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Mojo #1
Arizona Wild
Starting over has never looked so good
Mojo Sheepshanks knows a thing or two about new beginnings. After a long-ago tragedy she's never fully remembered and a childhood spent moving from place to place, she's making a home in the small town of Cave Creek, Arizona, and finally taking charge of her future. But Tucker Darroch, a sexy cop with baggage of his own, keeps complicating the life she's trying to simplify…
Tucker has been fascinated by the enigmatic Mojo from the beginning, and try as he might, he can't ignore the sparks that fly between them. So when a wealthy man shows up in Cave Creek claiming to be Mojo's long-lost uncle, and her shady brother begins dogging her footsteps, Tucker decides he's sticking close as he and Mojo work to solve a decades-old crime…and prevent history from repeating itself.
Mojo Sheepshanks knows a thing or two about new beginnings. After a long-ago tragedy she's never fully remembered and a childhood spent moving from place to place, she's making a home in the small town of Cave Creek, Arizona, and finally taking charge of her future. But Tucker Darroch, a sexy cop with baggage of his own, keeps complicating the life she's trying to simplify…
Tucker has been fascinated by the enigmatic Mojo from the beginning, and try as he might, he can't ignore the sparks that fly between them. So when a wealthy man shows up in Cave Creek claiming to be Mojo's long-lost uncle, and her shady brother begins dogging her footsteps, Tucker decides he's sticking close as he and Mojo work to solve a decades-old crime…and prevent history from repeating itself.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
324 people are currently reading
1130 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
553 books3,219 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
March 15, 2018
This is a re-read for me. I first read this book about 5 or 6 years ago, along with Book 2 in the series.
Mojo Sheepshanks is quite a character. Her backstory is most interesting .. she survived a trauma when she was very young and was abducted by her babysitter. Mojo named herself. She also has a gift of sorts ... she sees her dead ex-husband and Chester, the cat, who died over 20 years ago.
She lives above a bar, and files medical claims to pay the bills. Mojo really has a thing for Tucker .. a cop ... but he comes with baggage in the form of a jealous ex-wife and 2 children.
In this first book, it seems like she's made an enemy here and there. Someone tries to poison her, she's receiving death threats, and her half brother has found her. He's been in a psychiatric facility for many years because he murdered their parents. Now it seems he wants Mojo dead, too.
It's a bit of paranormal, a bit of romance, a bit of mystery and suspense. The characters are fun and I love how she relates to her two "sisters of the heart". Tucker is a good guy ..trying to keep his life departmentalized. The secondary characters are stand-out good. The whole book is actually delightful.
Looking forward to reading (again) Book 2 .... DEADLY DECEPTIONS.
Mojo Sheepshanks is quite a character. Her backstory is most interesting .. she survived a trauma when she was very young and was abducted by her babysitter. Mojo named herself. She also has a gift of sorts ... she sees her dead ex-husband and Chester, the cat, who died over 20 years ago.
She lives above a bar, and files medical claims to pay the bills. Mojo really has a thing for Tucker .. a cop ... but he comes with baggage in the form of a jealous ex-wife and 2 children.
In this first book, it seems like she's made an enemy here and there. Someone tries to poison her, she's receiving death threats, and her half brother has found her. He's been in a psychiatric facility for many years because he murdered their parents. Now it seems he wants Mojo dead, too.
It's a bit of paranormal, a bit of romance, a bit of mystery and suspense. The characters are fun and I love how she relates to her two "sisters of the heart". Tucker is a good guy ..trying to keep his life departmentalized. The secondary characters are stand-out good. The whole book is actually delightful.
Looking forward to reading (again) Book 2 .... DEADLY DECEPTIONS.
April 25, 2018
Very different from what LLM usually writes but in a good way. I admit this book was slow in the beginning and I almost DNF it. I hung in there and got sucked up in the story, as well as the characters. It was sorta a cross between Stephanie Plum meets The Ghost Whisperer. Mystery, romance, suspense, a touch of paranormal, and lots of humor. On to #2
August 23, 2017
Good book with a slightly slow start as all the characters get introduced. The book is categorized as a romance, but I feel it is more a romantic suspense, with more emphasis on the suspense than the romance. Still, I really enjoyed it. Mojo is trying to get her life together again. She is currently living above a biker bar and eking out a living doing medical billing from her home. Her divorce from her cheating, now dead, ex-husband Nick left her with a lot of debt that she's still paying off, and a lot of resentment toward Nick. She is beginning to remember details from witnessing the murder of her parents when she was five. Her babysitter from that period kidnapped her to keep her safe, and they spent years moving from place to place. Along the way she acquired two foster sisters, with whom she has interesting relationships. That same babysitter/foster mother is now in a nursing home after suffering a stroke, with Mojo and her sisters visiting often. She also has an on-again off-again relationship with undercover cop, Tucker, who has his own issues to deal with.
