Harlie's Book Blog: Up A Dry Creek-Review and Giveaway

I am please to be a part of Avery's book tour again. This time though, I'm writing the review of Up A Dry Creek and there is a giveaway at the end of the tour. Don't forget to leave your name and email in the comments. The next stop on the tour is Romance Lives Forever and here's the link:      http://romancelivesforever.blogspot.com/

Blurb:

Claire Layton expects the usual busy Saturday night at Harvest Bistro to be killer on her stilletto shod feet. She never imagines there’d be an actual murderer on the loose at her restaurant in rural Dry Creek, Nebraska. But when she discovers a customer dead in a dumpster, the killer demands she find the victim’s phone and flash drive or face fatal consequenses.

Jake Warrick, a cocky and mind-numbingly hot private investigator, becomes Claire’s unlikely ally in the search. Jake just wants to solve the case and get out of this hick town, but the diminutive and curvaceous Claire turns his plan upside down as they uncover a more complex crime than they ever imagined. The two bicker and banter like Tracy and Hepburn caught in a whirlwind of intense sexual attraction as they try to find the killer before it’s too late.

Review:

I'm not sure where to start on the review of Up a Dry Creek. I could start by saying I was wowed, thrilled, amused, shocked and generally left with my mouth open wanting more. But instead, I will give you a more "professional" review. I know, I know...here goes:

Claire Layton has been burned by love before and will not let that happen again. She put her hopes and dreams on hold for a man and then was betrayed by him and a friend. She comes home to Dry Creek to put her life back together. Surrounded by three overbearing but loving brothers and a mother that will have you laughing out loud, her life is satisfying but lonely. Jake Warrick is one gorgeous hunk of a man with a plan. Help Claire find the killer and some how manage to get out with his heart. Too bad that his heart has other plans for him.

The book starts off with a bang and doesn't end until the very last page. Ms. Flynn has penned one heck of a debut and lead novel to her series about the Layton clan in Dry Creek. Claire is the only girl in a family of four siblings. Her brothers mean well but are, for this reader, a bit overbearing. Her mother is an absolute hoot but there for Claire. I won't go into the family dynamics because if I did, it would spoil the book for you. Claire's friend Beth figures prominently in the book, too and she is a great sounding board for Claire.

Jake has a few secrets of his own. Once those secrets are revealed to Claire, she is certain that Jake won't hurt her but it makes her more determined to guard her heart. One time with Jake won't be a heart breaker, will it? The sexual tension and banter is believable and palatable between Jake and Claire. The teasing, tension, the will they or won't they is amusing, frustrating, sigh worthy and utterly believable. At times, I felt like I was intruding on them. Ms. Flynn writes her scenes with a deft hand and loving touch.

I didn't want this book to end and I'm very excited to know that there will be other books in this series. The plot, pacing and characters that Ms. Flynn has created is unbelievable. I am still shaking my head knowing that this is her first book. I have since re-read this book and when I was done, I still marveled at the beauty of it.

I highly recommend Up a Dry Creek and I give it a Must Read/on the Keep Shelf.   You will not be disappointed and the twist at the end is something that I never saw coming.

Author Contact Info

Website: www.averyflynn.com
Blog: www.averyflynn.com/Avery_Flynn/Lets_Chat/Lets_Chat.html
Email: avery@averyflynn.com
Twitter: @averyflynn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Avery-Flynn/177161972329973

Buy Links