Every Demon Has His Day [Paperback]

Cara Lockwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 7, 2009

Whipping up prize-winning chicken fried steak...fighting demonic forces...East Texas gals can do it all!

In her wildest dreams, Constance Plyd never thought she'd see dead people. Then again, she never thought she'd be hit on by her ex-husband at his own funeral...or be the prime suspect in his murder. Fortunately for Constance, irresistibly sexy sheriff Nathan Garrett wants to believe her explanation -- that a card-carrying demon in a black suit killed Jimmy in the garage -- or maybe he wants something more. Either way, all signs are leading to a showdown of hellish proportions, with Constance at the heart of the battle, when the Devil and would-be mother of the Antichrist (a pop princess wannabe) descends on Crockett County. Sure, she'd rather be cooking up a storm for the next state fair, but if she's going to be the Chosen One, at least Constance can give a few demons a Texas-style butt kicking....

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this frightfully funny series launcher, Lockwood introduces minor prophet and cafe owner Constance Plyd of Dogwood County, Tex., whose soon-to-be-ex-husband, Jimmy, gets whacked by Yaman, a demon in a black baseball cap assigned to jump-start Constance's second sight. Things, of course, get complicated: as Yaman tries to complete his mission and organize the Antichrist's return (via a young pop starlet), Constance becomes the prime suspect in her husband's murder, paving the way for hunky sheriff (and former one-night-stand artist who'd loved and left Constance) Nathan Garrett to get involved. An expansive and quirky cast (including a talking French bulldog angel) lends plenty of supernatural support to Lockwood's chicken-fried chick lit paranormal. (Apr.)
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From Booklist

Constance wanted to divorce her husband, Jimmy, not lose him to death. But after a demon kills him and vanishes, Constance discovers she can see and talk to Jimmy’s ghost and other supernatural beings. Adding to this unwelcome surprise, the new sheriff in her hometown is the high-school sweetheart who broke her heart, and, given the hefty life insurance Jimmy left behind, Constance is the top suspect in his murder. Sheriff Nathan knows he should be investigating—and not falling for—Constance, but when all hell breaks loose (literally) in Dogwood County, Texas, he has no choice but to believe Constance’s outlandish story and help her fight demons. Lockwood, author of Dixieland Sushi (2005), launches a new series with this romance-cum-paranormal mystery. Fans of her previous chick-lit offerings will find the characters just as feisty and the plot even quirkier. --Aleksandra Walker

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Downtown Press; Original edition (April 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416550526
• ISBN-13: 978-1416550525
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,656,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up in Mesquite, Texas, which for those of you who like livestock shows, is the home of the Mesquite Rodeo. Ironically, Mesquite was named after Mesquite trees, only none of them now exist in the city, which is about fifteen minutes east of Dallas. No, I don't own a pair of cowboy boots, although I do own quite an impressive collection of black shoes. My Dad is a third-generation Japanese-American, and my mom is a second-generation Texan who's mostly English, or at least claims to be because of her anglophile nature.

I went to school at the University of Pennsylvania, only I'm not sure how I got in. I think these days they only accept students who can solve String Theory. Anyway, I majored in English, and had dreams of being the Next Great American Novelist, but then I realized I was more of a humor writer and less of an Important Literary Figure. I don't think any of them have a sense of humor.

Anyway, I knew I wanted to write a book, but I also knew that my Dad would kill me (death by guilt) if I didn't move out of his house and start paying my own rent after he shelled out my tuition.

So, while writing fiction in my spare time, I went to work as a newspaper reporter, working for an overly exciteable editor who sent me running anytime the police scanner went off. I was working insane hours for next to no pay. I was actually sent to cover a grass fire on my 25th birthday. Let me tell you, it smelled bad. I think some mice may have lost their lives. But that was about it in terms of excitement. Happy Birthday to Me.

So, I decided after I began hiding from my editor in the bathroom at the office anytime the police scanner went off, that journalism probably wasn't for me. I went to work for a marketing firm and discovered that most everyone else didn't stay until ten o'clock every night writing up their riveting story about grass fires. I also decided that I would take advantage of that free time to write some fiction. That's when I started writing "I Do (But I Don't)." A year later, I finished it, thanks to the help of my friend, Shannon, who wouldn't let me slack off and kept asking me for chapters.

And that's how I became a writer. Except that it still feels weird to say, "I'm a writer." I keep expecting to wake up tomorrow and have to go cover another grass fire.

To see what I'm up to these days, check out my blog, www.caralockwood.blogspot.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More like 4 1/2 stars...., April 11, 2009

By 

Deborah Wiley (Winter Haven, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Every Demon Has His Day (Paperback)

Constance Plyd can't believe her husband, Jimmy, is dead. All she'd wanted him to do was sign the divorce papers but no, he put Tide in her dishwasher and then manages to get killed by a demon! Sheriff Nathan Garrett doesn't want to believe that Constance is responsible but she's the only witness to the murder. Is he letting his guilt over the past interfere with the investigation? Or is Constance's story true that a demon killed Jimmy and now the Devil intends to impregnate a ditzy virgin to bring about the birth of the Antichrist? Constance and Nathan will have their hands full as the situation is only going to get wackier....

Hilarious! Cara Lockwood had me laughing throughout EVERY DEMON HAS HIS DAY. From Jimmy's history of mishaps to the whole concept of a talking dog, the story is chock full of humor. Cara Lockwood keeps the tone upbeat, even as the world is crashing around Constance.

Constance is a great heroine. Her disbelief at the unbelievable events makes her all the more credible. I particularly love the distinguishing moniker of "Dead Jimmy" she uses for her now-deceased husband as it adds yet another bit of quirkiness to the tale. The romance between Constance and Nathan is sweet and builds over the course of the tale as both must learn to trust the other. EVERY DEMON HAS HIS DAY is a bit outrageous at times, but that is part of the fun. Easily recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Amusing, but trying to hard, December 15, 2009

By 

J. Ramm (San Carlos, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Every Demon Has His Day (Paperback)

I have enjoyed several of Cara Lockwood's books and usually like the "fantasy" chick-lit (witches, etc), so it was a "no-brainer" to buy this book. Unfortunately, it didn't really meet my expectations. There are definitely some funny elements, but overall, I wasn't blown away. There were a bit too many sub-plots and I did not feel like the romance between the lead characters was compelling. I would definitely recommend Dixieland Sushi over this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars off-beat humorous yet action-packed thriller, April 11, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Every Demon Has His Day (Paperback)

Constance Plyd has been waiting for months to get her husband to sign the divorce papers; she believes this is the day she has prayed for. However, before that can happen, she finds Jimmy's dead body with a screwdriver protruding from his back. At the scene is the Pride demon Yeman who killed him. He gives her his card as he and Shadow the Gluton demon know she is the Chosen One as the prophet with visions that indicate who Lucifer is to have sex with in order to begat the Antichrist.

Sheriff Nathan Garret, who years ago had sex with Constance one day and left her the next, questions her. He finds her story unbelievable, which she can understand as so does Constance. In a vision she sees a small dog wearing a pink sweater who will help her. The canine Frank turns out to be an apprentice angel who belongs to movie star Dante London. The star is coming to town to film a movie. She is the vassal chosen to carry the Antichrist, but Frank and Constance wait for more of her visions to determine when and where the seduction will tale place so they can stop Lucifer from carrying out his plan.

Combining elements from urban fantasy, religion, and chick lit elements, Cara Lockwood creates an amusing lighthearted romp starring a non-believer who has visionary powers due to her matriarchal DNA. Constance always thought her mom Abigail was a fruitcake until she began to see the truth. It takes her a while to accept her skill, but once she does even Lucifer believes she is a force to be reckoned with. Readers will enjoy this off-beat humorous yet action-packed thriller as the strong cast knows that EVERY DEMON HAS HIS DAY even if it takes eternity for it to occur.

Harriet Klausner