BOOK REVIEW: No Woman Left Behind (Lexi Carmichael Mystery #6) by Julie Moffett

No Woman Left Behind (Lexi Carmichael Mystery #6)

by Julie Moffett

Kindle Edition

Published June 1st 2015 by Carina Press

Goodreads synopsis: My mother's life goal has been to see me, geek extraordinaire Lexi Carmichael, happily married. So bringing my first boyfriend, Slash, home for dinner has me hyperventilating. Things get a lot worse when bullets start flying over our corn chowder.

   Now the entire alphabet soup of government agencies want my help finding the man behind the attack—Johannes Broodryk, a cyber mercenary I foiled on my last case. He wants revenge and he’s taken something of mine to ensure I’ll play, so it’s game on. But the government has its own agenda, and Slash is not on board with the plan. Things are a bit bumpy in paradise.

   Although I'm more comfortable with computer code than commandos, I've been assigned a team of navy SEALs to help bring Broodryk down. The question is, will they survive me long enough to solve his cryptic puzzles and save the day?

***

In this Lexi novel, you get to see more about Lexi's family since they are involved in the action at the very beginning of the novel. I really enjoyed that. We are also introduced to a bunch of SEALs in this book too. Hands is the leader and he likes to give everyone nicknames. So, Lexi's nickname becomes "Keys" since she is so computer savvy. Then the lady from the CIA who goes on the mission along with her because of her specialized knowledge becomes "Suit" since she is always so dressed up her her business best.

Lexi and Slash get forced into separation during this mission so Hands (and the other Seals) become her male counter-part. But do not fret, Slash and Lexi are reunited in the end. 

This one was an exciting ride that you will definitely want to check out.

4 Stars

I bought this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: No Place Like Rome (Lexi Carmichael Mystery #3) by Julie Moffett

No Place Like Rome (Lexi Carmichael Mystery #3)

by Julie Moffett

ebook, 117 pages

Published November 25th 2013 by Carina Press

   A Lexi Carmichael Mystery

   Italy might seem like a long way to go to hide after a disastrous date. But when sexy uberhacker Slash (no, that's not his real name) asks me to go with him to Rome on an investigation, the timing is sort of perfect. My messed-up love life becomes the least of my worries, though, after the dead body, the near-kidnapping and the discovery of a top secret encrypted file that even I can't hack.

   With time running out, there's only one thing to do: call in the legendary Zimmerman twins and my best fluent-in-Italian friend, Basia, to crack the code. Now if only someone could help me solve the mystery of whether Slash is flirting, or if all the kissing is just one of those "when in Rome" things...

   But when we finally uncover the secret someone would kill to keep, it's up to me to solve the case and save the lives of my best friends.

   Just another week in the life of geek-girl Lexi Carmichael.

   Read about Lexi's previous adventures in No One Lives Twice, No One to Trust and No Money Down.

***

This was a pretty exciting mystery. Lexi got her Indiana Jones on and was quite an explorer in this mystery/adventure. Slash wanted some investigating done on the DL and so, of course, he goes to Finn's firm where Lexi is now working. His family has been targeted and it is all hush hush since it involves the Vatican and Italian business that no one but the most important people need to worry about.

I really enjoy watching Elvis and how he is so bashful around Lexi. He nearly always gets involved in the investigation in some way. More Elvis would not bother me at all. This was probably my favorite book in the entire series. Definitely a book that many people could relate to. Pick this one up for sure

4 Stars

I paid for this book with my own money

BOOK REVIEW: No One To Trust by Julie Moffett

No One to Trust (Lexi Carmichael Mystery #2)

by Julie Moffett

ebook

Published June 13th 2011 by Carina Press (first published May 18th 2011

Goodreads synopsis: SWFG: Single, White, Female, Geek.

   That’s me, Lexi Carmichael, a reformed hacker who was gainfully employed by the National Security Agency. But a series of extraordinary events led me to leave government life behind for a fresh start with a brand-new company and an incredibly sexy boss, Finn Shaughnessy. It may not be kosher to have the hots for your boss, but he seems to have the hots for me, too. If only things didn’t get so complicated… 

   Darren Greening, a genius researcher from Flow Technologies (our first client!) is missing, and his bosses think I’m involved. And they aren’t the only ones—the man who nearly snapped my neck in the parking garage thinks so, too. 

   Now I’m caught in the middle of a complex and dangerous case. I’ll have to use all my geek skills and a little help from my friends to solve the mystery of Darren’s disappearance before Neck-Snapping-Man makes a return visit…

***

I left the last book (book one in the series) with an affinity for the suave and oh, so Irish, Finn Shaughnessy. I mean, just think Irish James Bond, and you have Finn to a T. 

   Finn has started his new cyber security company and their first client is looking for a famous researcher who has disappeared. He is a geek, and since Lexi is all about the geek world, she knows exactly who he is. 

    Lexi is the head of the InfoSec division. And in reality, I think that mean she is her own department. There only seems to be three working there: Finn, Ben (a famous hacker) and Lexi).

Darren has left an intriguing clue with his bosses at Flow Technology. And Lexi seems to be the only one who can crack  the encryption. And the note says that they need to contact Lexi Carmichael immediately.

Lexi seeks the expertise of the Zimmerman Twins as well as Slash in this exciting adventure that really keeps you on your toes. If you like adventure/mysteries like Alias, Chuck, Castle, then this book series is for you. Definitely check out every book in the series.

4 Stars

I bought this book with my own money.

Halloween Hijinks (Zoe Donovan Mystery #1) by Kathi Daley

Halloween Hijinks (Zoe Donovan Mystery #1)

by Kathi Daley (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, 175 pages

Published September 9th 2013 by Kathi Daley

Goodreads synopsis: Amid a backdrop of zombies on the run and Halloween festivities, animal control officer Zoe Donovan is faced with losing something she loves in order to save someone she loves when she finds a dead body in the basement of a haunted house just two days before Halloween. With the help of her best friends, Levi and Ellie, and her dog Charlie, she delves into a mystery as complex and multilayered as the feelings she develops for her ex-nemesis Zak Zimmerman. Halloween Hijinks is the perfect recipe, combining holiday fun with a touch of humor, a pinch of romance, and a dollop of murder

~ 3 Stars

I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in this novel. It took until after halfway through the book before the murder actually happened. If  you are writing a book that is a mystery, you might want to start the mystery part a bit sooner than that. (JMHO as a mystery book reader)

Beyond that the characters were interesting. And I understand that this is the first book in a series and sometimes these aren't the best offerings from the author but they live just to get the series started. I enjoyed Zoe and her job finding all the strays and homeless dogs and cats in the county she lives in.

I thought Zak could prove to be an interesting foil for Zoe but she seemed to come to like him way to fast for my liking. And there is a big build up surrounding Zoe's mother and how she is back in town but no one informed Zoe of this fact. And then nothing really came of it in the end. I thought that to be odd. I also never got a good feel for Zoe's dad and  how he fit into the picture of her life.

I enjoyed the concept of this book but it lacked a bit in follow through. But, I have to say, if you plan to read further into the series, you might want to pick this on up just for the background info on all the characters.

I paid for this book with my own money.

No One Lives Twice (Lexi Carmichael Mystery #1) by Julie Moffett

No One Lives Twice (Lexi Carmichael Mystery #1)

by Julie Moffett

Kindle Edition, 314 pages

Published August 16th 2010 by Carina Press (first published January 1st 2010)

Goodreads synopsis: I'm Lexi Carmichael, geek extraordinaire. I spend my days stopping computer hackers at the National Security Agency. My nights? Those I spend avoiding my mother and eating cereal for dinner. Even though I work for a top-secret agency, I've never been in an exciting car chase, sipped a stirred (not shaken) martini, or shot a poison dart from an umbrella.

    Until today, that is, when two gun-toting thugs popped up in my life and my best friend disappeared. So, I've enlisted the help of the Zimmerman twins—the reclusive architects of America's most sensitive electronic networks—to help me navigate a bewildering maze of leads to find her.

    Along the way, my path collides with a sexy government agent and a rich, handsome lawyer, both of whom seem to have the hots for me. Hacking, espionage, sexy spy-men—it's a geek girl's dream come true. If it weren't for those gun-toting thugs.

~ 4 Stars

Can I just start off by saying that Lexi Carmichael is da bomb! She is my geek idol. I really enjoyed reading the last few books in this series and in my "going back to the beginning" book reading kick, I found this one to be just as mesmerizing. 

In this book Lexi still works at the NSA (National Security Agency) and she is drawn into a mystery by her best friend Basia who is a translator. Basia sends Lexi a mysterious package that seems to have everyone's attention but she has no clue about. Lexi enlists the help of the Zimmerman Twins to help her get a message to the elusive Slash who seems to be the government's number one go-to man. Along the way Lexi meets the dashing Irish lawyer, Finn Shaunassay . He is a bit more than than he seems... as is nearly everyone in this book.

If you want to delve into the spy game and have a lot of fun along the way, definitely check out this book! It is the first in a series of novels. Just my piece of cake.

I paid for this book with my own money.

New book by Zanna Mackenzie -- Murder on the Menu

I was asked to review this book, Murder on the Menu, so I thought I would give you all a synopsis and let you check it out for yourselves.

About the book:

Murder on the Menu by Zanna Mackenzie

 

Lizzie Carter desperately needed to escape from the disaster of her old life but her new one is shaping up to be even worse! 

After Lizzie's new boss, celebrity chef Armand, is stabbed in his own kitchen, Lizzie finds herself at the top of the suspect list. 

Determined to clear her name she’s forced to enlist the services of her new neighbour, Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency (CCIA) special agent Jack Mathis, who’s been suspended from his duties for reasons unknown. 

Given his reputation, Lizzie figures it’s best not to ask too many questions of him; she only needs the rogue agent to help her catch Armand’s real killer. The fact that Jack is a good-looking guy is not lost on her, but he’s clearly also trouble. And Lizzie’s got more than enough of that in her life already. 
Can Lizzie save herself from getting arrested and manage to resist her special agent sidekick’s considerable charms and gorgeous smile? Will they solve the culinary murder mystery or will her new life land her in a prison cell? 

 

Get the book on Amazon:

http://getbook.at/MurderOnTheMenu

BOOK REVIEW: Pane and Suffering by Cheryl Hollon

Pane and Suffering (A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery #1)

by Cheryl Hollon (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 320 pages

Published September 29th 2015 by Kensington

Goodreads synopsis: To solve her father's murder and save the family-owned glass shop, Savannah Webb must shatter a killer's carefully constructed façade. . .

   After Savannah's father dies unexpectedly of a heart attack, she drops everything to return home to St. Petersburg, Florida, to settle his affairs--including the fate of the beloved, family-owned glass shop. Savannah intends to hand over ownership to her father's trusted assistant and fellow glass expert, Hugh Trevor, but soon discovers the master craftsman also dead of an apparent heart attack. 

   As if the coincidence of the two deaths wasn't suspicious enough, Savannah discovers a note her father left for her in his shop, warning her that she is in danger. With the local police unconvinced, it's up to Savannah to piece together the encoded clues left behind by her father. And when her father's apprentice is accused of the murders, Savannah is more desperate than ever to crack the case before the killer seizes a window of opportunity to cut her out of the picture.

***

I totally enjoyed this glimpse of the inner workings of a glass artist's world. My great uncle does stained glass and through this book I can see what a great art it is and how intricate and detailed you have to get to make it look so wonderful.

Savannah "don't call her Vanna" Web has been called back to St. Petersburg, Florida because of her father's untimely death. It is labeled as a heart attack, but Savannah begins to question everything when her father's best friend, Hugh, also dies within weeks of her father. Something sinister is going on here and it takes Savannah quite a while to get the police to take her suspicions seriously. Her father used to be a code breaker for the government in his younger years, as did Hugh. So, when she finds a coded message from her father telling her he was murdered, she knows she must act. 

While searching for the answers to her father and Hugh's death she is trying to figure out what to do with her father's glass shop. She has to take over all the classes her father had been teaching and meets the pub owner next door, a nice British guy. And two different men keep coming around wanting to purchase Webb's for well under the normal asking price. Savannah is perplexed. Should she stay and run Webb's or sell and go back to her life in Seattle.

I really enjoyed reading this cozy mystery adventure and recommend it highly for anyone who likes this type of mystery. It is definitely worth the read.

4 Stars

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I thank Net Galley, the publisher and the author for letting me read this great book.