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I love reading and writing. I read most genres but my favourites would be paranormal romances and inspirational/motivational books. I have mostly started this blog because I love to read so much and want to share my reviews and thoughts with the world or anyone who wants to read it, giving my little bit of input to the world as well as any topics of light that would help and motivate you. I am also an aspiring author, in between reading books and reviewing them, I am writing two separate books, one fiction and one non-fiction. I have too many books and Ebooks, enough to last me probably 2 lifetimes! You can never have enough books... he he
Book Review: Murder on the first day of Christmas by Billie Thomas
Publisher: Annie Acorn
Publication Date: 17 December 2012
Genre: Mystery, Comedy
Source: NetGalley / Publisher (In exchange for an honest Review)
Goodreads Synopsis:
Finding a severed hand at a client’s house might throw lesser decorators off their games. But Chloe Carstairs and her mother, Amanda, won’t let a little thing like murder keep them from decking the halls. With a body under the partridge’s pear tree and a dead Santa in a sleigh, they have to crack the case before the killer strikes again - this time much too close to home.
Filled with laugh-out-loud humor, romance and a delightfully difficult mother-daughter relationship, this new series from Billie Thomas offers a fast-paced caper as these two southern ladies try to keep their very merry Christmas from turning into the Noel from hell.
Genre: Mystery, Comedy
Source: NetGalley / Publisher (In exchange for an honest Review)
Goodreads Synopsis:
Finding a severed hand at a client’s house might throw lesser decorators off their games. But Chloe Carstairs and her mother, Amanda, won’t let a little thing like murder keep them from decking the halls. With a body under the partridge’s pear tree and a dead Santa in a sleigh, they have to crack the case before the killer strikes again - this time much too close to home.
Filled with laugh-out-loud humor, romance and a delightfully difficult mother-daughter relationship, this new series from Billie Thomas offers a fast-paced caper as these two southern ladies try to keep their very merry Christmas from turning into the Noel from hell.
My Review:
This book is not exactly what I expected. For a comedy novel, I did not find it very humorous, although half way into the book I picked up the humor a little bit easier and I did have a few giggles. Unfortunately this book was a like a hit and miss. I didn't connect with Chloe that well and I got a little bit bored. There were quite a few editing errors, but nothing that took away from the story.
Characters: 3/5
Chloe - Chloe is smart and witty. She is one of 2 characters that bring humor to the story. I did enjoy her character but didn't feel a huge connection. I am glad she wasn't all love-sick, even if part of the story was that she was dealing with a separation from Jacob. Chloe is a strong character that holds her own ground.
Amanda - Chloe's mom. I liked this character. She was probably my favourite character in the story. She sees more than she lets on and knows better than to get involved with gossip, but also uses it to her advantage during the investigations. She has a good dry sense of humour.
Detective McGowan - I wish Chloe could recognise what a catch Detective M is. He likes Chloe, even when she is a suspect and getting into trouble. They would make such a cute couple. He is a nice character addition in the story, my second favourite to Amanda.
Plot, Pace, Writing style & world building: 2.5/5
Cover talk 4/5
I really enjoyed the Christmas atmosphere that was created. Although I found the plot a little bit boring, there were one or two twists that made in an interesting read. The pace was moderate, maybe a little slow at times. The writing style was easy but didn't keep my attention all the time.
Cover talk 4/5
I loved this cover. This is probably what made me chose the book, coupled with wanting to read a good comedy - based on the blurb.
Favourite Quotes
If there are two words I loathe hearing together, it's "you" and "Southerners." Ranks right up there with sneeze guard and sanitary napkin. And it's usually followed by pithy observations like "I can't believe you Southerners have paved roads" or "I didn't know you Southerners had access to dental care." But at least now I had reason for my ambivalence - the man was a Yankee.
~Funny the way people get their senses all mixed up. My friend Jeanette Ernhardt does the same thing. Always afraid her car is burning oil, she'll turn down the radio, sniff and ask, "Do you smell that?"
Author Bio: Billie Thomas is the pseudonym of a Birmingham-based author. After the real Billie passed away unexpectedly at the end of 2011, getting Murder on the First Day of Christmas, the first of a series, revised and published was her daughter’s top priority as a way to honor the mom who had given her a lifelong love of books. In her real life, Ms. Thomas writes within the advertising industry and is a founding member of the writing collective, IndieVisible. Other publications include Bar Code: Your Personal Pocket Decoder to the Modern Dating Scene. The author enjoys combining her interests in decorating and gourmet cooking with her writing. She is still trying to solve the mystery of her own love life.Ms. Thomas welcomes your contacts at chloegetsaclue.com. You are welcome to friend her on Facebook as chloe.carstairs.73 and to tweet with her as @ChloeGetsAClueAuthor Links: Goodreads l Twitter l Facebook l Blog
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