Tarnished Past - Beloved Unmasked
Born to a spiteful prostitute in Storyville, the red-light district in New Orleans, David comes into the world as Picayune, meaning “of little value,” or, as his mother reminds him, "nothing." In the early 20th century brothels and clubs, his love of music sustains young Pic until a life-changing meeting places him on the road to respectability, and Pic reinvents himself as David Reid.
As David realizes happiness for the first time, conscription forces his friend and first love, Spencer Webb, into the Great War. While he pursues a law degree, letters from Spence connect David to his hopes for the future. After staggering news at war’s end, David must find a way to move forward. Under the tutelage of his benefactor, David’s career prospers, but specters from Storyville threaten all he’s worked so hard to achieve.
The past holds both pain and love. Will facing it head-on destroy David or give him everything he’s ever dared dream?
On December 8, 2016, Beloved Unmasked won a Rainbow Award for Best Gay Historical of 2016.
The book also placed in a field of over 420 books, to receive the fifth runner-up slot for Best Gay Book of 2016.
What some of the judges had to say about Beloved Unmasked
2016 Rainbow Awards
1) I thought the author captured the time period wonderfully. The characters and setting feel very real, and I got sucked into the story very quickly.
2) Well researched; interesting time frame, great characters; well written; you enter this world and find you want to know what becomes of the characters.
3) This book seemed to have it all, well-written characters with a rich storyline. I loved how this book took me through a rollercoaster of emotions. I felt very connected with David throughout the entire story. Also, the author did a wonderful job of putting me in that WWI-ish time period.
4) The historical setting so very well done, in fact one of the best I've read. Initially the characters were interesting and consistent until the end when the got morose and it slowed the pacing.
5) Excellent historical details and strong storytelling, with a hero who survives much childhood abuse.
Reviews
I love novels about the early 1900's if they are done right, and boy is this one done right! Brita Addams has done her homework in preparation for this book, and series for that matter, and boy does it show! Book Bike Reviews
This book can compete alongside the best of the best historical novels and also hold sway beside erotic MM romance—the story does not disappoint in any category. Annie Anthony - Author and Editor
No one writes better historical novels than Brita Addams so it comes as absolutely no surprise that her latest release, Beloved Unmasked, is another brilliantly written and well researched gay romance. Kathy - Kathy's Book Reviews and More
Really is a beautifully done turn of the century story. I can tell the author did her home work and made everything feel alive and vibrant. When you want a historical you can really sink into and feel like you are there, this is the book to pick up. Really amazingly well done and I am very glad I got the chance to read it. Tina - Redz World Reviews
Readers who like historical reads seeped in the language and sights of the times will be drawn to this m/m read and its sensual romance amidst the dramatic recreation of a single life and I applaud Ms. Adamms for her engaging storytelling. Jody - Words of Widsom from the Scarf Princess
The Author’s detailing was utterly superb – I lived that time with them, I breathed the air that they breathed and felt their joy and heartache. Lorraine Lesar - Three Books Over the Rainbow
Beloved Unmasked is a beautifully written historical romance. You can feel the streets of New Orleans, see the sites, and hear the sounds. The story is a bittersweet romance full of angst yet has a happy ending. There are plenty of twists to keep you on your toes and I will admit to many tears shed. I also loved this cover! Cathy Brockman - MM Good Book Reviews
For some fun facts on Storyville, New Orleans, and some of the people who lived there at the turn of the twentieth century, please visit my blog.