Customer Reviews

The Seductive Impostor

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

An amazing novel from Janet Chapman. The main character, Rachel, grew up apprenticing to be an architect like her father. Together they built a truly "smart" mansion to house a local man's treasures. When her parents and the man die in a murder-suicide/love triangle mess in the house, Rachel abandons the house and her passion for architecture. The book opens with the local man's heir coming to town three year's after the tragedy to claim his fortune. At the same time, Rachel finds out that the local man also brokered in stolen treasures and gave many to her father. He tells Rachel, via a note left with their attorney, that he built secret rooms for the illegal goods in both her house and the smart mansion. Rachel tries to sneak in to put the stolen goods in the mansion's vault for the new heir to deal with, but is caught. Rachel and the heir (Kee) partner to solve the mystery of the stolen goods and some legitimate treasures missing from the mansion, but they both hold back on the other.

Kee resembles a modern day pirate, complete with crew and an adorable five year old daughter. Rachel is in desparate need of an adventure. Together they fall in love, find the bad guys, recover the treasures, and still find time to entertain the town. You won't be able to put this book down, it is a truly enjoyable read.

In Puffin Harbor, Maine, Rachel Foster is unhappy to learn that the owner of Sub Rosa, the seaside mansion she and her father designed, is coming to take up residence. Rachel knows that the mansion is the place where tragedy ended in the murders of her mother and their parents' best friend by their father who committed suicide right afterward. However, she learns that her father and his former pal had been art thieves stealing millions and her dad has left it up to her to rectify the situation anyway she wants.

The new owner Keenan Oakes and his five male disciples arrive as Rachel sneaks into the building. He catches her, but she temporarily escapes. Kee forces the issue of Rachel staying with him and his men allegedly to help them open up the state of the art technological house, but in reality he wants to keep an eye on her and not just because he does not trust her. As Rachel and Kee fall in love, he has kept secrets from her while she fears that once he learns her deepest concerns involving her father he will end their relationship.

This is an engaging romantic suspense that has several late surprising twists that will keep readers guessing on who did what to whom. The story line is at its best when Kee and Rachel battle even as they fall in love with one another. Hopefully, future tales starring the disciples and her sister will be coming soon as Janet Chapman seduces her audience with enjoyable tale.

Harriet Klausner

Perched on the cliffs above Puffin Harbor, Maine sits a technological marvel of a mansion named Sub Rosa. Lovingly conceived and designed by Frank Foster and his daughter Rachel for his best friend, billionaire Thaddeus Lakeman, Sub Rosa is where Frank takes his own life after killing his wife and Thadd when he finds them together. Devastated by the tragedy, for the last three years Rachel has shunned her profession and the house she helped build. Now, however, a recently discovered box left by her father uncovers a dark secret -- many of the gifts given to Rachel and her sister Willow by their father and Thadd are stolen goods worth millions. Determined to protect Willow's fast-track law career, Rachel decides to return the stolen treasures to Sub Rosa, but she must act fast, for Thaddeus Lakeman's long-lost heir is due to arrive soon.

Professional adventurer, hunter, and salvager Keenan Oakes has long enjoyed traveling the world on his schooner, the Six-to-One Odds, with his little girl Mikaela, her pet wolf Mickey, and his loyal but motley crew. Arriving at Sub Rosa to begin a new adventure, Keenan quickly realizes he has an intruder -- a beautiful female who deviously disables him and mysteriously disappears. By the time he and his men figure out who she is and arrive to confront her, they find a barely conscious Rachel, badly hurt during her rushed escape. Determined to find out what she's up to, Keenan shanghais the helpless Rachel back to Sub Rosa where he can keep an eye on her. Now Keenan's "houseguest," Rachel tries to complete her mission even as she fights their growing attraction. If that isn't bad enough, things get even more complicated when items from Thaddeus Lakeman's legitimate art collection come up missing. What is going on?

In Latin Sub Rosa means Beneath the Roses or perhaps secrets buried deep, a perfect description for the two lead characters in Janet Chapman's THE SEDUCTIVE IMPOSTOR. Keenan and Rachel make an instant connection, but each hides secrets from the other, and the twists and turns their relationship take will keep readers on their toes. While the plot's central theme revolves around stolen treasures, the heart of the story is the relationships: a man and a woman falling in love, two sisters united against a tragic past, a young child and her group of adoring "uncles," and even a wolf bonding with his master's woman. Each character is unique and memorable. Add to that the beauty of Maine, which, once again, comes to life in Ms. Chapman's narrative, and what do you have? A true crowd pleaser.

TheSchemer

Janet Chapman is my new favorite author. This book is wonderful. It grabs you from the start and keeps you going. I couldn't put it down. The characters are so fascinating. Where are all these guys? I am ready to move to Maine.

Former architect Rachel has not returned to Sub Rosa, the mansion where her parents died since the fateful night that she found the bodies, and discovered that her mother was unfaithful with the millionaire on the hill. Just as the new heir to Sub Rosa is moving into the mansion, she receives a letter preceding her father's death by two years, where he details his involvement in a smuggling ring, and discovers that many of the cherished items she and her sister have were stolen. She decides to return the loot to Sub Rosa, but gets caught on the way out.

Keenan Oakes is a scavenger/mercenary. His merry band of bruisers will do anything within reason for money - salvaging, rescuing kidnap victims, etc. He and his friends have moved into Sub Rosa and have discovered that the mansion has been looted. When they capture Rachel, Kee wonders if this sexy gal is the one who has been stealing from his estate, and can't help but come under her spell. Already whipped to beguiling pint-sized dictator and daughter Mikaela, Kee finds that his heart is open to allowing another gal in. But he and the guys are keeping some pretty big secrets... And after seeing the damage that passion caused to her parents, Rachel is not sure a happily ever after is in her future.

Chapman's predecessor to "The Dangerous Protector" is just as funny and sensuous - Rachel and Kee make a strong duo - they perfectly play off each other (particularly when he is "interrogating" her), and you really get a sense of where Willow's antagonistic relationship with Duncan began (and thankfully the Scottish brogue is kept to a minimum). Great start to a great series!

This was a great read, couldn't put it down. The Hero is described in the book as a 'demigod' and I'll go with that description! the heroine was also smart, sassy and sweet. This was the first of ms chapman's books I have read, but have since purchased all of her books!!! I fully anticipate some happy reading ahead! Don't miss out.

I really loved this book! There was great flow to the story that had me sad to see it end! I felt the hero and heroine were very likable, and they had excellent sexual tension--one of the main things I look for in a book that makes it to my keeper shelf, as this one did. This was my first book by this author and I have since ordered her Highlander series. I am eagerly waiting for the sequal to this book to come out next year!!

I loved the mystery and romance. The book kept me interested the whole time. I usually read paranormal romances, but this traditional romance novel kept my full attention. I finished in one day.

I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. This story takes place on the coast of Maine. Rachel the main character is still grieving over the deaths of her parents. When she finds out her father an architect had given both her and her sister(Willow) stolen items as gifts. She tries to return the items to the house, where the items were taken. However, she is surprised by the early arrival of the new owner, a man who is rather mysterious with secrets of his own.

There are many enjoyable and even funny parts to this book. One of my favorites is when Willow tries to drive a new/borrowed truck.

If you like romance, adventure or even a good mystery. I think you will like this book.

Janet Chapman makes this a very livable journey! I love the excitement, the involved probabilities, and fun! Would suggest you not miss this book. Cheers!