Always a Bridesmaid by Jana Richards

 Will she shed the ugly duckling and emerge into a swan—or conform to the wishes of others?

 About the Book: With a short, sturdy frame, larger than ‘pert’ nose, and overly large breasts, in a family of swans Dani DiPietro has always considered herself the ugly duckling. She’s the bridesmaid her friends always count on; but men never consider a bride. To protect her heart, and keep secrets—her own and others—she plays the funny girl. Lonely, unfulfilled, wanting more.

When Zach Morrison was dumped at the altar, Dani was there to help him pick up the pieces. A year later, he comes to her needing help. Will she pose as his girlfriend to help him fend off the unwanted advances of the former dumper-fiancé?

The two play their roles too well and make believe rapidly morphs into reality. In the face of ‘maybe this is the one for me’, old hurts, old wounds and unanswered questions collaborate to sabotage this couple’s finding a forever life.

 Our Review: In keeping with previous stories in this unique, entertaining series, we expected a fun, laugh out loud romp. Boy, were we wrong.

Author Richards shows her skill for delving into long standing and repeated hurts and humiliations—and the effect they wreak on a person’s decision making. Dani is a proud woman, super loyal to family and friends, often to her detriment. She keeps her secrets and promises—often to great personal loss. Her refusal to betray a friend’s most personal secret causes Zach, whose repeated misuse and abuse by the spoiled, selfish former fiancé, to doubt her and break things off.

          But the story doesn’t end there. Just as it looks like these two might have their acts together, Dani’s most important secret rears its head, and is sure to strike a personal chord in many readers. Watching her battle the mis-guided and mis-informed opinions of those who matter the most, demonstrates loud and clear that our own peace of mind and personal approval is what deserves attention. This is a beautiful piece of writing and should not be missed.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Always a Bridesmaid merits an 8.

  Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Broome Enigma by Meryl Brown Tobin

 Who is this intriguing, enigmatic man?

 About the Book: While on a working holiday in Broome, a popular tourist attraction in Australia’s outback, book designer Jodie Winter meets the caravan park’s tersely guarded handyman who goes by the name Joe. Despite a strong mutual attraction, many unknowns about this man and his past—continue to keep them apart.

In an effort to uncover his past and how he came to have amnesia, the two travel to Perth—there to be drawn into a bizarre as well as dangerous situation. Is Joe the person Jodie believes him to be—or is this some alter ego he’s developed as a survival skill?

Before Jodie can trust this relationship is the forever kind, she deserves to know the truth about an enigma.  

Our Review: Author Meryl Brown Tobin is a master at creating suspense—as well as writing characters tortured with unknowns at several levels. Adding interesting bits of historical fact into the touristy Broome adds a delicious flavor to the action. For those readers who glom onto romantic-suspense novels, along with a dash of adventure tossed in for spice, this is the book for you!

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Broome Enigma merits a 5.

   Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

There Goes the Groom by Jana Richards

 About the Book: Eight years ago, Tony left Olivia at the altar because in the days prior to the wedding, she’d changed and was no longer the happy girl he’d fallen in love with. When she denied anything was wrong, Tony concluded he didn’t want to marry him but was too afraid to admit it. So, he gave her a safe way out—and took the blame for the wedding that never was.

          Now, Tony’s back in town and they’re forced to work together. Though sparks still fly between them, Olivia’s not sure she should or can trust him again. Besides, she’s engaged to someone else. Though the fiancé doesn’t light her up the way Tony did and still does, there’s no way she’ll humiliate him in the same manner.

          In order to forge a future, Tony and Live need to resolve their past—or this time will Tony be the one who’s left at the altar.

Our Review: “…she enjoyed making him squirm…” After being dumped at the altar, in front of God and everyone, who wouldn’t feel this way, even years later, when confronted with the ‘dumper’?

Author Richards’ ability to create honest, human reactions—such as the bridal party turning on the groom for his ‘dumper’ behavior—to the family dinners where sibling rivalry never fails to run amok—lets the reader know they should settle in and enjoy the ride. The humor hits gut-busting level; the emotions are real and valid. This beauty of a story speaks to the author's talent, imagination and creativity.

Based on a scale of 1-5, There Goes the Groom merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

From Ash & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan

About the Book: After banishing Ifrit, an evil djinn, Baxter—Bax—Allen’s life has returned to normal—sort of. He knows the guilt-fueled nightmares he suffers from will never relent until he musters the courage to return the djinn’s artifact to its rightful location, finally laying the demon to rest. But nothing in the universe of djinn is easy.

Someone has summoned Ifrit back into the real world, placing Bax and friends Ashley, Jason, Scarlett and Warren at the center of a swirling darkness while the djinn fulfills his new master’s wishes. As Ifrit’s attacks grow more deadly, the quartet of adventurers must first uncover the identity of Ifrit’s new master then convince them to banish the evil spirit.

One roadblock: with the powerful lunar eclipse not due another one hundred-fifty years, banishment might be impossible.

 Our Review: In this modernized version of Aladdin and his magic lamp, our first impression that From Brick & Darkness, Book 1 in author J.L. Sullivan’s series, headed the list for YA perfection. It’s successor, From Ash & Darkness, has knocked it from the top spot. With cleverly composed and individualized dialogue, non-stop pacing and crucial motivation, this one hits all the right items on our priority list for excellence in good writing. This one’s a beauty. Do not miss.

Based on a scale of 1-5, From Ash & Darkness merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

  

Hot Diggity Spacedogs by Icy Snow Blackstone

                Sometimes, life is completely unfair.

About the Book: Spoiled teenager Jenny Halpen's parents were against her going on a cruise, but her doting uncle didn't see it that way. He thought it a fine graduation gift for his favorite—and only--niece.

Unfortunately, before Jenny has a chance to enjoy the voyage, the Cassandra collides with a meteor shower, and her escape pod is separated from the others.

Landing on an uninhabited world might not be so bad if Jenny's pod-mates were human, but they're not. They're poodles...all three of them...and not just your garden-variety poodles, either. They're the telepathic royal family of Canaris, and they're of the opinion that Jenny is now their servant, existing only to protect and serve them.

Robinson Crusoe had it easy!

 Our Review: This energetic Young Adult Space Fantasy, sub-titled A Teen’s Guide to Being Spacewrecked, shows off the coming of age of a spoiled teenager, throwing one obstacle after another in her path to survival, and showing how she grows and matures into a responsible young adult. The dialogue is inventive and snappy; the three dogs play their roles to a tee. Young readers are sure to enjoy this one. 

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Hot Diggity Spacedogs merits a 4.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Light Weaver by Lusine Torossian

 Some legends refuse to stay buried. Some choices demand everything.

 About the Book: A relic thief with an agenda. A hidden prince with a vendetta. A kingdom lost to the undead. When eighteen-year-old relic thief Satya steals an ancient resurrection artifact from the Golden King, she uncovers his dark secret: he's a puppet to a soul-harvesting sorcerer who is building an undead army—one that includes her fallen family.

       Her escape through the treacherous Sophene Highlands leads her to Rei, an enemy warrior whose haunted history is intricately woven with her tragic past. As forbidden love blossoms amidst a divine war, Satya discovers that the legendary relic holds dual powers. Now she faces an impossible choice: resurrect her family by sacrificing her soul—or save the kingdom and lose them forever.
       Caught between gods and demons, love and duty, Satya must decide what price she's willing to pay for the dead.

Our Review: While creating Light Weaver, author Torossian  used her knowledge of family lore based on Armenian mythology, fairytales and folklore and turned it into a miracle. This fascinating coming-of-age fantasy-adventure is written in clear, fluid prose and follows a young woman who, due to events beyond her control, is compelled to save her family. On her journey, she overcomes personal and cultural trauma and discovers the spirit of her female ancestors. This is a wonderful example for young readers, with a lead character to emulate. This one’s a charmer.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Light Weaver merits a 6.

   Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Demon Amulet by Margo Carey

 Murder and a cursed amulet bring a hotel concierge to a surprising discovery: another Watcher Clan, her soulmate, and a Templar gift that not only erases her comfortable life—but promises to destroy any hope of love.

About the Book: Twenty-eight-year-old Lia Ferguson never expected a wedding to turn deadly, but when magic kills one guest and critically injures another, the celebration morphs into a crime scene. Using skills inherited from her Templar ancestors, Lia saves the injured man, then contacts her Clan.

     Together, Clan members capture the killer and confiscate a stolen amulet with contains deadly magical powers. Trouble follows when an angry, violent warlock tracks his stolen property, while Aiden, the handsome but suspicious brother-in-law of the murder victim, confronts Lia.

     Amid the escalating tension, Lia’s mistrust of Aiden proves as strong as her undeniable attraction. As their connection deepens, so does the peril they face. They must stop the warlock before he unleashes a demonic force into the world.

Our Review: Demon Amulet follows the adventures of the Watcher Clan, in an action-packed tale, fed by non-stop action and populated with diverse characters whose motives might not be exactly what first presents. What’s at the heart of this story is the concept of clan: all for one/one for all. No matter what—no matter who.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Demon Amulet merits a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews