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The Protectors #1
Imposter
Chemist Dr. Eve Collins, wrongly accused by the CIA of developing and marketing a chemical weapon, learns she has been set up as a scapegoat by someone seeking to hide his own guilt. That “someone” wants her dead. Her life depends on making no mistakes – like trusting the Central Intelligence agent assigned to her case, a man she’s falling in love with.
CIA Operative John Burke doesn't believe her claim of innocence. When an attempt is made on her life, he believes her accomplice has turned on her. But something doesn't add up about Eve and her role in this crime she's accused of. Burke has too many questions, including - has his judgment been compromised by his fierce attraction to her?
It’s a question Burke asks himself again and again but when he learns Eve’s would-be assassin is close, he goes on the run with her. It's a temporary solution - running will not keep her safe. Burke must find the assassin - or die trying.
CIA Operative John Burke doesn't believe her claim of innocence. When an attempt is made on her life, he believes her accomplice has turned on her. But something doesn't add up about Eve and her role in this crime she's accused of. Burke has too many questions, including - has his judgment been compromised by his fierce attraction to her?
It’s a question Burke asks himself again and again but when he learns Eve’s would-be assassin is close, he goes on the run with her. It's a temporary solution - running will not keep her safe. Burke must find the assassin - or die trying.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2011
373 people are currently reading
812 people want to read
About the author
Karen Fenech
28 books133 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Karen Fenech writes romantic suspense novels and short works of suspense. She is the author of the romantic suspense series, The Protectors. Karen's novels and short suspense fiction have received critical acclaim and have been translated into several languages. When Karen's not writing or spending time with her family, she loves to shop, watch movies, and just kick back in a comfortable chair and read.
You can reach Karen here:
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Next Release: BREATH OF MALICE
http://www.amazon.com/Breath-Malice-K...
You can reach Karen here:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KarenFenechsF...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenfenech
Website: http://www.karenfenech.com
If you'd like to know when Karen Fenech's next novel is released, sign up for her notification-only news at: www.karenfenech.com/books.html
Next Release: BREATH OF MALICE
http://www.amazon.com/Breath-Malice-K...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 17, 2013
Very good RS. I will be reading the rest of the series.
January 29, 2019
There was nothing special about this story. It's was an alright read. I'm giving it 2 stars because some of the more intimate scenes were pretty good, otherwise it would have just received one star. It was just a boring read to me. I mean Burke's character wasn't working for me (read below in my questions/comments area), the evidence (or lack thereof) on Eve and the story itself. It was boring.
Questions/Comments:
1. So at the beginning, Eve and Richard are in his porsche. At one point:
"gravel pinged against the car's underside as the RIGHT front tire slid off the narrow strip of asphalt. The edge dropped off in a sheer cliff..."
Lots of inner dialog goes on then, "She latched on and jerked sharply to the RIGHT. The car veered away from the edge."
Now if the right front tire was going over the edge, how would jerking the steering wheel in the same direction keep the car on the road?
2. Considering Burke and company thought that Eve was the accomplice, what proof did they have? I mean besides Richard saying that she was working with him? Nothing was ever mentioned of that. That would have been the first thing I'd have asked if I were Eve.
3. Again, if Eve was the suspect why wouldn't they have already been monitoring her phone calls? But it's not till Burke and her are at his cabin, when he tells Lanski to do so. Just seems strange.
4. The whole "once we have the buyer, we'll have you" excuse seemed really weak. Again what proof did they have? I can understand the regular police, maybe, working on this little bit of evidence that was told in this story, that being, Richard saying Eve was working with him. But a special agency of the CIA? When the buyer was captured it would still be a verbal accusation. I wouldn't really call that proof at all.
5. Alright, what about Deligne? So the British government and american are both after Richard, his accomplice, and the buyer? How would they not already be working together? And when Matt suggests this, Burke seems to act as though the thought never occurred to him, or it was such a strange thing for Matt to have asked. Now I'm no professional when it comes to the rules of the game for law enforcement type people but still. If another government is working in the US (for example) wouldn't they have to get the US' permission or something?
6. Now of course I know that Lanski was the accomplice, but given the fact that I didn't know this at first, here's a question. When Deligne shows up at the cottage that Eve and Burke are at, Eve ends up encountering him outside. We know that Lanski has surveillance of the cottage and was able to see what was going on, who was where and whatnot. So why wasn't it until a long time later that Lanski called Burke to tell him about Deligne? Eve and him had their altercation, they all chatted for a while, and then after everything's basically done, Lanski calls. I don't really get why he would have waited, or was that the author's weird mistake?
7. Considering Eve is suspected of being a terrorist and wanting to make bombs and all that, Burke is very relaxed. Yet through most of the first half of the story, Burke is so sure that Eve's bad.
Ex: So Burke has just told Eve that he'll be taking her to Washington with him the next morning. She then goes outside by herself. What does he do? Why sit back and relax of course. "...dressed in jeans, t-shirt and no socks..." Common sense there. I mean he's still sure she's guilty and is taking her in, so he just lets her do whatever she wants, right?
I just can't help but think that Burke was a weak character. Maybe weak isn't the right word here. He's not living up the stereotypical secret agent type person, at least not to me. He's suppose to be this professional agent, yet there doesn't seem to be real evidence that Eve has done anything. He's taking her in, doesn't worry about her trying to get away or handcuffing her or anything. Takes her to his special place (after the cottage) and they basically hang out the whole time, even when he's still convinced she's guilty. It just doesn't make sense to me.
8. After the bomb in the bathroom goes off, why does it take so long for Burke to get inside? It seems like Eve is crawling around after the bomb goes off for a while, bumping into stuff and, then years later, the front opens and Burke has arrived. After getting Eve out, he randomly runs back inside and comes back out with evidence of a bomb being on her hair dryer. Now considering the bomb went off in the bathroom, attached to a hair dryer, why did it seem so easy for Burke to find that 'square of black plastic'? I mean the fire is still going on and the place is filled with smoke.
9. So after the fire, Eve is in the 'new car' and needs to put on clothes. "They were in the middle of nowhere." Okay based off that, it would be easy to get dressed in a car with not having to worry about anyone seeing her. Right? Nope. "Another car could drive up this dirt road and see her in the nude." I was wrong. I think those two sentences are contradicting each other. If you're in the middle of nowhere you're not as likely to encounter other cars. Hence, just get dressed.
10. After Eve's insulin mishap, Burke responds to her with, "by the time I went looking for you in the morning you would have been dead." Again, Burke doesn't seem very professional about his job if he wouldn't have checked on his prisoner prior to morning. Is it just me?
11. Why did nothing seem to happen after they found out that Richard and Allie had known each other and met up years before? It's mentioned and that's kind of it.
12. So after hearing a noise outside at night, Eve grabs her shoes and goes looking for Burke. Now we already know that during the day she had been wearing a pair of his tennis shoes. So what does she put on to go outside in the woods? Why high heels of course. Duh!
13. Why did Deligne never go back to Burke's place with him after they realized that neither of them were the accomplice? How exactly are they even working together? It's weird because Matt's suppose to care/love Eve, yet he doesn't do anything more.
14. It's all about the formula, written on regular paper. Why in the world did Burke not just burn it or something? Send it on it's way to Washington. Have Lanski (prior to finding out who he was) take it in? He seems to keep it on his person the whole time. I just don't get it. If it so dangerous, then destroy it.
In the end, I'm not continuing with this series.
Questions/Comments:
1. So at the beginning, Eve and Richard are in his porsche. At one point:
"gravel pinged against the car's underside as the RIGHT front tire slid off the narrow strip of asphalt. The edge dropped off in a sheer cliff..."
Lots of inner dialog goes on then, "She latched on and jerked sharply to the RIGHT. The car veered away from the edge."
Now if the right front tire was going over the edge, how would jerking the steering wheel in the same direction keep the car on the road?
2. Considering Burke and company thought that Eve was the accomplice, what proof did they have? I mean besides Richard saying that she was working with him? Nothing was ever mentioned of that. That would have been the first thing I'd have asked if I were Eve.
3. Again, if Eve was the suspect why wouldn't they have already been monitoring her phone calls? But it's not till Burke and her are at his cabin, when he tells Lanski to do so. Just seems strange.
4. The whole "once we have the buyer, we'll have you" excuse seemed really weak. Again what proof did they have? I can understand the regular police, maybe, working on this little bit of evidence that was told in this story, that being, Richard saying Eve was working with him. But a special agency of the CIA? When the buyer was captured it would still be a verbal accusation. I wouldn't really call that proof at all.
5. Alright, what about Deligne? So the British government and american are both after Richard, his accomplice, and the buyer? How would they not already be working together? And when Matt suggests this, Burke seems to act as though the thought never occurred to him, or it was such a strange thing for Matt to have asked. Now I'm no professional when it comes to the rules of the game for law enforcement type people but still. If another government is working in the US (for example) wouldn't they have to get the US' permission or something?
6. Now of course I know that Lanski was the accomplice, but given the fact that I didn't know this at first, here's a question. When Deligne shows up at the cottage that Eve and Burke are at, Eve ends up encountering him outside. We know that Lanski has surveillance of the cottage and was able to see what was going on, who was where and whatnot. So why wasn't it until a long time later that Lanski called Burke to tell him about Deligne? Eve and him had their altercation, they all chatted for a while, and then after everything's basically done, Lanski calls. I don't really get why he would have waited, or was that the author's weird mistake?
7. Considering Eve is suspected of being a terrorist and wanting to make bombs and all that, Burke is very relaxed. Yet through most of the first half of the story, Burke is so sure that Eve's bad.
Ex: So Burke has just told Eve that he'll be taking her to Washington with him the next morning. She then goes outside by herself. What does he do? Why sit back and relax of course. "...dressed in jeans, t-shirt and no socks..." Common sense there. I mean he's still sure she's guilty and is taking her in, so he just lets her do whatever she wants, right?
I just can't help but think that Burke was a weak character. Maybe weak isn't the right word here. He's not living up the stereotypical secret agent type person, at least not to me. He's suppose to be this professional agent, yet there doesn't seem to be real evidence that Eve has done anything. He's taking her in, doesn't worry about her trying to get away or handcuffing her or anything. Takes her to his special place (after the cottage) and they basically hang out the whole time, even when he's still convinced she's guilty. It just doesn't make sense to me.
8. After the bomb in the bathroom goes off, why does it take so long for Burke to get inside? It seems like Eve is crawling around after the bomb goes off for a while, bumping into stuff and, then years later, the front opens and Burke has arrived. After getting Eve out, he randomly runs back inside and comes back out with evidence of a bomb being on her hair dryer. Now considering the bomb went off in the bathroom, attached to a hair dryer, why did it seem so easy for Burke to find that 'square of black plastic'? I mean the fire is still going on and the place is filled with smoke.
9. So after the fire, Eve is in the 'new car' and needs to put on clothes. "They were in the middle of nowhere." Okay based off that, it would be easy to get dressed in a car with not having to worry about anyone seeing her. Right? Nope. "Another car could drive up this dirt road and see her in the nude." I was wrong. I think those two sentences are contradicting each other. If you're in the middle of nowhere you're not as likely to encounter other cars. Hence, just get dressed.
10. After Eve's insulin mishap, Burke responds to her with, "by the time I went looking for you in the morning you would have been dead." Again, Burke doesn't seem very professional about his job if he wouldn't have checked on his prisoner prior to morning. Is it just me?
11. Why did nothing seem to happen after they found out that Richard and Allie had known each other and met up years before? It's mentioned and that's kind of it.
12. So after hearing a noise outside at night, Eve grabs her shoes and goes looking for Burke. Now we already know that during the day she had been wearing a pair of his tennis shoes. So what does she put on to go outside in the woods? Why high heels of course. Duh!
13. Why did Deligne never go back to Burke's place with him after they realized that neither of them were the accomplice? How exactly are they even working together? It's weird because Matt's suppose to care/love Eve, yet he doesn't do anything more.
14. It's all about the formula, written on regular paper. Why in the world did Burke not just burn it or something? Send it on it's way to Washington. Have Lanski (prior to finding out who he was) take it in? He seems to keep it on his person the whole time. I just don't get it. If it so dangerous, then destroy it.
In the end, I'm not continuing with this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2014
This was a pretty good freebie that I've had and hadn't read yet. I liked the characters and the story. There was suspense, emotions, a little action, some tense moments, steamy scenes, and a good ending. I wouldn't mind reading this again and would look forward to reading more in this series. I held my breath a little, wanted to ka-pow a few times, got a little warm and pretty much enjoyed reading this. This had me turning pages pretty good too, although not exactly like a hurricane. A great deal for me and good for a snuggle-in, cuddle-up, get your blood pumping a little read. Enjoy!
Read
August 24, 2013Ok...after seeing the smaltzy cover of this book on Good Reads, I almost didn't add it to my list. The Kindle book jacket is not the same. And yes, it's true, I do sometimes judge a book by its cover. With that being said, so far so good on this novel.
kindle-i-own-to-read
October 11, 2012Amazon Freebie 10/10/2012
August 30, 2013
about 52% for me a dnf for me. the characters were not believable for me and didn't feel the spark and there wasn't any depth to the story.
December 5, 2013
Wow. I got this book because I needed something to read and it was free. All I can say is I got what I paid for.
February 2, 2015
Even after 5 chapters I still couldn't get into this book. So I set it aside to, MAYBE, read at a later time. Ugh most often I don't return to finish.:-\
August 11, 2016
framed for treason....why, who did it?
December 31, 2018
Imposter is my first book by Karen Fenech, it sure won't be my last. Ms. Fenech has delivered a well-written book and loaded it with outstanding characters. Eve is traveling with her business partner when he dies while driving. As soon as the car comes to a stop a couple of CIA agents arrive and she is taken into custody. John works for a special terrorism unit of the CIA and he believes Eve is involved in a terrorist plot. John and Eve's story is loaded with drama, bits of humor, sexy bits, action and suspense. I enjoyed reading Imposter and look forward to reading more from Karen Fenech in the near future. Imposter is book 1 of The Protectors Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
August 8, 2025
“Imposter”, first in the 'The Protectors' series, is fairly well written, has a semi-decent plot (even if it is ripped out of a TV thriller script pile), throws in some sex, and pretty much bored me to tears.
Perfume Chemist Dr. Eve Collins is taken in by a shadowy CIA operative, John Burke, who is convinced that she is about to sell a deadly formula to terrorists.
She's innocent, of course!
After several attempts on her life Burke takes her to his remote cabin where, despite his suspicions he finds himself falling for her womanly wiles.
She, on the other hand, seems to have developed early onset Stockholm Syndrome.
All that's left is to track down whoever is responsible for the dastardly deeds!
It's readable but not memorable in any way.
2 Stars.
Perfume Chemist Dr. Eve Collins is taken in by a shadowy CIA operative, John Burke, who is convinced that she is about to sell a deadly formula to terrorists.
She's innocent, of course!
After several attempts on her life Burke takes her to his remote cabin where, despite his suspicions he finds himself falling for her womanly wiles.
She, on the other hand, seems to have developed early onset Stockholm Syndrome.
All that's left is to track down whoever is responsible for the dastardly deeds!
It's readable but not memorable in any way.
2 Stars.
March 27, 2024
Twists and surrender
Wow! This is my first Fenech novel and I will be reading more of this series. Eve and John are heroes through and through. This book takes you from zero to sixty time and time again. John and Eve do not meet on a date but they quickly find themselves living a "truth or dare life. They are attracted but suspicious about each other. Just when they think they learn to trust, they find themselves questionable ing their own thinking and motives. Others add to their thoughts about each other and themselves. That's how twisted this story is. Its very good for those who like suspenseful romance. Read on!
Wow! This is my first Fenech novel and I will be reading more of this series. Eve and John are heroes through and through. This book takes you from zero to sixty time and time again. John and Eve do not meet on a date but they quickly find themselves living a "truth or dare life. They are attracted but suspicious about each other. Just when they think they learn to trust, they find themselves questionable ing their own thinking and motives. Others add to their thoughts about each other and themselves. That's how twisted this story is. Its very good for those who like suspenseful romance. Read on!
March 15, 2018
Ex police woman and now part owner of a fragrance company is off to a conference of organic chemists with her partner in the company when the are run off the road. Her partner dies in the crash and she is kidnapped by the two men who ran them off. She soon discovers that the kidnappers are actually part of an anti terrorist chemical team and she and her dead partner are suspected of having formulated deadly substance and are going to meet the buyer at the conference. Suspicion, death attempts, a change of mind by the head of the team and romance all come into play as the plot plays out.
April 27, 2018
I've had this book on the back burner for a while now and thought that it was time to give it a try. I'm honestly not sure if I started reading this at some point and just never finished, for some reason the opening seemed very familiar to me. That aside I enjoyed reading as the rest of the plot unfolded. I was so sure that I knew who the real partner was but alas I was wrong. Which was ok, cause you got to love those curve ball's when it comes to catching the suspect. Looking forward to reading more in this series, this was a quick but fun read. 3.5 stars
July 7, 2019
This was a fun romance/adventure novel. The bad guy was not obvious, which I like. The characters of Dr. Eve Collins and Agent John Burke were cute as a potential love interest. They each had their demons to face and overcome with love. This is a series I might possibly return to it in the future. Fast paced and mostly well written (I found a few typos, but those could be kindle related). Overall this was a sweet, fun book.
November 11, 2018
Great series
So far this is awesome it all comes to finding out who yo ca trust. Mostly throughout the whole book the cia agent thought he finally had the person helping build a deadly chemical disaster. eve collins has to do everything she can to clear her name and tge rule to both is trust no one.
So far this is awesome it all comes to finding out who yo ca trust. Mostly throughout the whole book the cia agent thought he finally had the person helping build a deadly chemical disaster. eve collins has to do everything she can to clear her name and tge rule to both is trust no one.
September 7, 2020
Good Thriller But Not So Much For A Guy
The writing was excellent, the characters well-developed and the script tight and thrilling. Overall an excellent read. But not so much with the touchy feelly romance, for a guy. For those who like this the women ought to really love it.
The writing was excellent, the characters well-developed and the script tight and thrilling. Overall an excellent read. But not so much with the touchy feelly romance, for a guy. For those who like this the women ought to really love it.
May 16, 2021
Great Story
I think I realized who done it a few minutes before he did. Rarely does a book fool me but this one did. It is worth reading and I will read more of this series and more by this author
I think I realized who done it a few minutes before he did. Rarely does a book fool me but this one did. It is worth reading and I will read more of this series and more by this author
October 18, 2017
Imposter
This is the first book in this series. I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
This is the first book in this series. I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
December 14, 2017
Now I have a new series to read, can't wait to read more about all of the protectors. 😊😊
February 26, 2018
I enjoyed the book very much. I listened to the book from my library, and the narrator did an excellent job. I plan on reading the entire series.
June 10, 2018
Great start.
July 13, 2018
Madly in forever-love after 48 hours? Seems legit.
March 27, 2019
Very good read. Want to see the next ones.
Very good, easy flowing read. Moved along at a good pace. Like to see more in depth and like the different people's viewpoin0.
Very good, easy flowing read. Moved along at a good pace. Like to see more in depth and like the different people's viewpoin0.
March 18, 2020
Great start to this series.. I enjoyed this book. Good writing and a solid story line.
freebies
April 22, 2020In boxed set - "Dangerous Passions: 12 Tales of Contemporary Sexy Hot Alpha Heroes"
June 11, 2020
I did not feel the connection between the characters here, I skipped through most of the book. It just did not hook me.
December 8, 2023
Review of Imposter
I absolutely loved this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic suspense novels. She is an amazing writer!
I absolutely loved this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic suspense novels. She is an amazing writer!
July 31, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
October 26, 2013
This was one of my books that I had storing around in my kindle. I am trying to get my books down to under the 1,000's lol
this was a great crime/suspense book. Eve was a police officer. She quit the force, and decided to get her PHD in chemistry. She got a really great job making perfumes, and face cream. Every year Eve goes to a convention where she meets all her old friends, and she listens to lectures to find better ways to make her perfume, and different makeup. This year her life was going to change forever...
eve's business partner decided that he wanted to go with her to the convention. He never goes, but she was not going to deny him a chance to make their business better. Eve was going to quit her job because her partner has decided to not put much effort into his job. They were almost in their state to check in at their cottage when she notices that someone was following them at an unsafe matter. She was getting scared. Her partner who was driving his car died. Just suddenly fell over and died. When the car finally came to a stop she didn't know who she was going to face. It was the CIA. They wanted both her and her partner arrested. Eve had no idea what was going on. The CIA thought differently.
She was in the car getting reading to still go to their cottage, but she doesn't understand. The CIA agent "John" told her that he wants the formula for the bomb. Eve told him that she had no idea what he was talking about. He continued to call her a terrorist. She was scared. He told her that they were going to meet this guy that was going to buy her formula. then they are going to go to Washington and she was going to get what she deserved. Eve had no idea that her partner was working with terrorist. She had to save her name.
Eve later found out that people where trying to kill her. She now was going to have to go to a safe house with John. She found him very attractive, but that was the least of her worries. John on the other had wanted a relationship with Eve. He knew after spending a week with her that she was innocent. Now he has to find the terrorist, save eve, and make their relationship right. the only problem was there were 300 people at the convention, and Eve's top 10 friends were all suspects. The main one, her best friend that had her purse.
It was a race in time, and if they didn't figure out who was the bad guy was the whole united states was in danger, and even both of their lives. it was going to be a race in time.
this was a great crime/suspense book. Eve was a police officer. She quit the force, and decided to get her PHD in chemistry. She got a really great job making perfumes, and face cream. Every year Eve goes to a convention where she meets all her old friends, and she listens to lectures to find better ways to make her perfume, and different makeup. This year her life was going to change forever...
eve's business partner decided that he wanted to go with her to the convention. He never goes, but she was not going to deny him a chance to make their business better. Eve was going to quit her job because her partner has decided to not put much effort into his job. They were almost in their state to check in at their cottage when she notices that someone was following them at an unsafe matter. She was getting scared. Her partner who was driving his car died. Just suddenly fell over and died. When the car finally came to a stop she didn't know who she was going to face. It was the CIA. They wanted both her and her partner arrested. Eve had no idea what was going on. The CIA thought differently.
She was in the car getting reading to still go to their cottage, but she doesn't understand. The CIA agent "John" told her that he wants the formula for the bomb. Eve told him that she had no idea what he was talking about. He continued to call her a terrorist. She was scared. He told her that they were going to meet this guy that was going to buy her formula. then they are going to go to Washington and she was going to get what she deserved. Eve had no idea that her partner was working with terrorist. She had to save her name.
Eve later found out that people where trying to kill her. She now was going to have to go to a safe house with John. She found him very attractive, but that was the least of her worries. John on the other had wanted a relationship with Eve. He knew after spending a week with her that she was innocent. Now he has to find the terrorist, save eve, and make their relationship right. the only problem was there were 300 people at the convention, and Eve's top 10 friends were all suspects. The main one, her best friend that had her purse.
It was a race in time, and if they didn't figure out who was the bad guy was the whole united states was in danger, and even both of their lives. it was going to be a race in time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews