Lies And Solace by Jana Richards

Lies And Solace, Book 1 of the Love at Solace series by Jana Richards.

          Harper Lindquist is a single woman operating Solace Lake Lodge, a run-down inn in rural Minnesota. The Lodge is her life--figuratively and literally--and she's desperate to find someone to breathe live back into it with fresh capital. Harper is a woman with secrets, ones she's keeping and others kept from her. Enter Ethan James, a self-made man with a painful past dating back to childhood, and secrets of his own.

          Both will need to overcome the tragedy of their pasts in order to forge a future filled with love and trust and truth.

Our Review:

          It's hard not to be fascinated by both lead characters: Harper, a strong and independent woman, desperate to salvage the one thing in her life representing strength and structure. And Ethan, the true hero of this story, a man who wants to help Harper fulfill her dreams but driven to hide his secrets.

          Lies And Solace will hook any reader from page one. It did us. Well done, Ms. Richards.

On a scale of 1 to 5, Lies and Solace earns a 5

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Tough Prospect: A Buffalo Steampunk Adventure by Laura Strickland

Tough Prospect: A Buffalo Steampunk Adventure by Laura Strickland, a December 10, 2018 release out of The Wild Rose Press

Mitch Carter's a hard man. He's clawed his way up from Buffalo's gutter through a combination of ruthlessness and stark loyalty to become the King of Prospect Avenue. But when he sees lovely Tessa Verdun, a crack appears in his tough veneer. He wants her for his wife even if making it happen requires coercion, dirty dealing, and a touch of blackmail.

Mitch is the last man Tessa would choose to wed, but he's forced her into marriage, even though she's ready to give her heart to another man. Now he tries to win her with lavish gifts and watches her with veiled passion in his eyes. But when everyone else turns against Tessa, it's Mitch who's there offering strength. And when vying factions in the city place Tessa in danger, it's Mitch for whom she longs, though loving such a man is certainly a tough prospect.

Since we read Last Orders an earlier novel in the Steampunk Adventure series--and devoured it in one sitting--we were interested in seeing if author Strickland would create an intriguing, alluring hero to beat the last one. She did not disappoint us. In fact, Mitch Carter now tops our list for Hero to be Emulated.

He is tough, resolute and absolutely one of those men women want to take home and nurture--in all ways possible. Tessa holds her own with him--with unbeatable motivation--and is a most honorable match for this man.

Well done, Ms. Strickland!

On a scale of 1-5, Tough Prospects earns a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Flotsam and Jetsam: The Amelia Island Affair

Who's littering the park with corpses?

          State Park Rangers Simon Ribault and Ellie Ironstone are used to dealing with messy campers and ravaging raccoons, but when three bodies wash up on the beach, they mobilize all their powers of deduction. Who are they and how did they get to the shore of Amelia Island? Are they connected to the secretive League of the Green Cross? Or linked to a mysterious Jamaican drug ring?

          Ellie, new to Amelia Island, must penetrate a close-knit community if she wants to find answers to the mystery, all while deciding between two rivals for her affection: Thad, the handsome local idol, and Simon, the clever, quirky bookworm.

          Simon, for his part, will have to call on his not-so-well-honed romantic prowess to lure Ellie away from Thad and at the same time use his wide-ranging research skills to solve the case.

Flotsam and Jetsam: The Amelia Island Affair; is a contemporary mystery written by M. S. Spencer; a December 17, 2018 release out of The Wild Rose Press

Our Review:

One of the charms of this contemporary mystery is the manner in which the author weaves the history of Amelia Island and the local culture into the plot, lending the book flavor and local color of the Sea Islands. One caution: we suggest the reader take their time with this latest release by M.S. Spencer in order to absorb the myriad named characters, their occupations and relationship to the two leads, Ellie and Simon.

Out of 5 stars, this book rates a 3

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Through The Red Door by Sadira Stone

          Clara Martelli clings to Book Nirvana, the Oregon bookshop she and her late husband Jared built together. When rising rents and corporate competition threaten its survival, her best hope is their extensive erotica collection, locked behind a red door. In dreams and signs, her dead husband tells her it's time to open that door and move on. When a dark and handsome stranger's powerful magnetism jolts her back to life and he wants a look at the treasures of that secret room, she can't help but want to show him more.

          Professor Nick Papadopoulos is looking for historical erotica. Book Nirvana's collection surpasses his wildest dreams, and so does its lovely owner. A widower, he understands Clara's battle with guilt, but their searing chemistry is too strong to resist. Besides, he will only be in town for two weeks, not long enough for her to see beyond the scandal that haunts his past.

Our Review:

          Through The Red Door is erotica at it's best: a story of two people who come together, enjoying each other while developing an intense romantic relationship. For a terrific story with hot, passion tossed in for the reader's pleasure, this is the book for lovers of erotic fiction. Well done, Ms. Stone!!

          On a scale of 1-5 stars, this book deserves a 5

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

A Magic Redemption by Tena Stetler

     A Magic Redemption, Book 5 in Tena Stetler's A Demon’s Witch Series, a Wild Rose Press release, Black Rose line. December 2018.

     Synn, a demon, carries extraordinary magic and power, but there is more within her than she dreams. Kidnapped as a child, her captors murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior assassin. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, she finds herself at the mercy of the friends and family of her intended target.  Offering valuable information in exchange for protection, she gains her freedom, but it is not without its challenges.

     Gavin Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub.  He is certain Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past.  He must find a way to convince her, their future together is stronger than the dark memories that haunt her dreams.

     When her past comes calling for revenge, will their love survive the raging inferno she brings down upon them? Or will the searing path of destruction destroy all they hold dear?

Our Review:

     Devoted followers of this dark fantasy series won't be disappointed in the latest in the Demon Witch's series, A Magic Redemption. Tormented by her past, everything she did and was done to her, Synn is fearless and selfless, determined to live the rest of her life--which could well end at any moment--in peace and redemption. She is everything any woman would want for a daughter. 

     Gavin, stubborn to a fault, proud as only ten Irishmen can be, is the man we'd want for her--even when both drive those who care for them crazy with their stubborn willfulness. Author Stetler has not reached her full potential, we are sure of it.

     On a scale of 1 to 5, A Magic Redemption earns a 5

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Captive Hearts by Gina Leuci

          Grace Adams has discovered the true reason she was brought to the gated town of Wellington. Now she wants to leave more than ever.  With the security level of the town raised to fortress level she is forced to marry the town's Police Chief. Hoping to gain the trust of the townsfolk, they pretend to make their marriage look real. It isn’t long before their game of deceit and reality blur together.

          When Police Chief Caleb Wellington returned to his hometown, he had his own reasons for increasing the town’s security. Now, he sees the town for what it is: a prison. His relationship with Grace opens feelings he hasn’t had in a while. The last thing he wants to do is say goodbye. But he made a promise to get her home and he is a man of his word.

* * * * 

          As much as we loved Caged Souls, Book One of the Well of Lies series, author Gina Leuci has outdone herself with Captive Hearts. The biting wit and clever character portraits is sharp and on point. The conundrum Grace an Caleb find themselves in to effect Grace's escape is an old one, but well written and cleverly played out. 

If there is a third book to the Well of Lies series, we can't wait for it!!

On a scale of 1 to 5, Captive Hearts earns a 6+

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews