Life For Sale

 A sentient human-like android and his owner race to stop and insane robot before someone else dies in Life For Sale, a fantasy romance by Linda Nightingale, a current release out of the Wild Rose Press.

     Having escaped from their creator, four sentient androids go to great lengths to create new lives for themselves—only to discover not only is their creator on their trail—but one of the four is out to destroy them all.

     Paraphrasing a line from this intriguing romance “. . . man fears what he does not understand. Fear breeds hatred. Hatred becomes danger. . .” we had to keep reminding ourselves that several characters in this page turner are not human.

     In truth, after only a few pages, it did not matter. Life for Sale is filled with author Nightingale's signature flair for lush settings as well as delicious descriptive phrasing. An excellent sequel to Love For Sale.

On a scale of 1-5, Life For Sale deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Love, Art and Other Obstacles

 She's a free spirit. He's a one-woman man.

     Artists Margot DuPont and Elmer Byrne struggle to get by. Not only to get their work noticed but simple daily survival often feels like an enormous mountain to be climbed. One might ask, why not give up? Try something else? Work at the local fast food joint to pay the bills?

Because art fills their souls. It fulfills them.

     Having survived dysfunction and abuse on the home fronts, Margot and Elmer both look to the families of their hearts for support and guidance. One important part of those families is Maxie, a surrogate grandmother, who encourages each to apply for a grant through a local foundation. Thrown together—literally and figuratively—they compete on several levels, personal and professional. In the end each wins what they desire the most—and in most deserving fashions.

     As with her other stories, Sadira Stone again offers her fans rich, multi-layered characters—either protagonists or antagonists. And she does it in such an effortless manner when the final denouement hits the page, we stood up and shouted “Yes!” If you like detailed, complicated romances, with a lot of heat, this is the book for you.

On a scale of 1-5, Love, Art and Other Obstacles deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Forever Kind Of Woman by Susan Payne

 A woman ahead of her time

          Fresh off the death of her physician husband in Chicago, Tess McLeish accepts an offer from a doctor in a small western town, not only to join his practice as a practicing surgeon but to become his wife. She makes the rigorous journey to Forever, Texas only to be treated as a servant and hand-maiden by Dr. Waverly and his high society lady friend. Within days, the man who proves his rather lackluster skills in the medical area, packs up and leaves town with the love of his life.

          Alone and on her own with a medical practice in a town where in 1886 female physicians are viewed with jaundiced eyes, Tess has only local sheriff Noah Carter to lean on. Slowly but surely, with his support and respect, she wins the townspeople over—then sets out to win over Noah. And it's a real treat to watch.

          Author Susan Payne once again shows her talent for meticulous research. When Tess realigns a badly fractured femur, Payne puts the reader right there in the hot, stuffy bunkhouse—then treats us to the "popping" familiar to every Orthopedic Operating Room in the world. Her mastery at describing an emergency appendectomy is perfection. Though there are a few squeamish worthy scenes, Forever Kind of Woman is a pure delight to read. Very well done, Ms. Payne.

On a scale of 1-5, Forever Kind of Woman deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Bloodbond, Book 2 The Bloodborn Series

         Zachariah Degore spent ten years locked under ground as a feral vampire. Now he has to redefine what it means to be healthy and whole. With his human life behind him, he starts anew in the vampire city of Ichor Knell with the vampire shah as his kin. He must prove he is worthy of his place in this new world.

Laurel Covaci is vampire elite, she would never court a feral vampire. After two hundred years she has yet to find a mate who meets with her satisfaction. She hides the pain of past hurt and abandonment behind a cold façade. Zach is confident that Laurel is the vampire for him, but can he break through her icy walls and convince her he's the mate she's been waiting for?

Our Review: One might think Zachariah is a pitiful character given the abuse he suffered in the past and the intolerance he often suffers in his present. Not so. The last words we would use to describe this well-drawn character is pathetic or pitiful. Likewise, one might consider Lady Laurel—again, at first glance—a spoiled, pampered dilletante. Again, not so. Laurel is a product of her social class and mores and upbringing. Her strength lies in her ability to recognize when she is wrong, then doesn’t hesitate to make amends.

In addition to creating multi-layered characters, author Sydney Winward’s other strength—and there are many—is her uncanny ability at world building. Ichor Knell comes alive in Bloodbond, as well as the Vampire culture with all its customs and vagaries.

Well done. Very well done!

On a scale of 1-5, Bloodbond deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Grendel's Mother by Diana Stout

. . . Her family, outraged by the unwanted pregnancy, sacrifices her to the local dragon who, intrigued by her bravery, saves her from clear death. Alone in the wilderness, she becomes one with Nature, then raises a monster no one wants. She is Grendel's Mother. . .

     Set in the late-5th, early 6th century in Denmark, Grendel’s Mother is the journey of a girl who dreams of freedom, with a desire to marry the young many she loves, when her father tells her that she'll wed a widower with young children instead. Then, a horrific event changes her life forever. Pregnant and having brought shame to her family and community, she is sacrificed to the dragon for death, but the dragon saves her instead, unbeknownst to her family and the community.

     Grendel’s Mother is the story of social injustice, a girl’s love for Nature where she discovers special skills that enable her to survive, to give birth, and to raise a baby—deemed a monster—in the wild, entirely on her own. From his birth on, she battles to keep Grendel safe from himself and, then later, from others who would do him harm.

Our Review:

     A remarkable story, told in narrative style, is gripping for its intensity, savage for its description of Her bravery and drive to survive the horrors Nature often brings to one alone and seemingly defenseless. She is intrepid. And inspiring.

On a scale of 1-5, Grendel's Mother deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Gelato Surprise

           She went to the beach for peace, quiet and healing. What she got was . . . him.

      Newly divorced speech therapist Danielle Peters finds herself all alone at the annual family vacation spot in Ocean View, Washington after her ex-husband plays the “one-up card” by taking their kids to Disneyland with his new girlfriend and her two kids. Determined to use the time wisely, Danielle discovers a new side to herself as well as the part-time helper at her favorite gelato shop: Matteo Veducci.

     The town she thought she knew so well after so many visits takes on a new vista as seen through Matteo's eyes. And the steamy sexual attraction to a younger man ain't bad either.

     Together Danielle and Matteo forge a bond based on trust and honesty—two qualities new to her in a partner. Two weeks is all he asks for—then she must make a decision to return to her home and life—or start a new life with him and Ocean View.

For steamy romance, filled with exceptional realism for the plight of single parents as they navigate the potholes and pitfalls of post-divorce behaviors, Sadira Stone has created a perfect story—and it's a true delight.

On a scale of 1-5, Gelato Surprise deserves a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Always, Almond Fudge by Charlotte O'Shay

 A wartime romance starts a sweet family tradition . . .

Always, Almond Fudge, part of the One Scoop or Two series for the Wild Rose Press, is written by Charlotte O’Shay.

It is the summer of 1941 in Langford, Rhode Island where the weather is hot and the ice cream cool. Seventeen-year-old Meredith Franklin has one goal: to become a doctor. To offset the costs of the upcoming college semester she works summers and weekends at Seymore’s Ice Cream Shoppe. The focused, organized teen will let nothing, and no one get in the way.

Until the day semi-pro ball player Anthony Fanelli, who dreams of playing professional baseball, walks into Seymore’s. It takes only one look at pretty Merry for Anthony to launch his own campaign—to win her heart as well as discover her favorite flavor of ice cream.

Many years later, in the middle of the annual family vacation in Langford, seventeen year-old budding baseball player Sebastian learns the details of his great parents’ love and devotion to each other in a time of tremendous uncertainty.

        As a woman of a “certain age” this could be my parents’ story, or that of my aunts and uncles, and my in-laws. Always, Almond Fudge: sweet, innocent and absolutely delightful, taught me many lessons, reminding me of the selfless contributions by the Greatest Generation. For that I am very grateful. Thank you, Ms. O’Shay.

On a scale of 1-5, Always, Almond Fudge deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Persistent Marquess

     Due to rigid and often illogical rules set by the Ton of Regency England, Daisy Vincent is forced into marriage with William, Marquess of Ashton. She might feel forced, but William is more than eager to bind himself to the delightfully outspoken young woman. Life with her will require . . . persistence.

     Author Susan Payne, an avowed follower of the Regency romances fashioned by Dame Barbara Cartland, took her lessons to heart and brought them to The Persistent Marquess. Using her talent for colloquial dialogue as well as creating elaborate settings, the pages turn quickly and put the reader right there in the middle of a budding relationship and behaviors often governed by rigid social norms of the time.

     For fans of romances written with Dame Cartland in mind, this is the book for you.

On a scale of 1-5, The Persistent Marquess deserves a 4.  

Kay Henry Dora, Wild Women Reviews

A Hundred Lies

Is their love just one more lie?

A Hundred Lies, a historical romance by Jean Grant, is an August 5, 2020 release out of the Wild Rose Press. .

     In 1322, Scotland, Rosalie Threston's fortune-telling lies have caught up with her. Uprooted yet again, she's on the run from a ruthless English noblewoman. She flees to Scotland and seeks refuge in the arms of a laird's son who happens to be a real Seer.

     A bloody past and inevitable future plague Domhnall Montgomerie. He avoids physical contact with others to ease the painful visions. When an accidental touch reveals only delight, he wonders if Rose is the key to silencing the Sight.

    Mystical awakening unravels with each kiss. But can Domhnall embrace his gift in time to save her life, even it means exposing her lies?

Our Review: For those who appreciate attention to the fine details of life in 14^th century Scotland and England, A Hundred Lies is the novel for you. We also envy author Grant for her talent for bringing to life multi-layered characters with compelling goals and motivation. Both Domhnall and Rosalie have suffered and grieved, struggled to overcome what they could never control—and found everlasting love. 

On a scale of 1-5, A Hundred Lies deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews.

Behind Closed Doors

Some lessons can’t be found in a book

Behind Closed Doors, a contemporary erotic novella, by Rachel Reilly, is a debut release by the Wild Rose Press.

     After a difficult break-up, Julia Morgan forces herself out of her self-imposed isolation by crossing the doorstep into Behind Closed Doors a successful Nashville sex toys shoppe. There, she meets owner Clay Nichols and things are never quite the same—for either of them.

Alive and refreshed with newly discovered erotic arts, Julia’s much-loved job as a middle school librarian is threatened after her relationship with Clay and his business is disclosed. She is forced into making a difficult decision. But for once she is not alone. Clay, who is not alone in newly discovered feelings, helps her find new avenues for her skills and talents. Both are better for knowing each other.

On a scale of 1—5, Behind Closed Doors deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews