Calamity Jayne Mystery Series by Kathleen Bacus, Gemma Halliday

Tressa Jayne Turner has had it up to here with the never-ending string of dumb-blonde jokes and her longtime nickname. Crowned "Calamity Jayne" by Iowa Department of Natural Resources officer Rick Townsend, Tressa's out to gain a little hometown respect --or die trying. Unfortunately for Tressa, that may be the case. She's just been handed the perfect opportunity to get "Ranger Rick," the doubting Don Juan of the DNR, and a skeptical citizenry to finally take her seriously... moreTressa Jayne Turner has had it up to here with the never-ending string of dumb-blonde jokes and her longtime nickname. Crowned "Calamity Jayne" by Iowa Department of Natural Resources officer Rick Townsend, Tressa's out to gain a little hometown respect --or die trying. Unfortunately for Tressa, that may be the case. She's just been handed the perfect opportunity to get "Ranger Rick," the doubting Don Juan of the DNR, and a skeptical citizenry to finally take her seriously. How? By solving a murder no one else believes happened...No one, that is, except the killer. Yup, Calamity Jayne is in it up to her hot pink snakeskin cowgirl boots and matching rhinestone belt. Tressa would tell you her momma never raised no dummies, but the jury's still out on that one. less

Two months ago, 23-year-old Tressa Jayne Turner knew just where she stood with "Ranger Rick" Townsend. Sure, he's what you'd call hott with two t's, but he's also responsible for her nickname "Calamity." And ever since they solved that murder last summer-ever since Rick saved her cookies-he's acted as if he has a god-given right to sample them. Of course, Tressa has bigger frenches to fry... moreTwo months ago, 23-year-old Tressa Jayne Turner knew just where she stood with "Ranger Rick" Townsend. Sure, he's what you'd call hott with two t's, but he's also responsible for her nickname "Calamity." And ever since they solved that murder last summer-ever since Rick saved her cookies-he's acted as if he has a god-given right to sample them. Of course, Tressa has bigger frenches to fry. The Iowa state fair is about to start, and her uncle Frank's ice cream stand is poised to scoop the competition. So when a soft-serve saboteur appears at the same time her cousin goes missing, it's another fine sticky mess. It's time for Tressa to don her hot pink cowboy boots and solve the mystery. less

What do you call a blonde skeleton in the closet?Last year's hide-'n'-seek champ. It's autumn in the heartland, where football rules, homecoming royalty reigns, and full moons don't just refer to a passing high school varsity bus. But this year, Tressa Jayne Turner isn't just enjoying the candy corn, popcorn balls and caramel apples... moreWhat do you call a blonde skeleton in the closet?Last year's hide-'n'-seek champ. It's autumn in the heartland, where football rules, homecoming royalty reigns, and full moons don't just refer to a passing high school varsity bus. But this year, Tressa Jayne Turner isn't just enjoying the candy corn, popcorn balls and caramel apples. This reporter is on a mission to sniff out a serious story that will impress not only her skeptical family and friends, but also her boss at the Grandville Gazette. And it turns out "Calamity Jayne" is in luck! Eccentric and reclusive bestselling writer, Elizabeth Courtney Howard is coming to little ol' Grandville to conduct some family business and finish her latest book. So, what's stopping Tressa from scoring this journalistic coup? A blackmailing, six-foot-two-inch homecoming queen candidate with all the charm of Frankenstein in taffeta, a rival reporter out to scoop the competition, a séance-hosting grandmother, and the sexy Ranger Rick Townsend who could tempt a nun to rethink her vows. Suddenly Tressa better watch her step, as her exposé uncovers skeletons in everyone's closets and a haunted house that's too creepy for comfort. ( NOTE : This book was previously published under the title Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun .) less

WHAT DO YOU CALL A BLONDE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET? LAST YEAR'S HIDE 'N' SEEK CHAMP It's autumn in the heartland, when football rules and homecoming royalty reigns--and full moons don't just mean a passing high school varsity bus. But this year, Tressa Jayne Turner can't seem to get into the 'spirit' of the season. Our intrepid young reporter is trying to recover from a ten day run at the State Fair... moreWHAT DO YOU CALL A BLONDE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET? LAST YEAR'S HIDE 'N' SEEK CHAMP It's autumn in the heartland, when football rules and homecoming royalty reigns--and full moons don't just mean a passing high school varsity bus. But this year, Tressa Jayne Turner can't seem to get into the 'spirit' of the season. Our intrepid young reporter is trying to recover from a ten day run at the State Fair. After being stalked by a psycho dunk-tank clown, all she wants is a slower pace, some candy corn, popcorn balls, and caramel apples--and a serious story she can sniff out on her own. And guess what. She's in luck! Eccentric and reclusive bestselling writer Elizabeth Courtney Howard is coming to little ol' Grandville to conduct some family business and finish her latest book. So, what's stopping Tressa from getting the goods on the mysterious mystery author--besides a blackmailing six-foot-two-inch homecoming queen candidate with all the charm of Frankenstien in taffeta, a rival reporter out to scoop the competition, a seance-hosting roommate who happens to be her grandmother, and a Natural Resources Ranger-type who could make a nun reconsider her vows? Only the fact that the skeletons to uncover are all in a closet in Haunted Holloway Hall--a house only Norman Bates could love. less

What does a blonde get on her intelligence test?Drool. Ace cub reporter Tressa Jayne Turner is carrying a full load--and we're not talking post-holiday pounds. Back in college for the fourth time (but who's counting!?), "Calamity Jayne" is looking to nab a raise from her stingy boss at the Gazette , Stan... moreWhat does a blonde get on her intelligence test?Drool. Ace cub reporter Tressa Jayne Turner is carrying a full load--and we're not talking post-holiday pounds. Back in college for the fourth time (but who's counting!?), "Calamity Jayne" is looking to nab a raise from her stingy boss at the Gazette , Stan. So, what's to stop her from making the grade? Well, for starters her grandmother turned roommate rekindling an old flame, maid of honor madness run amok, a botched betrothal that's more than just schoolyard gossip, and a campus criminal who is out to teach the student body a lesson... one crime at a time. As Tressa navigates the halls of higher education, she finds herself torn not only between homework and investigating, but also between a man who likes her for herself and another man who wants to save her from herself. It's a case of murder and mayhem by the books...and failure is so not an option. ( NOTE : This book was previously published under the title Calamity Jayne Goes to College .) less

WHAT DOES A BLONDE GET ON HER INTELLIGENCE TEST? DROOL. Ace cub reporter Tressa Jayne Turner is carrying a full load--and we're not talking post-holiday pounds. Back in college for the fourth time (but who's counting!?), she's also looking to nab a raise from her stingy boss at the Gazette, Stan... moreWHAT DOES A BLONDE GET ON HER INTELLIGENCE TEST? DROOL. Ace cub reporter Tressa Jayne Turner is carrying a full load--and we're not talking post-holiday pounds. Back in college for the fourth time (but who's counting!?), she's also looking to nab a raise from her stingy boss at the Gazette, Stan. So, what's to stop her from making the grade? besides the old "dog ate my homework" story, that is? A wrinkled roommate rekindling an old flame Maid of honor madness run amok A botched betrothal that's more than just schoolyard gossip One man who likes her for herself and another who wants to save her from herself And a campus criminal out to teach the student body a lesson one crime at a time It's a case of murder and mayhem by the books...and failure is so not an option. (Note: This book is part of the author's backlist, originally released in print in 2007 by Dorchester Publishing) less

Did you hear about the blonde coyote? It got stuck in a trap, chewed off three legs, and was still stuck. Tressa Jayne Turner, Grandville, Iowa's own little "Calamity Jayne," is headed for the Grand Canyon State—and a wedding! Tressa's goofy Gammy is gettin' hitched, and Tressa is looking forward to a little down time in the desert... moreDid you hear about the blonde coyote? It got stuck in a trap, chewed off three legs, and was still stuck. Tressa Jayne Turner, Grandville, Iowa's own little "Calamity Jayne," is headed for the Grand Canyon State—and a wedding! Tressa's goofy Gammy is gettin' hitched, and Tressa is looking forward to a little down time in the desert. But her sunny vacation is suddenly about to have more strings attached than a dreamcatcher! Her cousin's keeping secrets, the roguishly hot Ranger Rick's sending mixed signals—more of the smokin' than smoke variety—and a "Kookamunga," a butt-ugly fertility figurine Tressa picked up at a roadside stand as a wedding gift, is turning out to be more trouble than tribal treasure. This wacky wedding's about to become a southwestern scavenger hunt of Amazing Race-meets-The Da Vinci Code proportions, featuring a washed-up actress out to kick-start her career, a suspect spiritual advisor, locals with a cause, and a ten-year-old who's a chip off a certain ranger's blockhead. It'll be a vision quest to make Thelma and Louise's southwestern spree seem like amateur night at the OK Corral. May the best spirit guide win. (NOTE: This book was previously published under the title Calamity Jayne Heads West.) less

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE BLONDE COYOTE?IT GOT STUCK IN A TRAP, CHEWED OFF THREE LEGS AND WAS STILL STUCK.Tressa Jayne Turner, Grandville Iowa’s own little “Calamity,” is headed for the Grand Canyon State—and a wedding! No, not her own. She hasn’t said yes to the Roguish Ranger Rick, but after the past year some downtime in a sweat lodge is just what the shaman ordered... moreDID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE BLONDE COYOTE?IT GOT STUCK IN A TRAP, CHEWED OFF THREE LEGS AND WAS STILL STUCK.Tressa Jayne Turner, Grandville Iowa’s own little “Calamity,” is headed for the Grand Canyon State—and a wedding! No, not her own. She hasn’t said yes to the Roguish Ranger Rick, but after the past year some downtime in a sweat lodge is just what the shaman ordered.Unfortunately, it’s her goofy gammy getting’ hitched, and Tressa’s sunny little siesta is about to have more strings attached than a dream catcher. Her cousin’s keeping secrets, Rick’s sending signals—more of the smokin’ than smoke variety—and it seems Tressa’s not the only person with an attachment to “Kookamunga”, the butt-ugly fertility figurine she picked up at a roadside stand as a wedding gift. The wacky wedding’s about to become a southwestern scavenger hunt, an amazing race-meets-the-Da Vinci Code-Wild West-intrigue featuring a washed-up actress out to kick-start her career, a suspect spiritual advisor, locals with a cause, and a ten-year-old who’s a chip off a certain ranger’s blockhead. It’ll be a vision quest to make Thelma and Louise’s southwestern spree seem like amateur night at the OK Corral.May the best spirit guide win.(Note: This book is part of the author’s backlist, originally released in print in 2007 by Dorchester Publishing) less

What's a blonde pirate always looking for, even though it's right behind her?Her booty. Ahoy, mateys! With her grandma wedded and bedded (ew!) Tressa Jayne Turner is looking forward to the weeklong cruise that follows. Good food. Warm beaches. Romantic sunsets. A swashbuckling ranger-type, Rick Townsend, who shivers her timbers. Nothing can take the wind out of "Calamity Jayne's" sails this time... moreWhat's a blonde pirate always looking for, even though it's right behind her?Her booty. Ahoy, mateys! With her grandma wedded and bedded (ew!) Tressa Jayne Turner is looking forward to the weeklong cruise that follows. Good food. Warm beaches. Romantic sunsets. A swashbuckling ranger-type, Rick Townsend, who shivers her timbers. Nothing can take the wind out of "Calamity Jayne's" sails this time. Nothing, that is, except that this particular Love Boat has "Iceberg ahead!" written all over it. Why? It's a lo-cal "biggest loser" cruise, Tressa's bad-boy faux fiancé and his marriage-minded Aunt Mo are stowaways, and Tressa's barely got her sea legs before a dastardly murder plot bobs to the surface. It's a foul wind that's blowin' to be sure...and not from the exercise-obsessed passengers. Throw in one whale of a Bermuda love triangle, and Tressa knows just how Jack Sparrow feels when the rum is gone. Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of V-8! Arrr! ( NOTE : This book was previously published under the title Anchors Aweigh .) less

What’s a blonde pirate always looking for, even though it’s right behind her?Her bootyAhoy, mateys! With her grandma wedded and bedded (eeow!) Tressa Jayne Turner is looking forward to the weeklong cruise that follows. Good food. Warm beaches. Romantic sunsets. A swashbuckling ranger-type, Rick Townsend, who shivers her timbers. Nothing can take the wind out of Tressa’s sails this time.Nothing that is except this particular Love Book has Iceberg ahead! written all over it... moreWhat’s a blonde pirate always looking for, even though it’s right behind her?Her bootyAhoy, mateys! With her grandma wedded and bedded (eeow!) Tressa Jayne Turner is looking forward to the weeklong cruise that follows. Good food. Warm beaches. Romantic sunsets. A swashbuckling ranger-type, Rick Townsend, who shivers her timbers. Nothing can take the wind out of Tressa’s sails this time.Nothing that is except this particular Love Book has Iceberg ahead! written all over it. Why? It’s a lo-cal “biggest loser” cruise, Tressa’s bad-boy faux fiancé and his marriage-minded aunt Mo are stowaways, and Tressa’s barely got her sea les before a dastardly murder plot bobs to the surface. It’s a foul wind that’s blowin’ to be sure—and not from the exercise-obsessed passengers. Throw in one whale of a Bermuda love triangle and Tressa knows just how Jack Sparrow feels when the rum is gone. Yo ho ho and a bottle of V-8!Arrgh!(Note: This book is part of the author’s backlist, originally released in print in 2008 by Dorchester Publishing) less