Valentine’s Day is Killing Me

Valentine’s Day is Killing Me is truly an anthology to remember. It will have readers laughing so hard they cry as well has exposing Valentine’s for what it truly is, a time of showing love, hope and crazy antics.

Cuffs and Coffee Breaks by MaryJanice Davidson

Julie Kay About accepts a Valentine’s invitation for dinner with her co-worker, whom she has never met except through email. She doesn’t have a good track record on blind dates so she is sure it will go tragically. What she doesn’t anticipate is to find her date handcuffed and arrested for murder all before she can order a drink. How can these two ever overcome this disastrous date?

Cuffs and Coffee Breaks was a wonderfully hilarious tale. From the first emails between Julie, Scott and those ever-present tech guys to the very end readers won’t be able to stop laughing. Julie is truly a character to admire. Even though her track record proves blind dates are bad she still takes the chance on another one. This was the perfect story to start off this anthology. Ms. Davidson once again delivers a delightful tale.

A “No Drama” Valentine’s by Leslie Esdaile

Jocelyn Jefferson has had it with the idea of a “perfect” Valentines, so she decides to take matters into her own hands, besides who needs a man for this holiday to be unforgettable. She and her girls agree on a girl’s night of drinking, eating and of course being pampered by an in-home spa service. Needless to say she is excited about their wonderful plans, but when one by one they cancel, her evening goes from bad to worse with her being arrested by a handsome detective.

While the title states it should have been A “No Drama” Valentine’s, Jocelyn is unfortunately headed straight for a night full of drama. It was comical to watch Jocelyn’s innocent reaction to the events that took place, and although you were laughing you couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. If you have ever wanted a night just for you and the girls and wound up disappointed, you will relate to this story. Ms. Esdaile does a great job of keeping it real.

Valentine Survivor by Susanna Carr

Shanna Murphy would have the perfect Valentine’s Day and she won’t let anyone stand in her way, not even her evil boss who seems out to ruin it. The list of what she needs to have a perfect day is already made and it is relatively simple if only she could be with Calder, the man she loves, instead of Dominic. On the special day everything starts to go downhill when she has a run in with her boss, Dominic cancels, and Calder asks her out, which would have been good if she her boss wasn’t keeping her at work. When someone is murdered at the office, will Calder come to her rescue or will he leave her high and dry?

Susanna Carr has written another wonderful story with just the right mix of romance and comedy. Shanna is a character most women can easily relate to. She has dreams of the one day designed for romance to be perfect. Her boss is also a character you will love to hate. She flaunts her many suitors in front of Shanna then makes her stay at work on Valentine’s while letting others off. Valentine Survivor was a delightful story and an extraordinary way to end this anthology.

This anthology will entice readers with three superb stories of romance, comedy and of course the police. Whether you love or hate Valentine’s you will not want to miss this anthology.

Reviewed by: JoAnn