Plus-size reporter Kate Gallagher is facing the ultimate challenge. She has to bare her belly in a bikini on camera for an upcoming assignment about weight loss scams. Sticking to her diet won't be easy—especially since it’s her love life that’s wasting away. Kate learns she’s not alone at a meeting of a women’s support group, the Newbodies—where her friend Lila confides that her marriage is in trouble. When Lila turns up dead, Kate’s suspicions immediately fall on the husband. But that’s before she finds out that Lila wasn’t the first “Newbody” to meet a violent death. Apparently a killer has an appetite for plus-sized victims, and Kate may be next. Well, chasing a murderer is one way to trim down.

The latest in acclaimed TV comedy writer and novelist Laura Levine’s witty, lighthearted mystery series featuring Hollywood-based freelance writer Jaine Austen and her snarky cat, Prozac—a laugh-out-loud read for fans of Joanne Fluke, Miranda James, and Laura Childs. Uber-stylist Bebe Braddock plans to juice up her Instagram feed and thinks Jaine would make a perfect “Before & After” model. At Lance’s insistence Jaine is ushered into Bebe’s sprawling Brentwood spread to await her transformation. Yet, while the surroundings are glamorous, the atmosphere is toxic as Bebe bullies her team of assistants, and even her husband, into obeying her every whim. Having earned the wrath of everyone in her orbit, few are shocked when Bebe is found strangled with one of her detested wire hangers. But Jaine’s prints are all over the murder weapon, making her a prime suspect. The police, however, aren’t the only ones showing interest in her—so is Justin, Bebe’s very cute, very young personal assistant. While Jaine navigates a cougar-style romance, Prozac is mistakenly hailed as a feline hero and catapults into internet fame. Still, there are more urgent matters at hand than Prozac’s swelling ego. Unless Jaine can track down Bebe’s killer and clear her own name, the only new outfit she’ll be modeling is an orange prison jumpsuit . . . “As always, Levine’s spunky heroine gets the last laugh.” —Kirkus Reviews “For lovers of the zany this is a sure thing.” —Booklist

Welcome to Durham, North Carolina, the diet capital of the world… A KILLER WORKOUT After suffering yet another setback in her War on Fat, plus-sized reporter Kate Gallagher decides the time has come for a full-on offensive. Taking time off from Channel Twelve, she signs on for active duty at Body Blast, a boot camp-style fitness program. In addition to a regimen of brutal exercise and bland food, the rules are so tough that Kate's roomie, Marnie Taylor, is almost thrown out for smuggling in candy, and then again for skirting an obstacle wall. The next day, Marnie is missing—and when she's discovered with a broken neck at the foot of the wall, the "boots" suspect foul play. It's not the first suspicious accident at the camp—another woman recently fell to her death during a Wilderness Challenge. Kate knows that losing weight is hard, but it shouldn't be mortal combat! If someone is picking off dieters, she'd better kick her investigative skills into high gear—before the sights land on her...

Mystery novels are published in a number of subgenres to satisfy the tastes of every reader. Not only do we have the traditional mystery—also known as the cozy—there are historicals, suspense and thriller novels, crime, police procedurals, private eyes and senior sleuths (also known as “geezer lit”). Then there are medical thrillers, romantic suspense as well as science fiction mysteries and the niche novels that cover endless subjects. The mystery writers interviewed here have written articles about various aspects of publishing, including writing techniques, marketing, promotional advice and their opinions on the current state of the publishing industry. Carolyn Hart, bestselling author of the Henrie O and Death on Demand series, talks about her new protagonist, Bailey Ruth Raeburn, who returns to earth as a ghost to anonymously solve mysteries. Jeffrey Deaver’s varied careers prepared him to write insightful as well as thrilling novels, John Gilstrap explains why some bestselling novelists hold down fulltime jobs, and Rick Mofina provides sixteen great tips for writing thriller novels. A number of Canadian and UK authors share their publishing views as well as comparing books from their own countries with those of the U.S. suspense novelist Paul Johnston writes from his native Scotland as well as his home in Greece while Tim Hallinan divides his time between Thailand, Cambodia, and southern California, writing much of his work in Bangkok cafés. Gillian Phillip writes YA mystery novels from Barbados and her native Scottish highlands, and international airline pilot Mark W. Danielson composes his suspense novels during layovers in various parts of the world, while S. J. Bolton thrills us with snakes and other creepy creatures in and from the British Isles. English native Carola Dunn writes historical mysteries about her countrymen as does Rhys Bowen, who writes about historical English royals. Other historical novelists include Larry Karp, who provides us with the history of Ragtime music and the people who made the genre popular during its heyday and Beverle Graves Myers delves into operatic mysteries set in 18th century Venice. The work of several writing teams inhabits this book, including Eric Mayer and Mary Reed, who pen historical mysteries. Mark and Charlotte Phillips write suspense novels, and Morgan St. James and her sister Phyllice Bradner collaborate on humorous mysteries. Jeff Cohen, Tim Maleeny, and Carl Brookins also add humor to their mysterious plots, so prepare to laugh when you open their books. There are police procedurals, medical thrillers and romantic suspense novelists represented here as well as niche mysteries designed for readers who love dogs, scrapbooking, zoos, the Arizona desert, space shuttles, weight-loss clinics, actors, designer gift baskets and other specialty subjects. Nonfiction books about the mystery genre round out this eclectic collection with Edgar winner E.J. Wagner, Agatha winner Chris Roerden, Lee Lofland, Jeffrey Marks, and small press publishers Vivian Zabel and Tony Burton. The advice offered here is invaluable to fledgling writers, so pull up a comfortable chair and begin the mysterious tour of nearly every subgenre.

As makeover madness sweeps the nation's capital, reporter Lacey Smithsonian interviews TV show makeover success story Amanda Manville. But with Amanda's beauty comes a beast in the form of a stalker with vicious intentions—and Lacey may be the only one who can stop him.

Professional editor and author Elizabeth Lyon offers aspiring novelists the guidance and instruction they need to write and edit well-crafted and compelling stories that will stand out from the competition and attract the attention of agents and publishers, including: - Stand-out style techniques, from accessing an authentic voice to applying techniques of "wordsmithing" that transform prose - How to rewrite characterization for dimensionality, a universal need, and theme - Adjustment suggestions to match the prose style and structure of specific genres - Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style - Strategies to strengthen story beginnings and endings - Methods for increasing plot stakes, creating movement, and adjusting pace for maximum suspense

Moving back to her hometown, she leaves all that is urban and rediscovers what it means to be alive with a forgotten magic and a drizzle of hot, gooey murder mystery. Iris is done living a life where everyone else calls the shots. Giving her slimy-dog of a husband the axe, she packs up her potion shop and moves back home to the sleepy fairytale town of Slipper Creek. Magical makeovers and baby dragons are all part of the fun. But it's not all side-splitting good times. Back aches and acid reflux aren't her only midlife witchy worries. She’s stacked against a sentient long john bent on turning the town’s culinary tastes to the gourmet and a gun-turned cat who gives the new meaning to the term hair-trigger. When a murder is added to the cauldron and her drama queen sister is the number one suspect, things really start to bubble over. A rule (or ten) isn’t about to stop this 43-year-old from uncovering a scandal so delectable it gives devil’s food cake a run for its money. But it’s bubbles, bubbles, toil, and trouble, when Iris’ fritzing magic takes a turn nobody dreamed possible. (Can you say midlife magic dragon invasion?!) Juggling her newfound powers while wading through enough clues to make Miss Marple shake her head, the game takes a deadly turn. Now, it’s a race against time to stop the killer before her own death isn’t one by chocolate. The Makeover Tale of Cindy-Rela will Bibbidi Bobbidi Boom its way into your heart with laugh-out-loud action & adventure, a cozy family of unforgettable characters, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Did you know that the main character, Miss Julia, is met with a surprise when she receives a letter informing her that her cousin Elsie's granddaughter is coming to visit? Or, did you know that Miss Julia's Marvelous Makeover is set in Abbotsville? What are the amazing facts of Miss Julia's Marvelous Makeover by Ann B. Ross? Do you want to know the golden nuggets of facts readers love? If you've enjoyed the book, then this will be a must read delight for you! Collected for readers everywhere are 101 book facts about the book & author that are fun, down-to-earth, and amazingly true to keep you laughing and learning as you read through the book! Tips & Tricks to Enhance Reading Experience • Enter "G Whiz" after your favorite title to see if publication exists! ie) Miss Julia's Marvelous Makeover G Whiz • Enter "G Whiz 101" to search for entire catalogue! • Tell us what title you want next! • Combine your favorite titles to receive bundle coupons! • Submit a review and hop on the Wall of Contributors! “Get ready for fun, down-to-earth, and amazing facts that keep you laughing & learning!" - G Whiz DISCLAIMER: This work is a derivative work not to be confused with the original title. It is a collection of facts from reputable sources generally known to the public with source URLs for further reading and enjoyment. It is unofficial and unaffiliated with respective parties of the original title in any way. Due to the nature of research, no content shall be deemed authoritative nor used for citation purposes. Refined and tested for quality, we provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back.

The Bible is widely distributed in Africa, where nearly half of the population identifies with Christianity. The Bible has many solutions for the continent's problems. Christ told his followers that they are the light of the world. Every person who confesses Jesus Christ is called to be light. Therefore, every believer has a responsibility in shaping our world. Christians have the potential to foster true positive change in Africa. Nevertheless, Christian influence is not very visible in African society. Discover how you can have a Biblical impact on your country and your continent.

How is your marriage? Is it everything you hoped it would be? Is it the happy, successful, fulfilling relationship that God promises it will be in His Holy Scriptures? If we are honest, no matter how good our marriages are, we have to admit that marriage did not live up to our expectations. The good news truth though, is that our marriages can be everything that God promises and that truth is based on these very promises of God. There are things we need to know, understand and act on in order for God's promises to come true in our lives and that is what this book is about - helping you to know how to take your marriage and make it all that God promises your marriage can be in His Word.