Parallel Peril by Maria Lynn Barrs

              A TV journalist searching for her long-lost sister becomes trapped inside an isolated colony where she must fight to survive—and confront her guilt, her past love, and the terrifying truth about what really happened to her sister.

About the Book: TV journalist Vicky Robeson spent years chasing stories—and the ghost of her sister, who vanished after a childhood tragedy. She tracks a trail of secrets pointing to a mysterious group of fundamentalists living deep in the California foothills. She joins forces with her former lover to locate the isolated colony and discovers that women are trapped there for nefarious purposes. What begins as a search for truth turns into a fight for survival. Trapped and cut off from the world, Vicky and her lover risk everything to escape, free the women, and face the terrifying possibility that one of them may be the sister she blames herself for losing.

Our Review: This one hits all the high notes for fans of women’s fiction, suspense and mayhem, all rolled into a crackling travel adventure. Author Barrs knows how to write bad guys—then scares the crap out of her fans with clever plotting and exceptional supporting characters. Very well done!

Based on a scale of 1-5, Parallel Peril merits an 8.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Bane of Dragons by Dan Rice

 In The Bane of Dragons by Dan Rice, in order to save the planet from ravening shapeshifters, a teenage alien human hybrid must overcome her greatest fear, herself.

 About the Book: Monstrous forces from across the multiverse have set their eyes upon Earth as the perfect planet to create a beachhead in the universe humanity calls home. The problem with that? Humans will be enslaved…and used as food stock for skaags, ravenous shapeshifting super soldiers.

    Allison, a teenage alien human hybrid, is humanity’s only hope. She must do the unthinkable and travel the slipstream, the super highway through the multiverse, to bring the conflict to the enemy’s turf. With a crack squad of miscreants as allies, she does just that, but nothing goes according to plan.

     Instead of arriving at the enemy’s home world, they end up as the prisoners of angry terrestrial octopi. Their astute negotiations don’t win them freedom, but see them transferred into the custody of General Bane, the skaag supreme military commander feared throughout the multiverse. Allison discovers that to save herself and life on Earth, she must learn to unravel the magic binding General Bane and his kind to their overlords. To accomplish that, she must face her greatest fear, herself.

 Our Review: One of the things better than the glorious cover art on this story is the writing. Even fans of YA or the fantasy/paranormal/futuristic genre will drop their teeth over this one. It is edge of your seat action, toe curling danger, and a few hints of the gore involved. Author Dan Rice has hit this one out of the park.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Bane of Dragons merits an 8.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

A Hero's Heart by Evelyn Timidaiski

           About A Hero’s Heart: Seeking safety and comfort offered by her beloved Aunt Vonnie, Victoria Ansley flees to Sea Grass Cove to escape a violent blackmailer. Moments after her arrival in the small tourist town, the no-nonsense town sheriff informs her Vonnie has gone missing. Almost immediately, random events suggest the building which houses her aunt’s home as well as her popular bakery might be key to Vonnie’s disappearance. While waiting for her aunt to be found, Victoria takes over the running of the business and starts learning the intricacies of pastry making. She and the sheriff begin a methodical search of the building—and discover dead bodies, a hidden speakeasy-casino, and a desiccated skeleton.

Blake Morrison’s job as the local sheriff would be a breeze—if not for Victoria Ansley. The woman attracts trouble like bears to honey. While he doesn’t believe she has any part in the kidnapping or murders, one ‘accident’ after another proves to be too much for his comfort level so he moves into the house as a bodyguard. Knowing his attraction to her will only complicate matters, he maintains a strict hands-off posture.

As pressure from local politicians and townspeople mounts, suspects start coming out of the walls, putting both Victoria and Blake at risk—not only for their very lives but for their hearts.

Our Review: Evelyn Timidaiski’s first attempt at writing a mystery is a home run. Following advice from experts, she keeps the hits on coming, one more dangerous than the last. Balancing the mystery surrounding the historic Maine cottage is the sweet romance between Victoria and Blake—turning the story into a winner all around.

Based on a scale of 1-5, A Hero’s Heart merits a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

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