Buzz and Reviews for Lola Cruz Mysteries
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.
Lola is a terrific new character who is very entrenched in her Latina heritage, but is also a modern, American woman. These two often conflict as her mother still has some old-world views about how Lola should be living her life (married, at home with several children)… There are some great characters in Lola’s life and the plot is tightly constructed…
A great book to read while sipping a margarita,Living La Vida Lola will win many fans for Lola and have them eagerly practicing their salsa dancing while waiting for her next adventure.
–Jennifer Monahan Winberry
“Living the Vida Lola offers plenty of plot twists and action, in addition to hot moments of romance. For a touch of welcome diversity in the mystery novel, I highly recommend Living the Vida Lola.”
—Lynne F. Maxwell
Living the Vida Lola is a fun, entertaining novel…The story combines romance, mystery and humor and moves at a fast pace that will keep you turning those pages. There’s a great array of secondary characters that add color to the story. I found there was a good balance between the romance and the mystery, without one getting in the way of the other. There’s also a lot of romantic tension between the hero and heroine. This is the first book in the Lola Cruz mystery series and I’m eagerly looking forward to reading the next book. Be sure to add this title to your summer reading list!
— Mayra Calvani
Book Lovers Bookstore:
A true chick mystery: Hot, seductive, flirtatious, sexy with some true PI work on the side.
Mystery Lovers Book Store:
Fans looking for the next Stephanie Plum might just find her in Sacramento in the form of Lola Cruz, themuy caliente heroine of Misa Ramirez’ Living the Vida Lola…Ramirez puts together a snappy blend of mystery, romance and humor…
From Harriet Klausner, Genre Go Round Reviews:
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
Other People Who Love Lola and Have Shared:
Meritorious Mysteries: “Living the Vida Lola offers plenty of plot twists and action, in addition to hot moments of romance.”
Notes From Me: “I love the characters in this book from Lola, Jack, Antonio, Reilly and her relatives and how they interact with Lola’s occupation. This was a fun and sexy read and I can’t wait for the next book in this series.” [4 stars – really liked it]
In Search of Balance: ”The book was a perfect mixture of romance and mystery…Ramirez will definitely be added to my chica lit author must have list where I will just have to buy any books that she publishes.”
