Trickster by Darlene Fredette

 …Can she heal the trickster before he breaks her heart? …

 About The Book: In their own ways, for their own reasons, for Jade Parsons and Eric Martini, family is everything. Healthy or not, blood ties rule each one’s past as well as decisions and choices in the present. Hard work and personal sacrifice are part of the job, whether it means traveling to often dangerous places or relocating hundreds of miles from home because one loves what they do. When the truth is finally revealed, these two disparate people turn to each other for healing—and find forever.

 Our Review: There are many strong points to Darlene Fredette’s Trickster, part of the Mortar & Pestle series. Perhaps the one which stands out most clearly is the sharp, snappy dialogue—the kind that makes one smile, nod and think, “oh, yeah, this one’s got it.” The plotline moves seamlessly, drawing the reader into the lives of these two disparate characters and over a series of bumps. Jade is small-town, family and ethno centric; Eric is a flashy, world traveling heart breaker, never staying too long in one place. When things start feeling a bit too tight with any one woman, he’s gone. Until Jade, when everything loosens and things take off.

 On a scale of 1-5, Trickster deserves an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

The Earl's Timely Wallflower by Aurrora St. James

 Never let destiny meddle in your romantic affairs.

 About The Book: Lily Bennett, a hardworking single woman in a going-nowhere job, living in a going nowhere apartment better fit for a dwarf, is at the end of her rope trying to repair a going nowhere relationship with her younger siblings. Her only goal: to reunite her fractured family. The discovery of an unusual timepiece sends her back in time to Regency England, landing literally at the feet of one of the most eligible men in society.

Gabriel Hawthorne, Earl of Rothden, believes Lilly is insane, but due to circumstances beyond their control, they are stuck with each other. Thus begins the adventure of a lifetime for Gabriel and Lily who discover the person they’ve always wanted—but must make the most difficult decision in order to stay together.

 Our Review: We were struck, first by Lily’s trials and tribulations of living in a dead-end apartment, working a dead-end job only to pay the mounting bills and fulfill her dream—things any reader will relate to. Without warning, she finds herself in a place and time unknown to her, living with people she comes to love and who love and value her for her spirit and heart and caring attitudes. Who can’t understand? This is a timeless love affair, sprinkled with the author’s talent for mixing period dialogue with more modern slang and colloquialisms. This is one hoot of a book!

 On a scale of 1-5, The Earl’s Timely Wallflower deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Revamped, A Vampire Romance

 An energy vampire hungry for love meets the wisecracking woman of his parents’ nightmares.

 About the Book:

Vampire Dante Allegretti hates his sucky life. Born into a family of energy siphoners, he’s desperate to reinvent himself as a fun-loving normal guy rather than a crowd-sourcing parasite. To stop the draining urges, Dante resorts to grinding alternative meds in an ancient Mortar & Pestle, not knowing it contains magical properties.

Enter wisecracking thirty-year-old Sophie Arley, who lives with her clingy parents. Working three jobs and craving independence, she’s come back strong after a breakdown crashed her cozy world. So when the weird, hot guy she just met asks her to the movies, she agrees.

Sophie won’t spoil their magical connection by mentioning her heartbreak. And Dante dreads telling Sophie about his dark side. Will the power from the Mortar & Pestle guide them to their happily ever after despite the secrets and lies?

Our Review: This smart, snappy takeoff on the traditional vampire-human romance, is fun and fresh, showcasing the author’s gift for writing conemporary dialogue along with layered emotions. Don’t let the somewhat slow start stop you—once Dante and his ‘unique’ family comes to light, this one is a non-stop adventure. Revamped is a breath of fresh air.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Revamped merits a 5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Tread the Darkness, Book Two, the Strigoi Series

 How does one recover from two centuries in Hell?

Tread the Darkness by Tony-Paul de Vissage

 About the Book: After more than 150 years confined to a cold, dark cell, ritual torture by the Furies, and a sudden Parisian snow storm, Marek Strigoi is released without warning. Rescued by other aventurieri he reconnects with his long lost family and vows to go against the order of the Prince and see to the destruction of his arch enemy Mircea Ravagiu. Marek’s quest takes him from the elegant salons of Paris to the seamy side of London. Mircea is no ordinary enemy but perhaps a reincarnation of Jack the Ripper. And…rumor has it, New Orleans is on the horizon.

 Our Review: Lush descriptions of the physical settings—wherever they may be—as well as the loyalty which binds the close-knit Strigoi clan fill each page. Relationships, both in and outside the clan, are detailed, complex—and compelling. Author de Vissage is known for smart and snappy dialogue and he has not failed us in his descriptions of how Marek learns to cope with twentieth century Europe and the social unrest brought by the ‘swinging sixties’. This is a fast, interesting read to the very end, this looks to be one of those series readers wish will never end.

 On a scale of 1-5, Strigoi: Tread the Darkness deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Sea Hunter by D. V. Stone

      On the turbulent high seas, an archeologist must protect a historic shipwreck from treasure hunters—not fall for one.

 About the Book:

It is the duty of Zahra Corbyn, an underwater archeologist and professor of antiquities, stop treasure hunters and looters from raiding Sea Wraith. But she finds herself with treasure hunter Jack Alexander in order to protect history from a known looter.

Captain Jack Alexander needs two pieces of a map, currently in the possession of Zahra Corbyn to finally claim Sea Wraith. Can the two unlikely allies work together while safeguarding their hearts against the power of the Mortar and Pestle?

 

Our Review: While this is a fun story, filled with non-stop action, it is also a reflection of those years following World War II when women were expected to ‘stay in their place’, treasure hunters abounded, often pillaging the world’s history, and a potent reminder of racism. The author’s in-depth research is astonishing, which only adds to the enjoyable read factor. Well done!

 

Based on a scale of 1-5, Sea Hunter merits a 6.

 

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Selkie, The Mortar & Pestle series

 How can he marry one woman when his heart sings for another?

 About the Book:

No one has ever managed to capture a selkie. Until now…

          On their wedding day, Klaus Lovik’s bride is stolen by an enemy chieftain. He will travel to the ends of the earth to find her, and in desperation, he captures a selkie and uses her as a bartering piece. But the selkie’s magic is powerful enough to drown entire islands, and if he’s not careful, he might find himself in a watery grave.

Mayla Brior is gifted with the power to shed her seal skin, enabling her to walk on land. But when a man robs her of the pelt, she is forced to follow his commands, endangering her skin, and preventing her return to the sea.

          Venturing into enemy territory, Klaus and Mayla bond, escalating their relationship into more than adversaries. He realizes his pending nuptials are a dreadful mistake. But it might be too late to choose another path, especially when he knows he has to eventually let her go.

 Our Review:

With its lush, lyrical prose, Selkie is a pure pleasure to read. The reader is transported to a 10^th century Denmark filled with multi-layered characters driven by loyalty, duty and honor. The dialogue is witty and honest, the emotions at times heart wrenching. Do not miss this one.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Selkie merits a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Seeker by Jean M. Grant

Nock, draw, release. . . If her arrow hits its mark, will it prevent war…and secure her destined soulmate?

 About the Book:

     Aileana Montgomerie’s bloodline holds valuable gifts of foresight and healing, but with each honor comes a curse. Even though she is descended from the mystical isles’ folk, she lacks the ability of the Scottish Ancients and wonders if she belongs in a magical family. Aileana just wants a purpose. What good is her bow and arrow if she is denied the right to fight for her clan?

     Brodie MacDougall is ordained to be the next war chieftain of his clan. The title is a privilege as long as his brother, the future laird, doesn’t expect him to lift a sword and charge into battle. Chronic pain and nervous vapors force him to spend his days alone. Can his strategic skills keep him one step ahead of his conspiring brother?

     Through a magical Mortar & Pestle, Brodie finds his heart’s desire. But there’s a catch. The seat on his brother’s council is no longer dependent upon his health…but on Aileana’s strength. With rumblings of unrest among their clans, will their love foster an alliance or be a step toward war? 

Our Review: 

          Author Jean M. Grant, who is known for her imaginative descriptions of both setting and characters, goes above and beyond with Seeker. It is one thing to describe what appears to be unrelenting conflict—it is quite another to invent new and clever ways for the lead characters—Lanie and Brodie—to carry it out. This one warms the heart in all ways.

 On a scale of 1-5, Seeker merits a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

  

Strigoi: The Second Species by Tony-Paul de Vissage

 Are they vampires or simply a second species?

 About the Strigoi: The aventurieri are the basis for the legend of the vampire, though they insist they aren’t vampires but a second species of human. Persecuted by the First Species, they have isolated themselves in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania, though a few manage to live secretly among humans. When the aventurieri prince sends his assassin to punish Minhea Ravagiu for attacking peasants on his estate, Minhea’s brother Mircea retaliates by attacking Janos Strigoi’s home, killing Janos, his wife and carrying off their children. Eldest Son Marek returns from school to assume leadership of his House and rescue his siblings and begin the quest to find Mircea and avenge the deaths of his parents. His quest will take him from the 18^th century to the 21^st, from Transylvania to Vienna, Paris, London and eventually New Orleans before his vengeance is fulfilled.  

 Our Review: Lush descriptions of the physical setting as well as the familial bindings of the close-knit Strigoi clan fill each page. The relationships both in and outside the clan are detailed, complex—and compelling. Author de Vissage is known for smart and snappy dialogue and he has not failed us with book one of a ten volume series. A fast, interesting read to the very end, this looks to be one of those series readers wish will never end.

 On a scale of 1-5, Strigoi: The Second Species deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews