Fatal Stand by Michelle Godard-Richer

 Will they finally put an end to his sadistic reign of terror?

 About the Book: Two years earlier, Jessica witnessed a serial killer named David, in action, and became his next target. With help from Jon Kent, a former FBI agent, she managed to survive David’s murderous wrath and both believed him to be dead.

On the day of their daughter’s birth, Jessica and Jon learn David is alive and plans to come after them again. Running with a newborn daughter and a nine-year-old son isn’t an option. Instead, they fortify their homestead with a sophisticated security system and prepare to make a final stand.

Despite being surrounded by allies, Jessica struggles to care for her newborn under the strain of their living situation. Alone in the night, she sees and hears things the cameras don’t capture. She questions her sanity but refuses to break, determined to protect her family from the monster of her nightmares—David.

David can’t forgive Jessica, and he can’t move on. Instead, time fuels his obsessive need for revenge. With a new identity and a surgically altered face, they’ll never see him coming.

Our Review: The author is adept at keeping the action at a non-stop pace. As well, the sharp, well written suspense keeps the reader glued to the page. The characters, everyday people with whom readers will quickly identify, keep the emotional quotient at warp speed. Fans of psychological thrillers will love Fatal Stand. It’s a winner.  

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Fatal Stand merits a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Slow Train to Nowhere: Jenny

 To find her happiness, first she must believe.

About Slow Train to Nowhere: Jenny

Jenny Withers has never asked for much. Following a tragic childhood in England, she arrived in America only to be sent west on the orphan train and passed from one caregiver to another. Now grown and widowed, she might build a fulfilling future, but only if she finds the courage to stand up for her true desires.

Robert MacKenna hopes what Jenny desires is him. A man with a broken past and a restless spirit, he has trouble settling at anything. He’s never met a woman like Jenny, and he’ll move heaven and earth to be with her. But his toughest task may be convincing her he can provide the love for which she’s always yearned.

Our Review: Several things stand out with any story written by Laura Strickland. Among them is the attention to historical fact, particularly the fine details of customs and mores, as well as phrases commonly used, which took us, unwillingly, back to our youth. As with all the Slow Train stories, it is Strickland’s ability to show emotions of the lead and secondary characters which elevates her skill as a writer above others in this genre.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Slow Train to Nowhere: Jenny merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Miss Green Eyes

 A salute to those who are good at small talk. . . and those who are masters at avoiding it.  

 About the Book: Annalee Gillespie has had her world shaken. Her father has died, leaving her as sole owner of the Circle G. but when the will is read, she’s given the shock of her life: she must make the trek up the Chisolm Trail with her foreman, the most irritating man in creation, and complete the tasks given to her—or control of the Circle G will fall into the hands of another.

          Ewan Judge, while capable, smart and frustratingly handsome, has needled and teased Annalee through the years but somehow, she must learn to get along with him, annoyingly, the best cowboy in Texas. So, she accepts the challenge and finds herself in the midst of more than one enemy.

 Our Review: From the first page of this short, intense western romance author O’Neal shows her gift for describing emotion in succinct detail, keeping the pages turning. Annalee’s profound grief is immediately compounded by shock, followed by—for a few short moments—helplessness and dismay and maybe a touch of fear. Then she spies Ewan at the edge of the cemetery and steel straightens her spine. A phrase, common to modern times, fits quite well: Bring It On.

Miss Green Eyes portends a terrific Wildflowers of Texas series and we cannot wait for the next edition.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Miss Green Eyes merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Stone of Hope by Margaret Izard

               Only through hope can one find true love.

About the Book: In an unexpected twist of fate, USAF officer Dominic DeVolt looks into the Eye of Ra and is shown the beauty of Egyptologist Moira White. While trying to save his niece and nephew from evil Fae powers, he’s sucked into the past and dumped in the middle of Moira’s dig near the ruins of Tanis.

Moira fears the attractive man who literally fell at her feet in the middle of her dig, with two teenagers in tow, might be partnering with her arch-nemesis. That is until the bold Special Ops pilot distracts her with a kiss. His duty as an uncle tugs her heart, but is he only after her precious artifacts?

After working together to survive, Dom will fight any number of mystic forces to be with her—and Moira will do anything for his love.

Our Review: It is always a treat to read one of Margaret Izard’s stories because we are assured we’ll learn valuable history lessons of a country or culture. In Stone of Hope it’s ancient and present Egypt—and what a history it is. In the late 1930s, looting of ancient tombs has gone international as well as lethal. Because of the times, women are considered less than, mainly due to rigid gender roles. Once Dom shows Moira a different kind of consideration all bets are off and she evolves from a shy, science nerd into a graceful, desirable woman. This is an adventure to enjoy and cherish.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Stone of Hope merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

No Good Deed by C. D. Bennett

 No Good Deed…goes unpunished.

 About the Book:               

Kiya James’ relocation to idyllic Riverton Colorado is disrupted when she discovers a critically wounded man lying in a field near her home. Little did she know that her selfless act to save the man’s life would thrust her into a world of corruption, greed, and danger. As the only witness to the initial attack, and shaken by an attempt on her own life, Kiya is offered refuge with the victim’s family. Together, they struggle to uncover the circumstances that would trigger an unknown assailant to unleash a string of deadly attacks in an otherwise quiet rural ranching community.

Jake McCleary’s world could have been destroyed with a single bullet if it hadn’t been for the quick actions of a stranger. Now, in a desperate attempt to protect her, and his entire family, Jake must fight to defend his home, livelihood, and the woman who was rapidly capturing his heart, against the vicious actions of a criminal that will stop at absolutely nothing to get what he wants. But will they find the answers they need in time, or will they lose everything to the conceit of a madman?

And will the bond between his wounded brother and the woman that saved him prove to be too big of an obstacle for Jake to overcome in the pursuit for Kiya’s love?

Our Review: A simple morning ride on horseback sets off a series of events spiced with intrigue, danger, and newfound love. No Good Deed is a story of family, that of the heart as well as by blood. It is also the story of a loner who discovers the roots she’s always longed for—because of one selfless act. Suspense and action are non-stop, lending the reader to believe—make that hope—that this is the beginning of an intriguing series featuring the McClearys and their extended ‘family’. Do not miss this one. It’s a beauty.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, No Good Deed merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Jury Duty is Murder by Kate Damon

 Four former jurors, once at odds, reluctantly join forces to track down a serial killer. They answered the call of duty. Now, someone wants them dead.

 About Jury Duty is Murder:

          The verdict is in; a famous athlete is headed for prison. The jurors have done their job and are free to go back to their lives. But after being sequestered for four months, life as some knew it no longer exists.

          Harold Ashman’s house is almost destroyed by a careless driver. Exotic dancer CeeCee Laine discovers her boyfriend has been two-timing her—and she no longer has a job. Actor Alex Manning watches his career—stalled by the prolonged trial—go down the tubes and 72-year-old, Helen Ryder learns her family is plotting to have her declared incompetent.

          Things only get worse when other jurors start dropping like flies. Convinced there’s a killer on the loose, the feuding foursome must find him before he does them in—or before they save him the trouble and murder each other.

 Our Review: Author Kate Damon created four totally diverse characters, then presents them in a way every reader will relate to. Hapless Harold is exactly that—completely helpless with nowhere to go—until the threats start. CeeCee, perhaps the leader of the pack, is a total hoot and despite all her rough edges, wins our hearts. Alex is the one who perhaps demonstrates the long standing writer concept of a character arc. And Helen. . . the pole dancing classes will show her tenacity and determination to go on. This one’s a winner on every account.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Jury Duty is Murder merits a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Slow Train to Nowhere: Sean

 Five children from the orphan train. Can the eldest protect the rest?

About Slow Train to Nowhere: Sean

When Sean Hussey returns to the town where he lived as a boy, it’s with revenge on his mind. He’s made a success of himself out west and intends to get even with the farmer under whose thumb he once suffered. He’ll show mercy only to the others who shared his fate in days gone by, especially sweet Jenny whose memory he still cherishes.

Sarah Rupert hasn’t had it easy growing up as a girl from the orphan train, and as a survivor of shocking abuse. Since the death of her husband, she’s had to support her young son by dubious means. When Sean Hussey comes back into her life it’s a miracle, because he’s the boy she always wanted for her own. Trouble is, Sean just may be in love with another woman.

Our Review: For those of us who earned our spurs under the rigors of human service advocacy, this heart-rending tale begins with a chilling flashback: “ . . . [the five children] all shared one thing: the shocked wide-eyed stare of a calf being led to slaughter. . .”

Slow Train to Nowhere: Sean is not a story for the faint-hearted. It is, however, a roadmap for the present day because things never change—only the perpetrators—be them The Service for Unwanted Children to the human traffickers of Southern Florida, the warlords of East Africa who ‘employ’ child soldiers’ for their own means, or the oligarchs of the modern Soviet Union. No matter the century or continent, victims of brutality all carry that same wide-eyed stare. We see them every day whether we recognize them or not.

          Laura Strickland’s courage for showcasing what happened in the past will affect victim-survivors in their later years is sensitive and proverbial. Sean’s story is remarkable for his resilience; Sarah in her own way is even more resilient—for she refuses to give up. One finds themselves rooting for these two, as well as the other orphans, to the very last page.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Slow Train to Nowhere: Sean merits a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews