SHOULDER BAGS AND SHOOTINGS: ARTICLE, REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
SHOULDER BAGS
AND SHOOTINGS
BY DOROTHY HOWELL

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Life is beyond fabulous for Haley Randolph. She just spent two amazing weeks in Europe with her boyfriend Ty Cameron, owner of Holt’s Department Store where Haley works. And now Ty’s grandmother, Ada, is letting Haley drive her way-cool Mercedes. Plus, Haley’s closing in on the season’s must-have handbag.

But when Haley finds the body of her nemesis in the trunk of Ada’s Mercedes, things aren’t so fabulous anymore. Topping the list of suspects, Haley must solve this murder quickly – and find that hot handbag – before she becomes a killer’s next fashion fatality!

You can even read an excerpt on the author's website!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dorothy Howell, was inspired to write Handbags and Homicide by her crazed obsession with designer purses. She lives in Southern California, where there is, thankfully, no rehab program for handbag addiction, and is hard at work on her next Haley Randolph mystery.Dorothy also writes historical romance novels under the pen name Judith Stacy. She’s sold 23 funny, heartwarming romances that have reached almost 3 million readers worldwide.Her romance titles include the line's Top Seller for the Year, a No.1 on the Barnes & Noble Historical List, and a RITA Award Finalist. Visit her romance book web site at www.JudithStacy.com , and you can find excerpts from HANDBAGS AND HOMICIDE and PURSES AND POISON, the other 2 previous Haley Randolph mysteries!.

Also, be sure to check her new Website and her Facebook page.

Check out her DESIGNER HANDBAG giveaway on her site as well!

AUTHOR ARTICLE:

GREAT PLACES TO SCORE A
DISCOUNT DESIGNER HANDBAG
By Dorothy Howell

You don't have to dress less-than-glam during these hard economic times -- not when shopping centers and Internet sites are flush with places to snag a genuine designer handbag at a deeply discounted price.

Stores selling discounted handbags range from small, intimate vintage and consignment shops to large department stores, and even larger outlet malls. Internet sites offer a wide range of styles, colors, and designer names.

The Premium Outlets and the Tanger Outlets far and away have the largest concentration of discounted designer merchandise. Along with handbag stores such as Coach, Judith Leiber, Kate Spade and Dooney & Bourke, you'll find a fantastic array of designer stores. Michael Kors, Liz Clairborne, Prada, DKNY, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Burberry, along with many others, carry everything from clothing to shoes, and a sampling of their handbag lines.

The Premium Outlets have over 40 locations nationwide, along with malls in Puerto Rico, Japan, Korea, and Mexico. Tanger Outlet has over 30 locations in the U.S. Both offer AAA and AARP member discounts. Join their VIP Club and visit their Web sites for coupons and special offers. Check out their seasonal sales weekends and national promotions for extra savings in addition to everyday discounts.

First, and in some cases, second quality merchandise is available. You'll have to bring along a magnifying glass to find flaws, though. Most are detectable only to the factory-trained eye.

These outlet stores are great places to shop. There's no digging through clearance bins or blowing the dust off of merchandise that's been sitting around for months. The stores are immaculate, the shelves are orderly and well stocked. The staffs are knowledgeable and helpful, the same as you'll find in their retail stores. Many times, after making your selection, the clerk can bring you a "fresh" bag from the stock room. Care is taken to wrap your treasure in the store's signature tissue paper, and deposit it into their trademark shopping bag.

Discounts typically run 20% to 40% off the MSRP, with deeper cuts of up to 65% off of sale and clearance items. Many of these stores offer a full guarantee on their products, plus a money back return policy. But, as with any store, ask before you buy. Keep in mind that these outlet malls are huge, so wear comfortable shoes and plan for a full day of shopping.

Great bargains can be found in retail giants such as Macy's and Dillard's Department Stores. These discounts are usually offered seasonally so you'll have to watch for them. The selection of these bags will be limited, but you can expect to pay from 20% to 30% off their retail prices.

Leading discount department stores such as Ross Dress For Less, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls offer designer handbags. The selection varies. You might find a Diane von Furstenberg, Betsy Johnson or a Fossil bag mixed in with their non-designer bags. Merchandise varies from location to location. These are no-frills stores. If you don't mind digging for a good deal, you can expect to save 20% to 60% off of department store prices.

Some of the most sought-after designer brands are offered at Websites such as Rue LaLa and Gilt Group. These sites offer members-only pricing on luxury brands, usually for a limited time. Shop early. Expect to pay sales prices of up to 70% off retail.

The website e-bay, along with many other online sites, offers designer handbags at considerable savings. The selection is wide and varied. New as well as used purses are available. You'll have to pay shipping costs, in most cases, so take that into consideration when looking at their prices.

Consignment stores and vintage shops are also good places to find a handbag at a low price. Keep in mind these purses are gently used. Designer names and selection will vary widely. Inventory fluctuates so it's good to check back often. Savings can be considerable.

No matter where you choose to shop for your designer handbag, it's important that you can distinguish a genuine bag from a knock-off. Read product descriptions carefully. Do your homework. Know the tell-tale signs of a counterfeit bag. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

There's no need to deny yourself the joy of sporting a designer handbag when so many places offer great merchandise and outstanding discounts to the everyday fashionista. Get out and see what's available. Shopping for your new bag is half the fun!

© 2010 Dorothfy Howell, author of Shoulder Bags and Shootings: A Haley Randolph Mystery

MY REVIEW:

SHOULDER BAGS AND SHOOTINGS by Dorothy Howell is my pick for a perfect summer day at the beach, or curled up in an air conditioned corner of your world! Not only is it an entertaining mystery with a bit of romance but filled with great designer purses---one of my great weaknesses! The story starts with the main character, Haley Randolph, coming home from a fabulous fashion trip to Europe where she shopped with her boyfriend Ty’s grandmother. However, Haley came home without THE handbag she really wanted known as a “Sinful Bag”, the trendy top fashion hit of the year.

When “Grandma” has Haley drop her off on the way home and take her car, little does Haley even imagine what will happen next. Not only is she unable to find the Sinful Bag the next day, but she instead does find the body of her rival, Tiffany, in the trunk of the car before she can return it. Where does that leave Haley when she needs to be spending her precious time in search of this special handbag instead of searching for a killer?

With SHOULDER BAGS AND SHOOTINGS, the Haley Randolph Mystery series is at its best. If you haven’t read the first two books, HANDBAGS AND HOMICIDE and PURSES AND POISON, there isn’t a problem as the book stands on its own; however there are references to these other books that will surely make you want to read them all. Learning more about Haley’s former “detective” experiences and even more so, her fixation with fashionable handbags, is something readers will surely want to look into if they haven’t had the pleasure already. The passionate personality of Haley and her fixation on shopping and buying purses doesn’t normally go hand in hand with solving mysteries. However, Haley somehow takes this flair for finding dead bodies to another level in each of her mysteries and SHOULDER BAGS AND SHOOTINGS is the best yet!

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO CAITLIN AND THE
GOOD PEOPLE AT FSB ASSOCIATES,
I HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS
FABULOUS BOOK TO GIVE
AWAY TO ONE LUCKY WINNER!



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