Tender Misdemeanors by Alana Lorens

     Caryn Orlane has law enforcement in her blood; her father was a cop, and his father, too. She's a federal agent in northwest Montana, protecting the old forests and keeping the peace.

     Levi Bradshaw also believes in protecting the forests, but has a very different MO. He's the leader of a group of eco-warriors, determined to save the trees of the Bitterroot by legal—and illegal—means.

     When they meet in the woods at gunpoint, their encounter ignites a spark of interest, despite operating on opposite sides of the law. When their worlds turn on them, they only grow closer. If they don’t work together, can either survive?

Our Review:

     From the first stand-off in the middle of a forest in Montana's Bitterroot Mountains, Alana Lorens' Tender Misdemeanors catches the reader's attention in a vise grip and refuses to let go until the real 'baddies' are exposed. This non-stop thriller featuring eco-terrorists will keep you turning the pages. But then, who can ignore a woman who has reasons for living in an RV with a three-foot iguana—or a hero who names his pets after Shakespeare characters? Well done, Ms. Lorens.

On a scale of 1 to 5, Tender Misdemeanors deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

House of Seven Spirits by Julie Howard

Some secrets  are deadly, and ghost-blogger Jillian Winchester and her photographer boyfriend discover it's true when they set out to investigate an Australian family who disappeared without a trace in the 1880's. 
     An abandoned sheep station rumored to be haunted by the long dead Kinsley family is one challenge. The other is the beautiful but deadly Outback. As Jillian probes deeper into the mystery, one thing becomes clear: she might not make it out of this quest alive. 

Our Review:
Once again, Julie Howard proves her ability to weave a story filled with mystery, suspense and terrific characters—from the intrepid Jillian to the creepy old woman who runs the Outback sheep station. And readers are better for her talents.

Spirits speak to Jillian, looking for resolution. She's not afraid to help them—even if it means putting herself in danger. Do not miss House of Seven Spirits. It's a winner.

     On a scale of 1 to 5, House of Seven Spirits deserves a 6

     Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Heart Storms by N. Christine Samuelson

. . . Three lives collide in a perfect storm of heartbreak and ruin, betrayal and love in N. Christine Samuelson's Heart Storms.

Jade Armstrong, rising star in the hospitality industry, is brought to her knees after her lying, cheating husband dumps her for his rich, pregnant girlfriend who promises to foot the bill for his latest rehab stay. Jade's reaction makes readers stand up and cheer.

Rick Sterling, owner of a restored South Carolinian B&B is deep in grief for his beloved wife when Jade blows into his life, changing his heart and his business forever. Like a breath of fresh air, she brings healing and hope. 

Gabriel Montoro, a true hero, suffered from abuse, neglect and betrayal almost from the day he was born. Yet he rises above it all through hard work, grit, and courage—only to suffer betrayal again, this time on multiple levels. He runs from it all, a pattern he repeats over and over for the rest of his life. This time, he lands in South Carolina as the chef at Rick and Jade's B&B. Sparks fly and healing for all begins. 

Our Review: some will say Heart Storms should be shorter in length. Others might claim the plot line is too maudlin. Still, others might ask why muddy a well-working romance between two people who heal each other from betrayal, death, or emotional trauma when adding a third love interest only courts disaster?

Heart Storms may not work for every reader. For those who ascribe to the old saw: Living Well is the Best Revenge, we say, right on! Then we say: Enjoy!

On a scale of 1—5, Heart Storms deserves a 4.5

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

For The Love of You

     What do you get when you mix a hot French pro soccer player with a media phobic artist from Southern California, then throw in a fake engagement? An explosion of epic proportions.

     Pay a return visit to Southern California with For The Love of You, book 3 in Claire Marti's Pacific Vista Ranch series. Once again, readers are treated to Ms. Marti's talent in creating gorgeous settings, dynamic characters, and realistic conflicts many adults encounter in today's world. This is a wonderful follow-up to the previous novels in this unique series.

On a scale of 1—5, For The Love of You deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Form Here to Fourteenth Street

     It's 1894 on New York's Lower East Side. Irish cop Tom McGlory and Italian immigrant Vita Caputo fall in love despite their different upbringings. Vita goes from sweatshop laborer to respected bank clerk to reformer, helping elect a mayor to beat the Tammany machine.
     While Tom works undercover to help Ted Roosevelt purge police corruption, Vita's father arranges a marriage between her and a man she despises. As Vita and Tom work together against time and prejudice to clear her brother and father of a murder they didn't commit, they know their love can survive poverty, hatred and corruption.      
    
Our Review:

     Diana Rubino, who has earned a reputation for the highest quality of historical fiction, has surpassed herself with From Here to Fourteenth Street, Book One in The New York Saga.

     Her talents are many: a gift for dialogue of the specific era or area and extensive research to bring realism and accuracy to her writing. It is her gift for description, whether it be setting or characters, that we envy. 

     Makes us want to head out to get the rest of the New York Saga.

On a scale of 1 to 5, From Here to Fourteenth Street deserves a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Macgregor's Mail Order Bride

     In 1874, widow Mavis Miller travels to Sweetwater Kansas in response to a newspaper ad placed by rancher Mac Macgregor who is looking for a bride and housewife to run his home—where he lives with his three younger brothers. Mavis is not alone; best friend and confidante, Emily Johnston, keeps the reluctant and still grieving Mavis on point. And, if things work out for Mavis, Emily might just consider entering into marriage herself.
     There's only one problem: Mavis has immediate concerns about living and bearing children with the terse, taciturn Mac—even though Emily finds him infinitely attractive. Compound this with Mac's brother Jamie who could charm the birds from the trees and Mavis from her housework.
     And thus begins Macgregor's Mail Order Bride, Book 2 of Susan Payne's Sweetwater Series. Delightfully simple and simply delightful, we know those readers who were introduced to author Payne during an earlier visit to the Wild Women Blog with characters from Harrison Ranch, will enjoy watching Mavis and Emily first suffer from their conflicting feelings, then solve their conundrum of which is the “right” man to marry. 
     Just as with Harrison Ranch, this story is flavored, deliciously so, with details of preparing mouth-watering entrees and side dishes with an easy, almost effortless flair. Kudos to Ms. Payne for keeping this unique touch to the story.

On a scale of 1 – 5, Macgregor's Mail Order Bride deserves a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Andrea Downing offers a Blast From the Past

Love: a word which needs to be said often

     1972 - Vietnam, the pill, upheaval, hippies.
     Wyoming rancher Cooper Byrnes, deeply attached to the land and his way of life, surprises everyone when he falls for vagabond hippie Cassie Halliday. Fascinated and baffled, he cannot comprehend his attraction—or say the words she wants to hear.
     Cassie finds Coop intriguingly different. As she keeps house for him and warms his bed at night, she admits to herself she loves him but she misinterprets Coop's inability to express his feelings.
     Parted, each continues to think of the other, but how can either of them reach out to say, "You were 'always on my mind'?"

Our Review:

          For those who “grew up” in the late sixties and early seventies—and have the tee shirts to prove it—it was a coming of age. Andrea Downing's entertaining and at times heart wrenching Always on my Mind, is a vivid reminder of just how the old days weren't always so good. 

          The difficulty single women encountered when trying to access quality health care, particularly when it came to choice in reproductive rights and single parenting; racial inequality and gay rights; war protests were only a few issues faced by those who now call themselves baby boomers. Thankfully, Downing doesn't let us forget the good, the bad and the ugly. 

          Thought provoking on a number of levels, Always on my Mind is heart breaking at times, sometimes anger producing, and offers an opportunity to sit back and think. Do not miss it. 
          On a scale of 1 to 5, Always on my MInd deserves a 6. 

     

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews