"fine contemporary romantic thriller"
With the death of her father, Nikoletta "Niki" Papadaki
takes charge of Papadaki Private Holdings Limited, an
international firm with factories all over the world.
However, the pampered Niki only cares about the bottom
line, which angers environmentalists and other activist
groups. One particular extremist faction decides to take
matters in their hand by harming perhaps even killing the
egomaniac. Company executives are concerned that their image
especially that of hedonistic Niki could cause PPHL
troubles resulting in financial losses. They decide they
need a more responsible person at the helm. They turn to
Ariadne, Niki's twin sister, given up for adoption years
ago. Though she knows nothing about her biological family
or her late sire's firm, Ariadne brings common sense and
an appreciation of social and geo-reasonability of a major
company. She also begins to fall in love with her
bodyguard Matt. The dramatically opposite personalities of the twin
sisters make for a fine contemporary romantic thriller
though finding a former throw away twin is too simple of a
solution and the climax is to neat of a wrap up. The
story line is fast-paced as the PPHL board changes
leadership hoping that a responsible look alike puppet
(Ariadne) will save their reputation that spoiled Niki has
devastated with her let them eat cake attitude. THE
SECRET HEIRESS is an interesting look at how nurturing
shapes the personality. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 19, 2007
SummaryThe world is a candy store for Niki Papadaki, a wild
international party girl one week away from her 21st
birthday—the date established in her late father's will
when she becomes the sole proprietress of Papadaki Private
Holdings Ltd., one of the world's largest privately held
corporations.
Once at the helm, Niki's lack of business scruples,
carelessness with people's lives and environmental
recklessness have negative effects on the company's bottom
line and make the company a target of Mother Earth's
Children, a radical environmental group. PPHL's board
decides to replace Niki.
Enter Ariadne, Niki's twin sister, who had been secretly
raised in America by a childless couple because the girls'
father believed twin heiresses were a curse. After an
elaborate and covert switch, Ariadne assumes control of both
PPHL and Niki's identity and works to turn the company
around. Tension mounts as Ariadne-as-Niki becomes the target
of an assassination plot; her bodyguard, the dashing Matt
Foster, steals her heart while keeping her safe.....
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