Review/Giveaway: Gilt Trip by Laura Childs

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
ARC (available in hardcover)

Publisher:
Berkley Prime Crime

Release Date:
October, 2013

Scrapbook shop owner, Carmela Bertrand, and her very best friend, Ava, are invited to a “Get Out of Jail Free Party” in honor of Jerry Earl Leland. Jerry Earl is a wealthy Louisiana businessman who served only part of his jail sentence for a white-collar crime.  His wife wants to celebrate with all of the other wealthy people of New Orleans with a big splashy party. However, things don't go exactly as planned.

As Carmela and Ava are enjoying themselves, things take a terrible turn when Jerry Earl spills out of  a clothes dryer and lands by Carmela's feet. As her past has shown, she has a knack for being in the wrong place, at the wrong time. This time is no exception. Just ask the local police, especially her detective boyfriend.

Since Carmela has so much experience in solving murders, Jerry Earl’s wife begs her to find his killer.  She has no choice but to put herself in the middle of the investigation, once again.

Carmela quickly learns that Jerry Earl was not very well-liked by everyone and the suspect list keeps increasing by the minute. When another dead body turns up, she knows she can waste no time in finding the killer - especially since she's the one to discover all these dead bodies. With some help from Ava, they give the police some unwanted help before anyone else gets hurt or worse.

I’ve only read a couple of books in this series and I really need to catch up with it. I love Carmela. She’s such a fun character, full of life and spark. I’m so rooting for her to be with Babcock. She stands up for herself and is a very strong character. Ava is another character who I think is wonderfully written. She is flighty and sassy.  Readers will adore both of them. They remind me so much of Thelma and Louise or even Lucy and Ethel. LOL

I read this book in a few short days. It is fast-paced and well-written.  The story went in several different directions until we were given a madcap ending that fit the book very well.  The author also includes scrapbooking tips and recipes.

Like I said, I need to catch up on this series (it’s #11 of the “A Scrapbooking Mystery” series) and I will definitely be going for the author’s other two series soon.

FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

For reading challenge:

2013 Where Are You Reading Challenge? (Louisiana)

BOOK GIVEAWAY (International) !!!!

How would you like to win a copy of Gilt Trip for your very own? Thanks to author Laura Childs, I have two autographed books to giveaway to two lucky winners. 

Just a few simple rules...

1) You must fill out the form below.

2)  International Giveaway!

3)  For one entry:  Leave a comment for the author.

4) For an extra entry: Follow this blog

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6) For an extra entry: Follow me on Goodreads

7) For an extra 2 entries: Post this giveaway on your blog.

8) For an extra 2 entries: Tweet about this giveaway.

The giveaway begins on October 2nd (midnight est) and ends on October 10th (midnight est).

The winners will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

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