Review: A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones

The blockbuster conclusion to the bestselling Sunshine Vicram trilogy

A HARD DAY FOR A HANGOVER by DARYNDA JONES

Series: Sunshine Vicram #3

Publication date: December 6, 2022

Published by: St. Martins Press

Genre: mystery, romance, suspense

 

SYNOPSIS

Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good.

Like we said, the new day can take a hike.

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Praise for Darynda Jones:

(A Good Day for Chardonnay)

Entertaining...fans of zanier mysteries will welcome Sunshine's further adventures. - Publishers Weekly on A Good Day for Chardonnay

A hilarious amalgam of mystery, hot sex, and comedy of errors. Can't wait for the next episode. - Kirkus starred review

(A Bad Day for Sunshine)

Provides plenty of action. Recommended for fans of Linda Castillo and J.A. Jance. - Library Journal

Jones has a real talent for balancing suspense with laugh-out-loud humor, never losing the tension from either. - BookPage

A Bad Day For Sunshine is a great day for the rest of us - captivating characters, great writing, pace, humor and suspense. - Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author

Fans of Jones' bestselling Charley Davidson series and Janet Evanovich's romps will devour this steamy series launch, which introduces both an irresistible pair crime-busting Gilmore Girls and a quirky, mysterious setting." - Booklist

Compelling characters and a sexy, angst-filled bunch of mysteries add up to a winning series debut. - Kirkus

A Bad Day for Sunshine is everything you want from Darynda Jones ... and more! Laugh-out-loud funny, intensely suspenseful, page-turning fun with a sassy new heroine you will love. Prepare to be hooked by this witty, sexy, and thrilling new series from one of my favorite authors!" - Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author

"Swoon-worthy heroes, quirky characters, and a page turning mystery. Move over Stephanie Plum, Sunshine Vicram has arrived. Prepare yourself. This book is a keeper!" -New York Times Bestselling Author Christie Craig

Darynda Jones has done it again. With trademark humor, eccentric yet relatable characters, and masterful storytelling, she takes us on a journey we don't want to end. A Bad Day for Sunshine is a great day for readers! -#1 Bestselling Author Tracy Brogan

"Smart, sexy, and outrageously funny. Jones masterfully balances heartwarming comedy and bone chilling suspense." Marina Adair, #1 National bestselling author of Summer in Napa

"From the creative genius who brought you Charley Davidson comes your newest obsession: Sunshine Vicram. Mother. Sheriff. Warden of weird." - New York Times Bestselling Author Susan Donovan

Darynda Jones is always on my MUST READ list! No one can pull you into a book like she can!" - New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Donna Grant

All the snarky humor and engaging writing you've come to expect from master storyteller Darynda Jones. I would read her if she scribbled on a napkin. Luckily, her new story has more than just lipstick and a number. Prepare to get sucked in. Her writing is like a vortex; you can't get out until you're done and sobbing for more.- New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Eve Langlais

A new town, new characters to become friends with, same snort-in-public humor . . . you're going to love this story!" - Award Winning Author Laura Drake

A Bad Day for Sunshine is deliciously witty, fast paced and filled with laugh-out-loud dialogue. Darynda Jones knocks it out of the park with this delightful new series!" - Robyn Peterman, New York Times Bestselling Author

"Darynda delivers again! A Bad Day for Sunshine tugs at your heartstrings and tickles your funny bone. From gut-wrenching heartbreak to full-abdominal belly laughs, Sunshine is a literary workout for your core. Another unique read from a stellar storyteller!" -Diane Kelly, Award Winning Author of Hilarious Mysteries

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, certain they went away the better for it. She penned the international bestselling Charley Davidson series and is currently working on several beloved projects, most notably the Sunshine Vicram Mystery Series with St. Martin's Press and the Betwixt and Between Series of paranormal women's fiction. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

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REVIEW

A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

   Someone had been attacking girls on her watch. 

That was their first mistake. 

Their second was to think they could get away with it.

