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The Bartender Babe Chronicles #3
Knock Before You Enter: a Hilarious Southern Mystery Romance
Your favorite bartender is headed on vacation - and this time it isn't all high heels and handsome hunks.
Try gators, a grandmother, and GOLD!
The De'Laruse matriarch carries a secret from the Civil War era, and it's high time to tear down the accompanying rumor mill. More than a hundred and fifty years ago, French gold was captured when the ship aiding the Confederacy tried to run the Union blockade. Addie enlists the help of Vicki Bohanan and her granddaughter, best bud Janine De'Laruse, to decode the clues left in a Union soldier's journal to solve the mystery once and for all concerning what happened to the bars emblazoned with the fleur-de-lis imprint.
As if Vicki doesn't have enough concerns to occupy her week. Between fighting off Janine's oversexed younger brother, a mysterious maid of questionable conduct, and the sperm donor breathing down her neck - not to mention those grumpy gators again - all Vicki wants is one uninterrupted night's sleep.
Fat chance - even in the land of Fat Tuesday, as Vicki jets off to Louisiana for the holidays in book three of the Bartender Babe Chronicles.
Try gators, a grandmother, and GOLD!
The De'Laruse matriarch carries a secret from the Civil War era, and it's high time to tear down the accompanying rumor mill. More than a hundred and fifty years ago, French gold was captured when the ship aiding the Confederacy tried to run the Union blockade. Addie enlists the help of Vicki Bohanan and her granddaughter, best bud Janine De'Laruse, to decode the clues left in a Union soldier's journal to solve the mystery once and for all concerning what happened to the bars emblazoned with the fleur-de-lis imprint.
As if Vicki doesn't have enough concerns to occupy her week. Between fighting off Janine's oversexed younger brother, a mysterious maid of questionable conduct, and the sperm donor breathing down her neck - not to mention those grumpy gators again - all Vicki wants is one uninterrupted night's sleep.
Fat chance - even in the land of Fat Tuesday, as Vicki jets off to Louisiana for the holidays in book three of the Bartender Babe Chronicles.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2022
About the author
D.A. Bale
10 books84 followersSometimes life emulates fiction.
Life is filled with tragedy and Ms. Bale's writing reflects this reality. However, there is always a silver lining...even if one must spend their entire life searching for it.
In her previous career, Ms. Bale traveled the United States as a Government Relations Liaison, working closely with Congressional offices and various government agencies. This experience afforded her a glimpse into the sometimes "not so pretty" reality of the political sphere. Much of this reality and various locations throughout her travels make it into her writing.
She dreams of the day she can return to visit Alaska.
Life is filled with tragedy and Ms. Bale's writing reflects this reality. However, there is always a silver lining...even if one must spend their entire life searching for it.
In her previous career, Ms. Bale traveled the United States as a Government Relations Liaison, working closely with Congressional offices and various government agencies. This experience afforded her a glimpse into the sometimes "not so pretty" reality of the political sphere. Much of this reality and various locations throughout her travels make it into her writing.
She dreams of the day she can return to visit Alaska.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 4, 2017
KNOCK BEFORE YOU ENTER is a mystery suspense story featuring D.A. Bale’s protagonist Vicki Bohanan. Vicki has a history of getting herself in the middle of mysterious events that lead to dangerous life threatening situations. Book Three in the Bale’s Bartender series follows Vicki as she goes on vacation with her best friend Janine to her grandmother’s birthday party in Louisiana. Their trip to the De'Laruse home in Louisiana leads to uncovering family secrets, searching for lost gold, and finding dead bodies.
Vicki and Janine’s father run the business empire of the De'Laruse family. Janine’s grandmother Addie carries secrets relating to a stash of gold missing since the end of the Civil War. Janine’s Grandmother wants Vicki and Janine to investigate clues described in a Union soldier’s journal found in her father’s library. Bale’s storyline changes direction when Vicki and Janine’s investigation uncover clues relating to the gold and property lines. She introduces several support characters including Lucas Monette who seems to be taking an avid interest in Vicki and Janine’s investigation. Vicki is sure Lucas is not who he presents himself to be.
The author builds a subplot around family relationships, past business dealings, and family manipulations. She places readers next to Addie as she discusses decisions relating to the management of De'Laruse family enterprises. Bale describes how Addie De'Laruse is upset with her son’s actions relating to Janine’s involvement in running the company
Events quickly unfold leading Vicki and Janine’s investigation to research records at the local historical society. Bale builds suspense around Vicki and Janine’s discoveries at the historical society relating to the gold, property lines, and water. Readers experience what Vicki and Janine are dealing with when finding their lives in danger from an unexpected person. KNOCK BEFORE YOU ENTER is full of action up to the last page as Bale surprises readers with an unpredictable ending.
Vicki and Janine’s father run the business empire of the De'Laruse family. Janine’s grandmother Addie carries secrets relating to a stash of gold missing since the end of the Civil War. Janine’s Grandmother wants Vicki and Janine to investigate clues described in a Union soldier’s journal found in her father’s library. Bale’s storyline changes direction when Vicki and Janine’s investigation uncover clues relating to the gold and property lines. She introduces several support characters including Lucas Monette who seems to be taking an avid interest in Vicki and Janine’s investigation. Vicki is sure Lucas is not who he presents himself to be.
The author builds a subplot around family relationships, past business dealings, and family manipulations. She places readers next to Addie as she discusses decisions relating to the management of De'Laruse family enterprises. Bale describes how Addie De'Laruse is upset with her son’s actions relating to Janine’s involvement in running the company
Events quickly unfold leading Vicki and Janine’s investigation to research records at the local historical society. Bale builds suspense around Vicki and Janine’s discoveries at the historical society relating to the gold, property lines, and water. Readers experience what Vicki and Janine are dealing with when finding their lives in danger from an unexpected person. KNOCK BEFORE YOU ENTER is full of action up to the last page as Bale surprises readers with an unpredictable ending.
November 16, 2021
You can take the woman out of the city, but can you take the city out of the woman? It appears that you can as the Bartender Babe, Vicki Bohanan, heads off to Louisiana with her bestie Janine De'Laruse for a family reunion.
As in the second book, "Think Before You Speak", Vickie continues to show signs of maturity, which is a pity as her madcap antics were great fun in "Look Before You Jump".
There's hardly a hangover in sight and, outside of the occasional grope from Janine's gross brother, a distinct lack of sexual hijinks.
No sooner do they arrive on the De'Laruse estate than they are roped into solving the mystery of stolen French gold ingots which tradition, and a diary, suggest are buried somewhere in the area.
It's quite amusing but the inner core is a very standard mystery which, luckily, solves itself.
"Knock Before You Enter" is a fast and occasionally funny read.
2.5 Stars rounded up to 3 Stars.
As in the second book, "Think Before You Speak", Vickie continues to show signs of maturity, which is a pity as her madcap antics were great fun in "Look Before You Jump".
There's hardly a hangover in sight and, outside of the occasional grope from Janine's gross brother, a distinct lack of sexual hijinks.
No sooner do they arrive on the De'Laruse estate than they are roped into solving the mystery of stolen French gold ingots which tradition, and a diary, suggest are buried somewhere in the area.
It's quite amusing but the inner core is a very standard mystery which, luckily, solves itself.
"Knock Before You Enter" is a fast and occasionally funny read.
2.5 Stars rounded up to 3 Stars.
April 29, 2018
Good reading, fun characters, and good humor.
September 27, 2025
Great book
I would recommend this
book. Loved the southern aspect of it and all of the characters. They all certainly make me laugh.
I would recommend this
book. Loved the southern aspect of it and all of the characters. They all certainly make me laugh.
March 18, 2026
Very interesting book
Loved it. Kept my attention with all the mystery. I enjoy the funny parts of all of the authors books. She’s great!!!
Loved it. Kept my attention with all the mystery. I enjoy the funny parts of all of the authors books. She’s great!!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews