Monday, May 27, 2024

The Marriage Matrix

 Can a marriage-minded scientist be diverted from her goal by a handsome detective who wants her body?

 About the Book: Treating her search for a husband like one of her research projects, socially inept Dr. Wanda Walling creates a marriage matrix, listing the qualities she wants in a husband. All candidates will be evaluated by how many boxes are ticked off. Then she meets handsome Jack Pendleton, a police detective who excites and delights her—but meets none of her requirements. Plus, he has a phobia about marriage.

Enthralled by Wanda, Jack wants her any way he can get her. Even though he is appalled that she is hubby hunting, he still wants to bed her. Can he convince her to have a fling with him even though he fails to check off any boxes in her matrix?

 Our Review: Sparks soar in almost every direction after Wanda, the buttoned-up, anal retentive scientist meets Jack, the hunky copper. His good humor and sharp wit continue to light up every scene he’s in. Readers continue to root that Jack, a talented and deserving guy, as he pursues this woman who speaks to everything he’s ever wanted.

On a scale of 1-5, The Marriage Matrix earns a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Thursday, May 23, 2024

The Night Watcher by M. Garnet

 Take the best chrome handgun, put it in the hands of a man who isn’t afraid to use it—and you have a combination that puts fear into the hearts of criminals.

About the Book:  He earned his gold detective’s shield the hard way: in a uniform by day, in school at night. Now the tall man who carries weapon that’s not standard, but can shoot through a car door, has a record of closing more cases with some of the toughest criminals on the streets.

The ladies working in the sex clubs love him and offer him free services. The top brass worries that most of his cases are closed with the perps dead, so there’s no need for court appearances. So far, no one’s proved he’s crossed any line. He’s even found a woman who has worked her way into his cold heart.

But she’s also deep into family corruption. Will his luck hold out?

Our Review: Written in the style of Mickey Spillane’s film noir style of the 1950’s, author Garnet takes the reader on a fast, wild ride through the dark side of town, one familiar to Detective Damian Walker. With crisp, no nonsense dialogue and prose, fans of the genre will love this one.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Night Watcher merits a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

A Flame Rekindled

 To forge their future, they must overcome their past.

About the Book: As second-in-command of a special ops paramilitary group, Jackson Favre is left in charge after his chief leaves on a secret mission. No novice when it comes to heavy action, Jackson is thrown for a loop when he discovers the love of his life, Charlene Bowman, standing in his office.

Supposedly dead, sharpshooter and computer whiz Charlene Bowman emerges from hiding to protect the unit chief’s researcher wife while he is away. The rekindled emotion on seeing Jackson again is the one thing she never expected. The ride to forever is a wild one.

Our Review:  Author Timidaiski has published in several genres but the one she excels in is alpha males involved in special ops missions. She knows how to keep up the pace and tension that goes hand in hand with military action. A Flame Rekindled is no different, and perhaps is her best yet.

Based on a scale of 1-5, A Flame Rekindled merits a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Mr. Morrissey's Secret

 It’s all just a little unfair. . .

 About The Book: David Morrissey’s life is near perfect. A widower with a teenage daughter, he teaches at an ultra-conservative Southern preparatory school, has been voted Teacher of the Year 3 times, and is engaged to marry the daughter of the chairman of the school’s board.

          Then life as David knows it comes to a screeching halt when proof of his previous employment takes top headline in the school newspaper: 20 years ago, under another name, David Morrissey was the hottest ticket in town for cover models on historical romances known as “bodice rippers”.

          In short order he loses his job, his fiancĂ©e and his front lawn now hosts herds of TV and print reporters, as well as camera persons ever at the ready to pounce. As David prepares to fight for his job and his reputation, the woman on the other side of those hot clinch covers, a woman he once loved to distraction, comes back into his life. . . to help him in his time of need—but also to reveal a bigger, more important secret.

 Our Review: It’s always a treat to read anything by Toni V. Sweeney whether it’s a futuristic sci-fi space adventure or a vampire saga spanning generations and continents. This time it’s the staid traditions of Southern academia and those appointed to maintain the status quo. Using her trademark snappy humor, Sweeney’s well drawn characters keep the action at a non-stop pace with laugh-out-loud crisp dialogue. Do not miss this one; it’s a beauty.

 On a scale of 1-5, Mr. Morrissey’s Secret deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Monday, May 13, 2024

Honored by Rose Thorgaard

 Hardened by loss, a gangster and an innocent artist fight for their lives and their love against the very criminal underworld they come from.

 About The Book: While readjusting to life in Manhattan, Livia Rossi finds peace in Dante Castellano’s passionate embrace. But once the haze clears, and shadows from her past return, she is forced to question everything about her life.

          In his new role as Don, Dante struggles to find a balance between the man he once was with the one he never hopes to become. To protect Livia, he’ll burn the city to the ground. But at what cost?

 Our Review: In Honored, as with Treasured—Book 1 in the Dark Mafia Romance series—author Rose Thorgaard brings a bright, loving light to the dark grit of the underworld. Livia, though raised in the familia, was fiercely protected by the Don, her uncle Michael. Dante Castellano, on the other hand, was raised on the mean streets and came to hate each one, vowing to get out of the life but eventually must give in to the inevitable when his beloved Livia is endangered by the old Don’s rivals. Thorgaard is a master at mixing steam with danger and readers are the better for it.

 On a scale of 1-5, Honored deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Friday, May 10, 2024

Wiild Irish Yenta by Joyce Sanderly

 Do killers, stock manipulators, and kidnappers stalk the Temple?

About The Book: After the body of Roberto Gomez is discovered in Temple Israel’s parking lot, Patricia Weiss, nee Reilly, exchanges her suburban-mom sneakers for gumshoes to investigate the supposed hit-and-run. Patricia is compelled to uncover who killed the hardworking custodian and why. Before she can progress with her investigation, or work on problems in her difficult marriage to a busy cardiologist, and his controlling Jewish mother, she is plunged into the Temple’s troubles which include the disappearance of her rabbi-mentor, as well as the suspected misuse of Temple funds. Despite her husband’s concerns, Patricia and her buddy Brenda designate themselves The Yenta Patrol as they unravel the many mysteries facing them. 

Our Review: The inclusion of Jewish traditions and history adds a rich flavor to this story. The characters are real and well-drawn; the action is non-stop. Humor, especially on the part of the sidekick Brenda, is another strong point.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Wild Irish Yenta merits a 4.

 

 

Monday, May 6, 2024

Tip the Piano Man

 About The Book: When little Piper Callaghan appears at Hope’s Home, too traumatized to speak after discovering her murdered mother’s body, Dr. Madison Wagner hopes to make the child’s possible father, writer Luke Callaghan, take responsibility for the bloody chaos he’s apparently created. For his part, Luke has his own story and refuses to be patronized.

But after they discover Piper is the victim of a group of prominent citizens profiting from an online international child sex ring, Madison and Luke understand they’re in this fight together. And guiding them from beyond the grave is a murdered young mother seeking retribution…and atonement. Madison and Luke must prevail against overwhelming odds, or their relentless pursuit of truth will hurtle them toward a shocking reality neither ever anticipated.

Our Review:  The astonishing amount of research done by author Hoessli shows clearly on each page of this book. She then painted a clear and compelling picture of the inner workings of child sex networks—from victim profiles, to work-worn advocates who fight uphill battles on a daily basis, to overworked law enforcement officers who know something is wrong but don’t have the necessary evidence, to judges whose hands are tied by antiquated laws. This is not a story for the faint hearted; it is a necessary one.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Tip The Piano Man merits a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

The Ghostly Diva by Sandra L. Young

About the Book: Assistant museum director Justine Saunders is enticed by the opportunity to sift through vintage treasures donated by the estate of a recently deceased Hollywood actress. When a snowstorm strands her with the actress’ surly son and her much too real ghost, Justine is drawn into an unresolved tug of war between mother and son.

Screenwriter Jackson Maddox is eager to wrap up his mother’s affairs and escape the one-horse town where his mother was raised. Unloading old clothes takes an unwanted turn when the appearing historian discovers a path to identify the “famous” father his mother protected to her death.

With Justine’s beloved museum job in jeopardy, she can’t afford the distractions of a rude and broken but fascinating man—or his ghostly mother. Even as an enticing employment prospect beckons her to shake up her life by moving to the big city, she can’t resist helping to solve the mystery of Jackson’s paternity.

Our Review: In keeping with the underlying theme of vintage clothing and the histories the items bring, author Sandra L. Young brings her Divine Vintage series to a close with this unique take on the life of a B-list Hollywood actress and the effects on her only child. As always, a ghost plays a big role in this story—do the delight of readers and fans of this fun, interesting series.

On a scale of 1-5. The Ghostly Diva merits a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews