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

The Cowboy From Tipperary

 While on a trail drive to Sedalia, a young wastrel’s life is changed forever…

 About The Book: Padraig is the black sheep of the McCoy clan. Until now, his father’s money has always bought him out of scrapes...but at last the boy in a man’s clothing goes too far and finds himself a remittance man, paid by his father to leave home and never come back.

After boarding a ship to America, the ne’er-do-well Padraig doesn’t stop traveling until he comes to the Great Plains of Nebraska. Finding a rancher willing to take a chance on a young greenhorn who knows nothing about cattle, Padraig sets out to become a cowboy—and succeeds--until Fate deals him a different set of cards.

Our Review: We’ve said it before, no one creates family sagas—no matter the setting like Toni V. Sweeney. Over a course of several years, readers are treated to watching Padraig McCoy’s maturation from a spoiled, self-absorbed wastrel to a honorable, hardworking man who quite naturally put others before himself.

Perhaps the most touching line in the book is when Padraig, thinking of his father, muses, “Ya’ didn’t fail, Da. Ya’ just had ta’ get me to the proper place for me to succeed.”

And, after all, doesn’t that say it all for any of us? 

 On a scale of 1-5, The Cowboy from Tipperary deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

https://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Tipperary-McCoys-Book-ebook/dp/B0DJPH11FJ/r

 

 

 

His Christmas Muse by J. J. Ransom

 After online dating goes sideways, a southern girl meets a fellow who's obviously all wrong for her, but a little dog brings them together.

About the Book: Sylvie is a lonely southern girl looking for love online. She finds herself on a dating site, and the fun is supposed to begin. Pete is divorced and just fine being alone. He accidentally meets Sylvie after she’s stood up by a blind date. When they bump into each other again, he is smitten. She unlocks Pete’s writer’s block, so he plots to keep Sylvie in his orbit. He’s wrong for her, Sylvie is certain, even though she doesn’t know who he really is. A rescue dog named Riley keeps bringing them together. Silvie discovers the magic of Christmas in Virginia where love lights up her holiday.

     His Christmas Muse explores how we misjudge others, tell ourselves lies, and heal from past wounds.

Our Review: This sweet, contemporary holiday romance will light up those dark nights, perhaps in front of a warm fire and the adult beverage of your choice. A standout quality of this story is the snappy dialogue—particularly after Pete arrives on screen—and makes this a good read.

Based on a scale of 1-5, His Christmas Muse merits a 3.5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

Love & the Divorce Lawyer

About the Book: Four years ago, divorce attorney Josie Jensen came close to death at the hands of a client—leaving her permanently disabled. Now, something calls her back to the courtroom—and it’s another woman in jeopardy from her abusive husband. It’s just this one, she vows. Until the next, then the next. When threats, at first minor and annoying, become increasingly more scary and start to inconvenience Josie’s daily life she starts to wonder. Something is up—but who? —and why?

 Our Review: Reminiscent of the classic movies featuring the snappy banter of Tracy and Hepburn, along with the push-pull conflict at personal and professional levels. Flavor all that with Jewish traditions and customs and the reader can’t help but smile. Josie has the guts and grit of ten women while her antagonist—opposing attorney Richard Diamond—brings a certain mysterious sexiness to every scene. That smile broadens as we wonder what will come next in this fun series. A winner all around.

 On a scale of 1-5, Love & the Divorce Lawyer merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews