THE PRINCESS MASQUERADE

Author: Lois Greiman ISBN: 0060571454 4/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: Avon
Time Period: 1817 - The Isle of Teleere

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.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This follow up to Lois Greiman's THE PRINCESS AND HER PIRATE, is a witty, charming, and enchanting book aptly named, THE PRINCESS MASQUERADE. The title spells out exactly what the book is about—our incomparable heroine pretending to be a princess. However, it does nothing to tell you just what a good read this is.

I love the heroine, Magical Megs, as she is everything you could ever want to be. (Aside from the fact that she is poor and has no family. Ha! Ha!) Be that as it may, her wit, her pride, and her ideas on survival make her an unforgettable character. Not to mention she is much more interesting than her love interest, Viscount Nicol Argyle.

Argyle is no fop, mind you. He is simply doing his duty to the real Princess Anna when lightning strikes him in the form of Megan O'Shay. Nicol employs Magical Megs to be a decoy so the princess can attend to some personal business (mainly her pirate lover), but Nicol unexpectedly finds himself drawn to Megan and all her unorthodox ideas. The way he pines for her makes it a bit too mushy on his side, but I find his charm and banter endearing all the same.

This book is wonderfully written, and the characters are truly people you want to read about. I loved spending my scant moments of free time in Lois Greiman's imaginary kingdom.

Shannon Johnson