Carries Book Reviews

Hickville Redemption
Mary Karlik
Publication date: July 17th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

A 30 year old mystery…

A 15 year old sleuth.

Freshman Mackenzie Quinn wants nothing to do with the mysterious death of Cassidy Jones. But when her crush, Braden McGuire, declares he’s determined to uncover the truth, she is drawn into the cold case. The problem is her dad is the number one suspect. Things look pretty hopeless until her best friend, Travis Barns, loans her the secret diary of Cassidy Jones. His only stipulation is that she not share it with anybody else. But when her jealous boyfriend finds and exposes the diary, secrets come to life that could ruin MacKenzie’s whole family.

Can she find a way to clear her father’s name and atone for her own mistakes before it’s too late?

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Author Bio:

Following a career as a nursing instructor, award-winning author, Mary Karlik earned an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania. A native Texan, Mary loves horses, dogs, cats, country music, and small town diners. Although life has taken her elsewhere, her heart remains in the Lone Star state.

Mary served as the VP of programs for the Young Adult Romance Authors of America (YARWA) from 2015 – 2016. She currently serves as the President of the YARWA.

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Breaking Bad: 14 Tales of Lawless Love
Publication date: July 11th 2017
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Nice guys finish first, said no one ever. But we guarantee you’ll finish this collection filled with dark and dangerous alphas who obey no one, play by their own rules, and least of all allow anything to come between them and what they desire most. You’ll never look at thieves, hit men, bounty hunters or ex-cons the same way again. Break bad and our sexy-as-sin bad boys will steal your heart.

NOTE: These bad boys and girls may break hearts, but you’re guaranteed a happily ever after in every tale! No cliffhangers!

His to Possess by Theodora Taylor

What ruthless mafia prince Luca Ferraro wants, Luca Ferraro gets. And he won’t stop until he possess the daughter of his family’s biggest enemy. In. Every. Single. Way.

Star-Crossed by Koko Brown

Some people are born bad…again and again, and again

His Favorite by Eve Vaughn

With one taste, an addiction is born.

Notorious by Caitlin Daire

He says he’s not guilty, but he might be the death of me anyway…

Sleeping With The Enemy by LaQuette

When sleeping with the enemy, hate becomes their addiction, and love… a complicated distraction they can’t afford.

Indebted by Sharon C. Cooper

Even when he does good, he’s bad.

Bad Things, Good Killers by S.W.Frank

He thought he buried the past; but one woman won’t rest until he’s paid the debt for his sins.

Dangerously Theirs by A.M. Griffin

She thinks she can outsmart the law, but can she outrun the bounty hunters who want to claim more than the reward for her capture?

Hideout by Billy London

Rae can hide from everyone out for her blood but she can’t escape what she’s done.

Drive Her by Bridget Midway

There’s no honor among thieves and con artists, and no rest for the wicked, but can there be love?

His for the Taking by Nia K. Foxx

When the lines are blurred it’s hard to distinguish between the good, bad and predators.

Debt Collector’s Due by Shyla Colt

He’ll collect what he’s owed at any cost.

One Hit by Victoria H. Smith

He’s her new neighbor and she’s curious. She’s his new neighbor and well… he wants a taste.

Rectified by Xyla Turner

His lifestyle wasn’t fit for a queen and only one dead man stood between them.

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—

SNEAK PEEK:

STAR CROSSED by Koko Brown

“Don’t you have any decency?” he asked, lifting his gaze.

“I’m a pirate. Decency and modesty are distant memories. If they’d been instilled in me at all,” she scoffed. “Hard to find morality in a brothel.”

His gaze narrowed. “A brothel?”

“My mother was a gaggle of whores. I was one as well until I pledged my loyalty to Madame Shih.” She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers at him. “So you can rest assured you have nothing I have not seen before.”

He mulishly stood looking down at her, unyielding. Thinking she’d failed to sooth his ruffled feathers, she was mildly surprised when he unbuttoned his breeches. He slid the material down his legs, bending at the waist, giving her an enticing view of his back, the fluid cording of muscle evident even in the slanting shadows of the cabin. Lèsè bit the inside of her cheek. His large, powerful body was beautiful.

With irrepressible, flame-hot desire seeping into her veins, she second guessed her decision to shoot two hawks with one arrow. First and upmost, she wanted to gain his knowledge of foreign shipping routes, putting her one step closer to freedom.

As an added boon, his company would be a much needed distraction from the monotony of sea life, the loneliness of an empty bed. She didn’t need it to turn into a foolhardy venture which would be seen as treason. And she would not, she mused,

shoving back her shoulders. After all she wasn’t some naïve virgin unaccustomed to a man’s company.

Body throbbing with awareness, she accepted his clothing. But not before she took a prolonged peek at the abnormally thick flesh between his legs. She lifted her gaze and caught him looking at her. She tried to diffuse the loss of oxygen in the room with an upward curl of her lips.

“Absolutely no sense of decorum,” he muttered, tan cheeks turning pink with embarrassment.

“No harm in looking,” she countered, pivoting on her bare feet. Chuckling, she padded across the room, his garments tucked under her arm. She opened the door then chucked them into the hall. As ordered, two buckets of hot water had been placed by the door.

Hoisting one of the steaming buckets into the air and then setting it on her head. Arms out stretched, crouching low, she pretended to walk a tight rope.

“I return bearing gifts,” she announced, a hint of playfulness coloring her tone.

Not exactly unbending, a shadow of a mile touched his lips.

Happy looked good on him. Delicious in fact. So delicious, she hungered for more of them.

With a dramatic flourish, she set the bowl in the washstand then went to retrieve the one she’d left in the hall. This one she set on the floor.

“This is nothing like the glorious soaking baths of Zhangzhou. Still, this should do the trick,” she reasoned, fingering her copper washing basin leaning against the wall. Resembling a sundial with a depth of exactly eight finger, the shallow pan scratched her yen for a bath.

“I may be a pirate but I like my luxuries,” she confessed. “I have clean linen rags, a couple of sponges from a trade with a fisherman and even a bar of soap from your fair England. I particularly like the lavender.” Unable to resist, she picked up one of the sleeves and sniffed. Feeling like she was talking to the wind, she glanced up.

He edged closer, practically towering over her. His eyes stole over the large basin like a man starving, and the pan had become a slow-roasted dungpo pork.

“Water’s warm?”

Seeing the fish on the hook, she nodded. “Not long from the coals.”

He didn’t say anything for the longest, but she imagined she could hear his smile.

“Wash rag and soap,” he finally requested.

With a smile, she handed him both. At the last minute he pulled his hand back.

“The catch?”

Lèsè opened her mouth to dissuade him of the notion but thought better of it. “I only require one thing—that I be allowed to watch.”

His gaze dropped to the washbasin and lingered. Again, a pregnant pause fell between them like a brick wall. “You may watch but not touch.”

“You’re no fun,” she pouted prettily yet not feeling the least bit put out. After all, he’d granted her a boon. Gloating, she spun about. Considering the bed held the most advantageous views, she ambled over to the day bed. With exaggerated purpose, she tucked her hands behind her head and crossed her feet at the ankles.

“Comfortable?” he groused.

“Quite,” she purred, digging her shoulder blades into the silk bedcovering.

“And the view is to your liking?”

“Far better than the bed,” she readily confessed. “As you Englishmen would say, “You cut a fine figure, Mr. Flynn. Very fine indeed.”

“Indecent—”

“Worse than a sailor on shore leave,” she smugly asserted.

“—immoral—”

“Never claimed to be a monk,” she countered with pride.

“—shameless—”

“My mother was a prostitute. The bar was set very low.”

“—corrupt—”

“I’ve seen too many pure souls starve and it’s not a pretty sight.”

“—licentious—”

Lèsè frowned. “I am not familiar with the word.”

“Lustful.” His eyes burned bright and it wasn’t anger.

“When I’m willing,” she pretended to look pensive as a yielding warmth flowed through. “It’s only with a select few. And you, Mr. Flynn, are definitively select.”

“Oh, joy. I live to be pleasing to my captive.”

His teasing jest restored her humor.

“Better I find you pleasing than distasteful.” She gave him an appreciative glance.

“It should rile me the way you eye me like a leg of succulent mutton,” he drawled. “And your openness is quite off putting…”

“But,” she coaxed. Interest piqued, Lèsè flipped onto her side.

He was obviously playing a game with her because he grinned as he changed the subject.

“You say the water is warm?”

“Right now, I wish it to be scalding,” she groused.

She lived for a good game of cat and mouse but only when she was the predator. Being the prey—particularly his prey—proved to be a discomforting, slippery slope especially when it played havoc with her insides.

Even when doing something as innocuous as simply filling the water basin with water, pleasure began to spread through her body. Or when he soaped his sponge, his thick strong fingers dripping with suds, her breath caught. And there was nothing she could do to stop it. She’d seen scores of men in various stages of undress. None of them—even lovers of her own choosing–made her body react like Christian Flynn.

Made by the gods. That’s what came to mind as she watched him begin his bath. Perfectly made, he’d been favored at birth. Every inch of him carved so beautifully, and so sinfully male she wanted to weep.

Her gaze devoured the lazy path of his hands. All that bare, beautiful alabaster skin and muscle covered in sudsy foam. Mouthwatering, she could taste every single bubble.

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Simple Man
Ashley Hampton
(Southern Rock Lyrics Series #4)
Publication date: July 19th 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Will Jenkins had an ideal life as a teenager until his parents were killed in a car accident. His two best friends, Nate and Finley, became his family. A few years later, Hannah breezed her way into town and became the sister Will never had but always wanted. Through Hannah, Will found Stacy, a woman he could not avoid as she was unlike all the others. Stacy was full of mystery and hiding something secretive behind her gorgeous smile. It was only a matter of time before Stacy gave in to Will’s advances, despite their close friendship. Will their budding relationship have a chance to grow? Or will Stacy’s secret past ruin everything?

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Author Bio:

Ashley Hampton works as a Licensed Psychologist in private practice during the day. When she leaves work, she puts on her writer and photographer hats and enjoys living in the worlds created in her mind. She lives near her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama with her cat, Gemma. Ashley wanted to find a creative way to meld her love for music and psychology with writing, and the Southern Rock Lyrics series was born. With other series planned, Ashley wants to write in the romance, erotica, and psychological thriller genres.

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His Turn
J.A. Huss
(Turning #3)
Publication date: July 4th 2017
Genres: Erotica, Romance, Suspense

I look her body up and down as I circle her.

Mine?

I smile a devious, deviant, I’m gonna make you sorry you ever started playing this game with me smile.

And then I take her hand.

I lead her to the elevator.

We go up to my apartment.

I tie her wrists together with rope.

Raise her arms above her head.

And chain her to the ceiling.

It’s my turn.

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Taking Turns is now on AUDIO!

—

EXCERPT:

I spend the whole day stewing about Nadia and her covert attempt to take back control. I have gone through every emotion. Anger came first. Bitch. Why is she even playing if it’s just gonna be a mind fuck?

But then I got to thinking about that. The mind fuck part. Because I’m kind of an excellent mind-fucker. I mean, shit. I went to school to be a psychiatrist. I got pretty far into it before I dropped out. I have a medical degree. I run a sex club. I’ve been playing this goddamned game for more than a decade. And even though I’ve been on a losing streak for a while now, I’m damn good. I’m due for a win. I will win this.

The key to a proper mind fuck is the element of surprise. The target thinks they’re ready for the unexpected, until they’re not.

Nadia was probably pretty pleased with herself last night. She probably ended that call with a huge smile on her face. One hundred percent satisfied.

And she’s expecting retaliation. She had to know I’d tell Jordan about it. She had to know I’d find out she never called him. She had to know I’d be pissed off today.

When I realized that… well, that’s when I calmed down and started piecing together a psychological profile on her.

Nadia Wolfe. Twenty-something. Beautiful. Talented. Ballerina. Control freak. New in town. Rising star. Player of games.

She’s so stupidly simple to figure out, I almost feel sad that she’s not more of a challenge.

I decide the ballerina aspect is my best first move. They are a different sort of person, so most of what I just described probably stems from her choice of occupation. She likes control because she’s forced herself to be in control of things to get where she is in her art.

Think about it. Ballerinas, right? They get up early to go to class or rehearsal or whatever the fuck it is they do first thing in the morning. They have to control themselves in very specific ways. They have to control their muscles, their emotions, their pain threshold, and the pleasure center in their brains. They have to psych themselves up to fit their bodies into the mold of dancer.

They have to conform in many ways. Deviation from the standard is unacceptable, even though they are expected to excel and stand out.

They must look a certain way, behave a certain way, and submit to the whims of those who control their future.

Success, therefore, is not defined by their own perceptions of themselves, but by the perceptions of others. And those perceptions are directly related to athletic skill, beauty, and youth.

It’s a trifecta of psychological disorders waiting to happen.

I smile.

I’ve got you, Nadia Wolfe. I have your ticket, darling. I know what drives you now.

Author Bio:

JA Huss is the USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems. JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who makes you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending.

You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss), Twitter (@jahuss), and her blog, New Adult Addiction (www.jahuss.com).

If you’re interested in getting your hands on an advanced release copy of her upcoming books, sneak peek teasers, or information on her upcoming personal appearances, you can join her newsletter list (http://eepurl.com/JVhAr) and get those details delivered right to your inbox.

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The Strawberry Hearts Diner by Carolyn Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seventy year old Nettie and forty year old Vicky are co-owners of the Strawberry Hearts Diner in the small town of Pick, Texas. Just when the ladies are wishing that they had more help in the diner Jancy Wilson finds herself in the parking lot with her old beat up car going up into flames. Jancy had just planned on visiting her grandmother’s grave in the small town but with little cash and no way out of town she spies the help wanted sign.

Jancy finds herself waiting tables in the diner and planning on only helping out until she gets the money together to leave, a week or two tops. Vicky’s daughter will be home soon from college so the ladies shouldn’t need her then. But when Emily returns Jancy and Emily become fast friends and Pick, Texas begins to feel a lot like a home to the wandering Jancy.

The Strawberry Hearts Diner was such a lovely little read. The book revolves around the three generations of ladies working at the diner and lots of other quirky characters that make up the lovely small town of Pick, Texas. It didn’t take long to become invested in their stories and lives with the small town charm.

While there’s relationships and romance involved to a degree in the story I’d hesitate to classify the read as just that. It really is family and friends and finding out where one belongs and your own happiness for all of the characters and just a feel good story with that quirky small town charm. Would definitely recommend checking this one.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.