reading anthologies because I can read the versatile stories between the authors with a common theme. This one being Mardi Gras! Which! Ive never read a book centered around that so it was pretty cool! Each tale had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how the story was going to end. There are murderers, there are ghosts, there are crimes, there are kisses, theres a Louisiana setting, and there is lots ...more

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Apr 01, 2020 Gerardo Delgadillo rated it it was amazing

MASKS is a quite an engaging short story collection, set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Some of its tales are historical, others happen now, and all of them have a common element: Surprising twists!

MASKS is an anthology worth reading--give it a try!

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Feb 26, 2020 Myra rated it it was amazing

Serial killers.
Voodoo priestesses.
Spooky New Orleans crypts.
Ancient rituals.
Haunted theaters.
Deadly bird-beaked masks.
Malevolent spirits.

This short story collection is the exact mix of intrigue and pleasure I would expect from a Mardi Gras themed book. I was impressed with the variety--from classic Mardi Gras pleasures set in New Orleans (like king cake and beads) to the darker side of the holiday (rituals and mystery on the riverside of Silverwood). There's something for everyone.

I knew a few ...more

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Mar 27, 2020 Emma Katherine rated it it was amazing

Opinions: I don't often read short story anthologies, but I'm not entirely sure why. Perhaps Masks raises the bar too high for others! To say that I loved this book is an understatement. I was on the edge of my seat from the eerie and uncanny plots, checking the house because of the murderous and spooky personages, and reading as slowly as possible to make each story last as long as I could. I love the originality of each story; not only are they all centered around Mardi Gras, a holiday seldom Opinions: I don't often read short story anthologies, but I'm not entirely sure why. Perhaps Masks raises the bar too high for others! To say that I loved this book is an understatement. I was on the edge of my seat from the eerie and uncanny plots, checking the house because of the murderous and spooky personages, and reading as slowly as possible to make each story last as long as I could. I love the originality of each story; not only are they all centered around Mardi Gras, a holiday seldom written about, but the principle themes, plots, and characters were unique and personal to the authors. And by God, this anthology depicts the good, the bad, and the ugly! Readers are jerked back and forth between hatred, curiosity, and shock through the immeasurable amount of cliffhangers and end-of-chapter twists! I would reread most of these stories in a heartbeat to experience the intensity and atmosphere again!

My Favourite Story: I debated over this for a long time, because each story spoke to me differently. Escape rooms, Roanoke, and ghost tours were top of the list, but "The Blackbird Mask" resonated with me most. A young man brings a mysterious girl to his room on the night of Mardi Gras for some fun, and when she dies by his side, he and his friend must redress and export her before they're caught. My shock is supplied by the short length and its abrupt ending, which brings up only one question: what was the point of the story? It is eerie and misplaced; the most drastic of all of the stories. Jones took this edgy, racy topic and turned it dark, a path I wasn't expecting at all! "The Blackbird Mask" was definitely the most thought-provoking, spooky, and odd story of the anthology!

Breakdown by Story:
The Sin Exchange: 5/5
The Fickle Hand of Fortune: 4/5
Epiphany: 5/5
The Mobile Spirit: 5/5
La Femme en Rouge: 4.5/5
Spirits of Le Petit: 4/5
The Celebration Game: 5/5
The Axeman Among Us: 3.5/5
*The Blackbird Mask: 5/5*
Roll the Bones: 3/5
Ashes, Ashes: 5/5
Total: 4.5/5, rounded up to 5/5 for Goodreads! ...more

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Mar 31, 2020 Siobhan rated it really liked it

I have a love-hate relationship with short stories. I either finish with a feeling of awe due to reading such a wonderful story in so few words, or I find myself disappointed because there wasnt enough to sustain me. With Masks, we have a mixed bag. Some I really liked; some I was not crazy about.

The Sin Exchanged (Ginger Root) by C. Vonzale Lewis was a police thriller mixed with the supernatural. The supernatural took a backseat for most of the story, but it certainly played an interesting I have a love-hate relationship with short stories. I either finish with a feeling of awe due to reading such a wonderful story in so few words, or I find myself disappointed because there wasn’t enough to sustain me. With Masks, we have a mixed bag. Some I really liked; some I was not crazy about.

The Sin Exchanged (Ginger Root) by C. Vonzale Lewis was a police thriller mixed with the supernatural. The supernatural took a backseat for most of the story, but it certainly played an interesting part. As a lover of police thrillers and supernatural twists, this one had me hooked throughout. In fact, I can easily see it as an introduction to a series.

The Fickle Hand of Fortune by Dave Wickenden was a thriller. There were elements that left you questioning what was going on, but for the most part it was a race against the clock. Although not quite for me, I’m sure many will enjoy this story.

Epiphany by M Dalto was a story that will have you questioning if you’ve read a supernatural story or not. It certainly had me hooked throughout, and I happily powered through it to see how the pieces came together. There was a great vibe with this one, really getting into the feel of the collection.

The Mobile Spirit by Sarah Lampkin was a supernatural story set in the past. Both the historical aspect and the supernatural aspect kept me hooked, bringing the story to life. Although I worked out how things would play out, it did not lessen my enjoyment of the story.

La Femme en Rouge by Marlena Frank had me hooked from the start. For the most part, this one has a different vibe to the other stories in the collection. It deals with something that requires a lot of attention, and I loved the way we really got inside of our character’s head. When this one finally hit the vibe that matched the collection, it added an extra addictive element to the story.

Spirits of Le Petit by Melissa Eskue Ousley was an entertaining ghost story. I love stories that follow ghost hunters, and this one gave something slightly different. We have a haunted location, those out for proof, and humour to make the story extra entertaining. Together, it made for an entertaining read.

The Celebration Game by Candace Robinson was a story that gave readers an aspect of the supernatural world that is rarely seen. It’s something I would like to see more of, and I loved the way it played out in this one. Add in the fact it contained a great twist, and this was one of my favourites in the collection.

The Axeman Among Us by R.J. Garcia was another story set in the past, a thriller with a bit of a supernatural vibe. It’s a story that includes many elements of the past, bringing it to life in a way that is rarely seen. Although the thriller and supernatural elements were not as consuming as expected, they played together well.

The Blackbird Mask by Merry Jones was a story that had an air of uncertainty about it throughout. It’s an unusual situation that the characters found themselves in, and it’s not until quite far through the story that you see what category this one falls into. It’s another story that wasn’t quite for me, but I can certainly see it appealing to many.

Roll the Bones by Kristen Jacques was a story that existed in the world between. It had a clear young adult vibe to it, a feeling of many books that I read as a teenager. It has characters dealing with a real-life topic as a result of their introduction to the supernatural world. It certainly gave me flashback vibes to my reading in my early teenage years.

Ashes, Ashes by Myra Fiacco was a story that combined the past and the present. We’re given a murder tour, along with insights into the past, with the two coming together wonderfully. It’s not just a simple murder tour, however, as we’re pulled into the lives of the characters. With little elements thrown in to flesh this one out, it’s another favourite in the collection.

All in all, there was plenty to keep me entertained throughout. Although I wasn’t crazy about every story, there is something that is sure to appeal to everyone with this collection. ...more

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Mar 30, 2020 Nancy H rated it it was amazing

I love reading anthologies. They give me a chance to explore authors who might be new to me within a general book theme. This anthology didn't disappoint! Each story brought its own flair to the Mardi Gras theme, with its own unique twists. Whether you like to envision scenes and their specific details for yourself, have more information given, or anywhere in between, this grouping of stories is the right mix. From voodoo to graveyards, detectives to demons, downtown NOLA to the outskirts, this ...more

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Apr 01, 2020 Donna rated it it was amazing

I love this anthology! Its filled with creepy little mysteries and they all take place during Mardi Gras!! Plus I love to read anything that takes place in New Orleans!!! I ordered the paperback and am excited to have this on my shelf!!! This is definitely a must read if you like mysteries with a paranormal flare!!! ...more

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Apr 01, 2020 Stingy Strawberries rated it really liked it

4.5 This short story collection is binge-worthy. The combination of stories was perfect. One of my favorites included, The Sin Exchange. It was atmospheric, twisty and dark. It had my heart going. It was so well written I felt like I was watching a movie. It was The Axeman Among US that took me back in time. It was a Stand By Me for 1918. It was an awesome mix of memorable characters, history and horror with a sprinkle of humor and romance. Ashes to Ashes was another unique 5-star read. It's ...more

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Mar 31, 2020 Christina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020, ya-a, spooky, older-audiences, adult

An anthology with a great mix of scare levels, from the mysterious to the terrifying! I tend to stay with the somewhat spooky and mysterious instead of the truly scary stories. While some stories are set in current times and others are historical, they all connect well to the theme of the anthology. This would be a good book to read while stuck inside during quarantine. Solve mysteries with the characters, hide under your covers, and lose yourself to the atmospheric prose!

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Mar 20, 2020 Marlena Frank rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

A fantastic group of tales that explore the myth, mystery, and malice of Mardi Gras. Every story in this anthology is steeped in mystery and magic, from theater ghosts to supernatural investigations, from Civil War mysteries to cursed bloodlines and ghost tours, this anthology has an incredible mix of voices and styles!

One of my favorites was Celebration Game by Candace Robinson. This story features an escape room with a terrifying twist that had me riveted. Lets just say somebody in the room ...more

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Apr 03, 2020 Dianne is currently reading it

Shelves: 20-4-read, arc-read, author-review, anthology, own

I received a complimentary copy from Candace Robinson! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Publisher: Filles Vertes Publishing; None edition (March 31, 2020)
Publication Date: March 31, 2020
Genre: Dark Short Story Anthology
Print Length: 266 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

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Mar 29, 2020 Kattie rated it it was amazing

I actually only read one story from this book, The Celebration Game by Candace Robinson. It was an interesting take on a horror escape room. A group of friends meets for an escape room on the first day of Mardi Gras every year. In such a short story you get so much! Sex, fear and even gargoyles. How fun!

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Mar 05, 2020 Kristin Jacques rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

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Nov 23, 2019

Mar 02, 2020 Sarah Lampkin rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

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About M. Dalto

M. Dalto

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M. Dalto is a Young Adult and New Adult author of adventurous romantic fantasy stories. Her bestselling debut novel, Two Thousand Years, was a 2016 Watty Award winner (Wattpad.com). She has since released two companion novellas, and its sequel, MARK OF THE EMPRESS. Her sophomore release, LADY MUTINY, has been signed with Magnolia Press for publication in 2020.

She was recruited to participate in ...more