Review: The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns

The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns, by Elizabeth Leiknes


Summer has arrived and around here that means beach reads and margaritas. A Reader's Respite's formula for the perfect summer day? The 3:1 ratio. That's three margaritas per great beach book.

Got the margarita mix but missing the book to go with it? Pick up a copy of The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns.

Lucy Burns is young, single, and beautiful. In fact, if it weren't for her job, she'd be carefree. You see, Lucy is a facilitator. A facilitator for Hell. It's her job to usher the damned into her basement, which is a portal direct to fire and brimstone.

How did Lucy come by this job? Well, it's one of those bargains we make in times of trouble. You know the kind. Lucy's bargain was made when she was eleven years old and her sister was in an accident. It read like this:

"To Whom it May Concern,

Make Ellen wake up and I'll be forever in your debt."


While Lucy got to keep her sister, she also had to make good on her side of the bargain.

Sound a little on the dark side? Leiknas could have gone that way with the story, but deftly manages to keep the story both light and intelligent. Cultural references pepper the story with humor and wit, and Lucy's search for redemption is compelling enough to keep a reader's avid interest to the end.

All in all, a great summer read.

Especially accompanied by a good margarita.






Who's up for a great summer read? If you'd like to read The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns, leave A Reader's Respite a comment here. International entrants are always welcome and we'll draw a random winner on June 28th.


More reviews, you say? Here you go:

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Wendy's Minding Spot
Cindy's Love of Books
Trashionista

27 comments:

  1. Ohh that really sounds good :)

    I would love to check it out!

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  2. I want to read it! I do, I do! :)

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  3. I've got my copy! Now I know that I need margies to accompany it!

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  4. Mary D
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    This one sounds soooooooo good!! PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE I'd really love to get to read this one :)
    Thank you so very much and hope your week is full of awesome new books !

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  5. I don't normally read contemporary novels anymore but this one sounds like fun. Count me in.

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  6. I love those pact with devil type stories. I'll have to check it out. And 'ritas are definitely a must.

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  7. Sounds like fun. Please throw my name into the hat. What time are you serving the margaritas? milou2ster(at)gmail.com

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  8. This sounds like a fun read, please enter me in the giveaway.

    Thanks

    jess
    barney's book blog
    jedziedz@hotmail.com

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  9. I think this sounds like a lot of fun. Please count me in. Thanks so much!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

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  10. Sounds like a great book. Please enter me.

    sharon54220@gmail.com

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  11. Sounds like a good beach read, which I just so happen to be in the market for!

    Cheers,
    julie.sherritt[at]gmail.com

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  12. I've read a couple of reviews and interviews about this book. It sounds like a great summer read. Please include me!

    melacan at hotmail dot com

    P.S. I promise to read it with margaritas in hand if it improves my chances!!!

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  13. I want this book... & a cool bev. lol.

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  14. Glad you liked it. I have it in my pile for July. The margarita sounds especially good.

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  15. I'd like to read it. So much fun. :D
    linna.hsu(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. This is my kind of book! Enter me please!
    allygotts567[at]hotmai[dot]com

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  17. Please include me in your giveaway


    "Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
    CoolCanucks.ca"


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  18. Sounds interesting, doesn't quite sound like Lucy go the better deal but I guess something has to be done

    definitely enter me

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  19. I love the storyline - very unusual. I'd love to read it!

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  20. I really really want to read this one. It sounds like a ton of fun, perfect for the summer! Please enter me. :)

    -Lauren

    lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

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  21. I'll take a couple of margaritas please, and the book. What fun.

    Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

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  22. Sounds like a great summer read. Thanks for entering me.

    carolsntoebook at yahoo dot com

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  23. please include me in the giveaway
    thank you

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sounds good - please count me in!

    Thanks,
    megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  25. count me in please
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  26. This sounds fun! I would love to win a copy!

    issa.mojica@gmail.com

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  27. I'd love to read this: I really want a light read right now! I can only hope I'm not too late though.

    - Jezzah
    jezzahness(at)yahoo(dot)com

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Fire away!