Captive Demon

 Discover a city of demons in Captive Demon, Book 1 from A Dark God Ascends, by Tony-Paul de Vissage

 About The Book: All grad student Tucker Upchurch wants is to earn summer credits on an archaeological dig in Central America so he can graduate, then marry his fiancée. The discovery of a thriving city in the jungle is only icing on the cake.

Millennia ago, after a volcano erupted in the Yucatan, the explosion tossed a group of demons out of Hell and into the Mayan city of Nikte-Uaxac. For five thousand years, the misplaced Dark Lords have ruled the city. Now, one of them is thrust into the 21^st century—against his will.

Semris II wants to escape the monotony of his life and the burdens it brings in his role as Dark Lord of Nikte-Uaxac. Being kidnapped was not in his plan, nor is being stranded far from home at the mercy of a publicity-hungry archaeologist.

A grad student and a demon king. When these two meet, their worlds—separated by thousands of years, culture and custom—will change forever.

Our Review: It’s always a pleasure to read anything created by Tony-Paul de Vissage because we know we’re in for the treat of learning about new worlds and their peoples, their cultures and practices. With Captive Demon the reader is immersed into the world of the ancient Mayans, their customs and beliefs. And when this group of well-drawn, multi-layered characters are abruptly pitched into the modern world, the potential for chaos is enormous.

 On a scale of 1-5, Captive Demon deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Heartsong Hills by Wendy Rich Stetson

 Sometimes to follow your heart, you have to break the rules.

 About The Book: Amish girls don’t dance. Dancing is against the rules and Nora Beiler always follows the rules…until a runaway logging truck shatters her world forever. Desperate to heal from injuries incurred by the accident, she enrolls in a fitness class at a local senior center, never dreaming it might involve tap dancing…or just how much she would come to love to dance.

          Exiled from Nashville, country music star Tucker McClure has no one to blame but himself. Weekly gigs at the local farmers’ market keep the demons at bay. The last thing he expects to find himself is in an old folks fitness class…and dancing with a girl who makes him question everything he thought he wanted.

          Can love bridge the gaps between broken hearts and disparate worlds?

 Our Review: It comes as a joy to relive Wendy Rich Stetson’s rich and evocative phrasing such as what is found in Heartsong Hills, book 2 in her Hearts of the Ridge series, and recent release by the Wild Rose Press. Set in rural Pennsylvania, this sweetly honest love story follows members of the Plain folk who celebrate strong traditions and faith without question in the Ordnung of Amish rules. But what happens when in order to heal and recover, one must consider going outside the rules? Then, after finding healing from world shattering loss, what would one give up to find everlasting love?

 On a scale of 1-5, Heartsong Hills deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

If You Believe in Love

About the Book:

A blizzard … Krista Rhodes has seen a few in her lifetime.

Snowed in for days … once, when she was a kid.

Trapped in a house with Dr. Dreamboat … never saw that one coming. Not only cute, he’s also funny and kind and strong and how can she resist?

Eric Monroe has it all mapped out – drive cross-country to a new job with a brief stop to celebrate a buddy’s engagement. A giant detour with a beautiful, witty, no-nonsense woman makes the journey more fun than he ever thought possible. And bonus – he’s moving to her town.

Except she’s got something she has to do. Maybe. And he can’t ask her to change her plans. Can he? 

 Our Review: A refreshingly sweet, straightforward contemporary romance, with no hidden agendas. This is a story of two people coming together to help a friend celebrate an upcoming wedding but a sudden high-country blizzard traps them in an old, elegant inn. For days. Each discovers something new—about themselves and keeps the reader guessing until the very last page.

On a scale of 1-5, If You Believe in Love merits a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews 

Celtic Nollaig Moon

 

About the Book: Devon MacDougall never expected to find himself in the midst of an assassination attempt on the king. Surrounded by enemies and not knowing who to trust, he vows to find the would-be assassin before a second attempt is made. But when the lovely daughter of the MacCollum laird becomes involved, he's torn between protecting her and finding the culprit.

 

Our Review: Long standing traditions, compounded by family loyalties flavor this story of a man more in tune to the land than ‘soldiering’. In his heart, Devon is a man of the land and is secretly looking for a woman with a penchant for the same. Keeping Brigid safe and under his care becomes a balancing act as treachery abounds and few men can be trusted.

 

Based on a scale of 1-5, Celtic Nollaig Moon merits a 4.5

 

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

A Gift From the Sea

 About the Book:  A shipwrecked son of a clan chieftain, Monroe hides his full identity from the young lass who saves him from the waves, and her brothers. An attack by seafaring warriors puts all their lives in danger and the resulting deaths place a shadow over the upcoming Christmas Festivities. Leading Gwyn and her family toward his home far from the coast of Scotland’s North Sea could be a mistake yet be the only way to keep them all alive.

Our Review:  this rollicking adventure features poor as a church mouse Gwynn who, while out foraging for firewood to keep the home fires burning—literally if not figuratively—she encounters a shipwreck. With the dead strewn over the beach, she does not run from the blood and gore, but discovers one of the men is still alive—and sets out to save him—if not from other raiders, then her ne’er do well siblings. Gwynn is clever, intrepid and brave beyond her years. Monroe, destined to become laird of his clan—should he make it back home alive and in one piece—protects Gwynn and her family when raiders descend. This plunges all into a race for survival, as well as a forever love.

Based on a scale of 1-5, A Gift From the Sea merits a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Authors

Christmas Reunion by Sue Ward Drake

 About the Book: City girl and dedicated Christmas-aholic, Rebecca MacDonald returns to Angels Glen to operate her family’s inn over the Christmas holidays. She needs to do something right after a costly mistake and plans to create the perfect holiday for visiting VIP guests. The last person she wants to meet is Alec Stewart, her gorgeous, childhood nemesis.

Alec, retired dot-com millionaire and local Scrooge, loves his quiet life as a fishing guide in his small hometown. He’s always had a crush on Becca, his best friend’s baby sister, so when he’s asked to  keep her safe while she’s in town, he knows he’s heading for trouble.

As they work together to get the inn decorated, can they admit the real magic of the season is love… and lock their own in time for the town’s caroling on Christmas Eve?

 Our Review: with snappy dialogue and inventive, energetic characters, this fun story of enemies to lovers story is perfect for that snowy afternoon, curled up in front of a fire, enjoying your favorite adult beverage. The only thing we’d wish for would be that it was longer.

 On a scale of 1-5, Christmas Reunion earns a 4.5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

Rogue the Durum by Steven J. Kolbe

 If social media teaches anything, it’s that everyone lies.

 About the Book:  On a cold spring night in a quiet suburb on the banks of the Chicago River, the vice president of an international social network, is found stabbed to death. That same night, the Finnish heiress to the latest social media craze disappears from an all-night masquerade party on Lake Michigan. How are these incidents connected—and what did the dead man mean when he warned a group of South Pacific islanders plan to “rogue the durum”?

Aided by rookie detective, Lucia Vargas, and Fr. Remy Mbombo, a local priest with a history he’s desperate to keep under wraps, FBI agent Ezra James takes on the case. He must work fast to uncover the secrets before more people die. And if “rogue the durum” means what the experts fear, then the social network moguls behind it are capable of anything.

 Our Review: Once again, author Kolbe delivers a real whodunit for the intrepid Agent James to solve all the while supported by a cast of complex characters who literally jump off the page. The ending is one to savor, hinting the best is yet to come.

 On a scale of 1-5, Rogue the Durum deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

His Christmas Angel by Aurrora St. James

 About the Book: Reclusive Laird Dougal de Giffard knows that no woman will have him. Thanks to his infamous father, rumors of black magic have overshadowed his life until even strong men avoid him. When he’s ambushed and left for dead just days before Christmas, he’s rescued by his neighbor's feisty daughter. Slaine de Morham might be enticing, and raising every one of his protective instincts, but he intends to keep her at a distance. That is, until she’s threatened. Suddenly, Dougal finds himself with an unexpected wife, new enemies, and an assassin drawing near. The more time he spends with Slaine, the more he wants to protect her, and love her. But it’s going to take a Christmas miracle to keep her. Who could ever love the devil of Goblin Hall?

Our Review: With compelling goals, motivation and conflict, His Christmas Angel is a story of love and devotion two scarred souls have for each other, as well as those they stand for. This is a powerful read from the first page, one you won’t be able to put down.

On a scale of 1-5, His Christmas Angel deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

Keep the Yule Fire Burning by Allison Butler

 Keep the Yule Fire Burning by Allison Butler

About the Book: Finley Blalock has always loved Mor Forester. But when her brother Liam confronts him, he can’t reveal the truth. After losing his mother, he refuses to ever tell someone he loves them. When Liam’s quest to find a husband for Mor pushes Fin to breaking point, a fight ensues. As punishment, they are challenged to keep the Yule fire burning for twelve days. If they fail, the tension between them will be dealt with using swords instead of fists. With his love for Mor and friendship with Liam at risk, Fin will need Yuletide wishes and the magic of mistletoe to find the courage to tell the woman he loves how much she means to him before he loses her – and his best friend – forever.

Our Review: This delightful story offers readers a detailed picture of customs surrounding the Yule season—and more. Keep the Yule Fire Burning is a story of family, and filled with honor, devotion, respect, love. And we are better for it.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Keep the Yule Fire Burning deserves a 4.5

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven by Jennifer Ivy Walker

 Mirror, mirror, on the lake.  Reveal the path the queen will take.

 About the Book: In this dark fairy tale adaptation of a medieval French legend, Issylte must flee the wicked queen, finding shelter with a fairy witch who teaches her the verdant magic of the forest. Fate leads her to the otherworldly realm of the Lady of the Lake and the Elves of Avalon, where she must choose between her life as a healer or fight to save her ravaged kingdom.

Tristan of Lyonesse is a Knight of the Round Table who must overcome the horrors of his past and defend his king or lose everything. When he becomes a warrior of the Tribe of Dana, a gift of Druidic magic might hold the key he seeks.

 Our Review: lush descriptions and details of the rigors of medieval life abound in this adaptation on an old French tale of love and betrayal and resolution. The author clearly knows the characters and the setting very well—and it shows on every page.

 On a scale of 1-5, The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven deserves a 4.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews