Our Husband

From Publishers Weekly In her debut novel, Bond offers readers an enjoyable but predictable read. When traveling prosthetics salesman Raymond Carmichael has an automobile accident, three Mrs. Raymond Carmichaels meet for the first time at his hospital bedside. First wife Beatrix is an aging socialite who uses booze and home shopping to solace the loneliness of a moribund marriage. Second wife NatalieAthe character Bond lets readers know best and who appears to be the most distraught about the turn of eventsAis a harried but good-hearted small-town doctor who has just discovered that Raymond has plundered their marital assets. Ruby, his third bride, is a 20-something stripper with a baby on the way. Raymond soon dies, apparently of a heart attack, leaving the women to cope with his betrayal even as they battle over everything from funeral arrangements to inheritance. The plot thickens further when it is discovered that Raymond was poisoned. Since all three wives have both plenty of motive and access to the poison, they're immediate suspects. Bond's fun and frothy story keeps the plot twists coming and offers up an appealing love interest in pawnbroker Brian Butler, a charmer who is genuinely interested in Natalie and eventually wins over her bruised heart. At the book's center, however, is the transformation of three very different women from enemies into allies. Husbands may come and go, but girlfriendsAhowever unlikelyAare forever. Booksellers should be aware of this talented new author, whose first work reads like an ultra-light twist on Terry MacMillan's Waiting to Exhale. Agent, Ruth Kagle, Jane Rotrosen Agency. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist "I'm going to kill him," says Dr. Natalie Carmichael when she's informed of her husband's car accident shortly after she's found out that Raymond Carmichael, a prosthetic limb salesman, had defaulted on secret loans secured by Natalie's jewelry and inherited home. Arriving at the hospital she discovers that Ray hadn't really divorced Beatrix, his wealthy socialite first wife, and that the shapely young red-haired stripper kissing him is Ruby Lynn, the third Mrs. Carmichael. A sudden heart attack widows all three women, and an autopsy determines that Ray was murdered. As the three fight murder charges and snipe at each other, they realize that they have to find the murderer themselves. Bond's memorable and heart-warming romance is funny, irreverent, and thoroughly enjoyable. Diana Tixier Herald Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "A great, rollicking treat!"--Deborah Smith, author of When Venus Fell "Treat yourself to an evening of memorable characters."--Susan Andersen, author of Baby Don't Go "A first novel that's got everything-- humor, romance, suspense, and not one but THREE memorable heroines! Great fun!"--Jane Heller, author of Sis Boom Bah Stephanie Bond left a career in computer programming to write romance comedy fiction for a living. Drawing upon this irony and others in her life, she entertains readers with fast-paced stories of romance and mayhem. According to Stephanie: "If I can make readers laugh out loud, then I've done my job."Stephanie lives with her husband in Atlanta, Georgia, contemplating the southern sunshine through the grime on her windows. You can contact Stephanie in care of St. Martin's Paperbacks, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010, or via her website, www.stephaniebond.com. Read more