Customer Reviews

Bubbles a Broad

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BUBBLES A BROAD by Sarah Strohmeyer

February 24, 2006

Amazon rating ****

BUBBLES A BROAD I felt was much better than the previous installments of the novels about Bubbles Yablonsky. Bubbles is a hairdresser by trade, but she's just graduated from TWO GUYS Community College (in Lehigh, Pennsylvania) with a degree in (I think) journalism. She's trying to land a job with the local paper when she finds an opportunity to "interview" Carol Weaver, a woman that was in jail for the murder of her husband the wealthy and powerful Hal Weaver. Carol had just sprung herself out of jail and was now on the lam. This was really big news, so of course Bubbles was quite excited to have this opportunity, as Carol had shown up on Bubbles' doorsteps, asking for help. After Carol leaves, Bubbles goes to bed, only to be awakened at four in the morning by the sounds of someone in her house, and she later escapes narrowly with her life when that someone shoots at her bed. Granted, it was only with a BB gun, but the fact is, someone wanted to hurt Bubbles but for what reason, no one knew - yet.

With the help of Detective Mickey Sinkler, Bubbles' friend from the police force (Mickey has a huge crush on Bubbles) and Bubbles' current love interest Steve Stiletto, an award wining AP photographer (and very good looking to boot), Bubbles solves the mystery of who really killed Hal Weaver, a wealthy millionaire who had been having an affair with at least one woman before his murder. He's also made a number of enemies during his time. Was Carol the jealous wife who killed her husband in a jealous rage? Or was there someone else involved that had a vendetta against Hal?

Bubbles has troubles of her own when a former client of hers, Lorena Ludwig, crosses paths with Bubbles when they are both asked to cover a meeting with the Historical Society. (Lorena is a recent graduate of TWO GUYS Community College, in photography) Unfortunately, Lorena was not a happy former client, her life ruined after a botched job before her wedding, and throughout the novel, Lorena is found trying to exact revenge on Bubbles in a number of imaginative ways.

In the mean time, the romance between Bubbles and Stiletto are heating up, especially when Bubbles is asked to move in with him while her home is being investigated as a crime scene. Bubbles' mother Lulu Yablonsky is also in the picture, along with her sidekick Genevieve, both women crazy as ever. There are a lot of off the wall characters as well as an interesting mystery to solve. I didn't figure out who the murderer was until toward the end of the book, although Bubbles did come across some well thought-out theories on some possible suspects. I've two more books in this series to read, and hope to get to them in the next few months. They are fast beach reads for when one wants to read a no-brainer and be entertained.

Carol Weaver escapes from prison, where she was serving time for killing her husband, and runs straight to her former manicurist, Bubbles Yablonsky, for help. Thus the scene is set for the plotting and pacing of this wacky fourth novel in Sarah Strohmeyer's amusing series. But, strange as it may seem, Bubbles is not such a bizarre choice. Since our heroine is trying to earn a permanent slot writing for the News-Times, and has been doing some feature stories on the mysterious death of another Lehigh Steel Company executive, her determination to learn the truth could actually work in Carol's favor.

And, sure enough, the former beauty salon operator begins to search for clues that will help clear the former corporate wife. She could even bring to justice those responsible for other big business shenanigans that may even include murder, along with the customary cover-ups.

The story line is a bit complicated and would require many more compound and run-on sentences to summarize. But never mind. "Story" is not why we read Chick Lit. We read it to be transported out of our own everyday problems and into the dramas of someone else's life. And, with Bubbles around, drama abounds. Each of the many characters, well drawn and quirky, has a storyline that will somehow tie into the whole.

In addition, if you are from the East Coast, each character will remind you of someone you know as you nod your head and smile in recognition. I especially like Lulu Yablonsky, Bubbles's mother, who doles out pearls of wisdom. Lulu's take on Female Economics 101: "...men have needs which women manipulate in exchange for goods and services."

Pennsylvania's answer to Legally Blonde narrates as if she were telling this story to her best friend during a long weekend. Strohmeyer deftly captures the vernacular of the Lehigh Valley's blue-collar middle-class without resorting to vulgar expressions and never allows her players to slip out of character. And, of course, she leaves nothing out as she breaks her vow of chastity with Steve Stilleto, the hunk of her dreams. It gets pretty chaotic and a little Abbott and Costello-ish at times, but through it all Bubbles prevails and eventually sorts everything out.

To get the full impact of Bubbles's adventures, you may want to begin with BUBBLES UNBOUND, followed by BUBBLES IN TROUBLE, and then BUBBLES ABLAZE. Her style is more Donna Andrews (MURDER WITH PEACOCKS) than Janet Evanovich, but Strohmeyer has already gathered quite a following of "Bubbleheads" and is sure to keep her fans cheering through many future adventures.

--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding

Okay, so I liked the book so much I wrote it! Just saying hello and inviting you to stop by our website, http://www.sarahstrohmeyer.com to check out our FREE BUBBLES OR BUST! T-shirt offer. We Bubblesheads have a blast all year long and even more fun on the road. Dress up as Bubbles, show up at a signing (maybe one's near you...see our EVENTS page) and get more free stuff! Serious literature, this ain't. Great story, lots of laughs and hot romance it is. Enjoy! Sarah

Everyone told you of the story in previous reviews so I will tell you about what I thought of it. When I began this was my first Bubbles book and having been an avid Janet Evanovich fan for years I thought the story was too similar for my taste. The wacky nature of the tale seemed like a sister series. However, I soon discovered that wasn't the case Bubbles was fun and funny! I was very wrong. Bubbles is outrageous and flamboyant in a fantastic way and her mother is absolutely hilarious. This book has me now addicted to another author Sarah Strohmeyer. The characters are well written and pop off the page, which is what I adore in fun books. To be able to see the characters in your head in these situation requires skill and Sarah Strohmeyer has both the talent and skill to do this.
From the beginning I couldn't wait for what was next! I can't recommend this series enough. Now, I can't wait to get the others and get on the band wagon of waiting for each new volume in Bubbles series.

A comment now to the publishers "Get them on Audio by Recorded Books now" preferably read by C.J. Critt. I would love to be able to listen to Bubbles in the car or while doing things around the house!!

Can't wait for the next ride with Bubbles!

THIS STORY IS REALLY FUN. This the first book by Sarah Strohmeyer that I have read, and thus it is also my introduction to Bubbles Yablonsky. The author can write, and Bubbles is delightful! When I read the publisher's description of this novel, I felt that it was lighter fiction than I usually read, perhaps resembling a soap opera between two book covers. However, since I am always interested in discovering new authors who I might enjoy and Ms. Strohmeyer's first novel had won an Agatha Award (best first mystery), I decided that her latest book was worth a few hours of my time. While I usually avoid terms such as chick lit because I feel that they are somewhat limiting and not actually very descriptive, in this case the term fits this book about Bubbles perfectly. However, while this book is primarily about chicks (of all types) and probably will be read primarily by chicks, I recommend it to anyone who simply wants a light read featuring a wonderful heroine (although that is not how Bubbles would describe herself).

BUBBLES, A BROAD from Lehigh,PA, is a hairdresser who is auditioning for a position as a reporter for the local newspaper, the NEWS-TIMES. She fancies herself an amateur detective and thus perceives an opportunity to secure her future employment by the newspaper when Carol Weaver, a local woman convicted of the murder of her husband, visits Bubbles after escaping from prison and entreats Bubbles to prove Carol's innocence. After being shocked by Carol's appearance on her doorstep, Bubbles quickly regroups and her fabulous powers of observation lead her razor sharp mind to immediately form the question "More important, where did she find that matching sweater set and cashmere pearls ?".Bubbles is a star graduate of Two Guys Community College, a recycled discount department store where the location of the guidance counselor's cubicle is still marked by the Aisle Five sign. Therefore, not surprisingly, she has very acute powers of observation regarding all things related to fashion or hair. In one encounter she tries not to react with visible horror when one of her interviewees is actually wearing clothing constructed of "so many natural fibers". She has a strained relationship with her ex-husband Dan and worries about the advantages which he and his current wife Wendy can provide for their teenage daughter Jean in comparison with Bubbles given her current limited financial assets. Finally, her current boyfriend is Steve Stiletto, an AP reporter whose name certainly seems apt given his physique and charm.

So the questions multiply as the action proceeds. Will Steve and Bubbles become lovers? Will the petty jealousies at the newspaper doom Bubblers chance of gaining a permanent job as a reporter? Why doesn't Carol Weaver's pregnant daughter Kiera want to be interviewed by Bubbles? Who is Lorena Ludwig and will she remember Bubbles and the infamous glitter gel incident? Why does Jane's boyfriend "G" need a brain eraser when he keeps referring to Bubbles as Mrs. Robinson in one of the most hilarious episodes in the book? And, oh yes, by the way, does Bubbles ever identify the murderer? Is it one of the lesbian lovers, or part of a massive corporate cover up at Lehigh Steel?

In the hands of a less talented author, this might have been a pale copy of a combination Harlequin romance, mystery and the soap opera to which I previously referred. But the author's touch is almost perfect, although perhaps slightly overdone at times. The pitch of the language is wonderful, and Bubbles is striving for what we all hope to accomplish - to be the best that she can be. So if you are a chick lit fan, or just want to have a good time enjoying an easy read, BUBBLES A BROAD clearly comes close to four stars. And you if you're paying attention and can get past Bubble's idiom, you'll even find some pretty insightful observations about human nature.

Disclaimer: Based on my previous reviews, I was furnished an ARC (Advance Review Copy) of this book by the publisher. I have never met either the author or any representatives of the publisher. I made no representations or promises regarding any review that I might write. However, I have included this disclaimer in the interests of complete disclosure so that the reader may have all significant information concerning any facts that may be viewed as having biased my review.

Tucker Andersen

Bubbles A Broad in the fourth installment of the series featuring Bubbles, a community college drop out, hair dresser, aspiring newspaper reporter, and single mother to a teen-aged daughter. As always, Bubbles is flamboyant, tenacious, personable, and humorous while solving crimes, trying to secure a full time job on the local News-Times, and falling in love.

The crime solving starts when convicted murderess Carol Weaver escapes from prison and arrives unannounced to ask Bubbles' for her help in finding who really killed Carol's husband. After a brief cat fight with a dissatisfied former hair dressing customer at a matronly charity lunch, Bubbles convinces her boss to let her focus on solving the crime. This effort includes run-ins with the local steel company, and the wives and ex-wives of steel executives, along with Bubbles' own ex-husband and his new society wife. If that isn't enough, Bubbles' daughter is interviewing for Princeton, her eccentric mother and equally eccentric friends are following Bubbles around town, and Bubbles is finally moving towards a serious relationship with Stiletto, her sexy and wealthy boyfriend.

The Bubbles books are lighthearted, but well written mysteries with workable plot lines and developed characters. Bubbles A Broad is a delightful summer read both for the story and the effervescence of Bubbles herself.

Any book that mentions Journey, Billy Joel and Mikkos Cassadine freezing the world automatically gets an extra star from me.

However, that doesn't mean this was a great book. After four installments, Bubbles is already getting tired and silly. Stephanie Plum she's not. As the series goes on, I find her less and less endearing and more and more annoying. Time to tame the character down.

Hopefully the next book gets the series back on track.

I think this was my favorite Bubble book so far. This is the fourth book in the series. Bubbles' is a hairdresser/news reporter who finds her way into solving murders. She moves in with Stiletto a Mel Gibson look-a-like and sparks fly. I would buy the whole series and then pass it along to your friends - they will love you! If you enjoy this genre I would also suggest any books from Ellen Byerrum, Kate Angell , Janet Evanovich and Jennifer Cruise.

I am a Bubbles fan from the 1st book. I must say, she doesn't get old and doesn't do the same old thing. Each book has been a delight, with stuff that most of us can relate to in some way. If you like humer, wit, and a little mystery this one is a must. If you haven't tried her yet, I highly recommend you do.

This is such a fun, cozy, funny mystery series . . . I eagerly await each one! Who couldn't love a character with a name like Yablonsky! And her hunky, protective sexual tease of a guy, STILETTO, makes for delicious before-bed reading. The plots are always dynamic in this series. Bring it on, Bubbles!