From BooklistIt's only a lunchbox, but someone wants it badly enough to kill for it. Plus-size, middle-aged paralegal Odelia Grey finds out her client, wealthy Sterling Price, has been murdered, and the rarest piece of his collection, a Chappy Wheeler lunch box, is missing. The box has a curse on it--all its previous owners have met with a dire fate. Of course, it's worth a not-so-small fortune, and that kind of money makes ownership worth the risk. The list of suspects is long--Sterling's loyal secretary, his discarded fiancee, his money-grubbing relatives, fellow collectors, overzealous environmentalists, and even Odelia herself. Told in an engaging first-person narration, this is the second book in the humorous Odelia Grey series (_Too Big to Miss_, 2006). Libraries will want both, as Jaffarian offers the perfectly flawed alternative for readers sick and tired of picture-perfect characters. The wonderfully human Ophelia's adventures will continue in the forthcoming Mother Mayhem. Shelley MosleyCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reservedReview"With a legendary curse, a possibly murderous little person, ruthless heirs, [and] charismatic thugs... a lively caper that will keep you guessing right till the end." -- Kris Neri, award-winning author of the Tracy Eaton mysteries "I'd like to spend more time with Sue Ann Jaffarian's Odelia." -- The New York Times "More fun than a lunch pail full of plump paralegals, The Curse of the Holy Pail is a tale as bouncy as its bodacious protagonist." -- _Bill Fitzhugh, author of _Highway 61 and Resurfaced "Odelia Gray is a wonderful addition to the mystery genre, a smart, funny, engaging plus-size heroine who takes readers on a plus-size ride. You root for her, laugh with her and cheer at her ultimate triumph. If I were in trouble, I'd want Odelia on my side." -- _Denise Hamilton, Edgar Allen Poe and Willa Cather awards finalist and national bestselling author of _Prisoner of Memory "Well written and nicely paced, this is a good beach or airplane read." -- Cycling.Finial.com The Curse of the Holy Pail is a fast-paced and well-plotted book. Jaffarian's writing is sharp and sassy--like her protagonist--and she knows how to keep the suspense high. If this second-in-a-series is any indication, Jaffarian and Odelia have a bright future. -- Mystery Scene, March 2007 Views: 11
Beautiful Grace Paget has no reason not to believe these words. After all, she was kidnapped, spirited away to a remote country manor, and told she is to grant this man his every desire...or lose her life. But Grace is no common trollop. So she risks everything to save her virtue by planning a daring escape, even though she finds herself tempted by this handsome man. There is something in his eyes that makes her wonder if he is as dangerous as he would have her believe.Sheene knew nothing of the plan to bring him this woman. Locked up as a prisoner, called "mad" by all of the world, he will do anything to reclaim his life, and Grace's sensuous beauty has distracted him from his goals. And although he finds her irresistible, he is horrified to hold her against her will. Now, together, they must both revolt against the strange set of circumstances that have forced them together—for only then will Grace truly surrender to him...forever. Views: 11
'Anna is looking for Mr Right. For just one night. Her dreaded high school reunion is looming and she's determined to have the perfect partner to show off. She has three months to find this charming, intelligent, handsome man and is convinced he is just around the corner. But which corner?'Daily Mirror 'Marisa is Ireland's queen of romance!' Daily Record 'Highly entertaining!'Mr Right for the Night reached no.1 in the Irish book charts, no. 2 on Amazon Kindle UK and no. 1 on Amazon USA Kindle humor. The author has sold over one million books and is translated into a dozen languages.About the AuthorMarisa Mackle lives in Dublin, where she edits Aerweekly magazine for Aer Lingus. MR RIGHT FOR THE NIGHT is her first novel. Views: 11
Brian Lembeck Pulpy’ takes life slow and steady. He likes his office job, and he likes his gentle, figurine-collecting boss, Al. He even likes the bitter receptionist, though he’s the only one who does. He likes his wife, Midge, too, and their ice-dancing lessons. Midge works as a candle-party hostess she quit her office job when Al’s dog ate her pet pigeon and Al promised Pulpy a promotion.But when Al retires and the tyrannical Dan takes over, the promotion vanishes. And then Dan’s oversexed wife, Beatrice, takes a shine to Pulpy, and Dan starts to think Midge is one hot tamale. Soon, the receptionist is smitten with Pulpy, Midge can’t get rid of Dan and Beatrice, and Pulpy’s job is in jeopardy. For once, Pulpy just might have to take a stand. Views: 11
The Karp family is back at it in Malice, bestselling author Robert K. Tanenbaum's most suspenseful book yet in the Butch Karp/Marlene Ciampi series. New York District Attorney Butch Karp, recovering from an assassination attempt that came within a few millimeters of killing him, takes on a shadowy cartel that uses terrorists to further its criminal empire while sliding the United States toward a fascist state that the cartel controls. As Karp struggles to uncover those responsible for planning the terrorist murders of six school- children, he goes to the aid of the younger brother of his college roommate, who has been unfairly suspended from his position as baseball coach at a university in Idaho. Meanwhile, Marlene Ciampi is in Idaho to help her husband with the investigation, and she befriends a Basque sheepherder who is demanding answers to the disappearance of his daughter -- a pretty college coed he suspects is having an affair with the school's president -- whic... Views: 11
It's soccer season for the Blossom Hill Blitzers. Shawn Hunter is dying to make the team. But some of the kids call him "Fiddlesticks" because he brings his violin to after-school practice. And because his legs are skinny as sticks.Secretly, Shawn works out at home--but time is running out. Can his cul-de-sac friends help him make the team? Or will the teasing at school mess Shawn up during tryouts? Views: 11
This latest helping of loving inspiration follows the millions of loyal readers of the Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series to the next stage of their lives, beyond adolescence and into young adulthood. Readers will love having this invaluable collection to guide, inspire, support, and encourage them throughout their college experience. If readers are devotees of the series, they will recognize this book as an instant source of strength and comfort; if this book is their introduction to the series, they will come to treasure it quickly. College is a time of excitement, exuberance, and triumph, as well as one of anxiety, doubt, and confusion. Readers will identify with the stories that express feelings they undoubtedly share as they stand at the brink of adulthood, sometimes ready to take the world by storm, other times wondering whether they will ever be ready. This book deals with the myriad issues of college life, from homesickness to partying to GPAs and everything in between. Whether freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors, this book is a must-read for all college students—as they’ll be sure to agree. College graduates, too, will enjoy reminiscing about those unforgettable years as they read the stories in this collection. Chicken Soup for the College Soul is sure to be a hit with all readers. Views: 11
Being Invisible Is Nick Dunill's M.O. For nineteen years, he's been "the one who disappears" to his disapproving, Midwestern family. And now in New York City, a metropolis of anonymity built on not making eye contact, he feels right at home. Walking the streets of the Village, sneaking into dive bars, cleaning apartments, and trying to co-exist in a cramped apartment with his three roommates, Nick's trying to find his way without doing anything to put his wounded heart at risk, all the while wondering, "Does anything last?" But Nick's vanishing act is about to be challenged in ways he never dreamed. Little by little, he's being forced into the land of the living--into relationships and opportunities, love and sex, truth and acceptance, into the heartbreaking secrets of his past and the hopeful chances of his future. And the more visible Nick becomes, the more he realizes that in life and love, disappearing is not an option. . . "A book to get... Views: 11
Dance with your heart, and love will follow.Kindergarten teacher Spenser Harris has carved a quiet, stable future out of his tumultuous past, but his world turns upside down the night a homeless teen appears on his doorstep—a boy whose story mirrors the one Spenser has worked so hard to overcome. The decision to shelter Duon is easy. What's tricky is juggling the network of caregivers in Duon's life, especially Tomás Jimenez.Tomás wouldn't have hesitated to take Duon in, but his plate is already full working three jobs to support his family. Though Spenser's carefully constructed walls are clearly designed to keep the world at bay, Tomás pushes past Spenser's defenses, determined to ensure the man is worthy of his charge. As the two of them grow closer, Tomás dares to dream of a life beyond his responsibilities, and Spenser begins to believe he might finally find a home of his own after all.But Spenser and Tomás's world is poised to crash around their ears. Duon's grandmother... Views: 11
