Thistle in the Mistletoe by Margaret Izard

 Forced into a marriage neither sought, they must find common ground—or die for the trying.

About The Book: Mary, only daughter of the laird of Comyn, is forced to wed the laird of the MacDougall clan, or her father and the new laird will die. Theirs has been a long-standing feud which the king seeks to stop by demanding a merger—as well as an infant within a year’s time.

Mary knows what it is to be unwanted, unloved and under-valued—mostly because of her gender—so living among the MacDougalls’ hatred and loathing is nothing new. Roderick MacDougall, however, has only known love and devotion from his immediate family and members of his extended clan. When Mary is threatened at every turn, to the point of near death, he must put aside what he thinks he knows and open his eyes to the truth.

These two stubborn people have much to learn how to forge a future under the most bitter of circumstances. Or heads will roll—literally.

Our Review: Author Izard, known for extensive research into her topic does not disappoint her legion of fans with this story. The characters are well developed, demonstrating multiple layers and individual traits. The history of customs, fashion, food abound and offer flavor to this beauty. Fans of historical romance, particularly set in medieval Scotland, will love this one.

On a scale of 1-5, Thistle in the Mistletoe deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Yule Tide by Brian Anderson

 Christmas can be magical. It can also be deadly.

 Yule Tide, a novel of Christmas

 About the Book: Years after the death of Kris Kringle—maybe an accident, or maybe not—a fallen angel turned private investigator attempts to wrest the operation of Christmas from the control of a shadowy organization that has taken over the whole holiday and twisted it to their own evil ends.

 Our Review: Devotees of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser PI and John R. Maxim’s Paul Bannerman will grab onto Brian Anderson’s Yule Tide and not let go. Something dark and uncomfortably evil has worked its way into all parts of the Yule season. Fallen angel turned flailing private investigator, Harold [as in Hark the Herald—get it?] seeks to return things to the way they once were. The way they should be. Loner Harold can’t do it alone so, employing a cast of unique and quirky two and four-legged characters, he thwarts the Organization at every turn. The dry humor and snappy dialogue—Anderson’s trademark—are always a treat. This one’s a beauty. Don’t miss it.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Yule Tide merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Stone of Lust by Margaret Izard

 She finds true love in the past, but is his love worth risking her future?

 About the Book:  She dreams of a Viking warrior with Fae-blue eyes and a God-like body that makes her heart pound like no other. Trying to save her kidnapped sister-in-law, Ainslie follows her back to the Vikings of Scotland, where she faces the very man who has haunted her dreams.

When Jarl, Rannick MacRaghnaill meets the alluring Warrior Woman who helped steal his warship, she dresses in clothing so strange that every curve teases his senses. But is she, as she claims, a woman from the future or an irresistible lying thief?

She’d risk her life to save her sister-in-law. He’d risk his honor to win her heart. Can both hardened warriors save the realms from the evilest of Fae’s minds combined with the most dangerous of humans?

 Our Review:  Bringing well-loved characters from her first novel [Stone of Love], the author uses them in a secondary role this time and enticing the reader into another magical time travel to medieval Scotland. In Stone of Lust, author Margaret Izard’s acute attention to details of the period, including the issue of men’s drive to control women—an issue which has been around since the cavemen—is just one more reason to pick up then enjoy this book. Izard has outdone herself. Again.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Stone of Lust merits a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews.

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