Welcome to the Urban Fantasy Summer Reading Celebration here at That’s What I’m Talking About!!
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banner designed by Jennifer from Books Make Me Happy
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The celebration runs from July 1 through July 12, 2013, with guest posts, author and series spotlights and lots and lots of GIVEAWAYS!! In fact, each day there is a new post, there is new giveaway to enter! CLICK HERE for more information.
Today I’m here to share my love for the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones. In addition, Ms. Jones is donating a signed copy of First Grave on the Right to give away, details below.
I was introduced to the Charley Davidson series via twitter, and the wonderful Marcela from The Bookaholic Cat gifted me the first book in the series, First Grave on the Right. I was immediately taken by the heroine, Charley Davidson, with her wild snark and humor. Her outlook on life is fun, even though so much bad happens around her. Charley is the Grim Reaper and dealing with dead people is just part of her everyday life.
Charley is the daughter of a retired cop, and her Uncle Bob (or Ubie as Charley likes to call him) is an accomplished detective for the Albuquerque Police Department. Charley has been helping them solve crimes since she was five years old. Currently, Charley runs a detective agency, which helps with her cover and allows her to actively work with the police. Not too many people know about (or believe in) her ability to talk to ghosts, and even fewer know about her true nature as the Grim Reaper. Among her inner circle is Ubie, her dad, her best friend (and assistant) Cookie, and a handful of helpful ghosts. In the past Charley has been hurt by people she trusted with the truth, so when she decides to let in free-lance skiptracer, Garrett, it really is big deal – and a fantastic emotional journey for the reader.
One of the BEST things about Charley is her perpetual sarcastic humor. She has a sharp tongue and a quick wit, poking fun at both herself and those around her. Although it is constant, the quips never come across forced or fake.
Currently there are four published full-length titles and one novella in the Charley Davidson series, with the fifth book due out next week on July 9, 2013.
Reading order (click title for review):About Fifth Grave Past the Light
(St. Martin’s Press, July 9, 2013)
Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she is determined to stay away from him until she can find out the truth. According to her therapist, however, she lacks conviction.
When dead women start appearing in her apartment – lost, confused and terrified beyond reason – Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes’s help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister Gemma is the serial killer’s next target. With his ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who’s responsible. And even if he can’t, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return: Charley. All of her – body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she is willing to pay…
GIVEAWAY:
I have one (1) signed copy of the first title in the Charley Davidson series, First Grave on the Right, to give away here at That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you to Darynda for sponsoring the giveaway. To enter, please complete the Rafflecopter form, below, and leave a comment at the end of today’s post telling us your favorite funny/humorous character (book, TV, movies, etc.). Winner will be selected randomly from eligible entries. CONTEST IS OPEN INTERNATIONALLY, and prize will be mailed by the author. Contest open from July 5, 2013 until June 12, 2013 at 12:00 AM EDT-midnight. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail. If you have problems with the Rafflecopter form, please email me at twimom227 at gmail dot com.
**NOTE: Author Darynda Jones noted in the comments that the winner may have his/her choice of any of her hardcover books!
**NOTE: Author Darynda Jones noted in the comments that the winner may have his/her choice of any of her hardcover books!
UF Summer Reading Celebration Giveaways:
7/3: ML Brennan, signed copy of Generation V
7/2: Jennifer Estep, signed copy of Deadly Sting
Castle is a favorite humorous character of mine right now.
I always loved House. He was such a smart ass, but it worked for him because he was right.
I love the humor of Dean Winchester of Supernatural in both the books and TV. Gotta love a guy who likes pie so much! lol
I love the Stephanie Plum Janet Evanovich books.
Thanks so much for this, Jen!!!! I should have said the winner can have ANY of the hardcovers he/she wants and offered a choice. Sorry about that!
I love the Charley Davidson series it’s a must read for anyone! I so can’t wait till the next book drops which is just in a few days!!!!! Anyone who reads this series will just laugh your butt off so if you have not read this series GO NOW and buy it you will love it swear!
I love the Jeaniene Frost series. Cat’s sarcasm and attitude makes me laugh.
Love Charley…love this series…Darynda writes with the best sense of humor…
pharmx_2(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love the Jeaniene Frost series. Cat’s sarcasm and attitude makes me laugh.
Love, love, love the Charley Davidson series! I discovered it a few weeks ago and blew through all four books! Hmmmm, one of my favorite sarcastic/funny characters is Harry Dresden. Not only is his sarcastic wit awesome, I love his use of pop culture references. Gotta love Jim Butcher who writes the Dresden novels. 🙂
I think Harry and Charley would be a hoot together…
It’s Wraith Seminus from Larissa Ione’s Demonica series. He is so snarky – I love him to bits ;). Thank you.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Charley and Reyes totally awesome! And Cookie – you just have to love Cookie! And Ubie – what an awesome Uncle.
But seriously Charley and Reyes, the torture is waiting for more of them. <3
Charley and Cookie are my favorite funny duo. Thank you for the opportunity.
TV show, Dean Winchester from Supernatural. He is hilarious!
Books, I love the humor in Jeaniene Frost series. Bones, Vlad, Ian…all of them are so funny.
I love Stephanie Plum and the rest of the cast of characters. Lula, Mooner, Grandma Mazur, and Sally Sweet are all so funny!!
I can’t wait for the next Charley Davidson book! I love this series! Thanks for the giveaway!
I have to say Charley Davidson. I can’t count how many times I laughed with her. Saludos desde España 😀
ajajajaj charley Davidson …. she is so funny .. thanks for the giveaway
almendra in the rafflecopter
I have to say Charley has the most fun, sarcastic humour out of the books I’ve read. Amazing series!
I live this series….great book…I have to say charley Davidson is funny..
Love the series, Charley is one of my all time favorite characters. She’s so witty.
I love Charley and Glory St Claire from Gerry Bartlett’s Real Vampires series.
I have to say Nix from the IAD series. She is funny, snarky, mischievous and crazy. Love her.
I like Cat from Jeaniene Frost and Curran from Ilona Andrews!
Just before Xmas, I discovered Bones one night while sleeping on the couch, sick; fell in love with Bones and Booth and asked for the DVDs. I received season 1 to 5 for Xmas and my birthday which is right after Xmas!!!
Charley is at the top for heroines. But as far as favorite men folk? It’s a toss up between Damon Salvatore and Klaus Mikaelson. Can’t help it, I love my antiheroes. ^_^
Amazing contest!!!! I found out about Charley because of a friend, and since then I can stop reading ir ^^
I adore the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones! Simply can’t wait for the fifth!
I love the Charley Davidson series. I have gotten several other people turned on to the series since I enjoyed it so much. 🙂
I adore this series and Charley and Cookie are my favorites. The sisters from the Weird girls seriescare also funny 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway.
My personal favorite funny book is really the Charley Davidson series. I haven’t found another book yet that is like the Charley Davidson Series, Funny, yet keeps you guessing. This is a MUST Read for those that haven’t given this story a chance. Thanks so much for this awesome chance to win a signed book by a very talented author!
I’m watching The Big Bang Theory right now so Sheldon comes to mind.
Definitely The Big Bank Theory
Most of Tom Holt’s books,Peter Mayle, Bill Bryson, Frasier, Stephanie Plum, Big Bang..Those are just some right off the top of my head.
Thanks for the chance!
Castle on tv and in books it would have to be Cookie for Darydna Jones series.
I adore Charley, but Betsy the Vampire Queen by Mary Janice Davidson always makes me laugh!
Sheldon!
Charley is my all time favorite humorous character. She’s all sorts of amazing wrapped up in wit and glazed with coffee. I just don’t think you can top that 😉
Jenks for Kim Harrison’s Hollows series!!
My favorite funniest character on TV is Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory. I absolutely love his character and laugh out loud every time I watch the show. Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock 🙂
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!
The entire character list from The HitchHiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. So many LOLs in that series.
I’ve listened to the first Charley Davidson on audio and really enjoyed it.