Monday, February 16, 2015

All That Glitters - First Chapter / First Paragraph and Teaser Tuesday

22856323 
Glitzy Hollywood starlets, shady mobsters, movie studio moguls, murder, intrigue, and a little romance. All That Glitters has it all! After reading the first Jake and Laura Mystery (The Yankee Club), I knew I'd found a series that I'd want to continue reading. This second book definitely does not disappoint, and a third one (Wings in the Dark) is available for pre-order now. If you enjoyed the old Nick and Nora Charles "Thin Man" movies, you'll adore Jake and Laura. 

First Chapter / First Paragraph:

[FYI: A prologue sets the scene - 1933 Hollywood, Prohibition era - and then the story begins this way)
Chapter 1: The Naughtiest, Bawdiest Year Yet
     I struggled to carry three overstuffed suitcases through a crowded Grand Central Station, and keep up with Broadway actress Laura Wilson. I accidentally bumped her backside and apologized.
     She stopped and glanced at me. "Jake Donovan, did you just pat my bottom?"
     I couldn't help laughing as several passengers gave me a cold stare.
     Her playful smile faded. She turned her back and pretended to fluff her black curls with her white-gloved hands. She spoke in a whisper I could barely hear over the din of the travelers. "Don't look now, but two broad-shouldered lugs in dark suits are following us."

Teaser from 56% on my Kindle- 
Jake (a mystery writer) gets a phone call from his literary agent, and she has bad news
[agent:] "If the police arrest you for murder, Empire Press won't release Blackie Doyle's Revenge and will sever its relationship with you."
"Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?"
"That doesn't apply to business...."

Genre: Mystery / Humor

Book Length: 261 Pages
Amazon Link: All That Glitters
Link to my post about The Yankee Club, Book 1 of the Jake & Laura Series:  HERE

Synopsis:
Just arrived from New York, Broadway actress Laura Wilson is slated to star in Hollywood’s newest screwball comedy. At her side, of course, is Jake Donovan, under pressure to write his next mystery novel. But peace and quiet are not to be had when an all-too-real murder plot intrudes: After a glitzy party, the son of a studio honcho is discovered dead from a gunshot wound. And since Jake exchanged words with the hothead just hours before his death, the bestselling author becomes the LAPD’s prime suspect.

In 1930s Tinseltown, anything goes. Proving his innocence won’t be easy in a town where sex, seduction, and naked power run rampant. With gossip columnist Louella Parsons dead-set on publicizing the charges against him, Jake has no choice but to do what everyone else does in the City of Angels: act like someone else. Blackie Doyle, the tough-talking, fist-swinging, womanizing hero from Jake’s novels wouldn’t pull any punches until he exposed the real killer—nor will Jake, to keep the role of a lifetime from being his last.


Share the first paragraph (or
a few) from a book you are
reading. Link up here:

Bibliophile By The Sea
  

Post two sentences from
somewhere in a book you're
reading. No spoilers, please!
Link up here:

Should Be Reading

37 comments:

  1. Another fantastic teaser Sandra! Here is my TT https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/teaser-tuesday-17-february/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I fell in love with Jake and Laura when I read the first book in the series. The author did a great job getting them into trouble in this book too. The Hollywood setting was lots of fun, especially with movie stars of the era included in some of the scenes.

      Delete
  2. I had the same reaction when I read these two books. The author did a great job of making that era seem fun and yet real. Jake and Laura are good characters too. I'm looking forward to the third book in the series.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. The book is nicely written too -- no typos or other errors. I appreciate that.

      Delete
  3. This sounds like a fun mix of Hollywood nostalgia and mystery. I may have to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like a fun one with good characters.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sandra -- this sounds like a good one; great pick

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've never heard guys called "lugs." Have you? That caught my interest. Enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. I've heard guys called "lugs" in old movies, but never in real life. Michael Murphy does a great job of including the slang of the era without overdoing it.

      Delete
  7. I do like the time period, 1930's. This seems like an interesting Historical novel.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have to check out this new-to-me series. Thanks for sharing.

    My Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/02/first-chapter-first-paragraph-94.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for sharing this one. It looks like fun to read! I love that 1930s era, and I am a fan of the Nick and Nora Charles movies!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for reading and reviewing All That Glitters. Jake and Laura are a fun couple to write about. I'm enjoying creating the series. Jake even has his own twitter page!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your enthusiasm comes through in your writing. Such a fun series!

      Delete
  11. I am so in! Love the setting, the era, and the thrills that will be forthcoming. Thanks for sharing and enjoy....and here's mine: “YOU CAN TRUST ME”

    ReplyDelete
  12. This sounds quite intense! I have no idea how someone can carry three suitcases at once when I struggle carrying just one next to my bag! I'm not quite sure this is one for me, but I really hope you enjoy it! Thanks for sharing :) Hope you have a great week!
    My Tuesday post
    Juli @ Universe in Words

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the mysterious feel to this book it is very intriguing, great teaser!!
    My Teaser
    Naomi @The Perks Of Being A Bookworm

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have been curious about this one. Love the title! I like the teaser and would definitely keep reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a fun and fast read that gave me a lot of smiles.

      Delete
  15. The introduction sure had me smiling, I was able to even hear a southern accent to the tone of Laura Wilson, this looks like a thrilling adventure; great feature Sandra :)

    My Teaser

    ReplyDelete
  16. Just look at that cover. I love it. My sister would love this series and so would I!
    My TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/02/17/teaser-tuesdays-102-the-loch-by-steve-alten/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that Art Deco look too! Reminds me of the hotels on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach.

      Delete
  17. Great Teaser! This one sounds like an exciting mystery novel. I love reading about the 1920-1930's era. Thanks for stopping by. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. oh great tease! that's a really good one this week. Thanks for sharing!
    trish - my teaser

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Sandra,

    A really well put together post, which gives me a real sense of the time and place, as well as some excellent character profiling.

    It wasn't until I read a way down to the synopsis, that I realised Jake was the one trying to prove his innocence, when it was Laura who spotted that they were being followed at the railway station.

    I do like a good murder / mystery, but I am wondering if this one is going to be just a little too theatrical for my taste, despite all the reviews to date being very positive. Let's just say that I would read the book if it happened to come my way, but I probably wouldn't be proactive in seeking out a copy.

    Thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of your week,

    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by, Yvonne, and for your kind compliments on my post. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

      Delete
  20. This sounds like a great read. I love mysteries so I will be adding this to my TBR.
    Thanks for visiting my blog and sharing your teaser.
    Nadene@Totally Addicted to Reading

    ReplyDelete
  21. This sounds like a fun mystery. Is it part of a series? Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! This is the second book in the Jake & Laura series, and the third book (Wings in the Dark) is available for pre-order.

      Delete
  22. I enjoy historical fiction and this sounds like a great book! I've never heard of this series before; I look forward to checking it out! Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great teaser! I especially love the opener. It's such a playful beginning.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This one sounds like fun! Hope you enjoy it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a great insight into the old Hollywood era!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting "Writing With a Texas Twang." All comments are sincerely appreciated. Tell me what you think!