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Divorced and Desperate #3.5

Divorced, Desperate and Dangerous

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This novella originally appeared in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance anthology Three Southern Beaches.

Reese Morris has run away from home. She’s left behind her adoring but overbearing grandmother, her broken heart... and most importantly, the no-good Texan jerk who broke it. She told him her secrets. He told her lies. He was nothing more than an undercover cop wanting one thing—and it wasn’t her—he was out to bust her brother and his thug boss. How could she let him con her into feeling so damn much?

For two months, Detective Turner Calder hasn’t been able to forget the betrayed look in Reese’s eyes when she found out he’d deceived her. Now two witnesses from that case have been murdered, and he’s traveling halfway across the country to protect her. If that means taking on her seventy-year-old grandma who has a black belt in Karate, a hired assassin—who scares him less than Granny—and the whole bat-shit crazy town of Hung, Georgia, he’s up for the challenge. Because the biggest danger of all would be losing her.

Bonus Content:

At the end of the book, get a sneak peek at Christie Craig’s newest book in the Divorced and Desperate series, Divorced, Desperate and Dead, coming in November!

And as an added bonus, you’ll also get a look at the first chapter of Reborn, the first book in the YA paranormal series Shadow Falls: After Dark, that Christie is writing as C. C. Hunter!

141 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 3, 2014

51 people are currently reading
401 people want to read

About the author

Christie Craig

28 books923 followers
Pseudonym for C. C. Hunter.

Photojournalist, Author and Speaker

Christie Craig, an Alabama native, is an award-winning, multi-published writer, multi-published photo journalist, motivational speaker, and writing teacher.. Her non-fiction articles and photography have appeared in almost three thousand national magazines. A Golden Heart finalist, and a finalist in more than fifty RWA-sponsored contests, she has gained a well-deserved reputation for writing romance fiction that has both witty humor and a suspenseful, sexy tone. Published by Silhouette in the 90s, she recently broke back into fiction in a big way, making four book sales in one day. Her seventh humorous single title romance novel, published by Dorchester, will hit the stands in June 2010. Her non-fiction book, co-authored by Faye Hughes, released September 08, is The Everything Guide To Writing A Romance Novel and their second non-fiction book, a humorous self-help relationship book, Wild, Wicked and Wanton: 101 Ways to Love Like You Are in a Romance Novel is scheduled to be released December 2010. Craig’s latest writing adventure is the sale of a young adult paranormal romance series, Shadow Falls Camp, that will be published by St. Martins Press in the near future.

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5 stars
218 (36%)
4 stars
209 (34%)
3 stars
152 (25%)
2 stars
15 (2%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
October 14, 2016
Rosalie's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.5 stars

Divorced, Desperate, and Dangerous is a novella is about a witness to a murder and an undercover cop *(perfect combo!). Detective Turner Calder became friends with Reese Morris, trying to get closer to her drug dealer brother in order to bust him. However, the two hit it off, and when Reese finds out the ultimate betrayal dealt to her, it's hard for her to turn Turner anymore. When witnesses to the drug busts/dealers start ending up murdered, Turner knows that Reese is in danger, and no matter how upset she is (and how high of a black belt her grandma is!), it's his job to protect her. This quick and fun read is just enough to wet your taste and get you ready for the next in the series!

Review copy provided for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bambi Unbridled.
1,297 reviews139 followers
May 14, 2018
description

Divorced, Desperate and Dangerous is a novella in the Divorced and Desperate series, which started off with a posse of women who were, as the title suggests, divorced and desperate. With failed marriages and man trouble in their lives, the women were on the hunt and somewhat sex obsessed, but commitment phobic. I have only read the first book, Divorced, Desperate and Delicious, but I don't think you necessarily need to read this series in order.

Reese Morris has left town to find peace. After her brother was arrested and she learned that the man she was interested was really an undercover cop, she is at her limit. Returning to the small island of Hung, Georgia, of which she had fond childhood memories, Reese is hoping to hide from her problems. Only it seems those problems weren't planning to stay put in Texas and Reese will be forced to face the drama, and then some.

This is a short novella, only 3.5 hours from start to finish. So there wasn't a ton of time for character development. More time was spent on the romantic suspense part of the plot, which was necessary to keep the story moving. So Reese was a passable heroine for what we knew of her. She seems to be a sweet southern girl; she was outgoing and made friends easily. Our hero, Turner Calder, is the undercover cop and has gone chasing after Reese to keep her safe. I liked his character and would have loved to know more about him. There was pretty good chemistry between Turner and Reese, and Reese couldn't deny the pull despite her misgivings about his role in her current drama.

I don't know if the backstory to this novella happened in an earlier book, as I have not read those. I would have liked more information about Reese's brother and the events that sent her running to Georgia... but I was able to understand what was happening w/o having that info. These books are really light reads with some slapstick comedy, but also some heartwarming friendships mixed in.

The narrator, Wendy Tremont King, does a good job with the performance. She easily differentiates between the characters and has no problem affecting a male persona.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Tantor Audio.
1,153 reviews16 followers
August 16, 2018
It's alright. It's a shorter story.

The story revolves around Reese and Turner. Reese and Turner had a fling which soured when Turner arrested her brother and revealed he was undercover. They met again when the brother was in apparent danger, and she was too. Turner took on the job and protected her. The criminals already killed somebody who they thought was Reese.

They straightened out their past. Reese eventually accepted that he didn't lie about everything. He lied about somethings but the details of his life were all true. They revived their romance. Turner was also part of the divorced club for men, an offshoot of the club from the divorcees.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Danielle  Gypsy Soul.
3,165 reviews79 followers
March 24, 2017
3.5 Stars. I enjoy this series and I enjoyed this book but it was pretty short and therefore short on details and background. I would have enjoyed this more if it had been full length and the reader got to see the relationship when Turner was undercover. Still for a novella it hit all the right spots and I enjoyed it. Will definitely continue this series.
Profile Image for Bette Stanek.
2,105 reviews3 followers
September 3, 2018
Christie Craig has been one of my go-to authors when I’m looking for a lighthearted read with plenty of humor and intrigue. Divorced, Desperate, and Dangerous is 3.5 in the Divorced and Desperate series. It’s a quick, lighthearted read that is filled with humor and intrigue.

Turner Calder is part of the trio known as the No Balls and No Chains Gang. The Gang was started after receiving inspiration from their friends’ wives who were the Divorced, Desperate, and Delicious trio. Yep, they are the male version of those disenchanted with marriage and are determined to never succumb to that particular relationship ever again. They have a pact. They will stop each other from ever giving into love again. After all, it never lasts. Now, Turner Calder is in a quandary.

This one is quick and cute. There’s drama, but since the NB&NC Gang, along with the husbands of the disbanded Divorced, Desperate, and Delicious trio, rush in to help out Turner catch the bad guys it’s over quickly. This is a good lazy afternoon read.
Profile Image for Andrea Akers.
1,026 reviews6 followers
January 5, 2018
Divorced 4

The first book with the no ball and chain gang. Turner has trust issues going back to his ex wife but Reece is afraid of losing everyone she loves. Will these two decide to take a chance on life and a happy ever after?
Profile Image for Eileen.
189 reviews
July 1, 2017
Short, but cute.

I enjoyed this story, but I was wishing it had been a little longer. I might have enjoyed it more if I had read it closer to reading the first three.
4,416 reviews28 followers
September 28, 2018
Divorced, Desparate and Dangerous is a novella in this series written by author Christie Craig.
Profile Image for Sandy.
2,492 reviews10 followers
September 20, 2019
Cute story

While not as funny as the last three in this series, this was still a very good book. The divorced men just as funny as the women were.
Profile Image for Tina.
775 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2019
Liked it, but thought it could have been a little bit longer.
Profile Image for Rachelle Ayala.
Author 230 books1,228 followers
July 9, 2021
These books are so cute! I'm gobbling them all up. Second chances are hotter in Texas! And who doesn't love a town called Hung, Georgia.
Profile Image for Sophia Bhetwal.
316 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2023
I love love love love love love love love love love this book so much it's so cute and iehdbaikasjsiwklqqlsksk. Anything Christie Craig for me is a top seller.
Profile Image for Pamela.
350 reviews
May 14, 2016
I love this series, however I don't feel this was one of Christie Craig's better books. But that won't stop be from continuing to read the series. I loved the others.

Reese Morris has run away from home. She’s left behind her adoring but overbearing grandmother, her broken heart . . . and most importantly, the no-good Texan jerk who broke it. She told him her secrets. He told her lies. He was nothing more than an undercover cop wanting one thing—and it wasn’t her—he was out to bust her brother and his thug boss. How could she let him con her into feeling so damn much?

For two months, Detective Turner Calder hasn’t been able to forget the betrayed look in Reese’s eyes when she found out he’d deceived her. Now two witnesses from that case have been murdered, and he’s traveling halfway across the country to protect her. If that means taking on her seventy-year-old grandma who has a black belt in Karate, a hired assassin—who scares him less than Granny—and the whole bat-shit crazy town of Hung, Georgia, he’s up for the challenge. Because the biggest danger of all would be losing her.

Pros:
I love Reese and Turner. They just fit together.
Frank and Casey added a little more heart and humor to the story. I liked them.


Con:
Although I know Turner is divorced, you really don’t see why it was so devastating for him. I think more details should have been added.
How did the bad guys know that Reese was in Hung, Georgia? I almost expected a “mole” in the police department, but that wasn’t the case.
I think it ended too soon. I kept wanting more.
Profile Image for SarahSmith.
452 reviews7 followers
November 25, 2014
I first read this in the Three Southern Beaches with Kathleen Brooks and Robyn Peterman. All three stories revolve around Hung Island a fictional coast in Georgia.

This series has three male protagonists that belong to the No-Ball and Chain Gang, since each of the guys was burned by their exes in the past. In this story Turner Calder has followed Reece Morris to Hung Island since he believes her life is in danger. This is a short story, but it has all of the humor, feeling and romance of a full length Christie Craig novel. Definitely worth your time.

Merged review:

I first read this in the Three Southern Beaches with Kathleen Brooks and Robyn Peterman. All three stories revolve around Hung Island a fictional coast in Georgia.

This series has three male protagonists that belong to the No-Ball and Chain Gang, since each of the guys was burned by their exes in the past. In this story Turner Calder has followed Reece Morris to Hung Island since he believes her life is in danger. This is a short story, but it has all of the humor, feeling and romance of a full length Christie Craig novel. Definitely worth your time.
Profile Image for Shaly.
1,198 reviews
November 26, 2014
3.5 Stars

I'm guessing there's a book before this one? There are entirely to many references to past situations and characters that left me super confused and as I've never read this author before, I didn't research. In any case, I did enjoy this read, I loved the connection with All HUNG Up and some its characters, Casey and Frank are hilarious and I really hope their attraction pans out because they seem to really need one another. I think the majority of Reese's anger towards Turner was misplaced, she did have every right to be upset because he lied to her but blaming him for her brother was right stupid. Seems her brother was an idiot, hung out with the wrong crowd, got mixed up doing the wrong thing until it was too late to get out. He was at fault, not her and definitely not Turner. After every thing is said and done he still goes out his way to make sure both siblings are safe. Plus she gave in to her hormones pretty damn quick so she couldn't have been that mad...

(READ AS PART OF THREE SOUTHERN BEACHES ANTHOLOGY)
Profile Image for Larissa.
680 reviews8 followers
January 12, 2019
Catch it in full at ♀ Bookworm

[...]
With an undercover work, Turner didn’t think he would care so much for someone’s sister. The thing is, even though he was particularly enjoying her company, the job came first. So, Turner ended up arresting her brother, and due to her witnessing a murder, she is still kind of “a job”.

Reese didn’t expect for her life to become such a turmoil after witnessing a murder, but her accounts and testimony on such night might be the key to her freedom to come and go as pleased. But not before falling in love with the man that’s in to protect her at all costs — and maybe, much more. Let’s not forget that since her testimony is important, she’s wanted. Dead. By the bad guys.

This shorty will bring all the boys to the yard: Luke, Jason, Chase and a few extra characters to make up for this new divorced and not ever to mingle club. And yes, these new people are definitely coming back for their own stories and their “I told you so” phrases.
[...]
Profile Image for Kathleen.
746 reviews33 followers
January 27, 2015
This was another good read from the Divorced and Desperate series... I like that we knew a little bit of the history about Turner and Reese. I like meeting Casey and Frank too and that when the chips are down, a small town has your back.

Reese flees to the small town of Hung, Georgia. Her brother is in jail because she gave Trey, aka Turner the evidence he needed to put said brother in Jail. But then Turner finds out that two witness have died in the case he has been working undercover on, which is how he met Reese and her karate crazy grandmother and got to her brother. Now Turner has to find Reese and keep her safe from the thugs and also keep his own heart safe, because he can't stop thinking about Reese. He hopes she will feel the same. Can these two hearts on the run find their HEA... with bullets flying and a town full of crazies looking for buried treasure...
Profile Image for Lisa Foyles.
312 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2015
Total Let Down

I really hate to rate a book below 4 stars but I was very disappointed in this one. It seems all the rage now of charging high prices for half books. I for one do not agree with this practice. It seems a way for the authors and publishers to make money while cheating the buyer out of a finished product. Why not just wait until a book is completely finished instead of dragging it out. Here we received in my opinion only half of the story. Yes the characters were intriguing, the storyline interesting but I feel everything was wrapped up too quickly. This book ended at 78% while the rest was advertisement for more books. Very frustrating
Profile Image for Karen.
1,253 reviews51 followers
January 19, 2015
Divorced, Desperate and Dangerous
I got this in the Three Southern Beach Read Box set and somehow never got around to reading it. Today I was bored and it looked like a book to keep me interested while it was slow at work. Boy was I right this was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed it so much I really need to go check out the rest of this series. it was a funny sexy read. Even with it being a part of a series I had no problems reading it without reading any of the others. It did make me want to read the other though.
Profile Image for Sharlene.
1,048 reviews29 followers
January 26, 2015
This was a very cute novella about an undercover cop & a witness to a murder. Turner had befriended Reese's brother to get to a drug dealer, and Reese's brother ended up in jail. Reese had fallen for Turner & was deceived by him. Now, the dealer is pulling strings from jail to have the witnesses killed. Reese, unaware of this, has left town.Turner finds out where she is & goes to protect her. There is a cast of characters in the town, as well as Reese's grandmother and Turner's cop & PI friends that all get together to trap the criminals. The attraction between Reese & Turner is palpable.
Profile Image for Cailey.
614 reviews11 followers
November 28, 2014
I was glad to see Christie Craig was revisiting this series of books. I very much enjoyed the first three, so I was looking forward to continuing.
I know it was a shorter book, but I didn't feel the book was well-developed enough for me. I liked the characters okay, but it just wasn't my favorite. That being said, I enjoyed the signature Craig style, with a lot of humor mixed in with some suspense and romance.
Profile Image for Pam.
474 reviews
January 4, 2015
I love how she expanded her divorced series to the guys now with the ball and chain group and yet still mentioned the characters from the original books. This was a great novella and a wonderful start to the next 2 books. Loved the characters especially Casey and the Grandma. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Monica.
507 reviews
Read
April 2, 2016
Another fun, witty, and sarcastic book full of humorous antics, oh and don't forget the steamy love that comes between the two main characters! Christie has so much fun when writing these book, they make you laugh and have you looking forward to the HEA in the end. The books in the series are fun, light reads when you are just looking for a little fun romance to read.
Profile Image for Diane ~Firefly~.
2,177 reviews85 followers
January 30, 2015
Good story. I liked the setting and the characters. It was a bit hurried since it is a shorter story. Reese and Turner seemed good together and I liked Casey and Frank's story as well. I'm glad Turner's friends didn't give him too hard of a time about breaking their pact.
Profile Image for Neena Christianson Martin.
1,185 reviews11 followers
January 21, 2015
Hung

Hung, Georgia is the locale for this story. A cop, a witness, and eccentric locals make up the characters in this book. It's another great read from the Divorced and Desperate series, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
14 reviews
June 26, 2015
Great little novella

I love Christie Craig's books. As in all the previous books, there's a little mystery or danger and always a hot cop. My favorite plot for a good book. Now I have to go to the trouble of finding other books from this author.
Profile Image for Susan James.
Author 3 books134 followers
July 2, 2015
Cute hot and funny

I heard Christie speak on a cd of the 2014 RWA conference. I like her her so much that I wanted to try one of her books. So glad I did. I'll be reading more,of Christie.
Profile Image for Rosie.
Author 10 books56 followers
August 25, 2015
I loved the storyline between all of the key players in this book, including the owner of the diner. Some parts were so funny, I almost had my drink come out my nose! And now that I know it is part of a five book series.... well, CC, you've got me hooked on another set of books! Great job!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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