Friday, October 14, 2011

REVIEW OF DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS



DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS

by Ann Charles

On assignment from her mother, Claire Morgan has the thankless job of keeping her grandfather, Harley Ford, out of trouble. He and his army buddies have been surfing the senior singles sites and convinced a group of potential lady-loves to meet them at the Dancing Winnebago RV Park in Jackrabbit Junction, Arizona for their annual reunion. Traveling with her grandfather and his beagle, Henry Ford, is no picnic. Both males snore, and Claire has learned way more than she ever wanted to know about her grandfather’s love life and medical problems on the trip from South Dakota.

 The RV park is owned by Ruby Martino, a widow and favorite of all the campers. Ruby hires Claire to help out in the park store, giving Claire a welcome break from her grandfather, his two  friends, their cigars, talk of women, and endless card games of Bid Euchre. She doesn't even mind the periodic tantrums of Ruby's rebellious teenaged daughter, Jess.

But Ruby is up against a bank deadline, fearing she will have to sell the land that surrounds the park to a mining company or go bankrupt. That’s why her geotechnician nephew, MacDonald “Mac” Garner comes from Tuscon for a three-week visit. He is determined to help his Aunt Ruby assess the mining company offer even if she is too proud to accept his offer of a cash loan. Mac vows to see his aunt nets every dime of the land's worth.

The ashes of Claire’s grandmother are scattered on that land, and Claire doesn’t want the site turned into a copper strip mine. She’s determined to help Ruby keep her acreage so mining excavations will never disturb the beautiful valley and ridges where grandmother’s ashes reside.

When Harley's dog digs up a bone that looks like a human femur, Claire wrestles it from the annoyed beagle. That bone is the beginning of a complicated mystery that throws Claire and Mac together, not that either minds, even though they disagree about the best results for Ruby. As the tension heats between Mac and Claire, they find themselves in the cross-hairs of the army threesome. Between her grandfather and his friends, Ruby, and Jess, Claire has given up on privacy. What can she do? As Mac says when the three buddies turn their interest in his direction, “Sometimes it's easier to drown than to fight the undercurrent.” But someone is determined to prevent Mac and Claire from investigating the mines--at any cost. I can’t tell you more without spoiling this terrific cozy mystery.


Ann Charles
Ann Charles' story is funny, engaging, and well crafted. It’s no wonder DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS was a 2005 finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association Contest. I’m only surprised the book didn’t win first place. The book is available from Smashwords now. If you love mystery and humor, this is a book you’ll enjoy.




Please return on Monday when I tell you about another book you'll enjoy if you love history and/or historic mysteries.


Thanks for stopping by!

17 comments:

Caroline Clemmons said...

I enjoyed Ann Charles' book and hope you enjoy the review.

Ann Charles said...

Caroline, thank you for taking the time to review my newest book. I appreciate the attention you gave it in that wonderful synopsis of the story. I may need to "borrow" that for some future interviews--you explained it all so well! You must be good at writing synopsis'ssss (I always like to end that word like I have a snake tongue).

I'll be sure to refer folks to this.

Ann

tweezle said...

This one looks awesome. I have Ann's two other books, so I'm looking forward to reading this one.
tweezle(at)gmail(dot)com

Laura said...

I love these tours!

I can't wait to read her book!
Thanks,
Laura G.

cardinoles@gmail.com

kenla said...

Can't wait to read. Thanks for the review.
kenla.lord(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I get more and more info from each review I read. Thanks for the info.
phaedracamille@gmail.com

katsrus said...

Going to have to move this up to the top of my reading list. I really enjoy Ann's books. She is a must buy for me.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

Denise Z said...

Thank you so much for sharing with us today and taking part in this fun masquerade tour. I am so excited about having the opportunity to read Ann Charles' new book Dance of the Winnebagos. I was also touring around your site and have to say that your books Caroline look wonderful as well and I have signed up to follow and will be checking out you titles as well. Save Your Heart for Me seems to be calling and I do not think I will be able to resist the itch of my finger tips to get hold of it LOL Thank you again for the fun:)

dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

divavixenqueen said...

Great review.

Sounds like the books going to be alot of fun. Can't wait.
divavixenqueen@gmail.com

Pinky said...

Hi,

Here for the Blog Tour, can't wait to get my copy, sounds like a great book!

Thanks for the fun!

pinkmaiden821(at)gmail(dot)com

georgewho said...

So looking forward to reading this!!!
Thanks so much!
Georgeanna
tdef.gb@bucksmont.net

msmjb65 said...

I can't wait to read this book! Thanks for the review.
MJB
msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com

Krysykat said...

Thanks for the review!

Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

dreamsgate said...

Great review, I can't wait to read the book. Thank you for supporting the blog tour. These tours are so much fun.


dreamsgate at centurylink dot net

kkellijo said...

This book sounds great :)
Thanks for taking the time to review it!!

kkellijo@yahoo.com

IdentitySeeker said...

Interesting and comprehensive review! This sounds like a book I'll enjoy thoroughly.

Sarah Bibi Setar

sarah.setar@gmail.com

anme said...

Thank you for the review, that was the most comprehensive one yet! The book is definitely at the top of my TBR pile now!

melorabrock {at} gmail {dot} com