Easy Like Sunday Mourning

Page Turners #2

by Jennie Marts

Single mom Maggie Hayes puts up a tough front to hide her loneliness, spending her days in the courtroom as a lawyer and her evenings as a closet video gamer. Another heartache isn’t worth the risk, not after her husband left her last year for a Hooters waitress. When she decides to try dating again, a cute video game-designing nerd seems like a safe bet….Until he becomes the prime suspect in a murder. Jeremy Rogers makes a good living designing video games, but nothing prepares him for the real world adventure of being accused of poisoning his own employee. Add in falling for a sassy attorney with a competitive ex-husband, a clingy blonde coworker, and a mammoth-size dog that eats his furniture. Suddenly fighting off a screen full of zombies or preventing an alien invasion seems like child’s play. Maggie and Jeremy find themselves embroiled in a game of death threats, lies, and betrayal. Maggie must learn to trust again while playing the most dangerous game of all. Because defeat could mean not only losing her heart, but also her life… Women of all ages will enjoy this tale of humorous, women's fiction, mixed with a touch of cozy mystery in this small town love story.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Contemporary, Cozy Mystery, Contemporary Romance

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2014

About the author

Jennie Marts is a USA Today bestselling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. She loves genre-mashups, and her books range from western romance to cozy mysteries but all have the charm and appeal of quirky small-town life. Living out her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado, she’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy Like Sunday Mourning is book two in the Page Turners series by Jennie Marts. I loved this so much. The mystery part kept me glued to the pages until the very end and was surprisingly suspenseful at times. It was also sweet and swoony and fun with these quirky members of the Pleasant Valley Page Turners book club.



Maggie Hayes is thirty nine years old. She is a single mom to her two sons, age seventeen and fourteen. And she is a very successful lawyer. What she isn’t successful at is love. Her husband left her about a year and a half ago for a young waitress. She’s lonely and bitter. To fill the long hours alone she has found a love of video gaming online. That’s how she first met Jeremy.

Jeremy Rogers is a wealthy video game designer that owns his own company. He considers himself nerdy and unattractive. There is instant chemistry when he and Maggie first meet and he can’t even imagine that someone like her could be interested in him. He treats her with devotion and kindness, trying to show her that not all men are like her ex. They are just finding their way together when one of Jeremy’s employees at his company is found slumped over his desk, poisoned. And guess who the prime suspect is?!



As evidence continues to point towards Jeremy, they also find themselves in some dangerous predicaments. Of course, the Page Turners get involved, trying to solve the murder and prove who is responsible. Edna, the oldest in her eighties, is so much fun!

This really did keep me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages to see what happens next. Maggie’s ex-husband re-enters the picture to further complicate the situation. I adore these characters and already have the next book, Just Another Maniac Monday downloaded. And of course, it is going to be Edna’s book! I want to add here that I love the side character, Mac, the police officer that seems to have a soft spot for the Page Turners. Although I’m not overly impressed with their police work! It seems the Page Turners are better than they are at digging up clues. I do see that Mac will get his own chance at finding love in book four.

[Jessica Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy Like Sunday Mourning is the second book in this series, but can easily be read on its own. You are introduced to everyone in the first book, which I recommend reading because I loved that one, but you get a good sense for everyone in this book without needing that first one. Maggie is recently divorced, still a little beaten and damaged by that traumatic experience, and is newly dating Jeremy, a man who is basically perfect for her. But with Jeremy a prime suspect in a poisoning at his work, how can Maggie keep her fragile trust in the face of so much evidence suggesting Jeremy isn't who she thinks he is?

Like with the first story, many of the women in the book club are hilariously unhelpful to the ongoing situation. I think what I love so much about this series is how supportive all the women in these books are to each other. They are always there for each other, and it is so nice to read that. This is light, fun, and while it doesn't focus much on any steam, it still has a sweet love story that pulls on your heart. I definitely recommend to romance readers looking for a few laughs and a mystery that keeps you guessing.

[ysar · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Another Saturday Night and I Ain’t Got No Body, we saw glimpses of another side of Maggie as she chanced giving into her interest in Sunny’s failed date Jeremy. And for a strong, successful woman like Maggie, Easy Like Sunday Mourning shows that Jeremy really is her perfect match.

Jeremy’s company is thrown into the spotlight, not just because they’re releasing a hot new video game, but because one of his developers turns up murdered in the office. Though Jeremy is entirely cooperative with the police investigation, he is, of course, a suspect, and it’s up to the Page Turners to help prove his innocence and solve the mystery. Maggie wants to believe Jeremy’s got nothing to do with the man’s murder, but as more and more pieces of the story are revealed, the evidence against him is pretty damning. Couple that with Maggie’s reluctance to fully trust a man after her marriage fell apart, not to mention the busty blonde at the office who’s suggesting her relationship with Jeremy is more than just business, and Maggie’s not sure what to believe.

I’m always a little worried when I begin the second book of a series in which I absolutely loved the first book. There’s always a good chance that the magic won’t be recaptured, that the plot will begin to feel recycled, or that I just won’t be as interested in the new character focus. But it seems that isn’t a problem at all with the Page Turners series. While I liked Maggie well enough in the first book but never really warmed to her, I found her quite likable and easy to relate to as I got to know her in Easy Like Sunday Mourning. Sure, she’s an intelligent, often no-nonsense lawyer, but she’s got a fun side that comes out when she’s with the Page Turners, and she’s got the same wants and insecurities as any woman when it comes to romance.

The mystery side of things was tons of fun as well, with clues leading every which way, and Edna providing the comic relief throughout. Every time I started to cringe at their hi-jinks, I ended up laughing out loud instead, and there were so many red herrings thrown in that it was impossible to fully guess the ending until it was all finally revealed. With bears, road rage, costumes at a comic book convention, plenty of hot men, and the always awesome Edna to keep things interesting, Easy Like Sunday Mourning is a great follow-up to the first book and a chance to see all our favorite characters in hilarious action again.

Unlike the standard definition of cozy mystery, the Page Turners series lets things get a little steamy at times, without going over the top, and I think that works great for those of us that prefer our romance less sanitized. The series is probably perfect for lovers of romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, and contemporary romance with a fun side, and you can bet I’ll be binge-reading the rest of the books just as soon as I can get my hands on them!

[Jennifer Collin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. I am such a fan of Jennie Mart's Page Turner's series. Easy Like Sunday Mourning is Book#2 and it picks up where Another Saturday Night left off, pulling you deeper into the lives of this fantastic group of women. Easy Like Sunday Morning is Maggie's story. It takes you with her as she learns to trust again, after being betrayed by her husband of 18 years. Maggie is a great heroine. She's smart and successful, but even smart and successful women can have their confidence rattled. Her hero, Jeremy, is restoring her faith in men and he is simply adorable. Not an alpha male at all, rather he's humble and honest and totally smitten with Maggie. I do love beta males. Instead of marching around beating their chests, they show their vulnerable side and how a good woman can completely undo them.
In addition to her superbly developed characters, Marts is also a very talented wordsmith. She draws you in with her wit and finesse. The pace of the novel is terrific, it really is hard to put down and the Page Turners really do have you laughing out loud.
I'm so keen to read more of this series!

[Anne Eliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennie Marts has created an indie series that is like no other. She has also made us all proud with her hard work and success. I love her branding and her cool graphic book covers as well. Beautiful.

Jennie writes about about dating--and in the case of this series--it's about a lack of dates and/or some messed up (desperate?) dating (or dating guys who end up with questionable reputations. But hey, it's hard to find a good guy these days. If he's hot…keep making out with him until proven guilty by a court of law…right?) That's how book one went, anyhow.

I'm also happy to know the character called Edna made the cut and is also in book two. I'm pretty sure we all know a busy-body trouble making lady just like her. (Mom, is that you?) If you like adult romance with a who-done-it twist or cozy mystery novels, humorous women's fiction and/or just an all around easy read with a smiling happy ending escape, then check out the kind-hearted but sassy and sometimes snarky heroines you'll get from reading the books in this small town series. Can't wait for the next one.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennie Marts’s books crack me up! I love this group of wacky book club members who try to help Maggie’s love life while they try to prove her new boyfriend innocent of murder! The characters are so relatable, I want to be in their book club with them! Except I would gain ten pounds, because they are always eating delicious food! I really loved Maggie and Jeremy was an adorable hunky nerd. Their romance was the perfect blend of steamy and sweet! Really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the Page Turner’s next adventure!

http://amzn.com/B00HUTZLG2

[Belldandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Hey, this looks like a cute little romance book right up my alley as a long time geek," was what I though to myself when I picked up this book. What this book ended up being was rage. Pure rage. Rage at the poor editing, writing, and research. Mostly the research. There's this new-fangled thing called a "search engine" that can help you research things on the "internet." If that's too much, there are "libraries" that have "books" and "internet access" for what you need information on.

So our heroine, Maggie, met our hero, Jeremy, while playing World of Warcraft. Cute. You know what DOESN'T happen this ENTIRE BOOK? Yeah, that's right, neither of them play World of Warcraft. Our heroine talks a good talk (not really, she doesn't even use the right terminology [research, that internet thing has a ton of info on WoW, I promise]), but doesn't walk the walk. Unless someone is challenging her gaming cred, then she'll whip our her stats and subdue them all with her gaming proneness (not as impressive as the author thinks, btw.) So Maggie, Jeremy, and Maggie's (conveniently old enough to be left on their own for most of the book) boys are getting to feel more comfortable all together at Jeremy's cabin when a call comes in that one of Jeremy's employees has been murdered. Jeremy is the president of a (unrealistically) small gaming company that apparently only hires programmers (hint: research what jobs are needed for a gaming company. With the game that was described, the small company with only programmers would not have been able to produce that game) and one of his best has been murdered. Cue boring murder plot that drags on for the rest of the book. There are 4 people that work at the company. One is dead. One the the perfect hero. That pretty much narrows it down to two people and the author pretty much spells out which one it is with the actions of one of them AT THE MURDER SCENE.

Things start looking not so good for Jeremy, so Maggie and her book club tail him to the Denver Comic Con. Where everyone is wearing a costume. So they need costumes to blend in. This is where I REALLY began raging at the book. The author has absolutely NO IDEA of how a comic book convention works. She even calls it a conference. Con stands for CONVENTION, not conference. Panels are lectures and what the heck are star appearances? They're certainly not autographs, because that was mentioned in the same sentence as 'star appearances.' Maybe stars appear out of a cake? Anyway, apparently everyone wears costumes. What the heck? Does the author not realize that geeks can look just like normal people at cons? That costumes are hot, awkward and take a lot of time and effort to do properly? Whatever. So they get costumes from the costume store at the con that has everything from shoes to props to wigs (which, btw is complete fantasy. Don't go to a con thinking you can get a costume from the Halloween store that is in the dealer hall, because there is no one stop shop for costumes at a convention.) to disguise themselves. Maggie is a huge gamer (ha.) so goes as Laura Croft from Tomb Raider. I was super confused when I read the description, which sounded more like Sarah Conner from Terminator 2, btw, then I realized it. They were giving her the costume that Angelina Jolie wore for the widely-panned movie, not her more traditional video game costume. The best lack of research award went to this costume description:

"....Piper's short kilted skirt fit perfectly on her petite teenage frame. She wore white knee socks with short lace-up boots. She had tied the white button-up in a knot at her waist, a thin band of her flat stomach visible below the shirt. To complete her ensemble, she wore a wig of neon blue hair tied into high ponytails on either side of her head.....I am a character from Sailor Moon. It's anime. Like animated Japanese cartoons. I just need a sword."

What. The. Hell.



So, this is what the characters from Sailor Moon look like. No neon hair, no knee socks, no plaid, no flat stomach showing, no knotted button-up, and no sword. There is one that does wear short lace-up boots, so kudos for managing to hit one item of clothing. Seriously, a quick search would have provided you with the description of what a character looks like. As a side note, any female characters not friends with Maggie's wearing clothing like this are pretty much described as slutty, while females friends with Maggie, or Maggie herself wear the clothes, they look "perfect."

I could go on for days about this section of the book. Let's go instead for a 911 call. What happens if you call 911? That's right, they spring into action. Even if you say something stupid like, "I'd like to order a pizza." it's not stupid for 911 operators who are trained that someone calling them may not actually be able to say what is actually going on for fear of their safety. So would they brush off even the strangest of calls. No. They have to take them at face value. Unless they are 911 operators in this book. They will accuse the caller of trying to prank them. That is a one-way ticket to being fired. If it's a prank, it's likely that the person calling can be found and charged, that's not the job of a 911 operator though. As long as we're speaking of public servants who have no idea of how to do their jobs in this book, let's move to the police. If people just survived a dangerous car accident, what do you do? Drive them home of course! Why bother taking the bruised, cut, bleeding people to the hospital, I'm sure it's just minor, nothing a hot bath won't cure.

The characters are mostly likable, occasionally Maggie acts like the strong lawyer instead of the wimpy push-over and Jeremy is just perfect, it's a shame the story is full of inaccuracies and the plot is dull and WAY drawn out. I feel as if the people giving this book glowing reviews are much like John Snow from Game of Thrones.



Please enjoy this accurate representation of me while reading this book



PS: At one point, to continue to drive home how geeky Jeremy is, the author has him wearing a pair of Star Wars boxers featuring Han Solo and "....a caption about his light saber on them." Just....what. Not every single person in Star Wars has a lightsaber. I know you thought you were setting up an awesome innuendo, but the weapon that Han Solo carries, a blaster, fyi, works just as well. Also, lightsaber is one word. Is even just the tiniest bit of editing/research too much to ask for?

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was interesting but I have two main criticisms. As others have mentioned, the author seems to beat the reader over the head with Maggie's distrust of men. After we're told three or four times, we really don't need to hear it again ad nauseum.
Second, as an 81-year-old woman, I get very tired of elderly stereotypes. Edna is supposedly 82. Names like Edna, Mabel, and Agnes were popular for girls around 1900 up until 1920 or so. Women in their 70s and 80s now are much more likely to have names like Linda, Sharon, Dianne, Judy, etc. The names Marts uses are names from my mother's and grandmothers' generation. No one I know wears orthopedic shoes or glitter adorned sweat suits. It's more of a challenge to develop characters without stereotypes but I think a mark of good writing.

[Samantha Glass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the zany antics this crew of book clubbing, mystery solving, fun-loving neighbors gets in to. Tye second entry in the series zips along as the gang tries to solve a murder and Maggie looks after her heart. We'll done!

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars

[Simon Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book in the Page Turners' series, I was worried that Jennie Marts, like most authors, would have a hard time repeating the success of the first. I also discovered that she swapped the main character: just when we'd fallen in love with Sunny, it's now Maggie who takes the spotlight.

And yet Jennie not only matches the first book, but I'd even possibly go so far as to say it's better. The story feels a bit tighter and stronger.

Having Maggie take the lead wasn't a problem, since we grow to like the Page Turners' Book Club as a group and it's interesting to delve deeper into another character. We still get to see the rest of the members, including Edna, a completely mad, yet very modern-minded old lady, who sometimes steals a scene, but never the show. Each character has been beautifully crafted and do things, or have particular idiosyncrasies that every gal can relate to, which is why readers will warm to them so much.

The form of the writing is nicely balanced - keeps the suspense going and throws doozy spanners into the works at just the right moment. There are a couple of fantastic moments when you've been lulled into thinking everything is fine and dandy and, POW! Jennie hits you with a big surprise.

Although the book isn't a comedy, there are liberal sprinklings of delightful humor, through which Jennie manages to subtly weave romance, suspense and an issue which I think many women will connect with, the question of trust.

This could be read as a stand-alone book, but if you haven't already, check out the first in the series, "Another Saturday Night and I Ain't Got Nobody", and make friends with the Page Turners' Book Club.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful loveable and bumbling cast of characters in this amazing second installment of the Page Turners cozy mysteries.

Maggie was married, although you do get the single mother vibe from her.
Before her husband left her for a Hooters waitress, he was self absorbed.
His family, wife and two sons, was convenient only to show how "successful" he was.
Maggie is beautiful and intelligent and still not quite over the anger of being left for a "newer model"
when her ex decides he wants to move back in - and make moves on Maggie as well.

Maggie has a wonderful eclectic group of friends of various ages, from teen to senior citizen.
They, and their husbands, are all called upon to help when Maggie's recent boyfriend (she doesn't care for that term at her age) becomes the suspect in an employee's death at his video game design company.
The eveidence seems damning and even Maggie, who happens to be a lawyer, begins to doubt how well she knows
her new beau, Jeremy.
A buxoumous blonde, who is also Jeremy's employee, does nothing to make Maggie feel any better.

This is both a murder mystery and a romantic disaster novel. There is no shorttage of handsome men.
Maggie seems to catch all of their attention.
Also included is automotive adventure - road rage and kidnapping, life threatening stuff.
One of my favorite sections was a road trip to Comic-Con. And of course Chewie, not the Star Wars one.

[Brandy Nacole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marts continuation of the Page Turners Series is fantastic! I love that Marts has not kept her focus on just one character as the main attraction for the series, but instead has proven that she is going to let her readers delve into the lives of the ladies of the Page Turners' Book Club.

In Book 1, Another Saturday Night and I Ain't Got No Body, Marts introduces Sunny and her fun, yet at times, nosey book club - The Page Turners'. In Book 2 we are introduced to Maggie, a single mom who is tired of being alone. When Maggie decides to start dating again, her life becomes complicated when the guy she is falling for ends up being a suspect in a murder case.

The Page Turners' Club delve into Maggie's life and try to help her prove her boyfriends innocence. I love the member of the book club! They add more character to the book and give it diversity that makes it stand out even more.

Easy Like Sunday Mourning is a fun romantic read that's full of mystery! It can be read as a stand alone but if you haven't read the first book, I recommend you read it as well because it is just as great as the second book. I'm looking forward to see what happens next in this great series by Jennie Marts!

[Eileen Slovak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a perfect mother's day weekend, and hope you did as well!

For starters, I finished reading this fabulous book by Jennie Marts. Style-wise, Marts' women's fiction reads like a cross between a Janet Evanovich and a Sue Grafton novel.

Marts witty, and face-paced novel, truly is a page turner! Humorous and engaging, I fully enjoyed my moments of escape, tucked away with this 'cozy mystery'. Marts is a talented writer who will keep you guessing 'who done it?' right up until the end.

Of particular note, I hope to see more of the "Page Turner book club" in future books, especially the character Edna, who is a both a hoot and a holler. Finally, I will never again look at a 'porta potty' without giggling!

After reading this one, I picked up Marts' first novel: Another Saturday Night and I Ain't Got No Body (A Page Turners Novel) in anticipation of another great read.--Eileen Slovak, author of SECRET AGENT OF GOD

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am addicted to this series of books by Jennie Marts, i.e. The Page Turners. The group of women that make up the book club (and circle of friends) known as the Page Turners are hilarious and fun-loving and could easily be your best friends - or mine. Both of the books I've read contain adventure, romance, drama, including trying to figure out "who did it", and you're usually kept guessing until the end. But from the beginning until the end, there will be lots of laughs and fun. Getting to know these women has been an adventure and I look forward to the next one in the series.

[Carla Cabrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book although i did like the first book better. I do like the mix of suspense and romance but am not sure how much i liked that there was an actual murder. It was well written and for the most part enjoyable. The only item that really stood out to me as being unfinished is around Jeremy's wealth. We know he is well off but there were questons from Maggie on just how well off. That was never resolved. If you like suspense with romance and humor then i say go for it. If other books come out in this series, i do plan to read them.

[Nicole Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a mom Maggie who has two boys who was left by their dad for a young hot hooter girl. After all the hurt she finally meets the perfect man (Jeremy) of her dreams until he is caught up in a murder investigation. As well as another young girl after this perfect man Jeremy who Maggie thinks is cheating on her. All the suspense from the murder investigation is very interesting did Jeremy kill his employee Jim or is he being framed. Good book, I loved it. Read it to see what happened!

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Romantic Comedy! I've been waiting for this second book in the Page Turners series! This story follows Maggie, a clever attorney who is trying to figure out dating after a divorce. The opening scene is hilarious, but the story takes a twist when Maggie's boyfriend becomes a murder suspect. I loved revisiting the characters from the book club first revealed in Another Saturday Night. I highly recommend!

[Michelle Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the romance, mystery and humor in this book. You get to know the page turners book club members even more is this book. Once again Edna doesn't disappoint. The cheating ex tries to make his way back into Maggie's heart while she's starting to open it up to Jeremy. I laughed, cried and was always trying to figure out who the murderer was. Great book once again, look forward to the next book in the series.

[Nicole LaGonterie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Jennie Marts books so much that I don't want them to end!!! She makes it so easy to identify with the characters. I loved the first book so much and equally enjoyed this one. Jenny makes reading so much fun along with combining romance,mystery and a great sense of humor. I'm so looking forward to the next one!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jennie's books. they're filled with people I can relate to and wish I could meet in person. The books are filled with the perfect blend of humor, intrigue and day to day interactions which make them nearly impossible to put down. I didn't want it to end!

I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series!!

[Marty Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raced through this totally appealing romance/mystery. Just like Marts' first book, this is a delight. And you gotta love those dogs. The titles are really catchy and clever, too. A great, fun, fast, entertaining read.

[Jessica VanHoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventures of a book club. Easy Like Sunday Mourning was just as fabulous as Another Saturday Night and I Ain't Got No Body. There were so many twists and turns, I didn't know what to expect next. I am definitely looking forward to reading Just Another Maniac Monday!

[Susan Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapter of this book felt all too familiar. Woman scorned, finds true love, yada yada yada. I'm SO glad I kept reading. This author had me hysterical. This would be a fantastic sitcom! If you're looking for a quick, funny read... this is a good one!

[Cheryl Lopatka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and fun

I enjoyed this book since the characters were fun and it was a good tribute to friendship. I thought the plot was entertaining and a great light read. I would read more from this author.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series of books.

[RYCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, fun, funny, relaxed story. Easygoing beach read.

[Linda Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Enjoyed the story there was funny moments that I actually laughed out loud I liked the way it all came together in the end

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marts did not disappoint in this book!!
Second book in her Pager Turner's series and I was just as entertained as I was in the first book!!

[Cyd Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked enough to buy the next one nice easy read