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5.0 out of 5 stars
News Blues, June 2, 2008
This review is from: News Blues (Love Spell) (Mass Market Paperback)
Maddy has simple wants in life. At 27, she wants to produce for Newsline, have a cute guy and a real designer handbag, or at least a knockoff that has a sewn-on label and not a badly glued on one . What she has is a dead-end job at News 9, where if "it bleeds it leads" if not, then it will go nowhere, no boyfriend, divorcing parents, a live-in hormonal 16-year-old sister and oh yeah a counterfeit Kate Spade bag that the label isn't even sewn on to. Did I mention no boyfriend? Heck, she can't even keep a date with a loser Czechoslovakian surfer, who loves soccer.
But, now maybe her luck is turning. She is producing her own segment; too bad it is with the narcissistic talking head at News 9. Oh yeah, her new cameraman is the hottest guy she has seen in a long time, but he turns out to be engaged. Add to this her father is having a baby with his new woman, who is younger than Maddy and you will decide that her luck is definitely not turning.
But, what happens when her knockoff handbag guy offers her the story of a lifetime? Will she figure out how to step up and take on the story? Will the one night she and Jamie connect turn into more? More important than all of that, can she help her sister who is suddenly in a whole lot more trouble than anyone though possible?
News Blues is another winner from Marianne Mancusi. This book has it all, lust, drugs and even maybe some killer make-up. Ok, so not really on the killer make-up but the rest of it is true. Ms. Mancusi does a wonderful job writing about the stressful work of being a producer, suddenly caring for a sibling as well as primadonna "talking heads" and lust. I found that the way the chapters all started with a crazy email helped to set the tone for the ongoing dialogue. Additionally, there is a super suspenseful story that happens with drugs and drug lords. As well, add to this some forbidden lust and a few too many margaritas and you get this wonderful story. I thoroughly enjoyed News Blues and think you will also.
Tanya
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Stay tuned to Maddy's antics, May 14, 2008
This review is from: News Blues (Love Spell) (Mass Market Paperback)
Maddy Madison works as a TV producer in a dead-end job in a San Diego news organisation who care more for their advertisers' wants and needs than journalistic integrity. Maddy's life isn't quite what she wants - she dreams of a job on Newsline, a gorgeous man, real rather than fake designer handbags and more. When the gorgeous Jamie Hayes comes to work with her as her photographer she thinks she might be in with a chance for one of her three dreams - until she discovers he's getting married in three months' time.
Maddy's world goes downhill with her parents splitting up, her sister turning into a troublemaker, a dangerous piece of investigative reporting on a drug running organisation and the continual distraction of the dishy Jamie. But beneath all the problems is there a possible chance to reach some of her dreams, to produce a piece of work that truly shows her skills and to stand up for those in need.
Although in some respects the subject matter of this book was occasionally gloomy it was overall a very uplifting read. Maddy and the other characters were not in any way original, generally conforming to the stereotypes one would expect in this kind of chick-lit (obsession with handbags, etc) but they were all charming and fun. The plot had its big doses of unreality in many places, particularly the investigation into the drug dealing organisation, but, again, that's not unexpected in this sort of book.
All in all it was an enjoyable read. The author's writing style was punchy and good, the plot moved along at a cracking pace and the dialogue was good. It would make an ideal holiday read and it had a few serious points to make about people choosing not to sell out for money and position but holding tight to their principles.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful light suspense, humorous and romantic read!, March 10, 2008
This review is from: News Blues (Love Spell) (Mass Market Paperback)
What a delightful pick me up read this was! Author Marianne Mancusi has a lively first person voice in her writing of NEWS BLUES! Her writing voice is so realistic to the character Maddy. Maddy's emotions really showed through, the humor, the sadness, the fear, and even those mixed feelings as she dealt with work, family and love. Bringing the family issues, inside the television studios and the suspense of the private investigation that Maddy and Jamie were involved in, made for a exciting read, one that had me constantly thinking about the characters and story of NEWS BLUES long past when the book was done! The hero, Jamie, was too one that was so much a comfort to read. He was a romantic guy who was also fun but too reserved as he dealt with so many decisions he had to deal with, without wanting to hurt those he loved. With the family problems, especially those of Maddy's sister Lulu, I couldn't help as a reader, feeling so much for her and Maddy and Jamie as they went through times and emotions so many of us too are dealt with in our lives. I was often smiling (especially with those needs of those fake handbags for Maddy!), near tears and having my heart race with this book and this story will stay with me for a long time to come. Even time after finishing this book, many scenes remained with me and I could picture Maddy and Jamie's future together. NEWS BLUES was one suspenseful contemporary, lightly humorous and romantic read that I know when I see this authors name on a book in the future, I'm definitely picking up Marianne Mancusi's to read.
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