Monday, February 18, 2008

Review & Giveaway: Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear

Be sure to read to the bottom to see how you can enter to win a copy of this fun book.

The second in the BARGAIN HUNTER MYSTERIES, Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear is a welcome addition to Sharon Dunn’s books.

Ginger and the other members of the BHN (Bargain Hunter’s Network) are headed to Calamity, NV for what’s been dubbed the world’s largest garage sale. Ginger’s husband Earl is coming along to participate in an inventor’s convention to get his dream off the ground.

Within minutes of finally arriving at the hotel, Ginger finds their plans unraveling all around her. Then her husband has become someone she doesn’t recognize, and they both become embroiled in a murder investigation. Chaos reigns supreme with lots of humor and heart inserted.

The book is filled with quirks from the hotel that has a retro children’s toys theme to the characters themselves. Ginger and her cohorts are as lively as ever and surrounded by a full cast of characters. There’s Xabier who’s been doomed to play a walking teddy bear by his father who owns the Wind-Up Hotel. There’s the former child star who now lives at the hotel. Add in two detectives, one with a metabolism that doesn’t stop and the other with a diet fetish, and a host of other characters, and the book would entertain just in the character department.

But while these characters are filled with quirks, they also have a lot of heart and challenges. Ginger doesn’t want to believe the worst of her husband, but why would he lie to the police? Earl doesn’t understand why Ginger isn’t supporting him as he chases his dream. Kindra is surprised to find herself in a possible relationship and wonder if she can cast aside her list of requirements before falling into a relationship. Suzanne missed her children even though she couldn’t wait to get away from them. And Arleta is trying to live even as she fears she’s growing too old.

I could find something to relate with each of these characters about. Their struggles and questions mirrored some I’ve had and I loved the way the author handled the development of those. I’ve felt misunderstood and unsupported by family and friends at times. Wondered if all those requirements I created were really important.

I enjoyed the plot -- even though it moves at the pace of a cozy mystery -- mainly because the characters made me care about what would happen to them.

Bottom-line: this is an enjoyable mystery that borders on cozy-mystery pacing.

Sharon Dunn is the author of Death of a Garage Sale Newbie, book one in the Bargain Hunters Mysteries, and the Ruby Taylor mystery novels including Sassy Cinderella, which was voted Book of the Year by American Christian Fiction Writers. She earned a BA in television production and a master’s in history Sharon lives in Bozeman, Montana, with her husband of twenty years, three children, two cats, and lots of dust bunnies.


To enter to win a copy of this delightful book, be sure to leave a comment with a bargain-hunting tip. Mine: I try to buy most of my children's clothes on end-of-season clearance. This way I can buy name brands often for the price of clothes at Wal-Mart. I also buy Christmas presents year round when I see something on sale. To keep track of what I've purchased I keep a note-book in my gift closet, and enter all new purchases plus the person it's for in the book. It makes Christmas shopping a snap.

18 comments:

HilLesha O'Nan said...

I buy most of my clothes at yard sales and when they're on clearance at places like Target, JCPenney or TJ Maxx. My best find was a Betsey Johnson dress at a consignment shop for $10. :)

Anonymous said...

i buy books and cds used on amazon or half or at used stores. i do almost all my clothes shopping at clearance or on second hand. i also in return give clothes i'm done with to other people in my church.
i'd love to win a copy of this book! i have the first book in the series! hsmuda[at]gmail[dot]com

Karin said...

The day after Christmas is a great time to pick up half price goods at Target.
I actually love to shop at garage sales--you never know what you might find that you never knew you needed!

Re said...

I like to buy things from craigslist. There's always someone moving around here and most people do not want the expense of packing up and taking things Xcountry - you can get nice big pieces for a song :)

Doreen said...

Definitely buying goodies the day after Christmas is a great way to gather things up for the following Christmas or birthdays--whatever! :)

lyn21 said...

Always use coupons!! You can save so much money

Krista said...

My mother in law is the queen of shopping at Ross so I always go shopping with her there. And the clearance rack at any store is my friend! ;)
Plus I don't turn hand me downs for my son from friends! If it doesn't work for some reason I can either pass it on to someone else or give it to my local crisis pregnancy center.

Rashmi said...

Sounds like a great read! My best tip are those coupon sites online. Great savings there.

I've posted this at my book review/contest blog - A Book Blogger's Diary

Hope that's ok with you. Thanks!
abookblogger at gmail dot com

windycindy said...

Hi, This sounds like a humorous, suspense book. I would like to read it! I buy the after sales for the holiday throughout the year. Then, I have more gifts for everyone! I also shop when items are at least 75% off. Some of my friends have had me shop for them! Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

please enter me in the drawing, thanks!

a new website I found http://freebirthdaytreats.com/ looks great!

I rarely buy name brand items. I usually buy Walmart or Aldi brand. most items I can't tell a difference!

Susan Stitch said...

I have discovered Freecycle.org! It is a place where people post things they want to pass on to others. I use it to share the things I no longer need, and I've received a wrought iron mailbox post, a new glider/rocker that matches my living room, a quesedilla maker, and several business suits...all at no charge! Please include me in the drawing. likes_to_stamp@sbcglobal.net

Thanks for sharing the book AND all of the great shopping tips!

Stacey said...

This book looks terrific. Please add my name into the drawing. Thanks.

stacey_dale[at]yahoo[dot]com

Laura K said...

I buy a lot of my things through Amazon.com's marketplace or half.com sponsored by Ebay. Those are good places for DVDs, books, and CDs.

ashley said...

I like to get to the grocery store super-early on Monday mornign right after they've restocked and without the crowds. THen i can find the best deals and freshest produce.

Tarasview said...

I buy meat that is a couple days from expiring for half the price and put it directly into my freezer to use later. I am also the queen of hand-me-downs. We use them and we pass them on to others.

please enter me in your giveaway

taradawnrobertson (at) hotmail (dot) com

Carole said...

I do the majority of my shopping online, and look for websites that have no sales tax and offer free shipping. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!

cjarvis[at]bellsouth[dot]net

Anonymous said...

Buy bulk. This looks like a fun book.

dbstout(at)juno(dot)com

MarilynInNC said...

What a great book! My best tip is an awesome web site called Slickdeals. They have awesome members who post great deals on everything you could possibly be looking for in the forums. I have saved sooo much money from this site.

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