Arizona Heat

If you are looking for romance, humor and the unexpected this is for you! Totally enjoyed this two-book series.

Deadly Deceptions is number 2 in the Mojo Sheepshanks series by Linda Lael Miller, author of several other series such as the excellent "Look" series and various western themed romance books such as the "McKettrick" series. Mojo is a somewhat unlikely heroine. In Deadly Gamble she discovered she can communicate with dead people, which isn't as macbre as it sounds. She sees them in order to get them justice, usually by solving their murders. They are not ghostly apparitions, but the closest I can describe them is living in a parallel universe, and have substance like a normal being. Unravelling the mystery involves suspense, and can put you on the edge of your seat at times, but it does not make you squirm like a Patricia Cornwell. It is a lighter read than a Tami Hoag suspense, e.g. Dark Horse, Alibi Man, Dark Sky (which are all excellent books by the way). This book centred around a little girl who is abducted and murdered on her way home from ballet class, but there were lots of sub-plots involving Mojo's adopted sisters and others including her cop boyfriend's children. The twist came near the end and I found it quite shocking when I realised why the person/persons did it. I don't want to reveal too much here!! Mojo inherited a Biker Bar and lives in apartment above this, and not in a particularly great part of town. Read Deadly Gamble first for how this occurred, which is an interesting story regarding witness protection, etc. There are lots of interesting, and some really scary characters, one of which had me looking under my bed for several nights. If you like animals, there are some great dogs in the book, and it was a very heart warming, but not syrupy ending. It is very well written and the dialogue and plots flowed very well. I would definitely recommend buying this book or visiting your local library for a copy. I read it cover to cover and let the family order in Chinese for dinner because I just couldn't put it down. I have since lent it to two friends who also loved the book. Definitely a keeper, but I'd suggest you buy it in conjunction with Deadly Gamble and read that first.

WONDERFUL! If anyone is wishing they had a really good book to read over their summer vacation, DEADLY DECEPTIONS is it! Mojo Sheepshanks is wonderful! In this sequel to DEADLY GAME, Mojo, a PI who sees ghosts, is approached by the ghost of a 7-year-old deaf-mute girl, Gillian. Not knowing sign language, Mojo tries her hardest to solve the murder of this sweet little girl. However, Mojo's brother-in-law ends up dead as well, and she is off trying to solve this murder. When Greer, Mojo's sister becomes a prime suspect in her husband's brutal death, Mojo desperately tries to help in anyway her can. Tucker Darroch, a homicide cop and lover of Mojo, provides support and they find themselves engrossed in more then they can handle. Or have they? Linda Lael Miller has really out did herself in this series of stories. I found myself wishing that the story would go on and on. Don't miss this one for the summer!

In this book we see the return of Mojo Sheepshanks from Deadly Gamble. Mojo is a PI (sort of) has an obsession with self help books and oh yeah she sees dead people. In this episode of Mojo's life she helps solve the murder of a 7year old girl who's ghost visits her. If that's not enough her sister is suspected of killing her cheating Dr. husband and her on again off again fling with HOT cop Tucker is really on again. This book made me cry and laugh and Mojo is a character that you can't help loving. It's definitely worth the read.

It had been awhile since reading Deadly Gamble, so I had forgotten what it was about or if I even liked it much. However, it didn't take me long to catch up and remember while reading Deadly Deceptions. What impressed me about that fact is it wasn't done with boring recaps or redone flashbacks. It was written so well into the story it was seamless. This was a fast-paced exciting book. I couldn't put it down. Mojo is a great character. What a great name, too. Mojo Sheepshanks. I had a hard time picturing her in all her sundresses and sandals, though. With a name like that I kept picturing her in jeans, t-shirts, and boots. But, she is a character with depth. I enjoyed the story premise of The Sixth Sense. She sees dead people. It was great. I only wish she'd gotten the "I love you" from Tucker. I love a romantic declaration. Maybe next book. This is a series I will keep reading.

In Cave Creek, Arizona private investigator Mary Josephine "Mojo Sheepshanks" Mayhugh knows she lacks experience, but her ability to communicate with ghosts gives her edge to overcome her sleuthing naïveté. Mojo is adamant that her mission in life is to help those unable to move on find peace by resolving what keeps them hanging around the moral plane. At the same she depends on these otherworldly assistants to help her with her mortal cases. Following a ballet lesson, seven-year-old deaf-mute Gillian Pellaway is strangled; her stepfather is accused of the crime as he was taking her home; Gillian pleads with Mojo to help prove his innocence. Soon after that someone kills womanizing Alex Pennington; Mojo's wannabe boyfriend homicide detective Tucker Darroch arrests the victim's wife Greer, Mojo's adopted sister. The second Mojo paranormal private investigative tale (see DEADLY GAMBLE) is a terrific tale filled with dead and live red herrings, plenty of twists, and ghosts who demand the heroine solve their case. Mojo with her mumbo and moxie makes DEADLY DECEPTION fun to follow as she uses spiritual assistance to find hard proof that Greer is innocent in spite of her having the means, motive, and opportunity. With two Mojo mysteries so far, Linda Lael Miller appears to have a hit series for fans to appreciate. Harriet Klausner