~This Pen for Hire~ by Laura Levine

What and who? This Pen for Hire by Laura Levine


How I got it: I checked it out from the library

What it's about: Jaine Austen is a hip, jack-of-all-trades writer who spends her days penning steamy personal ads. No one needs her help more than geeky Howard Murdoch, whom Jaine successfully sets up on a date. All goes well until Valentine's Day, when Howard finds his new love has been bludgeoned to death. (from goodreads)


What did I think? I love the way Laura Levine writes. Jaine is a real person (well, you can imagine that she is). This is the first book in the Jaine Austen Mystery series, and the second one I've read. I've not been disappointed either time. I discovered her by chance when I checked out an audiobook that had a Christmas mystery on it. Sometimes it's good to try new things! I now have a new cozy author to love and let's face it - I love my cozies!

How am I rating it? I'm rating it a 4.5 - which falls someplace between liked it and loved it!

This book counts towards these challenges: 2011 Support Your Library Challenge and 100 Books in a Year Challenge.


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

W... W... W... Wednesdays May 4

Time to link up with MizB over at Should be Reading for her WWW Wednesday. It's easy to play - just answer three questions, link up, and visit other WWW'ers. It's a great way to learn about new, or new to you books!

Here are the questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you'll read next?


Easy Peasy, huh?

Currently I'm reading Gideon's Sword by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I love those guys.

Recently I finished reading Killing Bridezilla by Laura Levine. I just discovered her and she's awesome!

Next I'm probably going to read Death's Excellent Vacation. It's one I checked out from the library and have no renewals left on - so I need to get it read and returned pronto!

What are you're WWW's?


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Killing Bridezilla by Laura Levine~

Yes, I just started this book last night. And yes, I'm now done with it.  It was just that good to me. And with lines like "I woke up the next morning nursing a Chunky Monkey hangover." and "I turned to see Walter and his hamster hair." what's not to love?

Laura Levine makes Jaine Austen a completely real and believable person. I love that. 

We all know I'm a huge fan of cozies, and this one did not disappoint. If you love cozies too and haven't checked this series out, you really should.

I decided to give it a 5 because I finished it in less than 24 hours. That makes it awesome in my book!

I checked this book out from my local library.

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

W... W... W... Wednesdays April 27

MizB over at Should be Reading is sick, but she still posted the link. Hop on over there and give her good "feel better" vibes.

So with no further ado it's time for WWW Wednesday.

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you'll read next?

Currently I'm reading The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry

I recently finished reading Live Bait by P.J. Tracy

Next I'm going to read Killing Bridezilla by Laura Levine.

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

Audiobook Review - The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies by Laura Levine

This is the second book on this set and I completely loved it. Never having read anything by Laura Levine, I immediately went to the library and checked one out (of course - did you think I wouldn't?!).

I loved the characters (especially Prozac), and the sarcastic wit of Jane. The narrator on this one was 100 times better than the Joanne Fluke offering. Other people may have figured out the murderer right away, but I honestly didn't realize it until she did. Maybe because I listen in 20 minute increments?

So, if you are an audiobook fan, I recommend this listen for the narrator and the funny protagonist (don't be scared - I used a big word!) . If you want to just read it, you have to get it with the other offerings - but I still think you should.

I give a 4 - I loved it!


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

My First Audio Book

I decided to try an audiobook from the library. I don't listen to much music in the car and it seems like I spend a lot of time there, so I figured why not?

So, I checked out this number, thinking I like Leslie Meier and Joanne Fluke, so it should be OK And you know what, it is! Of course my son and husband don't quite "get" the whole listening to book thing. But that's all right - they aren't really readers (which makes me sad).

Today I finished listening to the first story - Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke. It was good - but I'm not sure if I liked the reader (is that what they're called?) all that much. The second one (Laura Levine's The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies) started, and I like the reader much better on that one. Also, having never read anything by her before I am definitely interested in looking into her books. A cozy with a cat named Prozac - yeah, my kind of book for sure!

So, I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of my audiobooks and maybe checking out something else later. The selection is rather thin in town, but I could always use the interlibrary loans, right?


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown