Strigoi 5: Intentions Far From Honorable

 An innocent conversation, filled with ‘what ifs’ comes close to bringing down the entire Strigoi/Stryker clan.  

About the Book: Newlyweds Dan and Ana, in the middle of getting the hang of living together, learning the ins and outs of wedded life, ends up in a near tragedy after Ana, using her imagination, writes a best seller—and sets off a near catastrophe. Just as Marek begins to recognize the importance of finding a life-mate and musters the courage to introduce his newly discovered sons and grandson to the rest of the clan, Mircea Ravagiu strikes again. This time, it’s by attacking where they are most vulnerable—by bringing down Sabine Lavelle the thrall physician who has been with the family for centuries. Emotions run high in this fifth chapter of the Strigoi saga. Rules are bent rather than broken in order to save the clan from the centuries-old vendetta but clearly things are not finished.

 Our Review: With Strigoi 5 the author’s vivid descriptions focus more on the differences between deomi, or humans, and the aventurieri. Intentions Far From Honorable is an interesting read, filled with humor and human-ness to the very end. The pace is fast and action non-stop, making the reader to root for the underdogs on both sides to the very last page.

 On a scale of 1-5, Strigoi: Intentions Far From Honorable deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Cause For Elimination by Marla A. White

 Competition can be a killer…

 About the Book: Reclaiming her life after a devastating riding accident, equestrian Emily Conners' world shatters again when she discovers her friend and boss lying in a stall with a smashed skull. Now jobless, and with a handsome cop underfoot investigating the case, she's torn between wanting the killer found and keeping her own secrets safe.

Detective Justin Butler always gets his killer, but this victim has a stampede of enemies and few leads to go on. Stonewalled by the tight-knit equestrian world, he looks to Emily for help, but she's strangely reluctant. Is she hiding something, or is she afraid of their growing attraction?

 

Our Review: Cause For Elimination offers the reader an insider’s take on the seamier side of event competition. It becomes clear, almost from page one, that it is not all the breathtaking jumps and glamourous partying. Training an animal three times your weight and size is exhaustive, back breaking, and heart-breaking. Under it all is a relationship of mutual love and trust between animal and rider—and well worth the ride.

 

Based on a scale of 1-5, Cause For Elimination merits a 5.

 

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

New Dreams by Ellen M. Parker

 Can a woman on her own trust the man with interesting stories?

 About the Book: America beckons with opportunity during the 1850’s.

     Louisa Mueller, a baker’s daughter, arrives in Elm Ridge, Illinois with determination to learn English and work as a baker. Since the death of her sweetheart a year ago, she pushes aside thoughts of marriage. However, she’s intrigued by a fellow passenger who tells the most interesting stories.

     Desperate for a fresh start, a young thief takes the name Hans Hoffmann when a look-alike passenger dies during the trans-Atlantic passage. Vowing to be an honest man in America, Hans discovers temptation wears many disguises. Will the pair be rewarded as they attempt their new dreams in a strange land?

 Our Review: For those readers who have heard their parents, grandparents or other relatives speak of why they left their homeland to emigrate to the United States, New Dreams will ring true right down to the unbearable loneliness and wrenching fear of failure to fulfill long-held dreams and promises. From the first page, Louisa and Hans capture the reader’s imagination and heart with their goals and dreams and hesitations. Author Parker has a talent for infusing dialects local phrasing into her spot-on dialogue. This story is inspiring and heart warming from start to finish.

Based on a scale of 1-5, New Dreams merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Red Blood Reigns by Tony-Paul de Vissage

Love arrives when it’s least expected . . . and needed the most.

 About the Book: The Strigoi twins, Vlad/Ladd and Andreas/Andy take featured roles in Book 4 of the Strigoi series. The smart-mouthed, fast moving ‘boys’ are coming into their own, seeking their own dreams—but for both, something is missing. Restless and discontent, Andreas longs for the Motherland of Carpathius, the old ways and the lasting love of a woman who comes from the old life. He teaches himself to transport—‘schimbati’ and on the first time around, finds himself on the grounds of the family castel. There, he meets Danuta, and suddenly life is good. At the same time, just as Vlad has secured a position as a teaching assistant at Tulane University, the family’s arch enemy, Mircea Ravagiu, strikes again. Close to death after a vicious attack, Vlad is rescued by the lovely, and enigmatic Beth MacGregor, who is not quite what she, or anyone close to her, believes. For the moment, as the clan celebrates multiple weddings, all is well—but as always with this fascinating series, Ravagiu and the Prince are not finished.

 Our Review: Author de Vissage’s lush descriptions of the bayou and the crumbling family castel hit all the high notes. The secondary characters, as always, add spice and verve to this book which is difficult to put down. Watching the twin sons grow and mature is quite special—and while Marek takes a back seat in this particular story, the reader knows he is always there, waiting and watching, ensuring his family will not suffer. The Red Blood Reigns is a fast, interesting read to the very end. This time, the reader does not have to wonder what or who comes next—only when.

 On a scale of 1-5, Strigoi: The Red Blood Reigns deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews 

Eyes on the Road by Karen C. Whalen

Helping people keeps her going.

 About the Book: Businesses in Spruce Ridge, Colorado hire international foreign workers during the hectic ski season. One temp, Jaana Ivanov from Estonia, is found dead in her car at the bottom of a cliff. But, the car crash was not an accident. Jaana didn’t just take her eyes off the road. She was murdered.

Tow truck driver Delaney Morran often feels vulnerable herself as the lone female tow truck driver in town, so when the victim’s sister asks for help in finding the killer, Delaney begins to eye everyone with suspicion.

She might not be the best when it comes to towing vehicles, but she’s pretty good at turning up clues.

 Our Review: This is our first experience reading one of author Whalen’s cozy mysteries—it certainly won’t be our last. Her gifts lie in snappy, smart dialogue, a “heroine” who can’t seem to stop helping others and adding in an overall flavor of the glorious Colorado Rockies. This one’s a beauty.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Eyes on the Road merits a 5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews 

A Heart Restrained by Jennifer Wilck

 She refuses to sell him her company; will she give him her heart?

 About the Book: Caleb Zeno, a wealthy and successful media mogul, refuses to allow emotions into any aspect of his life, especially his entertainment corporation. When his company’s lifestyle website runs into competition from a small boutique company, the most logical solution is to buy out his rival. 

Fiona Hamilton’s lifestyle website succeeds due to her loving and caring treatment of her clients, who have become like family to her. She has no desire to sell to anyone, much less a tattooed, muscled, automaton. 

At odds professionally, Caleb and Fiona come together as a favor for Caleb’s sister. Sparks fly and sexual chemistry abounds. But Caleb can't let go of his abusive past and be the man Fiona needs, and she is unwilling to risk independence and financial security for anything less than a perfect happily ever after. Can they put their differences aside to find a viral kind of love?

Our Review: Author Wilck’s ability to create compelling conflict between two characters is surpassed by the infusion of the lifelong effects brought on by domestic abuse—past and present. Caleb is astounding for his strength and compulsion to protect those around him. Fiona is remarkable for her ability to recognize what others need—then offer it to them without strings. In essence, she is a healer. This is a beautiful story with compelling characters battling serious social issues. Well done!

On a scale of 1-5, A Heart Restrained merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Three Come Unbidden by Tony-Paul de Vissage

 Three compelling characters search for everlasting love . . .

 About the Book: In the steamy bayous outside New Orleans, Mircea Ravagiu continues his quest for total destruction of the Strigoi clan. To his utter disgust, Marek Strigoi, now known as Mark Stryker, and his family thrive with their latest endeavor “Stryker’s” the hottest ticket in town for excellent entertainment and even better cuisine. Three characters stand out in the third book of the Stigoi series: Marek/Mark, Bogdan/Dan and Maggie Vanator, a descendant of Magda-Lily, the first and only love for both Marek and Dan. As the title describes: three come unbidden—to each other.

 Our Review: Author de Vissage’s lush descriptions continue, this time of the enigmatic New Orleans, from the bayous to the Garden District. As always, the cast of unique secondary characters add spice and verve to this close-knit clan. The relationships are detailed, complex—and compelling. With the crisp, snappy dialogue, the author explores Dan’s complicated sexual identity crisis with sensitivity and grace. He exploration to find a lasting love is heart wrenching and individualized for this character. Three Come Unbidden is a fast, interesting read to the very end, making the reader wonder what and who comes next in this series.

 On a scale of 1-5, Strigoi: Three Come Unbidden deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews