TITLE: MURDER CAN STUNT YOUR GROWTH
AUTHOR: SELMA EICHLER
Publisher: Signet Mystery
Genre: Mystery series
ISBN:0-451-18514-5

Desiree Shapiro is a pleasingly plump P.I. and she has a big heart to match her plus size body. Business has a little slow but when Evelyn Cowin tries to hire Desiree she doesn't want to take the case. Not because she doesn't need the nice sized retainer, not because she is lazy but because it involves a dead ten year old girl. Evelyn's grandaughter and Desiree doesn't think she can help the elderly Cowin woman because as the death is explained to Desiree she think the police and family are right that Catherine Cowin died of natural causes.
Evcelyn persists and finally Desiree caves in and thinks maybe if she checks out a few things that the grieving grandmother will drop the murder plot and get on with her life.
Instead Desiree ends up with more questions than she receives answers to and she then one small out of place thing convinces her that murder is exactly what happened to Catherine Cowin. Now proving the who and why might just take more than milk and cookies or even Chinese Food, still if there is one thing that Desiree is good at it's getting a whiff on murder and like anyone with a heart as big as hers she isn't about to stop until someone pays for killing Catherine Cowin, the thing is there is this nephew that would stand out on anyone's suspect list, and Catherine's mother doesn't think her mother-inlaw knows what she is talking about when it concerns her daughter's murder and having lost her husband two years earlier she has enough grief to deal with, and of course the household seems to have fallen apart.
As the plot unfolds and we get to know the characters there seems to be a common thread of jealously and it becomes more apparant than ever to Desiree that Catherine had to die. This sickening revelation is what turns Desiree from sad and afraid of the truth to angry and wanting justice served.
MURDER CAN STUNT YOUR GROWTH by Selma Eichler is one of the best books in this series and this series is good, no better than good it's all the a top list series with a delighful, spunky, real woman heroine that know how to take a big bite out of life, love and murder.
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Pamela James

Dead and Gone by Dorothy Simpson REVIEW

TITLE: DEAD And GONE
AUTHOR: DOROTHY SIMPSON
Publisher: Worldwide Library
ISBN:0-373-26379-1
Genre: English Puzzler (Inspector Luke Thanet Mystery)

Something went terribly wrong at the innocent dinner party hosted by Ralph and Vriginia Mintar. All seemed normal enough but after dinner when it was time to clean up is when Virginia Mintar disappeared. One minute she was in the kitchen filling the dishwasher and the next her family and guests were on the hunt for her.
The next morning her body is found in the garden well of the estate and it's soon established that this is cold blooded murder. Insector Thanet has his own concerns as his daughter is in the hospital and the news is not good. Mostly because she has had a difficult pregnancy and his wife Joan and him are very worried about their daughter and soon to be grandchild. Still Inspector Thanet has a job to do but when he tries to learn about Vriginia it soon become apparent that family secrets are the ties that bind this family.
Ralph is a prominent lawyer with close ties to higher ups. For one thing a daughter disappeared four years earlier and no one has ever heard from Caroline again, this really did break her mother's heart, but Virginia had a reputation with lovers, and among the Mintar family of being a difficult and unseemly woman.
Soon Thanet learns that Virginia had not liked her daughter's choice in a husband to be but didn't object openly to their engagement being announced at the dinner party. For one thing she had already lost one daughter who never returned home she wasn't about to lose another. Then there is the mother-inlaw who did not like Virginia and wasn't all that upset she was missing. Husband Ralph seems to be having difficulty being completely honest with Thanet and of course the new neighbors that were over all of the time seemed to be hiding something from the good Inspector. Thanet's assistant Lineham is just as put out with this case as every time they try to find out the truth someone else seems to be lying as this case becomes more and more disturbing.
When the truth emerges and all comes to light it still makes every reader want to sleep with the lights on and never even entertain the thought of ever having another dinner party.
DEAD And GONE by Dorothy Simpson, is a classic english puzzler with an first rate plot. If the suspense doesn't kill you the ending very well might. Tightly woven, and wonderfully executed this mystery is sure to be a classic.
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TITLE: CREAM PUFF MURDER
AUTHOR: JOANNE FLUKE
Publisher: KENSINGTON
Genre: Series Mystery
ISBN:978-0-7582-1022-7

Hannah Swensen's mother has a Regency Novel soon to be released so of course there must be a book launch party. This has Hannah busy trying to create great Regency Recipes and losing enough pounds to fit into the Regency Dresses Hannah decides it's time for a regular workout routine and she knows just the slave driver. Her sister Andrea so it's no surprise that Hannah is staying away from chocolate and trying to not have a nervous breakdown. Things seem to be shaping up nicely until Hannah finds the one woman she can't stand in all of Lake Eden floating in the health club jacuzzi and along with Ronni Ward, are Hannah's Cream Puffs, to add to the crime it's the other angle of Hannah's love triangle who bought the cream puffs. Her very own Detective Mike Kingston, may have had an affair with Ronni Ward who is deader than Hannah's promise to lay off the sweets.
Norman the other part in the triangle has promised to help Hannah find the killer since Mike can't work this case, and neither can Hannah's brother-inlaw Bill who also knew Ronni Ward and Hannah's other sister Michelle has a boyfriend on the force too and he also must recuse himself from the investigation. They all need Hannah to solve the crime and each person has advice on how the crime should be solved.
Ronni was no angel but she didn't derserve this death and dessert scene. With nothing to lose but pounds and dignity Hannah sets out to solve the crime, one crumb and clue at a time.
With so little time and so many demands she soon learns the meaning of betrayal, secrets, friendship and chocolate. CREAM PUFF MURDER is a delicous treat for anyone who likes sweets, and a bittersweet murder.Joanne Fluke has created the perfect recipe for murder and mayhem. She has also included some wonderful recipes and let's not forget that this culinary crime writer knows her way around a bakery

Too Pretty To Die - REVIEW

TITLE: TOO PRETTY TO DIE
AUTHOR: SUSAN MCBRIDE
Genre: Series Mystery
Publisher: Avon
ISBN:978-0-06-084601-5

Instead of 'Tupperware Parties' the rage in Dallas smong the elite society is something called "pretty parties" of course these parties are about gossip and beauty tip but lately it's more about botox injections and staying young. Andy Kendrick despises all this unnatural beauty and attending this party as a favor to her friend Janet should who is a society reporter should have called them even in the friendship favor markers. However coulds, shoulda and woulda's don't apply here because Andy get caught in the crossfire. I don't mean gossip I mean an actual pissed off beauty queen, with a loaded gun and a bad botox job and she is aiming to shoot one Dr. Sonja Madhavi, the woman who wronged her by botching the botox on her face. The face that millions see every night, the face that is scarred for liefe the face that has seen better days and fears better days are behind her.
Andy ,calms down Miranda, take this drunken woman home, she calls her mother from Miranda's place and while Miranda is passed out on the fashionable sofa, Andy tells her mother she is going home and will check on Miranda, in the morning. However Janet, smells a jusicy story and Miranda did mention something about telling all on everyone.
When Miranda is found dead the next morning and Andy realizes she is the only one besides the killer to have seen Miranda alive, she is sick, heartsick since Miranda used to part of Andy's childhood and although they moved in different directions their mother's are the best of friends. Her mother wants the killer found and has taken matters into her own well manicured hands, while not dirtying them one bit she is using her finger to point out to Andy that she expects her to help find the killer.
Janet decides to investigate and there are rumors of sex parties and when Miranda's laptop disappears, Janet decides to use Andy as bait and has her cleaned up, made up and ready for action. I'm not talking street walker as Andy is too high class for that but I am talking all made up to find a killer and with a body to die for Andy only hopes it won't come to kill or be killed.
TOO PRETTY TO DIE by Susan McBride, is not a cinderella story, but is instead a definite must-read. Especially if you have one of those friends who always needs a favor and you're never too sure how far to go to help a friend. Well you might want to read this book instead of a Nancy Drew book because this book will definitely wipe the slate clean on that question.**********
Pamela James Reviewer

Review: One Bad Apple by Sheila Connelly

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN-10: 0425223043

Meg loses her job as a Banker in Boston and decides to fix up her mom's house for resale in a small town and clear her head and figure out what she wants to do. Of course the work is much more than she expected and things are complicated when her ex shows up on her doorsteps and later dead in her septic tank.
I really enjoyed Meg and the setting for this book. I started out with 3 suspects and was not surprised at the guilty party, just saddened. I look forward to more in the series and mroe wodnerful apple recipes! LOL

Murder with Reservations by Elaine Viets

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Signet (May 6, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0451223837

Helen Hawthorne is working hard as a hotel maid after several other dead-end jobs. But her life is about to get a lot worse. A co-worker is murdered and her ex husband is in town hunting for her. Not to mention, the honeymooners who leave a nightmare in the jacuzzi for her to clean up. Things intensify with more odd goings on and hilarious antics. And her friend Margery comes up with a very creative plan to rid her of her ex forever so she can return to a normal life.

I really enjoy this series and Helen's plight seems to all be coming to a head in this book. And there are many strange happenings that are hard to piece together but lead to a satisfying conclusion.

On another note, I plan to always make sure to leave generous tips for housekeeping in the future! LOL

Terri

An Interview with Susan Waters

Susan, tell us about your current book?


This book reveals the lies about God that the enemy plants in our minds and hearts during times of trauma and disappointment. Most of these lies are in the subconscious realm. The book contains the following endorsements:This book is a masterpiece in the field of counseling and should be in the library of everyone who desires to help others through the stormy passages of life's oceans. Susan, in her very practical and yet profound way, addresses the questions that have plagued the human heart for centuries. I believe this book will become a classic and also serve as a strong witness to the skeptic as well. Brilliant work! - Dr. Myles Munroe Founder, President, and Senior Pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries InternationalI am very happy to endorse the timely book "God the Ogre Syndrome" by Sue Waters. This is a theme, which comes to my attention everyday in the classroom and in my personal life. God is being continually blamed by the Devil's Agents for all the Aggression and Violence and Life Style Choices that they themselves have made. This is universal politics and it is time someone points this out to all the Christian light bearers. Be aware of the Devil's wiles and the blame game. Sue has done a magnificent job of opening our eyes. - Dr. Stephen R. Hambly, Ph.D. D-C.P.C., Certified Psychotherapist, Doctorate in Psychology, Dean of Psychology/Counselling at Victory Bible Colleges International Sue has written a thorough and practical handbook for people wounded and hindered by their past, and the voices of the mind, that lead to misunderstanding the ways of the Lord. - Bonnie Pioveson , Regional Director for Women in Leadership

The Introduction and Chapter 1 can be read on my profile page in one of my blogs on ShoutLife http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=72381 I also have a corresponding Workbook.


What type of writing schedule do you have?
I used to have a set schedule that changed from time to time (God The Ogre Syndrome took 20 plus years to write!) I write daily mini devotions that are emailed out from my website http://www.exceedingjoy.com/ I have a goal (that when I’m done renovating my home) I want to get back to set writing times but nothing too scheduled right now.

For you what is the hardest part of the writing process?
I’m not really sure. All of it has been difficult at times.

How many books have you written?
I have God The Ogre Syndrome book and Workbook that are published. I have 4 or 5 devotionals that need to be edited and then published and some other work that needs to be finished.

Who gave you the best writing advice you ever received and what was it?
God! He told me that writing was like ballet – the more I practiced the better I would be. The better you become – the more graceful the flow.

Okay now for the fun questions....What is your favorite dessert, meal, movie and book?
Dessert – mock chocolate cheesecake – I had it at a raw food restaurant. It was amazing.
Meal – steak and lobster
Movie – It’s a Beautiful Life
Book – The Stack

Who are some of your favorite fictional characters?
I don’t read a lot of fiction – not that I don’t enjoy fiction – I just find it difficult to keep up with all the nonfiction I want to read.

Is there someone who inspired you?
Other than Jesus, the apostle Paul. He loved the Lord, suffered greatly and knew who he was.

Give us five positive writing inspirational things/moments that have happened to you in the past year.
Oh no…I’m not going to sound like a very good author. For me, writing is one of the ways I can help people. I really do enjoy speaking more than writing. It’s not that I don’t enjoy writing but when I’m inspired to write, it’s because of a revelation I get that I know will help others.

Okay direct us to your website... http://www.exceedingjoy.com/

Is there something you would like to say to your readers?
My book and workbook will bring great freedom. It’s an investment of time and a willingness to look at the pain in your lives but the reward is well worth it!

Tell us a little about yourself, Susan the woman, the author and the friend.
I enjoy life and love a good practical joke. I love to have fun and I love to shop in the StatesJ I have been a counselor for 19 years. This past year I have begun Performance Coaching, have been interviewed 5 times on TV, once on radio, and within the next month I will have 2 radio shows, a call in and a teaching program. I’m a grandmother and I absolutely love it! I love garlic and I love adventure and the most important of all – I have an intimate relationship with my Lord!

Last but never least.....
Leave us with some wonderful words of wisdom.
Trust God. That’s short and sweet but it can be difficult to do. From my own life experience I can say it’s better to choose to trust Him even if you don’t feel like it because without making that choice, many poor decision are made.