Batteries Required

Samantha Shaw Mystery #4

by Jennifer Apodaca

Frothy fun. -- Publishers Weekly on Ninja Soccer Moms

If only life came with operating instructions. Samantha Shaw's dating service, Heart Mates, is barely paying the bills, and her relationship with private investigator Gabe Pulizzi isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of her knack for romance. And now Sam's friend Angel has disappeared just as she was about to launch a new lingerie business, leaving behind a ransacked, bloodstained house. Detective Logan Vance--alias romance novelist R.V. Logan--is busy fending off the advances of a lovesick fan so, with Gabe in tow, Sam questions Angel's ex-husband, Hugh Crimson. Sam knows her friend's divorce has been filed under "unpleasant" but she can't believe Hugh's capable of ex-wife-napping--or murder. If Hugh isn't a killer, who messed up Angel's house--and why? Where is Angel? And what's Sam going to say when Gabe insists she make a decision about their relationship? Solving this case will require every ounce of energy Sam's got, and she's going to unearth some high-voltage surprises along the way. . .

Jennifer Apodaca grew up in southern California and still makes it her home. She loves creating characters with attitude and then getting them into all kinds of trouble. The unlimited support of her husband and three sons has made writing a joy. Jennifer is hard at work on the next Samantha Shaw book.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Fiction, Chick Lit, Humor, Womens Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Also writes paranormal romance under the pseudonym Jennifer Lyon.

I went back to college after my three sons, Matt, Gary and Paul, were born. Beginning with a vague idea of earning a marketing degree, I ended up pursuing a writing career with the full support of my husband, Dan.

First I tried to tame my naturally edgy voice into writing romance, but dead bodies and quirky humor turned up with alarming regularity. So did rejection letters in my mailbox! Dan nagged me to write something contemporary and funny. My mother dropped a hint about trying something modern. My sister mentioned how good I'd be at writing a comedy, maybe even a mystery. Dan agreed with them.

Finally, frustration drove me to murder, fictionally speaking, of course. And so, I have been forced to admit that my husband, mother and sister were right. Not entirely humbled, these days I am busy plotting future adventures for Samantha Shaw!

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great and fun mystery romp. Jennifer can certainly entertain between the covers.

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too obvious. Several times, random details would be added, and I guessed that within the next chapter, a reason for those random details would appear. I was always right.

[Lynne Page · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give this novel two stars, not because I didn't enjoy the progression, but because I felt there were things that could be worked on.

For instance, Apodaca has her characters repeat things to the point where I feel like skipping over the repetition. As well, her characters did a few monotonous things that I felt weren't needed within the book.

Other than certain issues like that, I enjoyed the book, although I did find the characters just that - characters. I couldn't believe that they were real people.

That being said, I wouldn't be against reading more in this series, and it's nice that I didn't need to start the series from the beginning to get the general gist of everything that was going on.

[Marti · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminded me a LITTLE of the popular series by Janet Evanovich, starring Stephanie Plum--but it isn't as good as those books are. There is a mish mash factor here. Ms Apodaca has saddled her character with two sons. She ends up seeming to be a neglectful mother. Rather than commit to a man who is clearly in love with her, she dithers about other men. Her grandfather character is quite helpful, but he can't compete with Stephanie's grandmother. The same action seems to be repeated, ad nauseum--find the necklace, lose the necklace. I'll be passing this paperback on to a friend with the admonition--it is not another Stephanie Plum!

[Laina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was dreadful. The plot was obvious from the beginning. And the heroine was so annoying. She was constantly pissed off at her boyfriend for reasons I couldn't understand. Her attitude about his hiring an assistant, for example, is why guys thing women are petty and catty. UGH! While it's not the worst I've ever read, I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy mysteries. I enjoy comedies. This was a combination of both. I'd never read any by this author but I'll be checking out the others in the series. The supporting characters are funny, especially Grandpa and Ali, the beer drinking ex-police dog.

Blog review: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2007/02...

[Mandy Huot · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book bored me to death. It held my attention for the short moments where Angel appeared to be kidnapped, but once she was found, I lost all interest. Not planning to read any other of her books.

[Ciara · Rating 1 out of 5]

The characters in this series are becoming more repetitive every book. What bothers me the most is how suspicious the main character is about her boyfriends intentions. After a while the main character becomes very annoying and tiresome. Definitely won't be reading any other books in this series.

[colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

read 04.24.07

[Mysterious · Rating 3 out of 5]

lite fun read.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy her books.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun entry. Really liked seeing more of Angel, Sam's best friend. And finally got some traction on her romantic life.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just not an attention grabber.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good. Kindle