Balancing the Woofs by Tara Choate

 About the Book: Irene Lisner feels like her life is finally on track. Her sister Angie has moved hundreds of miles away. Her mother, Jennifer, appears to have followed Angie, so is rarely around. Goose, the new dog, is fun, and energetic, and the two are about to start agility training.

     On an even better side, her MS symptoms look to be easing up; work feels smooth, with no big cases on the horizon. She even has a boyfriend. It’s all too good to be true.

     But after she is assigned to help another department with a standard audit, the non-standard review sends things into a downward spiral.

 Our Review: We’ve said it in the past and will continue to shout it to the sky: a well-written, interesting book contains a minimum of three important criteria: well-drawn, multi-faceted characters, a compelling conflict, and a plot line that teaches the reader something they did not know before they turned the first page

Balancing the Woofs has it all, and more. Irene Lisner’s job as an auditor for the State of Oregon takes her into new and interesting situations, meeting some often not so nice characters…thus the reader learns something new. Irene suffers from Multiple Sclerosis but, with the advice and guidance of trusted friends and professionals, she’s coping as best she can and leading a healthy, productive life. Last, training dogs for a myriad of different events one often sees on their favorite media site is fascinating. As the book concludes a new opportunity for Irene and Goose, the energetic rescue pup, crops up—and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for this intrepid woman who never gives up.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Balancing the Woofs merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review

The Carrot Marmalade Murder

Roxy and Nate are finally headed down the aisle, but when his ex ends up dead, Nate becomes the prime suspect. Roxy needs to find the real killer before the wedding goes completely off the rails.

 About The Carrot Marmalade Murder: Roxy and Nate are finally getting married, but murder was never on the program. In the midst of wedding prep, Roxy has to deal with Nate’s trouble-making ex who thinks she can rekindle their romance. Then, things get serious after the ex ends up dead in a Shavano back alley.

     Now Roxy needs to clear Nate’s name, sell her customers on her latest new flavor: carrot marmalade, and find herself a wedding dress. All before it’s time to take a deep breath and confront her own wedding jitters.

 Our Review: As a small businessperson who is routinely stretched for time, there’s nothing like discovering about a character who thinks, acts and sounds just like us [been there, done that, got the T-shirt to prove it], hates, loathes and despises dresses in any form or fashion [thereby finding the perfect something to wear for that walk down the aisle is more annoying than the pickiest of customers]. 

If that wasn’t bad enough, murder steps in to gum up the works. Death in a back alley in a popular tourist town likely qualifies for the emergency of the century—even if the victim probably earned more than her share of enemies for her aggressive attitude alone.

Author Meg Benjamin has a talent for creating setting. Again, this die-hard East Coaster is dying to visit the Colorado Rockies. Adding to that, offering the minute details on the preparations that go into catering large and small events made our mouth water [those Asian meatballs sound yummy beyond belief]. There’s nothing like an intriguing cozy mystery written by Meg Benjamin.

Based on a scale of 1-5, The Carrot Marmalade Murder merits an 8.

Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review

The Sheep Detectives

 The hubs and I just finished watching this terrific movie. Told mainly from the sheeps' POV, this one is a powerful study of human behavior and the effects on those animals in their care. This one is beautiful, and redemptive, and all around terrific.

Enjoy. 

Keep a box of tissues handy; you'll need one.  

The Case of the Trust Fund Tabby by Emily Karmazin

 Diagnosis: Murder

Prescription: Justice

Side Effects: One diabetic millionaire cat.

 About The Case of the Trust Fund Tabby: Former trauma nurse Lexi Burns thought moving back to her sleepy hometown of Atherton, Missouri, would be quiet—especially now that she’s imported her handsome private investigator boyfriend, Koa, from Hawaii.

     But when her ex-boyfriend, the town’s only police detective, is shot in a robbery and subsequently "codes" in the ICU due to a suspicious nursing error, Lexi’s medical instincts scream foul play.

     She teams up with her best friend Zelda—a woman who solves problems with crystals, aura readings, and zero boundaries—to investigate. Their prime suspect is Wendy, a jittery nurse who weeps over patients and prays for their souls a little too enthusiastically. But when a beloved neighbor dies suddenly and leaves his entire estate to a diabetic cat named Bebe, the case takes a turn from medical malpractice to cold-blooded murder.

     Lexi discovers that Wendy isn't just incompetent; she’s being weaponized by a greedy heir using religious psychosis as a murder weapon. Now, she must save the trust fund tabby—and her patients—before the killer strikes again.

 Our Review: Move over Stephanie Plum and Lula. Best pals Lexi and Zelda are back for another Mid-Life Mystery, this one involving a spoiled diabetic cat and a religious psychotic—or is that the case? You have to read this one to find out the answers and this one is a beauty.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Case of the Trust Fund Tabby merits an 8.

Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review

A Christmas Storm by D. V. Stone

 About A Christmas Storm: This sweet holiday story focuses on our military men and women and those who stand by the home front through good times—and not so good; strong family values, and the unexpected opportunity for second chances.

Our Review: No matter how long ago it might have happened, everyone who has ‘served’ time in the military—either on active duty or standing by the home fires—will get this story. Hint: keep an extra large box of tissues handy. .

It’s three days before Christmas and all Lacey Prescott can think about is the first holiday she’ll share with her serviceman husband—until the fates intervene and cancel his leave. We remember those days and admire the ease with which author D.V. Stone infuses frustration, joy, sadness, as well as the urge to give in to the crying jag of the century. This delightful story shows with effortless style and manner the need for family support, devotion to duty and family—with a few Christmas miracles thrown in for special flavor.

Based on a scale of 1-5, A Christmas Storm merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, A Wild Women Review

 

 

 

 

Dabbling in Danger by Mary Ann Jacobs

Return to Pittman, catch up on the latest ‘adventures’ of the Super Sleuths. . .

About Dabbling in Danger: Once again, follow the adventures of the Pittman, Massachusetts family as the friends known as the Super Sleuths join with local lawmen to solve two murders, an attempted murder, a kidnapping, a disappearance, and manage to break up a counterfeiting ring.

Our Review: For readers new to this series, it might take a bit to get acclimated to the setting and characters of this small tourist town set in the glorious Berkshire Mountains. Loyal fans of this contemporary cozy mystery series, however, will sit back and enjoy catching up on the new business ventures, romances, and current details in the lives of the characters they came to love in Don’t Mess with Me and Peril in Pittman--books 1 and 2 in this series. Follow the exploration of family and friendship for these diverse but cohesive characters.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Dabbling in Danger merits a 4.

 Kat Henry Doran, A Wild Women Review

 

 

 

  

Ragged in the Rain by Brian Anderson

 A missing woman leads a stubborn PI into Seattle’s underbelly, where every ally is uncertain, and every clue drags him deeper into danger.

 About Ragged in the Rain: When his best friend’s sister vanishes with a man known for his drug habit, Minneapolis private investigator Lyle Dahms heads to Seattle to bring her home. But the city he finds is nothing like the postcards—its rain-soaked streets hide a growing homelessness crisis, predatory dealers, and police who don’t want an outsider stirring up trouble.

     While searching for the missing woman, Dahms leans on unlikely allies: an elderly Filipino food bank volunteer with sharp instincts and a handful of strangers whose loyalties shift like the weather. Each lead pulls him deeper into a world ruled by desperation, where trust is scarce, and danger waits around every corner.

     Far from home and increasingly out of his depth, Dahms must decide how much he’s willing to risk to keep a promise. Because the truth behind the young woman’s disappearance is darker than he imagined—and finding her may cost him far more than he came to give.

 Our Review: Having thoroughly enjoyed each of Brian Anderson’s Lyle Dahms novels, his latest noir mystery does not disappoint. This time, the usual flavor of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser PI, takes on the gritty darkness of Mickey Spillane—and it sings in three-part harmony.

     Seattle comes to life, becoming a character on its own, with its urban underbelly featuring the ugliness of the drug trade as well as the rising dangers faced by the homeless and those who advocate for them.

     This a story of loyalty and betrayal, broke our hearts.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Ragged in the Rain merits a 9.

Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review