Mimi Barbour

A sweet twist on the Grinch scenario. Gordon bottles up his anger and resentment along with loneliness and pain to the point where his bitterness overshadows everything that has importance in his life. Holly is the optimist that turns his life upside down and pulls him kicking and screaming into the magical season of hope, charity and faith. Maybe even love. I am not normally a fan of stories with Grinch or Scrooge like characters but there was something so compelling about Gordon that I show more couldn't look away. Deck the Hearts exposes what an open heart and open mind can do for the soul and the difference one action can make in the lives of others. show less

It all starts with a dog, so obviously I was hooked. The stories in this trilogy deal with adult situations between real, believable characters, and make for three happy, quick reads. Great dialog and an enjoyable sense of humor characterize them, plus dogs of course. And guessing where the tales will intersect is an enjoyable game for the reader. Because, of course, they do intersect. And these pups will each bring love into heartbreak and disaster.

I enjoyed the characters as well as the show more dogs. Evocative depictions of snow, small towns, and wilderness draw the reader in. Adult relationships ensue. And happy endings are promised for both people and pets. They make for a fun read.

Disclosure: I got it on a deal and I enjoyed it. show less

Together for Christmas (The Vicarage Bench Series) by Mimi Barbour

Abbie finds herself in an unusual situation, when she falls into a coma her spirit is residing inside of Marcus body. He can hear her, she hears him and can see things through his eyes. He is a bit of a Scrooge who works way too much. Can Abbie soften Marcus and turn him into a happier man? What will happen if she comes out of her coma ?

A fast paced original story set around Christmas time. Abbie is very likable, she is put in show more a situation that is unthinkable. Abbie tries to make the best out of this situation, while driving Marcus crazy. But could that really be bad for Marcus? Overall I found Together for Christmas sweet and enjoyable. I recommend to those who love a (Christmas themed) romance. show less

I picked this book up from a friend's recommendation. It is fast-paced, fun, and filled with suspense.

FBI Special Agent Francesca "Frankie" Donovan is excited about starting her job in Vegas independent of her mother's long reach. However, her mom springs a shocking surprise on her that her birth father is a detective in the city. A man who does not know she exists. If that isn't enough, she has also pissed off her slimy new boss who has placed her in her first extremely dangerous undercover show more job to catch a crime boss. And the icing on the cake...her partner is a hot, distracting psychologist who gives her feelings she just doesn't need right now.

Dr. Sean Collins works is a psychologist who works sometimes as a profiler for the Vegas police force. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he is asked by his best friend Eddie, head of the Gang Crime Unit, to partner with the beautiful and stubborn Special Agent Donovan to keep her out of trouble. Yeah...easier said than done.

Frankie is a total badass. Trouble certainly finds her as she brings down four bad guys in just a few days of her arrival in Vegas. Her extreme martial arts skills are superb and her instincts are well-developed for a young agent. She is also thrilled to be out from under her mother's interference as the top Special Agent to the Director of the FBI. She is used to working on her own so she often goes rogue to the dismay of her father, her boss, and Sean. It's sad how Frankie grew up with an absentee mother who put her career first and then lied about Frankie's father all her life. However, Frankie's dad, Ham, and his family are just what Frankie needs to feel wanted and cared for. Sean is Frankie's voice of reason as she gets deeper into the Vegas criminal underground. Their attraction is immediate, but they rub each other the wrong way at first. Their fun teasing is hilarious and the chemistry is strong as they finally admit their feelings, they catch the bad guys, and their future looks bright.

I love Frankie's father with his immediate and unconditional love for his daughter. That applies to her very understanding and accepting stepmother Mattie, and her half-sisters as well.

If you enjoy suspense that keeps you on your toes, slow-burn sizzling romances, and charming and sleazy characters, give this book a try.

Thank you to Ms. Barbour for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review. show less