Jackrabbit Junction Jitters (52 page)
Read Jackrabbit Junction Jitters Online
Authors: Ann Charles
I’m a big fan of the movie,
Tremors
, with Kevin Bacon
and Fred Ward. Ever since I first “met” Kevin’s character in the movie, I’ve
wanted to write a story with a guy named Valentine in it. That is how Valentine
“Butch” Carter came to be in this book. This movie also inspired my character,
Ruby, who has been Heather Gummer (played by Reba McEntire in the film) since I
first dreamed up the cast.
* * *
I have been a fan of country music since childhood thanks to
my dad and stepfather. I grew up listening to Tammy Wynette, Hank Williams Sr.
and Jr., Patsy Cline, Johnny Horton, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, and many
more. While I write the scenes in the Jackrabbit Junction Mystery series, I
often pick a song from one of these classic country artists and play it over
and over in the background, which drives my family nuts.
* * *
The mummy image on the “Mummy Dearest” T-shirt Claire is
wearing on the cover of this book is a picture of me dressed as a “pregnant
mummy” for Halloween years ago when I was six months preggo with my son. My
husband helped me to fashion a mummy costume complete with wraps of linen,
creepy makeup, and rotting teeth. Ah, true love.
* * *
When my mother first read this book, she called me, told me
she really enjoyed it, and then asked if I had some issues with her that we
needed to discuss with a therapist in the room.
* * *
I’m a huge fan of westerns and spend many late nights after my
family goes to bed watching my favorite westerns over and over—
Big Country
,
Two Mules for Sister Sara
,
The Outlaw Josey Wales
,
McClintock
,
North to Alaska
,
Open Range
, and
Lonesome Dove
to name a
few. My husband once made the mistake of cutting out the Western channel from
our satellite TV package in order to save money. He still puts up with me
grumbling about that.
Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series
Dance of the
Winnebagos
(Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series: Book 1)
Coming Next in the Jackrabbit Junction
Mystery Series:
The Great Jackalope Stampede
(Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series: Book 3)
Deadwood Mystery Series
Nearly Departed in
Deadwood
(Deadwood Mystery Series: Book 1)
Optical Delusions
in Deadwood
(Deadwood Mystery Series: Book 2)
(Deadwood Mystery Series: Book 3)
Coming Next in the Deadwood Series:
Better Off Dead in Deadwood
(Deadwood Mystery Series: Book 4)
Jitters
“Ann Charles’s Jackrabbit Junction Jitters, book two in
her Jackrabbit Junction mystery series, is a fun, fast, sexy ride with spunky
lovable Claire. We find Claire ensnarled in all sorts of drama including
dealing with horrendous storm to getting caught up in a treasure hunt—all the
while trying desperately to finagle the wacky characters in her life. Ann has
made me a fan of hers all over again. Put Jackrabbit Junction Jitters on your
must read list. It’s a hit!”
Lois Lavrisa, Bestselling author,
Liquid Lies
“Where there’s trouble, Claire’s not far behind … but
with loyal friends and luck like the Irish, Claire always comes out on top.
What a book! Ann’s books are always a treat!”
~Natasha Jennex, A Great Book Is The Cheapest
Vacation Reviews
“We’re not in Deadwood anymore, but fans of Ann Charles’s
Deadwood series will still recognize her keenly crafted sense of place in her
new Jackrabbit Junction series. For readers who enjoy the fast-paced dialogue
that propels them through her romantic mysteries, Jackrabbit Junction Jitters
will not leave you jilted.”
~C.M. Wendelboe, Author of Death Along the Spirit
Road and Death Where the Bad Rocks Live
“Reading Jackrabbit Junction Jitters is like going to a
great family reunion. You adore some characters, you want to slap others, you
laugh a lot and have a wonderful time, and you can’t wait to come back to the
next party and do it all over again.”
~Pamela Beason, Award-winning Author of the Summer
Westin Mystery Series and
The Only Witness
“Jackrabbit Junction Jitters had me twisted in laughter
and anticipation! Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Ann throws in
another hook! Mayhem, Mystery and Mommy Dearest moments! Ann Charles is truly
the Mystery Maven of 2012!”
~Kriss Morton-Weekley, The Cabin Goddess Reviews
“Ann Charles delivers laugh-out-loud dialogue,
unforgettable characters, and pulse-pounding suspense.”
~Vicki Lewis Thompson, NYT Bestselling author
“Don’t pick up one of Ann Charles’s mystery romances if
you have other pressing engagements. Ms. Charles writes with an engaging style
that is demonstrably impossible to set down. Quirky characters, plenty of
menace and skullduggery in abandoned old mines, and loads of good, clean sex
hustles this story briskly on its way. Four stars and a passel of happy hoots
for Dance of the Winnebagos.”
~John Klawitter, author of the prizewinning
Hollywood
Havoc
action thriller novels
“Ann Charles crafts another hilarious romp of a mystery
with quirky characters and laugh-out-loud dialogue.”
~Amber Scott, author of
Soul Search
and
Fierce
Dawn
“Hang onto your hats, Deadwood fans, because you’re
gonna love the Jackrabbit Junction series, too! If you love mystery with a
little romance and a lot of humor, you’re in for a wild ride with
Dance of
the Winnebagos
.”
~Jacquie Rogers, author of
Much Ado About Marshals
“The quips come fast and furious and the plot twists
with more alacrity than a jackrabbit on the run from a coyote in this
fast-paced humorous mystery/thriller/romance.”
~Susan Schreyer, author of
Death By A Dark Horse
“… two thumbs up and a standing ovation for laughs,
sighs, thrills, and an excellently crafted mystery.”
~Maxwell Cynn, Thrillers Rock Twitter Reviews and
author of The Collective
“Charles knows how to tell a story. Her humor and
ability to create fantastic characters keeps me begging for more!”
~Natasha Jennex, A Great Book Is the Cheapest
Vacation Book Reviews
“An amazing cast of characters! Even the people walking
by in the background have pizzazz! Ann Charles consistently provides a colorful
kaleidoscope of characters and situations. I simply love her books. I found
myself cursing my appointment book. All I wanted to do was stay home and read!
We need a new genre for Ann Charles’s books. Nothing out there does them
justice.”
~Jenna Scribbles, Book Reviewer and Author of
Healing
Touch
and
Off Leash
“Dance of the Winnebago has humor, mystery, and romance
… throw in a bitter ex-beauty queen and a colorful elderly population and you
have a great story. This is a smart, funny, and suspenseful read.”
~Lindsey Anderson of Reads, Reviews of a Tortured
Select-Soccer Hostage
“… a fast paced murder mystery with ribald humor, a
dozen subplots and romances, and a murder thrown in.”
~Jo Ann Hakola, The Book Faerie, Journey of a
Bookseller
“The novel has spunk and pep! Ann Charles tells a darn
good romantic tale as well!”
~Susie Kline, Motherhoot Reviews
Five Fun Facts About
Jackrabbit Junction Jitters
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