The Care and Feeding of Exotic Pets by Diana Wagman

The Care and Feeding of Exotic Pets, Diana Wagman. Opa-Locka FLA: iG Publishing, 2012. 240 pps.

     I like herps. In fact, I love herps. I have frogs right now. Sometime in my future, I hope to breed snakes. I may have to wait until housemate passes over for that one. Housemate is terrified of snakes. Housemate is not overly fond of frogs either come to think of it. Housemate does not want me to raise hissing cockroaches from Madagascar in the attic either. Le sigh.

     It was only natural that I examine The Care and Feeding of Exotic Pets. I read it in one sitting. Book is actually fiction and about a kidnapping. The woman who is kidnapped is a divorcee with a teen daughter, an ex-husband who is in television and has a younger wife now, and a famous mother as well. But the woman herself is ordinary.

     Much to her dismay, the kidnapper has a large reptile living in his kitchen. The chameleon is a male and his name is Cookie. Cookie is large, very large.

sapphoq reviews says: I loved The Care and Feeding of Exotic Pets totally and absolutely. All characters were believable. Dialogue was interesting and to the point. The plot moved well. Creepy things happened which indeed gave me the creeps. For those who like fiction crime novels with the feel of Los Angeles, highly recommended.

Getaway by Lisa Brackmann

Getaway, Lisa Brackmann.  New York:  Soho Books, Inc., 2012.  e-book 259 pps.

Michelle is the American woman on vacation in Puerto Vallarta.  It was a vacation that she and her now dead Tom had signed up for.  She went alone.  Unexpected things have a way of happening to charming widows.  A hottie named Daniel a.k.a. Danny.  His abrupt and threatening buddy by the name of Gary.  A mugging.  There is a mysterious voice on the phone identifying himself as Ted Banks.   Some ex-pats.  Drug running.  Too much talk about clothing.  A lot of alcohol.  Some parties.  The vacation lasted longer than it should have.

sapphoq reviews says:  Lisa Brackmann did a fine job on Getaway.  The characters are very different than those in her other two books and so is the setting. I found myself hating Michelle for being so dependent upon men, rooting for Gary to die, and really warming up to Charlie.  Getaway is intriguing and kept me guessing until the very end.  Highly recommended.