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L.A. Lights #2
Acting Up
Acting Up: More Adventures of a Hollywood Dog Walker is the third book in a series of new adult romantic comedies set in Tinseltown. Twenty-one-year-old Tessa Taylor has so much going for her: a loving relationship with Ryan, a burgeoning acting career, a profitable dog-walking business, and a fantastic group of friends. So why isn’t she happy?
For starters, she’s been flopping at auditions, and Ryan isn’t as supportive of her acting career as she’d like him to be. When Tessa meets sexy, wild-boy rocker Ash Adams, she can’t stop thinking about him, but is he the man she really needs?
Meanwhile, her dog-walking business leads her to danger. She ends up playing a key part in breaking up a ruthless dognapping ring, culminating in a late-night mission to an abandoned asylum and a dramatic shootout in the LA River.
With all these problems, can Tessa overcome the odds and find the happiness she yearns for? One thing’s for sure: the constants in her life are fabulous friends and delightful dogs and the sidesplitting—and sometimes perilous—adventures they share.
For starters, she’s been flopping at auditions, and Ryan isn’t as supportive of her acting career as she’d like him to be. When Tessa meets sexy, wild-boy rocker Ash Adams, she can’t stop thinking about him, but is he the man she really needs?
Meanwhile, her dog-walking business leads her to danger. She ends up playing a key part in breaking up a ruthless dognapping ring, culminating in a late-night mission to an abandoned asylum and a dramatic shootout in the LA River.
With all these problems, can Tessa overcome the odds and find the happiness she yearns for? One thing’s for sure: the constants in her life are fabulous friends and delightful dogs and the sidesplitting—and sometimes perilous—adventures they share.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2016
7 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Di Jones
47 books36 followersBorn in Liverpool, I started my working life as a librarian and have worked in a variety of jobs since, but none was as much fun as the one that allowed me to write and get paid for it. That was a few years ago, and each year it’s become more and more apparent to me that what I want to do is write full time, a dream that first occurred to me at seventeen.
Like my characters, I love my family and friends, beautiful shoes, anything sparkly, the “occasional” drink, parties, and a good belly laugh. I’m addicted to shopping, chocolate, bubble baths and anything else that smells nice, and the sort of TV programs you’d never publicly admit to watching. Did I mention that, like my characters, I also love dogs?
I’ve lived in England, Canada, and the United States but now call New Zealand home. I live in a lovingly renovated house overlooking Auckland’s beautiful Waitemata Harbour with my trusted Great Danes, Dolce and Gabbana, and their two cats, Charlie and Jamie. The dogs keep me fit and exercised, scare the burglars away, sit loyally by my side throughout my late-night writing sessions, and hang on to my every word when I read my final drafts aloud. They truly are my biggest fans, and I theirs! The cats, on the other hand, hang out by themselves and ignore the dogs and me.
I love my life but not so much that there’s not room to live a load of other lives, through the hearts and minds of my characters, all of whom I adore, and some of whom I’m fortunate enough to call friends.
I love to hear from my readers, and your emails and messages motivate me to keep writing, so keep them coming! I answer every one personally. Here’s how to touch base:
My website www.dijoneswrites.com
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/dijoneswrites
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/dijoneswrites
Pinterest: http://nz.pinterest.com/dijoneswrites/
Like my characters, I love my family and friends, beautiful shoes, anything sparkly, the “occasional” drink, parties, and a good belly laugh. I’m addicted to shopping, chocolate, bubble baths and anything else that smells nice, and the sort of TV programs you’d never publicly admit to watching. Did I mention that, like my characters, I also love dogs?
I’ve lived in England, Canada, and the United States but now call New Zealand home. I live in a lovingly renovated house overlooking Auckland’s beautiful Waitemata Harbour with my trusted Great Danes, Dolce and Gabbana, and their two cats, Charlie and Jamie. The dogs keep me fit and exercised, scare the burglars away, sit loyally by my side throughout my late-night writing sessions, and hang on to my every word when I read my final drafts aloud. They truly are my biggest fans, and I theirs! The cats, on the other hand, hang out by themselves and ignore the dogs and me.
I love my life but not so much that there’s not room to live a load of other lives, through the hearts and minds of my characters, all of whom I adore, and some of whom I’m fortunate enough to call friends.
I love to hear from my readers, and your emails and messages motivate me to keep writing, so keep them coming! I answer every one personally. Here’s how to touch base:
My website www.dijoneswrites.com
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/dijoneswrites
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/dijoneswrites
Pinterest: http://nz.pinterest.com/dijoneswrites/
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 30, 2017
A laugh out loud must read if you love dogs, a naive main character, a mystery, romance and just plain fun!
Book 3 in this series is even more fun and hilarious to read. The author carries us through a comedy of errors, mistaken identity, romantic missteps, dognapping, a hollywood audition, crazy and fun characters, a car chase, and just plain laugh out loud antics. Poor naive Tessa! All the mistakes she makes unknowingly gets the crazy plot started. She is the main character in the story who moved from living a pretty sheltered life with her parents in DC and decides to move to Hollywood to go after her dream of becoming and actress. Of course she needs a side job to pay the bill and becomes a dog walker! Finally in this story she lands a small part in a TV show because she had a horrible audition and the producer liked her total accidental naivitee and she has an agent who knows everyone and works to get her auditions. Although this is the third book in the series and the first two are must reads, you can read this as a stand-alone since the author gives you enough information so you don't feel lost. This book leaves you with some questions at the end which makes you get into the fourth book of the series right away! The characters in all their nuttiness, yet closeness and likeability makes you always want more. A must read series if you enjoy a cozy mystery, laugh out loud antics and a lot of fun!
Book 3 in this series is even more fun and hilarious to read. The author carries us through a comedy of errors, mistaken identity, romantic missteps, dognapping, a hollywood audition, crazy and fun characters, a car chase, and just plain laugh out loud antics. Poor naive Tessa! All the mistakes she makes unknowingly gets the crazy plot started. She is the main character in the story who moved from living a pretty sheltered life with her parents in DC and decides to move to Hollywood to go after her dream of becoming and actress. Of course she needs a side job to pay the bill and becomes a dog walker! Finally in this story she lands a small part in a TV show because she had a horrible audition and the producer liked her total accidental naivitee and she has an agent who knows everyone and works to get her auditions. Although this is the third book in the series and the first two are must reads, you can read this as a stand-alone since the author gives you enough information so you don't feel lost. This book leaves you with some questions at the end which makes you get into the fourth book of the series right away! The characters in all their nuttiness, yet closeness and likeability makes you always want more. A must read series if you enjoy a cozy mystery, laugh out loud antics and a lot of fun!
September 4, 2018
London Lights series:
Meeting Miss Mollie #1 - A well written, heartwarming, funny romance story with wonderful and not-so-wonderful characters. Full of intrigue, suspense, betrayal and a dog makes it difficult to put the book down. This is a standalone in the London Lights series. 5*
Liverpool Kiss - Well written, believable characters; I didn't stop reading until I finished the book. I own Meeting Miss Mollie, which I will be reading soon. I read The Audition, also own, another fun read, which got me started on Ms. Jones. Both books were read in one sitting, they were so good. Luckily, I contacted the author to review her books and received a copy of Liverpool Kiss. * 5*
Cast Aside in Como #3 - Another well written, heartwarming and funny romance by one of my favorite ChicLit ladies. I didn't stop reading until the last page. I love that the story is Italy; didn't care about climbing fences, but the story needed a place to start and this worked out perfectly for the story line. I contacted the author to review her books. 5*
London Lights series end.
LA Lights series:
The Audition - #1 - A quick, fast read. Not a fan of Hollywood, but I found The Audition to be funny and engaging and well written. 5*
Taking the Lead - #2 - Funny and intriguing. A well written story full of humor, a lovable group of characters, some scary, and a twisting plot. I've read these books out of series and they are all good books. While each book is complete, the characters' stories continue through thick and thin, and suspense and intrigue. There's a preview of the book, which I appreciate knowing what the book is about before I read it. 5*
Acting up - #3 - Another fun, intriguing tale of love and dogs. A well written story with our favorite characters, lots more dogs and a couple of cats. The constantly developing plot holds the reader's attention until the book is finished. I've read all six books of this series and enjoyed all of them. 5*
Transplanting Holly Oakwood - #4 - A quick, funny novel filled with intrigue and mishaps that keep you laughing throughout and too soon the story ends. This author always tells a good story, even the sad short stories from her Grief novel. I personally didn't care for the few sex scenes, not seen in the other books I've read. There's infrequent cursing in anger. This book must be read before Barking Bad, (#5). 5*
Barking Bad - #5 - A well written suspense that starts a touch slow but slams into gear and doesn't slow down until the end. Having read The Audition and nothing else from this series, I was surprised at the intrigue and intensity of this book. The plot is well thought out, with unexpected turns, and some horror, along with our favorite characters. The romance between Tessa and Ryan goes where I think is the right direction. I have read several of this author's books and she's always delivered a good read. For those who care, there's no sex and infrequent cursing. 5*
Stealing the Show - #6 - A well written, humorous story full of romance and intrigue. A twisting plot with some surprises has our favorite characters fighting the bad guys and loving the good guys. For those who care, there's no sex and infrequent mild cursing in anger. Another fun way to spend an evening after a hard day. 5*
LA Lights series end.
Grief Is a Hungry Business And Other Short Stories - Interesting, some sad, short stories easily read in a few minutes. Yes, there's a happy ending. 5*
Meeting Miss Mollie #1 - A well written, heartwarming, funny romance story with wonderful and not-so-wonderful characters. Full of intrigue, suspense, betrayal and a dog makes it difficult to put the book down. This is a standalone in the London Lights series. 5*
Liverpool Kiss - Well written, believable characters; I didn't stop reading until I finished the book. I own Meeting Miss Mollie, which I will be reading soon. I read The Audition, also own, another fun read, which got me started on Ms. Jones. Both books were read in one sitting, they were so good. Luckily, I contacted the author to review her books and received a copy of Liverpool Kiss. * 5*
Cast Aside in Como #3 - Another well written, heartwarming and funny romance by one of my favorite ChicLit ladies. I didn't stop reading until the last page. I love that the story is Italy; didn't care about climbing fences, but the story needed a place to start and this worked out perfectly for the story line. I contacted the author to review her books. 5*
London Lights series end.
LA Lights series:
The Audition - #1 - A quick, fast read. Not a fan of Hollywood, but I found The Audition to be funny and engaging and well written. 5*
Taking the Lead - #2 - Funny and intriguing. A well written story full of humor, a lovable group of characters, some scary, and a twisting plot. I've read these books out of series and they are all good books. While each book is complete, the characters' stories continue through thick and thin, and suspense and intrigue. There's a preview of the book, which I appreciate knowing what the book is about before I read it. 5*
Acting up - #3 - Another fun, intriguing tale of love and dogs. A well written story with our favorite characters, lots more dogs and a couple of cats. The constantly developing plot holds the reader's attention until the book is finished. I've read all six books of this series and enjoyed all of them. 5*
Transplanting Holly Oakwood - #4 - A quick, funny novel filled with intrigue and mishaps that keep you laughing throughout and too soon the story ends. This author always tells a good story, even the sad short stories from her Grief novel. I personally didn't care for the few sex scenes, not seen in the other books I've read. There's infrequent cursing in anger. This book must be read before Barking Bad, (#5). 5*
Barking Bad - #5 - A well written suspense that starts a touch slow but slams into gear and doesn't slow down until the end. Having read The Audition and nothing else from this series, I was surprised at the intrigue and intensity of this book. The plot is well thought out, with unexpected turns, and some horror, along with our favorite characters. The romance between Tessa and Ryan goes where I think is the right direction. I have read several of this author's books and she's always delivered a good read. For those who care, there's no sex and infrequent cursing. 5*
Stealing the Show - #6 - A well written, humorous story full of romance and intrigue. A twisting plot with some surprises has our favorite characters fighting the bad guys and loving the good guys. For those who care, there's no sex and infrequent mild cursing in anger. Another fun way to spend an evening after a hard day. 5*
LA Lights series end.
Grief Is a Hungry Business And Other Short Stories - Interesting, some sad, short stories easily read in a few minutes. Yes, there's a happy ending. 5*
June 16, 2017
i received a free copy and this is my honest review .
Another exciting book from Di Jones, im completely hooked on these now, following Tessa,s career and her auditions in acting not always going as she hopes but she doesnt give in she keeps working towards her dream of landing a big acting part one day .Her love life with Ryan is on and off as she feels he isnt open with her and supportive enough with the acting.
Tessa helps break a big dognapping case so there are some really exiting scenes in the book which have on the edge of your seat. These books have everything, romance, excitement, mystery and humour what more could you ask for.
I read this yesterday nothing else got done as i couldn't put it down
Another exciting book from Di Jones, im completely hooked on these now, following Tessa,s career and her auditions in acting not always going as she hopes but she doesnt give in she keeps working towards her dream of landing a big acting part one day .Her love life with Ryan is on and off as she feels he isnt open with her and supportive enough with the acting.
Tessa helps break a big dognapping case so there are some really exiting scenes in the book which have on the edge of your seat. These books have everything, romance, excitement, mystery and humour what more could you ask for.
I read this yesterday nothing else got done as i couldn't put it down
October 1, 2017
I am enjoying the crazy adventures of Tessa as she continues walking dogs and working to make it in Hollywood - and she still has a lot to learn about both. In this third book of the series Tessa makes progress in her acting career while finding herself in the middle of a dog napping mystery. We also get to see the return of friends from the previous books, including Tessa's (and my) favorite limo driver Giorgio. There is adventure, romance and plenty of comedy in this series. I received this book free from the author for my honest review and I honestly loved it!
May 28, 2017
Oh my goodness... I was in stitches, especially at the car chase!
I love this series of books, and this one did not disappoint. I had to finish reading and couldn't put it down. Romance, comedy, suspense... this one has it all!!
As usual the animals stole the show... you will love this book especially if you are a dog lover.
I love this series of books, and this one did not disappoint. I had to finish reading and couldn't put it down. Romance, comedy, suspense... this one has it all!!
As usual the animals stole the show... you will love this book especially if you are a dog lover.
February 21, 2018
An okay read. I did though find myself annoyed by the constant reference to Mary's appearance. Actually, all the constant judgements Tessa made of her friends grated.
September 7, 2016
This is a wonderful series and this book is a perfect blend of adventure, romance and suspense. I loved the way Di Jones used a variety of breeds of dogs and showed even the biggest dogs sometimes have the most loving hearts. The characters are well developed and fit the plot of the story. They are a group of young people I would love to spend time around. Such a feeling of community and devotion to friends. Over all a great book. I hope everyone gets a chance to read.
September 8, 2016
Finished reading Tessa's third book in August! I love her story! She is a funny character but at times can be frustrating. However, I feel like it is original and has so many realistic issues. Read for an lol good time
October 19, 2016
Loved Twinkletoes!
Enjoyed reading more about Tessa, Ryan and their circle of friends. The adventures with the animals was great fun. Loved to read about the troubles Tessa always finds herself in and the excitement she and her friends find themselves in.
Enjoyed reading more about Tessa, Ryan and their circle of friends. The adventures with the animals was great fun. Loved to read about the troubles Tessa always finds herself in and the excitement she and her friends find themselves in.
January 24, 2017
Good story..
I enjoyed this story of adventure. The author has done a great job of telling her story about the characters in a group of friends with a great sense of humor, mixing in some romance.
I enjoyed this story of adventure. The author has done a great job of telling her story about the characters in a group of friends with a great sense of humor, mixing in some romance.
September 21, 2016
Enjoyed the book
September 21, 2016
Very funny
The messes she gets herself into without realizing it are hilarious! My favorite out of the series so far! Definitely recommends this series
The messes she gets herself into without realizing it are hilarious! My favorite out of the series so far! Definitely recommends this series
September 24, 2016
I enjoyed the continuing story of Tessa and her friends. The storyline is gently moving forward and I am happy to continue with it. Try it ..it's good.
April 28, 2017
Dogs, Drooling and Danger
I liked the dog walking stories because they were funny, and yet touching. The dogs were real characters and each one had endearing traits. Tessa seems to have grown up a bit now, but apart from her love of dogs, still self centered to some extent. I liked Tessa and found her endearing at times. I look forward to reading more about her and the dog walking.
I liked the dog walking stories because they were funny, and yet touching. The dogs were real characters and each one had endearing traits. Tessa seems to have grown up a bit now, but apart from her love of dogs, still self centered to some extent. I liked Tessa and found her endearing at times. I look forward to reading more about her and the dog walking.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews