Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Meanwhile, Mavis has been acting suspiciously, mailing packages in bulk and refusing to divulge what she’s up to. She should know by now that Ida, Toots, and Sophie will never let secrets rest or ignore a friend in need. And when the Godmothers discover that whoever killed Ida’s husband has plans for Ida too, they’ll do what they do best — rally together, concoct a daring plan, and show the world there is no match for these four formidable friends...
“The Godmothers series [is] pure recession-proof fun.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Lots of fun, intrigue and excitement.”
—Booklist on Exclusive
With typical modesty, Michaels does not claim to be a great writer; however, she admits proudly to being a born storyteller. Her bulging bookshelf proves she is all over the map, producing with equal facility hot historicals, lighthearted contemporary capers, adrenaline-laced thrillers, and heartwarming tales of family and friendship. She is especially adept at writing stories about women who prevail in hard times – a reflection, perhaps, of her own struggles in her marriage and early career.
Raised to believe that the fortunate in life have an obligation to give back, Michaels devotes a lot of time to philanthropic concerns. She has established a foundation that grants four-year scholarships to needy students and has set up pre-schools and daycare centers for single mothers. She is also an avid animal lover and has been known to own as many as five dogs at a time.
In 1993, Michaels picked up stakes and moved from her home in New Jersey to a 300-year-old plantation house in Charleston, South Carolina. She and the dogs share the house amicably with a friendly ghost whom Fern has dubbed Mary Margaret. In addition to stopping clocks and moving pillows from room to room, Mary Margaret has been known to occasionally leave flowers on Michaels's nightstand!
Her first "sort of, kind of job" was in market research. Michaels recounts the gig's low-point in our interview: "I had a partner and we were testing a new pressurized drain cleaner. All you had to do was put this can in the drain, squeeze and supposedly the drain would open right up. It did, all right.
"The whole wall collapsed, and stuff that was in there for a hundred years flew everywhere. The lady didn't tell us the drain backed up to her kitchen drain and disposal. The company didn't care that we smelled like a sewer or that our clothes were ruined. The lady got a new bathroom, and we both got fired."
Michaels reveals some of her sources of inspiration: "Inspiration comes from everywhere. The title for Finders Keepers came from a cartoon with two chipmunks that my grandson was watching. I had a title but no story. I finally came up with one to fit that wonderful title.
"Names for characters sometime come from television. I had a character named Metaxis which is odd to begin with. There is a news anchor on T.V. who has that same last name. Sometimes it will just be a word someone says in passing, something I read or saw. There's no rhyme or reason to it. It's almost like, okay, I need something here, stay alert and it will happen."
Sophie Manchester sat on the deck, staring out at the Pacific and watching the reflections off the waves as the sun rose behind her. She rose, turning to the east, and watched a giant ball of fire floating above the mountains. Vibrant yellow, orange, and a dozen hues of pink, it appeared like a rosy blush-colored wine splashed across the sky. She crushed her third cigarette out in the giant shell she and Toots used for their ashtray, then began pacing back and forth across the ocean-facing deck. The view was out of this world, but it could have been the Taj Mahal for all the attention she paid it. Haunted by last night's events, she wondered if she'd opened a door that was meant to remain closed. She'd heard Walter's voice; she would know it anywhere. The question was, should she continue to experiment with the unknown? There was no way in hell she would admit it, but she was now truly frightened of the ability she had to make contact with the other side. It was one thing to get through to Hollywood's dead stars. It was a totally different ball of wax when it came to ex-husbands and neighbors who might still be alive. Madame Butterfly had told her many years ago that she had a special gift, but Sophie had always shrugged it off as a bunch of mumbo jumbo. She wasn't so sure anymore.
Mavis, all 146 pounds of her, carried out a tray filled with an ungodly amount of healthy food, a carafe of fresh-squeezed orange juice, and four steaming mugs of coffee.
Placing the food-laden tray on the patio table, Mavis said, "I knew I would find you out here smoking those nasty old cigarettes. Are Toots and Ida up yet?"
"I heard Toots stirring around when I woke up. Nothing from Ida," Sophie said flatly. "She's probably still in shock after last night."
Ever cheerful, Mavis observed, "Well, that was quite an experience. I don't know that any one of us will ever get over it." Mavis proceeded to empty the tray, placing the plates and cups on the table. "I've made steel-cut oats with fresh blueberries, and sliced pineapple with whole-grain toast, minus the butter, of course. I do believe you will like this fresh sugar-free strawberry jam I made last week. I saw this recipe on the Food Network, one of Paula Deen's shows, but I made a few healthy substitutes. She uses so much butter, it's a wonder that sweet little woman hasn't suffered a major coronary from all that unhealthy cooking she does. Though I do enjoy her show."
Sophie rolled her eyes, grabbed a mug of coffee, and carried it back to her lounge chair, where she sat down and lit another cigarette. "Why do you watch her if her show cooks nothing but fattening, unhealthy food?"
Mavis sat down at the table and stirred blueberries in her oatmeal, then took a healthy sip of orange juice before answering Sophie. "She's such a dear woman. She reminds me of Toots. You know, sweet and silly, a little bit on the ornery side but with an air of sophistication. I would love to go to her restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, sometime before I die. Plus, I would have a chance to see those old graveyards from as far back as the eighteenth century. I think I will add that to my life list. What about you, Sophie?"
Sophie blew out a funnel of smoke and took a sip of coffee. "Actually, there are a few places I would like to see before I cross over into another world," Sophie said. One evening, when they'd all had too much time on their hands, they'd each made a list, calling it their life list, of things they wanted to do before they passed on.
"Good. We all need something to look forward to in our old age, something fun and exciting."
Sophie crushed out her ever-present cigarette before lighting another. She remembered last night and found that the place where sarcasm usually dwelt had become the home of fear. "Never hearing from ... Well, let me put it this way. I want to make it my number one priority to guide Walter's ghost straight into the fiery pits of hell. That's going to the top of my life list."
Mavis shook her head. "That is so sad, Sophie. You need to revamp your list."
Sophie rolled her eyes. "I could say the same about you. This new fascination you have with graveyards, reading the obits like they're great works of literature. Is that something on your life list?"
Mavis ducked her head, took a large spoonful of oatmeal, and practically shoved it down her throat. "That isn't on my list."
"Oh. Then explain why you're so fascinated with the obituaries." Sophie took a drink of coffee. "I'm waiting."
Mavis stood, gathering up her bowl and the plate of fruit. "I certainly don't want to sound rude, Sophie, but that isn't any of your business. It's just something that ... well, I'm curious about. How long people lived, whom they left behind."
Sophie inhaled, then blew the smoke out, where it swirled above her head like a halo. "I could understand if it were family. But these are strangers. You need to find another hobby."
At that moment, Toots stepped outside, saving Mavis from having to reply. Spying the coffee, she helped herself to a mug. "What're you two arguing about this early?" Toots sat down in her deck chair, reaching for her ever-present pack of cigarettes. She lit up and blew the smoke out in one giant puffy cloud.
"Mavis's morbid fascination with the obits. It's her new hobby," Sophie said.
Mavis snatched the tray off the table so quickly that her mug of coffee tipped over, sending the brown liquid flying through the air, then landing on her charcoal gray blouse. Sophie just then realized that Mavis seemed to be wearing a lot of different shades of gray lately. Maybe she was in mourning for all those strangers she spent so much time reading about.
"I'm going to pretend we never had this conversation. Now I have work to do." Mavis rushed through the open doors, her willowy blouse flapping like wings.
"Stuck-up!" Sophie shouted to her back. Since Mavis had lost all that weight, she'd become a bit conceited, but, Sophie granted, Mavis was entitled since she'd literally worked her tail off to lose almost a hundred pounds. If asked a year ago, Sophie would never have believed Mavis could be so dedicated, so disciplined, but she'd proven her wrong. The same with Ida. Her life had been defined by her fear of germs. Had Toots not stepped in, who knew what Ida would be doing right now? Though Ida's OCD wasn't as severe as some cases, and all the girls suspected her of playing this up to the nth degree, none of them wanted to see her suffer in any way.
"You shouldn't be so hard on her," Toots said. "She's come a long way."
Sophie rolled her eyes. "I know that. I just don't understand this newfound fascination with the obits, that's all."
"What about our newest ... ah ... hobby?" Toots was almost hesitant to bring up last night. It'd scared the guff out of all of them. "Séances? That's not your everyday hobby."
"It isn't a hobby at all. You, of all people, should know that. It's a ... gift," Sophie informed her.
"A gift? I thought this was entertainment, something for Abby's column for The Informer," Toots replied. Abby was Toots's daughter and the editor in chief of a Los Angeles–based tabloid that, unbeknownst to Abby, Toots had bought a year or so ago. Toots took a sip of her coffee, then tossed the remains over the deck. "Mavis makes the worst coffee."
Sophie reached for a slice of pineapple from the platter Mavis had left on the table. "Her food stinks, too. I need something real. Like a ham-and-cheese omelet with a side of greasy hash browns. This healthy stuff will be the death of me."
Toots nodded in agreement. "Stop trying to change the subject. I want to talk about what happened last night."
Sophie swallowed her pineapple, took a drink of coffee, then lit up. "I was as shocked as the rest of you. I think I've opened up a portal for our dead husbands. I did some heavy-duty research on the Internet last night, after I went upstairs. I know it sounds nuts, but I don't have any other explanation. You got any bright ideas?"
"Isn't that supposed to be evil, like a place for demons to come and go? Take over someone's personality, their soul?" Toots asked.
Sophie shook her head, her dark brown hair wrapping around her face. She tucked the loose strands behind her ears. "You're talking about demonic possession. I don't believe we have anything like that going on here. It's like I said, I think our exes are coming back to ... I'm not sure what they're coming back for. Maybe they just want to frighten us. I don't have any other explanation."
Toots was quiet for a moment. "I suppose if Leland should decide to ... make his presence known, I'll have to explain why I didn't bury him with his expensive bottle of scotch. The old coot was cheap in life. I doubt that's changed in death. Maybe he's stuck in between, you know, waiting for whatever it is they wait for to help them cross over to the other side. Or in his case, he might be waiting for a U-Haul to bring his fortune to his grave site." Toots took a deep drag from her cigarette. "In his case it might be that he'll return for all that money he left behind."
Sophie laughed, but her heart wasn't in it. "I suppose if Walter and Leland crossed paths, they could ... Hell, I don't know. Maybe Walter's looking for Leland's bottle of scotch that you were supposed to bury with him. Could be his liver's been revived."
Coffee spewed from Toots's mouth as she uttered a hearty guffaw. "Only you would think of something like that at a time like this." She wiped her mouth with a tissue from her jeans pocket.
All traces of humor gone, Sophie inquired, "What is that supposed to mean? 'At a time like this'?"
"You know what I mean. This séance ordeal. Last night. Do you suppose there is a connection of some kind, something we're missing?" Toots asked.
"I thought of that, and I'm coming up as empty-handed as you are. I think we need to try another séance tonight. We'll try to duplicate last night's séance as closely as possible. Same time, same candles. We'll wear the same clothes, the whole deal."
"Something tells me Ida isn't going to be game for this a second time," Toots said.
"Then we'll just have to make sure she is game," Sophie shot back.
"Explain exactly how we're going to do this. I doubt that Ida will ever want to sit in on one of our séances again. Now that she's seen Thomas, and before you say anything, no, I cannot believe these words are coming out of my mouth, but it is what it is, so how do you propose we convince her to come to another ... performance?" It amazed Toots how she accepted these ... peculiar entities as part of their normal, everyday life.
"We could threaten her. With something extremely germy," Sophie said, a huge grin on her face.
"That's a terrible idea, especially after all she's been through!" Toots lit another cigarette. "Just what kind of germs are we talking about here?"
"Something the seagulls would ignore." Sophie laughed. "Maybe an unusually smelly dead fish. A dirty diaper. I see people tossing disposable diapers into the water all the time."
"That's beyond disgusting. I can't believe we would even consider doing this to poor Ida given what she's been through this past year. I don't know if she'd be able to withstand something so vile," Toots said.
The sliding glass door opened. "Poor Ida, what? I heard what you said! What are you two up to?"
Sophie and Toots had the grace to appear chagrined.
"We aren't up to anything," Sophie said hastily.
Normally, Ida wasn't an early riser, so neither Toots nor Sophie had expected to see her out on the deck at sunrise. It was obvious that Ida had had a rough night. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, her impeccable pageboy was a mess, and she still wore the same navy slacks and mauve blouse she'd had on the night before, only they were wrinkled, as though she'd tossed and turned in them all night.
Ida reached for a mug of the now-cool coffee Mavis had left on the table. She took a sip, made a face, then took a seat in the chair opposite Toots.
"You look terrible," Sophie said cheerfully.
"You're not much to look at, either," Ida complained. "I haven't slept a wink. This has been one of the worst nights of my life." Ida made a dramatic gesture of sweeping her hand out in front of her as though she were a game-show model about to reveal the grand prize behind door number two.
Toots and Sophie looked at one another, then quickly glanced away.
Sophie, who was never at a loss for words, said, "I thought the night Jerry dumped you for Toots was the worst night of your life."
Years earlier, Ida had been dating Jerry, who at the time she'd thought was the love of her life. As soon as he laid eyes on Toots, he'd immediately dumped Ida for Toots. Ida made a habit of reminding Toots of this whenever the urge hit her.
Toots tried to suppress a giggle. "I did you a favor, and you know it." Jerry had been a skinflint and a lousy kisser to boot.
"You certainly remind me often enough," Ida snapped back.
"I'm not the one who's always doing the reminding, if memory serves me correctly," Toots said. If they all lived to the ripe old age of one hundred, Ida would still remind Toots of this so-called indiscretion that had happened so many years ago. Toots and Jerry had shared a brief marriage; then he'd kicked the bucket. He'd been husband number five or six. After eight marriages, it was hard to name them in numerical order. Someday she would do so. She'd match up all her marriage certificates with the death certificates. Maybe she would start a scrapbook. Scrap-booking seemed to be all the rage these days. At least she could claim she'd never been divorced.
"Stop it, both of you. I'm sick of hearing about Jerry. If my memory serves me correctly, and we all know I have the memory of an elephant, Toots said he was a dud in the sack, as well. So, once and for all, Ida, why don't you thank Toots for the favor and be done with it."
Uncharacteristically, Ida flipped Sophie the single-digit salute. The three of them burst out laughing, which eased the tension immediately. They laughed until tears streamed down their faces. Exhausted from their unexpected hysterics, the trio suddenly became quiet. The only sounds were the occasional cry from a seagull and the noise of the ocean as its waves caressed the dampened, bone-colored sand. A mild breeze carried the scent of wood smoke, doubtlessly left over from a beach bonfire the night before.
Ida looked Sophie directly in the face, her tone as serious as ever. "Can you explain what happened last night? I ... I don't know when I've been so frightened."
Sophie glanced at Toots, who shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, as if saying she hadn't a clue how to answer.
"You saw Thomas's ghost. What's to explain?" Sophie asked.
Exasperated, Ida threw her hands up in the air. "And you think I'm just supposed to accept that like it's ... like it's normal?"
"I'm afraid I must agree with Ida. Seeing all those famous stars is one thing. Seeing people we know, especially our dead spouses, well, that's a bit much if you ask me."
"I didn't ask. I don't know what's got your panties in a knot. You didn't see any of your dead husbands," Sophie singsonged. "Yet."
"Yet is the right word. Where is this leading? Are we so bored that we have nothing better to do than stir up a bunch of unnecessary trouble just to entertain ourselves?"
Sophie considered her question. "Yes, I think that's exactly what's going on. We're bored, but we've found a way to entertain ourselves. We aren't hurting anyone." Sophie paused then, considering her words. "Except ourselves, and we're all okay, aren't we?" she challenged.
"When put that way, I suppose we are. But what if, what if we've opened a portal that's not supposed to be opened?" Toots asked. "As in a portal to hell?"
Sophie lit another cigarette, inhaled, then blew out the smoke like Puff, the Magic Dragon. "If that's the case, then we're screwed."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from LATE EDITION by FERN MICHAELS Copyright © 2010 by MRK Productions. Excerpted by permission of KENSINGTON BOOKS. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
PittyPatTN
Posted October 6, 2011
I have read the other two in the series. I loved the first one and wasn't real happy with the second. The third has stayed along the same line as the second. I started reading it but put it down. I will try again later but was really disappointed.
I love the characters but not interested in their talking to the dead.
Pat Lawson
Fayetteville, TN
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 9, 2011
I waited so long for this book and I have never been so disappointed.
It is badly put together. I know it is fiction but it is just
barely believable.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.In Malibu wealthy eight times widow Toot and her three Godmother BFFs hold a séance in which thirteen spirits including Sophie's late husband abusive drunk Walter and Ida's spouse Thomas arrive. Sophie tells Walter to rot in hell while Ida faints. Later on a mirror is "I was Poisoned". They believe Thomas is telling Ida that someone murdered him. Mavis conceals her new business "Good Mourning Clothes" after being the only person to attend the funeral of a stranger.
In Savannah, Toots' friend Bernice welcomes them home. She informs them of the Sweetest Things Bakery failing due to a rumor of a ghost and a customer died on the line. Sophie and Toots wonder what Mavis is hiding as she has packages to drop off at UPS. Toots goes to the bakery and meets the owner Janie; Toots buys a half interest. Mavis explains her new business, but needs a supplier as she has too many customers and no material. Toots calls her banker who says the supplier refuses to sell. The Godmothers break into the warehouse and steal the material as Toots leaves behind $10,000. At the next séance, they reach Thomas who writes "my daughter". Ida says he had no daughter. Toots fears if he has one and she killed him, she may come after Ida next.
The third Godmothers thriller (see Exclusive and Scoop) continues the adventures of the four best female friends who each possess different personalities. Although the issues are resolved too easily and a key coincidence in Chicago helps resolve one subplot, Fern Michaels's fans will enjoy the terrific camaraderie of the Godmothers, an elderly version of the Sisterhood.
Harriet Klausner
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.tarence
Posted December 28, 2012
book is good. kindle have is cheeper... they seem to have everything at least 2 dollars cheeper
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.spat442
Posted July 23, 2012
Another Fern Michaels classic.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.rickidude
Posted June 17, 2012
enjoyed this series very much...
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.roosterj
Posted March 13, 2012
another great book by fern michaels. these ladies will keep you in suspense and laughter. you just have to love them. cannot wait for next book in this series to be released. try it you will like it
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Neenie322
Posted January 22, 2012
I found this book kind of hard to put down. It goes great as a follow up on the other 2 godmothers prequels.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 13, 2012
i love fern michaels books. funny, interesting and worth the time . thanks
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 28, 2011
Good series by a proven author!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.i have read every book by fern michaels and she never disappoints me.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 8, 2011
I love Fern Michael's books - but I really think this one is not up to her usual par. Most of the book was 4 women griping at each other and the story line was cloudy...I sure hope this one is her only dud.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 3, 2011
I really liked this book, however I was hoping Abby and Chris (and their relationship) would be a bigger part of the story. The first two books in this series are: The Scoop and Exclusive
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.shelleymaMA
Posted August 29, 2011
What your two godmother books called since this one is the 3rd one in the series.
I love your books,
Anonymous
Posted August 21, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted August 17, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted September 9, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted May 18, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 10, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted September 1, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Meanwhile, Mavis has been acting suspiciously, ...