From Publisher’s Weekly:
Ramirez’s muy caliente debut introduces Dolores “Lola” Falcón Cruz, a Sacramento, Calif., PI whose kung fu moves are only part of her chica charm. A missing persons case—the disappearance of 42-year-old Emily Diggs, who left her six-year-old son, Sean, stranded at school—turns into a murder investigation after a boater finds Emily’s body near Riverbank Marina. Lola’s old high school crush, Jack Callaghan, now a Sacramento Bee reporter, provides some unexpected help. Emily had approached Jack about her 18-year-old son Garrett’s recent death—from what Emily believed was a “heart infection” due to a faulty tattoo. Lola’s determined to uncover the facts and catch the killer, even if it means, gulp, getting a girly belly-button piercing. Ramirez keeps the action tight, the plot smart and humor light in this spicy blend of crime solving and romance. Lola’s latina perspective adds extra sizzle. (Jan.)
Romantic Times [4 stars]:
This highly entertaining first-person novel launches a new series with a bang. Well written with laugh-out-loud humor and a complex mystery, this wonderful debut will have you looking forward to more books in the series. Lola is no lightweight detective, despite the chick lit feel to the book, and the balance between her personal and professional life is ideal. The tension in both romance and danger deepens expertly.
From Harriet Klausner, Genre Go Round Reviews:
Never taking itself graveyard serious, this is an entertaining investigative half boiled noir with a touch of romance to spice up the proceedings. Ethical Lola is terrific as a literally and figuratively kick butt heroine who believes she owes her late client so continues her inquiry. You don’t know Jack if you fail to understand that what Lola wants Lola gets, which is a killer, even if that mean a belly button or a nipple ring. Misa Ramirez provides a wonderful first case in what looks like the start of a delightful series.
Fellow Authors Speak Out About Lola:
“If you like fun and spunky Stephanie Plum, you’ll love smart and sexy Lola Cruz. Fun, tightly plotted and 100% entertaining, Living the Vida Lola is a terrific story bursting with marvelous characters that keep you rapidly turning pages until the very end. Misa Ramirez’s debut novel rocks.”
–NYT Bestselling Author Allison Brennan
“Living the Vida Lola has a cast of endearing characters so real they jump right off the page. If you like a mystery with plenty of sass and sizzle, don’t miss this sparkling debut!”
–National Bestselling Author Brenda Novak, author of Trust Me and Stop Me
“Watch out baddies, Lola P.I. packs a punch and always gets her man!”
–Mary Castillo, author of Switchcraft and Names I Call My Sister
“Make way for Lola Cruz! Misa Ramirez’s Lola Cruz is a flesh
and blood heroine: smart, sassy, and sexy. Living the Vida Lola is a hot debut mystery that shouldn’t be missed.”
–Maggie Barbieri, author of Quick Study and Extracurricular Activities
“Sexy, funny, and completely entertaining. Who could ask for more? But wait! Living The Vida Lola has much more, including colorful characters you’ll cheer for from chapter one to the end. Not to be missed.”
– Lara Rios, author of Becoming Americana
“Muy caliente! Living the Vida Lola by exciting new author Misa Ramirez is deliciously decadent, laugh-out-loud fun. If you like a little spice with your mystery, you’re going to love PI Lola Cruz.”
–National–bestselling author Tori Carrington of The Sofie Metropolis, PI series
