Prophecies and Promises by Alana Lorens

 When the ‘good’ man is bad, and the ‘bad’ man is good, how’s a young woman to choose?

 About the Book: Tamsyn McKiernan thinks her dreams have come true. She’s engaged to a dashing Key West bachelor and finally in her widowed father’s good graces. But in her heart, she knows something’s wrong. She loves the ocean and the quiet pleasures of nature—so what does the aristocratic life she’ll lead truly hold for her? 

Mercenary captain Drake Ashton is neck deep in preparations for the Spanish-American War, running guns and other supplies to Cuban natives who want out from under their Spanish masters. He and his brother Freddie risk their lives daily, focused on saving his friends on the island. Nothing else matters but his mission.

A chance encounter with a spiny sea urchin brings the two together, and neither of their lives will ever be the same again.

 Our Review: One of the strengths of this historical romance—and there are many—is the author’s talent for describing the setting. From page one the reader is thrust into Key West at the turn of the century, basking in the lush tropics, period dress, and delicious foodstuffs. An additional treat, for those on the lookout for learning something new about history is a well-grounded sense of the social and political strife leading to the Spanish American War. Well done, Ms. Lorens. Very well done.

 On a scale of 1-5, Prophecies and Promises deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Life's Too Short for White Walls by Liz Flaherty

 About the Book:

     Still reeling from her divorce, Joss Murphy flees to Banjo Bend, Kentucky, where she'd been safe and happy as a child. Weary and discouraged, she talks Ezra McIntire into renting her a not-quite-ready cabin at the campground that was once her family’s farm.

     With PTSD a constant companion, Ez thrives on the seclusion of the campground. The redhead in Cabin Three adds suggestions to his improvement plans, urging color and vibrancy where there was none.

     Neither Joss nor Ez are looking for love, yet their attraction is undeniable under the comfort of campfires, hayrides, and family who bring these two lost souls together.

 Our Review:

     It is always a joy to read one of author Flaherty’s ‘adventures’, this one about Joss, a woman recovering from years of emotional trauma. How she finds it—and at the very last place she expected—is a pure joy to read. Do Not Miss.

 On a scale of 1-5, Life’s Too Short for White Walls earns a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Girl Who Knew Death by Norm Harris

 About the Book: Former First Daughter Fay Green, while hoping for a bit of well-deserved rest, has her world turned upside down after a shocking secret about her adopted daughter, Katrinka is revealed.

Before Fay can help Kat make any decisions about her future, Kat is captured and thrown into an Egyptian prison. She manages to escape but must flee to safety across Europe, trying to stay one step ahead of several mysterious pursuers. Soon, the women discover they are being chased by more than ordinary forces – Azrael, the Angel of Death, has taken a puzzling interest in their situation and a dangerous demon appears to be stalking Kat’s every move.

It takes all of Fay’s strength and ingenuity to meet these challenges while Kat asks herself what she truly wants out of life.

Our Review: This is a tale of non-stop thrills and adventure, taking the reader from one country to the next, following two intrepid women as they fight against retaliation, revenge and exquisite danger.

On a scale of 1-5, The Girl Who Knew Death earns a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

A Year of Firsts by Liz Flaherty

 About the Book:

Widow Syd Cavanaugh is beginning a “year of firsts” with the road trip she’d promised her husband she’d take after his death. An unplanned detour lands her in Fallen Soldier, Pennsylvania, where she meets the interesting and intelligent editor of the local paper.

Television journalist Clay McAlister’s life took an unexpected turn when a heart attack forced him to give up his hectic lifestyle. He’s still learning how to live in a small town when meeting a pretty traveler in the local coffee shop suddenly makes it all much more  interesting.

While neither of them is interested in a romantic relationship, their serious case of being “in like” seems to push them that way. However, Clay’s heart condition doesn’t harbinger a very secure future, and Syd’s already lost one man she loved to a devastating illness—she isn’t about to lose another. Where can this relationship possibly go?

 Our Review:

A Year of Firsts shows one woman’s journey from profound loss to second chance at love. Author Flaherty’s gifts are many but standing out is her ability to create enchanting settings, deep and gut-wrenching emotion, and natural dialogue. A pure delight!

 On a scale of 1-5, A Year of Firsts deserves a 6

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Burning Desire by Diana Stout

 

What happens when a man and woman are attracted to each other, but he's a non-committer and she's a non-dater?'

About the Book:   

Eddie Taylor’s life changed drastically just before her senior year in high school after her parents were killed and she learned her father had embezzled from his company for. Determined to repay the embezzled money, Eddie spent all her spare time, studying to become a realtor—and hung her shingle the day after graduation.

Now, a decade later, and after selling her parents' home, she must consider selling the one thing that matters: her grandmother’s farmhouse to heal her income woes. Then a fire damages several rooms and she believes she was to blame. 

New to the community, firefighter, Rhett Renoux offers Eddie an opportunity she can’t refuse—to become a partner in flipping houses, beginning with repairing and fixing up the farmhouse. For the first time in her life, she’s falling in love.

But then, he begins to learn secrets she’s kept hidden from the entire community. Has she made a mistake letting him in?

Our Review: Remembering the varied quirky characters populating Laurel Ridge, it came as a real treat to revisit this rural Georgia town with Burning Desire. As always Stout’s ability to create compelling characters who remain true to their values and goals are a pleasure to meet and come to admire. Burning Desire is a winner all the way around!

 On a scale of 1-5, Burning Desire deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

  

Ghost Notes by Beth Henderson

 Success can be deadly. . .

 About The Book: Jace Hastings, rising music star, is presumed dead in a vehicle collision, courtesy of a stalker with deadly designs. Ten years later, P.I. Gaelen Wyndom can’t believe someone wants her to find him.

          Pelham Flannery rejoined the world from ICU, fully aware someone had tried to kill him. To live, he went under the radar, distanced himself from music, and disguised everything that would give away his identity as Jace. After a decade, is it safe to come out of hiding?

          Gaelen, delighted to be trained as a professional investigator by her new husband, continued in her new career after he was killed. Assigned to locate Jace Hastings, she isn’t told who wants to find him, but she puzzles it out. If she’s right, it’s the man who tried to kill him before. Which means she needs to find Jace Hastings and save him.

 Our Review: Two lost souls, each recovering from profound loss, come together under a guise of resurrecting a career while uncovering a decades old tale of revenge and madness. Author Henderson, known for creating detailed settings and infusing deep emotion into her characters’ lives and loves, has used the world of modern music to enhance this tangled plotline.

 On a scale of 1-5, Ghost Notes deserves a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Tangled in Taurus by Sadira Stone

  …She considers him bull-headed to a fault.

…He calls her an airy-fairy hippie chick.

 

About the Book: Keeping his organic farm afloat was hard enough—then Gemma Moore comes back home to help out her aunt with the Psychic Emporium. Jesse DelToro is convinced the bewitching fortune teller will never settle down in the quirky beach town of Trappers Cove, but he can’t resist the woman he’s never been able to forget.

When a harmless secret backfires, Gemma discovers just how deeply she’s wounded the beautiful bull man, and how desperately she wants to keep him.    

Our Review: As with Caught Up in Capricorn, another short story in the Zodiac Encounters Anthology, Sadira Stone shows off her expertise for creating fun, steamy romances with quirky settings and even quirkier characters. Tangled in Taurus is another winner for this talented author!

Based on a scale of 1-5, Tangled in Taurus deserves a 6

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Caught Up in Capricorn

 Caught Up in Capricorn, by Sadira Stone, part of the Zodiac Encounters Anthology.

 About the Book: When a confident, control-freak Capricorn is forced to partner with a prickly, seductive Scorpio, their business and their hearts will never be the same.

     After his head brewer quits, brew pub owner Ryan must learn to get along with snarky, sexy brewer Lilo, whose weird, niche beers are the last thing Salty Dog Brewery needs.

     Working side by side ignites long-simmering desire, but a high-stakes beer competition triggers a fierce battle of wills. Can their love and the brewery survive?

Our Review:

Caught Up in Capricorn, part of the Zodiac Encounters Anthology, showcases Sadira Stone talent for creating a short and steamy contemporary romance set in a quirky beach town in the Pacific Northwest of Trappers Cove. Ryan Lee, struggling to keep his brewery afloat after his head brewer retires, is reluctant to put snarky, sexy Lilo Eisinger in charge of his beloved business. They’ve known each other since grade school—but can they function together as adults without coming to blows? It takes a wise man to step in and teach a few valuable lessons on trust and taking risks.

        This fun, spicy romance is sure to warm your heart.

 On a scale of 1-5, Caught Up in Capricorn deserves a 5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews