Nothing But Trouble by Susan May Warren

Have you ever looked forward to a new series so much that you were almost afraid to read it? That it might not meet your high expectations?

Well, I'm happy to say that ISN'T going to happen with Susan May Warren's debut of the PJ Sugar series! Not only did "Nothing But Trouble" meet my high expectations, in many ways the story exceeded them.

PJ Sugar left town ten years ago on the heels of a scandal that has dogged her ever since. A nomad in both home and job, she's never really felt capable of putting down roots anywhere.

So when her sister Constance calls with news of a family emergency, it doesn't take much for PJ to pull up roots and travel back home to Kellogg, Minnesota. And while PJ knows she's a new person...can she ever live down who she used to be?

Apparently her old flame and partner in crime was able to turn over a new leaf. The one who created the scandal that drove PJ out of town is now the law in Kellogg. And when the two meet again after a decade apart, sparks fly.

Which, in PJ's case, isn't necessarily a good thing!

When her best friend Trudi ends up in trouble, this time PJ vows to stand by her side. It's up to her amateur sleuthing skills to discover who really murdered their old high school history teacher.

Was it the guy who threw him in the pool? One of the Russian mafia who's taken up residence in Kellogg (and IS there a Russian mafia?)? Or is it the mysterious pizza guy?

Added into the mix is PJ's four-year-old nephew, young Davy, who's taken an instant disliking to his aunt/babysitter. Can she break the ice and win the boy's heart, or will she forever be dodging his kicks and punches?

As an oddball trying to fit into a world that often doesn't make much sense, I totally get PJ. In fact, she may just be my favorite heroine yet in a Susan May Warren series.

The jury's still out for me when it comes to Boone, though! The two of them are highly combustible, and as I said, that isn't always such a good thing!

So, I'm giving PJ--actually, "Nothing But Trouble"--five out of five bookmarks, with a fire extinguisher as a charm. To find out why, you'll have to pick up your copy of this new series debut in May 2009 from Tyndale!

Now I'M going to have to wait for the NEXT installment in PJ's story...and that's going to be VERY difficult to do!

Happy Reading!