Victoria Books

I'm such a LAMBERT fan...That being said, the last book in this world-wide popular soap opera was to die for! I loved it! I didn't see it coming...the ending I mean...Nouri losing her memory...and Gabe having to win her love back again...gosh, this story is so good. Like most of Ms. Murray's fans I hated to see the Lambert series come to an end. I hope Ms. Murray will bring these fun characters back again real soon!!! Now, on to The Shadow of Her Smile...I can hardly wait!

The reason I read stories like this one is because they sweep me away from the same ol' same ol' of everyday life! My one true passion in life is books like Le Fin. This writer is great! I enjoy her unique style of story-telling. Her characters are believable, fun, hot and exciting. Her plots are edge of your seat during the reading of the entire book, and her dialogue carries me contentedly through the whole book. I think I must have devoured this book in record time! I look forward to Ms. Murray's next offering or passion and romance with an edge!

Le Fin by Victoria Murray is such a terrific read. I was totally surprised by the way this series ended. I thought the ending was both unexpected and delicious. I was thrilled with the outcome of Nouri and Gabe. I hope Victoria will bring her great Lambert cast of characters back in a return to Lambert series. I, for one, would enjoy the heck out of that! Just keep them coming and I'll be a happy reader!!!

Le Fin by Victoria Taylor Murray is a love story that you'll forever remember. I fell in love with Nouri and Gabe and Company by the time I finished the 2nd book in the Lambert series. Talk about a steamy affair, ouch! Gabe and Nouri belong together so I was thrilled they wound up together even though for a long time I didn't think they would, whew! When the writer stated on the back cover of this book, 'falling in love, out of love, and in love again,' she really meant it! If you are a rock'n reader like myself then you will just have to find the time to read this book! It's great, I kid you not!!!

I cannot believe everyone loved this book! It was, by far, the worst out of the series.

First of all, the editor of Murray's books should have been fired. In all four books, there were tons of grammatical errors.

As for Murray, her ideas for the stories had an excellent start. She offered scandalous intrigue and interesting characters. Unfortunately, after time, the characters became weak, and they were not relatable. For example, all the female characters "giggled." In addition, some of the "alpha" males giggled and often cried. (When I want to be swept up in a romance, my ficitonal man shouldn't show signs of weakness.) Also, Murray repeated herself too many times. For example, the letter Nouri left Charles... it did not need to be printed twice. I understand you need to remind the reader of certain events, but you only have to do that to a certain extent. We're not idiots.

Overall, I did not mind reading the series b/c they were extremely quick reads. However, I wish I bought them used.

I have not read these books, but it is rare for a book to get so many reviews and have an overall 5 star rating, so I thought I'd check it out. Then I noticed something fishy - I'm not making it up - check it out for yourself: Most (not all) of the reviews use the same basic language and grammar. Most of them mention the word "series" in the first sentence, "characters" in the second, and the last sentence ends with one to three exclamation marks "!!!". Also, they don't say anything about the plot of the book, and they have about the same number of helpful votes (30-50). All this is very suspicious to me, and then comes along a review that says they bought the book because of all the 5 star ratings and then found the book to be awful and even contained many spelling errors. Did the same person write these using different names? It looks that way to me. Based on all this I decided to skip this one.

I had never heard of the book nor the author when I bought it, but it had received a 5 star review on your web page, so I bought it. I have read my whole life and enjoy it very much, but this book was very poorly written, the story line was absolutely stupid, there were more misspelled words throughout than I can ever remember coming across while reading a book. I threw the book away, rather than loaning it or passing it on to someone else.

This was my favorite visit to Lambert by Victoria Taylor Murray. The characters are now beginning to show their human side and I like that. Nouri certainly has her fair share of love interests to choose from with her crazy husband, her first real man Charles Mason, the guy that holds the key to her heart Clint Chamberlain (or does he?) and of course, my favorite the sexy homicide detective Gabe Baldwin. Which one will she wind up with? I'm getting ready to find out! Can't wait!!! This storyline is so hot!!!

I absolutely love this story! Gabe Baldwin is my favorite male character in this MUST READ series. His character is alpha-male, hot, sexy, and mysterious. I like that in the characters I read about. Of course, Charles Mason and Clint Chamberlain aren't bad either. I wouldn't kick either one of them out of the sack, hahaha! If you are a reader who wants to escape from it all via reading fiction then you have just struck gold with Ms. Murray's popular LAMBERT series. Get cozy before you start reading this book because it is very hard to put it down once you begin the story. That's a fact! (I'm thrilled to recommend this book and the 3 other books that go with it!)

I bought the first two books based on the glowing reviews. I agree with the What Am I Missing Reviewer. They were poorly written and I could not even stand to finish the first one. The reviews are obviously a set up and a great disservice to people who actually buy these books. Please show us a review from a national source.

Item sold - exactly as stated online - item was delivered very fast and in perfect condition.

Out to Canaan (The Mitford Years, Book 4)

Most wonderful fiction series I've read in many years! I love Jan Karon's Mitford Season, and can't wait until the next ones come out. The characters have become so real to me, I feel like I've known them all my life. It's hard to find good Christian fiction, which are loved even by those who do not usually read Christian literature, but these fit the bill! I give them for gifts to many.

I just loved this book. I am reading the Mitford series and getting to know the characters. It's great to have a respite from our busy world. This book had me laughing out loud in a few places.

My 97 year old grandmother is in love with Mitford. She has macular degeneration and can no longer read with her eyes so she "reads" with her ears. Whenever she is feeling blue or is sick in bed, she just puts Mitford in and says she feels comforted. This was the missing book of her series on CD and we sent it for her 97th birthday. A highly recommended series - the first book may seem a bit slow, but once you finish, you'll want to read the rest of the series.

This is a great book. It contains no violence or sex and still manages to entertain on every page.

In the summer of 1977, eleven-year-old Sarah Richardson is filled with trepidation and resentment when her father's new job forces her to leave her home and best friend in Wyoming to relocate in the remote town of Bamfield on Vancouver Island. But these feelings fade when she sees her gorgeous new home overlooking the ocean and befriends and Indian (a term commonly used for First Nations people in 1977) girl named Goldie. Of course, her idyllic summer with her parents and Goldie doesn't last. Once school begins, Sarah endures long, painful lessons about bullying, racial hatred, and family tragedy.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif's WHALE SONG is an unusual mystery. Although the story opens with an adult Sarah reflecting back on the summer that changed her life, she eases into eleven-year-old Sarah's point of view as the story unfolds, turning the book into a young adult novel. But then grownup Sarah slides briefly back into the story with ominous foreshadowing about events she wished she'd seen coming.

The other unique aspect is that the mystery doesn't occur until two thirds into the book. Certainly, the reader feels tension building among main characters and a grim situation inevitably spiraling out of control. But death, a police investigation, and murder charge don't occur until the reader knows the Richardson family so well that we feel their anguish. Some mystery fans might loathe the pacing of events, yet it's important to understand that mystery is only one facet of this multi-layered story. Crime might not be center stage in WHALE SONG, however, it's essential to the story.

Cross-genre novels are hard to pigeonhole, and this one will be a challenge for librarians and booksellers. WHALE SONG is an elegantly written, heartbreaking blend of friendships lost and gained, family tragedy, spirituality, death, guilt, punishment, and forgiveness. This is a lot to incorporate into one novel, but Tardif does it beautifully in a mere 199 pages. If you want something different in a mystery, WHALE SONG is a compelling story you won't forget any time soon.

"Whale Song" is a poignant tale that asks difficult questions - ones that challenge us to look deeply into our own hearts. This is a very well written novel about Sarah, a young girl who moves to Canada from Montana. It's about her family and friends who love her so very much, and the difficult choices and sacrifices that have to be made by them all. Set on Canada's breathtaking Vancouver Island, the whales and other wildlife are as beautiful as the story itself. This is Ms Tardif's "heart book" - the book closest to her heart - and after reading it, it's easy to see why.

Haunting and sensitive, Whale Song is a compelling read, leaving an impression long after the story ends. I loved it. Five stars

Only child, star in her parent's crown, Sarah's fairytale life takes a startling and sad turn. Whale Song is beautifully written, and though not an action novel, it is a page turner. The novel is emotionally evocative (I shed tears for Sarah and her companions) but there are many, many heartwarming and encouraging aspects. You quickly become embroiled in the narrator's life, and Sarah's voice is so strong you could believe you are reading a true story. The characters are convincing, engaging and memorable. I found myself thinking about the novel and its "lessons" while driving to work, often in fact. The Native American mysticism was particularly well done and interesting.

The story begins when 11-year-old Sarah, her mother and father move from Wyoming to Vancouver--from the mountains to the sea. Her father is a marine biologist, her mother an artist. Sarah is devastated by the move but soon makes friends with a Native American girl named Goldie and is accepted by Goldie's family and her wise woman grandmother Nana but at school another Native American student teaches Sarah about discrimination and cruelty.

Whale Song follows Sarah as she matures--her tragedies and triumphs--to a satisfying end.

I haven't read a young adult novel since my son was in Middle School and quite honestly I didn't even realize that Cheryl Kaye Tardif's story of a young girl living in Vancouver with her artist mother and marine biologist father fell into this category until I was half way through it and checked out the author's item page on this website. After all Harper Lee's masterpiece "To Kill a Mockingbird" uses the voice of the pre-adolescent Scout to tell her tale set in the American South in the 1960s in the same way that Tardif speaks through her main character Sarah Richardson.

Not that Tardif's novel rivals Lee's classic. That's not to say that it isn't a good coming-of-age narrative, but where Lee's portrait of Articus Finch suggests the noble hero fighting a battle larger than himself for the greater good, Tardif formulates a smaller world which centers not so much on a brave father figure but on the pain of a young girl adjusting to a new school where her race sets her apart as a social pariah. Sarah's angst increases when her beloved mother falls ill and she must come to grips with the potential loss. Whereas Lee communicates a daughter's pride in her father's courage, Tardif goes for the same feel, and if she fails it is only in achieving the overall tightness of the older story. For indeed Sarah's father commands respect too even if his issue focuses on a individual choice rather than a universal failing of society.

Bewildered by a series of events leading to a personal train wreck, Sarah wallows understandably until certain facts become clear. Utilizing a first person narrative technique, the reader experiences Sarah's initial acclimation first-hand under Tardif's very skillful voice. We enjoy her discovery of the mystical Indian legends of the whale and the wolf and await her comprehension of her specific mission.

The younger Sarah successfully emerges as a girl on the brink of her teenaged years. Tardif relays her sense of uncertainty and the ups and downs of triumphs and failures in an adept way that cements her ability to capture the sensibilities of this burgeoning adolescent with great credibility.

Driven by Tardif's strength in creating such a believable character, the story moves along with great readability. Somehow I thought it stalled a little once Sarah's greatest fear becomes actualized but perhaps this lull in the action was meant to illustrate Sarah's confusion over a situation with implications larger than the world she knows. Likewise, the endgame of this novel seems to be rushed, but this seems indigenous to young adult novels where the resolution takes place under the auspices of adulthood.

Bottom line? Cheryl Kaye Tardif writes a most satisfactory story about a young girl's coming-of-age amidst a background that is simultaneously beautiful, mystical and bittersweet. Recommended for all young adults.
Diana Faillace Von Behren
"reneofc"

My wife and I like this author very much. Victoria Taylor Murray writes a good, steamy love story and is great at weaving murder and mystery into the plot. After a long day's work, we enjoy steaming in the hot tub, then relaxing in bed with a VTM book. Yes, we take turns reading to each other, like a couple of newlyweds.

We recommend this book and her Lambert series also. I hear she has a cookbook out, too, and since I'm the best cook in the family, I'll probably get that one next, but I guarantee, I won't be reading it in bed.

Meanwhile, pick this one up. Bob the plumber says!!!

Reading The Shadow of Her Smile was like slurping a long, cold lemonade on a sultry, summer day--I couldn't devour it fast enough!

The story started off with a bang, growing increasingly suspenseful as Victoria Taylor Murray drew me into her exciting plot with the ease that only the best writers can achieve. From Trump Towers to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to Little Italy to NYPD and a grandmother's run-down mansion, she painted a New York seldom seen by outsiders. I especially relished the historical vignettes of The Big Apple woven in at appropriate places in the story.

Although many of the supporting characters were ultra-worldly--obviously shallow, greedy, and lustful--each one was unique and thoroughly fleshed out. Through them, Murray captures the true essence of the city's diversity of cultures and life-styles.

And the hero and heroine are to die for! The excitement was nonstop as handsome Corbin Douglas searched for beautiful, red-haired Nikki Rourke--a "woman in a photograph" with an unforgettable smile--overcoming death-defying, breath-stealing obstacles to help her.

This well-written, fast-paced book has everything: believable characters, realistic dialogue, suspense, romance, and "original" humor. For example, when Corbin, a cop-turned-private-investegator, told his former partner, "I have a headache the size of Stephen King's Buick 8," I laughed out loud... a welcome relief from the tension of the book's drama.

I join this talented author's legions of fans in applauding her on penning another winner. My one regret is that I didn't discover her from her very first book." -- Betty Dravis, author of "The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley," "1106 Grand Boulevard," and "Millennium Babe: The Prophecy"

I have been an avid Victoria Taylor Fan every since the Lambert series hit the bookshelves. I enjoy the writing style of this writer very much. Her stories are unique, exciting, sexy, and entertaining. I can hardly wait until her next novel hits the bookshelves!

I've always been a romance reader, but my general fare is Danielle Steel and Nora Roberts, so when my sister told me all about this author and how good her romantic suspense stories are, I was skeptical at first.

I decided to buy her stand-alone book ... just in case I didn't enjoy VTM's style as much as my sister did. But that turned out NOT to be a problem. I adored this book and its glitzy characters, as you can tell by my name title. LOL ...

And that cop is to die for!

So now it's back to the shopping cart to toss in her Lambert series. Thanks, Victoria, for a wonderful reading adventure. Keep up the good work.

Love this author; love all her books ... even her new cookbook.

I had the pleasure of meeting VTM at one of her booksignings and she's a very sweet, knowledgable women. I meet a lot of celebrities in my line of work (even doubling for the stars routinely), but never met an author before ... so that's an occasion I'll long remember.

I look forward to her next book. Hurry up, Victoria!

ALL I CAN SAY IS PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! IT IS OFF THE HOOK AND A REAL EYE OPENER!

Victoria's Secret is my 2nd novel by Jason Poole and my 3rd Cartel Publication book that I've read. I must say this is my FAVORITE thus far. Jason has a extrodinary gift of writing and you can definitely tell he did his research. His hard work paid off with a GREAT NOVEL about new-age pimpin'. This novel shares the love between two people who will do ANYTHING, God willing, for one another to survive. VERY well written I read this book in less then 24 hours, that's how great this book is. SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO GET IT!

GREAT JOB JASON! I know there is going to be a #2!!!

This book was sick! I wasn't expecting this book to be as good as it was. I had never heard of Jason Poole before but I was definitely impressed. It's crazy what women would do for a man. The PIMP game is grimy as hell! I had no idea! LOL The ending threw me for a complete loop though. That was an ending that I wasn't expecting. I would like to read a sequel to this. I know that Babyface doesn't survive but I would like to see what happens when Victoria awakens. Excellent read! I can't wait to read more from this author. I DEFINITELY recommend that everyone get a copy of this book in your collection.

PRESENT DAY:
This time Babyface couldn't save her. Here lies Victoria in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit; comatose on the brink of death and Babyface hasn't a clue who did this to her!! In turmoil Babyface canvass the hospital room with his eyes as if the perpetrator was hiding in the shadows. Frustrated Babyface goes through Victoria's belongings and comes across her dairy...

REWIND:
Emerging from a trouble childhood, Victoria Gray finally found someone she loves and who loves her back unconditionally...Babyface.

Babyface became Victoria's prince after he saved her from the brutal clutches of Wayne who was in the midst of revealing his true colors to Victoria!! Babyface also being from a trouble past, bonded with Victoria who now felt she had someone worth living for.

With Babyface already living on the streets and Victoria not being able to go back home due to a brewing situation; the good looking pair take it to the streets where they dabble in small time hustling before finding their niche as Pimp and Bottom Hoe.

Bringing in Victoria's childhood friend Penny, this trio takes the pimp and hoe game to another level moving the action through different cities. With Victoria's sexy body and Penny's street smarts, money is gracing "Pimp" Babyface's hands affording them luxury cars and jewelry.

"Pimping hard" is what they do, but as with any "job" there is rivalry and jealousy. With the game of life or death playing to close for comfort it's time to take the money and run.

Read along with Babyface as he searches Victoria's dairy and rewinds back to the past to see if he can find out who harmed his lover. Will the dairy hold the key to her attacker? What secrets will Babyface find out about his beloved Victoria?

Author Jason Poole has taken readers into the world of pimps sporting the big brimmed hats and shinny colored suits with their hoes strutting on the boulevard. But this is a new age and Jason has put a new spin on one of the world's oldest profession and brought it all the way to 2008!!!
The story is fast, intriguing, and sexy. The ending is so SHOCKING it just left me loss for words.

NO-ONE is going to tell you Victoria's Secret, so you're just going to have to buy this book and find out for yourself!!!


Locksie
ARC Book Club Inc.

Jason Poole seizes his readers' undivided attention as he reveals an extraordinary scenario in the grimy lives of the people that personify the oldest profession known to man. He shows us the world of pimps, prostitutes, and the foulness that encamps amidst their daily activities and where they lay their heads. He introduces us to an unforgettable duo that pledge their allegiance to each other and ride like the villainous Bonnie and Clyde into the sunset fearlessly seeking their destiny.

Poole launches the storyline with a frantic Babyface rushing into the hospital looking for his lady Victoria, who's been assaulted and left for dead. He finds her in a coma in ICU fighting for her life without a clue to who, what, when, or most importantly, why. Babyface holds vigil at her bedside and is presented with her diary which gives a vivid and enlightening account of her tumultuous life. This gives him even more respect for her swagger, and makes him more determined to encourage her on to recovery. Babyface is Victoria's fiancé as well as her pimp. As he turns each page of her diary, each new revelation intensifies his thirst for vengeance. Victoria's life seems to have been destined for misery, as her diary reveals her witnessing the horrifying death of both of her parents. Being rejected by family members, she finds a blessing in her placement at the House of Love group home. There she finds her niche among two other orphans that will play a major part in her life in the past and present.

Victoria's Secret is a spellbinding novel that delivers an explicit yet realistic look at the people that live in the realms of the oldest trade in history. Jason Poole taps into all aspects of this taboo lifestyle. He begins with the initial reasoning surrounding the choices that these ladies make when they claim the role of a prostitute, hoe, or lady of the night. The women sleep with any and all to surrender their hard earnings to their pimp! Victoria's Secret is swarming with jealous individuals with cold, conniving hearts, lack of conscience, scheming, competitive, and murderous plots and plans...all for the sake of being that 'bottom bitch.' Pimps up, Hoes down! Great storyline Jason, major props to you!


Reviewed by Tazzyt2bossye
for Urban Reviews

Better Read Than Dead is book 2 in the Psychic Eye series by Victoria Laurie. I pretty much think of this story as "When Everything Goes Kablooey."

In this book, Abby ends up catching the attention of a mob boss, and although she tries to turn down his request to read for him...well, we all know how well saying no to mafia can go. Let's add to that a case she's helping the police investigate, plus a peppering of issues with her dolt of a boyfriend, Dutch, and we have ourselves Abby's blender of a life on a setting of puree.

I really felt for this character's hell in this story. Her realities tapped into a few of my own fears, which made it more tense to read. After reading this, I'm no longer much of a fan for Dutch. I'll be curious to see in future books whether or not he adequately redeems himself. I'm really not so sure though...being embarrassed about Abby's career choice is a mighty big hurdle. I also really don't care for Kendell...sheesh...there's one she could do without.

On the new age side of things, I found it interesting to read Kendell's explanation of how to read tarot cards and what the symbolism means. I was surprised when he explained that pentacles represent winter. Interesting. Sure, sometimes your intuition tells you something different than the symbolism in the card depicts, but if that his explanation is the case then why do most decks I've worked with use more Fall-like imagery for that suit. It was with way with all the suits, really. But then I have to remind myself that this is fiction....

However, I did enjoy it when Cat tried to read tarot cards by memorizing a book on them. You know the sort...the Death card always means somebody's gonna die type. My oh my oh my.

Overall I enjoyed this story. Great tense moments, albeit over-the-top moments sometimes too. Most of all, I just like Abby and am enjoying reading about her a lot. :)

Better Read than Dead is an incredible read. Somehow while reading Victoria Laurie's novels I am sucked into another world where I block out everything else until I finish the book in one day.

Abby finds herself yet again caught up in another mystery. While a rapist is prowling her streets, Milo has asked her to help the police out in trying to track him down while her boyfriend, Dutch is working a case for the FBI. But then while helping a friend out with a wedding gig, she discovers that it is a mafia wedding and they leave early angering the father of the bride. Big Mistake!

Now the the father harrasses Abby until she agrees to work a case for him. He wants to find his wife that he beleives to have disappeared 20 years ago, but Abby discovers otherwise. Then peices of the puzzle start to connect, she discovers the case that Dutch is working on connects to hers and that rapist is also connected to the mafia. Once again Abby's life is put into danger and you have to read page after page to find out how she will get herself out of this mess.

Overall a terrific read like all of Laurie's books!!

Although I enjoy this series and will probably continue to buy the books, I can't help thinking that Abby is incredibly immature. The whole scene with Dutch's new partner was straight out of junior high. And this continues into the next books. As soon as someone tells Abby not to do something, she goes out and does it just to spite them, even if it means putting herself in danger. At 30 something, I would think she'd be a little more grown up. Also, Cat is just plain annoying.

I'm sorry. I hate to disparage anything, but I would enjoy this series a great deal more if Abby could mature a little.

Love these pyschic eye mysteries! They are a little different than the 'run of the mill' junk out there now. Abby is funny, sweet, but fiesty too. She's no super-hero, but she can still solve a mystery. I love that she plays detective while still doing her normal life stuff, going out with boyfriends, talking to her sister, getting chased around the house by a ghost! Good reading!

This was a somewhat entertaining read. However I couldn't really get into it because I was unable to suspend my disbelief while I read the story. *spoiler*
For example, the mob was portrayed as being brutal, but rather stupid. Like why wasn't someone tailing Abby when she went to find the Boss's wife? If they really wanted Abby's cooperation, all they had to do was threaten Abby's sister.

Then the FBI assigns Dutch on a sting operation against a mob family that is based out of the same city where Dutch was a police officer. Oh what brilliance! Like the FBI hasn't heard of a mob family having police officers on the take...

Also, the way Abby orchestrated the conclusion was way over the top, and it should have resulted in the mob killing her the next day.

I won't be reading any more books by this author.

I LOVE this series. Each one just gets better than the next. And talk about grabbing you from page one! Abby and Dutch have just "broken up", and on Valentine's Day no less, when she gets a call from her childhood friend Ellie, asking her to be a stand in bridesmaid for her wedding at the end of the week. So in order to get out of Dodge, and away from Dutch, Abby agrees to go to Colorado to be in the wedding to cover for the missing bridesmaid. But did she leave on her own or did she have "help"? Then more bridesmaid start disappearing. What can Abby do excpet help of course! Abby begins to help the police - and former crush Duffy, find the missing bridesmaids and who is responsible for their disappearnce. For me, at least, the culprit was easy to figure out, but that didn't stop me from finishing this book in just a few short hours. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. A+

Me, being a teen, am a big reader. This book is really good. It has good characters to hear about and it truly made me want to stay up all night just to read it.

It has everything a cozy should be:fun characters, interesting slueth, romance, a bit of psychic powers and a good mystery. I am more than halfway done with the book and love it so much I wanted to order all of the books in the series. I was very disappointed to find out that this is the only one in the Kindle format. I went to the authors website only to find that there was no contact information. It is a real shame because I was willing to buy all of the books.

This is a really fun and fast read. I think I know who did it but not sure. I love it when the author does not make it easy for the reader to figure out who done it, but gives clues. I hope more of this series becomes available in the kindle addition.

Of all the Psychic Eye books, Abby was better in this book than all the others. She was less tedious and annoying (nails-on-a-chalk-board annoying) in this installment. Story-line was only a little predictable in this one. Ms Laurie, could the books end without her needing to be rescued by a man? All-in-all it is a capable cozy mystery.

This is the fourth book in the Psychic Eye series, but the first one that I have read in the series. I picked it up at Half Price Books where they did not have the first one in stock...
The main character is a professional psychic named Abby, and in this book she breaks up with her commitment-phobic FBI boyfriend and catches a plane to be a last-minute bridesmaid in her childhood best friend's wedding. When she arrives, she reconnects with the bride's brother Duffy, and although I don't like romance in mysteries, they make a great couple. Shortly after, she discovers through her spiritual "crew" that the missing bridesmaid is dead. She can tell by looking at a picture; the dead are always flat and lifeless. Then another bridemaid goes missing. The great thing about this book is how she goes back to where she grew up, the family that raised her -which is the bride's family - and and no one questions her psychic ability. The book is well written and pulls you into the story instantly. I was really enjoying the story until the end, where it prompty did an about-face and wrapped up very strangely. For example:
1. She breaks up with her ex after he asks for time apart on Valentines Day, gives her the worst gift ever - a phone with a gps locator and one year paid bill that he got for FREE with HIS new phone. Good riddance right?
2. After meeting a great guy who actually respects her, they become so close that after staying with him, she decides to move to Colorado where he lives - HOWEVER -in the last few pages of the book, she gets shot and accidently speed dials her ex who flies in to be with her in the hospital and they instantly get back together. She gets a dying vision of a girl and Duffy, who turns out to be her doctor in the hospital and decides they're meant to be. She leaves her new boyfriend, the family that raised her, and goes back to her old life with no friends, no family, and her old boyfriend.
Until page 262, I had decided to pick up the next book in the series, and most likely read the first three books as well. The ending was completely out of character with the rest of the book, ruined the story of her starting over a new life, and completely dismissed the chemistry she had with her new love interest. Almost as if another author had taken over and finished the story in a hurry for an upcoming deadline. VERY disappointing. I am done with this series. That said, the quality of story-telling is good enough for me to check out the authors NEW paranormal series Ghost Buster, starring another psychic named MJ.

Reading a Victoria Laurie book is like taking a mental vacation from the usual stress that we all deal with on a day to day basis. The characters make me laugh sometimes and that alone is worth the read. I didn't think I was a fan of "chick" books, but VL books, the Abby Cooper series in particular, are just plain fun to follow. I just bought the "Ghouls" book and hope to enjoy that series as much as the Psychic Eye plots.

The more I read this series, the more I like it and want more! If you're just finding this author, start from the beginning and buy them all. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I loved this book so much-I am usually so good at guessing the endings to books but this one has me so entertained I don't even try to guess the ending. I just relax and enjoy the read.

A Vision of Murder is book 3 in the Psychic Eye series by Victoria Laurie. In this one, Abby, Cat, and Dave end up investing in a haunted house. Of course they didn't know it was haunted at the time, or two of them would have hightailed it immediately.

I picked up on the overall gist of where the story would go right away in this one. I find that most stories that involve WWII and hidden treasures tend to deal with items being stolen from Holocaust victims. However, Laurie does put her own Abby style spin on things that makes for an interesting mystery nonetheless. I found that enjoyable...watching her piece together things. I was more frustrated watching her this time though since if there is a trap for her to walk into, she most assuredly will.

Dolt, *cough* I mean Dutch continued to grate on my nerves in this book. Abby really has odd taste in men. He's a bit too controlling. Sure, she's a spaz and waltzes into trouble, but he often acted like she was an object he owned...one who should drop everything to baby him, and remain locked up in whatever cage he deems fitting. Bleh.

Overall I am still enjoying the pace and the writing style of these stories and most of the characters. Dave and his reaction to the haunted house just tickled me. I would have liked to see some resolution to Cat's issues at the end. The author left us hanging there. Maybe the next book will cover that. Or perhaps we were meant to assume it would all work itself out. I really don't know.

On the new age side of things, I was fascinated with seeing her relate to a ghostly experience. I liked thinking about the idea that some people have different energies that in fact attract ghosts. Dealing with that aspect of things seems pretty intense. I think I'll stick with working with my rocks thank you very much. :P

On to the next book. :)

The third installment of the Abby Cooper series is another hit! The Abby Cooper series is the perfect mystery series with an added mix of supernatural!! This novel even intorduces M.J. Holliday, Laurie's lead character in her new Ghost Hunter Series!

In A Vision of Murder, Abby, her sister Cat and Dave buy a rundown house together in order to fix it up and sell it to make a profit. But the downside is that the house is haunted and Dave refuses to work on the house as that the ghost attacked him on his first day. Thus leading Abby to contact M.J. Abby begins to work on the case of the haunted house along with Dutch and Milo, that leads to a cover up murder and many family secrets of that of a jeweler.

Abby is determined to solve the case no matter what, but there is someone trying to stop her and he will go to any means to stop her, by ranscaking her house, office, and attacking her. Which ultimately leads to problems with Abby and Dutch and trust issues. But Abby will be able to save the day and still make everyone happy!

Overall it is a great read just as all of the Psychic Eye mysteries are! They read so fast and grip you in that it seems that reality doesn't exist!

This installment is my favorite in the Psychic Eye series. It's a good, old fashioned haunted house mystery and also introduces us to M. J. Holliday of the new Ghost Hunter series. I enjoyed the depth added to Abby's relationships with Cat and Dutch. The supporting cast of characters is delightful and has followed Abby throughout the series.

This book is broken down into 70-something wonderful pearls of wisdom and advice-some practical, some nurturing, and some just pointing out where we can appreciate the "now". I would recommend this book for anyone, especially if you have a shorter attention span (each chapter is 2-3 pages), or if you're short on time (you can read a chapter at a stoplight or in line). Excellent insight and wisdom!

A friend of mine gave me "Creating a Charmed Life" last year and told me that she used it to read a chapter at a time to her staff at work. I found myself reading each chapter or essay in a similar manner and enjoyed it very much. So this Christmas I bought two copies to give to friends with the same advice. It has a calming effect in the harried life.

I spotted this book when I was going through a particularly difficult period in my life. (I read the book and truly felt inspired to make changes and to become more accepting of myself and others. I refer to the book all the time-it's like my own little pocket guide to life. Yes, I bleieve in God and have faith but I'll admit, I waiver. I grew up in a house where my mother did not have the skills or confidence in herself to be able to enjoy her own life or teach her daughters to enjoy theirs. If I am lucky enough to have children I will make sure I teach them these principles. Thank you, Victoria Moran for helping me wake up and enjoy life.

I have read this book and loved every chapter!....and I am purchasing a dozen, one for every female on my Christmas list, friends, neices, mother-in-law, setp-mom, etc..... I feel relieved that I am not the only female who feels this way. I especially like Chapters 8, 12, 31, 44....all of them ! This is the book you will read over and over again !!!! Thank you Victoria !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Debbie

This can be useful: to keep this book on your shelf and open it to a fun suggestion at random. It lists ways to treat yourself as a way of reminding yourself to be good to yourself at regular intervals.

But it may only work if you're a very girlie kind of gal: this is something I don't usually notice unless it's very pronounced as it is here. The author's idea of a good time is to dress up with hat and gloves and call all her best girlfriends and go out for a traditional English tea and then to get pampered at the neighborhood spa. I myself would find that a total ordeal!

So, even though she has some good insights, she and I don't have much in common, and this book struck me as more outer-oriented and materialistic than her Lit From Within book, which I would recommend, and which concentrates on inner peace.