Invisibility Can Be Quite Useful

I've dropped off the planet this summer. I guess it happens every summer, but somehow between the months of September & June I forget, leaving me bewildered the following summer when the exact same phenomenon occurs. 
I keep thinking one day summer will prove to be productive.
Since I did such a wonderful job flaking out of most of my responsibilities, I decided to read a book that discussed one of my favorite stay at home mom powers: invisibility.
The following is my review.

INVISIBLE, Lorena McCourtney
Ivy Malone has a curiosity that sometimes gets her into trouble, and it's only aggravated by her discovery that she can easily escape the public eye. So when vandals romp through the local cemetery, she takes advantage of her newfound anonymity and its unforeseen advantages as she launches her own unofficial investigation.

Despite her oddball humor and unconventional snooping, Ivy soon becomes discouraged by her failure to turn up any solid clues. And after Ivy witnesses something ominous and unexplained, she can't resist putting her investigative powers to work again. Even the authorities' attempts to keep Ivy out of danger and her nosy neighbor's match-making schemes can't slow her down. But will the determination that fuels this persistent, quirky sleuth threaten her very safety?


Cover: A Very eye catching without being overwhelming. This book is the first in the series, and the rest of the covers maintain the same style, giving the series an overall classic consistency. Me likey.
Story: B+ This was another one of my Kindle freebie finds, which fell into the Christian fiction chasm. At the time, I wasn't aware that I was grabbing books all classified by the CF genre; but since I went on a mad downloading spree, I decided to read them anyhow. This one had the added twist of being a mystery.
Of all the CF books I've read, I enjoyed this one the most. Ms. McCourtney writes a clean mystery (no swearing, violence, gratuitous sex) that has a fun, quick witted style/pace. Ivy is a real hoot. Picture a scatterbrained Agatha Christie. Her humor gave me a chuckle or two & the mystery (although I solved it before the end) had some surprising twists and turns. Best of all, Ivy addresses the issue of aging and becoming an 'invisible' part of our oversexed, 'Bay Watch'- brainwashed culture. 
Overall: A-/B+ I would recommend this book...if you don't mind the 'God Speak' to anybody looking for an easy to read mystery. It is best described as 'cute' (and I mean that in a good way). It will give you a laugh or two for sure. As a bonus, the first book gives you a chapter peek into book II, where Ivy is still dealing with the same sinister clan she thought she'd taken down in book I. From what I read, the transition is very smooth. Plus, the books are very reasonable (in eBook format). The first one of the series is FREE for Kindle & the rest are in the $5.00 range.  They are also available in paperback for those late to the game diehards (of which there are many I'm told). 

LUNCH READS:

 LUNCH READS, Vol. 4, E.B. Loan & Ted William Gross


STORIA BOOKS PRESENTS:
LUNCH READS: TWO SHORT MYSTERIOUS STORIES FOR ONLY 99 CENTS

VOLUME 4:
Two mysterious stories that take readers on a journey to the border of fantasy at the junction of imagination and dreams!

In this fourth volume of the Istoria Books LUNCH READS series, readers will encounter a girl frightened by strange events and stranger parents and a Jewish widower grappling with sorrow and longing.

------------

LOOKING GLASS LILLY by E.B. Loan: As birds fall from the sky and fish die in rivers, Lilly’s parents begin to believe the end is near. But whose end? From the first words of this haunting story, E.B. Loan pulls the reader into young Lilly’s fears as she struggles to understand what’s happening.

A POT OF GOLD by Ted William Gross: Moishe, the tailor of Lomza, still grieves for his wife years after her passing. His sorrow blinds him to the needs of his family until his daughter Rachel tells him she would like to marry. Prompted by a dream of riches, he sets off on a journey to Warsaw to find the gold for her dowry, encountering instead an adventure where disaster confronts him.

I don't know who this E.B. Loan chick is, but wow! She is a knock your socks off writer of the highest order...
Okay, fine, she is me. 
I was so darn excited to see my short tucked between the pages of the newest LUNCH READS series that I bought a Kindle copy that I can 'gift' to somebody. The question is, who? 
Could it be you?
I'm giving away one copy of LUNCH READS VOL 4 to the first Kindle (or Kindle app) person who shoots me a message & says they want it.
Great, what's the catch?
All I ask is that the person who receives the book takes a minute or two to review the book. I'd like a written review on Amazon & B&N. I'd ask for SmashWords, but they will only let you review a book they know you've purchased.
Come on people, it is easy! Step one: email. Step two: read. Step three: review.
I only have one copy to give away, so get on it!
(But honestly, the book is only $0.99 in every eReader format, from every venue, so it won't break the back)
Help a sister out!
That's all I have for today. I'll be back next Monday, with another review (God willing).
Cheers! 

Stockings, Cellulite, and Everything In Between

Stockings and Cellulite, Debbie Viggiano

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, Cassandra Cherry's life takes a turn for the worse when she stumbles upon husband Stevie lying naked, except for his socks, on a coat-strewn bed with a 45-year-old divorcee called Cynthia. Suddenly single, Cass throws herself into the business of getting over Stevie with gusto. Her main problems now are making her nine-year-old twins happy, juggling a new social life with a return to work and avoiding being arrested by an infuriating policeman who always seems to turn up at the most inopportune moments. Then, just when Cass is least prepared, and much to Stevie's chagrin, she crashes head over heels in love with the last person she'd ever expected. 

 Cover: A The cover is perfect. The color scheme is eye catching without being overwhelming. The white lettering of the title juxtapose to the black stocking/heeled foot is a nice touch. The eye is automatically drawn to the title...which begs you to read the book (if you are at all inclined to pick up lighter women's lit). I wouldn't change a thing.
Story: A+++ The dialogue in this book is some of the most witty material I've crossed since my deceased favorite author, Erma Bombeck. Debbie Viggiano spins a tale of hilarity and hi-jinx that will have you laughing out loud. Believe me, I'm not one to blow smoke, so when I tell you that I laughed out loud--I mean it. There are no boring bits in this book. Page one, when Cassandra walks in on her hubby bouncing a  middle aged, floppy chested, big bottomed neighbor around on his pelvis, is just the tip of the phallic iceberg. 
Overall: A+ I found this book so thoroughly enjoyable that I felt compelled to send Ms. Viggiano an email expressing how absolutely brilliant I found her story. That is a first for me. I have no idea why this book isn't a best seller, because it damn well should be. This book should be up there with every Jennifer Weiner and Emily Griffin listing. It is the bomb-diggety. For a good laugh,  stop by Amazon.com today and order your copy. It is available in both paperback ($13.95) and Kindle ($5.99) formats. Be warned: if you are sipping Chablis, you just might find it coming out your nose!


Newsie Tidbits:
My short story, Looking Glass Lilly, should be out soon! I don't have a date--but I will, I promise. In the meantime, while you're buying your copy of Stockings and Cellulite, search Istoria Books LUNCH READS and see what all the buzz is about. There are three volumes available for download. At a mere $0.99-- you can't go wrong. They are genius. I hope mine is as well recieved as the authors before me...
Lastly but not leastly:
I have a rather large order of CONFESSIONS OF A PTA MAFIA MOM scheduled to arrive at my doorstep August 1st. If you would like to be the proud owner of your own autographed copy, let me know. I'm offering them at a special discounted rate of $12.00 (plus shipping if applicable). It makes a great gift for the lady in your life (and though he'd never admit it, my hubby is enjoying it just as much).
That's all for now folks. Enjoy your weekend.
Cheers!