Patricia McLinn

W.M. Danniher has gone from a top news journalist in New York to doing “Helping Out” on KWMT in the small town of Sherman, Wyoming. Her most recent “hot” story was getting a refund on a faulty toaster for a viewer.

When she is confronted at her desk by a second grader on a field trip to the studio, it looks like she might have a real news story. The girl had watched “Helping Out.” Pointing out that Danniher helps people and had told viewers to “call with their problems,” the show more girl tells Danniher, “You’re going to help me. You’re going to help me keep going to the Circle B and seeing Daddy. He needs me.”

It turns out that the girl’s dad was a suspect in the possible murder of one of the local cops. The problem was there wasn’t a body — dead or alive.

Danniher finds herself digging for information about the people involved and the connections between them. What she finds is some dubious activity and connections.

Assisting her is Mike Paycik, the sports reporter. Wanting to become more of a pro, he tags along with the award-winning reporter, to learn the secrets of getting the ‘scoop’.

The clues don’t come fast and easy, but the pace is good and the characters well written.

This is the first book in a series that I plan to read more of. show less

Warning.. Two great children involved and one breaks your heart with why do men always leave. This series is written around a small town called Far Hills in Wyoming. One family’s saga has left them feeling they are cursed from a cruelty an ancestor did a long time ago. John Griffin Jr. and Ellyn Sinclair grew up together and were best friends. John secretly loved Ellyn but due to his father and family’s history he never though he would be the man she needed so instead he pushed her into show more his friend arms and was even their best man at the wedding. John went on to work his way up to Colonel in the Army trying to forget that his friend is living the life he has wanted to have. Even once Ellyn husband dies John still doesn’t go back thinking that she is in Far Hills and the town and his Aunt will make sure they are ok. When his Aunt tells him that Ellyn isn’t doing well financially John decides to take leave to go home and help get her on her feet.

Ellyn isn’t a charity case and she won’t let anyone treat her or her kids that way. She’s glad to see John because she also has loved him since she was a teenager but she doesn’t want his pity nor does she want him getting her kids hopes up that he is going to stay after his leave is done. The two kids Meg and Ben were left with scars after both losing their father and when John just disappeared out of their lives years before. Ben being the younger one immediately latches back onto John and you can just see he wants the male bonding from another man. Meg’s attitude is exactly what I’d expect. She is sarcastic and very leery of letting any father like figure close again. During one heart to heart with John she point blank asks do men always leave. Heartbreaking..

This was such a touching story and John resisted his feeling right up to the bitter end but I liked how once Ellyn figured out all the truths about why John was the way he was and how he thought he was doing her a favor by always leaving she made a stand and man him see that loving her and the kids was the right thing to do. show less

I can't remember why I put this particular book on my 'to read list this month. Probably because it's theme is like others I have recently read, and I wanted to see this author's treatment.
What theme? (I'm sure you just asked). The theme is a female news reporter, divorced from a fellow news reporter/news director/station manager who exiles her from her position; when he can no longer use her to further his career, to a podunk career-ending station.
I was unprepared for an absorbing, show more twisting mystery trying to answer Means, Motive Opportunity.
Well-written with characters that are believable, characters with flaws and personal questions, characters with stoicism and panache. A enjoyable and satisfying read. show less

This was a great story, that made me struggle with my rating. While I enjoyed the atmosphere and the festive emotions, I did not like the romance and I missed out on some of the background stuff about our main characters.

April is a delight. She has only love and kindness in her heart for everybody and seems not to be familiar with hate or any kind of bad emotions. She takes the bad in her life as it comes. Yes, unfortunate things happen, now we have to deal with them and sort everything show more out. Her positive attitude does not pass unnoticed by the grumpier characters and I love the effect she has on them.
Hunter’s professional attitude is visible throughout the book. He never breaches protocol, he never acts in an unprofessional way and definitely he doesn’t let his emotions run free. However, April manages to crack that wall a little bit and slip through it. He will start appreciating the little things more and all thanks to her.

The Christmas spirit is definitely present in the book and the representation is perfectly done. We see all the loved ones around the Christmas tree, with the cooking, the present sharing and all the traditional elements. It felt cozy, like family moments should be. I loved that very much

However, I did not enjoy the romance, especially the intimate moments. They felt forced and out of place. To be honest, I didn’t see the need adding those scenes, especially if the author was not comfortable writing them. The book is much better without that part. Also, I missed some parts in April’s professional background. She didn’t seem to have a stable career and at her age, she still didn’t know where she wanted her career to go to.

Putting in balance the good and the not so good elements, I cannot give more than 3 stars, and that is mainly because I felt the Christmas festivities being so well done. show less