Mask of the Beast by Toni V. Sweeney

 Who saved whom?  

 Our Review: At first sight, Mask of the Beast appears to be a spin off on the age-old fairy tale where, because of true love a centuries old curse is lifted. It is more than that. The depth and range of author Toni V. Sweeney’s research is exceptional. Her fluid prose and compelling characters keep the pages turning in this tale of devotion—both marital and filial. Do Not Miss this one!

 On a scale of 1-5, Mask of the Beast deserves a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Crushed Promises

 About the Book:

Rebecca Walker loves searching for lost treasure but puts her plans on hold to fulfill her sister’s dying wish of performing on Broadway. She returns home when her father has a severe stroke. While there, she’s determined to achieve her father's lifelong quest for hidden Confederate gold, rumored to be buried nearby.

Former army ranger Roy Maddox blames the accident that took his fiancée’s life on her sister, Rebecca. Now Rebecca is back, pretending to care about the father she left behind to pursue her dreams. Despite their differences, they’re drawn to each other.

Will they locate and retrieve the gold, or will they be blind-sided by an outside force who is intent on taking the treasure, destroying them both?

 Our Review: Among author Linda Trout’s many talents is her ability to build suspense and a developing romance in subtle though powerful ways. The progression is compelling and keeps the reader turning the pages of this story, filled with parental love and devotion. A treat for all fans of romantic suspense.  

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

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Passion and Duty Forever by Laura M. Baird

 About The Book: An instant connection ignites between Antonio Vega, a Navy SEAL, and Lessa Colburn, manager of the local Coronado animal shelter. But when he’s called away on a mission, their night fizzles before it has a chance to take off.

While Leesa can’t get him out of her mind but after Tony returns stateside, he is forced into making a life-altering decision—thereby putting a happy ever after for him and Leesa at risk.

 Our Review: Passion and Duty Forever, the fifth book in the Heroes, Holidays & Hope series, puts the focus on social issues many families—as well as our brave veterans—face on a regular basis: domestic abuse and traumatic brain injuries. Thrust into guardian situation after the death of their mother, Leesa learns early—and painfully—it becomes her role to protect her younger sister, as well as herself, safe from an abusive stepfather. Likewise, Tony, after suffering too many head injuries and concussions is forced to make a heart-breaking decision for the betterment of himself and his entire team. As a ‘lifer’ this must be one of the most painful decisions any veteran must face. Author Baird handles both hot-button items with skill and sensitivity. Well done.

 On a scale of 1-5, Passion and Duty Forever deserves a 5.

      Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

Imperfectly Perfect by Dania Voss

 Sparks fly when an ‘imperfectly’ perfect woman finds herself pitted against a commitment phobic former Top Gun ace.

 About The Book: Runaway bride, Paige Ward, disillusioned with love and men in general, lands in the Wedding Capital of Texas Hill Country—hungover and aching for a fight. There, she is confronted by Colt Miller, former Top Gun ace—and current FBI special agent—with a paralyzing fear of repeating a past mistake by placing his heart in the hands of a spoiled, self-entitled woman. Before Paige can claim her lost power, she must avoid this gorgeous, devoted to his family, man—like the plague

 Our Review: Filled with non-stop action, this fun story shows very nicely how life-long wounds continue to fester just under the surface—and govern choices made as an adult. One of author Dania Voss’ talents is creating smart, snappy dialogue, mot of which is based on one word: Duck. This hoot of a story should not be missed.

 On a scale of 1-5, Imperfectly Perfect deserves a 6. 

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The One You Can't Keep by Sadira Stone

 Forbidden love is the sweetest Christmas treat of all.  

 About The Book: Stationed in Germany, a lonely teacher and a divorced military dad share a hot holiday liaison. Both crave more, but she’s his troubled son’s teacher. Unless they can untangle this mess, their passionate connection will fizzle before the new year.  

 Our Review: It is one thing for two lonely, deserving people to come together and forge a healthy adult relationship—make it last. It’s quite another when said relationship takes place in a foreign country under the watchful, distrusting eyes of an unhappy teenager. Klara, an American teacher at a military base school, loves Germany and all it offers. Logan, in the military for the long term, never knows when he’ll be deployed—or where. They have to make each minute count, but when his son’s unhappiness explodes, the dedicated teacher and loving parent put their needs on hold to meet those of the child. Because that’s what caring adults do.

          No one does conflict better than Sadira Stone. Flavoring the reader’s urge to read to the very last page to see if these two characters ‘make it’ is learning about the local sights, sounds, customs, and food choices of the area. Plus, the steam and heat of the budding romance makes this a winner all around.

 On a scale of 1-5, The One You Can’t Keep deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Saved by Her Marine by Laurie Ryan

 How can he say no to a woman five thousand miles away from her child?

 About The Book: Kaedon Powell has had enough responsibility to last a lifetime so when the eight-year-old next door asks for help, he’s reluctant to step in—especially when the kid’s granny hates him on sight. The girl’s mother is serving a tour in Germany. As a vet, Kaedon knows what it is to be military so he steps up.

          When things start going south at home, neurosurgical nurse Holly Miller has no choice but to rely on the stranger next door—until a single phone call turns worry into yearning that’s destined to become more.

 Our Review: This is a story of every working parent’s worst fears. Compound that with said parent being stationed on the other side of the world and that fear turns into a nightmare. Getting home to deal with her precocious child and her mother’s rapidly deteriorating health becomes one more trial this dedicated mother/nurse/daughter does not need—but she handles it with grace, and guile, and the help of a few valued friends—and comes home to meet the Marine next door who kept her family safe and functioning until she takes over. Sparks fly, erupt, explode in a most satisfying way, fulfilling the wants of every romance fanatic.

          That said, the real star of this show is 8-year-old Paige. We can guarantee this: when you’re close to weeping for all this little one is coping with, you are laughing out loud for her smart mouth and huge heart. This the kid we want for our own.  

 On a scale of 1-5, Saved by Her Marine deserves an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

The Unexpected Gifts by Lynn Spangler

  A story of slow, agonizing return to life and love…

 About The Book: Cyndra Hart hardly ever leaves her home. After a stint with the US Army which involved a child suicide bomber, she has spiraled into a PTSD-induced isolation. Brady Jacobs, the local package delivery guy, sparks feelings Cyd has rarely felt and has no clue how to handle.

But after a life-threatening incident, she must reach deep down to find the strength to fight for Brady—and a life that up to now she’s only imagined.

 Our Review: in this heartbreaking and heart stopping story, author Spangler clearly shows the terror and trauma induced by incidents beyond our control. Evidence of Cyndra’s daily struggle to complete the basic activities of daily living is astonishing. Slowly showing her agonizing journey, this is a story of hope and healing. Do not miss this one.

 On a scale of 1-5, The Unexpected Gifts deserves a 6.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews