Death, Taxes, and Silver Spurs

Tara Holloway #7

by Diane Kelly

HE'S ONE OF AMERICA'S BRIGHTEST STARS.

So maybe it goes without saying that IRS Special Agent Tara Holloway is star-struck? In Diane Kelly's Death, Taxes, and Silver Spurs, she's head over heels...in trouble.

Easy's getting harder every day for Tara. A tax-evading pet groomer managed to buzz off a big chunk of her hair...just in time for her date strictly-business meeting with country-music heartthrob Brazos Rivers. Of course Tara shouldn't care-she's devoted to Special Agent Nick Pratt, after all-but Rivers does know how to steal a woman's heart with a song...

Meanwhile, Tara's up to her fracking neck with another case: A natural-gas company with a money trail that is almost as suspicious as Brazos Rivers's tax return. Which is to say, he can't seem to cough up one. Tara figures the misdeeds of her celebrity crush must be an oversight. But will she dance to a different tune...when her tax-evading idol starts evading her, too?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Cozy, Fiction, Chick Lit, Mystery Thriller

336 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2014

About the author

Award-winning author Diane Kelly writes romance and romantic mysteries featuring feisty heroines, quirky sidekicks, and sexy leading men, with humor that leaves readers laughing out loud.

Reviews

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series, but this one wasn't my favorite. I'm pretty sure thought that it's me, not the book or the writing. I couldn't relate to Tara losing her head over the music star and I just wanted to shake her. But I quite enjoyed the story line about the oil and gas case. I'm looking forward to the next book.

full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/107768...

[Moondance · Rating 4 out of 5]

At two o'clock on a Saturday afternoon in early February I spent a full minute pulling forward and back, forward and back, trying to maneuver my plain white government sedan into a space at the curb.

Tara is back! This time she must investigate her current crush, country singer Brazos Rivers. it seems that he has not paid taxes since hitting the big time.

I was a bit disappointed in the Tara for her response to Brazos. She has Nick for goodness sakes! I was glad when she finally got her head on straight and went after him like she usually does. I simply adore Nick. His storyline with Nutty was very well done and had me in tears. You gotta love a man that loves his dog.

I enjoy that there are a couple of cases going on in each book. The oil/gas business is huge in Texas and the nefarious deeds were well written.

This is one of my favorite series and I always enjoy my time spent with Tara. I read part of this book and listened to part of it. The narrator kept me engaged and I will listen to others in the series as well.

4.5 stars!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! I really like Tara, Nick and the rest of the characters. I decided towards the end of the book that I enjoy that Tara is usually working on more than one case in each book. That keeps everything moving and exciting. There was a lot of action in this one and it's nice to know that taxes can be exciting but I'm probably more like Alicia and just want April 15th to be over. I also like how there is always a little teaser for Tara's next case at the end, even if by the time I get to the next book I've forgotten what it is.

[Josi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Tara Holloway books. And this one did not disappoint. I laughed I cried, it was great. As always looking forward to the next one.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I simply love this series :)

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book...it was a great entry to the Tara Holloway series. Portions of it made me laugh outloud!

[EP · Rating 1 out of 5]

My thoughts as I was reading this book:
-this book is written awkwardly, but the narration is also not helping things
-why is this book taking so many weird digs at women who are not the fmc?
-why at these concerts are women taking off their undies and they throw them on stage and the singer actually does things with them (hanging them? And possibly washing them????)
-this girl is dang nasty and she forgets her bf?????
-she’s also not very bright???
-“what straight man gave a rats ass about flowers” I’m not even going to unpack that.
-what a healthy relationship, they withhold sex from each other as punishment
-she’s really not very bright
-since when is 60° “frigid”, or “freezing”
-what is happening with these “fan” women and the “agents” shooting into the sky, knocking the women unconscious, and “knocking them on their asses”
-does being an IRS agent absolve you of trespassing or breaking and entering????
-what is with all of the onomatopoeia in this book??????
- if you tell me the dog growled, you don’t need to type out “grrrr”
-it’s time to put this gd dog down. Jesus fuck why do people let their animals suffer
-why is she shook that this man is not the same version she literally made up in her head
-is it reallllyyyyy that big of a deal that he’s not from Texas that he could be “exposed”
-I get it that he sucks but I also feeeeeel like it’s completely unacceptable she leaked his location
-I’m very uncomfortable with the description of the singers genitals
-wow. Hm. That was… not good.

[Marty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tara is an IRS Special Agent in Texas. She carries a gun and can use it. Her boyfriend/love interest Nick, also works as an agent for the IRS. Tara’s current case involves the current #1 sexy Country-Western singer in the US. Brazos River is only 22, but he sets women’s hearts a flutter whether they are 10 or 60 years old. He is Tara’s main dreamboat, but she must get him to pay his debt to Uncle Sam. He has never filed an income tax report. The interest on his debt is over $2,000 per day. Tara and Nick go to a concert of his in an attempt to corral the sexy heartthrob. Tara believes him when he tells her it is all a mistake and he’ll make it right --- And she falls for this several times. Meanwhile poor Nick puts up with her drooling about Brazos……….. But for how long will he stand aside – and how long will it take Tara to wake up and do her job? … ……. The book was clever, but it was for someone much much younger than me. Not only did I want to shake Tara until she woke up, but all the sexual escapades and descriptions I find excessive.

[Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Tara Holloway book but not my favorite. The tax storylines are good and interesting enough to keep you reading. BUT, that a big but, I don’t believe that Tara would be star struck and Gaga over a ridiculous singing cowboy.. She is too much of a “company man” to fall for that. I didn’t buy it. The story otherwise was intriguing and sad at times, RIP Nutty. Onto the next in the series- they’re worth it. Like they (should) say even a book that not great is better than a million other things. I love this character and that she a career minded woman not a housewife solving crime or a hairdresser as an undercover agent, or a dog groomer by day, spy in the darkness or the like. Enjoy the tale and grab a cup of tea - you won’t be disappointed

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara has a celebrity crush and Nick is not happy. When Tara fails to bring in her crush a big music star Nick is more than happy to try and take over.
I love the two cases in this book and the interaction of Nick and Tara. I can't wait to see how their relationship proceeds. The writing is so good and the descriptions from the people to the scenery was so good and made me feel like I could see the people and the scenery. I really enjoy the side characters.
This book made me smile, laugh and in one bit a little sad. A very well written story with great characters.

[Amy T. - Book lover! · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - This was a fun, quick read. I like to call these types of books “dessert” because after reading more meaty and emotionally taxing books, it’s nice to have a light, easy read afterward. This book was funny, a little cheesy and easy to enjoy in a couple of evenings. I haven’t read other books in this series, but I will keep them in mind when I need another helping of dessert.

[Denver Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice storyline, not real inventive. Similar to Erin Brockovich. But the bass boat in Galveston Bay, really far-fetched. Only a boat enthusiast would know that though. Saltwater can wreak havoc on a bass boat. Not one of the best in this series. Kind of paints Tara Holloway as a bit of a nincompoop. really scatterbrained.

[K.C. Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kick-ass series! Loving it 😊

[Trisia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I totally agree with some other readers. Seems author was in a hurry and just added a lot of knarly language, male body parts and general fluff. Not a fan of this book at all.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series with its wonderful cast of characters!!

[Alaina Thomson]

:)

[Tameka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Darcy and Lou made me angry being star struck. Super stars are just people and I have learned that we shouldn't put them too high on a pedestal because the fall from grace is so much worse.

[Johnmarilyn Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read! Loved the 2 main plots - both held my interest & kept me intrigued to the end to find out the resolution. Also personal "touches" between Nick & Tara were well done.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable enough but not my favorite in series

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This high quality mystery is told with lively storytelling, vibrant characters and exceptional comedy. The narrator does a great job!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun mystery. But I did tear up at one part!!!

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tara is an IRS Special Agent and she's working on two cases. One is that of a young sexy country singer named Brazos Rivers who has never paid his taxes ... and they are accruing at over $2,000 a day! Every time Tara catches up with him, he has another excuse and she keeps falling for them. Needless to say, Nick, Tara's boyfriend, isn't too pleased with Tara's crush on Brazos. Her other case is the mysterious purchase every week in some serious cash of "drill bits" by the owner of an energy company ... an employee rats her boss out prompting Tara to investigate.

This is the seventh book in the Tara Holloway series (I've read the previous ones) and the eighth book I've read by this author. It works as a stand alone as there was enough information from the past ones so you know what's going on.

This book is written in first person perspective from Tara's point of view. I found the last two in the series just okay so it was good to see this one go back to being fun and sarcastic (in my opinion, the last two were missing this) ... I enjoyed it so much more. As a head's up, there is swearing and adult activity.

I liked Tara ... she was the Tara of old. Her one year joboversary is coming and she's got to get these two cases settled before then. And she'll do whatever it takes to do that ... even if it means hanging out with goats. Something traumatic happens in Nick's world which makes him more human rather than just being the fun flirty boyfriend and sometimes partner to Tara.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2014/09...

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special Agent Tara Holloway is having a rough time. Her plate is full. She is trying to collect back taxes from Brazos Rivers, the sexy country music star. He's a distraction. While she fantasizes about him, he gets away. On top of that her boyfriend, Nick is mad at her. Jealousy has reared it's ugly head. She's also looking into PPE, an energy company, involved in a costly lawsuit. Something's not right with Larry Burkett, the owner. What's he up to? Diane Kelly has done it again. I love Tara and her friends at the IRS. The characters are both intelligent and funny. Tara is a smart mouth and sassy lady who keeps getting into so much trouble. Nick is a charmer who is more than her match. I love their chemistry. The story is well plotted and I enjoyed the twists and turns. Death, Taxes and Silver Spurs is a charming combination of humor, romance and action. Diane Kelly just keeps getting better.

[Sylvia McIvers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tara just came back on duty as an IRS special agent, and she has to be careful not to use her gun. Shouldn't be a problem, since her next assignment is telling super-hot Brazos Rivers to pay his back-taxes. She attends one of his concerts with boyfriend and fellow special agent Nick, and he's jealous... for no reason, at all, Tara thinks as she fans herself. The security guards don't believe Tara 'come back with a real policeman.' Then Brazos allows Tara a personal interview, without Nick, who fumes. And Tara is too bedazzled to do a proper interview.

Add lots of plot twists, and is Brazos a bad guy after all? or just a great musician under bad management, like Elvis? And maybe Nick ought to be jealous more often, since it gives Tara some really hot action scenes with him.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

In pursuing tax criminals, Tara Holloway ends up going after her favorite singer: Brazos Rivers, who has a lot to hide, especially his real name. Nick pitches in, mostly to keep Tara from losing her mind (and not gaining any traction on the case), but Eddie's there, too, helping out on the sleuthing she's doing over at the oil factory. While he's non-compliant, Rivers' interest is over $2,000 a day...and Tara's interest in him wanes in direct proportion.
This entry seemed a bit off for Holloway...starstruck over a singer? Just didn't strike me as something she'd fall victim to. Overall review: Good series; not the best entry thus far but certainly a step above other novels. As always, Kelly brings wit, sassy characters, and multiple plot lines together for a win.

[Melodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calling this one a 4.5 star read! This series is a favorite of mine and they're always good reads, but this one was just a little better than some of the others. Super hot country star, Brazos Rivers, hasn't paid any taxes in a few years and is in to Uncle Sam for millions. The big question is, is Tara going to be able to get over being star-struck long enough to do her job?? She's also been approached by a whistle-blower who's pretty sure there are some bad goings-on at the oil & gas drilling company she works for. Lots of action in this one, and a heart-tugging side story, too. I think this one is my favorite in the series! RECOMMEND!

[Kay Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series never lets me down. In Silver Spurs, Tara learns a few lessons while chasing a tax-evading country star with a few surprises under his cowboy hat. Tara's boyfriend, Nick, supplies snarky commentary and help along the way. Meanwhile a whistleblower clues Tara in to underhanded dealings at an oil and gas company. And then there's that manic dog groomer with her clippers, not to mention all those overexcited country music fans. All in all, another riotous ride with Tara and her colleagues.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit behind in this series and with a new book coming out in early August thought I should catch up on this series while i had some spare time.

Tara is always a hoot, along with Lu, Nick, Eddie and the whole gang. There is a scene or two where Tara gets herself into quite a predicament and it reminds me a little bit of Stephanie Plum...not a lot, just a scene here or there. Either way, the book always has me laughing at the quirkiness of the characters and the expressions.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book soo much. It made me laugh and cry. Reading the Tara Holloway Series is like having one of your really good friends come for a visit and you have a fabulous time but you are sad when it is over, but you can't wait for their next visit because you know it won' t be anything less than amazing!

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My go to series for laugh-out-loud entertainment! This author continues to provide hilarious adventures for Tara Holloway, IRS special agent - I would have thought by now that she would run out of fun, but no way does that happen! Thank you to the author for many hours of entertaining reading - I can't recommend this series enough.