• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

JB Lynn

Hijinks, Hilarity and Heart

MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman
    • Books 1 - 10
      • 1. Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman
      • 2. Further Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman
      • 3. The Hitwoman Gets Lucky
      • 4. The Hitwoman and the Family Jewels
      • 5. The Hitwoman and the Neurotic Witness
      • 6. The Hitwoman Hunts a Ghost
      • 7. The Hitwoman and the 7 Cops
      • 8. The Hitwoman and the Poisoned Apple
      • 9. The Hitwoman’s Downward Dog
      • 10. The Hitwoman’s Act of Contrition
    • Books 11 - 20
      • 11. The Hitwoman Hires a Manny
      • 12. The Hitwoman and the Sacrificial Lamb
      • 13. The Hitwoman and the Chubby Cherub
      • 14. The Hitwoman and the Mother Load
      • 15. The Hitwoman Under Pressure
      • 16. The Hitwoman Plays Chaperone
      • 17. The Hitwoman Takes a Road Trip
      • 18. The Hitwoman in a Pickle
      • 19. The Hitwoman and the Gold Digger
      • 20. The Hitwoman's Juggling Act
    • Books 21 - 30
      • 21. The Hitwoman and the Fallen Angel
      • 22. The Hitwoman Goes to Prison
      • 23. The Hitwoman and the Exorcism
      • 24. The Hitwoman Plays Games
      • 25. The Hitwoman Owes A Favor
      • 26. The Hitwoman and the Teddy Bear
      • 27. The Hitwoman and the Body
      • 28. The Hitwoman Pays A Debt
      • 29. The Hitwoman Plays Courier
      • 30. The Hitwoman’s Girls’ Night Out
    • Books 31 - 37
      • 31. The Hitwoman’s Getaway
      • 32. The Hitwoman vs The Security Guard
      • 33. The Hitwoman Investigates
      • 34. The Hitwoman Gets Her Man
      • 35. The Hitwoman and the Ninjas
      • 36. The Hitwoman’s Charity Case
      • 37. The Hitwoman’s Egg Hunt
  • A Kiki Long Mystery
    • Oh Shoot!
    • Shoot First, Ask Questions Later
  • Cursed Chicks Club
    • Once Cursed, Twice Shy
    • 2 Spells Too Many
    • 3 Times a Charm
    • Mind Your Own Magical Beesness
    • 4 Wonky Jinxes
  • Psychic Consignment Mystery
    • 1. One Woman's Junk
    • 2. Gently Used, Still Works
    • 3. Another Woman's Treasure
    • 4. Something Old, Something New
  • About
    • Bio
    • Blog

Blog

January Reading Challenge

January 30, 2023 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

One of the challenges I’ve set for myself this year is to read at least one book a month that was recommended by my readers.  

The book in January was The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. Here’s a quick little conversation I had about it with the reader who recommended it, Rebecca:

Thank you for recommending The Alice Network by Kate Quinn.

 What made you recommend it?

I recommended it because when you asked for recommendations, I went through my Goodreads looking for books that I had rated highly & were standalone as I wasn’t sure if you wanted to potentially start a series as part of your challenge. 

This book has a dual timeline, one taking place during World War 1  and the other right after World War 2, narrated by two very different women. Did you prefer one story over the other?

I honestly don’t know whether I preferred one story line over the other as I read it in 2019. But I gave it 5 stars so I suspect I enjoyed both storylines. My review at the time was:

“Fascinating fictionalized account of a real spy network in First World War France.

The story centres around 4 women across two world wars.

Wonderful read.”

Since it’s historical fiction inspired by a real life World War 1 female spy, I have to ask: Were you aware of the real life heroine? And if so, was it before or after you read the book? (I wasn’t beforehand but went down a little bit of a rabbit hole learning about Louise de Bettignies and her compatriots as I was reading the novel.)

No, I wasn’t aware of the real-life WW1 female spy before reading. I was aware female spies existed in general but not any specific people. I would have googled them after reading but I don’t think I’ve retained much. I think there was something about a bicycle. 

If you could recommend one other book, what would it be, and why?

Ha! I’ve recommended lots of books to you already. Some of which you have already read. 

Afterlove by Tanya Bryne. Beautifully written love story that is not your typical romance. Explores grief and identity. This book impacted me emotionally. 

All The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe. A twisty YA about the daughter of a con artist who is taken hostage in a bank heist. Read it about 2 years ago & still think about it. 

Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson is a magical romantic comedy. A fun, light, entertaining read. 

Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson is a STEM rom com with pop references. It is a sweet romance but Sariah proves that they can still have plenty of sizzle. Currently one of Amazon’s First Reads options & you can choose 2 this January. 

To be honest if you like well written sweet romances with fantastic character development I’d recommend any of Sariah Wilson’s books. 

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney would be a good read for October. Set at Halloween. Thriller with twists. Some actually surprised me (they rarely do because the way my brain works & the amount of books/films etc I’ve consumed my brain tends to race ahead & can usually see what’s coming. )

My current read is Little Face by Sophie Hannah.  It’s about a married couple who can’t agree whether the baby in their home is their daughter,  Florence, or not. The mother, Alice, goes out alone for the 1st time after the birth, 2 weeks ago. Comes home to find the door open, her husband asleep and when checks the crib, she is convinced the baby inside is not Florence. The father disagrees and thinks the mother has gone mad. 

What’s next?

January 18, 2023 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

Next month a new Neurotic Hitwoman book will be out!

But of course now I’m busy working on something else.

Preorder now

I’m currently working on Book 37 in the series. The menagerie plays a major role in this one.

Meanwhile, TODAY I’m waiting to receive my cover art for Hitwoman 37. I always feel like it’s Christmas morning when I open the email from my cover artist!

Let’s try this again

January 13, 2023 By JB Lynn 1 Comment

I’m a bad blogger, but I’m going to try to be better.

Happy 2023!

In case you missed it, I put out six new Hitwoman books last year.

It was a BUSY year. Check them out at jblynn.com

Something I’m really bad at

July 9, 2022 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

But I still have fun doing!

I was thinking about this exchange in the upcoming The Hitwoman Investigates

when I was doing one of those Paint and Sip things with a friend.

I have zero artistic ability (see below for proof!) but it IS possible to have fun doing things you’re not good at.

My friend and I had a blast imagining how Maggie would react if this was another Girl’s Night Out. I started critiquing my work as God…just imagine what that was like! 😉

The Hitwoman Investigates

July 6, 2022 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

Available for preorder

Preorder

Maggie Lee knows she should “just say no” to retired US Marshal Lawrence Griswal when he asks for her help. But when has Maggie ever NOT helped a family member?

At Griswald’s request she partners with Nat Hunting to figure out what the hold up is with Griswald getting his private investigator license. It doesn’t sound that complicated or dangerous, but somehow Maggie ends up dancing with an octopus, breaking into a morgue, and facing off against a killer (armed only with a magnifying glass).

She’ll need the help of her loyal pets, some psychic guidance and more than a smidge of luck to survive this investigation.

Halfway through 2022 already?

July 3, 2022 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

Time flies when you’re keeping busy!

I had a very busy first half of the year. I searched for a house, put an offer in on three different ones and bought the last. (Third time was the charm!)

I moved a couple of weeks ago and have been unpacking and settling in.

In the last six months I published three books: The Hitwoman’s Girls’ Night Out, The Hitwoman’s Getaway, and The Hitwoman vs The Security Guard.

(In case you’re wondering, it is NOT the best idea to have a book published the day after you move. Talk about stress overload! lol)

You might notice that I’ve changed the cover style, but rest assured, Maggie and the gang are still getting up to the same whacky antics!

Even though they drive her crazy, Maggie Lee is all about family.

Now it seems her half-brother has gotten himself into trouble with someone known as The Security Guard.

Luckily (or not!) The Security Guard is now proving to be a problem for the mob boss she works for and he wants him taken out.

Maggie jumps at the chance to get rid of the danger to her brother and the thorn in her boss’s side.

But her assassination attempt doesn’t go as planned. (Do they ever?)

Now she’s the target of The Security Guard’s wrath.

Can old friends, new allies and her loyal pets save her?

March-ing forward

March 4, 2022 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

It’s a new month and that means it’s time to tell you about a new book.

The Hitwoman’s Getaway will be out next month!

preorder

A romantic room, gourmet meals, free booze, massages…that’s what Maggie is promised when she’s sent away on a pet-friendly romantic getaway.

Crazy fellow guests, a missing couple, a human skull, and someone trying to kill her is what she ends up getting.

With the help of the core members of her menagerie and a new furry friend, Maggie tries to figure out what’s going on while staying alive and how to salvage her romantic weekend.

But a killer has other plans…

Spring is around the corner and it’s finally hiking season here in North Carolina. Smudge and I have been having a great time getting outdoors.

Being outside helps me to stay calmer despite the current state of the world. And being less stressed allows me to write more and hopefully offer YOU some much needed escapism. I’m currently working on the next Hitwoman book after that! Maggie and the gang are having a busy year!

A Best Seller!

February 25, 2022 By JB Lynn 2 Comments

I can’t believe it.

I’m soooo excited to report that The Hitwoman’s Girls’ Night Out hit number one in Psychic Mysteries on Amazon.

This is the 30th book in the series, but the first time one of the books has gotten that little banner!

I’m so grateful to EVERY reader who helped to make this happen.

It was a truly lovely surprise. THANK YOU!

New release tomorrow!

February 23, 2022 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

The Hitwoman’s Girls’ Night Out is almost here!

Here’s a sneak peek!

just know it’s going to be a bad day when Armani’s planned a girls’ night out. 

            A sharp rap on my bedroom door woke me from a blissful dream where I was lying in a meadow, all by myself, soaking up the silence and staring up at the stars. My dreams are pretty much the only place where I get to be alone.

            Startled awake, I struggled to sit up and focus on the door, but I was held down by the cat pressed to the top of my head, the Doberman draped across my chest, and the pig weighing down my legs. Instead of sitting up, I felt suffocated. 

The bedroom door swung open, and Armani Vasquez burst in. “Morning, chica!”

            “Go away,” I groaned. I would have covered my eyes to emphasize my point, except my arm was trapped under DeeDee, the dog. 

            “Big night, tonight,” my friend declared, ignoring my instruction to leave. 

            “I was sleeping,” I told her grouchily. 

            Slowly, the animals stirred, releasing me so that I could sit up and glare at my friend. 

            “We were all sleeping, Sugar,” Piss, the one-eyed cat, grumbled.

            “I was not asleep,” God, the anole lizard, declared from where he balanced on a piece of driftwood. “I awoke with the dawn.”

            “Me too! Me too! Me too!” Benny, the little white mouse chimed in, racing around in circles in his little cage. 

            “I hate morning creatures,” I muttered. 

            “I’m hungry,” Matilda, the pig, grunted, sliding off the foot of the bed and landing with a heavy thunk on the carpet. 

            “She’s always hungry,” God pointed out.

            “Hungry!” DeeDee barked excitedly. 

            “Her too,” the lizard griped.

The Doberman leapt over her porcine pal, almost knocking Armani over in the process, and raced out of the room, toward the kitchen. Matilda waddled behind. 

            “Close the door,” I implored Armani. It was bad enough that she was in here, I didn’t need any other early morning visitors coming to pay their respects. 

            “You’re a grouchy one,” my friend said, lowering herself onto the spot on the bed that Matilda had just vacated. 

            “I was asleep,” I reminded her.

            “Late night with Gino?” she asked with a curious sparkle in her eye.

            Instead of answering her, I pulled the bed sheet over my face. “What do you want?”

            “Aren’t you excited?” It sounded like she was excited enough for the both of us. 

            I flipped the sheet back off my face and asked, “About what?”

            “Our girls’ night out.”

            I was about to tell her that a girls’ night out sounded like the seventh ring of hell, but Piss stuck her claws into my shoulder. “She’s worked hard on this,” she purred quietly.

            Knowing the cat was right, I managed a half smile for Armani. “I can’t wait,” I said with false cheer, trying to be a good friend.

            She cocked her head to the side and gave me a suspicious look. I guess I hadn’t been too convincing. I was not a good friend.

            “I’ll be more enthusiastic after coffee,” I promised her. 

            “Just tell me you’re not going to back out,” she said, narrowing her eyes at me. She knew me too well. “Promise me, Maggie.”

            “I won’t back out,” I pledged. That was mostly because I had not come up with a good excuse to miss the outing. I’d been trying to think of one for days. 

            “I’ve taken care of everything,” my friend said excitedly. “I made the plans. I bought the outfits. I arranged the transportation.”

            “Hold up,” I said, raising a hand, trying to stop her as panic tightened my chest. “What outfits?”

            “I got them for everybody,” she said, standing up. “Don’t worry, you’re going to love yours.”            I squinted at her suspiciously. I love Armani, but I don’t always love her taste…or lack thereof.

PREORDER NOW!

Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

“To say this is my very favorite series would be an understatement.”~Amazon

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Popular Tags

1 Flew Over the Raven's Nest 2 Spells Too Many 100 Happy Days Challenge a-z challenge armani author badass books book series Coffee Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman consignment cozy mystery series creativity crystals cursed chicks dog free read GOALS JB Lynn magic nature new release novelist one flew over the raven's nest one woman's junk paranormal mystery series PCM preorder psychic psychic consignment mystery reading self care serial talking animals the hitwoman and the gold digger the hitwoman and the teddy bear the hitwoman owes a favor The Hitwoman Plays Games what I love willpower WRITER writing writing goals writing retreat
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

JB Lynn

Copyright © 2023 JB Lynn · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · As an Amazon Associate JB Lynn earns from qualifying purchases.