Customer Reviews

Pink Jinx

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a hilarious, fast-paced romp! I already can't wait for the next Jinx book. Sandra Hill's humor is at its best, which says a lot for this author. In this book we meet some lively, colorful characters as they venture out on a treasure hunt deep in the ocean. The dialog between this crazy crew kept me laughing the entire book, and the romance really tugged at the heart. We also met Caleb Peachy, the hero of the next Jinx book due out next year. (I have a feeling Adam will also have his own book soon too.)

Jake Jensen and Veronica "Ronnie" Jinkowsky are the hero and heroine, and they both are so likable you will really miss them when the book is over. They have been married and divorced 4 times, but this time when the "thunderbolt" strikes they have the help of good ol' Taunte LuLu and St. Jude. (If you read any of the Cajun series, you will remember them!) Their love for each other is potent, but they have hurt each other too often in the past to trust in love again. They try to move on with their lives, but their medaling friends and relatives have them crossing paths again and again.

The romance portion of the book is much "lighter" than what I am used to from Sandra Hill, but still very enjoyable. There was much passion and sexual tension between Jake & Ronnie, but the steamy seductive scenes that I am used to in a Sandra Hill book was missing. Instead, she stimulates your imagination with implied innuendos, but leaves out the more vivid, graphic details of lovemaking. Selfishly, I did miss her typical "naughty hero" in bed scenes, which we see so much in her other books. And I hope when she eventually writes Tee-John's story we get some of those details back.

You certainly do not need to read her Cajun series to following along with this story either, but if you have then you are familiar with Taute LuLu and her nephew Tee-John. They are frequent secondary characters in those books, and we learn a lot more about them in Pink Jinx! When we first met Tee-John in Love Potion he was a rambunctious 13 or 14 year old, but now he is a full grown 22 year old following in his older brothers footsteps of being an irresistible, charming lady's man. I love how his character is developing as he grows up. I can't wait to read more about these two likable Cajuns. This book is a keeper.

Sandra Hill is one of my favorite authors, and this book shows why. She never fails to entertain, never fails to amuse, and never fails to give exactly the right ending to her stories.

In PINK JINX, we are introduced to Veronica "Ronnie" Jinkowsky, a straitlaced, hard-as-nails Boston lawyer, and Jake Jensen, a poker-playing adventurer who just happened to marry and divorce her - four times. With the help of a cast of characters ranging from Ronnie's estranged and wild treasure-hunting grandfather, Jake's stock-market-genius floozie girlfriend, a Mafia widow and her goon sons, a ragin' Cajun and his octogenarian matchmaking aunt, Ronnie and Jake don't stand a chance.

The book takes place on the high seas as they search for treasure - both real, and emotional. While you're sure you know the ending - after all, this is a romance - the happily ever after is never quite certain until the last few pages.

The story will keep you turning the pages. The humor will keep you smiling. The adventure will keep you excited. And the romance - well, break out your fan because it's hot and steamy on the high seas.

This is a definite buy-and-read-me-now book.

Reviewed by Vicky Burkholder
10/25/2006

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.

Maybe it's me, but I fing that I didn,t enjoy this book as much as her other contemporary novels. As a matter of fact, I started it a week and a half ago, and I,m still trying to finish it. I love everything Sandra has written in the past, and I'll continue to buy her books, but maybe there is just too much going on in this novel and too many attempts at humor. For me, it's just overkill to have an ex Amish former Navy Seal,zany Cajuns, a Polish version of Archie Bunker,the Mafia, and a couple who have four failed marriages in their past on a treasure hunting boat in the Atlantic Ocean a la Jacques Cousteau.
I'll but Pearl Jinx, but if it's no better than this one, that will be if for me in the " Jinx " series. I liked the Vikings and Cajuns much better.

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

This book is so boring. No romance,not very sexual,the characters have no personalities. The story is so long and drawn out with nothing happening it is hard to read. No excitement. I have read all of Sandrs Hill's Viking series and SEALS and some of her Cajun books they were excellent. This does not seem like Sandra is writing this book. I kept trying to read through it, but it never got any better for me....so sorry you must have had a writers block on this one. I really love your other books so much. 1-1/2 Stars for Pink Jinx
I also bought the other two books in this series when I bought this one "knowing" Sandra's books would be great.........wrong waste of money. So dissapointed.

Pink Jinx, like Ms. Hill's other books, is crammed full of humor and wit. If you're looking for laughs Sandra Hill is a good choice.

I can't compliment this particular choice, though. Throughout PJ I was left with the feeling that the author was simply trying too hard. She seemed to rely on what worked in the past without trying to give this book, the first in a new series, it's own unique footprint. The book is full of the outrageous, the ridiculous, and Tante Lulu, who seemed incredibly out of place in this tale.

While Pink Jinx is amusing, it is not up to the standards of Ms. Hills other titles and does not leave me anxious to read the other books in the series. I'd like to see Tante Lulu sent back to the swamps and more of Ms. Hill's Cajuns and Vikings.

I vote to pass on this series.

Unfortunately, I purchased all 3 books in the series on the strength of the reviews. What a disappointment. I've enjoyed other books by Sandra Hill, but these are just terrible. The story lines are weak, the characters are forgettable, and the humor just isn't there.

Veronica "Ronnie" Jinkowsky is a lawyer who's never had much contact with her grandfather, Frank Jinkowsky. Now, he's luring her to his treasure hunting business by telling her that he's broke. He's put his business, and his remaining property in her name, and he needs her help.

Jake Jensen is Ronnie's ex-husband, four times ex-husband. He's a professional poker player, and knows that he loves Ronnie, but they just can't seem to keep it together.

Frank, though, has come up with a plan. He wants Ronnie and Jake to help him on a treasure hunt for a Mafia widow's necklace full of pink diamonds, that was on a ship that sank some fifty years ago.

Once the two are on board ship together, they battle each other, plus two hunky admirers who would rather see Ronnie with them, then back with her ex-husband.

Pink Jinx contains Sandra Hill's patented brand of humor, which made me laugh in more than one place. I loved Ronnie and Jake's history, and the way it was woven into the story. Secondary characters, including Tante Lulu, Tee-John, and several Mafia goons add to the spice.

I've always loved Sandra Hill's romances, mixed with humor and love. Pink Jinx is a great start to a new series.

Amelia
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

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