Eight Reasons: The Note

 Sometimes being a good Samaritan is a mistake. . .

About The Note: At work, after the warning signs of a migraine strike, George heads home early to rest and ward off the worst. Once there, on the ground in a puddle of water, he finds a note with one word: HELP.

          The note can only have come from Simone, the upstairs neighbor. He decides to investigate, not knowing he will face two very dangerous men and his life will be placed in danger.

Our Review: Short, intense, vividly written, George’s instant decision to help changes not only his life but those of Simone and their two captors. This is a powerful end to an intriguing series of stories which will keep the reader awake long after midnight.

Based on a scale of 1-5, The Note merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Eight Reasons: The Grimoire of Caligari

 Sometimes it’s best to let the dead stay buried. . .

In The Grimoire of Caligari, ancient history lecturer Lucian Brufos has suffered the worst tragedy imaginable: his wife and twin daughters were killed in a car accident, leaving him alone and so depressed he attempts to end his life. When he wakes from a coma, he refuses to speak and is committed to a psychiatric ward for evaluation, where he meets The Dark Man, who calls himself Jolly. Jolly assures Lucian he can help bring Lucian’s family back from the grave, but to do so, he—Lucian—must retrieve The Grimoire of Caligari, a book of spells written by the world's most world-famous wizard. What follows is horrifying for all

 Our Review: Certainly what Lucian Brufos experiences is the most unimaginable for most of us—the desolation of a happy, healthy family unit. Alone, with no one who understands his despair, and helpless to fight the crippling, Lucian wants to die. In such a state, which of us wouldn’t leap at the chance to regain lost happiness? To hold those most dear one more time? In its own way, this is a beautifully written love story that sadly ends so tragically. 

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Grimoire of Caligari merits a 9.

  Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Eight Reasons: The Curse of the Manitou

 Some spirits are best left alone. . .

About The Curse of the Manitou. Bob Harford thinks it’s his lucky day when he discovers his estranged Grandfather has left him a luxury cabin on the banks of Lake Manitou. Miriam, Bob’s wife, doesn’t agree. She believes if it’s any kind of luck, it must be bad because inherited wealth always comes at a cost.

Bob discovers his grandfather died in mysterious circumstances, as his previous ancestors have, going back to Colonel Ramsay Harford of the 7th Cavalry who led a massacre against a Shawnee village, murdering the women and children. The sole survivor invoked a spirit known as The Manitou of the Lake, thereby cursing the Harford family and all future generations.

Bob convinces Miriam to visit the lake house, and with their two children, they head toward a confrontation with The Manitou, who will not rest until the last of the Harfords are dead.

 Our Review: One of the tenets of great fiction writing is the concept of ‘show don’t tell’. In this story, author King has excelled. In an early scene where, immediately after arriving at the lake house, Bob’s wife announces her plans to get rid of the wealth of dream catchers—and all hell breaks loose. King then goes on to build the suspense—another of his skills—in relating the many ways the Manitou has wreaked its vengeance on Colonel Harford’s descendants, and the manner in which Bob and his family fight back. This one’s a beauty.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Curse of the Manitou merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Eight Reasons: Thirteen Past Midnight

 Can dreams foretell the future?

In Thirteen Past Midnight, architect Jonathon Cousins is plagued with the a recurring nightmare where a cat, seemingly spawned from hell, is always waiting for him. The dreams begin at the stroke of midnight, but those that follow occur one minute later than the night before.As dread looms, Jonathon everyday life is greatly impacted in all areas, and he becomes ever more frantic to learn the cause. Even to consult a fortune teller for a psychic reading. After one look, she sends him on his way—and not in a pleasant way. As the clock ticks ever closer to 13 past midnight, will Jonathon accept they’re nothing more than frightening dreams…or will he die in his sleep?

 Our Review: As with the other short stories in this anthology, one of author Stephen B King’s strongest skill lays with building suspense. Effortlessly, with each succeeding tick of the clock, the reader can’t help but keep turning the pages. Well done.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Thirteen Past Midnight merits a 4.5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

Injustice

 How politics and fear vanquished America’s justice department.

 About Injustice: written by Carol Leonig and Aaron C. Davis, Pulitzer Prize winning reporters for the Washington Post, this is a step by step record of how Donald Trump and his devotees, driven by greed, narcissism and misogyny strived to bring down an entire federal department. Featured in the meticulously plotted ‘record’ are personal and professional profiles of those who, by bravery, valor and dedication and to do what is right, fought those efforts—and in the end became martyrs for the cause of freedom.

 Our Review: This sprawling achievement can only be read—or listened to—in short snaps. To do it too quickly runs the risk of missing crucial details. In fact, we plan to revisit Injustice as often as our spirit, mood and anger levels will allow at the time. It describes in intricate and painful detail the hubris displayed by those who are devoted to following the dictator’s playbook. Shades of Operation Condor, part of Argentina’s Dirty Wars [1976-1983] blared, reminding the reader in clear, convincing detail that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.

     This book is thought provoking, anger building, rage inducing. And yet—because of those few martyrs—there remains hope. For without that, what else do we have?

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Injustice merits a 9.

  Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Eight Reasons: Laney's Last Day

 On his last day as a cop, Gordon “Laney” Lane, is on his way to right a wrong.

About Laney’s Last Day: It is Senior Sergeant Gordon “Laney” Lane's last day at work before retirement. Readily admitting he has enjoyed a full life, watching as changes occurred, not only in the police department but also on the personal side—not all good. As he walked his old beat just like he used to, back when cops would walk their beat, he remembers his life, to that point.

Laney has an appointment, one which, to his way of thinking, will right a serious wrong. He will avenge a life lost too young; and it must be done on this, his last day as a cop.

Our Review: In this brilliantly colored and well drawn picture of a man nearing the end of his career, serving the needs of others, we watch a vigilante who has decided on the path he must take. If he doesn’t, he won’t be able to live with himself.

In short, Laney’s Last Day is remarkable. Heart-breaking to be sure but also validating that heroes still exist.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Laney’s Last Day merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

One Winter in Blue Sky by Margot Johnson

               He can’t face another loss . . . and she won’t stay.

About One Winter in Blue Sky: Krista, once part of the brutally competitive world of figure skating, now performs on cruise ships, a world away from Blue Sky, one of Canada’s many small prairie towns. There, as maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding, she meets best man, Tate—a small-town guy, former hockey player, and widowed single father.

When she’s offered a temporary position as skating coach for the local club, she decides to trade the glamorous life of ‘cruising’ for a short-term gig in the middle of nowhere. After all she’s been through with a manipulative ex-partner and demanding mother, she needs a fresh start. But soon the demands of the club’s ice show and it’s equally demanding club president, a newly adopted and pregnant dog, and this pesky attraction to Tate, send Krista spinning off balance into a massive flip jump.

No one knows what will happen by spring…if she lasts that long.

Our Review: For those of us entranced with ice skating in all its forms, pairs, singles and dancing, the beauty and grace are what we see on the small and big screens of TV shows and movies. Not shown is the excruciating hard work, endless hours of practice, and the ugly underbelly of less than professional judges and coaches. Author Margot Johnson shows the reader both sides of the sport—and the toll it takes on skaters and those who care about them. The descriptions jump off the pages as we watch Krista slowly recover from past abuse and neglect, a women trying to forge a new, healthier life for herself. And then she meets hunky Tate and his twin daughters—a sure recipe for happy ever after. Watching both lead characters change and grow due to the influence of the other is remarkable—and not to be missed.

Based on a scale of 1-5, One Winter in Blue Sky merits a 6.

 

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews