Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones

I am so excited to be going back to Lora Leigh's Raw event. After attending for the first five years I had to miss a couple of years so it will be nice to revisit with old friends and make some new ones! In honor of that event I bring you Darynda Jones who will be attending RAW this year and by the end will have a new best friend....ME!! LOL So when your ears pop this weekend or you know bleed from the high pitched squealing you will know that I am in the presence of the woman who brought us Reyes Alexander Farrow!!!

Fifth Grave Past the Light, Darynda Jones, St. Martin's Press
Charley Davidson # 5
Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she is determined to stay away from him until she can find out the truth. According to her therapist, however, she lacks conviction.

When dead women start appearing in her apartment - lost, confused and terrified beyond reason - Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes's help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister Gemma is the serial killer's next target. With his ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who's responsible. And even if he can't, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return: Charley. All of her - body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she is willing to pay…


Review:
These books always make me laugh but I have to say that this one really brought a tear to my eye as well. And the ending....well lets just say CLIFF HANGER!

Charley is back and doing what she does best, solving crimes, drinking coffee and burning it up with Reyes! And Reyes is doing what he does best, which is to smolder and just be DAMN SEXY!

One of the things I love most about these books are the secondary characters and their interactions with Charley. I think if you are going to have a successful long running series you have to have a strong cast of secondary characters that people care about just as much as the main character. I for one am rooting for Cookie and Ubie, hoping Donovan and the Bandits come back, and am so glad that Rocket's home will be safe now. (Charley is going to have to bring a truckload of grape soda and  little umbrellas to make up for how she treated Rocket)

The world that Ms. Jones has created here is unique but at the same time very identifiable. The books have the right mix of humor, sex and mystery that keep me coming back again and again. I am always excited to see what object/body part we will learn the name for next. And I just have to say I want a shower like George...especially if it comes with it's own Reyes!

The next book Sixth Grave on the Edge comes out in May of 2014 and all I can say is where is a Time Lord when I need one!!!

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.  

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