The Great Jackalope Stampede
Page 40
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The Devil’s Highway: The Arizona section of U.S. Route 191 (which cuts through Jackrabbit Junction in my story) used to be U.S. Route 666 just a decade or so ago. The road earned its nickname, The Devil’s Highway, due to more than four hundred curves in the 90 mile stretch between Alpine and Clifton. It is listed as a National Scenic Byway and is now called the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway, as it approximates the path taken by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado between 1540 and 1542. Travel writer James T. Yenckel, in an article in The Washington Post on December 29, 1991, commented: No structural evidence of Coronado's passing remains, but the verdant countryside, abloom in summer wildflowers, is largely untouched, and it must look now as it did when he struggled through. An almost empty highway to nowhere, U.S. 666 climbs to above 9,000 feet along the Coronado Trail in a cliff-hanging series of twists and turns so sharp the speed limit often drops to only 10 miles per hour. The reward for this little test of nerves is a picture-postcard panorama of pine-draped ridges leap-frogging across the horizon. (Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_191 and http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us666.cfm)
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The Fusee (in relation to Pocket Watches): The fusee is a cone with a spiral groove in its surface that accommodates a cord or a chain, attached at one end to the barrel containing the spring and at the other end to the cone. As the power of the spring decreases, the cord on the fusee unwinds, engaging the fusee at a point of greater diameter and thus evening out the force transmitted. This invention probably had its origins in about 1400 in the technology for winding crossbows. By 1600, most timepieces made by watchmakers outside the boundaries of German-speaking Europe employed the spring-and-fusee device for watches. It would be the preferred mechanism for a long time to come. (Source: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/watc/hd_watc.htm)
Also by Ann Charles
(Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks and Kobo)
The Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series
Dance of the Winnebagos
(Book 1)
Bestseller in Women Sleuth Mystery and Romantic Suspense!
“Ann Charles delivers laugh-out-loud dialogue, unforgettable characters, and pulse-pounding suspense.”
~ Vicki Lewis Thompson, New York Times Bestselling Author
“…two thumbs up and a standing ovation for laughs, sighs, thrills, and an excellently crafted mystery.”
~ Maxwell Cynn, Thrillers Rock Twitter Reviews and Author of The Collective
Overview…
When Claire's grandfather and his army buddies converge in the Arizona desert to find new wives, it's her thankless job to keep them out of trouble with the opposite sex.
But when she finds a human leg bone and partners with a reluctant geotechnician to dig up secrets from the past, trouble finds her. If she doesn't stop digging, she could end up dead.
Jackrabbit Junction Jitters
(Book 2)
Bestseller in Women Sleuth Mystery and Romantic Suspense!
“We’re not in Deadwood anymore, but fans of Ann Charles’s Deadwood series will still recognize her keenly crafted sense of place in her Jackrabbit Junction series. For readers who enjoy the fast-paced dialogue that propels them through her romantic mysteries, Jackrabbit Junction Jitters will not leave you jilted.”
~ C.M. Wendelboe, Author of Death Along the Spirit Road and Death Where the Bad Rocks Live
“Ann Charles does it again with Jackrabbit Junction Jitters. This book has all my favorite things—sassy, real characters, laugh out loud dialogue, a twisty, compelling mystery, and sizzling romantic chemistry. Can’t wait for the next installment.”
~ Terri L. Austin, author of Diners, Dives and Dead Ends
Overview…
Claire is back, raining trouble throughout Jackrabbit Junction in another fast-paced, fun, sexy suspense.
A burglar is on the loose! Claire wastes no time forming suspicions, but she's sidetracked by a treasure hunt.
Even with help from her boyfriend, Claire is swirling in a whirlpool of chaos. Throw her crazy sister into the torrent, along with an angst-ridden teen, a jittery bride, and some randy old men, and Claire struggles just to keep a toehold in the current.
Then her mother arrives …
Books in the Deadwood Mystery Series
Nearly Departed in Deadwood
(Book 1)
WINNER of the 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense
WINNER of the 2011 Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart Award for Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
“Full of thrills and chills, a fun rollercoaster ride of a book!”
~ Susan Andersen, New York Times Bestselling Author of Burning Up
“Ann Charles has written an intriguing mystery laced with a wicked sense of humor. Watch out Stephanie Plum, because Violet Parker is coming your way.”
~ Deborah Schneider, RWA Librarian of the Year 2009 & Author of Beneath a Silver Moon
Overview…
“The first time I came to Deadwood, I got shot in the ass.”
~ Violet Parker
Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota, and Violet Parker’s daughter could be next. She’s desperate to find the monster behind the abductions. But if she’s not careful, Violet just might end up as one of Deadwood’s dearly departed.
Optical Delusions in Deadwood
(Book 2)
From the Multiple National Award-winning Author of Nearly Departed in Deadwood!
“What a voice! Hilarious, original, and genuinely wonderful. This fresh and feisty mystery will instantly win your heart. Loved it!”
~ Hank Phillippi Ryan, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity winning Author
“A smart, sassy, sexy and wonderfully resourceful heroine. Move over Stephanie Plum—Vi Parker is here!”
~ John Klawitter, Author of the award-winning Hollywood Havoc action thriller novels
Overview…
With her reputation endangered, her bank account on the verge of extinction, and her career at risk of going up in flames, Violet Parker is desperate. When the opportunity to sell another vintage home materializes, she grabs it, even though this "haunted" house was recently the stage for a two-act, murder-suicide tragedy. But someone—or something—in the house wants Violet stopped...dead.
Dead Case in Deadwood
(Book 3)
Dead Case in Deadwood has been selected as one of Suspense Magazine’s BEST OF 2012 books!
“Masterful storytelling. Masterful suspense. Masterful humor. You name it, Ms. Charles has mastered it. And to have such tension and mystery in a third book in a series? Like I said … Masterful.”
~ Carolyn McCray, #1 Kindle Bestselling Author of 30 Pieces of Silver
“Ann Charles has penned another wickedly funny, smart, unforgettable story. Dead Case in Deadwood is impossible to put down.”
~ P. J. Alderman, New York Times Bestselling Author
Overview…
“Nothing good ever happens at the butt-crack of dawn. No doubt, the headless corpse on the autopsy table in front of me would agree.”
~ Violet Parker
Real estate agent, Violet “Spooky” Parker stumbles upon a body-part theft ring at the local funeral parlor and suspects her caustic coworker has a hand in it—or maybe a foot. Can Violet discover what’s in the crates the crooks are sneaking out of the mortuary in the dark of night? Or will she end up in one of them herself … in pieces?
Better Off Dead in Deadwood
(Book 4)
From the Award-winning Author of the Deadwood Mystery Series
“Flirty, Frisky, Frantic and Frightening … Better Off Dead in Deadwood is just plain Fun!!!!”
~Terri Reid, Author of the Mary O’ Reilly Paranormal Mystery Series
“Better Off Dead in Deadwood is a wonderful blend of sizzle and sleuth—juggling murder, men and mayhem on every page!”
~Mary Buckham, Award-winning Romantic Suspens
e Author
Overview…
One dead body. One century-old haunted opera house. One zombie musical. One pissed-off detective.
Will Violet “Spooky” Parker keep her tail out of trouble or will she end up as one of Deadwood’s walking dead?
Seeing Trouble
(From the Deadwood Shorts Collection)
From the Multiple Award-winning, #1 Bestselling Ghost Horror and Women Sleuth Author of the DEADWOOD MYSTERY SERIES!
A short 39-page collection to entertain and add background story for more Deadwood fun!
Overview…
What do you get when you combine a chicken named Elvis, a locked diary, and a secret Violet Parker does not want share with her daughter?
Seeing Trouble is the first of many short stories involving the characters of the Deadwood Mystery series. (Bonus character interview, illustrations, and short story included.)
Haven’t read any of the Deadwood Mystery Series books yet? Don’t worry, there aren’t any spoilers in this short story.
Boot Points
(From the Deadwood Shorts Collection)
It’s not really about the boots… or is it?
Boot Points is a set of short tales about Violet Parker’s purple boots. It is set in the story time between the third and fourth books in the Deadwood Mystery series. Each tale not only explains more of Violet’s history, but also shows the role each character plays in Violet’s life.
In addition to this short story, there is a deleted scene from Nearly Departed in Deadwood, the first book in the Deadwood Mystery Series. Also, there are three short stories called “Dancing with Dialogue,” “Rainstorms,” and “Metro Madness” pulled from Ann's short story vault.
The Old Man’s Back In Town
(From the Goldwash Mystery Series)
From the award-winning author of the Deadwood Mystery series and the Jackrabbit Junction Mystery series!
A sizzling, suspenseful SHORT STORY wrapped in a puzzling mystery that will leave you hungry for more.
Dear Reader,
This short story is a bit of a puzzle. Each scene is a different variation of the same story for a reason, which you'll learn at the end. See if you can pick up on the clues along the way and figure out the puzzle before you finish the story. Thank you for giving it a try!
~ Ann
**It's “Groundhog Day” meets the modern day Old West!**
Overview…
In the lonely mining ghost town of Goldwash, Nevada, Christmas has come early. Unfortunately, the local bar owner must be on this year's naughty list, because Santa brought her something even worse than a piece of coal on this dark, cold winter night—her old man.
—A short story that introduces an upcoming series by Ann Charles. Stay tuned for more from the Goldwash Mystery series!
Table of Contents
Start Reading
Cast
Dear Reader
About the Author
Connect With Me Online
Ann’s Five Fun Research Facts
Also by Ann Charles
Acknowledgments
Copyright
Chapters
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26
Copyright
The Great Jackalope Stampede
Copyright @ 2014 by Ann Charles
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means now known or hereafter invented, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher, Ann Charles.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is coincidental.
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-940364-10-0
Cover Art by Chuck Kunkle (www.charlesskunkle.com)
Cover Design by Sharon Benton (www.q42designs.com)
Edited by Mimi the “Grammar Chick” (www.grammarchick.com)
anncharles.com