Book 78, 2019

[chez_jae]

Unlucky by Jana Deleon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I almost finished my "work" book at the office yesterday. Since I was so close, I brought it home and just finished reading it now. The book was Unlucky by Jana DeLeon, with main character Mallory Devereaux, who is bad luck all around.

Mallory has been unlucky her entire life, and that bad luck can literally rub off on someone if she touches them. Naturally, she's had to take a job for a company that does demolition. When Mallory learns her Uncle Reginald is hosting a high-stakes poker tournament on board his casino boat, she signs on to "cool" the cards. One touch from her, and a player's luck will go bad.

What Mallory and her uncle don't know is that the FBI is also interested in this tournament, in hopes of catching a money launderer. Agent Jake Randoll is a good enough card player to land a spot as a dealer, and his sole focus is taking down Silas Hebert. He doesn't need the distraction of the beautiful Mallory Devereaux at his table.

Eventually, Mallory and Jake realize they're on the same team, so to speak, and they begin working together. Jake needs this bust, and Mallory needs the money she'll earn for shutting down the table to buy out her employer and keep her job. Mallory's bad luck holds true, until Silas finds a way to thwart her abilities. As more players drop out of the tournament and the pressure builds, the stakes have never been higher.

This was a fun story. A mild paranormal element ran through it, what with Mallory's "curse", but I wouldn't classify this as paranormal. Characters were marvelous, from Jake and Mallory to Mal's BFFs Amy and Scooter to drunken Father Thomas. Much of the action centered around the casino boat and the tournament, but even though I'm not a poker afficionado, I didn't have any issues following along. Sex scenes were hot and explosive (literally!), and the conclusion was exciting.

Favorite lines:
♦ Oh goodie, he was moving in on every woman's erogenous zone. For thousands of years, no woman had been able to resist a good squeeze to the knee.
♦ "When assessing a man as husband material, you have to ask yourself: If I were to die a tragic death, would he dress my children stupid?"

Humorous story, with action and sizzle. Very good!