Pink Jinx [Mass Market Paperback]

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.