El Macho: A Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novel (#5) by Kathryn Dodson

 

El Macho by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jessica Watts has had it with these egotistical alpha males in her crime-solving life. It doesn't matter if they are the authorities or the perpetrators, Jessica's had enough. Especially when her friend is abducted and left in the middle of nowhere. Jessica is going to solve this case with or without the help of these men! In the meantime, past issues are creeping up that also need to be resolved.

This is a great series and I do recommend reading them in order to have the context behind the characters. It's a great tale of mystery and suspense anytime Jessica is involved!

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Sangrita: Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series by Kathryn Dodson

 

Sangrita: Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is such an enjoyable series and one that I recommend reading in order. They can be read in any order but this one especially builds off the last book, El Diablo.

Before I say much more about this story, can we take a moment and enjoy the beautiful cover that holds this story?! It's a perfect introduction to Jessica Watt's newest adventure.

It's actually more of a nightmare where Jessica quickly learns that she's the hunted instead of the hunter. There's action, danger, lots of suspense, and a focus on issues facing people in the world today. It's scary to think that, even though this is a work of fiction, there are real life monsters out there who act like those that Jessica is after.

If you love a strong female lead who doesn't back down, along with enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat, this book (and entire series) is for you!

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A Powerful Season (Unfinished Business: Stories of Bold Women) by Kathryn Dodson

 

A Powerful Season by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed reading books by this author and I did enjoy this one as well. However, it's not my favorite of them all. I felt like this story was a bit pushy at times, both in regards to the way Lacy spoke to her adult children, as well as her newfound stance on life. I did applaud her for her gumption to try new things as she approaches retirement and not just dwindle off into the sunset.

A good read for a quiet afternoon!

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Matador: A Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novel by Kathryn Dodson

 

Matador: A Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novel by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great story with Jessica!! She's the detective you'd want on your case if your family member was involved, unless you were on the wrong side of the story! Jessica has a way of getting those family secrets out and helping her to solve the burning mystery of the day.

This is an enjoyable series and each book can be read as a standalone. You're missing out if you don't go back and read previous books though!!

I'm looking forward to what's next with Jessica!

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El Diablo (Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series) by Kathryn Dodson

 

El Diablo: A Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novel by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

It's been two years since we meet Jessica in Tequila Midnight. She's in law school and working as a paralegal. Things are finally calming down with her and her husband Angus. Life is great...until a young girl confides in her that she's been touched in appropriately by a man in charge of an afterschool program.
Jessica is on the prowl to find out more information about this "man" and she will stop at nothing to preserve these precious young ladies. There are twists and turns and at times, you'll be on the edge of your seat reading how this book ends.

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Five Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson

 

Five Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is heavily focused on some serious mental health issues. Kate and Lydia could be any random two friends in today's society. They've known each other since elementary school. In their 20's, they went on a whirlwind overseas tour of five different countries. Now in their fifties, both newly single (one by death, one by divorce) ladies decide to revive that tour after Kate has a bout in the mental ward of a hospital. Each country they visit brings about memories, both good and bad, as well as further develops their friendship bond.

This book is very emotional. High highs and low lows. I was sucked in from the first page! Both ladies are running from issues, not unlike many people today! On this journey they find themselves and learn more about each other, sometimes in the most unflattering of ways. The ending was not what I expected but I was not disappointed in it. This one is going to stick with me for a bit!

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Portrait of Deception (A Southwest Suspense Novel) by Kathryn Dodson

 

Portrait of Deception by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Do you ever find yourself yelling at the literary characters you are engaging with during a great read? I was hollering "NO!" at Margo pretty much from the very beginning of this story but she just didn't listen to me!!! Because she didn't listen to my pleas of "NO!", "Don't drink that!", "Don't go there!", Margo ended up in a heap of trouble. Margo is a photographer who is looking at winning a huge award that will make her even more noticeable in the world of photography. One thing leads to another and she finds herself in the castle of a psycho wanna be dictator. All of a sudden, she's not sure who she can trust and she may have put her trust in a man who could ruin her even more than the dictator. After a daring escape, Margo still finds herself looking over her shoulder, as well as those of her loved ones.

This is a good one!! Lots of action, travel, and a little romance in this, among some major backstabbing and plans of war. Not a dull moment in this read and I had to finish it in one setting!

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The Podcast Chronicles by Kathryn Dodson

 

The Podcast Chronicles by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think may women can identify with Sue Cleary. She's a wife, mom, raising 4 boys (2 are away at college, 2 are still at home), and trying to find where she belongs in this world. She's trying to soak up all the precious minutes she has left with her two youngest boys before they leave the nest and that brings a new perspective to Sue's life. What point does her life serve once her boys are gone? She's been a successful CPA before she and the hubby decided to settle down and start a family.

A magazine article catches Sue eye and lights a fire in her belly when she learns about a developer wanting to turn the beautiful land of Durango, Colorado, into an amusement style park. So many things just don't set right with her about this but she's really not sure what to do about it. Her son mentions that she should start a podcast about her thoughts and, while she has no experience in that area, she decides to give it a try. Along the way, she forms friendships with 2 very strong willed women who stand with her in their plight to take down this developer and save the land that they care so much about.

This was very well written and focuses on the powers of strong women and friendship. I found this book to be very inspiring and empowering. There are several issues that are overcome through the bonds formed in this trio of women.

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Tequila Midnight (Southwest Suspense Novels Book 1) by Kathryn Dodson

 

Tequila Midnight by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is set in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. Jessica has had a pretty horrible life. Her parents abandoned her when she was 16 and she was left with family friends to oversee her teenage years. A time when she needed her parents, especially her mother, she was left. Her dad was in a lot of trouble with a bad business deal and he wanted to escape those who were after him. He didn't consider the toll on his daughter.

Jessica is now grown up and is a real estate agent settling deals between the borders. When Tomas approaches her with a new job, she is ready to take it on, especially when she hears what the payout will be. She's not quite prepared for where it may take her though. Jessica deals with the angst in her life by drinking a lot of tequila and having one night stands in bar bathrooms. Then she goes home to her best friend Angus who's dying to save her from all this turmoil.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast paced read. There is a lot of action taking place throughout and many times I wanted to smack Jessica because of her poor decisions. Some may disagree with me but I felt that there was a tad bit of a cliffhanger there at the end. I'll be happy to read more books in this series.

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