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Flamingo Cove #1
A Hot Flash of Homicide
Sergeant Wysdom Ward’s 40th birthday is a dumpster fire. She’s come down with an incurable case of perimenopause. Her youngest brother just made detective, something she’ll never do because of a rookie mistake, her snarky attitude, and the burning desire to punch her boss in the face. And her family went all Sixteen Candles on her and forgot the big day.
Things start looking up when she picks up the smokin’ hot God Among Men, who agrees to be her birthday present. They toast with Champagne and chocolate, which leads to making out like teenagers and a sleepover that Wysdom can’t remember.
Then, The God Among Men is accused of murder, and Wysdom might be his alibi. Her instincts say he’s innocent, but she’s been wrong before. And this time - it’s not just her career on the line, but her very freedom if she’s wrong.
Things start looking up when she picks up the smokin’ hot God Among Men, who agrees to be her birthday present. They toast with Champagne and chocolate, which leads to making out like teenagers and a sleepover that Wysdom can’t remember.
Then, The God Among Men is accused of murder, and Wysdom might be his alibi. Her instincts say he’s innocent, but she’s been wrong before. And this time - it’s not just her career on the line, but her very freedom if she’s wrong.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2021
216 people are currently reading
992 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Dugle
52 books73 followersAmazon best-selling author Dawn Dugle is the creator of the Pleasure Point, Saber Sisters and Flamingo Cove series.
Dawn loves writing stories and creating fictional mayhem for women over 35 who are smart, sassy, and a little kick-assy.
In her spare time, Dawn wrestles yarn, sings karaoke, and reads romance novels.
She lives in Mississippi with her family.
Join Dawn’s Fab Flock (VIP Readers) and get a free story: DawnDugle.com/Subscribe
Meet Dawn on the interwebs:
DawnDugle.com
TikTok
Dawn loves writing stories and creating fictional mayhem for women over 35 who are smart, sassy, and a little kick-assy.
In her spare time, Dawn wrestles yarn, sings karaoke, and reads romance novels.
She lives in Mississippi with her family.
Join Dawn’s Fab Flock (VIP Readers) and get a free story: DawnDugle.com/Subscribe
Meet Dawn on the interwebs:
DawnDugle.com
TikTok
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 18, 2022
Fantastic read with an awesome female MC in her 40s! So many laugh out loud moments and the suspense was great too! If you love steamy romance with dashes of humor and intrigue thrown in, this book is for you!
February 19, 2023
Best 40th birthday celebration. Sergeant Ward scores a hot date and is thrown right into a homicide. This book keeps you in the thick of action with laughs and spot on police work. Knowing the killer and catching the killer are two different things and Dugle does an amazing job of guiding the reader through the procedural work while throwing in an excellent red herring. Great start to a series I will be sure to follow.
August 8, 2024
I swear on Oprah, 5 stars doesn't do it justice
Dawn Dugle does it again! If you like Blue Bloods, NCIS, CSI, Florida( yep, the state) sassy sarcastic funny heroines, hot steamy man candy that the hallmark channel can only dream of, with a heaping serving of spice and a holy crap on a cracker endings, you need this book. Right now. And get the next ones too because you'll need them.
Dawn Dugle does it again! If you like Blue Bloods, NCIS, CSI, Florida( yep, the state) sassy sarcastic funny heroines, hot steamy man candy that the hallmark channel can only dream of, with a heaping serving of spice and a holy crap on a cracker endings, you need this book. Right now. And get the next ones too because you'll need them.
September 26, 2021
Your family forgets your birthday so you console yourself with a night out at a bar. At the bar you meet a God Among Men who agrees to be your birthday present. The next day, you find yourself helping to investigate God Among Men for a murder.
Wonderfully written with an easy, playful flow. It's a wonderful combination of mystery, police procedural, and romance.
Wonderfully written with an easy, playful flow. It's a wonderful combination of mystery, police procedural, and romance.
April 6, 2022
I laughed out loud through this whole book! But, I also kept trying to solve the mystery! I LOVE Wysdom Ward, the MFC, and was skeptical of the God Among Men so many times, but still liked him! Fun, quick paced, read with some nice steamy bits! The cliffhanger got me but I’ll be reading on to find out what happens! Such a great read and can’t wait to binge the series!
June 18, 2022
Hot!!
What?!?! I tore through this book! It was just the right amount of hot and heavy in all the right places with the thrill of solving a murder case. Also the lead sergeant and main character of the book just so happens to be a woman! Loved this book! Left me with a racing heart and an exasperated “what the h**l??” I’m ready for book #2!!
What?!?! I tore through this book! It was just the right amount of hot and heavy in all the right places with the thrill of solving a murder case. Also the lead sergeant and main character of the book just so happens to be a woman! Loved this book! Left me with a racing heart and an exasperated “what the h**l??” I’m ready for book #2!!
July 16, 2021
If you are a fan of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books, you’ll love this. Very similar in sass although Wys isn’t as bumbling as Stephanie. Nice to have a main character of a “certain age” rather than a 20 something!
December 6, 2021
This took me by surprise
I loved it! So funny,hot sex, strong women characters. Take a chance on this one. You won’t regret it. I read it in one day. Easy read and can’t wait read the next one!
I loved it! So funny,hot sex, strong women characters. Take a chance on this one. You won’t regret it. I read it in one day. Easy read and can’t wait read the next one!
May 12, 2025
This is my first book I’ve read by Dawn Dugle and I enjoyed it! I loved the murder mystery and finding out who killed Claire Rousseau. There is some steamy romance but I believe the book could have been done without it.
May 7, 2021
Loved it. Witty, LOL funny, riveting, convincing & great woman’s POV. Wysdom Ward is a goddess among men, most of whom don’t deserve her.
March 29, 2022
plot twists!
Right when you think you have this book figured out, plot twists! I enjoyed every minute of this book! The mystery, the love, the suspense….it was a complete page turner.
Right when you think you have this book figured out, plot twists! I enjoyed every minute of this book! The mystery, the love, the suspense….it was a complete page turner.
May 9, 2025
Entertaining enough to enjoy myself, kept my interest up with the mystery, and got a few giggles out of me. 😊
June 1, 2025
Sooo bad. Just sooo bad.
April 2, 2022
Loved this book!
It started off with a major murder right away and just kept getting better! It made me laugh and go Awe both.
It started off with a major murder right away and just kept getting better! It made me laugh and go Awe both.
March 22, 2022
This is such a fun read. Smart and sassy woman, hot guy, great sex. Trying to figure out who the killer is as you're reading. What's more to love? Great book for when you need a break from everything.
April 10, 2021
A Hot Flash of Homicide is a fast, funny, and sexy murder mystery with one of my new favorite protagonists. Wysdom Ward has been trying to make detective her entire adult life, but when she turns forty, all she finds is herself in a lot of hot water... with an even hotter man who is more than what he appears to be. I couldn't put this book down, and I can't wait for Book Two! Thank you to Dawn for the ARC copy.
April 26, 2022
What a sassy, spicy, suspense-filled romcom! Loved the characters, the plot, the mystery, and the fact our leading lady is 40!! A fun quick read that will have you picking up the next book in the series.
March 20, 2021
For anyone that is of "that age", Wysdom's struggles are real. Hot flashes, irritability and everything else that goes with perimenopause makes every day an adventure. Add an infuriating ex-husband and working with your family and you have Wysdom's struggles. When her family forgets her 40th birthday she decides to find her own gift.
Luke is fine with being Wysdom's birthday gift. And their chemistry is instant. But when he's accused of murder, Wysdom is placed in a very precarious position.
A little romantic suspense mixed in with a little Roncom makes this a joy to read. I didn't want to put it down and that last page is a doozy.
Can't wait to see what is in store for Wysdom and Luke.
Luke is fine with being Wysdom's birthday gift. And their chemistry is instant. But when he's accused of murder, Wysdom is placed in a very precarious position.
A little romantic suspense mixed in with a little Roncom makes this a joy to read. I didn't want to put it down and that last page is a doozy.
Can't wait to see what is in store for Wysdom and Luke.
October 1, 2021
Sassy, funny and very steamy! I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and I can't wait to read the next I the series!
June 4, 2024
My introduction to Dawn Dugle and it was excellent.
To start, the humor throughout this book with the FMC was chefs kiss. Wysdom Ward is the epitome of the older generation of women. I say that being that I'm not far off from her age. It was a breath of fresh air to read about an older FMC that was a total bada$$ with snarky comments and real life issues. More often than not, most romances today are written with younger female. And then throw in the the God Among Men. He's hot exotic and appreciates everything that Wysdom has to offer, or lac that of.
Then on top of allll of that, there was an actual story line with mystery and suspense. Unexpected twist and turns as the case unravels.
There is a touch of instalove but I couldn't put this book down. It was a fun read with a dash of spice. The story could stand on the plot alone, making the spice just a happy bonus. However, it's not overly done. The scenes are kept short. Which, I think worked very well for this story. It's not smut. It was not designed to be written as such. But she's still a woman who has found the God Among Men and there are fantasies! Fantasies that slowly come to life for Wysdom.
Highly recommend this book. For so many reasons. I absolutely loved it.
HAVE BOOK TWO READY! There is a mild/brutal cliffhanger. Of course that's subjective, but if you're vibing with these characters like I am, then it was just MEAN. So you want book two ready to go. Consider this your warning.
Happy Reading ya'll <3
To start, the humor throughout this book with the FMC was chefs kiss. Wysdom Ward is the epitome of the older generation of women. I say that being that I'm not far off from her age. It was a breath of fresh air to read about an older FMC that was a total bada$$ with snarky comments and real life issues. More often than not, most romances today are written with younger female. And then throw in the the God Among Men. He's hot exotic and appreciates everything that Wysdom has to offer, or lac that of.
Then on top of allll of that, there was an actual story line with mystery and suspense. Unexpected twist and turns as the case unravels.
There is a touch of instalove but I couldn't put this book down. It was a fun read with a dash of spice. The story could stand on the plot alone, making the spice just a happy bonus. However, it's not overly done. The scenes are kept short. Which, I think worked very well for this story. It's not smut. It was not designed to be written as such. But she's still a woman who has found the God Among Men and there are fantasies! Fantasies that slowly come to life for Wysdom.
Highly recommend this book. For so many reasons. I absolutely loved it.
HAVE BOOK TWO READY! There is a mild/brutal cliffhanger. Of course that's subjective, but if you're vibing with these characters like I am, then it was just MEAN. So you want book two ready to go. Consider this your warning.
Happy Reading ya'll <3
September 3, 2021
After reading a few heavier books I like to mix it up and add something light and breezy to the mix. Enter this Goodreads Giveaway win, A Hot Flash of Homicide. Plus it was the perfect beach read for the weekend!
Wysdom Ward is a 40 year old single police sergeant in Florida. Feeling down because her birthday was forgotten by her family, Wysdom ends up at a restaurant near to her house. Enter God Among Men. The two end up at his place, but they just sleep. They part ways and Wysdom never expects to see him again…until she is serving a search warrant on his house later that day. Whoops, what has she gotten herself into.
God Among Men is accused of murdering a local artist, but he’s hiding secrets. As the case unfolds we learn that things are not always as they seem.
This book was fun and a quick read at just a little more than 200 pages. It was a light fiction with just a tad of romance. I really enjoyed the authors writing style, it was easy to connect with. I gave this book a 4/5 stars because I enjoyed stepping into Wysdoms world for a bit. Special thanks to Goodreads for picking me as a giveaway winner!
Wysdom Ward is a 40 year old single police sergeant in Florida. Feeling down because her birthday was forgotten by her family, Wysdom ends up at a restaurant near to her house. Enter God Among Men. The two end up at his place, but they just sleep. They part ways and Wysdom never expects to see him again…until she is serving a search warrant on his house later that day. Whoops, what has she gotten herself into.
God Among Men is accused of murdering a local artist, but he’s hiding secrets. As the case unfolds we learn that things are not always as they seem.
This book was fun and a quick read at just a little more than 200 pages. It was a light fiction with just a tad of romance. I really enjoyed the authors writing style, it was easy to connect with. I gave this book a 4/5 stars because I enjoyed stepping into Wysdoms world for a bit. Special thanks to Goodreads for picking me as a giveaway winner!
August 7, 2025
Loved this book. Wisdom is a third generation police officer. She gets passed over for detective by one vote while her two brothers are promoted. She has a strong supporter in her uncle who owns a bar during retirement. While celebrating her 40th birthday she meets "A Good amoung Men". He is super fit, handsome, charming witty and thinks her red hair is beautiful. Since it's her birthday she decides he is her ":present". Lots of hot steamy sex is included.
Wisdom is really a great detective and finds many clues to solve a murder.
Great twists, turns and did I mention tho steamy scenes. Can't wait to read the sequel
Wisdom is really a great detective and finds many clues to solve a murder.
Great twists, turns and did I mention tho steamy scenes. Can't wait to read the sequel
October 26, 2025
3.75 stars!
Detective Olivia Benson meets Detective D. D. Warren (IYKYK). Police Sergeant Wysdom Ward has a one-night stand for her 40th birthday and then has to arrest the guy the next day. Luke is more than meets the eye, and the story is nonstop from there.
Are we solving the mystery of the Louvre heist? No. Did I have a great time anyway? Yes. Actually, the victim WAS an artist so art adjacent so…timely lol
Wysdom’s inner dialogue had me chuckling the entire time. Her banter with her one-night stand Luke—aka The God Among Men—was top tier.
I recommend if you’re looking for a cozy—relaxing palette cleanser—mystery with a hilarious police sergeant.
Detective Olivia Benson meets Detective D. D. Warren (IYKYK). Police Sergeant Wysdom Ward has a one-night stand for her 40th birthday and then has to arrest the guy the next day. Luke is more than meets the eye, and the story is nonstop from there.
Are we solving the mystery of the Louvre heist? No. Did I have a great time anyway? Yes. Actually, the victim WAS an artist so art adjacent so…timely lol
Wysdom’s inner dialogue had me chuckling the entire time. Her banter with her one-night stand Luke—aka The God Among Men—was top tier.
I recommend if you’re looking for a cozy—relaxing palette cleanser—mystery with a hilarious police sergeant.
December 17, 2025
such a good and fun read, I don't think I have anything bad to say about this book besides: WHY A CLIFFHANGER!?!!
I don't have the second book bought or downloaded so I have to sit on this, being mad and all the emotions, because I can't continue reading yet!
aside from that and the fact that The God Among Men sounded like an hallucination at first with how perfect he was, this book is a 5/5. fun, quick to read, it really captures the attention! although the murder was kind of on the nose, it was still such a good reveal
I don't have the second book bought or downloaded so I have to sit on this, being mad and all the emotions, because I can't continue reading yet!
aside from that and the fact that The God Among Men sounded like an hallucination at first with how perfect he was, this book is a 5/5. fun, quick to read, it really captures the attention! although the murder was kind of on the nose, it was still such a good reveal
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2025
Loved the combination of crime and investigation with romance. (I think the crime weights much more… so it’s ok if the romance is not that well developed). Sort of fling to lovers trope.
40year old cop meets hot guy in a restaurant and click.
Next ti e they see each other, she’s pointing at him with a gun.
Art, immigration, drugs, family… not bad.
Terrible cliffhanger that takes you directly to the next book.
40year old cop meets hot guy in a restaurant and click.
Next ti e they see each other, she’s pointing at him with a gun.
Art, immigration, drugs, family… not bad.
Terrible cliffhanger that takes you directly to the next book.
January 30, 2025
Good quick read
This was a good quick read. It had a great plot but was a little to predictable for me. Some of the banter and sayings were a little off for me but everyone has a different cup of tea. The characters could have used a little more development but again also a short quick read.
This was a good quick read. It had a great plot but was a little to predictable for me. Some of the banter and sayings were a little off for me but everyone has a different cup of tea. The characters could have used a little more development but again also a short quick read.
August 22, 2025
Read this for a book club and it is not a book I would have normally selected by myself. I loved the main character. I feel most of the situations in the book are absurd, and there a gaps in the criminality and police work. I still love the book and will be speed reading through the rest of the series bc it’s so fun.
October 24, 2025
Unexpected twists
I totally relate to the hot flashes 😂😂 but boy oh boy this will make you laugh at so many turns. With the suspense thrown in. I would say the over use of chief dad and bonus mum could have been toned down a lot, we get who they are.! But deffo a great read and I'm ready to start the next one, I need to find out where god among men like has got to!
I totally relate to the hot flashes 😂😂 but boy oh boy this will make you laugh at so many turns. With the suspense thrown in. I would say the over use of chief dad and bonus mum could have been toned down a lot, we get who they are.! But deffo a great read and I'm ready to start the next one, I need to find out where god among men like has got to!
August 2, 2022
40 yr old FMC that’s badass, funny, sarcastic and doesn’t have her stuff together with a side order of spice. I’m in love with this book!
It ends on a cliffhanger so I’ll be reading the second book soon!
It ends on a cliffhanger so I’ll be reading the second book soon!
December 11, 2022
This checks off the ridiculousness box for me in the most perfect way. A 40 year old police sergeant has a one night stand with a man who becomes the main suspect in a homicide. Antics ensue that had me rolling with laughter. Medium open door spice and great cast of secondary characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews