Hello, folks! Marina Neff here, and there’s something I need to tell you: I hate boring. I also hate average, and I really hate everyday run-of-the-mill life. It’s…well, boring, and to me, boring is about the worst thing in the world.
My best friend, Beth Kennedy, thinks I’m nuts. She says daily life has enough excitement in it for her, thanks very much, without adding any unnecessary drama. Best friend or no, I think she’s the one who’s nuts.
I mean, what’s so exciting about owning a children’s bookstore, which is what she does. What’s so exciting about being secretary of the PTA, which is what she also does. And while I’m a mom myself, four times over, and I love my kids more than chocolate on chocolate, raising them isn’t what you’d call exciting. Rewarding and interesting, yes.
Exciting? Not so much.
This is why I tend to push Beth into doing things she’d never do otherwise. Take the other day, for instance. I’ve been trying to get Beth out of her boring old rut, so I kidnapped her from her store – she has staff to cover for her, so that’s no problem – and took her to one of those laser tag places. After I zapped her a few times, she got the hang of it faster than I would have guessed.
And then there was the time I got us lost when we were supposed to be finding a U-pick strawberry place. I still say we had a better time pushing my van out of that muddy trail than kneeling in the dirt picking berries all day. If you want fresh, that’s what farmer’s markets are for, right?
But the most exciting times of all are when we help track down killers. Nothing like it, not even close. We’ve done it three times now, and with any luck we’ll do it a fourth time. Or even a fifth!
Now, to get Beth out of those boring old clothes and into something fun…
Thanks to Penguin, I have one (1) copy of CURSE OF THE PTA to give away. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Contest ends April 7; US entries only per publisher’s request.
You can read more about Marina in Curse of the PTA, the fourth book in the “PTA” mystery series. The first book in the series is Murder at the PTA.
Meet the author
Laura Alden grew up in Michigan and graduated from Eastern Michigan University in the 80’s with a (mostly unused) Bachelor of Science degree in geology. Currently, Laura and her husband share their house with two very strange cats. When Laura isn’t writing, she’s working at her day job, reading, yanking weeds out of her garden, or doing some variety of skiing. Laura’s fourth book, Curse of the PTA, was released in April 2013. Her debut novel, “Murder at the PTA” was an Agatha Award finalist for Best First Novel 2010.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
would love this one!
Sarah, hope you enjoy it!
Sounds “exciting”. Dee
There are definitely some heart-pounding moments 🙂
This is a cute series. Looking forward to reading the newest book.
Glad you’re enjoying the series, Jane!
yeah, another fun giveaway!!! thank you!!!
I love this series. Would love to win a copy of CURSE OF THE PTA. Thanks for having this contest.
Cheryl, thanks so much for reading my books — hope you enjoy CURSE!
I love this series. If I couldn’t be a school librarian, I would want to be a children’s book store owner like Beth. And I think Marina is a hoot!
Bev, I’ll let Marina know that you get a kick out of her 🙂 And thanks so much for reading the books!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds exciting!
This is another of the series that I really enjoy!
Loved Plotting at the PTA! Rest of the series is on my wishlist.
Karen – I hope your wishlist comes true 🙂
I love this series!! Can’t wait to read this new book.
Marina, go easy on Beth. I think she’s coming out of her shell.
Thanks, Marliyn! And I’ll tell Marina what you said — not sure she’s going to listen, though….
You have me at “curse” and I never was much active in the PTA (having a job myself) but I’d like to know what I missed. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
Thank you for the chance to win. This is a good series.
Thanks for your kind words about my books!
I hate boring too!
Please enter my name. I have the perfect BFF with whom to share this series.
Sounds like a great book.
I have enjoyed the past books in the series and would love to get a copy of the new one
I am so glad this series is at number four.
I love a good mystery, and look forward to reading this. As soon to be retired president of the PTA, I will have a liie more time to read and think the topic sounds right up my alley!
Posting late, but I’ve loved this series from the beginning!
I would love to read this! I’m sure I would enjoy it!
Thank you for the giveaway!
Thanks for your contest—I’d love to read another book in this series.
Would love to win a copy of the Curse of the PTA. Thanks for the opportunity.
This sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Would love to win it!
Love the title!
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Contest is closed, but comments are always welcome