Author:  Laura Levine
Series:  Jaine Austen, Writer-for-Hire (Bk 3)
ISBN:  0-7582-0163-X
271 pages

Other Books in series:  This Pen for Hire (Bk 1), Last Writes (Bk 2)

Book Description:

"A gal with a serious Ben & jerry's habit and credits including a tome entitled "I Was Henry Kissinger's Sex Slave" can't afford to be too picky about employment opportunities. So when Beverly Hills socialite Sue Ellen Kingsley offers Jaine megabucks to ghostwrite a book of hostess tips, it's time to sharpen the #2s. So what if Jaine has to take dictation from a rail-thin lady of leisure in a bubble bath? Pride doesn't feed the cat and the dubious side benefit of this particular job is an up-close, personal view of the amorous exploits of Hollywood's ladies-who-lunch. The only bright spot is sixteen-year-old Heidi, a girl after Jaine's own heart. Shy, overweight, and oppressed by her step-mother, Sue Ellen, Heidi could use a friend as much as Jaine could use an ally. But everything short circuits when Jaine finds Sue Ellen floating face down in her tub, fried by her own blow dryer. Peroxided suspects abound, including a very private masseuse, a jealous nurse, a former game show hostess...even a closet blonde with a surprising secret. One of them is hiding a murderous heart behind pricey highlights, and laine's out to expose the killer's dark roots. Because blondes have enough fun without getting away with murder..."

MY THOUGHTS:

Another fun installment to the Jaine Austen cozy mystery series!  Ms. Levine has a knack for weaving humor into a murder mystery.  There were definitely some LOL moments throughout this book!!  Just when you think everything is all tied up, a shocking twist makes for a very surprising ending!  I think it's great how the author can make almost every character appear to have motive to murder SueEllen Kingsley.  I still didn't guess right!  This is such a fun series and I am looking forward to the rest!

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
Author:  Allison Hoover Bartlett
ISBN:  9781-59448-891-7
ARC Uncorrected Proof
September 2009
288 pages


Book Description:

"Rare-book theft is even more widespread than fine-art theft. Most thieves, of course, steal for profit. John Charles Gilkey steals purely for the love of books. In an attempt to understand him better, journalist Allison Hoover Bartlett plunged herself into the world of book lust and discovered just how dangerous it can be.


Gilkey is an obsessed, unrepentant book thief who has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of rare books from book fairs, stores, and libraries around the country. Ken Sanders is the self-appointed "bibliodick" (book dealer with a penchant for detective work) driven to catch him. Bartlett befriended both outlandish characters and found herself caught in the middle of efforts to recover hidden treasure. With a mixture of suspense, insight, and humor, she has woven this entertaining cat-and-mouse chase into a narrative that not only reveals exactly how Gilkey pulled off his dirtiest crimes, where he stashed the loot, and how Sanders ultimately caught him but also explores the romance of books, the lure to collect them, and the temptation to steal them. Immersing the reader in a rich, wide world of literary obsession, Bartlett looks at the history of book passion, collection, and theft through the ages, to examine the craving that makes some people willing to stop at nothing to possess the books they love."
 
My thoughts:
 
I loved this book much more than I anticipated!  I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but Ms. Bartlett's writing style is very engaging and captures your interest right from the start - and sustains it until the end.  I learned so much about the rare book world and I knew absolutely nothing before starting this book!  It really does make you think about becoming a collector!  Who knew that some works are with thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars?!  I had no idea!  I definitely recommend this book to any bibliophile out there.  It will make you look at books - and the people who covet them - in a whole new light!  Very good read and highly recommended! 

Many thanks to Lydia Hirt from Riverhead/Putnam Books for sending me this review copy!

• Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. ~ Joseph Addison ~
• Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house. ~ Henry Ward Beecher ~
• Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?  ~ Henry Ward Beecher ~
• Books, I found, had the power to make time stand still, retreat or fly into the future.  ~ Jim Bishop ~
• I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.  ~ Jorge Luis Borges ~
• A good book is the purest essence of a human soul.  ~ Thomas Carlyle ~
• I often feel sorry for people who don't read good books; they are missing a chance to lead an extra life. ~ Scott Corbett ~
• Never judge a book by its movie. ~ J. W. Eagan ~
• Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”  ~ Charles W. Eliot ~
• A book should teach us to enjoy life, or to endure it.  ~ Samuel Johnson ~
• My home is where my books are. (1909)   ~ Ellen Thompson ~

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15th through October 15th.

