The Other Girl by Erica Spindler

The Other Girl by Erica Spindler

 Published: 2017

 

The Other Girl by Erica Spindler is a mystery novel.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher St. Martin’s Press, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Small-town police officer Miranda Rader is called in to investigate the gruesome murder of one of the town’s most beloved professors, and the son of that school’s president.  But something isn’t right.  In his papers Miranda finds an old newspaper clipping, about herself.  Something that she thought she had left behind.  Her boss starts questioning her motives, and the victim’s father seems to be running the show.  Miranda is starting to think that the victim may not be the saint that people thought.  But no one is listening.

As more clues surface, and another body is found, it is obvious that Miranda is now at the center of the investigation.  No one believed her 14 years ago, and it looks like no one believes her now.  Even her partner questions her judgement. 

Sometimes you can’t escape the past.  Miranda is going to have to figure out what happened 14 years ago if she has any hope of solving these recent crimes, and of staying out of jail.

Miranda’s background is told through flashbacks, and it worked really well to tell the story.  This was a really fast read.  The action kept it going, and although I could predict the ending, it was very entertaining.  Erica Spindler created characters with enough depth to be real, and the dialogue was spot on. I will definitely be reading more of her books.

Highly recommended.

 

Read: August 2017

 

Favorite Quotes from The Other Girl:

“The other girl would believe her. She had been real—despite the fact that nothing ever appeared in the local media, not news of a missing girl, not a reported rape or homicide. No Jane Doe.”

“I think you need to figure out why this is happening to you.”

 

 

About the Author:  Erica Spindler has a BFA and MFA in visual arts, and her intention to become an artist was waylaid in 1982 by a cold and a romance novel.  After reading everything she could, she took pen in hand, and the rest is history.   Since that time she has published over 20 novels and they’ve been published world-wide.  Originally from Louisiana, she currently lives in the New Orleans area.

Black Friday by Alex Kava (#7 Maggie O’Dell)

Black Friday by Alex Kava

Published: 2009

 

Black Friday by Alex Kava is the 7th in the FBI Profiler Maggie O’Dell Series.

It is the the busiest shopping day of the year.  It is the day after Thanksgiving (known as Black Friday), and the largest shopping mall in the U.S., the “Mall of America” expects 150,000-200,000 visitors.  Instead, shopping comes to a sudden halt when three separate explosions rock the mall.  It is quickly determined that the bombs were in backpacks carried by three young college students.

The students thought they were just carrying devices that would disrupt computer services within the mall, to protest that the retailers are selling goods made out of the country.  But they are being used.  Their backpacks are detonated remotely, and two of the three are killed immediately.  The third boy and his girlfriend are kidnapped.

Maggie and her new boss (Assistant Director Ray Kunze) head to the mall.  So does Maggie’s old friend Nick Morelli, who has recently taken on a new job with United Allied Security, the company that is in charge of security for the Mall of America.  Charlie Wurth from Homeland Security is also present, as well as the local police.  Unknown to Maggie, her half-brother Patrick is also at the mall . He was with one of the students carrying a backpack.

Things are going to get a little bit worse before they get any better.  Patrick may be able to identify the mastermind.

Alex Kava has written another fast-paced novel.  I’m not happy with the Nick Morelli angle, as that should have died a natural death a while ago.  I also think Kava may have rushed things a little, as getting from Point A to B to C seemed a little confusing (like maybe point B was missed).  But the home-grown terrorism angle was really interesting. As well, I like the fact that Maggie and her new boss do not immediately see eye-to-eye.  It feels real.

Overall, while not my favorite, I still love this series.

 

Re-Read: June 2017

 

Favorite Quotes from Black Friday:

“Christmases after his death were usually as unpredictable as they were untenable. It depended on how early in the day—or the evening before—her mother decided to start the festivities and who the guests would be—Jim Beam, José Cuervo or Jack Daniel. If the year had been especially successful, Johnnie Walker might replace all the others.”

 

About the Author:  Alex Kava is the NY Times best-selling author of this Maggie O’Dell Series.  She  has also written a new Ryder Creed series, as well as stand-alone novels.  Before devoting her time to writing, she held a variety of jobs, mostly in marketing and advertising.  She started her own graphic design company, designing food packages and logos for various national companies.   Kava currently divides her time between Omaha, Nebraska and Pensacola, Florida.  She has a pack of Westies.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

 Published: 2008

 

And now for something completely different.  A book from a book.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling is a collection of short children’s stories that were read to young witches and wizards in the Harry Potter world. This book is mentioned, and plays a part in The Deathly Hallows (the last book of the Harry Potter series).

The history of this book, is that it belonged to Albus Dumbledore, and in it, he had made notes about each story.  When Dumbledore died, he bequeathed the book to Hermione Grainger.  Later, Hermione re-translated the whole thing from the original runes, and included Dumbledore’s notes.  Between introductions, and notes, there are only 5 stories. A brief synopsis of each:

The Wizard and the Hopping Pot……a young wizard inherits his father’s magical pot, but when he refuses to use it to help others, there is one calamity after another.

The Fountain of Fair Fortune.…….on one day ever year,  ordinary people try to get into the enchanted garden and be the first to bathe in the fountain, where they will be granted “fair fortune” for evermore.  This year, three witches and a guard find themselves facing challenges to reach the fountain, much less decide who will bathe in it.

The Warlock’s Hairy Heart…….A young wizard uses dark magic to ensure that he is protected from everything. Unfortunately, that means he lives a very lonely life, which he does not even notice until he realizes others pity him.  Okay, this is a horror story. NOT meant for young children!

Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump…….A long time ago, a foolish king decides that he should be the only one who can practice magic, so he formed a Brigade of Witch Hunters, and hired an instructor.  The witches all went into hiding, and his instructor knew only tricks, but they were enough to lead the King into thinking he was a true wizard.  The King’s washerwoman turns the tables.

The Tale of the Three Brothers.…..Best known as being read in the Harry Potter Series, this story tells the story of the three brothers who try to outwit death.

Okay, I love the Harry Potter Series. I re-read them regularly.  I even re-watch the movies on a yearly basis.  (Yes, I am in my late 50’s, so don’t ask). I read this book when the book first came out, but put it on my “do not blog” list.  I changed my mind when I re-read them.  I don’t think I paid enough attention to Dumbledore’s notes the first time around. He often tied the stories into events that Potter fans are familiar with, and there was even a blurb about a disagreement between him and Lucius Malfoy over one of the stories. 

Overall, they were entertaining — for a true Potter fan.  Although a stand-alone book, I can’t see reading this if you haven’t read the series.

 

Re-Read: June 2017

 

Favorite Quote from The Tales of Beedle the Bard:

“No man or woman alive, magical or not, has ever escaped some form of injury, whether physical, mental or emotional.  To hurt is as human as to breathe.” – From Albus Dumbledore’s notes

“But Death was cunning”.” – From The Tale of the Three Brothers

 

About the Author (from Goodreads):  Although she writes under the pen name J.K. Rowling, pronounced like rolling, her name when her first Harry Potter book was published was simply Joanne Rowling. Anticipating that the target audience of young boys might not want to read a book written by a woman, her publishers demanded that she use two initials, rather than her full name.  As she had no middle name, she chose K as the second initial of her pen name, from her paternal grandmother Kathleen Ada Bulgen Rowling.  She calls herself Jo and has said, “No one ever called me ‘Joanne’ when I was young, unless they were angry.”  Following her marriage, she has sometimes used the name Joanne Murray when conducting personal business.  During the Leveson Inquiry she gave evidence under the name of Joanne Kathleen Rowling.  In a 2012 interview, Rowling noted that she no longer cared that people pronounced her name incorrectly.

Zoo by James Patterson (#1 Zoo)

Zoo by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

 Published: 2012

 

Zoo, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, did not live up to my expectations.  I have read most of his novels, and enjoyed 90%.  This was one of his duds.

The above statement was from my first reading of this book a few years ago.  I have been enjoying the television series (now in its 3rd season), and thought I would re-read the book.   Although it still lacks something, I have a little more respect for the novel.

In particular, I still find the premise of Zoo interesting.  Jackson Oz, a biologist/ecologist/scientist became obsessed with the idea that there have been an increased amount of animal attacks on humans.  He drops out of university to pursue this line of thought.  Unfortunately, very few in the field believe him.  On a trip to Botswana, Oz experiences the attack of a group of all male lions, something unheard of. That seems to be the beginning.  Animals around the world start attacking humans.  From bats to rhinos, from house-cats to lions, from zoo animals to pets, they all seem to act as one. 

Oz is suddenly in the spot-light.  People are finally listening.  However, when they finally figure out why this is happening, the bigger question becomes, can humans change their ways.

Overall, Patterson did what he always does.  Provide a fast-paced, suspense-filled book. Still not totally happy with the book, but it wasn’t as bad the second time around… 

 

Re-Read: June 2017

 

Favorite Quotes from Zoo:

“Turns out an apocalypse actually comes on pretty slowly. Not fire and brimstone but rust and dandelions. Not a bang but a whimper.”

“It was a zoo, all right, I thought, shutting off the water, staring out through the bars down at Seventh Street. Only it was starting to look like the Homo sapiens were the ones who would be relegated to the cages from now on.”

 

About the Authors:

James Patterson needs no introduction.  Still a prolific writer.

Michael Ledwidge has written a few novels on his own, but is most famous for co-writing a number of books with Patterson.  Of Irish descent, he is New York born and raised.

 

Choosing to Read a Book Series

I think everyone who blogs about books, will at some point scrutinize their decision to get involved with a book series.

A quick examination of my blog reveals that many of the books I read are part of a series, but after some analysis, my reasons for choosing a series seem to be a contradiction in logic.  

Sort of a love/hate relationship.

There are a lot of reasons against getting immersed in a series.  They are really time-consuming.  I dread starting a new series, because what if I like it?  How many more books have already been written in this series, how many more to come?  How far behind am I?  What if I can’t find one of the installments?  What if I hate the series, am I going to continue anyway, because the next book might be better?  What if I get bored with them? Is this going to become a chore just to get to the end?  Either way, will it ever end?  What will I do when it does end?    OMG!!!!  Okay, deep breath. {sigh}  To be honest, I’ve had every one of the above experiences and survived.  So I just plod along.

“A Series of books is really one book separated into several.”  – Maribel C. Pagan

Another problem with a series is the fear that the author stops being truly interested in his/her characters, both the main and supporting cast.  All characters must continue to grow, learn new things, meet new people, expand their horizons.   There’s nothing worse than realizing that the young detective you rooted for when he started out is still 30 years old and living at home with his parents – 10 books later.  Or that one of the favorite side-kicks disappeared with no explanation.  The characters must grow with the books.   In a series there is always more than just the plot.  Character development and continuity is the key.

Then there is the waiting…..part of the reason I will start an older series is because I don’t have to wait for the next book.  It’s already out there, just waiting for me to pick it up.  With a new series you run the risk of having to wait for the author to come out with the next installment – what if the author goes on to a different series, or dies before it gets written???  Again, deep breath. 

“I hate it when I have to wait the next book in a series to come out. ”  – Patrick Rothfuss

Part of the appeal to the series is the genre.  I read a lot of mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, and apocalyptic tales, all which lend themselves well to the series model. 

Yes, a series of books is truly my favorite.   I like getting more involved, more familiar, more in-tune with the characters over time.  You get attached, okay I get attached.   They grow and become like family – not necessarily a family I need, and not always one I want.  Then there is the fact that I’m not really good with endings.  I want more.

Let’s not get me started on cliff-hangers.

Speaking of endings,  there is a point when every series must end.  Some authors have a hard time finding it  – James Patterson’s Alex Cross series comes to mind, as I’m in the middle of it and there seems to be no end in sight (it’s starting to drag).   Some endings I hate – I love Stephen King’s Dark Tower Series, really hate that ending, but still re-read it every year or two.   Some series I wish would go on forever – love JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Series, but know she ended that well.  Although to be honest she has come out with a few little add-ons to the series.  Yes, every series must end…..it’s the letting go I have problems with….hence the re-reading.

“A good book has no ending.”  – Robert Frost

Yet I always return to the series, because I know what I am getting.  I am getting more.  A series promises more.  More familiarity.  More of the same characters.   More of the same writing style.   More books.   And that’s it….more.  I love more.

What about you?

 

Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo (#2 Harry Hole)

Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo

 Originally Published:  1998

 

Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo is the 2nd in the Harry Hole Norwegian crime series. 

Although released in Norway in 1998, it was not released in North America until 2013, after some of his later novels in the series. For a change, I am glad I am behind on reading Nesbo, so I get to read the series in order.

In Cockroaches, Harry is sent to Thailand to investigate the death of a Norwegian Ambassador who is found stabbed in a sleazy motel.  Harry was specifically chosen for this job.  Norwegian officials want this case closed, and closed quietly.  No scandal can surface.  Who better to send than an alcoholic who will probably not do much in the way of investigating anyway.  Unknown to the bosses, Harry is on the wagon, and determined to dig deep into this case.  In Thailand, he is introduced to the seedier side of the country. He sees that their government too, wants the case closed, but mainly because there is so much other crime they are dealing with.  

Harry finds that politically, the dead Ambassador’s associates are a bit power-hungry.  Rivalry abounds.  When it comes the Ambassador’s wife and daughter, it is a whole new ballgame.  While in Bangkok, Harry is confronted with rampant prostitution, cockfighting, and loan sharks, not to mention drug trafficking, child pornography and child prostitution.  In the middle of all this, is a murderer.

Nesbo has written about a wonderfully flawed detective who is trying his best to do a good job, and to get his life in order.  It isn’t smooth sailing.  This is the reason we love Harry Hole.  It is a fast-paced book, with Harry on a rollercoaster of emotions and with a variety of suspects.  Again, Nesbo did a lot of research on Bangkok and Thailand, and provided me with an education.  It was a really interesting read.

 

Read: June 2017

 

Favorite Quotes from Cockroaches:

“I was convinced the only insects that survived in this town were cockroaches….
‘They just exist,’ Harry repeated, not sarcastically, more reflectively.
‘They’re made like that. Made for us to want to tread on them. If there weren’t so many of them.’”

“Have you seen the children walking around selling chewing gum?’
Harry nodded. The area around the go-go bars in Patpong was teeming with them.
‘That’s the code. The chewing gum means they’re for sale.’
Harry realised with a shudder that he’d bought a packet of Wrigley’s off a barefoot, black-eyed boy, who had looked terrified, but Harry had put that down to the crowds and the noise.”

‘If you get bitten, make sure you catch the snake, so you’re given the right antidote. Then it doesn’t matter if you’re bitten a second time.’

 

About the Author:  Jo Nesbo (pronounced “you nesbaugh”) is a musician, songwriter, economist and author. 

Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka

Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka

Published: 2017

 

Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka is her debut novel. 

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Simon & Schuster, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When the body of high school student Lucinda Hayes is found in the playground of her Colorado town, many lives will be changed.  Many people will have to look inside themselves to find their own truths. 
Cameron is the boy who loved her from afar. Some would say he stalked her. They had barely spoken, but he spent almost every night outside her window, watching, and he has made many drawings of her.  Now she is gone.  Cameron doesn’t remember what happened the night Lucinda died.

Jade hated her.  Lucinda had the perfect body, the perfect parents, the perfect life, and had taken everything that Jade had loved.  Jade never had a chance to tell her.  Some secrets may never come to light.

Russ is the policeman who is investigating the murder.  He is in a troubled marriage and a job he is not sure he wants.  He too has secrets, and promises to keep.  Russ is trying to protect the innocent, but he isn’t sure who is guilty.  He wonders if his distrust for his brother-in-law is swaying his judgement.  Then there is young Cameron, the son of his last partner who fled town after Russ protected him from jail-time. 

The story is told from the perspectives of Cameron, Jade and Russ. 

Unfortunately, although the plot showed promise, the story moved slowly and lacked any excitement.  It was rather depressing.  It was not the mystery/thriller I was anticipating. The characters are all rather shallow, including the adults, and the police force is a joke. Things didn’t ring true. 

On the other hand, Danya Kukafka is an excellent writer.  Her prose and timing is good, and I imagine if the characters were a little deeper, I would have been more impressed.  I am sure there are others out there that will disagree with my assessment of the book, but this is only my opinion, so to each their own.  I can’t love everything.

 

Read: July 2017

 

Favorite Quotes from Girl in Snow:

“And anyway, some types of love were quieter than others.”

“In that sweaty circle, I prayed to some unspecified force that Lucinda Hayes would simply disappear.”

 

About the Author: Danya Kukafka is a graduate of New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study.  She works as an assistant editor at Riverhead Books.  GIRL IN SNOW is her first novel.

 

 

How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny (#9 Armand Gamache)

How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny

  Published: 2013

   

 

 

How the Light Gets In by Canadian author Louise Penny is the 9th in the Armand Gamache/Three Pines Mystery Series. 

I cannot say enough about these books.  The writing is wonderful, the mystery is always carefully plotted, and the characters are endearing.  With each new book, the inner me wants to find this little village, these people, and pray they will allow me to become part of their community.

It is just before Christmas, and while his wife is in Paris visiting their son and family, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is busy.  His beloved Police Department is crumbling. His bosses are trying to take him down, and it looks like it is working.  With the exception of Inspector Isabelle Lacoste, his old staff have all been re-assigned or asked to transfer out, and he has been given the dregs of the force, who openly laugh at him.  His second in command, and dear friend Jean-Guy Beauvoir is now under the control of Chief Inspector Francoeur, who is twisting his mind against Gamache, and feeding him the drugs he craves.  Jean-Guy is being manipulated, and doesn’t care.  With all that is against him, Gamache is still trying to stay calm and go about his business, but has not given up his fight to find out what Francoeur is really up to.  He hasn’t even given up on Jean-Guy.  But the battle is draining.

Myrna calls Gamache to investigate her missing friend, who had been expected to visit Three Pines the day before.  She never arrived.  It turns out that Constance Pineault was not even her real name.  She has been hiding her identity from everyone, although it looks like she was finally going to reveal some of her secrets.  When she is found in her home in Montreal, the victim of a homicide, it is unbelievable that anyone would want this woman dead.  It will be the end of an era.

Meanwhile, a woman is found under a bridge in Montreal, an apparent suicide.  But perhaps not…. 

As always, Louise Penny leaves you with a craving more.  This time, she also left me in tears.  Any author that can get a reader (well okay, me) that connected, that involved, that emotional, is truly talented.  It is obvious that Penny had a Canadian inspiration for part of this story, and of course, that resonated with me.

On a side note, my husband could probably have done without me walking around singing The Huron Carol, which got stuck in my head somewhere around the second chapter, and is still with me…. “Twas in the moon of wintertime…”

Of course, it’s 5 stars

 

Re-Read: June 2017

 

Favorite Quotes from How the Light Gets In:

“Four days. And she had two gay sons, a large black mother, a demented poet for a friend and was considering getting a duck.   It was not what she’d expected from this visit.”

“Matthew 10:36,” he’d said. “And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”

“If people really did morph into their pets, thought Gamache, any moment now he’d sprout huge ears and a playful, slightly vacant, expression.”

“Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.”  (Apache Wedding Prayer)

“Ring the bells that still can ring,
Forget your perfect offering,
There’s a crack in everything.
That’s how the light gets in.” (Anthem by Leonard Cohen)

 

About the Author:  Louise Penny is the New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has been awarded the John Creasey Dagger, Nero, Macavity, and Barry Awards, as well as two each of the Arthur Ellis and Dilys Awards. Additionally, Louise has won five Agatha Awards and four Anthony Awards. 

 

 

7th Heaven by James Patterson (#7 Women’s Murder Club)

7th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Published: 2008

 

 

7th Heaven by James Patterson (and Maxine Paetro) is the 7th (of course) in the Women’s Murder Club Mystery series. 

The Women’s Murder Club consists of Police Detective Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Reporter Cindy Thomas and Prosecutor Yuki Castellano.  These four friends generally get together in their “off time” to solve whatever crime Lindsay is working on at the time.  By tossing ideas and information around, they generally come up with new ideas that lead to a conclusion of some sort (not always happy).

There are two story lines in this one.

When the former governor’s son goes missing, it causes quite a stir.  He has been in the spotlight since we was a child, as he suffers from a rare congenital heart defect, and could die at any time.  Needless to say, he has lead a very sheltered life. When a tip comes in three months after his disappearance that Michael had last been seen entering the home of Junie Moon, a hooker, she confesses to Lindsay and her partner that she murdered him.  Yuki will prosecute, but the case will quickly take an unexpected turn.

Meanwhile, two young men named Pidge and Hawk are wreaking havoc among the wealthy, by setting fire to them and their homes.  Lindsay and Conklin have their hands full with that one.

For a change, Claire and Cindy are in the background, but Yuki ends up being right up front with a stalker to call her own.

As always, Patterson uses short chapters to keep the pace of the book moving along.  By now we know the Club members very well, but with each book, they get a little deeper.  I am not overly impressed with Patterson’s attempt at showing Lindsay’s weak points — namely her emotional instability regarding men.  She started out as a strong woman, but seems to be getting weaker as the books progress.

On a positive note, there was a twist at the end.

Okay, I’m still reading the series…..

 

Read: June 2017

 

Favorite Quote from 7th Heaven:

“They referred to this American “piggishness” as 7th Heaven and described it as a never-ending spiral of gluttony, gratification, and waste.”

 

About the Authors:

James Patterson is one of the best-known and best-selling authors of all time.  His series include the Women’s Murder Club series, the Alex Cross Series, the NYPD Red Series, as well as many other stand-alone novels.  He lives in Florida

Maxine Paetro is a novelist and journalist, who lives in New York.

 

 

Lies She Told by Cate Holahan

 Lies She Told by Cate Holahan

 Published 2017

 

Lies She Told by Cate Holahan is a psychological thriller.  I believe it will be published in September of this year.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of Lies She Told in exchange for an honest review.

Liza Jones sees herself as a romance/suspense author, but struggling.  Her first book was a best-seller, but she isn’t sure how that happened, and she can’t seem to get back on track.  Given 30 days to get it together, Liza tries to devote most of her time to her new book.  However, other things interfere.  She and her husband David are trying to have a baby, and the experimental fertility drugs seem to be messing with her memory.  As well, David’s best friend and law partner Nick has disappeared, so David is either off trying to find him, or taking over Nick’s cases.  Liza and David don’t seem to have time for each other.  Stress is taking over their lives.

Meanwhile, Liza’s new book tells the story of Beth and her husband Jake who have a 6-month old little girl.  Beth suspects that Jake is cheating on her.  He is spending more time at the office, and less time with her and the baby.  She is going to put a stop to this, anyway she can.

Liza’s mind is truly starting to blur the lines between fact and fiction.  She just had her heroine Beth shoot Jake’s mistress in the book, so why does Liza remember burying her own gun in her mom’s flower bed?  When Nick’s body is found in the East River with a bullet wound, Liza starts to doubt everything.  She will have to delve deep into herself to find the real truth.

Cate Holahan tells a story within a story, and to be honest it was hard to keep things straight at times.  The chapters alternated between Liza’s life and the actual chapters of the book she was writing.  So it was very important to keep the characters straight in your mind as you read along.  Often I found myself in the midst of a paragraph and trying to remember whether this person was supposed to be real, or a figment of the author’s (Liza’s) imagination. 

On the other hand, it was well written, and had enough twists (in both stories) to keep you interested.  I found it to be a relatively fast read.  I liked both Liza and Beth, and didn’t have much use for either husband.  This is usually a sign that the characters have been written with some depth, because you have really gotten involved with them.  I enjoyed both stories.

I have not read anything else by Holahan, but will keep her on my radar.

 

Read: July 2017

 

Favorite Quotes from Lies She Told:

“Blurring fact and fantasy is my trade. I am a con artist. A prevaricator. I make up stories.”

” I don’t invent my characters. I steal them from my surroundings. To be a writer is to be a life thief. Every day, I rob myself blind.”

 

About the Author:  Cate Holahan, an award-winning journalist and former television producer, her articles have appeared in BusinessWeek, The Boston Globe, The Record and on web sites for CBS, MSN Money, NorthJersey.com, BusinessWeek.com, and CNBC.  She lives in New Jersey.