Lady Be Good

Blackbird Sisters Mystery #0.6

by Nancy Martin

While launching her new career as the etiquette expert Dear Miss Vanderbine. Grace Vanderbine finds herself snowbound in Pittsburgh, of all places, and the hero who rides to her rescue turns out to be a local celebrity who has a few insights into the good manners business. But Luke "the Laser" Lazurnovich is a retired football player with more on his mind than helping a damsel in distress. Their initially chilly relationship turns into a road trip filled with quirky characters and unlikely social situations--not to mention a few hot nights. Grace's sister-in-law Nora Blackbird needs help, though, so Grace and Luke become detectives. Nora's sister Emma Blackbird has gone missing--and perhaps she's mixed up in the mysterious death of football quarterback Jake Kendall, who died before his involvement in illegal gambling came to light. Grace and Luke may be the only ones who can crack the case. But what they learn may jeopardize the feelings that are blooming between them.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Romance, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 3, 2014

About the author

Winner of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement award for mystery writing from Romantic Times magazine, Nancy Martin announces the release of the 8th book in her popular Blackbird Sisters mystery series, NO WAY TO KILL A LADY. Set in Philadelphia, the story features three heiresses whose parents have run off with their trust funds. Now thay have a chance to regain their wealth when their aunt, "Madcap Maddy" Blackbird dies in a volcano and leaves her estate to the sisters. But Nora Blackbird soon discovers all the treasures in Aunt Maddy's house have disappeared...information that leads her to believe maybe Maddy didn't die the way everybody thinks.

Author of 48 pop fiction novels in mystery, suspense, historical and romance genres, Nancy created The Blackbird Sisters in 2002--- mysteries about three impoverished heiresses who adventure in couture and crime --as if “Agatha Christie had wandered onto the set of Sex and The City.” Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 2002, HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE won the RT award for Best First Mystery and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. Currently, she is at work on the Roxy Abruzzo mystery series for St. Martin’s Minotaur. In 2009 she received the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for mystery writing.

Nancy lives in Pittsburgh, serves on the board of Sisters in Crime and is a founding member of Pennwriters. Find her on Pinterest and Facebook.

Reviews

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, it reminded me of what I liked about the first 4 books.


Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Karen Voitik · Rating 5 out of 5]

>Book Review – Lady Be Good
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is a prequel novella in the Blackbird Sisters series and ends in an HEA. Grace is the sister-in-law of Nora Blackbird. Grace is taking over as a Miss Manners-type from her mother and embarking on a book tour. Grace meets, and is forced to spend time with Luke, an ex-NFL player during a stretch of bad weather on her tour. This story sets up the trouble with Emma Blackbird’s dead husband and his issues with the dangerous Abruzzo family.
>I love Luke and how friendly he is. He wins over the super polite Grace. I disliked the scenes with Luke and his buddy’s wife. They seem overly friendly. If I were Grace, jealousy would be rearing up. The love story is a sweet one, while introducing Nora and her family. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this novella 5 stars.

[Lori Gronewold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need another book about Grace and her friends

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the full title is Lady be good (a Blackbird sisters' and friends prequel), there's very little of Nora or her sisters in the story, which revolves around Grace Vanderbine. Grace knows Nora, but doesn't seem to be a close friend, although Nora is helping her as she starts to get a new career as an etiquette writer off the ground. Basically this is a very predictable romance story, enjoyable and quite forgettable once read.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace is a friend of Nora Blackbird’s. She used to work in advertising, but now is helping her mother, a well known manners columnist who is thinking of retiring. Grace is on a book tour when the s owns hit in Pittsburgh. The limo sent to take her to the airport turns out to be driven by the boss. A former Pittsburgh Steeler. He volunteers to drive her all the way to Philadelphia. Fun read, though I am pretty sure the bad guys will keep coming.

[Tessa in Mid-Michigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little romance with a mild plot and not much to it.

[Veronica Crain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun series.

[Julianne O'Brien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this one mainly to complete the series. Ending was a little unsatisfying and the ties to the Blackbird sisters were very loose.

[Anthony H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author

I love all of the Blackbird Sisters books. They are funny and smart. I consider them my favorite and wish there were more.

[Sue Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Be Good is a novella that takes you back to the beginning of the Blackbird Sisters series. In this one, Nora has just lost her husband, hasn’t met her future husband and is taking care of sister Emma. She hasn’t moved back to the family farm yet. You will meet her sister-in-law and find out more about her. I love the Blackbird sister mysteries and I’m glad that Ive been introduced to others in the family. I hope there will be many many more to the series.

[sandra sprenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice enjoyable read

Not five stars because it really doesn't go anywhere. It's about the cha getting to know on w each other only. They ate thrown together then must sort out their feelings. I loved the fact the love making was left up to the reader and not poured down your throat. Makes me want to try another book by this author. Great characters being developed.

[Gabi Eagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora's sister-inLaw Grace Vanderbine.

Awesome prequel to the blackbird sisters. Grace Vanderbine is Nora's sister-in law. Another force to be reckoned with. Don't miss this prequel.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

The timeline is out of sync with the Blackbird mysteries that I have been reading for years. All of the significant events in Nora Blackbird's life were represented here as far more contemporary than in the books. The main character was one dimensional

[Deborah Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Vanderbine

I absolutely loved this story. Nancy Martin scores again!
Would love to read more about Luke and Grace please.
Thanks for a wonderful read!

[Barb Foerst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella. This is a great prequel to the Blackbird sisters books.