Book Review - "Liar Liar"

"Liar Liar" by K.J. Larsen

On Saturday, the library had quite a treat - Kari, Kristen, and Julianne Larsen, the trio of sisters who write under the pen name K.J. Larsen stopped by for a book signing and Q & A session of their debut novel, "Liar Liar". We had a great turn-out, and everyone I've talked to so far loves the book. Here's a brief synopsis, taken from Publisher's Weekly:

Cat DeLuca, owner of Pants on Fire Detective Agency and member of the large and largely dysfunctional DeLuca family of mostly honest Chicago cops, makes a strong first impression in Larsen's comic, sexy debut. Inspired by her own marital experience with cheater Johnnie Rizzo,, Cat nails cheating spouses or follows suspected cheaters like Chance Savino until she nails them. Explosions like the one that puts cat in the hospital and supposedly kills Chance get everyone excited and lead to more fireworks. Mama DeLuca thinks Cat is crazy, brother Rocco thinks she needs protection, and Chance makes unexpected appearances that only Cat sees. Larsen surrounds her heroine with lots of Italian food, handsome men, and resourceful family members. Things turn deadly when a client turns up dead and someone wants Cat off the case permanently.

Book Review - "Austenland" by Shannon Hale

Thirty-three year-old Jane Hayes, who has a fairly serious (and unhealthy) addiction to the Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice goes on a once-in-a-life trip to Pembrooke Park, the location of a resort where guests dress, talk, and act in ways Jane Austen would approve. Refusing to conform into a "socially-acceptable" nineteenth century woman in Austen's England, Jane finds herself quickly overcoming her obsession of Mr. Darcy that may have had her wishing for the fairy tale romance all her life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the different characters at the resort. If you are a fan of Jane Austen or contemporary works based on her books, I'd suggest giving this book a read. Stop by the reference desk to pick up a brochure on other Austen-related works.

Review - Stephanie Plum series

Janet Evanovich's newest Stephanie Plum novel, "Sizzling Sixteen" will be out in June and it's sure to be a bestseller, just like the other nineteen or so books of the series. So why not find out what everyone is talking (and laughing) about?

It's never too late to become a Stephanie Plum fan, and I became just that a few months ago when I picked up Evanovich's "One for the Money" and began reading. The series centers around New Jersey-born Stephanie Plum, an unemployed lingerie buyer who decides to go to work for her cousin Vinnie as a bounty hunter in order to make a quick buck. Unfortunately for Stephanie, and all who are around her, she is a bit of a walking disaster when it comes to nabbing her man (or woman) and she finds herself in scrapes more often than not. You will love Evanovich's plethora of irresistible characters and storylines that are laugh-out-loud funny.

Here's the first few in the series to get you started:
1. One for the Money
2. Two for the Dough
3. Three to Get Deadly
4. Four to Score
5. High Five

Book Review - "Twenties Girl" by Sophie Kinsella

"Twenties Girl" by Sophie Kinsella

Lara is a sweet yet slightly naive Londoner who has been given the unfortunate task of tracking down her recently deceased great-aunt's necklace.  Of course, it wouldn't be so unfortunate if the one demanding the necklace was none other than Great-Aunt Sadie herself, appearing to Lara in the prime of her life as a 1920s flapper!  Although the relationship is rocky at first (why wouldn't it be with a brash and nagging ghost?), Lara and Sadie discover love and respect for one another by the end.

If you've enjoyed Kinsella's other books (notably the Shopaholic series), I really think you'll like this book.  It has a little bit for everyone (chick lit, paranormal, mystery, and romance), so I urge you to pick this one up today!