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The San Francisco Mystery #8
Wedding Balloon: A Legal Crime Thriller with a Slow-Burn Romance
A wedding weekend on the Northern California coast turns dangerous when a sudden threat closes in on two brides and the family gathered around them. Conspiracy suspense in which loyalty, love and survival are all tested at once.
They fought to get to the altar. Now something is determined to tear them apart.
At last, Amanda Hawthorne and Dr. Jen Dawson are ready to marry. Surrounded by family, friends, and the wild beauty of the Northern California coast, the wedding weekend is designed to mark their celebration after enduring years of danger, distance, and sacrifice.
But peace has never come easily to them.
As celebrations begin, unease shadows the happiness. Amanda is unsettled by instincts she does not fully understand and fears she cannot ignore. Detective Tommy Vietti, standing beside them as always, is struggling with news that could change everything he thought his future would be.
When an unexpected threat turns the wedding weekend into something dangerous, the bond between Amanda, Jen, and Tommy is tested one last time. Not as investigators or agents, but as a family fighting to protect what they have built.
Because some happily ever afters are not guaranteed, they are survived.
Wedding Balloon is the eighth book in The San Francisco Mystery Series, a crime and conspiracy thriller where love, loyalty, and survival collide at the moment everything is meant to begin.
This book contains mature themes and adult content that may be unsuitable for some readers
Praise for The San Francisco Mystery
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Flawed and very relatable characters.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ You’ll smile along with the whole family.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ High stake, roller-coaster moments.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The characters felt so real, I wished they were my real friends.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Can’t wait for book 9!
They fought to get to the altar. Now something is determined to tear them apart.
At last, Amanda Hawthorne and Dr. Jen Dawson are ready to marry. Surrounded by family, friends, and the wild beauty of the Northern California coast, the wedding weekend is designed to mark their celebration after enduring years of danger, distance, and sacrifice.
But peace has never come easily to them.
As celebrations begin, unease shadows the happiness. Amanda is unsettled by instincts she does not fully understand and fears she cannot ignore. Detective Tommy Vietti, standing beside them as always, is struggling with news that could change everything he thought his future would be.
When an unexpected threat turns the wedding weekend into something dangerous, the bond between Amanda, Jen, and Tommy is tested one last time. Not as investigators or agents, but as a family fighting to protect what they have built.
Because some happily ever afters are not guaranteed, they are survived.
Wedding Balloon is the eighth book in The San Francisco Mystery Series, a crime and conspiracy thriller where love, loyalty, and survival collide at the moment everything is meant to begin.
This book contains mature themes and adult content that may be unsuitable for some readers
Praise for The San Francisco Mystery
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Flawed and very relatable characters.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ You’ll smile along with the whole family.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ High stake, roller-coaster moments.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The characters felt so real, I wished they were my real friends.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Can’t wait for book 9!
- GenresLGBT
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2024
About the author
Alexi Venice
29 books406 followersAlexi Venice writes award-winning medical, legal, and crime thrillers with smart and gritty female leads. Her stories blend high-stakes investigations, courtroom shenanigans, emotional depth, and character-driven romance in the relentless pursuit of justice.
Both The San Francisco Mystery Series and The Monica Spade Trilogy are Lesfic Bard Award winners. Standby Counsel was named Best Legal Thriller of 2021 by BestThrillers.com, and Baking Ice Cubes was a BestThrillers.com Legal Thriller finalist in 2025.
With thirty-four years of legal practice informing her storylines, Venice brings authenticity to the page. Her heart and imagination fuel the slow-burn, and sometimes forbidden, romance.
When Venice isn’t writing, she’s wrangling grandsons and playing on the lake.
*Author certification: Venice certifies that no AI is used used in the creation or writing of her books. She imagines, creates, and writes all of her books. Other humans edit and proofread them.
Both The San Francisco Mystery Series and The Monica Spade Trilogy are Lesfic Bard Award winners. Standby Counsel was named Best Legal Thriller of 2021 by BestThrillers.com, and Baking Ice Cubes was a BestThrillers.com Legal Thriller finalist in 2025.
With thirty-four years of legal practice informing her storylines, Venice brings authenticity to the page. Her heart and imagination fuel the slow-burn, and sometimes forbidden, romance.
When Venice isn’t writing, she’s wrangling grandsons and playing on the lake.
*Author certification: Venice certifies that no AI is used used in the creation or writing of her books. She imagines, creates, and writes all of her books. Other humans edit and proofread them.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 28, 2024
Great
This a really good set of mystery books. I really enjoyed all of them. The biggest problem I have is the cliff hanger.
This a really good set of mystery books. I really enjoyed all of them. The biggest problem I have is the cliff hanger.
February 23, 2024
All 8 books kept me on the edge of my seat
I have just read all 8 books in just under a week (reread the first 3). What a ride...
I love the fast paced action in these books. The characters are well built and greatly flawed as most of us are. The author takes a bit of licence with flowery comparisons, which had my head shaking. There were tears and laugher too. Books like this are so much better than generic romances.
If you haven't read them all, what are you waiting for??
I have just read all 8 books in just under a week (reread the first 3). What a ride...
I love the fast paced action in these books. The characters are well built and greatly flawed as most of us are. The author takes a bit of licence with flowery comparisons, which had my head shaking. There were tears and laugher too. Books like this are so much better than generic romances.
If you haven't read them all, what are you waiting for??
February 7, 2024
Too short!!!!!
OMG!!!! I cannot believe the cliff hanger. Hopefully the next book is around the corner because I doubt I can wait!
OMG!!!! I cannot believe the cliff hanger. Hopefully the next book is around the corner because I doubt I can wait!
February 11, 2024
Excellent book
So happy for Tommy
Also happy for more characters brought into the crew.
Can’t wait for the next book Alexi 👍💕😉
Always page turners
So happy for Tommy
Also happy for more characters brought into the crew.
Can’t wait for the next book Alexi 👍💕😉
Always page turners
February 27, 2024
Loved it!
So happy to see Amanda & Jen get married. Always welcome adventure and a good fight. Can’t wait to see the next book.
So happy to see Amanda & Jen get married. Always welcome adventure and a good fight. Can’t wait to see the next book.
March 6, 2024
Amazing story
Ok Jan and Amanda finally get married but who know what going to happen at their wedding. We will just have to find out what happens next.
Ok Jan and Amanda finally get married but who know what going to happen at their wedding. We will just have to find out what happens next.
February 9, 2024
Readers love Alexi Venice’s San Francisco Mystery Series, and it’s not without good reason. Each new book offers a compelling mix of mystery, drama and romance, keeping readers engaged throughout. Venice’s original mysteries have been praised for their well-developed characters and intricate plot lines. Their trademark blend of love, humor and suspense hooks readers and has them flipping through the engaging storylines.
If you haven’t read any of the books from the San Francisco Mystery Series, now’s a good time to start. Wedding Balloon marks new beginnings for SFMS’s characters. Readers watch as Jen, Amanda and Tommy discover new things about themselves and their loved ones, prompting changes for them, their careers and their families. It’s a San Francisco Mystery so there are plenty of captivating twists and turns that keep the storytelling fresh and exciting; Venice always knows how to give her readers a non-stop, action-packed read.
Even though this is a novella, there are a myriad of things to appreciate about this latest installment. First and foremost, the mystery, humor and romance are nicely balanced. Not one overshadows the other. In fact, they work in equal measures to complement and enhance the storytelling. This balance provides a contrast between the dark and the tender moments, heightening the emotional impact of the story. Furthermore, it provides the narrative with opportunities to explore the complexities and challenges that lie within Amanda and Jen’s relationship. The end result is a more dynamic story, one that readers will not only find compelling but interesting.
As far as the plot, Wedding Balloon is no different than any of the others in the series. It’s well developed and well designed. Venice employs her usual craftsmanship and scripts plenty of high stake, roller-coaster moments, keeping readers invested until the very end. Furthermore, she carefully plants clever clues and red herrings within the narrative, ensuring that the tension is at a fast and fluid pace. Though the ending does give readers what they want—Jen and Amanda’s wedding, readers will be left with lingering questions. However, one has to remember that this is an ongoing series, and Venice always leaves enough room for future developments—as any well-designed series should. Fans of SFMS are accustomed to this though and hopefully won’t have to wait long for book nine. In the meantime, they can head back to book one, and enjoy Jen and Amanda’s journey again…
Strengths…
Entertaining
Engaging
Fresh
Well-developed
Could be read as a stand alone
If you haven’t read any of the books from the San Francisco Mystery Series, now’s a good time to start. Wedding Balloon marks new beginnings for SFMS’s characters. Readers watch as Jen, Amanda and Tommy discover new things about themselves and their loved ones, prompting changes for them, their careers and their families. It’s a San Francisco Mystery so there are plenty of captivating twists and turns that keep the storytelling fresh and exciting; Venice always knows how to give her readers a non-stop, action-packed read.
Even though this is a novella, there are a myriad of things to appreciate about this latest installment. First and foremost, the mystery, humor and romance are nicely balanced. Not one overshadows the other. In fact, they work in equal measures to complement and enhance the storytelling. This balance provides a contrast between the dark and the tender moments, heightening the emotional impact of the story. Furthermore, it provides the narrative with opportunities to explore the complexities and challenges that lie within Amanda and Jen’s relationship. The end result is a more dynamic story, one that readers will not only find compelling but interesting.
As far as the plot, Wedding Balloon is no different than any of the others in the series. It’s well developed and well designed. Venice employs her usual craftsmanship and scripts plenty of high stake, roller-coaster moments, keeping readers invested until the very end. Furthermore, she carefully plants clever clues and red herrings within the narrative, ensuring that the tension is at a fast and fluid pace. Though the ending does give readers what they want—Jen and Amanda’s wedding, readers will be left with lingering questions. However, one has to remember that this is an ongoing series, and Venice always leaves enough room for future developments—as any well-designed series should. Fans of SFMS are accustomed to this though and hopefully won’t have to wait long for book nine. In the meantime, they can head back to book one, and enjoy Jen and Amanda’s journey again…
Strengths…
Entertaining
Engaging
Fresh
Well-developed
Could be read as a stand alone
March 2, 2024
Jen + Amanda + Tommy + what next??? ❤️❤️❤️
I love this series with its flawed and very relatable characters. Each book brings a new twist in their relationships and new situations requiring them to draw on their inner strengths to address.
The novella format makes for a quick weekend read. Venice does a nice job of providing quick backstories for the first time reading. But first time readers - you really should read the other books in this series! They are phenomenal!!
Existing SFMS readers are getting what they have been begging for and more! Can’t wait for book 9!!
I love this series with its flawed and very relatable characters. Each book brings a new twist in their relationships and new situations requiring them to draw on their inner strengths to address.
The novella format makes for a quick weekend read. Venice does a nice job of providing quick backstories for the first time reading. But first time readers - you really should read the other books in this series! They are phenomenal!!
Existing SFMS readers are getting what they have been begging for and more! Can’t wait for book 9!!
August 31, 2024
I didn't know this was an ongoing series when I read this, but there's a pretty good summary of the gist of the previous books to get by. However, this is the book version of a TV series' "clip show" filler episode. There is a wedding, but leading up to that are all of the summaries of the couple's exploits to date. It's all just so meh, the characters weren't interesting enough to me to continue reading and I found the writing style of the author to be grating. Nope! Onto the next book...
February 17, 2024
Kinda Weird, but…
It would make more sense if I read the other books in the series. Perhaps I will look into that. I sorta like some of the characters. Amanda is intriguing and Jen seems very lovable. Tommy seems to have a story to tell.
Overall, the premise holds some quirkiness I may want explore.
It would make more sense if I read the other books in the series. Perhaps I will look into that. I sorta like some of the characters. Amanda is intriguing and Jen seems very lovable. Tommy seems to have a story to tell.
Overall, the premise holds some quirkiness I may want explore.
July 1, 2025
Return of a good series
Its an incredible experience when you get return to a series & characters after a long time & you slip right back into the feels all over again. I honestly figured that the saga of Jen & Amanda had its last chapter since it'd been so long, but oh so good things come to those who wait! & bonus—there's more to come... YES!!!!
Its an incredible experience when you get return to a series & characters after a long time & you slip right back into the feels all over again. I honestly figured that the saga of Jen & Amanda had its last chapter since it'd been so long, but oh so good things come to those who wait! & bonus—there's more to come... YES!!!!
September 13, 2026
Fantastic As Usual
I am also on the edge of my seat when reading The San Francisco series, and this one was no different. I was lucky in a way to come to the series rather late and was able to read all seven at once, I had to wait for this one and sadly will have to wait for #9. Hopefully not too long.
I am also on the edge of my seat when reading The San Francisco series, and this one was no different. I was lucky in a way to come to the series rather late and was able to read all seven at once, I had to wait for this one and sadly will have to wait for #9. Hopefully not too long.
October 7, 2024
Enjoyable.
At last Jen and Amanda will tie the knot, but not without complications. Lady Amelia makes a subtle appearance, just when it is most needed. Exciting ending!
At last Jen and Amanda will tie the knot, but not without complications. Lady Amelia makes a subtle appearance, just when it is most needed. Exciting ending!
October 26, 2026
WTF
WHAT THE ACTUAL???
THIS CLIFF HANGER IS TOO MUCH.
Hopefully the next
book is on the way
Crazy series!!
Wow
WHAT THE ACTUAL???
THIS CLIFF HANGER IS TOO MUCH.
Hopefully the next
book is on the way
Crazy series!!
Wow
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews