A Brandy Alexander Mystery Series by Shelly Fredman, Louis Castelli

Meet Brandy Alexander, a young woman from South Philadelphia, with a big mouth, an even bigger heart and a little problem with impulse control. It?s not her fault trouble seems to follow her around. Okay, it is her fault, but why quibble over details? When Brandy (a puff piece reporter for a local Los Angeles TV news station) returns to her hometown, after a four year absence, she is thrilled to be reunited with friends and family... moreMeet Brandy Alexander, a young woman from South Philadelphia, with a big mouth, an even bigger heart and a little problem with impulse control. It?s not her fault trouble seems to follow her around. Okay, it is her fault, but why quibble over details? When Brandy (a puff piece reporter for a local Los Angeles TV news station) returns to her hometown, after a four year absence, she is thrilled to be reunited with friends and family. But her joy is short-lived when her best friend, John, becomes the victim of a tragic accident. Brandy is alone in thinking that the death is no ?accident,? and as she sets out to prove her theory, she stumbles upon a political scandal of major proportions. Things begin to heat up when it appears that her former boyfriend, police detective Robert Anthony DiCarlo, is involved in sabotaging the investigation. The one thing Brandy knows for sure is that people keep turning up dead, and if she doesn?t get some answers, fast, she could end up on the short list. As Brandy searches out the truth, she gains some unexpected allies, including sexy, dangerous, street-savvy Nicholas Santiago, and the now-married Bobby, who still holds a torch for his former girlfriend. With humor, guts and determination Brandy tackles each challenge, be it dodging a bullet or resisting that box of Tastykakes in the cupboard. Murder, mayhem and romance abound in Shelly Fredman?s novel, proving there really is No Such Thing as a Secret. less

Brandy and her friends are back in the second book in the Brandy Alexander Mystery Series No Such Thing As A Good Blind Date When childhood friend and recent parolee Toodie Ventura suggests he exchange his plumbing services for the spare room in twenty-eight year old Brandy Alexander's house, the out-of-work new homeowner thinks it's a pretty good idea. That is, until she discovers a dismembered body in the freezer and the suspect topping the list is the now missing Toodie... moreBrandy and her friends are back in the second book in the Brandy Alexander Mystery Series No Such Thing As A Good Blind Date When childhood friend and recent parolee Toodie Ventura suggests he exchange his plumbing services for the spare room in twenty-eight year old Brandy Alexander's house, the out-of-work new homeowner thinks it's a pretty good idea. That is, until she discovers a dismembered body in the freezer and the suspect topping the list is the now missing Toodie. Brandy refuses to accept her old friend is a cold-blooded killer and, with the help of her ex-boyfriend, (police detective Bobby DiCarlo) and sexy mystery man Nicholas Santiago she sets out to prove Toodie's innocence. Soon, Brandy finds herself up to her neck in stalkers and deranged killers, all the while juggling some of the worst blind dates ever! What The Critics Are Saying About No Such Thing As A Secret Brandy is a fun, feisty narrator with a big heart.and the plot is brisk and lively. -ChickLitBooks.Com Fredman is a hilarious writer! She has such a warm style of writing that the reader can't help but be pulled in.Brandy Alexander takes the reader on a ride not soon to be forgotten.No Such Thing as a Secret is a titillating mystery full of fun and mayhem. There is a rich under-texture that separates the story from other authors and thus makes it a standout. -Midwest Book Review Brandy is a likeable protagonist with a fine supporting cast of eccentric, sometimes scruffy, friends and neighbors. The book is an entertaining read which won't leave you afraid to turn out the light. -New Mystery Reader www.nosuchthingas.com less

It's the New Year and puff piece reporter Brandy Alexander has the best of intentions to keep her life safe, sane and simple - but she is having one tough week! It seems that everyone at her new job at TV station WINN hates her. Everyone - except for co-worker, Tamra Rhineholt, that is. But when their budding friendship is cut short by Tamra's apparent suicide, Brandy suspects foul play and (against the protests of her friends and family) sets out to prove it... moreIt's the New Year and puff piece reporter Brandy Alexander has the best of intentions to keep her life safe, sane and simple - but she is having one tough week! It seems that everyone at her new job at TV station WINN hates her. Everyone - except for co-worker, Tamra Rhineholt, that is. But when their budding friendship is cut short by Tamra's apparent suicide, Brandy suspects foul play and (against the protests of her friends and family) sets out to prove it. Soon Brandy is up to her neck in kidnappers, convicts and conspiracies--all the while battling her growing feelings for sexy mystery man, Nicholas Santiago. Of course the amorous advances of her hunky ex-boyfriend, Detective Robert DiCarlo, complicate matters even more. Toss in a visit from her well-meaning but overbearing parents, her total denial of her own emotional exhaustion and the free lunches she'd been promised - but never quite materialized, and you have the recipe for the newest Brandy Alexander mystery! less

Puff piece reporter, Brandy Alexander is determined to win the battle of self improvement. She is eating better (or at least telling people she is) working out (if sparring with a guy who fishes doughnuts out of the gutter and eats them counts) and checking her impulsive behavior at the door. But it's hard to stay on track when her own therapist gives her up as a lost cause. What's even harder for Brandy is turning down someone in trouble... morePuff piece reporter, Brandy Alexander is determined to win the battle of self improvement. She is eating better (or at least telling people she is) working out (if sparring with a guy who fishes doughnuts out of the gutter and eats them counts) and checking her impulsive behavior at the door. But it's hard to stay on track when her own therapist gives her up as a lost cause. What's even harder for Brandy is turning down someone in trouble. Enter Crystal, a young teenage runaway whose friend, Star, has gone missing. Star was last seen getting into a mysterious stranger’s car. In her efforts to reunite Crystal with Star, Brandy quickly becomes immersed in the dangerous subculture of homeless youth. As Brandy gets in over her head with hostile street gangs, pimps and others who prey upon the young teens, she looks to the tough and savvy Nicholas Santiago to help her navigate the mean streets. Soon, Brandy realizes that there is more behind Star's mysterious disappearance than she thought, and enlists the aid of ex -boyfriend Detective Bobby DiCarlo to help her solve an ever-growing tale of intrigue. Add to an already full plate planning her best friend’s baby shower and nursing a broken heart, courtesy of Nick, and you’ve got the makings for the latest BRANDY ALEXANDER MYSTERY. less

When rookie cop, Dave Wolinski is shot during a routine traffic stop, Brandy (who's along for the ride) finds herself face to face with the shooter; drug-crazed, pit bull fighting, gang member, Mario Lewis. Brandy shoots Lewis in self defense and becomes the target of gang retaliation. Things heat up when Lewis, who appeared to be recovering from the wound inflicted by Brandy, suddenly, and mysteriously dies... moreWhen rookie cop, Dave Wolinski is shot during a routine traffic stop, Brandy (who's along for the ride) finds herself face to face with the shooter; drug-crazed, pit bull fighting, gang member, Mario Lewis. Brandy shoots Lewis in self defense and becomes the target of gang retaliation. Things heat up when Lewis, who appeared to be recovering from the wound inflicted by Brandy, suddenly, and mysteriously dies. Brandy has no sympathy for the dog abuser, but figures if she can clear her name, maybe the gang will back off. Soon, Brandy is thrust into a world of dog fighting, gang atrocities and a particularly sadistic gentleman named "Torch" whose favorite pastime is setting people on fire. Brandy has the love and support of her newly acquired boyfriend, sexy, mystery man, Nicholas Santiago to help her survive her investigation. Unfortunately, the road to true love has hit a few speed bumps, and their future together is anything but certain. Meanwhile, Brandy's ex-boyfriend Bobby DiCarlo doesn't have the same romantic woes as she does and appears to be moving on with his love life. Thankfully, Brandy, as always, has friends and family who have her back as much as she has theirs, and Brandy is one tough cookie with no plans of crumbling. less

“Distraction” is the name of the game for Brandy Alexander. But, a new job assisting an activist lawyer, a new fitness routine, and a slew of new hobbies including knitting, guitar, and learning Espanol, aren’t fending off her new heartbreak, as she pines for erstwhile boyfriend, enigmatic Nick Santiago, who left town mysteriously and hasn’t been heard from since. Brandy’s not the only one with love woes... more“Distraction” is the name of the game for Brandy Alexander. But, a new job assisting an activist lawyer, a new fitness routine, and a slew of new hobbies including knitting, guitar, and learning Espanol, aren’t fending off her new heartbreak, as she pines for erstwhile boyfriend, enigmatic Nick Santiago, who left town mysteriously and hasn’t been heard from since. Brandy’s not the only one with love woes. Ex-boyfriend , Bobby DiCarlo, struggles to maintain things with his new girlfriend; brother Paul and friend Janine don’t realize they’re perfect for each other; and Brandy thinks best friend John’s boyfriend hasn’t been that nice to John lately – and being mean to Brandy’s friends is a mortal sin in her book. Brandy’s work load increases when boss Walter lands in the hospital after a snake-bite attack arranged by a vengeful ex-con from Walter’s past. As Brandy sets her sights on tracking down Walter’s attacker, she becomes the target of his vengeance. Meanwhile, Brandy is also investigating the disappearance of Jennifer, the daughter of one of Walter’s old friends. Brandy discovers that the last person to know of Jennifer’s whereabouts was Dr. Eugene Wakefield, a spiritual guru with a checkered past. Wakefield insists that Jennifer has been sent on a “mission,” but Wakefield’s story isn’t holding holy water. When Jennifer’s body turns up, Brandy’s suspicions are confirmed. Brandy infiltrates the cult as a would-be “lost soul” to find some hard evidence on the slippery faux-pastor and his devoted following of women who would do anything to protect him. Brandy has a lot on her plate when Nick reenters the picture. It’s rough going for the two, but at least they’ve got each other’s backs, locating Brandy’s attacker before he hunts her down, and working to expose the sinister Wakefield in No Such Thing as a Lost Soul: A Brandy Alexander Mystery. less

It’s Christmas Eve, and native Philadelphian, world-class friend, and champion of the underdog Brandy Alexander has just been asked by her boyfriend, sexy and street-wise Nick Santiago, to add “wife” to her impressive list of descriptors. But, from the outset, it’s not exactly smooth sailing for the pair. Brandy loves Nick and wants to build a life with him... moreIt’s Christmas Eve, and native Philadelphian, world-class friend, and champion of the underdog Brandy Alexander has just been asked by her boyfriend, sexy and street-wise Nick Santiago, to add “wife” to her impressive list of descriptors. But, from the outset, it’s not exactly smooth sailing for the pair. Brandy loves Nick and wants to build a life with him. However, her issues with change, unresolved feelings for her former flame, police detective Bobby DiCarlo, and Nick’s dangerous and mysterious line of work complicate their lives together. Meanwhile, Brandy and Nick aren't the only ones in choppy waters, as everyone in Brandy’s colorful group of friends and family all seem to be in the process of breaking up, making up, or hooking up. Even with her own relationship to sort out, Brandy dives into helping her friends with their romantic woes, including making sure her uncle Frankie and his fiancé Carla find Carla’s missing cousin “Benny the Gun Runner,” since their nuptials won’t go forward until Benny is home safe and sound. Friendship, love, change, and a little bit of mystery are the driving forces in this funny, sentimental farewell novella which bids ahoy to Brandy and her friends. less