thriller | Book Girl & Little Bear

Lavender’s Blue by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer

It’s been quite a while since her last books, but rom-com readers may remember Jennifer Crusie, whose books include Bet Me and Getting Rid of Bradley. Jenny & Bob also wrote a couple of funny romantic thrillers including Agnes and the Hitman. Jenny’s heroines are often curvy women with curly hair who have, in the recent past, had bad taste in men. Then the women get assertive, make a big change in their life, adopt a dog, and meet a very sexy man who makes them laugh.

I prefer cats, but also like dogs, and I have always enjoyed cheering for Crusie’s heroines as they make good choices, in their careers, homes, men, and pets. These women often need to deal with some serious stuff, but are also very funny, and really learn to enjoy life, and love.

And now, Jenny & Bob are back, with a new series! Rest in Pink is due out later this month. Liz Danger is on her way to Chicago for work, when she gets a note from her Aunt Mary Lou, guilt tripping her into visiting her mother Mary Beth in Burney, Ohio for her birthday. With a giant red stuffed bear in tow, Liz somehow zooms right past the exit for Burney. She’s been gone for 15 years, yet people still think of her as a rebellious teen who got dumped by Cash Porter. Also, they hug too much. Liz promptly gets pulled over by Vince Cooper, who then replaces three missing lug nuts on the right rear tire of her older Toyota Camry.

So, Burney, a small town overlooking the Ohio River not far from Cincinnati, cannot be escaped. Cousin Molly is thrilled to see Liz, and Liz can still work in the Camry’s backseat, ghostwriting celebrity Anemone’s memoir. The Camry needs some work before she can drive to Chicago. But she probably shouldn’t have bought her mom that bear.

Molly shares the news that Cash Porter is marrying Lavender Blue, and Lavender wants Liz to be in her wedding party. Chicago will have to wait a little longer. Then Liz learns that Vince, a former Army Ranger, loves old diners as much as she does, and can kiss really well.

Some old secrets are revealed and a bit of danger creeps into the story, and later a suspicious death. While this book isn’t as steamy as her earlier books, Lavender’s Blue is a very appealing and compelling read. I want to read more about Liz, Vince, Cousin Molly, Anemone and young Peri, so I am looking forward to the next two books in the series.

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

Cats, not bacon. For cats and bacon, see Emily Jane’s On Earth as It Is On Television. If you enjoyed award-winning science fiction writer Scalzi’s latest adventure novel, The Kaiju Preservation Society, you might enjoy this. No, there are no kaiju, either. But there are cats, and later some sarcastic dolphins. Ordinary guy Charlie, currently a substitute teacher, helped care for his father before his recent death. Now his older half-siblings want their shares of dad’s house. It’s just a regular house, nothing special, so Charlie’s share probably won’t be enough to buy a local pub. Charlie has recently adopted a stray cat, and together they find a stray kitten.

Then Charlie, a former business reporter, gets word that his Uncle Jake has died. He hasn’t seen Jake since he was a kid, but is asked to host the viewing and funeral service. Jake owned parking garages, but that doesn’t explain the tough guys who show up at the funeral home, some packing heat. Later Charlie visits Jake’s company headquarters, with the cat and kitten in tow. It turns out to be on a volcanic island, where we meet the dolphins. Perhaps Uncle Jake had more in common with the bad guys at the funeral home than he thought, and they want Charlie to join their organization. Lots of adventure, plenty of humor, some tricky situations, and an appealing main character in Charlie. Plus, of course, cats. This book will be published on September 19, National Talk Like a Pirate Day. Enjoy!

Brenda