The Impostor Prince (Harlequin Historical) [Mass Market Paperback]

Tanya Anne Crosby (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Historical | Publication Date: September 1, 2006

A deception of royal proportions

had thrust Ian MacEwen into the very center of the ton's marriage mart, forcing him to choose a bride who would be queen. He'd wanted only to uncover answers denied him all his life. Instead he found Claire Wentworth, a fearless woman with grass-green eyes who needed his protection—and his love—whether she admitted it or not!

Danger stalked her at every turn

Claire Wentworth needed a champion, but what she got was a regal mystery. The man all London hailed as "Prince" instead struck her as a rogue adventurer—who could rouse her slumbering heart to wide-awake desire!

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373294182
• ISBN-13: 978-0373294183
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,078,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Rota, Spain to a Spanish mother and American father, at 5, Tanya didn't know a single word of English. Her first English words, courtesy of Grandma V were, "Many, many lights!" The airport was ablaze with them and hands plastered to the car window, nose to the glass, she was hungry to learn more. Language, she quickly discovered, more than planes or even actual bridges, was the thing that connected us all - no matter what walk of life we hailed from.

Fast forward to age 12: Lying anxiously in a post-op bed in a little hospital in Ponce, Puerto Rico, sans tonsils, all she could think about was her dad's typewriter. When the doc advised her parents to reward her with anything she wanted, ice cream lagged a distant second to the one thing she coveted most - that beautiful machine with the little metal arms that, when fingers pressed down upon the pearlescent keys, would stamp bold black letters on crisp white paper. To Tanya, that image was beauty incarnate. And so she began writing at age 12 - anything she could get her hands on - even thank you notes, to her parents' delight.

Tanya grew up a military brat, and, although goodbyes were never easy, she says she's grateful for the disparity in cultures she's been privileged to experience. And she believes every person she's met, every spoken word, every tear and every bit of laughter have all contributed to the canvas that is her writing.

Tanya is a bestselling novelist and an award-winning journalist, who friends and family sometimes refer to as "Pollyanna." But the name-calling is usually done with a healthy dose of good will, so she's OK with it. Those who know her best, however, know that Pollyanna is just half her personality (she's a Gemini, after all)!

Her first romance novel "Angel of fire" was published in 1992 for Avon Books. A New York Times bestselling author, she is a five-time nominee for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and her novels have been translated into Spanish, German, Italian, French, Russian and Chinese.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Twin Brothers, Twin Impersonators, This Is The Winner! 4 BIG Stars, September 12, 2006

By 

MaryGrace Meloche (Ontario, Canada.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Impostor Prince (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

THE IMPOSTOR PRINCE features Ian MacEwen, whose twin brother Merrick was the main star in Tanya Anne Crosby's last novel, THE IMPOSTOR'S KISS. Here Crosby continues with her twin tale . . . 1803, in the European principality of Meridian, a royal prince met and seduced an innocent Scottish lass. The lovers' rendezvous brought forth twin boys, Merrick and Ian. Yet, sadly, royal duties called and the lusty prince chose another to wed and the innocent Scottish lass chose between her babies. By royal command, the lass could keep one boy, while the other would remain, in Meridian, as the Crown Prince of Meridian, J. Merrick Welbourne III! Tragically, the heartbroken woman returned to Scotland with her infant son, Ian.

Northern Scotland 1831, Ian and Merrick meet again, and through an act of fate, begin to impersonate each other. Confusing? Not really, but one should read Crosby's novels in order.

Lies, secrets, deceit! Ian MacEwen must have answers! Therefore, it's off to London, where he hides under his brother's identity, and nearly runs his carriage over a fair maiden. Ah, yes Miss Claire Wentworth. The lady is a vixen. The most annoying and truly beautiful fishwife Ian has ever encountered and the little sweetheart needs his help. So, he has no choice. He needs a wife and Claire needs money. So, what harm could a little fake royal engagement be?

Her Grosvenor Square home appeared quite affluent . . . as always. Yet, it was nothing more than an empty shell. Claire Wentworth's brother was in very serious trouble! Someone was holding him for ransom and if something profitable did not happen soon, Claire Wentworth would be begging in the street. And if that were not bad enough, now a man was pursing her! A most self-centered, self-righteous man! And Claire found herself attracted to him! Even worse, the man turned out to be the Crown Prince of Meridian and in front of the entire "ton" asked her to marry him!

*** Reviewer's Comments:
Initially, Tanya Anne Crosby was one author who successfully pulled me into the world of romance reading. In the early nineties, with Avon as her publisher, this author could do no wrong! Then Ms. Crosby took some time off. In the last couple of years, Ms. Crosby has returned to the world of romance writing and if the beginning of this book is any indication, she is definitely back!

Overall, for me, THE IMPOSTOR PRINCE worked quite well. The root of its success was undoubtedly Crosby's humor. The whole set-up of her romance worked wonderfully. I liked Claire Wentworth, as the heroine. She was spunky, delightful, and a joy to read around. Ian MacEwen, as the charming hero, worked just as well; the scene just before their consummation was especially cute. And Ian's gift to his beautiful Claire was both thoughtful and very humorous if one considered his drunken condition, which so favors an inebriated male!

However, the only thing that didn't work completely for me was the story's hurried ending - DAMN THE TORPEDOES, FULL SPEED AHEAD! What started with so much enjoyment astonishingly turned into something hurried and jam-packed. Was the author suddenly compelled to tie up loose ends and quickly draw THE IMPOSTOR PRINCE and its predecessor to a tidy close? What a shame! So fine was the beginning - so disappointing was the end! Really, though this is THE flaw in an otherwise enjoyable book, one must also question Ian's Scottish accent. How exactly did he hide it, well enough to hold off suspicion?! Nevertheless, if you have been following this series, this one is definitely worth checking out. In any case, between the two books, Ian's story is definitely the winner! So, it looks like Tanya Anne is back in the groove and without reservation I can hardly wait for her next release!
Grade: B+

MaryGrace Meloche.