Choices Meant for All by Sandy Lender

 When their god needed a protector, she chose yes.

 About the Book:  From the foothills of the Freotho Mountains to the marble halls of Mahriket, factions of deities rise to threaten not only Master Rothahn’s crown, but all Onweald’s people. The battles fan the gates of the dark spirit world, releasing demons of every species to aid the enemy, but an embattled Nigel Taiman brings Malachi’s power to the Arcanan Army’s camp in hopes of tipping the balance in his bride’s favor. Dangerous times call for strange allies from all quarters. To restore the geasa that should save the god she’s sworn to protect, Amanda Chariss must escape the very Betrayer’s grasp and make choices for the good of everyone. Does she have the will to sacrifice all that she holds dear in the process? Dive into the action-packed conclusion of the Choices trilogy to discover how prophecy works with—and against—those who would heed it.

 Our Review: In the first two books of Sandy Lender’s Choices trilogy, we found in-depth descriptions and views of Amanda Chariss from other characters. In this most satisfying conclusion, we are treated to Amanda herself, how she thinks and why. It’s a treat to see how Amanda uses what she’s been taught then how she puts those lessons into action in order to protect her charges and the kingdom.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Choices Meant for All, merits a 5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

The Billionaire's Christmas Castle

 His billions can’t buy what he craves most—her love.

 About The Book: Balancing career and conscience, billionaire tech investor Michael Garwood escapes the holiday madness and flees to Trappers Cove, a quirky beachside town in Washington State. Having spent many happy summers there as a child, he hopes an ocean view, crackling hearth and solitude will help him figure out his personal crises.

Annie Scott loathes snooty, rich people for their demeaning attitudes and rudeness toward those they consider less thans. Then,  Michael Garwood walks through the door of her Trappers Cove antique shop and after the gorgeous grump shares bits of his human side, Annie decides that sharing a small-town holiday with this man is the perfect distraction for her lonely Christmas blues.

As the holiday events proceed, flavored by the characters who populate the unique Trappers Cove, the frustrated tycoon and fiercely independent entrepreneur learn how to navigate an ocean of differences in order to forge what each wants the most: a forever kind of love.

 Our Review: It came as a great delight to see what author Sadira Stone has in store for the characters as well as the readers of her trendy Trappers Cove series. The Billionaire’s Christmas Castle does not disappoint. A fabulous setting cannot be topped; the quirky characters and local businesses bring flavor to this fun, spicy story about two people of a ‘certain age’ who have survived—barely intact—the wars between the sexes and simply want peace, quiet and someone to cherish. Stone soars with this one.  

 On a scale of 1-5, The Billionaire’s Christmas Castle deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Say You're Mine

 … this is for the quiet ones, the introverts who think of exactly the right comeback, alone, lying awake, hours later. The observant ones who notice everything but say so little…

 About The Book: The above quote, taken from the dedication in Charlotte O’Shay’s Say You’re Mine nails this delightful story to perfection. Skylar Bishop aces everything at her work as a talented and inventive speech therapist. Her personal life, however, shows a big fat F in the success column. If she’s so gorgeous and sensitive to the needs of others, why is her track record with men so dismal?

Finnegan—Finn—Fortunato, an up and comer in the boxing world, leads a reclusive life by choice. After years of cruel teasing and abuse at the hands of others, he’s better off alone. Until he meets a gorgeous woman in the middle of a trendy Manhattan restaurant and sparks fly. Off the ceiling, one wall against the other, singeing the tiles on the floor. Neither Finn nor Sky are the same after one look.

 Our Review: Say You’re Mine takes a thorough, sensitive look at those who suffer from significant emotional handicaps which can impact every area of their lives. Adding onto this lovely romance is the setting of New York in the middle of a blistering heat wave and flavored with sharp, snappy dialogue. This heartwarming tale of two deserving people finding each other is a winner.

 On a scale of 1-5, Say You’re Mine merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

The Fog Ladies: Date With Death

 Love can be deadly.

 About the Book: The Fog Ladies count on each other like one relies on an early morning San Francisco fog burning off by midday. In their latest caper, Olivia Honeycut joins a senior dating service, meets a man, and promptly stumbles across a body whom one of her fellow romantics has just pitched over a cliff. The ‘fog ladies’ believe the killer is Olivia’s new honey. He’s too smooth; he’s lying about his past and the ‘ladies’ intend to find out why.

 Our Review: What a joy to meet a group of women who genuinely admire and respect each other—even when they agree to disagree—despite a disparity of backgrounds, life experiences, and interests. Of particular joy is Enid Carmichael whom, we’re convinced, would have held her own ‘back in the day’ of the swinging sixties, when women weren’t as liberated as we might have wished, had to tolerate unimaginable misogyny and social taboos, and still succeeded. Enid is a hoot and one of the true stars of this enchanting cozy mystery series. We look forward to book 5. Well done.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Fog Ladies: Date With Death merits a 5.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Choices Meant for Kings by Sandy Lender

 When their god needed a protector, she chose yes.

 About the Book: There’s no doubt: Amanda Chariss is in danger. Her geasa is hampered by the effects of a doomed wedding. The dashing Nigel Taiman hides something from her, yet demands she stay at his family’s estate where he and her wizard guardian intend to keep her safe. But the sorcerer Lord Drake and Julette The Betrayer know she’s there, and their monstrous army marches that way.

When prophecies stack up to threaten an arrogant deity, Chariss must choose between the dragon that courts her and the ostracized kings of the Southlands for help. Evil stalks her at every turn and madness creeps over the goddess who guides her. Can an orphan-turned-Protector resist the dark side of her heritage? Or will she sacrifice all to keep her god-charge safe in Choices Meant for Kings?

 Our Review: With Choices Meant for Kings, author Sandy Lender once again shows her imaginative style for creating the magical world of Onweald begun with Choices Meant for Gods, book 1 in the Choices Trilogy. With each scene, the setting comes to life and jumps off the page. As well, each character is multi-dimensional and unique from one another. The first scene where Amanda “interrogates” the emperor Darne Wold defines her many layers and immediately sets the pace for coming action. This one’s a true page turner!  

 On a scale of 1-5, Choices Meant for Kings merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Cough of Birds by Brian Anderson

 About the Book: Minneapolis PI Lyle Dahms reluctantly visits a friend, an armorer at a rural Renaissance festival. Instead of a day of medieval merrymaking, Dahms witnesses a grisly murder, watching helplessly as one of the armorer’s colleagues is pinned to a wall by an arrow shot by an unseen assailant.

Although warned to stay out the case by the local constabulary, Dahms gets drawn in farther and farther, uncovering an illegal drug operation and crooked cops—and even stumbles into an unlikely chance at love with a comely, independent-minded barmaid. As lies and hidden agendas reveal themselves, Dahms must keep his wits while navigating the unfamiliar lands of knights in armor, wandering jugglers, lusty wenches, strolling minstrels, and broadsword wielding adversaries.

All that and, of course, something with which Dahms is all too familiar—murder.

 Our Review: Author Brian Anderson follows up the award-winning The Shiver in Her Eyes, his debut novel in the Lyle Dahms Mysteries with the unlikely but oddly captivating hero who finds himself—more than a little reluctantly—at a Renaissance festival. This story that will keep readers’ interest for the sharp, biting dialogue and quirky, fascinating characters—and flavored with all those things involved in the world of Renaissance faires—from the costumes, to the period speech patterns and food options. Dahms himself is a treat. Reminiscent of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser PI, his dry humor and smart-mouth are a welcome change in mystery fiction. In short, he’s a keeper.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Cough of Birds merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

When Stars Align by Mia Augustine

 Theater isn't just a play, it's a passion, and the sparks fly between these two co-stars.

About the Book: Aiden Harrison is stunned by the change in his co-star. In college, she’d been the worst. A stalker he’d actually feared. Now, however, she was so hot, he could hardly keep his hands from grabbing her and dragging her to the nearest dark corner.

          Maylis Smith had no idea what to make of the man playing opposite her in this small production. He blew cold, then hot, then colder. But she was a professional, and her goals went farther than a small theater in BFE. All her dreams were about to come true, and she was holding on for everything she was worth.

Our Review:  Once again, author Mia Augustine shows her ability to ‘write short’—meaning a fully realized plot with few essential characters with compelling goals, motivation and conflict, and ties it all up with a logical, realistic resolution. All in less than 75 pages. Plus, she adds spice to the romance and for her many fans, that’s a treat.

Based on a scale of 1-5, When Stars Align merits a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews.