CHARLEY DAVIDSON BLOG TOUR

This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual.

Or a diagram of some kind.
A flow chart would have been nice.

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can't she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?

With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order.

Release Date: February 1, 2011

St. Martin's Press

Charley Davidson #1

Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Liza's Review:

I bought First Grave on the Right for my kindle after seeing lots of talk on twitter, many blogs, and one very long conversation with a bookseller in the Elizabethtown, KY B&N store (who says actual bookstores aren’t still a good thing?). I’m glad I went with my gut instinct and downloaded it to my kindle as soon as I walked out of B&N that day (parking lot Wi-Fi doesn’t restrict kindle like some B&N store Wi-Fi does). 

Charley Davidson is one of the best characters I’ve ever read about. She is the grim reaper and dead people see her as sparkly. She works as a PI to help dead people who have been murdered find their killers so they can move on. She also has been having some really hot dreams involving Reyes, who she remembers seeing from the very first moment she was born. Charley remembers every single thing that has happened since the day she was born. She can be pretty snarky at times, but she is also super smart and I love smart women in books.

While Charley is helping the police solve the murder of 3 attorneys, she is also trying to figure out who and what Reyes really is. She also has to deal with skip tracer Garrett Swopes, who knows her secret thanks to her Uncle Bob, who gave up her secret after having a few too many beers one night. Uncle Bob is on the police force and Charley uses her talents to help him solve crimes, much as she did for her dad before he retired. Garrett doesn’t know what to do about Charley. I could see he was attracted to her, but didn’t believe she could really see and talk to dead people. Charley’s focus throughout the entire book was really saving Reyes. She knew he had been in her life since she was born and wanted to know who he really was, especially since he didn’t seem to age.

I liked First Grave on the Right when I read it originally. I found myself really loving it on my most recent reading. The humor in this series really is something that started with this very first book and it has kept me coming back for more. I also highly recommend the audiobooks in this series. Lorelei King absolutely brings the characters and the story to life with her narration.

Original Review Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

Updated Review Rating: 4.5 Stars (A)

 Q&A with Darynda Jones

How did you come up with Charley?

So, I’m lying in bed one morning, waiting for my turn in the shower, when Charley popped into my head in all her glory. I loved her from the get-go. I will add that I was looking for her. I had just typed The End on my second complete manuscript, a YA titled Death and the Girl Next Door which later sold to my amazing editor along with the Charley books. So, I was craving another project. I knew I wanted it to be adult and paranormal. That was all I had. And then Charley walked in.

What has it been like to planning and writing this series, and how does it feel to be wrapping it up?

I had no clue! I dreamed, of course. We all do that. But for that dream to become a reality…it’s quite surreal. I have the best job in the world. Planning and writing the last two books have been bittersweet. I love writing these books so much, so the fact that it’s coming to an end is a little heartbreaking, but I want to go out with a bang. Like a HUGE one. I hope everyone loves reading them as much as I’ve loved writing them.

Are there any side characters or plots you wish you would have developed more?

Actually, yes. In Fifth Grave Past the Light, I brought in a character named Nicolette Lemay, gave her an insanely cool gift, then never brought her back in again. We see her briefly in Twelfth Grave, but I wish I’d done more with her.

Can you give us a sneak peek into how it all ends? What do you hope readers feel as they reach the last page?

I am very hopeful that readers will feel a sense of happiness, closure and (dare I dream?) euphoria. All I can say is that this book is truly darkest before the dawn. Charley and Reyes have accidentally opened a hell dimension within our own, and they have to figure out how to close it before it takes over the world. But it’s expanding exponentially, and soon there will be nothing left of the world as we know it. But with a little help from Charley's departed mother, one clue leads Charley in the right direction and, hopefully, to the secret to stopping the hell dimension and save all of humanity. Sadly, she only has three days to do it. 

What's the next project you're working on?

Right now I am working on a brand new series, a trilogy set in a small town in New Mexico with a sheriff named Sunshine, a missing girl named Olivia, and a murder suspect named Levi. Too bad she is in way over her head, especially since the missing girl is her daughter's best friend and Sunshine has been in love with Levi since she could breathe. 

Enter for a chance to win the entire Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones, an ARC of the epic finale, Summoned to Thirteenth Grave, plus fun swag! Open to the US ONLY. Runs through November 14^th.

https://read.macmillan.com/promo/charleydavidsonseriessweeps/

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the final installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series! 

Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plane for eternity—which is exactly the amount of time it takes to make a person stark, raving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer. 

She’s missed her daughter. She’s missed Reyes. She’s missed Cookie and Garrett and Uncle Bob. Now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine for a broken heart? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.

BUY LINK:
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250149411

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author DARYNDA JONES won a Golden Heart and a RITA for her manuscript First Grave on the Right. A born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

DARYNDA’S SOCIAL LINKS:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Darynda
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darynda.jones.official
Website: http://www.daryndajones.com/

SMPRomance Twitter: https://twitter.com/heroesnhearts& https://twitter.com/SMPRomance
SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/

THE TROUBLE WITH TWELFTH GRAVE (CHARLEY DAVIDSON #12)

Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the twelfth installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series.

Ever since Reyes escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley accidently trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that’s not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings—some corporeal, some not so much—as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she’s not uncovering a murder. This time she’s covering one up.

Add to that her new occupation of keeping a startup PI venture—the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford—out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican’s inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it’s time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she’s loved for centuries. So the question becomes, can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she’s worked so hard to protect?

Release Date: October 31, 2017

St. Martin's Press

Charley Davidson Series #12

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

With each new installment in the Charley Davidson series, I am reminded how much I enjoy this series. I know the series is coming to an end with the next book in the series and have to say I felt like The Trouble with Twelfth Grave took us back to the old school Charley books. 

Once again in Twelfth Grave, there is lots going on and I don't want to share too much to avoid posting spoilers. I will say I loved the interactions between Charley and Reyes/Rey'azikeen. Rey'azikeen says that Reyes is no more, but there was just something about the interactions between them that make me know the real Reyes was still there underneath all the swagger of Rey'azikeen. 

I loved that Amber and Quentin wanted to start a PI agency much like the one Charley runs. Amber is such an inquisitive individual and has such a big heart; it made perfect sense for her to want to find a way to help others. I absolutely adored all the questions Amber had for Charley about her work and seeing Amber take her new roll as in investigator so very seriously. I also loved that Charley was smart enough to make sure Amber kept her mom in the loop by suggesting she talk to Cookie about the behind the scenes work involved in keeping everything running.

I have to say the friendship between Charley and Cookie remains one of my favorite things about this series. There is just something about best friends working together and totally and completely getting each other that keeps me coming back for more. I love that Charley will do anything in her powers (which she is still learning about at this point) to protect Cookie and everyone she loves. I also love the crazy banter between Charley and Cookie. I have found myself laughing out loud at some of their conversations they are so funny.

I knew something big would happen in The Trouble with Twelfth Grave, but had no idea that I would pretty much scream what the hell when I finished the story, and then promptly go back and re-read what I just read to make sure I read it right the first time. Do I think it could have happened any other way? Absolutely not. This ending was classic Charley taking care of everyone she loves. It honestly only made me want the final book even more than I already did. Darynda Jones knows how to leave her readers wanting more even as she pretty much rips out our hearts along the way. I am not on the countdown to see where Ms. Jones takes us in the final installment of the series. 

Rating: 5 stars (A-)

ELEVENTH GRAVE IN MOONLIGHT

A typical day in the life of Charley Davidson involves cheating husbands, missing people, errant wives, philandering business owners, and oh yeah...demons, hell hounds, evil gods, and dead people. Lots and lots of dead people. As a part time Private Investigator and full-time Grim Reaper, Charley has to balance the good, the bad, the undead, and those who want her dead. In this eleventh installment, Charley is learning to make peace with the fact that she is a goddess with all kinds of power and that her own daughter has been born to save the world from total destruction. But the forces of hell are determined to see Charley banished forever to the darkest corners of another dimension. With the son of Satan himself as her husband and world-rocking lover, maybe Charley can find a way to have her happily ever after after all.

Release Date: January 24, 2017

St. Martin’s Press

Charley Davidson #11

Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

The Charley Davidson series is one of my favorite must-read/must-listen to series available. I not only have to read the books as soon as they are released, but I have to listen to the audiobook as well. I honestly hear Lorelei King's voice in my head as I read the book, and don't feel as if my reading experience is complete until I've read and listened to the books.

I enjoyed Eleventh Grave in Moonlight. It seemed to start off slower than past books, but once it got going, it was pretty much non-stop action. We get to spend time with Charley, Reyes, and their entire crew. The humor is present as always and the sexy times with Reyes and Charley are as hot as ever.  I really liked that while there were a few new issues to come to light, we also got answers for what was going on with Ubie. We also discovered new rules that Charley has to live by as a God, and learned why so many angels were following Charley and Reyes. 

The case Charley works on is more personal than normal since it deals with the people who kidnapped Reyes. I wasn't sure where we were headed with The Diviners cult, but actually liked the part of the story way more than I anticipated. I usually want the focus to be so much on Charley, Reyes, and crew. I don't always love the PI portion of the story. I think because there was such a connection to Reyes and even BEP with this part of the story, I found myself pulled in so much more.

I will say the cliffhanger type ending is not my favorite type of ending. However, it definitely isn't the first time Ms. Jones has done this, so it didn't really shock me when it happened. The ending of Eleventh Grave in Moonlight has me eagerly awaiting The Trouble with Twelfth Grave's release in October. 

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

THE CURSE OF TENTH GRAVE (CHARLEY DAVIDSON #10)

As a Part-time PI and fulltime grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister’s hair before she wakes up? But, “How do I trap not one malevolent god, but three?” was never among them. Until now. And since those gods are on earth to kill her daughter, she has little choice but to track them down, trap them, and cast them from this dimension.

There’s just one problem. One of the three stole her heart a very long time ago. Can the Razer, a god of absolute death and destruction, change his omniscient spots, or will his allegiances lie with his brothers?

Those are just a few of the questions Charley must answer, and quick. Add to that a homeless girl running for her life, an innocent man who’s been charged with murder, and a pendant made from god glass that has the entire supernatural world in an uproar, and Charley has her hands full. If she can manage to take care of the whole world-destroying-gods thing, we’re saved. If not, well… 

Release Date: June 28, 2016

St. Martin's Press

Charley Davidson #10

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

I fell in love with the Charley Davidson with the very first book. Darynda Jones has pulled me into Charley's crazy world and each new book is like a new amusement park ride. I was super excited to see what happened with Charley and crew after Charley got her memory back and they headed home.

I wanted to love The Curse of Tenth Grave as I love this series. However, it really fell a little flat for me. I'm fine with multiple story lines going on, as I've gotten used to that with the series. However, I'm not fine when Charley and Reyes are fighting or at least not talking to each other. I feel like the story misses something when Charley and Reyes aren't working together or at least getting along. I loved all the time with Cookie and Charley and their friendship is part of the reason I love the series.  I felt like the mysteries of the runaway girl and the innocent man charged with murder were both really strong. However, I felt like both mysteries were overshadowed by the men seeking Charley because of a video that had gone viral. Add in I felt like the ending was rushed, and I just felt like something was missing with this book.

While I didn't love The Curse of Tenth Grave, there were parts of the story that I really did love. I loved finally seeing Charley and Reyes reconnect. I also absolutely loved any mention of Beep and loved when Charley visits with Rocket. I also enjoyed getting to learn more about Reyes and Charley's world, but wish more focus had been on it. That being said, I plan to read Eleventh Grave in Midnight when it comes out next year, as I need to see where Darynda Jones will take the series.

Rating: 3.75 stars (B-)

THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE (CHARLEY DAVIDSON #9)

In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn't help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she's lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way.

Release Date: January 12, 2016

St. Martin's Press

Charley Davidson #9

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

I have listened to the first 8 books in the Charley Davidson series from Darynda Jones. Lorelei King is the narrator and she has brought Charley and the cast of characters alive for me. However, I was given the opportunity to read and review The Dirt on Ninth Grave early, and could not pass it up. I'll be honest and say I had some issues with Eighth Grave and I needed to read The Dirt on Ninth Grave to get some answers.

I absolutely loved pretty much everything about The Dirt on Ninth Grave. It took me back to the earlier books in the series and made me fall in love with the series all over again. Charley is Charley even when she doesn't know who she really is. The fact that she is now Janey didn't change anything about her character. She is still totally ADD, in love with coffee and willing to put herself in harms way to help people she has come to care about. I loved that even though she had no idea who they were, Reyes, Cookie and Uncle Bob all came to Sleepy Hollow to be near her. 

I loved that Janey and Cookie were immediately best friends, and laughed out loud every single time Cookie called her Charley and tried to come up with a reason why. My favorite was telling her that was the nickname she calls her husband Robert. I loved that Ubie was there for Charley and that she instinctively gave him and new nickname as Bobert without realizing why she gave him one. I loved that Reyes was there to watch over and protect her and man even when she didn't realize who he was, Charley still had such a pull to him.

Of course Janey being Charley, she is going to put herself in a situation where she is going to need all the help of her friends to get out of it. Honestly, I really thought the story line was so streamlined with The Dirt on Ninth Grave that I enjoyed it more. Charley does have a tendency to jump all over the place but really only focused on the here and now for the most part. Her figuring out she could see dead people and they could pass to the other side through her was both funny and heartbreaking at times.

I loved that the amnesia storyline was wrapped up within one book. I love Charley and her friends when they all work together to work cases and keep the world safe. I think while I found her amnesia refreshing as she stayed on point more often, it would have gotten old had it gone longer than one book. I loved we learned more about the Gods on each plane and there wasn't so much new information I couldn't keep up.

I will say Ms. Jones made me cry my eyes out on more than once occasion with The Dirt on Ninth Grave, so make sure you have tissues ready when reading or listening to the story. The Dirt on Ninth Grave gave me all the feelings I had at the beginning of the series and might just be my favorite book in the series to date. I am now more excited than ever for the release of The Curse of Tenth Grave in June.

Buy Links
Waterstones
Foyles
Kindle
Kobo
Nook