Hook, Line and Murder

    Who says hunting killers won’t heal a broken heart? Not when each murder Meg solves brings her closer to why her husband and son had to die…

About the Book: What does Meg Brightbook, a retired kindergarten teacher, do when the killer of her husband and only child still walks free a year after dirt had covered their graves? Go rogue, of course!

When the detective responsible for Meg’s nightmares takes over the murder investigation of her former student, Meg hunts the killer down with help from her friends. Their cozy lunches at Sweet Buns Café turn into tactical meetings while these retired grade school teachers get themselves in trouble better suited to those in their twenties. And to put the icing on their cream scones, someone is after Meg. Is it the killer—or has she uncovered secrets better left buried with her loved ones?

Our Review: with fun, snappy dialogue that puts the reader into the middle of each scene—no matter what it might entail—the story brings readers, especially those of a ‘certain age’, who might be facing issues associated with sudden loss to the inevitable: What would I do? How would I handle it? Who can I depend on to help me get through this hideous loss?

This Sweet TOOTH group retirees aren’t ready to hang up their teacher tools yet because there’s still a lot of life left in there, gray hair and aching joints be damned. This is a great story that while showing all the usual bumps and grinds of a first attempt will smooth out into a terrific cozy series—one we look forward to seeing where author Calpo will take things.

On a scale of 1-5, Hook, Line and Murder merits a 4.5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Stone of Destiny

      Bound by destiny, torn by fate—their love stood unbroken, victorious over all when a woman, torn between fate and forbidden love, must defy a Fae prophecy and battle dark forces to reclaim her future—and the heart of the Fae warrior she can’t forget.

 About the Book:  Kat MacArthur still feels the loss of her brother to another time. Seeking solace, she stumbles upon Ceallach, a Fae warrior, she’s had feelings for ever since she met him. The emotion grows stronger whenever they are together.  Yet he warns her to stay away from the upcoming gathering for the Iona Stones. Kat refuses—she needs to be there to help her family and Ceallach.

Ceallach is torn between duty, magic, and the ache for mortal love. His Fae soul is sworn to protect the Iona Stones during the Gathering, but his heart is lost to Kat. With the prophecy looming, he cannot promise her forever—no matter how much he longs to. The maiden of the Iona Stones now faces sacrifice, and he fears if his beloved gets too close, he cannot save her.

When dark forces rise to take the Iona Stones along with their powers, Ceallach is forced into an impossible decision—to defy destiny or surrender to love?

Our Review: As with all the stories in this time traveling Scots historical fantasy-romance, the author again offers descriptions of the varied characters, places and the times—whether past or present—in such vivid detail they jump off the page. This is an entertaining conclusion to a most entertaining and inventive series. 

Based on a scale of 1-5, Stone of Destiny merits a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Miracle: The Boys of '80

  Do You Believe in Miracles?

 Miracle: The Boys of ’80: For those who aren’t able to attend the Milan-Cortina Winter Games up close and in person, stay home, snug and warm and partake in the next best thing.

 Our Review: Do you remember where you were when Al Michaels asked the above question? I was snug and warm in our TV room, nursing our third daughter [who will not appreciate my advertising her actual age to the world] while a ragtag group of college kids stunned the hockey world, first by defeating the Russian team, then beating out Finland for the gold medal. The ‘boys’ may be showing a bit of gray and perhaps aren’t moving as smooth and fast as they did in on the rink back in 1980, but watching the joy on their faces as they viewed film clips is a pure joy.

An interesting, underlying theme to this retrospective is an insider look at the enigmatic coach, Herb Brooks. His now adult children commented during the broadcast and showed, along with thoughts from ‘the boys’, on his manner and temperament—what each learned from his style and have carried with them for the rest of their lives.

A pure joy to watch and remember.  

Based on a scale of 1-5, Miracle: The Boys of ’80 merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Forever Kind of Love

 Two wounded souls—an artist and a musician—find love amidst personal struggles.

About the Book:

Devastated by her husband’s arrest for investment fraud, New York photographer Willow Barton flees to her Ohio hometown of Cedar Hill, determined to rebuild her life. But when she’s drawn to her best friend’s brother, Zachary Hayes, a charming country music star, she struggles to resist the chemistry between them, despite seeing him as a player. Adjusting to small-town life proves harder than she expected, and the whispers surrounding her husband’s scandal only intensify her desire to keep her guard up.

As they work together to renovate a garage apartment and her darkroom, hidden desires ignite, but Willow is still dealing with the financial and personal fallout of her marriage. Zach, juggling his rising career and complicated past, finds himself wanting a steadiness he never expected. He knows Willow is the kind of woman who needs commitment, yet he can’t deny the pull he feels toward her.

But when Zach’s ex-girlfriend resurfaces, Willow doubts his intentions, forcing her to confront difficult decisions about trust, forgiveness, and love. With her future hanging in the balance, Willow must decide whether to protect her heart or risk everything for a chance at something real.

 Our Review: In this sweet, second chance at love romance, two people come together with all the baggage of the past, and once they find the one, they strive to overcome past hurts and doubts in order to move on. Another theme looks at the effects of dementia and its effect, not only on the patient, but on family and caregivers. The love and care shown by all the characters is subtle but touching.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Forever Kind of Love merits a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Ruff Justice by Tara Choate

A woman searches for that desperately needed balance between a demanding job and a personal life.

About Ruff Justice: Irene Lisner was not expecting a request to mediate her sister’s marriage. Or to drop her own list of cases to help a coworker. Or a new dog to come into her life. Or a date. A talented principal and a rigid business manager have squared off over accusations of false enrollment, improper purchasing, and state curriculum violations. As Irene investigates the charges, she finds hidden agendas and ulterior motives that make her wonder if she can restore justice to the hardworking school. And, of course, her irrepressible best friend has something to say on everything, especially the new dog.

Our Review: It isn’t often when we find a character we can admire, someone who works each day at a demanding job while balancing the demands from extended family members, and coping with a chronic, potentially debilitating illness. On top of all that, she’s just lost her much loved canine partner and must decide if she can manage a new dog—or give up an important part of herself.

This is a touching story on so many levels—watching Irene help the less fortunate protect and preserve their basic rights to an education, while supporting a family in crisis, and just maybe finding a new human partner to compete with the canine.

Based on a scale of 1-5. Ruff Justice merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews.

The Cowboy's Last Chance

               8 seconds is the span of time for a bull rider to win or lose, live, or sometimes die.

About The Cowboy’s Last Chance: When Vivian Blackburn sets out to shoot pictures at a rodeo, she's not looking for a cowboy—but after meeting bull rider Calhoun Kelly, she's found one. They have an instant attraction and are compatible in every way but one—he has a strong Christian faith while she lost hers after losing both parents to extreme violence.

When Vivian begins to experience dreams that warn of upcoming danger, she doesn't know what to think. Calhoun decides to hang up his spurs at the end of the season but before he does, he and Vivian are married—and he rides his last rodeo. After he's critically injured, his life hangs in the balance. Will Vivian find her faith and pray? It's a close call but time will tell.

Our Review: This touching love story describes two people who have suffered deep loss, each choosing to deal with it in their own ways. Chance is a man of deep religious faith, while Vivian gave up on religion after losing her parents to inexplainable violence. Regardless of a very basic difference, they are, quite frankly, madly in love. That emotion jumps off the pages and into the heart. Their journey is as vivid as the setting of the rodeo culture—a secondary character for sure—as well as the beautiful Southwest Missouri countryside. The resolution of the basic conflict is gut wrenching in its telling—and not to be missed.

Based on a scale of 1-5, The Cowboy’s Last Chance merits a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Bootleg Broadway

              For a look at events and results following the ratification of the 18^th Amendment [aka Prohibition], we offer Bootleg Broadway, written by Diana Rubino and published by the Wild Rose Press.

About Bootleg Broadway: a story of debauchery and a little romance. Booze, music, sex, murder, Prohibition…New York… what a time to be alive!

Our Review: Told from the point of view of the main character, musician and raconteur Billy McGlory, this fictionalized version of life during Prohibition is based on research and discussions with many who lived during that tumultuous time, Author Diana Rubino offers a close-up and personal view of everyday life during Prohibition, those who learned to cope, who went along to get along. This is a vividly painted story, filled with outrageously named and multi-colorful characters, ringing of truths only insiders would know. They should. They lived it.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Bootleg Broadway merits a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews