Review: Don't Mess With Texas- Christie Craig

Title: Don't Mess With Texas

Author: Christie Craig

Release Date: August, 2011

Publisher: Forever

Genre: Contemporary

Rating: 5 Hoots

Reviewer: Karia

Nikki Hunt thought her night couldn't get worse when her no-good, cheating ex ditched her at dinner, sticking her with the bill. Then she found his body stuffed in the trunk of her car and lost her two-hundred-dollar meal all over his three-thousand-dollar suit. Now not only is Nikki nearly broke, she's a murder suspect. 

Former cop turned PI, Dallas O'Connor knows what it's like to be unjustly accused. But one look at the sexy-though skittish-suspect tells him she couldn't hurt anyone. The lead detective, Dallas's own brother, has the wrong woman and Dallas hopes a little late-night "undercover" work will help him prove it…  (Goodreads)

I found this book discussed online mostly about the title: Don't Mess with Texas is a copyright protected slogan of the Texas DOT. As a Canadian who has travelled through Houston, Texas, I have nothing but great things to say about all things Texas (especially your yummy BBQ). But I did feel the need to buy this book to support Ms. Craig in her lawsuit with TXDOT…Well, buying the book may have been for support, but raving about it has everything to do with the story. I loved it. Quirky, silly, full of deep side characters and sweet romance…what's not to love!

Wrongfully accused of a crime, Dallas lost his wife, his career, and his friends while in prison. Now, as one of the members of Don't Mess with Texas Investigations, Dallas has vowed to help those wrongfully accused of crimes. However, taking a "guilty" bet from a former friend and police officer at his brother's homicide scene smacks in the face of everything Dallas has committed to doing. Guilt spurns him towards the accused: the ex-wife of the dead man. However, one look at the blond beauty and Dallas is all in!

Nikki cannot believe her luck or bad luck as it were. Living off her last few bucks, she gets stiffed with the dinner bill by her cheating ex only to find him--stiff and bleeding in her trunk! Then, just when things couldn't get any worse, she pukes all over the cutest guys she's met in over five years. In the light of day, Nikki realizes she has been poisoned, accused of murder and homeless. With nowhere else to turn, Nikki accepts Dallas' offer of assistance, but can she resist him long enough to find out who the real killer is?

I loved these two and the rag tag bunch of side characters. But the clincher for me was the very prominent side story of Dallas' brother and lead investigator into Nikki's case, Tony. Tony and his estranged wife LeAnn were tragic, sweet and beautiful. My heart twinged, clenched and then broke for these two. Not often do you get a great love story along with your great love story…two for one and both were wonderful. Enjoy!