Nibbles from The Wild Rose Press
The Wild Rose Press

Maggie O’Dell worked with her father and lived under his harsh dominance until she couldn’t take it any more. She finally got the courage to leave, get her own apartment and a new job. One night on her way home, Maggie stops at a convenience store for some milk and runs into trouble. A robber enters with a gun, an undercover police officer yells, but the robber grabs Maggie to use her as a shield. Maggie is terrified. Will she have the courage to act when the time is right? Well written with lots of tension, action, and even a little romance, I didn’t want this short story to end. Catchy title and an excellent read.

Marilyn Heyman - 5/10/08

Kate Wentworth has discovered something so astounding it is nearly unbelievable, but she must make a choice. The man she is married to, Colten, the man she loves as much as her own life, is cursed. He turns into a wolf with each full moon. How can she live with him? How can she live without him? Here is a moving story about love, hard choices and sacrifice. A story all paranormal fans will enjoy as well as anyone who just loves a good romance.

Robin Lee - 5/1/08

FOUND - Jenna Bayley-Burke
ISBN: N/A
May 2007
Contemporary Romance
RRT Rating: 5

A Bedroom - The Present

Eden creeps into her and Michael's bedroom after a night out with the girls, something she has always done, but tonight she seems to feel a guilty about her evening. Then she starts questioning her reasons for going out before she met Michael and why she continues to go. Michael is romantic and trusting. What more could she want?

Within a few pages author Jenna Bayley-Burke builds great characters and a satisfying love story that asks what we need and why we need it.

Robin Lee - 5/20/07

Tina and Billie Jo met at a business conference and became good friends. When Billie Jo comes to visit Tina in Wyoming, Tina sets up a blind date between Billie Jo and her brother, Kyle. Although Billie Jo is dead set against blind dates, she finally agrees to go to an engagement party with Kyle to please her friend. The attraction between Kyle and Billie Jo is instantaneous - she almost melts when she meets the attractive rancher. Billie Jo’s work schedule forces her to leave the following morning. Can a romance develop when they live 2,000 miles apart?

A sweet love story with a lot of romantic tension and telephone calls. A delicious romance between two people who were not looking for love, but love finds them FROM A DISTANCE.

Marilyn Heyman - 4/5/09

Malik’s heart cries out for love, for a soul deep connection, and yet journeying home from another bad date, he fears he’ll never find it. But in a heartbeat, everything can change and despair can become rapture.

IN A HEARTBEAT is too short at only five pages to really be considered anything other than a romantic scene, but even with so few pages the author manages to convey Malik’s unhappiness and his search for love.

Terrie Figueroa - 5/20/08

LOVE IN SHADOW - Sonja Foust
ISBN: N/A
March 2007
Fantasy Romance
RRT Rating 5

The Kingdom of Brogdon – Unknown Time

Shadow loves her boss Lon James. She drives one of his wagons and makes sure the thieving fairies don’t attack the caravan. Guilt assails Shadow as she was there when her friend and Lon’s wife were murdered by the fairies. As a fairy, she carries the burden of knowing she can never atone for what her people have done, so what chance is there that her love will lead to anything meaningful?

With well-defined characters and setting, this short read encompasses the feeling of a much longer story and makes an excellent fantasy romance.

Robin Lee - 5/20/07

2160 - Paris, France

Zarafina of Sherbrook (Zara), is, indeed, the most conceited, arrogant, self-absorbed vampire ever. But, she has reason to be. And, you can't help but like her. Zara is not only a bloodsucker extraordinaire; she is also a brainsucker. Sounds gross, but she really has no idea where she developed the talent to literally suck the thoughts and knowledge out of her victims while she's simultaneously sucking their blood and having sex with them. The result of the sex and the blood sucking is obvious, but the brain pilfering can leave her victims zombie like. As a result, Zara is probably the most powerful vamp around, because her talents far exceed those of a run-of-the-mill bloodsucker. Not to mention that she's gorgeous, brilliant, a self-made billionaire, etc., etc.

In this short, journal like entry, Zara recounts the story of her little escapade that occurred in 2004 in Boulder, Colorado, when she met Niven St. Clair, a human musician who entranced her the minute she spotted him with her violet-hued eyes. Niven, unlike other humans, seems unafraid of Zara, although not immune to her beauty and the lust she radiates. As it happens, Niven is unlike other humans, and when she hears of his dreams, she learns that he is connected to her past, and to Zeran, the one who turned her many centuries earlier.

THE DIARY OF A NARCISSISTIC BLOODSUCKER is funny, witty and clever, clever, clever. Written in first person, Zara glorifies herself so grandiosely that you can't help but laugh and like her at the same time. The story itself is smart and fast paced; the sex scene is as funny as the rest of the story, which keeps the mood of the story light and believable. The twist at the end is also perfect; any other ending would have been corny and misplaced, considering Zara's character. The story leaves you wishing it were a full-length novel, which the author cleverly does not mention...but does not discount either. Perhaps "The Further Writings of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker" is in the works. One can only hope.

Astrid Kinn - 3/1/07