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

 

Indigo by Karen Hulene Bartell

               About Indigo: Reeling after a broken engagement, a woman inherits a rustic cabin on a Wisconsin lake and intends to flip it as quickly as possible. But eerie incidents, along with rumors of a mythical windigo, cause her more than a little alarm. Surrounded by shady real-estate agents, ruthless threats, and a treacherous ex, she is overwhelmed—until a rescued puppy and a shocking spark with a local man sets her world on fire…literally…

Our Review: With a complex series of sub-plots, author Bartell excels at presenting characters so vivid and true to life, they jump off the page. From a couple fly-by-night real estate agents to an ex-fiancé worthy of any TV documentary about serial con artists to some really creepy neighbors—who may or may not be blood relations to the heroine—this is a story that deserves time in order to absorb and relish the meaning. To read it too fast risks missing important points that should not be ignored.

 

Based on a scale of 1-5, Indigo merits a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Renewal Required by Mia Augustine

 Great stories matter. So does the freedom to tell them.

“Renewal Required”, a  contemporary romance, written by Mia Augustine, is part of the Summer Heatwave anthology, written by  eight talented, award-winning authors to benefit FIRE:The Foundation for Individual Rights and Free Expression.

About the story:“. . . we should start a movement—require renewal of marriage licenses. . .” So speaks Seattle based interior designer and home staging expert Magdalena Hartwell. Long time married to Maxamillian, they are empty nesters, after their son goes off to college and—surprise—is happy, healthy, and speaks to them on a regular basis. Point for their side. But there’s something off in paradise. And just maybe a monkey, in the form of local shock jock radio contest. And the fun—as well as a serious learning experience about themselves and the person they married—and the fun begins.

Our Review: Another terrific story by the ever-talented Mia Augustine. We have two long-time married professionals who seem to have lost that special something. Through a set of four challenges, flavored by fast-talking local DJs, Augustine shows her readers how two deserving people come together and suddenly recognize the why and how their life has turned upside down. All in front of watchful Seattle who is not afraid to share their opinions.

A hoot of a story on several levels.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Renewal Required merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33 Photos From the Ghetto

 Those who forget—or deny—the past are doomed to repeat it.

 33 Photos From the Ghetto: A documentary, currently available at HBO Max, tells the story of the only known photos from inside the Warsaw Ghetto during the uprising of April 1943.

 Our Review: The sometimes grainy black and whites show the suffering and degradation of the Warsaw Jews at the hands of Hitler’s henchmen. If anything, these vivid photographs invoke equally jarring images of recent events that occurred, not only in Minneapolis, but many and other American cities as well. While some might ask, ‘when will the madness end?’ devoted fans of the late Leon Uris who recall his blockbuster novels which included Exodus, Mila 18, and QB-VII will nod and say, ‘finally, here is the proof.’

 Based on a scale of 1-5, 33 Photos From The Ghetto merits a 10.

  Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

The Water Diamond by CB Wilson

 . . . Sometimes the only person who can think like a jewel thief is a jewel thief’s daughter. . .

About The Water Diamond: When a legendary Art Deco bracelet vanishes under suspicious circumstances, diamond recovery specialist Taylor “Hunter” is called in to recover it. What begins as a high-profile theft quickly escalates into something far more dangerous: a murder, a decades-old disappearance, and a hidden second bracelet tied to a mystery dating back to May 29, 1929.

As Hunter follows the clues, the investigation leads from the elegance of the Wrigley Mansion to its historic coastal counterpart, the Wrigley Mansion on Catalina Island—uncovering a web of secrets that spans desert and sea. But she’s not the only one searching, and someone is willing to kill to keep the truth buried.

Our Review: It isn’t often we can say a book kept us up late into the night—or woke us up in the early morning hours to finish—because learning the identity of the real “bad guys” became an obsession. With her talent for crisp, non-stop action and creating individualized characters who support “Hunter” in clever, often unexpected ways, author CB Wilson has herself a winner here. From the cocky and manipulative ex-husband—Chad the Cad—to the FBI guy whose too hunky for words but also has just the right knee-knocking moves, to the former diplomat we all hope to emulate in our golden years, to Glimmer the gem-detecting Dachshund who is most definitely one for the books.

Action, characters, and plot, combined with glamorous settings, make this a must read for cozy mystery fans.

Based on a scale of 1-5, The Water Diamond merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews