Ramirez, Misa: Living la Vida Lola (Mystery)

I won a copy of this book through Brenda Novak's Diabetes Auction, and was quite pleased with Ramirez' debut novel.

The Publishers Weekly Summary:
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.

I particularly like the tug-o-war Lola has to do with her passion and belief that she was born to be a PI with her VERY traditional Mexican family. The supporting cast is very quirky, including Lola's best friend/co-worker Reilly, an Irish girl with different hair just about every day and a deep desire to channel J-Lo. The first-person POV was disconcerting at first, because I'm so used to reading third-person POV romances. However, it helps the mystery aspect unfold well, as you discover the clues as Lola does.