Imagine

Very different kind of love story, (a genie in a bottle IS unusual), and includes children, which is hard to do successfully. This author has written stories that I have enjoyed more but I did enjoy this one. The diversity of her backdrops is illustrated by this one, a desert island!

Margaret Huntington Smith is a 32 year old successful Attorney in San Fransisco. She is sent away on holiday by her father to the Pacific Islands. Hank Wyatt is an escaped convict from a high security prison on one of the Islands. They are travelling on a ship when the boiler blows and the ship capsizes. Hank manages to get to safety on a lifeboat and also saves Margaret and three orphaned children, Lydia (11 years old), Theodore (5 years old) and Anabelle (just under 2 years old). They sail in the lifeboat until they finally reach a deserted island. When Hank and Margaret meet sparks fly. He is a hardheaded man and will not listen to Margaret's opinions and she is determined woman who will not let any man put her down. Margaret knows nothing about children or cooking and so will ocasionally lose one of the children and more often than not burn the food. Hank is a hard man and has lived a tough life but finds himself softening and becoming a surrogate father to the three children as Margaret does her best at being mother to the children. As time goes by, the little family become closer and Margaret finds herself falling for the man who is her polar opposite. This was a fun book to read. As always filled with Jill Barnett's trademark humour, witty dialogue and funny situations. The love story was not rushed but built over the entire length of the book. The children also added a lot of humour to the book as well as tenderness. Throw in a genie from a bottle called Muddy and you have a thumping great read. Highly recommended as with all Jill Barnett's books. Lea Ling Tsang

Whenever I read a Jill Barnett book, a smile is generally plastered on my face until I finish. Rarely have I found an author who can charm me so completely. Barnett, however, does it every time. To say her characters are endearing, would be an understatement!In addition to making me laugh, Barnett is also able to write deeply touching and sweet stories. Imagine is no exception. I found I was both laughing and crying as the story of Hank, Maggie, and the orphans unfolded.At first I was a bit reluctant to read Imagine, since I feared the romance would be lessened by the prominent incorporation of childern into the storyline. Thankfully, my fears were all for naught. Even though I'm not a big fan of kids, these characters completely charmed the socks off me, and were also integral to the central theme of family. Plus, the romance suffered not a wit. There were plenty of sensual, romantic scenes to be found on that island.All in all, Imagine is a greatly satisfying read that you should do everything in your power to get ahold of!

I bought "Imagine" about eights months ago and I let it sit on my bookshelf until last week. Well, I'm very sorry that I didn't read it earlier. "Imagine" is a great story about finding love that has been waiting for you for your whole life. Ms. Barnett is able to bring out real emotions in her characters and keep the reader wanting more.

Hank Wyatt and Maggie Smith are nearly complete opposites. Hank is an escaped convict who has never known a real family. Maggie grew up with every advantage offered by her prominent family and became a successful attorney even before women were allowed to vote. Hank does what he has to to survive. According to him, intelligent women like Maggie who can't cook are practically useless; however, he CAN think of at least one use for the gorgeous blond woman whose incessant THINKING is driving him nuts.... It is obvious that neither Maggie nor Hank knows the first thing about taking care of the three children shipwrecked with them, including a toddler who needs to be watched constantly. Although this clearly falls into "women's work," Hank is forced by their isolation to assume his share of the responsibility. Gradually (and with the help of a genie whose bottle was plucked from the sea), the exiles find themselves adapting to their situation and becoming a family unit. But what will happen when they are rescued? As an attorney, Maggie cannot link her life to an escaped felon. But could Hank bear to be sent back to the hellish prison he escaped from? Since a single woman cannot adopt children, will the three orphans end up in the same kind of orphanage Hank grew up in?Jill Barnett's magic strikes again. A most unlikely pair are forced together through circumstances (fate) until they perceive in each other a kindred spirit beneath the surface. And to discover at last that true love gives them the strength to face an uncertain future....Jill Barnett has a real gift for combining humor and romance. One finds oneself chuckling all the way through at the hilarious situations and witty dialogue. At the same time, her characters seem to grow and evolve and mature as circumstances force them to reevaluate the direction of their lives. Ms. Barnett can always be counted on to provide an entertaining and uplifting read!

MIX: 1. escaped convict (GQ material), 2. a lawyer (a gorgeous blond with legs that go on forever) and 3. three orphans (a 2,5 and 11 year old) on a deserted island. RESULT: Sexual innuendos combined with hilarity frothing with romance and bursting with laughter. When the antics of all the characters don't have you laughing until your sides hurt, then your imagination is running wild with all the romantic opportunities. And if that isn't enough add a goat, a genie and some tropical nights.