Jane Reads: That's Not My Suitcase by Laina Turner | Release Day Blitz with Review and Giveaway

The Blurb

Sterling Towne decided to take a last minute vacation to a sunny paradise to cheer herself up after a divorce. When the airline misplaces her luggage, she thinks it's just a typical airline snafu until she gets her luggage back only to find out it’s not hers. Rather the suitcase belongs to someone who thought it a good idea to transport a gold Buddha statue via commercial airlines.

Sterling turns the statue into hotel security for safe keeping but then her room is ransacked, and she’s sure there was someone following her in town. Does the owner of the statue think she still has it? But if so, why not just ask? She’s getting nervous, and even her new friend Steve thinks she might be in danger.

Is she? Or is her imagination just working over time?

That's Not My Suitcase by Laina Turner

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Chick Lit
Publisher: Laina Turner Media, LLC

Publication Date: August 24, 2015
e-Book File Size: 4449 KB
Print Length: 125 pages
ASIN: B011JDNKYY
ISBN: 1230000567107
Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Goodreads

The Review

I just read a really good book, y'all! Let me tell you a little about it.

That's Not My Suitcase by Laina Turner is a fun, quick read. I couldn't put it down, and finished That's Not My Suitcase in one day!

The main character and sleuth is Sterling Towne. The action is told in First Person, from her point of view.

At the beginning of That's Not My Suitcase, the novel is all Chick Lit. Sterling's divorce from her husband Brian has just become final — in December, of all months, "the most wonderful time of the year."

Ironically, December is also the one year anniversary of the day Brian left her for another woman, a co-worker. (Brian had been having this affair for the past four years, and Sterling had no clue that he had strayed, after 22 years of marriage.)

Is it any wonder that this is the first sentence of the book?

"Holidays suck!" I said, slamming down my cup of coffee and causing it to slosh over the sides but not caring.

Sterling is a small business owner, making custom stationery and invitations — at home, prior to the separation. When Brian walked out, Sterling demanded money to properly launch her business. Sterling Creations has been in operation for six months.

Their two children, Jaime and Joanna, are both in college now. They are coming home for Christmas, but are leaving immediately afterwards on a ski vacation.

Nadine, Sterling's best friend and also her divorce attorney, convinces her to take some time for herself, because Sterling deserves it and needs it. Sterling's assistant, Cathy, can handle things at work. Sterling will be alone in her house after Christmas, which is certain to be depressing under the circumstances.

A sure cure is some fun in the sun! So off she goes, from the mid-west US to Bimini. Unfortunately, Sterling's two suitcases go to Washington Dulles Airport.

Sterling has no make-up and no toiletries. She had to buy shorts and a T-shirt — over-priced, tacky, and ill-fitting — at the resort gift shop. She can't just hide out in her room, though, because she's starving.

She wears her new clothes to the resort restaurant, and encounters "an extremely attractive man."

He was well over six feet with dark brown hair, some grey just starting to show through, blue eyes and a nice smile. Not too bad, I thought and then it hit me. I was standing in front of this attractive man looking like a train wreck.

Sterling's suitcases finally make it to Bimini. As you may have guessed from the title, when Sterling opens one of the suitcases, she realizes That's Not My Suitcase. Luckily, Sterling's essentials are in the suitcase that is actually hers, so she doesn't have to wear her train wreck outfit any longer.

At this point, That's Not My Suitcase by Laina Turner goes into Cozy Mystery Mode. I am unable to reveal any more book details, because that would be telling. (Remember, this is a spoiler-free blog, y'all.)

The mystery elements are well-done, with several possible suspects to choose from, and red herrings to eliminate. There is danger and suspense, with a thrilling climax.

There are new friendships for Sterling, and a possibility of romance — back to Chick Lit. I wasn't ready for the book to end. I wanted to read more about Sterling and ???? !

I recommend That's Not My Suitcase by Laina Turner to all Cozy Mystery fans, as well as fans of Chick Lit. If you're new to Cozies, this would be a great introduction to the genre.

I hereby bestow Four Kitties upon That's Not My Suitcase by Laina Turner. I really enjoyed it!

Four out of five kitties

Note: I received a complimentary copy of That's Not My Suitcase in exchange for my honest review.

All opinions shared are 100% my own.

The Author

About Laina Turner

As a child, Laina thought she would either be a truck driver (thanks to Jerry Reed in Smokey and the Bandit) or work at Taco Bell (her favorite restaurant as a child). As she grew older she realized her talents lay in academics and business and for the last several years has been a business consultant and college professor where she uses the analytical side of her brain and not the side that makes up stories.

Through all her career choices she has continued to have a passion for writing. This stemmed from childhood whereas an only child she developed a vivid imagination spending most of her time making things up and thinking the Incredible Hulk lived in her closet.

Proud of her vast experiences in life from barrel racing to being on the dance team for a semi pro basketball team to being a mom of 2 amazing kids, she tells her family and friends that no one is safe from their escapades slipping in to her books.

Taking the plunge to write books that she actually lets people read in 2010, she has worked her way up to having 5 fans (maybe 6 now). Her blog, The Art Of Living Fabulously, was launched to share the daily fun in the life of a Real Housewife of the Midwest along with the musing of other fabulous ladies.

Find Laina on the web at