Thursday, June 29, 2023

Tremors Through Time

 In the infinite vastness of time—past, present, future, past—love prevails.

 About the Book: She's made mistakes and paid the price, but Deidre Chisolm is no quitter. She'll never again be a fool for a man, not even her gorgeous new neighbor with his haunted eyes and strange accent. She'll be friendly, but nothing more.

Lachlann has to go back to fourteenth-century Scotland. He can't forsake his family, his son. But when a beautiful, kind, funny lady buys the house next door, he's never been so drawn to anyone in his life.

Would she believe his story? After years of struggling through nightmares and flashbacks, headaches and illiteracy, dare he ask her to help him return?

 Our Review:  The author’s ability to switch back and forth from Scotland in the 1300’s to contemporary Houston feels effortless. Surpassing that is her skill at recognizing gut wrenching emotions, good and bad, then infusing her many diverse characters with those same feelings. Lovers of time travel romances will adore this story!

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Tremors Through Time merits a 5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Monday, June 26, 2023

Outcast Artist in Bretagne

 A story of heartbreak—and forbidden love…

 About The Book: To hide the shame of an unexpected pregnancy, English artist Norah Cooper travels to the coast of Bretagne. She plans to deliver her baby, give it up to a loving family, then return home. Unfortunately, Hitler and his army have other ideas. Stranded in France, with no way to return home, Norah must find a place—and a reason—to belong. Little does she know that salvation will be found in a most dangerous situation, with the least safest person.    

 Our Review: Aptly titled, Outcast Artist in Bretagne offers an in-depth description of a lonely woman, artist Norah Cooper, who trapped in a foreign country with limited language skills, and viewed by the locals with distrust and fear. It is also a novel of profound love mixed with danger and intrigue as two people on opposite sides of a senseless war come together and find lasting love. One of the strongest points to this compelling love story is the ability of author Lewis to portray the consistent daily hazards these two people face because of who their hearts chose.  

 On a scale of 1-5, Outcast Artist in Bretagne deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Friday, June 23, 2023

Island Heat by Debby Grahl

 One never knows where one’s enemies will strike . . .

About the Book: When bookstore owner Suzanna Shay and writer Austen Kincade meet on a Who Done It mystery cruise, their instant attraction has them more interested in romance than searching for clues.  But after Austen rejects advances from the wife of his publisher, she vows to have him no matter what it takes. After the ship docks, with plans for a future together, Suzanna and Austen part, unaware vindictive lies will soon test their newfound love and entangle them in a real mystery that proves deadly.

Our Review: it is rare when we find ourselves rooting for someone, anyone, to step up to the plate and commit murder. In a testament to author Debby Grahl’s talent for creating characters, man-eater Haley Henderson deserves to die—in any way possible. As well, each character in this fun romantic-mystery is well drawn and individualized in their layers—from the possessive, needy mother to the loyal gal pal and, finally, to the long-suffering husband of the dead woman. Grahl’s imagination seems to have no end when it comes to motivation.    

On a scale of 1-5, Island Heat merits a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Overdue by Jo A. Hiestand

 The race is on to catch a killer—before he strikes again.  

 About The Book: For three months in a row a murder has struck the quiet Derbyshire county of England—and the constabulary is at a loss to solve the cases before the next occurs. Again, they call in ace cold case detective, former police investigator, Michael McLaren to assist in ferreting out the who’s, what’s and why’s of things. Using his unique skills for interviewing people, willing and sometimes not so, McLaren travels the countryside, learning more about the victims, the crimes—and himself.  

 Our Review: This charming and interesting tale showcases the author’s obvious devotion to the English countryside. The clear, fluid descriptions of the climate, people, food and architecture is a joy to read. For some readers it’s like going home again. An extra treat is Hiestand’s ability to create unique dialogue particular to the area as well as the individual character.  

 On a scale of 1-5, Overdue deserves a 5. 

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Monday, June 19, 2023

Remembering the Dead by Tony-Paul de Vissage

 One had to die so the other could live.

 About The Book: When we left the Strigoi saga with Book 8—A Wild Kind of Justice—Marek Strigoi, newly married and anxious to start a normal life with his wife Maggie Vanator, was preparing to extradite the killer Mircea Ravagiu back to Carpathius for trial and to install himself as Intamplare. Little does he know what he’ll learn about himself, his bloodline, and the strength of familial ties whether by blood or choice.  

 Our Review: Little by little we learn the history of the Second Species and their beliefs as well as the Strigoi clan—and it is explosive. Marek, as well as all of the supporting characters, is well-drawn with multiple layers and  shown to be that hero any reader would choose to follow.  

 On a scale of 1-5, Remembering the Dead deserves an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

The Mortician's Wife by Jody Wenner

 When the business of dying leads to murder. 

About the Book:  In 1912, as the new wife of the local mortician, Beatrice is settling in at the funeral parlor, but soon after, the death of a young boy sweeps a cold chill into the warmth of her new home as well as her marriage.

In 2022, fledgling author Maddy Barton isn’t surprised to discover someone was murdered in her 1912 era home. The old mansion has been giving her bad vibes ever since she moved in. But after learning who the victim was, she is determined to figure out what happened so she can put the unsettled spirit at ease. Maddy’s husband isn’t terribly supportive of her efforts, and many of the people in the small town of Pine Grove, Minnesota have ideas—and secrets—of their own, but she’s determined to solve the gothic crime the only way she knows how—to write about it. 

Our Review: Author Jody Wenner ‘sets the scene’ by introducing Maddy, a young, married woman who is juggling several burdens at the same time: renovating an old home single-handedly, reviving a flagging career, and coping with a devastating personal loss. As she works to take things one day at a time, the new home starts giving off weird vibes which not only don’t cease, but ramp up to sometimes dangerous levels. Suspicious of something along a felony line, Maddy does what she does best: research the home’s history.

          Flashing back to 1912, we meet Beatrice, a hero in her own time, who struggles for justice and the rights of the poor and disadvantaged. With jealousy, envy and misogyny as constant barriers, Beatrice refuses to give up—and the reader is treated to a gothic mystery, set in the perfect location: a funeral home. One of Author Wenner’s many skills is the ability to build suspense. We wonder what she has in store next.

On a scale of 1-5 The Mortician’s Wife merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

Monday, June 12, 2023

Strigoi 8: A Wild Kind of Justice

  About The Book: In a cross-over with events which occurred in Strigoi 7,  Taietor Cezar finally comes to grips with his role serving the Domnitor, Prince Ciprian, and his puppet-stooge, Stjpan. Unaware of this change in his cousin’s attitude, Marek Strigoi finalizes plans to return the killer Mircea Ravagiu to Carpathius to face justice, then declare himself Intamplare. In order to protect those who mean the most, he utilizes all available his support systems and researches the ancient history of the One-Eyed King, savior and destroyer, only to come away with more questions about his own heritage and where he stands in the world of the aventurieri.

 Our Review: As always, the reader is treated to fast-paced action and snappy dialogue, as the conclusion of this multi-book series of the Second Species approaches. Logical questions arise as to how the author will bring this phenomenal saga to a satisfying end—and we can’t wait.  

 On a scale of 1-5, A Wild Kind of Justice deserves a 5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, June 9, 2023

SPD Blue--True Crime: Major Crimes

 And the beat goes on…

 About The Book: In this fifth book of the SPD Blue—True Crime series, as murders, suicides and unattended deaths run rampant, Detective Patrick “Mac” MacKenna finally gets his transfer to the Major Crimes unit. The single father to three adolescents, he’s constantly working eighty-hour weeks, when he decides he needs to change things up for the betterment of his family and himself.

He manages to reduce his overtime hours and complete his associates degree despite the everyday grind of working in a busy police unit which handles all major felonies. If this isn’t enough, he receives a cold call from the local US Navy recruiter. It sounds so good, Mac signs up to work Naval Intelligence—just before 9/11 hits.

 Our Review: This is not so much the standard police procedural genre of general fiction where the lead character has the expected Goals, Motivation and Conflict, but a fast-paced day-by-day/week-by-week chronicle, offering a window into the everyday lives of those who protect and serve on the streets of a mid-sized city in Central New York State. The author’s description of the various ‘burbs’ and ethnic neighborhoods unique to Syracuse, as well as the chaos of busy inner-city Emergency Rooms, is spot on. That reader who craves non-stop action of a police manual will find exactly what they are looking for.  

 On a scale of 1-5, SPD Blue—True Crime: Major Crimes deserves a 3. 

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Monday, June 5, 2023

Just Call Me Confidence

 Just call her a confident cougar

 About The Book: 40ish and recently divorced, copy-editor Jenna Craig needs—no wants—a bit of adventure, a validation of her attractiveness to the opposite sex. Though her life raising her three kids keeps her hopping, she takes care of herself—and if the looks coming from the men at the country club are any judge—she does it well. Enter Travis, a young swim instructor who Jenna soon takes under her wing. The sex is hot and fun, but she’s looking for something more. Collin, an Olympic level swimmer, shows interest and the two are off to the races, so to speak. Thanks to him, Jenna begins to look at herself in a new light.

 Our Review: erotica is not for every romance afficionado, but for those who appreciate smart and snappy dialogue mixed with hot sex, this is the book will fit the bill.

 On a scale of 1-5, Just Call Me Confidence deserves a 3.5

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Friday, June 2, 2023

Fatal Witness

 No matter how much you want to forget them, some things cannot be unseen.

 About The Book: Fatal Witness, a contemporary psychological thriller tells the story of Jessica Miller, widowed pre-school teacher, who witnesses her next door neighbor disposing of his wife’s body. With little evidence for the police to make an arrest, Jessica feels forced to grab her little boy and go on the run to her hometown in rural Montana. There, she reunites with former FBI agent, Jonathan Kent, himself no stranger to violence both professional and personal. After forging a pact to protect what is theirs, these two damaged souls fight back against ever increasing attacks by a relentless killer—and along the way heal from the wounds life has delivered.

 Our Review: Author Godard-Richer presents a novel comprised of multiple sub-plots, set against rural northern Montana, and features an intense and detailed psychological diagram of a serial killer. If you like dark, dangerous and non-stop action, this is the book for you.

 On a scale of 1-5, Fatal Witness deserves a 4.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews