A Different Kind of Fire

Torn between societal attitudes of late 19^th century America, her childhood sweetheart, a forbidden passion for another woman, the nobleman she felt forced to wed and her dream to paint, Ruby Schmidt has limited options. To follow her dream might destroy those she loves most. To ignore her passions will surely destroy her in: A Different Kind of Fire by Suanne Schaefer

       As in her other novels, Suanne Schaefer again demonstrates her uncanny ability to create driven, multi-layered characters, place them in unforgettable settings, then lets life and all its vagaries take over. Such is the way with A Different Kind of Fire, a novel of a woman’s drive to create while balancing home, hearth, and the loves of her life. Ruby Schmidt, a woman ahead of her time, isn’t afraid to keep trying even after she trips, stumbles and falls. Readers are better for knowing her. Well done, Ms. Schaefer.

On a scale of 1-5, A Different Kind of Fire deserves an 8

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Letters And Lies by Colleen L. Donnelly

Having been jilted by a Colorado homesteader with whom she corresponded over the past many months, Louise Archer travels to the Colorado Territory to understand why “her Jim” would suddenly send a telegram telling her the wedding is off. All of her efforts are stalled in the form of Marshall Everett McCloud in the small Kansas town of Larned.

What begins as a short stopover turns into an adventure as Louise, posing as a grieving widow named Penelope, uses her canny business acumen to fight the machinations of a greedy banker out to destroy Larned and control its populace. In the process she discovers things about herself and her own value.

Multi-published Colleen L. Donnelly has proven her ability to create intriguing and entrancing fiction. With Letters and Lies, Donnelly’s ability to create colorful, multi-layerd characters and fascinating settings simply glows. With some laugh out loud moments, heroine Louise shows herself to be driven and unafraid as she confronts the irascible Cook, smarmy banker Brandt and the enigmatic Marshall McCloud. Well done.

On a scale of 1-5, Letters and Lies deserves a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Determined Hearts

Two determined people, each with their own mission, join their hearts and their lives.

Determined Hearts, a contemporary romance, written by Diana Stout and released by Sharpened Pencils Productions.

     To get that one perfect shot, Jennifer Frost, fledgling wildlife photographer, travels to the outback of Idaho to interview reclusive naturalist Hawk Hunter. If she succeeds, she'll put her career on the fast track. Little does she know what she's in for.

     Former cover model Hawk Who Flies Alone Hunter gave up the glitz and glam to follow a dream instilled by his Native ancestors to preserve endangered wildlife in the Salmon River Mountains of Idaho. The high life was not the only thing this enigmatic man gave up—indoor plumbing, running water and electricity are not on his agenda for living the way he chooses.

     It takes all kinds, as Jennifer soon discovers, but digs in her heels and refuses to give up. As she soon learns, Hawk is dug in—deeper and infinitely harder. Their attraction is immediate, mutual and intense. As they strive to fulfill their personal goals in life, their secrets are uncovered slowly and surely and each learns new and exciting things about life and love.

     If you enjoy a good, tension filled seduction set in the back-woods of nowhere, where survival skills will save your life, Determined Hearts is the book for you. Well done, Ms. Stout.

On a scale of 1-5, Determined Hearts deserves a 4.5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Exit Strategy

. . .Grinning on demand wasn't how a woman got taken seriously in a world where testosterone dripped down the walls. . .

     How, in this day and age, can any woman with a brain, not appreciate such wisdom, grit, and determination?

     Drawn in immediately, reading The Exit Strategy, a women's fiction novel by Lainey Cameron and recent release out of the Wild Rose Press is a perfect marvel. An anthem to women supporting women, standing for each other in good times and bad, teaching and supporting.

     Ryn Brennan is brainy, courageous, and has worked her tail off to get where she is. Unfortunately, her choice in husbands sucks. Adding insult to injury, said suckee, not only cheats on Ryn but also sets her up to fail in her latest business venture by manipulating a boardroom confrontation between her and his side piece. A perfect guarantee to submarine both women's lives and careers. This then becomes the perfect fantasy for the reader as she turns the pages: how will these two women exact revenge on a less than sterling mate? While it may not be what some of us would have liked, in the end it is perfect.

     Not to be out-classed, the supporting cast in this truer than life novel are equally diverse and incredibly well drawn. Dialogue is snappy and laugh out loud at times. We see good things in Lainey Cameron's future.

On a scale of 1-5, The Exit Strategy deserves a 10.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Wild Rose Pass, Karen Hulene Bartell

. . . .Cadence McShane, free-spirited nonconformist, yearns to escape the rigid code, clothes, and sidesaddles of 1880s military society in Fort Davis, Texas. She finds the daring new lieutenant exhilarating, but as the daughter of the commanding officer, she is expected to keep with family tradition and marry West Point graduate James West.

. . . . Orphaned, Comanche-raised, and always the outsider looking in, Ben Williams yearns to belong. Cadence embodies everything he craves, but as a battlefield-commissioned officer with the Buffalo Soldiers instead of a West Point graduate, he is neither accepted into military society nor considered marriageable.

. . . Can two people of different worlds, drawn together by conflicting needs, flout society and forge a life together on the frontier?

          Rarely have we found a blurb which so accurately describes its nove. Karen Hulene Bartell has given western historical fans an action-packed story, filled it with a lush setting, and populated it with diverse, well-drawn characters.

          Cadence McShane has a mind of her own, but isn't pushy with it. She simply. . . yearns to live a life different from the expectations pressed on her by the society she lives in. As an aside, it came as a refreshing to realize gossip, bias and bigotry are not unique to the 21^st century. Clearly, by Bartell's extensive research, these societal woes have been around for awhile.

          And now we come to Ben Williams—a hero worth knowing, appreciating, and respecting. In one word he is yummy. Nicely done, Ms. Bartell.

On a scale of 1—5, Wild Rose Pass deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Happy Endings by Susan Payne

....1874 Sweetwater was growing in all sorts of ways. New bank, new school and new houses for the families settling there joining the original ranchers. This busy town was earning a reputation for peaceful living and prosperity for everyone.

....Will an unwanted intrusion from outsiders bring all that to an end? Would the townspeople and those in the perimeter of protection be endangered? Or will everything work out as it was meant to for the people living and loving in Sweetwater?

     Each in their own way the graduates of St. Michael's Orphanage know how to care for others—and their efforts are wrapped up in a neat, detailed package in Happy Endings, the concluding story in Susan Payne's Sweetwater series, released by the Wild Rose Press.

Author Payne has incorporated each lead character from the earlier Sweetwater stories, showing the reader what became of them, how they grew and thrived. Each in their own way has achieved their life goals and brought their special skills to the small but ever growing town of Sweetwater, Kansas.

     Happy Endings features Maggie St. Michaels, manager of the local restaurant, and the love of her life, Franklin Johnson, a man of mystery who aids her in taking care of the local populace. Over the past few years, Sweetwater, Kansas has grown by leaps and bounds. Which only means the workmen who take care of the construction of businesses, homes, and other domiciles—and their families—need safe residences as well as nourishing food.

     Enter—or re-enter if you will—Matthew St. Michaels, “rescuer” of all things who need rescuing whether it's a woman in an abusive situation, a man down on his luck, or an abandoned mother and her children. Trust Matthew to utilize the values instilled in him and other orphanage alumni who populate Sweetwater to see to the needs of others before their own.

     Overall, the Sweetwater series has been a joy to read and treasure. We thank Ms. Payne for offering us this opportunity.

On a scale of 1-5, Happy Endings deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Discretionist by Lance Hawvermale

Their dance will last forever—if they survive the night.

Micah Donovan, luxury limo driver, is known throughout Las Vegas, among other things, for his discretion. No matter what he sees, what he hears, he keeps it to himself. Until one night, when he’s certain his current passenger is headed into certain violence and perhaps worse, things change.

Katelyn Presley, a young, beautiful dancer is a woman with her own mind and isn’t afraid to voice her opinion—particularly to a man who thinks he knows best.

Micah and Kate find themselves on a trip among the seamier side of life, with the denizens to match, avoiding a killer—and the man who runs him.

With his latest novel, author Hawvermale shows, once again, his gift for dry humor as well as the creation of diverse characters. For edge of the seat and non-stop action, this book shows the author’s skills to their max—and we weren’t disappointed.

On a scale of 1-5, The Discretionist deserves a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Discretionist by Lance Hawvermale

Their dance will last forever—if they survive the night.

Micah Donovan, luxury limo driver, is known throughout Las Vegas, among other things, for his discretion. No matter what he sees, what he hears, he keeps it to himself. Until one night, when he’s certain his current passenger is headed into certain violence and perhaps worse, things change.

Katelyn Presley, a young, beautiful dancer is a woman with her own mind and isn’t afraid to voice her opinion—particularly to a man who thinks he knows best.

Micah and Kate find themselves on a trip among the seamier side of life, with the denizens to match, avoiding a killer—and the man who runs him.

With his latest novel, author Hawvermale shows, once again, his gift for dry humor as well as the creation of diverse characters. For edge of the seat and non-stop action, this book shows the author’s skills to their max—and we weren’t disappointed.

On a scale of 1-5, The Discretionist deserves a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Blueberry Swirl--One Scoop or Two?

     After a family crisis, Katie Hathaway must return home to help out in the family's ice cream shop. She leaves behind her dream job of teaching ballroom dance to spend her summer scooping ice cream and mixing milkshakes.

     Chaz Hollander, Katie's high school crush, has also returned to town to work in his family's business. After Katie treats him to a blueberry swirl sundae, he invites her to the town's upcoming dance. The only problem is he has two left feet.

     When Katie starts giving Chaz dance lessons, their chemistry ignites, and the postponement of her dream doesn't seem as ominous. But financial woes and a suspicious business deal cast a shadow on their budding relationship.

The Blueberry Swirl Waltz, a novella length historical romance, by Maria Imbalzano, is part of the One Scoop or Two series published by the Wild Rose Press and was released on June 1, 2020.

This fast paced and easily readable story is a delight for those of us who “came into their own” during the era of jitterbugs, swing and cha-cha dance numbers—not to mention poodle skirts and sweater sets. By her talent in creating dialogue and voice, author Imbalzana's talents clearly extend to creating a setting which takes one back to a small riverside town where everyone knows everyone's business and the winters are spent deciding what to wear--and who to be seen with--at the annual summer festival. Ahh, the memories.

A charmer of a story, this is a lovely addition to the One Scoop or Two series and Ms. Imbalzana has done herself proud.

On a scale of 1—5, The Blueberry Swirl Waltz earns a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews