The Surrogate's Secret

by Mimi Barbour

Surrogate mother, Sheri O'Connor, loves her adorable twins. Since the donor parents were killed before their birth, she's gladly taken on the responsibility to raise them herself. When their Chilean Uncle, Miguel Rivera, arrives with no warning, expecting to take them back to his country, she unravels and coldly informs him that isn't going to happen. After all, they were her eggs used in the In Vitro process. Consequently, her claim supersedes anyone else's. Never in a million years does she dream that the South American heartstopper wants her babies so much that he will force her to marry him by threatening to withhold the money she needs for an operation for her tiny son.

Miguel knows women aren't to be trusted. Didn't his devious fiancé give him up for dead and marry someone else while he spent months being held hostage in the jungles of Columbia? If his mother hadn't brought a team to save him and end up getting shot during the rescue, he wouldn't be alive. Therefore, if the only thing that can help his Mamacita from succumbing to her wounds is to adopt his dead brother's surrogate children, then he will do anything to see that happen. Even marry the ditzy blonde whose saving grace, beside her gorgeous body and beautiful face, is her absolute devotion to her babies.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Drama, Death, Amazon, M F Romance

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2013

About the author

Mimi is an incredibly busy NYT and USA Today award-winning, best-selling author who has nine series to her credit, as well as over 45 books and numerous multi-author box collections.

Mimi lives on the East coast of Vancouver Island with her pup, Charli, and writes her various romances with tongue in cheek and a mad glint in her eye.

She’s been known to say: “If I can steal a booklover’s attention away from their every-day grind, absorb them into a fantasy love story, and make them care about the ending, then I’ve done my job.”

**1st place prize of the 2015 - Chanticleer Reviews - Clue Awards. Special Agent Francesca
**A TOUCH OF PASSION, has just become the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards.

Reviews

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Communication Chaos

If these two would have just talked! Crazy story, miscommunication madness, and cute babies. There were so many issues in this story that it just got boring. He thought, she thought, but they never thought together. Very frustrating. I did like the heroine more than the hero because he was just so stupid. He didn't trust easy but he should have at least asked. There's infertility, babies, in vitro, jealousy, secrets and dead siblings fueling all this angst. I liked the book though, even with all my grumblings, but it just wasn't great. I would read this author again. I think this was her first romance.

[Melody Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stayed up part of the night to finish this book. I loved the characters and felt they were well-defined. The story line took a bit of a turn from the ordinary which made this book even better.

A surrogate pregnant with twins, for an infertile friend and her husband.

Friend and husband tragically killed before birth.

Uncle comes after babies, but surrogate mom used her own eggs. Can he just take them away?

To whom do these babes legally belong to?

Surprising discovery made about babies.

Misunderstandings ensued.

I loved this and recommend it highly.

I had one question that wasn't answered. What happened to Miguel during his torture that rendered him sterile?

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reminds me of every single reason why I stopped reading "romance" novels some 20 plus years ago: women who are supposed to be strong but become weak annoying creatures once a man enters their life, asshole men who are raised to believe the world worships them and finally some asinine reason why they end up "happily ever after".

These are the questions that plauge my mind even now: How did Sheri go from strong independent single mom to head over heels in love with the arrogant Miguel in such a short amount of time? I mean so in love she was willing to give up her babies? Seriously? What did I miss? Did she forget the make he blackmailed her into marrying him? Or was I supposed to overlook that point? Was there a more unbelieve reason in the world that the babies were Miguel's? For serious? And why was the answer disclosed so causally? I mean she was the surrogate for goodness sakes, he honestly didn't have to tell her anything. Why was Maria such a tool? Did she know the babies were Miguel's (I guess I was supposed to figure that out from the picture scene)? If it was that easy for her to figure out why didn't the mom?

I have more questions but the whole thing is tiring. I will stick to romantic comedies, at least I know they are intended to make me laugh

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheri has twins, and she was meant to be a surrogate mom, but something changed. And now there’s a stranger knocking on her door.

Author Mimi Barbour keeps her reader’s intriguingly unsettled as her romantic novella, The Surrogate’s Secret, begins. The stranger’s obviously going to be a love interest, but quiet surprises are waiting, keeping the reader pleasingly glued to the page. Of course, Sheri’s not the only person dealing with past hurts. And she’s not the only strong character in this tale. Miguel and his mother are used to fighting and winning, and just might turn out to be the good guys in a curious romance that travels from DC to the jungles of Columbia.

All the requisite misunderstandings, strong characters and determined individuality can’t keep these two away from hot romance, and the story ends with their bodies as entangled as their lives. The Surrogate’s Secret is a tale filled with twists and turns too, and, if they’re not always plausible, they are definitely fun and make for an enjoyable short read.

Disclosure: I found a free ecopy and enjoyed it.

[Lorhainne Eckhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet contemporary romance that will tug at your heart. Although Mimi Barbour has written several novels in the romance genre, paranormal, fantasy and romantic suspense. This contemporary romance is by far my favorite. Sheri is a surrogate mother for her good friends, but an accident kills them before she gives birth leaving her with twins to raise. It's not until the extremely handsome and wealthy brother of the surrogate father, Miguel, shows up on Sheri's doorstep claiming the right to the twins that shakes up Sheri's world as a single mother. But Sheri won't let him walk away with her babies, and when one of the babies gets sick and needs surgery she is forced to accept Miguel's financial help to pay for the surgery. Miguel is desperate to have the children but he doesn't expect Sheri to be the force standing between him and taking the children back to Chile with him, and the grandmother that so desperately wants them. So he marries her, and whisks her away. And let me tell you there are sparks and chemistry sizzling between them. But it's secrets and misunderstandings on both sides that threatens to tear them apart. All I can say is read it! And you'll find yourself wrapped up in Miguel and Sheri the love sizzling between them, routing for them, unable to put down this book. The Surrogate's Secret I highly recommend and can easily see a sequel.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheri, the surrogate mother of twins, ended up with more than she bargained for when she agreed to become the surrogate mother for her best friend and her husband. Just before the birth of the twins, her best friend and her husband were killed in an auto accident, so she is raising her two alone.

After four month, dealing with the grief from the death of her friends, giving birth to the twins, planning a double funeral and the baby blues, Miguel Rivera, uncle to the twins knocks on her door. He expects to take his brother's child back to Chile to grow up on the family estate with him and his mother. His first surprise is that he had two babies, a boy and a girl and that Sheri, the surrogate mother is also the biological mother and very attached to her children. This sets the plot for some adventure, some hard choices and lots of miscommunication between these two as he forces her to marry him and come home to Chile with him.

The Surrogate's Secret is a lovely and entertaining love story and of special interest to me as my daughter has been a surrogate mother to eight children. It takes a very special woman to carry a child for someone else and give it up, even when the egg is not hers. This story touched on the feelings and how hard this is for the special woman that do a surrogate pregnancy for others; they really are special, as is this story.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining and enjoyable. I found myself quickly engaged in this story and in the issues facing the main characters. Sheri and Miguel were both very likeable, and there were some very emotional scenes as they struggled with their feelings for each other after the inevitable misunderstandings that kept the plot moving. A very smooth writing style had me turning pages as I became more and more engrossed in the story.

The only quibble was an ending that felt too abrupt. There was a lot of momentum in the final chapter and then, the story just ended. I thought it could have used a few more paragraphs, or even an epilogue, so that the ending felt more complete. With the story ending so abruptly, I missed the warm and fuzzy feeling I usually get with a well written HEA ending. Unfortunate, since I'd become quite invested in these two characters. Otherwise, it was a nicely balanced story.

This is the first book I've read by this author but I fully intend to try a few more.

[E Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragedy + Tragedy + failure of communication= heartbreak or does it? This was a sweet, but tragic love story, my heart ached for the couple when they failed to communicate. They were both so miserable. You will have to read to find out the solution, was it ending in heartbreak or love? My heart ached for the couple, I actually had to put the book down because the couple was so miserable. I loved the characters, except when they were being stubborn

[Emma Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice read

A lot of assumptions and a lot of secrets give an edge to the romance that keeps the interest going. Getting these things sorted out...well that is the story that Mimi Barbour wrote.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved please do a story about nick and charley

[Dawn Kenney Newkirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Communication

Miguel knocks on the door to Sheri's apartment looking for his brother Fillippe's baby. When Sheri answer the door she wonders what took Miguel so long to arrive and why wasn't he there for the funerals of both his brother Fillippe and Mary-Ann, Fillippe's wife.

Miguel has come to take the baby to Chille for his mother. He's surprised when Sheri informs him that the babies are biologically hers and her claim supersedes an uncle or grandma. After learning this and telling his mother, she start to get worse again. So when Sheri's son Rafael needs surgery Miguel uses this to blackmail Sheri in to marriage.

Now how are they supposed to communicate with each other?

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unusual story. Two people who are thrown together by a tragedy find themselves in a strange relationship. Different countries. Different socio-economic conditions. Different desires for the rest of their lives. The story has many twists and turns as these two people vacillate between love and hate. Never fully trusting each other. And as a reader it was frustrating to see all the times when their communication could have been better and none of the problems would have occurred. So the story is devoted to the way these two individuals have some loving moments and some times of hatred. The twists and turns kept me interested, but I was glad when the ending came.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The way details came out as the story went along really built the tension and made the heroine's distress all the more heart-wrenching as they went along. It felt a little heavy-handed when he held her son's hospital bill over her, but otherwise I really loved this and it was all the more gripping when everything they misunderstood about one another felt legitimate. Couldn't put it down, stayed up very late!

[Ginger · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first couple of chapters were good, then it just went downhill. Too many editing issues (words misspelled, punctuation missing, etc). The two main characters kept going back and forth between being strong, intelligent to silly and dumb. Glad this was a free download (at the time). Don't waste your time or money.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Surrogate's Secret

The story opens up with him knocking on her door. He came to take his dead brothers child back a to Chile, his home country. But he finds out that there was more. She is not only the surrogate but the egg donor also. They end up getting married. But the journey to a HEA ending is not smooth for either of them.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having a babies a friend and her husband and in comes a huge curveball. Then Uncle comes and tries to take them but can he really?! All the misunderstandings and miscommunications threw a big problem in the way for these two people. When all they had to do was take to each other. I really enjoyed the story though.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets

Mistakes happen and are imagined. Secrets are kept to protect vulnerable people. I enjoyed the games that were being played that lead to a marve!ous ending to this love story. Mimi Barbour is a fantastic author who develops characters with great personalities that steal the readers heart.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheri offers to be a surrogate for her friend. Disaster strikes when the friend and her husband die in an accident. Sheri’s bond as a Mother is growing and with the support of friends she is managing. But a knock at the door leads to a dilemma. The story unfolds into a Shakespeare like farce with wires being crossed.

[Art (aka Whistler Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good story with a HEA. I've read her FBI series, and found the writing style similar.
The lost star is due to a common problem these days, consistantly poor editing, in the case of this book extra or missing words that cause one to stumble, interrupting the flow.

[Diane Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duh

Sheri was so sweet. Miguel was a mess. He had a traitorous fiance who caused him so much pain. The twins were the only thing that gave him joy. This story does a good job of creating a happy ending.

[Vanessa Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having two kids with you alone is difficult plus the situation Sheri in, where the supposed to be parents of her twins would finally meet, a sudden turn of event came up. Dealing with her own grief from losing two of her best pals and having a big responsibility to the young ones, Sheri is in a big mess up situation. She just want to help her friend to have a baby, because she thinks this would actually give a whole lot change to the marriage of her two friends. But it didn't turn out well. They died in a plane crash, leaving her alone with the twins, the good thing though is she found a friend name Charly. Charly who help her during difficult times taking care of the kids, but there's the entrance of the brother of Felipe (the donor parent) - Miguel, who want to keep the twins with him in Chile. Sheri loved her babies, she adores them and will never give them to anyone. She has the right, her own egg cell was use in the vitro, she is their mother. She didn't give in, talk back even Miguel is intimidating and hot. Her babies is only for her. Not knowing what's Miguel's reason behind his need to get the babies home, Sheri is determined to get Miguel out of the way. But baby Rafael got ill and needed an operation, without enough money for the finances Miguel offers help in return of marriage. Through the operation, Sheri and Miguel got acquainted. Sheri got to know a little of who Miguel is. Caring and loving for the babies and has soft heart. Sheri didn't realize that behind the good help comes a trade. When. surgery is needed to be done, she is left with two choices: Marry Miguel and save baby Rafael or not marry him and let her baby suffers. Mother's love for their children is unconditional, even though she didn't want to, she need to marry the man. All for her baby. Once the deal is done, Rafael got better. Sheri then started packing up for moving to their new home. While in airplane, Miguel's mother is very excited to finally meet her grandchildren. Wishing they'd come home fast, her health condition is getting better when she heard the news from his son about it. Going through a lot, Miguel's mother condition worsen each day when he took to long to get the twins with him. The babies could do magic and bring joy to her face again, and be able to be lively again. That's where the story would start. I didn't include some important twist of events and information about how these two make their marriage works.But what I can say is that I loved reading it. First chapter got me, and the cute babies captures my heart. Sheri is a great tough woman. Perfect mother and genuine person. Miguel on the other hand can be an ass but as I get to know his past I finally understand why he acts that way. Every person has it's bad experience that changes them, and Miguel has lots of it. I love how slowly their relationship grows and hate it when things get cold between them again. Problems of most of the married people are misunderstanding and lost of communication. It did affect the situation but through this, they have learned lessons.

This a great read for me. Didn't sleep last night until I get to the final chapter. But I really hope that's the end would have more scenes. I can't let go of them yet, the couple and the babies. I want more of their steamy love making and make up sex. If they'll have another child, would it be twin too or triplets!!. Argh, though it ends sweet and simple, I want mooore! Yes, I love their stupid fights, the twists, the babies, their characters. I love it all. Thumbs up!

[Jessie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

good story

A good story about a woman who becomes a surrogate for her friend. Unfortunately events take a different turn and she is left with the children.

[Diana Hockley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Romance fiction always has an element of fantasy/unreality included, otherwise there would not be the misunderstandings and making-ups which are mandatory of this genre.

In the case of The Surrogate's Secret, there is one glaring mistake - the clinic would never have NOT told the client of the mix up, and left it to the surrogate to spill the beans somewhere down the track.

The stand-off between the parties goes on for what seems like the better part of the book, the reasons for which are unbelievable. The housekeeper's angst is never explained satisfactorily and the ending is lame.

Unfortunately, not my favourite romance novel. This is not Ms Barbour's finest effort.
________________________________________

[Jenny Delandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheri would do anything for her best friend, and when she is asked to be a surrogate mother, there is only one thing she could say...
imagine her grief when her beloved friend and her husband are killed in the same week that she gives birth to twins...
now she has a beautiful boy and girl and a neighbor who helps her every day but she is struggling....
one day the door bell rings and suddenly her life changes..
the twins uncle has just arrived from Santiago... with the news that he wants to give her money and take her babies to Santiago... over her dead body!!!

I like Mimi's style of story telling... great escape!!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a read!!! Vivid, well defined characters, an unusual plot
with surprising twists and turns. It is a sweet contemporary
romance that will keep you reading form the first to the last
word.
A surrogate mother for her friend who is killed with her
husband before the birth. The uncle of the babies shows up to
take mom and babies back to Chile where he and his mother
live. Can he do this? What will happen.? Be sure to read.
This eBook is included in Hearts and Kisses: 12 Contemporary
Valentine Novels and Novellas Boxed Set
Thanks to the author for the eBook. My opinion is my own.

[TheBookLion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dios Mio!
This story should be a soap opera, a telemundo or something ahaha
It was a good read and very quick too, since I read it in 3hours. Devour I should say!
The story was adorkable and the protagonists had issues, considering what they went through but both are brave, even when they take stupid decisions.
It was hilarious that Miguel thought Charlie was man, but then it became frustrating.

The two and THEIR kids get a beautiful happy ever after.
#FuzzyFeelings

[Jacqui Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Surrogate's Secret is a delightful story about a sexy but wounded South American hero and a feisty but down-on-her-luck North American heroine. An entertaining read that kept me up late wondering if the secret would tear these compelling characters apart or bring them together. Mimi Barbour has a wonderful knack for realistic characters not only in her charming hero and heroine but in her secondary characters. Charly, Momacita, Maria, Juan and Paula make this story feel like a family I'd like to join.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Surrogate's Secret is about a special girl that agreed to be a surrogate mother for her childhood best friend and just before the birth, her best friend and her husband were killed in an accident. Suddenly she is the mother of twins, when the brother of the deceased husband shows up at her door and the fun begins. It ends up being a delightful love story with enough twists to keep the reader guessing until the end.

[KStar · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a nice quick story to read. Very interesting circumstances arise throughout this book. Most definitely keeping you interested in knowing how everything will hopefully fall into the right place. Sweet, cute, funny, even some sexy moments, but also some very sad times as well throughout. Very enjoyable story. :)

[The TBR Pile *Book review site* · Rating 3 out of 5]

These two definitely had a path to walk and it took them a while. I liked the secondary cast (well, Charlie and Miguel’s mom. The housekeeper…not so much).

If you want to see the rest of the review, please visit http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...