"Hispanic Heritage Month is the period to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States and to celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15." (Wikipedia)

FIVE winners will be selected to receive a complete set of the five following books:

1. Zumba® by Beto Perez with Maggie Greenwood-Robinson  ISBN: 0446546127
2. Evenings at the Argentine Club By Julia Amante ISBN: 0446581623
3. Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz By Belinda Acosta ISBN: 044654051X
4. Tell Me Something True By Leila Cobo ISBN: 0446519367
5. Amigoland By Oscar Casares ISBN: 0316159697

Here's how to get your entry!

• Leave a comment with an e-mail address for +1 entry (I have to be able to reach you if you win!!).  Also, tell me which of the 5 books you are most looking forward to reading!  If you do not leave your e-mail address, your entry will be disqualified!

For extra BONUS entries, you may do the following:

• Follow my blog for +1 extra entry (let me know that you did!)
• Blog about this contest for +1 extra entry (leave a link so I can come check out your blog)
• Add me to your Blog Roll for +1 extra entry (leave a link so I can come check it out!!)

Only US/Canada Residents are eligible to win

No P.O. Boxes!

Contest will end on October 8! Winners will be selected on October 9!

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway for "The Way Home" by George Pelecanos!

And, a big thanks to Hachette Book Group for offering the five giveaway copies of this book to my blog readers!  Thanks so much!!

Without further ado, the FIVE winners of this book are:

simplystacieblog(at)gmail(dot)com

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com


knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com


joannelong74(AT)gmail(DOT)com


danielleeloko78(at)aol(dot)com
 
I will be sending all the winners an e-mail and you will have 48 hours to respond.  If I don't hear from you, I'll have to choose someone else!!
 
Again, thanks to everyone who entered and stay tuned for more contests on the way!!!
 
Didn't win this book?  You can order a copy here!

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest for "Internet Dating is not Like Ordering a Pizza" by Cherie Burbach!! 

And, a big thank you to Ms. Burbach for her guest post and donating two copies of the book for this giveaway!  Thank you so much, Cherie!!

The two winners are:

chazvgo(at)gmail.com


melacan at hotmail dot com
 
Congratulations!!  I will send you both an e-mail and you must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen!!
 
Didn't win?  You can still order your own copy of the book here!

Carbs & Cadavers
Author:  J.B. Stanley
Series:  Supper Club, Bk 1

Book Description from the author's website:

"A new mystery series for those who love food & hate diets.
Except for an extra fifty pounds, former English Lit professor James Henry hasn¹t got much left to lose. Recently divorced, he¹s left the university job he loved and returned to his hometown to care for his cranky widowed father. To improve his social life and his waistline, James joins a new supper club for dieters, where he meets Lucy Hanover, an attractive woman who works in the sheriff¹s department and dreams of becoming a deputy someday. When someone mysteriously drops dead in the Sweet Tooth Bakery, James and his fellow dieters find themselves in the midst of a sticky murder investigation. Dodging delectable temptations, savory treats, and bullets, the supper club members must work together to find the killer.

As satisfying as after-church pot roast from Dolly's Diner, Carbs & Cadavers is the first book in the warm, wonderful Supper Club Mystery series. Featuring tasty, healthy recipes!"

MY THOUGHTS:

I enjoyed this book overall, but I found the writing style to be a bit formal and not very conversational.  When I am reading a book, I think about if that is how a character would actually speak in real life.  Silly, I know, but it's what I do!!  :)  I just didn't get that feel from this book.  I had a hard time identifying with the characters at first, but by the second half of the book, it really picked up and flowed much faster.  I was quite surprised by the ending!  I will definitely be reading more in this series!

Makeovers Can Be Murder
Author:  Kathryn Lilley
Series:  Fat City Cozy Mysteries
Other books in series:  Dying to be Thin (Bk 1), A Killer Workout (Bk 2)
ISBN:  978-0-451-22826-0
261 pages

Book Description from Amazon:

"Plus-size reporter Kate Gallagher is facing the ultimate challenge-wearing a bikini for an upcoming assignment about weight loss scams. Sticking to her diet won't be easy-especially since her love life is already wasting away.

Kate learns she's not alone at a meeting of a women's support group, the Newbodies-where her friend Lila confides that her marriage is in trouble. When Lila turns up dead, Kate's suspicions immediately fall on the husband. But that's before she finds out that Lila wasn't the first "Newbody" to die. Apparently a killer has an appetite for plus-sized victims..."

MY REVIEW:

I feel that I need to preface this review by saying that I really like the character Ms. Lilley has created in Kate Gallagher.  She is not your stereotypical size 2 tv reporter.  She's real.  She could be you.  She has insecurities like the rest of us.  She gets heartbroken like the rest of us.  She's someone that you can relate to and I love that about this series of books.

With that said, I did not care for this book.  I felt that the story was rushed and very convoluted.  I didn't understand the need for the second storyline that was introduced midway through the book.  It was distracting and didn't fit into the rest of the book.  The relationship plot with Kate and Jonathan was silly, in my opinion.  I just didn't get it.  And the very abrupt ending to the book left me feeling disappointed.

I loved the first 2 books in this series, so that's why I'm saddened to have to write a not-so-stellar review, but I kind of felt like this book was completely different from the first two.  It wasn't as in-depth and didn't seem to flow as well as the first two books.  It was like the book was just thrown together in a mash-mash.  With that said, I will continue to read this series and am looking forward to book 4!

Doom With A View
Author:  Victoria Laurie
Series:  Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye (Book 7)
ISBN:  978-0-451-22779-9
314 pages

Book Description from Amazon:

Business has been frustratingly slow for Abby. She reluctantly agrees to a job with the FBI, putting her at the center of an internal political struggle between two agents. Abby's skills and patience are tested, but when she helps them locate three college students who've mysteriously disappeared, they know she's the real deal.
Her intuition says these weren't random abductions. With her psychic eye wide open she sets out to find a kidnapper...
 
MY THOUGHTS:
 
Abby is back!!  In the most recent installment, we find Abby and her business partner, Candice, teamed up with FBI to try and locate three missing college kids.  To say that some FBI members are skeptical of Abby's skills is putting it mildly.  The way Abby kept using her intuition to "wow" them was awesome and I enjoyed every minute of it!  The ending was awesome and I didn't see it coming!!  I love the direction that the series is taking am I am so excited for the next book!  Unfortunately, we have to wait until next September!!!  I just can't get enough of this series!  I highly recommend them!

Death Perception
Author:  Victoria Laurie
Series:  Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye Cozy Mysteries
ISBN:  978-0-451-22486-6
314 pages

Book Description from Amazon:

Abby Cooper’s betting the house on her inner eye...
It took a while for Abby Cooper’s FBI agent boyfriend, Dutch Rivers, to accept her psychic gifts as the real deal. But these days he knows better than to question Abby’s visions. So when his favorite cousin Chase is kidnapped in Vegas, they both catch the next flight to Sin City. Abby’s inner eye insists that Chase is still alive, but nothing else about the case adds up—especially Dutch’s reluctance to involve his own Bureau.
On top of everything, Dutch is battling a mysterious illness, and Abby keeps having disturbing dreams that predict his death. Dutch wants Abby to promise that if the investigation goes south, she’ll head home to safety. But when the chips are down, Abby won’t fold without a fight...
 
MY REVIEW:
 
Another great cozy mystery featuring Abby Cooper; her sister, Cat; boyfriend, Dutch; and newfound business partner and friend, Candice.  And, let's not forget the spirit guides!  Another fast-paced, light mystery with a cast of wonderful characters and an intriguing storyline that will keep you guessing until the end!  I can't recommend this series enough!  If you haven't read it, you need to!

Author:  Victoria Laurie
Series:  Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye Cozy Mysteries (Bk 5)
ISBN:  978-0-451-22201-5
282 pages

Book Description:

"Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye, is having a hard time getting over a gunshot wound from her last case-especially because she didn't see the shots coming. Out of work and second-guessing her abilities, she tries to get back in the saddle by helping her boyfriend Dutch with some of his FBI cases. And soon enough, her intuition returns-with a vengeance."

MY REVIEW:

Another good installment to the Abby Cooper series!  This storyline was a bit convoluted at times and I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous book, but I still enjoy reading about Abby's adventures!  I'm glad to see a new character introduced in Candice Fusco.  I like her and Abby's interactions and I am looking forward to reading more!  I definitely recommend this series!

Killer Insight
Author: Victoria Laurie
Series: Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye (Book 4)
ISBN: 0-451-21933-3
278 pages

Book Description from Amazon:

"When a childhood friend of Abby's from Denver, Colorado, finds herself short one bridesmaid, it doesn't take a professional psychic to see the opportunity for a much-needed getaway. But one bridesmaid after the next is mysteriously flying the coop, and Abby's intuition tells her their final destination isn't pretty. With the wedding party falling apart and her gift of sight never quite so foggy, Abby has to save the date-and herself from becoming the next taffeta-clad target."

MY REVIEW:

I always look forward to reading the Psychic Eye series and this one is my favorite so far! I really loved this book! I was eagerly turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. This is by far my favorite cozy series and I highly recommend them to everyone!! Great characters, great storylines... everything is just great! :) There is one thing that I wished would have been different about the ending of this book, but that's just my own personal opinion! I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I won't spill it here! If you haven't read any of the Psychic Eye books yet, go out and get them now! I am off to start book 5 now!

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