Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

This thread is for the discussion of A Pretty Mess by Carla Caruso.



Book Synopsis:
Sometimes, to come clean, you've got to get your hands dirty ...

Celeste Pretty, a self-confessed neat freak, has found the job she was born to do: a professional organizer, de-cluttering people's homes and workplaces. Her new business gets off to a cracking start when she lands her first client, health and fitness guru Natalia Samphire, in the well-heeled suburb of Astonvale. But things get messy at Natalia's mansion when Celeste finds a blackmail note and other mysterious items. And then there's Lenny Muscat, the sexy builder renovating the place, whose constant presence is muddling Celeste's usually organized brain.

When things get decidedly suspicious at the mansion, she and Lenny have to team up to investigate. But will Celeste emerge with her heart and professional reputation unscathed?

What is a BOM (Book of the Month)?

At NRBC we use a more structured approach to our BOMs. We have a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book.

“Books of the Month” (“BOMs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and volunteer group members
who help one of us out. We love members who volunteer to write discussion questions. If you'd like to give it a go, just post in the thread the date you'd like.

• If the book is over about 400 pages, we'll usually plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
book.

• We find this style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
free books!

• Likewise, if you volunteer to write discussion questions, but then real life gets in the way, please let the moderators know as soon as possible so we can organise a replacement

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
You can do so at the end of the read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
before you comment

Chapter breakdown

 Date   Chapters   DQ 
March 27 1-3 (14%) Karrie
March 28 4-7 (28%) Megan Karen 
March 29 8-11 (43%) Rachel 
March 30 12-15 (59%) Amanda 
March 31 16-18 (72%) Kelly
April 1 19-22 (88%) Rebecca NJ
April 2 23-25 (end) Sonia

Discussion question volunteers

Carmen
Snowtulip
Karrie (day one)
Megan
Rachel
Amanda
Kelly
Rebecca NJ
Sonia

Our Mod, Renee, loves Carla Caruso. So she decided to reach out to this Austalian Romance writer to beg ask if she would be willing to give some free copies of her book to our members, and also do an author Q&A.
We were so pleased when Carla agreed and we hope you will join us for this special bonus BOM. You can go in the running to win a copy of her book here

I can write some DQ's for this one if there is still space left.

I'm in and I'll do a set of DQs too.

I can also do DQs :D

I will do this one. I can write questions too. Can I do the first set?

Sure thing ladies, thanks!
Due to wheelathon, if we have more volunteers than days available 3 days prior to the BOM start, then the volunteers will be chosen using a randomizer. We'll post the assigned DQ writers on the 24th

Sounds like a plan :)

I'll sign up for DQs.

Since Carmen and I are on the same team, I'll drop my request for DQ's so we have a better chance of getting a spot :)

No probs!

I'll volunteer for DQs.

I can do DQs :)

Chapter breakdown has been updated in message 3. There is no break day, but the split works out to only about 30 mins of reading per day

If it's not too late, I'll volunteer for DQs.

Sure thing Rebecca, I'll be randomising all the volunteers in about 10 hours

Karen wrote: "Sure thing Rebecca, I'll be randomising all the volunteers in about 10 hours"

Thanks Karen.

DQ volunteers have been randomised and the first 7 allocated to days in message 3
(view spoiler)[

(hide spoiler)]

Please let us know asap if you can no longer be a volunteer:

Karrie (day one)
Megan
Rachel
Amanda
Kelly
Rebecca NJ
Sonia

Ok

Works for me. :)

Shouldn't be a problem for me!

I have a quick question for BoM's. I have done a bunch of DQs but I have always used my timezone (PDT/PST) as mode for posting my DQs. What is the official timezone for posting a DQ? Is it AEDT?

Nope, just whatever time zone you are in is fine. (I tend to post a day late in my time zone so that it suits everyone in the northern hemisphere better!)

The Q&A thread can be found HERE

It will be open for the duration of the Book of the Month discussion and a day after - March 27 to April 3, 2015. Feel free to post questions anytime and Carla will pop in to chat whenever she gets a moment between writing her next novel and chasing around her toddler twins.

Here are the questions for day one:

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client because she mentions that she is running late. What do you think about the way the client chose to meet her and the fact that her assistant would even send her up to that situation!

3. I thought the contrast between Celeste and her dad was interesting. It could lead to some nice subplot lines and leaves room for character development. What do you think about it?

4. Hmmmmm. Do you think Celeste and Lenny will become romantically involved?

5. What do you think the significance of the "G" pendant is?

6. Do you agree with the saying work and family don't mix?

March 27
Chapters 1-3

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?
I am generally very organised, although I am also messy. So work that one out...lol! I am always the person organising appointments, holidays, keeping tabs on birthdays etc.

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client because she mentions that she is running late. What do you think about the way the client chose to meet her and the fact that her assistant would even send her up to that situation!
I guess it is that whole celebrity thing of living in a different world. She could always claim sexual harassment ;)

3. I thought the contrast between Celeste and her dad was interesting. It could lead to some nice subplot lines and leaves room for character development. What do you think about it?
I agree. This is clearly to be explored more

4. Hmmmmm. Do you think Celeste and Lenny will become romantically involved?
Of course! and this isn't YA so there shouldn't (hopefully) be a love triangle

5. What do you think the significance of the "G" pendant is?
I hadn't given it much thought actually. I'll be interested in everyone's theories

6. Do you agree with the saying work and family don't mix?
Yes. I am very much a fan of keeping them very separate.

March 27
Chapters 1-3

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?
Um, I'm going to have to go with no on this one! There are times where I'm spot on with organization and then the next time it is complete chaos.

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client because she mentions that she is running late. What do you think about the way the client chose to meet her and the fact that her assistant would even send her up to that situation!
I think it's part of show business world where I'm sure it never even came to Natalia or Minka's mind that someone might view the situation as unusual.

3. I thought the contrast between Celeste and her dad was interesting. It could lead to some nice subplot lines and leaves room for character development. What do you think about it?
I have heard that these contrasts happen a lot, especially when a child wants to break the pattern. (view spoiler)[There's a tv show called Hoarders here in the US and they had featured one woman who as a child grew up in a house surrounded with "junk". As an adult, she kept no possessions and only kept what she absolutely needed. No clutter, no extra papers, etc. She wouldn't even visit her mother and made her meet her in a public place. It was so sad! (hide spoiler)]

4. Hmmmmm. Do you think Celeste and Lenny will become romantically involved?
It does seem to be leaning that way. Although I have to say Karen that a lot of cozy mysteries also have those pesky love triangles too, lol!

5. What do you think the significance of the "G" pendant is?
The way Natalia reacted has to have some significance whether it be an old flame or someone else signficant in her life (view spoiler)[A child given away at birth maybe? (hide spoiler)].

6. Do you agree with the saying work and family don't mix?
Absolutely.

I haven't read all 3 chapters yet, so I will just answer a couple and come back later.

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?

I am, I have thought about going into professional organizing in the past.

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client because she mentions that she is running late. What do you think about the way the client chose to meet her and the fact that her assistant would even send her up to that situation!

I found it to be awkward from Celeste's perspective... but her client may just really not care about modesty and her assistant is probably just used to it by now.

The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person? aww heck no..lol. I had no idea that could even be a profession. Interesting character though, (view spoiler)[ I liked hearing about her past and what led her to love being so organized (hide spoiler)]


I thought the contrast between Celeste and her dad was interesting. It could lead to some nice subplot lines and leaves room for character development. What do you think about it? So Celeste's dad is a hoarder and she is a professional organizer. It reminds me how I always go crazy cleaning my house after watching that Hoarders show on tv for 15 minutes. I can't imagine what kind of number that must have done to Celeste. Do any of you have similar experiences of being opposite of something your parents are?

great questions..

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?
As a teacher and publications adviser, I have to be somewhat organized since the young people I work with are anything but organized. I love to shop for organizational supplies – yep, mega-nerd here. However, in reality, I’m not as organized as I could be. I tend to start with one organizational system and switch to another half way through a project. Defeats the whole purpose, I guess. Still, I can usually find things when I need them; it just might take a little longer sometimes.

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client because she mentions that she is running late. What do you think about the way the client chose to meet her and the fact that her assistant would even send her up to that situation!
At first, it seemed natural for someone in this profession to go to the client’s space, even if the space it the client’s home. After all, the client’s needs can’t be determined from a remote office. But I would’ve been mortified to meet a client in that particular state.

3. I thought the contrast between Celeste and her dad was interesting. It could lead to some nice subplot lines and leaves room for character development. What do you think about it?
I’ve read all the comments referring to the program Hoarders (and admit I’ve watched it a time of two myself). While I find the contrast between the hoarder dad and organizer daughter interesting, it’s not too shocking. And he does seem to know where everything is. My dad’s workshop was a mess, but he knew where every tool was.

4. Hmmmmm. Do you think Celeste and Lenny will become romantically involved?
Pretty sure of it. Those thoughts they’re each denying won’t be denied for long. After all, it’s a romance.

5. What do you think the significance of the "G" pendant is?
I don’t have enough info to speculate, but I’m willing to bet it’s significant.

6. Do you agree with the saying work and family don't mix?
As with any working relationship, it depends on the parties involved. I work great side-by-side with my older sister. But my other sister and I can’t get anything done together. If she gives me a little chore to do to “help her out,” she stands there and either watches me do it or does it at the same time …. Doesn’t seem to be helping much at all.

Rebecca NJ wrote: "It does seem to be leaning that way. Although I have to say Karen that a lot of cozy mysteries also have those pesky love triangles too, lol!..."

Ack! Don't say it! :o

@SthTx Dawn and Rebecca NJ
I've never watched that hoarders show. Just the ads for it give me the shivers!

Karen wrote: "@SthTx Dawn and Rebecca NJ
I've never watched that hoarders show. Just the ads for it give me the shivers!"

if you ever need motivation to clean house...it's a lifesaver...

Karen wrote: "March 27
Chapters 1-3

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?
I am generally very organised, although I am also messy. So work that one out...lol! ..."

Your point about number 4 is so true!!!

SthTx Dawn wrote: " The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person? aww heck no..lol. I had no idea that could even be a profession. Interesting character though, [spoilers re..."

Ohh I love that follow up. I feel like I have followed in my parent's footsteps in a lot of ways. I grew up in a pretty traditional family and I have a traditional family of my own.

Annette wrote: "1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?
As a teacher and publications adviser, I have to be somewhat organized since the young people I work with ar..."

In response to your answer to number 2, Me too!!!

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?

Nope.

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client because she mentions that she is running late. What do you think about the way the client chose to meet her and the fact that her assistant would even send her up to that situation!

I think it was a very good way to show us what kind of people they are quickly.

3. I thought the contrast between Celeste and her dad was interesting. It could lead to some nice subplot lines and leaves room for character development. What do you think about it?

Makes sense. I grew up in a house where you could never see the walls. My house is the opposite.

4. Hmmmmm. Do you think Celeste and Lenny will become romantically involved?

It is looking like it.

5. What do you think the significance of the "G" pendant is?

Not sure. I really want to know. I also want to know what was in that drawer.

6. Do you agree with the saying work and family don't mix?

Yes. I think on only special occasions can family work together.

March 27
Chapter 1-3

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?
Heh. Some parts of my life are organized and some are not. Work is decently organized but the house could use some professional organizer services.... *goes off to google professional organizers*

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client because she mentions that she is running late. What do you think about the way the client chose to meet her and the fact that her assistant would even send her up to that situation!
Eih. It's a celebrity who's obviously a bit nuts so it seems rather par for the course. They're used to people jumping through hoops for them.

3. I thought the contrast between Celeste and her dad was interesting. It could lead to some nice subplot lines and leaves room for character development. What do you think about it?
I'm curious if she became a professional organizer because of how he lives.

4. Hmmmmm. Do you think Celeste and Lenny will become romantically involved?
It sure seems that way though I suspect everyone else will try to steal him.

5. What do you think the significance of the "G" pendant is?
Maybe has to do with whoever she stole things from?

6. Do you agree with the saying work and family don't mix?
Yes. My husband and I would never work at the same place. We took one class together in school and that was enough. No need to add work stress to a marriage. Plus I think it'd be hard to be honest with family you're working with.

Just a quick reminder that you can pop over to this thread at any time until April 3 to ask Carla questions about this book

Shellah wrote: "1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?

Nope.

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client b..."

In response to your answer to number two, I guess that might be true. I was just so shocked. I would have turned and left and never come back. But the author did reveal some character traits there I suppose.

Kelly wrote: "March 27
Chapter 1-3

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?
Heh. Some parts of my life are organized and some are not. Work is decently organized ..."

Good point about work and family. Some separation is probably healthy.

Brandi wrote: "1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?

I am more organized like her dad. I know where everything is, but it doesn't look like organized.

2. At th..."

In response to your answer to question one that is me too! It drives people nuts!

Questions for Chapters 1-3

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?
From the outside people would think I was really disorganized as my desk at work is a total mess but actually I'm quite organized really...honest!!

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client because she mentions that she is running late. What do you think about the way the client chose to meet her and the fact that her assistant would even send her up to that situation!
I thought the whole things was really weird....what was the assistant thinking? And what was the client thinking? I felt it was all a bit unreal as I can't imagine that happening in real life.....but not a great start for Celeste.

3. I thought the contrast between Celeste and her dad was I testing. It could lead to some nice subplot lines and leaves room for character development. What do you think about it?
This book feels very easy up to now so I can't imagine many subplots but her dad was an interesting character and it would be interesting to find it more about their relationship.

4. Hmmmmm. Do you think Celeste and Lenny will become romantically involved?
Of course they will, it's so predictable. And when I read that he was the boss but he likes to get his hands dirty it felt like a Mills and Boon, in that really he is a rich, good-looking man and fits all the stereotypes rather than 'just' a builder!

5. What do you think the significance of the "G" pendant is?
I think Natalie has lots of secrets because she wouldn't let Celeste in the locked drawer either. I am a bit intrigued.

6. Do you agree with the saying work and family don't mix?
Not really, my husband and I work together and I would happily work more with him as he is very good at his job. But in the past I have worked with my parents and that was a disaster!

I'm catching up on the old questions:

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?
No, definitely not! I am terrible at keeping organized. If I could afford to pay someone to come in and get rid of all my old items and organize everything I would.

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client because she mentions that she is running late. What do you think about the way the client chose to meet her and the fact that her assistant would even send her up to that situation!
I think it shows that Natalia is very different from her 'public' persona. It's really strange that she and her assistant didn't think it was odd.

3. I thought the contrast between Celeste and her dad was interesting. It could lead to some nice subplot lines and leaves room for character development. What do you think about it?
I think it was a cool twist. Now I understand Celeste more and maybe the reason why she became a professional organizer. Interesting though that her father knows where everything is in all that mess. I think he's more organized than Celeste thinks.

4. Hmmmmm. Do you think Celeste and Lenny will become romantically involved?
I think it's heading in that direction.

5. What do you think the significance of the "G" pendant is?
Not sure...maybe a romantic interest. Or maybe the old man was right and she is a crook(view spoiler)[ Maybe the necklace and the purse are things that she stole from people? (hide spoiler)]

6. Do you agree with the saying work and family don't mix?
I think it depends on the work and depends on the family. Some families are better suited to work together.

Karrie wrote: "Shellah wrote: "1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?

Nope.

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first po..."

Lol, I would have ran too!

Chapter 1-3

1. The main character is a professional organizer. Are you a naturally organized person?
I’m two opposite sides. At home I’m not so organized, other than the typical and basics. I’d rather not have things so set. At work I’m very organized. For one of my psychology classes we did personality shapes. I found out I’m a Square Squiggly. I like to have clear defined rules but total freedom with in it. :P Each side of the spectrum.

2. At the beginning of the story, Celeste must have an appointment with her first potential client because she mentions that she is running late. What do you think about the way the client chose to meet her and the fact that her assistant would even send her up to that situation!
She’s just eccentric. Live in your own world and do what you want to do.

3. I thought the contrast between Celeste and her dad was interesting. It could lead to some nice subplot lines and leaves room for character development. What do you think about it?
I’m sure we will learn a lot more between them.

4. Hmmmmm. Do you think Celeste and Lenny will become romantically involved?
Yes. It is a Cozy/Chick Lit book.

5. What do you think the significance of the "G" pendant is?
I actually didn’t put any thought into it.

6. Do you agree with the saying work and family don't mix?
I think it depends. Nothing is so black and white. It depends up on the type of work, size of the town or city, and if you have family at your work.

#8 - Macca's is the Australian nickname for McDonalds. We abbreviate anything we possibly can, if we can't make it shorter, then we make it longer!