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Wrong Side of Forty
For many, midlife is the beginning.
It was a day like any other day for Marina Trahan…until she caught her husband in bed with another woman. Before that eye-opening wake-up call, Marina would have described her life as average or uneventful, maybe even boring. But now, chaos and confusion reign supreme. She’d expected to slide through midlife with her unwanted extra pounds, chin hair, and hot flashes and move somewhat gracefully into elastic waist pants and having no verbal filter. But with a wayward husband, a high-maintenance daughter, a lackluster career, and a crazy mother all weighing her down, Marina is ready to wave the white flag of surrender.
Then an intriguing stranger named Alexios shows up out of nowhere and insists she is descended from a goddess and is the only person who can save the world from certain destruction. She has roughly a week to do it. Solving a centuries-old mystery seems like a more interesting proposition than the other situations Marina is facing, so she accepts his challenge. But her search for a magical item of power reveals far more about Marina than she ever knew. Maybe enough to save the world. And even herself.
It was a day like any other day for Marina Trahan…until she caught her husband in bed with another woman. Before that eye-opening wake-up call, Marina would have described her life as average or uneventful, maybe even boring. But now, chaos and confusion reign supreme. She’d expected to slide through midlife with her unwanted extra pounds, chin hair, and hot flashes and move somewhat gracefully into elastic waist pants and having no verbal filter. But with a wayward husband, a high-maintenance daughter, a lackluster career, and a crazy mother all weighing her down, Marina is ready to wave the white flag of surrender.
Then an intriguing stranger named Alexios shows up out of nowhere and insists she is descended from a goddess and is the only person who can save the world from certain destruction. She has roughly a week to do it. Solving a centuries-old mystery seems like a more interesting proposition than the other situations Marina is facing, so she accepts his challenge. But her search for a magical item of power reveals far more about Marina than she ever knew. Maybe enough to save the world. And even herself.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2020
1042 people are currently reading
1157 people want to read
About the author
Jana Deleon
108 books4,258 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jana DeLeon was raised in southwest Louisiana among the bayous and gators. Her hometown is Carlyss, but you probably won't find it on a map. Her family owned a camp located on a bayou just off the Gulf of Mexico that you could only get there by boat. The most important feature was the rope hammock hanging in the shade on a huge deck that stretched out over the water where Jana spent many hours reading books.
Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.
Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.
She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.
Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.
Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.
She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.
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February 25, 2020
Wrong Side of 40 by Jana DeLeon
Paranormal women fiction.
Marina’s life has taken a turn for the worst. First she discovers her husband cheating in her. Then she loses her job. And her daughter gets arrested for punching her father’s twot. But the good news is her dog seems to truly understand and answer questions. Plus the successful quest for a magical ring could net her a million dollars. So there’s that.
Slow start. It took 25% to get to the paranormal and anything interesting. And by then I didn’t care about her anymore.
It’s ok. Fans of the author may love it.
Excerpt:
“What is it?”
“Poison ivy.”
“Good Lord, you’re not going to touch poison ivy, are you? Why? You’ll be one red itchy blob.”
“It doesn’t bother me. Remember that fishing trip?”
Halcyon frowned. “I mentally blocked it.”
Halcyon and Marina had sat on poison ivy wearing their bathing suits, and Halcyon had scratched her butt cheeks for weeks. It hadn’t fazed Marina one bit. [..]
“You know who else is highly allergic to poison ivy?” Marina asked.
Halcyon shook her head.
“Harold.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to pick a mess of it and rub it in every pair of underwear he owns.”
Excerpt From Wrong Side of 40 by Jana DeLeon
Paranormal women fiction.
Marina’s life has taken a turn for the worst. First she discovers her husband cheating in her. Then she loses her job. And her daughter gets arrested for punching her father’s twot. But the good news is her dog seems to truly understand and answer questions. Plus the successful quest for a magical ring could net her a million dollars. So there’s that.
Slow start. It took 25% to get to the paranormal and anything interesting. And by then I didn’t care about her anymore.
It’s ok. Fans of the author may love it.
Excerpt:
“What is it?”
“Poison ivy.”
“Good Lord, you’re not going to touch poison ivy, are you? Why? You’ll be one red itchy blob.”
“It doesn’t bother me. Remember that fishing trip?”
Halcyon frowned. “I mentally blocked it.”
Halcyon and Marina had sat on poison ivy wearing their bathing suits, and Halcyon had scratched her butt cheeks for weeks. It hadn’t fazed Marina one bit. [..]
“You know who else is highly allergic to poison ivy?” Marina asked.
Halcyon shook her head.
“Harold.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to pick a mess of it and rub it in every pair of underwear he owns.”
Excerpt From Wrong Side of 40 by Jana DeLeon
March 25, 2020
48-year-old Marina Trahan and her husband are now empty-nesters. After a long week of work, Marina gets off early and heads home to slip on the new lingerie she bought to surprise her husband. Only her husband is already home and in bed with a woman.
Marriage over and career on the line, Marina has moved herself into her mother’s old lake cabin when a demigod appears and gives her a quest. Should she fulfill it, it will solve her financial troubles. Mystery, trouble, and a hottie game warden add to the mix.
Secondary characters from her sister to old cronies added interest and humor. I loved the demigod. His character was over the top and gave us details into the other realm.
While the tale was predictable, it was also entertaining and offered a fun evening of laughs, mystery and small-town antics.
This was a fun tale, with humor, friendship, small-town quirks and magic. If you like cozy mysteries, paranormal woo-woo and what a character getting a second chance at life, you’ll enjoy Wrong Side of Forty. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Marriage over and career on the line, Marina has moved herself into her mother’s old lake cabin when a demigod appears and gives her a quest. Should she fulfill it, it will solve her financial troubles. Mystery, trouble, and a hottie game warden add to the mix.
Secondary characters from her sister to old cronies added interest and humor. I loved the demigod. His character was over the top and gave us details into the other realm.
While the tale was predictable, it was also entertaining and offered a fun evening of laughs, mystery and small-town antics.
This was a fun tale, with humor, friendship, small-town quirks and magic. If you like cozy mysteries, paranormal woo-woo and what a character getting a second chance at life, you’ll enjoy Wrong Side of Forty. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
February 17, 2020
Well worth the time to read
This is a very entertaining story to read. I do have to say that the beginning, that set the stage, was worth reading through to get to the more exciting stuff.
Lots of action and adventure throughout. I loved how there is a mix of paranormal along with real world stuff in this book making one real think what if it could all be real.
I’m loving this new genre of PWF.
Very well written self-contained story.
I highly recommend this book to read.
This is a very entertaining story to read. I do have to say that the beginning, that set the stage, was worth reading through to get to the more exciting stuff.
Lots of action and adventure throughout. I loved how there is a mix of paranormal along with real world stuff in this book making one real think what if it could all be real.
I’m loving this new genre of PWF.
Very well written self-contained story.
I highly recommend this book to read.
February 26, 2020
This the first book I’ve read by Jana DeLeon. It had me holding my belly, LOL over & over. 🤣😂
Marina definitely comes up on the winning side of 40.
I CAN NOT! WAIT! FOR! MORE!! 🤩💗
An absolute must read!
#PWF #FAB13 #amreading
Marina definitely comes up on the winning side of 40.
I CAN NOT! WAIT! FOR! MORE!! 🤩💗
An absolute must read!
#PWF #FAB13 #amreading
April 2, 2020
I don't care who you are, if you are of a certain age these books are hilarious! I love that a group of women authors got together and unashamedly are poking fun at the things that happen as women get older. It's just F U N! The snarktastic fun of this story was perfect for what's going on in this world. I needed it, and I stayed up late to finish it.
March 16, 2020
This was the first book I have read by Jana Deleon. I have been following the new genre of Paranormal Women's Fiction and I am making my way through all 13 books written by the founding members.
I liked this book. It had several good elements, but it wasn't my favorite.
Good elements:
Parts of this story were exciting and funny - (when Marina confronts Harold, when Marina goes to the party)
Side characters were well-written and hysterical (Dottie/Adelaide)
The ending was unexpected.
Not-so-good elements:
Slow to start. It seemed like I was almost finished with the book before anything paranormal came into play and even then it is such a minor element to the novel.
The main character did not resonate with me. She played into every stereotype of mid-life being the downside of life and her internal dialogue further perpetuated this.
I see a lot of people really enjoyed this book and I am certainly not trashing it, it was just okay for my taste.
I liked this book. It had several good elements, but it wasn't my favorite.
Good elements:
Parts of this story were exciting and funny - (when Marina confronts Harold, when Marina goes to the party)
Side characters were well-written and hysterical (Dottie/Adelaide)
The ending was unexpected.
Not-so-good elements:
Slow to start. It seemed like I was almost finished with the book before anything paranormal came into play and even then it is such a minor element to the novel.
The main character did not resonate with me. She played into every stereotype of mid-life being the downside of life and her internal dialogue further perpetuated this.
I see a lot of people really enjoyed this book and I am certainly not trashing it, it was just okay for my taste.
January 29, 2026
Listened to this and it's quite funny if you enjoy southern humor.
March 19, 2020
DNF at 50%
This book starts off great. You have a 48 yr old woman who's had the rug pulled from under her.
Her husband cheated, he's keeping the house so she's practically homeless AND it looks like her job went the way of the dodo...
Great. So we have someone on ground zero trying to pick up the pieces. So far I was enjoying the book... but then I reached the 25% mark.
Out of the blue this is now a lazy YA fantasy complete with the de-aging of the MC to maybe.... 25? And giving her both powers and a fetch quest to find "the one ring to rule them all".
to add insult to injury lets name drop everything. From greek myths to keto. Why spare the reader?
I honestly think the author ran out of ideas at this point because the next 25% of the book was nothing but platitudes and over used cliches. Not different ones either, we just go over the same ground over and over like the book was stuck in a loop.
Now so far this book wasn't bad per se. Just a bit boring and repetitive. However it seems like regret sets in around the 45% point.
The MC was introduced as 48 and on the timid side but suddenly the signs of aging are disappearing one by one (after pages and pages of discussion on the one that was going to be magicked away next!) AND the so called timid MC shows none of that trait. If anything she is the bitch character that walks around with her middle finger in the air.
Not once is the MC shown as timid. We are told she was timid in the past and that this is pay back. Doesn't sound too convincing when we only see the revenge and the "new me" with nothing to contrast it with.
I honestly lost interest here. This might have worked better as a short novella as the material is clearly over stretched. It also shows great indecisiveness, you start off with a slice of life tale with an older MC. Then it becomes a cheap fantasy with an attempt to de-age the MC to fit that genre. Throw in some generic Self help with endless pages (yes PAGES!) of platitudes that are so lazy they weren't even re-worded to give the book some individuality.
The idea was decent. The execution however was confused. I really do hope the author starts listening to her own voice and not all the noise around her that ended up muddling this book.
This book starts off great. You have a 48 yr old woman who's had the rug pulled from under her.
Her husband cheated, he's keeping the house so she's practically homeless AND it looks like her job went the way of the dodo...
Great. So we have someone on ground zero trying to pick up the pieces. So far I was enjoying the book... but then I reached the 25% mark.
Out of the blue this is now a lazy YA fantasy complete with the de-aging of the MC to maybe.... 25? And giving her both powers and a fetch quest to find "the one ring to rule them all".
to add insult to injury lets name drop everything. From greek myths to keto. Why spare the reader?
I honestly think the author ran out of ideas at this point because the next 25% of the book was nothing but platitudes and over used cliches. Not different ones either, we just go over the same ground over and over like the book was stuck in a loop.
Now so far this book wasn't bad per se. Just a bit boring and repetitive. However it seems like regret sets in around the 45% point.
The MC was introduced as 48 and on the timid side but suddenly the signs of aging are disappearing one by one (after pages and pages of discussion on the one that was going to be magicked away next!) AND the so called timid MC shows none of that trait. If anything she is the bitch character that walks around with her middle finger in the air.
Not once is the MC shown as timid. We are told she was timid in the past and that this is pay back. Doesn't sound too convincing when we only see the revenge and the "new me" with nothing to contrast it with.
I honestly lost interest here. This might have worked better as a short novella as the material is clearly over stretched. It also shows great indecisiveness, you start off with a slice of life tale with an older MC. Then it becomes a cheap fantasy with an attempt to de-age the MC to fit that genre. Throw in some generic Self help with endless pages (yes PAGES!) of platitudes that are so lazy they weren't even re-worded to give the book some individuality.
The idea was decent. The execution however was confused. I really do hope the author starts listening to her own voice and not all the noise around her that ended up muddling this book.
February 26, 2020
So, I really did enjoy this story. It was entertaining, with likable characters and a unique story line, though I would have liked there to be a more developed relationship between Marina and Luke. What I didn’t like was that there felt like, to me at least, a lot of filler stuff. I skimmed through whole pages of unnecessary fluff, descriptions and thoughts, that just took up space. I feel that that space should have been used to expand on the missing ring storyline, since that felt like it should have been the basis of the book, but ended up being more of an afterthought to the family drama.
BUT that’s just my personal opinion, and I DID enjoy the book and I WILL be reading the next one. So, there’s that. 🤷🏼♀️
BUT that’s just my personal opinion, and I DID enjoy the book and I WILL be reading the next one. So, there’s that. 🤷🏼♀️
June 15, 2020
As a rule I stay far away from anything that is labeled "Women's Fiction", but Jana Deleon is one of my favorite authors. I love her humor, mystery plots and lite romance. I've never read a bad book by her. "Women's Paranormal Fiction" gave me a bit of a pause, but I went with history and gave it a shot. Great book. The heroine has some really heavy life situations to work through, but we don't get dragged into a "woe is me" bog, or bayou in this case. Good supporting characters with some real Southern eccentrics.
After Marina Trahan sent her brilliant daughter, Avery, off to college she slept for 16 hours straight. Raising Avery without much help from her husband Harold had been work. Now she is ready to refocus on Harold and their marriage. When she finds him in her bead with the town slut, shocked doesn't begin to cover her reaction. Then she gets a visit from a demigod, Alexios, and is told she needs to find an object that only a descendent of the goddess Aphrodite will recognize, well, welcome to crazy town. Except, there is that extra ten thousand in her bank account as a down payment on her reward for finding the object. She has a week to find it and needs a lot of help because her life is about to get even more complicated.
After Marina Trahan sent her brilliant daughter, Avery, off to college she slept for 16 hours straight. Raising Avery without much help from her husband Harold had been work. Now she is ready to refocus on Harold and their marriage. When she finds him in her bead with the town slut, shocked doesn't begin to cover her reaction. Then she gets a visit from a demigod, Alexios, and is told she needs to find an object that only a descendent of the goddess Aphrodite will recognize, well, welcome to crazy town. Except, there is that extra ten thousand in her bank account as a down payment on her reward for finding the object. She has a week to find it and needs a lot of help because her life is about to get even more complicated.
February 21, 2020
This book had me in stitches with the antics in this small Louisiana town. This is going to be a fun series to read and I can't wait to see what could possibly happen next for Marina since this first book was jam packed with action, drama, and even some feel good moments.
Definitely a book you will want to read soon.
Definitely a book you will want to read soon.
July 19, 2024
This was a fun and funny "coming of (older) age" story. It definitely started off funnier than it ended, but I found the entire thing quite enjoyable. I also expected it to develop into a romance story and while there is a small romantic subplot it is minor (and zero spice for those who are familiar with my usual reading habits). This book was a fun adventure that helped a middle-aged woman accept all the changes--external and internal-- that come with journeying into the second half of life as a woman and I thought it was really well done. A feel good book for those of us in a similar life stage. I highly recommend this for any women ages 35+.
February 18, 2020
Marina literally walks in on her hubby and the other woman!
She is now setting out on the 2nd part of her life without the cheating louse. She still has to deal with her high IQ but equally highly strung daughter in college and now with the added challenge of a mother who would never win "mum of the year".
Enter a Demigod with a mission. Apparently Marina is descended from a Goddess and it's up to her to find a magical ring and avert a war in the heavens - no biggie!
OMG the other woman in this barely qualifies as such! She is a total gold-digging, sugar daddy grabbing Ho! She's not only done Marina wrong but she also did the same thing to Marina's daughter - twice! That left hooks is deadly by the way. And can I just say that Marina's new friends and allies are like Golden Girls meet Steel Magnolia on acid - OMG I weed myself with their antics.
She is now setting out on the 2nd part of her life without the cheating louse. She still has to deal with her high IQ but equally highly strung daughter in college and now with the added challenge of a mother who would never win "mum of the year".
Enter a Demigod with a mission. Apparently Marina is descended from a Goddess and it's up to her to find a magical ring and avert a war in the heavens - no biggie!
OMG the other woman in this barely qualifies as such! She is a total gold-digging, sugar daddy grabbing Ho! She's not only done Marina wrong but she also did the same thing to Marina's daughter - twice! That left hooks is deadly by the way. And can I just say that Marina's new friends and allies are like Golden Girls meet Steel Magnolia on acid - OMG I weed myself with their antics.
February 29, 2020
I received this book as an ARC. This is part of the PWF, a new series by multiple authors. Jana DeLeon did an excellent job. Women over forty ROCK and every one should remember that! We have all been through things and are still going through things. We are not over the hill. We still have life to live and should do that however we want to. This book shows Marina dealing with something that many of us have and then come out on the other side stronger and happier!
February 23, 2020
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Wrong Side of Forty is a story that will have you busting a gut laughing, red-eyed crying, so angry at some characters, and most likely, shaking your head in agreement and amazement. Marina is the backbone of her family, the one who does everything with little thanks or acknowledgment. Her world is about to be rocked, and not entirely in a good way, by the discovery of her husband’s side piece in their bed wearing Marina’s sexy new negligee, a girl who actually was in the same class as their daughter and is considered the town hussy. (a nice word there but you get the drift) In short order, Marina will find herself furious, hurt, frantically and angrily moving out into a life she didn’t see coming and a life that’s about to get even more incredulous. It seems she’s got a blood relationship with the gods, and a demigod has shown up giving her a quest (with benefits) to save the worlds (hers and his) by finding a magical ring that has eluded seekers for centuries – within about a week before worlds collide, explode, or just go, poof as if they never existed. Yeah, it’s been one heck of a day!
I was easily caught up in Marina’s story, understood her anger, her deep hurt, and cheered her on as she discovers herself through this chaotic adventure into a new life. Wrong Side of Forty isn’t only a fun, addicting Paranormal Women’s Fiction adventure, it’s also a slice of life (minus the magical aspects) of what life beyond forty can be. A time of discovery of who Marina really is at her core, and an acknowledgment of the crap she’s taken her entire life — but no more. Now it’s her time to shine in her own unique way, and that is the true magic of this story.
You’ll discover the deepest friendships, family ties that go so deep into the heart, a small town that’s been under the thumb of one political family for far too long, the ugliness of cruelty and indifference, and the absolute joy of finding out what you are capable of when your back is to the wall and you have no choice but to go forward the best you can. I both loved and loathed characters in this story, and I’m certain that you can pick out each of them quite easily on your own. Wrong Side of Forty will entertain you, have you laughing or crying throughout, perhaps give your temper a good workout a few times and completely enjoying this journey.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription. At the time you read this review, Wrong Side of Forty may no longer be in KU as it was there for a short time before becoming available across all platforms where you can find e-reader titles.
Wrong Side of Forty is a story that will have you busting a gut laughing, red-eyed crying, so angry at some characters, and most likely, shaking your head in agreement and amazement. Marina is the backbone of her family, the one who does everything with little thanks or acknowledgment. Her world is about to be rocked, and not entirely in a good way, by the discovery of her husband’s side piece in their bed wearing Marina’s sexy new negligee, a girl who actually was in the same class as their daughter and is considered the town hussy. (a nice word there but you get the drift) In short order, Marina will find herself furious, hurt, frantically and angrily moving out into a life she didn’t see coming and a life that’s about to get even more incredulous. It seems she’s got a blood relationship with the gods, and a demigod has shown up giving her a quest (with benefits) to save the worlds (hers and his) by finding a magical ring that has eluded seekers for centuries – within about a week before worlds collide, explode, or just go, poof as if they never existed. Yeah, it’s been one heck of a day!
I was easily caught up in Marina’s story, understood her anger, her deep hurt, and cheered her on as she discovers herself through this chaotic adventure into a new life. Wrong Side of Forty isn’t only a fun, addicting Paranormal Women’s Fiction adventure, it’s also a slice of life (minus the magical aspects) of what life beyond forty can be. A time of discovery of who Marina really is at her core, and an acknowledgment of the crap she’s taken her entire life — but no more. Now it’s her time to shine in her own unique way, and that is the true magic of this story.
You’ll discover the deepest friendships, family ties that go so deep into the heart, a small town that’s been under the thumb of one political family for far too long, the ugliness of cruelty and indifference, and the absolute joy of finding out what you are capable of when your back is to the wall and you have no choice but to go forward the best you can. I both loved and loathed characters in this story, and I’m certain that you can pick out each of them quite easily on your own. Wrong Side of Forty will entertain you, have you laughing or crying throughout, perhaps give your temper a good workout a few times and completely enjoying this journey.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription. At the time you read this review, Wrong Side of Forty may no longer be in KU as it was there for a short time before becoming available across all platforms where you can find e-reader titles.
February 24, 2020
Southern Charm, Sass & So Much More!!😳😃💔💥
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Wrong Side of Forty: Marina at Midlife #1
After catching her husband in bed with the local .. Umm, she's a vile child/woman that's slept with most of the men in the town and she doesn't care if they're married if they don't!😳 Marina is mortified & horrified, their poor daughter, Avery, is going to be distraught & not just because her parents are splitting up, her Dad's new girlfriend stole two boyfriends off of her in high school & is only 3 years older than her!!🙈💔😡 Her life just imploded because Harold is a stupid, selfish man, she's so hurt & angry!!😭😡
After moving out to her Mother's old fishing cabin she meets Alexios, he claims a lot of nonsensical things one of them being being she's descended from Aphrodite & another is that if she doesn't find a powerful ring that stolen long ago then their world & hers will end!!😱💥 Yeah, she doesn't really believe a word of it even with the evidence he provides until she wakes up the next day with no wrinkles, grey hair or aches & pains!👍✨ So with her sister Halcyon as her aid they set out to find this magical ring to save the world but life goes on .... Badly!🙈 Arrests, attacks, gossip & more 💥
This is a painful, sarcastically funny coming of age - if that means waking up from a fog and starting to take charge of your life at nearly 50 - read!😂🙈 She's not ready for any of it but with the help of her sister & 2 seniors, one who gives no f*cks what so ever & the other the classiest, kindest women she's ever met, she will face it all with her head held high & their strength supporting her decisions all the way!🎉
Debbie, 1970, UK
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Wrong Side of Forty: Marina at Midlife #1
After catching her husband in bed with the local .. Umm, she's a vile child/woman that's slept with most of the men in the town and she doesn't care if they're married if they don't!😳 Marina is mortified & horrified, their poor daughter, Avery, is going to be distraught & not just because her parents are splitting up, her Dad's new girlfriend stole two boyfriends off of her in high school & is only 3 years older than her!!🙈💔😡 Her life just imploded because Harold is a stupid, selfish man, she's so hurt & angry!!😭😡
After moving out to her Mother's old fishing cabin she meets Alexios, he claims a lot of nonsensical things one of them being being she's descended from Aphrodite & another is that if she doesn't find a powerful ring that stolen long ago then their world & hers will end!!😱💥 Yeah, she doesn't really believe a word of it even with the evidence he provides until she wakes up the next day with no wrinkles, grey hair or aches & pains!👍✨ So with her sister Halcyon as her aid they set out to find this magical ring to save the world but life goes on .... Badly!🙈 Arrests, attacks, gossip & more 💥
This is a painful, sarcastically funny coming of age - if that means waking up from a fog and starting to take charge of your life at nearly 50 - read!😂🙈 She's not ready for any of it but with the help of her sister & 2 seniors, one who gives no f*cks what so ever & the other the classiest, kindest women she's ever met, she will face it all with her head held high & their strength supporting her decisions all the way!🎉
Debbie, 1970, UK
February 24, 2020
Only wish it was longer 🥰
I adored this story. Loved the characters, loved to hate a few too, and Snooze was adorable. Wasn’t surprised that it was set near a bayou in Louisiana - I love the Miss Fortune series - and the smallish town of Last Chance was an interesting place (although much larger than Sinful).
The supernatural element was a major part of the plot, yet wasn’t in your face over the top, which I appreciated. Harold was a complete selfish a$$ and the LeDoux family were awful (I’m sad to see that they didn’t get their comeuppance quite as much as I’d hoped). Halcyon was a wonderfully supportive character, and her feisty personality was such a great counterpoint for Marina’s more laid back nature. Avery, although not present for the whole book, was full of spit and vinegar. She’d be great in her own series as an adult. Then there is Alexios, who was... um, interesting? I’ll let you discover him for yourself.
Anyhoo, if you love the Miss Fortune books, then there are two delightfully sassy senior ladies that guide Marina, plus a game warden who reminds me of a certain Deputy 😉
A great start to a new series.
4 stars ⭐️
I adored this story. Loved the characters, loved to hate a few too, and Snooze was adorable. Wasn’t surprised that it was set near a bayou in Louisiana - I love the Miss Fortune series - and the smallish town of Last Chance was an interesting place (although much larger than Sinful).
The supernatural element was a major part of the plot, yet wasn’t in your face over the top, which I appreciated. Harold was a complete selfish a$$ and the LeDoux family were awful (I’m sad to see that they didn’t get their comeuppance quite as much as I’d hoped). Halcyon was a wonderfully supportive character, and her feisty personality was such a great counterpoint for Marina’s more laid back nature. Avery, although not present for the whole book, was full of spit and vinegar. She’d be great in her own series as an adult. Then there is Alexios, who was... um, interesting? I’ll let you discover him for yourself.
Anyhoo, if you love the Miss Fortune books, then there are two delightfully sassy senior ladies that guide Marina, plus a game warden who reminds me of a certain Deputy 😉
A great start to a new series.
4 stars ⭐️
February 24, 2020
MarinaAtMidlife1
Part of the Paranormal Women’s Fiction offering, which all offer heroines over forty who encounter the supernatural in themselves and around them.
Marina has had a crappy day. She heads home early to prep for a night of spice with her husband, having splurged on some risqué lingerie, only to find him at home and in bed with a chit wearing that same piece of lingerie! What a wake up call! It turns into a tumultuous week, especially when she learns her forty-eight year old self is a daughter of Aphrodite. This is her time to become a Seeker, looking for a stolen ring for Zeus, that has her many generations removed grandmother’s blood in the stone. Previous seekers include Cleopatra, Lady Godiva and Marilyn Monroe, who all came into their Aphrodite gene of great beauty after some childhood trauma. Marina’s trauma just happened this week and she can see the effects of the Aphrodite gene in her own hair and skin. So she undertakes the quest to find this invisible ring. What a hoot of a story!
Part of the Paranormal Women’s Fiction offering, which all offer heroines over forty who encounter the supernatural in themselves and around them.
Marina has had a crappy day. She heads home early to prep for a night of spice with her husband, having splurged on some risqué lingerie, only to find him at home and in bed with a chit wearing that same piece of lingerie! What a wake up call! It turns into a tumultuous week, especially when she learns her forty-eight year old self is a daughter of Aphrodite. This is her time to become a Seeker, looking for a stolen ring for Zeus, that has her many generations removed grandmother’s blood in the stone. Previous seekers include Cleopatra, Lady Godiva and Marilyn Monroe, who all came into their Aphrodite gene of great beauty after some childhood trauma. Marina’s trauma just happened this week and she can see the effects of the Aphrodite gene in her own hair and skin. So she undertakes the quest to find this invisible ring. What a hoot of a story!
January 13, 2021
I waited a bit to finally listen/read this book. Honestly, I was hoping that book 2 would have already been released. But that didn’t happen. 🤣
So I decided to go ahead and dive into this world. Since I kept going back to the cover. Ohh, I absolutely loved this book!!
The things that happened in this town left me speechless and then had me laughing. The book is a PWF book, however this book had just a little bit of paranormal elements, but I didn’t mind one bit. The drama was hilarious and it kept me intrigued in the little town of “Last Chance”. I absolutely loved Marina and her sister and I actually liked Avery too!!
The author does a fabulous job of wrapping things up and leaving a few things open for possibly another book. It’s a good book to see if you would like a pwf book and test the waters so to speak.
The narrator had a bit of accent that I didn’t care for, but I listened to a 1.8x speed and it wasn’t as bad. Soon enough the narrator had me laughing to the story with their shenanigans. As always, listen to the sample and see if it’s for you.
So I decided to go ahead and dive into this world. Since I kept going back to the cover. Ohh, I absolutely loved this book!!
The things that happened in this town left me speechless and then had me laughing. The book is a PWF book, however this book had just a little bit of paranormal elements, but I didn’t mind one bit. The drama was hilarious and it kept me intrigued in the little town of “Last Chance”. I absolutely loved Marina and her sister and I actually liked Avery too!!
The author does a fabulous job of wrapping things up and leaving a few things open for possibly another book. It’s a good book to see if you would like a pwf book and test the waters so to speak.
The narrator had a bit of accent that I didn’t care for, but I listened to a 1.8x speed and it wasn’t as bad. Soon enough the narrator had me laughing to the story with their shenanigans. As always, listen to the sample and see if it’s for you.
February 22, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is Wonderful!
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2020
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Jana Deleon's introduction into the Paranormal Women's Fiction genre is a Winner! This book is so much fun, as well as being insightful. Marina is an average 48yo woman, with a teen just off to college, and a husband that can't seem to do anything for himself, except what he wants. When her world explodes as she finds him in her bed with another woman, she has the craziest week of her life.
There are so many levels to this story, it really spoke to me as an older woman. While there is a lot to discuss, I don't do spoilers, so buy the book and get reading today!
This is Wonderful!
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2020
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Jana Deleon's introduction into the Paranormal Women's Fiction genre is a Winner! This book is so much fun, as well as being insightful. Marina is an average 48yo woman, with a teen just off to college, and a husband that can't seem to do anything for himself, except what he wants. When her world explodes as she finds him in her bed with another woman, she has the craziest week of her life.
There are so many levels to this story, it really spoke to me as an older woman. While there is a lot to discuss, I don't do spoilers, so buy the book and get reading today!
March 4, 2020
A fabulous book by an awesome author! I loved the many strong women who played parts in this book. There was man-bashing (that always makes me feel uncomfortable) but it was reserved primarily for men who really deserved it. When all was said and done, magic inserted into Marina's life was brilliant. It was a way to prove she could succeed on her own merit, and how friends can bring their own magic into your life. I laughed so hard at some of the sister's actions and comments. Let me just say two words: Crisco and Spandex. Nice to read a book that included women of all ages working together. It just dawned on me that some of the older women could be kin to Ida Belle and Gertie from Sinful. No wonder I liked Miss Kitty, Dottie, and Adelaide so much! I sure hope there are more books to come about Marina, Halcyon, Luke and Last Chance. Louisiana! Highly recommended!
February 21, 2020
Jana DeLeon does it again! I want to be Marina, Halcyon, Adelaide & Dottie when I grow up. As much as I absolutely love all of Jana’s other books, this could be my favorite. I related to the women more than any characters I’ve ever read before. I aspire to have their “I don’t care what anyone thinks of me, I’m happy being me” attitude.
Although I don’t normally read paranormal genre, this was not some weird, sci-fi stuff. And it was light & humorous. I would not be upset if Jana turned this into a series. I already miss the cast of characters & I’m craving more! Seriously, read this book! You won’t be sorry!
Although I don’t normally read paranormal genre, this was not some weird, sci-fi stuff. And it was light & humorous. I would not be upset if Jana turned this into a series. I already miss the cast of characters & I’m craving more! Seriously, read this book! You won’t be sorry!
March 12, 2020
2020 bk 85: Laugh out loud funny - Jana Deleon has such a good hand at writing slapstick scenes and she continues that tradition in this new series Marina at Midlife. I'm already looking forward to the sequel. Marina's life is seeming crashing down around her when she learns that she is a descendent of Aphrodite - the one who missed the beautiful gene, but managed to acquire the kind and intelligent dna strands. Zeus believes her first job is that as a sequal, but this Mom knows her first job is protecting her daughter. I so enjoyed this book that when I finished it, I turned around and read again.
February 17, 2020
I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
This was a great book !
Marina was going to go home early to surprise her husband.
Instead, she got a surprise of a lifetime:
Her husband in bed with another women.
Now what ?
Can Marina star over at the age of 48 ?
On top of that, she is supposed to save the world.
Just shoot her now! LOL
Loved the characters + the storytelling !
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!
I can't wait for Marina's next adventure.
This was a great book !
Marina was going to go home early to surprise her husband.
Instead, she got a surprise of a lifetime:
Her husband in bed with another women.
Now what ?
Can Marina star over at the age of 48 ?
On top of that, she is supposed to save the world.
Just shoot her now! LOL
Loved the characters + the storytelling !
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!
I can't wait for Marina's next adventure.
March 6, 2020
Not wrong side at all! Fabulous would be right description of it!
When life turns upside down and you got a choice to start absolutely new life and be who you want to be and who you want to spend your time with. Add some Greek gods and magic to it and story just flows! Hilariously funny story line with many great developed characters, some to love some to hate, some you just laugh at. Marina, Falcyon, Alexios... I adore the elder ladies Dottie and Adelaide! I want to be them when I grow up!
Can't wait for the next book to see what's for Marina and crew coming next.
When life turns upside down and you got a choice to start absolutely new life and be who you want to be and who you want to spend your time with. Add some Greek gods and magic to it and story just flows! Hilariously funny story line with many great developed characters, some to love some to hate, some you just laugh at. Marina, Falcyon, Alexios... I adore the elder ladies Dottie and Adelaide! I want to be them when I grow up!
Can't wait for the next book to see what's for Marina and crew coming next.
February 18, 2020
Another amazing book in the PWF world of authors. Marina has learned there is more to this world than just Earth and in her crisis that her husband caused, is now on an important mission to set matters right, but in what way? You need to grab a copy of this book, you will not be disappointed. Laughter, animosity and adventure lies ahead.
I voluntarily received an ARC copy of this book for review.
I voluntarily received an ARC copy of this book for review.
February 21, 2020
Find the ring save the world!
What is an almost 50 year old supposed to do after finding her husband cheating? How about go on an adventure to save the world and discover she is stronger than she ever thought she was! Toss in a demi god, a hotty, 2 old southern ladies and a wacky sister just for funsies! Great developed characters, funny moments, serious moments and a great plot.
What is an almost 50 year old supposed to do after finding her husband cheating? How about go on an adventure to save the world and discover she is stronger than she ever thought she was! Toss in a demi god, a hotty, 2 old southern ladies and a wacky sister just for funsies! Great developed characters, funny moments, serious moments and a great plot.
February 21, 2020
Middle-aged housewife saves the world!
This whole story made me rejoice in the strength of middle-aged women. We are beautiful from the love layered on for over 4 decades and like our heroine have gathered wisdom, strength, and a well-honed survival instinct. Join this fun author as she takes you back into the bayou, but this time there is more magic than alligators when a cheated on housewife has to save the world! If you like mystery, magic, and defeating preconceived notions of how middle aged women should behave, this is the book for you!
This whole story made me rejoice in the strength of middle-aged women. We are beautiful from the love layered on for over 4 decades and like our heroine have gathered wisdom, strength, and a well-honed survival instinct. Join this fun author as she takes you back into the bayou, but this time there is more magic than alligators when a cheated on housewife has to save the world! If you like mystery, magic, and defeating preconceived notions of how middle aged women should behave, this is the book for you!
February 28, 2020
This book may be titled 'Wrong Side of Forty' but it hit the right side of almost everything I like in a book! The story is engaging and the characters are alternately funny and wise. I was either laughing or highlighting sentences that I liked. The main character and her problems were well written and I enjoyed the supporting cast and their stories which added so much to the book. I will definitely look up more of Jana DeLeon's books after reading this one.
September 5, 2020
What a fun start to a new series! Although it did not make me laugh out loud repeatedly, as Ms. DeLeon's "Miss Fortune" series is want to do, it did keep me chuckling and turning pages! This is not a mystery, but a story of a newly-single woman on, well, the wrong side of forty, finding her way in a new town and under very, very unusual circumstances! I managed to read this book all in one delicious gulp! Set your disbelief aside (but don't let it wander too far), sit back, and enjoy!
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