A FIRST DATE WITH DEATH is Book one in the Love or Money series by Diana Orgain. I love this book! Having the female protagonist on a reality show to find love or money is fun and adds some lighter moments to balance out the murder and mayhem. Georgia Thornton is a likeable and sympathetic main character. I also like the fact that Georgia is an ex-cop. Having a background in law enforcement makes her getting involved in a murder investigation more believable.

I love how the bachelors on the show are potential suspects and victims as well as potential love interests for Georgia. Diana Orgain really captures a feeling of paranoia -- as if nobody is safe and everybody might be in danger. This leads to some fabulous tension -- both romantic as well as the kind that breeds fear. I like the way Georgia is a little conflicted at the reappearance of an ex-boyfriend. That personal element to the story peels back the layers of Georgia's personality and makes me like her more. The murders that keep happening at different stages of the game show and the malleability of some characters throw Georgia off center. I think, given the circumstances, Georgia reacts like anybody else would - even with her law enforcement background. She is a character who is very easy to relate to.

The fun and lush locales coupled with the sexy, yet possibly dangerous, bachelor contestants give A FIRST DATE WITH DEATH a little bit of romance amid the dead bodies. The romance adds more interest to the story without taking anything away from the mystery. I was guessing right up until the end which bachelor would be a keeper as a life partner and which would turn out to be the psycho serving a life sentence in prison. I like the dynamic of Georgia having a friend working on the show as an ally.

A FIRST DATE WITH DEATH is delightful -- a perfect blend of funny, sexy, and deadly. I love how Diana Orgain brought things to a conclusion. I'm not sure what direction this series will take, but I hope to read more stories with Georgia and her new love interest. I eagerly await the next book in this Love or Money series!