The fun starts when she wakes up in the middle of the night with the ghost of her dead ex-husband in bed with her. Understandably freaked out, she's incredulous when he explains that he has to earn her forgiveness before he can move on. Other things from her past are catching up with her. Her uncle, a state senator, reappears in her life, claiming that he's been looking for her for years. Her half-brother, Geoff, who went to prison for the murders of her parents, has been released and has been making random appearances. An ex-boyfriend's ex-wife is stalking her. And someone is trying to kill her.
I liked Mojo. She's a loyal friend who will go out of her way to help you. She's resilient, which she has had to be to survive all the upheaval she has had in her life. She has a rather quirky sense of humor which can come out at inopportune moments. She is smart, though she doesn't think so, using a whole series of "Damn Fool's" guides to educate herself on many subjects. Not satisfied with her job in medical billing, she is thinking about becoming a private investigator.
Mojo's life becomes quite the roller coaster ride. She becomes a person of interest when her friend and landlord is nearly killed during an attack at his bar. Her sister, Greer, hires her to investigate her husband, who she believes is cheating on her. Her long lost uncle wants to be part of her life, but his bodyguard and his wife don't seem to be on the same page. Then there are the death threats that she's receiving.
There's plenty of wild action as Mojo copes with everything that is happening to her. It's great fun to see Nick's ghost popping in at awkward times, though he also comes through with a few well-timed warnings. The threats against her escalate with an attempted poisoning and the murder of her foster mother. Returning memories have Mojo reliving the deaths of her parents, and questioning what really happened. Everything builds to a final confrontation that provides some surprises along with the truth of what occurred that night.
There isn't really much shown of the relationship between Mojo and Tucker. There are definitely sparks between them. He is still dealing with his divorce and Mojo isn't quite convinced that he's over his ex-wife. She's a little wary of letting herself fully commit to him, having been burned once before. I liked that Tucker was understanding of her reluctance and didn't push. I also liked the way that he believed her when she told him about Nick's ghost. Tucker the cop was also very good at being there when she needed him. I liked the ending as they seemed to be ready to pursue what they have a little more deeply.
The ghost storyline was fun. I enjoyed seeing Nick pop in and out. For someone that was so selfish and self-centered in life, he seems to have undergone some vital changes. I loved how he brought the cat to her and the effect it had on her. There are some really fun scenes when he and Mojo are together, and his revelation that she's about to become private investigator to murder victims' ghosts was hilarious. The book ends with her next case sitting in the back seat of her car. I can't wait to read the next in the series.
The fun starts when she wakes up in the middle of the night with the ghost of her dead ex-husband in bed with her. Understandably freaked out, she's incredulous when he explains that he has to earn her forgiveness before he can move on. Other things from her past are catching up with her. Her uncle, a state senator, reappears in her life, claiming that he's been looking for her for years. Her half-brother, Geoff, who went to prison for the murders of her parents, has been released and has been making random appearances. An ex-boyfriend's ex-wife is stalking her. And someone is trying to kill her.
I liked Mojo. She's a loyal friend who will go out of her way to help you. She's resilient, which she has had to be to survive all the upheaval she has had in her life. She has a rather quirky sense of humor which can come out at inopportune moments. She is smart, though she doesn't think so, using a whole series of "Damn Fool's" guides to educate herself on many subjects. Not satisfied with her job in medical billing, she is thinking about becoming a private investigator.
Mojo's life becomes quite the roller coaster ride. She becomes a person of interest when her friend and landlord is nearly killed during an attack at his bar. Her sister, Greer, hires her to investigate her husband, who she believes is cheating on her. Her long lost uncle wants to be part of her life, but his bodyguard and his wife don't seem to be on the same page. Then there are the death threats that she's receiving.
There's plenty of wild action as Mojo copes with everything that is happening to her. It's great fun to see Nick's ghost popping in at awkward times, though he also comes through with a few well-timed warnings. The threats against her escalate with an attempted poisoning and the murder of her foster mother. Returning memories have Mojo reliving the deaths of her parents, and questioning what really happened. Everything builds to a final confrontation that provides some surprises along with the truth of what occurred that night.
There isn't really much shown of the relationship between Mojo and Tucker. There are definitely sparks between them. He is still dealing with his divorce and Mojo isn't quite convinced that he's over his ex-wife. She's a little wary of letting herself fully commit to him, having been burned once before. I liked that Tucker was understanding of her reluctance and didn't push. I also liked the way that he believed her when she told him about Nick's ghost. Tucker the cop was also very good at being there when she needed him. I liked the ending as they seemed to be ready to pursue what they have a little more deeply.
The ghost storyline was fun. I enjoyed seeing Nick pop in and out. For someone that was so selfish and self-centered in life, he seems to have undergone some vital changes. I loved how he brought the cat to her and the effect it had on her. There are some really fun scenes when he and Mojo are together, and his revelation that she's about to become private investigator to murder victims' ghosts was hilarious. The book ends with her next case sitting in the back seat of her car. I can't wait to read the next in the series.
August 5, 2012
This is my first novel by Linda Lael Miller. Up until recently I never read anything with a western theme and L. L. Miller writes many contemporary and historical western themed romances. The cover of this novel would suggest this book was also western themed. Well, don't judge a book by it's cover.
Deadly Gamble is a contemporary romantic suspense novel.
Mojo Sheepshanks, has a lot going on in her life. She witnessed her parents being murdered when she was five. She has no memory of what happened that night. Her baby sitter, Lillian, kidnapped Mojo that night, to protect her. Lillian raised Mojo as her own daughter, along with another girl, Greer, that they found in a bus station, and her step-daughter, Jolie. Now, Lillian is in a health care facility with rapidly declining health.
Mojo, lives in an apartment located above a biker bar, is on a break from her boyfriend, Tucker, and is now seeing the ghost of her ex-husband. If that wasn't enough, she is being stalked by a former boyfriend's ex-wife. But, to put the cherry on the cake, Mojo, is receiving death threats, and her memory about the night her parents were killed is starting to come back.
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. The book has many dark themes, but it's a light mystery, with a little complicated romance, and action. Mojo ( a sort of nickname for Mary Jo) is a likeable character, easy to relate to. She isn't supermodel material, not perfect, but not a shrinking violet either. Her "sisters" also have a large role in her life. (Even if they don't always get along) The main mystery of course is Mojo finally learning the truth about her parents murder. There are laugh out loud moments, sad moments, and tense suspense.There is some SC, violence, and adult themes. Nothing overly explicit or graphic.
Deadly Gamble is a contemporary romantic suspense novel.
Mojo Sheepshanks, has a lot going on in her life. She witnessed her parents being murdered when she was five. She has no memory of what happened that night. Her baby sitter, Lillian, kidnapped Mojo that night, to protect her. Lillian raised Mojo as her own daughter, along with another girl, Greer, that they found in a bus station, and her step-daughter, Jolie. Now, Lillian is in a health care facility with rapidly declining health.
Mojo, lives in an apartment located above a biker bar, is on a break from her boyfriend, Tucker, and is now seeing the ghost of her ex-husband. If that wasn't enough, she is being stalked by a former boyfriend's ex-wife. But, to put the cherry on the cake, Mojo, is receiving death threats, and her memory about the night her parents were killed is starting to come back.
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. The book has many dark themes, but it's a light mystery, with a little complicated romance, and action. Mojo ( a sort of nickname for Mary Jo) is a likeable character, easy to relate to. She isn't supermodel material, not perfect, but not a shrinking violet either. Her "sisters" also have a large role in her life. (Even if they don't always get along) The main mystery of course is Mojo finally learning the truth about her parents murder. There are laugh out loud moments, sad moments, and tense suspense.There is some SC, violence, and adult themes. Nothing overly explicit or graphic.
April 4, 2014
First this is not a romance suspense story. It reminded me of 1st Grave on the Left only not nearly as good. Way to many things going on. The flow was confusing and seriously how many guys does one women need that have wacko ex's. The ending was a cliffhanger about the relationship that was supposed to be romantic. I might read the next one....but probably not. I have heard so many great things about this author so I will try some of her other series.
March 14, 2009
This book is just one of those entertaining reads. It's got doses of good humor, and a plot that leaves you guessing (although I guessed right thank you) until the end. It is the story of Mojoe Sheepshanks, a name that is good enough to recommend the book on, a woman who's knowledge base is formed by 'damn fool's guides' books. She is a quirky character who lives in a cast of similarly quirky people. Mojoe's start is more tragic than commic as we learn early in the book she witnessed the violent death of both her parents at a young age. While the book is a bit over loaded on plot points, it does keep the ball rolling. Between seeing ghosts, her cop of an on again off again boyfriend, her crazy ex-boyfriends ex-girlfriend, and the drama of her past, Mojoe and this novel have a lot on the plate. In fact, this book could have been made into at least two. Needless to say this keeps the plot moving along at a brisk pace. While not quite as outrageously funny or steamy as a Janet Evanovich title, this series is sure to appeal to fans of that title none the less, or to anyone looking for a no strings attached recreational read.
October 4, 2009
Great book! Edgy, fast read. Mojo Sheepshanks seems like an everyday train wreck. Her half brother admitted to murdering her parents when she was five. Her babysitter abducted her to keep her safe. Her cop boyfriend relationship is on and off. Surprising and full of roller coaster raw emotion. I picked up the sequel right after I finished this. I couldn't wait to see where Mojo's story goes.
December 4, 2017
Absolutely loved this book. It has suspense, humor, mystery all in one. It literally had me laughing out loud and turning pages furiously to find out what happened next. It all takes place in my home state as well so it was very easy to relate.
August 14, 2017
I may have been biased about this book from the start- and I am guilty of judging a book by its cover. I thought I would get a romance novel with a side of crime mystery, but I got a crime mystery with a (too small) side of romance.
Also with all the focus of the title and the description on the back cover on the setting being a small town in Arizona, I expected more the story to incorporate more aspects of living life in small town Arizona.
What bugged me the most though was how the suspense was fairly low throughout the first 2/3rds of the book, and in the last hundred pages the plot takes more twists and turns than a winding mountain road. It made me feel like the book had pacing issues.
Also with all the focus of the title and the description on the back cover on the setting being a small town in Arizona, I expected more the story to incorporate more aspects of living life in small town Arizona.
What bugged me the most though was how the suspense was fairly low throughout the first 2/3rds of the book, and in the last hundred pages the plot takes more twists and turns than a winding mountain road. It made me feel like the book had pacing issues.
February 4, 2021
I enjoyed it. It was a fun, easy read.
October 27, 2024
This was a really good book!. Good characters, good plot, lots of action and ghosts. Don't let that front cover and back blurb fool you, this is not a romance novel.
March 18, 2019
Abandoned at 50%. I just could not get into it.
August 30, 2019
I actually kind of liked this book... my issue is the cop with all the baggage. I don’t like that. I don’t want him to be the love interest
March 20, 2019
A great thriller
June 1, 2008
In DEADLY GAMBLE, Miller introduces us to Mojo Sheepshanks. Mojo is a young woman who is an intriguing blend of tough, independent, stubborn and vulnerable with a bit of rebel thrown in, a perfect fit for modern day Arizona. At the age of five she witnessed the brutal murder of her parents, which she has blocked from memory. She was kidnapped by her babysitter, Lillian, who feared for her safety. She was given a new name, Mojo Sheepshanks, and spent her life moving from one town to the next with Lillian and Greer, a runaway they found in a bus station when Mojo was 10. Lillian later married and a loving stepfather and his daughter, Jolie were added to the small family. Mojo is drifting through life doing medical billing from her small apartment over Bad-Ass Bert’s Biker Saloon, the only home she can afford since her cheating (and now dead) ex-husband Nick and his wealthy mother managed to strip her of everything in the divorce, and devouring her many volumes of The Damn Fool’s Guide to just about everything. Tiffany, her ex’s girlfriend is stalking her because Tiffany was in the car with Nick when it crashed, causing Nick to die and Tiffany’s fake boobs to pop. Tiffany blames Mojo. Go figure. Tucker, a hunky undercover cop and her former lover, wants back in her life and her bed but it isn’t Tucker who she awakens to find next to her one morning. No, the voice she hears in her ear and the hand caressing her hip belong to none other than her ex-husband…her dead ex-husband. It seems Nick is stuck in the station and won’t be allowed to take the train to heaven until he makes amends for the many times he betrayed Mojo during their marriage. Life for Mojo Sheepshanks will never be quite the same, especially after she finds out that Nick has put the word out at the train station to heaven that Mojo is the person ghosts should contact to resolve the issues preventing them from leaving. The ghostly fun has just begun.
I couldn’t turn the pages of this book fast enough. The dialogue is smart and snappy, with lots of action, a murder mystery, life and death struggles, a ghost cat, long lost relatives who may not be what they seem, an annoying ex-husband ghost who just may redeem himself in death and love scenes with the very alive Tucker that almost melt the page. The story is blessed with a terrific cast of secondary characters, many of whom are involved in the main mystery within DEADLY GAMBLE and some who are used to set up the mysteries that run through the second book in this series, DEADLY DECEPTIONS.
I couldn’t turn the pages of this book fast enough. The dialogue is smart and snappy, with lots of action, a murder mystery, life and death struggles, a ghost cat, long lost relatives who may not be what they seem, an annoying ex-husband ghost who just may redeem himself in death and love scenes with the very alive Tucker that almost melt the page. The story is blessed with a terrific cast of secondary characters, many of whom are involved in the main mystery within DEADLY GAMBLE and some who are used to set up the mysteries that run through the second book in this series, DEADLY DECEPTIONS.
February 25, 2016
Having been a fan of paranormal for many years I have read tons of vampire/werewolf type books and although many are so wonderful they tend to spend all eternity on my keeper shelf I tend to have a soft spot in my heart for other types of paranormal books. The ones that center around some sort of psychic activity really intrigues me. I admit, I love shows like Medium and The Ghost Whisperer and reading books along the same lines is just right up my alley.
Mojo Sheepshanks wakes up one day (or night as it actually happened to be) laying next to her dead ex-husband. So starts her life as a person who can see ghosts. Understandably she is a little shaken and this book relives her emotions and experiences of that first contact. The story does seem a little out of whack a bit because it takes place in the first person where Mojo is actually telling the story of her first encounter with the dead. I was a little confused at first because although she is telling us about seeing dead people I couldn't figure out why seeing her dead ex was so traumatic. When I figured out this was her recap for the readers benefit the lightbulb came on and I really started to enjoy the book from that point on.
I was a little uncomfortable with Mojo's name....I kept reading it as...Mojo-jojo which is a character from the Power Puff Girls. But after awhile I got used to her name as I got used to the first peson narrative also.
The suspense of the book kept me reading as much as the paranormal woowoo stuff did. Mojo's background is unknown to her and the mystery of her childhood that she forgot is very intersting as is her adoptive family. She has two sisters who couldn't be more different from her. Both are as interesting as Mojo herself.
After a little bit of a rough start this book just took off and kept me reading late into the night. Right after having finished this book I immediately picked up the second in the series to read more about Mojo.
Although a great book I am not keeping this one, I might read it again at a later time but will get it from the library should I chose to do so. So, I would recommend that you find a copy either at the library or a used book store. Definitely a book you would like especially if you enjoy books like Victoria Laurie's Abby Cooper Psychic Eye series and her Ghost Hunter books.
Mojo Sheepshanks wakes up one day (or night as it actually happened to be) laying next to her dead ex-husband. So starts her life as a person who can see ghosts. Understandably she is a little shaken and this book relives her emotions and experiences of that first contact. The story does seem a little out of whack a bit because it takes place in the first person where Mojo is actually telling the story of her first encounter with the dead. I was a little confused at first because although she is telling us about seeing dead people I couldn't figure out why seeing her dead ex was so traumatic. When I figured out this was her recap for the readers benefit the lightbulb came on and I really started to enjoy the book from that point on.
I was a little uncomfortable with Mojo's name....I kept reading it as...Mojo-jojo which is a character from the Power Puff Girls. But after awhile I got used to her name as I got used to the first peson narrative also.
The suspense of the book kept me reading as much as the paranormal woowoo stuff did. Mojo's background is unknown to her and the mystery of her childhood that she forgot is very intersting as is her adoptive family. She has two sisters who couldn't be more different from her. Both are as interesting as Mojo herself.
After a little bit of a rough start this book just took off and kept me reading late into the night. Right after having finished this book I immediately picked up the second in the series to read more about Mojo.
Although a great book I am not keeping this one, I might read it again at a later time but will get it from the library should I chose to do so. So, I would recommend that you find a copy either at the library or a used book store. Definitely a book you would like especially if you enjoy books like Victoria Laurie's Abby Cooper Psychic Eye series and her Ghost Hunter books.
October 7, 2012
There’s no story teller quit like Linda Lael Miller and she’s at the top of her game with the Mojo Sheepshanks series. I sure hope she continues with a third novel soon—I’m dying here. And that’s the perfect tie into this wonderful story. Mojo, through a set of very unfortunate circumstances has come to reside above a biker bar in a small town in Arizona. She can’t remember her brutal childhood where she witnessed an unspeakable crime committed on her parents. But she does remember being spirited away by her babysitter and of living on the lamb for years to avoid being caught. Now she’s back almost living at the scene of the crime, her babysitter/kidnapper/segregate mother is mute from a stroke, one of her adopted sisters is living the high life with a man she thinks is cheating on her and her other adopted sister has a dog who’d love to chew Mojo into tiny pieces. Add into the mix, a dead cat coming to call and waking up with her ex-husband in her bed, who banged more woman than the high school drummer and who just happens to be dead—and you have the makings of a gripping hilarious tale that doesn’t stop until the last word. Nick, the dead ex, needs her to forgive him for his philandering, not something easily done. Someone tried to kill the owner of the biker bar. She’s involved with a kick-butt gorgeous cop/DEA agent who’s carrying more baggage that American Airlines and her rich as sin sister wants Mojo to consider becoming a private dick to spy on her husband. The novel just gets better and better with spine tingling visits from the great beyond to crazy women all wanting Mojo dead to an uncle that may or may not be involved in criminal shenanigans. Will this unwilling disaster attracting woman be able to sort it all out before she takes one in the head? You have to read it and find out.
September 8, 2016
So if you can get through the first half of this book you are golden. In my opinion the first half is awful. The main character has an infuriating personality. She throws fits about little things and she doesn’t know how to deal with the truth. I just wanted to say, “Mojo, you are not a child, stop throwing temper tantrums. If you don’t want to be a billing clerk then do something about it, but you don’t have a knack for being a private investigator .So quit talking about it like that was your live long dream.” She doesn’t have a background in that area and seemed to pick this career out of a hat.
The next fact of business, stop talking about the Damn Fool’s Guides. It’s one thing if you are mentioning the books as a character building quirk, but it’s another to mention the stupid books every other page. Mojo is obviously not good at anything and needs assistance from a self help book. Got it. Please more on.
But like I said, if you can get passed the first half of the novel, the story line isn’t that bad. It has a lot of fluff and character building nonsense that got in the way, but a lot happened in the second half of the book. Mojo just seemed to get herself in bad situations even though most of them weren’t her fault. All in all, I would only recommend this book as a reader’s digest version. Get rid of the fluff and enjoy the real story.
The next fact of business, stop talking about the Damn Fool’s Guides. It’s one thing if you are mentioning the books as a character building quirk, but it’s another to mention the stupid books every other page. Mojo is obviously not good at anything and needs assistance from a self help book. Got it. Please more on.
But like I said, if you can get passed the first half of the novel, the story line isn’t that bad. It has a lot of fluff and character building nonsense that got in the way, but a lot happened in the second half of the book. Mojo just seemed to get herself in bad situations even though most of them weren’t her fault. All in all, I would only recommend this book as a reader’s digest version. Get rid of the fluff and enjoy the real story.
on-hold
December 27, 2008After peaking at the end of this book, and the end of book 2, I decided to put this series on hold for now. When I read romance, I want an HEA and so far, this series doesn't have it. The relationship still appears to be unsettle when book 2 ends. I don't really feel like reading something like that right now. Plus, first-person stories (romances) drive me nuts. And on top of that, from what I can tell, these books are told solely from the heroine's POV. I hate that! It makes me feel so disconnected from the hero. So yeah, for now, these two book of this series are going to be put on my new "on-hold" shelf. I don't even know if Miller plans to continue it, and if so, when. We'll see what happens...
November 5, 2015
I'm really disappointed. Based on reviews and the author stating Mojo was her favorite character, I expected this to be the best book. Ever. Not even close! As far as mystery and suspense, I figured out the bad guy early in the book. As far as romance, it's almost nonexistent! I don't much care for Mojo, and I don't particularly care for Tucker and his beyond odd family life - ex-wife and twins. The books ending was HORRIBLE! It certainly wasn't a happily-ever-after ending.
Im going to read book two ONLY because I have it. Hopefully it's better than book one. Three stars, in my opinion, is being generous, more because I'm a big fan of the authors, a less because the book was deserving.
Im going to read book two ONLY because I have it. Hopefully it's better than book one. Three stars, in my opinion, is being generous, more because I'm a big fan of the authors, a less because the book was deserving.
April 2, 2018
Better than expected mystery. Woman wakes up to find the ghost of her husband in bed with her. That in itself is enough the capture the imagination. Mojo Sheepshanks is a fun character, as are her dead husband, her current boyfriend, her crazy sisters, and an assortment of people who seem to be trying to kill her. The fact that Mojo can't remember a lot about her childhood before the point where her parents were murdered sets up a tale of rediscovery for Mojo and an introduction to Mojo's world for the rest of us. Somewhat predictable, but still fun.
August 16, 2016
This book is one of LLM's more different writing styles. The normal endless romance aspects are not as featured in this novel. There's a few chapters that touch on Mojo's relationship with Tucker, but it's not overwhelming.
I really like that she incorporates the ghosts into the novel. It's corny but not at the same time.
I will be reading book two at some point.
I really like that she incorporates the ghosts into the novel. It's corny but not at the same time.
I will be reading book two at some point.
July 5, 2017
Good read
Mystery, funny, sad, a little sex. Our heroine doesn't remember her parents' murder.....she was only 5. Her half brother confessed, served his time, and is now out for revenge. Our hero says he's a cop, but is he? Problems abound with everyone involved. Highly recommend.l
Mystery, funny, sad, a little sex. Our heroine doesn't remember her parents' murder.....she was only 5. Her half brother confessed, served his time, and is now out for revenge. Our hero says he's a cop, but is he? Problems abound with everyone involved. Highly recommend.l
July 29, 2017
If Stephanie Plum had a western sister, she would be Mojo Sheepshanks, sans stable loving family. This is a sassy romp of mystery, psychic visions, romance, and family disfunction. Mojo has been down on her luck her entire mysterious life and it all coalesces when her dead ex shows up in her bedroom. Fun read.
January 14, 2018
I do not like ghost stories.
I stuck with this one. The farther I got into the tale the more difficult it was to put down.
I stuck with this one. The farther I got into the tale the more difficult it was to put down.
September 16, 2018
Her parents were murdered in front of her when she was 5. To protect her from danger, her babysitter took off with her, changing their names. She became Mojo Sheepshank. Along the way they also "adopted" her sister Greer. Then "Lillian" married Hank and Jolie became another "sister. Now Mojo rents an apartment above a biker bar and does medical billing to support herself and Lillian is in a nursing. Suddenly, her dead ex-husband, Nick, appears needing her forgiveness for having been unfaithful to her over and over again and in debt after the divorce. When her cat who had been killed by her step brother when she was 4 appears, she starts having flashbacks of things long suppressed. Things start to escalate, when she sees her step brother, now out of prison, her landlord is stabbed and she gets threatening texts and phone calls. But she has her to ghostly guardians and a hunk cop, protecting her.
This is nothing like any other book that I have read from one of my favorite authors. The characters are all so intriguing, yet the dialogue quite humorous. The scenario unusual, but action pact. I couldn't put it down until the end, which didn't exactly leave with a cliff hanger, but opened ended.
This is nothing like any other book that I have read from one of my favorite authors. The characters are all so intriguing, yet the dialogue quite humorous. The scenario unusual, but action pact. I couldn't put it down until the end, which didn't exactly leave with a cliff hanger, but opened ended.
September 17, 2020
Very interesting that’s for sure. I thought I was going to be reading some sappy romance, but it was more like a psychological thriller/crime/mystery with a pinch of love making ? I can’t even consider this a romance, because the romance just wasn’t there. I mean Mojo had her love interest (Tucker) but they were taking a break in the beginning of the story, they make love after an incident where her adrenaline mostly controlled her thoughts. After that she still dosnt want to rush into their relationship, and not to mention his ex-wife whom he has kids with still calls Tucker her “husband” when talking to Mojo, awkward. Mostly the story ran off Mojo’s past, which to say the least was really messed up considering her parents were murdered and she witnessed it all but can’t remember anything from that terrifying night. Then there is the fact that there are people that are out to get Mojo in the worst way, I don’t want to give to much away so I will leave it at that. I must say I enjoyed the thrill of this book very much, plus Mojo can see and communicate with ghosts that’s a bonus! I love anything strange, and this book had plenty of strange things happening throughout.
March 18, 2019
This book was very different than all of the Linda Lael Miller books I have read in the past and I am absolutely in love! This books has a little bit of everything; romance, suspense, mystery and paranormal elements! The characters are fun and interesting, with backstories so outrageous they are almost believable. This book had me laughing out loud in public and furiously flipping pages to find out what was going to happen next! There is so much going on in this book, but Miller was able to wrap it all up in a nice neat package, while leaving a few strands to continue onto the next book. I cannot wait to read about Mojo and her defacto sisters, the sexy cop but “not a cop” lover, as well as the ghosts trying to get Mojo’s attention. There are so many places Miller could take these character and I cannot wait to tag along. I really hope Miller decides to continue on with the series past 2 books!
November 20, 2023
Mojo Sheepshanks, Greer, Jolie
This is not a romance IMO.
It's also not what I've come to expect from Ms. Miller. Not to say that I didn't find Mojo's story, especially her back story, interesting. However, I do think that there may have been a bit too much going on in this story.
I see potential here, especially between the sisters. If they continue to have each other's backs (just a tad bit better) that will definitely be amazing.
Not sure how to feel about her relationship with Tucker, there wasn't enough here to really tell if it's something that should be rooted for. Heck I was hoping she would turn her sights to Julian.
As for the ghosts, the murder mystery, and Mojo becoming a PI? I think all of this will be more interesting in the next book maybe if the ending of this book was any indication, except shouldn't Mojo have PI license before she opens a business?
Also why was Mojo able to see ghosts?
This is not a romance IMO.
It's also not what I've come to expect from Ms. Miller. Not to say that I didn't find Mojo's story, especially her back story, interesting. However, I do think that there may have been a bit too much going on in this story.
I see potential here, especially between the sisters. If they continue to have each other's backs (just a tad bit better) that will definitely be amazing.
Not sure how to feel about her relationship with Tucker, there wasn't enough here to really tell if it's something that should be rooted for. Heck I was hoping she would turn her sights to Julian.
As for the ghosts, the murder mystery, and Mojo becoming a PI? I think all of this will be more interesting in the next book maybe if the ending of this book was any indication, except shouldn't Mojo have PI license before she opens a business?
Also why was Mojo able to see ghosts?
January 16, 2020
Loomulikult sain ma alles täna teada, et "Deadly Gamble" on ka eesti keeles ilmunud. Tüüpiline. :)
Omapärane lugu noorest naisest, keda hakkab kummitama ta avariis hukkunud eksabikaasa. Mees nimelt ei saa teispoolsusesse suunduvale rongile enne, kui on endise naise andestuse välja teeninud.
Raamatu peategelasel Mojol on omakorda luukere kapis, sest kui ta oli 5-aastane, nägi ta pealt oma vanemate mõrva. Aastaid valenime all elanud naine satub ohtu, kui minevikust pärit inimesed ta üles leiavad.
Põnev oli kuulata. Sõitsin tööle Mojo seikluste saatel ja tegelikult ootasin, millal jälle autosse saan, et edasi kuulata. Kohati tuletas meelde Darynda Jonesi raamatuid, sest neis on ka peategelasel mitu erinevat juhtumit, mis kõik loo lõpus lahenduse leiavad. "Deadly Gamble" oli aga kuidagi nukrama alatooniga ja jäi hinge kriipima. 3,5 tähte
Omapärane lugu noorest naisest, keda hakkab kummitama ta avariis hukkunud eksabikaasa. Mees nimelt ei saa teispoolsusesse suunduvale rongile enne, kui on endise naise andestuse välja teeninud.
Raamatu peategelasel Mojol on omakorda luukere kapis, sest kui ta oli 5-aastane, nägi ta pealt oma vanemate mõrva. Aastaid valenime all elanud naine satub ohtu, kui minevikust pärit inimesed ta üles leiavad.
Põnev oli kuulata. Sõitsin tööle Mojo seikluste saatel ja tegelikult ootasin, millal jälle autosse saan, et edasi kuulata. Kohati tuletas meelde Darynda Jonesi raamatuid, sest neis on ka peategelasel mitu erinevat juhtumit, mis kõik loo lõpus lahenduse leiavad. "Deadly Gamble" oli aga kuidagi nukrama alatooniga ja jäi hinge kriipima. 3,5 tähte
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