From Publishers Weekly
This departure from Shankman's popular Samantha Adams series (He Was Her Man) doesn't deliver on the promise of its clever title. There are plenty of laughs in the outrageous, rhinestone-studded story of Shelby Kay Tate, a Nashville waitress hoping to make it big in country-and-western music, but they don't add up to humor. Aiding Shelby in her quest are Patsy Angel, the ghost of Patsy Cline; Ann King, a crusty old lady with an ear for music; and Jeff Wayne Capshew, a police officer who, unbeknownst to him, is Patsy Angel's agent on earth. Jeff Wayne's mission is to protect Shelby from her ex-husband, Leroy Mabry, who is determined to win her back or, he determines later, to murder her. Tossed in jail for assaulting Shelby, Leroy meets Mac McKenzie, an unstable fellow who, encouraged by the evil angel Rahab, leads the gullible Leroy on a crime spree once they're out on bail and plans to enliven Shelby's important club appearance with a pistol-packin' showdown. Shankman's story lacks the central puzzle mystery readers expect. Instead, it offers a large cast of weapons-toting, mean-spirited loonies and enough coincidences to round off a Dickens novel. It's easy to see why Jeff Wayne, faced with one of the book's armed crackpots, says, "I cannot freaking believe this." Author tour. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
The unusual title, a lyric penned by aspiring country song writer Shelby Kay Tate, immediately grabs the reader's attention. The saucy and ambitious Tate combats the machinations of a gullible, possessive ex-husband; a loquacious con artist; and a smitten policeman-all of whom involve her in acts of violence. Wild and crazy characters, a humorous approach, and a heightened sense of drama result in unforgettable entertainment. Anyone choosing the latest from the author of She Walks in Beauty (Pocket, 1991) certainly cannot go wrong.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
The author of the well-received series featuring ex-crime reporter Samantha Adams (He Was Her Man, 1993, etc.) hits a mother lode in this story's setting--Nashville--and in a new heroine: up- and-coming songwriter-singer Shelby Kay Tate. Shelby has left Star, Mississippi, and divorced feckless husband Leroy to try her luck at songwriting in Nashville. Now, waiting tables parttime at Sweet Willie's restaurant and working with respected old hand Chuck McGivern, Shelby has a date at songwriters' night at the Sutler- -joining pals Lynn and Althea to sing their own songs in the presence of big-time recording exec Chris Cassel. A string of bizarre events comes close to expunging that dream, though, as Chuck's jealous wife Joyce trashes Shelby's apartment and a lovesick Leroy turns up--an incident that lands him in jail. His cellmate is Mac McKenzie, a short, fat, fiftyish emissary from Hell who soon has Leroy in the palm of his hand--a willing partner to car theft, fraud, kidnapping, and a potential death threat to Shelby once they're released. Floating over all the mayhem is the protective ghost of Patsy Cline, in mortal combat with McKenzie's evil spirit Rahab--a flourish this rich, spirited funfest could have done without, but a minor flaw in a saga as earthy as the music it celebrates--packed with vividly alive characters, ribald dialogue, and suspenseful incident. A sizzling bull's-eye. (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Tuesday, eleven-thirty, a bright spring morning .... Just off the breakfast shift at Sweet Willie's meat-and-three, Shelby Kay Tate rushes down an old-fashioned Nashville sidewalk with Thursday night playing itself out in her mind. It's songwriters' night at the Sutler, a chance to serve up her big, bluesy voice to a crowd hungry for new country songs. Shelby's picturing herself onstage, a girl from Star, Mississippi, belting one clear against the back wall, when a familiar head of golden hair brings her out of her reverie. She'd know Leroy Mabry's puny frame from a mile away - and the last time she'd seen it was in divorce court. Though she wonders what the devil he's up to, she's got better things to think about. But back home, changing out of her work clothes, she's shocked to discover Leroy's idea of a calling card nestled among her lingerie. Momma always said her scream was a snake-strangler. Jeff Wayne Capshew, Metro Police patrolman for ten years, knows these stalking things can get serious fast. He's done all he can do for Shelby, but he can't shake her image from his mind ... her thick, wild, red-brown hair, her creamy valentine face. He feels compelled to protect her - and his instincts are right on. Leroy's been hitting the bourbon and soon shows up at Shelby's to convince her to come on home. When she flat out refuses, he begins to lose it. While Leroy sobers up in a cellblock, Shelby puts the pedal to the metal - aiming for her true heart's desire. The rest of her life takes the backseat, so there's no way for her to see what's coming. Leroy, fueled by his pent-up anger and fast-talking cellmate, gets out on bail and goes after her again; Jeff crosses her path a few too many times, going well beyond the call of duty; an eclectic mix of jealous women, scouting agents, and a big-name star ready for a big-time comeback make their own plans for Thursday night at the Sutler. Shelby's ready for a high-voltage evening but, blinded by her vision of bright

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

An aspiring Nashville songwriter is stalked by her ex. (July)

Library Journal

The unusual title, a lyric penned by aspiring country song writer Shelby Kay Tate, immediately grabs the reader's attention. The saucy and ambitious Tate combats the machinations of a gullible, possessive ex-husband; a loquacious con artist; and a smitten policeman-all of whom involve her in acts of violence. Wild and crazy characters, a humorous approach, and a heightened sense of drama result in unforgettable entertainment. Anyone choosing the latest from the author of She Walks in Beauty (Pocket, 1991) certainly cannot go wrong.

Kirkus Reviews

The author of the well-received series featuring ex-crime reporter Samantha Adams (He Was Her Man, 1993, etc.) hits a mother lode in this story's setting—Nashville—and in a new heroine: up- and-coming songwriter-singer Shelby Kay Tate. Shelby has left Star, Mississippi, and divorced feckless husband Leroy to try her luck at songwriting in Nashville. Now, waiting tables parttime at Sweet Willie's restaurant and working with respected old hand Chuck McGivern, Shelby has a date at songwriters' night at the Sutler—joining pals Lynn and Althea to sing their own songs in the presence of big-time recording exec Chris Cassel. A string of bizarre events comes close to expunging that dream, though, as Chuck's jealous wife Joyce trashes Shelby's apartment and a lovesick Leroy turns up—an incident that lands him in jail. His cellmate is Mac McKenzie, a short, fat, fiftyish emissary from Hell who soon has Leroy in the palm of his hand—a willing partner to car theft, fraud, kidnapping, and a potential death threat to Shelby once they're released. Floating over all the mayhem is the protective ghost of Patsy Cline, in mortal combat with McKenzie's evil spirit Rahab—a flourish this rich, spirited funfest could have done without, but a minor flaw in a saga as earthy as the music it celebrates—packed with vividly alive characters, ribald dialogue, and suspenseful incident.

A sizzling bull's-eye.

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