Rating: 
Summary: Very Good, but Jill Barnett has written better
Review: Compare this book to Carried Away, MY personal favorite of Jill's. (You might even make the connection between the bottle the two terrors were fighting over briefly in Carried Away with a bottle in this book). While not one of her best, I still enjoyed it better than a Johanna Lindsey or an Amanda Quick, and I would probably die if someone asked me to choose between Catherine Coulter, Julie Garwood, and Jill Barnett for my favorite author. What I'm trying to say, is that if this is your first time reading Jill -- don't let it be your last.
Rating: 
Summary: Shipwreck survivors find love and a ready-made family.
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Charming, romance novel
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Charming, romance novel
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Charming, romance novel
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Cute, Funny and Totally Original!
Review: Maggie Smith, a wealthy San Francisco attorney, is sent on vacation to the South Seas by her father. Hank Wyatt has just escaped from a maximum-security prison, where he has served several years of a life sentence for a murder he didn't commit. Hank stows away aboard the ship Maggie is sailing on, both unaware in a few hours they will be fighting for their very lives. They sail into a raging storm, the ship's boiler blows, and Hank saves the lives of Maggie, three orphaned children, and a goat. Floating in a life raft, they eventually make landfall on a deserted tropical island. Hank, who is arrogant, self-centered and cynical, knows how to survive. And since he's the man, it's his place to think, be in control, and he's undoubtedly always right. So when they set up a temporary life and routine on the island, they disagree on everything. Maggie is delegated responsibility for cooking and childcare, two things she knows nothing about. Consequently she burns the food, and occasionally loses a child. Hank and Maggie fight their growing attraction for each other, while trying to survive. One of the children stumbles upon an actual genie in the bottle, and is granted the requisite three wishes. Eventually they are rescued, but what will happen when they all return to civilization? Ms. Barnett never ceases to amaze me with her wonderful stories, and this was no exception. This read was sweet, endearing, and just pure fun! Maggie and Hank couldn't be more polar opposites, but they of course find common ground to fall in love. Maggie was an interesting heroine - strong, independent, and progressive for the late 1800's. In the beginning, Hank was an intriguing hero, but not all that likeable. However, he began to soften and we saw him ultimately change for the better. The kids added an extra dimension to the story making them more of a family, and Muddy the genie was also a cute addition. The humor this author is so talented at adding to her stories was definitely here as well. This is a keeper, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend reading it!
Rating:
Summary: Desert island fun
Review: 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
Rating:
Summary: Love and laughter on a deserted island.
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: My favorite
Review: Readers often ask which book an author likes the most. I've had two personal favorites in my list of full novels to date, not because of likes, but because of the special magic that happened between myself and the characters when I was writing the story. To date, 1997, IMAGINE is the book with which I have the strongest bond. I expect my favorite book will change with the creation of future books, but until then, this one is special to me.
Rating:
Summary: Such fun, Heart warming
Review: The story of Hank and Smitty is one of the best romances I have read. Their story is truly heartwarming. When you read it, you will find yourself laughing and crying during the entire book. I have read all of Jill Barnett's book and this is my favorite, although I would recommend all of her books to everyone
| 
