Nobody Else But You by Claire Marti

When a feisty horse breeder, still recovering from the high price demanded by the film industry, meets a too-hot-for-Hollywood stuntman, tempers flare and sparks fly hotter than a Santa Ana wind.

          Samantha McNeill wants nothing to do with any part of the Hollywood and all that comes along with it. She knows what fame can do to those she loves and will go to any lengths to protect them. Holt Ericson has his own reasons for needing what Samantha has to offer—and it has everything to do with keeping his family safe and comfortable. Both have to make concessions to reach their goals—and that's where the fun comes in.

Our Review: Once again, opposites do attract, sparks really do fly, and fans of contemporary romance are in for a treat with the first book of a series based in Southern California. Ms. Marti honed her craft well in her Laguna Beach series, then put those lessons into action with Nobody Else But You. First: she created a hero and heroine with compelling goals, realistic motivation and seemingly unsolvable conflict. Second: she made the setting as compelling as the humans and kept up the pace. One does not forget the constant threat of fires when it comes to the unpredictable Santa Ana winds.

This is a fun read with terrific characters and a gorgeous location. We can't wait for the next book in this series.

On a scale of 1-5, Nobody Else But You deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

If Wishes Were Horses, a debut novel by Jayne York

          Artist turned advertising specialist Emily Converse returns to the place where she was raised to save her ill brother—and face down, once and for all, the demon who made their childhood a living hell: Senator Ray Domenico, her stepfather and likely her mother's killer. Almost immediately she meets Michael McCandlis. Sparks fly—in more ways than one.

Our Review:

For those who consider returning to the small town where they were raised with the same enthusiasm one faces root canals, but who also knows once it's over healing can finally take place, this is the story for you. For those who like hot sex thrown into the mix of retaliation and revenge, taking—this one is a huge bonus.

With biting wit, author York knows has created a whole cast of characters ranging from scream-a-minute drag queens to hold-your-breath-for heroes to a villain anyone would love to hate. In her first novel, Jayne York has hit a bases loaded home run.

On a scale of 1 to 5, If Wishes Were Horses, deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Angel and the SEAL

     Navy SEAL Sean MacKay's teammate is murdered after stealing a deadly nerve-gas formula from Syrian terrorists. Naval Intelligence believes MacKay's teammate was a traitor and shipped the stolen formula to his sister in the states for safekeeping. MacKay is given orders to find the sister before the terrorists do and to retrieve the stolen formula at all costs.
     Foreclosure looms for Cory Rigatero as she fights to keep her rustic resort near Mt. St. Helens afloat after her brother deserted her to join the SEAL Teams. Cory's whole world dives into a tailspin when Sean MacKay shows up at her resort with the news of her brother's death and the wild suspicion her brother may have sent her traitorous classified documents. No way will Cory trust MacKay -- the man who once seduced her and then vanished into the night without a trace.

Our Review:

          We have ourselves a hero for the ages: tough because he had to be in order to survive a childhood riddled with abuse and neglect. He's handsome as sin—of course—and resourceful as all good SEALS need to be. Then there's the heroine whom we all want to head the list of Best Pals Forever: loyal, courageous and devoted to the family of her heart. And, last but not least, a small town with all the mandatory “joys”: bullies, bimbos, and bad guys.

          I picked up The Angel and the SEAL, thinking I'd read the first 100 pages before going to bed. Guess what? I could not put this one down. It's a must read for those into military men, gutsy women and the necessary terrorist, foreign and domestic.

On a scale of 1-5, The Angel and the SEAL deserves a 5.

No Angels For Christmas

          Child psychologist Rachel Kelly isn't quite sure how to handle the situation with her newest client -- a six-year-old boy who says he can talk to angels, one is coming to help Rachel. She already has her hands full of trouble this Christmas season, and things quickly take a turn for the worse when a stalker crashes Rachel's Christmas party and takes her young clients hostage.

          Police negotiator, Lt. Jake Dillon, walked away from his fiancée Rachel when she suddenly balked at having kids. His kids. Yet when the hostage crisis erupts, Rachel calls Jake first. Now he has a choice to make -- stand back and wait for the cavalry to save Rachel or step in and try to save her himself. Time is running out, and Jake may be their only chance for rescue.

          Unless Rachel's little angel-spying client is telling the truth…

Our Review:

This is a delightful story for any season of the year and quite timely in the content. A woman with a heart almost too big for all the ills this world presents her is forced to face a challenge on a personal level—one that has many answers, none of which is pleasant.

Kudos to author McCarty for doing her research, not only on the dread disease of Duchenne's MD but also child abuse—in all its ramifications, including abuser profiles and the effects on victims. Well done.

On a scale of 1 to 5, No Angels For Christmas deserves a 5+

No Cowboys No Angels

     Financial analyst Kellen Brand reluctantly returns to Riverside, West Virginia to sell the family homestead her late mother kept safe for her and her brother. Kellen harbors few good memories of Riverside—with good reason the reader learns as the story moves along—and a few new ones to add to her ambivalence. Someone wants the land and they'll go to any lengths to get it. Enter Luke Thornton for some added spice and a guardian angel to show Kellen even the bad things in the past can work for the good in the future.

Our Review:  

For those who liken the thought of returning to the small, petty-minded town where they were raised with the same enthusiasm of root canals, this is the story for you. Author McCarty knows how to tug at the heart strings, so bring a box of tissues before you crack the pages of No Cowboys, No Angels.

This contemporary romantic suspense set in picturesque West Virginia is filled with a gamut of quirky, well-drawn characters, each with their own unique voice. We've had the privilege to read and review other novels by Petie McCarty and were not disappointed with this one. In fact, we see a honing of her skills as well as an added finesse to her unique her writing style. Well done all around.

On a scale of 1 to 5, No Cowboys, No Angels deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Love Proof by Luanna Stewart

Love Proof, a contemporary romance, by Luanna Stewart, part of the Deerbourne Inn series out of The Wild Rose Press

          Unemployed photojournalist Raynor Elliot stops at a bakery near the famous Deerbourne Inn. Not only does he get a lead on a job but the bakery’s owner is that awkward kid he knew in high school, only now she has fabulous curves and an irreverent sense of humor. The cozy bakery, with its aroma of sugar, vanilla and spice, has more to offer than tasty cookies.

          Fiona MacLeod has been plagued for years by the need to make amends for telling The Big Lie. When the lie’s victim strolls into her bakery with his icy blue stare and killer charm, she feels like she’s standing too close to a hot oven.

          Between running her bakery and frosting cupcakes for the Mad River Garden Party, she's pretty sure she's falling in love with this infuriating, sexy man. Can Fiona dredge up the courage to confess, face the consequences, and hope for forgiveness?

Our review: The person who never made The Mistake of the Century at age 17 should not read farther. We all did it; made a colossal goof, that is. We all know how poor choices have a nasty habit of haunting us into our adult years until . . . the day came when we had to make amends or suffer for the rest of eternity.

          Luanna Stewart leads us through the vagaries of re-found friendship, then love, between two most deserving people, Fiona and Ray. With the back drop of the charming Deerbourne Inn and the enchanting town of Willow Springs, we have a special, modern day love story. And this one is a beauty.

          On a scale of 1—5, Love Proof earns a 5+

Mystic Maples by Tena Stetler

          Magic abounds at the Deerbourne Inn when earth-fire witch Mercy Rose encounters half fae-half Rom Silvanus Forrest. She has a “hand” with flowers and other plants while he reigns over the land and his magic maple trees. 
          She's recovering from betrayal by a man whom she loved and trusted; he's looking for someone to accept him for what he is.

Our Review: The charming New England village of Willow Springs comes to life through the authors deft descriptions of its various celebrations as well as the infusion of Gypsy lore into the hero's past. Adding to the picture is a special appearance by Bertha, the Inn's resident ghost. Mystic Maples is a terrific addition to the Deerbourne Inn series out of the Wild Rose Press.

Stetler has done it again, making us all wish for a bit of magic in our lives.

On a scale of 1-5, Mystic Maples earns a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews