Special review from 9/2008: Findings

In the fourth installment of the Faye Longchamp series, Findings, it brought Faye and Joe into another compelling archeological mystery. When they were on another site to dig for clues, Faye's joy was short-lived, when there was a violent break-in her neighbor's house that left him dead. Later on, she discovered a clue to why he was dead. A mysterious emerald in the midst. Her friend's widow asked her to organize the relics on the floor. Her field notes wound up missing. It was now up to Faye and Joe to determine the connection between her friend's death and the story of the emerald. While they were closer to the truth, the chemistry between Faye and Joe were turning up the heat for them. Another good mystery to add to the series.

This archeological mystery was another clincher. I loved the concept of archeology and the artifacts from our past time. I loved the Floridian island connection to the deep south for the series. I liked how Faye went out to help a friend out in need with Joe. Between the two of them, they make an unbelievable couple despite their differences. I couldn't find anything to hate about this mystery. Good drama, nice active scenes and a little romance between Faye and Joe to turn things up in one great story.

Ready to make this a great finding? Pick up a copy today!

Plunder

In the 7th installment of the Faye Longchamp series, Plunder, Mary Anna Evans took this story down to New Orleans. On an oiling archeology gig, Faye and Joe Mantooth were on the search of lost shipwreck debris, when they come across a family on the ocean. The Landrenaus are embroiled into a mess of greed, murder and family secrets and scandals. That's when Faye and Joe help Amande and protect her from harm. This young woman have been dealt a bad hand of cards, when she encountered a missing loot of rare Spanish coins. Everyone wants to get their hands of them and her money. The closer they unravel the whodunnit and why in this mystery, the more endangered they'll be. They'll do anything to place her in a safe home until she's at legal age. A great story.

This was an intriguing archeological mystery that dealt with a side story of missing pirate loot. I loved the location of New Orleans. I loved how the Mantooths brought little Michael on the trip with them, too. He was such a cutie. I did care about Amanda and Miranda, but not much for the rest of her family. I did feel for her and glad that Faye could help her out in some way. This captivated me with another level of suspense and intrigue in one big package. Good drama and plenty of action to keep me enthralled for the rest of the story.

Ready to plunder for some treasure? Grab a copy today!

Artifacts

Mary Anna Evans's Artifacts was the first book in the Faye Longchamp series that started her journey. Faye Longchamp was a biracial archeology student, who lived on Joyeuse island, Florida, when there were hidden family secrets, and a long lost treasure. While she saved her island from becoming a resort, she encountered two dead bodies from her fellow students, and an old skeleton from an old cold case. Joe, her Native American friend, became under suspicion for their deaths, while Magda Stockard, her professor, was suspicious of Faye's address and behavior. This also started the romance between Faye and Joe, too.  In the end, Faye connected the dots of the past and present, when their lives were  stuck in the middle of a hurricane.

This was a fascinating introduction to the Faye Longchamp series.  I found Faye's background was quite interesting and amusing at the same time as well. Joyeuse Island, Florida, was an unusual backdrop for the location, since I never heard of it. I liked the concept of treasure hunting and archeology seemed to go hand and hand. And Joe and Magda were an unusual bunch of characters. Great drama with a built-up mystery, good action for light reading, and a spark of a possible romance made this a good series.

Ready to find some artifacts? Grab a copy today!

Effigies

 In Effigies, the third installment in the Faye Longchamp series by Mary Anna Evans,  Faye and Joe were in Mississippi on another archeological site, when there's a lot of problems going on over there. First, there was this mound the owner wouldn't let anybody touch. During a protest, they were almost bulldozed over in the way. Then, during a chase, a murder happened, where everyone became a suspect, when they found an arrowhead. At a fair, a popular politician announced he was almost lynched by a KKK member, back in the '60s, when racial hatred was hot, and wanted justice on who saved his life, and who wanted him dead. To make matters worse, someone poisoned him with his medication. While Faye and Joe found out what went on, they couldn't believe who was behind all of this, now and then, and why. Even Faye discovered a hint of romance with Joe in their blossoming relationship. Another good read. 

This was a tense archeological series. I loved how it dealt with the history of our past, when racial tensions went high on racism and prejudice. I continue to love how it dealt with an archeological treasure as the twist. I loved how this brought Faye and Joe closer together. I thought to have the location in the deep south as in Mississippi were perfect for this tough storyline. Great drama, good action and a spark of chemistry, too.

Ready to find an effigy? Give this one a try!

Relics

In the second installment of the Faye Longchamp series by Mary Anna Evans, Relics, the adventure continued for Faye and Joe, when they were at an archaeological dig in Alabama. The loyalties were divided by two racial neighborhoods--the Sujosa and the Alcaskians, when a hidden secret was unearthed from old history. It started out with fire, when things escalated and gotten out of hand. The chemistry between Faye and Joe continued from partners to friends and possibly something more. When someone was murdered, things had worsened from there between both rival gangs, until Faye and Joe discovered who's the culprit, and then they might be next on the list. A great read for the series.

This was another good read for the series. I loved how it continued with the deep south theme, like this one in Alabama. I liked how Joe and Faye worked together, when the chemistry between them grew and blossomed into love and romance. I thought the racial divide in this mystery was pretty good and spot on as well. I continue to love the archeological theme, when this book was a treasure of its own. Good drama,  nice hint of romance, and plenty of intriguing action from start to finish.

Want to cherish a relic? Pick up a copy today!