No Such Thing as a Free Ride

by Shelly Fredman

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0984352627
• ISBN13: 9780984352623
• Release Date: February 2010
• Publisher: Aquinas & Krone Publishing
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.0" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

#4 in series

Brandy is minding her own business when a girl stumbles and collapses against her car. She gets rushed to the hospital & late dies with no identity as a homeless teen. Brandy is heartbroken and approached by another homeless girl Crystal who's friend Star is missing. Delving into the underworld of homeless and throw away teens is a subculture Brandy knows nothing about. Alphonso and Nick step into help as Brandy is threatened by pimps and street punks. Finding more than she bargained for in her search for Star has Brandy on a deadly path that uncovers and links dead teens apparently dying of overdoses. Nothing is what is seems as she gets in deep. In between all of the investigating she needs to pull off a baby shower for Fran who is so wanting to pop her baby out, examine her relationship with Nick, & comes to terms with Bobby. All in a days work if she lives that long

Best in the series!

Shelly Fredman has done it again. This series just keeps getting better. This time, Brandy gets a bit more serious, and this storyline is a bit darker than her others. Don't get me wrong; the book is full of laugh-out-loud moments, but in 'Free Ride', homeless teens are going missing, and when Brandy befriends one of them to help find a missing girl, Fredman gives us a glimpse of life on the dark side--a view that is touching and often disturbing. With help from street-wise Nick Santiago and cynical detective Bobby DiCarlo, how can a gal lose? Brandy grows up in this book, and Shelly Fredman takes us on the Ride with her. Wonderful characters, terrific drama, lots of comedy, and you won't be disappointed in Brandy's on-going relationships with Nick and Bobby. Fans of this series will be thrilled with this latest installment.

Just keeps getting better!

It's not often that series get better as they continue but Shelly Fredman has out done herself. Brandy is back and better than ever. Her character has been so well developed as well as the others. Even though the subject matter was so serious Brandy still makes you laugh and want to be just like her! This is by far the best series out there and I would recommend it to anyone.

Shelly Fredman scores again!

I absolutely love Shelly Fredman's characters in No Such Thing as a Free Ride. Once again we are treated to well rounded characters that make us want to read more to find out what happens to them. Much of what happens to them we have at sometime had happen to us. Shelly is a master writer being able to weave mystery and comedy together without it feeling contrived. In Free Ride we follow Brandy Alexander as she grows and learns more about herself, friendship, and love. Brandy's encounter with a homeless girl brings to light the plight of many teenagers in America today. While Brandy tries to help this homeless young lady, she learns about a part of America most of us do not realize exists. For me there is nothing better than sitting down with one of Ms. Fredman's books after a hectic day. I find myself laughing out loud and feel the stress of the day leaving me. I recommend this book to everyone!

This series gets better and better!

This time last year, I was introduced to Shelly's Brandy Alexander series. It was highly recommended but I only ordered No Such Thing As A Secret incase I didn't like it. Before I finished the first chapter, I wanted to kick myself in the butt for not getting Blind Date and Free Lunch. I immediately ordered them and was sorry I had to wait. I almost attacked the mailman when they finally came because he didn't hand me my package quick enough. Then, I almost had a stroke when I learned that there was not a 4th book yet. I had to learn more so I went to Shelly's website and found out a 4th was n the works. The wait was long, but it was sooooo worth it. I'm not the best at summaries and don't like to give away the whole story in my reviews, but Shelly outdid herself with this one. Brandy finds herself in the middle of the harsh world of runaway street kids. And even with the seriousness of the topic, there are still plenty of laughs to be had. Brandy has a knack of getting herself in over her head, but don't worry. Nick and Bobby are behind her all the way. We also get to learn more about Nick's background and childhood. Franny has the baby. But most of all, Brandy learns to stand on her own two feet and go after what she wants. Just like the first 3, I could NOT put this down. Unfortunately, there aren't that many books out there anymore that I can say that about, but this book is like a drug, and you will want more. If you are looking for a great read that is fun and exciting....this is the series for you. You will NOT be disappointed.

OMG - It REALLY doesn't get any better than this!

I just had the absolute thrill of reading Shelly Fredman's fourth book in her Brandy Alexander Mystery Series, No Such Thing as a Free Ride. Fantastic! This book earned every one of the five stars I rated it. What a great storyline. Shelly's characters are so alive in this book. Having been a fan of Shelly Fredman's Brandy Alexander mystery series, getting hooked from the first book, each book has gotten better and better. Too many times a series tends to get old or filled with repeats or simply tweaked plots, this series has real growth of the characters in the series. I loved Brandy in this fourth book. Heck, I have loved her from the first book and it is such a pleasure to be a part of a character's everyday life and see how she has grown and matured without losing that special uniqueness that is Brandy. The social topic covered by this book was very well done and I hope will bring attention to a serious social problem in today's society - homeless teenagers. Despite the seriousness of the topic, this book was filled with Fredman's unique brand of one liner's and all that is simply who Brandy is. All my favorites are well showcased. Lot's of Alphonso, Franny has her baby - Yippee - and plenty of wonderful Bobby and Nick time. Too many times a series becomes stale and disappointing. Not so with this series. Kudos to author Shelly Fredman for giving this avid reader a great book. My screen name says it all. Happiness IS reading - reading a really good book. I hated to see it end. This fourth book in the series had me unable to put it down and very sad when I reached the last page. Believe me -NOT because of the ending - ONLY because I had no more pages to read. THAT feeling is truly what a good book is about. This is a VERY GOOD book. The best so far. Hopefully, author Shelly Fredman will be giving us another Brandy Alexander mystery to look forward to. WHAT A BOOK! WHAT AN ENDING! Enough said....Mum's the word which means I won't give anything away. As the first person to review, I am trying very hard not to divulge anything to spoil anyone's reading pleasure of this great book - but I can only hope to read more reviews of this book. Free Ride is a keeper to read over and over again. Shelly Fredman is also a keeper on my list of favorite authors of must read books. Fantastic book, Ms. Fredman and my congratulations on a job VERY WELL done.