What do you think?
Rate this book
Bunny Elder #2
Vain Pursuits
B00CKDX4OE revised cover
This second book in the Bunny Elder series finds Bunny flying off to romantic Italy as traveling companion to her newly widowed sister. It seems like the trip of a lifetime and a chance to recover from her pastor husband's recent murder, as well.
Little does she suspect that this trip in search of a special Neapolitan nativity set for her sister's collection will ensnare the two women in a muddle of smugglers, Italian mobsters, kidnapping and death.
Can even an unexpected reunion with her first love prevent this dream trip from becoming Bunny's worst nightmare?
This second book in the Bunny Elder series finds Bunny flying off to romantic Italy as traveling companion to her newly widowed sister. It seems like the trip of a lifetime and a chance to recover from her pastor husband's recent murder, as well.
Little does she suspect that this trip in search of a special Neapolitan nativity set for her sister's collection will ensnare the two women in a muddle of smugglers, Italian mobsters, kidnapping and death.
Can even an unexpected reunion with her first love prevent this dream trip from becoming Bunny's worst nightmare?
ebook
First published April 27, 2013
10 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Hawker
19 books25 followersRaised in the northern end of the Sacramento Valley in California, J.B.Hawker's early life was framed by mountain ranges. While her physical vistas were bounded on almost every side, her imagination was free to soar without limits.
"I've made up stories my whole life," said Hawker when interviewed. "While other children might need a flashlight to read under the covers after bedtime, I simply made up my own stories, many of which lasted multiple nights, having intricate details and characters drawn both from my life and my imagination."
After twenty years serving small churches from Alaska to South Dakota as a pastor's wife, she returned to her California roots to start over in mid-life as a single business woman and author.
J.B. has published many articles on faith and ministry.
"Hollow" the first book in the Bunny Elder series, was her first published fiction.
J.B. has three grown sons. Her oldest, the father of her three beautiful granddaughters, lives in northern Italy, the setting of the second book in the series, "Vain Pursuits," featuring the on-going adventures of Bunny and Max.
"Seadrift" takes Bunny to the Oregon coast where their story continues. The final book in this series, "...and Something Blue," resolves many of the issues and conflicts of the story.
"I've made up stories my whole life," said Hawker when interviewed. "While other children might need a flashlight to read under the covers after bedtime, I simply made up my own stories, many of which lasted multiple nights, having intricate details and characters drawn both from my life and my imagination."
After twenty years serving small churches from Alaska to South Dakota as a pastor's wife, she returned to her California roots to start over in mid-life as a single business woman and author.
J.B. has published many articles on faith and ministry.
"Hollow" the first book in the Bunny Elder series, was her first published fiction.
J.B. has three grown sons. Her oldest, the father of her three beautiful granddaughters, lives in northern Italy, the setting of the second book in the series, "Vain Pursuits," featuring the on-going adventures of Bunny and Max.
"Seadrift" takes Bunny to the Oregon coast where their story continues. The final book in this series, "...and Something Blue," resolves many of the issues and conflicts of the story.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 26, 2019
This book was a cozy mystery set in Italy. It had the possibility of being a really good mystery, but as a novella I didn't feel it fulfilled its possibilities. The female protagonists were 2 mature widowed sisters who were off to visit Italy, in particular Naples, in order to find an Italian nativity to add to one of the sister's collection.
I would have liked more vivid descriptions of the places they visited and less description of all the food they ate. They mystery didn't really feel like it developed until the second half of the novella. The mobsters who came after them felt more like the Keystone Cops rather than real mob members, and the Italian police were very stereotypical. Hawker tried to include a Christian thread in her cozy, but it didn't feel natural. She did use a Scripture verse to introduce each chapter which correlated with the chapter which was a nice touch. Overall, this novella just didn't keep my attention.
I would have liked more vivid descriptions of the places they visited and less description of all the food they ate. They mystery didn't really feel like it developed until the second half of the novella. The mobsters who came after them felt more like the Keystone Cops rather than real mob members, and the Italian police were very stereotypical. Hawker tried to include a Christian thread in her cozy, but it didn't feel natural. She did use a Scripture verse to introduce each chapter which correlated with the chapter which was a nice touch. Overall, this novella just didn't keep my attention.
July 14, 2015
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE
Vain Pursuits y J. B. Hawker opens with Bunny Elder and her sister, Taffy flying off to Italy. Anyone who has a sibling will know that one of the two of you can be rather difficult and one of you will bend over backwards to be accommodating. These sisters are no different which is partly why it is a fun relaxing and yet exciting mystery!
Taffy, newly widowed wished to purchase a unique naivety scene to add to her collection. Bunny went with her as a travel companion. While on their whirlwind trip, not only does Taffy get her unique naivety scene but a shepherd figurine is thrust upon her by a shop owner. Thus begins their trip of coincidences, Italian Mobsters, stolen religious icons and an opportunity to explore an old romance with new insights.
Bunny has the patience of a saint … between her sister and her ex-husband, Bunny has a lot on her plate. Not only does she run afoul of Italian mobsters in a case of mistaken identity but she has the marks of the beating to prove it!
After having survived her previous encounter with a killer, these killers have more plans and the means to carry out their plan. “She couldn’t imagine what made people want to try to kill her. Bunny had always considered herself to be fairly innocuous and inconspicuous. She’d even toyed from time to time with the possibility the camouflage of middle-age was rendering her invisible.”
Grounded in her faith, Bunny must struggle to find balance between her faith and her ex-husband whom she still loves. Stubborn as she is faithful, Max struggles to draw Bunny to the “dark side.” Moments of truth are shared but I am left wondering if the truth Max reveals is really the truth or “his” truth so he can sleep at night.
The seriously weakened and dying Anthony, the “Godfather” of the mob, encounters both Taffy and Bunny on the plane from the U.S. to Italy. When he sees they are the ones who claimed the shepherd, he falls to the ground. “He looked at Taffy a few moments, smiled and sighed, “Not hell, then. Praise the good God.” This revelation of Anthony’s and his death does not prevent Bunny from being tortured for answers she cannot give to the new “Godfather” and his goons. Kidnapped, beaten and soon facing death – will Bunny, Taffy and Max survive?
The layout of each book is done in a subtle yet inspirational manner – the sharing of biblical verses at the beginning of each chapter that connect with the plot and/or character development is very well done. Her writing is smooth and logical. She balances everything perfectly.
Vain Pursuits is an inspirational book, one that is easy to read yet has some difficult truths – women are beaten and murdered, faith is sometimes difficult to hold close to one’s heart and sometimes family and love are painful.
I thoroughly enjoy this series. I love how Hawker weaves Christianity and belief in God throughout the story. It is subtle but powerful. To see someone struggle to explain something they have no proof is enlightening.
Vain Pursuits y J. B. Hawker opens with Bunny Elder and her sister, Taffy flying off to Italy. Anyone who has a sibling will know that one of the two of you can be rather difficult and one of you will bend over backwards to be accommodating. These sisters are no different which is partly why it is a fun relaxing and yet exciting mystery!
Taffy, newly widowed wished to purchase a unique naivety scene to add to her collection. Bunny went with her as a travel companion. While on their whirlwind trip, not only does Taffy get her unique naivety scene but a shepherd figurine is thrust upon her by a shop owner. Thus begins their trip of coincidences, Italian Mobsters, stolen religious icons and an opportunity to explore an old romance with new insights.
Bunny has the patience of a saint … between her sister and her ex-husband, Bunny has a lot on her plate. Not only does she run afoul of Italian mobsters in a case of mistaken identity but she has the marks of the beating to prove it!
After having survived her previous encounter with a killer, these killers have more plans and the means to carry out their plan. “She couldn’t imagine what made people want to try to kill her. Bunny had always considered herself to be fairly innocuous and inconspicuous. She’d even toyed from time to time with the possibility the camouflage of middle-age was rendering her invisible.”
Grounded in her faith, Bunny must struggle to find balance between her faith and her ex-husband whom she still loves. Stubborn as she is faithful, Max struggles to draw Bunny to the “dark side.” Moments of truth are shared but I am left wondering if the truth Max reveals is really the truth or “his” truth so he can sleep at night.
The seriously weakened and dying Anthony, the “Godfather” of the mob, encounters both Taffy and Bunny on the plane from the U.S. to Italy. When he sees they are the ones who claimed the shepherd, he falls to the ground. “He looked at Taffy a few moments, smiled and sighed, “Not hell, then. Praise the good God.” This revelation of Anthony’s and his death does not prevent Bunny from being tortured for answers she cannot give to the new “Godfather” and his goons. Kidnapped, beaten and soon facing death – will Bunny, Taffy and Max survive?
The layout of each book is done in a subtle yet inspirational manner – the sharing of biblical verses at the beginning of each chapter that connect with the plot and/or character development is very well done. Her writing is smooth and logical. She balances everything perfectly.
Vain Pursuits is an inspirational book, one that is easy to read yet has some difficult truths – women are beaten and murdered, faith is sometimes difficult to hold close to one’s heart and sometimes family and love are painful.
I thoroughly enjoy this series. I love how Hawker weaves Christianity and belief in God throughout the story. It is subtle but powerful. To see someone struggle to explain something they have no proof is enlightening.
August 20, 2014
Bunny Elder's humorous perspective dominates Vain Pursuits, but we do get to see, convincingly, into the minds of a few of the other characters, too. However, Bunny Elder is the star with her dry wit, varied life-experience, random musings, and quick take on the characters who cross her path. She is also religious, finding strength and comfort in her Christian faith.
The sisters' plane touches down in Venice, Italy, the first stop on their tour of Italy. On the plane, they make a chance encounter that is the first of many unwitting moves in a cat and mouse game the two women unknowingly play with gangsters, from Venice to Naples. The climax in Naples is a bit rough for a cozy novel, but all ends well, as one would expect.
Vain Pursuits is a swift, light, heart-filled story, spiced with gentle humor, especially concerning mature women and men. There are three strands to the story, which the author skillfully brings together with the women facing down gangsters and the police, and Bunny reuniting with her first love. The women's small-town and conservative lives provide nice touches throughout the story.
The books are well-edited and well-written. If you are fond of cozies, and like a mature, female protagonist, this is a series for you.
Read the full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews.
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
The sisters' plane touches down in Venice, Italy, the first stop on their tour of Italy. On the plane, they make a chance encounter that is the first of many unwitting moves in a cat and mouse game the two women unknowingly play with gangsters, from Venice to Naples. The climax in Naples is a bit rough for a cozy novel, but all ends well, as one would expect.
Vain Pursuits is a swift, light, heart-filled story, spiced with gentle humor, especially concerning mature women and men. There are three strands to the story, which the author skillfully brings together with the women facing down gangsters and the police, and Bunny reuniting with her first love. The women's small-town and conservative lives provide nice touches throughout the story.
The books are well-edited and well-written. If you are fond of cozies, and like a mature, female protagonist, this is a series for you.
Read the full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews.
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
September 2, 2016
Bunny Elder is vacationing in Italy with her sister, hoping to take in all the sights on a budget, and staying at delightful convent hotels along the way. Meanwhile valuable icons have disappeared, and evil mafia dons have plots to find them.
J.B. Hawker’s Vain Pursuits is a fast, fun blend of Agatha Christie and James Bond, with a mostly American cast, as the two sweet ladies of a certain age find themselves accidentally in the middle of international crime. A second storyline follows the criminals, and a third watches the lost first love of Bunny’s life. Unexpected reunions won’t be the only coincidence in this tale, but fast action keeps the pages turning, and Christian faith allows for a guiding hand. Bunny ponders whether she can live with someone who doesn’t share her belief, Bunny’s sister ponders aging, and beauty is more than the money that pays for it.
An enjoyable, light-hearted, cozy Christian mystery, this is the second of a series but it stands alone easily. The characters are fun and witty, the plot’s zany, and the scenery and flavor of Italy are beautifully portrayed.
Disclosure: I won a copy and I offer my honest review
J.B. Hawker’s Vain Pursuits is a fast, fun blend of Agatha Christie and James Bond, with a mostly American cast, as the two sweet ladies of a certain age find themselves accidentally in the middle of international crime. A second storyline follows the criminals, and a third watches the lost first love of Bunny’s life. Unexpected reunions won’t be the only coincidence in this tale, but fast action keeps the pages turning, and Christian faith allows for a guiding hand. Bunny ponders whether she can live with someone who doesn’t share her belief, Bunny’s sister ponders aging, and beauty is more than the money that pays for it.
An enjoyable, light-hearted, cozy Christian mystery, this is the second of a series but it stands alone easily. The characters are fun and witty, the plot’s zany, and the scenery and flavor of Italy are beautifully portrayed.
Disclosure: I won a copy and I offer my honest review
September 7, 2016
Better
I enjoyed reading this book more than the first one in the series. Bunny is an interesting character with a lot of surprises in her.
I enjoyed reading this book more than the first one in the series. Bunny is an interesting character with a lot of surprises in her.
September 5, 2014
I got this book in a bundle of "clean, contemporary mysteries set in Italy." I liked it enough to want to follow the story in the next books, but it isn't my favorite. It is a little hit you in the head with the church stuff, which is a big contrast with the extremely evil villains. The characters are mostly engaging but I don't really like Max. At all.
May 18, 2013
Fun reading! I finished it in less than a day, and now I must wait until the third book in the series is written!
May 1, 2015
We are proud to announce that VAIN PURSUITS by J.B. hawker is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
June 5, 2015
Pursuits
Gave 4 star..Again story line was intriguing and was at fast passed story line ..Kept me wanting to read and wanting to find out what Bunny will do next.
Gave 4 star..Again story line was intriguing and was at fast passed story line ..Kept me wanting to read and wanting to find out what Bunny will do next.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews