The Case of the Bouncing Grandma by A.K. Arenz -- Book Review

Do you love Christian cozy mysteries? Then The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (A Bouncing Grandma Mystery, Book 1) will be right up your alley.

After breaking her leg in a skateboarding accident, Glory Harper is stuck in a wheelchair; and Bouncy Grandma--named by her grandson, Seth--is bored out of her skull. When the new neighbors start moving into the house across the street, Glory is sure she sees a foot sticking out of a rolled up carpet, and things might start getting interesting.

Problem is, no one will believe her.

Glory's sister and daughter think she imagined the whole thing thanks to watching too much Law and Order, and as soon as the police realize the woman reporting the foot in the carpet sighting is the same one whose skateboarding adventure caused a multi-car pile-up, they aren't about to take her seriously. Undeterred, Glory keeps learning more and more about her new neighbors; and when she realizes she stumbled upon something more than a murder case, her research kicks into high gear. While following leads to what looks like the obvious culprits, the real criminals are closing in, placing Glory and her family are in danger.

Can she convince anyone of what she's uncovered? And if she does, will it be in time?

Right away I knew I was going to love this series by A K. Arenz. The youthful and adventurous Bouncing Granma, Glory Harper is the perfect amateur sleuth. She reminds me a bit of Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote, with her ability to ask the questions that help to solve the crime and how her abilites can sometimes be discounted.

In the first book of this series we meet several characters, all of whom are interesting in their own way. From the rude father and son who move in next door, to the cautious, yet pleasant twin girls whose luck is what prompted their familiy's move to the quiet town of Tarryton, from the peculiar realtor Elsie Wilkes, to the handsome Harrison Ford look-alike, Detective Rick Spencer who might just be interested in more than friendship with Glory, each of these characters blends together to create a cozy mystery that is both engaging and fun to read.

Faith plays a role in this book, as it does in all books published by Sheaf House Publishers. It's definitely not overpowering in this book, but faith in God is a part of many of the characters' lives and some events take place at their church.

I've already purchased the next book in this series, The Case of the Mystified M.D., an excerpt of which you'll find at the back of this book. I look forward to reading Book 2 and more Bouncing Grandma Mysteries from A.K. Arenz!


Title: The Case of the Bouncing Grandma
Author: A.K. Arenz
Publisher: Sheaf House Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-979-74856-1
SRP: $12.99

My Son, John Virtual Book Tour October 2009

Author Kathi Macias returns to the blogosphere in October 2009 with Pump Up Your Book Promotion Public Relations. During Kathi’s second virtual book tour she’ll talk about her contemporary novel, My Son, John.

Murder. Could there be a more chilling word? Could it be any more horrible than to have a loved one killed, brutally and heartlessly, without obvious reason or motive? When Liz Peterson’s elderly mother is found viciously beaten to death in her home, Liz and her husband, Charles, along with their grown son, John, and teenage daughter, Sarah, are horrified beyond words. Their previously predictable, respectable lives seem to have vanished without a trace, as they struggle to make sense of a senseless act.

And then a second blow—more devastating, if possible, than the first—rocks them to their core. John is arrested for his grandmother’s murder. As what’s left of the Peterson family begins to crumble under the weight of loss and accusation, the Petersons’ longstanding Christian faith is put to the test in a way they could never have imagined, and unconditional love is stretched to its limits. Will family ties and relationships withstand such a crushing blow, or will evil succeed in dividing and conquering this once close and inseparable family?

Praise for My Son, John:

“‘My Son, John’ is a compelling story that offers hope when hope is humanly impossible to find, and reminds us how to love unconditionally—“no matter what.” A beautiful story of redemption and forgiveness written by a gifted author.” -- Diane Moody (Kingston Springs, TN)

“…one of the strongest examples of unconditional love, forgiveness, grace and mercy I've come across in some time.” -- Peg Phifer (Las Vegas, NV)


Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and recently won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) at the annual Golden Scrolls award banquet. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding their Harley. Look for her new Blog Talk Radio show, coming soon!

Visit Kathi’s website at www.kathimacias.com and her blog at http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/. Stay tuned to Kathi’s website for news of her upcoming “Write the Vision” Blog Talk Radio show.

“I was thrilled when I found out Kathi was touring with us again,” says Cheryl Malandrinos, Tour Coordinator for Pump Up Your Book Promotion. “I fell in love with Kathi’s work years ago and she’s never disappointed this reader.”

If you would like to follow Kathi on her virtual book tour, visit the official Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tour site at http://virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/.

Kathi’s virtual book tour is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours, a virtual book tour agency for authors who want quality service for an affordable price. More information can be found on their website at http://www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com. Sign up for our 12 Days of Christmas Tour Special! Deadline to register is October 30, 2009.