Dark Cover, Bk 2 The DARK Files by Susan Vaughan

 

A traitor’s brother, an undercover fiancée—and a terrorist’s deadline…

About the Book:

Nick Markos has inherited the burden and shame of his brother’s dealings with terrorists, who demand he return the millions he skimmed. Hoping to uncover a plotted attack, the Feds install DARK Officer Vanessa Wade undercover as Nick’s glamorous fiancée.

Despite her expertise, Vanessa has grown to dislike undercover work. Under orders to make sure the sexy and tortured tycoon is no traitor, she soon realizes that instead he’s determined to regain his family honor—and his own. She tells herself to stay detached, but this man’s kisses make her emotions spin out of control. As they work together amid gala social events and terror threats, Nick and Vanessa cannot deny their mutual attraction, but her deception makes Vanessa feel as false as the rock on her finger.

Is their relationship only a charade? One that could explode—along with a terrorist bomb?

 

Our Review: Susan Vaughan gives the ‘bad guy’ from the first book in her DARK Files series a brother who is targeted by the brother’s terrorist organization, demanding he return the millions stolen by the brother before his violent death. While not exactly mourning his sibling’s death, Nick is determined to preserve the Markos’ family honor as well redeeming his own. Tossing in a vibrant heroine in the form of Vanessa the Confessor Wade who is supposed to protect him only complicates his primary goal. This small, compact undercover agent might be able to protect his body but. . . who or what will protect his heart?

     Mistakes of the past, for both Vanessa and Nick, keep cropping up, turning this story into an edge of your seat read. Vaughan’s talent for writing action—and making it believable—is enviable.

 

Based on a scale of 1-5, Dark Cover merits a 7.

 

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Dark Mission, Bk 1 The DARK Files by Susan Vaughan

 

Can they hold onto the heartbreak of the past when he’s protecting her from a killer 24/7?

 

About the book:

After museum curator Laura Rossiter witnesses a murder, she runs for her life, finally landing in a Maine resort where she feels safe. Until bad-boy Cole Stratton rides his Harley back into her life…

Now a DARK officer, Cole has a mission—protect Laura, the golden girl he’s never forgotten, and flush out a killer. As the danger increases, so does the tension between the ex-lovers. Cole still believes she’s out of his league… and that she’s hiding secrets she intends never to reveal.

Together 24/7, they can’t deny the passion reigniting between them. But as the painful memories of their past assail them and a killer closes in, they must find a way to trust each other—before their future is extinguished forever.

 

Our Review: From the first, at the ‘reuniting’ of former lovers Laura and Cole, the action pops off the page. . . and keeps on coming. Using subtle understatement, author Vaughan lets the reader know the level of danger these two characters face in terms of basic survival. Plus, a cast of secondary characters flavor this edge-of-the-seat tale, enhancing the romance as well as the suspense. Vaughan has a enviable talent for dialogue—from the Down-East locals to law enforcement at all levels. This is a treat to read as well as enjoy.

 

Based on a scale of 1-5, Dark Mission merits a 6.

 

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Out of Body by Kimberly Baer

 

Astral travel is amazing…if you survive the trip.

 About the Book: Those weird dreams Abby Kendrick has been having? Turns out they aren’t dreams after all. They’re out-of-body experiences, like the ones her cousin Logan is having. At first Abby has fun with her new ability, using it to spy on her neighborhood crush and spook a mean girl. But when Logan gets in trouble on the astral plane, the game changes, and Abby must bend the rules of out-of-body travel as she journeys to a distant realm. Her mission is a perilous one, and success is not guaranteed. Can she save Logan and find her way home again? Or will the cousins be lost forever on the astral plane?

 Our Review:  This is fine example of how an author demonstrates growth and development in their writing; in particular in-depth character development, fluid styling, style, effortless pacing and the infusing a wide gamut of emotions. While we adored The Haunted Purse, Out of Body surpasses it in all dimensions. We congratulate the author and look forward to the sequel of this delightful story.  

 Based on a scale of 1-5, Out of Body merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

Stone of Love by Margaret Izard

 

Against all odds, is true love strong enough to save a human soul?

About the Book:  After leaving her abusive ex, American scholar Brielle DeVolt embarks on a career-changing opportunity: the renovation of a chapel ruin of the clan MacDougall. The attractive, broad-shouldered laird, Colin MacDougall may leave her weak-kneed, but can she trust herself to love again?

When he first meets Brielle, the curvy beauty captivates Colin and he sees her as his dream soul mate. When he learns his hereditary duty is safeguarding magic Fae stones, all he wants is to protect her from the evil forces of the Fae.

Traveling to the past to assume his forefather’s identity and find a missing magic stone is challenging enough but when Brielle appears, Colin must fight an evil Fae to save the realms as well as choose between saving the stone or saving his love.

Our Review: Paying acute attention to the fine details from period clothing to specialty foods, architecture and clan structures, the author then skillfully weaves all those details into an epic tale, infusing it with love: of home, country, family and one man for one woman. Margaret Izard knows how to tell a story!

Based on a scale of 1-5, Stone of Love merits a 5.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Island Detour by Maria Imbalzano

 

Some detours are worth the trouble…

 About the Book:  Falsely accused of wrongdoing at a Princeton Prep school, Sophie Kearns accepts a temporary teaching position at an environmental school in the Florida Keys to wait out her suspension. The time away is meant to be an anxiety-free escape, but her clashes with the hot but arrogant marine biology teacher, Max Heaton, are anything but tranquil.

     Max is determined to start an environmental research institute at the school, but he suspects the gorgeous new Lit teacher, who lacks even the most basic outdoor skills, is there to hinder that dream. Yet, something about her tames the demons from his past, and he can no longer ignore the fire she’s lit inside him.

 Our Review:  Known for her ability to write snappy, evocative dialogue as well as descriptions of settings that literally jump off the page, author Imbalzano does not disappoint with Island Detour. The classic trope of opposites attract starts singing the moment Sophie and Max first meet, then the heat just keeps on coming. Plus, the underlying subplot of professional subterfuge keeps the reader turning the pages. Well done!

 Based on a scale of 1-5. Island Detour merits a 7.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

Dead Girl by Kerrie Faye

 

Her coffin will have to wait.

 About the Book: Dying has its perks...mostly. Bullied teen Ember O'Neill goes from the weird girl to the tyrant of her school when she is resurrected from a deadly prank. Now secretly supernatural, she dethrones the school drama queen and snags the hot new guy, but her reign is at risk when the Order, a heretical sect, sends an assassin to eliminate her. Ember must expose her powers, potentially losing all she has gained, in order to save herself and her friends as her killer closes in.

 Our Review: All of us have known the Mean Girls [and guys] in our world. Whether they infested high school, college/grad school, or the business worlds, they possessed that one quality that made us feel like nothing, less than. This why Dead Girl and its characters is relatable on a variety of levels—and makes you want to stand up and cheer. So get ready for the ride of your life as you watch Ember and her two best friends form a bond that leads them on an adventure worthy of All American heroes. For a first novel, author Faye has done a terrific job, and we wait for the next in her Dead Girl adventures. 

Based on a scale of 1-5, Dead Girl merits a 6.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

 

 

 

 

 On this day we got a blast from the past with a reminder of the Candy Hearts series--a set of short romances based on the heart-shaped candies with the short 2-3 word sayings on them.

If short romances with a Valentines theme are your thing, consider taking a look at this fun series. 

FMI: go to www.thewildrosepress.com

click on Our Exclusive Series and look for the logo [above] for the Candy Hearts series.

you won't be sorry!!

The Gardener's Secret by Sheila Hansberger

 

Loyalty to a stranger opens her to more danger than she’d ever imagined.

 About the Book: Believing she’ll get to report gritty news, Callie accepts a job at her hometown newspaper. Instead, she’s assigned the gardening column—a subject she knows nothing about. She begs advice from a tight-lipped neighbor when he admits he’s a retired gardener, even though his mannerisms and speech suggest he’s anything but. Not knowing the full truth doesn’t matter—she needs his help. The townsfolk think him strange and warn Callie to keep her distance, but she regards him and his family as friends. Learning their horrifying secret doesn’t deter her, even though loyalty will draw her into danger.

 Our Review: Debut author Sheila Hansberger displays an enviable talent for creating a subtle sense of danger with the secretive gardener next door. As well, her sense for the setting in a small southern town and all those attendant joys are spot on. This has been a joy to read. Cannot wait for her next adventure.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Gardener’s Secret merits a 6

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews