Diner Knock Out by Terri L. Austin - #review #giveaway

Rose Strickland’s life is complicated. Besides her waitressing gig, she works part-time for Andre Thomas, a PI with no faith in Rose’s ability to investigate, her love life with Sullivan has stalled, and her BFF, Roxy, has found a new bestie, leaving Rose out in the cold.

Determined to prove herself, Rose takes a case on the sly. As she searches for a missing MMA fighter, Rose discovers an illegal fight club, a group of ruthless businessmen, dead bodies, and a trail of drugs.

Hunting down clues that lead too close to home, Rose finds herself in the fight of her life. Can she beat the killer to the punch before she gets knocked out for good?

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MY REVIEW

Rose has got a set, let me tell you, and you have to respect that.  The strength of character it took to turn down the 'free ride' from her rich parents kind of blows my mind in this day and age.  And what did she get in return?  A waitress job in a small diner, fitting in classes part-time at college when she has the time and money, and an apartment that might have been close to the size of her former closet.  Oh, and independence.

Of course, she needs the chutzpah to deal with some of the cases she encounters as a padawan PI (misc alliterative reference to Star Wars there).  There are the run-of-the-mill cheating spouses, the not-so-run-of-the-mill cheaters and the downright scary.  And given that we know Rose is not one for following the rules (see the bit up there about her parents), we also know that she will probably ignore the rules of fight club:  1) Do not talk about fight club, and 2) DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB!

And Ma?  She reminds me of my husband's paternal Mamaw.  Eighty something and strapping on the push-up bra to do battle with a younger opponent for the attention of a certain widower.  I hope I'm half as much a force of nature as Ma is when I get to be her age!

Rose is not without her share of trouble close to home, though.  Her BFF Roxy, up and finds a new best friend to replace Rose.  Rose's boyfriend has been keeping at least one secret that could change their relationship and the ex-cop who hired her as a part-time padawan (got to be consistent here) really does not have faith in  her abilities ... and lets her know it.

Well, we know Rose has good endurance.  This is the 4th installment in the series after all, after Diners, Dives and Dead-ends; Last Diner Standing; Diner Impossible; and Diners Keepers, Losers Weepers.  But how many body blows can one feisty as all get out female take before she needs to sit out a round?  Will Rose ever learn to settle down and live and let diner....er live?

As Knock Out was my intro to the series (which did read quite well for the uninitiated), I cannot really answer that question.  I do prefer to start a series at the beginning, but since starting book tours last year, I have learned to let go of that necessity in order to enjoy a current read.

So, I fully plan to go back and read the previous installments, that way when Rose shows up again for the next mysterious adventure, I will be ready!

And, if you will indulge me, I will insert one more punny double entendre:  This is a Knock Out read!

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MEET THE AUTHOR!

Website * Twitter * Facebook * GoodReads * Henery Press

As a girl, Terri L. Austin thought she’d outgrow dreaming up stories and creating imaginary friends. Instead, she’s made a career of it. She met her own Prince Charming and together they live in Missouri. She loves to hear from readers!  (Use the links above!)

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GIVEAWAY!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Click the banner to go to the tour page, where you will find more reviews, as well as guest posts and interviews with the author!  You can also find out how to apply to become a tour host for Great Escapes while you are there!

(Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.)