Love Proof by Luanna Stewart

Love Proof, a contemporary romance, by Luanna Stewart, part of the Deerbourne Inn series out of The Wild Rose Press

          Unemployed photojournalist Raynor Elliot stops at a bakery near the famous Deerbourne Inn. Not only does he get a lead on a job but the bakery’s owner is that awkward kid he knew in high school, only now she has fabulous curves and an irreverent sense of humor. The cozy bakery, with its aroma of sugar, vanilla and spice, has more to offer than tasty cookies.

          Fiona MacLeod has been plagued for years by the need to make amends for telling The Big Lie. When the lie’s victim strolls into her bakery with his icy blue stare and killer charm, she feels like she’s standing too close to a hot oven.

          Between running her bakery and frosting cupcakes for the Mad River Garden Party, she's pretty sure she's falling in love with this infuriating, sexy man. Can Fiona dredge up the courage to confess, face the consequences, and hope for forgiveness?

Our review: The person who never made The Mistake of the Century at age 17 should not read farther. We all did it; made a colossal goof, that is. We all know how poor choices have a nasty habit of haunting us into our adult years until . . . the day came when we had to make amends or suffer for the rest of eternity.

          Luanna Stewart leads us through the vagaries of re-found friendship, then love, between two most deserving people, Fiona and Ray. With the back drop of the charming Deerbourne Inn and the enchanting town of Willow Springs, we have a special, modern day love story. And this one is a beauty.

          On a scale of 1—5, Love Proof earns a 5+

Mystic Maples by Tena Stetler

          Magic abounds at the Deerbourne Inn when earth-fire witch Mercy Rose encounters half fae-half Rom Silvanus Forrest. She has a “hand” with flowers and other plants while he reigns over the land and his magic maple trees. 
          She's recovering from betrayal by a man whom she loved and trusted; he's looking for someone to accept him for what he is.

Our Review: The charming New England village of Willow Springs comes to life through the authors deft descriptions of its various celebrations as well as the infusion of Gypsy lore into the hero's past. Adding to the picture is a special appearance by Bertha, the Inn's resident ghost. Mystic Maples is a terrific addition to the Deerbourne Inn series out of the Wild Rose Press.

Stetler has done it again, making us all wish for a bit of magic in our lives.

On a scale of 1-5, Mystic Maples earns a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Prince's Son by Delsora Lowe

          A first meet, royalty and the nanny romance between a self-exiled prince with a royal chip on his shoulders and the local rancher’s daughter who rails against any man who tries to tell her what to do. When she tries to tell the prince how to raise his son, tempers flare and sparks fly.

Our Review: As in the best of stories, opposites do attract and sparks really do fly. Ms. Lowe learned two of the cardinal rules for writing romance, then put them into action with in The Prince's Son. First: Make the hero and heroine meet within the first five pages and keep them together in the ensuing pages. Second: Make their goals, motivation and conflict realistic, compelling and seemingly unsolvable.

Lowe did it all, brilliantly, making this a fun read with terrific characters.

On a scale of 1-5, The Prince's Son deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Two Heroes on a Mission

A Soldier's Honor, a contemporary romantic suspense by debut author Evelyn Timidaiski, released by The Wild Rose Press on April 4, 2019.

Two strong-willed people, each with their own mission to accomplish no matter the personal consequences, slam head on in the dank, humid jungle of Honduras, while fighting rebel soldiers—and each other—at every turn.

In her debut novel, Evelyn Timidaiski has accomplished something many dream of but few accomplish. She has created a rich setting, complete with the usual “accoutrements” associated with jungle living, layered characters—including the warts—and put them together in a fun story that hits the ground running on page one and lasts at the no surprises ending but one richly deserved on all sides.

Brandon Falcon is a hero by anyone's definition while Dr. Mira Phelps—no faint-hearted pushover—will leave no leaf or exotic plant unturned in order to find the Blue Orchid and its miraculous healing properties. When these two meet on a rescue mission it is a knock-down, drag out brawl from beginning to end. We can't wait for the sequel.

On a scale of 1 to 5, A Soldier's Honor earns a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Love In Season, a romantic anthology by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

Love In Season, a collection of novella length romances written by Pamela S. Thibodeaux and published by Pelican Book Group. Eight romances of varying lengths revolving around love and family, love lost and found, love refurbished.

          From Winter Madness, about a woman who has survived the death of a spouse and child and maintained her faith, to Choices about a country music star and a best-selling novelist and songwriter who pursued their dreams in different ways.

          In Cathy’s Angel, a self-employed computer geek runs into, literally, a single mother and learns up close and personal the challenges of raising four kids all alone. Perhaps the one that rang most true for us on a personal level is The Big Catch—about a woman who steps out of her comfort zone for the simple joy of spending time with the new man in her life.

          Our favorite is A Hero for Jessica: One look at Anthony Paul Seville and Jessica Aucoin knows he is the champion she needs—for more reasons than one. And this guy does not disappoint. In His Sight, about a woman on the run and a man with a gift, ends this anthology in the Christmas season with a gift for any reader.

On a scale of 1-5, Love In Season earns 6 stars

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Featuring Debut Novel: Finding Euphoria

Finding Euphoria, a mainstream thriller by C. Becker, released March 13, 2019 by The Wild Rose Press.

Tormented by events in her past, mother of two and part-time graduate student, Hailey Langley, responds to a panicked call from Parker, her former partner in a highly secretive federal agency. The child she gave up for adoption so many years ago is dying from a drug overdose; Parker needs her help to search out the chemical formula of the drug as well as track down the pushers. The request sets Hailey on a journey which endangers not only her life but her marriage.

Our Review:

Finding Euphoria is an energetic novel, filled with danger and suspense and a varied cast of characters. Hailey is brave, intrepid and driven to right wrongs of the past—none of which were caused by her—but like many crime victims feels she is responsible for choices made at a time in her life when options were few and none of which were pleasant.

For a first release, Ms. Becker should take pride in accomplishing a feat of which many dream, but few see come to fruition. With time and experience, we see great things in her future.

On a scale of 1 to 5, Finding Euphoria earns a 3.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

The Secret of Breathing Deeply

The Secret of Breathing Deeply, a contemporary romance by Lance Hawvermale, released March 4, 2019 by The Wild Rose Press.

          Quick-witted, with a smart mouth, Jessie Alomar arrives in Costa Rica to learn the causes and reasons behind the death of her father, beloved medical missionary, Archie Alomar. Using what her father taught her from an early age: do not let impaired hearing become an impediment, she relies on Rubio Mora, Archie's paramedic assistant, to help in the search as well as interpret for her. Romance ensues just as a battle royal with the medical conglomerate financing the clinic threatens to pull the plug—literally and figuratively—heats up.

          As with Mr. Hawvermale's first TWRP novel, The Echo Holders, this story offers a wealth in setting, wry humor and multi-layered, diverse characters. Even the 'dead guy' Archie is treat to meet—albeit through the eyes of those who loved and respected him. This is a treat of a book. We consider ourselves lucky to have read it.

On a scale of 1 to 5, The Secret of Breathing Deeply earns a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews