The Princess Masquerade [Mass Market Paperback]

Lois Greiman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2004

Cunning Megan O'Shay is many things -- a barmaid, a beauty, and the notorious thief known as "Magical Megs." She gets much more than she expects, however, the day she separates a certain gentleman from his pocket watch . . . and the dashing scoundrel actually hunts her down! But it isn't his stolen timepiece that Nicol Argyle wants -- it's Megan.

This Viscount of Newburn has finally found what he's been searching for: a woman who so resembles his liege, Princess Tatiana, that Her Highness will be able to slip away on a secret mission while the imposter sits in her place. First, though, he'll have to transform a perfect thief into a perfect royal by teaching her etiquette, dining, and dancing -- while resisting the mischievous gleam in her bewitching eyes and the sensuous allure of her kissable lips. Because Magical Megs is a master of her craft . . . and Nicol strongly suspects she intends to steal his heart.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

As a child I desperately wanted to be an internationally renowned jockey, dashing across the open heath on Ireland's best pony, soaring over double oxers as if on wings. It was my greatest desire . . . except when I wanted to be a princess or a soldier or the world's first time-traveler.

The bad news is that I've never been a jockey or a princess or a soldier, but I am a time-traveler of sorts. With every book I write I get to spend a little bit of time in another world. I get to experience the joys and terrors of a counter-reality; in a way I guess I have become those other people, and through the magic of literature, I get to take my readers with me. So strap on your hunt caps, mates -- we're going for a ride.

Lois Greiman's books have been published in half a dozen foreign countries, won numerous awards, and continue to delight readers everywhere.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (March 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060571454
• ISBN-13: 978-0060571450
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #927,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Endearing Characters and Great Fun, March 9, 2005

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Princess Masquerade (Mass Market Paperback)

Megan O'Shay was known as many things - a beauty, a spunky barmaid, but mostly as the quick fingered and slippery notorious thief known as "Magical Megs." It would be a deed she surely would regret the day she tangled with a certain gentleman who took exception to the way she walloped him with a wine bottle and separated him from a family heirloom pocket watch.

Though Nicole, Viscount Newburn might tell himself it was his pocket watch that he wanted, it was truly the thief Magical Megs; the woman who had an uncanny resemblance to his liege, Princess Tatianna of Sedonia. It took six months to track her down, and Megs, who trusted no man - let alone a noble, was not about to make his job easy. He had to convince her to help then educate her in royal etiquette, dining, etc. so that she could replace Tatiana while the Princess slipped away on a secret mission. As a close advisor to the Princess, Cole was not known for his warmth, but as Megs transformed before his eyes into the refined and beautiful lady, Cole was not immune to the bewitching beauty, who had stolen his heart.


*** In the second installment of the Princess Trilogy, we finally get to meet the true master thief `Magical Megs' who will easily steal your heart away. Tough and resilient, she led Cole on a merry chase right up until she caught him! Cole was also a likeable hero strong and caring no matter how hard he tried to remain stoic and unfeeling. The more he glimpsed the innate goodness radiating from the kind heart beneath the brittleness Megan tried hard to maintain, the more he came to unbend and love that essential goodness. Greiman utilizes glowingly fresh and saucy dialog between her protagonists which will delight the reader adding humor to the struggles as both try to deny their attraction. The solid supporting cast is expertly crafted and adds additional layering to this superb stand-alone story in the second book of Greiman's Princess trilogy. [...]

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awonderful historical romance, March 30, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Princess Masquerade (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1817 on the Isle of Teleere, Viscount Nicholas Argyle notices a young woman whom looks exactly like Princess Tatiana "Anna" Rochenau ruler of his home country Sedonia. Before he can talk to her, she hits him with a bottle, steals his watch, and disappears.

Six months later, Nicol searches for the woman who stole his watch when he finds "Sparrow" working at a bar. He asks her for his watch, but she denies ever meeting him. Nicol offers her money, three meals, and an education if she is willing to impersonate the princess while the royal negotiates an alliance. If not, he will see her at the gallows as befitting a thief. She reluctantly accepts his terms. He teaches her how to behave like a royal, but Meg drives him crazy.

The switch is made. Her performance as the princess over the next few days is perfect and Nicol soon admires and loves Meg, but she believes he remains infatuated with Anna. Meg takes charge of the council discussions on how to pay the debt and realizes she loves her mentor. However, she knows that when the real Princess returns her love will abandon her.

Loosely similar to The Prince and the Pauper, THE PRINCESS MASQUERADE is a wonderful historical romance due to a strong spirited lead female character, a bewildered hero, and a solid support cast. Though the fall of the villain is too abrupt and Meg's adjustment from barmaid thief to princess feels too easy, the terrific story line hooks the audience who root for the heroine. Lois Greiman furbishes a fabulous novel that will elate her sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner