Book Description
Pure Dynamite is a blow by blow account of the career of Tom Billington, who wrestled solo as The Dynamite Kid, and with Davey Boy Smith as half of the British Bulldogs tag team. Twice world champion, Billington was featured in the pages of Playboy magazine and was an international celebrity. Although he should have been a millionaire when he retired in 1993, after 16 years of professional wrestling, he had little but memories are scar tissue to show for it.
As one of the first bona fide superstars in the World Wrestling Federation, Billington's career parallels the development of the WWF, from the early days to the decade following the first Wrestlemaina event at Madison Square Gardens in 1985. He worked with every major promoter, and wrestled with some of the biggest names in the sport. His story is a candid expose of the highs and lows of a cultural phenomenon that is still growing today.
Now confined to a wheelchair as a result of serious damage to his back and legs, his years of steroid use have also damages Billington's heart and personal life. Pure Dynamite is as much a cautionary tale as it is a glimpse into the world of a wrestling legend.
Customer Reviews:
A life's work.......2007-09-14
Tommy was and still is the most unrated worker is the business. He had talent and mat skills you just dont see in today's business. He paved the way what we see in the business today. He pulls no punches, one thing that can be said for Tommy is that he is blunt and tell it the way it is, he was never one to cupcake anything, and that made him disliked by many. If you want to see the man behind the name pick up this book, you will be glad you did
Life In The Fast Lane Of Pro Wrestling.......2007-01-30
Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington was one of the first true superstars of the then World Wrestling Federation.
Traveling the world and headlining many major shows - while taking more bumps inside the ring in one match than many stars take in a career - Billington led the fast-lane life of a rock star. But when it all came to an end, Billington was left with poor health, a shattered personal life and little to show financially from his years on the road.
Published in 2001, Billington is not looking for sympathy. Rather, he is telling a real story about one life in pro wrestling; but a story too often played out with many of the stars from the 1980s.
Perhaps best known in the U.S. as the tag-team partner of Davey Boy Smith - the British Bulldogs - Billington was an accomplished single's competitor, and was especially popular in Japan, where - to this day - the top wrestlers are pop icons.
But the years of taking a physical pounding in the ring and the cocaine & steroid abuse left him damaged to the point of being wheelchair-bound. And comparable with too many great boxing champions, the worst damage was perhaps done when Billington was trying to recapture the glory that was never to be seen again.
If a reader is looking for a storybook finish, there are books published literally every few months that give the sanitized version of the industry. Pure Dynamite shows what can really happen after the arena lights dim, the last fan has gone home and the real storyline begins.
Not quite pure dynamite.......2006-01-29
Tom Billington, the Dynamite Kid, tells his story. It is the story of struggling, winning, enduring and surviving. Unfortunately, it is also a story of bitterness. Billington speaks out on many aspects (good and bad) of his career and wrestling in general. As a book independent from any current wrestling organization, this had the chance to be an in-depth look at everything. While Billington does give great details at times, he also comes across as too bitter at times. He does seem to have valid reasons for bitterness, but the book would have been much better if he would have concentrated less on this part of his great career.
Real Bulldog.......2005-11-30
This is the first and best book to really shoot on the wrestling world.Tom holds nothing back about drug use or who liked who.He sometimes makes some his friends sound a lot better than they were i.e. Danny Spivey.But so due many of the other books on wrestling that let friendship cloud their opinions.But if not for Tom the wrestling world would be a differt place.And it is a shame the way he has wound up.A great read for a fan of 80's wrestling.
A Dynamite Review.......2005-04-09
I have long been a fan of The British Bulldogs, and was eager to collect the original U.K. print of Dyanamite Kid's book, Pure Dynamite. A lot of people claimed the book was very negative, and that Dyanmite was bitter and crippled, and had little respect for anyone who was not a legit "tough guy" like Dyanmite, so I went into this book with a lot of curiosity.
I discovered that the book was FAR from what was rumored. Dynamite's book was as brutally honest as it gets. This is probably one of the best wrestling books I have ever read. Dynamite is very honest about everything from his drug use, to his attitude, likes and dislikes of other wrestlers and promoters, and his penchant for his often destructive ribs.
Dynamite's book comes off as if you were a buddy of his, sitting down in the pub for a few drinks with him, just telling old stories about the business to you, both the good memories and the bad.
To dispel a few myths about Dynamite and his book:
--Dynamite is far from bitter about the circumstances that led to him being confined to a wheelchair. While it is true that he prefers to be remembered as he was, rather than pitied for the way he is, he freely admits, that it's nobody's fault but his own. Between cocaine, steroids, speed and everything else that he did "living life in the fast lane", as he puts it, combined with his very physical ring style, he is very mellow, admitting he misses wrestling and the cameraderie of being in the wrestling business, and has absolutely no hard feelings about the business, because he made good money, and enjoyed entertaining.
--He does not hate Davey Boy Smith, they just fell out of touch with each other. He does admit to be disappointed with Davey Boy on several levels. He feels that Davey Boy was always kind of a kiss ass, and that he was led around by Diana. He felt that Davey abandoned him when he was hurt, never coming to visit him when he was in the hospital, except for a photo opportunity, and that Davey's trademarking of the name "British Bulldog" for himself and not allowing Dynamite to use it later on was wrong because Dynamite used the name before (which a case could be made in terms of use; if Dynamite used it before, and that could be proven, Davey Boy's trademark could be revoked), especially in light of the fact that it was Dynamite who gave Davey Boy his start.
--He doesn't hate everyone who isn't a tough guy, he just prefers working with guys who actually know what they are doing in the ring, tough or not, just so you're a good worker. There are several he liked, and vice versa. He was close to Abdullah the Butcher and Cactus Jack, neither of whom are what you would consider "tough guys". If he likes you, you're gold to him, just don't jerk him around.
An excellent and compelling read, one of the best since Foley's first.
Average customer rating:
- Half-breed Dynamite - 3.75 stars
- So sue me! I love this stuff.
- Not great, not bad.
- Yep, it's pure dynamite - yipee!
- Dynamite is right
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Pure Dynamite (Zebra Romantic Suspense)
Lauren Bach
Manufacturer: Zebra
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ASIN: 0821776312 |
Customer Reviews:
Half-breed Dynamite - 3.75 stars.......2007-04-08
Pure Dynamite is an enjoyable romantic suspense novel. There's steamy, suspenseful, and interesting things happening throughout the book. While I don't think it's the worst book by any means, it's certainly not the best either. How someone who has a 'movie star' face does undercover work is beyond me, but it is fiction and it is a romance so I can get over that. For the most part I didn't feel any connection with the characters and I felt they weren't as well-drawn out as they could have been. I liked it well enough so I didn't mind that so much, because the action made up for it. The epilogue let me down though, it seemed out-of-character, a little silly and unbelieveable, and way too abrupt.
While I don't think it warrants all the five stars, that is those people's opinions, and mine is that it's a little above average. Still there's other romantic suspense I've enjoyed more, but it's a fine little read if you don't expect too much.
So sue me! I love this stuff........2006-09-21
I'm a sucker for a good kidnapping story, especially if the bad guy is really the good guy and having a tough time acting as tough as he needs to be. Because deep-down he's a vulnerable, love-starved undercover agent who, by the way - not that it necessarily colors his judgement - has been in prison for months with no female companionship and is now forced to shower with his lovely victim so she won't escape through the bathroom window.
He could stand between the shower and the window, I suppose. But this way they conserve water.
Poor guy. He doesn't want to take advantage of her and he's trying so hard...but he's so hard. Delicious!
My first Lauren Bach won't be my last. I hope brother Zach, the baddest of the two, has to kidnap someone soon. The plot needn't be identical; instead of a general practitioner, maybe Zach's kidnap victim can be a podiatrist. Works for me.
Not great, not bad........2006-04-20
This was a good and fast read. I liked the slow build up of the lead characters' relationship. The sex scenes, however, were VERY graphic, moreso than a lot of other romance books. The conclusion seemed rushed and was a let down. I feel more could have been put into those scenes. The epilogue was completely out of character from the rest of the book. It seemed as if the author needed to tack it on at the last minute and decided there wasn't any humor in the rest of the book, so why not stick some in here? Didn't work.
Yep, it's pure dynamite - yipee!.......2005-08-19
Pure Dynamite is one of the best books of romantic suspense that I have ever read. It's down to earth, exciting and has interesting well-developed characters. All the action is crammed into a short period of time when Adam kidnaps Renata. Adam is an FBI agent posing as a criminal in order to bring down a vicious crime family. Renata is a doctor and Adam needs her to look after the prisoner he broke out of jail with, the youngest son in the crime family.
The plot is really good, but the characters are better. Adam is protective and possessive towards Renata, and the dangerous situation they find themselves in means that all of his behaviour is realistic and understandable. He doesn't go over the top with the whole alpha male thing either. Renata is fantastic as a heroine. She is brave and resourceful and feminine. She doesn't whine and moan and refuse to eat. She doesn't turn into a raving loony the minute she realises her feelings for Adam. The book was like I believe good romance should be - slick, sexy, fast-paced, characters forced together for a period of time - and voila, romance is served. The book doesn't have flowery descriptions or long angst-filled paragraphs. It is rough n ready, with scalding chemistry (and plenty of respect) between Renata and Adam.
Overall this book is pure fun and perfect escapist fiction. I'm sure you'll like this if you enjoy Linda Howard books such as Dream Man / Heart of Fire etc. Highly recommended to romance readers who enjoy romantic suspense.
JoAnne
Dynamite is right.......2005-06-19
The suspense in this book will have you quickly turning the pages. The sexual tension between the two main characters is very hot and frustrating at the same time. She thinks he's the bad guy, he's afraid to blow his cover yet the two desperately want one another and must act like they are a couple to keep the recently released sex pervert Lyle from making any advances on her himself.
The plot is filled with action and intrigue. If you are a fan of romantic suspense, you will love this book. There are a few scenes that are extremely memorable, and well worth the read.
Average customer rating:
|
Pure Dynamite
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739447238 |
Average customer rating:
- A Dynamite Review
- Not As Good As Foley
- Pure Dynamite
- very interesting book
- Dynamite Book!!!
|
Pure Dynamite
Tom Billington , and
Alison Coleman
Manufacturer: Dynamite Kid Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0953709701 |
Book Description
This is the autobiography of the wrestler known as the Dynamite Kid. It is a no-holds-barred look at the inside workings of the wrestling busines from one of it's biggest stars.
Customer Reviews:
A Dynamite Review.......2005-04-09
I have long been a fan of The British Bulldogs, and was eager to collect the original U.K. print of Dyanamite Kid's book, Pure Dynamite. A lot of people claimed the book was very negative, and that Dyanmite was bitter and crippled, and had little respect for anyone who was not a legit "tough guy" like Dyanmite, so I went into this book with a lot of curiosity.
I discovered that the book was FAR from what was rumored. Dynamite's book was as brutally honest as it gets. This is probably one of the best wrestling books I have ever read. Dynamite is very honest about everything from his drug use, to his attitude, likes and dislikes of other wrestlers and promoters, and his penchant for his often destructive ribs.
Dynamite's book comes off as if you were a buddy of his, sitting down in the pub for a few drinks with him, just telling old stories about the business to you, both the good memories and the bad.
To dispel a few myths about Dynamite and his book:
--Dynamite is far from bitter about the circumstances that led to him being confined to a wheelchair. While it is true that he prefers to be remembered as he was, rather than pitied for the way he is, he freely admits, that it's nobody's fault but his own. Between cocaine, steroids, speed and everything else that he did "living life in the fast lane", as he puts it, combined with his very physical ring style, he is very mellow, admitting he misses wrestling and the cameraderie of being in the wrestling business, and has absolutely no hard feelings about the business, because he made good money, and enjoyed entertaining.
--He does not hate Davey Boy Smith, they just fell out of touch with each other. He does admit to be disappointed with Davey Boy on several levels. He feels that Davey Boy was always kind of a kiss ass, and that he was led around by Diana. He felt that Davey abandoned him when he was hurt, never coming to visit him when he was in the hospital, except for a photo opportunity, and that Davey's trademarking of the name "British Bulldog" for himself and not allowing Dynamite to use it later on was wrong because Dynamite used the name before (which a case could be made in terms of use; if Dynamite used it before, and that could be proven, Davey Boy's trademark could be revoked), especially in light of the fact that it was Dynamite who gave Davey Boy his start.
--He doesn't hate everyone who isn't a tough guy, he just prefers working with guys who actually know what they are doing in the ring, tough or not, just so you're a good worker. There are several pebut liked, and vice versa. He was close to Abdullah the Butcher and Cactus Jack, neither of whom are what you would consider "tough guys". If he likes you, you're gold to him, just don't jerk him around.
An excellent and compelling read, one of the best since Foley's first.
Not As Good As Foley.......2004-01-19
Granted no one can live up to Mick Foley, But this is average at best. The Kid comes off as being bitter towards some of his contemporaries in the business. If you are looking for in depth history of his life, this is the wrong place to look. If you want to share in his memories of his career, who he respected in the ring and who he thought was garbage, then this is the book for you.
Pure Dynamite.......2003-01-15
Review of Pure Dynamite
Pure Dynamite is an autobiography of Tom `The Dynamite Kid' Billington. From a boy who grew up in Lancaster England to one of the best wrestlers their ever was in the squared circle, Pure Dynamite is a must have for any true wrestling fan.
The book mainly covers the wrestling industry as it was during the late 70's and all thorough out the 80's, all from the point of view of Tom Billington. It gives the reader an awareness of the deception that takes place in the wrestling industry, and whenever one of these events comes up Tom simply say's, "Hey, that's the business I got into".
This book is intended more for a true wrestling fan because it focuses more on Tom's wrestling career in Japan and Canada, rather than the WWF. So unless you have an interest in more than just the soap opera that is the WWF, you should steer clear of Pure Dynamite. Tom writes about the back-stage politics of all the different organizations he has been apart of. He openly lets people know what he thinks of each owner, manager, and wrestler. He had no problem with telling it like it is, whether it was telling everyone about Hulk Hogan's lack of wrestling talent, or about the young Chris Benoit who he could tell was going some where while training with him in the legendary Hart Dungeon. (A.k.a. Stu Hart's basement.
Tom also tells us about his medical problem, as a result of too much "high" flying in the ring. Though he leaves no delusion and openly admits that a lot of his problems are from the drugs: steroids, crack, LSD, etc.... As bad as it sounds, steroids were a necessity for Tom because he was a small guy in a land of giants. The steroids gave him some extra size. He lets everyone know that while he was on top, he lived life in the fast lane, and even after his first seizure, caused by the drugs, when he was 30 he was not ready to give that up.
Tom was always the troublemaker of wrestling. He would play jokes, or ribs as they called them, on all the other wrestlers just to get a good laugh. Even though some people took offence to them and he ended up in some trouble, he kept ribbing on all the other wrestlers.
The book gives is a perfect historical reflection of the old wrestling industry as Tom started out at age 13. Then, when Bruce Hart gave him an invitation to wrestler for his Dad, Stu, in Stampede, in Canada, where he made his debut in North America. AS well it keeps account of his career through out his legendary matches with Satora Sayama (a.k.a. the Original Tiger Mask) in Japan, and finally to the end of his career.
To rank the book, I give it a perfect score. I think that this book is defiantly one of the best I've ever read. It has an extremely interesting story, with an unexpected climax, and it gets points for pure wrestling material. If there was one downfall to the book it would be Tom's English accent comes through in his writing, but in some ways it adds a little bit more of Tom and enhances the reader's perception of Tom's life.
very interesting book.......2001-12-19
this book is a great insight to the Dynamite Kid, and a fascinating read!
Dynamite Book!!!.......2001-11-25
Without the benefit of the multi-million dollar marketing machine of the WWF, Pure Dynamite unfortunately slipped past the radar of a lot of wrestling fans which is definitely unfortunate. Having read most of the wrestling autobiographies of recent years I will attest that Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington's book is probably the best of the whole bunch (with the possible exception of Mick Foley).
This book is basically the chronological life story of Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington, believed by MANY to have been the best technical wrestler throughout the 70's and 80's and a wrestling legend throughout Japan, Canada, Europe. He was best known in the U.S. as one half of the British Bulldogs tag team in the 1980s WWF.
Here are the main highlights of the book:
- He describes his childhood and how he broke into the business as a teenager and his beginnings in the British independent scene
- He details his meeting with the Hart family and how he trained further and wrestled for the Harts in the Stampede promotion in Canada
- His journeys into other territories like the Pacific Northwest, tours of Germany and Hawaii
- He details his legendary career in Japan (All Japan and New Japan) and his battles with Tiger Mask
- He talks about his teaming with his cousin Davey Boy Smith (the British Bulldog)
- He details his beginnings and career with Vince McMahon and the WWF
- HIGHLIGHT: He goes into VAST detail about the dangers of the wrestling world and life on the road with drugs (not only steroids) and the numerous risks and pounding his body took with his wrestling "bumps" over the years.
- HIGHLIGHT: He talks about all the "ribs" (pranks) he's pulled over the years with other wrestlers
- HIGHLIGHT: Tons of anecdotes about life on the road with (and his blunt assessments of) all the other wrestlers of his time including notable legends like: Bret Hart, Harley Race, Terry Funk, Antonio Inoki, Giant Baba, Abdullah the Butcher, Dan Spivey and WWF 80s stars like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Don Muraco, Billy Jack Haynes, Hercules, Nikolai Volkoff, the Iron Sheik, Bob Backlund, the Rougeaus, etc
Overall, this is simply a GREAT collection of the history of the sport and one man's perspective on it over a near 20-year period. Dynamite literally talks about his dealings with the all the big names, including GREAT stories from the road. Aside from that though, more than just about any other book out there, he tells about of the DANGERS of life on the road including the boozing, the drugs, the fighting, etc. He goes into strong detail about how on numerous times he literally lost his life due to problems with steroid and other drug abuse.
Obviously meant for a more mature audience, there's tons of swearing and drug references in here. If you've read all the other wrestler biographies and not this one, DO NOT PASS THIS ONE UP. It is one of the best. If you are interested in learning more about wrestling or becoming a wrestler, this is REQUIRED reading.
Highest Recommendation
Average customer rating:
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Pure Dynamite
Daniel Cipolla
Manufacturer: Vida
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0829739386 |
Book Description
Spanish Edition. Do you sometimes think that God works in crazy ways?
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Pure Dynamite
Lauren Bach
Manufacturer: Kensington Pub Corp
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000P0O8F8 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Semana, published by Spanish Publications, Inc. on September 14, 2001. The length of the article is 1017 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Williams: dinamita pura.(jugadoras de tenis)(TT: Williams: pure dynamite.)(TA: Venus Williams, Serena Williams; tennis players)(Artículo Breve)
Author: Tay Polo Miranda
Publication:
Semana (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 14, 2001
Publisher: Spanish Publications, Inc.
Volume: 7
Issue: 446
Page: 25
Article Type: Artículo Breve
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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Pure Dynamite Reggae
Various Cdk7 Pur4
Manufacturer: K7 STUDIO
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ASIN: 6308267279 |
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Pure Platinum 2000
Pure Dynamite Cdorh 6991079172
Manufacturer: ORCHARD.COM
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ASIN: 6307752335 |
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Pure Platinum 2000 - Ep
Pure Dynamite Cdorh 6991055192
Manufacturer: ORCHARD.COM
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ASIN: 6307730919 |
Customer Reviews:
Very well written.......2005-07-08
First things first, this is my first exposure to Vampire: the Masquerade (VtM), so if you don't want a noob's opinion skip this review. On the other hand I've been reading fantasy for about 15 years; I just happened to see this particular book in a used book store and grabbed it. In a way I'm sorry since it's basically the beginning of a re-birth of the VtM world, and I never experienced that world before this (plus now I know the fate of many characters whom I suspect are regulars in the world).
At any rate, this book was surprisingly well written. I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to bad writing, but Marmell was able to weave a tale that kept me truly interested. The main character (Beckett) was a sort of morally grey character that I genuinely liked. None of the characters were over the top, the dialogue flowed, I was never left wondering what in the nine hells the author was talking about - in short, this book avoided all of the major problems I've run into in other similar books. The plot was fast-paced and jumped around a lot, but the layout of the book made it fluid and easy to follow.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and can't think of anything bad to say about it (which is in itself a testament to its quality). I simply wish I had read some other stuff in the VtM world first.
A bit disappointed.......2005-02-10
I just finished reading Gehenna. This is the first Vampire novel I've actually read. Having read as much as I can about the metaplot from the roleplaying books, I was a bit disappointed in the ending.
Like a previous reviewer, I wanted more questions answered. I wanted concrete answers to all of the "myths" about kindred society.
That doesn't take away from the fact the author, in my opinion, did a great job with writing the novel. The descriptions he used, especially describing the beast and how it reacted to stressful situations, was great.
Craving for something more.......2005-01-18
I bought this book because I wanted to know how this great series ended. Was I disappointed? A tab bit. There were several prominent figures from pervious novels that weren't even mention like Aisling Sturbridge, Isabel Giovanni, or Khalil. There's no written note, e-mail, or confession. Guess we have to make them up ourselves.
If you want, buy the book for some easy reading but don't expect much. This book was suppose to coincide w/ the storyline on the recently release game Bloodlines, especially concerning the Anarch Smiling Jack.
now I'm waiting for the sequal to Gehenna.. wait a sec..........2005-01-17
I have been a long time fan of the V:TM plotline, mainly game focused material but books as well. I was hoping this "finale" would answer my questions, provide details, uncover secrets, maybe even show a man-behind-the-curtain and basically wrap-up the world of darkness vampire plotline as I knew it. Although the writer does a very good job of outlining the cause and effects within the game itself, he dodges all the major storyline meat I wanted to chew. I wanted to read a book with some answers, and at the end of the book I felt very much like the main character did, which is that the answers aren't going to come. I feel I wasted my time reading this book; it is written well, I will give it that much credit. BUT. If you are looking for the climax of Gehenna, battles between elders, devastating mystery powers, mythic figures, ancient secrets revealed, basic kerblaam stuff, and the rest of that epic carp, look further. I can say that near the end of the book, I kept checking how many pages I had yet to read as there were too many questions and plotlines left unanswered and untouched. Now, I guess its time to start waiting for Gehenna: The Next Final Night. Or maybe Gehenna: Final Night #XVI: Caine Vs. Himself...
Interesting, but flawed.......2004-04-30
This was only the 2nd WOD novel I've read. I've played the game a few times, but am not a fan of Role-playing. The world itself is interesting, though, and so I bought this book.
It was good, but could have used a little tighter editing. Also, a lot of characters were introduced, and I think most of them have been around a while. This might be good for people who've followed the whole series, but it made it hard to figure out motivations we (it seemed) were assumed to already know.
I'd say this is worth reading if you want to know how it all ends (for now) and you might like it more if you know who all the characters are.
Books:
- Quick Red Fox
- Secrets in the Shadows (Bluford Series, Number 3)
- Sidetracked Home Executives(TM): From Pigpen to Paradise
- Sleeping with Fear
- Slow Burn: A Novel
- Snipped in the Bud: A Flower Shop Mystery (Flower Shop Mysteries)
- Sour Puss: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries)
- Stop Getting Dumped! All You Need to Know to Make Men Fall Madly in Love with You and Marry "The One" in 3 Years or Less
- The Bookman's Wake (Cliff Janeway Novels)
- The Cane Mutiny (Den of Antiquity)
Books Index
Books Home
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