Fowl Deeds by Wanda J. McLaughlin

 Fowl Deeds:—where small-town charm meets big-time crime.

About the Book: After catching her husband cheating with his bombshell secretary, Darby Alexander swears her life can’t get any messier. Until a dead man shows up in her front yard.

Now, her quiet Arkansas neighborhood is crawling with cops—including the town’s new police chief whose good looks stir feelings she can’t ignore. When the victim turns out to be an ex-con—with her address tucked into his pocket—Darby realizes she’s not just unlucky in love… she might be next on a killer’s list.

Ignoring warnings to stay out of police business, Darby and her best friend Lurlene dive into a world of small-town secrets, shady dealings, and intrigue at the local poultry plant. What begins as curiosity morphs into a fight for her life as Darby uncovers a deadly conspiracy no one saw coming.

Our Review: Move over Stephanie Plum and Lulu; the new kids have arrived in town. Darby and Lurlene are a pair to remember. Not only does the author excel in developing multi-layered characters—her talent for setting in this rural Arkansas town is memorable. Cannot wait to see what’s next on the agenda for these two.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Fowl Deeds merits a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Derailed Hearts by Darlene Fredette

       With a matchmaking grandmother and a mythical rabbit at work, two hearts on a cross‑country train are destined to collide.

About the Book: Single father and ER doctor Ethan Marley is ready to put down roots. A cross-Canada train trip with his young daughter seems like the perfect fresh start—until a captivating woman on board steals his breath. Jenn is also headed to Redford Falls, and though Ethan vows to keep things friendly, she makes his heart race faster than the locomotive carrying them east.

Fashion designer Jenn Martini planned a quiet, soul-restoring journey to visit her father. Instead, she finds herself sharing close quarters with Ethan and his daughter, and the unexpected connection between them derails every intention she had for solitude. By the time the train pulls into Redford Falls, she longs to be part of their family—and for the first time, her guarded heart begins to heal.\

But as Ethan and Jenn discover how much they share, they must decide whether the truth will shatter their fragile new beginning…or save their future.

Our Review: With a real sense of hearth and home, author Darlene Fredette once again enthralls her readers with compelling characters whose logical and understandable goals, motivation and conflict warm the heart, making them think about what’s most important in life. This is a lovely story and a terrific compliment to this enjoyable series.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Derailed Hearts merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

I'll Be Seeing You by Jana Richards

 About Jana Richards’ Twice in a Lifetime Series: After Gabriel Daniels’ car accident, he finds himself in a waiting room next door to Heaven. To earn his angel wings and be allowed the privilege of looking out for his loved ones back on Earth, Gabriel is tasked with giving three mortals their second chance at love. What Gabriel doesn’t count on is having to examine his own life during this process. Coming to terms with his mistakes, especially his mistakes in love, is the biggest test of his afterlife.

About Book 1, I’ll Be Seeing You: Apprentice angel Gabriel Daniel’s first assignment in his quest to become a full-fledged angel is to give WW2 veteran, Frank Brennan, a second chance at love. With help from his mentor, senior angel Thomas, Gabriel takes Frank back to 1944 to Plymouth, England. There, Frank made his biggest mistake with love. His first time in 1944, Frank fell in love with Claire Cartwright, but when he found her kissing another man, he ended their relationship, despite Claire’s insistence that things weren’t as they appeared. This time around, Gabriel’s task is to convince Frank to trust in Claire’s love and fidelity, despite the evidence against her.   

At the same time, Thomas takes Gabriel on a journey through his relationship with Sloane, the love of his mortal life. For the first time, Gabriel sees how his jealousy and distrus. t tainted their love. Unless Gabriel persuades Frank to trust Claire, his goal of becoming a citizen of Heaven is doomed, along with his desire to watch over his mother and brother back on Earth. Frank has a complicated history that Gabriel must help him confront before either of them gets what they need. 

Our Review: Author Jana Richards ability to infuse compelling, impactful emotions into her characters’ actions leaves the rest of the field in the dust. Her second talent is the research she put into this particular story. As the child of two people who were raised during the Great Depression, who then survived WW 2, the songs, dress and hair styles, social mores and values brought us back. This is a lovely trip back in time—one that brought more than one smile. Well done!!

Based on a scale of 1-5, I’ll Be Seeing You merits a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Legacy Lies Loyalty by Darlene Fredette

             When loyalty is tested, and lies run deep, the legacy they inherit could cost them everything.

About the Book: Bound by a loved one’s promise, Jordan McKenzie is devoted to caring for the historic estate she calls home. But a string of mysterious accidents pulls her into a web of danger. When a hidden family connection surfaces, and an innocent kiss lands at the worst possible moment, she’s left questioning trust, devotion, and the people closest to her.

 Chef Logan Crane returns to Redford Falls, hoping to claim an inheritance that could make his dream restaurant a reality. Meeting Jordan changes everything, and her warmth becomes an anchor in the storm he never saw coming. As old wounds reopen and loyalties shift, he realizes she’s the one person he can’t imagine facing the truth without.

 With danger looming and long-buried secrets emerging, Jordan and Logan must decide what—and who—is worth fighting for.

Our Review: there are many reasons to commend the author for in this latest edition to the Redford Falls Stories. First, we have a delicious romance between two deserving people; next, long buried family secrets—on both sides—which beg to be uncovered; third, the series of mysterious ‘accidents’ that hamper solving the initiating incident. Author Fredette has an enviable way of keeping the reader turning the pages to learn the identity of the ‘bad guy’. And what a trip it is.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Legacy Lies Loyalty merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Secret Recipe by Darlene Fredette

 In the heat of the kitchen, one woman’s secret recipe blends danger, deception, and desire.

 About the Book: Jess Robinson is desperate for a fresh start, but an unexpected call from her criminal father drags her back into a world filled with danger and deception—one she thought she’d escaped. With a missing bag of stolen jewels at stake, she must execute the perfect con.

          Between two jobs and family obligations, firefighter Travis Cooper is stretched too thin. The last thing he needs is an unqualified baker at his widowed mother’s bakery and who stirs up more questions than answers. Something about Jess feels familiar, and while Travis is drawn to her, he’s convinced she’s hiding more than a few secrets.

          As drama simmers and danger closes in, Jess and Travis are caught in a game where every move could cost them everything.

Our Review: As with all her creations, author Fredette’s ability to pack strong emotions into a short story is enviable. Jess Robinson isn’t exactly ‘on the run’ but she’s running for the life of her inmate father—to keep him safe from retaliation behind bars.

          Another of Fredette’s many talents is creating setting. If readers believe nothing much happens in a small town, think again. Redford Falls might be on the far end of Eastern Canada, but it could easily be any small town, anywhere on the globe.

Last, Jess’ background, compelling to all, is no different from any adult who has experienced loss, sadness and neglect at the hands of a manipulative parent who likely knew no other life.

          Secret Recipe will draw you in from the first page and not let go till the very last line.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Secret Recipe, merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

A New Dawn by Trina Spillman

        A pulse-pounding political thriller where love, betrayal, and democracy collide.

About the Book:

A catastrophic explosion rocks Washington, D.C., leaving chaos in its wake. Attorney Ian McCullough rushes to find his partner, a presidential nominee caught in the blast, and instead uncovers evidence pointing to a conspiracy at the nation’s highest level. Each step closer to the truth puts Ian in greater danger, as powerful forces move to silence him.

At the center of the plot is the ruthless vice president, whose false-flag operation could plunge the country into panic and secure his rise to power. With enemies closing in and only a few unlikely allies to trust, Ian must risk everything to expose the truth before democracy itself becomes collateral damage.

Our Review: As a long time, fanatic reader of political fiction, we glommed onto A New Dawn and liked it for its fresh voice and relevancy to today’s political climate. We found the ‘lead’ characters, Ian and James, to be well drawn and compelling in their motivation, conflicts and devotion to each other. As the “stars” of this show, both filled the bill nicely.

A few of the secondary characters however [such as the commandant of the naval base] took up needed space which should have been devoted to more the important and necessary antagonistic characters who deserved additional time—and clear identification to name and role.

Overall, the story ends too abruptly, leaving several loose threads. A bit more attention to the “powerful forces” behind the underlying plot was just not there, thus leaving us wanting.  

Based on a scale of 1-5. A New Dawn merits a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Authors

Red Gate Farm by D. V. Stone

 Everything is at its most bleak…when a man of steel—and his trusty sidekick—step up to save the day.

 About the Book: Just when animal rescuer/horse boarder-rancher Addie Martin thinks she’s got it all together, eminent domain steps in and threatens her life as she knows it. There she is, with horses, goats, dogs, and cats without a place to live and nowhere to go. Up steps a former newspaper reporter and his pal, Albert who possesses more than the usual amount of spiritual support. The road to recovery for both Henry and Addie is not a smooth one. Wrong turns, obstreperous animals, late night vandalism and shadowy politicians wreak havoc until a sweet solution is found.

 Our Review: Short, sweet, simple and well written. The lead characters are terrific but it is the supporting cast—the two and four-legged ones who stand out like flags at a parade. We didn’t expect to like this one so much—and are certain those who are committed to endangered animals, heroines who refuse to stay down after life hands them a couple hard knocks, and heroes who make you smile. What’s not to love?

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Red Gate Farm merits a 9.

  Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews