"Quirky charming romantic mystery"

When her husband dies, Samantha Shaw learns that he was cheating on her and everyone in town knew it but her. She decides to change her image so the soccer mom gets breast implants, wears chic clothing, and opens up Heart Mates, a dating service for people desiring to meet their significant other. While she enjoys her business, she also likes working as a private investigator under her lover Gabe's license.

Janie Tuggle, former wife of the soccer coach, asks Sam to investigate whether Chad embezzled funds from the soccer clubs of Lake Elsinore. Sam tricks Chad and soon downloads his financial records. She and Janie realize that $16,000 is missing. Shortly afterward, someone murders the coach. Janie asks Sam to learn who and why because any one of the suspects he was blackmailing could be the killer. Now Sam feels it is more critical to locate Chad's ominous files so no one else gets hurt.

NINJA SOCCER MOMS is a quirky charming romantic mystery with a plethora of suspects. When the heroine is not aggravating the lead police detective, she aggravates her sleuthing boss with her efforts to prove her independence and that she is his equal in everything. Yet the attraction between Gabe and Sam is so hot, it is a wonder that sparks do not fly off the pages. Jennifer Apodaca writes an appealing who-done-it that will keep her audience interested in more books starring this soccer mom.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted April 24, 2004