Veiled Revenge by Ellen Byerrum

When it comes to fashion, no one knows it quite like Lacey Smithsonian, ‘Crimes of Fashion’ columnist in Washington, D.C.

Working as a fashion reporter in Washington, D.C., Lacey dishes advice to the clothing-clueless big wigs on the political scene as she improves the town one fashion disaster at a time.

In Veiled Revenge Lacey’s best friend, Stella, is finally getting married and fashion is the utmost importance when planning a wedding. But the clothes may have a different effect for this wedding party. Marie Largesse, bridesmaid and fortune teller, bring a stunning Russian shawl to Stella’s bachelorette party. She warns the shawl can either be a blessing or curse for the one who wears it.

A party crasher mocks the shawl and the next day is found dead. Could the shawl really be cursed? Lacey believes otherwise and sets out to find the killer in order to give her friend the ‘happily every after’ she deserves.

Author Ellen Byerrum, a journalist herself, has created a realistic protagonist in Lacey that readers are drawn to and adore. The cast of supporting characters are well developed, engaging and add to the intrigue of the story. The reader is placed in Washington, D.C., amid the action.

The story flows smoothly and keeps you guessing until the end. With twists and turns, Veiled Revenge will be hard to put down once you begin. Bits of fashion tips are also scattered throughout the story as an added bonus.

Veiled Revenge is the 9th installment in the Crime of Fashion Mystery series, but can be read on its own. However, to really appreciate the protagonist and the journey she has made, I would recommend reading the series in order. The others books include: Killer Hair (August 2003), Designer Knockoff (August 2004), Hostile Makeover (August 2005), Raiders of the Lost Corset (July 2006), Grave Apparel (July 2007), Armed and Glamorous (July 2008), Shot Through Velvet (February 2011), and Death on Heels (February 2012).

Author Ellen Byerrum’s website is http://www.ellenbyerrum.com.

Veiled Revenge by Ellen Byerrum, A Crime of Fashion Mystery, Obsidian, @2013, ISBN: 978-0451239518, Paperback, 336 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 
Thanks for stopping by today. Do you enjoy books set in the nation’s capital?

Sunday Salon: Time for Reviews

SHOT THROUGH VELVET by Ellen Byerrum

Fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian has been one of my favorite protagonist for sometime.

Lacey knows her way around the fashion world and has an uncanny knack for finding dead bodies. She can pull off wearing vintage clothes while tracking down killers.

On her latest assignment Lacey is covering the last day of operation for a failing Virginia velvet factory. She’s on the tour with her hunky boyfriend, Vic Donovan, who will take over the security operations of the factory the next day. In the last vat of dye, the group finds not only a spool of midnight blue velvet but the body of the factory’s manager, nicknamed Blue Devil by the employees.

Workers dub the killer the ‘Velvet Avenger’ since they blame the manager, as well as the factory owners for closing the plant and costing them their jobs. Lacey has her hands full when she learns the newspaper’s publisher is one of the factory owners and appears to be targeted by the killer.

While trying to expose the killer, Lacey is also dealing with the dread of impending doom as she fears the Valentine’s Day curse will strike her again.

Author Ellen Byerrum touches on the economic hard times many are currently facing, but at the same time adds bits of humor to make Lacey’s story a fun read. SHOT THROUGH VELVET is the seventh installment in the Crime of Fashion Mystery series, but is a stand alone book.

Author Ellen Byerrum’s website is http://www.ellenbyerrum.com/

Shot Through Velvet by Ellen Byerrum, A Crime of Fashion Mystery, Obsidian, @2011, ISBN: 978-0-451-23250-2, Paperback, 336 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

DÉJÀ VU by Fern Michaels

The Sisterhood, no longer fugitives, can begin to get on with their lives thanks to a presidential pardon.

As the ladies begin to settle in, they still have to deal with the fact that master criminal Hank Jellicoe is still at large. When approached by the Presidents the Sisterhood decides it’s time to bring the cunning mastermind to his knees.

Using their own unique tricks of the trade, the Sisterhood does what it does best - finds justice for those wronged giving the readers a few laughs along the way.
 
Déjà vu is the 19th installment in the Sisterhood Series. The story can be read without having read the previous books, but there will be gaps in the story.

Fern Michaels' website is http://fernmichaels.com/

Déjà vu by Fern Michaels, The Sisterhood Series, Read by Laura Merlington, Brilliance Audio, @2010, ISBN: 1-4418-1896-0, Abridged, 4 Cds, 4 Hours Run Time

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was given to me by my best friend who also enjoys the Sisterhood series and was the one who introduced me to this intriguing group of ladies.

Now what have you read (or listened) to this past week?