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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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