Darynda Jones would pick up a pencil and paper and scribble nonsense on it even when she was a toddler, asking her mother to read her literary genius aloud. Soon after, she started writing plays for the neighborhood kids, making up stories for her brother, and creating age inappropriate fantastical stories for Barbie and Ken to enact. In high school she almost finished her first manuscript, and even then, was dabbling in romance and the paranormal.
Darynda took a break from actively writing for several years, wherein she got married, had a couple children, graduated Summa cum Laude from UNM and got a job as a teacher and sign language translator. She missed writing though, and started up again in 2002 with the goal of getting a publishing contract securely in her mind’s eye. After 3 complete manuscripts, she finally landed an agent, a three book deal, and won the 2009 Golden Heart award for Best Paranormal Romance in 2009.
Second Grave on the Left, Book #2 of the Charley Davidson series
Author: Darynda Jones
Synopsis: When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can’t help but wonder what Cookie’s up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously? Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman’s name. Mimi’s husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message.
Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?
Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:1st and foremost, I found myself shaking my head over and over while reading this book, wondering how in the world Daryda can be such a genius with words even when it’s filler. I’m utterly amazed at her ability to turn EVERYTHING funny, even when the characters are in dire straits. It truly is a gift…
O.K, on to the book. An amazing follow-up to First Grave on the Right. Another smart, sexy, sassy, sophisticated read, with incredible action, mystery, and romance.
Per usual, Charley is constantly finding herself in trouble, though this time she’s not only trying to solve a missing person case for the APD and her best friend Cookie, she’s also trying desperately to save Reyes from himself.
Reyes doesn’t make it easy on her AT ALL, and while we learn a little bit more about the enigma that is Reyes Farrow in Second Grave, I know there is still so much to uncover.
The underlying stories in this book and the supporting characters’ roles were phenomenal. I enjoyed every single offshoot of the main plotline, and found myself right there with the characters at every turn.
I laughed (A LOT), I groaned, my heart beat quickened… it was a wonderful journey with a fabulous book, and I’m very excited to dig into Third Grave Dead Ahead.
LITERAL ADDICTION gives Second Grave on the Left 5 Skulls and suggests it to anyone who wants a witty, amazing, unique paranormal read.
While Second Grave can be read as a stand-alone, I highly suggest reading First Grave on the right before Second Grave to get the full impact of the character’s and the story. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed!
Second Grave on the Left:
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