Divorced, Desperate And Dating

Divorced and Desperate #2

by Christie Craig

Sue Finley murdered people...on paper. As a mystery writer, she knew all the angles, who did what and why. The only thing she couldn't explain was...well, men. Dating was like diving into a box of chocolates: sometimes the sweetest-looking specimens were candy-coated poison. After a breakup with a bank robber and a divorce from a cross-dresser, she gave it up for good. Then came Detective Jason Dodd.

Raised in foster homes, Jason swore never to need anyone as much as the parents who'd abandoned him. That was why he failed to follow up after experiencing the best kiss of his life: real passion was addictive. But when Sue Finley started getting death threats, all bets were off. The blonde spitfire was everything he'd ever wanted -- and she needed him. And though this novel situation had a quirky cast of characters and an unquestionable bad guy, he was going to make sure it had a happy ending.

A mystery writer is forced to reconsider her policy against dating when she is protected from death threats by the sexiest cop she's ever seen.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Humor

353 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2008

About the author

Pseudonym for C. C. Hunter.

Photojournalist, Author and Speaker

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.

Reviews

[Paige Bookdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

She was in love with a man who was so afraid of commitment that he hadn't named or checked the gender of his cat.

I always wonder why most heroes in contemprary-romance are afraid of commitments but are not afraid of being a douche.

Oh well.

Divorce, Desperate and Dating is an okay read. I just finished reading the whole Rizzoli and Isles series and after a number of dead bodies, mutilated body parts and some bang-bang-you-are-dead scenes , I figured it's best to read something light and fluffy.

This is light and fluffy with some laugh out loud moments. It has some cliche moments but romance is cliche so I can't complain.



*cheers to Ms. Craig*

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The worst part about murdering someone was planning exactly how to do it. Not that this was Sue Finley’s first. She’d whacked at least ten people, but it never got any easier.

Sue Finley is a mystery writer. She knows all the ways to kill a character, but understanding men was another matter. After her past relationship disasters with a bank robber and a cross-dresser she knows dating isn’t for her. Until sexy Detective Jason Dodd kisses her like she’s never been kissed before, only to not call her when he said he would. And once again Sue realises that she has bad taste in men. But when she starts receiving death threats, the only man who can keep her safe, is the one man she knows can break her heart.

Jason is a player and he likes it that way. After being abandoned by his mother and raised in foster homes, he promised himself he would never need anyone again. Which was why he never called Sue after the best kiss of his life, he can’t afford to get close to someone who is so addictive. But when Sue’s life is in danger, he can’t get to her side fast enough. She needed him, and he needed to keep her safe and hopefully convince her to give him a chance between the sheets, hoping it would get rid of his obsession with her.

She only hoped sex was like riding a bicycle and one didn’t forget how to do it. Then again, the last time she’d gotten on a bike she’d hit the right-hand brake instead of the left and nose-dived over the handlebars. Oh, Jiminy Cricket, she hoped sex wasn’t like biking. Or at least she hoped it came with pedal brakes.

I really loved Sue. She’s so funny especially when she becomes so talkative when she’s nervous or excited and I loved how she talked to her dying ficus, hoping it will keep it alive. I loved that she made Jason work so hard at getting another chance with her because he really hurt her four months ago when he didn’t call when he said he would. Also with Sue’s past and how difficult it was for her to trust men now, if felt realistic that she was afraid of taking another risk on a guy, especially because it’s Jason and he’s quite a commitment phobe.

Jason Dodd never allowed himself to want anything too much—not a birthday cake, not a new bike for Christmas, not his mother to come back for him. Wanting things only led to disappointment. Even wanting a woman came with limits. And after one kiss, he’d wanted Sue Finley too damn much.

I loved Jason, who is so broken but you only really realise the full extent of how much near the end of the book. I loved how possessive he was over her especially since he’s never felt that way about any woman before. He’s quite a playboy but once he kissed Sue he didn’t want anyone else, even while trying to deny what he felt for her, and that I loved.

Right then he realized he’d given Sue the power to hurt him by loving her. This was what he’d wanted to avoid. What he’d been avoiding all his life. But for the life of him, he wasn’t sorry. He wasn’t sorry that he loved her.

I loved their romance and despite the intense sexual tension between them from the beginning it was a slow build with Sue trying to keep her distance from Jason. Jason is so scarred emotionally from his childhood and he hid it so well behind his charm and confidence that it took almost the entire book to pull back all his layers. He was so clueless about how to deal with the way he felt about Sue, afraid of losing her and I just wanted to hug him and tell him it was going to be okay. Both had rejection fears to overcome and although it only got sorted at the end I loved that their relationship added so much depth to this book and how romantic the ending was. The long wait was definitely worthwhile.

This book was so funny with so many laugh out loud moments but also quite serious. This was my first Christie Craig book and it’s still a winner the second time around. I love reading her books, how hilarious and fun they are. Highly recommended.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story Rating 4.5 stars
Character Rating 5 stars
Romance Rating 5 stars
Heat Level 3.5 stars
Humor Level 4 stars
Overall Rating 4.5 stars

This was a very good read for me, I really enjoyed this second book of the Divorced and Desperate series. Once again Christie Craig wrote a very good book, with humor, great characters, sexual tension and heated love scenes. I must say that it was not quite as good as the first book that is why the 4.5 rating. The humor was there, just not as funny, the bad guy was there but in the end was not really a true villain. There was a few other things that bothered me a bit but you know what? With all those things to me it only meant a 1/2 star being taken away because I truly enjoyed this story.

There is one more book left in this series for me to read, Divorced, Desperate and Deceived. You bet I'll be reading it in the VERY near future.

[Saly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book. Jason is Chase's partner, kind of a commitment phobe since he learned to protect himself after a series of foster homes but he can't get Sue out of his mind since he kissed her four months ago and he can't even look and feel anything for any other woman.

The heroine Sue is a mystery writer who is finally getting back to dating. I dunno I got annoyed by Sue, she led Jason on a merry chase for a long time & then there was the stalker story which kept him in her life.

Decent but not as good as the first one. Now, only one more friend is left.

[♡Karlyn P♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Funny, sexy and cleaver writing. It's a romance mystery, but the mystery doesn't overtake the story. The romance between Jason and Sue is center stage, along with some great secondary characters providing comic relief. It was soooo much fun to read. (The mystery was quite cleaver too, and I kept changing my mind on who I thought the bad guy was.)

Sue is a mystery writer who started getting death threats. Jason has known Sue for over a year, as her best friend is married to Jason's best friend and fellow cop partner. (The hero/heroine of Divorced, Desperate and Delicious - another fantastic book). He doesn't do commitment so he distances himself from Sue after a close and steamy encounter four months earlier. Now Jason finds himself protecting Sue, and what a great combo these two make! Sue is quirky and funny, and Jason is a sexy flirt with a heart of gold.

I love this author, and recommend her books to anyone who enjoys light-hearted contemporary romances on the steamy side.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone that's been divorced and back on the dating scene will enjoy this one, but so will others. The MC is Sue Finley and she's a mystery writer. Imagine what it would be like to be a mystery writer and have someone seem to be trying to kill you based on what seems to be a book you're writing. Along comes Detective Jason Dodd and any woman would swoon over him, especially his kisses. LOL

This book has a lot more depth to it than I thought it would. I thought it would be nothing but sex (well, there was that) and a lot of humor. But it had a lot more to it than I imagined.

[MBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star contemporary romance

Christie Craig is a new author for me. With a total of 5 novels out so far, 3 of them belonging to the Divorced & Desperate series, this author writes with the sort of dry humor that only few can pull off and entertain the reader as much as this book has kept me entertained.

This book can be read as a standalone although it is the second book in the Divorced & Desperate series, though after reading this, my interest has been piqued enough to consider reading the first book in the series Divorced, Desperate and Delicious and the third book which is to come out this month has definitely found a place in my never ending pile of to-be-read books.

The Divorced & Desperate series is centered around three women each with a bad divorce up her sleeve who vow to uphold a period of celibacy. They get together weekly to rant and rave about men, sex and everything to do with relationships and marriage in general.

Sue’s story starts when Lacy and Chase’s story ends in the first book of the series. Jason Dodd is Chase’s detective partner, Lacey being the first one to break the vow of celibacy of the Divorced & Desperate club and tie the knot with Chase.

The story kicks off when Sue, receives a dead rat via post, and the profile of a stalker who is copying the gruesome scenes from Sue’s own books starts to emerge, landing Sue in the awkward position of having Jason as her self proclaimed protector till whoever is playing havoc with Sue’s life is apprehended, whose earth moving kiss and a promise to call which was never fulfilled after a three month period had passed had prompted Sue to try and break her self proclaimed vow of celibacy and start dating.

The ensuing tale is hilarious with a quirky family on Sue’s side to make things more interesting. Commitment phobic Jason, a result of living in too many foster homes, each rejection making him vow never to let anyone close enough to hurt him, finds himself in a constant battle to tamp down the feelings of intense passion, tenderness and protectiveness that Sue effortlessly unleashes within him.

If dry humor, a good plot line with a little mystery thrown in to perk things up in between is your piece of cake then this book is for you.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosalie's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.5 stars

A mystery writer is forced to reconsider her policy against dating when she is protected from death threats by the sexiest cop she's ever seen.

To murder mystery writer, Sue Finley, men are the questionable characters in real life. She is able to write them eloquently, then kill the, off, but in real life, she hasn't had much luck. Until this magical kiss with Jason. (The connection between this book and the first in the series Divorced, Desperate, and Delicious comes into play. Jason is best friends with Chase, who is the main character/hero from that book. Sue is best friends with Lacy, who is now married to Jason - which happened after the first book ended.) Jason really has no desire to be in any type of relationship. Even though the kiss with Sue was sizzling, he doesn't really want to have to rely on anyone, due to his past. However, when Sue is in trouble, Jason knows that it's his duty to take care of her...and so what if more happens (and the more is oh so sexy?!)?

I love the connection in this series. All being friends, seeing the relationships progress, is quickly making this a series that will be a return to for me. I can't wait for the next in the series!

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[Maqluba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christie Craig has now become my go-to author for when I'm in a chick-lity mood. This is my second book of hers and to me she's given me enough evidence to say that I am happily in her corner. She has a great balance of humor, reality, a bit of suspense, and really hot couples. I can't help it, if you make me laugh out loud or cry then you've sold me, so yeah I'm gonna give her what she's due because she entertained me here.

I haven't read the first book of this series but other than their first meet&greet I don't think I missed out too much. I can't wait to read more of this series and others from this author:)


*Also, can I just say how much I loved the 4th dimension aspect here of Sue being an author? She kept talking about her writing and her methods and I felt like it was Christie Craig speaking through her to me. I really appreciated that because I learned a bit about how authors do what they do.**

[Jacqueline J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the heroine of this book is being stalked, it doesn't really classify as a romantic suspense because the focus of the story was on the romance not the stalker. There is basically no nail biting suspense over figuring out who the stalker is. The hero, a cop, does work at it and figure it out but it is not the important element in the book. Which was fine I believe that the author intended it that way.

I really enjoyed both main characters. They were both well written and plausible. Jason was very sweet in the way he didn't really know how to be in a relationship but he tried really hard. Sue was a nice grown up woman. Not TSTL or a doormat etc. The secondary characters were well written and her crazy family was well done without being stereotypes.

A good solid contemporary on the lighter side with a satisfying believable romance.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the DDD trilogy. Fun light romance with a little suspense. A lot of similarities to the first one. Enough laughs to keep me entertained. It took me a long time to figure out who was threatening Sue. Enough of the other characters to keep me happy. I like these people.

[Amanda Siegrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t decide if I liked this book better than the first. Another great read with fun and suspense.

[Jane Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main story is relationship conflict based on vague communication and fear of being hurt which didn’t work for me.

STORY BRIEF:
Sue is a mystery writer. Her ex-husband and recent boyfriend were terrible choices. Jason is a police detective who has never dated a girl for more than three months. He grew up in foster homes. As soon as he became attached to a foster parent, he was moved to another home. Therefore, he doesn’t want to become attached to anyone for fear of being hurt. He was drawn to Sue and kissed her once. The kiss was too good, and he didn’t want to want her, so he avoided her for four months. Now, someone is stalking Sue and sending her death threats. Jason takes some vacation time to stay with Sue 24 hours a day, while he and the police try to catch the stalker. During these several days, Jason and Sue are falling for each other and want to have sex. But, Sue won’t forgive him for not calling her for four months. Jason keeps asking, and Sue keeps saying no. This conflict based on Sue denying her desire for Jason lasts throughout most of the book.

REVIEWER’S OPINION (INCLUDES SOME SPOILERS):
There was a happy ending, but it didn’t feel good enough. It was mostly a feeling of finally relieving the frustration of this couple denying that they wanted each other.

I was annoyed that for most of the story Sue and Jason wanted each other, but Sue kept saying no. I was annoyed that she didn’t ask him “why” he didn’t call her for four months, until page 180 and again on page 204. Then, both of those times he didn’t answer her.

As soon as the stalker is caught, Sue and Jason have an uncomfortable conversation where neither one of them is honest with each other (page 320). Jason says he needs to go home to check on his plants. Sue acts like she doesn’t need him or want to see him anymore. She is doing this because she believes “she doesn’t matter to him.” They are breaking up when neither one wants to. Later Jason asks her what is wrong, and she won’t answer him.

In summary, most of the story is conflict in the relationship based on vague communication and inaccurate assumptions. This bothers me because it’s overused in romance novels. Sometimes it’s ok in small doses or when other things are going on, but in this story it didn’t work for me. Solving the mystery of the death threats was ok, but it wasn’t new or different enough for me to recommend the book.

DATA:
Story length: 353 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 3. Total number of sex scene pages: 12. Setting: current day Hoke’s Bluff (small town outside of Houston, Texas). Copyright: 2008. Genre: romantic mystery.

OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Christie Craig books, see my 5 star review of “Divorced, Desperate and Delicious” posted 9/12/08.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sue is a writer. Her husband betrayed her and ever since she's had trouble in trusting men. That sentiment amplifies when Jason gives her a kiss that moves the earth, promised to call and 4 months later still hasn't. Then come the death threats. Death threats too similar to what she writes in her books. And sure she's a modern independent woman, past the hurt of her father's death, past the hurt of her husband's betrayal, past the hurt of her mother's grieving and her new boyfriend the Elvis look alike. But even she can see trouble coming her way in the form of Jason. Who just decided to appoint himself as her full time body guard. But that can lead to heartbreak and Sue knows it, but can she resist him?
Jason is a jaded man. He grew up in the foster care system and after realizing foster kids were looked down upon he started to perfect the I don't care armor. Which works until people need him, because when people need him everything is okay and Sue needs him. And he wants her, but he knows he can't get everything he wants that's why he never called her, because he wanted to much and men like him never got what they wanted. Or so he thinks.
Now they're together, with feelings they keep trying to fight, with a cucumber wielding, crazy driving old lady, with fruity dressing , bug collecting and unintentional food poisoning relatives, with some cats some with sex unknown, with some interested male prospects, and with a possible killer on the loose. And can they get out of this unhurt, or will some heart get broken in the process?
Really funny story. I found myself intensely drawn to Jason, the way he was hurt and trying to keep himself from getting more hurt, they way his feelings are clear to everyone but him ans Sue, they way he has a soft spot for animals and old people. Sue was great too, the way past hurts kept her from moving forward, the way she was so strong, they way she loves and cares. The crazy friends and relatives in the story added a nice touch as the recurring characters from previous books. This series has become one of my favorites for the laugh factor alone, but they have a nice touch of suspense, love and friendship. Will definitely come back for more.

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this book?Oh yeah I LOVED IT!Christie Craig didn't disappointed me with her second book on the divorced series like some other authors did.It had the whole package,humor,romance,heartache,mystery and a hot(or two if you count Chase too) guy(s).

Everything started when Sue got a package and a dead rat inside and the word die on it.Even if Chase and Jason think the whole thing is set by Melissa her publisher/editor but they are wrong.Someone wants to kill Sue.

After Chase's request Jason decides to look after Sue and moves into her house with his cat and her little kittens.The problem between Sue and Jason is a phone call that Jason never made.4 months before the beginning of this book Jason and Sue kissed and he promised to call but never did,so you can understand the reason Sue is a little hesitant about Jason

As the time passes they learn more about the other and of course the fall in love.We learn about their past and their families,and I have to say that I liked very much Sue's grandparents.I also like very much the old lady with the cucumber.
Some of my favorite quotes;
Pretending to be stronger was the first step to actually being stronger.
Loving somebody isn't easy.But love isn't meant to be tossed away because it's hard.Love is to be cherished.
Life doesn't come with guarantees.We take risks.
If you liked the first book deffinately will like the second too.

[Lizo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and I was highly, HIGHLY disappointed in it. The first one was cute and was funny, it was slow at some points and you genuinely kind of liked the characters. This book. Sue has annoyed me to no end. Jason is a SAINT to put up with all the mess she is dishing out. She constantly is lying, the constantly teasing and holding a grudge. I mean seriously how long are you going to hold a grudge about not calling?

Sue has been annoying, I kept hoping for her to get better but unforunately she doesn't get it together. She holds a grudge against Jason, then she goes after him then she starts digging and snooping.

Jason he's a nice emotional sweet guy. He has the patience of a saint. I don't know many real life men who would want to deal with all of what sue has going on.

I just wasn't happy reading this book. :( I loved Jason, but Sue kept bringing me down and getting on my nerves.

I love the first one its funny. This one should really be the free book not the first one. This one needed some work. The mystery of it was great but Sue's character was not my cup of tea it really didn't make me want to go out and purchase the third one for fear of the female turning out like Sue. Yikes!

[♥ WishfulMiss ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was as good as the first in the triple D series (Divorced, Desperate and Delicious Jason was a great male lead, his hang ups were real and relatable. Sue was also pretty great - she is by no means perfect - not when she leaks when she cries and definitely not when she's constantly saying Jiminy Crickets! But all that aside she was perfect for Jason. Their romance was full of good humor and crazy sexual chemistry. I liked that Jason had to really work for it when it came to Sue.

I loved the big gesture he does at the end - it helped that Sue and Maggie's conversation shed some light on Jason's past and had me melted in a big puddle of emotion for him.

I loved Chase and Lacy in book one and now I'm in love with Jason and Sue. Kathy is the last single friend of the Triple D club and I can't wait to read about her and that mysterious plumber!

[VLynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but repetitive tug of war.
This book started out good, really good. A sweet romance between an author named Sue and a sexy hot cop named Jason. When the author’s life becomes threatened the romance between the two heats up and it’s a great read. Until about ½ way through, and the tug of war romance between Sue and Jason becomes so overdone I just wanted to pull Jason from the book and take the hottie for myself and slap Sue! The resolution of the mystery was such a sad attempt I honestly missed it, and was shocked when the book ended. I had to actually go back and then it was “Oh yeah, now I remember it, whoops”. I have to admit, the sex was hot and steamy, so I would give those scenes a 4 out of 5, but the whole book only 3 out 5.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have been a 4 star for me because it was cute, and I enjoyed the characters and the plot. However, what really annoyed me was the basis of Jason and Sue's issues was lack of communication! Especially at the end, it got so annoying! If only they had talked to each other, then the book would have been half as long. All of their problems were due to them not communicating! It made them seem extremely immature, especially Sue. It made no sense that every time he asked her what she needed she'd say "you didn't name your cat!" How the heck was he supposed to understand that?!? I know real life couples have communication issues, but it became a bit ridiculous with these characters and it just got to be too much for me.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave this book one star for the hero. I really liked his character and he was pretty much a saint to put up with the heroine. If I based the rating on the heroine it would have a negative rating. The heroine was probably the least liked that I've ever read (and I've read A LOT). She was flighty, ditzy and treated sex like an adolescent (should I, shouldn't I, oh my he took my shirt off) and what adult woman refers to a penis as a pencil? I almost didn't finish the book due to her but I can't stand to not finish a book so I plowed thru. I have the final book in this set and keep passing over it because I'm afraid it's going to be just as bad.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spent the first half of this book frustrated with both hero and heroine for NOT TALKING about what needed to be talked about. I'm also really tired of "quirky" family used as background filler for romance novels. Enough with the crazy parents/grantparents.

Other than that, I liked the main characters and the plot was decent.

[Sassafrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute. It started a little slow for me, but picked up around the middle. I felt for Jason, he had a lot of issues growing up. And so did Sue, but the two of them were really adorable together.

The mystery was good as well. But, I liked the banter and humor the most. This author does a great job with that. I look forward to reading more in this series.

[315 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a big fan of when characters don't talk to each other but it fit here... It was part of that made them who they are. It was annoying but it made the story sweeter for me. This just hit all the right buttons for me at the right time.

[Zel Polev · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay.

I find it similar to the first book. The beginning is interesting and it winds down throughout the book. By the time it ends, I don't particularly care. I feel like the build up doesn't really build up because I'm not attached to the characters. I feel like I should care about what happens if I consider a book to be good, so the book is just alright to me.

The story revolves around Sue and Jason. Sue is a murder mystery writer. She finds herself harassed. She has been receiving threatening phone calls and messages. The threats mirror those of the events in her unreleased book. She went to the police but it was brushed off as a publicity stunt. It wasn't until Jason took over and took her word for it. He went above and beyond duty by serving as her bodyguard during his time off.

The suspects were the people in her critique group, an asshole-ish cover artist, ARC readers, and her ex-husband. The real culprit was the wife of one of the people in her critique group. She was jealous that Sue caught the eye of her husband. She was going to kill Sue. Her last effort was dressing up as a package delivery person. Jason came to the rescue and diverted the wife's attention. When she was going to shoot Jason, Sue pretended a tampon was a gun and got the wife to drop her weapon.

The romance side of the story was Jason not wanting to get close. He doesn't want to be vulnerable and actively avoids situations where he would be. It isn't until he finds himself needed that he gets closer. Sue wants more but he isn't forthright in his feelings. He finally sorts himself out and she sorts herself out. They get together. There are a lot of gratuitous sex scenes, which is the same as the first book. I could have done with a lot less since they don't really advance the story.

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch it in full at ♀ Bookworm

[...]
So, this second installment is about a mystery writer and the mysterious cop. And their connection four months ago, and their current stalker situation. Honestly, Sue is hilarious. Jason is crazy hot. Apparently, both young-some (don’t remember reading about their age, what a flaw!). One divorced, the other is leaning towards to the relationship-phobic side, but things are about to change. Four months ago a kiss happened. Insecurities came to Sue, Jason got spooked somewhat, but kept on living. But everyone knows that adrenaline and fear can bring other feelings to the table, and when fiction inside fiction becomes reality, things will become quite interesting. Be ready to know the passion and bad detective skills and a lot of tampons. Kidding. Just two. I meant a lot of kittens! Because I don’t want to give much away in my writing I will so much away through screenshots, sorry to the author, you can keep scrolling — and it’s obvious they will end up together and the double POV. Don’t even have to mention that tidbit, do I?

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me a while to get into because it is the second book in a series. While it stands alone, the thread linking the trilogy and thus the characters, are the three divorced and damaged women at the center. Sue Finley is a mystery writer. She's very good at being a killer, not so much at being a victim. When she begins to experience strange accidents and death threats she realizes that maybe these aren't pranks. In steps Detective Jason Todd. She and Jason have a history. Well, actually, they almost have a history. They kissed once. The electricity could have lit the city. And he never called her. But that didn't mean he stopped thinking about her. He had his reasons but as the case gets more involved he can't remember what they are. The book had a slow beginning and a slow middle but it got better. I think I have the other two books in the series and I look forward to reading them at some point.

[What to read next ....... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divorced Desperate and Dating, the second book l have read of the series, was such a fun entertaining, romantic book.
The characters are there to have a great laugh with.
This book had a great romantic suspense, involving murder and stalking.

Sue and Jason afraid to trust the good feelings and attraction, that comes when you find some one that just fits.
Sue a murder mystery writer with a stalker, brings Jason a police 👮‍♂️ officer, together four months later after they had the 💋 kiss, and asked for her number.
Jason was a love them and leave them type of man, who did not do relationships.
Growing up in foster care being shuttled from one home to the next, he never expected to find someone who would ever just want him for himself.
The story unfolds as he comes to investigate a dead 🐀 rat.

This book is worth the read, if you want something light romantic and some suspense this book is perfect

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read with lots of uncomfortable and questionable interactions. 4 months ago bad boy cop Jason kissed Sue at a friend’s party and asked for her number. She’s still waiting for the call and avoiding Jason as best she can when someone starts making threats on her life.

This is competently written and not a bad way to spend a few hours if you read lightly and don’t think too deeply about the details. For example, there are several scenes where there are local police chief downplays the seriousness of the threat while treating the heroine like the proverbial piece of ass. This is treated as part of the playful flirtiness of the story. Also, the hero tended to be a little too aggressive sexually and personally. One scene that really blew it for me was toward the end when Jason

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have several "in progress" books but I could not get back to them with this one started. I'd received a complimentary copy of the first book in the series. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately purchased the second one. It did not disappoint. A hero and heroine both with issues from their past, a stalker, and the appearance of the likeable characters from book #1 made this an interesting plot. Craig puts humor in her romances and I like that a lot. She was a "new to me" author last week but I enjoyed these two books so much that I've already purchased the third in the series. This was a light but very good read, just what was needed during the virus confinement.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read even though it's a romantic suspense involving murder and stalking. I loved the first book in the series for its laugh-out-loud humor, and I loved--loved!--the third book in the series for its depth of character and plot twists. This one, while I wholly identify with the author/critique group portrayals, didn't hit me as quite as funny. And, to be frank, a few weeks after reading it, I had to think really hard to remember who the villain was. Still, it had enough twists to keep me entertained.