Imagine this: I'm cozily nestled into my reading corner, diving into a narrative that paints a serene picture of grasslands that could make a cow weep with joy, edged by a forest that even Bambi would approve of, and a river so laid-back, it’s nearly taking a nap on the landscape. Then, out of nowhere, all hell breaks loose - like a toddler on a sugar rush. Jeep engines are starting up and screaming can be heard. Then a mysterious figure bursts out of the trees faster than my interest in a diet fades. Hot on their heels are jeeps packed with men in uniforms, bristling with more weaponry than a Hollywood action movie, trying to take potshots at whoever had just emerged from the trees. This same figure responds by giving me the impression of a flying squirrel off a 400-foot cliff. Who is this daredevil? Beats me. Why they're being chased? Not a clue. And why, amidst this adrenaline-pumping chaos, they're pondering the existential crisis of buying chocolate frosting and the logistics of car-pooling to the gym? It's anyone's guess. The real question is, what literary roller coaster have I strapped myself into? The answer: "Jane Bond – Some Assembly Required" by V.R. Tapscott – the first in the Jane Bond series. Buckle up, buttercup; it's going to be a wild ride.Dive into the whirlwind adventures of V.R. Tapscott's dual-timeline saga, where every page crackles with electrifying excitement. In the past timeline, we meet Bond, Jane Bond, your average elementary school librarian, who happened to stumble upon the AI pilot of a 140 million-year-old spacecraft that exploded when entering the Earth’s atmosphere many, many, many (and a few more “many”) years ago. Kit and Jane forge an unconventional bond, communicating telepathically and through modern technology like Bluetooth speakers and cellphones, propelling this story through hilarious dialogues. Together, Jane and Kit embark on a global scavenger hunt to recover scattered spaceship parts. With each piece they retrieve, their quest intensifies, unlocking new abilities and means of discovery. Their journey is peppered with heart-stopping encounters - from narrowly escaping the clutches of a mountain lion to fulfilling an ancient Chinese prophecy. Their adventures take them to the most unexpected places: a secretive compound nestled in a National Park and a mysterious cave system in Australia, each setting more intriguing and perilous than the last.We also dive into the life of present-day Jane, where we are introduced to her eclectic mix of friends. There's Bailey, the soulful confidante; Georgia, the trophy wife who can’t keep a husband; and Debbie, the quintessential PTO mom. Amid this colorful crew, Jane embarks on a seemingly simple mission: to bake a boxed chocolate cake for Debbie's 32nd birthday. Jane also struggles with the complexities of her personal life when it comes to Dale - the man who started as a stranger who volunteered to use duct tape to pull the spines of a Prickly Pear out of her derrière.V.R. Tapscott's narrative is a rollercoaster of exhilaration, seamlessly blending elements of mystery, adventure, and science fiction. Whether it was dodging danger at every turn or unraveling the mysteries of Kit's pieces of the ship, Jane and Kit's adventures are nothing short of spectacular. Prepare to be enthralled by a story that redefines the boundaries of friendship and adventure, where every discovery is a leap into the unknown. In Jane Bond – Some Assembly Required, V.R. Tapscott provides the reader with an imaginative and unique storyline that persuades to keep turning the pages and in the end leaves the reader wanting more. And thank goodness there is more, Jane Bond – Book 2 - Dark Side of the Moon is the next in line and is a definite must-read for me…I can’t imagine what V.R. Tapscott has in store for us readers in the next installment.