Marisela and Frankie are back (they first showed up in [b:Dirty Little Secrets|38924|Dirty Little Secrets|Julie Leto|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169224202s/38924.jpg|38652]) and they're hotter than ever. Awesome romantic suspense. ( )

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. ( )