Drop Dead Gorgeous

I loved last year's To Die For by Linda Howard, so I was excited to read Drop Dead Gorgeous, the sequel. Once I got it, though, I was a little reluctant to read it. Why? Because I liked To Die For so much, and I worried I wouldn't like this one. Needless to say, I got over it and read the book.

Blair Mallory has already survived one murder attempt. Now, while planning her wedding and dealing with holiday-season madness, Blair once again dodges a bullet. Or, more precisely, a Buick. And though the driver's identity remains a mystery, his or her murderous intentions are all too clear.

Or are they? After all, Blair's homicidal ex-husband and his partner-in-crime/wife are safely behind bars. And even Wyatt Bloodsworth, Blair's police detective groom-to-be, isn't inclined to believe she's being targeted again. All of which makes Blair wonder if her close call was simply a mishap. But the wondering stops when she narrowly cheats death again in another seemingly innocent accident. Two strikes is all it takes to convince Blair that she's back in someone's crosshairs. And the only thing more frightening is that Wyatt still doubts her. That means this time no one will be watching Blair's back when she sets out to get the drop on her would-be killer--before whoever it is finally drops her.

Though I was more ambivalent about Drop Dead Gorgeous, I still liked it: 4 out of 5. It was great to see the continuing adventures of Wyatt and Blair, and I loved seeing them work out an issue. They are quite different, and I thought their disagreement and reconciliation was beautifully portrayed. I liked that the sensuality level went up a notch in this book as well.

As for what I was ambivalent about . . . it's a bit tough to explain, but I'll give it a shot. In To Die For, the juggle for position between Blair and Wyatt was fresh and cute. In Drop Dead Gorgeous, the juggle continues, but at times it seemed excessive, almost mean-spirited. Some things aren't worth fighting about just to have the upper hand, you know?

Still, I enjoyed the book and would certainly read another sequel, though it might be pushing it to have someone else coming after Blair. It will be interesting to see what develops.