Christmas Traditions and Wagging Tails

 Two determined sleuths. Two remarkable dogs. One Christmas full of secrets in historic St. Charles, Missouri.

About the Book[s]: In A Stitch in Time for Christmas, crafter Kiki Lowenstein and her perceptive Harlequin Great Dane, Gracie, get entangled in a Christmas murder after a dead body falls into Kiki’s lap—literally. Kiki will lie, eavesdrop, and snoop to keep a killer from walking away singing “Jingle Bells”, even if it means facing the disapproval of the most judgmental dog in town.

While in The Christmas Diamond, Taylor Hunter, and her diamond-sniffing dachshund Glimmer, meet their match after the legendary Christmas Diamond, a rare green chameleon stone, vanishes from a locked vault in the middle of historic St. Charles Missouri. Hunter and Glimmer follow the clues through the many Victorian Christmas celebrations and the town’s smuggling past, until the Master of Revels is murdered and the race is on to unwrap the mystery before Christmas Eve.

Our Review: Both stories, told by two masters of the cozy mystery genre, feature subtle dry wit that will bring a smile to the most stubborn of Scrooge readers, rigid attention to detail—whether it be Victorian costumes, the historic flair of the town of Saint Charles, or the basic how-to’s of jewelry heists. Subtlety is the working order here and we are better for having been gifted with this delightful holiday treat.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Christmas Traditions and Wagging Tails merits an 8.

Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review

Evergreen Evermore by Margaret Izard

               Legend shapes fate but love burns strong enough to defy destiny.

About the book: Charged with carrying the legendary Iona Stones, Anne, the daughter of a king, joins forces with Ewan MacDougall, the Highland laird sworn to protect the stones as dark forces rise to claim the power of the stones and rewrite destiny itself.

Our review: In this fitting conclusion [for now anyway] to the Stones of Iona series, author Margaret Izard again offers us a strong heroine and those who revere her for her strength and resilience in the face of adversity from several avenues. Her match in Ewan is just as strong and deserves every bit of the loyalty and pride of the men he leads and those they serve. A powerful ending to a powerful series. Well done!  

Based on a score of 1-5. Evergreen Evermore merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review.

 

The Ice Diamond by CB Wilson

         Every diamond has a story… This one is colder than betrayal

About the book: Taylor Hunter has tracked stolen gems across the globe. She knows thieves, cons, and impossible heists. But she’s never faced a theft from a locked room carved entirely from ice.
     When the priceless Ice Diamond vanishes during a glittering gala at Québec City's legendary Hôtel de Glace, Hunter expects a brilliant jewel thief. What she gets is murder, an Olympic “Ice Princess” with a dangerous secret, and clues that point disturbingly close to home.
     Luckily, Hunter has Glimmer—a diamond-sniffing dachshund with a genius nose for precious gems and an unfortunate talent for finding trouble. Together, they race through the frozen streets of Old Québec and follow a trail of clues into an icy labyrinth where someone has been hiding the truth for decades.
     Recover the diamond. Catch the killer.
     Easy. Except when your father is one of the world's most notorious jewel thieves, nothing is ever simple.

Our review: Likely one of the outstanding attractions of this non-stop action mystery is the author’s detailed and lyrical descriptions. Whether it is the twists and turns of the mighty Saint Lawrence River to the rough and ready security officer [“...he carried himself like a man who didn’t need size to intimidate. His confidence came from knowing how far he could push...”] to the elegance of Old City Quebec and the skating pair of Sabrina and Robert. The reader is landed right in the middle and it’s a moment to relish. Additionally, with just enough hints about previous books in the Gem Hunters series, it makes us want to find the entire series and dig in. Brava!

Based on a score of 1-5. The Ice Diamond merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review.

 

Don't Tempt Me by Charlotte O'Shay

               The opposite of an enemy isn't a lover. It’s Evan Archer.

About the Book:  Evan Archer, my brother’s grouchy best friend, a pranking, academic rival, was the one person I was thrilled to see move across the country for college. But, a decade later, when Evan returns for my brother’s wedding, he's turned into a swaggering, successful, maddening temptation.

One “we’re gonna regret this” wedding hookup later, Evan pulls the ultimate prank: he disappears without a word. So I block his number and dig into my real life as a high school science teacher and the backbone of my family’s apple orchard.

Now, Eden Farm’s big harvest weekend is one apple cinnamon donut away from disaster. My parents are away, my brother has an emergency and I’m single-handedly facing a farm full of cider-happy tourists—until Evan shows up. I’m bracing for the punchline; instead he rolls up his sleeves. As we survive apple bobbing mishaps and corn maze chaos, his scowls start to look suspiciously like smiles.

My brain says he’s an unpredictable variable, but my heart is tempted to believe in forever. Is Evan finally ready to plant roots, or is this his most rotten to the core trick yet?

Our review: I did not want to have this story end. With a hero every woman with a brain would want in her life [at least once], and a heroine [while I loathe the word ‘plucky’, it fits] who makes me smile—I wanted Addy and Evan to go on and on and on. I loved their history; their differences; and the sharp witty dialogue.

This avid fan of short, spicy romances cannot ask for more!

Based on a score of 1-5. Don’t Tempt Me merits an 8.

Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review.

 

 

Falling For You

               They have a perfect game going. Until he wants to change the rules.

Welcome to Spice-tember, a collection of 30 spooky, as well as spicy, short stories celebrating all things . . . spooky and spicy. Up first is Falling For You, a spicy contemporary romance written by native New Yorker Charlotte O’Shay and set in the close-knit neighborhoods of that fascinating city and is flavored with the nuances of major league baseball—and all that fascinating sport entails.

About the Book: Delaney Fortunato lives her life inside the lines—as an up-and-coming accountant focused on the family business and the youngest in her sprawling, loving, incredibly nosy clan. Danny Danyelovich is a veteran major league catcher who lives out of a suitcase, his only family an adored grandmother.

While Delaney craves independence, privacy and predictability, he thrives on the comradery of the clubhouse, the crowd and the chaos of the road. The only thing they have in common is the explosive physical chemistry they indulge in secret. But when they meet for their post-season hookup, Danny says he wants to take their relationship public.

Is their winning streak about to come to an end, or can they figure out a way to play for keeps?

Our review: This story has so many things going for it—the spice of a contemporary romance, two deserving and likeable characters, and that enticing draw of New York. Add in MLB and we were hooked from page one. Without offering any spoilers, the ending is perfect—and priceless. Do Not Miss.

Based on a score of 1-5, Falling For You merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review.

 

Death Hits the High Notes by GG Calpo

              About the book: Concert tickets are sold out. But will the production go on as scheduled in seven days? Two members of the choir are dead, one is MIA. and another grows weaker by the day.  Five former elementary school teachers are ignited into action, risking life and limb to find the killer. No matter what, these long-time friends are there for each other. No Matter What

Our review:  this story, book two in the Sweet TOOTH Murder Mystery series, has many things going for it: in particular are the five strong, opinionated lead characters who, over the years, have supported and defended each other in times of need. Each is unique in their own personality, speech patterns and actions. Laughter abounds with this crew and no matter what—each will stick with the reader.  

Based on a score of 1-5. Death Hits the High Notes merits a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review.

Hard Lemonade by Darlene DeLuca

         Her husband fails. Her marriage fails. 

      Does that make Emily Sherridan a failure?

 About the Book: With high hopes and rose-colored shades, Emily Sherridan leaves her family and friends to build a new life in with her screenwriter husband in sunny Los Angeles. There, she learns that love conquers all…until the rent is overdue, the rejections pile up, or the test is positive.

As months, then years, go by and Eric’s career fails to launch, Emily is determined to hold everything together. But when he brings danger into their lives, it’s over. When the cops arrive at her doorstep, anguish mixes with anger. She wonders how low they can go—until one of the officers hands her the number to a women’s shelter.

Broke and broken, her dreams are dashed and her confidence is shaken. With Eric’s taunt about running home pounding in her ears, Emily pushes forward. Though she’s unsure of her direction, she cannot give up. Her daughter deserves more.

From rosy dreams to real-life roadblocks, Hard Lemonade is a compelling story of friends, family, and fierce heroes.

Our review: Women’s fiction at its finest, this novel speaks to every woman at any age:  the young college student, the empty nester of a mother [or, like me, a grandmother missing her firstborn grandchild]. Then when the trials and tribulations begin—and we know they always will—the pain and fear and heartache of how to help someone we love without taking over or playing know-it-all. This is a jewel of a story. Well told and heart wrenching.

On a scale of 1-5, Hard Lemonade merits a solid 8.

Kat Henry Doran, a Wild Women Review