Palace Intrigue

A Medieval Tale #3

by Lina J. Potter, Elizabeth Adams (Translator)

She suddenly wished that her medical school had offered a course on the art of intrigue… What seemed to be just an accident now carries an ugly and poisonous truth inside. Time to lift the veil.
Aliya, now Countess Lillian Elizabeth Mariella Earton and wife to the Earl of Earton, is trying to uncover the truth behind Lillian’s miscarriage and the unhappy course of her marriage. How many enemies does Lilian have? And what do they want of her?
King Edward’s interest in the estate of Earton – once collapsing, now prospering – has sparked. He invited Lilian to come to the Royal Palace in spring. Aliya prepares to travel with only one thought in the back of her mind: will she be able to persuade King Edward with her gifts and obtain his permission to continue to develop her business empire as a woman? She has to become an integral part of Edward’s kingdom, so much so that removing her would cause great damage to the rest of the structure. No guts, no glory. Otherwise, she won’t survive, especially with a husband who could exercise total control over her life.
In the meantime, Jess, the Earl of Earton, while travelling with the Royal delegation, becomes increasingly disturbed as amassing reports of his wife’s undertakings reach him via the King’s letters. Is Lilian doing all of this by herself or is someone else behind it, telling her what to do? Afterall, she is just a woman. To make matters worse, Jess' cunning mistress Adele is still plotting to eliminate both Miranda and Lilian.
Palace Intrigue is the third book in the Medieval Tale series by Lina J. Potter. The plot twists as Lilian's story becomes of interest to neighboring kingdoms. Aliya keeps on winning the trust and hearts of Eveers, Virmans and Khangans and now the King of Wellster sees a powerful ally in the Countess as the struggle for power commences!

Genres: Fantasy, Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Medieval, Romance

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Call it inspiration, the voice of a Muse, or plain obsession… Lina J. Potter has been dreaming up stories for as long as she can remember. She has a light-hearted approach to writing. Whenever she is not writing, you can find her practicing karate and lace-making. Nowadays, she lives in the quite town of Tambov with her husband, daughter and two cats.

Lina is looking forward to hearing from you! Connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/linajpotter

Connect with readers and join in the discussion
www.facebook.com/groups/1041553379344...

Also have a look at:
www.lithunters.com
www.facebook.com/LithuntersPH/

Reviews

[Olga Akdogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like the story is only getting better and better.. Little Miranda and Aliya's relationship is really marvelous. I also like how the earl is being driven into a corner in this one and can't wait to read how the story will unfold itself further!

[Crystal Ganley · Rating 5 out of 5]

More!

This is a great series. Just got book 3 and read it non-stop. I read the first two books about two weeks ago, and pre-ordered the third . Now I have to wait for the fourth book. Please write fast I love these books!

[Qrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

WANT THE NEXT BOOK NOW!!!!
It was wonderful!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Alt. History Story

Good character development and correct level of action without crazy ridiculous amount rapid technology introduction. Level of intrigue and plot development is also good.

[Serroi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the story but

It's a great story but I just can't afford the next book. First book was KU, next was 4.99, then 3rd was 5 something and then was raised to 6.95 and now the next book is 6.95. I had no problem when it was 4.99 but the constant price increases. I just can't see paying such high prices for a new author.

[KS PIERCE · Rating 5 out of 5]

More more more!!!!

Oh my gosh! There are many lessons in life to learn from Lily. I want more, more, more! How soon until the next book release?

[Carolyn Wills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why do authors stretch out a storyline over several books?

I have enjoyed reading all three books. A strong heroine and intrigue. What I don't like is waiting for the next book or cliffhangers. I will sometimes never finish a series of books because, Iwould have moved on. Not a patient reader for cliff hangers. I also sometimes forget them, if the previous book was not that great.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need the next two books!

This book, as with the previous two, was awesome! It can be a little hard to follow because there is a lot going on, and good luck trying to sum it all up for someone (i tried to tell my husband the basics... just that took about 5 minutes). I really can't wait to see what happens in the next two books. Part of me is hoping that Lily and Jess fall in love, the rest of me wants him out of the picture! Can't wait to see what happens !!!

[Vernda Monette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing..great writing...always



Kept me wondering what would happen next. Allows for the mind to figure out the next move. Looking forward to the next book.

[Teri Augustine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great tale. Elementary writing. Lousy editing.

Enjoyed the story very much, but often the sentence structure and phrasing caused me to have to re-read passages to understand. Also, simple things like editing could have improved this read.

[bobbi stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books that I could not put down.

This is book 3 in what I think is a 5 book series. I found the first book quite by accident but I was hooked. The characters are so interesting as is the storyline. The only problem I had with this book is that when I was 2/3s of the way through I found myself slowing down because i didn't want it to end! Please, please hurry and bring out the next book in the series.

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is the most enjoyable I've read this year.

I read constantly and love getting into a good story. This author writes so well. The characters are so real I can picture them. Lily's experience in this new life is fascinating. I can't get enough. I hope the next book is coming soon and that it is longer.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Wow Read

This woman is amazing! Her new world is fascinating! I love the way the threads of the story are coming together. This story is rich in detail. I have been glued to the pages and can't wait for more!

[Flea · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEED MORE PLEASE
This is the 3rd book in the Medieval Tale series by Lina J. Potter and I’m seriously obsessed. I actually read this book in a day and a half (doing nothing BUT reading) and turned right around and reread the whole thing all over again because I wasn’t ready to walk away from this world.
Best time travel story I’ve ever read.

[Linda L. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please more!!

Love this series, can't wait until #4. This is the best, characters have me nail biting waiting for next book hurry please.😂

[Barkelnic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best

As an avid reader of medieval fantasy and time travel, it is often frustrating to read so many mediocre tales.
This series is a welcome exception. The plot is interesting, the characters fascinating, and I can't wait to continue the journey with the next book in the series.
Do yourself a favor and join the ride.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cliffhanger

$7 for this book and it's not very long. This series could have been completed into two books easily. Then it would worth the price because it is a good story.
They are also CLIFFHANGERS.
The rating I am giving is not that the book wasn't good because it was. It's that I don't like CLIFFHANGERS and it is dirty of an author to use this tactic to get people to read their books. I will probably read the test of this series but when I finish I won't read more by this author.
I will rate each book the same.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

April 2019
Audio & Kindle

Review for entire series
Book 1 - 4 Stars
Book 2 - 4 Stars
Book 3 - 3 Stars
Book 4 - 2.5 Stars
Book 5 - 3 Stars

This is the premise of the series in a nutshell:

Aliya is a medical school graduate gifted with both smarts and an athletic body. Her life seems perfect...until she finds herself in a fatal car accident. Instead of dying, however, she wakes up in a completely different body, in the middle of a half-ruined castle during alternate medieval times. Confused and dismayed, Aliya realizes she was given a second chance in life as Countess Lilian Earton, so she rolls up her sleeves and gets to work on restoring the castle and her new life.

This series is promoted as a romance, but I would disagree with that. This series is more of a Historical/Fantasy/Time-Travel/Adventure. The main "couple" don't even meet until the last book. Well..... the "hero"

who is Lilian's estranged husband, has met Lilian - that is - the real Lilian, but he has no idea what this new Aliya/Lilian person is like. He's not even around. His marriage to Lilian was arranged and he wasn't attracted to her at all. He married her, drunkenly bedded her, then shipped her off to one of his old crumbling estates and only visits once or twice a year. In the meantime, he sleeps around and has mistresses that he doesn't bother trying to hide.

Lilian is over weight. There is a lot of fat shaming on the part of the husband. Aliya/Lilian isn't used to being in an out of shape body and she doesn't feel good in it, so she immediately gets to work on getting in shape. She also quickly realizes her vulnerable situation and that her husband doesn't care what happens to her or the estate. So she decides she needs to get busy on getting things put to rights.

Aliya was a very smart girl and she is able to put her twenty-first century knowledge to work. This is what made the story so good for me.

This series was translated from Russian and the translation isn't always good. The first few books are available in audio, and I recommend going that route. The narration helps to smooth the rough edges (and there are a lot of rough edges). I'm not sure what the translators native language is, but I doubt it's English, because she got a lot of the translation wrong. Just some stuff that didn't flow or make sense. If that type of thing bothers you, you should steer clear of this series. If you can work through such things, then you might enjoy these books.

What I liked about the first couple of books is the world Ms. Potter has created. I liked watching Aliya/Lilian learn to make her way in her crazy situation and I really enjoyed watching her use her knowledge to bring new advances to this medieval type world. What I didn't like was the estranged husband. The POV's switch between several different people, one being the husband. What an asshole!! Seriously grade A jerk. And he stays that way through the first 4 books. I'm not sure he ever redeemed himself completely in the final book, but I learned to live with it. The only thing I had to hold on to was that he didn't know THIS Lilian. Still, I feel sorry for the life the real Lilian had to live. She didn't have the inner strength of Aliya to make something more of her situation.

I really liked the first couple of books, the third book was still likable but a little slower, and the 4th book felt like a different translator took over and the writing got worse and not much happened. The final book picks back up and everything happens quickly. We do get answers to our questions and everything wraps up.

I would definitely consider more books by this author if I could get them in audio. I really liked her overall story. I was engrossed from the beginning.

Side Note:
It's been a few months since I read the books so I can't remember some details, but I think a trigger warning is likely needed for harm against women/children. Also, the estranged husband cheats on Lilian and there are a couple of mildly detailed sex scenes with other women.

[Herma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story and the plot it's get better and better. New characters get introduced all at once with very specific relationships to one another that it was create wonderful, messy and complex characters. Loved everything in this book; the fantastic and socially relevant story; the setting and new challenges and obstacles.
I can't wait to devour

Side note : I hate MC husband. From the start Jesse is shallow, stupid and self conceited bastard. I hope Lilian ended with someone worthy who love and respect her dearly.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Build Up in Story!

I have enjoyed this book & cannot wait to learn how the series wraps up all the intrigues, mysteries, and future layout of the many characters, which surround our heroine. A couple editing issues in language, but the translation from Russian to English could be a factor. Like able characters and great descriptions. A few scenes had a build up of possibilities, but was never used, like Mirrie carrying a small knife in her boot. Will the next 2 books use that information, or was that just a fact of life for children of that timeframe?
I’m looking forward to the next 2 instillations.

[Rolanda Blacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disjointed ending

I have enjoyed reading this series right up until the terribly disappointing ending. The last two chapters read like a book summary. Did the author get tired of writing , of the story of what?? I'm two of three chapters she did a quick summary of each character and how they ended up over one generation. It was awful after becoming involved with these characters to have them "written off" in a couple of pages. Wrong wrong wrong! It was a happily ever after end, but poorly delivered. I almost never write feedback, but had to this time. I hope the author actually reads some of these.

[Booklass Garrahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting

This is not a romance story. It is more a woman coming of age story , a fish out of water story, a realistic fairy tale story for grown ups. The heroine is ridiculously Mary Sue, but I am honestly enjoying this aspect of the novels. It's fun to see her, a woman of our time stuck in some sort of fantasy medieval time, work to outwit her enemies, best the men in her life and become a roaring success. Over the top implausible? You betcha, but it is loads of fun.
The heroine was more likeable in this book, and that helped make the story more engaging. There is, again, no romance or sex, and I am just fine with that.

[christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tricky author

I really like this story. I'm surprised Amazon has allowed a partial series in the kindle unlimited, but okay, I get it. I believe in capitalism and getting paid well for good work... But the third book - the first one you pay for - is nearly 50% repeat material from the previous kindle unlimited book. That crosses a line for me. That's the last one I'm purchasing because I feel that's truly deceptive. I'm sad because the author definitely has storytelling talent, and I'd love to keep reading.... 😢

[Helen M. Whitchurch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern day Russian woman in a medieval type other world

No magic and not much violence between nations but women are low status and to be different is dangerous. While her body belongs to her new home, her mind is very different indeed and she hopes her neglectful husband stays far away until she has enough status and resources to be safe if he returns. If he knew about her murderous fantasies he would want to stay far away.

[Magila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The other two parts of this series both got four stars from me, and I decided to give this one five because it is picking up steam. Sometimes I do say to myself "isn't that convenient, here is something else this person happens to know," but I'm happy to look past this. Suspend disbelief just a tad and you'll have a really enjoyable experience continuing the story. I also really enjoy what the author is trying to do in featuring the female protagonist.

[Frank Bertino · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Saga Continues

The Countess continues to expand her business endeavors while coming to terms with three Kingdoms. Her love and protectiveness of her step daughter continue to grow. She walks a dangerous path in a land where women are subordinate to men. I continue to be riveted to the flow of the story of this series. I look forward to the next book.

[Sharon Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous Science fantasy

Can't get enough of this series. Loving it!! So much going on all the time what with the murder and palace intrigues and 20th century technology being reinvented and introduced into a 16th century world,, as well as ideas and culture. It is all written so well and with humor and the characters just spring to life as the pages fly by.

[John Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale well told by a superb story teller!

As a septarian male, this genre is not my usual, but the concept of an educated twenty-four century woman swept back hundreds of years caught my fancy. The characters are wonderful, the action hear and the plots ingenious. Have read all six books and pre-order the seventh. Can't get enough of Potter's works!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's the deal - this is not a perfect series, the translation is not always the smoothest, and sometimes I skip a lot of over detailed passages, but I am entranced by this series. I keep wanting to know what happens next. It's kinda weird for me and I shake my head, but I keep getting the next book. :)

[Daniel Stencler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story of a strong woman finding her way in a backward world where women are mere ornaments or worse agents of evil. However I am s

Very disappointed to have almost the first third a recap of the previous book. Lily is a force to be reckoned with.