Holiday Recipe for Madcap Merrymaking in Jackrabbit Junction Start with a bawdy night sprinkled with tinsel tassels and jingle balls, toss in a missing pair of underwear, and top it all off with plenty of sugary shenanigans. Serve with a side of naughty and nice.
Claire Morgan and her sisters are a tad twitchy. Their father is on his way for their first Christmas in Arizona, but the tidings of joy are few and far between. For one thing, their mother is pissed about her ex-husband flying in to play Santa. For another, their mother is just pissed. Period.
Christmas will never be the same again for the Morgan sisters.
Ann Charles—Author Nearly Departed in Deadwood, the 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award Winner and a 2011 RWA Golden Heart Award Winner. *USA Today Best Selling Author, *Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author *Barnes & Noble Top 100 Bestselling Author *Winner Suspense Magazine Best of 2012, 2015. 2016 *Winner of Paranormal Grand Prize from Chanticleer Book Reviews and Media, *Winner of Southern Writers Best Covers Contest You'll laugh. You'll cringe. You'll want more.
The Morgan sisters are always up to something. Their mother is just as crazy. Since their mother eloped, they have a bachelorette party for her. Let's just say a lot of cognac is involved with some dirty santas, elfs and grinches. The next day, Claire wakes up in a bathtub and Ronnie in her mother's bed with no underwear. What happened? The girls' father is coming to town for Christmas and has sent their mother off the rails. Again. Is it going to be a Merry Christmas or will it all get derailed?
Well, what can one say about such a suggestive title, hahahahaahaha, in this jolly, happy season? Hahahahahahahaha, and do pay attention to the titles because they are a big part of the story and of the feeling of the whole book and, I assure you, that it's something you don't want to miss, specially if Christmas is your favourite holiday season, and/or you love Christmas movies. Nice.
Ann Charles packs some serious, priceless humour, both in the titles of her collections and in the narrative and a very pleasant read awaits us on this short-story, part of the Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series
Crazy skeleton illustrations, and warnings, welcome you to this read and it's hilarious, so prepare for the illogically quirky and funny narrative and descriptions of Ann Charles, hahahahaha. We will tell you this: the phrase "what the hell?" will be constantly on the back of your mind, and the smile on your face will stay for so long that it will start to hurt. Hahahaahahahaha, oh man this is funny!
So, this book, this chapter of the series, focuses on the theme of divorce and marital issues, mixed with an insanely crazy, odd and humorous family dynamics with some thriller and suspense spice. We have the mother, Deborah, going through the divorce and re-marrying processes, while her daughters are getting married, pregnant or even avoiding commitment like the devil avoids holy water, and the fact that it starts with all of them having a “belated bachelorette” celebration at a strip club, does not help to decrease the weirdness of the story, specially when there are grinches and santa’s all around.
Curious is how Ann Charles made de dynamics of these women and you can clearly see what is happening as mother and daughters take "sweet jabs" at each other, challenge each other to drink themselves to forgetfulness, or a comma, and then... bind themselves with and ride their mother like a bull? Yes, this is the vein of weirdness and humour on this book, and it's gold, I tell ya. Be prepared for puns, analogies and words combinations like "booger sugar", "moneymakers", and “Pregosaurus Rex” for reasons that logic cannot explain.
Things only get wilder as the pages grow and the other characters start to get some action going in the book as well, and by action I mean conflicts with exes, - Ex-husbands, Ex-wives and Ex-Boyfriends - and secrets being tossed to the wall like spaghetti while some loudmouths run away from them as fast as they can, lol. Everyone has a place and a deep hand inside the chaos of this delightful story that guarantees laughter at every other paragraph.
Nasty surprises and drunken regrets will make this even more interesting and about to blow up to the skies as "accidents" playout in an impossible and jaw dropping way and it seems that alcohol was the potion of all of the disasters, while there’s the growing mystery of the obsidian knife that might, miiiiight be a curse inducing object, as if this family didn't have enough troubles on their own, add missing panties, a missing drunk mother and... pregnancy to that and you can start to imagine the size of picture. This novella is a gem, hahahhahhahaha.
