Those Ties That Bind by Kim Janine Ligon

 About the Book: Something is seriously wrong at the Garland Regional Hospital when, instead of delivering healthy babies for adoption at The Obstetrical Center, teenage mothers are admitted to the ER, close to death and beyond resuscitation. 

          Hospital CEO Evelyn Langford's efforts to investigate the problem are hampered by her complicated relationship with her secretive brother, Frank, a few of her hospital subordinates, and, surprisingly, FBI Special Agent Rance Thompson. A new acquaintance whom she met while on vacation, he has come to town to investigate potential links between the perinatal deaths and a string of missing teenage girls.

          Frank’s increasingly erratic behavior, along with the growing attraction between Evelyn and the younger agent, only complicate the search into reasons behind the deaths of too many young women—and time is running out for other ‘clients’ still living at The Center.

Our Review: Pregnant or newly delivered teens are dying at an adoption mill known as The Center. Facts surrounding the teens and their care are few as well as murky. So starts an adventure into human trafficking, illicit baby selling and medical malpractice which borders on homicide.

          Flavor all that with a late in life romance between a plucky hospital CEO and an FBI secret agent man and you’ve got yourself with a winner of a story.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Those Ties That Bind merits a 4.5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Gone Crazy by Terry Korth Fischer

 Revealing secrets which small towns long to keep can be murderous.

 About the Book: A formal declaration of love scares the bejesus out of small-town Detective Rory Naysmith. As Valentine’s Day approaches, he evaluates his relationship with bookkeeper Esther Mullins, and decides to take her on a romantic date that ends with a poet’s murder. Assigned to the case, Rory pushes his private life aside. Things gets tricky after Esther is appointed Executrix for the estate—then rumors start that place a priceless item among the poet’s many possessions.

     The race is on to unearth the treasure and solve the murder, but it leaves Rory wondering if Esther will live long enough to become his Valentine—or end up as the murderer’s next victim. 

 Our Review: The author’s use of wry humor on the part of laconic police detective Rory Naysmith adds to the quirky cast of characters populating this unique Nebraskan community. To her credit, Korth Fischer has infused Native American customs and traditions, as well as tribal beliefs into the sub plot—making this third in the Rory Naysmith mystery series a true jewel in crime fiction. Well done!!

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Gone Crazy merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Waltz on the Big Meadow

 Widowed laundress gets a second chance at life and love.

 About the Book:  It's 1897, and Irene, an abandoned wife and mother with a rebellious teenage daughter, faces the dilemma of every single woman at the turn of the century: how to earn enough money for her meager existence while maintaining respectability. The gossips say her laundry business is a sham because she counts among her customers the women who ply their trade at the town’s bordello as well as the men from the local logging camp. After she takes in a border—Elias, a married doctor who arrives without his bride—wagging tongues go to work overtime.

The romance between Irene and Elias, fraught with obstacles and heartache, will never come to fruition unless each learns to look beyond the past in order to forge a future.

 Our Review: With a gift for non-stop action, author Bell hits all the high notes with this second chance at love story. She brings a dreary Western town to life with spot-on dialogue and patois of the turn of the century social mores and customs. The myriad characters jump off the page which only adds to the obstacles against Irene and Elias as they battle day in and say out to find a semblance of happiness. This book is a winner on many levels.

 On a scale of 1-5, Waltz on the Big Meadow merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Sunset Ledge by Darlene Deluca

 Can a seasoned traveler from the city thaw the numb heart of a reclusive Texas widower?

About the Book: Jack Armstrong lives like a recluse on his Texas ranch. In the difficult years after his wife’s death, he goes through the motions of life and wants to be left alone.

          Caroline Tate, a widowed ecology professor, arrives at the ranch for a much-needed break and to take nature photos for her sabbatical project. But relaxing is a challenge when she finds herself at odds with the curmudgeonly cowboy who owns the place.

Jack generally steers clear of the guests, but this time, it’s not so easy. Vivacious Caroline doesn’t fade into the background. This city gal comes with pearls around her neck, a big red flower on her floppy hat, and way too many questions. Her self-assured, adventurous spirit gets under Jack’s skin, and she soon stirs feelings long dormant inside him.

 Our Review: Author Deluca has entertained us with her talents for creating interesting characters in previous books. This time, she has surpassed her story telling ability. Sunset Ledge is sweet, contemporary story featuring older characters who speak their own truth—and it’s a winner all the way around. The goals of both are clear; their motivation is logical and compelling, and the conflict hits all the right buttons—wrapped up in one neat package. Newby authors can learn much from this experienced and most talented writer.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Sunset Ledge merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Authors

 

Framed for Murder

 About The Book: After a life-changing injury, Mel O’Rourke trades in her badge for bed sheets, running a B&B in the quirky mountain town of Pine Cove. Her peaceful life is interrupted when an old frenemy, the notorious and charismatic cat burglar, Poppy Phillips, shows up on Mel’s doorstep, claiming she’s been framed for murder. While she’s broken plenty of laws, Mel knows Poppy would never kill anyone. Good thing Mel’s a better detective than she is a cook as she’s out to prove Poppy’s innocence. 

 Our Review: Author White is known for infusing fun, snappy dialogue into her work and with Framed for Murder, she does not disappoint her readers. The many secondary characters are unique and individualized right down to their choices in clothing and dialogue. Adding to the fun is the back-and-forth attraction between Mel, the B&B owner and the local hunky- baker with the beefcake sheriff’s deputy kept us guessing till the quite unexpected ending. Well done!

 On a scale of 1-5, Framed for Murder deserves a 5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Flowers of Tartarus by Michele Leech

 How about a deal?

About the Book: When her client is found dead of an overdose of a new and dangerous drug, PI Lily Nehme tracks the drug back to Tartarus, a popular nightclub run by Sebastian Galani. Under the guise of their new bartender, Lily infiltrates the club to find the dealer responsible. But as she spends time with the employees of Tartarus, Lily starts to fall for their lifestyle...and the reclusive owner. Her mission becomes secondary as she finds that there's more to Sebastian than meets the eye—and that he just might be the dealer she's looking for.

Our Review: In her earlier work of suspense, Prosecution’s Protection, author Leech displayed a unique talent for using setting, snappy dialogue and compelling character background to add to the dark suspense and smoking hot sexual attraction between the characters. She has surpassed that effort with Flowers of Tartarus. As the pages turn—and they do with lightning speed—the reader roots for both Lily and Sebastian to uncover the source of the deadly drugs while resolving their conflicts and end up in each other’s arms, right where they belong! 

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Flowers of Tartarus merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Stone of Fear by Margaret Izard

 She’d give everything to keep his love. He’d chase her through time to save her soul.

About the Book:  Marie Murray, a spunky expert on spiritual buildings, jumps at the opportunity to renovate the chapel mosaic floor at Dunstaffnage Castle, where she falls hard for the dashing John MacArthur. From their first kiss, sparks fly.

     Believing her religious renovation creates magic, a fanatical priest kidnaps Marie. Obsessed with obtaining a powerful magic Stone of Iona, he drags her to 15th-century Scotland.

     With his love kidnapped, John must tackle his hereditary duty and locate a magic Fae stone while chasing his love across time. Her memories of their passion keep her sane. Fueled by his will to find her, John must get to Marie in time to save her soul.

Our Review: In Stone of Fear, author Izard shows her skill in building suspense. The action never stops in this page-turner of a paranormal romance. As well her talent for ‘showing’—as opposed to telling—a fanatic, what drives them to cause their behaviors, is remarkable. Fans of time travels will glom onto this one and put it on their Keeper Shelves.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Stone of Fear merits a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews