Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Chronicles of Marr-nia

by: Karen Cantwell

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Four funny and touching short stories featuring soccer mom and movie lover, Barbara Marr who made her debut appearance in the hilarious murder mystery, Take the Monkeys and Run. Also, just for fun, the author has included two BONUS shorts with different themes. All-in-all - a collection sure to entertain.

Barbara Marr is fast becoming my favorite mystery solving character ever. The best part about this collection was the switch in genre that completely fit with who Barbara Marr is all around. There 2 mysteries, but there were also stories about being a wife and mother - those things that are also a huge part of her day to day life. Added to this, 2 bonus stories that had nothing to do with Barbara Marr.

The one, Sherman's Purpose haunts me still. I hate to say anything, because it will tell you all. But it's just a short story about an old man and his purpose in this last stage of his life.

The other one, The Recollections of Rosabelle Raines left me speechless. It had an bit of the paranormal mixed in but it was set in the South just after the civil war. Honestly it was amazing. It says to keep an eye out for the Novella in 2011, so after I write this I am going to go bug Ms. Cantwell about it.

It's 99 cents, 6 short stories and all of them well-written and tasty.


It's a Dunder-Bull Wife

by: Karen Cantwell

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Dunder-Bull – the perfect little town bordering Barbara Marr’s not-so-polished Rustic Woods. Everything in Dunder-Bull is five-star rated, including the wives. As Barb puts it, “Dunder-Bull Wives make Stepford Wives look like couch potatoes.” Succumbing to the need to “measure-up,” Barb decides to prepare a grand and luscious Christmas feast for a party of twenty. The problem? Barb can’t cook her way out of a turkey-roaster bag. In usual Barbara Marr fashion, chaos ensues. Will she survive? Will her family fall victim to salmonella food poisoning? Will Martha Stewart ridicule her publicly?

A Barbara Marr Holiday short story, sure to tickle your funny bone and touch your heart at the same time.


A very short story just in time for Christmas. Barbara Marr, beloved character of Take the Monkeys and Run and Citizen Insane, is ready to host the perfect Christmas. The kind of Christmas that one of the perfect Dunder-Bull wives would put on.

The Dunder-Bull area reminds me of Desperate Housewives. You know the type, they parent and host parties with what seems like flawless perfection and endless patience. Their kids are never dirty or rude, their houses are immaculate and their dinner parties tasteful and gourmet. How on earth do they do it all?

Well if nothing else Karen Cantwell gives us a Christmas tale for the ladies. And it's only 99cents. I had my Mother in Law read it yesterday and whenever the Nook freaked out on her, she freaked out on me, so it's not just my opinion that it's good. ;)


Giveaway alert! Magaly of Pagan Culture has a gorgeous set of Tarot Cards up for grabs. Click on the picture to go enter.

Knit One, Pearl One

by: Gil McNeil

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Knit one...It's been a busy few years since Jo Mackenzie lost her husband. Life has brought adventure, surprises, unexpected pleasures, and, of course, lots of knitting. Jo's seaside yarn shop, with a brand new cafe, has taken off, keeping her busier than ever. And being a single mum to two boys and headstrong toddler Pearl is just as exhausting and enchanting as she thought it would be. On top of all that, celebrity diva Grace has a secret; Jo's firecracker best friend Ellen is launching a new television series; and lovable but hapless Martin continues his oft misguided attempts to woo Jo. Just when Jo thinks she has about all she can handle, Daniel, Pearl's globe-trotting dad, turns up out of the blue . . .

Purl one...But with a little help from her friends, and her beloved Gran, Jo is building a new life for herself by the sea, stitch by stitch. Warm and witty, Knit One Pearl One will delight new readers to the Beach Street series and give the legions of existing fans a chance to visit the British seaside again, without having to worry about the weather.


Anyone who knows me, knows I have a love affair with yarn. Even if my hands don't cooperate. So the cover filled with so many balls of yarn would catch my eye in the bookstore. Win!

If I'm not mistaken, this is the 3rd book in the continuing saga of Jo Mackenzie's life in the small seaside town of Broadgate. Jo is working on raising her 2 boys and Pearl, her surprise baby from an affair with Daniel when she was in Italy after Nick died. She is still seeing Martin but there isn't much passion there.

Funny thing is, Jo seems fine with the way things are. She doesn't like drama, even if it does seem to find her anyway. I respect this. We all make mistakes.

Connie, her Italian friend is pregnant and Mark (Connie's husband) is Mr. Perfect. He knows how to cook and he patiently takes all the pregnancy crabbiness his wife can dish out. Connie's family has also been sending up young girls to learn the language. Cinzia has been helping out as a part-time Nanny for Jo. She is very beautiful and stirs up some mild trouble wherever she goes. Cinzia isn't a central character, but she does add some sizzle.

Ellen finally married Harry and they have a little boy as well. Little Eddie. And Ellen hasn't changed a bit. Harry takes care of Eddie and works freelance when he can and Ellen has just gotten her own talk show. So of course she's after Jo to get Grace on her show. It all works out, and I'm happy to see Jo doing so well in her shop. I wish we saw more of that. A small town shop selling local and beyond but using local help for the excess. We would all be better off, don't you think? More little shops instead of giant Wal*Marts everywhere?

Anyway, it's a great story. Very laid back with lots of ups and downs. I was terrified when Connie had her baby, but you'll have to read about that yourself. Great book to buy with all the Barnes & Noble and Amazon gift cards you all got for Christmas.
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