BOOK REVIEW

Title: Cinderella Pact: a Novel

Author: Sarah Strohmeyer

In ten words or less: Overweight friends support each other while trying to lose weight.

Review: Nola Devlin is an editor at Sass! magazine but feels her ideas are not seriously considered because she is overweight. When she turns in sample columns under he own name, she is sure they get tossed straight in the trash. But when she invents sexy Belinda Apple, and submits her identical columns with a picture of the oh-so-trendy Belinda attached, her editor at Sass! is salivating at the thought of snagging Belinda as a contributor.
While the mysterious Belinda is penning columns on weight loss, style, and sex, Nola is making a pact with her two best friends to get in shape over the next six months. Nola has no social life, so what does she have to lose? And her younger sister is sure that Nola is envious of her upcoming wedding, and asks "Belinda" to be her maid of honor.
And then...a handsome computer geek named "Chip" shows some interest in Nola. Is he for real? Lightweight fluff, but readable and fun.

Why bother? Perfect paperback to bring with you on a weekend getaway.

PUGS ON HALLOWEEN

Ruby is not every happy about dressing up for Halloween.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Out of the Frying Pan, into the Choir: a Ruby, the Rabbi's wife mystery

Author: Sharon Kahn

In ten words or less: The murder of a choir member has Ruby investigating.

Review: Temple Rita's choir has a trip to Lake Louise and Banff scheduled but Temple busybody Essie Sue thinks that funds have fallen short. She hires paty planner/grief counselor Bitsy to co-ordinate latke sales in support of the trip.
The choir's lead soprano Serena Salit collapses and dies during the next concert. But the train trip must go on, and despite a warning from her policeman boyfriend, Ruby--rabbi's widow and amateur sleuth--boards the train.
There are plenty of suspects, from Serena's ex-husband to a womanizing tenor. And when Ruby spots a body as she is taking photos from the back of the train, she begins to fear for her safety.
This is a great "kosher cozy"--plenty of humor and Ruby is a thoroughtly likeable heroine.

Why bother? A lighthearted cozy guaranteed to bring a smile. The authors website is http://www.sharonkahn.com

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Cross Bones: A Temperance Brennan mystery

Author: Kathy Reichs

In ten words or less: A skeleton leads Tempe to Israel, seeking an ancient tomb.

Review: After an Orthodox Jew is murdered, a mourner gives Tempe a photograph of a skeleton, and hints it is a clue to the crime. An anthropologist friend tells Tempe the photo was taken in Israel, and the skeleton may be linked to an ancient tomb, one that arguably belongs to the family of Jesus. And are the bones the remains of James, the brother of Jesus?
Reichs combines the elements of a good mystery with history and archeology. "The Da Vinci Code" fans should check out this book.

Why bother? Tempe Brennan fans will not be disappointed, but it's not necessary to read the earlier books in the series to enjoy this one.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read."
--Groucho Marx

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Nerds Like it Hot

Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson

In ten words or less: Witness to a murder hides on a nerds only cruise.

Review: Hollywood makeup artist Gilliam McCormick witnesses a suspect leaving a murder scene. The victim is actor Theo Patterson, and the murderer is Neil Rucker, who lost the starring role that Theo won. To complicate matters, Neil is the stopson of a notorious mobster.

In a panic, Gilliam flees to the home of octogenarian actress Cora, who hires two hot young bodyguards and helps Gilliam to transform herself into a Marilyn Monroe look-alike. They book passage on an "all nerds" cruise.

Most of the cruise is spent trying to figure out if Gilliam is being tailed by a mafia hitman. Included are some humorous situations and hot sex.

Why bother? For fans of romance who like it light, funny, and steamy.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: The Highly Effective Detective

Author: Richard Yancey

In ten words or less: Security guard turned detective investigates the killing of goslings.

Review: Teddy Ruzak always wanted to be a detective, but after he washed out of the police academy, he took a job as a security guard on the night shift. Not endowed with a lot of ambition or drive, there he stayed until his mother died.
He used the money from the sale of her house to bankroll his detective agency. He didn't know he needed a license when he accepted his first case--the hit-and-run murder of a gaggle of goslings. He's in over his head from the beginning.
Ruzak is a likable if somewhat pathetic character--his heart is in the right place but he realizes he doesn't want to do any more work than he has to.

Why bother? A detective for the rest of us--not handsome, fearless, or brilliant--but an average guy in over his head. A refreshing change from the detective-as-superhero.

RESPONDING TO 'THE HATERS'

"You spill love and calm and reassurance....For those of us who have not mastered this advanced technique, a Revolution in Favor of Kindness and Libraries seems like a nice idea."
--Molly Ivins, August 28, 2006