Home In Your Arms by Charlotte O'Shay

                                . . .Sometimes home is a person. . .

After her sweetheart Joe dies in a road accident, twenty-four hours after he returns from Army service, grieving Karla Payne slams the door on love. Five years later, her tavern business is booming, and she owns her home, but she knows forever love has no part in her future.

Headed to interview for his first civilian job, retired career Army 1^st Sgt. Zane Blackthorne can’t resist visiting his late buddy’s beloved Vermont hometown. He also can’t resist looking up Joe’s sweetheart, Karla, who is an alluring mix of brains, beauty and bravery. Loyalty to his brother-in-arms demands Zane fight his attraction to Karla. Besides, even if Karla wants him, she’ll never love him.

Can Zane say goodbye to the woman he has no right to call his own? Even if his only true home in in her arms?

 Our Review: Both Zane and Karla continue to mourn the loss of Joe, her fiancé and his trusted friend. While time has yet to heal the worst of the wounds, their attraction is immediate and undeniable. When they finally come together, it’s explosive.

 Author O’Shay has not failed her faithful fans in this offering of a luscious Vermont setting, the quaint charming town of Willow Springs, and fun, multi-layered secondary characters. Then, she gifts us with Zane and Karla, two protagonists who capture the heart with just a few words.

 Home In Your Arms, a lovely addition to the Deerbourne Inn series out of the Wild Rose Press deserves a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

The Love Left Behind by Delsora Lowe

 Her only worry was the out-of-control mother-of-the-bride—until the past slams headfirst into the present.

    Event planner Marlee Thomas has worked herself to the bone to turn her family estate into a showcase for event venues. Every detail, from the color of table linens to conference room seating, receives her individualized attention. So, if she’s a bit lonely and occasionally wishes for something more. . . that’s what it is—wishing.

Until the father-of-the-bride rescues Marlee from the talons of every wedding planner’s worst nightmare: Momzilla. The past, in the form of attorney Brian Mason,  meets the present with the force of a cat 4 hurricane and the fun begins.

Our Review:  Once again, author Lowe has brought in-depth research to the pages of this delightful story—from the setting of the elegant Rhode Island coast to the minute details necessary for pulling off a major event—and making it look like child’s play. And we are better for it.  

 For fans of second chances, triumph over past mistakes and treachery, mature characters who know what they want—and aren’t afraid to go after it, this is the book for you. Brava, Ms. Lowe.  

 On a scale of 1-5, The Love Left Behind deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Rescued by a Highlander

She would do anything to save her father and her heritage. . .

even wed a highlander.

Rescued by a Highlander, by Susan Payne, a current release out of the Wild Rose Press.

      Lady Jillian Riley takes her ailing father, Lord Riley, on the run to escape the machinations of her avaricious cousin anxious to claim the title as Earl of Crawford. After days on the road, hungry, freezing and near death, they are rescued by Gawain Macgregor. As the two come to know each other, learning to respect their individual needs and goals, who is the rescuer?

      In Rescued by a Highlander, author Payne again gifts her readers with her knack for detailed research, turning her enormous efforts into the lush scenes of a Scots castle keep, the foods of the region and clothing styles of the day. As an extra treat, she has given us in depth archeological evidence of the pre-historic Picts.

 On a scale of 1-5, Rescued by a Highlander deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Steadfast Will I Be by Susan Leigh Furlong

                The king’s law, a thief’s revenge, a love that risks it all.

Steadfast Will I Be, a historical romance, written by Susan Leigh Furlong, released by the Wild Rose Press.

     Rescued as a battered child by a Scots border lord, Robin grows under the tutelage of his laird, assuming responsibilities as reeve of the estate as an adult. His love for Suannoch is never failing, one he will carry to the grave should it come to that.

And it might very well come to Robin’s death if the law of King James V is followed to the letter. Suannoch will not let her love go quietly, proving her worthy of this brave man’s love and honor.

Our Review:  devotees of Scots historicals will take Steadfast Will I Be to their hearts and cherish it. Author Furlong’s knowledge of the culture and mores of the times, as well as an overwhelming wealth of research, brings a realism to this story and we are better for it.  

 On a scale of 1-5, Steadfast Will I Be deserves a 5.

         Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Texas Ranger and the Professor by Susan Payne

           Cultural anthropologist Jessie Reeves, driven to prove a woman can perform field work as well as any man, is compelled to travel to harsh terrains, completing rigorous studies without running home scared. To that end, she accepts the services offered by the Texas Rangers in the form of Captain Ben Edwards, a man on the brink of closing out his tour with the Rangers before returning to civilian life.  

After ten seconds of first meeting in a dusty train station, they realize life might not be as clear cut. In order to accomplish their goals, without murdering the other, they must find common ground in the areas of strongly held ideas about human nature in general, gender roles in particular.

Just as they reach a certain degree of mutual respect, an attack by a Comanche raiding party sets off a series of events which forever alters their lives.

 Our Review:  as with her previous novels, author Payne offers the same detailed research readers have come to expect, bringing realism to each novel, each character. In the case of The Texas Ranger and the Professor, she paints a vivid portrait of Native American cultures common to the American southwest in the late 1800’s, including the biases and abuses employed by the various segments of white society: military, politics, and organized religion.   

 On a scale of 1-5, The Texas Ranger and the Professor deserves a 3.

                     Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Star Smuggler: A Course of Action by T.S. Snow

 Andi sh’en Singh proves her mettle in Star Smuggler Book 2: A Course of Action, a recent release by Aethon Books.

 Wedding bells . . . or death knell?

        Sinbad may have traded in his smuggler’s leathers for farmer’s coveralls but “Happily Ever After” isn’t in the cards for him and his beloved Andrea. And Andi soon finds there’s a great deal she doesn’t know about her new husband . . . such as the young stranger who claims to be Sin’s son.

While she’s recovering from that shock, Sin succumbs to the 

terminal illness he’s kept secret from everyone. Not to worry . . .

there’s a surgeon who can save his life. But Jean-Clair DuPont is as unscrupulous as he is skilled. His fee? Andi, for the duration of her husband’s convalescence.

The new Mrs. sh’en Singh doesn’t think twice. DuPont gets what he wants and Sin lives to fight another day. . . once he recovers.

That better happen soon for Andi’s lover-by-force has taken her off planet and directly into an attack by slave traders. Now a candidate for the slave pits of Bel-Ammon, Andi finds herself face to face with enemies, new and old.

Our Review:

        Sinbad sh'en Singh, the quintessential anti-hero from Star Smugglers Book 1—which totally knocked off our socks—has met his match in Andi, Talltrees. He’s always known she is brave, fearless and committed to her husband and children. But as his life comes to an end from the fatal lung disease contracted during one of his incarcerations, Andi will do anything, any thing, to save his life—even if it means succumbing to the lecherous Dr. DuPont. Sinbad is her life and she’ll tolerate the worst to achieve the best—the survival of her husband, father of her children.  

One disaster after another rain on this strong woman’s head. But if Andi is nothing else, she is a survivor. And watching her survive well is an absolute joy.

        As with Book 1 of this sci-fi adventure/space opera, Book 2 will keep you turning the pages—it's that good. At times funny, then frightening, it is a heart warming experience. Give yourself a gift by picking up this one up. It's another wonder from the multi-talented T.S. Snow.

On a scale of 1-5, Star Smuggler: A Course of Action deserves a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Mine to Tell by Colleen L. Donnelly

 . . . Annabelle: the first female in Julianne Crouse’s direct lineage; the one forbidden to be like her; the one called to know why. . .

Mine to Tell, a mainstream historical novel, written by Colleen L. Donnelly, published by the Wild Rose Press.  

      Journalist Annabelle Crouse feels compelled to learn more about her great-grandmother Julianne, a subject of whispers and ridicule both inside the family as well as the local tight knit community, banished by an unrelenting religious zealot husband, and forced to live alone in grief and isolation.

      With the assistance of a local man, Annabelle fights every step of the way, determined to uncover what exactly led to generations of ill-will and bigotry. What she learns will change her life—and that of her family—forever.

Our Review:  In Mine to Tell, Author Donnelly gifts us with a young woman who evolves into a picture of courage despite regular abuse heaped upon her by those who should love her—but are more comfortable believing lies and innuendo—remaining steadfast in her mission to uncover the truth.

Annabelle is amazing. As amazing as her great-grandmother Julianne. And we are better for reading about both women. Well done, Ms. Donnelly.

 On a scale of 1-5, Mine to Tell deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Bear with Me

 . . . A new home, a fresh start, and magical secrets that could destroy them. . .

Bear with Me, book 1 of the Strawberry Shifters series, released by the Wild Rose Press.

 

     Alison has magical gifts, one of which is bringing new life to dying plants, the other is SPD—sensory processing disorder. After an unplanned pregnancy, Grant marries her, believing he could protect her from herself and the outside world. But the marriage turned into a long-distance relationship as he pursued a high-stress career and she remained at home with her parents, learning how to protect herself from the outside world, and raising her child.  

     After Grant is offered a lucrative position with a pharmaceutical company in rural Kentucky, the two decide to give their marriage one last try. But Strawberry, Kentucky has multiple secrets. Beneath its beautiful scenery lies a collection of evil Slaugh, former fairies, cast out for their bad behaviors. And they’re out for the blood of the local clan of shifters. As the new moon approaches, Grant, as the new leader of the shifters, and Alison, as a green witch, find themselves and those they care about in grave danger. Together, they battle the Slaugh, discovering new, underexplored facets to each other—and rescue their marriage.

 Our Review:  This non-stop action series with its deliciously hot sexual undertones, features two multi-layered lead characters whose strong wills and bold facades hide bleeding hearts and deep devotion to their beloved son. The author brings true and clear emotions  to this story, ones that ring true and clear.

 On a scale of 1-5, Bear With Me deserves a 4.

      Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews