Book Review
Last Diner Standing by Terri L. Austin
Book 2: A Rose Strickland Mystery Series
Publisher: Henery Press
Publication Date: December 3, 2012
Format: Paperback - 296 pages / Kindle - 601 KB / Nook - 801 KB
ISBN: 1938383087
ASIN: B00AGLOFOK
Genre: Cozy Mystery
BUY THE BOOK: Last Diner Standing
BUY THE SERIES: A Rose Strickland Mystery Series
Book 1: Diners, Dives & Dead Ends
Book 2: Last Diner Standing
Book 3: Diner Impossible (Publication Date: November 2013)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Book Excerpt:
Thomas Malcolm Sullivan. Criminal numero uno in Huntingford. The man who held markers on the most powerful people in town, including the police chief, Martin Mathers.
Despite the cold, my hands felt clammy as I grasped the phone in one hand. I hadn’t seen Sullivan in five weeks, even though he’d called five times and sent flowers twice. At first, our conversations were short and to the point, but the last two times, we’d spoken for almost half an hour. We never discussed anything too personal, at least he didn’t. Now every time I saw his name on my screen, my pulse sped up.
“Hello.”
“I hear you’re missing a car,” he said.
“Good news travels fast.”
“Do you need a ride?” His voice was smooth and rich, like that first cup of coffee early in the morning. My brain went to a whole different kind of ride and got stuck there for a moment.
“Well, I do have band practice after school and an appointment with my orthodontist.”
“I’ll take that as a no. How’ve you been holding up?”
“I’m fine, and frankly getting pretty tired of people asking me that question every five minutes. I’m not made of glass. I won’t break.”
Nothing from his end. He liked to pull that crap, long pauses and dramatic silences to make the other person talk first. I waited him out. But I did glance at my phone twice to make sure he hadn’t hung up.
Despite the cold, my hands felt clammy as I grasped the phone in one hand. I hadn’t seen Sullivan in five weeks, even though he’d called five times and sent flowers twice. At first, our conversations were short and to the point, but the last two times, we’d spoken for almost half an hour. We never discussed anything too personal, at least he didn’t. Now every time I saw his name on my screen, my pulse sped up.
“Hello.”
“I hear you’re missing a car,” he said.
“Good news travels fast.”
“Do you need a ride?” His voice was smooth and rich, like that first cup of coffee early in the morning. My brain went to a whole different kind of ride and got stuck there for a moment.
“Well, I do have band practice after school and an appointment with my orthodontist.”
“I’ll take that as a no. How’ve you been holding up?”
“I’m fine, and frankly getting pretty tired of people asking me that question every five minutes. I’m not made of glass. I won’t break.”
Nothing from his end. He liked to pull that crap, long pauses and dramatic silences to make the other person talk first. I waited him out. But I did glance at my phone twice to make sure he hadn’t hung up.
My Book Review:
In Last Diner Standing, the second installment in the Rose Strickland Mystery series, author Terri L. Austin transports the reader back to Huntingford, Missouri, for another zany adventure featuring the sassy diner waitress / amateur sleuth Rose Strickland. Rose's latest adventure has her receiving a phone call at 3am from her friend Janelle Johnson, who has been arrested for the attempted murder of her ex-husband Asshat aka Sheikh Johnson, who is in an induced coma. Rose's investigation and quest to prove Janelle's innocence has her turning to hunky bad guy Thomas Sullivan for assistance, and its not long before they are resisting their mutual attraction for each other while searching for the same person: someone who has also put out a hit on Sullivan! And if that isn't enough, Ma, the owner of Ma's Diner, has her hands full when a new diner opens and she drags Rose into an all out diner war to win over the local customers!
Last Diner Standing is an entertaining cozy mystery told in the first person narrative by Rose, who takes the reader along for the ride on her latest investigative adventure. This fast-paced story has a lot of twists and turns that easily engages the reader and keeps them guessing what will happen next, while also providing a lot of laugh-out-loud moments that will keep you in stitches. Author Terri L. Austin continues to provide a story that has a great balance of humor, intrigue, and a touch of romance that is just plain fun to read.
The quirky cast of characters from Diners, Dives & Dead Ends: Ma, Roxy, Axton, and Sullivan are all back in this book along with a new slue of characters who will keep the reader entertained with their quirkiness, witty dialogue, and engaging interactions that makes this latest adventure so much fun to follow.
Last Diner Standing is an entertaining cozy mystery that is full of drama, suspense, comedy and romance with a surprise ending that will leave you looking forward to Rose's next adventure!
The third book in the Rose Strickland Mystery series, Diner Impossible will be released in November 2013.
RATING: 4 STARS ****
About The Author
AUTHOR WEBSITE
GOODREADS
PUBLISHER: HENERY PRESS
Last Diner Standing by Terri L. Austin ~ Virtual Book Tour Page: Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours
Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway
Win A $20 Amazon Gift Card
Contest Dates: Sept 23 - Oct 14
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Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Tour Schedule:
September 26 - Samantha March - EXCERPT
September 30 – Ai Love Books
October 1 - Mary Castillo
October 2- Authors & Readers Book Corner
October 3 – Dr. Pepper Diva - SPOTLIGHT
October 7 – Danielle-Claude Indie Book Reviews
October 8 – Evolved Word
October 9 – Every Free Chance Book Reviews
October 10 – Traveling With T
October 11- Jersey Girl Book Reviews
October 14 – Brooke Blogs
Such a great series, thanks for taking part!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to host the virtual book tour event.
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