Baby Needs A New Pair Of Shoes (Red Dress Ink Novels) [Paperback]

Lauren Baratz-Logsted (Author)

Book Description

Series: Red Dress Ink Novels | Publication Date: September 1, 2008

For herein Fortune shows herself to be more kind Than is her custom.

That's Shakespeare.

In case you're wondering.

If you were Delilah "Baby" Sampson, you'd already know that. Delilah got hooked on the Bard back in college. Then she briefly got hooked on Singapore Sling cocktails. And then she got tossed out of school. Yes, when Delilah discovers something she likes, she really sticks with it.

These days, her addictions include sudoku, lime diet cola and now…Jimmy Choos. Oh, Baby's gotta have those shoes!

But on her window-washer salary, $700 for one pair is a stretch. Which leads us to her latest obsession…gambling.

With an impromptu posse, including an elderly movie star, two Brazilian lesbians and Hillary Clinton (no, not that one!), Delilah hits the casinos and discovers that she's a natural-born high-roller. Every win puts her closer to those beloved Choos. And as the "21s" keep dropping, so do the men…right at her feet. But for a girl who never knows when to fold 'em, gambling and casino guys are not healthy habits. She could end up losing her shirt, her head…and a whole lot more.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Delilah “Baby” Sampson has an obsessive-compulsive personality. It compels her to eat the same thing every day. It earns her the “Golden Squeegee” nickname at her window-washing job. And, when a chick-lit book introduces her to Jimmy Choo shoes, it leads her to gambling. It’s in her blood: her father, “Black Jack” Sampson, has won—and lost—several fortunes. Cheered on by her fellow shoe-worshippers, roommate Hillary Clinton (not that one) and elderly film star Elizabeth, Delilah wins nearly enough for her Choos. She also meets Billy Charisma, a professional gambler who keeps winning alongside her, and he decides to take his “talisman” to Vegas. Of course, Baby’s luck is about to turn spectacularly. Chick-lit romance author Baratz-Logsted offers a humorous, original twist on the typical singleton-in-heels story. The parade of quirky characters and situations make for happy, escapist reading. --Aleksandra Walker

About the Author

Lauren Baratz-Logsted is the author of many adult books, including the international bestseller The Thin Pink Line. This is her first book for teens. She lives with her family in Danbury, Connecticut.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Red Dress Ink (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373895763
• ISBN-13: 978-0373895762
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,990,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was an independent bookseller and buyer for 11 years before deciding to take a chance on myself as a novelist. While trying to sell my books, I worked variously as a Publishers Weekly reviewer, a freelance editor, a sort-of librarian, and a window washer. My first novel, The Thin Pink Line, about a woman who fakes an entire pregnancy, was published by Red Dress Ink in 2003 as their own first-ever hardcover. They've since published two more of my books, Crossing The Line (a sequel) and A Little Change Of Face. In September they'll publish a fourth: How Nancy Drew Saved My Life, a comic gothic that's equal parts Nancy Drew, Jane Eyre and Chick-Lit. 2006 will also see the publication of two other of my novels: Vertigo, a literary novel set in the Victorian era with erotic and suspense undertones, from Bantam in October; and Angel's Choice, an earnest YA about teen pregnancy from Simon & Schuster in December. I'm also a contributor to the Jane Austen fiction/nonfiction anthology Flirting With Pride & Prejudice and editor/contributor of the anthology This IS Chick-Lit, due out from BenBella Books in the fall. I live in Danbury, CT, with my wonderful husband Greg and my equally wonderful daughter Jackie.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars One of the author's worst..., November 16, 2010

By 

C.Smith - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes (Red Dress Ink Novels) (Kindle Edition)

I'm a big fan of the chick lit genre and I've read a couple of Lauren Baratz-Logsted previous books and enjoyed them. This one, however, I just couldn't get through. Nothing was exciting enough to keep my attention. Normally, I don't give up on books; I tend to finish them, if not just to see what happens. With this book, I couldn't even get past page 30. That's how boring it was.

Unless you're really into gambling and shoes, I'd urge you to not waste money on purchasing this book. And if you're looking for quality chick lit, try Sophie Kinsella instead. She at least knows how to write intriguing plots and likable characters.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Really?, July 2, 2009

By 

A. Shekdar - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes (Red Dress Ink Novels) (Kindle Edition)

I love books, especially the hilarious kind that are an easy read. As an example, Sophie Kinsella is one of my fave authors in this style of books and I can't wait for her next one.

This book, despite the great reviews doesn't, in my opinion, qualify as an easy, fun read. It doesn't engage me. I read the first few pages and put it down and forgot about it for 3 weeks - I wouldn't pick it up even when I was out of other material. Then I decided to give it a shot again -perhaps the story would evolve. Nope.

The characters are interesting enough but they don't develop at all - they are all on the surface and I couldn't bring myself to care for them. Never again will I pick up this author's books

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute but underdone...., August 20, 2011

By 

J. Woolston (Indiana, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Baby Needs A New Pair Of Shoes (Red Dress Ink) (Paperback)

I loved two of the authors previous books so I was excited to read this one. The story is unique and fun but the only character who truly develops a bit is baby/Delilah. Everyone else is a bit flat and underdone which was a bit of a let down. I wanted to know more about the yo yo guy or the gambler. Also, the way in which Billy bows out after they lose their stakes hints at his criminal nature but never tells the reader Anything! I hate books that give a glimmer of an idea and then snuff it out. The shoes were well described as was the main characters compulsions. Readers may sympathize with her a lot, but the rest of the tale needs more development and detail. I had no problem devouring this novel in 2 sittings but I felt cheated at the end. it is a fun book but misses the mark