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North Pole Unlimited #1
Decker and Joy
(originally published in "Crazy Cat Ladies: A Nine Lives Romance Anthology"
Jaded P.I. Decker Harkness must track down a missing prototype if he wants a shot at a corporate security contract. Sexy cat shelter manager Joy McCall has her own investigation running - she needs to figure out who broke into Kitten Caboodle and made off with her foster kittens. They'll have to work together to get the happy ending they both deserve.
Jaded P.I. Decker Harkness must track down a missing prototype if he wants a shot at a corporate security contract. Sexy cat shelter manager Joy McCall has her own investigation running - she needs to figure out who broke into Kitten Caboodle and made off with her foster kittens. They'll have to work together to get the happy ending they both deserve.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2016
1166 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Elle Rush
55 books137 followersSweet contemporary romance author with addictions to Christmas and other holidays seeks readers to share fun, heartwarming romances with. Laugh-out-loud banter, yummy recipes and a list of favourite holiday tropes on request. (Spoiler: ALL OF THEM.)
Keep up with her new releases by subscribing to her newsletter at www.ellerush.com/newsletter
Keep up with her new releases by subscribing to her newsletter at www.ellerush.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
December 18, 2019
4,25 stars - English Ebook 🎂🎂🎂
A short story about a stolen, very special puppet and stolen kittens. Ofcourse overstole with Christmas romance. 🌹🌹🌹
A short story about a stolen, very special puppet and stolen kittens. Ofcourse overstole with Christmas romance. 🌹🌹🌹
November 30, 2020
A re-read revisit for the holidays on my Kobo.
I'd forgotten the funny included in this one: the recovery of a rogue surveillance doll, E.L.V.I.S., which brought Decker to the mall in the first place. I adored Joy, and I loved the whole "he doesn't know he's been adopted by that cat yet," which as a guy who didn't know he'd been adopted by our first husky, tracks so true I don't even know what to tell you. Decker the cop-turned-detective is sort of rough and grumbly (but kitten!) and Joy's full of determination and drive. Together, they really work.
The romance of this one unfolds alongside the ongoing mystery of finding E.L.V.I.S., weird goings on at the pet shop where Joy works, and the threat of two careers heading in different directions, and it all comes together in time for a happy ending.
I'd forgotten the funny included in this one: the recovery of a rogue surveillance doll, E.L.V.I.S., which brought Decker to the mall in the first place. I adored Joy, and I loved the whole "he doesn't know he's been adopted by that cat yet," which as a guy who didn't know he'd been adopted by our first husky, tracks so true I don't even know what to tell you. Decker the cop-turned-detective is sort of rough and grumbly (but kitten!) and Joy's full of determination and drive. Together, they really work.
The romance of this one unfolds alongside the ongoing mystery of finding E.L.V.I.S., weird goings on at the pet shop where Joy works, and the threat of two careers heading in different directions, and it all comes together in time for a happy ending.
December 11, 2023
2,5 ⭐️
0/5 🎄
Es war nicht schlecht aber es hat mich auch irgendwie nicht catchen können. Ich hab die süßen Katzen sehr geliebt aber sonst hat es mich nicht richtig überzeugen können. Besonders festive hat es sich leider auch nicht angefühlt 🤔
0/5 🎄
Es war nicht schlecht aber es hat mich auch irgendwie nicht catchen können. Ich hab die süßen Katzen sehr geliebt aber sonst hat es mich nicht richtig überzeugen können. Besonders festive hat es sich leider auch nicht angefühlt 🤔
November 26, 2019
This book was so lovely!!! I love cats! And this book had a lot of them. 😂
So... the main characters - you can figure out their names due to the title - had such a chemistry, I didn’t even mind they fell in love so quickly. Usually, I hate it when characters tell each other “I love you” or feel like they can not live without each other after a couple of dates. But it wasn’t the case here. I really enjoyed this couple’s progress.
On the other hand, the detective had a lot of action on his side and this was a bonus too. I didn’t get to guess a lot of things and this was also a surprise. Usually I figure out the ending of a book pretty early. This time 🙈 I was totally blind sided.
Good job! I think I’m going to read the next book pretty soon.
So... the main characters - you can figure out their names due to the title - had such a chemistry, I didn’t even mind they fell in love so quickly. Usually, I hate it when characters tell each other “I love you” or feel like they can not live without each other after a couple of dates. But it wasn’t the case here. I really enjoyed this couple’s progress.
On the other hand, the detective had a lot of action on his side and this was a bonus too. I didn’t get to guess a lot of things and this was also a surprise. Usually I figure out the ending of a book pretty early. This time 🙈 I was totally blind sided.
Good job! I think I’m going to read the next book pretty soon.
Want to read
December 12, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (12/12/2018)!💝
Blurb:
Jaded P.I. Decker Harkness must track down a missing prototype if he wants a shot at a corporate security contract. Sexy cat-lady Joy McCall has her own investigation running after someone breaks into her animal shelter. When they cross paths during a triple kitten-napping, they’ll have to work together to close their cases. Will everyone make it home to celebrate a merry Christmas together?
Only Santa knows.
Blurb:
Jaded P.I. Decker Harkness must track down a missing prototype if he wants a shot at a corporate security contract. Sexy cat-lady Joy McCall has her own investigation running after someone breaks into her animal shelter. When they cross paths during a triple kitten-napping, they’ll have to work together to close their cases. Will everyone make it home to celebrate a merry Christmas together?
Only Santa knows.
November 30, 2020
A very short story for a Xmas challenge. A very valuable toy has gone missing from North Pole Unlimited and Decker is assigned to find it. By tracking it's GPS, he finds it is at one of 3 stores at a mall. One of the stores is Kitten Caboodle, where he meets Joy. While searching for the toy, he is able to solve a false coupon ring and a catnapping.
Want to read
December 23, 201912/23/19 Currently FREE via Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07732Z6L...
November 14, 2023
I loved this Christmas story. I mean, who wouldn't love a book about the North Pole? Well, not really the North Pole but a company called North Pole Unlimited.
Decker was a private investigator hired to find a surveillance doll, E.L.V.I.S., that had gone missing, for North Pole Unlimited. One of the spots he checked out while investigating was the pet shelter, Kitten Caboodle, where he met Joy. Three of her kittens were missing, too. I loved how Decker tried to keep his investigation professional, but it wasn't easy when the kittens wouldn't leave him alone. Or was it he wouldn't leave them alone? Feelings were growing between this couple, though they tried to ignore it. Ignoring their attraction was impossible when Joy decided to help Decker in his investigation. Joy was more interested in finding the stolen kittens and spending time with Decker than in finding E.L.V.I.S.
The romance unfolds along with the mystery of finding E.L.V.I.S., weird things happening at the pet shop where Joy works, and two careers going in different directions.
Looking for a fun holiday read? This romantic suspense will make you smile.
Decker was a private investigator hired to find a surveillance doll, E.L.V.I.S., that had gone missing, for North Pole Unlimited. One of the spots he checked out while investigating was the pet shelter, Kitten Caboodle, where he met Joy. Three of her kittens were missing, too. I loved how Decker tried to keep his investigation professional, but it wasn't easy when the kittens wouldn't leave him alone. Or was it he wouldn't leave them alone? Feelings were growing between this couple, though they tried to ignore it. Ignoring their attraction was impossible when Joy decided to help Decker in his investigation. Joy was more interested in finding the stolen kittens and spending time with Decker than in finding E.L.V.I.S.
The romance unfolds along with the mystery of finding E.L.V.I.S., weird things happening at the pet shop where Joy works, and two careers going in different directions.
Looking for a fun holiday read? This romantic suspense will make you smile.
December 18, 2019
4.75*
First off, let me say that I want to adopted Pumpkin and the terrible trio!! I love kittens. Mine is new two years old and I already miss her meeping at me. Thankfully, she kept her baby mews so it's fun. Kittens ♥♥♥
I went into this book not knowing much of anything about it and knowing nothing of the author as well. This was a nice little romance and mystery all wrapped into one as well as a quick read. It took me 2 afternoons to read and the reason is that I was reading it during off times at work. I'd have finished in one day and this was definitely a nice book to have picked up for that.
I usually stand clear from a romances that happen really fast but Decker and Joy had such chemistry between them and it was happening really nice. They actually took time to date even if it happened in the span of a few days or a week. The progress was really nice and I definitely rooted for them by the end of the book.
As for the detective work, I liked that there's was a little twist to it and that he ended up solving two issues in one. I could guess at the second part pretty quickly but it was interesting anyway.
Not a perfect score because I wished it was a bit longer as i would have liked to read more about the romance between Deacker and Joy. it's a pretty big move they're doing in the end but it's all good anyway. I'm glad I gave this book a go!!
Oh yes. Let's not forget that this story is based in Canada. I love that so much!
First off, let me say that I want to adopted Pumpkin and the terrible trio!! I love kittens. Mine is new two years old and I already miss her meeping at me. Thankfully, she kept her baby mews so it's fun. Kittens ♥♥♥
I went into this book not knowing much of anything about it and knowing nothing of the author as well. This was a nice little romance and mystery all wrapped into one as well as a quick read. It took me 2 afternoons to read and the reason is that I was reading it during off times at work. I'd have finished in one day and this was definitely a nice book to have picked up for that.
I usually stand clear from a romances that happen really fast but Decker and Joy had such chemistry between them and it was happening really nice. They actually took time to date even if it happened in the span of a few days or a week. The progress was really nice and I definitely rooted for them by the end of the book.
As for the detective work, I liked that there's was a little twist to it and that he ended up solving two issues in one. I could guess at the second part pretty quickly but it was interesting anyway.
Not a perfect score because I wished it was a bit longer as i would have liked to read more about the romance between Deacker and Joy. it's a pretty big move they're doing in the end but it's all good anyway. I'm glad I gave this book a go!!
Oh yes. Let's not forget that this story is based in Canada. I love that so much!
January 25, 2020
Synopsis:
Decker works as a private detective and Joy in a shelter in a mall. While she is trying to find new families for the four kittens she found, Decker is sent there to search for a doll prototype for the company North Pole Unlimited.
My thoughts:
The story was somewhat predictable, but still very lovely to read. No creepy scenes or awful twists here, just some thieves getting served some justice.
The characters were also quite lovely, though I did think that the relationship between these two was a bit…not sparkly enough, if you know what I mean. I also really enjoyed reading about the persons from NPU, and would have wished for a bit more information about the bad guys.
A major plus or this book was, that it was actually a realistic and reasonable cozy mystery! No random civilian investigating a murder, but rather a private detective doing his work. Yay to that!
I could also envision the places the story took place, but I sometimes felt a bit distanced towards the characters and their thoughts or feelings. Still, an enjoyable, short read.
And so I rate it with 4 stars.
June 9, 2022
4,25 stars - English Ebook
WOW! What a charming novella! I am a big fan of kittens and this story is about four tiny kittens and oh Decker and Joy.
Decker is given an assignment to find a missing prototype and doesn't realize he is being considered for a job. He meets Joy at a pet shelter/store and is very interested in her.
The antics of the kitties are hilarious and watching Decker become enthralled with the Orange tabby kitty was interesting. In the end, Decker cracks the cases wide open - he rescues the 3 catnapped kitties, breaks up a pet scam ring and finds the missing prototype. He is offered the job at North Pole Unlimited and doesn't realize that Joy was offered a job at the same place. Once these two realize they will be at the same company, they readily agree to their respective job offers.
They move, along with the four kittens, to their new city and company. I am happy these two found their happily ever after! I would recommend this book.
WOW! What a charming novella! I am a big fan of kittens and this story is about four tiny kittens and oh Decker and Joy.
Decker is given an assignment to find a missing prototype and doesn't realize he is being considered for a job. He meets Joy at a pet shelter/store and is very interested in her.
The antics of the kitties are hilarious and watching Decker become enthralled with the Orange tabby kitty was interesting. In the end, Decker cracks the cases wide open - he rescues the 3 catnapped kitties, breaks up a pet scam ring and finds the missing prototype. He is offered the job at North Pole Unlimited and doesn't realize that Joy was offered a job at the same place. Once these two realize they will be at the same company, they readily agree to their respective job offers.
They move, along with the four kittens, to their new city and company. I am happy these two found their happily ever after! I would recommend this book.
November 14, 2018
DECKER AND JOY is a delightful, sweet treat to read. The storyline is a mix of fun, fantasy and suspense with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure. Decker and Joy meet by chance (or maybe by someone’s grand design). He is a private investigator hired to find a missing prototype doll for North Pole Unlimited. She is the manager of an animal shelter where some of North Pole Unlimited products have been shipped. Attacks by kittens, intimate romantic dinners, a toy run amok and a theft all ensue. This book may be short, but it is definitely entertaining and a great read. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
December 23, 2018
Quick, feel-good read with romance and mystery and . . . cats! I love cats, so how could I not love this?
January 1, 2020
So Cute!
Strong leading lady, funny, smart characters, a kindle of kittens, and a mystery to tie the Christmas ribbon! Picked up the next in the series already!
Strong leading lady, funny, smart characters, a kindle of kittens, and a mystery to tie the Christmas ribbon! Picked up the next in the series already!
December 14, 2020
Quick read
What a wonderful quick read I’d stumbled across. I enjoyed the story and the characters and am looking forward to the next book.
What a wonderful quick read I’d stumbled across. I enjoyed the story and the characters and am looking forward to the next book.
January 1, 2022
Perfect holiday short story!
This is a great romantic holiday novella. It was a sweet romance and had a bit of mystery which made it fun. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance.
This is a great romantic holiday novella. It was a sweet romance and had a bit of mystery which made it fun. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance.
September 26, 2021
A lovely short story with a mystery twist. I liked the way that the characters interacted with each other. Not an overly christmassy setting, but enjoyable to read all the same.
December 26, 2019
Short & sweet
Moves a whole lot faster than most things do in real life, but it's still cute. And it isntnreally a book; it's a short story.
You have a veterinary tech who works for an animal shelter/pet store in a strip mall. She has 4 kittens who have been abandoned & which she has nursed, taking them back & forth to her job site. Her boss is the veterinarian who started the place.
Of course, there has to be a competition. A pet friendly, hipster thick coffee shop & pet store that deals in probably illegal pedigreed animals. The mall has developed a "dere ain't room in dis mall fer da bot' of youse" mindset (the quote is mine, sorry, I like the odd tacky old spaghetti western rerun or the old Mafia type movies with the over the top bad guys). They'll extend the lease of one pet place, but not both.
Then there is the cop-turned-P.I., struggling to get by & not sure what he will do if things don't pick up soon.
The last entry into the playing field is NPU, a company specializing in toys for pets & people both. Somewhere along the line a $10K prototype electronic doll has gone missing. They have been pleased with the P.I.'s discretion & efficienxy on prior jobs & hire him to find the missing prototype, named E.L.V.I.S. They have an ulterior motive; they need a new head of security & need to make sure their favorite discrete P.I. is up to the task.
The P.I. is given the radius the prototype was last detected. It involves both pet places. While he is at the shelter, looking around, he is startled by what feels like knives in his shoulder. The veterinary assistant rushes to help. The little orange tabby has taken a liking to the P.I., but the woman isn't about to tell him...she figures he needs to realize he's not the one really doing the adopting here - the kitten is.
The P.I. is attracted to the woman & asks her our on a date. They hit it off famously. Before the date, he goes over to the coffee shop, orders an outrageousky oversugared drink to fit in, then cases the area. The young man in the back mistakes his asking for a "special, high end toy" as meaning he is looking for a rare breed of purebred cat that apparently has trouble crossing borders. He uses that to his advantage.
Meanwhile, the young veterinary assistant has been interviewing for jobs that would allow her to assist a veterinarian in a clinic setting, one either with a shelter or working closely with one. As it turns out, she is also interviewing with NPU, the company testing the P.I.
What hapoens when the P.I. keeps pressuring the fancy pet store/coffee shop about the pedigreed kittens? Why is it so hard to find E.L.V.I.S.? Who exactly is NPU? Will the P.I. & the veterinary assistant end up in a relationship? Will they both end up at NPU, or will only one end up there...or neither? For that, enjoy the short story for yourself
Moves a whole lot faster than most things do in real life, but it's still cute. And it isntnreally a book; it's a short story.
You have a veterinary tech who works for an animal shelter/pet store in a strip mall. She has 4 kittens who have been abandoned & which she has nursed, taking them back & forth to her job site. Her boss is the veterinarian who started the place.
Of course, there has to be a competition. A pet friendly, hipster thick coffee shop & pet store that deals in probably illegal pedigreed animals. The mall has developed a "dere ain't room in dis mall fer da bot' of youse" mindset (the quote is mine, sorry, I like the odd tacky old spaghetti western rerun or the old Mafia type movies with the over the top bad guys). They'll extend the lease of one pet place, but not both.
Then there is the cop-turned-P.I., struggling to get by & not sure what he will do if things don't pick up soon.
The last entry into the playing field is NPU, a company specializing in toys for pets & people both. Somewhere along the line a $10K prototype electronic doll has gone missing. They have been pleased with the P.I.'s discretion & efficienxy on prior jobs & hire him to find the missing prototype, named E.L.V.I.S. They have an ulterior motive; they need a new head of security & need to make sure their favorite discrete P.I. is up to the task.
The P.I. is given the radius the prototype was last detected. It involves both pet places. While he is at the shelter, looking around, he is startled by what feels like knives in his shoulder. The veterinary assistant rushes to help. The little orange tabby has taken a liking to the P.I., but the woman isn't about to tell him...she figures he needs to realize he's not the one really doing the adopting here - the kitten is.
The P.I. is attracted to the woman & asks her our on a date. They hit it off famously. Before the date, he goes over to the coffee shop, orders an outrageousky oversugared drink to fit in, then cases the area. The young man in the back mistakes his asking for a "special, high end toy" as meaning he is looking for a rare breed of purebred cat that apparently has trouble crossing borders. He uses that to his advantage.
Meanwhile, the young veterinary assistant has been interviewing for jobs that would allow her to assist a veterinarian in a clinic setting, one either with a shelter or working closely with one. As it turns out, she is also interviewing with NPU, the company testing the P.I.
What hapoens when the P.I. keeps pressuring the fancy pet store/coffee shop about the pedigreed kittens? Why is it so hard to find E.L.V.I.S.? Who exactly is NPU? Will the P.I. & the veterinary assistant end up in a relationship? Will they both end up at NPU, or will only one end up there...or neither? For that, enjoy the short story for yourself
July 28, 2019
Do you believe in North Pole Well it real it a store that send goodie for store a lot pet store and then some thing happen there was a Elvis doll , Weill it like the Freddy doll that came out and it can do damage if it not handle right
This is were i come in my name is Decker and i am P I and i am send a text that it was emergency to find this toy will he not a toy but small super human and now i got to the stores
That are sent North pole Unlimited the toy and dog thing you see it has what was tracking disk and then this Elvis might kill you if you are not care full.
People to buy a dog or cat or things for the pets Well i went to the second store who was in mall and then i ask them if they received the doll and they said no but they would love to have new stuff.
Well i went to the store i thought was great deal and then the girl said the animal form the came from the animal rescued but she was cutie and i felt sorry her but i kept going back to the first store and found some thing wrong ,
Well they forged some free gift to go in to the store and find it and then you get it free well i was in store and had to stop it and then the girl in the store did not know what going on then the 3 cat come up missing.,
You will find out what happen and then it willl be great read
January 18, 2025
This was a very interesting story with a little bit of mystery and romance thorough out. The North Pole Unlimited is missing a very experimental and expensive doll called E.L.V.I.S. which is really top secret. The new head of HR, Nick Klausen, is the one in charge of finding a person to retrieve it. He is also responsible for replacing those who are retiring.
PI Decker is the person, that Nick hires to find the doll since it was accidently shipped to Ottawa. Nick also is considering Decker to be the new head of security if he can successfully complete this mission.
Joy is the person in charge of the animal rescue store in the mall in Ottawa. She currently has 4 kittens that were abandoned before they were weaned. She has been taking care of the duty of feeding them and protecting them. She is one of the stores that the doll might have been shipped to.
The mystery of E.L.V.I.S is why is it so important and hard to retrieve? Also, a side mystery is what is going on in the pet store in the same mall that is selling Bombay kittens? That is what keeps you reading. As for the romance part, Decker seems to immediately be drawn to Joy. She likes Decker because one of the kittens, Pumpkin, has adopted Decker. She trusts how animals react to people. So, it is a fun story and well worth reading.
PI Decker is the person, that Nick hires to find the doll since it was accidently shipped to Ottawa. Nick also is considering Decker to be the new head of security if he can successfully complete this mission.
Joy is the person in charge of the animal rescue store in the mall in Ottawa. She currently has 4 kittens that were abandoned before they were weaned. She has been taking care of the duty of feeding them and protecting them. She is one of the stores that the doll might have been shipped to.
The mystery of E.L.V.I.S is why is it so important and hard to retrieve? Also, a side mystery is what is going on in the pet store in the same mall that is selling Bombay kittens? That is what keeps you reading. As for the romance part, Decker seems to immediately be drawn to Joy. She likes Decker because one of the kittens, Pumpkin, has adopted Decker. She trusts how animals react to people. So, it is a fun story and well worth reading.
December 22, 2018
Decker and Joy
WOW! What a charming novella! I am a big fan of kittens and this story is about four tiny kittens and oh Decker and Joy. Decker is given an assignment to find a missing prototype and doesn't realize he is being considered for a job. He meets Joy at a pet shelter/store and is very interested in her. The antics of the kitties are hilarious and watching Decker become enthralled with the Orange tabby kitty was interesting. In the end, Decker cracks the cases wide open - he rescues the 3 catnapped kitties, breaks up a pet scam ring and finds the missing prototype. He is offered the job at North Pole Unlimited and doesn't realize that Joy was offered a job at the same place. Once these two realize they will be at the same company, they readily agree to their respective job offers. They move, along with the four kittens, to their new city and company. I am happy these two found their happily ever after! FANTASTIC job Elle! I would recommend this book.
WOW! What a charming novella! I am a big fan of kittens and this story is about four tiny kittens and oh Decker and Joy. Decker is given an assignment to find a missing prototype and doesn't realize he is being considered for a job. He meets Joy at a pet shelter/store and is very interested in her. The antics of the kitties are hilarious and watching Decker become enthralled with the Orange tabby kitty was interesting. In the end, Decker cracks the cases wide open - he rescues the 3 catnapped kitties, breaks up a pet scam ring and finds the missing prototype. He is offered the job at North Pole Unlimited and doesn't realize that Joy was offered a job at the same place. Once these two realize they will be at the same company, they readily agree to their respective job offers. They move, along with the four kittens, to their new city and company. I am happy these two found their happily ever after! FANTASTIC job Elle! I would recommend this book.
December 11, 2023
E.L.V.I.S. has left the building.
In fact the prototype autonomous surveillance doll has run a runner from North Pole Unlimited Headquarters, December, Manitoba, Canada
It's been tracked as far as Ottawa but the GPS it is equipped with is on the fritz and can only narrow it down to a shopping Mall, Archer Plaza.
P.I. Decker Harkness has been hired to track the doll down and quickly narrows his search to two stores, Kitten Caboodle, a private animal shelter, and Pure Brewed & Pure Bred - a pet-friendly coffee shop attached to a “non-human boutique.”
Regardless of his investigation Decker will be spending time at Kitten Caboodle, not just for the very attractive assistant, Joy McCall, but because he seems to have been adopted by a kitten called Pumpkin.
“Decker and Joy” is a lovely read which more or successfully knits several plots into a cohesive whole.
It's not a Christmas book per se but it does capture the festive spirit well.
