Review: Fresh and Funny! America takes the...um...brownie! :-)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 7, 2011
America Miles is a Midwestern small town newspaper journalist with not much to report aside from middle school and homeless shelter expansions. When her less-than-friendly editor suddenly dies of unnatural causes, everyone in the newspaper office becomes a suspect. America takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of this story, but what she doesn't bargain for is the danger that comes along with her little investigation.I received a copy of Death on Deadline for review.Majeske deals with the mundane and murderous with a refreshing lightheartedness. The main character is ordinarily flawed yet funny, and that makes her so much more relatable.  She's a real human woman, with a normal job, normal friends, and a normal libido.  Through her charming and witty narration, the reader cannot help but be drawn into her life and all the surrounding events.America is very much someone I would want to be friends with, if I couldn't be exactly like her. She is strong, clever, intelligent, entertaining, and resourceful--all characteristics that undoubtedly make her a great reporter.  The cast of interesting and kooky supporting characters adds even greater dimension to an already charming story.  I loved America's little interpretations and quips about the people that she comes in contact with on a daily basis. I was also pleased that the "love triangle" wasn't the entire focus of the plot. It is nice to read about something other than someone's angsty love life for a change.As I was reading, I was reminded quite a bit of the writing of Charlaine Harris (The Southern Vampire Series). America Miles is a lot like Sookie Stackhouse in her mannerisms and inner dialogue. Of course, Death on Deadline does not have any mainstreaming vampires or other supernatural beings, which is actually a nice departure sometimes, and it is rated more PG-13 than the definite R that Harris' books carry. But the overall feel of the story, the amusing protagonist transporting the reader through the day-to-day of her crazy life, is very similar--and I truly enjoyed it!I encourage everyone to grab a copy of Death on Deadline and check out the fun for yourselves!!This review can also be found on my blog with a guest post and author interview with Diane!