Customer Reviews

Dirty Little Lies (Marisela Morales)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's just something about a woman with a gun. Kick-butt heroines that shoot first and ask questions later have always appealed to me. Whether they attire themselves in red miniskirts and four-inch Ferragamo's, urban chic consisting of broken-in blue jeans and ratty t-shirts, or do their best work dressed in nothing at all, heroines that take control of their own lives and work to make a difference in the world around them are nothing short of my idols.

For Marisela Morales, working for Alberto Garcia at AAA-Able Bail Bonds has finally brought a sense of belonging to her life. A Cuban-American woman who found herself all too often on the wrong side of the law when younger, Alberto offered her a haven-a real job, something meaningful that would keep her busy and off the streets. Once she turned twenty-one, Marisela became a bond enforcer. For seven years now she's tracked down outlaws dumb enough to jump their bail and brought them back to justice.

This time, the bail-jumper is someone who hits a little too close to home. Francisco "Frankie" Vega is Marisela's past-a young punk who later turned his life around to spend years in prison as an undercover DEA informant. Now, though, Frankie is out, and after two years back in the real world, he's been busted for possession-and unwisely skipped his bail. So what if the chemistry is still there? Who cares that Frankie's first words to her in ten years are "I remember when you used to stroke me like that?" And really, what difference does it make if his striking good looks and snake-charmer charisma make her eyes roll back in her head and the hairs on her arms stand up? Marisela has hunted down Frankie to do a job, and that job is to return him back over to the authorities.

But love dies hard, even that brought about by circumstances of a hard life of two dispassionate youths. The chemistry between Frankie and Marisela is still there, and they're both finding it hard to turn off. Frankie has no idea that Marisela isn't Alberto's secretary, has no clue that she packs a really big-and really illegal-gun. Marisela doesn't realize that Frankie is dealing with bigger issues than just jumping bond. All in all, what they don't know about each other is more than what they remember.

Together, Marisela and Frankie must overcome their shared history, rebuild their trust and broken hearts, and stop a handful of bad guys along the way. Action-adventure mixed with passion is always a heady mix, and this book is no different.

Take a dash of Stephanie Plum, throw in the spunk of Eve Dallas, mix it up with some Cuban food and a gallon of margaritas, and you've got a true winner in DIRTY LITTLE LIES. This book was an excellent start to what will no doubt be a long-lived series-one that you won't want to miss an episode of.

Undercover Operative Marisela Morales is enjoying a flirtation with a handsome man wearing a mask at a party that she is working for her company, Titan International Investigations. The masked man turns out to be Marisela's ex lover and colleague, Frankie Vega. Taking a break from the party, the two slip away to the balcony for a more private reunion. Before their passion escalates to the point of no return, a senator is shot.

Working together, Frankie and Marisela search for the deadly assassin. And while Frankie and Marisela squabble with each other during the day, at night they have some pretty amazing sex. Reconciling her feelings for Frankie and stopping an assassin with an agenda may be more than Marisela bargained for.

Dirty Little Lies continues the romance between Frankie and Marisela from Dirty Little Secrets. What I especially like about this series is the suspense. In Dirty Little Lies, Julie Leto kept me guessing. I couldn't figure out who the villain was and I always can guess who the bad guys are!

As far as the romance is concerned, I really like Frankie and think he's the better choice for Marisela. But l love Ian. A lot. I hope that before this series is over, Frankie and Marisela have their HEA and that Ian does too!

Annmarie
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I enjoyed reading Dirty Little Lies and look forward to the next book in the series. Julie Leto is an interesting writer, her plots hold your attention and I like her characters.

An excellent follow up to the first book. This book continues the tale of hot Latino Marisela and her exboyfriend Frankie. The two of them have so much chemistry!
In this story Marisela and Frankie are after an asassin. It digs up an old murder mystery. Lots if emotion and interesting twist and turns. You wont want to put it down. All the characters are compelling. Can't wait for the next book!

Ms. Leto has done it again! Dirty Little Lies is a fast-paced, sexy read that will leave you breathless and wanting more.

I enjoyed the interaction of the charactors in this Titan Securites book The assasasian and the street girl have similar goals and the men are hunky Enjoy

Julie Leto's DIRTY LITTLE LIES tells of Marisela, who has been training for an investigative job and seeks relief from a demanding routine. Her romantic fling evolves into a dangerous situation when a senator is shot and she finds the assassin has links to her old world. Readers are treated to a story line hard to define: part PI, part romance, and many twists and turns.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

In Boston Ian Blake head of Titan International fantasizes that he is making love to his employee private investigator Marisela Morales even when he is with another woman, Yizenia Santiago. On the other hand twentyish Cuban-American Marisela has not forgiven Ian for not intervening when her on and off lover Francisco "Frankie" Vega was almost killed. Still she enjoys the international sleuthing Ian sends her way, but detests the current assignment accompanying him at a society gala also attended by Frankie who wants to get back in her pants (see DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS). However, their little indiscretion causes her a moment lapse that enables a Latina sniper to assassinate a congressman.

Soon others are also killed by this ruthless female assassin, Yizenia Santiago, who administers justice to those who contributed to the death of young Rebecca Manning. Marisela who lost one fight with Yizenia vows to stop her, but also realizes how much alike she and the merciless killer are.

Marisela's second tale is an exhilarating action-packed thriller in which the heroine plays cat and mouse against another "Bad Girl" who reminds her so much of herself that it frightens her. The story line is loaded with action from the moment that Marisela tries to stop the assassination of the congressman and never slows down until the inevitable final confrontation between two kick butt women. Fans will enjoy the latest escapades of this in your face female Dirty Harry.

Harriet Klausner

This stand-alone novel from the series continues the story of Titian Securites, the cases and people who work for them. The lead female character is a former girl gang-banger who fought her way up from the streets to work as a top female operative for the security company. The diliemma is that she still likes the adrenaline rush that comes from a high-risk job. She likes
the rush even more than she likes romantic or emotional connections with the men in her life. There lies the problem--
her sensual relationships seem abrupt and not connected to her heart. The male lead is very similar to the female lead so we have two characters steeped in "street cred" and toughness, but neither one we really like. The one character that provides the heart of the story turns out to be the villian. So...we're cheering for the bad guy...hmmm? The best news about this series is that it has been downsized from the more expensive trade @ $$$ to the less expensive $$ mass market paperback. It doesn't hurt your wallet quite so much to pass this one on.