title: Spying in High Heels
author:  Gemma Halliday 
description: <i>Starred Review.</i> Life in L.A.'s fast lane, from Sherman Oaks' porn studios to swank Beverly Hills salons, sets the pace for Halliday's debut novel, the first installment in a stylish High Heels mystery series. When shoe designer Maddie Springer finds her boyfriend, Richard, has gone missing, along with $20 million of his company's funds, she's determined to track him downpartly because she's certain he's innocent, but mostly because her period is late. Maddie persuades her best friend, Dana, to be her partner in crime solving, and it isn't long before they stumble on the body of Richard's bossjust moments after he's been shot dead. Enter sexy LAPD detective Jack Ramirez, who just wants Maddie to "go home and let him handle this," which, of course, isn't going to happen. The only clues to the murder are two blond hairs and the imprint of a stiletto heel, pointing to a female killer; topping the suspect list is receptionist and designer fashion junkie Jasmine, followed by porn-star Bunny, who's up to her implants in debt. The nonstop action runs the gambit from faulty EPTs to wild rides on L.A.'s freeways to wedding plans gone awry, all of which are guaranteed to keep chick lit and mystery fans happy. <i>(Aug.)</i> <br />Copyright  Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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  Under the Spy’s Protection
  
  When Gemma Lyfeld inadvertently interrupts a dangerous smuggling operation in
  her English village, she’s rescued by a mysterious Scottish spy. Now with
  criminals after her and her hopes for an expected marriage proposal recently
  dashed, she will make her society debut in London. But not without the man
  tasked with protecting her...
  
  Covert government agent Tavin Knox must keep Gemma safe from the criminals who
  think she can identify them—a mission he never wanted. But as he escorts her
  and her rascally nephews around London, the lovely English lass proves braver
  than he ever imagined. Suddenly, the spy who works alone has one Season to
  become the family man he never dreamed he’d be.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “You must judge me a callous creature,” Gemma said.
  
  “Callous? No, but you are many other things,” Tavin responded. “Patient with
  your nephews. Generous with your family. Defiant with me. But not callous.”
  
  “’Tis no excus