Some detours are worth the trouble…
Max is determined to start an
environmental research institute at the school, but he suspects the gorgeous new
Lit teacher, who lacks even the most basic outdoor skills, is there to hinder
that dream. Yet, something about her tames the demons from his past, and he can
no longer ignore the fire she’s lit inside him.
Her coffin will have to wait.
Based on a
scale of 1-5, Dead Girl merits a 6.
Kat
Henry Doran,
Wild Women Reviews
Sometimes going home is the hardest thing to do.
About the Book:
After
Jerry Fields buried his mother twenty-two years ago, he cut all ties to the
small town in Minnesota where he grew up. He swore he’d never return. But when
his biological father, a man who never acknowledged him, leaves Jerry his
entire estate, curiosity has him returning to Minnewasta. Why did Earl Rogers
will him everything he owned when during his lifetime he didn’t give Jerry a
minute of his time?
Denise
Rogers wants to save the business that her deceased husband loved so much. But
when her father-in-law Earl leaves all his property to his illegitimate son,
saving the business gets much more complicated. Denise is determined to buy the
property from Jerry Fields to keep it from being demolished and turned into
condos. She wants to continue to run the business as a marine repair shop,
knowing it's what her husband would have wanted. But events throw her plans
into disarray, and she has to give up on her dream. Until Jerry offers to work
with her over the summer to help her buy the property.
Jerry
can’t stomach the idea of putting his half-brother’s widow out of a job and a
home, so he decides to stay in Minnewasta to help her. At the end of the
summer, Denise will purchase the property from him, and they’ll go their
separate ways. But as they work together, their feelings for each other deepen
into love, and they uncover long-held secrets that force Jerry to question
everything he thought he knew about his parents. Can Jerry overcome past hurts
and fears for a chance at love?
Our Review: It takes an honorable person to admit their mistakes, make amends, then
work to ensure those mistakes don’t happen again. Jerry Fields and Denise
Rogers are two honorable, honest people. Once again, author Jana Richards
brings a vividness and honesty to her characters and story lines. All of us
have made mistakes—some by accident, some by design—then regretted it. This
prequel to the Love at Solace Lake series shows once again Richards’
talents for creating the human picture, then making it a fun read. Well
done!
Based on a scale of 1-5, Home
to Solace Lake merits a 6.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
It’s Christmas time at Solace Lake Lodge, but a series of thefts threatens everyone’s holiday spirit.
After an allegation of sexual harassment led to her being fired—then virtually
unemployable in her chosen profession—the only job sous chef Celeste Bishop
finds is with the Solace Lake Lodge. Grateful to the Barnes family for taking
her on, she’s made a good life for herself and her nine-year-old daughter in
the three years she’s worked, and lived, at the lodge.
Soon after meeting, a powerful attraction ignites between Drew and
Celeste. He’s all in, but she resists her feelings. She’s leery of their age
difference; plus, an interracial relationship didn’t work for her parents. As
Christmas approaches, the thefts escalate. Drew must stop the thief and redeem
himself in his family’s eyes—as well as his own. He must also convince
Celeste they deserve the gift of a happily ever after this Christmas.
Our Review: Author Jana Richards continues to demonstrate an in-depth appreciation for social issues, then infusing them into the plot lines for the Solace Lake series. In Christmas at Solace Lake, she has tackled the limitations faced by those with physical disabilities, the intricacies of interracial relationships and cyber crimes—how they are perpetrated as well as how their effects on businesses both large and small. Richards weaves each of these issues effortlessly into the romance between two people who have suffered due to things beyond their control. Emotions keep this story moving as the reader follows the multi-layered and well drawn characters.
Based on a scale of 1-5, Christmas at
Solace Lake, merits a 7.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women
Reviews
The truth could destroy them. Or set them free.
Luke Carlsson rushes home to tend to his ailing
mother. Her lengthy illness means he needs to stay, at least temporarily. And
to stay, he needs to work. Solace Lake Lodge offers him a job and an
opportunity to work with the woman he’s never stopped loving. But the
restoration is unleashing secrets hidden for decades and no one is left
unscathed. Especially not Maggie and Luke, whose love needs to be resilient
enough to forgive, and strong enough to build a future together.
No matter how deeply buried, secrets rise to the surface.
About the
Book: Scarlet Lindquist has agreed to help her sisters rebuild the dilapidated
fishing lodge in Minnesota they inherited from their grandparents. While the
lengthy restoration brings the three women closer, Scarlet’s support is only temporary.
Her leave of absence from her job in Chicago is time limited and she has no
intention of staying at Solace Lake Lodge. Frightening childhood memories are
tempered by her fascination with the irritating construction contractor and his
delightful daughter. If only she could trust her feelings for Cam. If only he would
trust her.
The attraction Cameron
Hainstock feels for Scarlet Linquist is , instantaneous. But he must avoid the
beautiful marketing executive in order to focus his efforts on battling for
custody of his only child. When the unimaginable happens, Cam faces the biggest
challenge of his life and is reluctant to accept help.
If Cam and Scarlet don’t learn
to trust, themselves and each other, they will end up going their separate ways.
Our
Review: following the launch
story in the Love at Solace Lake series, a construction manager and marketing
genius build on the mysteries created by their pasts. Author Richards shows her
gift for building suspense, based on the past and what waits around the corner.
The characters are colorful and well-drawn in a logical and realistic manner.
Above all, the lifelong effects of alcoholism and domestic violence—with a
touch of possible infidelity—keep the pages turning. This is one honey of a
story and sets a firm stage for more to come. Stay tuned!
Based on a scale
of 1-5, Secrets and Solace merits a 7.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
She can’t live with one more lie. He can’t tell the truth.
About the Book: Harper Lindquist
is convinced she’s found the answer to her financial prayers. Unless she pours
cash into crumbling Solace Lake Lodge, she’ll lose her family’s legacy. Her would-be
savior arrives in the middle of a Minnesota blizzard, and she’s determined to
prove to her reluctant, and trapped, financier the lodge is a sound investment.
But Harper isn’t completely honest with him. And she has no idea the lake is
hiding secrets of its own.
Ethan James is a
liar, but his money is very real. He isn’t convinced a broken-down inn is a
smart investment opportunity. But the more he understands Harper’s dreams and
desires, the more he wants to be the man to make them come true. The trauma in
both their pasts means neither can fully trust the other. They must find the
courage to love, to trust, and to accept, or yesterday’s sorrows will keep them
apart.
Our Review: As
with any story offered by the talented Jana Richards, all too human fears and
frailties take a large role, offering readers a spot- on glimpse into the lives
of the characters. With Lies and Solace, the long-lasting effects on
adult children of alcoholics and those adults left alone as children due to
domestic violence are clear and convincing—as well as heart wrenching. This is
a series to be cherished.
Based on a scale
of 1-5, Lies and Solace merits a 6.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
