Review: Under Suspicion by Hannah Jayne

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies2 Comments

 In honor of Sunday – a day I reserve for reading and lollygagging – I bring you a short and sweet book review! 

The gist: As a human immune to magic, Sophie is an anomaly at the Underworld Detection Agency, a governmental agency of sorts that helps paranormal beings blend into San Francisco society. Supernatural hijinks ensue when her alimony-seeking client, who happens to be a fire-breathing dragon, goes missing.  Soon more underworld creatures disappear – and it seems as though a slayer is on the loose. When someone – or something – tries to take Sophie out with a wooden stake and silver bullets, she suspects that something far more sinister than a renegade Van Helsing is at work. And if she doesn’t nab the killer soon, all hell will break loose – literally! Why are Sophie’s friends and clients caught in the killer’s crosshairs? And why are the vampires unaffected? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

 The romance:  As with most paranormal romances, Sophie is torn between two supernatural hotties: A handsome fallen angle Alex Grace, and a hot guardian angel Will Sherman. In the last book I was really rooting for Alex, who may or may not have a hidden agenda for wooing Sophie. But in this new installment, she’s spending a lot more quality time with Will and the romantic tension is really heating up! For more about this yummy English gent, stay tuned for my next book boyfriend pick of the week. 

Why it’s unique:  The humor. A lot of the mainstream zany sleuth mysteries are a little too contrived. Usually these types of books (which are about as funny as an episode of Full House) involve the requisite zany granny, an eccentric sidekick and a snarky protagonist. But in this series, the humor isn’t forced. The author clearly has a silly side and it comes through in Sophie’s goofy antics.

The best friend: I would be remiss not to talk about Nina, an uber-sexy vampire who’s always up for a new adventure. Even though she’s older than Hugh Heffner, she can be totally clueless about men. In this book, she falls for a famous author who makes a killing off of proving the nonexistence of supernatural beings – including vampires! Despite this minor hangup, Nina is smitten with the fame-obsessed author and decides to write a vampire mystery series of her own. The author does a fine job sprinkling her stories with these funny little subplots without getting too silly. I giggled and snorted so much – my fellow gym rats must think I have Turrets.

The setting: Of all places to set an urban fantasy, San Francisco is the best! The underworld of supernatural beings can easily blend in with the diverse mix of yuppies, hippies, hipsters, eccentric artists and drifters. Hmm..sounds a tad bit like Austin. Hopefully one of these days I’ll get to explore this wonderfully eclectic city and check out some of Sophie’s hangouts like the Fog City Diner (also featured in my favorite comedy, So I Married and Axe Murderer)  and China Town.

Emma Stone would make a fabulous Sophie!

Favorite character:  Of all the fantastical creatures in this book, my favorite character is Sophie. Normally the secondary characters (the quirky best friends especially) are my faves, but Sophie’s hilarious neuroticisms really won me over. Plus she’s from my generation, so I could totally relate to her mid-90s high school memories of Geo Storms and BUM sweatshirts.  With her sardonic wit, fearless attitude and unruly red hair, I couldn’t help but picture Emma Stone as Sophie.

This book is best paired with: A stiff Bloody Mary and a swinging hammock.

Overall assessment: Once again Hannah Jayne delivers a tightly-plotted mystery jam-packed with humor, hijinks and off-the-wall characters. She does a fine job keeping the pace and tying all the plot threads together in the final pages.  Fans of Juliet Blackwell, Charlaine Harris and Victoria Laurie can’t go wrong with a Hannah Jayne mystery.  Can’t wait to sink my teeth into Sophie’s next big adventure!

A Q&A with Meryl Davids Landau, Author of Downward Dog, Upward Fog

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies1 Comment

It’s no wonder why yoga is so popular, especially among the ladies. It relaxes the mind, replenishes the soul – and HELLO! – have you seen what it’s done to Jennifer Aniston’s perfectly toned thighs? That all in itself has got me sold on “the power of om.”  

In all seriousness, I really didn’t have any interest in yoga until I read Meryl Davids Landau’s debut novel Downward Dog, Upward Fog. In this mesmerizing tale of self-discovery, Lorna Crawford sets forth on a quest for life’s deeper meaning.  On the road to enlightenment, she meets new friends, confronts her demons, and learns how to see her adversaries (even her diabolical mother!) in a whole new light. 

Even if you’re not interested in yoga, I recommend checking this book out. The wisdom Lorna gains along her journey will strike a chord with most women, such as myself, who need to find some inner peace in this crazy, fast-paced, technology-obsessed world.

This talented new author was kind enough to chat with Chick Lit Café about her own spiritual connection with yoga, inspiring writers and the transformative power of self-reflection.

What made you decide to write a novel about a woman finding herself through yoga?

I’ve been doing yoga and studying various spiritual teachings for more than 20 years, but the idea for Downward Dog, Upward Fog came to me suddenly one morning when I was half-listening to an author being interviewed on a morning TV show. She said she’d asked herself, “Where are the novels for women like me?” That question really spoke to me, since I felt there were so many great yoga and spiritual nonfiction books out there, but very little fiction that combines spiritual teachings with a lighthearted, fun plotline. So from the start my twin goals were to entertain and to uplift. One reviewer said my novel is perfect for “introspective, evolving women.” I love that description!

How has yoga helped you get through difficult times?

Yoga is much more than just movements; it’s about staying focused during the poses, and getting in touch with that still, centered place inside of us during the deep relaxation and meditation that are also parts of the practice. Having a steady yoga practice has definitely helped me access that stillness when things are hectic or difficult around me. It’s not so much that I run to do yoga during those times, but rather that I know that inner peace is always there–even though I confess it sometimes takes me a while to remember.

Which authors inspire you?

My novel is filled with quotes from nonfiction spiritual authors that I love and who my main character, Lorna, discovers throughout her spiritual quest. I think Eckhart Tolle, author of A New Earth, who did that webinar with Oprah a few years ago, is especially brilliant, as are Neale Donald Walsch and Marianne Williamson. Since my book is women’s fiction, of course I also like many of those authors, especially Alison Winn Scotch and Sarah Pekkanen. And then I just love authors who are great writers; my newest affection is for YA author John Green, who tells such deep stories in an entertaining way.

Downward Dog, Upward Fog is full of secondary characters.  Which of your characters would you like to spend an afternoon with and why?

Of course I love all of my characters. But probably Lorna’s 10-year-old niece Radha would be my go-to gal for a day. Lorna loves being with her because she’s pretty spiritually aware, since her mother is an interfaith minister. But I also love her 10-year-old sweetness. She’s not worried about censoring herself or what others think of her the way so many of us adults are.

What message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I love what you wrote in your review that you took away from it–that changing how you think about things can change your life! That happens to Lorna in a number of ways. First, as you observed, she comes to visualize good outcomes and not dwell on the what-might-go-wrong negatives. And second, and this is something I’m constantly reminding myself in my own life, she changes how she sees problematic people and situations. She realizes she can view her crazy coworkers and really mean mother in a different way, which alters her entire experience of them, rather than waiting (forever) for them to change. I believe that we have so much power to transform our lives just by changing our thinking, if only we remember to use it.

Can you describe your writing process?

I assume you mean in terms of writing a novel, because I also write magazine articles (for More, Whole Living, Prevention and many others) and blogs (for Huffington Post and others). Before I started Downward Dog, Upward Fog, I knew the overall narrative arc of the story: that Lorna was going to start out frazzled and out of sorts and discover yoga and other spiritual teachings, and then face the challenge of not just knowing these teachings but–the harder part–figuring out how to put them into play in her life. After that it was just a question of letting the details fill themselves in, which, when you get into the flow of writing a book, it feels like that’s what’s happening. Of course, since this was my first novel, I had to rewrite and edit quite a number of times, shifting things around and adding new characters and boosting the dialogue and whatnot. Long ago I heard someone say “writing is rewriting,” and I wholeheartedly agree. There’s nothing that isn’t improved substantially by constant revision.

What’s the best piece of advice you could give an aspiring novelist?

Not to get discouraged during the writing process. A novel is long, and it’s hard to get all the characters and the plotline to where you ultimately want it to be. I also think it’s important to get objective feedback from professional writers and an expert editor about whether they’re seeing what you want them to see. We get too close to the process to be able to tell that ourselves.

Do you have another book in the works? 

I have started working on the sequel to Downward Dog, Upward Fog, because when I finished writing this I wanted to see for myself what Lorna does next, now that she’s more deeply into these spiritual teachings. It’s been exciting for me to work on it, and to hear from readers that they’re eager to know what happens to Lorna, too. I’m having great fun with it, but it will be a while before it’s finished.

About the author: Meryl Davids Landau is a freelance writer, editor and fiction author. For more than 20 years, she has written engaging, informative and entertaining articles for numerous national consumer publications, especially on the topics of health and holistic health, the environment, family issues, and business. She is also a former editor. Her work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping, U.S. News & World Report, Whole Living, Glamour, More, O–the Oprah magazine, Huffington Post, Self, Parents, and many others. For more about her work, check out her website.

Listen Up! Ellen Byerumm on Writing Strong Women Blog Talk Radio

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies2 Comments

Any mystery-loving fashionista worth her salt should know Ellen Byerrum’s Crimes of Fashion mysteries are just as exciting as a Kate Spade sample sale! Her crime-solving protagonist, Lacey Smithsonian, always finds herself entangled in a murder mystery while chasing down leads for stories about toe cleavage and the return of legwarmers. Even though she abhors pink (my signature color!), this girl has a knack for fashion and never hesitates to chase down murderous fiends – even in four-inch Jimmy Choos!

Want to know more about this fabulous vintage couture-clad protagonist? Well tune in to Sylvia Dickey Smith’s Writing Strong Women Blog Talk Radio Show this Monday at 1 p.m.  Who’s your favorite strong female character?

Review: Downward Dog, Upward Fog by Meryl Davids Landau

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies2 Comments

I have to confess, I have very little interest in yoga.  I couldn’t tell you the difference between a downward dog and an upward cat, but all my friends love this alternate form of exercise, so it must be somewhat effective. They all try to get me to join in on the fun, but I’d so much rather hit the trails at Town Lake than pretzel myself into uncomfortable poses in a sweaty room full of strangers.  For the life of me, I can’t figure out what all the hype is about. Why would you rather do the splits on a little rubber mat than go for a nice little jog in the great outdoors? Can you really get a real workout by staying in one place? And what’s the deal with all the mind, body and soul mumbo jumbo? 

When the author contacted me about this book, I figured this would be a good opportunity to broaden my spiritual – and cardiovascular – horizons.  I’m so glad she did because I now have a whole new perspective on yoga and the people who love it. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not signing up for a yoga class just yet, but I do have some newfound appreciation for the people who love the art of deep breathing and downward dogging.  

The story begins when 33-year-old Lorna Crawford is struck by a spiritual crisis while sipping cosmos at the local bar with her gossipy gal pals.  Suddenly she loses her desire to toss back drinks and play the “let’s make fun of the people around us” game.  You know the type, right? The group of girls who snicker at unfortunate “fashion victims” at trendy bars. The ones who whisper rude remarks just loud enough for their targeted victims to hear.  Who could blame Lorna for wanting to bail?

Fortunately Lorna’s sister, Anna (aka Angelica), is a minister who can help her find a new spiritual path. With Anna’s guidance, she stocks up on new age books and dabbles into the mysterious realm of yoga. Just before she can master the sitting lotus, she signs up for a silent yoga retreat with her new best friend and yoga aficionado, Janelle.  Sure, a yoga retreat sounds like a nice break from the trappings of modern-day life, but this one requires no caffeine, no meat, no boozy drinks and no electronics…did I mention NO CAFFEINE?!?! Ouch, my head hurts just thinking about it.

Along the way, she gains a posse of yoga friends who just love, love, love organic salads, green tea, and meditating.  Pretty hardcore, right? Well hey, to each their own. When all of life’s stressors come to a head, Lorna gains strength from her friends and the healing powers of yoga. From a high stress corporate job, to calculating coworkers, to a workaholic boyfriend to a nightmare of a mom, this girl has a lot on her plate. But through yoga and “sujaling” she gradually learns how to look at her adversaries in a whole new light.

Now here’s where the book gets really interesting. I’m not sure if I’m a believer in yoga or rhythmic chanting, but I am a HUGE believer in positive psychology. Right after college I read the Divine Wisdom of Florence Doval Shin to gain confidence before entering the “real world” and it all made perfect sense. Just like Lorna, I was able to get through some tough situations by visualizing good outcomes and blocking negative thinking.  If your motto is “expect the worst, hope for the best,” you may think differently after reading up on positive psychology.  Trust me, I’m no Pollyanna, but I do know negative thinking leads to self-sabotage. 

Overall this book is worth checking out – even if you’re not interested in yoga or religion.  Part women’s fiction, part self-help, this book is both entertaining and enlightening.  I can’t say that Lorna’s spiritual journey inspired me to sign up for yoga, but I did learn a few things about myself that I’d like to change. I can say that I wholeheartedly agree with the book’s underlying messages: Be compassionate toward others, abandon judgments and kill your enemies with kindness.  At the risk of sounding corny, I have to say that if everyone read this book with an open mind, the world would be a better place.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Get it, read it, share it!

Five Things I Love About the Hunger Games

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies2 Comments

Let me start off by saying dystopian fantasies or other grim variations of doomsday fiction have absolutely no appeal to me whatsoever. So when all my friends and bookish cyber buddies pleaded with me to read the Hunger Games, I stubbornly held my ground.  There’s no way I could enjoy a dystopian action-adventure story set in the ruins of what used to be North America, right? Wrong! My curiosity finally got the best of me – and before I knew it I was sucked into Suzanne Collins’ mesmerizing world of warriors, gamemakers, mutations and tender teenage romance.

If you’re not privy to the premise of the Hunger Games (which I doubt if this post caught your eye), here’s the gist: Post-apocalyptic North America is divided into 12 districts ruled by a barbaric government located at the Capitol. Our fearless protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, lives on the seams of District 12, a wasteland of hunger, disease and death. To keep the districts from revolting against the system, the Capitol forces two random children from each district to fight to the death in the annual Hunger Games. When Katniss’ little sister is picked in the annual lottery to fight as a “tribute” in the games, she volunteers to take her place. Like lambs to the slaughter, the 24 tributes are dumped in a treacherous arena, where they must kill off all their competitors to win the crown. The winner gets a lifetime of luxury and celebrity. The action is filmed and broadcast to the entire world.

Now on to the hard part. How can I even attempt to review such an amazing rollercoaster ride of action, adventure, survival, courage and symbolism galore?  I think I’ll take the easy way out and break down my top five reasons for loving this book.

1. It’s brutal:  Even though this is classified as young adult, this book is just as violent as a Stephen King novel. I wasn’t expecting  graphic scenes like the teenage girl getting stung to death by an angry swarm of lethal hornets. The bloody battles between the desperate young warriors were strangely hypnotic. What’s really disturbing is that I kind of felt like one of the voyeuristic gamemakers as I enjoyed the action unfolding in the arena of death.

2. Boy drama:  This wouldn’t be a young adult novel without a love triangle, now would it? Don’t get me wrong, the lovey dovey stuff takes a backseat to the action and adventure. But there’s a hint of a budding romance between our fearless warrior and her best friend/hunting buddy, Gale. And then there’s Peeta, the strapping blond boy selected as the second tribute in District 12. Even though the end game is to be the last one standing, the pair team up and what unravels is a perplexing love story. I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the next book, but I’ll tell you right now I’m on Team Peeta!

3. The girl power: To say Katniss is bad-ass would be an understatement. As the sole provider for her baby sister and invalid mother, she illegally hunts wild game and scavenges the dingy streets of District 12 for scraps. She’s so awesome – she could put Robin Hood to shame with her excellent marksmanship. No matter what comes her way, she maintains a stoic demeanor and never reveals her soft underbelly. What I really love about this girl is that she’s the only one with any balls to challenge the Capitol. When they try to throw her a curveball, she shows them she’s not just another piece in their stupid game!

4. The villains: My god – how freaking awful are those Machiavellian gamemakers? There’s something very unsettling about this ruling class of evil overlords who live in luxury while the majority of their fellow citizens are feeding off of tree bark and boiled peppermint leaves.  Stripped of all humanity, these decadent bastards get their kicks by watching live-stream videos of starving children slitting each other’s throats. Wow…just wow.

5. The movie: I rarely ever say this, but the movie did a bang-up job bringing the book to life. The cinematography, the colors and costumes, the casting – all brilliant! I couldn’t imagine anyone other than the talented Jennifer Lawrence playing Catniss. She was fierce in Winter’s Bone and was just as intense in The Hunger Games. I also really liked Josh Hutcherson as Peeta. With his chiseled jaw and soulful eyes, he really hit the mark as the handsome and kindhearted “boy with the bread.” Plus I think he’s kind of a cutie patootie. As for Gale, I was hoping they’d cast someone a little less pretty. Overall it was really well done – not as good as the book – but very entertaining nonetheless.

OK Hunger Games fans, what do you think? Did the movie do the book justice? What do you love most about this trilogy?

Listen Up! Joni B. Cole on Writing Strong Women Blog Talk Radio

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies4 Comments

Image
Joni Cole , author of Another Bad Dog Book: Tales of Life, Love, and Neurotic Human Behavior, will Imagediscuss her book and her approach to writing strong women today at 1 p.m. on Sylvia Dickey Smith’s Writing Strong Women Blog Talk Radio Show!

From Sylvia’s blog: She also taught writing for years, and has a book out for writers (Toxic Feedback: Helping Writers Survive and Thrive). About writing strong women, Joni says:

“I write strong women because they’re the most interesting! But of course even the strongest women have quirks, flaws, insecurities, and neuroses. Those are the things that often test their strength, sometimes as much as external challenges. In my book of personal essays “Another Bad Dog Book: Tales of Life, Love, and Neurotic Human Behavior” I write about times when I find myself in funny but also heartfelt situations–dealing with issues related to my aging parents, losing a best friend to suicide,  feeling insecure as a writer or parent. But in each essay, I don’t just outline the struggles inherent in these difficult situations, but also the opportunities for insight and triumph and even humor.

For more about this fabulous radio show, visit this website. Read my review for Joni’s memoir, “Another Bad Dog Book” here.

Review: Recession Proof by Kimberly S. Lin

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies4 Comments

To say Helen is unhappy would be an understatement. She works 15-hour days at a high-stress financial job, where she struggles to stay afloat under a ridiculous workload.  As the only female financial analyst at her firm, she knows her boss is doing everything in his power to replace her with another smooth-talking good ol’ boy. When his patronizing lectures about her substandard productivity get worse with each passing day, she knows it’s only a matter of time until she’s standing in the dreaded unemployment line.

After a bad day of work (which is pretty much every day) she seeks comfort from her longtime boyfriend, Mark. But sadly, he’d rather play video games and go bowling with his douchebag friends than spend quality time with his girlfriend. For six long years, Helen has been trapped in a dead-end relationship with a man she doesn’t even love. Unwilling to own up to her true feelings, she convinces herself they’re meant to be together. They’ve stuck it out this long, so why rock the boat?

On the cusp of turning 30, Helen still has no idea who she is and how to live her life on her own terms. Since she was a kid she always wanted to be a writer, but her dream fell flat when her father warned her of the uncertainty of writing jobs. Desperate for her father’s praise, she decided to pursue a stable, lucrative career in finance. Although she appears to be right on track, her life is spiraling out of control.

Thankfully she has her best friend, Sophie, to turn to when times get tough. I absolutely adore this character, probably because she reminds me of my own BFF! Smart, sassy and honest (sometimes to a fault), Sophie offers comfort and comic relief when Helen needs it the most. Even though she’s rich, gorgeous and engaged to the perfect man, it’s impossible to hate her. OK, maybe I hate her just a tad for having the ability to eat whatever she wants without gaining weight! Unlike Helen’s own sister, who only cares about keeping up with the Jones’ in her posh Orange County neighborhood, Sophie is there to pick up the pieces when everything falls apart. They say blood is thicker than water, but I think that’s a bunch of crap. True best friends will have your back – no matter what.

When her problems inevitably come to a head, Helen realizes her only chance at happiness is to finally call her own shots.  And if that means going against her father’s wishes and  putting her relationship with Mark out of its misery, so be it! Determined to pursue a writing career, she takes on a pro bono job at a local travel magazine and steadily builds upon her portfolio. Even though she’s not making any money, she loves writing. And for the first time in years, she’s on the verge of finding happiness.  But yet there are still a few kinks she needs to work out, especially in the love department.  When Mr. Perfect comes along, she makes a slew of self-sabotaging mistakes.  I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so I’ll stop right here. You’ll just have to read the book to get to the good stuff. Trust me, it’s well worth your time.

Overall, this is a fun and engaging character-driven read. This talented new author proves her understanding of women’s relationships with a style that’s both snappy and heartfelt. Women will absolutely recognize themselves and their friendships on the pages. Fans of Emily Griffin, Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green will enjoy this introspective, sharply realistic and tenderly humorous novel. Don’t get comfortable because you won’t be able to put it down!

Short & Sweet Sunday: The Hollow by Jessica Verday

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn CoziesLeave a comment

In honor of Sunday – a day I reserve for reading and lollygagging – I bring you a short and sweet book review! For more of my “Short & Sweet” reviews, go here.  

The gist:  (From Goodreads) After the death of her best friend, Abbey feels abandoned and alone. She tries distracting herself by creating perfumes, but true distraction comes in the form of Caspian, the “total hottie” she meets in the Sleepy Hollow cemetery. Abbey quickly falls head over heels in love with Caspian, although she struggles with his mysterious and elusive demeanor. Just as things seem like they are back to normal, Abbey makes two discoveries: she finds Kristen’s secret diary that reveals she was hiding something from Abbey, and she learns Caspian’s true identity. On the verge of a breakdown, Abbey’s world slowly begins to unravel when she realizes Sleepy Hollow may hold more truth than legend.

Why I read it: I’m a HUGE fan of Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow, so any book or movie that touches on this Halloweenie masterpiece really sparks my interest. How could I resist a gothic mystery involving a creepy cemetery, an alluring ghost boy and the headless horseman?!? It’s like this book was tailor made just for me!

The perks: Despite its many flaws, this is a fun little Halloween read. The new spin on the legend of the headless horseman is entertaining…although Washington Irving is most likely rolling around in his grave. I liked the spooky atmospheric graveyard, where Abbey would spend her days reminiscing about the good times she had with her best friend. Apparently the two weirdos liked to hang out at Washignton Irving’s grave, where they would tell ghost stories about the Headless Horseman and giggle about boys.

The drawbacks: The love connection between Abbey and Caspian seemed forced. I can’t put my finger on it, but I just didn’t feel the heat radiating off of these two star-crossed lovers. They’re just so nice and sweet and polite …yawn. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but it felt like the author wasn’t really feeling it, but she had to fuse them together to appease her swoony teenage readers. While I’m at it, I should also add that the editor should have been more heavy-handed with the red pen. The story would have moved along at a much quicker pace if it wasn’t bogged down with superfluous details about Abbey’s day-to-day motions like mixing scents, organizing her uncle’s office or working on a science fair project. As for the mystery, Abbey’s obsession with Caspian eclipses her interest in her friend’s disappearance. If you’re looking for clues and red-herrings you won’t find them in this book.

This book is best pared with: A steaming mug of apple cider and a glowing jack-o-lantern. I know it’s crazy to be thinking of Halloween in April, but what can I say?  I’ll say it loud, I’m a Halloween freak and I’m proud!

Soundtrack pick: Paramore–Haunted

Overall: To quote Randy Jackson: It was just OK for me, dog. I’m not itching to jump right into the next book, but I’ll probably get around to it. The author really didn’t crack open the case of the missing best friend until the very last chapter, so I’m hoping she’ll get down to business in the next book. Plus I want to figure out what the heck is going on with Caspian’s inexplicable link to the Headless Horseman!

Review: Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate, No. 1)

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies4 Comments

I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of sci-fi, dystopian fantasy or anything involving star-crossed fairies. When I first read the dustcover of Soulless, I was immediately turned off by the whole steampunk thing. But it was on sale for $5, so why not give it a try?  And wouldn’t you know, I was immediately sucked into Alexia Trabotti’s world of vampires, werewolves, dirigibles and mad scientists!

Although fanged and furry creatures of the night coexist with humans in this odd realm of Victorian London, many people (scientists especially) are weary of their supernatural powers. That’s why Alexia must keep her soullessness under wraps. Known as a “preternatural,” she has the unique ability to rid a supernatural being of its powers with just one touch. It’s bad enough she’s a spinster with an unsightly Mediterranean complexion, let alone a lack of human essence! Plus her wisecracking comments are typically frowned upon in polite London society.

The story begins when Alexia accidentally kills a rogue vampire with her trusty brass parasol at the Queen’s ball. When Lord Maccon, a gorgeous Scottish alpha werewolf, is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate, he comes up with more questions than answers. What’s behind the random vampire attacks? Why are vampires disappearing from their hives? All signs point to Alexia, but Lord Maccon is convinced of her innocence and soon grows a fondness for her ballsy attitude and curvaceous physique.

There are many things I love about this book – whip-smart dialogue, screwball comedy,  smoking-hot make out sessions, to name a few. But I really got a kick out of the secondary characters, especially Alexia’s best friend, Ivy, who has a huge collection of hideous hats. Alexia’s zingers about her friend’s ridiculous fashion statements had me laughing out loud! I also love, love, love her vampire sidekick Lord Akeldama. He’s your token gay best friend with impeccable fashion taste and snarky one-liners. The intoxicatingly witty love-hate banter between Alexia and Lord Maccon is also very entertaining. Gail Carriger has clearly mastered the art of dialogue and character development. I can’t wait to delve into the next book to see what’s in store for Alexia and Lord Maccon as their relationship develops!

So my fellow readers, the moral of this story is to try out a new genre! Who knows, you might be missing out on a real treat. After reading the Hunger Games in one sitting, I’m kicking myself for never dabbling into the realm of dystopian fantasy. That review is coming soon!

Historical Mystery Series Giveaway!

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies5 Comments

Love cozy mysteries set in Victorian England? Well look no further than Paula Paul’s new Dr. Alexandra Gladstone Series! Being the cozy mystery fanatic that I am, I happily jumped on the blog tour, hosted Amanda over at Chick Lit = The New Black. Check out these snippits about the first three books in the series!

Symptoms of Death (Book 1)

You can’t cure murder…

When the old country doctor of Newton-Upon-Sea passed away, he left his only daughter, Alexandra, with the secrets of his trade. Now, the village depends on its lady-doctor Gladstone for its births, deaths, and all the inconveniences in between.

Dr. Alexandra Gladstone is visiting the Lord of Dunsford, when he’s found murdered in his bed. Joined by Nancy, her maid, the London barrister, Nicholas Forsythe, and her faithful dog, Zack, she soon discovers that other nobles in Lord Dunsford’s circle of acquaintances have very good reasons to see him dead. The symptoms of death begin to multiply as they uncover a dangerous plot of revenge, hatred, and blackmail. And unfortunately for Alexandra, this rage could get her killed…

An Improper Death (Book 2)

Always Dress Well for Murder…

The small town of Newton-Upon-Sea is stunned by the death of a retired admiral of her Majesty’s Navy, and even more shocked at the state in which he is found. Everyone is ready to assume that he took a drunken fall from a cliff, except for Dr. Alexandra Gladstone. Along with Nancy, her maid, the London barrister, Nicholas Forsythe, and her faithful dog, Zack, she will battle local authorities, morticians, and the gossip of the town in order to learn the truth. And when she does, she just might find that the truth is worse than she could ever have imagined…

 

Half a Mind to Murder (Book 3)

Always Dress Well For Murder…

Murder is in the air in the small town of Newton-Upon-Sea. A mysterious illness is claiming the lives of men of a certain age, and where the illness fails, a sharp knife does not. Dr. Alexandra Gladstone is at a loss to determine what is causing the sickness, and the only survivor of the illness is soon found with his heart surgically removed. The panic-stricken townsfolk do not know who to trust, and Constable Snow is at a loss to find the killer, or protect innocents from the frightened, unruly mob.

Dr. Gladstone is sent to London by Snow to discover some answers that might help them catch the madman who is committing the murders. When she realizes the truth, she knows that she may already be too late to save those that she loves the most…

About the Author: Paula Paul has published 25 novels for both children and adults. Her popular historical mystery series featuring Dr. Alexandra Gladstone is being re-released in both print and electronic format by Cool Well Press. New books in the series will be forthcoming, beginning with The Queen’s Crime, scheduled for release in January 2013.

Paula has written contemporary mysteries as well as historical and contemporary romance novels and literary novels. Her favorites are her historical and literary novels. She has won awards from Women Writing the West, New Mexico Book Association, the Zia Award, National Press Women Award for Fiction, Texas Institute of Letters Award, and a Texas Bluebonnet Award.

Growing up in Texas on a cotton farm and ranch that was 30 miles from the nearest town, she had plenty of time to develop a very severe reading addiction that eventually translated into crafting her own stories and books.

A former journalist, she is the recipient of several state and national awards for reporting and feature writing. She lives in Albuquerque, NM, with her husband. She has two grown children and six grandchildren who keep her life full and interesting. She also has an adorable if annoying Schnoodle (Poodle and Schnauzer mix) who makes certain she takes a break from writing and gets her three-mile walk everyday.

Enter the Giveaway!

Paula is giving away the first three books in the series! U.S. residents can pick from eBook or paperback copies but international winners will only receive eBooks.

To enter, post your answer to this question in a comment below: Who is your favorite amateur sleuth?  The winner’s name will be drawn at random.  Good Luck!