Deadly Charm: An Amanda Bell Brown Mystery

Dr. Amanda Bell Brown is back, and neck deep in trouble. Again! When Evangelist, Ezekiel Thunder's baby is found drowned in the bathtub, Amanda is certain is was no accident and turns her attentions on the little boy's mother. Admidst babies, illness, and trying to repair her own marriage, Amanda goes head-to-head with the woman. When everything Amanda holds dear is threatened, she "steps it up" to solve a murder and save her marriage. Claudia Mair Burney has done it again! Amanda Bell Brown is back and sassy as ever. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the Amanda Bell Brown mysteries and wasn't disappointed in the third. Burney has the reader, laughing, crying, and gasping through one page-turning escapade after another. Bravo!

Psychologist Amanda Bell Brown has lost the two men she loved most in her life. Her husband Jazz walked out on her after seeing her kiss her Pastor Rocky shorty after making love on their wedding night. Rocky who loves Bell told her not to come to his church any longer because he is heartsick and feeling betrayed as she failed to mention she was married. Six weeks later Rocky arrives at Bell's home to ask her to accompany him to the revivals meeting of Ezekiel Thunder who fell off his pedestal when the media revealed his affairs with several women. At the meeting in a run down building, Bell meets Ezekiel's little son Zeekie, who has an effect on her as she falls in love with him. When he dies while taking a bath, Bell immediately believes he was murdered. Jazz, who wants to reconnect with his wife, pleads with her not to investigate as she is carrying a miracle that her doctor said was medically impossible; he fears she will ignore him and her pregnancy as he knows her history (see MURDER, MAYHEM AND A FINE MAN and DEATH, DECEIT AND SOME SMOOTH JAZZ). Bell seeks evidence to nail a killer whom she believes is not finished murdering. An Amanda bell Brown amateur sleuth is always a special treat as she is a fascinating character. She has a strong belief in God, but with free will deems some will choose the darkest path including the predator who killed Zeekie; thus she seeks proof though that places her in danger. Bell is an interesting person filled with inner strength yet is also very vulnerable to those she loves. Jazz is her perfect match as he fearlessly displays his love for her. Inside a terrific whodunit is a fabulous family drama. Harriet Klausner

A compelling novel of mystery and suspense. A page turning story filled with love, murder and intense emotions with a healthy dose of the bible. Bell unravels a mystery that puts her in danger. But she is determined to find out the truth. The story is written in such a way that is not preachy. It shows you a new way to look at the written word. Curl up with this fantastic book that will satisfy your love of mystery for those of you who love a detective story, a story of relationships and love for the romantic in you, and a refreshing view of worship and devotion.

Dr. Amanda Bell Brown, or Bell to her friends, has been pretty lost without her husband Jazz. He had left her the day after they got married when he found her kissing her ex-boyfriend Rocky. Well, actually Rocky had kissed her. He did not know that she had gotten married and she was trying to let him know without causing more hurt. Rocky was the pastor of the Rock House. Ezekial Thunder and his family were staying with Rocky while Ezekial was trying to jump start his ministry again. He had made a shambles of it a few years back when he had an affair with an intern. Since then his wife had passed away and he had married the intern, Nikki. Together they had a little boy, almost 3, by the name of Zeke or Little Zeekie. Ezekial had other children - all of whom were named some form of Ezekial. Bell does not really care for Ezekial and Nikki, especially after her "exorcism" of her "interracial dating and adultery" demon at Ezekial's Crusade. It had ended badly with her vomiting right at the feet of Ezekial. This episode made it on CNN when they began covering the Thunders after Little Zeekie accidentally dies while taking a bath at Rocky's. Or was it an accident? Bell decides that it is up to her to find out. She teams up with her detective husband, Jazz, whom she is still separated from, to try to find out the truth. I really enjoyed reading this book. Bell was full of quick wit and a sarcastic tongue which brought a smile to my face quite often. I loved the banter between Jazz and Bell. They clearly loved each other but were both very proud and independent. Here is an excerpt of that banter: I didn't move. "What are you doing?" "Opening the door for you." "Why didn't you drive over to where your car is?" "I'm not ready to leave yet, Bell." "What if I've had enough of you for one day?" "Oh, I happen to know you can take more of me than that." He said this with a wicked grin. "Is your head always in the gutter?" He leaned toward me, his arm resting on the top of the Love Bug. "Get out of the car, baby." "No." "I know you're mad. We can talk inside." "I don't want to talk to you." "You asked me to look into this for you, and that is what I did. Will you get out of the car so I can tell you whatI accomplished this evening?" I took a peek at him. "You were just working?" "I was." "You're not attracted to that Cruella De Vil stick figure?" "Hardly" "And you don't think I'm too fat?" "Bell, get out of the car. It's cold out here." "You were supposed to say something romantic that made me believe you don't think I'm fat." "Bell, if you don't step out of the Love Bug right now, I'm going to drag you upstairs." "That fell way short of romantic, not to mention you still haven't said I'm not fat." He sighed and rake his fingers through his hair. "You're not fat. I think you're stunning. You're so hot that I can hardly resist you, even though I'm still mad at you." I grinned. "You think I'm hot?" "Perhaps you should focus on my saying I'm still mad at you."

Amanda Bell Brown is at it again in Deadly Charm by Claudia Mair Burney. As Amanda, known as Bell, tries to cope with her newly formed marriage to Jazz Brown, she finds herself still running to that safe place. That place being Rocky, her ex- pastor and boyfriend. Rocky's intentions to let Bell know that Jazz is the one for her, is overshadowed by his spiritual father, Ezekiel Thunder's return. When a tragedy happens to the Thunder family, Bell cannot help but put on her investigator hat. Nikki Thunder, Ezekiel's young wife, seems to be suspect number one. And it sure does not help that Bell feels that Nikki may be attracted to her husband, Jazz. Jazz is not thrilled with Bell getting involved and risking her life, yet again. He is the cop and he wants Bell to put on her wife hat. The Browns fight each other to the end. But their love for each other is evident. Will Amanda get caught up in something she can not get out of? Will the truth finally come to light? Deadly Charm is the third book in the series of the Amanda Bell Brown Mysteries. If you have not read the other two books, you can still enjoy this one. You will crack up at the antics of Bell. The mystery will have you on the edge of your seat. Maire's insertion of Christian values and scripture was perfect. You will definitely want to pick this one up. Donnica Copeland APOOO BookClub Sista Talk Book Club