Shoes to Die For by Laura Levine

This is actually the fourth book in the series, but the second that I read, since I wasn't able to to locate books two and three. Luckily though, you don't miss out on anything (such as who was the murderer/murderess in the last book). A neat theme throughout the series is that the previous books are mentioned, in the following way (now available in paperback at your local bookstore). I found these fun,anway.

In Shoes to Die For, Jaine is going to try to start writing for a magazine for a presitious boutique. However, before she can even start, one of the workers in the store is murdered. People who wanted to kill her? There are less people waiting for the opening to the new Harry Potter movie. In other words, there are a lot. So, along with Jaine, we meet dfferent people, interview suspects, and think we finally have a motive and our person... Or do we? There are lots of twists and turns in this book, which make it great. I love a book that makes you think one person did it, then you think, "Oh, there's no way!" Then, well maybe, and so on and so on, until you can't take it anymore and the author lets you know who it is that did it. This book is a lot like that.

Oh, and did I mention that you should't read these books on an empty stomach? Only do so if you want to gain weight : ) Just kidding! Although, there were times when I had to rush to the kitchen, because Jaine's friends "Ben and Jerry" made my stomach rumble. Same thing with Quarter Pounders and Whoppers along with fries.

I will admit that this book had me stumped for a "whodunit" for awhile. Although, I wasn't really surprised when I found out who it was, but that doesn't mean don't read it! After all, isn't that part of the fun? Figuring out who did it on your own?

In my opinion, maybe mysteries should be required reading in schools. At leas that way students may be more inclined to finish a book, because there is a goal for them.

Oh well. Until next time...

This Pen for Hire by Laura Levine

 This is the first Jaine Austen (no relation) book in the series, as well as the first one that I read. It was good, good enough to get me hooked on the entire series. Sure enough, I ended up reading the whole thing within a day. That's the way it is with me and murder mysteries. Once I start them, I have to finish in order to be able to get any peace, because I HAVE to know who did it. Most of the time, I am able to figure it before the end, but onto the book itself.

I found Jaine Austen a wonderful character, I totally relate to her, as well as laugh with her. The books are wonderfully written and I can't wait to read more.

In the first novel, we are introduced to Jaine who is a freelance writer who's business is titled This Pen for Hire, which is also the title of the book (coincidence? no quite). Jaine's current client is a man named Howard who is in love with his arobics instructor, Stacy, and wants Jaine to write a love letter for him to give to her. She does, he does, and it works. That is when the story takes off.

We meet many different characters, each of whom has a motive to kill Stacy (isn't that always the case?). So, along with Jaine, we go interview each person, trying to decide who did it to help get poor Howard out of jail.

As all mysteries do, in the end, we find out what happened. Can you figure out who it was before the end of the book? I did : )

Until next time...

First Post

Welcome to my book blog!

While trying to find a subject to blog about, I finally decided to do what I do best - READ! I love to read (if you don't know that already), and have decided to read  book, blog over it (kind of  like a book report, but more fun), and see if anyone else is interested in what I have to say, as well as share their thoughts on what I've said, whether they be good or bad.