I normally read YA or Paranormal books, but was given the opportunity to read and review this book, and I am so grateful for that! “Armed with Steele” went above and beyond my expectations, and I look forward to reading more from this talented author.

Jessica and Grace have been best friends since College, when they met at a local coffee shop. They are now roommates, and Grace just landed herself a new position at Maxwell Office Solutions, while Jessica does Web Design from home. Grace is fortunate enough to be in a wonderful relationship, and has been trying to set Jessica up with someone for a while. One day in particular Jessica avoids Grace’s phone call because she didn’t want to be reminded of the double date they have after work, and wishes she could somehow get out of it. And then she gets a call from Matt, Grace’s boyfriend- there’s been a bad accident. Grace slips into a coma and Jessica beats herself up for not answering that call- perhaps Grace would not have drove off the road and end up in the hospital.

Of course, in a hurry to get to the hospital, hoping she makes it in time to see her best friend, her roommate, Jessica gets pulled over. The officer doesn’t buy her excuse that her friend is in the hospital, in critical condition, and she needs to get there, right now. After a traffic stop that seems to take longer than it should, she is sent on her way. Matt fills her in on what he knows, which isn’t much, and she is left with even more questions than before. Nothing about this makes sense, but who is going to believe her that she smells foul play?

Coincidently, the officer that was at the scene of the accident stops by the hospital, hoping to get some answers himself, and Jessica gets her chance to question him herself. Never did she think it would be the same officer that just pulled her over, the one with the striking blue eyes, Officer Steele.

Jessica even drives by the scene of the accident, not intentionally, and decides to step out of her vehicle. There she finds something that disturbs her, and is certain this was no “accident”, and the clue left behind points to someone from Maxwell. Matt doesn’t want to believe that someone was trying to kill Grace, so she is left with no other option but to rely on the ever-so handsome officer. Unfortunately, the case is closed, and Nate Steele offers her another route- go undercover. Of course, Nate has some secrets of his own, and his own reasons for wanting to find out who is behind this all.

Is Jessica strong enough to go undercover to find out who is behind all of this? And will she make it out alive, or suffer the same fate as Grace? And will Grace ever come out of her coma, and possibly provide some unanswered questions. And can Nate and Jessica continue to fight the attraction to each other, or are they brave enough to find out what can become of them?

If you are interested in mystery and crime stories, with just a bit of romance mixed in for good measure, then you will not be disappointed by “Armed with Steele”.
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Cozy characters have to be imbued with a special confidence that says everyone is getting it wrong and I need to look closer. The character forgets the danger and dives in feet first with a strong sense of justice outweighing every dangerous consequence that may occur. Jessica has a very personal connection to the event. The victim is someone as dear to her as family. When Jessica hears that her friend’s beloved designer purse is open and spilled everywhere she doesn’t buy that perhaps it fell as a result of the accident. Jessica smells a rat and knows the only way she can keep her friend safe is to make sure anyone and everyone responsible for the attempt on her life is locked up.

Jessica is a great cozy character. She is over the top in the way women often aren’t but in a way that leads a reader to nod knowingly and say, “If anyone is going to do that, it’s this character.” There is a solid confidence built in Jessica that she is not just a pretty face despite her first meeting with Officer Steele might tell us and she will get to the bottom of this case and get the job done. Her confidence is reassuring and slightly dangerous as she may get it done but that’s not to say there may be some loss on the way.

If you expect all sex and no story from “Armed with Steele,” you’ll be disappointed. Jacobs’ novel suffers a bit from a belabored start but once it gets going the story is compelling and well crafted. Once working undercover at Grace’s (the friend nearly killed) workplace, Jessica just happens to have the right skills and just happens to fit the bill and just happens to be hired. Someone I worked with many years ago said “Everyone hates the new person.” In real life this is true but in cozy stories especially the new person always finds someone with wide eyed trust and verbal diarrhea who is willing to run down the suspects and call me cheesy but I just love that. Of course, Jessica learns that the mystery is deeper than she ever suspected and rather than candy coating and moving on from the new information, Jacobs develops the story for the reader. What’s a little embezzlement between friends?

If you like cozy mysteries, I highly recommend “Armed with Steele.” If you pick it up, be sure to contact Jacobs to inquire about a follow up novel involving one of the male background characters in this book. You’ll know who he is. ( )

ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR HONEST REVIEW

This was a good fast paced story. There's mystery, some romance, and even some laughter.

Jessica Hartley doesn't believe that the car accident that left her best friend, Grace, in a coma was an accident at all. She believes that someone tried to kill Grace. The clues point to someone who works with Grace at Maxwell Office Solutions. When she tries to tell Matt her suspicions he doesn't want to hear it. Leaving her only one person to turn to. The cop assigned to the case, Nate Steele.

Nate Steele is only to happy to look into things for Jess. That is until the case gets closed. Leaving them only one option at this point to find out the answers and that is for Jess to go undercover. She can apply for Grace's old job and see what she can figure out from the inside. Nate has his own reasons for helping Jessica out. He's been watching Maxwell Office Solutions for awhile and this could finally be the chance he needs to bring them down.

Will Jessica find out who the culprit is before they catch on to her? Will Grace come out of her coma and be able to give them some of the answers they are searching for. Will Jessica and Nate's attraction to one another interfere in their investigation. To find out the answers to these questions and so much more you will have to buy the book. You won't be disappointed. I do wish that the author would have shown more of the chemistry between Jessica and Nate. Other than that this is a good book that I will recommend to my friends. ( )