Dance of the Winnebagos (Jackrabbit Junction Humorous Mystery Series #1) [Kindle Edition]

Ann Charles (Author), C.S. Kunkle (Illustrator)

Book Description

DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS, a Kindle Bestseller in Women Sleuth and Western Romance genres from the national award-winning author of the Deadwood Mystery Series, Ann Charles.

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Don't forget to grab, JACKRABBIT JUNCTION JITTERS, the 2nd book in the Jackrabbit Junction Mystery series. The third in this series, THE GREAT JACKALOPE STAMPEDE, will be out in mid-2013.

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Praise for DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS...
Ann Charles delivers laugh-out-loud dialogue, unforgettable characters, and pulse-pounding suspense." ~Vicki Lewis Thompson, New York Times Bestselling Author

Other 5 out of 5 star reviews ...
"... 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

"Ann Charles consistently provides a colorful kaleidoscope of characters and situations. I simply love her books. 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

"The novel has spunk and pep! Ann Charles tells a darn good romantic tale as well!"  ~Susie Kline, Motherhoot Reviews

Overview of DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS ...
When Claire's grandfather and his army buddies converge in the Arizona desert to find new wives, it's her thankless job to keep them out of trouble with the opposite sex.

But when she finds a human leg bone and partners with a reluctant geotechnician to dig up secrets from the past, trouble finds her. If she doesn't stop digging, she could end up dead.

More Praise ...
"Don't pick up one of Ann Charles' mystery romances if you have other pressing engagements. Ms. Charles writes with an engaging style that is demonstrably impossible to set down." ~John Klawitter, author of the prize-winning Hollywood Havoc action thriller novels

If you laughed and cringed your way through Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, you are going to love Ann's Deadwood Mystery series!

Ann's Deadwood Mystery Series
**Check out Ann's Top-Rated #1 Kindle Bestseller in BOTH Women Sleuth and Ghost genres, the award winning, NEARLY DEPARTED IN DEADWOOD: "Full of thrills and chills, a fun rollercoaster ride of a book!" ~Susan Andersen, New York Times Bestselling author of Burning Up

**Don't forget to pick up the second book in the Deadwood Mystery series, OPTICAL DELUSIONS IN DEADWOOD: "Hilarious, original, and genuinely wonderful!" ~Hank Phillippi Ryan, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity winning author

**DEAD CASE IN DEADWOOD (Book 3)..."Masterful storytelling. Masterful suspense. Masterful humor. And to have such tension and mystery in a third book in a series? Like I said...Masterful." ~Carolyn McCray, author of 30 Pieces of Silver, #1 Kindle Bestseller in Men's Adventure/War genres


DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS Cover Art by C.S. Kunkle; Cover Design by Sharon Benton; Cover Art Prep by Mona Weiss

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Charles knows how to tell a story. Her humor and ability to create fantastic characters keeps me begging for more!"
~Natasha Jennex of A Great Book Is the Cheapest Vacation Book Reviews

From the Author

Dear Reader

For once in my life, I'm going to keep something short and sweet--this note to you. My editor will be amazed.

I am often asked how I came up with the title of this book, DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS.

Once upon a time, I was playing hangman at work with one of my coworkers, who is also a very talented artist (that has nothing to do with this story, but she really is amazing and I like to crow about her, even when not mentioning her name). It was her turn to come up with a word, and she added a lot of spaces on the white board. After I landed two consonants and a vowel, the board looked like this:

T _ E    _ _ _ N _    _ _    T _ E    _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ E _

I was feeling pretty ambitious that day. I took one look at this puzzle and yelled, "The Dance of the Winnebagos!" (I know, the letters don't match up--I've never done well in spelling bees.)

My coworker laughed, hung my poor stick man, and then wondered what in the heck The Dance of the Winnebagos was.

I said, "I don't know, but it would make a great book title, don't you think?"

This game of hangman kick-started my brain. A weekend of plotstorming with my critique group fleshed out the story even more. Before I knew it, I had a fun cast, an intriguing mystery, and book that practically wrote itself.

After I finished it, this book caught the interest of my agent. It was also a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest. But being that it's a mix of genres (my usual style), my agent and I couldn't find a home for it with a publishing house. Now, years later, it will finally have its chance in the spotlight, and I can't wait to share Claire's story with you.

I picked Arizona as the setting, because I lived there for a year and loved every minute of it. I picked a beagle to share the limelight with Claire, because I'm a fan of Snoopy.

For those of you who have read my Deadwood Mystery series, you may remember that Claire Morgan is Violet Parker's childhood neighbor, as well as Natalie's cousin. Harley Ford is Natalie's grandfather, too.

And now, this short note has become a little long, so I'll wrap it up with a tip of my cowboy hat.

Welcome to Jackrabbit Junction!

Ann Charles
Award-winning author of the Deadwood Mystery Series
anncharles.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 858 KB
• Print Length: 392 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Corvallis Press (October 13, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005VKQIUK
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,422 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #90 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Romance > Mystery & Suspense > Mystery

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ann Charles makes me laugh! October 15, 2011

By Gigi

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Once again, I found myself laughing out loud as I read Dance of the Winnebagos by Ann Charles.

Charles has a delightful way with characterization and story. The main character in this book is Claire. I'm excited to see more of her in Ann's books. I really like her spunk.

I grew up in a small town near mining claims and trailer parks, so it was easy for me to put a face on each character. Ann gave just enough description of the characters to leave the rest up to my imagination.

I like how Ann weave's in relationships from her first Deadwood series to the Jackrabbit Junction series.

Take a night off from your other responsibilities and grab a copy of Dance of the Winnebagos. It will be a fun read and you won't be disappointed.

46 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ann Charles hits another one out of the park October 14, 2011

By Paul Franklin

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Ann's done it again!

Another story I couldn't put down. Claire's Spring time Arizona adventure with Henry the Beagle, Gramps (and his army vet buddies)... I shouldn't give away all the characters, only fair that you get to meet them when you're reading it for yourself...is a great way to spend an overcast Washington Autumn evening.

It says "Jack Rabbit Junction Mystery Series" so now I am eagerly awaiting another installment.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ann Charles creates wonderful characters and spins a great tale October 25, 2011

By R. Wilson

Format:Kindle Edition

I made my delighted way through the twists and turns of our hero, Claire. Surrounded by senior citizens in an RV camp, charged with overseeing her grandfather's moral character, Claire finds herself in the middle of an intriguing mystery. Plus she meets the hot guy of her dreams. Who could ask for anything more? Loved this book. Laughed out loud. You won't be sorry you bought it!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Laughs, sighs, and thrills: A mystery that has it all. November 17, 2011

By Maxwell Cynn

Format:Kindle Edition

This is one of the most fun books I've read in a long time. The rich cast of characters, and their antics, had me flipping pages - at times embroiled in the deliciously romantic cozy mystery, at others to find out what hilarious stunt would happen next.

Claire is a thirty-something who still hasn't found herself. She's tagging along with her grandfather and his buddies to keep an eye on them. They have their Winnebagos parked in an RV resort where they have invited every retired floozy on the internet to meet them. It's like the AARP version of a party at the Playboy Mansion. But Claire soon finds herself involved in a mystery - and with the handsome Mac who makes her toes curl just walking in the room.

The story is filled with twists and turns on all fronts. The romances and personal intrigues had me guessing almost as much as the mystery. Everyone seems to have an agenda and no one is completely open. As the silver haired sex-pots prance around in the desert heat, dark secrets are unveiled and the danger builds for Claire and Mac even as the heat between them ignites. This one gets two thumbs up and a stand ovation for laughs, sighs, thrills, and a excellently crafted mystery.

Whatever your favorite type of mystery, this one has it all - from romance to thriller - you're gonna love Dance of the Winnebagos. This book has it all.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So much fun! October 14, 2011

By cjhall

Format:Kindle Edition

It was so difficult to take my time and enjoy this book, I really wanted to read it cover-to-cover in one sitting! I love all the characters and their interactions. I can't wait to read more!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars another winner for Ann October 14, 2011

By Nancy J. Oakes

Format:Kindle Edition

If you have not read any of Ann`s books do yourself a favor buy all of them!!!!!!!!!!This is her newest and its great (of course its Ann Charles)I started with her deadwood series if you haven`t yet read them DO SO!!Dance of the Winnebagos has the same Great character development her writing is a well balanced mix of humor,mystery and romance.I was lucky enough to friend Ann on facebook and she send me a advanced copy of her new book (thank you Ann).I can`t wait for the next book in the series.If you like mystery story`s,romance story`s or humor you get it all here at a low price.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the debut of this fun mystery series! October 24, 2011

By Wendy Delaney

Format:Kindle Edition

Once again, just like with her Deadwood books, Ann hooked me with the first sentence and didn't let go. You know that line, "You had me at hello." Well, I knew I wouldn't be able to put this book down when I read, "If Claire Morgan had known she'd be chaperoning a senior citizen sock hop, she wouldn't have given up smoking." Not only is this story laugh out loud funny, it's pure entertainment from start to finish. If you enjoyed Ann Charles' Deadwood series, you're going to LOVE book one of her new Jackrabbit Junction Mystery series. Can't wait for book two!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars loved, loved this book January 6, 2012

By pacchic1982

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved her other books that were based in deadwood, so i thought i would try this book and i fell in love within the first chapter! And the book never let you down, loved the characters especially the older ones!!! would recommend this book to everyone and can't wait for the next!

More About the Author

Ann Charles is an award-winning author who writes romantic mysteries that are splashed with humor. Her book NEARLY DEPARTED IN DEADWOOD won the 2010 Daphne du Maurier for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense Award and the 2011 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award for Best Novel With Strong Romantic Elements.

Currently, she has several fiction books available: NEARLY DEPARTED IN DEADWOOD, OPTICAL DELUSIONS IN DEADWOOD, DEAD CASE IN DEADWOOD (selected as one of Suspense Magazine's BEST OF 2012 books), and BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD, which are all part of her ongoing Deadwood Mystery Series. The fifth book in this series will be out in late 2013/early 2014.

Also available from Ann are the first two books in her Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series: DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS and JACKRABBIT JUNCTION JITTERS. The third book in this series will be out in mid-2013.

She has a couple of short stories as well--DEADWOOD SHORTS: SEEING TROUBLE (a short story from her Deadwood Mystery Series) and THE OLD MAN'S BACK IN TOWN (a short story from her upcoming Goldwash Mystery Series, the first of which will be out in 2014).

She also has two non-fiction book available: NAIL IT! THE SECRET TO BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE FICTION WRITER'S PLATFORM and GROWING YOUR AUDIENCE. Both books are co-written with Jacquie Rogers.

A member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America for many moons, Ann has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. She is currently toiling away on her next book, wishing she was on a Mexican beach with an ice-cold Corona in one hand and her Kindle in the other. When she is not dabbling in fiction, she is arm wrestling with her two kids, attempting to seduce her husband, and arguing with her sassy cat. Most nights, you can find her hanging out over at www.anncharles.com, on Facebook as Ann Charles, or as DeadwoodViolet on Twitter--especially around midnight when her quirky fictional world comes to life.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#11 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Horror

#54 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery

#68 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#11 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Horror

#54 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery

#68 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery