The Princess Masquerade

by Lois Greiman

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060571454
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Avon
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Endearing Characters and Great Fun

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. [...]

Awonderful historical romance

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