The Passenger by Joie Lesin

 . . . The Passenger: a tale of family connections, life-changing choices, and love—lost and found . . .

About the Book: Elizabeth Reilly wants to be free of her empathic gift and fit in with normal people. Nevertheless, when the spirit of a lonely old man asks for her help, she travels across the country to help him return home.

Gio Clemente is still angry with his father who, he believes, abandoned him as a child. To help Paolo, the father, pass on, Elizabeth must persuade Gio to let go of his anger. Though he resents her intrusion, they are both stunned to find themselves fighting a profound attraction. Elizabeth can accept his headstrong brand of love, but can Gio accept her gift—and believe in her?

Our Review: From the first page this brilliantly written historical ghost story, we were entranced. The author’s skill at describing setting—from the foxholes of wartime Europe to the trolleys of Boston, then on to California’s vast wine country, the reader is absorbed. The desperately lonely and critically ill Paolo is heartbreaking. His only goal is to seek forgiveness from his wife and son. The still grieving Elizabeth is unable to refuse his plea for help. Then to meet taciturn Gio who, though he does not recognize it, is desperate for a love of his own, like the one his madre claims she had with his padre. Who doesn’t want that? The secondary plot line of enduring love of the generations is a real heart breaker. Do not pass on The Passenger. It’s a beauty.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Passenger merits a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Tuesday's Child by Toni V. Sweeney

 They found love but a closely guarded secret could destroy it…

 About The Book: Grace McAllister hasn't seen or heard from her father since her mother left him twenty years before. When she receives word that Benjamin Troup McAllister has died, she returns to McAllister, Georgia, for the reading of his will. Imagine her shock when she learns that not only does she inherit nothing, but the will states that Benjamin is not her biological father. Stunned by this revelation, she decides to find her real father and enlists the aid of childhood friend Mayfield Donovan.

        The bully of her earliest years, May has grown into a handsome, sensual stranger who becomes Grace's support—and lover—while helping her question her mother's old friends, as well as Benjamin McAllister's enemies which are legion.

     As they sift through the facts of her mother's life and confront the men who loved her, they uncover a tale of revenge, deception, and murder, and discover a truth neither wants to believe or accept.

Our Review: It’s always a treat to read a story by Toni V. Sweeney’s because of the flavor and tone she brings to the pages, including the colorful spice of Southern life, vivid characters who jump off the page and intriguing secrets hidden beneath the many layers. Settle in and enjoy this story of the South. It’s a honey.

On a scale of 1-5, Tuesday’s Child merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Hunting Hannah by C.B. Clark

When an ugly past threatens a promising future.

 About The Book: Investigative journalist Hannah Marchand’s assignment to cover a remote archeological site in British Columbia arrives at the perfect time—helping her to evade a violent stalker. Archeologist Roman Patrick saw his professional life and reputation come to a vicious halt at the hands of a self-seeking reporter and vows he’ll never associate with any journalist. Ever. But Hannah is different—and in trouble. Soon, the entire dig is at risk. The two must work together, to save the site and their very lives.

 Our Review: This compelling read is a study in how to write exciting suspense fiction. Both characters, well drawn and multi-layered, demonstrate legitimate and understandable goals, motivation as well as a compelling conflict. For excellence in suspense, C.B. Clark is the author for you.

 On a scale of 1-5, Hunting Hannah merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

  

Undercover Babymoon by Karina Bartow

 Most mothers-to-be spend their pregnancy leafing through baby names and shopping for nursery furniture. Minka Avery spends hers trying to hunt down a murderer on the open seas.

 About the Book: A babymoon provides parents-to-be—Wes and Minka Avery—the opportunity to unwind from preparing for the new addition and enjoy some pampering In the case of police detective Minka she gets to catch a killer.

 

Our Review: As always, author Karina Bartow gives her readers non-stop action and brisk, snappy dialogue. Her characters, living and dead, jump off the page in this Orlando based police procedural which features a hearing-impaired female police detective, her teacher husband, and their too bright for her years five-year-old daughter. It’s always a pleasure to see what Minka and her pals get themselves into—then watch to see how they work their way out. This is a fun story from a fun series!

 

On a scale of 1-5, Undercover Babymoon merits a 6.

 

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Dangerous Descent by Evie Jacobs

 When an undercover agent and his sexy co-pilot find themselves on a plane willed with mobsters, there’s no room for mistakes.

 About the Book: Pilot Elise Hughes ran from her Florida Keys home to Denver after her father’s fatal plane crash revealed his dark secrets and illegal dealings. Struggling to reconcile the man she believed him to be with the man he actually was has tainted her memories and strained her relationship with her brothers. Now just when she’s settled into the drama-free, comfortable routine of her new life, an unfamiliar airline captain joins her route, stirring unwanted feelings of attraction.

Former combat-pilot-turned FBI agent Eric Erickson secretly burns for retribution against the mobster whom he blames for his father’s death. He poses as a pilot to discover why the mobster and his son are making regular flights from New Jersey to Denver. Not only does the undercover assignment put Eric within striking distance of the gangsters, but Elise, his beautiful copilot, who becomes a distraction he can’t afford.

 Our Review: This is more than your basic romantic suspense with two deserving people fighting the bad guys. It’s a story of a woman trying to prove herself after what’s left of her family turns its back on her. She gets up every day, intending to prove her worth to the world and herself—as well as her dead father, who may or may not have been a crime boss—and brothers who may or may not have aided and abetted him. This undercover agent only gums up the works as far as she’s concerned. When he returns her feelings, things only get more dangerous—for both of them.

 On a scale of 1-5, Dangerous Descent merits a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

The Good McCoy Lad

Sometimes a person can be too well behaved.  

About the Book:  Colin McCoy is the good son, the one who's spent most of his life living down the reputation of his womanizing brother Padraig left behind after he was exiled from the family home in Tipperary Ireland.

    When he meets smart and beautiful Fiona Leary, daughter of his father's titled employer, Colin immediately falls in love and all good sense flies out the window. He'll court her properly, of course. What else is there for a good boy to do?

    No one is aware of Colin's secret longings. How long will it be before the good McCoy lad follows in his big brother's scandalous footsteps?  

Our Review: Whether it’s set on a far-off planet, a Louisiana plantation, or the remote Carpathian mountains, no one writes a family saga better than Toni v. Sweeney. Colin, the dutiful and respectful son, longs for adventure—and for somewhere other than County Tipperary. His devoted Fiona helps him in those longings; together they create their own adventures in their own ways.

We look forward to the next in the McCoy family saga—this one set in post Civil War America—to see how Colin achieves his dreams as well as learning how the long-absent Padraig has turned his life around.

On a scale of 1-5, The Good McCoy Lad deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

The Case of the Filthy Beast

 Two best friends hunt for clues in a werewolf attack, only to find the monster is closer than they think. 

 About the Book:  Nurse Lexi Burns’ perfect life quickly unravels after the mysterious death of a young girl. Unconvinced by the official story, and ignoring warnings by local police, Lexi and her best friend, Zelda, embark on a hunt for the truth. Facing danger, betrayal, and a shocking revelation, they risk everything to expose a killer lurking in their midst.

 Our Review: Two women, best friends almost from the womb, fight the prevailing system of male supremacy, chauvinism and other testosterone riddled ‘way of things’—often to their despair and disappointment. That does not stop them, however. Lexi is a strong woman, fed up with her lot in life, and ready to speak her truth, not only for herself and her peers but for a dead teenager. Zelda, an absolute hoot of a high school English teacher, fits the role of lead egger-on like she was born to it. The tragedy of the death of a young woman who had everything good in her future is not lost on the zany turns the story occasionally takes. Lexi and Zelda fight the system to bring a measure of closure for the family—as well as the townspeople who give new meaning to the phrase, go along to get along. Author Karmazin may be new to the publishing game but she is someone to watch. Her talent and spunk will serve her well.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Case of the Filthy Beast merits a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews