As a girl, Terri L. Austin thought she’d outgrow dreaming up stories and creating imaginary friends. Instead, she’s made a career of it. She met her own Prince Charming and together they live in Missouri. She loves to hear from readers. Find her on Twitter, FB, TerriLAustin.com, Goodreads and Henery Press.

                                               

Last Diner Standing

Publisher: Henery Press

ASIN:  B00AGLOFOK

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo

Source: Chick Lit Plus (CLP)

Rose Stickland is not filled with the holly-jolly spirit of the Christmas holidays. In fact, Rose might even be feeling a tad bit Grinch-y.  When your friend calls to say she’s been arrested for attempted murder of  her cheating ex-husband, can anyone blame Rose for lack of holiday spirit? If only, helping free her friend from jail was all that had Rose in blue mood- but there’s more. Her hunka hunka fine male specimen crush, Sullivan, has a hit out on him and the diner where Rose works is in a show-down with a neighboring diner- plus Rose has family drama. It’s enough to make a girl want to climb in bed and forget the holidays!

Rose promises Janelle she’ll do everything she can do to get Janelle out of jail. Rose finds Janelle a lawyer, Rose’s ex Dane, and starts snooping around to see if she can figure out others who wanted to hurt Janelle’s ex. The problem? Everyone Sheik came in contact with had a viable reason to hurt him! Sheik borrowed money with no intention of paying back, was a ladies man, and broke up marriages. Everyone Rose comes across has a reason to hurt Sheik. When Rose discovers pictures of hunka hunka Sullivan, a criminal that Rose is attracted to, hidden in Sheik’s house- it takes the case of what happened to Sheik to a different level. Rose quickly finds out that someone has a hit on Sullivan- which is so not cool. The more that Rose learns about Sheik, the more she wants to pinch him herself.

Rose begins to visit the strip club where Sheik has been known to throw money around- and gets quite an education from the strippers! Sheik’s ex, Crystal, is the kind of girl that gives strippers a bad name- giving “extras”, stealing boyfriends, and causing trouble amongst the girls. Crystal and Sheik had a blow-out fight shortly before he was attacked- could the stripper be the guilty party?

Rose continues to search for suspects and clues with her trusty sidekicks, Ax and Roxy. And yet, Rose feels that this ties in somehow to the money that Sheik was throwing around right before he was attacked? No one knows where Sheik got the money, since he did not have job. Rose knows the money is the key- the question is where is the money? And how did Sheik get his hands on it? Illegal activities like a chop shop?

With the hottie Sullivan having a hit on him, finding a dead body, and the ongoing epic drama of the 2 diners- Rose’s plate is full. Can she solve the case in time to Janelle a wonderful holiday with her children? Maybe, unless the person that tried to run Rose off the road has a final say in the matter. Rose has got to solve the mystery- not just for Janelle- but for her own safety.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

This is the 2nd book in the Rose Strickland series. You don’t have to read them in order (I haven’t read the first yet).  Terri L. Austin’s series is similar to that of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum- humor, mystery, clever one-liners and sizzling sexual tension. The language has a bit of a bite as well- this is definitely not a cozy mystery-it’s more of a harder edge. The chemistry between Rose and Sullivan is hot and the friendship with Ax is a nice touch. The characters are pretty well-developed- funny and with enough of a backstory to make a reader curious. Enjoyable and a quick read.

Want to read more reviews of Last Diner Standing? Check out the other blogs in the Last Diner Standing Chick Lit Plus book tour! Want a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card? Comment on the Chick Lit Plus page and you are entered to win the gift card! Need more  entries? Buy Last Diner Standing and send Samantha at Chick Lit Plus a copy of your receipt for 5 extra entries!