#Jana DeLeon

[yuki-matsushima]

装画を担当しました。 ワニ町シリーズ第6作 『幸運には逆らうな』 （ジャナ・デリオン/島村浩子訳） 東京創元社 装幀：藤田知子 8/31発売です。 原著は25巻まで出ており、女スパイと高齢者二人が大暴れするスカッと読める人気シリーズです。皆様ぜひにぜひに🐊 This is Japanese cover of "Soldiers of Fortune" （Tokyosogensya)scheduled to be published in August 2023.

[jolieeason]

WWW Wednesday: January 15th, 2025

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme Sam hosts at Taking on a World of Words. The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? Here is what I am currently reading, recently finished, and plan to read from Thursday to Wednesday. Let me know if you have read or are planning on reading any of these books!! Happy…

[benedictusantonius]

[2023|90] Lethal Bayou Beauty (2013) written by Jana Deleon

[cardsharksplayingames]

2024 Books

American Dirt, Jeanine Cummins - 1/5

The Purest Bond: Understanding the Human-Canine Connection, Jen Golbeck & Stacey Colino - 3/16

Anxious People, Fredrick Backman - 4/25

Louisiana Longshot, Jana Deleon - 5/26

The Dollhouse, Fiona Davis - 8/12

Champagne Widows, Rebecca Rosenberg - 8/25 (re-read for book club)

The Perfect Marriage, Jeneva Rose - 9/28

Her Perfect Life, Hank Phillipi Ryan - 10/10

The Housemaid, Freida McFadden - 11/3

Keep It In The Family, John Marrs- 11/26

The Housemaid’s Secret, Freida McFadden - 12/8

This Time Next Year, Sophie Cousens - 12/27

[wedontburnbookshere]

☆☆☆☆

I've been wanting to give the romance genre a shot, and since I like modern fantasy, I thought A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon sounded like a good start.

Mariel Spark is supposed to be the most powerful witch, but she only ever feels like a failure, unable to get basic summoning spells right, even if her plant magic is unparalleled. When trying to recall the magical name for flour to summon ingredients for muffins, she accidentally summons a demon, Ozroth the Ruthless. Now they're stuck together until Mariel sells her soul, but as time goes on, Ozroth doesn't want to see her lose it.

This book was fun, even if it took me a while to get into it at first. It's possible that wasn't the book's fault, though. Like many, I've looked down on the romance genre before, which is completely unfair (especially when I read YA, which is also looked down on), so it might have just been me struggling to get into a new mindset to enjoy a genre I'm not well-acquainted with.

I am well-acquainted with cozies, though, so Witch's Guide felt like a perfect starting point for me. It takes place in a small town full of eccentric people, including an elderly character who wears absolutely ridiculous clothing. I'm pretty sure Alzapraz would get along with Gertie from the Miss Fortune series by Jana DeLeon (that or Gertie would put Alzapraz's immortality to the test).

The world-building was straight-forward and perfect for a cozy or romance, the magic system reminding me a little of Sabrina the Teenage Witch... actually, maybe Charmed more. There's rules and limits, sure, enough to keep the stake of the premise high, but it's easy to tell from the get-go that Mariel and Oz will get their happily ever after (this is a romance after all, and the genre has its own rules and limits).

Mariel's inner struggle hit hard; she was an easy protagonist for me to sympathize with, especially when it came to her faults. She turns on Oz and her friend Themmie, when they were only trying to help and defend her to her mother. She felt like a well-rounded character, and it was nice seeing her bloom just like her flowers as the story progressed.

Oz undergoes his own transformation, and I enjoyed seeing how they worked both against and with each other. I also both cringed and laughed during the first sex scene, when Mariel asked Oz if demons knotted, only to then describe it when Oz had no clue what that meant. Makes me wonder if Mariel's a destiel girlie or a wincest girlie.

To be honest, I'm not totally sure if I'll read the sequel, A Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch. The first two chapters are in the back of my copy of Witch's Guide, though, so now that I'm settled in my new apartment, I might read that before deciding. (Though I'll need to wait until I have more money in my savings before buying any books ^^")

[frankiebow]

Welcoming 2025 at the best fireworks show in Hawaii

Happy New Year! As I write this, a blue, sulferous haze hangs over the neighborhood, and scraps of charred paper litter driveways–the aftermath of New Year’s Eve fireworks. But the most explosive show in Hawaii is up on Kilauea, where red lava is fountaining from Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The live feed is here: https://www.youtube.com/usgs/live Some brave souls will go up there to try to get a…

[joyffree]

✨IT'S FREEBIE FRIDAY Nov 8th

I present to you this week's bag of mixed delights

⇒ Slye Team Black Ops 3-book box set: Romantic Action Adventure by Dianna Love ⇒ The Gryphon Series Boxed Set: Books 1–4: Upper YA Epic Fantasy by Stacey Rourke ⇒ Kiss of Redemption: Brothers Best Friend Dark Family Saga by Maggie Cole ⇒ Louisiana Longshot: Cozy Mystery by Jana DeLeon ⇒ The Last Descendant: A Fae Portal Fantasy Adventure by Megan Haskell ⇒ Roses in Red Wax: Scottish Regency Historical Romance by Louise Mayberry ⇒ Searching for Faith: Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller by K.L. Middleton ⇒ The Christmas Leap: LGBTQ MM Holiday Romance by Keira Andrews ⇒ Boy With No Name: Dark Sci-Fi Fantasy by K.A. Wiggins ⇒ Shopping for a Turkey: Romantic Comedy by Julia Kent ⇒ The Reluctant Rector: Detective Mysteries by R. Mathis ⇒ A Whole New Game: Sports Romance by Britt McKenna

Until next week May your journey be magical 🔮

[littlereadsandteas]

Chasing the Valley by Skye Melki-Wegner is a intriguing and action-packed read that will captivate fans of adventurous and dystopian stories, particularly those who crave tales of brave heroines, magical world-building, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship and loyalty.

Fable by Chanda Hahn is a intriguing and enchanting read that will captivate fans of adventurous and mysterious tales, particularly those who enjoy fantasy, young adult fiction, and stories of self-discovery, love, and the battle between good and evil.

No Place for a Lady by Maggie Brendan is a perfect fit for readers who crave a heartwarming and adventurous tale of self-discovery, independence, and romance, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the American West, with a strong and spirited heroine at its core.

Trouble in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon is a delightful read for fans of lighthearted, romantic mysteries that blend small-town charm with a dash of intrigue, perfect for anyone seeking a fun, fast-paced tale of love, danger, and adventure.

Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs is a delightful read for fans of lighthearted, fast-paced mysteries with a dash of romance, perfect for those who enjoy a Cozy mystery with a strong, determined heroine and a hint of humor, all wrapped up in a sweet treat of a story.

Heller by J.D. Nixon is a perfect fit for readers who crave a lighthearted and humorous romance with a dash of mystery, fast-paced action, and a strong, independent heroine who navigates the ups and downs of a thrilling career in the security world.

[onyx-stuff]

Mal wieder thematisch ein bisschen abseits, aber falls es hier eine Hörbuch-Community gibt:

Hat jemand Hörbuch Empfehlungen für mich? (Am besten auf Spotify, Youtube oder Audible)

Inhaltlich bin ich SEHR beeinflusst von der letzten Reihe die ich gehört habe (Miss Fortune von Jana DeLeon, große Empfehlung, 1. Teil; Weg vom Schuss auf Spotify).

- Was Krimi-mäßiges, nicht zu gruselig oder blutrünstig

- Weibliche Protagonistin, die was auf dem Kasten hat

- einen love interest (der kein toxisches Arschloch ist😭)

Ich bräuchte einfach was zum nebenbei hören, finde aber wirklich nichts momentan🙈

[kaliade]

Have you tried the Paul Jacobson series by Mike Befeler?  The first book is Retirement Homes Are Murder.

Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, too.  I think someone’s already suggested it. 

The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths.

Before She Was Helen by Caroline Cooney

These next 2 are not set in  retirement communities and more along the lines of  elderly protagonists who solve murders.

If I remember correctly, Bless Her Dead Little Heart by Miranda James has elderly protagonists. 

Not the main protagonist, but Jana Deleon’s Miss Fortune Series (Starting with Louisiana Longshot) has the protagonist aided by 2 elderly southern ladies.  They serve as secondary protagonists, mostly.

why aren't there more mysteries that take place in nursing homes & retirement communities. i want to watch a group of deranged retirees-cum-amateur-detectives combine their powers of:

decades of life experience

boredom-fueled busybody shamelessness

access to the most gossipy next-door-neighbors in existence

"I am too old to be arrested and/or give a shit" attitude

and solve crimes. this should be an enormous subgenre.

[yuki-matsushima]

装画を担当しております東京創元社のワニ町シリーズの第6作刊行に合わせましてガイドブックが電子書籍で明日8/22より配信されます。無料読本になっておりますので、皆様ぜひにぜひに〜！ 私は作中の町シンフルのイメージマップと既刊名場面集を担当しております。ワニ町を読んでいる方���これから読まれる方も楽しんでいただける内容になっていると思います🐊 （また、個人的にイラストパートを小冊子にまとめました。こちらは非売品でお関係者にお渡しするなどしております。） http://www.webmysteries.jp/archives/32836821.html

[jolieeason]

It's Monday: What Are You Reading?---January 13th, 2025

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet and share what you have been and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book…

[benedictusantonius]

[2023|79] Louisiana Longshot (2012) written by Jana DeLeon

[etawardana]

An excerpt from "Malevolent".

[wehavethoughts]

Gator Bait Review!

Media Title:  Gator Bait Author: Jana DeLeon Media Type: Electronic copy book Genre: Mystery, Action, Humor Reviewed By: MargeMod Content Warnings: Violence, death, guns

This review CONTAINS (mild) spoilers for Gator Bait by Jana DeLeon.

Rating: One Flower out of a Full Bouquet

Summary: CIA assassin Fortune Redding needs to lay low. She blew her cover saving a child from being sold into slavery and gained a million-dollar bounty on her head. Since that much cash is great motivation for any and every bad guy to search for her, Fortune accepts a temporary new identity as her boss's niece, Sandy-Sue. As a former beauty queen and current librarian, Sandy-Sue is the antithesis of Fortune, a tomboy sniper with a temper. In order to implement the switch, the real Sandy-Sue is sent to Europe by her uncle for the summer and Fortune travels to Sinful, Louisiana to inventory her great-aunt's property for sale. Sandy-Sue had not been back to Sinful since she was a child, so an imposter might stand half a chance. The book is a story of hidden strength and individual growth with the help of several unexpected elderly allies.

Review:  The author has gathered an interesting group of characters and places them in a small southern town that is supposed to be a quiet backwater. At least that is what the Iraq War Veteran thinks when he comes home to join the local police force. That is also what the CIA Director thinks when he tries to hide Fortune there until she can safely go back to her sniper job. But they are both wrong when lives are threatened and new friends are put at risk. I think the characters I enjoyed the most are the two female Vietnam veterans who befriend Fortune and help her navigate her new persona so that no one looks too closely at her credentials. And is there room in this book for crazy mishaps involving dynamite? Of course there is.

This book did not get a full bouquet because after a certain point Fortune and her new friend's antics-- and the explanation offered to explain those antics-- seem to be just silly. Enjoyable, but silly. Also, the very favorable comments, characters, and situations regarding small town southern hospitality and politeness featured in this story are overshadowed by the unkind descriptions of rural folks and townspeople. In particular, the book is unkind to those that are different from our protagonist -- like her middle-aged male neighbor who likes to dress in costume at home.

Gator Bait is the fifth book in the 18 book series centered around Fortune Redding (number 19 is expected in 2021). This was the first of the series I picked up and I enjoyed Gator Bait enough to read the rest. I won't give any series spoilers, but as a reader you should be warned that not every story line gets resolved in any individual book. Each book has a new set of circumstances, a new murder mystery to be solved all set against a backdrop of Fortune pretending to be someone she is not and at the same time finding her true self.

Overall, Gator Bait and Fortune’s entire series are fun, light reads that are perfect for most mystery fans.

[frankiebow]

#SampleSunday at the romance convention with Fortune, Gertie, and Ida Belle

#SampleSunday at the romance convention with Fortune, Gertie, and Ida Belle

Once Upon a Murder

Gertie drags her best friends Fortune and Ida Belle to a romance convention in New Orleans. Gertie wants to advance her budding new career as a romance author; Fortune needs a break from her complicated personal life; and Ida Belle doesn’t think the other two should go out unsupervised. But when Ida Belle runs into someone from her past, it becomes clear that not everyone at…