A Bad Day for Sunshine

Very good mystery, lots of red herrings kept me changing my mind and really thinking it all through trying to keep on the right track. Warning, it is book #1 in a series and you'll definitely want book #2.

A small town story, full of unusual characters and fast moving action that will leave you breathless. The relationship between Sunshine and her daughter Auri, and their wordless communication, the jinxed muffins and what they wrought will keep you enthralled.

A well planned mystery! I haven't read this author's previous series but I intend to seek out her older books and hope to enjoy them as much as I did this one. I also liked the secondary mystery and it kept me wanting to learn more about the characters.

What a nice surprise this book is! It starts cheerily as Sunshine and her daughter Auri move back to Sun’s hometown of Del Sol, New Mexico. Sun is beginning her first day of work as the new town sheriff, and Auri is going to high school. Chaos erupts, and together they look into the case of a missing teenager. There is a solid cast of local characters, a bit of romance, the dialogue is witty, and I couldn’t help but smile at the wry little blurbs at the beginning of each chapter. As an extra, I loved the shout-out to Lisbeth Salander. Ms. Jones is a new author for me, and I look forward to reading more of her books, hoping that this is the start of a new series. 4-1/2 rounded up to 5 stars.

I really, really enjoyed this book. It was funny and some of the twists I honestly did not see coming. The plot of the book was a roller coaster, and I can't wait to see how deep into the occult Jones dives with this series, if at all; there was only a little taste of it, but I'm hoping for more in the future.

It should be noted that if you're looking for a book that will give you a glimpse into how a sheriff's office really works, keep looking. You will have to suspend disbelief on the outset.

However, if you are a fan of Jones, this book will not disappoint. The humor, sass, and tone felt a little like the Charley Davidson books, and Jones clearly has a thing for bad boys - I could draw a lot of parallels between Reyes and Levi (and Charley and Sunshine), but the characters did have enough differences that their voices were unique.

That being said, there are a few things that seem very obvious to me, re: Auri's parentage, who kidnapped Sunshine, who saved her, what happened with Levi, etc. I'm hoping that there will be a HUGE twist coming in the future novels that prove I'm not as smart as I think I am, because I'd be slightly disappointed if I figured out Sunshine's greatest mystery at book one.

Overall, a fun, fast read that has a nice balance between mystery, family drama, and budding romances to keep you turning the pages.

Darynda Jones writes books that are fun and full of entertaining characters. Bad Day for Sunshine is the first book in her new series featuring Sunshine Vicram, the newest sheriff that has no idea how she got elected. One of the best things about Darynda Jones' books are the many characters she uses to tell a wicked good story. Every day in Sunshine's life is a new adventure full of questions ranging from why everyone avoids the muffin baskets to what the book club will screw up next. Along the way, the deputies solve crimes...or commit them? If you loved Charley Davidson and Beep, you will definitely love Sunshine. It's very easy to become a Jones' fan for life!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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'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.

I've read every book in the Charley Davidson series and I adore them all, they're probably my top series of all time. Reading A Bad Day For Sunshine felt like reading my favorite series for the first time. This book is like putting on your favorite comfy sweater.

The story is the same witty, cleaver writing i'm used to and I can see this being a new favorite series. Darynda knows how to write a funny and engaging lead with a broading heartthrob, I've never not loved a man she wrote they are sexy, witty, and charming. She also deal with a traumatic event in Sunshines' past and she writes it in a way its not uncomfortable like some stories that include the topic. The setting is a small town in New Mexico and you feel like you're right in the town watching Puff Daddy in the streets.

The story itself is fast paced and enjoyable, I devoured it in one sitting and was sad when it was over. I love the view from Auri and Sunshine and how they intermingled. It was just a really well written story with great characters and a good mystery. I recommend it to anyone who loved Charley and anyone who loves a good mystery with a little spunk.

Darynda Jones knows how to tell a story! I enjoyed the changing points of view. This is not always something easy to pull off but I got invested in the story and really liked the different perspectives. Nice twisty plot. Kept me entertained the whole way through. Highly recommend A Bad Day for Sunshine!

Sunshine Vicram’s first day as Sheriff in her old hometown includes mystic muffins, a car crashing through her office and a kidnapping. This powerfully written story grabs you immediately and doesn’t let go. The writing is very skillful, with a nice twisty plot and believable, well-developed characters. Highly recommended! I’m eagerly awaiting the next book. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.

I enjoyed this new read from Darynda Jones. At first I wasn't sure I would enjoy the changing perpective from mom to daughter, but they are both strong characters and I did like both of their voices. I enjoyed unraveling the mystery and can't wait for the next book to learn more about this full cast of characters.

The Book: A Bad Day for Sunshine (Sunshine Vicram #1), by Darynda Jones
15 years after some really hinky stuff went down in her hometown of Del Sol, New Mexico, Sunshine Vicram returns as the new sheriff, having won an election she didn't even know she'd run for. Sunshine's day gets started with a bang (literally) as her daughter Auri's new bff is kidnapped, the marshal's show up chasing an escaped convict and things start popping with her own, now-cold kidnapping case. It's a helluva first day on the job. Add to that Del Sol's … unconventional citizens, a couple pull-no-punches friends and several very sexy men and you've got a classic Darynda Jones novel.
I loved this book! Sunshine Vicram is no Charley Davidson, but something better, more mature. As is this entire series. Ms. Jones' standby themes are all in place –friendship, family, humor, honesty, and hot sex, but her characters are more developed, her story more complex and the basis for years of adventures with Sunshine solidly set. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced who-done-it while laughing their ass off.
I received A Bad Day for Sunshine free from Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Wow, the first of this new series, has all the fun and snark we have come to expect from Ms.Jones. I surely miss the Charley series and Sunshine has started out with a bang. We meet the newest characters in Del Sol, Sunshine Vicram, Auri, her daughter and a select cast of strange and wonderful characters. You may ask “how do you get elected Sheriff, when you never entered the race?” Read this book for the answer to this and many other quirky questions. Add this to your TBR list and enjoy!

Fun, feisty characters with a take-no-shit attitude!

Exactly the kind of book fans of Jones and the Charley Davidson series will enjoy. Not only enjoy, but relish the laugher and heart encompassed within. I want to thank St. Martins Press for the early copy via NetGalley. I cannot wait to to discuss this book with fans when it releases April 2020!

Having been a big fan of the author’s previous Charley Davidson series I was eager to start her new one, thanks to an Advanced Readers Copy from NetGalley and the publisher. Sunshine Vicram, as the new sheriff of her home town (a job she didn’t want)and her daughter are faced with solving a kidnapping on her first day on the job. I loved the sometimes snarky humor, the characters, and how a mystery from Sunshine’s own past impacts her current investigation all work to create a fast paced, fun mystery. Looking forward to more!

If you read the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones and enjoyed those, I am sure you will enjoy this as well. Very different characters but still the same level of humor that makes it an easy, enjoyable read. I look forward to the author continuing this series.

This is one long laugh out loud blend of heady comic entertainment with crime fiction, the first in a new series by Darynda Jones set in Del Sol, New Mexico, a place that teems with the strange and the bizarre. Sunshine Vicram has returned home with her beloved teenage daughter, Auri, after leaving a town where she experienced harrowing trauma. She is not sure how this all happened, her parents are behind her election as sheriff, which means she will be working with her best childhood buddy, Deputy Quincy Cooper. Her first day is one hell of an initiation, with a rooster, Puff Daddy, roaming free, resident local flasher Doug, a visit from Mayor Donna Lomas threatening to get to the bottom of her odd election as sheriff, an escaped fugitive at large, and a teenage girl, Sybil, has been abducted and the clock is ticking.

Oh and Auri's first day at the local school is no piece of cake either as she is branded a narc and is the target of some mean teens, led by Lynelle, although there is the cool and edgy Cruz, who just can't keep his eyes off Auri. Her hopes of meeting up with a girl, Sybil, she had met in the holidays crumbles to ashes when she becomes aware that Sybil has been kidnapped, and there is no way she is not going to investigate. Sunny finds herself still carrying her childhood heart stopping attraction to Levi Ravinder, now running a successful corn whiskey distillery and the best tracker in town, skills needed when his autistic nephew, his sister Hailey's son, Jimmy, goes missing. As Sunny finds family secrets spilling out, she turns to the Book Babes, a bookclub actually for gossip, socialising and drinking, for information, she finds herself surrounded by hot men, and puzzled why she cannot ever get hold of one Lieutenant Bobby 'Bo' Britton.

This is my first read of Darynda Jones, and I had a whale of a time acquainting myself with Sunny, Auri and the entire town of Del Sol with its quirky eccentric residents. This is a great novel to read if you are feeling even a hint of the blues and in need of a lift. The mother-daughter relationship of Sunny and Auri is a joy to behold, particularly as Sunny becomes aware of just how much Auri knows about her past. All in all, this is kooky, fun and entertaining crime fiction and for sure I will be returning to this series. Many thanks to St Martin's Press for an ARC.

A Bad Day for Sunshine is the title and the reality that Sunshine Vicram is living in this book. Sunshine is the new sheriff in her hometown of Del Sol, New Mexico. She is thrown in to chaos from the first few minutes on the job. The action in this is nonstop for both Sunshine and her daughter, Auri. I enjoyed the ride immensely. I look forward to the next book in this series to see how things turn out with all the folks living in Del Sol. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!

I have liked just about everything Darynda Jones has written so I really liked this and am already looking forward to the next book in this new series. I have been waiting for a new series from Ms. Jones since her Charley Davidson series wrapped up. As usual this book is snarky, funny and a little zany. The world and writing style is similar to her other series but without the ghosts. I really liked the characters and their relationships with each other. There are a lot of quirky people in this town which makes it interesting for Sunshine as the town’s new sheriff. Overall a fun read. The cliffhanger at the end ensures that there will be another and there are plenty of other mysteries that have yet to be solved. I’m ready for the next one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a refreshing novel.
Quirky characters, a little romantic , a murder, a kidnapping ( actually two ), and a mother daughter combo. Mom is the sheriff and the daughter is a pretty good investigator.
The small town they move to is just hilarious with Northern Exposure kind of sense of humor. The police blotter blurbs alone are worth the price of the book.
Highly recommend.

Once Sunny finds this missing girl, she plans to dig deep into a cold case. The one that involved her own abduction when she was 17. She went missing for several days until she was brought to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury and spent a month in a coma. Sunshine has mostly lost that time in her life from several weeks before and after her abduction but she keeps getting flashes and she is determined to find the person who abducted her and finally get answers.

Since Sunshine has just returned to her hometown, she left after her abduction, we get a great introduction in this first book to the main characters of the story as well as the secondary characters who make up the Sheriff's office including Quincy, Sunny's long-time BFF and deputy sheriff; we also meet several people in the town, Sunny's family and her long time love interest, Levi Ravender, a boy she has loved from afar her whole life who has grown up dark and dangerous and who comes from a screwed up, abusive family (sound like anyone we remember?). Even young Auri will have a love interest in classmate, Cruz de los Santos.

If you are a fan of Charley Davidson, there are a number of characters here that are going to ring bells and seem very familiar to you, but the best part is that Darynda Jones has taken all the best parts of the Charley Davidson series and created something new and for those of you who aren't of fan of urban fantasy, this is your chance to enjoy Darynda's wonderful characters, storytelling and humor.

My biggest problem right now it that I was so invested in this story by the end (I've got theories that I want to know if I am right) and this book won't be officially released until April. That means it will be months and months and months before we get the next book. That sucks so much. A book nerd's heartbreak. When I was finally introduced to the Charley Davidson series, there were at least seven books out there and I just binged book after book until I caught up. I was so immerse in her world. Now I can only hope there will be another book before the end of the year and I bet I still won't have all my answers yet. I need answers! While it will be painful to have to wait for the stories to unfold, these characters are going to make the waiting so enjoyable.

I can't wait for more Sunny and Auri!

First book by this author for mei was totally engaged from first pages,a story that kept me turning the pages.Really enjoyed the writing the characters will be looking for more by this author.#netgalley#st.martinsbooks

As a huge fan of Darynda’s Charley Davidson series, I was ecstatic to get a chance to read the first book in her new series even if it wasn’t urban fantasy which meant there was probably not going to be a Reyes! The one thing that I could be guaranteed was the snark that is a signature of everything Darynda writes, and all the crazy characters only she can bring to life. This first outing in Del Sol makes it clear that this series is going to be chock full of almost everything we love about her writing!

Sunshine Vicram returns to her hometown as the newly elected sheriff, no matter that it wasn’t an election that she had entered herself in, but hey it’s a job, right? Returning with her is her 14 year old daughter Auri and as a continuation of her parents’ influence in their lives, they move into an apartment/guesthouse built for her and her daughter on their property. Sun can’t blame them for their meddling as they had been trying to get her to return home ever since she left Del Sol after a traumatic incident as a teenager and then Auri’s birth.

Sun is not surprised that the people of Del Sol have not changed in the years she has been gone; her best friend Quincy is one of her deputies, Doug the Flasher is still active and the Dangerous Daughters still run the town. Another blast from the past is Levi Ravinder, her childhood crush who has she still has feelings for but their relationship is…complicated. Adding to this is the antagonism between Sun and Levi’s family, especially his sister Hailey whose son Jimmy is a good friend of Auri’s. Then Auri and Jimmy’s friend Sybil turns up missing and there are similarities to an incident in Sun’s own past which will drag her family and the town into the investigation.

On top of that investigation there is an AWOL deputy (maybe) and trouble at the high school involving Auri and her friend Cruz, a murder linked to Levi’s family and you can understand why Sun is having a bad day or two! While some of the mysteries are solved in this book there is still one major outstanding question at the end and like many of the Charley books you are left wondering WTF is happening and how long you will have to wait to find out what’s next. Since this book doesn’t even come out until April, we will be waiting a LONG time to find out!

Now comes the question of how this new series compares to Charley and should you read it? Obviously the big difference is this world (so far) doesn’t involve the grim reaper, Satan’s son, angels or demons. There is a little hint of something out of the ordinary possibly between Sun and Auri so it will be interesting to see if that goes anywhere in future books. But there is a lot of Darynda’s trademark humor and quirky characters that fans will enjoy, and of course the complex relationship between Sun and Levi is a definite draw!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this early!

This was a fantastic read. It was one of those stories that has it all. Family, a little romance, great dialogue and mystery. I was fortunate to get an advanced copy of this from NetGalley. This is the first in a new series and I am already anticipating the next one.

It is one of those books you don’t want to put down and hate when life interrupts you from reading. I couldn’t put it down and now that I have finished it I am going to miss these characters until the next time. I highly recommend this book.

It's Sunshine Vicram's first day on the job as Sheriff of Del Sol County, New Mexico. She got elected despite being unaware she was even running, thanks to her parents, who were determined to both bring her back to Del Sol and get rid of the corrupt, inept incumbent. Within minutes of her arrival, homemade muffins are delivered, horrifying her staff, who have long since learned that the size of the muffin basket portends the scope of the crazy or catastrophic cases coming their way. Today's basket is huge, and sure enough, a short time later a Mercedes crashes through the front of the sheriff station, driven by a desperate mother whose teenage daughter has just been kidnapped--an event the daughter has been predicting since she was a little girl. Sunshine and her deputies have only three days to find Sybil before her captor kills her.

I stayed up WAY past bedtime because I couldn't stop reading until I finished this book. The writing style is very witty (quite similar to Jones' Charley Davidson series) and just as fast-paced as the plot. In fact, the relationship between Sunshine Vicram and her daughter Auri reminded me a lot of Lorelei & Rory Gilmore of Gilmore Girls. Well, except that Lorelei knows from the beginning who Rory's father is, and Sunshine doesn't figure out Auri's until WAY WAY WAY after the reader catches on.

For readers' advisors: story doorway is primary, language is secondary. The closest genre this book/series fits into at the moment is humorous mystery/suspense. There is a strong romantic subplot, (well, two, actually, and a bit of a third) but it will probably take another book or two (or 5, at the rate Sun's going) to develop into anything like a real relationship. There is one dream sequence that counts as a sex scene and some sexual references. Since the plot of the book focuses on a current and a past abduction, there is also reference to rape, in case that is a trigger for anyone. Also some off-screen violence, a bit of profanity sprinkled throughout, and on-screen teen bullying of Auri by a Mean Girl & her lackeys.

The diverse, quirky characters include many with brown skin in various shades and from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, chiefly Latino, African, and Apache. The father of one character is deaf, and another character is on the autism spectrum, so ASL is mentioned semi-frequently. Unlike with Jones' Charley Davidson series, there is only a hint of anything possibly beyond normal human experience. It's not urban fantasy. A minor character from the Charley series has a small cameo, however, and that was fun!

I read a free ebook ARC courtesy of NetGalley and St. Martins Press in exchange for my honest review. The only bad thing about that is that now I have to WAIT for the next book in the series to be written. Waiting is HARD.

I have never heard of this author before i found this book on netgalley. The characters pulled me into the story line quickly, and i loved this book!

I read all of the Darynda Jones Charley series and was very excited to read this new series by her. It did not disappoint! I love the characters and the humor in the book and it had me wanting to read more. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end so I’m hoping that means there will be more books in the series. I absolutely loved it and it seemed there were even some references to the Charley books throughout this too.

If you like Stephanie Plum, you'll love this new series about a female sheriff in New Mexico. Raucously funny!

Darynda Jones is back, with an entirely different kind of story to tell. I suspect Darynda could write the phone book, and there would still be humor, love and friendship.

A Bad Day for Sunshine takes the reader down a different path for those familiar with her other series. There are no paranormal elements to the story line, just good old fashioned cops, kidnappings and high school bullies.

Following Sunshine Vicram and her daughter Auri on their move back to Del Sol, the story is laced with Darynda's trademark humor and heart. And the potential love interest? Those scenes were H.O.T, and left me begging for more of that story.

With more action than the town of Del Sol has seen in years, Sunshine's first days on the job as sheriff of Del Sol were full of action and mystery. I am left with theories upon theories, and I can not wait to find out what direction this series will take us. What I know for certain is that it promises to be another winner, and I can hardly wait to see how things unfold.

This new character took some getting used to. I kept expecting Charlie to come popping into a scene. I've been won over by Darynda's ability to create another fantastic storyline and I can't wait to read more!

A new series by a fun author. While there is plenty of witty and fun banter, there is also an undercurrent of evil with the kidnapping and body found in the woods. Sunshine is the new sheriff of Del Sol, New Mexico. With her 14 year old daughter in tow she returns to her hometown and old flame Levi. Hard to put this one down, and kept me guessing to the end who the kidnapper was. Would highly recommend this book and author.

A Bad Day for Sunshine is a great new series from Darynda Jones. The story is full of Darynda's signature humor but also has a great mystery and crime to be solved. I look forward to seeing where this series goes.

Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had never read anything by this author but intend to find her other books now. This book has it all; humor, current issues, a great plot and well written story. It shows women in a public role. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.

This book completely surprised me. I *loved* it and read it in one sitting. The characters are very realistic, the story is compelling, and the action is addictive!

Darynda Jones begins a new series with a brand new set of characters. Sunshine has just been nominated sheriff, and on her first day she has a real big case to solve. Be prepared for a great mystery with a witty main character and a host of charismatic sidekicks that keeps the story moving at a quick pace.

I really enjoyed this book! I am already a fan of Darynda Jones, so j was excited to see she started a new series! This book was written well, had a great story with twists and turns and I loved the characters! I would highly recommend!

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review

This review is not going to be long. I am not a huge fan of a review rehashing the entire plot and spoiling it for everyone.

I loved Darynda Jones previous series. I love this book! It was fast paced with intrigue, action, and humor. I was not able to put down for long :-). All the main characters are easy to relate to and very entertaining,

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A winner!! Fast paced, fun read. Characters are realistic and conversational,story is fluid, and it leaves an open end for more to follow. Not sure if this is part of a series already, but it easily reads as a stand alone. Jacket cover is great, but it is so much more fun than the cover implies. Sort of reminds you of 'StephaniePlum' without a lot of potty mouth & sex. Read and enjoy.!!
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review.The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author,publisher,and NetGalley for the ARC.

A riveting yet totally hilarious story. Sunshine has had the absolute worst happen to her and now she is forced to return to the scene of the crime. Sh is the new tough as nails Sheriff with a daughter and a town to protect. His first day turns into a nightmare that wants to break. With the help of her best friend and the department they set out to solve an abduction. You will laugh at the silliness that occurs between the characters and never see the bad guy coming. The story is cleverly told from the perspective of Sunshine and her daughter as they both try to settle into their new life while solving the case.

At only 5% in and I was laughing my head off. As a mom of a 14 year old (and younger. all girls) this is the type of relationship I envy. It was easy close banter between them. I loved the duel point of view. Sun has come a long way since her teens, but I'm excited to see more of this mystery. As always with Darynda books the sarcasm is strong. But honestly, that's what I love. Sun has all the makings of a great heroine. And Auri is a genuinely great kid.

I absolutely love anything written by Darynda Jones. A Bad Day for Sunshine is another hit. There is suspense, humor, romantic attraction and witty dialogue. Sunshine and her daughter Auri have a great Mother/Daughter relationship. I like that Sun calls Auri Bug Bite. Quincy and Sun's relationship is almost dysfunctional. They have been best friends forever and they are more like brother/sister. Then there is the relationship between Sun and Levi. Steamy! Lots of interesting characters. The build up at the beginning, so we get to know everyone's backstories, is the right amount of time. Darynda does a great job of keeping the reader guessing what is happening to Sybil. You really have no clue until the end. I can't wait to see what happens next with Sunshine and Auri. Especially with Sunshine and Levi.

A new series from Darynda Jones, sign me up! I loved it, it has the right amount of humor, sass and mystery to it along with some secrets in Sunshine’s past. Love Auri and Cruz! The whole cast of characters are strongly written. It was a bit meandering in places, especially when a young girls life was at stake but overall it’s a strong start to a new series.

How soon do we get book 2? That's all I can say after this first foray into Del Sol, New Mexico and the world of Sunshine Vicram. Her first day as sheriff (winning an election she didn't even know she was part of), Sunshine is thrown (literally) into the case of a teenager gone missing who had actually had premonitions for years it would happen. Meanwhile, Sunshine faces the demons from her own past moving back to Del Sol...including the mysterious Levi that she's harbored feelings for for years.

Great cast of characters, cute and quirky town, and a great mystery that keeps you from putting the book down. The mystery of Sunshine will continue I assume over the course of the series, but I can't wait to get to the revelations behind her past.

Fans of Evanovich's Stephanie Plum and Fox & O'Hare series (the early books - not the more recent ones) will rejoice in finding Sunshine Vicram.

I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.