Don't Mess with Texas

Loved it! Don’t Mess With Texas was my first Christie Craig adult novel. I read the first book in her YA series, Born at Midnight, and found I loved the style of writing she displayed. I was eager to check out some of her romance novels aimed at adults.

Don’t Mess With Texas showcases a perfect combination of humor, wit, and tender moments that actually had me in tears. The POV shifts between numerous characters. While the primary focus is on Dallas and Nikki, we also get to know Dallas’s brother who is trying to win back his wife. Their story will break your heart. Then there is Nikki’s grandmother. I love books with eccentric old folks! I knew she was my kind of character from the moment she showed up in her Annie Oakley show more costume.

Dallas and Nikki’s relationship actually starts when she barfs on him in a parking lot after she discovers her ex-husband’s body in her trunk. The craziness doesn’t stop there. This novel was so not like any other romance I’ve ever read. How could I not love it? Dallas was smoking hot and Nikki was so sweet, but a little naïve. At times I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t more upset about what was happening to her. It isn’t everyday she was accused of murder. I think that was just part of her personality though. She is the kind of character who worries more about other people than herself. I really liked both of them and the chemistry was sizzling!

This was a fantastic series debut. The character development was some of the best I’ve ever seen and the plot progressed at a nicely moving pace. I’m always impressed when an author can introduce us to so many characters and still produce a book that doesn’t feel overwhelming and manage to wrap up all the loose ends. Christie Craig did just that. I can’t wait for the next book in this series! show less

Artist Nikki Hunt is a gorgeous woman who married a wealthy but controlling lawyer. It was no surprise that she ended up divorcing him after finding him being unfaithful. When her ex-husband calls and wants to have dinner, she decides to go and see if she still has feelings for him. Dinner is a disaster, he leaves her stuck with the bill, she ends up really ill, and then finds her ex dead in the trunk of her car. Nikki's night can't get any worse, right? Wrong!

Nikki ends up being the lead suspect of her husband's murder. She hires Dallas O'Connor to prove her innocence and find who really did kill ex-husband. Dallas is the brother of the police officer who is leading the investigation that is building a case against Nikki. He has a show more spotted past and understands Nikki's situation in more ways that she knows...

This book was a fun read. With hunky Texas investigators, gorgeous women, and a dangerous situation, it kept me interested and on my toes. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing for quite a while, but I did figure it out before the end.

I didn't get really involved with any character - at least not the way I like to. Maybe it was because everyone was so beautiful and it didn't feel realistic. I had the attitude that if Nikki wasn't so pretty, no one would really care. There was a lot of focus on looks and desire between characters.

I did enjoy the parallel story of Austin (brother of Dallas) and his estranged wife. I found that story more realistic and I found myself cheering Austin on.

Note, this book contains adult language and situations and descriptive sex scenes. show less

3-1/2 stars. Not quite as amusing as other CC books that I've read but still a good solid mostly lighthearted read. Lot's of interesting characters and a solid lead couple. There was also a side story about the hero's brother getting back together with his wife which was nice. There was an interesting little mystery which played out well. One thing I like about CC is that the crimes in her books are more normal type crimes. No serial killers or terrorists etc. Just ordinary police work or in this case PI work. The story isn't all technical but neither is it just glossed over as a way to get two people together. If there's a PI and a client then I want to see some effort involved in solving the crime. That was nicely done here. I enjoyed show more both the heroine who thankfully did not do any TSTL stuff and the hero who knew what he was doing job wise but really made mistakes in their relationship but he was so charming and sorry and rather bumbling that you really couldn't hold it against him.

Looking forward to the next one. show less

I'll admit I had high hopes for this book. It seemed really cute and I had heard a lot of good things about it. But no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get into it.

Nicki Hunt needs cash because she's flat broke. If she doesn't get money soon then she's going to lose her art gallery. After getting a phone call from her wealthy ex-husband, she goes to dinner with him thinking that maybe she'll be able to overlook his cheating scum-bag ways for a reunion. After he vanishes in the middle of the meal on a phone call and doesn't return Nicki finds herself stuck with the bill. Fuming, she returns to her car only to find her ex dead and stuffed in the trunk. Nicki is immediately the prime suspect with only P.I. Dallas O'Connor show more believing that she didn't do it.

Craig has a light writing style that I typically enjoy in contemporary romances. However, a lot of the jokes in the book seemed like cheap shots; such as a gassy dog and birds pooping on nurses. Dallas also didn't work for me. I think he was supposed to be an angsty character who slowly starts finding some happiness. But this just didn't work with the slap-stick comedy tone of the book. Next to that it made Dallas seem pouty and a bit of a tool. I did like Nicki though. She was an entertaining character and I loved her relationship with her grandmother. Despite that, I probably won't be picking up another Craig book in the future. show less

Don't Mess with Texas
by Christie Craig

4.5 stars/Contemporary Romance

Don't Mess with Texas is a sexy, romping good time that you won't want to miss!

The first in a new series by Christie Craig called Hotter in Texas, this book opens with two lovable characters; Nikki Hunt and Dallas O'Connor. Nikki becomes the prime suspect in a murder case when her no-good, cheating, ex-husband's body is discovered--- in the trunk of her car!

Dallas is a private investigator and ex-cop, who knows exactly what it is like to be falsely accused. At first he thinks Nikki might be involved in the murder but things just aren't adding up once he gets to know her. Jumping in to help her case, neither can deny the chemisty between them as Dallas tries to uncover show more the truth.

This book is laugh out loud funny. I totally loved it! The suspense of the investigation to find Jack's killer was interplayed well with the budding romance between Nikki and Dallas.The great cast of supporting characters including Tony and LeAnn were perfect to help keep the story moving forward.

I am already anticipating the next book in this series called Blame it on Texas, expected in September 2012.

Highly recommended. show less

POV: Multi. The main reason why my rating is on the lower side despite my enjoyment. I didn't see the point of Dallas' brother and sister-in-law's POVs and would've preferred to not have them.
Descriptive Sex: Yes.
OW/OM: Yes. I empathize with the women in books too much, so while I understand the OW issue is practically a non-issue, it still bothers me.
Cheating: Yes. Not between the two mains.
Separation: Yes. It wasn't long (a day or two?).
HFN/HEA: HEA
Standalone: No. The main case gets solved, but there's a story arc that seems like it may span the entire series.
Content Warning: Discussions of child death.
★★★ The themes of this book (damsel in distress, overprotective PI) are my favorites and were executed well. I enjoyed the book show more for those reasons and that storyline alone. I didn't care for the other side stories involving Dallas's brother's marriage and the story arc of DeLuna. Especially since the latter seems like it won't be resolved until the end of the series and I have no desire to continue with the other stories. show less

This is the first story written by Ms. Craig, that I have read. I definitely plan to read her newly released sequel, 'Blame It on Texas.'
'Don't Mess with Texas' is another book filled with humor, romance, and unraveling mystery, and great secondary romance and "mystery.' I especially loved the Grandma and the dog.