I have a confession to make. I didn't read the first Games book. I know, I know, what was I thinking, right?! But before you come after me with pitchforks and torches, would it help if I told you I have realized the error of my ways and added the first Games book (Charade) to my to-be-read list? AND that I have plans to read it in the very near future and have already pre-ordered book 3 (Masquerade)? Yes, I have seen the light, and all thanks to Facade!

So what did it for me? What sold me on this book about two people whose lives are forever changed and connected by tragedy?

Three words:  Damn fine storytelling.

Here's the proof: Author Nyrae Dawn gave me a sweet and innocent heroine with strong caretaker tendencies, and she made me care about her. You may not appreciate what a big deal that is, but let me assure you, it is. I have nothing against "good" characters, but if they aren't written right, they can come across as flat, one-dimensional, and ultimately boring. I didn't have that problem with Delaney, though. Somehow, she got to me. It was if she threw her arms around me at the start of the book and held on tight. With every page I read, another crack formed in my prickly armor. I ended up not only caring about her, I became weirdly protective of her too. As in, I actually bristled up a few times when other characters treated her in a way I didn't approve of. It was the craziest thing - but it heightened my reading experience. I was deeply invested in Delaney's character and was prepared to throw down if she didn't get a happy ending.

On the flip side, there's Adrian. I've got three words for him too, and they are "hot, sexy mess". This really was his book. Delaney's a key part of it, obviously, but whereas Delaney shone like a light in the darkness, Adrian was all shadow. He blamed himself for the tragedy that occurred in his past, and he couldn't move past it. He wasn't living; he was existing. Just going through the motions of life and hiding his pain behind a playful, flirtatious smile. And boy, did he have a lot of pain to hide, and it was eating him up inside. If Delaney hadn't come along, I honestly don't think he would have made it. But she did come along, and she changed everything.

The romance is great - and by that I mean fantastic. Adrian and Delaney are a beautifully matched pair. Like ying and yang, they balance each other out. And in the physical department....um, yeah, definitely no problems there! They scorched quite a few pages, and even in their "quieter" moments, I felt the heated pull between them.

Biggest surprise of the book? Delaney's brother, Maddox. OMG, Maddox! He stole every scene he was in, and I'm so thrilled he gets the next book all to himself! It's already on my "highly anticipated" list.

Long story short, I am officially a Nyrae Dawn fan. You will be too when you read her books. Now go get them! :)

4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Q: Adrian is a secondary character in the first Games series book. How did you know that he was leading man material?

A: I know the exact scene in CHARADE where I knew Adrian would get his own story. It was the first time Colt introduced Adrian to Cheyenne and he walked up to her and said, “Hey, baby”. It sounds simple, but that’s when I knew. I knew that he wore this façade and seemed like this light, flirtatious guy but really he had a huge secret.

Q:. Tell us about Adrian's leading lady, Delaney. What's your favorite thing about her?

A: I love the fact that she is just good. She's a nice person. She wants good things for the people she loves and she's willing to put in the work to help them find it. She's very genuine and caring. I have a lot of respect for that in a person.

Q: In Facade, Adrian carries around a weathered and much-loved copy of The Count of Monte Cristo (fabulous book, btw - he has good taste!). What's one of your favorite classic novels, and why?

A: If I'm being honest, I don't read many classics. I know that sounds horrible and it's almost embarrassing to admit. The Count is great, of course.

Q: What's your writing process like? Do the characters "find" you, dropping into your head fully formed with their own stories to tell? Are you a big outliner, researcher, note-taker, or do you write by the seat of your pants like some authors do?

A: It varies for each book. Most of the time, I get a character first and they tell me their story. I definitely consider myself a character writer so it's mostly about them and what they "tell me". Which probably sounds funny. LOL. Most of the time I know the basics: backstory, likes, dislikes. I have to know exactly who my people are and may have a few key scenes. I know where they are going, but how they get there isn't always in my head from the beginning. I just start to write. Then once I get a little chunk of the story on paper, I try to plan out scenes to make sure I'm on the right path to get the character from point A to point B.

Q: What 3 fictional characters would you want to have over for dinner and why?

A: Jamie Fraser from The Outlander. Sigh. He is so swoony and one of my all time favorite characters. I respect the way he loves. Qhuinn from JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series because…well, because he’s Qhuinn! Love him. And… Kaidan Rowe from Wendy Higgins Sweet Evil series.