Страница 1 из 57
“Rich characterization, passion and romantic adventure …
Chapman is unmatched and unforgettable.”
—Romantic Times
PRAISE FOR NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR JANET CHAPMAN
… and her captivating contemporary romances
THE MAN MUST MARRY
“Offbeat and charming. … Chapman’s gift for creating characters you love spending time with is on full display.”
—Romantic Times
“Ninety-percent laughter, ten-percent tears, and one-hundred-percent romance. Nobody writes a luscious romantic comedy like Janet Chapman. … Superb.”
—ReadertoReader.com
“Chapman excels at creating a melodious story of one heroine meant for only one hero.”
—Compuserve Books
THE STRANGER IN HER BED
“A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a modern-day knight and his feisty ladylove set in the rugged mountains of Maine.”
—Booklist
“More hot passion and danger in the wilds of Maine. … When you crack open a Chapman book, you are guaranteed pure reading pleasure.”
—Romantic Times
THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE
“A charming story of love, growth and trust.”
—Romantic Times
“Chapman presents a cast of rugged characters in rural Maine who enact a surprisingly tender romance.”
—Booklist
THE DANGEROUS PROTECTOR
“One thing that Chapman does so deftly is meld great characterization, sparkling humor and spicy adventure into a perfect blend.”
—Romantic Times
THE SEDUCTIVE IMPOSTOR
“Chapman’s skills as a storyteller just keep getting better. Utilizing warmth and humor, she makes this thrilling romantic tale both fu
—Romantic Times
“One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. … A fun, sexy read!”
—Old Book Barn Gazette
“Engaging romantic suspense … surprising twists … Janet Chapman seduces her audience.”
—The Best Reviews
Don’t miss her thrilling new paranormal romance series …
MOONLIGHT WARRIOR
“Plenty of good humor … lovable characters, [and] a sweet romance.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A warmhearted tale of love and magic. … Full of warmth, danger and romantic passion.”
—Romantic Times
“Will knock your socks off. … A must read. … I couldn’t put it down.”
—Winter Haven(FL) News Chief
“A magically believable story brimming with imaginative scenarios and unforgettable characters.”
—SingleTitles.com
“A charming tale with sympathetic and quirky characters. . . . Great fun.”
—A Romance Review
“Chapman’s romantic fantasy is a sweet and silly mythical mélange with a dark magic center. … Brimming with interesting, well-crafted characters.”
—ReadertoReader.com
… or her charming Highlander series
SECRETS OF THE HIGHLANDER
“Liberally spiced with mystery, this story has warmth and genuine love that make it the perfect antidote for stress.”
—Romantic Times
ONLY WITH A HIGHLANDER
“A mystical, magical book if there ever was one. … A perfect 10!”
—Romance Reviews Today
These titles are also available as eBooks
ALSO BY JANET CHAPMAN
A Highlander Christmas
Moonlight Warrior
The Man Must Marry
Secrets of the Highlander
The Stranger in Her Bed
The Seduction of His Wife
Only with a Highlander
The Dangerous Protector
Tempting the Highlander
The Seductive Impostor
Wedding the Highlander
Loving the Highlander
Charming the Highlander
Available from Pocket Books
The sale of this book without its cover is unauthorized. If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that it was reported to the publisher as “unsold and destroyed.” Neither the author nor the publisher has received payment for the sale of this “stripped book.”
Pocket Star Books
A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2010 by Janet Chapman
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Pocket Star Books paperback edition March 2010
POCKET STAR BOOKS and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-800-506-1949 or [email protected] /* */
The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event, contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.
Cover design by Min Choi
Cover illustration by Gene Mollica
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN 978-1-4165-9544-1
ISBN 978-1-4391-7120-2 (ebook)
To Benjamin Chapman
This one is all yours, even though you have always been the hero of your own story!
(So now will you stop sending me those anonymous fan letters, asking when I am going to give my smart, handsome, eldest son his very own book?)
Prologue
B enjamin Sinclair stared upat his two brothers standing across the desk from him, presenting an imposing, united front. They hadn’t uttered a word since walking in, and they didn’t have to. Sinclair men never bluffed, and once committed, they never backed down.
Knowing he wasn’t leaving the office until he explained his ongoing black mood, Ben silently pulled a card from an envelope on the desk, slid it toward them, then fixed his gaze on the opposite wall as they read the short, succinct note written on a plain white card.
Sam Sinclair picked up the envelope, read the postmark, then looked at Ben. “You got this over three weeks ago.”
“It’s taken me that long to find out if it’s true.”
“And is it?” Jesse asked.
Ben dropped his gaze to the unsigned note that had sent him into a tailspin.You have a son, Mr. Sinclair. He’s fifteen years old, and his name is Michael. It’s time you came and met him.