REVIEW: WAITING FOR DEAD MEN'S SHOES (A MINI MONROE COMIC MYSTERY) by LAUREN BARATZ-LOGSTED

Series: n/a
Category/Genre: Women's Fiction/Mystery
Publisher: TKA Distribution
Publication Date: 11/29/12
Format: Kindle
Pages: 203
Source: Received from author for review

Underachiever Minette "Mini" Monroe has long dreamt of how much better life would be if only she were in charge of the world, said world being the independent bookstore in Westport, CT, where she's worked for the past half dozen years. After her beloved boss Colin Quimby is murdered, Mini gets her wish and also gets a chance to solve the case, aided by hot young Officer Michael "Mickey" Maus. Despite his unfortunate nickname - would any woman really voluntarily become part of Mini and Mickey Maus? - Mini takes a shine to him, but there's no real time for romance, not when Mini has her hands full dealing with Colin's viper's nest full of ex-wives, offspring, former business partners and current business rivals, all of whom had good reason to want to see Colin dead. Who will turn out to be the guilty party? The only way to find out is to read WAITING FOR DEAD MEN'S SHOES, a madcap comedic novel that proves that the Shakespeare Unabridged Globe and the Oxford English Dictionary are still a girl's best weapons.

 

Waiting for Dead Men's Shoes is another fun book by Lauren Baratz-Logsted. Now, I know that being a murder mystery, it might seem strange that I describe the book as fun. But with this being the fifth book of Baratz-Logsted's books I've read, I can say that her books are always told with wit and charm.

Waiting for Dead Men's Shoes is not necessarily focused on the murder of Mini's boss, but more on Mini herself. She works in a independent book store, and her observations on the customers was a treat in itself. Mini was tiny but a force to be reckoned with. I love her humor and self-deprecation. I loved that she just charges through life, even though it ends up getting her into ridiculous situations. I'm trying to draw a comparison for Mini and her antics, and the best I have is...Lucy Ricardo? Yeah, think of a modern Lucy Ricardo-ish type of character. Good times.

In the midst of trying to solve her boss's murder, Mini becomes involved with Officer Michael "Mickey" Maus. Yeah...Mini and Micky Maus. It's a little cheesy, but when even the characters poke fun at the names, you can't help but smile. And though the blurb clearly states there isn't a romance in Waiting, I kept hoping the two would find time to make a love connection. I have a feeling there will be a lot of incidents in Mini and Mickey's future to keep the two plenty busy.

I found Waiting for Dead Men's Shoes to be a really light, fast read that had me smiling the entire time.

Favorite Quote:

  "You know," Michael broke the silence, "you're not just run-of-the-mill odd. You're downright peculiar."
  "Thank you." I scratched my scalp. "This damn wig itches."  ~50%

 

Purchase Waiting for Dead Men's Shoes at:

 

About the author:
Lauren grew up in Monroe, CT, where her father owned a drugstore at which her mother was the pharmacist. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut at Storrs, where she majored in psychology. She also has what she calls her “half-Masters” in English from Western Connecticut State University (five courses down, another five to go…someday!).

Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.

Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.

In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.

Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.

In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.

Lauren’s favorite color is green.

Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.

Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.

 

Connect with Lauren at her website.

{REVIEW} ISN'T IT BRO-MANTIC? (NICE GUY #2) by LAUREN BARATZ-LOGSTED

Series: Nice Guy #2
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Publisher: TKA Distribution
Publication Date: 12/18/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 333
Source: Received from author for review.

Having fallen in love in The Bro-Magnet, ultimate man's man Johnny Smith and D.A. Helen Troy marry at the outset of ISN'T IT BROMANTIC? Never has a sports-loving couple been so well suited. Now everything should be wedded bliss, right? Not exactly. On a honeymoon cruise, both contract a virus but Helen recovers more quickly. Still confined to their stateroom, Johnny is fine with her going off on her own, until Helen has a little too much fun playing beach volleyball with an all-male group of German tourists. And things only grow worse as they return home to CT and try to set up life as a married couple. Can Johnny and Helen's marriage be saved?

So apparently... nice guys finish first. And I couldn't be happier.

Isn't It Bro-mantic? is book two in the Nice Guy series by Lauren Baratz-Logsted, and boy am I happy she wrote this book. As most of you know, I love book guys. The rock stars. The athletes. The tattooed hotties with a bad attitude and a wicked gleam in their eyes. But I also love a straight-up good guy with a heart of gold. That's my Johnny Smith, good guy extraordinaire, and newlywed.

In The Bro-Magnet, Johnny did a lot of soul searching, and ended up winning the heart of his dream girl. In Isn't It Bro-mantic?, Johnny and Helen embark on the journey of marriage, and it is not smooth sailing. I'm not going to go into what happens in the story, because honestly, you wouldn't even believe me if I gave you the truth. What happens, particularly on Johnny's end is sweet, sincere, and often epically ridiculous/hilarious. And honestly, I don't know if I've ever read of a better guy. Johnny is seriously the sweetest, most thoughtful, generous guy, ever. He loves his wife, his cat, his family, friends,and will do anything for each of them. He even loves General Hospital, enough to end the work day early so he can go home with his best friend Sam (a girl) and watch together! And he carries it off without being a wimp, or a pushover. He just wants to make those around him happy and to feel cared for.

One of the great, if not the greatest, aspects of Isn't It Bro-mantic? is the male point-of-view. I don't think I've read another romantic comedy book/series with a male point-of-view. It is so refreshing to get a "real" guy's take on love and marriage. Johnny's voice is so authentic, and I must give major praise to the author for that. Many times during reading, I would turn to my husband and read to him, stunned by how perfectly Johnny was written. He was definitely intrigued, as well, and ended up stealing my Kindle to read for himself, after which he gave the book two thumbs up.

Isn't It Bro-mantic? was hilarious and charming, a perfect companion to book one, The Bro-Magnet. I am so thrilled I got to hang out with Johnny again, and I hope it's not the last I've seen of the fantastic Mr. Smith.


Favorite Quote:

  I reach out, wipe one glistening tear from her beautiful eye.
  It's good for a man to know what his job is in this world and this I can do: I can wipe the tear, whether happy or sad, from her eye.  ~eARC, 2%

FYI: This quote is in regards to Johnny's cat:
  "Can I pet your pussy?" --she did not just say that to me, did she?--it is finally too much for me. My response has absolutely nothing to do with my love for my wife, which is immeasurable and unending. It's simply Pavlovian. Cleavage + 'pussy' reference = instant hard-on. This means that I am out of there. ~ eARC, 61%


  "It's not going to be perfect," I say. There will be fights. There will be conflict. But if we just show up every day, and I mean really show up, if we keep choosing one another not just once but over and over again, if we fall in love with each other again repeatedly, like I'm falling in love with you again right now, I think we're going to be ok. You have to trust that."  ~eARC, 89%

Nice Guy Series 

 

 

My review of The Bro-Magnet

 

 

 

About the author:

Lauren grew up in Monroe, CT, where her father owned a drugstore at which her mother was the pharmacist. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut at Storrs, where she majored in psychology. She also has what she calls her “half-Masters” in English from Western Connecticut State University (five courses down, another five to go…someday!).

Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.

Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.

In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.

Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.

In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.

Lauren’s favorite color is green.

Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.

Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.

 

Connect with Lauren at her website.

 

Review ~ Z: A NOVEL by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

After years living of living in Los Angeles, novelist Nix Carter returns home to Connecticut to care for her ailing father. As she reconnects with childhood friends, she encounters a window washer who also happens to live in a mansion, throw lavish parties and go by the name of Zorro. Yes, Zorro. But is he really the caped man of legend? Or just an eccentric who drives a horse-drawn cart and wears a cape while washing windows? And what will happen when the townspeople who once flocked to his parties and drank his champagne become suspicious of him? A contemporary re-visioning of The Great Gatsby, Z is a smart, quirky novel that has it all: comedy, drama, romance, adventure, even swordplay. Lauren Baratz-Logsted at her best.  ~From GoodReads

Wow. What an interesting story! The synopsis states the Z is a re-imaging of The Great Gatsby. I don't know about that, because I've never read that novel. But I will say that this book reminded me of Don Juan de Marco. You see, in that movie, Johnny Depp, in all his mid-90s glory, believes he is Don Juan, a great lover of women. His psychiatrist spend the movie trying to figure Don Juan out, to cure his delusion, all the while becoming more and more inspired by him. In Z: A NOVEL, we have Diego, who also dresses like and goes by the name Zorro. And while no one is trying to "fix" Diego, almost all who meet him fall under his enchanting spell.

I will say, I couldn't stop reading Z. This is the second of Baratz-Logsted's books I've read and I find her style suits me. Nix, who's point of view tells the tale, was a fun character to see the story through. Her family, father Carmine and grandfather, were equally enjoyable. The were often the comic relief in the story. Diego was quite charming, of course. Anyone who could make people not only jokingly believe that he's Zorro, but also leave him be, is pretty much awesome. The storyline that focuses on Nix and Diego was great, I couldn't get enough. Their relationship was sweet, and a tad spicy. Very nice.

There were parts, though, that I felt detracted from the story. The storyline that revolved around the neighbor, cheating spouses, and just basically annoyingly crazy jerks just didn't do it for me. I felt the story would have been more well-spent expanding on Diego and Nix's romance. And, I'm not crazy about the fact that the big question was never answered. Though perhaps, if I think about it, only adds to the endearing mystery of Diego.

Z: A NOVEL was a fun story for me. Once I began, I didn't want to stop until I'd reached the conclusion. And while I didn't love everything about it, I did like it quite a bit.


Favorite Quote:

"I continued to study him sharply, particularly since he'd verbally cross-pollinated "whackjob" with "blowdryer", but all I could see was what I'd been seeing all along: a man with an amazing smile, formal speech pattern and intense gaze that looked at me as though he was looking straight into my best self and forgiving the worst, as though he'd known me all my strange life." (ebook, 26%)


Published March 15th 2012 by TKA Distribution

You can purchase Z: A NOVEL at:
Amazon


Source: Received from author in exchange for an honest review.

Review ~ THE BRO-MAGNET by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Women have been known to lament, "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride." For Johnny Smith, the problem is, "Always a Best Man, never a groom." At age 33, housepainter Johnny has been Best Man eight times. The ultimate man's man, Johnny loves the Mets, the Jets, his weekly poker game, and the hula girl lamp that hangs over his basement pool table. Johnny has the instant affection of nearly every man he meets, but one thing he doesn't have is a woman to share his life with, and he wants that desperately. When Johnny meets District Attorney Helen Troy, he decides to renounce his bro-magnet ways in order to impress her. With the aid and advice of his friends and family, soon he's transforming his wardrobe, buying throw pillows, ditching the hula girl lamp, getting a cat and even changing his name to the more mature-sounding John. And through it all, he's pretending to have no interest in sports, which Helen claims to abhor. As things heat up with Helen, the questions arise: Will Johnny finally get the girl? And, if he's successful in that pursuit, who will he be now that he's no longer really himself? THE BRO-MAGNET is a rollicking comedic novel about what one man is willing to give up for the sake of love.                     ~From GoodReads

You know the guy, he's the one that has all the guys' attention. He's funny, loves his beer, is into sports, can tell a great story. He's dressed like a college frat boy, complete with the backwards baseball cap. He's a real "man's man". But the women? Not so much. From the moment Johnny was born, he's been a "disappointment to women". It began when his mother died shortly after his birth, after she discovered he wasn't the daughter she was hoping for. It continued with his Aunt Alfresca, who always reminded him (lovingly?!) that he killed her sister. Then there's Alice, the neighborhood girl who Johnny always secretly adored, who has nothing but disdain for him. Fast forward to age thirty-three, and not much has changed for poor Johnny. He's been a best man eight times. The only woman in his life is Sam, who also happens to love sports and beer, and would be perfect for him, if she were into men. So when Johnny meets Helen, he is determined to make all the changes necessary to win, and keep, the girl. But will it be worth if he can never be himself?

I have to start this review by saying, THE BRO-MAGNET is laugh-out-loud funny. I was reading this in the car on a roadtrip, and I kept busting out laughing and reciting lines for my husband. Very early on, I realized that the book would make a terrific movie. It could be one of those great comedies, starring someone like Vince Vaughn, that also has a nice bit of heart and a message.

The realistic, matter-of-fact narrative written by author Lauren Baratz-Logsted was a like a blast of refreshing air and offered a much needed change of pace for me. To be inside the mind of a man, especially one like Johnny, was a blast. It also gave me a lot to think about, to be honest, in regards to expectations, and trying to change people.

The heart of THE BRO-MAGNET is Johnny's journey to John, his transformation from an overgrown boy to a man. And how far he's willing to go to get the girl. The advice he gets is often hilarious and sometimes off. I'm beginning to think, compared to some of the women in the book, that I'm a bit off. Johnny/John loves sports, casual clothing and Morning Joe. All of to which I say "Yes! And can I have some more.". He's also smart and good looking. Um...I'm not seeing the problem here! Okay, I have to admit, I'm one of the most chilled-out wives ever, so my opionion probably doesn't count. Of course, he could stand to be a bit more charming or attentative, I get that. I just didn't want him to lose the essential (read:awesome) parts of his personality. And finding out just how far he's willing to go for Helen made me read this book at a blazing pace, exhilarated when the story came full circle.

THE BRO-MAGNET is a book that both men and women will love. The men will undoubtedly want to be him, while the women will want to fix him. The story is hysterical, surprisingly charming, and ultimately heart-warming.


Favorite Quote:
(A little context: Johnny is being berated by his best friend's wife, Alice, for his immature style, particularly for wearing a baseball cap.The whole conversation was so funny.)

"Nearly everything that's wrong with this world can be traced to some guy somewhere wearing a backwards baseball cap." (ebook, 60%)


Published December 11th 2011 by TKA Distribution


You can purchase THE BRO-MAGNET at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble



Source: Received from the author/publisher via NetGalley.

IN MY MAILBOX, #27

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is a great way to put a spotlight on books received during the past week.

For Review:


Illuminate, by Aimee Agresti (Thanks to the Southern Book Bloggers ARC tour)
The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted (Thanks to the author/via NetGalley)


Purchased:



Angel Burn (Angel, #1) by LA Weatherly
Angel Fire (Angels, #2) by LA Weatherly
Meeting Destiny (Destiny #1) by Nancy Straight FREE for Amazon Prime members!
Almost, by Anne Eliot FREE for Kindle this weekend!


Received in Trade:


Don't Breathe a Word, by Holly Cupala


Won:



Forbidden, by Syrie James and Ryan James
Tempestuous (Wondrous Strange, #3) by Lesley Livingston

Be sure to leave a link so I can check out your mailbox. Thanks for stopping by!