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Tats #2
Tats Too
They got out of Oklahoma alive. With a baby on the way, Lee Hammond and Vivian Baxter have settled down to uncomplicated domesticity—until Lee finds bugs in the smoke detectors. The electronic kind.It seems that there are a few details about her past that Vivian has neglected to share with Lee, and the men with the big guns are back. They want what Vivian took from the thirty million dollar Devil€™s Diamond. From the bright lights of Vegas to the dazzling sights of Hollywood, the chase is on in Layce Gardner€™s sequel to the instant sensation Tats.
264 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2012
About the author
Layce Gardner
43 books127 followersLayce Gardner is a screenwriter, a novelist, and a playwright. Her plays have been performed around the world and she is the recipient of The Los Angeles Drama Logue Award for Best Play. She has written screenplays for every major television network and her movie “Prison of Secrets” was Lifetime’s highest rated movie. She is the Goldie award-winning author of the novel, Tats. She has written over forty books and is one half of the best-selling comedic duo, Layce Gardner and Saxon Bennett.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 3, 2017
“Tats Too: The Case of the Devil's Diamond” continues the misadventures of Lee and Vivian, this time as they dodge the FBI, italian mobsters and an all-girl biker gang. Characters and plotlines are very intricately weaved together, and overall this sequel is even more enjoyable than “Tats”.
The dark backstories of the MCs are much less prominent in “Tats Too”, and with one exception, the two-of-us-against-the-world attitude of Lee and Vivian provides a more satisfying romance story. As I suspected, the one exception did turn out to play a key role in weaving together many of the plot twists and turns of their adventure, and it was in-character with the more destructive parts of their personalities presented in “Tats”, so I’ll chalk it up to a rendering of lesfic angst and move on.
There are many hilarious moments in “Tats Too”, but it’s hard to give examples without spoiler tags. Here, though, is a delightful observation from Lee as she thinks back on her earlier years as a player:
There is lots more explicit action (yay!) between Lee and Vivian in “Tats Too”, with Vivian giving as much as she gets! Even their sex roles feeds the humor:
Especially with all the danger, I was very glad that their child was given an appropriate role in the book; she certainly wasn’t ignored yet she didn’t have a role as a third MC.
Author Layce Gardner narrated “Tats Too”, and did a fantastic job. I really got the sense that she enjoyed her book, and was very happy to share it with us. 5* for “Tats Too”. If you enjoy lesfic adventure comedies with a splash of explicitness…you’ll enjoy this book!
The dark backstories of the MCs are much less prominent in “Tats Too”, and with one exception, the two-of-us-against-the-world attitude of Lee and Vivian provides a more satisfying romance story. As I suspected, the one exception did turn out to play a key role in weaving together many of the plot twists and turns of their adventure, and it was in-character with the more destructive parts of their personalities presented in “Tats”, so I’ll chalk it up to a rendering of lesfic angst and move on.
There are many hilarious moments in “Tats Too”, but it’s hard to give examples without spoiler tags. Here, though, is a delightful observation from Lee as she thinks back on her earlier years as a player:
”I realized that once you slept with a lesbian they thought that meant you were married or something. I’d go home with them and the next day they’d be handing me the keys to their place and talking about getting a puppy. So I switched to straight women.”
There is lots more explicit action (yay!) between Lee and Vivian in “Tats Too”, with Vivian giving as much as she gets! Even their sex roles feeds the humor:
”Vivian slashes her hand across her throat at Lulu. “Ssshhh…she thinks she’s butch.”
“I am so butch,” I demand. I stop just short of stomping one boot on the floor because that might make me look a little less butch.
Especially with all the danger, I was very glad that their child was given an appropriate role in the book; she certainly wasn’t ignored yet she didn’t have a role as a third MC.
Author Layce Gardner narrated “Tats Too”, and did a fantastic job. I really got the sense that she enjoyed her book, and was very happy to share it with us. 5* for “Tats Too”. If you enjoy lesfic adventure comedies with a splash of explicitness…you’ll enjoy this book!
November 14, 2017
I loved this. It's even funnier than the first one. And the author does a GREAT job of narrating both. I can't get enough of Lee and Vivian and would love a book three.
Will definitely listen to this again.
Will definitely listen to this again.
July 21, 2019
I’m not even sure where to start here. This is the second book in a series. I didn’t realize that until it was too late to break my OCD habits of reading series in order. I saw this audiobook while I was perusing Audible Escape and recognized the author from another series, The True Heart Series. So I gave it a go and I’m glad I did. You do not need to read the first book in order to understand this one (but do, as I’m finding out ‘Tats’, was a Goldie winner in 2012). And by understand, I mean simply enjoy. I’m not sure this book is meant to be understood because there is really nothing serious about it. Just relish the ride!
So this one was a funny book with lots of crazy things happening. Lee Hammond is pregnant and living with her girlfriend Vivian Baxter. After giving birth, Lee discovers her house is under surveillance by the FBI. When she confronts the men, she finds out Vivian was not entirely truthful about her past and now is wanted by the FBI, along with the Mafia, for stealing a ten million dollar diamond. Confessions made, Lee decides she loves Vivian and will do anything to keep her family together. This includes faking their own deaths and going on a road trip to Las Vegas to recover the diamond, while oh yes, on their way to Mexico so they can live happily ever after. All this with the FBI and Mafia close on their heels.
I have to admit I was in the right mood to enjoy this, just like I have to be in the mood to enjoy movies like ‘Naked Gun’. This is a comedy and simply unrealistic, do not expect anything else. That said, it works and it was a funny and enjoyable ride. There is a lot of cursing and explicit content, crude at times. The biggest joke is how much Lee is attracted to breasts. Yep, shallow but it was funny anyway. The dialog involving subliminal messages between the mains was great and I just had to laugh out loud. The story is told in first person from Lee’s point of view, which adds to the wit and constant comedic vibe of the book. The characters are all entertaining and add to this larger than life story. Vivian’s sister was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed her part in the tale.
As I mentioned above, I listened to this story. It was narrated by the author! I absolutely loved her narration and I’m impressed that she is good at not just writing but bringing the story to life through a great performance.
Overall a good action packed comedy. 4 stars
So this one was a funny book with lots of crazy things happening. Lee Hammond is pregnant and living with her girlfriend Vivian Baxter. After giving birth, Lee discovers her house is under surveillance by the FBI. When she confronts the men, she finds out Vivian was not entirely truthful about her past and now is wanted by the FBI, along with the Mafia, for stealing a ten million dollar diamond. Confessions made, Lee decides she loves Vivian and will do anything to keep her family together. This includes faking their own deaths and going on a road trip to Las Vegas to recover the diamond, while oh yes, on their way to Mexico so they can live happily ever after. All this with the FBI and Mafia close on their heels.
I have to admit I was in the right mood to enjoy this, just like I have to be in the mood to enjoy movies like ‘Naked Gun’. This is a comedy and simply unrealistic, do not expect anything else. That said, it works and it was a funny and enjoyable ride. There is a lot of cursing and explicit content, crude at times. The biggest joke is how much Lee is attracted to breasts. Yep, shallow but it was funny anyway. The dialog involving subliminal messages between the mains was great and I just had to laugh out loud. The story is told in first person from Lee’s point of view, which adds to the wit and constant comedic vibe of the book. The characters are all entertaining and add to this larger than life story. Vivian’s sister was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed her part in the tale.
As I mentioned above, I listened to this story. It was narrated by the author! I absolutely loved her narration and I’m impressed that she is good at not just writing but bringing the story to life through a great performance.
Overall a good action packed comedy. 4 stars
November 16, 2017
Hilarious!
October 17, 2018
Great series. Loved it!
May 13, 2012
i just finished reading it this morning and it was hilarious. i loved lee and vivian in Tats and i love them even more in this one. the other characters--bikers, drag queens, mafia guys, and the FBI add nicely to the action and keep you on the edge of your seat. Tats Too is well written with pithy dialogue and titful insights. the plot is well organized and executed--not always an easy task but the author pulls it off with flying colors. i hated to see it end and i hope there's a sequel because lee and viv are a hard habit to break.
will-never-read
August 1, 2012Same reasons apply to this one that applied to the first book. Skipping this and saving my money.
February 17, 2023
So after reading the first book, I just knew I had to read the second one. So I did.
This was just as good, but in my opinion, Tat's #1 was better. Don't get me wrong, this book was good and kept my attention.
I'll be honest this book was so funny, and I love Vivian and Lee's whole relationship, as it feels like they act like an old couple at some points.
I don't really have too much to say about this book, but I do definitely recommend it to people who want to read a sapphic book which will have them laughing most of the time.
Trigger warnings:
Gun mention, Gun violence, Murder, Murder Mention and fire mention.
Rating:
4/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was just as good, but in my opinion, Tat's #1 was better. Don't get me wrong, this book was good and kept my attention.
I'll be honest this book was so funny, and I love Vivian and Lee's whole relationship, as it feels like they act like an old couple at some points.
I don't really have too much to say about this book, but I do definitely recommend it to people who want to read a sapphic book which will have them laughing most of the time.
Trigger warnings:
Gun mention, Gun violence, Murder, Murder Mention and fire mention.
Rating:
4/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 22, 2012
Lee Hammond and Vivian Baxter are back with a huge bang after their debut appearance in Tats. After getting out of Oklahoma alive, Lee and Vivian settle down to a life of near domestic bliss to wait for their new arrival. They are living the quiet and uncomplicated life of the all American gay family.
When baby Georgia arrives, their lives are complete. But as with most things around Lee and Vivian, this is the lull before the storm and their lives are about to be turned upside down.
Lee finds electronic bugs in their smoke detectors. It appears that Vivian hasn’t been entirely honest about her past life and now the mob are back, guns blazing. They want their thirty million dollar Devil’s Diamond back. The diamond that Vivian stole from them and didn’t tell Lee about. The chase is on and a hilarious side splitting chain of events follows. Buckle up for the ride.
A wonderfully well written sequel to Tats. In fact, Tats Too is even funnier. I would warn you not to read this book in public, unless you want to be carried off by the people in white coats for laughing demonically out loud. Quite honestly, if there was a spew factor rating for this book, out of ten, I would rate it twelve. It truly is that hilarious.
I love both main characters Lee and Vivian. They are multidimensional and interact so well together. Just like an old married couple, they know each other’s thoughts. Goodies and baddies alike all have their parts to play in progressing this page turning story forward.
There is so much packed in to this book. Not only are Lee and Vivian being chased all over Vegas and Hollywood by Italian mafia types, but also the FBI too. Which in turn leads to some really hair raising and hilarious escapades. Oh, not to forget the biker gang and Vivian’s sister, Lulu, who used to be her brother, who is now a lesbian, added in to the mix. All just so funny.
I would like to have seen more of Lee and Vivian’s domestic bliss with baby Georgia, but I’m hoping Layce maybe saving that for a third romp with this dynamic duo.
When baby Georgia arrives, their lives are complete. But as with most things around Lee and Vivian, this is the lull before the storm and their lives are about to be turned upside down.
Lee finds electronic bugs in their smoke detectors. It appears that Vivian hasn’t been entirely honest about her past life and now the mob are back, guns blazing. They want their thirty million dollar Devil’s Diamond back. The diamond that Vivian stole from them and didn’t tell Lee about. The chase is on and a hilarious side splitting chain of events follows. Buckle up for the ride.
A wonderfully well written sequel to Tats. In fact, Tats Too is even funnier. I would warn you not to read this book in public, unless you want to be carried off by the people in white coats for laughing demonically out loud. Quite honestly, if there was a spew factor rating for this book, out of ten, I would rate it twelve. It truly is that hilarious.
I love both main characters Lee and Vivian. They are multidimensional and interact so well together. Just like an old married couple, they know each other’s thoughts. Goodies and baddies alike all have their parts to play in progressing this page turning story forward.
There is so much packed in to this book. Not only are Lee and Vivian being chased all over Vegas and Hollywood by Italian mafia types, but also the FBI too. Which in turn leads to some really hair raising and hilarious escapades. Oh, not to forget the biker gang and Vivian’s sister, Lulu, who used to be her brother, who is now a lesbian, added in to the mix. All just so funny.
I would like to have seen more of Lee and Vivian’s domestic bliss with baby Georgia, but I’m hoping Layce maybe saving that for a third romp with this dynamic duo.
October 3, 2013
Ha ha this is a great follow up to the first one well done please do a tats 3 pleeeease xxx
November 25, 2018
Mixed Emotions
"Call it survival instinct, call it revenge, call it whatever you want, but the woman in the mirror has the dangerous aura of somebody who’s lost everything. She’s lost her baby, she’s lost her wife, she’s lost her home, she’s lost herself and there’s nothing left to lose."
Although just as over-the-top crazy as the first book, this one was still enjoyable— even though so many times I hated it & wanted to quit reading it & then suddenly I was totally loving it again!!
“This time last week I was happy. I was happy and I didn’t even know it. I used to think happy meant being rich or famous or when I was laughing. But now I know happy means lying in bed with the woman you love who’s snoring real loud, and your baby is curled up beside you making sucking sounds on her thumb and you can’t get to sleep for all the damn noise. That’s happy.”
"Call it survival instinct, call it revenge, call it whatever you want, but the woman in the mirror has the dangerous aura of somebody who’s lost everything. She’s lost her baby, she’s lost her wife, she’s lost her home, she’s lost herself and there’s nothing left to lose."
Although just as over-the-top crazy as the first book, this one was still enjoyable— even though so many times I hated it & wanted to quit reading it & then suddenly I was totally loving it again!!
“This time last week I was happy. I was happy and I didn’t even know it. I used to think happy meant being rich or famous or when I was laughing. But now I know happy means lying in bed with the woman you love who’s snoring real loud, and your baby is curled up beside you making sucking sounds on her thumb and you can’t get to sleep for all the damn noise. That’s happy.”
November 4, 2018
Outstanding story
I loved the sense of humor that was written into this story. A lot of adventure for these two women as well as danger. The laughing scale was off the chart, I never laughed or enjoyed a book this much. Lee and Vivian were great characters that kept me wanting to read this book from beginning to end. I will definitely read more books by this author.
I loved the sense of humor that was written into this story. A lot of adventure for these two women as well as danger. The laughing scale was off the chart, I never laughed or enjoyed a book this much. Lee and Vivian were great characters that kept me wanting to read this book from beginning to end. I will definitely read more books by this author.
April 21, 2019
Too Good
Tats and Tats Too are must reads! Lee and Vivian have love, laughter, and adventure galore! If you enjoy humor and romance, you will love this book. There are hot cheerleaders and sexy bikers. The writing is superb and I couldn’t put the book down until the last sentence.
Tats and Tats Too are must reads! Lee and Vivian have love, laughter, and adventure galore! If you enjoy humor and romance, you will love this book. There are hot cheerleaders and sexy bikers. The writing is superb and I couldn’t put the book down until the last sentence.
January 25, 2019
More like 4.5 stars. I liked the characters in this book better, partly because I understood them better. Also they are a confusing yet cute couple once they get their issues out of the way. It got crazy at the end but I overall enjoyed this book.
March 17, 2019
Tats and Tits
Amazing amazing story. Tits and Tats, Mafia, FBI, bikers, drag queens, Elvis, sex, action, drama, love, baby, etc. what else can I ask for? 10 stars, 2 thumbs up, cartwheel, split, applause applause. Good job Layce Gardner.
Amazing amazing story. Tits and Tats, Mafia, FBI, bikers, drag queens, Elvis, sex, action, drama, love, baby, etc. what else can I ask for? 10 stars, 2 thumbs up, cartwheel, split, applause applause. Good job Layce Gardner.
June 20, 2019
WOW-WOW!
This was another roller coaster ride with Lee and Vivian. Once again with all the comings and goings there was no time to really put this book down. My heart is still beating fast. I Loved It.
This was another roller coaster ride with Lee and Vivian. Once again with all the comings and goings there was no time to really put this book down. My heart is still beating fast. I Loved It.
October 13, 2017
This book was amazing I listened to it on audible.com and all I can say is Lacey Gardner is outstanding and truly talented and her performance was in my opinion flawless. I want more!!!!
November 2, 2018
Both books
I read both books and they were great. The chemistry from them from the beginning was real. Loved the books.
I read both books and they were great. The chemistry from them from the beginning was real. Loved the books.
January 1, 2024
Sequel to Tats. Lee and Viv have settled down to domestic bliss when Viv's past sends her and Lee on another epic and hysterical adventure
June 20, 2012
Tats had me laughing so hard I must have looked like a lunatic reading that book and Tats Too is no different. I chuckled, I spit water across the room, and I smiled my way through reading this book. Lee and Vivian are perhaps the most dysfunctionally functional couple you will ever encounter outside of Janet Evanovitch's number series.
Lee and Vivian were just settling down to a uncomplicated life with a new baby when all hell breaks loose and they find themselves on the run from Italian thugs and the FBI. Faking their own death they take to the road to try to escape the bad guys and track down a missing diamond. There is never a dull moment, with these two! Then add Vivian's brother Lulu who is now her sister and the spitting image of Vivian, and the laughs just keep coming.
Caution: Don't drink or eat while reading this book or you will be spitting your food across the table with liquid coming out your nose. The same could be said for reading this book in public, like I was doing on the train the other day and had people staring at me because I couldn't help but laugh out loud. A fabulous, funny ride.
Lee and Vivian were just settling down to a uncomplicated life with a new baby when all hell breaks loose and they find themselves on the run from Italian thugs and the FBI. Faking their own death they take to the road to try to escape the bad guys and track down a missing diamond. There is never a dull moment, with these two! Then add Vivian's brother Lulu who is now her sister and the spitting image of Vivian, and the laughs just keep coming.
Caution: Don't drink or eat while reading this book or you will be spitting your food across the table with liquid coming out your nose. The same could be said for reading this book in public, like I was doing on the train the other day and had people staring at me because I couldn't help but laugh out loud. A fabulous, funny ride.
Read
July 28, 2012I was a big fan of Tats; but, this one ... not so much. We meet up with Lee and Viv about nine months after Tats. After the birth of Georgia, the two get involved in another madcap adventure involving a stolent diamond, the mafia, biker chicks, drag queens, the FBI and some odd folks they meet along the way. In the first Tats, I loved the way the plot launched full tilt and Lee and Viv just bounced around like pinballs from one zany situation to another. There's a similar feel here, but there's holes in the plot that I couldn't ignore and the situations, characters and humour seemed a bit too forced. It lacked the breathless fun that I had in reading Tats.
August 29, 2014
Viv and Lee are back and up to some amazing hijinks. I loved this story not just for the adventure, but because it showed the developing of a life-long relationship. This development isn't always smooth and like all real life relationships can be influenced by past experiences. I love how the girls addressed their fears and insecurities and find each other as the only possible outcome of happiness. 100% great read... I truly hope there is more in store for Viv and Lee..
June 14, 2015
Okay so this was actually a pretty good book and very funny. I love it better then the first one. Like in the first one they go on another crazy adventurer and make a lot of new friends and a lot more enemy's. But in all i found it very funny that id had me laughing alone while peoplelooked at me like i was crazy haha. In all it was amazingly written and well told. Hope there is more after this one i want to find out what happens with that devils black diamond.!!!
April 17, 2016
Too Too Funny.
I liked Tats Too better than Tats. The scene of Lee giving birth is the funniest most heartfelt chapter I have read in a long time. Again, I say , as in previous reviews. You have to suspend a small part of reality and just go with the flow of the book. Laugh. Enjoy. Don't over think it. Could we ask for both of these books on Audio, PLEASE.
I liked Tats Too better than Tats. The scene of Lee giving birth is the funniest most heartfelt chapter I have read in a long time. Again, I say , as in previous reviews. You have to suspend a small part of reality and just go with the flow of the book. Laugh. Enjoy. Don't over think it. Could we ask for both of these books on Audio, PLEASE.
May 21, 2012
I haven't even finished the first chapter yet and I am already laughing out loud nearly every paragraph. These are by far some of the funniest books I have ever read. Cannot wait for her next novel.
Want to Read
April 23, 2012I am sure it will as good as Tats, Layce has a knack of layering her story, that is wonderful
July 30, 2012
Another hilarious adventure with Vivian and Lee. I finished the book last night and I'm still laughing. Thanks, Layce!
November 19, 2012
I liked this even better then the first book. So much to laugh about!
December 30, 2014
I didn't enjoy it as much as the first...but still an enjoyable and solid read....plus some really hot sex scenes....
December 18, 2015
Wild and Crazy fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews