Rewriting Monday (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Journalist Pepper Malone is broke, unemployed, and on the run from her former lover’s powerful and unscrupulous Chicago-based family when she lands in Bailee, Texas, her mother’s birthplace. Something about the small town and its stalwart citizens calls to her, and new friend Lorie Fuller prods her into working for the local newspaper, where she is reluctantly fascinated by, and in turn fascinates, the reclusive Mike McCulloch and his engaging niece Morgan. Random shootings, menacing hang-ups, and other acts of violence soon draw the attention of the FBI as well as local law-enforcement personnel, prompting the locals to band together in support. Thomas seamlessly weaves past and present into a gripping novel of contemporary romantic suspense, as Pepper begins to appreciate the accomplishments of previous generations and to enjoy true friendship and a sense of belonging for the first time in her life. --Lynne Welch

Product Description

Reporter Pepper Malone moved to Bailey, Texas, after a news story nearly got her killed. Now she wants to be left alone to do her job in relative peace and quiet. But when the newspaper’s staff is targeted by a madman with a grudge against the media, Pepper is drawn back into the public eye—and into the arms of the paper’s handsome owner.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; 1 edition (April 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425226948
• ISBN-13: 978-0425226940
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,913 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Characters, April 18, 2009

By	Amy Leemon (North Fond du Lac, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Pepper Malone was a reporter in Chicago but she made a mistake which ended her career. Out of money and out of options, she winds up in Bailee, TX (population 15,007).
Her aunt Wilma is in a nursing home recovering from a broken hip so she's able to stay in Wilma's trailer. With only $245.00 to her name, she doesn't have very many choices.

Pepper gets a job at the Bailee Bugle - a weekly newspaper. Her boss is Mike McCulloch who would rather be teaching but as he's the last of his family he has no choice but to run the paper. Her co-workers are also a little odd but eventually grow on her and that becomes a problem because Pepper prefers to go through life with no commitments or ties.

Shortly after she arrives, someone starts making serious threats against the paper. Is it the paper or has her past caught up with her?

I enjoyed the interaction between all the characters. Pepper and Mike, of course, but also Wilma, Mike's niece Morgan and Lorie and Heath. It all brought small town people and values to life. It would be great to visit Bailee, TX again.

If you like this book, you will also enjoy her previous one "Twisted Creek".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb journalistic romantic suspense, April 11, 2009

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

After the fiasco that almost killed her in Chicago, reporter Pepper Malone leaves the Windy City financially broke and more critical spiritually broke as she broke the journalist rule by getting too close to the story; under the covers is too close. She goes to her mother's hometown of Bailee, Texas near Dallas. Realistically Pepper knows she cannot face the music of Chicago or start over in Dallas. New publisher Michael McCulloch hires her as a reporter for his family paper the Bailee Bugle.

Mike knows his journalist dreams were buried with his late father and older brother as the family paper needs him to survive. However, someone obviously wants the Bailee Bugle to fail and is willing to kill to achieve the goal. Pepper believes the threats are aimed at her, but Mike thinks otherwise.

With a nod to screwball journalist comedies like The Front Page, His Girl Friday and Teacher's Pet, but with a much more serious tone, Jodi Thomas provides a strong thriller. Fans will say we like Mike who shows passion and tenderness as he sacrifices his dream, but wins a greater prize: the love of Pepper; that is if they survive. Pepper is much more complex, but readers will admire her courage as she considers flight rather than fight like she recently did, but with Mike's support and love stays. REWRITING MONDAY is a superb journalistic romantic suspense.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Romance Junkies!, June 28, 2009

By	Natalie S "ns65" (Nashville) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Pepper Malone has been reduced to this - moving to a small town with an even a smaller newspaper. All it took was one bad decision, and she has had to change her entire life. Determined to make the best of it, she convinces the good looking editor of the town newspaper to give her a job. Beggars can't be choosy, Pepper decides as she quickly becomes aware of the differences between this job and the one she left behind. She is also intrigued more than she wants to admit, and a lot of her attention can't help but be focused on her `boss', Mike McCulloch.

Mike McCulloch is a true hero in my book. His job, his life, and all of his waking moments were changed when his brother and sister-in-law unexpectedly passed away. Understandably unprepared for the tragedy, Mike is shocked, but he still does his duty - loyal to a fault but dreamy to boot, Mike is exactly who Pepper Malone needs in her life. Burning out and being falsely accused of giving sexual favors has a way of changing a person - Pepper takes the bull by the horns but doesn't allow it to run her life.

With a terrific story and two subplots happening at the same time, REWRITING MONDAY is the type of release I have grown to expect from Jodi Thomas. It was touching, realistic, and well written. I laughed and cried and breathed a happy sigh when finished. REWRITING MONDAY is definitely a book to read and savor.

Natalie S.