Double Trouble

Double Trouble by Susan May Warren is the second title in the PJ Sugar series. PJ has embraced her new role as private detective, even if her boss Jeremy isn't trusting her the way she'd like and her ex-boyfriend and police officer Boone doesn't think she's up to the challenge. They both have to change their tune when PJ undertakes a case that forces her to impersonate a woman in the Witness Protection Program and is sure that her life in is danger. PJ embraces the challenge, despite the threat of exposure. Warren has created a humorous and smart heroine in PJ who constantly seems to be tripping over her own feet and making promises that she can't keep. The sparks between PJ and Jeremy fly right off the page and will have readers just as torn between Boone and Jeremy as PJ is. Warren's writing is never cliched and she delights in upending readers' expectations. This is one series that I hope lasts for twenty or more books!

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to Susan May Warren and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Double Trouble" to review for them. I have always been grateful for this generosity, and I am trying to improve at being consistent in taking the time to thank these wonderfully giving individuals in a public forum. I really appreciate your time, effort and expense in making a reviewer copy available to me. PJ Sugar, the fledgling Private Investigator and deadly doughnut catapulter, is in a pickle...AGAIN. Her name starts with "P", and that rhymes with "T", and that stands for "Trouble"! Susan May Warren's latest in the PJ Sugar series is "Double Trouble", and the title is a thoroughly hysterical gross understatement. PJ is contemplating Boone's marriage proposal, while he is trying to convince her that it's too dangerous for her to become the PI that she dreams of being. Living under her newlywed sister's roof is tough, especially when she communicates better with Connie's Russian in-laws, and has bonded with her nephew, Davy, over junk food. Now PJ has a couple of assignments: buy a new car after a stakeout mishap (don't ask) and find Connie's father-in-law (Boris) a job before he tears up Connie's landscaping. And her professional life is taking a turn for the better. Jeremy has entrusted PJ with an undercover assignment to house- and pet-sit for a material witness while he hides the real gal before she testifies at the trial of a former boyfriend. But in true PJ Sugar fashion, this simple task is flipped upside down when she learns that she must impersonate this tattooed, pierced, softball-playing hairdresser. Susan May Warren has truly outdone herself with this comical, meticulously plotted sequel. Her narrative creates a moving picture in the mind's eye, and is accented by witty dialogue. And speaking of accents, her phonetic Russian and Russian-accented English conversations are sheer perfection! On more than one occasion, I found myself reciting these lines and cracked myself up! Thank you, Susan, for an entertaining read and a lot of laughs with the Lord at the heart of the female lead. And thank you for my character. I absolutely adore her! God bless you.

After returning to her hometown after ten years on the run, and solving a major crime to boot, PJ Sugar is at long last ready to settle down and build a life for herself. She's working as an assistant to Jeremy Kane, private investigator. It's a dream job that feeds her soul-deep desire to make a difference in the lives of others, an opportunity to prove that she's moved beyond her past. Settling into the new job is complicated by her old sweetheart Boone, who's ready to settle down and pressing for a permanent commitment. PJ's first solo assignment is house-sitting for the key witness in a major criminal trial. What should be a quiet gig becomes complicated when it becomes clear that their witness in protective custody is being targeted - and with PJ standing in for her, suddenly her life is on the line. Throw into the mix an elderly neighbor in need of help, and PJ's nose for trouble has once again gotten her in way too deep. PJ must put her overactive imagination and all her sleuthing skills to work to uncover the bad guys - then, if she survives, she can figure out the kind of future she wants, a choice symbolized by the affections of two very different men. I'm really glad I read the first two PJ Sugar books back-to-back. PJ's story isn't limited to standalone adventures - having the momentum that comes from reading her first two adventures back-to-back, it's easy to see Warren's superb characterization. In book one, PJ had to face her fear of overcoming her past, of living out a faith that would enable her to overcome the label "nothing but trouble" that earned her such notoriety. Double Trouble takes PJ a step further, diving headfirst into her new life, battling frustration and despair when getting it right seems like an unattainable goal. The idea God can work through our imperfections - in spite of them - and that accepting grace and trusting that His providence is sufficient is powerfully portrayed. The spiritual truths resonate because Warren's characters are so wonderfully, achingly well-drawn and relatable. I also loved how Warren explores the idea of choosing between good and better throughout the book. Both of PJ's romantic choices are classic Warren heroes, each swoon-worthy in his own right. PJ's romantic dilemma is so hard because both options are genuinely good guys, but in this volume Warren starts to develop critical differences between Boone and Jeremy and the futures they represent. While Boone's affection for PJ is genuine, he represents PJ's past, and his view of her is filtered through their shared experiences. Jeremy's another story - he represents a future uninhibited by memories of PJ's past exploits. He loves her, trouble-making tendencies and all, but most importantly believes in her now and in her potential. Through PJ's character, Warren forces readers to confront the issue of trusting God - not settling for the good, but daring to dream and reach for an as-yet unknown future that He'll walk one through each s

The story is filled with all the things I loved about the first book: P.J. getting herself into dangerous situations that she thinks she can handle by herself, but never can; two guys fighting both to protect, and love her--one a former Navy SEAL, and her boss-- the other, her high school sweetheart and fellow trouble-maker turned police detective. Romance, mystery, and lots and lots of laugh-out-loud humor make this yet another of my favorite Susan May Warren books. It's a fun and entertaining read that holds your attention and leaves you wanting more.

DOUBLE TROUBLE is the second book in the PJ Sugar series. I recommend reading Nothing But Trouble before reading DOUBLE TROUBLE, so you have some clues what happened earlier in the book, but I don't think it would ruin this story any if you read DOUBLE TROUBLE first. PJ Sugar is a realistic heroine, struggling with past demons, and trying to make sense out of her life and figure out who she is. I had to admire the way PJ's mind works and her quick thinking when danger comes calling. And in spite of PJ's talent for attracting trouble, she is kind and caring and wouldn't want to hurt anyone. The book did begin a little slow, but as soon as the true story began, it picked up. Don't miss DOUBLE TROUBLE or any of Susie's books. I'm looking forward to reading Licensed for Trouble due out later this year.