Publisher's Synopsis
A poor, overworked culinary student, a wealthy, dissatisfied hotel heir, and the magical masquerade ball that brings them together.
Struggling culinary student Samantha Holderman dreams of owning a restaurant as she toils in the kitchen of The Kingsbury Hotel. On the weekends, she lovingly visits her callous stepmother who resides in a care facility. When Sam's roommate, Jessi, is given tickets to an annual fundraising masquerade ball at The Kingsbury, she convinces Sam to come along. Draped in borrowed gowns and elaborate masks, they step inside the world of the wealthy for the evening. Eli Kingsbury, heir to the hotel empire, went AWOL after his beloved grandmother passed. Eli returns to assume his duties as CEO following his father's unexpected death and to appease his domineering mother, but he yearns to pursue his true passion-being a novelist. Amidst the gala splendor, Sam shares a captivating dance with a masked stranger who whisks her away to a secret garden. At the end of the ball, when identities are revealed, Sam is stunned to learn her dance partner has been Eli Kingsbury. In a panic, she runs off, leaving only her bracelet behind. Sam returns to work only to discover she's been assigned as Eli's personal chef. Will she be able to keep her identity a secret? Will Eli find the woman he desperately seeks? Or will he discover she's right in front of him? In this Cinderella-inspired tale, Masquerade at The Kingsbury unfolds as a heartwarming romance, brimming with tender moments and heart-fluttering kisses, all while navigating the intricate themes of forgiveness, courage, and trust.
