Dangerous Curves by Mia Augustine

Sometimes the person you're looking for is the one you least expect.

About the Book:  In supermodel Catalina Locatelli’s fury with her father, she finds herself lost in Vegas somewhere off the Strip with no idea how to get back to her hotel. Yes, in the height of her pique, she’s forgotten her cell phone. At first glance, her rescuer-motorcycle-maniac seems like your typical bad boy. He's got the duds, the motorcycle, and the attitude.
          Survivalist Persus Phuckzer is stymied by the beauty he stops to assist. Unfortunately, she isn't the only one in need of help.

Our Review: With a name like Persus Phuckzer the reader knows from word one this story will be a hoot—and Author Augustine does not disappoint. The characters—from lead to supporting—are well drawn and intriguing as shown by the clever use of dialogue. This is likely the most fun to read in this series. As an extra treat, Augustine is bringing one of the sub-plots—the controlling billionaire fashion mogul/father—to a healthy and satisfying conclusion. Nice job, Mia.  

Based on a scale of 1-5, Dangerous Curves merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews 

Revenge's Sweet Reward

A tale of love, loss, revenge, and, oh! ... a secret marriage

About the Book: Pierre Beauvoir is fired without even a reference, only for want of a better position. But when his nemesis’s beauty, the brand’s most popular and beloved daughter, strolls into sight, revenge enters his heart. 

       Isabel, the youngest of all the Locatelli siblings, hates her job, hates her life and resents her irritating family. But the photographer her father just sacked has a plan--and she's all in.                                                                  

Our Review: this story is more than what is described in the title. It is a clear, concise description of toxic family dynamics and the price its victims pay if they do not break the bonds. Isabel, determined to make her own way in life, finds truth and understanding with Pierre, an intrepid photographer. Well done!

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Revenge’s Sweet Reward earns a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

  

An Unfashionable Diva, #3 the Fiery Billionaires Nights

 A night to remember...or not.

 About the Book:

     Naturally, after Gina Bové woke up in bed next to a strange man, she freaked out. She can’t remember a thing from the night before, has no idea who the man next to her is, or how she ended up in this precarious position.
     Anthony Locatelli spends the next decade wondering what happened to the horribly attired woman he’d saved from a seriously dangerous situation ten years earlier. But after his father threatens Anthony’s livelihood, he turns to a specialized matchmaking service for assistance and learns exactly what happened to his mystery bedmate.

Our Review: There is something about a person who does the right thing because it’s the only way he/she knows. We call that person a hero—and Anthony Locatelli fits the description from page one of Unfashionable Diva. As well, there is something about a person who refuses to bemoan things beyond their control—and go on to thrive. Gina Bove is that person. The reader is better for having met them, then watching each find their way back to each other. Well done.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Unfashionable Diva merits a 7.5

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Forbidden Agreement

 She’s left holding the bag and the billionaire...

About the Book:

          Drew Butler needs a wife. ASAP. But his matchmaker failed to show for their designated meeting. Now he’s doomed. But the understated beauty at the bar gives him another idea. A forbidden agreement that holds much more enticement.         

          Attorney, Samantha Felix, is tasked with informing a drunk billionaire in how he’s violated the terms of his contract with Weddings To Go. Instead, she falls right into his trap. Right into his bed.

Our Review: While we continue to affirm Mia Augustine’s ability to create short, intriguing romantic fiction, with Forbidden Agreement we discover her talent for snappy dialogue and biting humor. Well done!

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

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Wedding Vows for Hire

 Falling for her again might be his undoing.

About the Book: Elizabeth Jones had changed everything about herself down to her name. She quashed the naïve, overweight girl she’d been at nineteen. Now, she was a savvy, sophisticated woman with a unique and thriving business that, if the details came out, could ultimately ruin her.

The young woman who left Carson Hill standing at the altar ten years ago is now scamming his best friend, and there’s no one to stop her but Carson. But coming face to face with her again is like a punch to his gut. Gone is the shy, curvy woman he’d once loved and believed loved him. 

And, falling for her again just might be his undoing.

 Our Review: When it comes to writing short romantic fiction, a reasonable and relatable conflict must exist or there’s no story. In Wedding Vows for Hire, Mia Augustine puts all the essential elements into less than 50 pages—and soars. When you’re nineteen and feeling fat, ugly and unworthy, standing up to a manipulative mother-of-the-groom can do a number on a relationship. On the other hand, a twenty-year old male, who’s had only one love in his life, and quite naïve in the ways of the world, facing down a controlling, billionaire father is no walk in the park. Augustine solves this age-old conflict with logic, common sense, and emotion—and does it beautifully.  

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Wedding Vows for Hire merits a 5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Love Again--a movie

 They’ll never find that perfect love again. . . or will they?  

 About The Movie: Love Again, a current release on Netflix, opens with a couple, John and Mira, sharing a few quiet moments together in a coffee shop. It is obvious—by the looks, touches, words they are deeply in love. Moments later, John is dead, struck down by a drunk driver. Mira goes into a period of profound mourning to the point her friends, family and employer are concerned she might never come back. On the suggestion of a trusted friend who lost his wife of many years, Mira begins texting her everyday thoughts and activities to John’s phone. Every day, sometimes more often.

          Little does she know that the phone number now belongs to Rob, a music columnist, who also is in mourning for a relationship that ended badly. Suddenly, these ‘love texts’ from an unknown woman, show him there is something or someone else out there for him.

          They meet accidentally at a production of Orpheus and Eurydice and the new love both so desperately need begins to bud.

 Our Review: As an admitted hermit, and happy to wear the badge, we don’t get out much—including going to the movies or paying close attention to the celebrity channels—so we had no clue to the identities of Pryanka Chopra Jonas [who is apparently married to a rock star] or Sam Heughan [he stars in Outlander]. We do however know Celine Dion who makes a guest appearance in this delightful rom-com. So, while channel surfing last night, we came upon the movie poster, liked the looks of the guy [great, and we mean GREAT smile] so we clicked on it.

          And are we glad we did. At the same time, choking up for Mira’s profound sadness and grief, we were laughing over the bumbling, socially inept Rob who loathes many forms of music [even though he’s a music editor for a popular online magazine] to the despair of his hilarious boss and co-workers. As the two work through the early stages of a romance, it is sweet and clear these two are terrific actors.

          And the music choices ain’t bad either.

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

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Sweet Cravings, #7, the Laurel Ridge series

 Can a blind date gone wrong with multiple do-overs gone wrong ever become a relationship gone right?

 About the Book:  acclaimed mechanic JoJo Wheeler thrives on the toughest of challenges when restoring engines, she’s given up on dating and relationship challenges. Attorney Joe Benton doesn’t believe dating is worth the effort anymore either. When both are coerced into a blind date by their best friends, JoJo—the expert on giving herself a fast out—insists on no dinner. With Joe prepared for the usual first-date disappointment, he chooses a simple event—a sunset viewing on the lake's shore. How could anything go wrong?

But, it does, so they agree on a do-over. Despite several hilariously disastrous do-overs, their connection continues to sizzle. JoJo knows her time in Laurel Ridge is limited and returning home to Atlanta is inevitable. She’s not open to long-distance love affairs, nor putting her business second to a love interest. Plus, Joe is convinced he’s not one of those guys who will ever find the perfect woman or the fairy tale end.

This meant-to-be couple must overcome their cynical natures to find the happiness that’s within their reach.

 Our Review: We’ve all experienced a dismal first date/fix-up that went sour. But three? Maybe four? And all equally hilarious. Stout knows how to write compelling characters and make it look effortless. Plus, this last in the series ties up each previous couple AND the mystery behind how the canary yellow Bug ended up at the bottom of Whippoorwill Lake. It is simple, sweet, character driven, and absolutely lovely. Do not miss this series. It’s a wonder.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Sweet Cravings merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews