Curing the Blues with a New Pair of Shoes

June 15, 2009
When Elvis Presley's celebrated blue suede shoes, the prize exhibit at an Elvis festival in Salt Lick, Tex., go missing in Cash's cute fifth cowgirl crime novel (after Don't Make Me Choose Between Me and My Shoes
), the Domestic Equalizers (and Styling Station beauty operators), Debbie Sue Overstreet and Edwina Perkins-Martin, investigate. Soon after Debbie and Edwina decide to substitute an old pair of slippers belonging to Ed's husband for the real item, they discover that the person who sent them the blue suede shoes, “Adolf Sielvami, Keeper for the King Museum” in Las Vegas, appears not to exist. In a sweet subplot, unrepentant matchmakers Debbie Sue and Edwina promote the fumbling romance between Fort Worth Star-Telegram
journalist Avery Deaton and Dallas Morning News
rookie sports reporter Sam Carter. As Salt Lick fills with Elvis lovers, the pseudonymous Cash (a Texas writing-sisters duo) taps winningly into the Elvis myth.

July 1, 2009
The Domestic Equalizers seem to be footwear-obsessed of late, following their Jimmy Chooscoring New York City caper with the untimely heist of Elvis iconic blue suede shoes from Hoggs Hamburger Drive-in. On loan from a mysterious Las Vegas museum, the legendary loafers disappearance threatens to trip up Salt Licks annual celebration of the Kings birthdayunless Debbie Sue and Edwina can seize the shoe stealer before the press gets wind of it. Since both the Dallas and Fort Worth papers have sent their star reporters to cover the multi-day event, thats easier said than done. The Domestic Equalizers only hope is to throw Sam Carter and Avery Deaton off the scent by playing matchmaker, a task that proves to be far more fun but just about as challenging as finding the shoes. The bumbling Avery has a habit of putting her foot in her mouth whenever Sam is around, and Sam must tread lightly if he is ever to win her heart. In her seriesfifthinstallment, Cashis as madcap as ever.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)