J.M. Jeffries Reviews

Page One

Added December 14, 2003

The Bewildering Bequest

Author: J.M. Jeffries
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Available At: www.amberquill.com
Publishing Date: September 2003
Genre: Romance: Paranormal/Comedy
Format: Trade Paperback and Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $ paperback, $5.50 ebook
ISBN: 1-59279-151-4 ebook,
Author Email/Website: www.jmjeffries.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

Still being punished for an earlier mistake, immortal god Cupid is trying desperately to regain his place. His newest target is Jason Stavros, a blue-collar carpenter currently residing in Charleston, South Caroline. He planned to unite Jason with someone like him until his mother, Venus, the goddess of Love, decided lawyer Merrill Prescott the Fourth was his perfect match. The death of Merrill's first client, Miss Eulalie Bidwell, while sad, worked in their favor. With a bit of magic, they are able to get Merrill and Jason together, now they just have to fall in love.

Merrill was shocked to learn she has been named a co-guardian of Miss Eulalie's dog, Psyche's Folly who just happens to have an inheritance of seventy-five million. As if that weren't bad enough, the will stipulated she and the other guardian were to live in the same house, providing the dog with a stable home life. Merrill was pretty sure she could handle living with the handsome carpenter, Jason Stavros, but her prim and proper Southern belle grandmother wasn't going to handle it well.

Being named guardian for a dog didn't shock Jason. Miss Eulalie had informed him of her decision long before she passed away. Shared guardianship was a different story. Having been hurt his ex-wife, a wealthy, complicated, society woman, he planned to avoid them. Yet Merrill's down-to-earth preferences and desire to break from Southern tradition quickly changed his mind.

Yet nothing is ever simple for Cupid and Venus, especially not when Jupiter decides he must have Merrill for himself. Knowing Venus' interest in her meant she was trying to fix a match, he had to ensure she was well out of his way before trying to bed Merrill. He institutes a hands-off policy, ordering all godly interference with mortals stop immediately. Furious, but refusing to give up on her newest match, Venus and Cupid go undercover.

Love is never easy, especially for Merrill. She loves her grandmother and is even willing to put her happiness first. Adding to her growing attraction for Jason, Miss Eulalie's niece and nephew are threatening to take Merrill to court and contest the will, saying Miss Eulalie had to be crazy to leave all her money to a dog. Determined not to let anyone besmirch Miss Eulalie's name, Jason and Merrill decide to fight whatever ridiculous schemes the niece and nephew try. Now all Merrill has to do is avoid the latest eligible bachelor (Jupiter) her grandmother tosses at her and she might find a love beyond her dreams.

The Bewildering Bequest is a magnificent tale full of laughs, romance and unforgettable characters. Merrill and Jason have a lot in common, not to mention their fierce attraction to each other. I have to admit, that my favorite characters weren't the hero and heroine; it was Venus and Cupid. They are the perfect matchmaking pair, their differences coming together to create an unbeatable team. And seeing Venus in all her many disguises throughout the novel was priceless. I highly recommend The Bewildering Bequest and am looking forward to The Captivating Chauffeur, now available from Amber Quill Press.

Reviewer Note: Originally published as Cupid: The Bewildering Bequest, this wonderful title is now available once again.

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Added November 30, 2002

Southern Comfort

Author: J.M. Jeffries
Publisher: Genesis Press, Inc
Publishing Date: Available Now
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Genre: Romance: Suspense
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $8.95
ISBN: 1585710784
Author Email/Website: www.jmjeffries.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

Returning home after a distinguished career as a military police officer, Hardesty Arnaud had hoped to work for the St. Martine police department. She never dreamed the former sheriff would immediately appoint her to his position and retire. Three days into her new career, one of her deputies discovers a dead body in a bayou cabin. Arriving on the scene, she is shocked to find the town leaders all ready present. After watching her deputies' obvious incompetence in processing a crime scene, she proceeds to do it herself.

She soon realizes the dead body is none other than Lorenzo "The Hand" Capizi, mob-lawyer-turned-witness.

Her first reaction is shock followed quickly by anger. The FBI had ignored all departmental courtesy by not informing her of Capizi's presence. Hardesty knew once the Feds knew their witness was dead they'd arrive and take her case away. Something she wasn't going to allow to happen, no matter how good-looking their agent happened to be.

Nick Brannigan had been after a particular branch of the Mafia for years. Turning Capizi was the highlight of his career. He only had to keep him alive until the trial. Backwater St. Martine appeared to be the perfect place: sleepy, little town with an elderly sheriff. No one would ever notice Capizi's presence. He hadn't counted on his witness dying or the sheriff retiring. Now he was forced to deal with a tough, ex-military cop who wasn't going to let him barge in and take over. If only he could keep his thoughts on the case.

Hardesty and Nick were like éclairs and gumbo, not a good a mix. Never giving each other a chance, never backing down. Yet their case dictated cooperation. As they delved into the evidence, links to New Orleans appeared and another body. Who was behind the hit?

As their case progresses, the two fall in love. Unwilling to allow themselves to enter a relationship, they can't deny their passion. Giving in would mean losing in the end, for they were on different tracks. Nick was headed for Washington D.C. and St. Martine was where Hardesty needed and wanted to be. When the time came, would they be able to say goodbye?

A must read! I have been a fan of J.M. Jeffries from the beginning, never missing any of their novels. Southern Comfort is the best to date. Filled with their characteristic wit and amazing storylines, this novel grabs the reader instantly. The suspense is superb, keeping the reader entranced and guessing. Snappy dialogue and plenty of description, it's the characters that are the most rewarding. Hardesty is a strong heroine, reminding me of my older sister. She's someone you admire and love even when she comes off a bit pushy and overbearing. Nick is the man of every woman's dreams. Strong, determined, sexy as sin, and possessed with a caring heart, he's the perfect complement to his heroine.

Personally, I enjoyed every moment of this novel. The most touching moments of Southern Comfort are when Hardesty's grandfather talks of her grandmother. Their story is tender, heartwarming and bittersweet all at once. Definitely not a novel to miss.

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