Cali McKay's mama isn't ready to pass over to the "other side" yet. Her unlucky-in-love daughter needs her now more than ever. Before Mama can chain-smoke her way to heaven, she's gotta make sure Cali's ex deadbeat boyfriend doesn't get her daughter killed.
Cali lost her mom to cancer. Detective Brit Lowell lost his partner to murder. Now he's in the mood to take down some dirtbags, and Cali's ex just happens to be a dirtbag leaving a trail of dead bodies behind him. Can Brit trust this beautiful woman to help take down her ex? Can Cali look past this sexy cop's hard exterior to trust him with her heart? Can life get any crazier when Mama starts meddling from the grave? Only one thing is for sure--none of it will matter unless they catch a killer before the killer catches them.
Christie Craig, an Alabama native, is an award-winning, multi-published writer, multi-published photo journalist, motivational speaker, and writing teacher.. Her non-fiction articles and photography have appeared in almost three thousand national magazines. A Golden Heart finalist, and a finalist in more than fifty RWA-sponsored contests, she has gained a well-deserved reputation for writing romance fiction that has both witty humor and a suspenseful, sexy tone. Published by Silhouette in the 90s, she recently broke back into fiction in a big way, making four book sales in one day. Her seventh humorous single title romance novel, published by Dorchester, will hit the stands in June 2010. Her non-fiction book, co-authored by Faye Hughes, released September 08, is The Everything Guide To Writing A Romance Novel and their second non-fiction book, a humorous self-help relationship book, Wild, Wicked and Wanton: 101 Ways to Love Like You Are in a Romance Novel is scheduled to be released December 2010. Craig’s latest writing adventure is the sale of a young adult paranormal romance series, Shadow Falls Camp, that will be published by St. Martins Press in the near future.
Cali was having a really hard time when she lost her mother to cancer. In this weak and lonely time, she took up with a loser but not for long. When bodies start accumulating, Detective Lowell harasses Cali about her ex who he is sure is the murderer. The detective doesn't believe Cali when she says she can't help him. He thinks she is protecting the jerk just like his mother did so many times. So he gave her a hard time and was over-the-top rude to her. Life was a mess for Cali and got even worse when her dead mother talked to her. Mama isn't ready to pass-over until she has protected her daughter and helped her move on with her life. She also wants Cali to find love.
I enjoyed this amusing romantic suspense. It was a fun read with lots of sweet scenes.
I’m just not feeling it. The story seems to drag out a bit and both MCs are in denial about their attraction and the push/pull is getting old *eye roll* Also don’t really like the fact that abused women are clumped together so negatively. Everyone is so judgmental and Cali with her dreams/visions of her dead mom coupled with her stubborn refusal to see her ex as a legit threat (he has a history of abuse – last girlfriend ended in the hospital!) is driving me up the wall.
Ended skimming the last bit and I just lost all interest in the couple and the mystery. Might come back to finish it because I don’t like leaving things half done but will see . . .
'Pretty feet had been her mother's cure-all for the blues. Wearing only a towel and cotton between her toes, she heel-walked to her bed and collapsed on the mattress. Then she waited--waited for the mood-altering effect of pretty feet to kick in.'
Have you ever heard the phrase, "If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all?' Well, Cali McKay lately seemed to have nothing but bad luck and neither one, nor six coats of cherry red nail polish, were going to fix things this time. Her mother had died a week ago, and she came to the realization her current boyfriend, whom she let stay with her till his apartment was ready, may have been pulling her leg. It'd been weeks since he said he'd only need a temporary place to stay. To top it off, she finally realized she'd been using him as a crutch, an escape, if you will, to get through the stressful time she was going through in the final days her mother suffered from cancer. She needed to break things off. Hours after sending him packing he was back and not sounding very happy. When a bullet ripped through her door, she knew she'd hit an all time low.
Detective Brit Lowell had also hit an all time low. His partner had been killed recently, and he had family issues. When he first saw the young woman who'd been shot at by her boyfriend, he immediately thought of all the abusive relationships his mother had been in over the years and made an erroneous judgement call. To say he wasn't pleasant was an understatement.
Most people are used to their mamas trying to interfere in their love lives, but when their mother's have passed on to greener pastures those days are supposed to be gone. Well, fortunately for Cali, her mama was the stubborn sort... Her luck was about to change. All it would take is a little Murder, Mayhem and Mama.
I truly enjoy Ms. Craig's books. Her writing style reminds me a little of Janet Evanovich, but with more romance, less triangle, and a touch more naughty mixed in. The books make me smile and the guys always make me swoon.
Cali, a High School Teacher, was sweet and funny. Described as having a face as cute as the Charmin baby's, she reminded me a little of the character Sandy from Grease--very sweet. Perhaps too sweet and trusting, although I doubt she'd let anyone make her their doormat--she stands up for herself and doesn't cower. One of my favorite conversations was between her and her friend Tanya: "I really need to learn to be a bitch." Cali bit into the pizza with gusto and watched Tanya put the rest of the wine into her glass. They weren't drunk, but they were definitely approaching the silly stage. Tanya's goofy smile said the stage had already arrived. "Bitch lessons?" Cali leaned forward. "Yeah Can you teach me?"... "Are you calling me a bitch?" "Yeah, but in a good way." Cali chuckled. They'd definitely hit the silly stage. "I'm too nice. Too agreeable. Ask anyone who knows me."
Brit, described as looking like a young Burt Reynolds is stubborn, but owns up to his mistakes. Once he realizes he was mistaken about Cali, his attentions go from contempt to pursuit quickly. Brit self appointed himself Cali's bodyguard and weasels his way into Cali's life and emotions. Brit, however, has his own set of issues--he's a bit gun shy when it comes to relationships and has trust issues. As Cali's mama points out, however, "You can't fix people Cali. Not even Brit. You can help him, but he has to fix himself."
The chemistry between Cali and Brit, once they got over their first encounter, was steamy. The relationship, however, is hindered a bit because officers aren't supposed to have relationships with potential witnesses. Turns out Cali's ex, Stan, was involved in a robbery and may be a potential murderer, and she might be his next victim.
The song dancing through my head as I read this book was 'You're the One That I Want' from Grease starring Olivia Newton John and John Travolta. "You better shape up cause I need a man and my heart is set on you..." You can probably guess why.
Overall, this one gets a 4 out 5 roses. I felt it was a nice mixture of humor, romance, and drama. I loved Cali's mama's involvement in this one. It just adds a little extra to the story. Plus, I didn't want to put the book down once I started and it put a grin on my face. A very enjoyable read. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating (bordering on a SHOWER rating) - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed and are grinning from ear to ear.
If you'd like to read more of my reviews, please visit my blog at www.seducedbyabook.com
Whenever I finish reading a Christie Craig book, I’m always smiling and I feel darned good. That smile usually lasts for a while too. In between the mystery of the story and her characters I love to death, her books are just plain fun.
Cali has just lost her mother, is ready to kick her boyfriend out, and is dreaming of her mama giving her advice just when she needs it most. Then all hell breaks loose when her boyfriend begins acting bizarre, shoots her front door out, his aim much to close for comfort, and Detective Brit Lowell keeps coming back to ask her questions she has no answers to. Brit’s partner was recently killed and they’ve had no breaks in the case, so he shouldn’t be messing with an insignificant case like this domestic brouhaha. Except for that Cali. He can’t seem to shake her out of his head, though he keeps telling himself he wants no one in his life like his mother, who always returned to the abusive relationships she’s been in over the years. Cali fits that bill and that’s not for him.
The more he’s thrown into her path, discovering both cases are somehow connected, the more the woman gets under his skin. Though she’s fed up with men right at the moment, there is something about the detective that makes her want to give in and take what he seems to be offering. But there’s a few issues that prohibit their getting involved – the most important being the fact Cali’s a witness in Brit’s case. Brit does his best to keep his hands and mouth to himself, but he finally crosses the line of “I don’t care” and gets Cali in his bed. And, heavens, do they tangle the sheets and steam up the windows. They both still have their doubts, especially Brit, and that, of course, causes an extra set of problems in the long run.
In between all of this, Cali’s mama is still doling out advice. He’s a good man. He needs your help but you can’t fix him. Don’t go to lunch tomorrow when at work. And many more, all designed to keep Cali alive and on the right track toward a good relationship with Brit. Hopefully. At one point, however, Cali tries to put distance between her and Brit, and I like her solution to putting an end to her sweet Charmin baby face – take bitch lessons. That’s only one of the numerous fun parts of this book that had my ear-to-ear grin in full swing.
Brit is falling hard for Cali, despite his misgivings and his acknowledgment of that fact. He desires her, yes; lusts for her; wants her constantly; and wants to protect her from harm at all costs. But he won’t go any further in the feelings department. He still feels she’s too much like his mother, even though she assures him differently. And Cali has gone the distance as far as feelings, but she knows Brit is unable to commit to her. I do feel for both of them, caught up in circumstances beyond their control – and dangerous to boot – thus confusing their emotions outside the bedroom. They’d be good together, so you definitely want them to get beyond the bumps they keep racing over.
I also enjoyed the relationship between Brit and his sister – and his sister getting involved with his partner. Brit gnashes his teeth at that budding relationship, cautions his partner to be very careful not to hurt his sibling, all the while refusing to look as closely into his own relationship problems. Cali gets her chance at the ex once he’s caught, and I cheered her on every step of the way. That jerk is something else. Brit solves the case, of course, and then has to face himself and Cali. A very lovely scene at the end when he finally decides to fight for her.
This book is vintage Christie Craig. Wonderful characters who draw in from page one. Emotions pinging away on both sides. Sizzling love scenes throughout – you don’t have to wait until the book is nearly over before you get some lovin’. A mystery that keeps you guessing and is far from one dimensional. And it’s fun and full of laughter. Can’t beat that any day of the week.
I didn't know what to expect with a book including a ghost, but I've very much enjoyed Christie Craig's Desperate series and Hotter in Texas series, so I sprang for a bundle including this book. Craig doesn't disappoint with her trademark mix of humor and danger.
Poor Cali--everything is going wrong in her life, and now she's being hounded by a tough-guy detective who thinks she's a moron for getting involved with a lowlife musician and thief. Well, she is, but she's determined to fix that part of her life--if only her ex and his pals would stop trying to hurt her. Good thing detective Brit has a savior complex--he won't even let a homeless mama cat and her kittens starve. His late partner was feeding them, and Brit's determined to make up for his failure to protect his partner. Helping them both is Cali's recently departed Mama who has unfinished business protecting her daughter from bad guys and helping both Brit and Cali heal from their losses. Mama knows best, and Mama knows they belong together.
If you like a side of humor with your romantic suspense, you'll like this book.
I didn't know that Christie Craig had a book coming out in between her HOTTER IN TEXAS releases. When I received the ARC it was like Christmas morning for me!! I LOVE the sense of HaHa Christie's books have.
Murder, Mayhem and Mama is a sweet, sexy mainstream comedic, romantic suspense with a touch of paranormal.
Should have been ½ the length. This book just took a long time to get to the point.
I had a lot of issues with this book but mainly with the main male character. He was a total a** hole who had to be right all the time. And how dare anyone question him about a situation. Especially the main female character. The main female character was working on being stronger but the only time she really showed her temper was with the main male character – this includes people trying to harm her. It was just crazy.
As for the mama part of the story – neither mama played an important enough role in the story to me. I would have liked a lot more interaction. I did like the supporting characters way more than the main characters. The supporting characters were so mature you had to wonder why they were friends with either of the main characters.
Here is what really drove me crazy. The author purposefully has other characters answer questions very vaguely just to cause confusion and drama. Normal people don’t answer questions the way everyone in this book answered questions. I hate the miscommunication trope and every other sentence in this book was that.
Wow! This book is so not what it seems like it is going to be! It is a fantastic story filled with suspense, mysteries galore.... A fabulously romantic and very sexy storyline. It was a delight to read... The title says it all... the book is filled with murder, mayhem and Mama but so much more!!!!!! I loved Mama as well as the whole premise of this book... It is so imaginative and at the same time is poignant and emotionally moving also at times. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.... I absolutely enjoyed it immensely!!!! 😁
The book dealt with emotional issues such as death and how childhood experiences affect your adult life. Carli's mum is dead but is not ready to leave this world. She wants to see her daughter settled. This book was hilarious as Carli was having dreams about her mother and having full.conversations with her. There was serious crimes that needed solving through the story. Brit is the police officer investigating a disturbance at Carli's home. Lovely read with lots of twists and turns.
While I enjoyed the writing and premise of the book, I was really bothered by the author's depiction of victims of domestic violence. Multiple characters, including the romantic interest, voice opinions about victims as "doormats" and there is very little empathy for to be found. There is no understanding about the cycle of domestic violence and why women stay in these situations. As a writer of women's fiction, the author has a responsibility to the readers, many of whom may be victims themselves.
Podría haber añadido una estrella o dos más a este libro pero mi conciencia como mujer no me lo permite. La manera en la que la autora pinta a las victimas de la violencia de género me ha horrorizado, no solo por la demonización de la víctima si no también por la ignorancia sobre el tema.
Podría haber obviado también que, para variar, la protagonista es inexperta en el sexo mientras que el protagonista no, pero es que también ha demonizado a la única mujer que es "acusada" de disfrutar del sexo (una ex, cómo no).
A murder mystery mixed with romance and a dash of comedy.
She's a teacher with a too soft heart, her mom just passed from cancer. She just threw out a mooching so-called boyfriend. Then her life takes a turn for the weirder when the moocher shows back up at her door and shots are fired through her door. Enter the cop assigned to a robbery/murder case, that her moochers ex is involved in. Mix in her dreams of her dead mother telling her what to do. Heck of a story!
This was a cute mystery. Cali loses her mom to cancer and then finds out Stan her boyfriend is not who she thought he was so she breaks up with him. Then he is involved in a shootout, jewelry store robbery and possible cop killing. Cali meets Brit, the homicide detective with issues. They are attracted to one another but must work through their issues. The romance is intertwined around the mystery. Good fluff piece.
WHILE READING THIS ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS THAT OLD TV SHOW ‘MEDIUM’, ONE OF MY FAVORITE SHOWS. FOR ME IT WAS MORE THAN JUST A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE THE CHARACTERS (H/h) HAD REAL DEPTH AND FEELINGS, I REALLY CONNECTED TO BOTH OF THEM. I ENJOYED THE STORY LINE SO MUCH, I HATED WHEN IT ENDED. I LOVE IT WHEN I FINISH A BOOK IT FEELS LIKE WHEN A GOOD FRIEND MOVES AWAY AND YOU REALLY MISS SEEING THEM. SWEET! ;D
Took me forever to finish this book, which is a good indicator that it wasn’t all that captivating. I’m giving it 3 stars because the writing is always good with this author and there wasn’t anything truly annoying in there. It just didn’t capture my interest. It was still better than watching tv I suppose!
Cali lost her mother to cancer, but her mother is not ready to leave her. She is determined to save Cali from her ex boyfriend. He is mean and a murderer. Detective Brit needs her help to find him so he can arrest him. This book has danger, suspense, romance, ghostly mama and kittens. This book is fun and entertaining, definitely chuckled a few times.
As I've said before, I'm not much for reading romance novels. If you are this one is pretty good. It also has some murder, mayhem, and intrigue. It has it's share of typos but overall a good novel.
This was such a fun, cute read. I really enjoyed both characters, although, I did have a hard time with the Hero's first name, Brit. It reminds me of a girl's name, but he was still a fabulous character, just an odd name for me.
I don't usually find a book that I can't put down, but this was one that I just had to keep reading and I'm gonna hate myself in the morning, which isn't that long from now.
I’m a huge fan of CHRISTIE CRAIG. Her books are great. This book is no different. I always love that there’s suspense, romance & action in her books. Let’s not forget laughs also. This book is great & you will find yourself wanting to know what’s going to happen next.
A feel good romance with some suspense. Cali is a mess, everything that could go wrong did. Between her mother's ghost,the sexy cop and a criminal ex, she really needs time to paint her toenails!! A well written story line with outstanding characters
I love Christie Craig's rom-com's. I laughed outloud. They have little twists but you know it will have a HEA. I like her quirky females and I enjoyed the cigarette-smoking Mom who "moves heaven and earth" to help her daughter.
Like Christie could do any wrong. This book was timeless, sweet, romantic, full of suspense and thriller. Just what I needed. I'm re-reading all her books and I forgot how cute Brit was, although lil bit of an asshole haha. I can officially hereby say that I am Christie's biggest fan.
Just never got into this book as so many parts if the plot line had been encountered before. Seemed very derivative and the promised laugh out loud moments were mere smiles