Dying for a Date [Paperback]

Cindy Sample (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2010

When her dating service turns deadly, Laurel must race to find the killer before she becomes the next victim... Not sure if she is looking for Mr. Right, or Mr. Every Other Saturday Night, recently divorced Laurel McKay reluctantly joins THE LOVE CLUB, a matchmaking agency advertised as the safe alternative to on-line dating. After Bachelor one decides he wants her for dessert, Laurel dispatches him with her cell phone. The next day she discovers her drop dead gorgeous date has literally dropped dead. When Bachelor two disappears during dinner, Laurel's only alibi is a friendly bottle of Dom Perignon. The investigating detective has to decide if the sassy soccer mom is a killer, or the next target. Her boss at Hangtown Bank threatens to fire her when he learns the latest victim was an important client. Fortunately he needs her expertise to investigate some questionable loans. Laurel and her mother, who insists her daughter is innocent because she is too disorganized to plan a murder, set out to save her reputation, her job, and her life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Packed with zany characters, humorous situations, and laughout-loud narrative. Once you start, you will be reluctant to put it aside."--Midwest Book Review

"Funny dialogue, relatable heroine, fast-paced plot. If real dating were this entertaining, we’d all be doing more of it. Dying for a Date will keep you glued to the pages and laughing out loud."
—Liz Jasper, Eppie award-winning author of Underdead and Underdead in denial

"With tongue-in-cheek and a tush in tight skirts, Laurel McKay traverses the demands of motherhood and the perils of on-line dating in Cindy Sample's chic mystery, Dying for a Date. Re-entering the singles scene after divorce isn’t easy as Laurel discovers when her "blind date" tried to practice Braille on her body. Her first bad date becomes his last when he's found dead the next day. Curl up with a pint of ice cream, fluffy slippers and a book that will make you glad you're having a night in."
—Sunny Frazier, author of the Christy Bristol Astrology Mysteries

"The title says it all. Dying for a Date by Cindy Sample is a humorous amateur sleuth whodunit set in historic Placerville, California with plenty of historical facts to keep locals happy and just as many red herrings. Laurel's first dates keep dying and she, an innocent mother of two, is the prime suspect. The local hunk detective investigating her motives isn't sure whether to arrest her or kiss her which makes for some fun interplay between them. Laurel's mother and friends add to the interesting mix of high jinks…Have fun with this read!"
—L. E. Crawford, Eppie Award Winning Author of the Murry/Kidman suspense series

"Dying for a Dateis such a wonderful fun read I couldn’t put it down. Cindy Sample has created a cast of unforgettable and entertaining characters. Great humor, sexual tension, and an intriguing plot, all the components for a delightful romantic mystery."
—Penny Warner, award-winning author of the Nancy Drew Handbook, Presley Parker party planning services and the Connor Westphal mysteries

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: L & L Dreamspell (June 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603182489
• ISBN-13: 978-1603182485
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,000,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cindy Sample is a former mortgage banking CEO of a nationwide company who decided plotting murder was more entertaining that plodding through paperwork. SHe retired to follow her lifelong dream of being a mystery author. Her experiences with on-line dating sites fueled the concept for DYING FOR A DATE, a romantic mystery set in the California gold country. DYING FOR A DANCE, a 2012 LEFTY AWARD finalist for best humorous mystery and winner of the 2012 Northern California Publishers & Authors award for fiction, is based on her experiences in the glamorous world of competitive ballroom dancing. Who knew dancing could be so deadly?

Cindy is a former columnist for the Gold River Community Newspaper. She is a past president of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime and has served on the boards of the Sacramento Opera, and the YWCA. She has two wonderful adult children who live too far away. Cindy is currently working on DYING FOR A DAIQUIRI. Research has never been so much fun!

Visit Cindy on her website at www.cindysamplebooks.com
www.facebook.com/cindysampleauthor

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reviewed for Midwest Book Review September 1, 2010

By Christy Tillery French VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Laurel McKay, a recently divorced soccer mom who works as a mortgage loan underwriter, signs up for a six-month membership with a dating service called The Love Club. Her first date ends abruptly after she breaks her date's nose when he gets too frisky. Laurel's ready to give it up but can't justify losing her money, so decides to try once more. But before that occurs, she finds herself the number one suspect when her first date's body is found in his car with his head bashed in. If that isn't bad enough, Laurel's definitely feeling something for the hot detective investigating the case but can't tell if the heated looks he's sending her are reciprocal or skeptical. When her second date dies during their dinner together, the police have a large target painted on Laurel's back, which sends her into panic mode. Before they come for her with handcuffs, Laurel, along with her mother and a couple of friends, decide to do some amateur sleuthing, leading them down a hazardous road filled with danger.

Dying for a Date is packed with zany characters, humorous situations, and laugh-out-loud narrative. Laurel McKay is amusing, her antics entertaining, and her interactions with her family and friends bring smiles as well as nods of recognition. There are several standout characters but this reviewer's favorite is Laurel's mother. The relationship Laurel has with her mom, who is a bit jaded and critical, is not only realistic but hilarious. The sizzling chemistry between Laurel and Detective Hunter adds a nice touch to this comedic mystery. Consider reading this book in one setting, because once you start, you will be reluctant to put it aside.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun time, believable characters, great read with laughs July 15, 2010

By Brenda Giguere

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's so great to find a fun book like this. Maybe it's because I'm a Woman of a Certain Age. Or maybe it's because I grew up in Northern California and the book's locations were familiar. Or maybe it's because I'm always looking for a certain kind of lively first-person suspense-and-smiles read a'la Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich. Or maybe it's because Cindy Sample is a gifted writer with a promising series ahead of her... For all of these reasons-- and more-- I had a great time reading "Dying for a Date", the breezy, entertaining story of a witty and convincing divorced soccer mom, Laurel McKay, trying her hand at dating via the Love Club dating service... and winding up as a murder suspect.

In lesser hands, stories like this can sometimes be a little thin where the plot itself is concerned, but Cindy Sample really knows her stuff, adroitly constructing a clever storyline involving financing and real estate, and always keeping things moving. No character is wasted, either-- from Lauren's no-nonsense realtor mother; to her various helpful friends and co-workers; to the rugged police detective who keeps popping up, motives unclear.

The story starts out quite good, and gets better and better; I could see Sample find her voice and humor with each turn of the page. She never let me down.

To anyone who enjoys a suspenseful, humorous, romantic mystery: Ignore that load of laundry (it's not going anywhere), grab Dying for a Date, and head for your nearest comfy chair.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a hoot! July 1, 2010

By persnickity reader

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Had a friend recommend this as a fun read and she was spot on! Got it, plunked down in my lawn chair and turned pages and giggled for the next few hours. Exactly what I needed. I'm recommending it to everyone I know. Can't wait for her next one. She's going on my top authors to watch list.