Download or read book Pearls Gone Wild written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2021-01-04 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The bead goes on in this humorous, not-quite-cozy amateur sleuth mystery by national bestselling author Diane Vallere. Pearls Gone Wild is the sixth romcom novel in the Samantha Kidd fun mystery series. If you like determined sleuths, romantic drama, and hilarious circumstances, then you’ll love Diane Vallere’s zany mystery. Nacre Bleu! Amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd's life is finally on track. It's her normally cultured friend Cat whose life has lost its luster: eight months pregnant and abandoned by her husband the week before Christmas. She ropes Samantha into helping at her boutique, but a string of jewelry thefts threatens her business. And when Cat's husband is found strangled with pearls inside the shop, the last thing she's concerned with is profit. Samantha tries to get a bead on the killer, but when the suspects all clam up, she's left in knots. Add in an unexpected proposal, a flirtatious friend, and a brand new detective, and this is bound to be Samantha's wildest adventure yet. Get tangled up in Pearls Gone Wild today! Pearls Gone Wild is a humorous mystery set in a fictional eastern Pennsylvania town. The series has a cozy mystery feel and features a determined and loyal amateur sleuth and a fresh-start storyline. Pearls Gone Wild is the sixth book in the Samantha Kidd mystery series and appeals to fans of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. For readers who like: humorous mysteries, cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, women sleuths, mystery with humor, fashionable fiction, fashionable mysteries, friendship fiction, traditional mysteries, Pennsylvania fiction, stylish sleuths, funny mysteries, personal growth fiction, crime fiction, murder mysteries, mysteries set in Pennsylvania, fashionable mysteries, mystery with fashion, caper, caper mystery What people are saying about Samantha Kidd: "...the book is enriched by the author's cleverly phrased prose and convincing characterization. The surprise ending will satisfy and delight many mystery fans. A diverting mystery that offers laughs and chills." ~Kirkus Reviews "an impressive cozy mystery from a promising author." ~Mystery Tribune "A really funny mystery with a chicklit feel." ~Susan M. Boyer, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Liz Talbot Mystery Series "Designer Dirty Laundry shows that even the toughest crime is no match for a sleuth in fishnet stockings who knows her way around the designer department. A delightful debut." ~Kris Neri, Lefty Award-Nominated author of Revenge For Old Times' Sake "Combining fashion and fatalities, Diane Vallere pens a winning debut mystery...a sleek and stylish read." ~Ellen Byerrum, National Bestselling author of the Crime of Fashion mysteries "Vallere once again brings her knowledgeable fashion skills to the forefront, along with comedy, mystery, and a saucy romance. Buyer, Beware did not disappoint!" ~Chick Lit Plus "Fashion is always at the forefront, but never at the cost of excellent writing, humorous dialogue, or a compelling story." ~Kings River Life "A captivating new mystery voice, Vallere has stitched together haute couture and murder in a stylish mystery. Dirty Laundry has never been so engrossing!" ~Krista Davis, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Diva Runs Out of Thyme "In Designer Dirty Laundry , author Diane Vallere stitches together a seamless mystery. Samantha Kidd is a witty heroine that you will root for as she fashions a fresh stylish start in her hometown of Ribbon, Pennsylvania." ~Avery Aames, Agatha Award-Winning Author of The Long Quiche Goodbye "Samantha Kidd is an engaging amateur sleuth." -Mysterious Reviews "It keeps you at the edge of your seat. I love the description of clothes in this book...if you love fashion, pick this up!" -Los Angeles Mamma Blog "Diane Vallere takes the reader through this cozy mystery with her signature wit and humor." -Mary Marks, NY Journal of Books "Maybe your handbag holds only a phone and a wallet, but if you're Samantha Kidd, from Diane Vallere's Style & Error series, there may be something deadlier in the bag."~Sheila Connolly, New York Times Bestselling Author of Murder at the Mansion Previously published under the series title "Style & Error" and "Style in a Small Town" mysteries. Join Diane's newsletter THE WEEKLY DIVA and never miss a new release! Sign up here: https://www.dianevallere.com/weekly-diva National bestselling author Diane Vallere writes funny and fashionable character-based mysteries. After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, she traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. A past president of Sisters in Crime, Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since. Diane-Fans describe “her vintage Vallere goodness,” and say she is a “great storyteller” with “a way with creating strong female characters and intrigue” who is “a superb and very humorous writer.” Her gift of creating “spunky sleuths in fun settings” take readers to Dallas, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and outer space. Drop in on Diane! Website: www.dianevallere.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dianevallereauthor Instagram: www.instagram.com/dianevallere ADDITIONAL BOOKS BY DIANE: Samantha Kidd Mysteries (funny, fashion-y mysteries with many mentions of pretzels) Designer Dirty Laundry Buyer, Beware The Brim Reaper Some Like It Haute Grand Theft Retro Pearls Gone Wild Cement Stilettos Panty Raid Union Jacked Slay Ride Tough Luxe Fahrenheit 501 Madison Night Mad for Mod Mysteries (cozy/traditional mysteries winking at Doris Day movies) Midnight Ice (Prequel) Pillow Stalk That Touch of Ink With Vics you get Eggroll The Decorator Who Knew Too Much The Pajama Frame Lover Come Hack Apprehend Me No Flowers Teacher's Threat The Kill of it All Material Witness Mysteries (cozy) Suede to Rest Crushed Velvet Silk Stalkings Costume Shop Mysteries (cozy) A Disguise to Die For Masking for Trouble Dressed to Confess Mermaid Sister Mysteries (cozy mysteries in the ocean) Tails from the Deep Murky Waters Sleeping with the Fishes Non-fiction Bonbons for your Brain
Download or read book Words Gone Wild written by Jim Bernhard and published by Skyhorse Publishing Inc.. This book was released on 2010-06 with total page 257 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar meets...
Download or read book Kids Gone Wild written by Joel Best and published by NYU Press. This book was released on 2014-08-29 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: But why do stories like these find such media traffic, exploiting parents' worst fears? How do these rumors get started, and how do they travel around the country and even across the globe? In Kids Gone Wild, best-selling authors Joel Best and Kathleen A. Bogle use these stories about the fears of the growing sexualization of childhood to explore what we know about contemporary legends and how both traditional media and the internet perpetuate these rumors while, at times, debating their authenticity. Best and Bogle describe the process by which such stories spread, trace how and to where they have moved, and track how they can morph as they travel from one medium to another. Ultimately, they find that our society's view of kids raging out of control has drastic and unforeseen consequences, fueling the debate on sex education and affecting policy decisions on everything from the availability of the morning after pill to who is included on sex offender registries.
Download or read book Maniacal Plutonians Gone Wild written by David Hinshaw and published by AuthorHouse. This book was released on 2008-06 with total page 133 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Chattanooga, Tennessee today is not the same town it was in the nineteen forties through the mid-eighties. Protected by a corrupt and self-serving local government, her masters fattened themselves on illegal enterprise. In this one book you have biography, treachery, and underworld intrigue. You have murder, and attempts at murder. You have innocence accused, and guilt unpunished. You have luxury, power, and privilege with their hands on all the strings. You have white lightning and whiskey runners, colorful whores, one great barroom brawl, and gunfights with such playbills as Cowboy Bob and the Shootout at The Fuzzy Duck. You have all the stuff of fiction, without the burden of a lie, all the benefit of great theatre, without having to leave your favorite chair. The best part of it is, it's all true. Down to the five o'clock shadow on the policemen dressed like prostitutes.
Download or read book Pearls Gone Wild Large Print Edition written by Diane Vallere and published by Samantha Kidd Mysteries. This book was released on 2022-09 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pearls Gone Wild is the sixth romcom novel in the Samantha Kidd mystery series. If you like determined sleuths, romantic drama, and hilarious circumstances, then you'll love Diane Vallere's zany mystery. The bead goes on in Pearls Gone Wild!
Download or read book Pearls Gone Wild written by Diane Vallere and published by . This book was released on 2021-01-07 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pearls Gone Wild is the sixth romcom novel in the Samantha Kidd mystery series. If you like determined sleuths, romantic drama, and hilarious circumstances, then you'll love Diane Vallere's zany mystery.
Download or read book Grand Theft Retro written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2021-01-04 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: National bestselling author Diane Vallere lets the good times roll in this seventies-themed not-quite-cozy book five featuring the humorous antics of amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd! Grand Theft Retro is the fifth hilarious caper in the Samantha Kidd mystery series. If you like over-the-top situations, birthday drama, and a dash of romance, then you’ll love Diane Vallere’s seventies-inspired mystery. Samantha Kidd is all about leaving the past behind. But sometimes the past won't let you go... With her thirty-mumble-birthday on the horizon, amateur sleuth and fashion expert Samantha Kidd is determined to get her life under control. Her steady job at Retrofit Magazine comes with a paycheck, medical benefits, a 401K, and an assignment to dive into seventies style. She's prepared to report on patchwork velvet and platform shoes, but she never expected to uncover the theft of a major collection of samples from the days before disco died. When the guilty party threatens Samantha's family and friends, her priorities shift into protection mode. The investigation heats up faster than fondue over sterno, and all too soon Samantha learns that while the beat goes on, there's no guarantee she'll go on with it. Can Samantha catch a criminal who's been living in plain sight, or will her fresh start turn into a dead end? Pick up Grand Theft Retro today! Grand Theft Retro is a humorous mystery set in a fictional eastern Pennsylvania town. The series has a cozy mystery feel and features a determined and loyal amateur sleuth and a fresh-start storyline. Grand Theft Retro is the fifth book in the Samantha Kidd mystery series and appeals to fans of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. For readers who like: humorous mysteries, cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, women sleuths, mystery with humor, fashionable fiction, fashionable mysteries, friendship fiction, traditional mysteries, Pennsylvania fiction, stylish sleuths, funny mysteries, personal growth fiction, crime fiction, murder mysteries, mysteries set in Pennsylvania, fashionable mysteries, mystery with fashion, caper, caper mystery What people are saying about the Samantha Kidd Mysteries: "...the book is enriched by the author's cleverly phrased prose and convincing characterization. The surprise ending will satisfy and delight many mystery fans. A diverting mystery that offers laughs and chills." ~Kirkus Reviews "an impressive cozy mystery from a promising author." ~Mystery Tribune "A really funny mystery with a chicklit feel." ~Susan M. Boyer, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Liz Talbot Mystery Series "Designer Dirty Laundry shows that even the toughest crime is no match for a sleuth in fishnet stockings who knows her way around the designer department. A delightful debut." ~Kris Neri, Lefty Award-Nominated author of Revenge For Old Times' Sake "Combining fashion and fatalities, Diane Vallere pens a winning debut mystery...a sleek and stylish read." ~Ellen Byerrum, National Bestselling author of the Crime of Fashion mysteries "Vallere once again brings her knowledgeable fashion skills to the forefront, along with comedy, mystery, and a saucy romance. Buyer, Beware did not disappoint!" ~Chick Lit Plus "Fashion is always at the forefront, but never at the cost of excellent writing, humorous dialogue, or a compelling story." ~Kings River Life "A captivating new mystery voice, Vallere has stitched together haute couture and murder in a stylish mystery. Dirty Laundry has never been so engrossing!" ~Krista Davis, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Diva Runs Out of Thyme "In Designer Dirty Laundry , author Diane Vallere stitches together a seamless mystery. Samantha Kidd is a witty heroine that you will root for as she fashions a fresh stylish start in her hometown of Ribbon, Pennsylvania." ~Avery Aames, Agatha Award-Winning Author of The Long Quiche Goodbye "Samantha Kidd an engaging amateur sleuth." -Mysterious Reviews "It keeps you at the edge of your seat. I love the description of clothes in this book...if you love fashion, pick this up!" -Los Angeles Mamma Blog "Diane Vallere takes the reader through this cozy mystery with her signature wit and humor." -Mary Marks, NY Journal of Books "Maybe your handbag holds only a phone and a wallet, but if you're Samantha Kidd, from Diane Vallere's Style & Error series, there may be something deadlier in the bag."~Sheila Connolly, New York Times Bestselling Author of Murder at the Mansion Previously published under the series title "Style & Error" and "Style in a Small Town" mysteries. Join Diane's newsletter THE WEEKLY DIVA and never miss a new release! Sign up here: https://www.dianevallere.com/weekly-diva National bestselling author Diane Vallere writes funny and fashionable character-based mysteries. After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, she traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. A past president of Sisters in Crime, Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since. Diane-Fans describe “her vintage Vallere goodness,” and say she is a “great storyteller” with “a way with creating strong female characters and intrigue” who is “a superb and very humorous writer.” Her gift of creating “spunky sleuths in fun settings” take readers to Dallas, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and outer space. Drop in on Diane! Website: www.dianevallere.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dianevallereauthor Instagram: www.instagram.com/dianevallere ADDITIONAL BOOKS BY DIANE: Samantha Kidd Mysteries (funny, fashion-y mysteries with many mentions of pretzels) Designer Dirty Laundry Buyer, Beware The Brim Reaper Some Like It Haute Grand Theft Retro Pearls Gone Wild Cement Stilettos Panty Raid Union Jacked Slay Ride Tough Luxe Fahrenheit 501 Madison Night Mad for Mod Mysteries (cozy/traditional mysteries winking at Doris Day movies) Midnight Ice (Prequel) Pillow Stalk That Touch of Ink With Vics you get Eggroll The Decorator Who Knew Too Much The Pajama Frame Lover Come Hack Apprehend Me No Flowers Teacher's Threat The Kill of it All Material Witness Mysteries (cozy) Suede to Rest Crushed Velvet Silk Stalkings Costume Shop Mysteries (cozy) A Disguise to Die For Masking for Trouble Dressed to Confess Mermaid Sister Mysteries (cozy mysteries in the ocean) Tails from the Deep Murky Waters Sleeping with the Fishes Non-fiction Bonbons for your Brain
Download or read book Crushed Velvet written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2022-12-20 with total page 281 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Vallere stitches an intrepid heroine together [with] a nicely layered plot that fits well with the fabric imagery. The secret of the velvet makes for a clever surprise. Fans of Jenn McKinlay’s Hat Shop novels may also enjoy this small-town cozy."--Booklist Fabric shop owner Polyester Monroe is back in business--this time getting wrapped up in a diabolical but crafty case of murder. With the reopening of her fabric shop rapidly approaching, Polyester Monroe is stocking up on lush fabrics, colorful notions, and best of all, a proprietary weave of velvet. But upon delivery, it’s not quite the blend she expected, being ninety-percent silk — and ten-percent corpse. Crushed under a dozen bolts of fabric is local business owner Phil Girard. His wife, Genevieve, local tea shop owner and close friend of Poly, is the prime suspect. Granted, Phil may not have been the perfect husband, but surely Genevieve had no reason to kill him! There’s just the small matter of Genevieve’s own incriminating confession: I’m afraid I killed my husband. Now, as the grand opening looms, Poly is torn between a friendship pulling apart at the seams—and finding a smooth killer with a velvet touch… "This entertaining series that began with Suede to Rest continues with yet another fantastic read. In fact, this one may be even better." --Suspense Magazine
Download or read book Buyer Beware written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2021-01-04 with total page 263 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: National bestselling author Diane Vallere brings you book 2 in the humorous not-quite-cozy series featuring funny and fashionable amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd. Buyer, Beware is the second book in the humorous Samantha Kidd mystery series. If you like friendship fiction, fashionable drama, and mysteries that keep you guessing, you’ll love Diane Vallere’s humorous mystery. She needs a paycheck. A murder creates the perfect job. Can she avoid becoming the next victim? Samantha Kidd recently added an unexpected skill to her fashion-heavy resume: solving a crime. But amateur sleuthing doesn’t pay the bills. A new retailer shows interest in hiring her as their handbag buyer, but there’s one big red flag: the last buyer was killed on the job. Moving back to her old hometown was about leaving that career path behind, but Samantha’s out of options. When another person at the store is murdered, the walls close in like a snug, satin lining. Can Samantha get a handle on an inside job without getting caught in the killer’s clutches? Buy Buyer, Beware for laugh-out-loud entertainment today! Buyer, Beware is a humorous mystery set in a fictional eastern Pennsylvania town loosely based on Reading. It has a cozy mystery feel and features a determined and loyal amateur sleuth and a fresh-start storyline. Buyer, Beware is the second book in the Samantha Kidd mystery series and appeals to fans of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. What people are saying: "...the book is enriched by the author's cleverly phrased prose and convincing characterization. The surprise ending will satisfy and delight many mystery fans. A diverting mystery that offers laughs and chills." ~Kirkus Reviews "an impressive cozy mystery from a promising author." ~Mystery Tribune "A really funny mystery with a chicklit feel." ~Susan M. Boyer, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Liz Talbot Mystery Series "Designer Dirty Laundry shows that even the toughest crime is no match for a sleuth in fishnet stockings who knows her way around the designer department. A delightful debut." ~Kris Neri, Lefty Award-Nominated author of Revenge For Old Times' Sake "Combining fashion and fatalities, Diane Vallere pens a winning debut mystery...a sleek and stylish read." ~Ellen Byerrum, National Bestselling author of the Crime of Fashion mysteries "Vallere once again brings her knowledgeable fashion skills to the forefront, along with comedy, mystery, and a saucy romance. Buyer, Beware did not disappoint!" ~Chick Lit Plus "Fashion is always at the forefront, but never at the cost of excellent writing, humorous dialogue, or a compelling story." ~Kings River Life "A captivating new mystery voice, Vallere has stitched together haute couture and murder in a stylish mystery. Dirty Laundry has never been so engrossing!" ~Krista Davis, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Diva Runs Out of Thyme "In Designer Dirty Laundry , author Diane Vallere stitches together a seamless mystery. Samantha Kidd is a witty heroine that you will root for as she fashions a fresh stylish start in her hometown of Ribbon, Pennsylvania." ~Avery Aames, Agatha Award-Winning Author of The Long Quiche Goodbye "Samantha Kidd an engaging amateur sleuth." -Mysterious Reviews "It keeps you at the edge of your seat. I love the description of clothes in this book...if you love fashion, pick this up!" -Los Angeles Mamma Blog "Diane Vallere takes the reader through this cozy mystery with her signature wit and humor." -Mary Marks, NY Journal of Books "Maybe your handbag holds only a phone and a wallet, but if you're Samantha Kidd, from Diane Vallere's Style & Error series, there may be something deadlier in the bag."~Sheila Connolly, New York Times Bestselling Author of Murder at the Mansion For readers who like: humorous mysteries, cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, women sleuths, mystery with humor, fashionable fiction, fashionable mysteries, friendship fiction, traditional mysteries, Pennsylvania fiction, stylish sleuths, funny mysteries, personal growth fiction, crime fiction, murder mysteries, mysteries set in Pennsylvania, fashionable mysteries, mystery with fashion, caper, caper mystery Previously published under the series title "Style & Error" and "Style in a Small Town" mysteries. Join Diane's newsletter THE WEEKLY DIVA and never miss a new release! Sign up here: https://www.dianevallere.com/weekly-diva National bestselling author Diane Vallere writes funny and fashionable character-based mysteries. After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, she traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. A past president of Sisters in Crime, Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since. Diane-Fans describe “her vintage Vallere goodness,” and say she is a “great storyteller” with “a way with creating strong female characters and intrigue” who is “a superb and very humorous writer.” Her gift of creating “spunky sleuths in fun settings” take readers to Dallas, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and outer space. Drop in on Diane! Website: www.dianevallere.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dianevallereauthor Instagram: www.instagram.com/dianevallere ADDITIONAL BOOKS BY DIANE: Samantha Kidd Mysteries (funny, fashion-y mysteries with many mentions of pretzels) Designer Dirty Laundry Buyer, Beware The Brim Reaper Some Like It Haute Grand Theft Retro Pearls Gone Wild Cement Stilettos Panty Raid Union Jacked Slay Ride Tough Luxe Fahrenheit 501 Madison Night Mad for Mod Mysteries (cozy/traditional mysteries winking at Doris Day movies) Midnight Ice (Prequel) Pillow Stalk That Touch of Ink With Vics you get Eggroll The Decorator Who Knew Too Much The Pajama Frame Lover Come Hack Apprehend Me No Flowers Teacher's Threat The Kill of it All Material Witness Mysteries (cozy) Suede to Rest Crushed Velvet Silk Stalkings Costume Shop Mysteries (cozy) A Disguise to Die For Masking for Trouble Dressed to Confess Mermaid Sister Mysteries (cozy mysteries in the ocean) Tails from the Deep Murky Waters Sleeping with the Fishes Non-fiction Bonbons for your Brain
Download or read book Hijacked on a Moon Trek written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2018-09-18 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sylvia Stryker has found her footing in the Moon Unit Corporation--but it’ll take more than fancy dance moves for this amateur sleuth to stay alive on this hilarious rescue mission in space from national bestselling author Diane Vallere. Space sleuth Sylvia Stryker wants more from her day job aboard a Moon Unit than to manage crew uniforms. In her time between moon treks, she turns to hunky hero Neptune for lessons in security training. But when a hijacked space pod lands by their training site and the body of an intergalactic courier is discovered inside, Sylvia’s newly-acquired skills are put to the test. The courier was a friend who shared her interest in back-channel business, and his death seems like a message—or worse, a warning. Determined to seek justice, Sylvia and Neptune assemble a team. But there’s more to this trek through the stars than expected, including fifty rambunctious aliens accidentally beamed aboard the ship, some very nasty space pirates, and one suspicious member of the staff who thought the recruitment message was a call of duty. Now Sylvia’s on a quest to catch a killer, but if she fails, she could wipe out an entire alien race in the process. Hijacked on a Moon Trek is the hilarious third novel featuring uniform lieutenant Sylvia Stryker. If you like humorous mysteries, unique characters, and spacey fun, or read favorites like Joann Fluke or Dakota Cassidy, you'll love Diane Vallere's entertaining interstellar series. Previously published as SATURN NIGHT FEVER. “What a fun, unique, and intriguing story. Love the inside joke about red shirts. That and the laser cat! Lol!!.... Thank you for such an entertaining read!” – Reader “I am pleased to say that after finishing the third book in the series, the enchanting mind of author Diane Vallere continues to charm and come up with even more new fun and adventures around every corner.” – Reader CHAPTER ONE EXCERPT: When Neptune said I fought like a girl, I did the only respectable thing. I hit him. That’s not to say it’s a good idea for dropouts from the space academy to strike their newly-appointed superiors, but in this case, he deserved it. In the two versions of the story that will be told of the incident, at least one will contain the fact that technically, I was in training. Technically, the only reason we were on the helipad on the corner of Neptune’s property was because the helipad was a convenient place to practice. Technically, I was being paid a small sponsorship fee to test the durability of new uniforms designed for Moon Unit Corporation, and technically, the only way I could fully know if the uniforms were durable were to see how they held up when I threw a punch. Neptune’s version might include slight variations. “In case you haven’t noticed, I am a girl,” I said. Neptune was bigger, older, and more experienced than I was, and he probably had more important things to do than spend the day teaching me defensive maneuvers. But never graduating had left me with relatively few channels to advance my learning. After Moon Unit 6 returned from Venus, Neptune contacted me via the comm device implanted in my ear and offered me free room and board in exchange for lessons to pick up where my interrupted education had left off. I’d dropped out when my dad was arrested so I could help my mom with the family dry ice mines. Neptune’s offer to teach me gave us both something of value. I’d accepted, more for me than for him. I’m selfish that way. “You know why you were almost incapacitated on our last moon trek?” he asked. “Because you dropped your guard. You thought size and skill were enough to beat your enemy. You fought fair. You fought like a woman.” “Oh, so now I’m a woman?” I countered. “I grew up fast.” It wasn’t that Neptune treated me like a girl or a woman. He treated me like a student. And most of the time I was okay with that. But the voice in my head that I didn’t want to listen to wondered why someone like Neptune spent time training someone like me. It was a voice that hadn’t had much to question since my dad was arrested. Any attention paid to me usually had strings attached. Retribution for my dad’s crimes, or the novelty of my half Plunian background in a world where lavender women were now rare. More than once I’d fended off advances when I saw where they were headed. I developed a thick skin and narrowed my social circle to a very tight group. But despite the fact that Neptune was a muscular wall of taciturn authority, or maybe because of it, I was attracted to him. I doubted it was the black military-issue cargo gear he wore (did he buy his clothes in bulk?) or the intimidating stance he’d perfected long before I met him (arms crossed, feet shoulder-width apart). I’d never been attracted to men in power—in fact, power was a pretty tried-and-true turn-off. I didn’t know what it was about Neptune that made my lavender skin glow at the least opportune times. I only knew it was important to me to prove to him that I was different. Today, different meant throwing a non-girly punch. He grabbed my wrist and closed my fingers into a fist. His hand was twice the size of mine—tawny against my lavender coloring. “You have to toughen up, Stryker. You’re smart, and you learn information fast, but instincts don’t come from a book.” “I learned how to fight by an accredited Hapkido master. Or have you already forgotten that I dropped you with a sweeping kick because you underestimated me?” He let go of my fist and pointed at me. “Don’t let that go to your head. Success is built on failure. If you learn anything from these lessons, learn that. Failure is your friend.” “I thought failure wasn’t an option? The flight director of Earth’s space shuttle program said it, right? His biography was required reading.” “You didn’t read the book. That’s a made-up quote from a movie script. The flight director liked the line so much he used it for the title of his biography. Lesson number two: check your source. I thought you knew that by now.” I didn’t tell Neptune that I hadn’t read the book because the course took place after I dropped out. I’m pretty sure lesson number three was to keep your weaknesses to yourself. “Repeat it back to me.” “Blah, blah, check your source.” “Repeat what I told you about failure.” “‘Failure is my friend.’” “Remember that.” He turned around and walked a few feet away from me and then turned back. “If you think you can fight because you dropped me—once—then you’ll get complacent. Don’t forget what happened the last time you got complacent.” How could I forget? I almost died. It didn’t help that the fight had been four against one or that my oxygen supply had been cut off, rendering me helpless. My opponents knew my weakness and used it against me. Nothing fair about it. I didn’t want to admit it, but Neptune was right. I’d falsely assumed I could defend myself without too much effort, and my false sense of confidence had worked against me. “Go again,” he said. He bent his knees slightly and prepared for my attack. I swung my arms forward and backward, giant half circles to limber up my shoulders, and felt a seam tear. “Hold on. Uniform malfunction. Moon Unit Corporation thinks they can cut corners by using a different supplier, but the last six uniforms I tested fell apart.” “Where?” “Shoulder.” “Turn around.” I turned and pointed to where I’d felt the split. “What am I supposed to tell them this time? ‘Looks good but you can’t throw a girly punch’?” I felt Neptune tug the split fabric together. Even though I wasn’t looking at him, just the graze of his fingertips against my shoulder blade made me flush. “Why are you wasting your time with uniforms?” “Someday the name ‘Sylvia Stryker’ will be synonymous with space uniforms. After our trip to Venus, the publicity company who planned the hype around the Moon Units contacted me to wear test their prototypes. It’s a little cash on the side between treks and all things considered, I can use the money. I can’t crash here forever.” I knew Neptune wouldn’t pursue the conversation. He understood my predicament: no planet, no family, no home. He was with me the night space pirates destroyed everything I’d ever known. The only reason I agreed to train with him was because there’s a certain security in spending time with someone who prioritized silence over small talk. I could learn a lot from Neptune and I knew it. He could learn from me too. I wasn’t sure he knew that. Yet. Neptune’s loner lifestyle suited him, but I was glad that he begrudgingly allowed me to coexist on his property. Not one to mooch, I made sure to bring what I could to the table. Enter Mattix Dusk, space courier (and my Hapkido instructor) who traveled between the thirteen colonies under Federation Control, to pick up and deliver anything that needed to be picked up or delivered. I introduced the two men and they worked out a mutually acceptable deal. Mattix had use of the helipad and a place to crash while on the Kuiper Belt. Neptune had access to Mattix’s courier contacts and suppliers. And for the foreseeable future, I had not one but two mentors who could further my education. Where Neptune was tall, tawny, and solid muscle, Mattix looked like a piece of worn leather in loose-fitting castoff clothes. Tanned skin, bleached hair worn in a ponytail, and ragamuffin clothes suited him. His job as courier put him in front of shady characters, and he passed along his two most important pieces of advice: look like you have less than the other guy and learn to take care of yourself. Whatever direction my lesson was supposed to go was interrupted by a swiftly approaching space pod. I looked at the sky and watched it glide toward us. It was the Dusk Driver, the space pod that belonged to Mattix. I smiled and waved while backing up so he could land. As his space pod drew closer, alarm bells rang out from the nearby towers. His speed was too fast. He was going to crash. And if I didn’t get out of the way, I’d burn up in the wreckage. Neptune reached the same conclusion before I did. How do I know? When I tore my attention from the incoming space pod to tell Neptune something was wrong, I saw him charge toward me. The impact knocked me to the ground. Either Neptune knew what was happening and wanted to save me, or he was trying to make a point. From the bank of dirt alongside the helipad, the space pod jerked to a halt and then hovered two feet above the ground. Mattix knew better than to approach at the speed he had, but he’d compensated for the potential accident by activating the ship’s invisible buffer: a two foot “bumper” of static electricity that kept the exterior from contacting another surface. It operated much the same way as two magnets held in close proximity. The dueling forcefields pushed away from each other, making it impossible to touch. Mattix wouldn’t have activated the buffer shield unless something was wrong. I scrambled to my feet and, keeping my center of gravity low, approached the space pod. Mattix wouldn’t allow anyone else to navigate the ship without reason, which made what I saw even scarier. The ship was being flown on autopilot. _______________________________________ Is it a cozy mystery set in space, or an outer space with a cozy mystery? You decide! “It is set in outer space, but keeps a true cozy mystery vibe to it at the same time.” – Reader “Hijacked on a Moon Trek was another fantastic addition to this series! Sylvia and the gang are back in what is quite possibly the best installment yet. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I can't get enough of it!” – Reader “This was the best in the series so far, with added depth in backstories for several of the characters.” – Reader For fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, Dune, UFO, The Orville, Galaxy Quest, Lost in Space, and The Jetsons...who also like Hallmark Mysteries. Join Diane's newsletter THE WEEKLY DIVA and never miss a new release! Sign up here: https://www.dianevallere.com/weekly-diva Diane-Fans describe “her vintage Vallere goodness,” and say she is a “great storyteller” with “a way with creating strong female characters and intrigue” who is “a superb and very humorous writer.” Her gift of creating “spunky sleuths in fun settings” take readers to Dallas, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and outer space.
Download or read book Please Don t Push Up the Daisies written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2023-06-27 with total page 229 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: She killed him, she killed him not... When interior decorator Madison Night finally meets the family of boyfriend and police captain Tex Allen, the circumstances are less than joyful. His sister’s broody botanist husband left Lily to raise their four rambunctious boys on her own, and she’s at wit’s end. The only bright spot is the mid-century ranch he gave her in their divorce settlement. The soon-to-be-ex has one request: a face to face with Lily before he says goodbye. Madison offers to go along for moral support, but in lieu of signed settlement papers, she finds the ex’s body crumpled in the corner of the arboretum where he works. When swarm of angry bees sideline Tex, it’s Madison’s job to dig up the secrets that led to the murder — but if she’s not careful, the dirt she uncovers could fill her grave instead. Can Madison weed through the daisy chain of clues or will she risk pushing up daisies herself? Join Diane's newsletter THE WEEKLY DIVA and never miss a new release! Sign up here: dianevallere.com/weekly-diva National bestselling author Diane Vallere writes funny and fashionable character-based mysteries. After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, she traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. A past president of Sisters in Crime, Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since. Diane-Fans describe "her vintage Vallere goodness," and say she is a "great storyteller" with "a way with creating strong female characters and intrigue" who is "a superb and very humorous writer." Her gift of creating "spunky sleuths in fun settings" take readers to Dallas, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and outerspace. Drop in on Diane! Website: dianevallere.com Facebook: Facebook.com/dianevallereauthor or Instagram: instagram.com/dianevallere For readers who love: humorous mysteries, unique amateur sleuths, over 40, over 50, mid-century modern, doris day, decorating mysteries, series, vintage style, women's fiction, character growth, Cleo Coyle, Kate Carlisle, cozy mysteries, contemporary mysteries, books set in Dallas, Texas.
Download or read book Ranch Dressing written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2024-02-27 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Get ready for a laugh-out-loud adventure with Samantha Kidd, the most stylish sleuth in Ribbon, Pennsylvania! In this cozy mystery, Samantha finds herself trading high heels for cowboy boots as she heads to a dude ranch, hoping for a little rest and relaxation. Little does she know a murder mystery is about to lasso her in… When fashionista Samantha Kidd’s father-in-law arranges a week on the dude ranch he’s aiming to buy, Samantha preps for blue skies and clean living. But all too soon she learns life on the ranch is anything but calm. When the owner is found dead inside one of the stables, all signs point to murder. As Samantha wrangles clue after clue, she smells something rotten—and it’s not manure. In her quest for the truth, she encounters quirky cowhands, brazen barrel racers, and suspicious horseplay—not to mention a social paradigm straight from the eighteen hundreds. Can Samantha bring justice to the wild west of eastern New Jersey, or will a renegade ranch dweller get away with murder? Ranch Dressing is a hilarious western adventure that will have you laughing 'til the cows come home. Yeehaw!
Download or read book Silk Stalkings written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2022-12-20 with total page 283 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Diane Vallere has stitched up an engaging new series.”—Sofie Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of the Magical Cats Mysteries Fabric shop owner Polyester Monroe can get tangled up in textiles, but it's murder that really throws her for a loop in the third Material Witness mystery... The time has come for the annual Miss Tangorli beauty pageant, and Polyester Monroe has agreed to use her fabric store’s inventory of shimmery silks to create gowns fit for a crown. But when the man who revived the city’s citrus trade with his imported Tangorli tree is found dead days before the pageant contestants are announced, something sour takes over the town. To make matters worse, Poly’s closest friend is caught up in the crime, having been seen in the company of the case’s prime suspect. Juicy secrets come to light, creating tension in the small California town. Now while Poly juggles seamstresses and a gaggle of pageant contestants, the killer seems intent to put the squeeze someone she loves. “With delightfully engaging characters and riveting mystery, it is a series I am looking to see more of!”—Open Book Society
Download or read book Suede to Rest written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2022-12-17 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “There’s a new material girl in town…[A] resourceful and gutsy sleuth.”—Krista Davis, New York Times bestselling author of the Domestic Diva Mysteries Unraveling family secrets can be murder... When Polyester Monroe was young, she loved playing in her family's textile store. But after a fatal tragedy, Land of A Thousand Fabrics was boarded up and Poly never expected to see the inside again. These days her time is spent designing prom dresses from cheap fabrics and covering the flaws with a glue gun. When her great uncle passes away and leaves her the fabric store, she sees it as a sign to change her life. But when a man connected to her family’s tragedy is found dead in the parking lot behind the store the day after she moves in, her illusions of reopening the glamorous fabric store are shredded. Poly pulls at threads to unravel the truth, but can she keep herself out of the fray? Suede to Rest is the first charming Material Witness cozy mystery. If you like small-town settings, killer textiles, and crafty killers, then you'll love Diane Vallere's fun, fabric-themed series. “Vallere weaves a tapestry of finely knit characters, luxurious fabrics, and…murder.”—Janet Bolin, national bestselling author of the Threadville Mysteries
Download or read book Four Score written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2022-04-06 with total page 613 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Score these humorous mystery series starters by national bestselling author Diane Vallere in one bingeable collection! FOUR SCORE Starter Bundle includes: DESIGNER DIRTY LAUNDRY, Samantha Kidd Mystery #1: Ready to redesign her life, style expert Samantha Kidd accepts a job in her Pennsylvania hometown as a trend specialist. But her first day goes completely A-line when she stumbles across her legendary boss dead in the elevator. And after the body disappears, she can't help but pull on the mystery's thread and unravel an entire wardrobe of suspects. Can Samantha put a killer in the spotlight before she's sewn up for a crime she didn't commit? MIDNIGHT ICE, Madison Night Mystery #0 (prequel): When Doris Day-loving decorator Madison Night crosses the country to distance herself from a breakup, she learns it’s harder to escape her past than she thought. The man who broke her heart turns up in the unlikeliest place -- the hotel lobby. His presence is unnerving; winning her back does not seem to be on his agenda. Can Madison keep her cool while spying on her ex, or will her curiosity put her on ice? FLY ME TO THE MOON, Sylvia Stryker Mystery #1: Sylvia Stryker used to help run her parents' dry ice farm, until her dad's arrest nearly left them bankrupt. But after finagling a job on board an outer space cruise ship, she's ready to explore all that outer space has to offer. With a private room in the staff quarters, her robot cat by her side, and the responsibilities of uniform management, Sylvia is thrilled to return to work--until she discovers the second navigation officer dead in the inventory closet. Can Sylvia expose a killer while keeping her presence under wraps? TAILS FROM THE DEEP, Mermaid Sister Mystery #1: Zoe wasn’t looking for trouble. As the middle daughter in a family of three mermaid sisters, she never gets the attention she deserves. She spends her days frolicking with sea creatures by the sunken battleship that sits at the edge of Sirenia, and her nights being lectured about danger. But when she finds a diver trapped in the kelp by the wreckage, she overcomes her shock to free him. The problem? The only available tool to cut him loose is in the body that on the ocean floor beside him. Zoe is used to being invisible around the other mermaids, but will digging for clues in the ocean floor lead to her watery grave? Get out your sleuthing gear and discover your new favorite amateur sleuth. (or fall in love with all four. Score!)
Download or read book Love Me or Grieve Me written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2022-10-25 with total page 255 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reports of Madison Night’s death have been greatly exaggerated… When a junior copy editor at the local newspaper mistakenly uses interior decorator Madison Night’s life story in the obituary of a recently deceased woman with a similar name, Madison’s life turns upside down. Addison Nigh, a once in-demand jazz vocalist, had fallen into obscurity, and her death notice surprises only those who thought she died decades ago. Canceled lines of credit and a swarm of condolences to Madison’s loved ones are just the tip of the iceberg, but when the decorator discovers evidence that the real dead woman played a part in an unsolved murder, their identity mix-up gives Madison backstage access to a life of secrets. As parallels between the singer’s life and her own become impossible to ignore, Madison questions the true price of fame. But Madison isn’t the only one to discover the singer’s buried secrets, and if she’s not careful, the next obituary might be her own. Can Madison protect a lyrical past with notes similar to her own, or will exposing the truth be her swan song? The Madison Night Mysteries feature a main character who has modeled her life and business after the actress. Each book winks at a different Doris Day movie while delivering a contemporary mystery with an engaging supporting cast. For fans of Doris Day, mid-century modern decorating, Dallas, Texas, over-50 protagonists, amateur sleuths, women sleuths, cozy mystery, traditional mystery, vintage style.
Download or read book Cement Stilettos written by Diane Vallere and published by Polyester Press. This book was released on 2021-01-04 with total page 205 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It's mafia mayhem in book seven of the humorous, fashionable, and not-quite cozy amateur sleuth series by national bestselling author Diane Vallere. Cement Stilettos is the seventh installment in the funny and fashionable Samantha Kidd mystery series. If you like outrageous plots, surprising secrets, and a makeover to end all makeovers, then you’ll love Diane Vallere’s hilarious mystery. Leave the cannoli. Take the shoes! When newly engaged amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd discovers the body of a mafia princess dead in fiancé and shoe designer Nick Taylor's showroom, her questions are so numerous she'd need a bookie to keep track. The victim's ties to local organized crime are unexpected. Nick's apparent vow of silence makes Samantha question the vows in their future, and despite past promises, all bets are off. Wise guys and leopard ladies keep her busier than a consigliere during tax season, and if she can't keep her head above water, she'll end up sleeping with the fishes. Can Samantha's offer to help outweigh the offers Nick supposedly can't refuse? Cement Stilettos is a humorous mystery set in a fictional eastern Pennsylvania town. The series has a cozy mystery feel and features a determined and loyal amateur sleuth and a fresh-start storyline. Cement Stilettos is the seventh book in the Samantha Kidd mystery series and appeals to fans of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, the Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano, and the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. For readers who like: humorous mysteries, cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, women sleuths, mystery with humor, fashionable fiction, fashionable mysteries, friendship fiction, traditional mysteries, Pennsylvania fiction, stylish sleuths, funny mysteries, personal growth fiction, crime fiction, murder mysteries, mysteries set in Pennsylvania, fashionable mysteries, mystery with fashion, caper, caper mystery, laugh out loud murder mysteries, lol crime fiction, small town crime, funny whodunnits, chick lit mysteries, rom com mysteries, crime capers, clean mysteries, mafia mysteries, crime families, mafia caper Looking for your next great read? Fuggedaboudit! Read Cement Stilettos today! What people are saying about Samantha Kidd: "...the book is enriched by the author's cleverly phrased prose and convincing characterization. The surprise ending will satisfy and delight many mystery fans. A diverting mystery that offers laughs and chills." ~Kirkus Reviews "an impressive cozy mystery from a promising author." ~Mystery Tribune "A really funny mystery with a chicklit feel." ~Susan M. Boyer, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Liz Talbot Mystery Series "Designer Dirty Laundry shows that even the toughest crime is no match for a sleuth in fishnet stockings who knows her way around the designer department. A delightful debut." ~Kris Neri, Lefty Award-Nominated author of Revenge For Old Times' Sake "Combining fashion and fatalities, Diane Vallere pens a winning debut mystery...a sleek and stylish read." ~Ellen Byerrum, National Bestselling author of the Crime of Fashion mysteries "Vallere once again brings her knowledgeable fashion skills to the forefront, along with comedy, mystery, and a saucy romance. Buyer, Beware did not disappoint!" ~Chick Lit Plus "Fashion is always at the forefront, but never at the cost of excellent writing, humorous dialogue, or a compelling story." ~Kings River Life "A captivating new mystery voice, Vallere has stitched together haute couture and murder in a stylish mystery. Dirty Laundry has never been so engrossing!" ~Krista Davis, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Diva Runs Out of Thyme "In Designer Dirty Laundry , author Diane Vallere stitches together a seamless mystery. Samantha Kidd is a witty heroine that you will root for as she fashions a fresh stylish start in her hometown of Ribbon, Pennsylvania." ~Avery Aames, Agatha Award-Winning Author of The Long Quiche Goodbye "Samantha Kidd is an engaging amateur sleuth." -Mysterious Reviews "It keeps you at the edge of your seat. I love the description of clothes in this book...if you love fashion, pick this up!" -Los Angeles Mamma Blog "Diane Vallere takes the reader through this cozy mystery with her signature wit and humor." -Mary Marks, NY Journal of Books "Maybe your handbag holds only a phone and a wallet, but if you're Samantha Kidd, from Diane Vallere's Style & Error series, there may be something deadlier in the bag."~Sheila Connolly, New York Times Bestselling Author of Murder at the Mansion Previously published under the series title "Style & Error" and "Style in a Small Town" mysteries. Join Diane's newsletter THE WEEKLY DIVA and never miss a new release! Sign up here: https://www.dianevallere.com/weekly-diva National bestselling author Diane Vallere writes funny and fashionable character-based mysteries. After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, she traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. A past president of Sisters in Crime, Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since. Diane-Fans describe “her vintage Vallere goodness,” and say she is a “great storyteller” with “a way with creating strong female characters and intrigue” who is “a superb and very humorous writer.” Her gift of creating “spunky sleuths in fun settings” take readers to Dallas, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and outer space. Drop in on Diane! Website: www.dianevallere.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dianevallereauthor Instagram: www.instagram.com/dianevallere ADDITIONAL BOOKS BY DIANE: Samantha Kidd Mysteries (funny, fashion-y mysteries with many mentions of pretzels) Designer Dirty Laundry Buyer, Beware The Brim Reaper Some Like It Haute Grand Theft Retro Pearls Gone Wild Cement Stilettos Panty Raid Union Jacked Slay Ride Tough Luxe Fahrenheit 501 Stark Raving Mod Madison Night Mad for Mod Mysteries (cozy/traditional mysteries winking at Doris Day movies) Midnight Ice (Prequel) Pillow Stalk That Touch of Ink With Vics you get Eggroll The Decorator Who Knew Too Much The Pajama Frame Lover Come Hack Apprehend Me No Flowers Teacher's Threat The Kill of it All Love Me or Grieve Me Material Witness Mysteries (cozy) Suede to Rest Crushed Velvet Silk Stalkings Costume Shop Mysteries (cozy) A Disguise to Die For Masking for Trouble Dressed to Confess Mermaid Sister Mysteries (cozy mysteries in the ocean) Tails from the Deep Murky Waters Sleeping with the Fishes Non-fiction Bonbons for your Brain
