DALE THELE - AUTHOR
MASKED
IDENTITIES
Brooke believed she had read every book in her Granddad's fiction collection until she stumbled upon an unfamiliar title. Intrigued, she delves into the book and discovers that her relationship with her boyfriend of four years mirrors the story unfolding between Ezra and Christian. Can a Victorian tale of forbidden love between two men provide the insight she needs to salvage her struggling relationship?
"Masked Identities" is a layered narrative that intertwines a period story with a contemporary one. The inner tale follows the blossoming relationship of two young men in Victorian London in the 1890s, while the outer story focuses on college students Brooke and Chase in present-day upstate New York. This manuscript transcends traditional genre boundaries, blending elements of gay and heterosexual relationships, as well as period and contemporary themes. It is not a typical read; rather, it is a journey into alternative fiction.
Approximate reading time:
1 hour - 30 minutes
Rated: ADULT - implied sex & intimacy.
Video features a book cover image prior to March 1, 2023
(Due to special formatting, the paperback is a better choice.)
No longer available on Smashwords
Editorial Review
"[Mr. Thele's] novella offers readers a thoughtful exploration of how literature can mirror life in unexpected ways. Through Brooke’s discovery of a mysterious book within her grandfather’s collection, [Thele] creates a narrative that gently blurs the boundaries between past and present, fiction and personal truth. The parallel between Brooke’s modern relationship and the Victorian-era story of Ezra and Christian adds meaningful depth, inviting readers to reflect on love, identity, and the ways stories shape our understanding of ourselves.
"[Readers will] appreciate the narrative's intimacy and the contemplative tone that runs through the work. By weaving together a contemporary perspective with a historical tale of forbidden love, [Thele] creates a story that feels both personal and timeless. The structure of the novella encourages readers to consider how echoes of the past can illuminate the emotional questions we face in the present.
"[Masked Identities] thoughtfully reminds readers how literature can reveal unexpected truths about the heart."
Mark Donovan