The Manolo Matrix

Jennifer is a waitress with Broadway asperations. She lives by herself in an apartment that she tries to keep safe because of what happened to her friend/ex-roomate the year before (Can find story in The Givenchy Code) The next thing she knows she gets an email saying that she is sucked into the same Play.Survive.Win. game as her friend. Only this time Jenn is the protector and the target is the F.B.I man that is investigating. Using their knowledge of Broadway they try to solve the clues as they are being tracked by ex-con Birdie. Who is behind the game? Don't know we'll have to wait for The Prada Paradox to come out to find out.

Julie Kenner has a true talent for pacing and characterization. Even though I never completely bought into the evil mastermind concept, the plot itself was engaging and I stayed with it the whole time. With the hero and heroine running all over New York City, trying to solve Broadway-related clues, I even found myself trying to guess what the clues might pertain to, even though they were fairly well over my head. What really made this book work was the intensely personal relationship Ms. Kenner gives the reader with the two main characters. It's almost as if she's put a camera on extreme close up on them, with only brief pauses for the more panoramic view. This really makes reader feel extremely connected to both of them-Marcus Devlin, a former Broadway child star, who gave it all up to be a cop, and Jennifer Crane, a talented but not-yet-living the dream Broadway actress get thrown together in this drama where they must race against the clock to stay alive. Plain and simple, Marcus Devlin is a yummy character. He's a reluctant hero to be sure, but hero he is and he never strays from this path. His internal demons don't detract from the story, and in fact make him a great character for Jennifer to play against. Jennifer's a Starbuck's lovin', shoe-obsessed wisecracker, and until she finds a time-release toxin has been released in her body, she doesn't take life too seriously. She hunkers down pretty quickly though, and the combination of her joie de vivre and her ability to concentrate completely prove to be a combination too irresistible for Marcus. The reader should also find her hard to resist because she doesn't sit back and wring her hands, while Devlin does all the hard work. She's an active heroine, doing her own thinking and solving, while still allowing for plenty of room for Marcus' thoughts and actions. THE MANOLO MATRIX is a novel well-worth reading. Although I was inclined not too like it (I just wasn't looking forward to reading yet another novel about an automaton shoe twit), this book quickly won me over, and I had a hard time putting it down.

Second book in the series. When aspiring actress/singing waitress Jennifer Crane receives an email from PlaySurviveWin.com, she knows exactly what the stakes are: Solve the clues and win the game or die, literally. Jenn's former roommate, Mel, experienced the PSW game first-hand (see THE GIVENCHY CODE) and it seems the game's still active. Jenn is the protector for selected target Devlin Brady. Devlin is the FBI agent that helped Mel. He's currently suspended from the bureau and under suspicion of being as crooked as the partner he killed. Devlin also happens to be a former Broadway child star. Since the game is adjusted to fit the target's profile, their clues to solving the riddles are Broadway based. Jenn and Devlin race all over Manhattan trying to stay one step ahead of the assassin assigned to kill them. With non-stop action, this is an excellent follow-up to THE GIVENCY CODE. And, like in CODE, I wish there'd been a little more romance. But still, thumbs up and lots of fun to read. Mark your calendars for book three, THE PRADA PARADOX, coming in February 2007.

Julie Kenner has done it again! If you loved THE GIVENCHY CODE, you'll adore THE MANOLO MATRIX, a terrific fast-paced story told with wit and thrills a minute as Jennifer Crane, an aspiring Broadway actress, is sucked into a deadly game with the ultimate stakes-play or die. And maybe die anyhow. The clock is ticking, and if Jennifer ever wants to win that Tony or buy another pair of Manolos, she has to play the starring role in this suspenseful drama with real bullets whizzing past her head. I loved it! Jennifer is a sassy charmer and FBI agent Devin Brady is her perfect partner in this rollicking adventure that had me playing along, rooting for the good guys and hissing at the villain, as they chased all over Manhattan in a scavenger hunt for survival clues. Don't miss this one. And if you haven't read its predecessor, THE GIVENCHY CODE, what are you waiting for? They're the best of the chick-lit thrillers. I can't wait for THE PRADA PARADOX, the next book in the series.

Aspiring Broadway star, Jennifer Crane is no stranger to the online game Play.Survive.Win. Her former roommate was almost killed when a still at-large psychopath brought PSW from cyberspace to reality. So when Jennifer receives an email notifying her of her role in this deadly version of PSW, she is terrified. With roles of assassin, target and protector, Jennifer finds herself assigned to protect the target, suspended FBI agent, Devlin Brady. Angered and depressed over his suspension from the FBI, Devlin initially refuses to play the game. But the toughest battle Jennifer has ever faced before is an online auction for her beloved Manolo Blahnik shoes, and Devlin can't very well leave her to survive on her own. So together they work to win the game. With a limited amount of time and clues to solve, Jennifer and Devlin are dashing all over Manhattan in their race against the clock and the assassin's bullet. I am a HUGE fan of Manolo Blahnik's and when I saw The Manolo Matrix, I knew this was a book for me. After reading The Manolo Matrix, I must say, I have incredible taste in shoes AND books! Ms Kenner writes a thrilling page turner with lot's of clues and lot's of adventure. Not being a Broadway aficionado, the clues really stumped me, but that didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the book. I was hooked by the premise of the game, the entertaining characters, the thrill of the chase, and the developing relationship between Devlin and Jennifer. Fans of The Givenchy Code look out! The second book in this series, The Manolo Matrix is completely engaging and truly delicious. I adored it! Annabelle Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed