Review: A Surprise Treat
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 12, 2014
I passed on reading this book for a long time because I thought the main character’s name was too treacle-y for words.  Needed something to read at the gym and found this on my Kindle.  I was surprised and pleased once I got going.  Brandy Alexander reminds me a bit of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plumb, but with some sense and maturity.Brandy, a puff-piece reporter for a Los Angeles TV station, returns to her hometown of Philadelphia for a wedding after a four-year absence caused by a painful break-up.  While there, one of her best friends becomes the victim of a tragic explosion and Brandy’s the only one who sees it as an “on purpose.”  She yearns to lose her vapid image and break the real story – and not get dead in the process.  There’s romance, humor, political intrigue, friendship, and, oh, yeah, did I mention romance?  All in just the right amounts.Brandy is mouthy and fearless, and takes some stupid risks, but she learns from her mistakes.  The supporting characters are entertaining (her parents who have retired to Florida, her girl bffs, who happen to be twins, and the fiend with the explosive problems).  The two potential boyfriends (the guy from the painful breakup who’s now a married cop and may or may not be corrupt, and the exotic security expert) are intriguing.  I note that as of the date of this review, there are at least three more books in the series and that’s a good thing.