Samantha Shaw Mystery Series by Jennifer Apodaca

Samantha Shaw remembers a time when she believed in true love. When buying Heart Mates -- the dating service her now-deceased husband did business with -- seemed like a good idea. But her romantic reveries ended the day she found a stash of sexy panties (not hers) hidden in his car. Leaving Sam with one question: What else was the cheating creep hiding?Try an illegal drug trade-and a whole lot of money... moreSamantha Shaw remembers a time when she believed in true love. When buying Heart Mates -- the dating service her now-deceased husband did business with -- seemed like a good idea. But her romantic reveries ended the day she found a stash of sexy panties (not hers) hidden in his car. Leaving Sam with one question: What else was the cheating creep hiding?Try an illegal drug trade-and a whole lot of money. That's just some of what surfaces after a man walks into Heart Mates and promises to kill Sam -- and her kids -- if she doesn't come up with the cash her spouse stole. On that disturbing note, Sam decides to really get down to business. Inspired by the savvy heroines of the romance novels she reviews as a hobby, she comes up with a catchy new slogan, gives herself a sexy new makeover, and sets out to rejuvenate Heart Mates-all while tracking down the thug who threatened her. But when she finds him, it becomes chillingly clear that someone even more dangerous is gunning for her. It's enough to set most women shaking in their stilettos. Not Sam. She's got a business to run, a mystery to solve, and a life to save...her own. less

From the author of "Dating Can Be Murder, " which "Publisher's Weekly" called "a new cozy with sass, " comes the second book in the series featuring the funny and feisty protagonist Samantha Shaw.

Samantha Shaw, owner of the Heart Males dating service, hates soccer. But she doesn't have a problem with settling scores--especially when deceitful ex-husbands are involved. So when Janie Tuggle, the former wife of town hero and championship-winning soccer coach Chad, asks her to investigate her embezzling ex, Sam dives right in. Turns out, the weasel is not only pocketing $16,000, but has been cheating on Janie at every opportunity. Exposing him will be a pleasure... moreSamantha Shaw, owner of the Heart Males dating service, hates soccer. But she doesn't have a problem with settling scores--especially when deceitful ex-husbands are involved. So when Janie Tuggle, the former wife of town hero and championship-winning soccer coach Chad, asks her to investigate her embezzling ex, Sam dives right in. Turns out, the weasel is not only pocketing $16,000, but has been cheating on Janie at every opportunity. Exposing him will be a pleasure. But before Sam can make a call. Chad is found dead in his office--and Sam and Janie are both suspects. Detective Logan Vance is breathing down Sam's neck, her boyfriend and sleuthing partner Gabe Pulizzi is working the case for Chad's sexy former lover, Dara Reed, and unwelcome discoveries are springing up all over town. Netting the killer feels like a long shot, but as another cheating husband's crimes threaten Sam's business, her brand-new relationship, and even her life, the penalty for slipping up could be fatal. less

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... moreIf 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. less

On the surface, Samantha Shaw's life looks pretty good--"she has a hot boyfriend, private investigator Gabe Pulizzi, and her own business, Heart Mates Dating Service. But raising two boys and keeping track of her ornery magician grandfather is tricky business...especially when you add murder to the mix. She hasn't even begun to figure it out when her grandfather, Barney Webb, winds up in trouble of his own--"he's been accused by arrogant magician Shane Masters of hiring a hit man to kill him... moreOn the surface, Samantha Shaw's life looks pretty good--"she has a hot boyfriend, private investigator Gabe Pulizzi, and her own business, Heart Mates Dating Service. But raising two boys and keeping track of her ornery magician grandfather is tricky business...especially when you add murder to the mix. She hasn't even begun to figure it out when her grandfather, Barney Webb, winds up in trouble of his own--"he's been accused by arrogant magician Shane Masters of hiring a hit man to kill him. Sam knows it can't be true, despite Shane's practice of exposing other illusionists' secrets in a series of popular "spoiler" shows. Proving Grandpa's innocence is priority number one, even though the old man is strangely resistant to her offers to get to the bottom of Shane's accusation. But when Shane Masters' murdered body suddenly appears, Sam must use every trick in the book to save her own life--"again!--"and find a killer who's just pulled the greatest disappearing act of all. less