What a crazy ride the Sunshine Vicram books have been! There are very few series that hook me so deeply and keep me craving more like this one has. Typically, my attention starts to wander a little bit after the first book, but in this case, the anticipation has only grown tenfold. Once again, thanks to my book bestie Astrid for encouraging me to read outside of my comfort zone and try a genre that I didn't think I could love. Mysteries are my least favorite books, but she assured me that if anyone could convert me it was Darynda Jones. If you need a little push like I did to try something different, here's my friendly advice: think outside your reading box and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Darynda Jones has such a sharp, acerbic sense of humor that brings such life into her characters. Sunshine was absolutely hilarious. Even in the more tense, suspenseful moments, she was running her sarcastic mouth and making me laugh. That element has been consistent throughout all three books which really made the series a winner for me. Sun always has a million and one tasks on her agenda for the day and torn in so many directions you often wonder how she juggles it all with so much confidence. She's a no nonsense, suck it up and get it done type of woman who would do anything at all to keep her family and town safe. Not only will I miss her and her smart mouth, I will miss her best friend Quincy, her daughter Auri, and her kooky parents. Even the oddballs around town had so much personality and character that it's sad to see them go too. (Except maybe the town flasher, Doug.) I don't think anyone wants to see *ahem* quite so much of him.

In A Hard Day for a Hangover, we take off right where we left off in book two. (**Please be aware that books one and two end in cliffhangers, so if you haven't read the series yet, you may want to hold off on reading my review as there will be plot spoilers ahead for the previous books.**) Sunshine and Levi were finally just starting to communicate and make headway with all of their secrets and issues. Sun had come clean and...BAM!...book abruptly ends. Unfortunately, Levi left before they could fully work everything out as it was a lot to process, and Sunshine drowned her sorrows with tequila. Hungover is not a state you want to be in when you're in charge of keeping Del Sol safe. Not to mention, daughter is prone to getting herself in one dangerous situation after another, and she's as stubborn as she is impulsive.

The mystery in this book revolves around teenage girls getting attacked. There is also a bit of a suspense element from Levi's being in danger from his Uncle Clay's plot against his life. Sunshine is determined to keep the man she loves safe-not only for herself, but for Auri as well. There is also flasher Doug's stabbing, and Mrs. Fairborn's break-in, but these are minor conflicts adding a bit of action to the plot. The girls getting attacked is the most urgent mystery to be solved and both Auri and Sunshine work to find clues in order to piece the puzzle together. Sunshine tries to warn her daughter away from questioning people, but eventually she realizes that she can help her in a small capacity and they end up making quite a symbiotic team. Auri may be a bit reckless, but she's as smart as a whip and genuinely helps her mom with fantastic leads she may have not otherwise found. Typically her boyfriend Cruz would be right at her side watching over her, but after the events in book two, he's at Quincy's most of the time as he heals physically and mentally. I have to say, I missed seeing his strong presence as it was in the first two books. We still saw him, but not as heavily. They make the sweetest young couple and I always enjoy their POV scenes together.

      Sun was so hyperaware of every aspect of Levi Ravinder—

his nearness, the heat wafting off him, the darkness lying 

just beneath the glint of humor in his eyes—

it was a wonder she could think straight at all.

I've been impatiently waiting for the romance aspect of the series to finally resolve itself. There was another mystery surrounding Auri's conception, how much Levi knew about Sun's kidnapping, and the reasons the never spoke after she left town years ago. So many misconceptions, things left unsaid, and hard feelings that never came out into the open. Sun and Levi just silently pine and brood over what could have been. You are almost desperate for them to share their true feelings and maybe, hopefully, be the family they should have been. There was a glimmer of hope in the previous book, but then things are left hanging for well into this story-around 60% or so. I will say, I got a little bit impatient as the story wore on and Levi was in the wind, nowhere to be found. I'm sure non-romance readers won't be bothered by it, but I was hoping for more interactions a little bit sooner.

There were several things that were left unresolved in the plot overall after book two, so I was wondering if everything would conclude neatly without any plot holes. I'm happy to say that all questions were answered here, even the question over whether Sun's father had ever been to prison. It was a bit of a running joke throughout the series as Sun would try to guess or trip him up into admitting something to her. All in all, I came away from this conclusion a very happy reader and can't recommend the Sunshine Vicram books enough. My only reason for taking a star off of my rating was because the mysteries didn't interest me as much in this one and I felt a little impatient reading through them. I think that was partly because I was waiting so eagerly for Sunshine and Levi's story arc to resolve, and partly because the mystery didn't feel as complex or intriguing as the previous one. However, I was very happy with how everything wrapped up and it was more than a little bittersweet to say goodbye to the residents of Del Sol. Once again, I can't recommend these enough if you're looking for something to keep you laughing out loud, and turning the pages late into the night. Maybe if we're lucky there will be a spin-off series somewhere in the future. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and maybe Ms. Jones will have mercy on us all.

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Review: The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford

One choice could change everything.

THE POISON SEASON by MARA RUTHERFORD

Series: Standalone

Publication date: December 6, 2022

Published by: Inkyard Press/Harlequin

Genre: YA fantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

Leelo has spent her whole life on Endla, coexisting with the bloodthirsty forest and respecting the poisonous lake that protects her island from outsiders who seek to destroy it. But as much as Leelo cares for her community, she struggles with the knowledge that her brother will be exiled and forced to live with the outsiders unless he gains enchantment powers before his next birthday.

Then comes the day that Leelo sees a young outsider on the verge of drowning in the lake. She knows she is supposed to leave him to his fate, but, instead, she betrays her family, her best friend, and her whole community by helping nurse the young man, Jaren, back to health, understanding that discovery could lead to unthinkable consequences for both of them.

As they grow closer, Leelo and Jaren discover that not all danger comes from beyond the lake—and they can only survive if Leelo is willing to question the very fabric of her society, her people, and herself.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara has lived all over the world with her diplomat husband and two sons. She is the author of Crown of Coral and Pearl and its sequel, Kingdom of Sea and Stone; Luminous; and the upcoming THE POISON SEASON (December 6, 2022).

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REVIEW

The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford


I absolutely loved the Crown of Coral and Pearl series, so when I saw this book up on Netgalley, I instantly jumped to request it. The COCAP duology was a top favorite of mine in 2019, and kept me on the edge of my seat, effortlessly grabbing me from beginning to end. I was hoping and probably even anticipating for that same magic again here, but unfortunately this one missed the mark in a number of ways. My main issues were the pacing and my dislike of the heroine's way of life and cult like culture on the island. Honestly, it was very hard to find redeeming qualities about the islanders on Endla. Man, oh man...they were Shady (yes, with a capitol S). It was so hard to feel any sympathy for any of them as they were so clearly in the wrong the entire time. Leelo's set of morals was a little more ambiguous as you saw signs that she had a conscience about the very questionable things going on. It gave me hope that she was redeemable and that she would win me over in the end. This book actually gave me strong Bone Crier's Moon flashbacks (not in a good way, except for them both having Charlie Bowater covers). In both books, the characters' ritual killings/sacrifices turned me off and made me feel a bit repulsed over the fantasy world.

Endla is an island inhabited by people who possess magic through their ritual songs. There are many songs that they sing that make them almost like sirens but in human form. These songs put people in a trancelike state and lure them to their death if they are deemed a threat. The victim is given a "choice" to either die by the vicious magic of the Wandering forest, or to get sent into the poison lake surrounding their home where the water would disintegrate their flesh and bones down to nothing. Doesn't sound very pleasant does it? Yep, it's pretty horrific. You might be wondering who they typically deem to be a threat and the answer is EVERYONE. All people from the mainland are supposed to be killed immediately by the Watchers who guard the shore. It is believed that those without magic who try to visit Endla are coming for one purpose only: to destroy the last remaining Wandering Forest that helps protect and nourish them. This forest is malicious and must be placated with blood rituals and sacrifices or they fear it would turn on them. However, it was clear from the start that nothing was quite what it seemed. The way of life that was so forcefully protected was mired in lots of death and despair. They just saw what they were doing as a necessary evil.

Leelo is a Watcher who will be able to marry after her year of duty is up. After that, she will officially be inducted as a member of the town and learn the closely guarded secrets that the elders are so intent on protecting. The older members of Endla have a cynicism about them that Leelo still hasn't succumbed to. She's on the cusp of losing that innocent optimism that the younger members have. She also seems to be the only one on Endla that tries to avoid killing people and animals. It just doesn't sit right in her gut, despite being told that it was her duty. That's pretty remarkable when you think about the fact that their way of life is all she's ever been exposed to or known. Even the most outlandish things can seem normal when you haven't experienced anything else to compare it to. Leelo also feels great distress over her little brother's imminent departure from the island. The rule of law is that if children do not show signs of having magic by the age of thirteen, they are considered Incantu.

   Islanders like Tate—incantu, they were called, or “voiceless”—

weren’t allowed to attend the festival, even though 

he wasn’t quite old enough to be affected by the magic yet. 

Once an islander reached adolescence, 

generally around age twelve, they were susceptible.

The incantu would have to leave as the dangerous songs would inevitably lure them to their death. Leelo's brother Tate has not developed their magic and very soon will be sent into the woods across the lake to fend for himself. This was a really disturbing aspect of the story and a big reason why I just didn't care about anyone living there. The way they abandoned their children and forced them to fend for themselves in the outside world that had been villainized to them their entire lives was outrageous. I do understand that they didn't really couldn't stay, but it was the heartless way that it was handled. Mothers, fathers, siblings, aunts and uncles would send these children off and then wash their hands of the entire matter as if it never happened. Those kids just don't exist anymore. How? Leelo and her mother are noticeably torn up, but it doesn't take long at all for them to push the uncomfortable thought of him out of their minds. Then there were some like Sage and Ketty who were happy to get rid of them with no regrets or second thoughts. I just can't wrap my head around people ever thinking that this was a necessary part of life.

   As small and insular as her island was, 

Leelo had never considered leaving. 

She didn’t even try to imagine what life 

on the mainland was like, because 

her elders made the rest of the world 

sound terrible and frightening.

Jaren is an outsider who comes across the lake to escape a wolf attack. He's been told about the dangers and the magic of the people there, but he never fully believed in all of it. Once there, he faces the very real threat of imminent death as many have before him. When Leelo stumbles across him, she tries to make herself kill the boy, but her aversion to killing and her gut instinct stops her. In the beginning she is overcome with the moral dilemma of what to do with him. It goes against everything she's ever been taught to actually help him. However, Jaren genuinely seems harmless with no ill will towards the people there or the woods. She finds herself protecting him and trying to form a plan to get him back home. As she visits him, he becomes less threatening and she sees his common humanity. Outsiders are not all bad...so what other lies has she been told her whole life?

Miraculously, a romance develops between the two and Leelo is desperate now to save the sweet boy who only wishes to return to his family. Hiding him becomes harder as the months go by, however, and she knows their time together is short. I thought they were sweet together and though they fell fairly fast, it didn't have an insta-lovey feel. It definitely wasn't obsession, head-over-heels at first sight because they had to overcome her preconceptions of him first.

The big climax at the end had me much more engrossed and reading pretty intently which brought my rating up from what it would have been. I will say that the pace was quite slow for me before that and I was forcing myself to stay with the characters. The Endlans did realize the error of their ways, secrets were outed, and people adjusted their beliefs based on their full knowledge of the truth. However, I just couldn't find it in myself to like them even at that point. Leelo and her mom are the exceptions, but they were not without their flaws either. The story had a satisfying ending, but my overall feelings never reached enthusiastic. Perhaps others will love the dark atmosphere of the book and not have the same issues as me. Personally, this ended up just being okay for me, but maybe Maya Rutherford's next offering will be a bigger win.

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