Pink Jinx

Customer Reviews:

Love the fifth time around - a wild, hilarious adventure!.......2007-09-18

Pink Jinx begins a brand new contemporary series by Sandra Hill (although a few old friends can't resist making surprise appearances).

Can't live with, can't live without, pretty much sums up the relationship between Boston lawyer Veronica "Ronnie" Jinkowsky and her professional poker playing, four times ex- husband Jake Jenson. Ronnie is sure she's learned her lesson this time but when she runs into Jake again in a New Jersey casino her hormones have other ideas. Then Jake introduces her to his new fiancée Trish.

Ronnie's got bigger problems though. Her Grandfather Frank has decided to leave his treasure hunting business Jinx, Inc. to Ronnie, claiming that he's on the verge of bankruptcy and needs her help desperately. Ronnie had been raised by her grandmother, Frank's ex-wife Lillian, a starchy, bitter lawyer who Ronnie resembles more with each passing day.

Frank is determined Ronnie will not suffer the same fate and hatches a scheme to get her and Jake back together. He invites the two of them to join him on his final treasure hunt. The booty is a cache of pink diamonds once owned by the ancestors of Mafia widow Rosa Menotti. If that wasn't enough the treasure is part of a ship wreck, and Ronnie is deathly afraid of water.

Coincidentally Ronnie has tired of her law practice and too many people have mentioned her similarities to her grandmother lately. When Lillian threatens to fire her from the family law firm if she has anything to do with Frank, it's just the push Ronnie needs to make the break. Which is how Ronnie winds up on a boat, far out at sea with Frank and his divers which include Cajun hottie John LeDeux (Tee John), cover model handsome Adam Famosa who Jake refers to as "the Cuban Fabio", and Caleb Peachy a former Amish Navy SEAL who John's crazy, matchmaking Tante Lulu says could crack walnuts on his butt. Add to that that Frank's menopausal live in girlfriend Flossie and Rosa's two sons, the Mafia "wish fairies", and Ronnie's sure she's going out of her mind. All she needs now is for Jake to show up.

More surprises are in store as we learn if a fifth time is worth the gamble, Jake sure thinks it is! Hilarious as ever, Ms. Hill takes the reader on a wild ride filled with love and laughter. What could be better than that? Stay tuned for Caleb's adventure in PEARL JINX the next offering in the Jinx series.

Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch for PNR Reviews

Loved this new series!.......2007-09-15

I really enjoyed this first book in the new series by Sandra Hill. A little different from the Cajun series, it still pulled me in quick. I loved the concept of a couple that had been married 4 times - to each other! And I loved all the secondary characters and thier interactions with each other. The adventure was fun, the humor just right and I just generally loved the whole book.

Romance?.......2007-07-13

This story really put me off. I did not feel like there was any heat between the two main characters. There was more action going on between the secondary characters. I was really disappointed.

It's ok, but . . ........2007-05-08

Sandra Hill is my most favorite author, and while I liked Pink Jinx, I really liked her Viking and Cajun series much better. I'm not throwing in the towel just yet though; I will continue with this series just to see where Sandra takes us.

While reading the other comments, I had to agree with some and disagree with others. I think it helped this book from reading the Cajun series to understand Tante Lulu's wacky behavior. To me it was a joy to see she had a role in this book, however, if you haven't read the Cajun series, you may not understand the history or her antics and it may seem out of place, especially with her dialect.

It is an easy read book, but I could put it down at the end of the night; some of the other Sandra Hill books were not that easy. I'm giving this book four stars because Sandra has written better books, or at least books I liked better. I think the build up to finding the treasure had a little let down quality at the end. But, the story wasn't so much about treasure hunting as it was two people trying to figure out their feelings, how to deal with loving each other for who they are and accepting the other person, whether they agree with the other person's lifestyle or chosen profession or not.

More like 4 1/2 stars...........2007-01-24

Veronica "Ronnie" Jinkowsky is as uptight as they come, except when it comes to her ex-husband, Jake Jensen. She's married and divorced Jake four times and has decided enough is enough. Her grandfather, Frank, has concocted a scheme to reunite the two and to convince Ronnie to take over operations of his treasure hunting company. Will Ronnie overcome her horror of water to go on Frank's latest endeavor? Will Jake convince Ronnie that he is truly the only one for her, despite the attention she is receiving from sexy former Navy Seal, Caleb Peachey?

Humor is Sandra Hill's trademark and there is a ton of it in PINK JINX! Sparks fly immediately between poker playing Jake and lawyerly Ronnie as their personalities clash instantly. Ronnie's character is hysterical, from her pepto-popping moments to her desire to break free from the restraints her grandmother has placed on her all of her life. Jake is the perfect counterpart to Ronnie and the attraction between them is simply magic. However, Caleb Peachey steals the show as this reviewer has to admit that a secret part of me hoped Caleb stood a chance as he sizzled!

The secondary characters truly make PINK JINX a laugh-out-loud novel! From the eccentric and just a tad crazy Tante Lulu to Ronnie's crusty grandfather, the secondary characters provide a lot of entertainment with their ridiculous antics. The inclusion of the Mafia brothers and their mom was a stroke of genius. Sandra Hill is a master of the humorous romance, whether it's Vikings, Cajuns, or treasure hunters, and PINK JINX is definitely a treasure.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Average customer rating:

The Jinx Mix Final!!
THE BIGGEST PAGE TURNER OF THEM ALL!
Split Personalities
A fantastic finale!
There's no Jinx like this Jinx

Jinx On The Divide
Elizabeth Kay
Manufacturer: The Chicken House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439724554

Book Description

Felix is back at school, but things aren't back to normal! Rhino, the class bully, snatches the mysterious Brandee lamp he had kept from his last adventure in BACK TO THE DIVIDE, and next thing you know, a djinn has taken Rhino hostage and is demanding that Felix return him home to the mystical, back-to-front world. But no sooner is the djinn's wish granted than Rhino escapes into the villanous protection of Skullcap, new chief nasty of the Japegrins. It's up to Felix and Bettony to once again use their wits to save both worlds from the ultimate explosive threat of mixed-up science and magic.

Customer Reviews:

The Jinx Mix Final!!.......2007-02-27

Are you looking for the perfect book? Have you looked every where and still no luck? Well that perfect book has come to you! The Jinx on the Divide is the best fantasy ever created. I fell in love with the book. The story is about a boy named Felix who can visit another world. Betony, Felix's friend form the Divide, comes over for a visit but there is one problem, the brandee (from book two) is causing so much destruction. So Felix and Betony, start another adventure in the Divide. To make matters worse Rhino, the school trouble maker, is captured in the brandee's lamp and is taken into Divide. Inside the lamp, Rhino finds a jinx box, and that is where this all the trouble begins.
This book isn't your normal fantasy book. It's hard to follow through unless you read The Divide and Back to the Divide. This is very important! For example, a brittlehorn is a unicorn, a brazzle is a griffin, and there is many more where that came from. That is one of the reasons why I like it. If you like books that have very good cliff hangers, this is the book for you. Almost every chapter is one. The book is from every main charter's point of view (in third person). The chapter would end at someone's point of view, and then the next chapter would start with a different person. It's like five stories in one. I would highly recommend this book to everyone would anyone who likes fantasy and likes a good mystery. People who like action would like this book too. This book is the perfect combination of every thing. The book will keep you at the edge of your set it is so good. This book would be a smart buy.

THE BIGGEST PAGE TURNER OF THEM ALL!.......2006-05-08

In this book Felix and his world arn't in danger. It is Betony's. Felix's class bully Rhino and a Genie have left to the other side of the divide and Rhino is going to tell how to use SCIENCE to the magical world. Then to top it all off a Jinx box is making lots of chaos and may effect Felix, Betony, and Rhino's lives forever! The ending is so unbelievable! They have to make a 4th book!

Split Personalities.......2005-11-22

The book the Jinx on the Divide by Elizabeth Kay is the third book in the Divide Trilogy. This book takes you through Felix Sander's adventure across the Divide. A few years earlier he fell across the Divide by accident, sending him into an alternate universe. Felix finds new friends and helps save their world from an evil magician named Snakeweed. This time an evil Brandee has taken a school boy, Rhino, and brought him across the Divide. Felix Betony and Nimby have to save Rhino from the Brandee. As they are doing this a jinx box is trying to take over Felix's mind and break the barrier between their world and the human world. Will the Jinx box win and wreak both of their worlds with a deadly mix of magic and science?
I gave this book a two out of five. This book didn't have a lot of details and talked in circles. They never really got anywhere and the bad guys didn't do much. Another thing I didn't like about this story was the story line. It didn't have a lot of action, and not a lot of talking either. I also think they could have made the ending a little longer with more details. I did like some of the characters and how the book tried to hide the "evil one."
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a book full of mythical creatures and magic. Also this book is good for girls and boys and to anyone who just wants a quick read.

A fantastic finale!.......2005-10-29

In the last instalment of this superb fantasy trilogy, Felix has to make his third trip across the Divide in order to rescue someone who has carelessly become trapped inside a magic lamp. Elizabeth Kay confronts us with not one but two new villains - Rhino and the Jinx box - plus the savage snagglefangs and a devious and resourceful Brandee (a slightly different kind of spirit from a Genie!) Meanwhile Fuzzy is growing up, and Grimspite is coming to terms with his conscience - which he's finding difficult, since he's the first sinistrom ever to have one. The plot twists and turns entertainingly, and culminates in a clever ending unlike anything I have ever read before.

You are guaranteed to enjoy this one - but you will enjoy it even more if you have read The Divide and Back to the Divide first.

There's no Jinx like this Jinx.......2005-10-27

After reading The Divide I thought it was impossible for Elizabeth Kay to produce a more tightly packed novel. I was wrong. Back to the Divide was faster, funnier and had more twists in it than a bucket of electric eels. How she has managed to cram even more plot twists and an even more ingenious villain (the Jinx Box) into this last book of the series is stunning.

If you aren't blown away by Elizabeth's amazing writing skills then you don't know what an outstanding fantasy novel is. But don't take my word for it, read it yourself!

Average customer rating:

Why I Like Chip Hilton books

Dugout Jinx (Chip Hilton Sports Series)
Clair Bee , Cynthia Bee Farley , and Randall K. Farley
Manufacturer: B&H Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 080541990X

Customer Reviews:

Why I Like Chip Hilton books.......2000-01-04

I like Chip Hilton books because they teach me how to be a good role model and sportsman. It teaches me how to keep my confidence, focus on the game, not on brag, and try my hardest in school. Of all the 12 books I've read this is one of the best! I hope you read them too!

The Sugar Mill Caribbean Cookbook: Casual and Elegan Recipes Inspired by the Islands

Average customer rating:

Every Recipe in this Wonderful Book is to Die for
the sugar mill caribbean cookbook
the cookin corkster
Full of Good Food and Fond Memories
Awesome

The Sugar Mill Caribbean Cookbook: Casual and Elegan Recipes Inspired by the Islands
Jinx Morgan
Manufacturer: Harvard Common Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1558321217

Amazon.com

Jinx and Jefferson Morgan own the Sugar Mill, a much-loved resort on the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. From there, they have explored the Caribbean and packed their culinary discoveries into The Caribbean Cookbook. There are dishes suited to company dinners, as well as easy-going food like Rum-Glazed Chicken Wings, Red Bean and Rice Salad, and Rasta Pasta. Some dishes are traditional, others use the ingredients and flavors of the islands in original ways. The Morgans are friendly and free-wheeling and pack lots of local lore and culinary information into this sunny book.

Book Description

250 sumptuous island recipes for home cooking from Bon Appetit columnists.

Customer Reviews:

Every Recipe in this Wonderful Book is to Die for.......2007-02-20

The other day I went through my cookbooks, to see if I could weed some out, because I have too many to mention. It's hard getting rid of a cookbook, especially one with a few recipes in it that you've come to love. But I've scanned the recipes I need to keep forever into my MacBook. However, there were an even dozen I couldn't part with. These are books I turn to time and time again, even though I consider myself somewhat of a gourmet chef.

THE SUGAR MILL CARIBBEAN COOKBOOK is one of the ones I just had to keep, if only for the "Beach Breakfast" recipe right at the beginning of the book on page 4. Ms. Jinx is oh so right when she says the "spicy combination of Caribbean black beans and eggs give any morning a zingy lift-off." But, of course, you don't keep a cookbook for only one recipe, but not to worry, there is plenty more in this wonderful cookbook, like the "Lobster or Crab Eggs Benedict". Now that's a wonderful menu for a Sunday brunch and it goes perfectly with a Bloody Mary.

But please don't think this book is just about breakfast just because I chose to highlight a couple of good ones. If you want a satisfying, but not overfilling evening meal, try the "Fish with Coral Sunset Sauce" on page 122, it is simply divine. Then there is the "Pan-Seared Scallops with Tomato-Mango Salsa" on page 133, or the "Garden Patch Pasta" on page 102 and I better stop here, because I could go on and on, gushing about the wonderful recipes in this cookbook, but I think you have the picture by now. I really love this book, probably because every recipe in it is to die for.

the sugar mill caribbean cookbook.......2007-01-27

It is awonderful book. I loved the recipes. GREAT BOOK TO GIVE AS A GIFT.

the cookin corkster.......2006-07-21

I live in the Florida keys and foods from the islands of the caribbean are all over the islands, however, this book of recipes by far expands ones selection of choices. The recipes are well written for following instructions easily. the added info in the side bars is interesting and easily put to use with other recipes in the book. If you like food from the islands, all the islands of the caribbean, this book is a source for a quick trip to the island of your choice.
I lost my first copy to Wilma (the huricane). Had to buy another because this book is that good. But it, you'll love it! ;-)

Full of Good Food and Fond Memories.......2006-04-24

I had been eyeing this book for quite awhile, for more than a year actually, because my husband and I were going to the BVI for our honeymoon. When we finally went on our honeymoon, through dumb luck and fate, we got a room down the road from the Sugar Mill, and we decided to go to their famous restaurant for a night out. That night out turned into one of the most fantastic, memorable dining experiences we'd ever had... The night was like something out of a fancy movie. Blown away by the food, I bought the cookbook at the gift shop after dinner. Flipping through it in the hotel, I almost couldn't wait to go home and try out some of their recipes. I ended up scribbling down drink mixes we had when we went out and about town in the BVI, so this cookbook has turned into a honeymoon food scrapbook for me.

Now, I know that back story makes me a little biased, but I have to say that even if I just bought it without going to the restaurant, I'd still think this cookbook is superb. It's so clearly written and each recipe has a little paragraph "bio" associated with it discussing either its creation, history, or interesting info on the ingredients or the tradition behind the food. That little paragraph adds to the local color and feel that resonates through this whole cookbook. You can almost taste and feel the Caribbean when you read this book. Another thing I really like is that this book will give you the recipe as it's served at their restaurant, adding to the authentic feel of the book... But the book also acknowledges that some of the ingredients easily available to them in the BVI might be hard to impossible to find on the mainland, so they give you feasible substitutions that don't hurt the taste or presentation at all. Also included are little blurbs on the various Caribbean islands, customs, or other interesting facts.

I'd say most of these recipes are what I like to call "grown-up recipes." Meaning, not all of them you'll throw together in 30 minutes, that these recipes are sophisticated, adult foods that will probably require a little planning and time, perfect for special occasions (or a nice dinner you'd like to feel like a special occasion). I know this is a big negative for some people, but for me it's nice to own a recipe book that involves some serious cooking. I own far too many cookbooks with recipes that call for throwing together various canned soups and canned vegetables, or other processed foods like Bisquick or freezer rolls, and baking it for 30 minutes, and serving. It's nice to have a recipe book that doesn't include 45 different ways to use "cream of" Campbell's soups, and talks about cooking with things like star fruit and plantains and all sorts of exotic fruits and ingredients you see at the grocery store and wonder "I wonder what you use that for?" :D This is certainly a "from scratch" cookbook, not a "30 minute meals" sort of deal.

The categories in this book are: Sunrise Specials (breakfast foods), Snacks, Nibbles, and Island Appetizers, Carnival of Soups, Calypso Salads and Side Dishes, Pastas Under the Palms, From the Fish Pot (seafood), Birds of Paradise (poultry), Tropical Meat Waves (all other meat), Sugar Island Sweets (desserts), and Trade Wind Cocktails (an essential for summer parties as it's the drink recipes... :D). Some of my favorite recipes are curried citrus rice, christophene and sausage filled flank steak, lime cream pasta, pina colada pancakes and cake (the latter being my husband's new favorite birthday cake), lobster chowder, and conch chowder. And I have a list of "need to try" recipes from this book as long as my arm.

I love this cookbook. It's the BVI wrapped up in a 245 page book. There are only two downsides as far as I can see to this book... The first one being that it doesn't include this awesome drink recipe that we had while we were there and are just dying to have again but nobody knows how to make... And the second being that every time I cook something from it, my husband and I remember how much fun we had and how beautiful this restaurant was, and then we start missing Tortola terribly... :)

Awesome.......2004-10-26

My husband and I both love to cook and we picked up this cookbook shortly before our carribean cruise to introduce ourselves to the cuisine. We haven't stopped using the book since. The recipes are easy to follow and a great selection. The ingredients are for the most part easy to find or substitute for. I've won several cook-offs with recipes from this book, the rum glazed ribs and black bottom banana pie is to die for.

Jinx High: A Diana Tregarde Investigation

Average customer rating:

Sadly, the final Diana Tregarde ... a terrific book, makes you want MORE!
mean girls meets buffy
Disappointing Final Volume
Thank You Ms Lackey
When Too Old is Too Young

Jinx High: A Diana Tregarde Investigation
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0765313197
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Book Description

Fay Harper looks like any other teenage girl—any other Queen Bee, that is. She’s blond, and beautiful, and very, very popular—the kind of popular that attracts boys like honey. Fay and her gang take a lot of risks, but so far they’ve managed to get away with everything. It’s as if they are magically protected.

Summoned to Tulsa by an old friend whose son has fallen in with Fay’s crowd, Diana Tregarde, practicing witch and successful romance novelist, quickly finds herself in hot water. The new girl at school, Monica Carlin, has come under sorcerous attack, but Diana cannot identify, or stop, the power-wielder. To make matters worse, there is an ancient being sleeping under Tulsa, a being who might be woken by the magic battles taking place in the city. What will happen then, even Diana cannot predict.

Customer Reviews:

Sadly, the final Diana Tregarde ... a terrific book, makes you want MORE!.......2006-12-30

This is the end-cap of the Diana Tregarde trilogy, where Diana has to come to Jenks, OK (a suburb of Tulsa) to teach an honors English class - and try to figure out why her friend Larry Kestrel has been having premonitions of danger about his son. As it turns out, Deke has fallen into the clutches of an ancient sorcerer who has been taking the bodies of her daughters for over 300 years in order to basically make herself young and beautiful forever. Also on the line is Monica, a new arrival to Jenks High, whom Fay (the current incarnation of the sorcerer) has set her sights on as a rival for Deke, and possibly a rival power (since Monica has some minor psi potential). Frustratingly, the ending of the book leaves things open for more Diana Tregarde investigations, but it has been over a decade (almost two) since this final book was written, so I don't think we will be seeing anymore. Grab it if you can - it's a great read.

mean girls meets buffy.......2005-11-08

When Jill, a popular high school student, dies in a car crash, everyone blames it on the fact that she neglected to wear her seatbelt. However, Deke Kestrel, who was in the car, is baffled as how to the driver and the passengers tested clean for alcohol, although all had been drinking. His father, also suspecting supernatural play, invites his friend Diana Tregarde out to visit and investigate, under the guise of teaching Deke's English class creative writing. Tregarde is a martial-arts practicing, down-to-earth, real life witch, and she soon sniffs out trouble, of the supernatural sort. It seems Fay Harper, a friend of Jill's, may be at the bottom of it, and indeed may not literally be who she seems at all. Indeed Fay's perfect life may be hiding some gruesome secrets. It all adds up to a lot of trouble which comes to a head at the spring dance.
Can she protect Deke and his friends, even after she's underestimated her opponent?

Disappointing Final Volume.......2003-10-27

Having really enjoyed the first two Tregarde books, this one was a great disappointment that I had several problems with. As the series was stopped here, it went out on a low point.

The biggest problem by far is that Diana is a secondary character in her own book. Of 300 pages I doubt she got 100 of them. Even when she is "on-screen" she's overshadowed by the high school students. The true main characters are the high school students, spoiled, self-centred, shallow and mean-spirited high school students. Even the ones who are made out to be the good kids eventually show their darker side, and do so after the evil has been vanquished.

As well, possibly due to her lack of being the main character Diana does not seem to be the same as she was previously. This new catch phrase "Jesus Cluny Frog", where the heck did that come from? As well she no longer seemed to be the caring Guardian she was before. She also lacks even the limited forensic skills she showed in previous books. She was never an ace investigator, but at least she tried in the other two books. Here she decides the villain must be an adult, and can't find one so she shields a couple students and then waits for the villain to reveal herself. Somebody with a special investigator card from the police, and a friend in Det. Mark Valdez should have better skills than the reactive wait for the villain to reveal herself while she causes more harm.

It was nice to see Mark Valdez again. Unfortunately he does nothing. He chauffeurs Diana and then waits in a barn. Literally. As well, the sub-plot of the goddess under Tulsa goes out with a whimper, never really happens.

The villainess is easily the best thing about the book. An aged sorceress in a young body, gorgeous, evil, ruthless and totally without a redeeming characteristic. Yet, she is unable to manipulate the high school students unless they themselves have given her a hook by doing wrong themselves.

Despite my criticisms, this isn't a bad book. It is firmly average, worthy of an evening or two's entertainment. However, it is not a Diana Tregarde book as we know it as she is at best a secondary character. The writing is, as with the previous two, fast-paced and easy to read.

R.I.P. Diana, it is a shame your last book had you as a secondary character.

Thank You Ms Lackey.......2002-09-18

I've read a wide range of fantasy/sci fi/occult books and Mercedes Lackey never fails to satisfy. In the Diana Tregarde books she creates a strong empathetic heroine. The book is fast paced and a truly enjoyable read. If you enjoy Anne McCaffrey and Katherine Kurtz I think you'll find these books are winners. As an added plus, This book actually got my teenager interested in books again. A great all around book for adults and teens

When Too Old is Too Young.......2002-05-28

This is the third and last of Mercedes Lackey's stories about Diana Tregarde. Diana is a Guardian, a witch/sorcerer trained to oppose those who misuse Magick and the creatures that serve them. This time Diana has been asked to come to a small suburb of Tulsa, Oklahoma by an old friend, Larry Kestrel. Ostensibly, Diana is there to teach a short course in the practical side of professional writing, but Larry wants here to look into premonitions he is having about a threat to his son, Derek.

While there is no apparent danger to the boy, he has been mixing with a wild crowd, led by Fay Harper. If bad mojo does not get him, his lifestyle just might. In any case, what Diana realizes right away is that the real problem is that there isn't any problem. Tulsa sits in the middle of a nulls zone where nothing sends out mystical signals, and not even tornadoes show up to disturb the ether. When she checks with other guardians in the area, she discovers that there are legends of something very powerful lying asleep below the city. Something that nothing in its right mind would ever choose to wake up.

No sooner does Diana start to settle into her role, when the apparent quiet is disturbed by several severe magical attacks on Monica Carlin, a new girl at the high school. The attacks are sudden, too swift for Diana to pinpoint. And they are strong, the world of a mature, skilled sorcerer. This is the rub. Unlike Diana, the reader knows from the beginning that Fay Harper is the sorcerer, who disguises her age by jumping from her body to her daughter's every 30 years. Diana's struggles to identify this source of magic before it wakes the sleeper are limited by her inability to accept a teenager as a master sorcerer.

'Jinx High' is probably the best of the three books in this series, but it is not without a few irritating quirks. If you can get by the fact that Diana's favorite expression is 'Jesus Cluny Frog,' you will probably find the story interesting and entertaining. Lackey has a good grasp of ceremonial magic, and doesn't make the kind of oversimplifying mistakes that many writers in the magic genre are prone to make.

However, if Diana's faults are bearable, the characters of her high school students, villains and heroes, are less attractive. Without exception, they have shallow and self-centered streaks that create a little too much distance between the reader and the plot. Some people would argue that that is only reality. But, I'm old fashioned, and like al my protagonists to be, well, protagonists. That everyone has the same character defect doesn't build interest either.

Customer Reviews:

Complete And Utter Garbage.......2003-09-24

Nancy helps Mr. Drew with his case concerning a rare bird farm that is scheduled to be torn down to make way for a high-rise apartment building. The owners of the farm are being frightened with jinx signs and other symbols of bad luck. Ooooooh! That's so scary. Yawwwwwwn. This book is absolutely horrible. The writing is terrible, the action is missing and there really isn't any mystery. It's not like Nancy is trying to find something or even capture a gang of unknown criminals. When you start the book you know that the people building the high-rise are the bad people. Lots of suspense there. This book features Nancy at her worst as she stoops so low as to use little children to get what she wants. This is an awful book that doesn't even deserve a 1 star rating.

Wonderful, action packed book!.......2000-04-23

In this exciting episode, Nancy and Ned try to solve a haunting mystery. But first Ned, then Nancy, come down with a mysterious disease. Can they get well in time to solve this mystery?

Average customer rating:

Horrible!
Wonderful!
Brb
Good

Calamity Jinx (Thoroughbred Series #71)
Joanna Campbell
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0060781165
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Book Description

Life at Tall Oaks is great for Allie, but she's watching her friends Melanie and Kevin struggle with Jinx, the talented Thoroughbred colt they want to run in the Kentucky Derby.

If Allie could just pinpoint the cause of Jinx's misbehavior, maybe they could fix the problem and he'd have a good shot at a Derby win. But tension is running high at the farm, with Melanie and Kevin bickering over Jinx's training, and even worse, Cindy, Allie's foster mom, and Ben, the farm owner, seem to be having troubles of their own. Can Allie help the people and horses she cares so much about, or is Tall Oaks teetering on the brink of disaster?

Customer Reviews:

Horrible!.......2005-08-19

This book was really bad! I don't like Allie. She's nothing but a brat who thinks she knows everything about horses. And I don't think she deserves Wonder's Legacy. And I'm sick of Jazz! I thought that that would be the end of him in #69 Melanie's Double Jinx. Hopefully, after this book, this time he'll be out of the picture. Another thing, in #62 Unbrdled Fury, they described Hi Jinx as a tall, gorgeous chestnut colt but in this book they're describing him as a short, little ugly colt. Really, the authors need to stick with what had been written before, not always change things!

Wonderful!.......2005-08-04

I loved this book! It was really good! Melanie's horse, Hi Jinx, hasn't been doing too well on the track. He finished last on the Fountain of Youth Stakes, and Kevin and Melanie continue to argue about Jinx's training.Then Allie steps in and tells them that Jinx would race better if they quit arguing. But everything turns out well in the end. And not only does Jinx do well in the race but Samantha's twins are born!
Not only was the book great, but the covers are looking better now! Sadly the next book is the last. I'm really gonna miss them. I love these books, I hope they'll change their minds.

Brb.......2005-07-31

This book Suked. they added a ne person in the nending it. They think that its good. but i could write better. they leave so many things out!
Read a better book
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good.......2005-05-26

I have never read this book,but the front cover looks Charming!
But as they say: "You can't juge a book by the cover". Have a nice read::::::::

Average customer rating:

you win some, you lose some
Saucepans and the Single Girl
Remembering when
Amusing trip back to the 60's!
Test of Time

Saucepans & the Single Girl
Jinx Morgan , and Judy Perry
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0446696927

Book Description

From the basics of a posh picnic to recipes guaranteed to snare his heart, SAUCEPANS THE SINGLE GIRL is the ideal kitchen guide for todays bachelorette. Originally published in 1965, this hip guide to livingand cookingsingle artfully straddles the line between timeless and outdated. Maintaining the books irresistibly retro appeal, this new edition features the original text with a new introduction and footnotes with important (and often comical) historical updates. Like a classic Lily Pulitzer dress brought out again, SAUCEPANS THE SINGLE GIRL is a retro gem that will have women everywhere wondering why its been packed away all this time!

Customer Reviews:

you win some, you lose some.......2007-06-09

First off, I have to say that the recipes are just fine in this book. You can cook happily with it. What ruins the whole thing for me is the patter in between the good. Back in '67 the authors were young and in the book they came off as thouroughly unpleasant women. I found myself pitying the men they dated and their parents. Their attitudes towards life and men seemed so superficial and downright predatory and this irritated me. I thought it would be a lighthearted fun read but it didn't work out this time. I may make the Bodega Chicken but I'm giving this one away as soon as possible.

Saucepans and the Single Girl.......2007-01-03

The recipes are great. The best part is that it is sooo fun to read. I recommend it highly. You don't have to be single to enjoy it.

Remembering when.......2006-06-29

Love the book! The original was marvelous and this is even better. Can't wait to give it to my daughters to let them enjoy it too. There are many easy and fun recipes mixed with very clever writing.

Amusing trip back to the 60's!.......2006-05-17

Saucepans & The Single Girl was originally published in 1965. The authors have updated this version with commentary and have modified the text and recipes with footnotes as necessary for present-day clarity.

From 1965 to 2006, this book transcends the generation gap because the age-old problems of the lack of money and storage space are still issues in many lives. If you are dealing with a limited budget and smaller living quarters, you can glean several tidbits of information for dealing with these issues from this 60's book because the basics are still the same even if the terms and references have changed.

Saucepans & the Single Girl contains itemized lists of the bare minimum requirements for the small kitchen. Like what to buy and keep on hand in the way of dry pantry items as well as refrigerated staples. This could be helpful for those who are just starting out or for the retiree who is downsizing to the extreme, say retirement home or motor home living where space is severely restricted.

Also included are: which herbs are best bought and used fresh or dried, basic utensils and pans you will need to prepare the recipes, and simple hints for entertaining for the less-than-Julia Childs types.

There is a glossary of wines on pages 16-28. Over a third of the recipes require some kind of alcohol. (They did not list substitutions for the non-drinker.)

The recipes range from the simple Hors D'oeuvres of Idiot's Cheese Delights, page 169, to traditional Yankee Pot Roast with noodles, pages 136-137. WARNING: pay close attention to the tiny question marks, clocks, light bulbs and spoons next to the text, which indicate a notation at the bottom of the page. It could mean there is an important amendment to that recipe. (I assume to keep the flavor of the past, they didn't update the recipes, but it would have made the instructions much easier to follow.)

If you are looking for an in-depth beginner's cookbook, I agree with the authors, go with a more traditional cookbook.

Armchair Interviews says: For an amusing trip back to the 60's single scene filled with terms and idealisms reminiscent of that era, you will enjoy Saucepans & the Single Girl.

Test of Time.......2006-01-05

Contains many wonderful recipes that have stood the test of time--almost 40 years! In 1967 it was also very funny, but because women's lives have changed so much, this humor may not be appreciated today. Favorite recipes include Swedish Cream(still make 3-5 times each summer), Obese Tomatoes, Opulent Chicken, and Gnocchi.

Average customer rating:

Cajun Matchmaking meets PA Amish Country, a Romantic Comedy not to be missed!
Excellent romance with comedy and adventure
Excellent romance with comedy and adventure
Treasure hunting...for love
More like 4 1/2 stars....

Pearl Jinx (Warner Forever)
Sandra Hill
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446616516

Customer Reviews:

Cajun Matchmaking meets PA Amish Country, a Romantic Comedy not to be missed!.......2007-10-15

From the genius of Sandra Hill comes another irresistible tale that I could not recommend more highly. We first met former Navy Seal, ex-Amish Caleb Peachey in PINK JINX. Now Caleb has received his first assignment as project manager for Jinx, Inc. -- excavating cave pearls from a cavern in central Pennsylvania owned by the Franklin Family. Abbie Franklin hopes that the project will give her grandson Mark, a war veteran who lost an arm in Afghanistan, a new lease on life.

Caleb had spent half of his life growing up in the nearby Amish community of Spruce Creek, but there is no homecoming for him to look forward to. Caleb had been shunned by both the community and his own family at the tender age of 17 for refusing to confess to sins he hadn't committed. He had gone forth alone into the "English" world and had never looked back. His biggest concern is that the local Plain community might cause problems for Jinx, Inc. due to his involvement in the project.

For the moment his biggest problem is Dr. Claire Cassidy, known to the locals as "Crazy Claire", a historical archaeologist and Lenni Lenape Indian expert, assigned to the project to ensure that no artifacts of historical nature are destroyed during the treasure hunt. The project is scheduled to begin and the woman hasn't answered any of his calls. He sets out to find her and bring her to heel, however Claire is nothing like he expected and constantly keeps him off balance with her frank comments. Of course it doesn't help that he's undeniably attracted to her and she to him.

Oh yeah, it's one of Louise Rivard's thunderbolts, for sure and for certain. And of course with her grandnephew Tee-John LeDeux on the Jinx crew, it doesn't take long for good ole Tante Lulu to start planning Caleb and Claire's wedding! Naturally that's not all Lulu's mixed up in. The perennial matchmaker also teams up with Abbie to get Mark and his ex-fiance back together. She and Claire are in cahoots to reunite the whole Peachey clan and of course she isn't about to let Tee-John forget that she's pushing along and years and it would be really nice if he decided to settle down real soon too.

If that's not enough Lulu and Abbie are being romanced by two geriatric twins named Amos and Andy, Caleb's baby sister Lizzy wants to be the first Amish American Idol with the rest of the LeDeux clan heading north give her a hand and Caleb's Mennonite twin brother Jonas (also under the Bann) is being mercilessly pursued by an "English" hottie. Throw in a giant cave snake named Sparky, a yappy dog named Boney, a handful of cats, some crazed chickens, a slew of St. Jude statues and a couple of hope chests and the laughs are guaranteed.

Young John LeDeux's story, WILD JINX, is next and it's been hinted that there may even be a few more LeDeux half-siblings living up in Alaska. LeDeuxs in the frozen north, what's the world coming to? Might take some of Lulu's famous Cajun gumbo to warm them up, who knows? In the meantime enjoy PEARL JINX, a heartwarming and hilarious tale in which a lonely, love worthy hunk finds more treasure than he could ever imagine. You'll be glad you did!

Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch for PNR Reviews

Excellent romance with comedy and adventure.......2007-09-15

This book from Sandra Hill just continued proving to me how much I like her books. I actually read this out of order, but it didn't decrease my enjoyment at all. I wasn't sure how she was going to handle the whole "ex-Amish" thing, but it was handled with respect and realism, which I appreciated. And I totally adored all the characters in the book, including Claire, the complicated archaeologist Caleb has to work with.

I like this branching off from the Cajun series Ms. Hill has and I can't wait for the next book!

Excellent romance with comedy and adventure.......2007-09-15

Treasure hunting...for love.......2007-09-12

(Pearl Jinx is the second in the treasure hunting series but can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.)

Caleb Peachey is an ex-Amish Navy SEAL who is project manager for this treasure hunt. The team is looking for cave pearls in the Spruce Creek Cavern. The Franklin family, who hired the Jinx team, also wants them to look for a box filled with gold coins that belonged to their ancestors. Adam Famosa, John LeDeux and Tante Lulu are back to help out with the latest treasure hunt. If this is your first time meeting Tante Lulu, you're in for a treat as this grandma is a hoot! She works her matchmaking magic on the team, with help from her favorite patron saint, Saint Jude.

Caleb must work with Dr. Claire Cassidy, a historical anthropologist. As a government consultant, she'll ensure that the team doesn't disturb any Native American artifacts. Although they get off to a rocky start, Caleb and Claire find it hard to resist each other. As Claire grows closer to Caleb, she also tries to solve the Peachey's family problems. Both Caleb and his twin brother Jonas are being shunned by the Amish community and their family. Their little sister Lizzie is a talented singer and wants to try out for American Idol (she's described as an Amish J.Lo). She wants to follow this dream and needs Caleb's help to convince their parents.

The treasure hunting storyline is a bit of an afterthought as the main focus is the love story between Caleb and Claire. Hill provides witty dialogue, comic relief and steamy love scenes.

Armchair Interviews says: The secondary characters make this novel a fun read. Check out her fun web site.

More like 4 1/2 stars...........2007-09-02

Ex-Navy Seal, Caleb Peachey, is determined to make the Pearl Project a successful one for Jinx, Inc. Distractions surround him, though, as Tante Lulu is on hand to provide her own peculiar brand of Cajun chaos. Tante Lulu swears that St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes, is going to help as she sees "thunderbolts" between Caleb and the sexy but slightly loopy historical archaeologist, Dr. Claire Cassidy. Meanwhile, Caleb's own past comes back to haunt him for he is in Amish territory and Caleb is under the Bann. Will Tante Lulu and St. Jude celebrate another successful romance with Caleb and Claire? And will Caleb find the treasure he seeks?

Caleb was my favorite character in Sandra Hill's first book in the Jinx series, PINK JINX, so I was more than thrilled to see him getting his own story. Sandra Hill did not disappoint, either, as Caleb's story is a rollicking fun story filled with both the trademark humor one expects from Sandra Hill and some very tender moments as well. Claire is the perfect companion for Caleb as she is willing to stand her ground and not give in to Caleb. Her eccentricity helps soften Caleb, who still maintains some of the rigidity from his Amish upbringing. Kudos to Sandra Hill for finding Caleb the ideal mate, as I must admit that a secret part of me cheered for him in PINK JINX even though I knew it was a useless endeavor. Caleb is just that fantastic of a character, the kind you want to see get his richly deserved happily-ever-after.

As always, Sandra Hill maintains a large cast of vividly described secondary characters. Who can't help but love the slightly crazy Tante Lulu and her favorite patron saint? Caleb's family also provides some touching and humorous moments, but his sister, Lizzie literally steals the show with her desire to be an Amish J-Lo and the next American Idol. Even animals are not immune from the witty touch of Sandra Hill. After all, even the humongous snake, Sparky, and the tiny dog, Boney, fall prey to the clever devices of Ms. Hill!

Fans of Sandra Hill will relish this latest offering. PEARL JINX offers the moments of sheer hilarity one has come to expect from this talented author. The chicken scene had me laughing so hard I was crying! PEARL JINX is yet another spectacular offering from the clever pen of Sandra Hill! Easily recommended.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Melanie's Double Jinx (Thoroughbred Series #69)

Average customer rating:

Go, Mel!
Pretty Good
Very Good
Interesting
Love

Melanie's Double Jinx (Thoroughbred Series #69)
Joanna Campbell
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0060758317
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Book Description

This 13 year old equestrian series is still running strong as it publishes it's 69th title!

Melanie and Image are back at Whitebrook after Brad Townsend's mysterious turn–around, abruptly letting her take the filly away from Townsend Acres. Even though Image is out of Brad's reach now, she still isn't really safe. Clouding her prospects is the fabled jinx––no horse that's won the Kentucky Cup Juvenile has ever won the Kentucky Derby. Has Melanie jinxed her Jinx?

Customer Reviews:

Go, Mel!.......2007-02-05

I haven't read this book yet but I hear that Mel and Kevin get back together!!! I never really liked Jazz, and hated him more and more after reading book #62. I think I'm going to like this book. SAVE THE THOROUGHBRED SERIES!

Pretty Good.......2005-08-26

I think the book was pretty good. One thing I didn't like was how Jinx was always a problem, and would suddenly win. I am very sorry that this one of the last books in the TB series. I really love it. The book was good and I think people should read it.

Very Good.......2005-07-08

Okay, Melanie isn't my favorite character, but because of this book, I'm starting to like her. I'm glad that Mel isn't dating Jazz anymore and that she and Kevin got back together. I never really liked Jazz. He didn't even care about horses. The only reason he got interested in them was just because Melanie was. And I'm glad that Melanie gets to keep Hi Jinx for herself!
These books are starting to get more awesome every time! The bad news is that HarperCollins is going to shut them down! I really hope they will reconsider, I love this series!

Interesting.......2005-05-15

This book was good,but what happened to Mel's face and her hole body looks like a kids but shes not a kid shes 18/19.
And Jazz isn't dressed too well for a singer. Keven looks ok?!
By the way,why is she riding Star insted of one of her three horses? or two or at least one horse.
Good book any way!
Please don't stop them now!!!!!!!!!!!!
there just getting really good?!!

Love.......2005-04-12

I loved this book.
They must right more. Hopefully they don't shut down the books. Please keep writing them.there are still a lot of people out there who eant to read new books of the thorughbred. I have read this book three times and ive started it a forth time.
Love it. Must read.

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