The Impostor Prince [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.

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