Ms America and the Villainy in Vegas

Beauty Queen Mysteries #2

by Diana Dempsey

When Happy pulls bridesmaid duty for pageant-wear purveyor Sally Anne Gibbons, the last thing she expects to find at the altar is a corpse. But at these over-the-top nuptials that’s what she a dead best man and a groom who just might be the killer.

Sometimes it seems everybody in Sin City has a secret, from the cocktail waitress trying to land a reality-show gig to the silver-haired cougar with a penchant for blackjack dealers. Maybe hunky pageant emcee Mario Suave is hiding something, like the hots for everybody’s favorite beauty queen ...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Author of the Beauty Queen Mysteries, Diana Dempsey never competed in beauty pageants herself but she did the next best thing: she worked in TV news. After a dozen years of war zones and 3 a.m. wake-up calls, she packed up her mic and her Emmy and morphed into a writer of fast and fun romantic fiction.

Diana’s novels have been called “almost impossible to put down” (Romance Reviews Today), “skillfully plotted and filled with realistic detail” (Library Journal), and “spicy, sexy, and sultry” (Booklist). Her first novel, FALLING STAR, was nominated for a RITA award for Best First Book by the Romance Writers of America.

To find out about Diana’s titles, and to contact her:

Visit her website at DianaDempsey.com
Join her on Facebook at Diana Dempsey Books
Follow her on Twitter at Diana_Dempsey

Reviews

[Britney · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first one was much better. The main character was annoying in this one. She seemed almost amateurish/childish. I will not continue with the series.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back of the book:

“When Happy pulls bridesmaid duty for pageant-wear purveyor Sally Anne Gibbons, the last thing she expects to find at the altar is a corpse. But at these over-the-top nuptials that’s what she gets: a dead best man and a groom who just might be the killer.

Sometimes it seems everybody in Sin City has a secret, from the cocktail waitress trying to land a reality-show gig to the silver-haired cougar with a penchant for blackjack dealers. Maybe hunky pageant emcee Mario Suave is hiding something, too: like the hots for everybody’s favorite beauty queen ... ”

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(5/5)

Solvability: 🔎🔎🔎🔎(4/5)

My Opinion:

Happy is an amazing character. She's funny and smart and beautiful. I love that she defies stereotypes. She also real, she has doubts, she makes mistakes and she struggles with people not thinking she's good enough.

The mystery was complex but solvable. I really liked how everything worked out in the end, but I'm curious what will happen with Happy and Jason and the super secret agent Mario Suave.

It was a fun and funny story that lives up to the greatness of its predecessor, Ms America and the Offing on Oahu.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given my negative interest in beauty pageants, I am amazed by how much I'm enjoying this series. But the protagonist, Happy Pennington, is so appealing and real, and the plots are so twisty and compelling--even more so in this second book than in the first one--that I find it hard to put these mysteries down. And, in fact, the look into pageant world is fascinating in its own right--and this is certainly a great milieu for crime, intrigue, and the investigation thereof. Looking forward to book 3!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot resist the summertime lure of these books.This is the third time I have read it and I find it just as amusing as I did the first time.It is so evocative of what I can only imagine Hawaii to be like in reality.I can feel the trade winds and I can see the Hula Maidens do their thing.The mystery is always fun,too,because of the absurd antics of the characters.I highly recommend this series.

[Sarah Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the author's style of writing and that Happy is always interested in trying to solve the crime(s) that just so happen to happen when she's around...even if everybody tells her not to!

I can't wait to read the author's next book about Happy Pennington and her friends!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this series! Always fun, always clever.
The plots are a great mix of reality and cozy luck.
The characters are developing and introductions of new cast is not disappointing or disruptive.
I recommend these books to everyone who enjoys a fun, clever cozy!

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another quick read. The characters are fun and the mystery is well paced with some fun twists, though the ending on this one felt a little too tidy to me. Enjoyed the first in this series as well. Good for when you're in the mood for a quick, not too serious whodunit.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great second outing for the series. I love the characters...except Happy's mom. She's just annoying and not in a cute or funny way. Looking forward to more!

[Mike Reiser · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted a fast who done it.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this 2nd book in the series. Enjoyed the descriptions of the clothes, especially the outfits worn for the wedding (at the beginning of the book)...too funny but truly atypical Vegas wedding.

[Sarahanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the premise and the characters. Even the parts that I saw coming were tub to watch unfold.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 the characters are entertaining for the most part. but it gets old with the a beauty queen does this... a beauty queen does that.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this was a great way to end each day.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I started reading this and wondered why I was bothering. Too much fashion and "I'm a beauty queen" for my taste. But the more I read, the more I warmed to the characters. This was a fun read.