Later Gator

Southern Fried Sass #1

by Julia Mills, Love Spells

Welcome to Hairy Wart! Home of the SOUTHERN FRIED SASS DETECTIVE AGENCY and the DRAGONETTES - proof that it's not the size of the scales but the SASS in the flames that makes the Guardsma...ahem, I mean, Guardswoman. Where the Tofu is always Southern Fried and the Soul Food is vegetarian, 'cause it just wouldn't be right to eat your neighbors.

When the mood strikes and the need for change is too strong to ignore, most people move to the big city or the mountains, heck, some even head to the beach.
Not me. No way. That would be way too easy. No L.A., Aspen, or Miami for this Witch.

Hairy Wart, LA, is where I landed.

Not only is it the Southern Fried Tofu capital of the world, but this blink-and-you-miss-it ‘burg with a population of Ninety-nine-point-five, (Do not ask.) and a mayor who happens to be a seven-foot Pink Bunny when the mood strikes, just might be the home of the craftiest chicken-napping, rock-wielding crazy killer I've ever come up against.

To say I have bitten off more than I can chew is like saying the Grand Canyon is a pothole. However, I absolutely refuse to admit defeat. Especially not with Sherriff Sexy Pants dogging my every step and making me all hot and bothered. Whoever said a Gator Shifter can’t make a couple yards of denim really, really happy they became a pair of Wranglers never met Beauregard St. Croix. He takes a bite outta crime in an up close and personal kinda way that I’m liking a little more every day.

With a mighty swish of my wand and my sisters by my side, I have made it my mission to rid Hairy Wart of all things nefarious and make the streets safe for everybody – scaled, furry, feathered, or otherwise. No case too small, no lawbreaker too evil. We’re here to help!

Bubble, bubble, are you in trouble? Not to worry, we'll be there on the double. No need to fear. No need to fret. We're Southern Fried Sass, Baby. We'll save the day, and my friends, you should take that bet.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Witches, Shapeshifters, Cozy Mystery, Mystery

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2018

About the author

Mom of two rockin' girls, Reader of everything, Author of The Dragon Guards series and many more surprises to come!

I am a sarcastic,sometimes foul-mouthed, not afraid to drink a beer, always southern woman with 2 of the most amazing teenage daughters,
a menagerie of animals and a voracious appetite for reading who recently decided to write the storied running through her brain. I read my first book, Dr Suess' Cat in The Hat by myself at 4 and was hooked.
I believe a good book along with shoes, makeup and purses will never let a girl down and that all heroes of all the books
I have ever read or will ever write pale in comparison to my daddy! I am a sucker for a happy ending and love some hot sweaty sex with a healthy dose of romance.
I am still working on my story but believe it will contain all of the above with as much SPICE as I can work into it. CHEERS!

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read to indulge in while on vacation or a day off. Plenty of sass and humor to appeal to anyone. Highly recommend!

My Rating: 5 stars

[Rhonda Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Introduction to What Looks to be a Great Series

As is the case with many first books, there was a lot of internal dialogue giving background and a set up for the new series. There was not much to solving the mystery, it was more a sideline around the real action. The heroine's sisters were fun and the familiars were the best part of the book. I will definitely read the next in series.

[Roxie's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wow what a Funny and Quirky Paranormal Romance series"
This story cracked me up all through the book! The story is extra funny, quirky , and exciting. The characters are awesome and unique!
Faith is a sassy and spunky young witch. Her and her sister's Rose, and Daisy moved to Hairy Wort Louisiana. There they opened up the Southern Fried Sass private investigation agency. Faith also miss the sexy and arrogant sheriff Beauregard St. Croix. Who fate has chosen for her mate. He is also a strong Gator shifter. The two get on each other's nerves every time they meet! While out investigating a case of some missing chickens. Faith and her sisters run across three dragonett's. The little dragons inform the girls , that they are their familar's! The little dragons are Dru, Taffy, and Fflur. They all run across a dead body to! Then an evil witch from Faiths mother's past causes them lots of trouble! Can Faith and Beau work together to stop her evil?
You will so love this super funny, thrilling, exciting, Sweet , quirky, and steamy hot paranormal Romance! It is a five star plus series. You will not want to miss!

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a little town of Hairy Wort, Louisiana, live three half-sister witches. Faith (the most powerful one), Rosie & Daisy, who own The Southern Fried Sass Agency (Paranormal Private Detective Agency) and are hired to find some prized chickens that were stolen. They do find the chickens but also find a body and now it's a murder case. There's a lot more going on than just a theft since there is also black magic involved. The girls are taken off the case because now it's a murder case. It's now belongs to Sheriff Beauregard St. Croix, who happens to be a handsome Gator Shifter and is also Faith's mate. Unfortunately for him, he rubs Faith the wrong way so he has his work cut out for him (even though she is attraced to him). Who will solve the murder and the find out who the murderer is?

I loved this fast paced, fantastically funny, magical and romantic story with an array of different supernatural shifters. I especially loved the itty bitty Dragons-they were a hoot!! I highly recommend fantastic story!!

[T.M. Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Reviewed: Later Gator (Southern Fried Sass Book 1)
My Rating: 5 Stars
Author: Julia Mills
Publication Date: 7/26/2018
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts

REVIEW
Oh my goodness, hang on to your depends while reading this first book in a new series by this author. We are in Hairy Wort, LA. We get three sisters well they are half sisters and likely have many more thanks to a defunct father. They own a Paranormal Detective Agency which ruffles the sheriff's scales. Chickens go missing, someone's head is busted in, the Gators are literally coming out of the swamp and we get little creatures for familiars...
Grab your copy and find out what it is all about...
Fantastic story I giggled quite a bit.

Julia Mills

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be giving this author this low of a rating on one of her books really kills me. However, I this book just wasn't for me.

For me there was hardly any build up to any relationship between the characters (besides the one flashback to when the sister witches first moved to town). There's really no fleshed out details on the mystery and how the "evil" witch got Faith, nor was there any mention on how the evil witch was able to kill a shifter while she was suppose to be in Purgatory.
One thing that really aggravated me while reading this book was the constant straying from one thought. It seemed that the author was trying to interject all these funny side notes to the characters inner thoughts but they were really just annoying and unnecessary.
Sadly, I don't see myself reading the next book in this series. And I'm not even saddened by this thought...

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

These witches are half sisters and they sure can get into trouble, but not is it funny. Sheriff Beau, the gator shifter, knows that Faith is his mate, but he turns into an add every time he's around her and died nothing but make her steaming mad. Faith knows that arrogant gator is her mate, but it must be gates idea of a joke because he is such a jerk! Faith and her sisters are going to continue her Paranormal Detective Agency regardless of what that overbearing, gator shiftering, jerk of a sheriff says.
This has a mystery in it, Who killed Cletus the chicken hawk? If has witches who get in laugh out loud situations. It has shifters and magic. This just a fun book with a great story.
It has some sexual content towards to end.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun and entertaining story that I couldn’t put down. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and their familiars. This is a great start to a new series, I’m looking forward to reading what happens next.

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Bubble, bubble, are you in trouble? Not to worry, we’ll be there on the double. No need to fear. No need to fret. We’re Southern Fried Sass. We’ll eliminate the threat. How may I help you today?” Portia

What a fan-flippin-tastic read this story was!!

The characters were hilarious!! I loved reading about Boau and Faith’s story. Boau is a sexy gator sheriff while Faith is a sassy and sexy Paranormal Investigator, and both are bull headed, stubborn and just the perfect match.

The story-line was da bomb!! Such an awesome mystery story with some sass and humor thrown in. I found myself laughing out loud a lot in this book. This story screams Mills’ style of writing and personality which makes it so much fun to read and all in one sitting. I stayed up all night reading this story because I just couldn’t put it down. It’s a very fast paced read and you will not regret reading this story either. I highly recommend this read!

[Eva Millien · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Later Gator” is a sassy, spirited read with funtabulous characters that has readers chuckling as they get to know them.

The romance in the story sizzles with lots of chemistry as the couple fight their attraction with lots of snarky comments but the relationship can’t be denied when it is this full of heated passion and sass. The fast paced plot keeps readers on their toes even while it keeps them in stitches as three witch sisters, dragonettes, and gator shifters take on a banished witch and try to save the day.

I have to say that I quite enjoyed my visit to Hairy Wart, LA with its fascinating characters, the quirky town, unusual types of shifters and the “Southern Fried Sass” that went along with it so I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sure do like this addiction I have to reading especially now as I am stuck in the hospital. I have been following Ms Julia Mills since that debut dragon story and have been in love with her since. In this one she even has me loving a gator!! Then of course there are those tiny little dragons which have been dubbed "dragonettes" much to Dru's dislike. Mix in witches who share the same sperm donor with other mothers with Faith often speaking before she thinks it through. Add in humor with sparks of love and you'll be laughing out loud throughout this fine story.

I voluntarily read an advance copy and have not been compensated in any way for this opinion.

[Hsu Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest
The characters + storytelling were very captivating
Faith and her sisters own a paranormal private detective agency.
On the case of the missing chicken, they discover a body.
Now it became a murder mystery.
Enter Gator Shifter Beauregard St Croix to the scene.
He is the sheriff, and Faith's mate.
You will have to read the book to find out what kind of mayhem is happening in Hairy Wort, LA
I loved the storytelling + the characters
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book

[Carole Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute as a button but with lots of bite

Witches, familars and shifters finding trouble in a swamp might seem convoluted, but with these characters just get ready to laugh.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun little story. The characters were fun and snarky. I absolutely loved the dragonettes. I think this series has great potential. I will be reading more.

[Tabitha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda started reading this book by accident even though the title is off-putting and decided to just finish it real quick. Got it free along with a bunch of others on a stuff your kindle day. Basically I dislike everything to do with the hokey southern deep-fried swamp people stereotype because my mom and grandma are Louisiana born and bred. To me, the accents aren’t cutesy or amusing, they’re just how we talk, I used to get bullied for being “white trash” or “trailer trash,” and it’s just weird to see that heritage as the humorous main shtick of a novel.

Most of the other jokes don’t really land well with me either; the author tends toward absurdist humor and fourth-wall-tapping asides that kinda just made me shrug. Not mad, just not laughing.

I don’t understand why the author capitalized certain words like “y’all” and “law” and “gator” and “mate”. Is it a proofreading problem? 🤷🏻‍♀️ certainly she spelled “sheriff” wrong every time she used it, so that’s not great.

The plot itself is half-baked. FMC is a private detective in a town that absolutely does not need a private detective. She gets a case of some missing chickens, but when she gets home her sister has already solved it, and then the chickens somehow lead them to a dead body. The sheriff MMC, who apparently follows the FMC around like an even more shameless Edward Cullen, pops out of the literal bushes and goes to work investigating the crime. This investigation goes nowhere, and they both get kidnapped by the villain into a hell-dimension called “the CopacaNetherworld” (like I said, the jokes in this book are just… ugh) and then FMC’s sisters magic them out, but the villain hitches a ride out of hell and they have to go confront her at the conveniently abandoned mansion just outside of town, oh and also MMC kisses her and says I love you or whatever but the book hardly makes it anything special, then they go by and confront the witch again and team up with everybody in town to take her down. The murder’s solved in a literal parenthetical note, and then we’re off to the epilogue and they’re getting married now I guess. That’s really it, there’s no like… actual mystery solving… or actual romance… just… why was this book written? It serves no purpose.

[Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first part of the "Southern Fried Sass" series. Story was told in first person pov. It began in the pov of Faith Fairyflower, witch, switched to Beauregard St Croix, alligator shifter, and ended in Faith's pov again. Frankly, I believe if you're going to write in first person pov, you need to commit to one character.

When Faith needs a change in her life, she and her sisters, Daisy and Rosie, move to Hairy Wart, Louisiana to open their own detective agency, Southern Fried Sass. Business is slow, so when they get a call to investigate missing chickens, Faith jumps at the chance to sink her teeth into a real case. In the course of their investigation, they stumble across a dead body. Finally, a real case to investigate! Unfortunately, Sheriff St Croix shows up to take over. Faith and Beau are attracted to one another, but neither will admit to it; instead, they argue and bicker while everyone else around them wishes they'd just hop into bed and get on with it.

When Beau goes to visit his family in the swamp, he's sucked into a vortex and deposited in the witchy version of Purgatory. There, he discovers Faith being held prisoner and meets up with one of her family's worst enemies, Wanda Wiggley. Beau and Faith will need to cooperate and work together if they are to get out of this predicament alive.

The story was hilarious and I enjoyed it, but I felt like I was missing out on quite a bit. This is billed as the first in a series, but there was a lot of backstory that was referred to, including another sister of Faith's (named Harmony) and their vile father. There were editing errors a'plenty, as well. Plot did not flow smoothly. Since we switched to Beau's pov, we have no idea how Faith ended up in Wanda's hands, and then the two of them went from dancing around their attraction to one another to declaring their undying love.

This earns an average score. It probably deserved a two for lack of cohesion, but the humor bumps it up to a three.

[Michele Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud read! Sassy and totally a winner in the paranormal romance genre.

Faith Fairyflower and her half sisters Rosie and Daisy just opened Southern Fried Sass Detective Agency in Hairy Wart LA, yep Hairy Wart (LOL) LA the three sisters are earth witches of different talents and their sperm donor or father as they use the term lightly as he’s a demon is out to populate the world with this hell spawn but thankfully Faith and her sister’s mothers are good witches not dark so they are pure of heart and full of sass!

Upon coming into town, the sisters meet the Sheriff Beau St Croix, a gator shifter and destined mate of Faith they feel the mate pull upon meeting each other and they are trying to fight it the best they can.

There has been a chicken napping, Ms. Henrietta’s babies have been taken and she call’s upon Faith and the ladies of Southern Fried Sass to find them. Henrietta’s partner is Ms. Bunny the 7-foot-tall pink bunny shifter, mayor of Hairy Wart and owner of the only vegan soul food café in Hairy Wart.

This story had me laughing out loud through the entire book, great characters, loved the crazy twists and turns it took me on and the story is priceless.

All Stars and nothing I could say bad about Later Gator: Southern Fried Sass Book #1

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having lived in the south for over twenty-five years, the personalities in this book along with the local lingo, hit close to home for me bringing a sense of warm nostalgia. Julia Mills gives us a paranormal shifter book like you've never read before! It has heart, humor, mystery, of course there's a fated mate in there and miniature dragons. When three half-sisters decide to move to Hairy Wort, Louisiana they start up they're own detective agency called Southern Fried Sass. Sounds good, right? Ok, if you didn't catch on by the name of the town, it's small. We're talking Louisiana small. Can you picture it now? So it's not surprising when Henrietta, a chicken shifter - yes, you read that right - calls informing them she's lost their chickens and needs their services. The girls jump right on that and find a dead body. Now we have lost chickens AND a mystery. And wait til you read where Faith, one of the sisters, and the Sheriff, an alligator shifter - it's the south, remember? - well, you know Fate and Destiny step in. It's a Julia Mills books, remember? This is just a fun, easy read that will give you a few hours of enjoyment and leaving you with a smile.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith and her siblings are fab! They may be only half sisters but they are united in their hatred of their biological donor, aka Dad! They are determined to make their private investigations business a success. If only Faith could get her body to stop responding to the damn sexy, but very infuriating, Sheriff!!

Beauregard St. Croix is one hot and hunky alpha male. Add in that he shifts into one of the strongest Gator shifters around and he wants to claim his mate, but Faith drives him to distraction and he tries to put off the inevitable!

The familiars that the sisters gain, Dru, Taffy, and Fflur, collectively the Dragonettes. They do kind of feel like a girl group from the 60's. But with enough cross references to the Dragon Guard series that it feels like a connected world but still unique in its own quirkiness. I loved meeting the bunny and chicken shifters - they were an absolue hoot! Looking forward to more in this world!

[Betty Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate the Bastard’s, the sperm donor to the three half-sisters, owners of the Southern Fried Sass Agency, a Paranormal Private Detective Agency. Having made a deal with the devil himself, he was trying to impregnate as many witches as he could before he was banished to CopacaNetherworld.
Faith, Rosie and Daisy are half sisters and have moved to Hairy Wort, Louisiana where all manner of paranormal beings co-exist. Especially hunky Gator sheriff's named Beauregard St. Croix, who is Faith's fated mate.
Together they all have to work together to solve who killed the town's Chicken Hawk. Ms. Mills will have you laughing with the antics of the sister's, their familiars, and the whole gator congregation.
Ms. Mills is one of the best PNR writers I have had the privilege to read. I can't wait for Rosie's story to unfold and recommend this and all Ms. Mils books to one and all.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

Haven’t read anything like this from this author but then I haven’t read all of this authors books so...really loved the ‘dragonettes’ with their sass...did kinda feel like the story was not completed since there was no other mention of Beau becoming the greatest Alpha bull the world have ever seen (reason for 4 instead of 5 stars)...love the southern sass this book has...Faith always seems to stick her foot in her mouth when she speaks and Beau is always saying something to tick her off...the first case for the agency is to find missing chickens and Daisy has a hilarious idea to find them...while they find the chickens they also find a dead body though you have a clue who the culprit is you won’t find out till the end of the story, never find out about the mysterious hole either unless I overlooked that part...can’t wait to read the next story to this series.

[Paranormal Tendencies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith Fairyflower is the character with the most feminine name I have ever read. She and her half sisters have moved to a town with the most unfortunate name- hairy wart- and started an investigation business called Southern Fried Sass. And right after they do a dead body falls into their lap. Well into their yard…. Now they are tasked with finding out who murdered the town's chicken shifter. But their first case may be their last when someone from the past shows up to take their revenge.
This was a fun story to read. Yes I read their voices with a southern accent. It’s fun, try it! The characters in this book are cute and the dragonettes are funny! The sisters all had unique personalities and I look forward to reading about them all! The story had some romance and just a little steam. 4 stars for Later Gator!

[Anna Salamatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, quirky laugh out loud story about three witch sisters, Rose, Faith and Daisy who move to Hairy Wort Louisiana and open the Southern Fries Sass Private Investigating Agency. The fun never stops as the girls meet three little dragonets named Dru, Taffy, and Fflur who turn out to be their familiar’s.
And if that’s not enough, the Sheriff is a sexy but arrogant Gator shifter by the name of Beauregard St.Croix who is also Faith’s mate! Unfortunately they Do Not Get Along...
When an evil witch from Faith’s mothers past makes an appearance and causes all kinds of trouble, Faith and Beau must work together to rid them of her diabolical evil.
Things heat up between them and I mean hot, hot, hotness!
Definitely worth a read....

[Dallass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has potential

Okey-dokey... this was different. The characters of Faith, and her sisters, as well as Beau and his family, had potential. The story wasn’t long enough to really flesh their personalities out, but rather highlighted all the drama. The way the story flips between Faith and Beau’s POV was choppy, and when the first change occurred I had to go back and see what happened because the two voices are extremely similar.

The plot had potential, but once again, the short length of the story meant that plot points were not explored and it showed. But for all of that, it is a fun, fast paced story that hits the spot when you just want something undemanding and entertaining.

3 stars 🌟

[Cathy P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith and Beau

Super funny, super sarcastic and really entertaining. This book had the feel of Robyn Peterman with less cursing. There was plenty of language and often creative language, but not over the top.
Faith and her three witchy sisters opened a detective agency in a small bayou town of paranormals. Beau is the sheriff, and a gator shifter, of that town and doesn't want them interfering with his investigations. He also happens to be Faiths mate. They quibble constantly and it's hilarious. I love the sisters familiars, the little, but powerful dragons with attitude. This is a quick entertaining read. Looking forward to more laughs.
This is a standalone and told from both leads POV . NO cliffhanger.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Later Gator

Beauregard was a gator shifter and sheriff of Hairy Wart and Swamp Water Parrish. Faith and her 2 half sisters moved there and opened a private detective agency, their father had many children by different witches so he could kill them and give their souls to the devil to save his. But their mothers cut off his head and whammied him the witchy purgatory and another witch also. Wanda killed Clestus then pulled Faith, her dragon familial, and Beau to purgatory to kill Faith and to get released from there. But he sisters and the gator family got them out and Wanda came with they captured her again and ended her. Beau and Faith finally got together she admitted that they were mates and things worked out for them!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when 3 sisters decide to move to Hairy Wart, Louisana and open a paranormal detection agency? Laughs, giggles, magic and a little crazyness is the normal there. Missing chickens are not the best first case but hey you gotta take what you can get, and surprise they find a dead body. Faith and Beauregard fight each other , (who else fights with their true mates) I love how Julia Mills throws in characters from her other books so you never know who might pop up in the story. This is a great start for this series of books and know I'll enjoy reading the rest of them. This is a quick read (at least it was for me) so reading the series should go fast.

[Vickie Chaisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Later Gator is so full witches, shifters, mini dragons and a pink bunny who is the mayor. You will laugh out loud with this book. The Southern Fried Sass Detective agency works on supernatural cases and is run by 3 witch sisters. Their personalities are so diverse that you never know what will happen next. The characters in this book are unique and will keep you laughing to the very end. As Faith and her mate Beau the sheriff (who is an alligator shifter) work hard to solve a murder in their town their relationshion grows. Julia Mills has a knack for writing a great story full of humor and love. Yes there are editing errors that may drive you nuts but the story is worth it so give it a try.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun reading

Faith and her two sisters have a murder to solve and she has a mate to avoid. Said mate Beau is the town sheriff and has made it clear the ladies are to stay clear of his investigation. He's biding his time on catching Faith. Stubborn as only Southern ladies can be, the sisters go their own way and battle a creature from Hell. Dragonettes (don't call them that to their faces, also don't call them cute), Warrior Bull gators and chicken shifters are just some of the Hairy Wart (what a name), LA denizens we meet in this first Southern Fried Sass novella. A really fun read but the editing could have been much better.

[niki_reads_romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining story, though a bit hard to follow

Julia Mills stories are filled with action, sass, and humor, and I generally completely love them. That being said, I had a difficult time reading this story, due to hard to follow sentences. I got lost multiple times and had to reread entire pages to try and figure out what actually happened. On the plus side, the story itself was great, after cutting through the clutter, and the characters were hilarious. Definitely looking forward to Rosie’s story!