3.5 Stars, brought back to 3 Stars.
In fact the prototype autonomous surveillance doll has run a runner from North Pole Unlimited Headquarters, December, Manitoba, Canada
It's been tracked as far as Ottawa but the GPS it is equipped with is on the fritz and can only narrow it down to a shopping Mall, Archer Plaza.
P.I. Decker Harkness has been hired to track the doll down and quickly narrows his search to two stores, Kitten Caboodle, a private animal shelter, and Pure Brewed & Pure Bred - a pet-friendly coffee shop attached to a “non-human boutique.”
Regardless of his investigation Decker will be spending time at Kitten Caboodle, not just for the very attractive assistant, Joy McCall, but because he seems to have been adopted by a kitten called Pumpkin.
“Decker and Joy” is a lovely read which more or successfully knits several plots into a cohesive whole.
It's not a Christmas book per se but it does capture the festive spirit well.
3.5 Stars, brought back to 3 Stars.
January 16, 2021
Somebody messed up and let a prototype escape from North Pole Unlimited’s top secret Toys-and-Research division. Now P.I. Decker Harkness has the contract to track it down. He’s not exactly sure what E.L.V.I.S does, but he’s hot on the trail.
Joy McCall has her hands full of foster animals and pet treats at Kitten Caboodle, but she’s not too busy to notice strange goings-on at the pet shelter where she works.
When their paths cross during a triple kitten-napping, Decker and Joy will have to work together to close their cases. Will everyone make it home to celebrate a merry Christmas together? Only Santa knows.
Heather's Notes
I liked this story. It was cute, sweet, and short. I liked Joy and Decker. I really liked them together. I felt the plot was well written if a little obvious. Still an enjoyable story.
Joy McCall has her hands full of foster animals and pet treats at Kitten Caboodle, but she’s not too busy to notice strange goings-on at the pet shelter where she works.
When their paths cross during a triple kitten-napping, Decker and Joy will have to work together to close their cases. Will everyone make it home to celebrate a merry Christmas together? Only Santa knows.
Heather's Notes
I liked this story. It was cute, sweet, and short. I liked Joy and Decker. I really liked them together. I felt the plot was well written if a little obvious. Still an enjoyable story.
December 27, 2023
Short and sweet
I wanted a short tale to read over Christmas (mainly to boost my failing Goodreads reading challenge for the year) and this one fitted nicely. I’ll read pretty much any genre and this story just flowed. The chapters were just the result right length, the detail on the characters was engaging, and not too many different characters to think about to confuse a story. And it was a great, different story to those I would usually read. My only teeny tiny criticism would be that for such a short story the characters fell in love very quickly and I would’ve liked to see their romance develop slower in a longer tale. But then, if it was a longer tale I might never have picked it out of the 15k+ books waiting to be read on my Kindle as I wanted a quick one anyway, so I guess it was meant to be. Still highly deserving of the 5 stars anyway.
I wanted a short tale to read over Christmas (mainly to boost my failing Goodreads reading challenge for the year) and this one fitted nicely. I’ll read pretty much any genre and this story just flowed. The chapters were just the result right length, the detail on the characters was engaging, and not too many different characters to think about to confuse a story. And it was a great, different story to those I would usually read. My only teeny tiny criticism would be that for such a short story the characters fell in love very quickly and I would’ve liked to see their romance develop slower in a longer tale. But then, if it was a longer tale I might never have picked it out of the 15k+ books waiting to be read on my Kindle as I wanted a quick one anyway, so I guess it was meant to be. Still highly deserving of the 5 stars anyway.
December 10, 2022
Decker Harkness is a PI who just got a contract to find a security prototype that disappeared from the North Pole Unlimited Co., based in Canada.
Joy McCall has graduated as a Veterinary Assistant, but is working for an animal shelter/store in a mall while she's looking for a permanent position.
Their paths cross when one of the places the prototype may have been sent to, and they join forces when a little too much attention is being shown concerning some of the animals at the shelter.
This is a cute story with developed characters, a fun mystery that also falls under the women's fiction category, and one of those HEAs that many people look for.
There's a nice division of the mystery and a bit of romance that doesn't take over the storyline.
Joy McCall has graduated as a Veterinary Assistant, but is working for an animal shelter/store in a mall while she's looking for a permanent position.
Their paths cross when one of the places the prototype may have been sent to, and they join forces when a little too much attention is being shown concerning some of the animals at the shelter.
This is a cute story with developed characters, a fun mystery that also falls under the women's fiction category, and one of those HEAs that many people look for.
There's a nice division of the mystery and a bit of romance that doesn't take over the storyline.
November 16, 2018
This is a cute, fluff romance/mystery story. The romance moves quickly and their relationship is brushed over a bit since the book is so short. The mystery is easy to figure out although I didn't realize who committed the actual theft right off. So the book is a quick, easy, clean read. It is just intended to be a feel good read and we get to feel all fuzzy because there are cute kittens. If you are looking for depth and details this probably isn't the book for you but if you want a nice, sweet read for an evening then this one will work. It could be the basis of a hallmark movie I think.
No sex, language or violence.
No sex, language or violence.
December 17, 2020
As I began to read the story my 1st reaction was a darling Christmas cozy mystery short story especially for all readers who love kittens with sprinkles of a new romance in the air.
However, with (c)2016, it is already beyond the time when a female should have been described at length as a "stereotypical librarian." Later there is a description of a suspected shoplifter because of the clothes he is wearing. However cute the story, I absolutely cannot support the work of anyone who is helping to perpetuate stereotyping in any format.
I will not continue reading the work of this author.
However, with (c)2016, it is already beyond the time when a female should have been described at length as a "stereotypical librarian." Later there is a description of a suspected shoplifter because of the clothes he is wearing. However cute the story, I absolutely cannot support the work of anyone who is helping to perpetuate stereotyping in any format.
I will not continue reading the work of this author.
February 17, 2022
P.I. Decker Harkness has been hired to locate a stolen prototype toy from North Pole Unlimited which had been misshipped to a toy store in his area. He needs to retrieve it quickly. Joy McCall works at a pet supply store/animal rescue facility called Kitten Caboodle which is in a mall along with another pet store. Both needed to be checked to see if they had gotten the E.L.V.I.S. by mistake. It has a chip. Decker and Joy meet and Decker falls head over heels. Tracking the missing prototype is not easy and there are other problems such as kittens that get stolen around Halloween- three of which are black. I would highly reccomend this often funny, light hearted and romantic book!
December 9, 2019
~A cute Christmas Mystery Romance short story
~I got this one specifically because I wanted to read a cozy Christmas mystery. This one has a lot going for it…Christmas, cuddly pets, a mystery to be solved, and a cozy romance to watch blossom.
~The characters were pleasant and likable. The story flowed at a good pace.
~This story is light and refreshing. It’s one that you can read in an evening, when you want to relax and to simply escape into the story. Yeah, it was simplistic, and predictable…but, sometimes there is nothing wrong with that.
~I got this one specifically because I wanted to read a cozy Christmas mystery. This one has a lot going for it…Christmas, cuddly pets, a mystery to be solved, and a cozy romance to watch blossom.
~The characters were pleasant and likable. The story flowed at a good pace.
~This story is light and refreshing. It’s one that you can read in an evening, when you want to relax and to simply escape into the story. Yeah, it was simplistic, and predictable…but, sometimes there is nothing wrong with that.
December 31, 2019
What an purrrrr-fact read. This was first by this author but it won’t be the last.
This was beautiful and funny, I loved the mystical element of the magic of the North Pole - I was expecting it to be more ‘Christmasy’ related but none the less it was great. I loved how Decker resisted the kittens and Joy but he just couldn’t help himself falling in love with both. Every scene with those super cute kittens in was magical and I wished I was snuggling with one. I will certainly be checking out more of this series.
This was beautiful and funny, I loved the mystical element of the magic of the North Pole - I was expecting it to be more ‘Christmasy’ related but none the less it was great. I loved how Decker resisted the kittens and Joy but he just couldn’t help himself falling in love with both. Every scene with those super cute kittens in was magical and I wished I was snuggling with one. I will certainly be checking out more of this series.
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