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Voodoo in Mojo #1
In Deep Voodoo
START WITH BAD MOJO...
There's something strange afoot in the small town of Mojo, Louisiana. Yet even as the annual voodoo festival gets underway, Penny Francisco, who runs a health food business, refuses to believe in black magic. Her mind is on celebrating her divorce from her lying, cheating husband Deke.
ADD A PINPRICK OF REVENGE...
Fueled by run-ins with her ex-mother-in-law and Deke's busty mistress, Penny is eager for the "emancipation party" her friends plan. When she receives a Deke voodoo doll as a gag gift, she sticks it with a pin as a joke. But when Deke winds up fatally stabbed, the police aren't laughing.
AND WATCH THINGS BOIL OVER...
A junk-food junkie P.I. offers his services, and although Penny is wary of the sexy Cajun's motives (and his diet), she's desperate. Dodging a media sideshow and a looming murder rap, Penny realizes that somehow she's landed herself In Deep Voodoo.
There's something strange afoot in the small town of Mojo, Louisiana. Yet even as the annual voodoo festival gets underway, Penny Francisco, who runs a health food business, refuses to believe in black magic. Her mind is on celebrating her divorce from her lying, cheating husband Deke.
ADD A PINPRICK OF REVENGE...
Fueled by run-ins with her ex-mother-in-law and Deke's busty mistress, Penny is eager for the "emancipation party" her friends plan. When she receives a Deke voodoo doll as a gag gift, she sticks it with a pin as a joke. But when Deke winds up fatally stabbed, the police aren't laughing.
AND WATCH THINGS BOIL OVER...
A junk-food junkie P.I. offers his services, and although Penny is wary of the sexy Cajun's motives (and his diet), she's desperate. Dodging a media sideshow and a looming murder rap, Penny realizes that somehow she's landed herself In Deep Voodoo.
Audiobook
First published September 27, 2005
About the author
Stephanie Bond
563 books1,809 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Stephanie Bond was seven years deep into a systems engineering career and pursuing an MBA at night when an instructor remarked that she had a flair for writing and suggested that she submit to academic journals. But Stephanie, a voracious reader, was only interested in writing fiction–more specifically, romantic fiction.
Upon completing her master’s degree and with no formal training in writing (her undergraduate degree is in computer programming), she started writing a romance novel in her spare time. Two years later in 1995 she sold her first manuscript, a romantic comedy, to Harlequin Books.
In 1997, with ten sales under her belt to two publishers, Stephanie left her corporate job to write women’s romantic fiction full-time. In 2011,
Stephanie launched a self-publishing business. Since that time, she has sold more than 1 million copies of her own books. To-date, Stephanie has published over 70 novels and has over 6 million copies of her work in worldwide distribution in numerous languages and formats.
Upon completing her master’s degree and with no formal training in writing (her undergraduate degree is in computer programming), she started writing a romance novel in her spare time. Two years later in 1995 she sold her first manuscript, a romantic comedy, to Harlequin Books.
In 1997, with ten sales under her belt to two publishers, Stephanie left her corporate job to write women’s romantic fiction full-time. In 2011,
Stephanie launched a self-publishing business. Since that time, she has sold more than 1 million copies of her own books. To-date, Stephanie has published over 70 novels and has over 6 million copies of her work in worldwide distribution in numerous languages and formats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
December 15, 2018
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The words we release into the universe often come back to haunt us when we least expect it. So when the book starts off with . . .
"I COULD kill Deke for this, Penny Francisco said."
In this intriguing and compelling tale, a murder does take place. Deke is found dead! Yep and guess who finds him and is considered a suspect? Of course, Penny Francisco, his ex-wife, has a mountain of circumstantial evidence against her.
The last words uttered by Deke to Penny were: "You were too good for me," he said, his expression suspiciously sincere. His words were nirvana to her ears, the closest he'd come to saying that he was sorry...
Along comes B.J., a private investigator who is good looking and attracts Penny's interest immediately. He seems to be her guardian angel, helping her through this horrendous ordeal, until her self-doubts crumble her confidence and fill her with self-doubt and thoughts of his perceived betrayal.
Cozy mysteries do not usually contain such explicit sexual details. This one includes two such scenes, which I personally could have done without That is one of the plusses in reading this genre. So a star dropped off.
The twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end. I did not see how the conclusion would turn out at all! There was one detail that was not revealed and I was very curious about it. I will have to adjust the conclusion to include my own choice in this case. I initially thought of 3.5 stars, but bumped it up because it was very entertaining. Maybe not enough to read again, but it filled its purpose at the time.
This book is able to stand on its own and there was an H.E.A. I would recommend this book for cozy mystery buffs. The author had planned to write at least a 5 part series, but I only find two. That is unfortunate.
The words we release into the universe often come back to haunt us when we least expect it. So when the book starts off with . . .
"I COULD kill Deke for this, Penny Francisco said."
In this intriguing and compelling tale, a murder does take place. Deke is found dead! Yep and guess who finds him and is considered a suspect? Of course, Penny Francisco, his ex-wife, has a mountain of circumstantial evidence against her.
The last words uttered by Deke to Penny were: "You were too good for me," he said, his expression suspiciously sincere. His words were nirvana to her ears, the closest he'd come to saying that he was sorry...
Along comes B.J., a private investigator who is good looking and attracts Penny's interest immediately. He seems to be her guardian angel, helping her through this horrendous ordeal, until her self-doubts crumble her confidence and fill her with self-doubt and thoughts of his perceived betrayal.
Cozy mysteries do not usually contain such explicit sexual details. This one includes two such scenes, which I personally could have done without That is one of the plusses in reading this genre. So a star dropped off.
The twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end. I did not see how the conclusion would turn out at all! There was one detail that was not revealed and I was very curious about it. I will have to adjust the conclusion to include my own choice in this case. I initially thought of 3.5 stars, but bumped it up because it was very entertaining. Maybe not enough to read again, but it filled its purpose at the time.
This book is able to stand on its own and there was an H.E.A. I would recommend this book for cozy mystery buffs. The author had planned to write at least a 5 part series, but I only find two. That is unfortunate.
July 27, 2012
I chose this book from my free downloads for the Kindle. This was a really fun and quick read. There is plenty of laugh out loud moments all the way to the end.
I enjoyed all of the characters in this book. Penny is the main character and while she helps solve the mystery, she is not portrayed as a “true amateur sleuth” in this book. She kind of takes side notes with B.J. the PI who is visiting town working on missing persons cases. Penny has a few secrets herself.
Penny owns a health food store and has some great friends that work for her. Marie and Guy are the main workers. Guy is gay, or at least he hasn’t learned that yet, and Marie has fun trying to liven up Penny’s life. Several town people visit the store, some on a daily basis, others more frequent, who add spice to the mystery and fun.
My favorite thing about this book was that it wasn’t your typical cozy mystery or romance. It had mystery. It had the ingredients of a cozy mystery. It had the romance, and at times was quite steamy. However, the author has done an amazing job of blending these things together in a very different way than “usual”.
I enjoyed all of the characters in this book. Penny is the main character and while she helps solve the mystery, she is not portrayed as a “true amateur sleuth” in this book. She kind of takes side notes with B.J. the PI who is visiting town working on missing persons cases. Penny has a few secrets herself.
Penny owns a health food store and has some great friends that work for her. Marie and Guy are the main workers. Guy is gay, or at least he hasn’t learned that yet, and Marie has fun trying to liven up Penny’s life. Several town people visit the store, some on a daily basis, others more frequent, who add spice to the mystery and fun.
My favorite thing about this book was that it wasn’t your typical cozy mystery or romance. It had mystery. It had the ingredients of a cozy mystery. It had the romance, and at times was quite steamy. However, the author has done an amazing job of blending these things together in a very different way than “usual”.
September 7, 2012
3 1/2 out of 5 stars. Having never before read any of this author's works, I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining this light mystery is. It is not destined to be a classic or even a book I remember reading six months from now but it satisfied what I wanted at the time --- something fun, enjoyable, and the literary equivalent of a small bag of potato chips.
There were parts grisly enough that they didn't bear thinking about too much. There were voodoo sacrifices, not much appreciated by me. There were surprises and there were “I saw that one coming” bits. There was a bit of fairly explicit sex. There were romantic innuendos. I liked the characters even if some were a bit stereotypical and not with as much depth. And I liked the protagonist. A nice escapist read. And unlike too many e-books I've read, the formatting was nicely done.
There were parts grisly enough that they didn't bear thinking about too much. There were voodoo sacrifices, not much appreciated by me. There were surprises and there were “I saw that one coming” bits. There was a bit of fairly explicit sex. There were romantic innuendos. I liked the characters even if some were a bit stereotypical and not with as much depth. And I liked the protagonist. A nice escapist read. And unlike too many e-books I've read, the formatting was nicely done.
September 12, 2016
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
In Deep Voodoo is an enjoyable, cute, and easy to read, fast-paced cozy--except for the two detailed sex scenes, of course, because I've never seen them so 'adult' in other cozies (so correct me if I'm wrong). I'll admit that the mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing, although I had a bit of an idea what was going on even if I couldn't pinpoint who the killer was. Little hints here and there, after all, very obviously point at the resolution to one of the mysteries circling this book.
The book started out very strong and continued on in that same vein. The characters were all pretty quirky and the atmosphere of the Voodoo festival was set-up really well. Those moments when Penny is heading to Deke's home, whenever she's ascending the stairs to her home, and even some other moments in the story, were depicted in such a way that I could kind of feel a chill.
But as the book approached it's ending, I have to say, it felt very rushed and detached. In my mind's eye, I was kind of seeing a checklist of "Events that need to happen to resolve this mystery," and after each scene was written and slightly touched upon, we immediately careened in to the next item on the checklist. It gave the effect of feeling very detached when the scene called for some emotional impact, or very comical when it was supposed to be kind of serious. It was almost jarring to finish the book.
The romance was also a bit forced. Our couple, Penny and B.J. are both attracted to each other, yes. And they're lusting after each other. I can give them that much, because attraction at first sight is allowed. But Penny spends about 80% of the book questioning what she even really knows about B.J. that when the "I love you's" are thrown out, it felt kind of sudden. I think I would have settled with a more realistic, "I really like you and I want to see where this relationship goes," type of conclusion to their little love story. Because the romance just wasn't developed enough in this book to really merit "I love you" declarations... as is typical of most romances, anyway, so whatever, I guess.
Penny's healthy habits are commendable, and I found it a nice personality trait--that she's so health conscious with her organic foods, multivitamins, natural herbs, regular exercise... That was all an interesting character trait to incorporate, as opposed to the "I eat everything in the world, but never get fat" character trait that's used too often. Of course, because I myself will eat anything and everything that tastes good to me, after a while Penny's little remarks about what other people eat gets a little irritating and overdone. I started getting this twitchy little grimace. Because I don't care if someone keeps to a diet that works for them--in fact, good for them; but once you start judging everyone else's food choices, it kind of crosses a line, you know.
I mean, how rude is it to watch someone eating a hamburger and say something like, "How can you eat that disgusting filth? You're going to clog your arteries and die of a heart attack." Or how about, "Do you know what is actually in that pizza?" Not exactly polite dinner table subjects, y'know.
Anyway...
Aside from those few little complaints, I really honestly enjoyed reading In Deep Voodoo. It was simple and sweet and straightforward. It is a cozy mystery with a side of romance, with quirky characters. It was simply enjoyable.
***
2016 Reading Challenges:
• Goodreads Reading Challenge
• BookLikes Reading Challenge
• Reading Assignment Challenge
• Bookish Resolutions Challenge
• 2016 Halloween Bingo
In Deep Voodoo is an enjoyable, cute, and easy to read, fast-paced cozy--except for the two detailed sex scenes, of course, because I've never seen them so 'adult' in other cozies (so correct me if I'm wrong). I'll admit that the mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing, although I had a bit of an idea what was going on even if I couldn't pinpoint who the killer was. Little hints here and there, after all, very obviously point at the resolution to one of the mysteries circling this book.
The book started out very strong and continued on in that same vein. The characters were all pretty quirky and the atmosphere of the Voodoo festival was set-up really well. Those moments when Penny is heading to Deke's home, whenever she's ascending the stairs to her home, and even some other moments in the story, were depicted in such a way that I could kind of feel a chill.
But as the book approached it's ending, I have to say, it felt very rushed and detached. In my mind's eye, I was kind of seeing a checklist of "Events that need to happen to resolve this mystery," and after each scene was written and slightly touched upon, we immediately careened in to the next item on the checklist. It gave the effect of feeling very detached when the scene called for some emotional impact, or very comical when it was supposed to be kind of serious. It was almost jarring to finish the book.
The romance was also a bit forced. Our couple, Penny and B.J. are both attracted to each other, yes. And they're lusting after each other. I can give them that much, because attraction at first sight is allowed. But Penny spends about 80% of the book questioning what she even really knows about B.J. that when the "I love you's" are thrown out, it felt kind of sudden. I think I would have settled with a more realistic, "I really like you and I want to see where this relationship goes," type of conclusion to their little love story. Because the romance just wasn't developed enough in this book to really merit "I love you" declarations... as is typical of most romances, anyway, so whatever, I guess.
Penny's healthy habits are commendable, and I found it a nice personality trait--that she's so health conscious with her organic foods, multivitamins, natural herbs, regular exercise... That was all an interesting character trait to incorporate, as opposed to the "I eat everything in the world, but never get fat" character trait that's used too often. Of course, because I myself will eat anything and everything that tastes good to me, after a while Penny's little remarks about what other people eat gets a little irritating and overdone. I started getting this twitchy little grimace. Because I don't care if someone keeps to a diet that works for them--in fact, good for them; but once you start judging everyone else's food choices, it kind of crosses a line, you know.
I mean, how rude is it to watch someone eating a hamburger and say something like, "How can you eat that disgusting filth? You're going to clog your arteries and die of a heart attack." Or how about, "Do you know what is actually in that pizza?" Not exactly polite dinner table subjects, y'know.
Anyway...
Aside from those few little complaints, I really honestly enjoyed reading In Deep Voodoo. It was simple and sweet and straightforward. It is a cozy mystery with a side of romance, with quirky characters. It was simply enjoyable.
***
2016 Reading Challenges:
• Goodreads Reading Challenge
• BookLikes Reading Challenge
• Reading Assignment Challenge
• Bookish Resolutions Challenge
• 2016 Halloween Bingo
May 31, 2013
I have finally finished this book! I have to admit, it took me some time to finish this book and not because it wasn't good, it was different! I liked it well enough but don't expect me to pick it up for a 2nd go.
Maybe part of the reason I had a didn't really get into the book as much as I'd hope was because I couldn't connect with Penny Francisco, the main character. I viewed her as a weakling and at some point I felt she got what she deserved because she allowed it to happen. If you don't speak up and tell people how you feel, you can't blame them for running all over you. Which is why everyone kept pulling a fast one on her. Her ex-husband, Deke was such a low-life himself. It was one thing for him to treat Penny the way he did and carry on with these affairs but he was also spineless when it came to his cold-hearted mother, Mona. Now that lady was something else. If I was introduced to a woman like her and was told she was going to be my new mother-in-law, I would've been like, 'nice knowing you buddy! no man is worth having that kind kind of a woman in my life, especially if my own man couldn't even stand up to her'! I'm cool with that!!! Going back to Penny being such a push-over, she let her man disrespect her in her own home, his mother disrespected her and no wonder she ended up with such shady friends like Liz & Wendy. I wished Penny had a little bit more of a back bone and at least put some of these people in their place. In all fairness, there was one incident near the beginning of the book where it showed Penny actually did have a little 'devious' side, but that was the extent of it, I needed more of those moments!
In the end, the book did keep me in suspense and it also kept me pissed off at Penny because she had all these so-called friends who you would think would have her back but it just seemed like everything they said in their interview with the detectives kept making her look guilty. The ending was not anything as I suspected but I liked it and it seems Penny gets her HEA after all! But, there are still a few things I'm still left wondering about....who bought the doll, was this really coincidence or was someone trying to frame her, and whats the deal with the rattle Penny found in Mona's desk, why did she dislike her so much, who are the rest of the members involved in the sick torture and treatment of those poor missing people? Maybe I missed something in my reading but if you have anwers, please feel free to comment.
Thanks Kia for your book selection, it was interesting and this coming from one who doesn't really get into the whole thriller/suspense stuff. The setting of this book reminds of that old movie staring Lisa Bonet and Mickey Rourke and Robert DeNiro, Angel Heart. That movie freaked me out too!
Maybe part of the reason I had a didn't really get into the book as much as I'd hope was because I couldn't connect with Penny Francisco, the main character. I viewed her as a weakling and at some point I felt she got what she deserved because she allowed it to happen. If you don't speak up and tell people how you feel, you can't blame them for running all over you. Which is why everyone kept pulling a fast one on her. Her ex-husband, Deke was such a low-life himself. It was one thing for him to treat Penny the way he did and carry on with these affairs but he was also spineless when it came to his cold-hearted mother, Mona. Now that lady was something else. If I was introduced to a woman like her and was told she was going to be my new mother-in-law, I would've been like, 'nice knowing you buddy! no man is worth having that kind kind of a woman in my life, especially if my own man couldn't even stand up to her'! I'm cool with that!!! Going back to Penny being such a push-over, she let her man disrespect her in her own home, his mother disrespected her and no wonder she ended up with such shady friends like Liz & Wendy. I wished Penny had a little bit more of a back bone and at least put some of these people in their place. In all fairness, there was one incident near the beginning of the book where it showed Penny actually did have a little 'devious' side, but that was the extent of it, I needed more of those moments!
In the end, the book did keep me in suspense and it also kept me pissed off at Penny because she had all these so-called friends who you would think would have her back but it just seemed like everything they said in their interview with the detectives kept making her look guilty. The ending was not anything as I suspected but I liked it and it seems Penny gets her HEA after all! But, there are still a few things I'm still left wondering about....who bought the doll, was this really coincidence or was someone trying to frame her, and whats the deal with the rattle Penny found in Mona's desk, why did she dislike her so much, who are the rest of the members involved in the sick torture and treatment of those poor missing people? Maybe I missed something in my reading but if you have anwers, please feel free to comment.
Thanks Kia for your book selection, it was interesting and this coming from one who doesn't really get into the whole thriller/suspense stuff. The setting of this book reminds of that old movie staring Lisa Bonet and Mickey Rourke and Robert DeNiro, Angel Heart. That movie freaked me out too!
May 12, 2013
Another very good book by this author. Again, there are some real laugh-out-loud moments or expressions in it and I really enjoyed it. It's about Penny who is recently divorced and her pals throw her a freedom party. She's given a voodoo doll dressed as her ex and stabs it. All in good fun until said ex is found murdered !! So it's got a nice dose of murder and thriller mixed in with the humour.
Penny is a little uptight and certainly eats some odd stuff all in the healthy living cause and she'd probably get on my nerves if I met her but you had to feel bad at the mess she finds herself in.
There were a few niggly little mistakes like misplaced or missed apostrophes then forgotten capital letters. The the surname was suddenly Under as opposed to Linder which has clearly been copied across wrong at some point.
I'll certainly be sticking with this author, though. I was intrigued by Penny's lawyer and I see the sequel to this book features more about her background so it's on my wishlist.
Penny is a little uptight and certainly eats some odd stuff all in the healthy living cause and she'd probably get on my nerves if I met her but you had to feel bad at the mess she finds herself in.
There were a few niggly little mistakes like misplaced or missed apostrophes then forgotten capital letters. The the surname was suddenly Under as opposed to Linder which has clearly been copied across wrong at some point.
I'll certainly be sticking with this author, though. I was intrigued by Penny's lawyer and I see the sequel to this book features more about her background so it's on my wishlist.
April 9, 2015
I'm a fan of Bond's Body Mover series and also enjoyed her Got Your Number and this one didn't disappoint either. All set in different locations, this one set in small town of Mojo, Louisiana (fictional version of Opelousas, La ?) during the annual Voodoo Festival. There are some strange happenings, but most important to the newly divorced, health food store owner, Penny, is finding her ex-husband killed (stabbed in heart) shortly after her employees/friends throw her a divorce party, where she stabs a pin in the heart of her ex's look-alike voodoo doll. Not only are there already a bunch of colorful characters who live in Mojo, the festival, the party and business brings some more to town with several possible suspects, and Penny, with help from a visiting PI, needs to figure out who since the Sheriff as well as Mayor (her ex-mother-in-law) are looking at Penny for the murder. Fun characters and a quick, enjoyable guilty-pleasure read for me.
March 7, 2009
When Penny Francisco's cheating ex-husband, Deke Black, turns up murdered, Penny is the prime suspect as she was found at the scene by the new younger vindictive girlfriend. Enter gorgeous Cajun PI BJ Beaumont who is helping Penny investigate the many inconsistencies in the police case against her.
This is a light voodoo novel not a dark black magic one. A great mystery with engaging likable characters. The conclusion is very satisfying but leaves enough loose ends - not really connected to the murder - to stimulate an interest in a sequel - Finding Your Mojo.
This is a light voodoo novel not a dark black magic one. A great mystery with engaging likable characters. The conclusion is very satisfying but leaves enough loose ends - not really connected to the murder - to stimulate an interest in a sequel - Finding Your Mojo.
May 30, 2013
This was my first read by this author and i enjoyed the reading very much! it was our book club choice for the month. im not really a murder book reade but this book had me wanting to know who killed who and years of secreta were revealed. in a small town if Mojo everything takes place and everything unfolds. i enjoyed getn to know the characters and BJ was my fave! i didnt really like Pennys friends. Like my friends friend told ger daughter, "Friends dont get friends pregnant". That dint happen in the book but the same concept. i also liked Jules the old lady is a good advice person. ill be readn the next book too "voodoo or die" Thanks for the entertaining read!!
April 8, 2015
This book was fun, but it was also missing something. I enjoyed the mystery plot and some of the unexpected twists. The ending seemed rushed, though. I wanted more of what the whole book led up to. There was some romance, but it didn't build up naturally. There was too much unknown between them and it didn't seem to flow. The whole voodoo plot was unique. Overall, it was a cozy mystery, so I will give it three glittery stars.
January 6, 2012
Loved this book. Thought the setting/plot was different from any I've read. And, who wouldn't love the whole puke-pink house thing? As a divorced woman, I couldn't imagine living or working across the street from my ex-husband and not throwing something through his windows daily. So good for Penny for being stronger than I. LOL
January 5, 2014
This was a great, fun read and on my own booklist I will give it 4.5 stars. I loved the characters and the "voodoo" plot. After visiting the torture chambers in Amsterdam, I could truly envision the museum in Mojo. So now it's on to "Voodoo or Die" with Gloria Dalton from the first book.
August 21, 2017
Very good start to series
This is funny and a little odd but entertaining. There's a twist in it that will surprise everyone. The characters are unique and leaves you wondering what other secrets are people hiding.
This is funny and a little odd but entertaining. There's a twist in it that will surprise everyone. The characters are unique and leaves you wondering what other secrets are people hiding.
May 13, 2013
A lighthearted and easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed Stephanie Bond's "Body Movers" series and then learned that she was doing more romance novels ( not my genre). Found it as a deal on Amazon.
July 15, 2024
Set in the small town of Mojo outside of New Orleans, there’s just the right amount of creepiness to have you on the edge of your seat! This was a fun and easy read, as we follow our poor beleaguered heroine Penny as she tries to navigate her divorce from her cheating ex-husband Deke!! So when her friends throw her a “Happy Divorce Party” she reluctantly attends, and as she opens the gag gifts she receives, there’s a voodoo doll in the recognizable image of her ex. As the drunken revelers entice her to “stab the doll … stab the doll” - she plunges the pin right through his heart! But when Deke is found dead, all eyes are on Penny … and she doesn’t even believe in voodoo!! Will she and the handsome stranger figure out the mystery before she’s convicted of a crime she didn’t commit?
December 11, 2025
This was kind of fun, but kind of creepy. This isn't a complaint, but I thought it would be cozier. It starts off feeling like a cozy mystery with the amateur female detective, etc. The town holds a Voodoo festival that was pretty creepy (including inhumane animal sacrifice) and the last third of the book got pretty spicy. The town and a few of the characters were interesting enough for me to try to track down book 2.
November 25, 2018
This is the first book in the Voodoo in Mojo series. The series is set in a small Louisiana town and borders on the paranormal.
Penny Francisco runs a health food business across the street from her former residence. "Former" because her cheating ex-husband, Deke, got the house in their divorce and she got the barn and land across the street. Now her ex and his last partner are painting Penny's dream house -- the one she lovingly restored and decorated -- Pepto-Bismal pink. To help alleviate her stress, Penny's friends are throwing her an "emancipation" party. Though Penny lives in Louisiana and there is Black Magic and VooDoo all around her, she doesn't believe in it. However, when among the presents she receives at the party is a VooDoo doll dressed like her ex and her ex turns up dead and Penny becomes the main suspect, maybe there's something to what her friends are saying.
Helping her is BJ, a new acquaintance and private detective. BJ is in town investigating the disappearance of several young women who have gone missing in the area. Are the crimes related? Does Penny's mysterious past have anything to do with it? Or, is Black Magic to blame. As they investigate the crimes, Penny and BJ grow closer romantically. Maybe there is Magic around after all.
While I liked this story, I was left hanging with Penny's background issues. Nothing is really resolved there, though I guess it doesn't really have to be. I just found it surprising it was brought up (a red herring??) but nothing was ever really done with it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Bond also writes contemporary romances, so there are a few spicy scenes between Penny and her new beau BJ.
Penny Francisco runs a health food business across the street from her former residence. "Former" because her cheating ex-husband, Deke, got the house in their divorce and she got the barn and land across the street. Now her ex and his last partner are painting Penny's dream house -- the one she lovingly restored and decorated -- Pepto-Bismal pink. To help alleviate her stress, Penny's friends are throwing her an "emancipation" party. Though Penny lives in Louisiana and there is Black Magic and VooDoo all around her, she doesn't believe in it. However, when among the presents she receives at the party is a VooDoo doll dressed like her ex and her ex turns up dead and Penny becomes the main suspect, maybe there's something to what her friends are saying.
Helping her is BJ, a new acquaintance and private detective. BJ is in town investigating the disappearance of several young women who have gone missing in the area. Are the crimes related? Does Penny's mysterious past have anything to do with it? Or, is Black Magic to blame. As they investigate the crimes, Penny and BJ grow closer romantically. Maybe there is Magic around after all.
While I liked this story, I was left hanging with Penny's background issues. Nothing is really resolved there, though I guess it doesn't really have to be. I just found it surprising it was brought up (a red herring??) but nothing was ever really done with it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Bond also writes contemporary romances, so there are a few spicy scenes between Penny and her new beau BJ.
May 31, 2013
This was a quick, entertaining read with a nice blend of humour, light-heartedness, romance and dark, chilling moments. Throw in a voodoo festival, black magic, murder, bone-chilling rituals and a plethora of quirky characters and you have a book that keeps you reading until the end.
Penny Francisco was a likeable character for the most part, although I must say that she was a bit more of a health fanatic than I liked and her attitude annoyed me at times. And, she could have been a little more assertive and strong-willed as well, particularly when she was being disrespected and unfairly accused of horrendous things. But, all in all, I did like her and found her to be refreshingly human and prone to human weaknessess and emotions.
B.J. was another great character, and I loved how he wasn't intimidated by Penny's scathing denunciation of his eating habits. These exchanges between them made for some laugh-out-loud moments in the book. Another plus on the romance side was that it developed slowly. None of this "let's jump in the sack on our first meeting" nonsense! However, there were a couple of explicit sex scenes that are rather unusual in a "cozy" mystery of this type.
Mona Black, Penny's ex-mother-in-law and the mayor of Mojo, was an intimidating, cold-hearted dragon lady. It was a little unclear why she hated Penny so much, but she was definitely not a woman one would want to antagonize unduly. Deke seemed like a spineless, reprehensible slimeball and Sheena was a stereotypical blonde floozy.
I really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely continue on with the series. It seems Mona and possibly several other people in the spooky little town of Mojo are harbouring more dark secrets and I want to discover what they are.
Penny Francisco was a likeable character for the most part, although I must say that she was a bit more of a health fanatic than I liked and her attitude annoyed me at times. And, she could have been a little more assertive and strong-willed as well, particularly when she was being disrespected and unfairly accused of horrendous things. But, all in all, I did like her and found her to be refreshingly human and prone to human weaknessess and emotions.
B.J. was another great character, and I loved how he wasn't intimidated by Penny's scathing denunciation of his eating habits. These exchanges between them made for some laugh-out-loud moments in the book. Another plus on the romance side was that it developed slowly. None of this "let's jump in the sack on our first meeting" nonsense! However, there were a couple of explicit sex scenes that are rather unusual in a "cozy" mystery of this type.
Mona Black, Penny's ex-mother-in-law and the mayor of Mojo, was an intimidating, cold-hearted dragon lady. It was a little unclear why she hated Penny so much, but she was definitely not a woman one would want to antagonize unduly. Deke seemed like a spineless, reprehensible slimeball and Sheena was a stereotypical blonde floozy.
I really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely continue on with the series. It seems Mona and possibly several other people in the spooky little town of Mojo are harbouring more dark secrets and I want to discover what they are.
September 30, 2017
When I started this book this afternoon, I really was not expecting to stay up until 3am finishing it...But there are SO many characters and things going on that I knew if I stepped away from it I'd completely lose my place.
This book was a whole heck of a lot more intense then I thought it would be-- or maybe just tense. Tense and frustrating because *we* know our leading lady didn't kill her husband...but everyone else sure thinks she did.
The whodunit aspect kept me on my toes and had me suspecting near everybody. The ending is suitably shocking and horrifying.
My one major nag would be that the characters "wet their lips" way too often. It started to gross me out.
I might have to dive into book two next...just so I can (hopefully) remember all the characters... ;)
This book was a whole heck of a lot more intense then I thought it would be-- or maybe just tense. Tense and frustrating because *we* know our leading lady didn't kill her husband...but everyone else sure thinks she did.
The whodunit aspect kept me on my toes and had me suspecting near everybody. The ending is suitably shocking and horrifying.
My one major nag would be that the characters "wet their lips" way too often. It started to gross me out.
I might have to dive into book two next...just so I can (hopefully) remember all the characters... ;)
September 27, 2012
I was doubtful at first when I started reading this one. As I got deeper into it, wow!!! There's voodoo, betrayal, deceit, murder and a lot more. While I'm not all that familiar with the voodoo practice, the parts of the book involving voodoo scared me. I can't wait to start the second book in the series. I certainly hope Stephanie Bond will write more in the series.
October 23, 2017
Another interesting book found hiding in the TBR pile! Her cheating ex husband gets murdered during the town's voodoo festival and she is the prime suspect. A delicious PI is in town following leads on a couple of missing persons cases and the chemistry is amazing. Good mystery with some fascinating characters.
Maureen Jones is excellent as narrator and differentiates the characters well.
Maureen Jones is excellent as narrator and differentiates the characters well.
September 7, 2009
I liked this but it was a little too creepy for me. This book was a ride carrying murder, a voodoo festival, a snake and a whole bunch of weirdo characters. Even with all of this, I have to say that Bond does weave a great story.
July 6, 2014
Overall plot was pretty good, kept me guessing who dunn-it, but it was very drawn out.
August 24, 2015
I really like the "Body Movers" series by this author so I decided to give this book a try. It was cute,fun and surprisingly a little bit scary.The New Orleans type voodoo setting was cool.
December 7, 2015
This book was supposed to have been a humorous mystery. I really couldn't find anything funny about it at all. I didn't even like the main character. Just awful.
tbr-later
September 18, 201216 January 2015: $0.00 FREE on Kindle
December 10, 2017
In Deep Voodoo - Voodoo in Mojo 1
2.5 stars
In A Nutshell:Divorcee is accused of murdering her ex-husband. In comes handsome hulk who is, of course, a Private Eye to save the day andhave sex fall in love. Saving grace? It's odd, humous and has suspense although a little dark. I'm even going to read book two.
The Plot: Penny Francisco finds her ex-husband's body with a stake through his heart. She also happens to stab the voodoo effigy of him through the heart at her divorce party earlier that night. Oops.
The Protagonist(s):Penny runs a health food store and has a strict diet. It's important to know this because it begs the question how such a disciplined woman who is recently divorced woman falls in love, again, at the drop of a hat.
Stephanie Bond is an accomplished author. So the work is engaging and grammatically correct. That said, where the plot gets dark, I also found it far-fetched. And the steamy sex scenes felt formulaic.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book. The characters are interesting; there is a nonagenarian voodoo priestess, a Cruella Deville ex-mother in law, a 19-year-old trailer trash (I do hate that expression) mistress, and a gay friend who apparently does not know he is gay. But wonders why his relationships with women don't work. And that's not all of the supporting cast.
It's undoubtedly both different and entertaining. Go for it.
Connect with me on Twitter and FB
See all my reviews
Check out my blog on imjussayin
Book Rating
Sexual Content: 18
Language: U
Violent: 15
Would I read the next oneor reread?: Yes
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre.
2.5 stars
In A Nutshell:Divorcee is accused of murdering her ex-husband. In comes handsome hulk who is, of course, a Private Eye to save the day and
The Plot: Penny Francisco finds her ex-husband's body with a stake through his heart. She also happens to stab the voodoo effigy of him through the heart at her divorce party earlier that night. Oops.
The Protagonist(s):Penny runs a health food store and has a strict diet. It's important to know this because it begs the question how such a disciplined woman who is recently divorced woman falls in love, again, at the drop of a hat.
Stephanie Bond is an accomplished author. So the work is engaging and grammatically correct. That said, where the plot gets dark, I also found it far-fetched. And the steamy sex scenes felt formulaic.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book. The characters are interesting; there is a nonagenarian voodoo priestess, a Cruella Deville ex-mother in law, a 19-year-old trailer trash (I do hate that expression) mistress, and a gay friend who apparently does not know he is gay. But wonders why his relationships with women don't work. And that's not all of the supporting cast.
It's undoubtedly both different and entertaining. Go for it.
Connect with me on Twitter and FB
See all my reviews
Check out my blog on imjussayin
Book Rating
Sexual Content: 18
Language: U
Violent: 15
Would I read the next one
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre.
May 18, 2024
As Good as Stephanie Bond's book always are!
I do not read anything voodoo or witchcraft but I made a exception since it was written by Stephanie Bond. I have loved all of her books.
This one did make me skip a number of pages, I only read cozy books without any sex. This one also had a really intense voodoo week long celebration in the small town of Mojo, LA. So now you are warned. You probably wonder why I still gave this story five stars, because the real mystery was written really well. I didn't figure out who done it which is unusual for me. That is why it was such a good story line. I have not decided if I can read book two yet but I will write a review if I find out there isn't any more voodoo in it.
I do not read anything voodoo or witchcraft but I made a exception since it was written by Stephanie Bond. I have loved all of her books.
This one did make me skip a number of pages, I only read cozy books without any sex. This one also had a really intense voodoo week long celebration in the small town of Mojo, LA. So now you are warned. You probably wonder why I still gave this story five stars, because the real mystery was written really well. I didn't figure out who done it which is unusual for me. That is why it was such a good story line. I have not decided if I can read book two yet but I will write a review if I find out there isn't any more voodoo in it.
Read
September 18, 2022Penny live in Mojo, Louisiana where she runs a health food business. Her friends are throwing her an emancipation party to celebrate her divorce from her cheating husband. He lives across the street from her store and has moved in the mistress who paints the house pink. Later that night Penny is found standing over her dead ex-husbands body. With the help of a private investigator Penny has to prove her innocents.
This was a good start to the series. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like the book but was soon drawn in to the story and people in Mojo. I will definitely be checking out more in the series.
This was a good start to the series. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like the book but was soon drawn in to the story and people in Mojo. I will definitely be checking out more in the series.
May 10, 2020
This story was a quick read, humorous, & kept me guessing. Penny's newly divorced in a small town & can't seem to avoid her X husbands mistress & X mother in law. A voodoo festival is in town bringing out the craziness. After Penny's divorce party her X ends up dead & she's the prime suspect. Her divorce attorney steps in to help. Add in a sexy out-of-towner that makes her blood run hot & a cast of suspicious characters. Are they friends or foes? Who & why was Deke killed? Kept me guessing till the reveal at the end. Another book follows in this series
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