Petty Treason & The Trouble With Tulip

I'm not sure what the big hoop-la over the new Survivor series is. I agree that dividing the teams along the lines of race is a horrible idea, but what they've done is create a huge media blitz without having to spend a lot of money on it. Every network is covering the controversy, even GM pulling its advertising won't have a major impact with the kind of coverage they're getting for free. Maybe I'm being cynical, but I think that this response is exactly why they decided to split the teams like this in the first place. Jeff Probst can hardly keep the smirk from his face as he justifies the decision on his multiple TV appearances. Publicity is the name of the game afterall. Who was it who said, "Any publicity is good publicity." Didn't Marilyn Monroe say "Who cares what they're saying, as long as they're talking about you." Madonna has built her entire career on that credo. The saddest thing about the whole thing is that Survivor is trying to act surprised about the response. The least they could do is be honest and say, "Gotcha!"

Petty Treason by Madeleine E. Robins is the second book in the Sarah Tolerance mystery series. Sarah is back to solve another mystery, this time she’s been hired to find the murderer of the villainous Chevalier d’Aubigny, who everyone in London seems to have a reason to want dead. The mystery goes all the way to the royal family and threatens Sarah’s life. This book was one of those rare books that so completely sucked me in that I forgot I was reading a book and lost myself utterly in its world. Robins creates a mood that’s difficult to escape from. Don’t pick this book up unless you have time to read it through, because it’s impossible to put down. I hope that more will soon be coming in this series!

The Trouble with Tulip by Mindy Starns Clark is the first book in the Smart Chick mystery series. Jo Tulip has the perfect life: she writes an household hints advice column for the newspaper, she’s engaged to a handsome business executive, and she lives in her beloved hometown. Until the day of her wedding when she’s called to identify the body of her dead neighbor, her fiancé dumps her at the altar, and her column has been cancelled. What’s a poor girl to do but find the murderer with her best friend Danny? But Danny’s got a secret too: he’s in love with Jo. Clark manages to keep all of these storylines interesting and fun. While some of the characters seem a little flat, I’m assuming that they will be fleshed out as the series continues. Clark does a good job of weaving God into the characters’ lives without it seeming forced. The plot behind the mystery seemed a little over the top, as did the climax, but Clark handled it well.

Tomorrow a review on the second book in the Smart Chick series. Have a great Friday! TGIF