A Bad Day for Sunshine
Sunshine Vicram, Book 1

I Picked Up This Book Because: I’m a big fan of the author’s previous works.

The Characters:

Sunshine Blaze Vicram:
Aurora “Auri” Dawn Vicram:
Levant “Levi” Arun Ravinder (the one that got away, kinda),Cyrus and Elaine (Sunshine’s parents), Quincy Lynn Cooper (Sunshine’s BFF), Cruz De los Santos (Auri’s maybe boyfriend),

The Story:

This story started out a little uphill. New setting, all new characters and just a lot of back story to tell which is my least favorite part of any book. Honestly I love series because I don’t constantly have to meet new people, but I digress. Sun is the new sheriff, even though she didn’t run for the position, of her hometown Del Sol, New Mexico. A town that is quite frankly nuts but also very entertaining. It can also be very scary. Once the back story was told and the investigation into the missing Sybil, about 30 or so percent in, I couldn’t put the book down. So much drama but relieved with lots of comedy and genuine affection between the characters and a big does of heart.

I love the friendship between Sunshine and Cooper. And the relationship between Levi and Auri. Oh and the chemistry between Sun and Levi, please hose me down. I’m so excited for the next book and considering this one hasn’t officially been published I’m in for quite a long wait. *sigh *

The Random Thoughts:

Prediction for the future (view spoiler)

The Score Card:

description

3.75 Stars

This reminded me a bit of a Stephanie Plum book, girl has her eye on two guys (or is it more than 2?). There's a new sheriff in town and she didn't even apply for the job. Moving home with her daughter to live in her parent's "garage" and what a first day she has! Murder and mayhem. Not only that but her daughter isn't having the best day either.

I truly enjoyed this book! I've been a fan of Darynda Jones since the Charley Davidson series. She's so much fun, and I always get so into her writing. This book is comparable to the Charley Davidson series in that the characters are great, I laughed a lot, and I was sad to have finished it. I can't wait for book number two!!

Honest review here...at first I hated this book... I am always up for a good psychological thriller or mystery, but at FIRST this was not doing anything for me! I was interested in the main characters, Sun and her daughter, but it was not a book that I would say I could not put down... HOWEVER... that all changed! Finally, everything clicked into place for me and I found myself wanting to just read and let the rest of my life be on 'standby'. As the book came closer to the end the questions were answered and you could not wait to see what would happen.

The characters at time got a little confusing, as there were lots... especially various police types. You will find yourself relating to Sunshine and rooting for her and Levi.

This is a sequel, and I will for sure be looking forward to book #2.

I loved this book. The characters and story line are fully developed and interesting. I liked the back and forth between Sunshine and her daughter's view, although I wish there were more separation between the two when they switch. Sometimes its hard to tell when the voices change. The tension between Levi and Sunshine is wonderful I can't wait to see where it goes. I can't wait until the next book. #A Bad Day for Sunshine #NetGalley

Sunshine Vicram grew up in quirky and somewhat peculiar Del Sol, New Mexico. While it may be hailed as the Land of Enchantment, Sunshine knows there are aspects that are less than charming in this small municipality. Back in her hometown as the new sheriff thanks to her parents machinations, Sunshine hits the ground running when a young girl is kidnapped hearkening back to a dark time in her own past. Sunshine is also a single parent. Her fourteen year old daughter, Auri, has her own adjustments to make as the new kid in school coming to a place where she has spent summers. It is not easy making friends when your mother is the sheriff. Who Auri’s father is makes up part of the intrigue and mysteries of this compelling and complex story.

In true Darynda Jones style, humor underpins the darker themes of kidnapping, a criminal element, and Sunshine’s own difficult past. A man she grew up with, Levi Ravinder, has held her heart for years; however, they only seem to clash rather clutch when they are together. Sunshine’s deep longing for Levi has haunted her for a long time. Levi, a complex characer, has a less than upstanding family; he is trying to protect his sister and nephew, plus he gives dark and dangerous a whole new level. Sunshine has some other hot guys interested in her who come to aide with some of the several issues she is dealing with including an escaped convict. She also has a group of her mother’s friend who “help” out whenever they can whether Sunshine wants it or not.

This story is first in a series and while some things are resolved, some other important mysteries remain. And while this book is not listed under paranormal, those elements definitely exist. Del Sol is a woo-woo kind of place where the strange and weird are everyday occurrences. I liked Sunshine and Auri very much; their alternating POV’s provide readers quite a bit more background and perspective, in particular on Sunshine and Levi’s primal attraction and history. Fans of Ms. Jones will be happy to be back in her creative and compelling literary world. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

When the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones was still being written (it ended with book 13) I would take the day off of work when her latest book came out, so I could read it that day. I did not savor it, I devoured it. Continually chuckling and falling deeper and deeper in love (in most cases friend love, although with Reyes, that’s a different story) with the characters. When the Charley Davidson series finished I was content with how it ended and looked forward to what Jones would come up with next.

And she did not disappoint!

If you’ve read the Charley Davidson books you will see some similarities. The chapters all begin with wacky things, but instead of sassy T-shirt sayings, you get crazy police recaps and wacky signs from the local restaurants. And there is a brief run in with Donnie, who was the bartender in the Charley Davidson series. This was a fun nod to that series, and I felt like a little gift left for the readers of Charley.

While characters using ASL (American Sign Language) played a part in the Charley Davidson books, in A Bad Day for Sunshine, Jones ramped up the use, which is fantastic. I love reading about people doing things I know little about. Jones’ oldest son was born deaf and she is a sign language interpreter in an educational setting, so she has first hand knowledge with ASL and it really shows in her writing.

And as for the story itself, it’s full of zany characters and hints of the strange, and perhaps supernatural, when it comes to what happens in the town. A member of her mom’s book club may be psychic and instead of telling the police when something is going to happen, she bakes them muffins. Feuds over a chicken, I mean a rooster, bring levity throughout the book. And Sunshine can’t seem to locate one of her deputies. Every time she asks about him, the only response is Who?, or that he’s out on patrol.

But A Bad Day for Sunshine isn’t all laughs. Jones also touches on some serious subjects, including suicide and adoption. I was tearing up on some of the chapters. So much emotion and hurt drifted off the page, once again showing what a great writer Jones is.

I recommend this book sooooo much! Especially if you enjoyed the Charley Davidson series. But if you’ve never read that series, read this book and then go back and check out Charley in the first book, First Grave on the Right. Readers of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich may also enjoy both Charley and Sunshine.

I have never read a Darynda Jones book before, but I sure am picking up more of her series in the future, you can bank on that!

I truly enjoyed meeting Sunshine Vicram and can't wait for the next book in the series! The book was light, when it needed to be and dark when you least expected it. The backstory was tragic, the future outcome heroic. Sunny's daughter, Auri was electric. The parallel outcomes in some of their coexisting stories could've been considered predictable, but were anything but that. Del Sol, Mexico is quirky with equally quirky mysteries and the townspeople are fitting for the area. I mean come on a Rooster named, Puff Daddy who does or doesn't bring two people together? Fun stuff abounds throughout the book. For instance each chapter heading is hilarious it starts the next part of the story out with a giggle and a warning.
“Two elderly sisters reported a man in the house across the street watching them for hours at a time. Deputies ID‘d the man as a cardboard cutout of Captain America. The sisters grew distraught when they found out he wasn‘t real and were transported to the Del Sol Urgent Care Center for observation.—Del Sol police blotter”

Read this book. You won't regret it. It might even put a skip in your step! Coming Soon to a Bookstore near you - April 7, 2020!

Thanks, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and meet Sunshine Vicram in A Bad Day for Sunshine in lieu of my honest review. What a great time it was!

** I was provided an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

I've never read this author before, but I have heard of her other series. I love mysteries and thrillers and thought I'd give this new series a chance. You guys... DO IT!!!!

Jones absolutely nails the voice in this story. At first, i thought the character and writing to be a little verbose, but as I sunk deeper in the pages, I reveled in the funny and sarcastic wit of our main character and laughed out loud to many interactions she has with her daughter.

Sunshine (our lead) just became sheriff to a town she's tried to forget, the town she grew up, the town where bad memories were built and secrets were buried. How she was elected for sheriff is a question only her mother can answer, but won't. (Love her mother, btw) Sheriff Sunshine's first day on the job is a doozy as she's confronted with countless disasters. Luckily, Jones has built a hardy character to trust in and follow as she navigates her investigation and confronts her past.

The cast of characters leaps off the page and I cared about each one (the daughter is my FAVE).

The tension pulls you through the book and I didn't want to put it down. Jones knows how to pace a book and this book is exhibit one.

I liked the multiple story lines and the mysteries and the lead in to the rest of the series. I can't wait for the next one and will have no trouble remembering Sunshine and her crew until I can visit them again.

Well done!

This was fantastic! It had all the elements that I loved in the author's Charley Davidson series but with a new set of characters and a whole new world that I absolutely loved. I am so excited for this new series. I can already tell you this will be a series I will want to re-read often.

Those elements I mentioned is the snarky heroine, fun sidekicks and an incredibly intense hero. To me it's the perfect formula to an entertaining series. As fun and entertaining as this book was, it also had some pretty heavy material. I can admit that I cried a couple times. There are a few sad moments that really pulled on my heart. It's a well rounded book with everything it provides.

This author really knows how to build up the intensity for her couples. She seems to love that delayed satisfaction and normally I would say that I want it now, but I can't deny that it's worth the wait. The longer it takes for the couple to get together, the more the intensity builds. I think this couple will be another explosive relationship to look forward too.

If I thought it would do any good, I would beg for the next book to be published soon after A Bad Day for Sunshine. This doesn't end on a cliffhanger but you also know there is more to come and I can't wait!

Darynda Jones has a brand new series starring Sunshine Vicram, a former cop who is beginning her new job as the Del Sol, New Mexico sheriff (an election she somehow won even though she never entered the race). Add in a precocious daughter, interfering parents, an escaped convict, feuding neighbors, missing teens and more all on her first day, and Sunshine might be a tad overwhelmed. With a gorgeous not-quite-ex in the mix too, you are in for another Jones genre-bending work that's sure to make you laugh and cry.

No, this series is not for me. I absolutely loved the Charlie Davidson books, all thirteen of them with short stories added in from time to time. The thing about these two series is that one was obviously paranormal and one is not. You can get away with doing lots of things in unusual ways if your entire premise is based on a woman who is the Grim Reaper who guides souls to *pass over to the other side*. A Bad Day For Sunshine does not have that paranormal element so when Sunshine Vicram begins to use her position as Sheriff of this small New Mexico town in ways that are clearly not allowed in law enforcement the whole premise gets wonky and stays that way.

Too, too many eye rolls while I was reading. Too many times I had to tell Ms Jones that real law enforcement can't operate in the way she had this one operating. The great big hidden secret Sunshine could never let anybody, including her daughter, find out was blatantly obvious the first time I read about it. Check your common sense at the door if you decide to read this one. Maybe the next book will add in some paranormal elements but it's too late for me. So far the only character I haven't found a place for in "Sunshine" that was in "Grave" is Cookie. Otherwise, you don't even have to look too hard to see all the tie-ins that Ms Jones picked to stock the characters and location for this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-galley of this book.

ARC ebook received from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I have read most of Darynda Jones' books. They're always a delight. She's most well known for her supernatural books, the First Grave on the Right series being probably the most popular.

I have a fondness for the weird meeting between small towns and the weird.

In "A Bad Day for Sunshine" we meet Sunshine "Sun" Vicram and her daughter Aurora or "Auri", as well as her parents and home town of Del Sol. There's a lot of mysteries in the history Sun has with Del Sol, starting with just how Sun was elected Sheriff. Her first day on the job? A bad one.

Cursed muffins, the mysterious Founding Daughters of Del Sol, her mother's book club, a missing rich girl's visions of being abducted and killed by her fifteenth birthday, a old flame coming back into her life, a missing convict, another missing child, a family of rogues, her mother's book club, a missing deputy, her daughter's new crush and best friend and very own very bad day, and a whole lot more in no particular order from a very particular small town.

Along the way are tears and laughter among clues and a hue of hope.

I am very much looking forward to more Del Sol days.

Sunshine and her daughter move back to her home town Del Sol.She is the new Sheriff. This story is a split narrative between her and her daughter.Sunshine works on a kidnapping case and it brings back memories.Lots of intrigue and small town doings and hot guys!
The book is somewhat slow but hang with it,well worth it!
Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC

Having loved the Charley Davidson series by the same author, I leapt on the chance to read this book. It exceeded even my very high expectations. As soon as I’d read a couple of sentences, my brain gave a sigh and relaxed. Darynda Jones is such a joy to read! It’s not just the brilliant story, it’s the way the language is used, the joy with which it’s written. Very few writers can do this - Gail Carriger, P. G. Wodehouse, Darynda Jones.

The story is, of course, excellent. Several mysteries to figure out, and plenty of excitement, without the excess stress that some stories have. The characters are all excellently written, the relationships are believable and fun. I felt immediately at home with Sun and Auri, and their joking around.

I love the little bits at the beginning of each chapter so much, they make me laugh. There’s really no downside to this book - apart from having to wait for the next one in the series! Highly recommended.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher via netgalley for the eArc.

This was extremely slow but very hilarious, witty, kind of dark but refreshing. Along with great set of lovable characters.

Sunshine (the Protagonist) has survived a horrible incident when she was younger, and she is determined to stand strong no matter what comes her way. She's raising her daughter to be a strong independent girl as well. (Sometimes easier said than done.) The pair have a unique relationship and are closer than many mothers and daughters. Along with the crimes that take place, there is also some personal mysteries surrounding the duo, and couple of the other small town residents.

Such a great story. I love the characters and the setting in New Mexico. I can't wait to see what happens with Sun, Levi and the rest of them in what I hope are many more books in this series.

I wish I could have liked this book. I found it slow and tedious reading. I needed it to grab me as her other books have in the past. I love the way Darynda's writing flows but this one did not.

I was a big fan of this author’s Charley Davidson series which was straight-up urban fantasy. Now she’s begun a new one featuring *gasp* humans. Yep, not a demon, ghoul or God in sight. Turns out she can also write entertaining mysteries featuring normal people. Wait….I may be using that term loosely.

Del Sol, New Mexico has always attracted the artistic, odd & eccentric. It’s the type of close knit community where everyone’s on a first name basis, even with the resident flasher (that would be Doug). It can be hard to keep a secret. But there’s one in particular that Sunshine (Sunny) Vicram would love to uncover.

Sunny grew up here but left after a horrible event that changed her life. Now she’s back with 14 year old daughter Auri in tow. She just got elected as the new sheriff which is great. But also a little confusing as she never applied for the job. Huh…probably best to just go with it.

Her first day reunites her with childhood BF Quincy, now her deputy & he brings her up to speed on current cases. Just the usual….they need to convince Doug to take a day off & someone has kidnapped Puff Daddy, a much loved rooster.

Meanwhile, Auri is trying to survive the hazing ritual that comes with being the new girl at school. A pack of mean girls have her in their sights. Then things go from bad to worse when the one friend she made during the summer disappears.

So much for easing into the job. Sunny & her team have a serious case to crack. And before it’s over, she’ll discover some startling information about the event that made her leave town.

I’ll come clean & admit the first couple of chapters had me worried. One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about Jones’ writing is her snarky sense of humour but initially I found it laid on a bit thick. If every second line is a zinger, it can be hard to find the story. Fortunately, this soon settled down so I could appreciate the witty dialogue & truly funny situations that are interspersed with more dramatic scenes.

From then on it became an entertaining & fast paced read. We learn Sunny’s history & the lingering effects of what she endured. The search for the teenager triggers memories of a time when she was another missing girl. But on the upside, her return also gives her a chance to reconnect with her parents, neighbours, Quincy & one Levi Ravinder. Oh, didn’t I mentioned him? He’s a handsome, enigmatic guy who once knew Sunny well (is it hot in here? feels hot in here *fans face*). All I’ll say is I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how that develops.

The crimes, high school drama & appearance of dangerous muffins ensures you’ll keep turning the pages but it’s the characters that hold it all together. Quincy in particular is a hoot & I loved the relationship between Sunny & Auri. You have to appreciate a mother who counsels her daughter to think “WWLSD” when faced with a tough situation. These people may have their quirks but there is genuine warmth between them & a sense they’ll always have each other’s back. There are a couple of running gags that pop up at the strangest times that always made me laugh.

I really enjoyed this & happily, the ending makes it clear there is much more to come. While waiting for book #2, please join me in sending our thoughts & prayers to Puff Daddy.

I'm a massive fan of Darynda Jones's Charley Davidson series, so I was beyond thrilled to start a new series. While I'd categorize Charley's stories as Urban Fiction, I'd put this series (so far) more into a straight mystery genre.

Sunshine and her teenage daughter, Auri, move back to Sunshine's home town of Del Sol, New Mexico, where she has just been elected sheriff. And in the very few days that this book takes place, there are several investigations in play, including the search for two missing teens, an escaped felon, a kidnapper on the loose, a stolen rooster, and a cold case.

Unlike Charley's books, <i>A Bad Day</i> splits the narrative between Sunshine and Auri. Auri's plot was one of the only areas where I had any difficulties with the story. The kids were maybe a little too perfect, the bullies were maybe a little too evil, and the student response to the bullies was maybe a little too big. That being said, I love Auri and Cruz and Sybil and Jimmy and can't wait to see more of them.

The only other difficulty I had with the book is more a product of being the first book in a series. There were a LOT of people to keep track of, including Sunshine's family and friends, Auri's classmates and teachers, townies, the police officers, the Ravinder clan, plus outside law enforcement agents. I'm sure after my 3rd or 4th reading it'll all be clearer, but there are a lot of people to keep track of.

If you loved Charley, you'll definitely love sassy Sheriff Sunshine. There's a lot less paranormal in Del Sol, though there is some present - a few characters show some kind of prescient abilities - and there are very clear ties to Charley's Albuquerque, so there may be more to come. That said, if you like Urban Fantasies, this book has a similar feel to the structure and tone of the genre, and is also a good choice for someone who likes mysteries that are edgier than cozies, but lighter than hard-boiled detective novels.