Introducing Laurel Ridge, Day 1

Wild Women Authors is trying something new. . .

Throughout the remainder of 2023, we will periodically welcome multi-published authors, some from the traditional route, others who elected to go independent, who are known for long long-standing series. As we were invited to review these stories, with the release of the latest in the series, we became intrigued enough to want to feature the entire series over the course of a week.

This week we are delighted to focus on multi-published author Diana Stout, PhD as she celebrates the release of the last two books in her charming Laurel Ridge series. We wanted to go back in time and take a second look at this small-town southern community which is the baseline for a set of stories offering a diverse number of tropes from former classmates, best friends to lovers, love at first sight, and second chance romances. Underlying all of the stories is a mystery involving a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Seven couples, seven conflicts, and seven different romances.

Today, we offer #1 in the series: Shattered Dreams. Former high give school sweethearts, Mason Baylock and Shelley Willis, meet after 12 years apart. The sparks still fly for the now local judge Mason, but Shelley won't cooperate. He persists; she resists. The judge however isn’t about to give up and slowly wears her down—aided and abetted by any number of local, colorful denizens of Laurel Ridge, including the ’69 yellow VW bug dragged from the bottom of Whippoorwill Lake.  

Soon, both Shelley and Mason are shocked to learn the truth behind their breakup just before he left for college—as well as who was responsible. Problem is: it might be too late to rekindle the love they once shared—or see their dreams shattered forever?

Tune in for tomorrow’s post on Burning Desire, #2 in the series.