MARVELOUS!!!

In January 2013 I read “Painted Faces” (the first book in this series) and I was conflicted. The book made me question myself. Was I someone who could date a drag queen? That question lead to long discussions with my book friends over the subject of Nicholas and his chosen career path. I spent my time reflecting on what kind of person I am. Am I a judgmental person like Freda’s friend Nora? Or was I more like Freda in my ability to look past the lipstick and see the man behind it? In the end, I hope, I fall on the same team as Freda. As Nicholas said, ”I [have] no time for close-mindedness.”

We meet Freda and Nicholas in Painted Faces, which happens to be in my top 2 favorites of 2013, where these two have a very unconventional love story. In Killer Queen it’s Nicholas’s story but told through his diary entries. This book has more to offer than just a retelling of “Painted Faces”. Nicholas’s story starts before he meets Freda and it continues on after “Painted Faces” left off. I loved getting to know the man behind the painted face and the man who is the painted face.

One of the greatest parts of Killer Queen is the complex characters. They are a contradiction right down to their names. I loved their first meeting.

Nicholas
”You must be Freda.”

Freda
”Fred – you can call me Fred.”

Nicholas
“Okay, Fred, you can call me Vivica.”

Freda
”Cool – if we become close friends, can I call you Viv?”

Nicholas
”You can call me whatever you like, Frederick.”

Being between male and female is a captivating part of Nicholas. As a straight drag queen people find him slightly unnerving. Luckily, Freda is not narrow-minded but instead a sassy woman with a sarcastic sense of humor. I love this couple because they just work. There’s no easy road for them and yet they fit together nicely.

Ms. Cosway writes outside the ‘norm’ for romance books. I love that her characters are unconventional and push the box. If you haven’t read anything by her don’t hesitate because you’re in for a treat. Ms. Cosway writes about the most interesting characters whose lives are out of the ordinary. Through Ms. Cosway’s writing I’ve met a drag queen, street performer and an illusionist.

Did I love it? To quote Freda and Nicholas:

”Well, what did you think?” – Nicholas
”It was brilliant!” – Freda

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RELEASE DATE: 10/20/2014
Pre-order | order: http://amzn.to/1ELHzDJ
Painted Faces is available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/ZzP3ZO

SERIES:

Killer Queen is a companion novel to L.H. Cosway’s contemporary romance, Painted Faces. It contains scenes that take place before, during and after the original story. It can also be read as a standalone.

**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**

BLURB:

Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome…

Come inside The Glamour Patch club to see the star of our show, Miss Vivica Blue.

Do you want to read my diary you nosy little devils? Have a glass of champagne (you’ll need it) and get comfortable because you’re in for some crazy shenanigans brought to you straight from the horse’s mouth.

I can be whatever you want me to be: boy, girl, a little bit of both.

If you have a problem with a man in a dress then best be off with you. If males in make-up give you the willies, then I’ll say au revoir and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

So, who are we left with? Ah, a fine collection of curious souls. I want to tell you a tale of love, because those are the most glorious kind. I want to tell you about real love, a love that transcends labels and gender stereotypes.

The moment I first laid eyes on my Freda I knew that we were kindred. Well okay, I also knew I wanted to get into her pants, but that’s beside the point. My world was a grey place. I was at my lowest ebb. Then she came along and patches of colour began to spring forth. One day the daffodils were yellow and before I knew it, colour was everywhere, lighting up my life.

Love is not about how we appear on the outside, it’s about the soul contained within.

Our story was not a conventional one, but it was ours, and that’s what made it shine.

Killer Queen is a companion novel to L.H. Cosway’s contemporary romance, Painted Faces. It contains scenes that take place before, during and after the original story. It can also be read as a standalone.

Cover Designed by: Letitia from Romantic Book Affairs

L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

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