Stranger in the Storm

A storm and a stranger may change her life. . .

     After she discovers the abusive side of his personality, Janet Mitchell leaves the professor who swept her off her feet. Will she discover the same darkness in Wes, the handsome young man who rescues her during a hurricane?

     Years before, Wes Corbett vowed not to get romantically involved again, fearing anyone close to him might be harmed by his brother William, a born criminal. Now, as he weathers the storm with Janet, their mutual attraction becomes clear.

     Can he keep that vow—even though he knows William is on the loose and may be headed directly for them?

Our Review:

     Author McAlexander has skillfully woven several themes through Stranger in the Storm: the subtle nuances of domestic violence, its slow escalation over time, often without the victims recognizing it until it's too late; second chances and the reluctance to embrace them out of fear or rejection; and, the ever popular—especially for mystery/suspense fiction—the bad seed and the effect he/she has on family systems, often irreparably.

     With the background of the glorious Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, two injured people come together under the horrific circumstances of a category four hurricane and manage to forge a strong and enduring love despite momentous obstacles.    Patricia McAlexander has created a thrilling story which will keep readers turning the pages to see if Wes and Janet find their own happy ever after. We see great things in her future.

On a scale of 1—5, Stranger in the Storm rates a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

On The Make

She’s buried two husbands. . .

now someone is out to bury her.

On The Make, Book 3 of the Brothers in Blue series, by author Margo Hoornstra, a 2020 contemporary romantic suspense released by the Wild Rose Press.

If the intriguing tagline and the glorious cover art, followed by the teaser scene on page 1 of this exciting, doesn't grab you, nothing will.

     Fresh off the heels of burying her second husband inside three short years, attorney turned event planner Madison Clark is hanging on by her toenails, trying to raise two normal but rebellious boys in a town that reveres her real estate magnet husband because of all he did for the community. Only. . . behind closed doors Joe Clark wasn’t the epitome of terrific husbands and dynamite fathers. That was the guy she buried three years ago.

So guess who barges into her life, larger in life and ten times more attractive than what he shows on the big screen he currently rules but Adam Pride, former cop turned accidental action movie star, and superhero to every adolescent male on the planet.

Neither is looking for forever; neither believes they’d win any prizes for Partner of the Year. Yet. . . each is there when the other needs a shoulder, helping hand, or moments of sanity in the middle of chaos and danger.

Margo Hoornstra gets better and better with each book. She rips emotion out her characters, then plasters it all over each turnable page. Do not miss the latest in her fascinating Brothers in Blue series. It’s a beauty!!

On a scale of 1-5, On The Make deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Love's New Beginnings

     Her grandfather's will has forced Charlene into a life she doesn't want and a partner she doesn't trust.

     The last thing Logan wants is a woman in is life even as a business partner.

     Can either obtain their original goals?

     Fresh off her first world tour, concert pianist Charlene Walker is seriously injured as a result of a mugging. While recovering from a seriously fractured arm and a head injury, she travels to Michigan after learning of the death of her beloved grandfather. Once there, she is stunned to discover “Gramps” has left her one-half interest in his apple orchard and his home.

     The kicker: she must live in the house for the next six months—or she loses everything.

     A bigger kicker: the second heir, one Logan Taylor, is all business and as hunky as he is serious about the business of making the orchard a success. Sparks fly hot and heavy as both recognize an immediate attraction along with a major distaste for the idea of any kind of relationship.  

     And so the fun begins.

There are many lessons learned with Love's New Beginnings. In addition to the intricacies of running a major fruit growing operation, there is the delicacy needed for restoring antique furniture restoration and the value placed on hand-made crafts. Add the rich and colorful setting of rural Michigan, a multitude of secondary characters including two smart-mouthed birds and an inquisitive five year-old boy—and readers have a winner in this sweet romance between two needy people. Do not miss this one. It's a wonder.

On a scale of 1—5, Love's New Beginnings deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Hunting the Devil

Inhale. Hold. Exhale.

     And so it begins for the reader. Dr. Jessica Hemings fights for her own life and that of her patients, friends, loved ones while battling hatred and misogyny on a daily basis. The bigger sin, perhaps is that of a world who stood by in silence and did nothing to stop genocide in 1993 Rwanda.

     Raised among privilege by two loving parents, Jessica, always drawn to helping those in need, headed to Africa on what many might consider a whim—or in a snit—and fell into the hell of genocide. Fighting each and every day, she triumphs over adversity even though some of the wins are miniscule. Jessica is one brave, hard-headed, relentless woman. Worthy of being a friend and confidante, we'd like to meet her one day.

     Hunting The Devil is not for those looking for happy, upbeat stories. In parts it will shock, rile and horrify; in others it will leave you weeping. Like her or not, you won't soon forget Jessica Hemingway, MD, a woman who fights each and every day to bring a devil to justice.

On a scale of 1—5, Hunting The Devil deserves an 8.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Sweetwater could turn out being his Waterloo.  Does he accept his life as it is or fight for what it should have been if he had listened to his heart so many years ago?

     Banker Paul Weaver arrives in Sweetwater, hoping for a new life, new opportunities. On his first night in town, a mystery woman “welcomes” him to town in a most intriguing manner—one that the horrors of the Civil War have not been able to dim.

Photographer Colette Dubois, a survivor of a different type of combat, is no less damaged. Determined to make her way in life, for as long as she can until fate strikes its final blow, she vows no man from her past will affect her hopes, dreams, goals. Paul has other ideas.

It's always a personal treat when two deserving people with “a past” come together and end up healing each other. Susan Payne shows us what love renewed can be; how it triumphs over fate and karma, and what ever blows life may throw at us.  

On a scale of 1 to 5, New Banker in Town deserves a 3.5

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews.  

Sea-Salt Lavender for Aphrodite

A case of murder with sweet complications

Rosella Rivers is known for her imaginative ice cream flavors as well as her unflagging drive to make her ice cream truck a success in the beach town of Olympus Bay. Devoted to her customers—including the mysterious Mick and his delightful poodle named Aphrodite—she will go to any lengths to please them.

Detective Mark Pruitt enters the picture after Rosella discovers Mick's corpse. Between other food truck owners and the frequent fliers drawn by the sun and sand, the suspect list grows by leaps and bounds.

One can't help but appreciate Rosella, a woman who is willing to get up before the sun rises in order to secure the success of her business—all the while using a vivid imagination in creating unique and different flavors in her ice cream treats. After Lavender proves to be a most faithful taste-tester, it's a match made in heaven.

For a sweet, fun story, filled with quirky characters—something author Howard is known for—pick up Sea-Salt Lavender for Aphrodite. You won't be sorry.

On a scale of 1—5, Sea-Salt Lavender for Aphrodite deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews