The stories in this collection are very human. The author has a special ability that transfers emotions right off the pages and into the reader. If you like the Chicken Soup Series, you'll love this book. If you don't, you'll love this book.

There are quilters in my family and they, too, have read Barbara's book and rate it as highly as I. Her stories woven around various quilt patterns are most interesting. Some of them are heart gripping while others put one in the center of the setting as though experiencing the event itself. Also, the size of the book makes it handy to carry to read while waiting in line. One of my favorite stories is 'Flower Garden' on page 121, perhaps because it has sentimental value, and also because it tells a vivid story.

The Quilt Maker by Barbara Deming is a fine collection of short stories revolving around the art of quilt making. Ms. Deming creates a patchwork of hand-stitched stories all wrapped up in love, nostalgia and romance.

"This River of Courage" examplifies the amazing ways womyn have come together to create positive social change through courage and strength. The stories told will make you laugh and cry in amazment- or shock. This book gives womyn the long needed attention for their efforts to resist in the world's patriarchal control.

Strong yet warmly vulnerable females take the lead in this engaging collection of six romantic and suspenseful short stories. I found myself quickly rooting for each of these unique, well-developed characters, who include: A talented but anorexic trapeze artist who cleverly turns the tables on a controlling circus owner in Donna Diamond's "Ringmaster's Witness"; an environmentally minded oil company executive whose vacation on a Kentucky horse farm turns into a hair-raising fight for her life--aided by a handsome Harley-riding, Native American--in Marti Phillips fast-paced "Wildfire!;" an artist-enchantress in Deborah Wiles' mythical "Watercolor Dreams"; a marketing professional fleeing the lover who's jilted her only to end up in a drug bust in Jacqueline Gibson's "The Keys;" a 19th century newspaper reporter who finds herself entangled with pirates and jewel thieves in "The Flame of New Orleans," by Jacqlyn and Ann Phillips; and a law office manager who, in a nifty surprise ending, gets the goods on her boss's murderer in Barbara Deming's "Gumbo Undercover."
--Camille Gavin, Author, Kern's Movers & Shakers

This wonderful collection leads with an exquisite short story by Barbara Deming. This clever story, GUMBO UNDERCOVER, in which a secretary is maneuvered by the wife of her employer into a devious plan where she will have to spy on her boss. The story is brief but so good, I didn't mind the shortness a bit!

The next offering is the lyrical and poetic, WATERCOLOR DREAMS by Debbora Wiles. This story, about an aged fisherman who yearns for a younger woman, an artist on the beach, will be sure to touch a chord in you!

Donna Diamond wrote the third offering, THE RINGMASTERS WITNESS, where a trapeze artist has been terrorized and abused by her guardian, the ringmaster. Will she be able to find someone to witness the abuse before it s too late? Taut and suspenseful.

THE FLAME OF NEW ORLEANS by Jacqlyn Mage and Ann Phillips is the fourth contribution. In this historical romantic suspense, a female reporter from Washington joins forces with a foppish writer (or is he?) with hope of writing a prize winning news story. The pair get sidetracked when his aunt is murdered for her & "Flame of New Orleans", a priceless ruby pendant, and the two are soon on the hunt for the murderer. Are they the hunters or the hunted?

Jacqueline Gibson brings us her story, THE KEYS, which centers around a love triangle and very intriguing with undercover switches that smacks of the dangerous laundred money game. THE KEYS will keep you guessing on what will happen with the woman's love life, will she choose the ex-boyfriend or the man she just met in the exotic Islands. Teases the reader with the secretive switches that go on. Comes together very nicely.

Closing this collection is WILDFIRE! by Marti Phillips. A whodunit that is chock full of prime suspects. In this romantic suspense, Darcy Benson is on vacation, but it's not going as planned. Implicated in a murder, seeing a ghost from her past, being followed by a mysterious dark figure and attracted to two men doesn't make for a carefree holiday. Will the police apprehend the killer before he strikes again?

Summary:
In SOUTHERN NIGHTS you really get to appreciate the different tones of mystery writing. Whether it is taut, chilling, mysterious, suspenseful or thrilling, many readers will find something that they like and get a chance to experience different styles, and maybe find another type to enjoy. SOUTHERN NIGHTS starts off with the very smart, GUMBO UNDERCOVER, which I just loved. Then WATERCOLOR DREAMS is just so beautiful and eloquent with the most touching and vivid descriptions, I was just swept away. While I liked the chilling tone and tautness of THE RINGMASTER'S WITNESS, the romance was hurried to where the protagonists were baring their souls to each other very soon. THE FLAME OF NEW ORLEANS and THE KEYS are romantic suspense and they are both very satisfying to read and try to figure out what exactly is going on in spite of the many ellipses. Finally, WILDFIRE! rounds out this collection, splendidly, giving the reader a true whodunit that leaves you asking more questions every time you think you know something. Even if you figure out who the killer is, the conflicts and romance will keep you riveted.

A wonderful collection of short stories that is definitely worth your time!

Reviewed by Thea Candee,
The Romance Club (...)

This is an entertaining, diverse and well-written anthology of mystery and suspense fiction from 5 talented female writers.

The book starts off with "Gumbo Under Cover", a very brief but fast-paced and well-devised tale about a woman who under the threat of losing her job is coerced by her boss's wife into spying on him because he is suspected of having an affair.

The next story, "Watercolor Dreams" is a fantasy about an old sailor who watches a pretty young woman painting, and he desires her. She gives him her painting and makes him young again because she is the "dream weaver" and gives him his heart's desire.

"The Ringmaster's Witness" is about a trapeze star dominated by her manager and forced to stay thin and hungry to maintain the figure he feels is necessary for her to do her "thing" in the circus to make him money. He beats her and removes the safety net when she's performing. He wants her dead so that he can be her legal benificiary. She hates him for all that he's done to her. Will the police get to him in time? Will it all end happily?

"The Flame of New Orleans" is a sophisticated historical novella about a very able female reporter who must crack an important story. Her suitor and co-worker, who is accompanying her, gets the news that his wealthy aunt dies in a shipwreck and her priceless ruby necklace is believed stolen. The whole thing reeks of foul play. Will they be able to pull off a scheme of getting the priceless ruby necklace back and uncover the thief/murderer? Or in his attempt to escape will the murderer shatter their dreams of marriage and a future life together? A gripping suspense mystery.

"The Keys" is about a woman being dumped by her boyfriend. She feels heartache over it becuase she had loved him so much, but she meets someone else. Meanwhile, her ex realizes he wants her back and she him. Still, she gets involved with the other man, and doesnt know he's a criminal. Will she get entanged? Riveting dialogue.

Last but not least, there's my personal favorite, a romantic mystery titled "Wildfire!" which is a short novel set at a horse ranch involving, yes you guessed it, a murder. You'll be kept in thoughtful suspense trying to guess which person did it as you read along.

For lovers of mystery and romance, this is a worthy addition to any personal library.