Deadly Gamble    by Linda Lael Miller Order:  USA  Can HQN, 2006 (2006) Paperback     Reviewed by Martina Bexte Mary Joseph Mayhugh is orphaned at an early age when her parents are brutally murdered. Fearing for Mojo's safety, next-door neighbour Lillian kidnaps the child moments before the authorities arrive. Mojo, Lillian and her own daughter Greer never stay in one place for long, fearful that the law will catch up to them. Over the years, the trio forms a tight knit relationship even though things are often tough for them. Greer eventually settles down with the moneyed husband she's always set her sights on, and when Lillian develops dementia, Mojo realizes their vagabond lifestyle must end. She settles Lillian into a comfortable retirement home and eventually finds love as well. But Mojo's marriage is short-lived once she discovers her husband is a no good cheat. These days, Mojo Sheepshanks calls a shabby room above Bad-Ass Bert's Biker Saloon home. During the day, she's restless and at loose ends, while at night she slings drinks or ponders her on-again, off-again relationship with sexy undercover cop, Tucker Darroch. One particular morning, her life takes an interesting turn when she wakes up to find the ghost of her dead husband Nick lying casually beside her in bed. After the initial shock wears off, Nick explains that he's stuck in limbo and needs Mojo's forgiveness before he can move on - but she refuses to let him off the hook that easily. Needing to distance herself from the strange encounter, Mojo heads out to spend the day with Greer. Her revelations about her troubled marriage spur Mojo into doing a little checking into hubby's extracurricular activities. She soon realizes that doing the private snoop thing is something she's darn good at, and uses some of the skills she's acquired to find out why her long lost uncle has come nosing around. The mystery surrounding her parents' brutal murder is also resurrected when she discovers someone is tailing her - someone who isn't ready to let bygones be bygones either. Linda Lael Miller is a prolific storyteller who straddles various genres with ease. Deadly Gamble is the first installment of her new series featuring accidental detective Mojo Sheepshanks, a brash, smart-mouthed, single-minded young woman trying to find sense and direction in her life. She finds it in spades once (with the help of a few ghosts) she discovers her true calling - her past, her present and hints of her future run together and set her on a course she'd never expected. Miller brings her many fans a nicely written, quirky, off beat story that entertains on various levels and makes a great start to a new romantic suspense series. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews