A round-up of WFWA authors in my 2024 reading

2024 was another great year filled with exciting and engaging books. And, like each year, I make an effort to slip novels by my fellow Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) authors in my To Be Read pile.

I am always pleased when I do.

WFWA authors never disappoint. And 2024 was no exception.

With WFWA authors as my guide, my voyages around the world and across time were varied.

I joined an amateur theatre group in Indiana, where stage costumes have stories to tell. Next I travelled to modern-day New England, where real estate agent Sadie McIntyre channels a passion for solving crime in her free time. After this, I dove into an exciting anthology, with short stories spanning six centuries.  Each of the twenty-three authors who contributed to this collection created a unique interpretation of “feistiness” to match each story’s heroine, accurately reflecting her era, circumstances and geographical location.

Next I jetted off to Colombe, Provence alongside food critic Tempesta who has moved to this French village to learn more about her mother’s upbringing and her life in the village she would later escape. I remained in France, but travelled back in time to the late eighteenth century, a tumultuous period following the French Revolution and the Directory, and easing into the early Napoleonic era. While tensions rage between Royalists and Republicans, Geneviève works to keep the family vineyards alive while the menfolk are sent off on Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt.

Then I set off to 1920s Tennessee, with plucky Ruby as my guide. It was evident that trouble and Ruby are well acquainted, and her taste in men and need for money tend to get her in hot water. Often. Luckily, Ruby possesses the brains and self-awareness to face those dips head-on and to rebound when things fall apart, at a time when it wasn’t easy for women to do so. And I wrapped up my 2024 WFWA reads with a useful and practical marketing book for authors. Clear, well-structured chapters with practical, easy-to-understand examples and handy checklists, this book will help authors to kick-start their own marketing approach.

Already looking forward to my 2025 WFWA author reads! See my full reviews below – and read more WFWA authors!

Divinely Dramatic

Sandra L. Young

Such a fun follow-up to Divine Vintage, another novel I loved.

Marcy, who is working multiple jobs while she helps her ill mother, fills in for a friend as costume designer for a community theatre production. The sudden departure of an actress means she must step into the leading lady role. She can overlook the fact that Mike, the sexy but gruff director isn’t completely convinced.

While Marcy is excited about the challenge, she also possesses an eerie sixth sense that allows her to view the auras of people around her – and spirits who have unfinished business. To her dismay, the theatre houses one of these lost souls.

This fun tale blends women’s fiction, romance, mystery and a hint of the supernatural, and is a thoroughly engaging read.

 

First Dates Are Fatal

Barbara Wallace

This novella was a fun, fast read. Think an American suburban Midsomer, one of those idyllic. tight-knit communities where bodies just

Luckily for Woodbridge, there’s Sadie McIntyre, a local real estate agent with a passion for solving crime in her free time.

While out on a Valentine’s Day date that “definitely-is-not-a-date”, Sadie witnesses some of the last moments of a soon-to-be murder victim. She is warned by police to stay out of the investigation, but you’ll be pleased to know Sadie has no intention of heeding those warnings.

This is part of a series, but I hadn’t read the earlier novellas and could still enjoy this as a stand-alone. A highly enjoyable read.

 

Feisty Deeds

Historical Fictions of Daring Women

This anthology is a must for readers of short stories, historical fiction and women’s fiction.

Full disclosure: I have a story in this collection, but I can certainly comment on the other twenty-two short stories contained in this wide-ranging collection. I love that each author has created a unique interpretation of “feistiness” to match each story’s heroine that accurately reflects her era, circumstances and geographical location.

In ways large and small, women have always struggled to confront challenges. The inspirational and thoughtful stories within these pages take the reader on a fascinating journey across time and around the globe.

A highly recommended read – even more so since all proceeds go to support a scholarship fund for aspiring women’s fiction authors with financial constraints. This collection makes the perfect gift for the inspiring women and girls in your life.

 

The Memory of Lavender and Sage

Aimie K. Runyan

Food critic Tempesta lost her mother years earlier. When her father dies, most of his will is destined for her brother.

But a small remembrance is destined to Tempesta by her mother – and she decides to travel to France to learn more about her mother’s roots.

Her travels take her to the small town of Colombe, in Provence.

Slowly, Tempesta begins to learn more about her mother’s upbringing and her life in the village she would later escape. After initial difficulties, Tempesta learns more about the town and its inhabitants, and begins to form friendships and set down roots in her mother’s birthplace.

This is a feel-good story of fresh starts.

 

Her Own War

Debra Borchert

Set in the late eighteenth century, the third installment of the Chateau de Verzat series covers a tumultuous period following the French Revolution and the Directory, and easing into the early Napoleonic era.

Tensions are still high between Royalists and Republicans.

Protagonist Geneviève works to keep the family vineyards alive while her husband, Louis, and the menfolk are sent off on Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt.

This well-researched novel ties together interesting research from the era, adventure, intrigue and romance. A highly enjoyable read, which can also be read as a stand-alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy – all thoughts are my own.

 

Rock Bottom Rising

Kimberly Nixon

I picked up this novel even if I hadn’t read the first in the series – and I’m so glad I did. I like series that can be read as stand-alones, and this novel most certainly can. Although, like me, you’ll probably want to go back to get more of Ruby by reading the first of the series, too.

The novel opens in the 1920s, as Ruby is escaping trouble in Georgia and returning to her roots in Tennessee.

Trouble and Ruby are well acquainted, and her taste in men and need for money tend to get her in hot water. Often. Luckily, Ruby possesses the brains and self-awareness to face those dips head-on and to rebound when things fall apart, at a time when it wasn’t easy for women to do so.

I enjoyed Ruby’s distinctive voice, her wily intelligence and clear-eyed acceptance of her own faults and those of the people she counted on.

This is a highly enjoyable and well-written novel that spans the 1920s to the 40s. Recommended read.

 

Give ’em Something to Talk About

Debra Borchert

What a remarkably useful book and planning tool.

Whether you’re a multi-published author or an aspiring author just beginning on your writing journey, this practical guide will help you to construct your author brand and make book marketing – dare I say it? –a bit more fun.

Clear, well-structured chapters with practical, easy-to-understand examples and handy checklists to help kick-start your own marketing approach.

I highly recommend this marketing and promotion guide no matter where you are on your individual author journey!