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Miss Fortune Universe
A Blooming Fortune
When a wealthy widow suddenly dies of a heart attack, Fortune smells foul play and Swamp Team 3 springs into action, but before they can figure out who the murderer is, they must first prove the victim did not die of natural causes. Fortune, Ida Bell and Gertie run into roadblock after roadblock before they receive help from an unexpected source. The victim's highly eccentric brother and sister arrive in Sinful with their own suspicions and a very special set of skills. A Blooming Fortune is filled with twists and turns as Fortune and her new friends work to unravel the mystery.
This book was previously released in as "Devil's Helmet," and rose to number one position in KindleWorlds, in January 2018. This version has been re-edited with new material added.
What readers have said about Stephen's other Miss Fortune books:
Of the many other authors who contribute to this series Stephen John is one of my favorites. He continues with the main characters and weaves a series of intrigue and chaos into his story.
I have now read a few of these stories by this author and this one I enjoyed most of all. The regular characters are back, joining a couple of newbies who prove to be interesting as well. Once again, the crime solving aspect of the story proves intriguing. It left me fulfilled and more than ready to read the next chapter in this particular writer's Miss Fortune setting. Great stuff.
I absolutely love this series! Fortune has lost a dear friend which broke my heart, but she has also made some new friends as well. As always there is comedy, action, and a dash of love tossed in.
Definitely a must read!
While staying true to Ms. DeLeon's canon, Mr. John carves out a very nice niche for himself. I've come to really enjoy his stories featuring these characters and this one is a doozy.
A well-structured mystery, and probably the most literary of the Kindle Worlds Miss Fortune Mysteries I've read so far.
I loved this book as much as I loved the original books by Janet DeLeon. I wish he would write more.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2019
329 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Stephen John
11 books14 followersSteve is a retired business executive and former sports journalist who now writes cozy mysteries with a twist of sass and suspense. His Miss Fortune novels—set in the beloved world created by Jana DeLeon—blend small-town charm with fast-paced adventure, earning him six #1 rankings in Amazon’s action/adventure category.
Steve’s fiction career began in 2008 with Amazon’s Kindle Worlds, where he was invited to craft stories using established characters. His sharp dialogue and tightly woven plots quickly made him a fan favorite in the Miss Fortune universe.
Beyond cozy mysteries, Steve has co-authored two thrill-packed titles—Devil’s Face and Gray Ghost—with bestselling author David Wood in the Dane Maddock Action Adventure Series. He also collaborated with Jesse Jacobson on Rainhorse, a gritty Western tale of justice and redemption. His standalone novel Night Music showcases his range, blending suspense and emotional depth in a story all his own.
Steve’s first book, Deal Me In, is a nonfiction deep dive into the lives of twenty poker legends, commissioned by Phil Hellmuth himself. His time with poker and sports celebrities—including Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman, Johnny Chan, and basketball stars like LeBron James and Rajon Rondo—inspired him to keep telling great stories.
When he’s not writing, Steve enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, children, and grandchildren. You might also catch him performing in the Seattle music scene with his acoustic duo, Latitude 47—proof that good stories and good tunes never go out of style.
Steve’s fiction career began in 2008 with Amazon’s Kindle Worlds, where he was invited to craft stories using established characters. His sharp dialogue and tightly woven plots quickly made him a fan favorite in the Miss Fortune universe.
Beyond cozy mysteries, Steve has co-authored two thrill-packed titles—Devil’s Face and Gray Ghost—with bestselling author David Wood in the Dane Maddock Action Adventure Series. He also collaborated with Jesse Jacobson on Rainhorse, a gritty Western tale of justice and redemption. His standalone novel Night Music showcases his range, blending suspense and emotional depth in a story all his own.
Steve’s first book, Deal Me In, is a nonfiction deep dive into the lives of twenty poker legends, commissioned by Phil Hellmuth himself. His time with poker and sports celebrities—including Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman, Johnny Chan, and basketball stars like LeBron James and Rajon Rondo—inspired him to keep telling great stories.
When he’s not writing, Steve enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, children, and grandchildren. You might also catch him performing in the Seattle music scene with his acoustic duo, Latitude 47—proof that good stories and good tunes never go out of style.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 16, 2024
Another super enjoyable read in the Miss Fortune World books. Wish there were hundreds more!
September 1, 2020
Not Really a Fortune Story
This book was a mixed bag. The mystery was pretty good. I liked the new characters. I missed the humor a lot. I also missed the adventures in the swamp. Carter and Fortune's relationship was only alluded to a couple of times. The quirkiness of the various relationships was missing. I started reading these books to get some relief from knee replacement surgery, a death and a lockdown. If I had read this book first, I wouldn't have read the others. However, it was a good story.
This book was a mixed bag. The mystery was pretty good. I liked the new characters. I missed the humor a lot. I also missed the adventures in the swamp. Carter and Fortune's relationship was only alluded to a couple of times. The quirkiness of the various relationships was missing. I started reading these books to get some relief from knee replacement surgery, a death and a lockdown. If I had read this book first, I wouldn't have read the others. However, it was a good story.
February 5, 2023
Be careful what you plant in your garden, it make come back to poison you!
Emma Peterson, a healthy appearing older lady with a heart condition dies from a supposed heart attack. Her physician and law enforcement believe this but her brother and sister and Fortune do not agree. They set out to determine the true cause of death. The trail leads them to the gardener, but they have to be able to prove it.
Emma Peterson, a healthy appearing older lady with a heart condition dies from a supposed heart attack. Her physician and law enforcement believe this but her brother and sister and Fortune do not agree. They set out to determine the true cause of death. The trail leads them to the gardener, but they have to be able to prove it.
December 21, 2020
Good but not great.
He is a good writer, but little things don't match the original story line. Such as Fortune does not cook and he has her fixing dinner for her and Carter and even for Gertie and Ida Belle.
Little things like that were just bugging me.
He is a good writer, but little things don't match the original story line. Such as Fortune does not cook and he has her fixing dinner for her and Carter and even for Gertie and Ida Belle.
Little things like that were just bugging me.
November 8, 2021
The play out - great job!!!!
A really good story! It plays out great!! Very creative and well written; how things come about - ingenious! I could have used a little more Ida Belle and Gertie in the story; the new characters fill in fine!! Enjoy!! It's good!
A really good story! It plays out great!! Very creative and well written; how things come about - ingenious! I could have used a little more Ida Belle and Gertie in the story; the new characters fill in fine!! Enjoy!! It's good!
November 16, 2023
WONDERFUL
This book kept my interest all through to the last page!! So happy one of the sort of annoying person got her up and comings in a good justice sort of way! I have enjoyed every book I have read that the CIA lady has been involved in.
This book kept my interest all through to the last page!! So happy one of the sort of annoying person got her up and comings in a good justice sort of way! I have enjoyed every book I have read that the CIA lady has been involved in.
January 24, 2020
Love all the Miss Fortune books.
Love all the Miss Fortune books. The characters are great. Makes you wish you were there. Looking forward to their next adventure.
Love all the Miss Fortune books. The characters are great. Makes you wish you were there. Looking forward to their next adventure.
February 23, 2020
While this one was better than the previous ones by this author that I read, it still missed key elements from the Fortune books.
Read
April 18, 2020I've read a lot of Miss Fortune World books, this was probably one of the worst. No humor, just a continuous monologue of what is supposed to be in Fortune's head--and not a good representation of what Fortune's thoughts normally would be. Could not finish...
March 16, 2021
Great Miss Fortune World book
September 10, 2021
Entertaining and enjoyable
December 3, 2024
Stick with Jana DeLeon if you want a good story
I’ve read all Miss Fortune books written by JanaDeLeon, and they’re great.
This writer made Fortune seem so much less than she is, not capable, not qualified.
Also, the Gertie and Ida Belle had only a small part and didn’t get into there normal mischief.
I’ll be very careful in the future that the book is written by Jana
Deleon.
I’ve read all Miss Fortune books written by JanaDeLeon, and they’re great.
This writer made Fortune seem so much less than she is, not capable, not qualified.
Also, the Gertie and Ida Belle had only a small part and didn’t get into there normal mischief.
I’ll be very careful in the future that the book is written by Jana
Deleon.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews