Mini Reviews: The Sixth Idea by P.J. Tracy & Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell

The Sixth Idea (Monkeewrench, #7) by P.J. Tracy (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2016; 320 pgs)

E-copy provided by publisher via The First Reads Program for an honest review.

First Sentence: Confine a dozen scientists and engineers to a seemingly endless desert of hard-packed sand with no recreational diversions and inevitably, they will design and build a golf course.

The Sixth Idea is the 7th book in mother/daughter writing team P.J. Tracy's Monkeewrench mystery series. While it can be it can be read as a stand alone, I think it's best going into this one with some knowledge of the main characters and their backgrounds which can be found in previous books. I had only read the first four books in the series before jumping into this one, so I have a bit of catching up to do. The Monkeewrench books are such fun, especially if you can suspend your disbelief, and this one was no different. Murder, a sixty year old secret, and a conspiracy to destroy the lives of many are keeping two determined detectives  along with the computer geniuses who call themselves Monkeewrench very busy over the Christmas holidays. While the plot line isn't entirely original, with a few too many coincidences that it's best not to question, this was a page turner, and I enjoyed catching up with some of my favorite series' characters. This one offered some of both. 

To learn more about P.J. Tracy and their work, please visit the authors' website. You can also find this mother and daughter writing team on Facebook. 

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Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell (Entangled; 2015; 226 pgs)
Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

First Sentence: The hotel ballroom doors whooshed closed behind Charlie Forrester, muffling the sound of wedding guests hooting at the groomsmen dancing to "Too Sexy for My Shirt."

Charlie Forrester, a computer engineer, is a woman after my own heart. Introverted and very much a geek, she is definitely someone I wouldn't mind hanging out with. Although, I am not sure I could win a game of Star Trek trivia against Charlie and her roommates. Lost in Geeklandia is a quirky and funny romantic comedy. Charlie has worked hard to perfect a matchmaking computer program, which she is testing out on her friends. Her former friend, investigative journalist Daniel Shaw is the last person she wants to see, much less get involved with. However, a bet and the possibility of getting her dream job, are just what it takes to bring Charlie and Daniel together. But will any hope of romance between the two have a chance once the truth comes out about the bet and Daniel's plan to prove the matchmaking program is a hoax? 

I wasn't so sure about Daniel at first. He comes across as a jerk initially, but another side of him emerges as the story unfolds. Lost in Geeklandia reminded me a bit of the movie, How to Lose a Guy In Ten Days, but distinctly stands on its own. I read this one in a day, and found it a nice companion on a summer day. 

To learn more about E.J. Russell and her work, please visit the author's website. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook. 

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