The Bleed Through Effect by AA Dasilva

 Amidst a complex web of love, betrayal, and the quest for power, morality is tested, and two soulmates must face the consequences of choices they make across multiple lives.

About the Book: Charlotte and Simon are ready to move on with their lives after dismantling the black-ops agency known as Quantym. But Charlotte begins suffering from nightmares and disturbing visions, and she fears events on the Periphery—her parallel life—are impacting her via the bleed-through effect.

In a dual timeline between the main reality and the Periphery, Charlotte and Simon must confront the blurred lines between strength and weakness, love and loyalty, and their past and future.

As they struggle to regain control over their lives, a catastrophic secret is revealed, a vengeful lover on a quest for power closes in, and Charlotte must figure out a way forward...even when the past refuses to let go.

Our Review: If non-stop action, dystopian theories and super evil bad guys make the top three spots on your To Be Read list, anything by AA Dasilva are the ones for you. In book 2 of her Periphery Series, she takes things to a higher level as Charlie and Simon work to solve the problems created by Mitch and Jared Cardoza, masterminds of Quantym and world domination in general.

If you are into letting your imagination run wild, if you don’t mind a little—to—a—lot of violence, this is the one for you.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Bleed Through Effect merits a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Authors

 

 

 

 

Out of the Crash by Susan Poole

 About the Book: After a fatal hit-and-run devastates their close-knit community, author Caroline Beasley and high school senior Ethan Shawver find themselves at a crossroads as their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. Both are left reeling as they try to make sense of the tragedy that has irrevocably changed their families forever. Caroline struggles with the dark implications of her son's role in the crash, feeling the weight of guilt and despair. Meanwhile, Ethan grapples with the sudden loss of his mother and stumbles upon a disturbing secret that threatens to upend everything he believes. As they each search for truth and healing, they must confront their deepest fears and regrets to find a way forward.

Our Review: The three major themes in this novel are ones which could happen to any of us—male or female, middle-aged or young adults just starting their lives. Each is frightening in their own right and often too horrendous to consider the ‘what would I do if. . .’ situation.

Caroline and Ethan find themselves shoved into the unthinkable, with little to no support, then battle their paths toward surviving the unthinkable.

This is a powerful novel written by a powerful author.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Out of The Crash merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Tempered Journey by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

 A second chance at love comes when it’s least expected, but most needed  

 About the Book: Nurse Pat Greene and widowed cowboy Craig Harris, each at a crossroad in their lives, are looking for signs directing them to the next path to take. Romance? Could they? Better yet—should they? What will their loved ones think? Better—what won’t they think? This is a story of second chances and finding the strength to move on after profound loss.

Our Review: For inspiration, faith, and/or strength in the face of adversity, the incomparable Pamela Thibodeaux and her stories are the answer hands down. Her characters are memorable, well drawn and individual right down to their speech patterns. Pat and Craig are able to admit they are at a crossroads for the next step in their lives—yet they do not back down, do not doubt themselves when it matters most. A testament to them are the lifelong friendships they’ve each maintained as well as loving, supportive family.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Tempered Journey merits a 6.

  Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Ballard

 

 

After a woman speaks her truth. . . she then pays the price on “Ballard” the newest police procedural Netflix series based on the novels by Michael Connelly and starring Maggie Q.

 About the Series: The once hotshot homicide detective for the LAPD, Renée Ballard, watches her career go up in smoke after she accuses a high-ranking officer of sexual assault. Because she refuses to go along to get along, the rapist-cop pulls a few strings and gets Renee exiled to the Cold Case Squad. Working as the only sworn officer she leads a ragtag group of retired, future, and wannabe reserve officers, while attacking, literally, boxes of unsolved cases. In the process if solving more than a few cases, they turn up a serial killer.

Our Review: The ten-episode binge worthy series will surely raise anyone’s conscience while watching Ballard and her team navigate their way through the system—all in the name of helping families of the dead or presumed dead. Some just want a body to bury; others don’t know if their loved one might still be alive; while others, of course, want justice. Then, there’s the issue of multiple unsolved homicides—whose victims are all persons of color—where police response might have been less than . . .average.

The higher ups are relentless in holding Ballard’s ‘transgression’ over her head, offering non-verbal promises of no support for her team’s work at solving the unsolvable. All because she refuses to back down from the age old chauvinist mantra: “an accusation like that can ruin a good man’s career”. She’s not about to retract, bury, nor forget anything. And then. . . the newest member of the squad discloses she too was victimized by the same ranking officer. Ding Ding Ding.

          The action is non-stop; twists and turns abound; and just when the viewer thinks Ballard has everything wrapped up neat and tidy—the feces hits the fan. This one’s a beauty.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Ballard merits a 9.

 Veronica Lynch, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Death's Honesty by Brian Anderson

 Welcome to Minneapolis and the favorite haunts of PI Lyle Dahms and associates who make up the next installment of a compelling series.

 About the Book: On his deathbed, Minneapolis private investigator Lyle Dahms’ father—a retired suburban police patrolman—asks his son to reach out to a dark figure from their shared past. Despite his reservations, Dahms feels he cannot refuse. The visit set off a chain reaction that will expose long-buried family secrets and provoke dangerous enemies.

          As threats mount, Dahms must protect not only his family but that of his father’s former partner—a man he is not sure he can trust.

 Our Review: In this fourth book of the intriguing and compelling Lyle Dahms series, author Brian Anderson delves deeper into his enigmatic lead character, tossing in the cadre of quirky friends—and not so friendly enemies. As always, the reader goes right to the bitter end to find out who the real bad guy is in this intriguing and painfully emotional novel of suspense and family secrets. Excellent!!

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Death’s Honesty merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Letters to Nobody by Jean M. Grant

 Her heartbreak becomes his success.

 About the Book: When the plot of a bestselling novel eerily mirrors her own life, librarian Helen Wright freaks out. The anonymous ‘grief letters’ she wrote so long ago went nowhere—and were infinitely cheaper than therapy.

          But somehow the letters that were supposed to stop at the Dead Letter File, ended up in the hands of a hot shot journalist turned novelist. That’s bad enough; now, he’s coming to her town to promote his book.

          Gabe Dennehy uses a book tour of small New England towns in order to find his muse—the letter writer who saved his soul and his career. He owes her. Big time.

          In order to rescue her town’s library from small town politics and a bulldozer, Helen and Gabe must dig into the past. But a plot twist might just destroy their chances to rewrite their future.

Our Review: Letters to Nobody is more than a mystery—of sorts—it is a love story to those lost and much loved. It is a story of friendship, family, community, and an interesting dive into the history of the Underground Railroad. Jean M. Grant at her very best!

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Letters to Nobody merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen

 The Martini Club to the rescue.

 About the Book: The Martini Book Club, a collection of former CIA agents, are living out their retirement in the quiet town of Purity, Maine. After one of the group comes under suspicion when a teenager goes missing, Club members step up to the plate. Despite creaking joints or maybe moving slower than they might like, the brain still recalls the right steps, the right moves. Violent crime rarely happens in Purity and the acting Chief of police, while young and relatively inexperienced, is at a loss as to what’s really going on—till Maggie Bird and her pals come to the rescue.

 Our Review: This is more than “townies vs summer people”, a common issue in any tourist town. It is something deeper, going back decades, filled with taciturn ‘Mainers’ who go along each day, coping as best they can. The dry humor and dialogue, true to each individual character, brings smiles to our lips and nods of agreement for devotees of the characters created by Ludlum and Drury, Maxim and LeCarre—and we are so happy for it.  

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Summer Guests merits a 7.

  Veronica Lynch, Wild Women Reviews