MURDER WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS: A Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper Mystery

By Elaine Viets

Year-round Christmas stores are an interesting phenomenon of our time and their appeal is an enigma wrapped in tinsel for Josie Marcus. Three such holiday houses pop up within a two block radius and Josie is assigned to mystery shop two of them. One of them is an questionable "naughty" shop with unbelievably inappropriate, tacky merchandise. That's when all of the trouble begins.

Josie's job as a mystery shopper is much harder than it sounds and is made more difficult when she learns that the ex of her sexy plumber boyfriend, Mike, owns the "naughty" Christmas store. To make matters worse, she finds our Mike is an investor in the shop. Josie tells her deadbeat boss she has a conflict of interest mystery shopping the "naughty" store and he says do it anyway! A bad review from Josie turns into picketers and a loss of business.

To make the season even more jolly, Josie's ex-con, ex-boyfriend-but-never-her-husband turns up out of the blue to lay claim to their daughter. In the midst of all of this jocularity, Josie is faced with the preteen angst of her daughter and the teenage anger of her boyfriend's daughter. Murder is served up with holiday cheer and the season turns dark.

If you read this blog often, you know I enjoy Elaine Viets work. Her mystery shopper and dead end job novels are entertaining. She handles murder and mayhem with a humorous, entertaining touch. Her novels always provide me with an escape. What do you think.

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CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE
By Martha Powers


Clare Prentice thought she knew who she was until she learns that her entire life is a lie. Not only does she discover she is adopted, but there is no record that she or her adoptive mother ever existed. Clare begins a perilous journey of discovery with the only clue she has to her past, a class ring from Grand Rapids Senior High School.

Unraveling the mystery, is like trying to see through fog. Finally the first piece of the puzzle falls into place. Clare learns her birth mother was murdered. In a small town like Grand Rapids, the murder was a much talked-about event at the time it happened, but strangely enough no one is talking now. Clare sets out on her quest to find out the truth of what happened, but she doesn't realize there is someone out there who will stop at nothing to make sure she never finds out the whole story.

A chilling and inventive novel involving lies, deception, deadly secrets and danger. An excellent novel. What do you think?

"When you're writing, everything is so hard. And then you get a gift!"
---Martha Powers, from the interview with the Dallas Book Diva

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IMMUNITY: An Alexandra Blake Novel

By Lori Andrews

I know reviewers and movie trailers use the phrase "ripped out of today's headlines" way too much, but this novel has that feel about it. The reader feels as if he/she is seeing the story behind those words.

The DEA is investigating a new date rape drug called "J" that wreaks havoc on its victims. Castro Baxter and his partner Ted are on a mob stakeout when suddenly Ted literally drops dead in a horrible, inexplicable way. Baxter, believes there is more to his partner's untimely death then meets the eye and Dr. Alexandra Blake finds herself right in the middle of a medical mystery.

As Alex becomes more deeply involved in the investigation, she discovers other unexplained deaths that seem to indicate some kind of naturally occurring epidemic or a biological weapon. What's going on? Are the two investigations linked? What role does the head of a major pharmaceutical company have? Lives hang in the balance in this timely, tightly written thriller.

I carefully choose the books I post on this blog and this one is an excellent choice. What do you think?

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CLUBBED TO DEATH: A Dead End Job Mystery

By Elaine Viets

Helen Hawthorne just can't seem to catch a break. After catching her husband, Rob, in "the act" with one of her neighbors, Helen beats up his SUV with a tire iron. Rather than viewing Helen as the injured party, the divorce judge rules that Helen must give Rob half of everything she has earned! Thus the journey begins for Helen. She runs away to Florida to hide in plain sight taking whatever dead end job she can find.

Helen's latest job is in the Customer Service area of a very high-end yacht club where the members are a cast of characters in themselves. Rob and his new bride, the infamous "Black Widow, sail their yacht into the club and right back into Helen's life. After having a public fight with her ex, he turns up missing and Helen is the number one suspect. There are surprises and plot twists galore in this entertaining mystery.

I confess I always enjoy Elaine Viets work. It's fun to read and provides such a "great escape." I also admire Elaine for working at every dead end job she writes about in her novels. What do you think?

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CHAOS TO CALM:  The Moms-of-Multiples' guide to An Organized Family

By Tonia Tomlin

The author is the mother of twin girls, Peyton and Sydney.  The book is based on research as well as her "real world life experience" raising multiple children.  

There are tips, ideas, strategies, techniques and plain old fashioned advice for expectant and new parents .  The book is not only useful for the parents of multiples but would be useful to anyone with a young child.

There are 11 separate chapters discussing everything from preparing for the multiple birth to baby safe space to birthday parties.  It is a treasure trove of information.  Have a look at the valuable organizing information chapter with forms  to use for interviewing caregivers,  a daycare shopping guide, pool policy, and a budget.  Additionally, there is a CD included in  the back of the book that contains the forms for you to use.  

Tonia is a professional organizer and founder of her own business called Sorted Out, an organizing service providing a wide range of consulting and organizing services.  Tonia brings her expertise to the book.

Looking for the perfect shower or holiday gift for someone expecting a multiple birth?  Look no further.  Anyone who receives a copy of this helpful, valuable book will thank you over and over.  I think it's just great.  What do you think?

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CASTING SPELLS

By Barbara Bretton

The play on words in the title gives the reader a hint about this interesting, humorous, "magical" book.

The action takes place in the picture perfect New England town of Sugar Maple, Vermont. All that perfection hides a very interesting secret. The towns inhabitants are all magical creatures - warlocks, sprites, vampires, witches, etc.- except for one half human named Chloe Hobbs.

Chloe's magical mother and human father were killed when she was a child. She has spent her whole life in Sugar Maple and knows all of the town's secrets. Even though Chloe is half magical, she has no powers and that's a problem. Her ancestor cast a protective spell on the town that has kept the town's inhabitants safe for hundreds of years, but when the murder of a mysterious outsider happens within the town's city limits, everyone knows the end of the protection is near unless Chloe can do something!

The murder brings a handsome, very human police detective,, Luke MacKenzie and sparks literally begin to fly. Chloe falls in love and into danger. She finds herself way in over her head as the "plot thickens!"

I really enjoyed the novel. It's a great escape as well just fun to read. What do you think?

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The Dallas Book Diva interviews Deborah Crombie,
author of Where Memories Lie. See the Diva's review
and listen to the interview.

GETTING YOUR SECOND WIND:  Motivation Is The Power Source Fueling A Healthy Lifestyle

By Jan Tilley

There is a quote that comes to mind.  Oliver Wendell Holmes once said "The human mind, once stretched to a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions."  This book is all about stretching;  your mind, your body, you comfort zone, and your boundaries.

A combination of a personal story and sound advice fill this valuable little book.  In the chaotic times we are living in, if we don't take care of ourselves, we will be adding illness to the stack of things with which we have to deal.  

Become an Adventurer and a risk taker, advises Tilley.  "Being adventurous means learning to live with your eyes and heart wide open to challenge and adventure."  She doesn't mean we should all try to be Indiana Jones, or does she?  If you've always been intrigued with archeology, why not volunteer to help with an archaeological dig?  If you don't do those things you have always wanted do now, when will you find the time, the money, the opportunity, etc.?  

Since Jan Tilley is a nutritionist, there is a lot of good information about health and weight in the book.  How can you be an adventurer is you're not healthy?  The book encourages the reader toward a healthy lifestyle.

I enjoy reading books that encourage me and also give me "real world" ways to make things happen.  I found this book inspirational and grounded.  What do you think? 

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ADDICTED TO STRESS: A Woman's 7 Step Program To Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity In Life

By Debbie Mandel

Women deal with different stressors than men. Women seem to rush from one activity to another with no time for themselves for any kind of rest or relaxation. They juggle enormous responsibilities, but where is all of this pressure coming from? Research shows that the presence of so much stress i our lives has become so familiar, we are actually uncomfortable if we don't have it. What's up with that? Women have become "addicted" to their stress!

Here are the 7-steps in the program Mandel explains in the book:

Step 1: Be Aware of Your Own Stress Addiction

Step 2: Reclaim Your Identity

Step 3: Learn to Become a Healthy Narcissist

Step 4: Build a Healthy Body

Step 5: Cultivate Your Sense of Fun and Humor (A personal favorite of mine!)

Step 6: Jump-Start Your Libido (That means she talks about sex!)

Step 7: Reframe Your Thoughts (It really is all in your head.)

The book focuses on self-esteem, self empowerment, exercise, self-care, healthy narcissism, and renewing the humor in our lives. This is a terrific book. I not only enjoyed it, but really like many of the ideas and techniques. What do you think?

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TAO NOW:  Daily Wisdom from Mystics, Sages, Poets, and Saints

By Josh Baran

The book is an interesting melding of philosophies from Budda to Alanis Morisette.  I found myself opening it at random and reading.

The bottom line is to live now, stop looking over your shoulder at the past.  In the introduction, Baran writes "Stop now and look.  It is in front of your nose.  In the palm of your hand.  In the light in your eyes.  In the taste on your tongue.... Nothing is required.  No new meditation practices, therapies, ceremonies or gurus.  No path.  Everything you need is already here, unfolding before you in every instant.  Right here, right now."

This is a small book that is invaluable companion for anyone seeking some calm or peace, regardless of spiritual experience.  You will see how this collection is unique and you can use it as a daily call to "presence" and to remind each of us that the only reality we ever truly experience is here and now.  Helpful advice in these troubling times.  What do you think?  

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