Of course, this book isn't just lols, fun and cognac drunken games on a strip club, and a lot of tying up, but it's also, as we said before, about divorce and the struggles, needs and internal issues of divorced people, told in an understanding and emotional way, glittered with a lot of sarcasm and jokes, yet, not less serious about the situation. It's nice to read a book that actively shows the struggles of divorced women and not just mention or simply "brush" the concept of getting and/or being divorced. It's enlightening really.
If you are a fan of classic Christmas movies, and songs, you will ADORE this book, although this is the 4th book of the series, you can read this book without reading the others and you will want to read the other books, all of them after reading this*, or you can just get to read this inviting series from the start, and you will LOVE it all the way.
This book is VERY well written, and the chapters of the series, the novellas, are short enough for you to read in one sitting, in around an hour or two, and this is a series that you want to read, specially if you are feeling down or just wanting to have a merry ol'time for no reason.
Pros: • Insane humour infused in the characters, in the narrative AND in the story itself • Incredible and quirky, very odd characters that have singular personalities that make them super extra original • Great narrative, simply great. No problems whatsoever, the whole experience is flawless narrative-wise • A story that invites you to keep flipping the pages • The romance was very well put, in all of the senses • The main message about divorce was well given, very well integrated on the story • The family conflicts were VERY well put in each and every character as per their roles and their past • The emotional conflicts and struggles were very well illustrated and makes the reader think between laughs, very nice • The Christmas, and nudie spirit touched the ears and brains of the readers, because the imagery was too strong, and at times, not so merry
Cons: • We didn’t have enough skeleton illustrations, hahahahaaahahaha, great book
Favorite Character: Crazy Kate Lesson of the book: “Never have strip club, cognac and family on the same phrase, or night”
‘Life, love, divorce, and Christmas!’ – a fun holiday frolic
Arizona author Ann Charles earned her degree in English and Creative Writing from the University of Washington and is a prolific novelist specializing in fiction – a blend of romance, mystery, things bizarre, and humor. Her work has been rewarded by not only a large audience of fans, but also with recognition in such awards as The Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence and the Romance writers of America Golden Heart Award among others. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Western Writers of America.
The ability to make fine mystery hilarious is a gift Ann Charles owns. Her stories are populated with strange characters whose idiosyncrasies amplify the plot line. This novel is a short story/novella and her writing is so fluid and bracing that reading the book becomes an addictive pleasure that many readers will find it is a fine evening’s read. The cleverly titled story is the latest addition to her popular Jackrabbit Junction Humorous Mystery Series featuring the Morgan sisters.
Ann opens the door with her characteristic humor with a bit of a warning “The Morgan sisters are back just in time for Christmas’ and then proceeds to paint the scene – ‘Once upon a time, there was a rusty old railroad whistle-stop in a prickly, wind-scoured desert that Santa Claus had left behind for the buzzards to peck the hell out of,” Claire Morgan said, starting her Christmas tale. She had to speak loud enough to be heard over the heavy bass beat throbbing from the overhead speakers in the strip club…’ As a bow to newcomers, Ann tosses in a full cast of the characters in Yuccaville, Arizona.
That fun play on wards creates a winsome dialogue that flows through the story that the author condenses as follows: ‘Start with a bawdy night sprinkled with tinsel tassels and jingle balls, toss in a missing pair of underwear, and top it all off with plenty of sugary shenanigans. Serve with a side of naughty and nice. Claire Morgan and her sisters are a tad twitchy. Their father is on his way for their first Christmas in Arizona, but the tidings of joy are few and far between. For one thing, their mother is pissed about her ex-husband flying in to play Santa. For another, their mother is just pissed. Period. Christmas will never be the same again for the Morgan sisters.’ CS Kunkle adds the cover art.
The adventure provides just that sort of diversion we all need on occasion – solid story development ushering in interesting and somewhat askew characters all related with one fine bunch of belly laughs. Read and enjoy! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
This was such a fun and humorous read! The author did an amazing job of creating the perfect balance within the atmosphere between tension and charm. The setting plays such a crucial part in the story, allowing readers to feel transported to Jackrabbit Junctions, a town and atmosphere many readers could probably relate to, as well as the holiday hijinks that family gatherings during the holidays often bring, although this book definitely ramps that feeling up to an 11.
The characters were the focal point of this narrative to be sure. The bond and relationship each sister had not only with one another but with their frayed parents and the people closest to them in life. The rough and tumble lifestyle many of them lead and the hilarious descriptive inert actions they all have on this night of holiday hilarity was so entertaining to read and watch unfold, and the bond of this one-of-a-kind family will have readers laughing immediately.
The Verdict
A memorable, hilarious, and engaging holiday fiction, author Ann Charles’s “Jackrabbit Jingle Balls” is a must-read novella within this unique book series. The holiday setting and quick pace of the story will not only be inviting to readers of all genres, but the fans who have been with the author on this memorable journey into the Jackrabbit Junctions universe from the beginning, and it serves as the perfect companion read leading into the fifth book of the series.
Lastly there's Kate the youngest sister who decides to visit after being let go from her teaching position. Deciding to stick around she gets a job serving drinks in a local and ends up becoming involved with the owner Butch. That's the nutshell version it does not to into the stolen treasures hidden away in the local mines, which the smugglers are determined to reclaim, the hit men after Ronnie or the fact that Kate keeps getting into situation that end with her being arrested by Grady. These girls put the fun in dysfunctional. Their banter is laugh out loud hilarious and you have a varied and eclectic mix of supporting characters. I love, love, love this series and wish the Author could write more, a visit to the Junction is always entertaining. In this one we have a hen night in a strip club, a missing mum and a Christmas visit from their father. Good times.
This book takes place right before book 5 which has already been released. The Morgan sisters have their hands full this Christmas. They’re dealing with their mom and her drinking and new marriage, along with their dad coming to visit for the first time since the divorce. And introducing Mac and Grady to their dad has everyone quaking in their boots! The sisters have some humorous times including dealing with Deborah’s bachelorette party at a strip club, but there’s also a solid thread of seriousness as Claire, Ronnie and Kate learn more about their parents’ marriage and divorce.
I enjoyed learning more about Deborah’s past. This was a good book that fleshes out the characters more—makes them more real and complex.
There are certain authors which I don’t question. The book comes out and I’m buying it. No need to read the “book description “ or check the ratings. I love all of Ann’s books. I also love the characters, their personalities and how they banter with each other. I also like how the characters family and friends lead into other story lines. Ann never disappoints. When her books come out it’s like being a kid in a candy store and there’s a new flavor to your favorite candy. My only complaint (which is worth nothing) I wish her books were longer. If you haven’t read the other series you are missing out big time!!!
Where is Mom? The girls get their antics the old fashioned way by inheriting from their mother. This is another fun romp with the 3 sisters, crazy Kate now pregnant and not liking it much. But she does love Butch. I see wedding bells around the corner before baby is born. Everyone drank too much and must have felt awful. A cognac hangover must be right up there with other sweet drink ones. Glad I gave that up. I love this series and am so glad that there are so many options for reading the books. It gives the author a variety of projects to work on. Give yourself a treat and read the entire set. You’ll love Violet and Doc.
Ann Charles has done it again with this absolutely hilarious tale of Christmas with the wacky denizens of Jackrabbit Junction. One of her best short stories yet. I chuckled, I giggled and I laughed out loud. Claire, Ronnie and pregasaurus Kate are in rare form while their mother, Deborah, is nose deep in cognac. Drama abounds and nothing is really resolved in preparation for the next full length book in the series. At least I hope so! Read this for a delightfully wacky break in your holiday drama. P.S. kudos and a tip of the Santa hat to artist C.S. Kunkle's great art. They were great little holiday treats sprinkled thru out the book. Perfection!
A new story full of signature over-the-top Morgan sister escapades! Another adventure of ridiculous hilarity that Claire, Ronnie, & "Don't call me CRAZY" Kate put themselves & their lucky, but long suffering, men through. Add in the usual family & friends for a unique cast of characters that will keep you laughing from beginning to end.
I have yet to read an Ann Charles book that disappoints. Her Jackrabbit Junction stories overflow w/ laughs, hair-raising adventure, heat, love, & enough sass & attitude to fill a bus...or Winnebago. **For a mature audience who doesn't mind some bawdy language & imagery.**
As Christmas approaches, the Morgan sisters find themselves out celebrating their mother’s recent nuptials with lots of cognac, strippers and glitter. In this short story you get to look a little deeper into the dynamics of the Morgan sisters and their family as well as some of hints of what craziness and trouble might be lying ahead for the sisters. I found this to be a quick and fun read that had me laughing out loud! I just love these characters and if you have not read the entire Jackrabbit Junction series, I highly recommend!
I Love this series and this one was so funny!Throw in a strip club, cognac and three sisters makes for interesting conversation and antics . I am one of four sisters and have had the drunk sister conversations. Always funny and memorable. This one included sexy men and proposals? Will Kate ever say yes and will Mac ever ask Claire? So much fun to read!
Loved the book. I swear I'm going to be dead before Kate has that baby. Very entertaining and fun read. Lots going on and finding out new things on the people is great. Wish it hadn't been so short. Thoroughly enjoyable read and quick at that. I really enjoy finding out new things about the characters so very nice. The next book can't get here soon enough!!!!!
This takes place just before book 5 so be warned. We know that the Morgan Sisters get into trouble even when they are trying to stay on the right side of the law. What could happen when we get them into Dirty Gertie’s and throw in their mom. Fun times and tinsel. Join the posse and the family drama for the holidays. Love it!
This book occurs immediately prior to Book 5. I like Ann's novellas because they give more insight into the characters and the backstories for the character interactions in the longer novels. I view these stories as the "extra stuff" she would like to include but doesn't so the books aren't as long as "War and Peace" :D If you like the jackrabbit Junction gang, you will enjoy this book!
I love the Morgan sisters and the rest of the gang in the Jackrabbit Junction series! This Morgan sisters novella doesn't disappoint and I found myself laughing out loud at times! Jackrabbit Jingle Balls is definitely a fun read for the holiday season!
Another hilarious addition to a laugh out loud series! Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2021 From the first page I was laughing my whole way through this book. A hilarious romp through the holidays with the Morgan sisters, what more could you want? God I love these characters! Thanks Ann Charles for a wonderful fun read.
Funny and craziness abound with these sisters and their unstable mother. It starts out with a drunken night and transitions to Christmas. In this story you will get into the heads of several of the characters. We find out a little more about the Morgan girls and their ideas about marriage and how they drive their men crazy. But crazy makes the world go round.
A fun Christmas read that has the Morgan sisters wreaking havoc and getting into more trouble in Jackrabbit Junction once again. These girls have a knack for getting themselves into trouble, even the holidays can’t keep them down. A must-read novella that will have you laughing out loud and shaking your head at the sisters crazy antics and natural tendency to find trouble around every corner.
I enjoy the three sisters and their antics plus the mystery story. In this book there is a lot going on but the big part is the finally meeting of Dad by Brady. Butch has not given up on asking Katie to marry him. But Mac is afraid that Claire might refuse him. No dead bodies but lots of family action. It is a great book and I enjoyed it immensely!
I have yet to read an Ann Charles book that wasn't creatively ingenious, interesting and absolute fun. She is one of my favorite authors. This book is just as interesting as all the others. I am just sad that the time between books is so long as I am always ready for the next book immediately after finishing the recent release.
This is a Xmas novella in the Jackrabbit Junction series. Lois of Xmas movie quotes thrown in making this fun to read. If you haven't read the previous books in the series - read them first to get the most enjoyment of this book.
I love reading about the morgan sisters! They always keep me guessing about what shenanigans they will get into next! Anne is an excellent author i would recomend any of her books :)
The Morgan sisters & Co. are back and as zany and wild as ever! Join them as they celebrate Christmas the only way they know how: with raucous and offbeat antics in the Arizona desert!
This is a good but short story. I usually don’t read short stories but it’s Jackrabbit Junction so, I basically had to. Anyway, it’s nice to catch up with everyone again...can’t wait for the next big adventure...hopefully soon. Definitely worth a read
When your mom organizes her own bachelorette party, at a strip club, with drinking games, it can only go downhill from there. The Morgan sisters gear up for the holidays with their wacky family and friends and their perplexed and confused boyfriends. Love and chaos reign!
Another enjoyable romp with the Morgan sisters. The book was hilarious and I truly loved every minute. I so look forward to the adventures in the Dancing Winnebago's RV park and the crazy inhabitants. Thank you for never disappointing me!!
Nice little story covering the Morgan Sisters and their men. Bridal showers, grinches, strip clubs ....what more can you ask for? Another great story by Ann Charles .
Once again this author has hit a home run with her story line and the way she writes to make the reader feel like they are actually a part of the story themselves. I have read all the stores she has written and never been disappointed in any of them. She is a true winner in my opinion,