Book Review: "Bubbles Unbound" by Sarah Strohmeyer

Book Review: "Bubbles Unbound" by Sarah Strohmeyer


Book Description:
Meet Bubbles Yablonsky, beautician -- reporter -- sleuth, and blazing star of Strohmeyer's entertaining, establishment-bashing debut as a mystery writer.

Like the mills that gird the book's seen-better-days steel town of Lehigh, Pa., the city is itself a seething cauldron. Battle lines are sharply drawn between the haves and have-nots. Bubbles is hell-bent on getting even with the overlords, especially her former husband, a heel who has gone over to the other side. Opportunity knocks when Bubbles incriminates a wealthy socialite in a brutal murder and then uncovers a murky past, where corpses are littered around the accused's steel-magnate husband.

The going is never easy, as Bubbles faces more perils than Pauline: falling off a bridge in the arms of a potential suicide; dodging drive-by gunmen and car bombers; being handcuffed and fitted for cement boots; and always searching for a better way to display her cleavage. Armed with her certificate from Two Guys Community College, abetted by a quirky array of social castoffs and fueled by Doritos, Velveeta and Diet Pepsi, Bubbles overcomes every obstacle on her way to shaking the foundations of the corporate world and, in the process, leaving more than a few wrinkles in her ex's tailored Brooks Brothers suits. Hop in the Camaro and buckle up: Bubbles is behind the wheel, and a wild ride awaits.

This series was recommended by a fellow blogger and I am finally getting around to starting to read it. This series is another one of those "I can't believe I waited so long to read this!!" Again, if you like Stephanie Plum, you will like this book (maybe even more than the previous review - Hannah Swensen). I laughed in many places in this book. I could even picture a few of the characters if this were ever to make a movie. What a great start to the series. Check it out!!

Happy Reading!

Joined Goodreads

I have joined Goodreads. Still playing with it. Like it so far....

Hope to see you there!

Book Review: "Lemon Merigue Murder" by Joanne Fluke

Book Description:
A lemon meringue pie, two pieces cut and only one eaten (an important clue or an insult to her cooking?), an empty bottle of wine and only one of two take-out dinners consumed -- these bits of evidence set Hannah Swenson, amateur sleuth and owner of the Cookie Jar Bakery in Lake Eden, Minn., on the trail of a murderer in Fluke's fourth fun, frothy cozy (after 2002's Blueberry Muffin Murder).

Who could have killed voluptuous Rhonda Scharf, whose half-buried body Hannah's interfering mother discovers in the basement of an old house one of Hannah's swains has just purchased? The investigation proceeds unhurriedly, with plenty of time for cookies, coffee and small-town gossip. Enticing recipes for cookies and other treats, presented with helpful procedural hints, are an extra bonus.

This was another great installment in this series. If you enjoy Stephanie Plum, you will enjoy this series too. I can't read them continuously like Stephanie Plum (I need a break between Hannah books).

I do find them funny and interesting. I will keep reading them and will continue to review them as well.

Happy Reading!!

Goodreads anyone?

I am thinking of signing up on Goodreads? Anyone on Goodreads? Can you help me?

Thanks!

Book Review: "92 Pacific Boulevard" by Debbie Macomber

Book Review: "92 Pacific Boulevard" by Debbie Macomber

Book Description:

92 Pacific Boulevard

Cedar Cove, Washington

Dear Listener:

I'm not much of a letter-writer. As the sheriff here, I'm used to writing incident reports, not chatty letters. But my daughter, Megan -- who'll be making me a grandfather soon -- told me I had to do this. So here goes.

I'll tell you straight out that I'd hoped to marry Faith Beckwith (my one-time high school girlfriend) but she ended the relationship last month, even though we're both widowed and available. There were a few misunderstandings between us, some of them inadvertently caused by Megan.

However, I've got plenty to keep me occupied, like the unidentified remains found in a cave outside town. And the fact that my friend, Judge Olivia Griffin, is fighting cancer. And the break-ins at 204 Rosewood Lane -- the house Faith happens to be renting from Grace Harding...

If you want to hear more, come on over to my place or to the sheriff's office (if you can stand the stale coffee!).

Another great installment in the Cedar Cove series. I did enjoy this one better than the previous installment. I am enjoying this series as Ms. Macomber knows how to introduce new characters will keeping previous characters fresh and updated.

A nice light read. A great series!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" by Janet Evanovich

Book Review: "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" by Janet Evanovich

Book Description:

While recovering from an ill-timed makeup mishap, Lula is a witness to celebrity chef, Stanley Chipotle, losing his head--literally. Now Lula and Stephanie are on the hunt to identify the killers before Lula is next on the chopping block. Meantime, Ranger's recruited Stephanie's help for a top secret mission. Someone on the inside at Rangeman is leaking client information, determined to bring the company down. Can Stephanie hunt down a killer, a traitor, and keep Grandma out of the sauce?

I have read every book in this series and was VERY disappointed in 14. But I do have to say I liked this one better than 14. I laughed in a few places. I just wish Ms. Evanovich would throw us a bone about the love triangle. It has been stale for awhile...Will keep reading the series though.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "Prairie Tale" by Melissa Gilbert

Book Review: "Prairie Tale" by Melissa Gilbert

Book Description:

A fascinatiating, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting tale of self-discovery from the beloved actress who earned a permanent place in the hearts of millions when she was just a child. To fans of the hugely successful television series Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Gilbert grew up in a fantasy world with a larger-than-life father, friends and family she could count on, and plenty of animals to play with. Children across the country dreamed of the Ingalls' idyllic life -- and so did Melissa. She was a natural on camera, but behind the scenes, life was more complicated.

Adopted as a baby into a legendary show business family, Melissa wrestled with questions about her identity and struggled to maintain an image of perfection her mother created and enforced. Only after years of substance abuse, dysfunctional relationships, and made-for-television movies did she begin to figure out who she really was. With candor and humor, the cherished actress traces her complicated journey from buck-toothed Laura "Half-pint" Ingalls to Hollywood starlet, wife, and mother. She partied with the Brat Pack, dated heartthrobs like Rob Lowe and bad boys like Billy Idol, and began a self-destructive pattern of addiction and codependence.

Left in debt after her first marriage, and struggling to create some sense of stability, she eventually realized that her career on television had earned her popularity, admiration, and love from everyone but herself. Through hard work, tenacity, sobriety, and the blessings of a solid marriage, Melissa has accepted her many different identities and learned to laugh, cry, and forgive in new ways. Women everywhere may have idolized her charming life on Little House on the Prairie, but Melissa's own unexpectedly honest, imperfect, and down-to-earth story is an inspiration.

The description really says it all. If you want to keep the "Laura Ingalls" image of Melissa Gilbert do NOT read this book. I admit I did skim through parts of the book. There are just some things I didn't want to know. I thought there would have been more "Little House" stories or more information on her relationship with Michael Landon, but there wasn't. It was an ok read. At the end of the book, she printed out some of the other title ideas for her book and I can't believe some people had the nerve to send some in. WOW!

Happy Reading!