I Still Miss My Man but My Aim Is Getting Better by Sarah Shankman (1-Apr-1996) Hardcover

by Sarah Shankman

Tuesday, eleven-thirty, a bright spring morning .... Just off the breakfast shift at Sweet Willie's meat-and-three, Shelby Kay Tate rushes down an old-fashioned Nashville sidewalk with Thursday night playing itself out in her mind. It's songwriters' night at the Sutler, a chance to serve up her big, bluesy voice to a crowd hungry for new country songs. Shelby's picturing herself onstage, a girl from Star, Mississippi, belting one clear against the back wall, when a familiar head of golden hair brings her out of her reverie. She'd know Leroy Mabry's puny frame from a mile away - and the last time she'd seen it was in divorce court. Though she wonders what the devil he's up to, she's got better things to think about. But back home, changing out of her work clothes, she's shocked to discover Leroy's idea of a calling card nestled among her lingerie. Momma always said her scream was a snake-strangler. Jeff Wayne Capshew, Metro Police patrolman for ten years, knows these stalking things can get serious fast. He's done all he can do for Shelby, but he can't shake her image from his mind ... her thick, wild, red-brown hair, her creamy valentine face. He feels compelled to protect her - and his instincts are right on. Leroy's been hitting the bourbon and soon shows up at Shelby's to convince her to come on home. When she flat out refuses, he begins to lose it. While Leroy sobers up in a cellblock, Shelby puts the pedal to the metal - aiming for her true heart's desire. The rest of her life takes the backseat, so there's no way for her to see what's coming. Leroy, fueled by his pent-up anger and fast-talking cellmate, gets out on bail and goes after her again; Jeff crosses her path a few toomany times, going well beyond the call of duty; an eclectic mix of jealous women, scouting agents, and a big-name star ready for a big-time comeback make their own plans for Thursday night at the Sutler. Shelby's ready for a high-voltage evening but, blinded by her vision of bright

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Humor, Romance

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Nashville-based mystery writer Sarah Shankman is the author of the popular title I Still Miss My Man, But My Aim is Getting Better (1996), and the equally popular Samantha Adams series, the latest of which is Digging Up Momma.

a.k.a. Alice Storey Some of her books republished under Shankman.

Reviews

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this title, how could I resist this book? And it is highly appropriate that it is also the title of the country song that the main character, Shelby Kay Tate, is working on. She has come to Nashville to follow her passion, singing & song writing, having finally divorced her dead-beat husband Leroy.

When I first was getting going, I must confess that I was a bit worried that it was all going to be too cutesy. But once I gained some momentum, I got into the spirit of the book and was willing to go with the author’s plan. She is playing with stereotypes, both of the Nashville scene and those of what life in the Southern U.S. is like. As a Southerner herself, Shankman is obviously fondly making fun of her home and that affection shines throughout.

I loved how she kept introducing characters who all improbably are connected, creating a real tangle of yarn as all their threads cross during the course of the story. There is also a strong feminist vibe through the whole book, as both Shelby and several other women break free of bad or abusive relationships and are able to sing along, “I still miss my man, but my aim is getting better.”

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once the author introduced the ghost of Patsy Cline and a demonic influencer (whose name I have already forgotten), I had to bail, a little more than halfway in. I was struggling with it anyway, as the characters were rather flat and the tale a little too illogical, but swerving into the supernatural was the telling blow. The title still makes me giggle, but the story, not so much.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridiculous and completely over the top, but often quite funny. Got an extra star because I knew some of the places in Nashville she was talking about.

[Chrissy Hale · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book a minus stars. This has to be the dumbest book I have ever read. I would have stopped when the Pasty Cline angel came along but I am no quitter so I kept reading.

[Julie Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely different not sure I’d read another by the author BUT I still enjoyed it and finished it quickly

[Susan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is just as funny as it's title.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a romp through lots of Southern tropes.

[Karen Lovett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the title! It was a fun read. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Lauren Blackmore · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started out ok but then threw in patsy clines ghost. Pretty mildly racist. Won’t read anything else from the author as this book eventually made limited sense.

[Donna Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most of Shankman's books, this one mixes a whole lot of characters into one plot, but because she weaves it so skillfully (in a silly way; Shankman is not destined for greatness, and I don't think she cares) that it's not hard to keep track of them. She throws in unexpected little twists and wrinkles, and there are no cliches to be found. If you've had a hard day at work and you want to read something funny--or if you are a recently divorced woman who has not forgiven or forgotten all that much--you will have a good time with this book.

[LJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I STILL MISS MY MAN BUT MY AIM IS GETTING BETTER - NR
Shankman, Sarah - standalone

Finishing her waitressing shift and preparing for Songwriters' Night at the local country music club, promising singer Shelby Kay Tate becomes the unknowing target of an obsessive stalker.

A Nashville singer, an angel of Patsy Cline - No, no, no.

[Jen Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish she'd write more.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nashville CW angels& devils, interlocking fates

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title alone makes this one worth reading! Very funny. Loved it all the way through. Have read it a couple of times.

[Ratforce]

Like Janet Evanovich, Sarah Shankman writes hysterically funny mysteries with unusual characters and plenty of romance.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by Sarah Shankman that I read. It was easy reading and very funny.

[Jojo]

بل

[Tina Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best book titles OF ALL TIME.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hysterical funny crazy book!

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing, cute!