Title: Mike, the Molly, and Me

Author: Deborah Tompkins

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Page Length: 194 pages

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

ISBN 1-60154-017-5

Blurb:

When two artistic recluses pick the same mountain to hide on… Someone is bound to be found out.

Review:

Mike Brooks was a world re-known photographer, disillusioned with life in a way that was showing in his art.  Oh it was not so much something others could readily see, he had too much talent for it to show so blatantly, but it showed to the one who knew him best.  His assistant and protégé, Lance, a young just out of school and willing to do anything apprentice.  The young man had talent himself, and it was with a great deal of satisfaction Mike looked at the one who could possibly carry his work forward.  He was certain Lance could cope and carry on in his footsteps, and as a partner, would not let the business fail.  That was for the future, not the now.  Now he was only worried about his tree, the Queen as he referred to the scraggly but majestic old apple tree that clung so tenaciously to the windy bluff on the side of the mountain.  She embodied all his hopes, dreams, and wishes, and he made monthly trips to visit, photograph, and converse with her.  To Mike, the mountain was magic, freedom, and life.  It was solitude, but a connectedness to the universe, something he was feeling he sorely lacked.  What he wasn’t expecting was to find a mystery here on the mountain, but an unfortunate fall leads him to more change than he could ever believe in for himself…

Chris Brandt was alone, and yes, that was the way she wanted it, liked it even better.  She trusted few, and only the guys at the ranger station knew who she really was, and what she wanted.  They respected her, called on her for help, and saw to it her anonymity was protected.  She and Liz had a good life.  Liz was good company, and a very intelligent and helpful mule.  She was bright enough to pick her battles, set her own limits, and knew Chris’ habits.   Chris respected her, never pushing her past friendship or her limits.  Liz was very special in Chris’ life, sharing the burdens of living alone, imposing their will on nature and each other in a companionable fashion.  Neither Chris nor Liz suspected a typical early morning ride would bring a third party into their midst, nor that said third party would find his way into both their hearts and earn their respect.  The first order of business, however, was to get him off the ledge upon which he had placed himself, and rather precariously at that…

I have to be honest.  Mike, the Molly and Me had me laughing out loud at the antics of the characters.  The mule, known as a molly, is a very special animal.  Liz came from an abusive background, but when faced with Chris, chose her as her own, set the rules, and established the friendship.  It was a kindred thing, because Chris had suffered abuse in her own way, and between them, had sworn off the rest of man and equine kind.  Their self imposed isolation was broken only by the men at the Ranger Station, and the head ranger’s sparkly blond wife, Beth.  Between Fate, Mother Nature, and a soggy spot on the escarpment, Mike, Chris, and Liz are introduced.  Mike, the Molly and Me by Deborah Thompkins is a fun-loving, full of life read that is special, and is not only a wonderful tale, but an affirmation of life too.  Yeah, I know it may sound staid, but the humor is there, so is the love of life, the just plain funny laugh out loud moments, and realization in the sudden understanding of two people who thought themselves too jaded by life to find love.  Pushed and prodded by a carrot loving molly, the two don’t have a chance, and when Chris’ best friend Beth decides to put her two cents in, and her husband Steve decides to meddle, Chris and her secrets don’t have a prayer of staying hidden from Mike. This book was just too good not to read fast, then read again.  It has it all, some excitement, danger, misunderstandings, some surprises, and lots of love.  Mike, the Molly and Me is definitely a GOLD SEAL read, and one I am gonna keep to read again and again!!!

Yours in good reading,

Rose!~

WRDF Review

Gold