Killing Dreams by Donnette Smith

 . . . A serial killer is on the prowl and psychic Jenna Langley is an ‘eye’ witness to each death. The one man she dares turn to is homicide detective Cole Rainwater. But the last time she saw him was when their teenage love affair ended in tragedy. Cole would give everything to forget he ever knew Jenna. Until she strolls back into his life after ten years and rapidly becomes the center of a horrific set of murders which have rocked the small town he calls home. With a maniac on the loose, and innocent lives at stake, Jenn must decide if helping Cole bring a killer to justice is worth exposing the secret she’s kept all these years. . .

       Imagine being seventeen, madly in love, only to learn the boy you love is the son of a serial killer. Of course you want to support your love; unfortunately your parents have other ideas…

Now, ten years later, independent, successful businesswoman Jenna Langley ends up the town she was forced to leave ten years ago. After she starts having vivid dreams which involve the horrifying death of a woman, she goes to the police. Only the hotshot detective assigned to talk to her doesn’t believe her. Worse, she was the girl he once loved beyond all others; the one who deserted him at the lowest point in his life; the one he never forgot. And she’s got a pip of an unbelievable story to tell.

 Our Review:  Conflict—the main concept of all good fiction. In Killing Dreams, Donnette Smith uses the conflict between Cole and Jenna, both internal and external, to keep readers on the edge of their seats, turning the pages. Enhancing the conflict is snappy dialogue, wise-cracking secondary characters and a steamy setting. Who could ask for more?

 On a scale of 1-5, Killing Dreams deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

In From the Cold

        Recently, we had the privilege to meet Luke Foster from Susan Payne’s An Unexpected Wife. Luke, a hard-working Nebraska rancher with a slew of younger brothers to ride herd on, rescues the town librarian Lorelei from desperate straits and thereby forges a deep and everlasting future for himself, the woman he comes to love, and starting a new branch of the Foster family tree.

One of those ‘branches’ was Luke’s younger brother Matthew who, after one look at Lorelei, knew he needed make a life for himself—and that Nebraska was not the place to do it. Hence, we found Matthew traveling to Alaska in the historical romance, In From the Cold, written by Susan Payne, and released by the Wild Rose Press.

 Our Review:  While detailing Matthew’s trials and tribulations while in carving out a space for himself in rough and rugged Sitka, Payne once again shows off her enviable skill for research. While enjoying a simple, basic romance, the readers learns volumes on customs and culture of Native Alaskan peoples as well as those of Mother Russia. As always this is more than a simple romance; it is filled with adventure and imagination and is sure to please any number of readers.

 On a scale of 1-5, In From the Cold deserves a 4.

      Kat Henry Doran, Two Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

There Was an Old Woman by June Summers

    . . . They make an unlikely trio: this grieving grandmother and her two young grandchildren. . . 

Nora Mitchell just lost her husband of forty-one years. After the funeral, to help her cope with the brutal loneliness, her grandchildren opt to spend the summer with her on her rural, lakefront property. Little do they know the life-changing experience that will result from their decision when those gunmen burst through the front door, take them hostage and demand all of Nora’s money and valuables.

Contending with the physical and mental abuse inflicted by their captors, this feisty older woman and two clever kids fight back, using strengths none knew they possessed.

 Our Review: Author June Summers takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions, first by showing Nora’s bone-deep grief from the sudden loss of her beloved spouse to helplessness, fear, then rage when these armed bullies show very clearly they mean to kill her and her darling grandchildren if she doesn’t cooperate. But these bullies underestimate the wise and clever Nora who is above all a realistic woman filled with common sense and courage. The ending to this timely story will leave you breathless—when you’re not on your feet cheering.

 On a scale of 1-5, There Was an Old Woman deserves a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Kissed by Winter by Darlene Fredette

                 “ . . .she put the spark back into his eyes. . .”

      Danielle Lerato, an up and coming property developer, loves her life in metropolitan Victoria, British Columbia, one filled with regular visits to the best salons and restaurants, and those trendy yoga sessions. She especially favors the mild weather of her chic, metropolitan existence. The thought of relocating to the opposite side of the country is just that: a thought, not a given thing. In fact, the memory of her last trip to the Atlantic Coast left a bitter taste in her mouth.  

      Andrew Bailey is content as the co-owner of a family run restaurant in rural Redford Falls on Canada’s Atlantic Coast where he lives for winter sports of all types—and there are a whole ton of them. The last thing he wants some big city blonde who looks down her nose at his rustic restaurant.

      Lured to Redford Falls on the pretext of a business opportunity, one look at the thigh-deep snow drifts tells Danielle to keep her stay short and get back home before the moon goes through too many phrases. After Andrew rescues her from a disastrous collision with a snowbank, the two recognize each other from a brief interplay months ago. Opposites attract like fire and water, honey and vinegar, big city chic and small-town rustic. Then the fun begins.

 Our Review:  Author Darlene Fredette treats the reader to a fun read filled with crisp, snappy dialogue in the middle of a charming setting and supporting characters who are at once colorful and diverse. Fans of this talented author are in for a treat.

On a scale of 1-5, Kissed by Winter deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Hometown by Wendy Rich Stetson

When all roads lead home, choosing the right one is never easy…

When Tessa Meadow's plans take the A Train to disaster, she lands back in her sleepy hometown, in the middle of Pennsylvania's Amish Country, and meets Jonas Rishel whose ties to the land and his family's Amish community grow strong and deep. Will Tessa continue her journey on the superhighway to the future—or take a slow walk through the tight, close-knit culture she never dreamed she'd glimpse from the inside?

Our Review:  First, we have rarely met such well-drawn characters who clearly and concisely meet the definitions of polar opposites. It was a true delight to meet them both. Second, the romance between Tessa and Jonas is almost heart breaking for its intensity as well as star-struck quality. Third, we weren’t expecting the ending and man, were we happy to have our socks knocked off. Well done, Ms. Stetson. Very well done.

On a scale of 1-5, Hometown deserves a solid 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

How Everything Turns Away

Ezra James used to be a big deal: Harvard grad, FBI agent and a beautiful wife. After allegations of fabricating evidence on a serial murder case, he finds himself suspended, on the verge of divorce, and working security at a posh Catholic school in suburban Chicago.

          When a student teacher is attacked, then left for dead during a school event, Ezra, along with an up-and- coming female police detective and school chaplain, Fr. Remy Mbombo, must work fast before the culprit returns to finish the job.

How Everything Turns Away, an Ezra James Mystery, written by Steven J. Kolbe and recently released by the Wild Rose Press.

Our Review: For an intriguing insider’s view of a posh private school, where everyone—including the enigmatic school chaplain with as many secrets as the confessional booth—has an agenda. Combine this with a wounded hero who refuses to let life’s vagaries keep him down, and the reader has him/herself with a honey of a fast-paced mystery.

How Everything Turns Away is a story for that reader who appreciates dry humor, busybody PTA members, and smart-mouthed teenagers. Clearly this author is well acquainted with the ins and outs of an educational system as well as the rigors of foreign missionary work. Well done!!

On a scale of 1-5, How Everything Turns Away deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Two Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Eat Your Heart Out by Shirley Goldberg

           When a tyrant in stilettos replaces her beloved boss, and her ex snags her coveted job, teacher Dana Narvana discovers there are worse things than getting dumped. Enter Dana's staunchest ally: Alex Bethany, hunky co-teacher, quipster, and cooking genius. But when after-hours smooching goes nowhere, she wonders why this grown man can’t seem to make up his mind—about anyone or anything.   

Our Review: Eat Your Heart Out is filled with a wealth of relatable characters whom anyone whose been through an ugly break-up, is contemplating getting on the dating wheel after decades, or simply starting over after a major life-changing event. We were hooked from the first page by Dana’s smart mouth and in-your-face attitude—when we weren’t laughing out loud.

On a scale of 1-5, Eat Your Heart Out deserves a 4.5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews