All bets are on with Win Place Show

 About the Book: Going back as far as grade school, Lucy Granger and Nate Hawthorne were best of friends. But somewhere along the way, a series of bonehead misunderstandings, which neither will discuss, tore them apart. So great is the rift that Lucy swears she’ll never move back home to Kentucky. Well, maybe a short visit for Derby Week, but that doesn’t count. Everyone in Lexington considers Lucy and Nate, scion of the local whiskey distributor, to be The Golden Couple. If they’d only sit down, in the same room, together, without the influence of alcohol and egos, to discuss their ‘issues’. As Lucy’s mother is fond of saying, “All these years, Nate’s been waiting for you to get over yourself. . . so come home and be his wife.”

Our Review: With Win Place Show, Author Liz Crowe has created two flawed characters who, instead of putting on their big boy—and girl—undies and start acting like adults, take the easy way out, letting copious amounts of alcohol and sex do their talking. Despite these aberrant behaviors, we couldn’t help rooting for Lucy and Nate. Deep down they deserve each other and their own happy ever after. Luckily, Crowe also created a delightfully brash southern belle mother and a whip smart wise-cracking brother who rise to the occasion and to straighten these two out. Everyone is better for it.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Win Place Show deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

The Texas Cowboy by Linda Nightingale

 About The Book: When Ashton Colter was twelve, his mother divorced his cattle baron father, then whisked him away to her native England. Sixteen years later, after his beloved father dies, Ash inherits the Marathon Ranch. Running a 1,000-acre spread famous for the best cattle in Texas is the biggest challenge he’s ever faced…until he meets ranch hand Trish Owens who has her own agenda for the ranch. The attraction is immediate, intense and mutual.  

Trish is a loner, and more than a bit lonely. As the "English Cowboy" readies himself to take over the ranch, her job—as well as her beloved Quarter horses—are threatened. She’s sure he’ll import his thoroughbreds from England. Worst of all is the sizzling chemistry between them because Ash awakens feelings she’d thought long dead.

 Our Review: In The Texas Cowboy we are treated to two likeable, deserving heroes who, time after time, put the needs of others—human and equine—ahead of their own. The tension and fear associated with an acute medical emergency with one of the horses jumps off the page. Neither Ash nor Trish are perfect, but they don’t run from their faults. Instead they own up to them and work to become better individuals. Well done, Ms. Nightingale!  

 On a scale of 1-5, The Texas Cowboy deserves a 5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Casino Queen by Cara Bertoia

 About Casino Queen: Caroline Fleming, alone, heartbroken, and in debt lands in glamorous Palm Springs, California where Native-run casinos have just opened. There, she lands a job at the Palm Oasis Casino where she is mentored by the charismatic tribal chairman, John Tovar.

Embracing the casino culture, Caroline works her way up to the

position of manager at the Night Hawk Casino in the High Desert town of Joshua Tree. There, she is responsible for managing multicultural team members, satisfying the demands of often unique guests, and growing revenue while rooting out corruption. In the process of rediscovering her inner strength, Caroline learns you have to gamble like your life depends on it. Because it often does. 

Our Review: Author Bertoia brings a familiarity with casino life, showing a unique talent for creating diverse, fascinating characters who will not soon leave the reader’s mind. Casino Queen is a non-stop adventure, telling the tale of a woman who, like the mythical phoenix, rises out of the ashes of despair and loss to recreate a life stronger and better than before.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Casino Queen deserves a 6

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Buried Alive by Donnette Smith

 When your sixth sense speaks, believe it.

         As a clairvoyant, Jenna Langley has foreseen her fair share of murder. But the night she is haunted by visions of a woman buried alive in a makeshift casket, nothing prepares her for the chilling reality that the victim she saw in her vision is herself.

Having survived a recent tragedy, and now tasked with the duty of planning her wedding, everyone attributes Jenna's disturbing dreams to stress. Even her fiancé does his best to convince her she is perfectly safe.

But someone wants revenge and Jenna is the target of that obsession. Her only hope for survival is if her fiancé, Detective Cole Rainwater, can root out who wants her dead before time runs out.

 About the Book:  In Buried Alive, Book 2 of the Spirit Walker series, business consultant Jenna Langley doesn’t want ugly, scary visions interfering with her life. She’s got places to go and things to do, such as marrying the love of her life, father of her terrific teenage daughter: Cole Rainwater. As a busy cop, Cole really doesn’t want to believe these visions are the cause behind Jenna’s insomnia and inability to concentrate on the fine details of their approaching wedding.

          And with the sudden windfall of money, lots and lots of money, as well as a brother he never knew existed, the women in his life will never go without. Family is everything to Cole; he’ll not let his dreams of a solid, forever unit go up in smoke.

 Our Review:  In Buried Alive, author Donnette Smith has once again brought her talent for creating multi-layered characters—both the good guys and the bad—given them some fast-paced authentic action and thrown them all into an exciting romantic suspense with a taste of the paranormal thrown in for spice. Can’t wait for book 3 in this fun series.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Buried Alive deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Unlock My Heart by Jennifer Wilck

                 …Can love break through their firewalls?...

         Abby Marlow, computer security expert, lands a job at the best IT security firm in the country. Her sole focus is financial independence, so she never has to rely on others again, especially a man. But why does her boss make her wires short circuit?

          Ted Endicott, CEP and founder of the IT security firm, is hard of hearing. Although an expert in his field, he’s still uncomfortable admitting his hearing problem to clients or employees.

          As Ted and Abby work together, barriers fall away, and the lines blur between colleagues and lovers. But a security glitch in a client’s system shows one of Ted’s employees is the hacker and all signs point to Abby. Can they get past the suspicion and find a future together?

 Our Review:  Once again, to the delight of her many fans, author Wilck has delivered two fascinating multi-dimensional characters who have overcome serious challenges in order to succeed in the world of computer security. As well, she shows the barriers met by many of the hearing impaired in a natural, effortless manner. This is a wonderful addition to her Scarred Hearts series and we look forward to the next story revolving around her CAST of characters.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Unlock My Heart deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews.