Impostress

Medieval #1

by Lisa Jackson

Elyn asks her sister, Kiera, to pose as her at her wedding to Lord Kelan only to disappear the following morning, leaving Kiera with the secret as she and the suspecting Lord Kelan begin to grow feelings for each other.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Medieval, Fiction, Medieval Romance, Historical Fiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Lisa Jackson is the number-one New York Times bestselling author of over ninety-five novels, including the Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya Series, the Pescoli and Alvarez Series, the Savannah series, and numerous stand alone novels. She also is the co-author of One Last Breath, Last Girl Standing, and the Colony Series, written with her sister and bestselling author Nancy Bush, as well as the collaborative novels Sinister and Ominous, written with Nancy Bush and Rosalind Noonan. There are over thirty million copies of her novels in print and her writing has been translated into twenty languages.

Before she became a nationally bestselling author, she was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.

With dozens of bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity—and back—in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional, and the downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies, and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.

Visit http://www.LisaJackson.com where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.

Reviews

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Почти) бодис рипър, с булка под прикритие и малко средновековни интриги в Уелс.

3,5⭐️

[romancebookjunkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I’ve come to conclusion that only old school medieval romances do it for me, everything else ends up with having too many modern ideals that just don’t ring true. The plot line in this was a little crazy but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
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Our heroine made a promise to her sister for a favour- anything at the time of her choosing after she rescued her from an attack, and now her sister is collecting. She is asked to stand in at her sister’s wedding as the bride for one night only and her sister will replace her the next day. Of course all does not go to plan and now she is living (and falling in love) with her sister’s husband.
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There is surprisingly a lot of drama in this book (maybe even a little too much?) and I normally dislike plots that get too out of hand from a lie but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this book. I think at times the plot almost overrode the romance at times but all in all I kind of dug it.

[Ashton Noel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I enjoyed this book but unfortunately I wasn't wowed by it. It was just ok for me. I didn't feel the 2 characters had a lot of chemistry as 90% of their interactions were physical vs actually getting to know one another. Mayhap there's a difference between lust and love.

[Azia MacManus]

Lisa Jackson's following crime novels are far superior to her romance forays. With al honesty she keeps you guessing who the killer is until the very last three pages she has a very disturbed range of monsters and none of which I would ever want to encounter in this world. Her female charachters are strong yet vulnerable as are her male characters. Give one of those books A try you will be pleasantly surprised a d totally creeped out.

[Carrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impostress by Lisa Jackson is a suspenseful romance book that’s beautifully crafted in order to keep a reader eager to flip the page. Its plot-line, although being somewhat common, is unique in holding the readers attention. Lisa Jackson uses multiple perspectives to let the audience know the point of conflict before it actually happens. Every page feels like you’re leading the main character closer to impending doom, creating an impeccable sense of dreading. The book is exciting yet slow paced, leaving the reader with a feeling of urgency. This book has an extremely satisfying way of tying together all of the conflicts while simultaneously leaving the reader looking for more. I’m looking forward to picking up another Lisa Jackson work and I implore you to give Impostress a try.

[Rose May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: This review, and all my reviews, comes from my blog - Romantic Rose's Bookshelf (http://romantic-rosesblog.blogspot.com)

Book 1 in the Medieval Trilogy Series

What did I think? This book was adorable! The plot was a little silly, because if you think about it, it never would have worked in real life – but that was part of the books charm. Kiera of Lawenydd (our heroine) has an older sister Elyn, who is set to be married to the neighboring Baron, Kelan of Penbrooke. Kelan is resigned to the marriage – Elyn, however is not. She asks Kiera to stand in for her during the wedding and wedding night (with Kelan too drunk to… perform) so that Elyn can spend one last night with her love – Brock of Oak Crest. Kiera fulfills this obligation, really really grudgingly, because of a 'debt' she owes Elyn for saving her life.

There’s only one problem. After the wedding day is up, Elyn doesn’t return and Kiera is forced to continue to pretend to be her. It’s really amusing, as she digs herself deeper and deeper into the lie (and fall deeper in love with Kelan). We watch her struggle, running this way and that trying to be both Kiera and Elyn. We also get to see her fall in love with her sister’s betrothed, and he fall in love with her, despite all the mistrust in the relationship.

I really detested Elyn in this book. She was irresponsible, and didn’t think of the repercussion for her family and her poor sister. It was hard to admire Kiera, because of her silliness and naivete (I mean a responsible adult would not have continued to be Elyn), but I was still able to enjoy the story. I really found myself liking Kelan, he seemed like a good guy. He was reliable, and he wanted to make the marriage work. He wanted to trust ‘Elyn’. He stood up for her and gave her the benefit of the doubt, and he fell hard and fast from his masculine pedestal. For a bone-head he came around pretty quickly.

I wish there had been another twenty pages at the end, however. It had the capacity to be really beautiful and touching, and instead Jackson just glossed over what could have been the most beautiful moment in the story. But all is well that ends well and the rest of the book was delightfully fun.

“Sexy”ness Rating: Hot Hot Hot!

Overall Rating: B

Bottom Line: Cute and silly and pretty romantic, though a little bit lacking in the deep emotion I like to see. The end was a bit rushed, but it was a wonderful, fun, silly little romp.

[Anna Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Lisa Jackson read... and I think my last. I'm not saying it was bad - don't get me wrong. The writing was... okay; with the exception of 'mayhaps', it's written in the modern vernacular. It didn't lend anything to the time/setting, which was mostly NOT described, either. We're never told why Kiera disguised herself as a boy and ran off on her father's horse at the beginning, which is a gaping hole that niggled throughout the whole book. Another gaping hole is the missing Brock, who never resurfaces, as the author seems to have forgotten about him. And aside from Kiera, Lisa Jackson believes every single person in Wales has a 'y' somewhere in their name. It got... weird... after a while. Which is kind of funny, because every character outside of the hero's family in the book is pretty much Irish redhead. Not right.

Did I enjoy the book? Mmmmmssssorta. It's a book about a lie that gets bigger and bigger and harder to cover and it's... it's... painful. Not exciting. We're told that Keira and Layrd Whats-his-face love each other, but we're never made to feel it, we don't really do much more than sympathize, when what we want is to empathize. Eh. It was a good read for a quick afternoon escape, but was it a *good* book? Mmmnnnotsosure. It's the first in a series. I'm not left actively seeking the next book.

[Natina El · Rating 5 out of 5]

School girl sigh!!!.. the end.
I loved the fantastically impossible romantic plot, and the "this is the real world and men are dogs" mix this story had. When I wasn't trying to predict what happened next I found myself laughing out loud at this story. Although there are some questions I have about some of the disappearing characters that don't seem like they are going to be answered in any of the other two books. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction that doesn't have a "me man, you woman, we go now!" theme to it

[Christelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5/5

[Jassmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Someone was looking for this book and the plot sounded so deliciously ridiculous that wanted to add it to my TBR for the worse days and then I by the accident read it right away…

I’m sorry I have quotes only in Czech, because they are gems worth sharing, but… just believe me when I say that this book is so plot-wise nonsensical, absurd, historically inaccurate and over the top that I had to laugh almost all the time. Unfortunately, I have to say that the fist half is much better than the second on in this regard and there were so many missed opportunities! I admit that the relationship was written much healthily than I expected, but it would be nice to see a bit more of caring. Like when they are riding back to his castle and she is completely done, he could have given her a massage instead of sleeping with her… just saying… massages are direct way to my heart.

But all in all, this wasn’t that bad written. It’s wider than usual in romances, we get a POV of several side character and I appreciated that. Unfortunately, all of them are very flat and without any depth (the main characters included). In conclusion, this isn’t a book I would feel a need to return to, but… I laughed a lot, so it served its purpose.

P.S. In comparison with Devereux (f.e. The Velvet Promise) Jackson wins without breaking a sweat, no romanticizing violence on women here and… their relationship had some nice moments. (The premise of course isn’t ethically ideal, but… it’s what it says on the tin…)

[Consuela Rossetto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiera avrebbe fatto qualsiasi cosa per aiutare la sorella Elyn, ma mai si sarebbe sognata di doverla sostituire al matrimonio con il barone Kelan di Penbrooke e di dovergli somministrare un sonnifero per coprire la fuga d’amore della sua vera “sposa”. Kelan, però, non vuole saperne di rimandare la notte di nozze, anche perché la donna al suo fianco è capace di fingere sentimenti e sensazioni in un modo che sembra innato... Ma finge davvero?

[Liz Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was a teenager and I really liked it. This time around, I don't see what I liked about it so much. Don't get me wrong, it's still a decent read, but I remember liking it a lot more. Goes to show how reading preferences change over time. It was an easy read, went faster than I was expecting, but the dub-con of it leaves me feeling icky now.

[Shantria Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and it had me on edge through the book.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not care for this book. While i like her writing style, i did not like the plot at all. Skimmed most of the book.

[Dixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like love stories it's ok...I like some mystery.

[Tetty Marlinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

#99 - 2019 RC
Genre: Historical Romance

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. I have all three of them. This is one of my “go to” books when I can’t find anything else to read. I must have read it a dozen times.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book

[Alli Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was predictable and slow going and then the end was too rushed. For me 2.5/5 stars

[Hannah C · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars

[Donna Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thumbs up!

The Impostress is a page turner. One thing I would have liked is a little more history…what was happening in Wales at this point in time.

[Marcucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

kinda lagged.

Cute story. Lost a bit of interest and ended up skipping towards the end. Not quite my cup of tea

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bintang 3
Medieval Trilogy #1.

Baca buku ini serasa seperti nonton film. Banyak adegan yg bikin aku tahan nafas agar kebohongan yg dilakukan oleh Kiera cs tidak terbongkar. Banyak sekali adegan yg sedikit banyak mendukung cerita sehingga cerita terjalin sedemikian rupa sehingga menimbulkan konfilk yg semakin memuncak sehingga membuat aku penasaran dengan akhir kisahnya. Bagaimana penyelesaian kisah pernikahan yg diawali dengan satu kebohongan.

Tak ada nilai positif dari sebuah dusta. Tak ada kebohongan yg membawa suatu kebaikan meski kebohongan itu bermula dan berdasar atas kehormatan dan untuk menjaga nama baik keluarga.

Bermula dari Kiera Of Lawenyd yg berhutang nyawa. Elyn sang kakak menagih janji agar Kiera menggantikan dirinya satu hari saja selama upacara pernikahan yg tak diinginkannya. Tentu saja Kiera tak setuju. Tapi Elyn yg egois malah melarikan diri dihari pernikahannya, meninggalkan Kiera dalam permasalahan yg dapat membawa aib keluarga. Maka bersama Penelope, adiknya dan pengasuh mereka, Kiera terpaksa menjalankan rencana licik Elyn dengan harapan Elyn akan kembali setelah satu hari seperti yg dijanjikannya.

Tapi janji tinggal janji. Elyn tidak muncul setelah beberapa hari setelah upacara pernikahan. Ternyata sejak awal Elyn berniat melarikan diri dengan pria yg dicintainya. Brock Oakcrest tak layak mendapat cinta Elyn karena berkhianat dengan wanita lain, Wynnifryd of Fenn yg sedang mengandung dan mereka merencanakan pernikahan. Dalam keadaan terkejut Elyn jatuh terbawa arus sungai.

Dilain pihak, tak seperti harapan Kiera agar dapat menghindari suami kakaknya, Kelan Penbrooke, Kiera terpaksa harus melepas keperawanannya dan bahkan beberapa kali harus melayani Kelan sebagai seorang istri. Dan sungguh suatu yg tak terduga dan ironis, kalau Kiera dan Kelan mencintai satu sama lain walau tak pernah mereka ucapkan dengan kata kata.

Hubungan yg berawal dari kebohongan tak akan berhasil. Dan Kiera harus berterus terang pada Kelan. Apalagi setelah tahu kalau Elyn takkan pernah kembali mengambil haknya karena telah dinyatakan mati. Sayangnya kejujuran Kiera dianggap angin lalu oleh Kelan.

Kebohongan terungkap tatkala Elyn yg dinyatakan telah mati ternyata masih hidup. Elyn muncul di kastil Penbrooke dan mengklaim haknya sebagai istri Kelan (ih bener bener kesal dengan perempuan egois yg tak tahu malu satu ini). Kehebohan bertambah dengan munculnya Wynnifryd yg sakit hati karena ditinggal didepan altar oleh Brock. Dengan kebenciannya, Wynnifryd nyaris merenggut nyawa Kiera.

Bagaimana kisah tragis seperti ini dapat berakhir bahagia???

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review posted at:
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/06/im...

Impostress, the first book in the medieval romance trilogy, proved to be an entertaining, quick and easy read. Our heroine - Keira - has guts, kindness and compassion. She is honorable and loyal. She is swept up in her sister's deception and tries her best to resolve the situation. She, however, does not expect to be swept up by the handsome Lord Kelan.
Impostress held intrigue and mystery within the plot - the ploy of deception.

While the Impostress is set in the medieval time, it does not go much into this time period beyond a few basic medieval characteristics.

The ending was a little disappointing as it worked out rather easily. OK...you expect it to work out but I wish there was bit more emotion. I also would have preferred a more conversational aspect between Kelan and Keira when things come to light. I would have liked, overall, more interaction between Kelan and Kiera....daily life interaction, there were a few scenes but mostly we see them in the bedroom.

Yet, with all the "negative" said, the author did a good job in making Keira believable while not writing an overly mushy couple with intimate scenes that were too descriptive and over the top. I also liked that, while a romance novel, the author created an interesting storyline.

Impostress did prove to be an entertaining read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Lisa Jackson book I've ever read.

I loved the premise of one sister "standing in" for the other and looked forward to seeing how that panned out.

Although I really enjoyed this story, I got bored with the repetitive thoughts going through Kiera's mind about how everyone was going to be so angry and Kelan was going to hate her.

It also seemed like the "love" between Kiera and Keland was all physical atraction/sex. After finishing the book, I don't recall any other ways the author developed their relationship and showed other reasons for their amazing love for each other.

The ending seemed to wrap everything up too quickly after all the agonizing and recriminations in the rest of the book. I would have liked the ending to be more drawn out and descriptive.

The sex scenes were detailed using flowery terms and euphemisms, so they weren't "offensive." I just prefer books that don't get into all the physical detail, but I wouldn't avoid a good book because of that.

I'll definitely read the next book in the series, but not right away.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book might have been printed over ten years ago, but with Medieval romance that doesn't matter.
Kiera's. sister rescues her from a childish adventure that nearly had disastrous consequences. Kiera vows to repay her. Three years later her sister calls in the debt.
Elyn is being forced by her father to marry the Beast of Pembroke, but she loves someone else. She cons her sister into taking her place at the wedding.
Kiera is stuck between her promise to her sister and what she knows is right. When Elyn doesn't come back Kiera is in so deep it Just keeps getting worse.
This story has so much going on it's great entertainment. I will be looking for more by this author.

[Anna McFadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 years before when Kiera of Lawenydd promise to do any for for her sister, Elyn, she didn't believe that they thing she be doing is standing in and posing as her and saying the wedding vows for her. the plan was to stand in, say the vows , them before her groom waits up to switch places again. only Elyn has disappears the day after the wedding. As Kiera looks for her sister, and she grows close to the man who thinks she is really her husband, Lord Kelantan of Penbrooke, who didn't want the marriage at first but as he spends time with Kiera his feelings grow. what will he do when her finds out the truth. I just love this book

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elyn saved Kiera from being raped and possibly killed. Kiera vows that when Elyn asks to be repaid, she'll do anything. It comes as a shock to Kiera when Elyn wants her to pretend to be Elyn during Elyn's wedding. When Elyn vanishes, Kiera has no choice but to do as her sister asked. When the truth comes out someone is going to be in big trouble.
It was predictable, but I had to know what happened. I'll be on the lookout for the next two in this series.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...

[The Tick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this had a really interesting premise and I liked the writing style even though it took me awhile to get into it. My main issue was with the way that the hero and heroine seemed to relate to each other solely through sex. There was almost no conversation between the two throughout the entire book, and there was a lot of dishonesty on the rare occasions when they were actually talking.

[Sabrina Zee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was okay. The characters were also not bad although some of them were shallow and didn't get much descriptions. I feel that there were a lot of gaps here and there. I know who attacked Kiera in the prolog but it wasn't explained much at the end.
Overall I quite enjoyed this book. But maybe the medieval romance is just not for me.