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Lady Vigilante #10

Lullaby to a Jitterbug

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This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B077Q342JL

In the seedy underworld of 1940s New York, revenge tastes like cherry pie with a side of lipstick and perfume. The Avon Lady is in town …

Betty Jones is a woman with a dark past, which she paints each day with Avon cosmetics and a picture-perfect smile. She’s created a new life with her naïve-but-loveable husband George, and their children. Despite the protective walls that she has built around her world, Betty is unable to live with the continuing existence of the people who once ruined her, so she embarks on a cold-blooded vigilante mission to be rid of them once and for all.

In Episode #10, An innocent life hangs in the balance as Jacob makes an overwhelming discovery. George is paid a visit from Uncle Sam, leading to some difficult decisions for Betty.

Lullaby to a Jitterbug is the tenth episode in the action-packed Crime Noir serialized novel.

101 pages, ebook

First published December 4, 2017

4 people want to read

About the author

Hayley Camille

41 books116 followers
Hayley writes from the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Australia, usually with a cat perched on her keyboard. She has a background in archaeology and has published books in multiple genres before turning her hand at crime to win The Kindle Book Review Reader’s Choice Award and the Scarlet Stiletto's HQ Fiction 'Best Thriller' category.

The 'Lady Vigilante' Crime Series is a fast-paced, action-filled adventure that juxtaposes the quintessential 'Avon Lady' against the chauvinistic underbelly of 1940's New York. This series has been selected as a finalist in numerous international novel and screenplay awards, and a podcast of the series is currently in production.

When she's not writing or spending time with her husband and three children, Hayley enjoys running and collecting vintage teacups. Find her at HayleyCamille.com

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Karen Siddall.
Author 1 book99 followers
December 8, 2017
At the end of the previous episode, we were left dangling on one heck of a cliffhanger. Donny and his mugs had the drop on Betty and were holding a gun to poor George’s head. Their daughter, Nancy, was racing little Georgie to the nearest hospital after he’d accidentally inhaled heroin. (He’d thought he was smelling sugar.) When Georgie had reacted to the drug she picked him up and ran for it, discovering hidden strengths and abilities she didn’t know she possessed: she was stronger and faster than any girl is supposed to be.

Betty, too, reaches deep within herself to take her battle with Donny and his goons to another level and defeats them with the sudden arrival and assistance of Detective Jacob Lawrence. Jacob tells Betty that he’d gone to her home before coming to her aid at St. Augustine’s Home for Unwanted Boys, and that her front door was open, the kitchen a mess, and the children nowhere to be found. He produces the jeweled jar that held the heroin. Betty reaches out with her mind and eventually connects with Nancy. She sees her thoughts and discovers what has happened. Betty comes clean with George at the hospital as they wait for Georgie to recover, and they spend the following weeks coming to terms with his new knowledge and understanding about Betty and Nancy.

Jacob though has uncovered a secret file at City Hall on Betty that shows the government is watching her and her associates (including himself, perhaps) and is trying to determine her possible agenda and usefulness in regards to the war effort.

With the exposure of Donny Pinzola and his affiliates, the focus of the story is swinging back to the war. Actual tidbits of history are woven into the narrative – war rationing, the draft. Also, the characters are becoming so well developed that one feels like they know exactly who they are dealing with and what they might be capable of. In this 10th entry in the ongoing Avon Calling! series, we get even more background information on Betty (Susie) and her life before George. I recommend this series, in order, it is episodic in nature, to those that like action and adventure set during the war, and look forward to the next installment.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,764 reviews63 followers
December 10, 2017
Avon Calling #10: Lullaby to a Jitterbug - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Hayley Camille returns with a bang, flash, wallop of a story! Betty Jones is in trouble - she and her husband George are being held at gunpoint by her enemy Donny and his henchmen at an orphanage and the Jones children, Georgie and Nancy are missing!
After a tense shoot-out Betty and George escape and Betty uses her psychic powers to trace the children to a hospital. When police are summoned by staff, Nancy tells them the pair were playing in a local park when they found a bottle under a hedge which 5 year old George Jnr thought was sugar - not realising it was heroin.
After realising Georgie will survive, 12 year-old Nancy is sent to the care of a minder to rest while her parents stay with Georgie and Betty sings him the eponymous lullaby - George Snr's pet name for her is Jitterbug!

What happens after they leave the hospital? Why does George have no memory of events before or after the children went missing?
Who is Jacob and why did Betty feel it would never work out between them? Who are Susie and Adina? What is their relationship to Jake?
What secret has Betty kept from George and Jacob for many years?
When did Betty's Dad die and how/why?
Why is Betty summoned to Avon HQ - is it the outcome she expected?

Betty's fans are legion and this episode will not disappoint old or new ones. This novel is a great finish to the first series of Avon Calling! and even more so to the second one...expect to become seriously addicted to this beautiful character, with the most unusual double life imaginable - thanks to the writing skills of the amazing Hayley Camille!
Profile Image for Bonnie Dale Keck.
4,677 reviews56 followers
December 5, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, sorta sad to see it wrapping up, been an odd ride lol

In the seedy underworld of 1940s New York, revenge tastes like cherry pie with a side of lipstick and perfume. The Avon Lady is in town …

Betty Jones is a woman with a dark past, which she paints each day with Avon cosmetics and a picture-perfect smile. She’s created a new life with her naïve-but-loveable husband George, and their children. Despite the protective walls that she has built around her world, Betty is unable to live with the continuing existence of the people who once ruined her, so she embarks on a cold-blooded vigilante mission to be rid of them once and for all.


Avon Calling series
1 A woman's work is never done, 2 A dream that I can call my own, 3 Chocolate cake and sandwiches, 4 Kitty's cat house, 5 In for a dime in for a dollar, 6 St. Augustine's Home for Unwanted Boys, 7 Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, 8 Guns and Glitterati, 9 Serenade to a Savage 10 Lullaby to a Jitterbug

Available individually, 5 set, 6 set.

WWII Film noir, avon, homemaker, assassin, let the good times roll....
4,194 reviews19 followers
November 30, 2017
This is another fabulous installment of Betty's story. Betty defies death, comes clean about her past, has a heart to heart with Jacob and just as things are looking normal in her life, another life-altering event takes place. All Hayley's books are well-written, fast-paced shorts with vivid descriptions and developed characters. I love this series. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Linda.
463 reviews
December 11, 2017
This episode picks up where episode #9 ended. Donnie has a gun to George's head. Betty has a gun to her head. And Betty's not having none of this. With some twisting and turning she comes up on top and shots start coming from all directions. And then Jake is there. As usual Hayley keeps us all turning the pages to see what happens next. I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Wren.
410 reviews
December 1, 2017
Another amazing addition to the Avon Calling serial! This one is filled with treats, such as more of Betty's backstory with Jacob, and how daughter Nancy is doing with her gift. I truly enjoy all the little 1940's details this author shares throughout the story. It is magnificently accurate. This had all the action, and heartfelt goodness of Episodes 1-9. I cannot wait for Season 2.
Profile Image for Renei Lewis.
32 reviews
December 19, 2017
The finale of season 1 gave us thrills, spills and chills. From the chaos at the warehouse now to the chaos of war, I cannot wait to see how Betty handles the next chapter in her life. Well done Hayley.
Profile Image for Lynn.
350 reviews3 followers
April 22, 2019
Avon Calling # 10. Some how Betty has more luck than Dick Tracy and he had a gun.
Hayley you pulled Betty's fat out of the fire again.
Since I'm on an Avon Calling spree on to # 11. Ladies you really have to read this kick ass female. Makes me wish I could be her.
Cheers
Lynn
603 reviews4 followers
February 26, 2020
A riveting climax, and a number of loose ends are wrapped up …. Donny appears to be safely contained, but who is watching Betty now? I’m looking forward to season 2! I received a free copy of this book.
Profile Image for Tony Fecteau.
1,485 reviews6 followers
December 3, 2017
A great finale! I really enjoy reading about Betty and her super hero deeds. I don't think this is the last time we see Betty and her family. There is still lots of potential for new stories.

12.5k reviews186 followers
December 6, 2017
Wow. Another great installment of Betty’s life to keep you intrigued Ready for more.
Profile Image for Pat Eroh.
2,613 reviews31 followers
December 31, 2017
Betty is a very awesome heroine and I am hoping that there is more in her future. But, if not, Betty goes down as my favorite female character.
Profile Image for Zete.
173 reviews
April 8, 2019
The last episode, so powerful! It is everything I wanted to close this series and can't wait what it's going to be the next one! I hope there is a next one! I am hooked!
Profile Image for Gabby.
2,492 reviews27 followers
July 28, 2021
Tying up the loose ends.

A very twisty episode with many different elements leading to an action packed ending to the first series. It was a beautifully put together with some amazingly snide comebacks. I loved this book and can’t believe that there was so many different elements having to come together.
Profile Image for KylieAtkinson.
731 reviews5 followers
January 8, 2019
Wow! Hayley certainly delivered a final instalment with knife flying action, many revelations, stories from the past, laughs and even few little sad moments. Each chapter is always a thrill ride with ups and downs, highs and lows, fun and fear. I also love that we are also still exploring characters, discovering tidbits to round them out, making us love or hate them.
Hayley wonderfully tied this all up but also left it so that we can still keep enjoying Betty's adventures. I can't wait to watch her family grow and follow her life in the awesome 1940's.
I still love this series as much as I did when I read the first chapter.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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