A Steal of a Deal (Shop-Til-U-Drop, Book 2) [Paperback]

Ginny Aiken (Author)

Book Description

Series: Shop-Til-U-Drop Collection | Publication Date: April 1, 2008

When gemologist Andrea Adams gets a chance to go to the Kashmir region of Pakistan for a mission trip, she jumps at it. But her boss at the S.T.U.D. home shopping network wants to turn the trip into another on-location shoot for the station. That means Andrea's co-host Max is part of the deal, and she isn't happy about it. When their guide turns up dead and a famous sapphire turns up in Max's possession, Andrea thinks all her worst fears are confirmed. Is this her chance to get rid of this know-nothing pretty boy? Or is Max innocent after all? Fast-paced and full of exciting action and exotic locales, A Steal of a Deal is the perfect escape for readers looking for a thrill.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

It Was Supposed to Be a Simple Trip . . . When gemologist Andie Adams gets a chance to go to the Kashmir region of Pakistan for a mission trip, she jumps at the opportunity to spearhead the efforts. But her boss at the S.T.U.D. home shopping network wants to turn the trip into another on-location shoot for the station. And that means Andie's hunky but irritating cohost Max is part of the deal--can't a girl get a break? When a mysterious death lands Andie and Co. in hot water, it's only the beginning of their problems. Between Pakistani prisons, suspicious gurus, and tension in the S.T.U.D. family, this trip is turning into a disaster. Will all of Andie's worst fears about Max be realized? Does she really want the know-nothing pretty boy out of her life? Or is it already out of her hands? Former newspaper reporter Ginny Aiken discovered books at a very early age, writing her first novel at age fifteen. She is the author of the Silver Hills Trilogy, the Deadly Décor Mysteries, and Priced to Move. A frequent speaker at women's events and writers' conferences, Ginny lives with her husband and four sons in Pennsylvania.

About the Author

Former newspaper reporter Ginny Aiken discovered books at a very early age, writing her first novel at age fifteen. She is the author of the Silver Hills Trilogy, the Deadly Décor Mysteries, and Priced to Move. A frequent speaker at women's events and writers' conferences, Ginny lives with her husband and four sons in Columbia, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Revell; Reprinted edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800732286
• ISBN-13: 978-0800732288
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,321,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll love this story, April 23, 2008

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Steal of a Deal (Shop-Til-U-Drop, Book 2) (Paperback)

Gemologist Andie Adams jumps at a chance to go to Kashmir, Pakistan for a mission trip with her church--but she doesn't count on her boss turning it into a business trip for the Shop-Til-U-Drop Network Andie works for--including her exasperating co-host, Max.

A mysterious death right after Andie arrives in Kashmir lands the crew in prison for a brief stay. And suspicious gurus seem to be on Andie's tail every time she turns. When a second death turns Andie into a suspect, she's determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.

A Steal of a Deal is the second book in the Shop-Til-U-Drop Collection, and readers will want to read book one, Priced to Move, before they read A Steal of a Deal. There is enough information given so the books probably could stand alone, but A Steal of a Deal refers to events in the first book quite often, so readers will want to be up-to-speed.

Andie is a smart-mouthed woman, struggling with her out-of-control tongue, yet she's real, and loveable. I couldn't help but identify with her, even though gems are not my thing.

Book three in the series is coming out in the fall, and I can't wait to read it. Don't miss A Steal of a Deal.

Armchair Interview says: An excellent series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wild chick lit amateur sleuth, April 3, 2008

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Steal of a Deal (Shop-Til-U-Drop, Book 2) (Paperback)

Her Louisville Christians Fellowship church asks master gemologist and TV gem show host Andrea Adams to organize a missionary trip to impoverish Kashmir. Andrea looks forward to the visit to the Asian nation especially helping poor families.

However, when she mentions the trip to Miss Mona her boss at Shop Til U Drop (STUD) home shopping network, her supervisor arranges for STUD to go on location, which means California pretty surfer boy Max with the IQ shorter than his board is part of the crew. In Kashmir, everything is going perfect until someone murders one of their guides; followed by the killing of another guide. Even returning home, Andrea finds trouble follows her san unknown adversary has committed arson and attempted murder.

The second Shop-Til-U-Drop tale (see PRICED TO MOVE, not read by me) is a wild chick lit amateur sleuth filled with eccentric characters and an entertaining whodunit. The story line is fast-paced on both sides of the Pacific while the heroine's amusing asides especially about her blond surfer co-host add to the fun of the mystery. A STEAL OF A DEAL lives up to its title.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Slightly Disappointing, September 4, 2009

By 

C. Janes "southernsassygirl" (TN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Steal of a Deal (Shop-Til-U-Drop, Book 2) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed book 1 of this series, and had really high hopes that the next book would be just as good. Sadly, I was slightly disappointed. One of the main things that endeared me to book 1 was that much of the storyline was set in the south, which is where I'm from. I picked up on so many little nuances like sweet tea and antiques, and it was so easy to relate to. So, the fact that 2/3rds of the book was set across the globe in Kashmir just wasn't as exciting for me.

During the time the gang was in Kashmir, I found myself struggling to read the book, and it was more than just not liking the setting. Everyone's dialog seemed a bit disjointed, and there were times that I had trouble following along. Also, the "who-done-it" was very predictable, and I knew who it was very early on.

I do plan to read the last book in the series, A Cut Above, just to finish out the whole story. Book 3 so far picks up immediately where book 2 leaves off, and I'm just hoping that I'll like it a lot more.