Carries Book Reviews

Gate of Air
Resa Nelson
(Dragon Gods, #1)
Publication date: July 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Frayka must find and convince the dragon gods of the Far East to appease the gods of her Northland heritage. If she fails, her own Northlander gods will destroy all the mortals who once promised to worship them.

The Far East is a mysterious place of legend to Northlanders like Frayka. Only an old map can show her how to get there. Once she arrives, all of Frayka’s sensibilities put her in danger. And every dangerous turn delays her from finding the dragon gods whose help she so desperately needs.

Although Frayka looks like a Far Easterner, she is a powerful Northlander warrior who is quick to voice her thoughts. She is trained to fight and won’t hesitate to do so.

But everything about Frayka puts her in deadly peril in the Far East, where the laws are strict and the punishment cruel.

Especially when the one being punished is a woman.

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Author Bio:

Resa Nelson is the author of the 4-book Dragonslayer series: The Dragonslayer’s Sword (nominated for the Nebula Award, finalist for the EPPIE Award), The Iron Maiden , The Stone of Darkness , and The Dragon’s Egg . Her 4-book Dragonfly series takes place after the Dragonslayer series.

Her standalone novels include the mystery/thrillers All Of Us Were Sophie and Our Lady of the Absolute .

Resa has been selling short stories professionally since 1988. She is a longtime member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America), and she is a

graduate of the Clarion SF Workshop. Resa was the TV/Movie Columnist for Realms of Fantasy magazine for 13 years as well as a regular contributor to SCI FI magazine. She has sold over 200 articles to magazines in the United States and the United Kingdom.

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Path of Thieves
Sunniva Dee
Publication date: June 27th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Football hero by day and thief by night, Charles “Cugs” McConnely leads a double life in the small town of Newbark, Florida. At sundown, the seventeen-year-old turns burglar, forced into the business by the man who should be teaching him the difference between right and wrong: his father.

Cugs is a pro at both games, but only one can secure him a college scholarship. It should be an easy decision, a no-brainer—if Newbark hadn’t proffered the only life he knows.

After run-ins with Nadine Paganelli, his accidental victim and the sole person to have caught him in the act, Cugs starts to realize that hearts can be stolen too.

When his long-lost sister makes contact, lies are uncovered and truths revealed. Suddenly, Cugs finds himself questioning both plans and loyalties. Because sometimes the only way to move forward is by pulling the bottom out of the past.

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EXCERPT:

“Seriously, man. Freddie’s parents are gone the entire weekend, and we’re partying it up. You’ve got to come.” Bear rocks in the passenger seat, trying to get comfortable. We both know the wreck and he are an uneven match.

“I’ll try.”

“Right, your father.” He huffs a frustrated breath. “Never, I swear. Like, ever. I’ve seen you drink freaking twice.”

Florida rain hammers on the roof of the car and hauls ass over my windshield. We’re outside Grocery-Pete’s, waiting for the floodgates to shut so we can get inside.

“Hey, I drink sometimes. With my father.” Dad celebrates good heists with a drink or five. If it’s hard liquor, he’ll loosen tight lips and talk about Mom.

“Come on, Cugs.” Bear tries to arch his back for a better position, but his head hits the ceiling. “Tell me you see how lame that is. ‘I can’t party with y’all, ’cause Imma drink with my daddy.’”

I snort out a laugh. “Whatever, fool.”

My eyes are drawn to Grocery-Pete’s gutter. It’s overflowing. The water takes the fast route over the edge, omitting the drain. I’ve stood under gutters like that, or more like penguin-danced under them in Rigita. Paislee dressed me in thick sweaters and rubber boots and topped it off with full raingear. Then we snuck out the backdoor and ran down the street before we got caught.

“Fascinated, much?” Bear grins.

Author Bio:

Between studies, teaching, and advising, Sunniva has spent her entire adult life in a college environment. Most of her novels are new adult romance geared toward smart, passionate readers with a love for eclectic language and engaging their brain as well as their heart while reading.

Born in the Land of the Midnight Sun, the author spent her early twenties making the world her playground. Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, Greece–Argentina: Buenos Aires, in particular. The United States finally kept her interest, and after half a decade in Los Angeles, she now lounges in the beautiful city of Savannah.

Sometimes, Sunniva writes with a paranormal twist (Shattering Halos, Stargazer, and Cat Love). At other times, it’s contemporary (Pandora Wild Child, Leon’s Way, Adrenaline Crush, Walking Heartbreak, and Dodging Trains, coming in late March 2016).

This author is the happiest when her characters let their emotions run off with them, shaping her stories in ways she never foresaw. She loves bad-boys and good-boys run amok, and like in real life, her goal is to keep the reader on her toes until the end of each story.

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The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Detective Sam Porter has been chasing the Four Monkey Killer for years when one morning he gets a phone call to come to the scene of an accident. Porter arrives to find that a man has been hit by a bus that was carrying one of the boxes that 4MK is known for delivering after taking one of his victims.

Now the clock has started ticking for Porter and the other detectives since it seems that 4MK has another victim that he will not be returning to after his accident that may still be alive. Along with the box the killer also had a diary in his pocket which Porter finds himself reading and getting caught up in the mind of a psychopath.

The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker is definitely one of those that I would call a page turning thrill ride ride from the start. Not only did you have the excerpts from the diary of a serial killer but you have a likable set of detectives working the case trying to find out just what had happened after years of chasing this killer.

While I would describe some of this read as deeply disturbing and even quite disgusting in parts isn’t that what one would expect when reading about a serial killer? It’s one of those reads that is very hard to put down as the twists and turns had me hooked from very early on when there was a life on the line that could possibly still be saved from the disturbing mind that had taken her. Definitely would recommend checking this one out!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Almost Jamie
Gina Robinson
Publication date: June 8th 2017
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

A kilt meets dress modern love story.

If you like good guy geek heroes who look hot in kilts, strong, intelligent heroines, and poignant romance, then you’ll love Almost Jamie, the first book in Gina Robinson’s new light, fun contemporary romance Jet City Kilt series.

Half American, half English physician Blair Edwards has always wanted her Jamie, the Sinclair, the dashing Highland laird of the wildly popular TV series, Jamie. Unfortunately, it’s so hard to find a man like him in the modern world. When the stars of Jamie come to Seattle’s Jet City Comicon, Blair dresses up as Jamie’s Elinor in a vibrant red gown, hoping to get a seat in their popular presentation and a good view of the handsome, charming star of the show. She doesn’t expect to be called on to use her medical skills to treat an injured cosplayer who looks almost like…Jamie. And sets her wounded heart racing.

Cosplayer, geek, app designer, and cyber security expert Austin MacDougall has been styled by his matchmaker to look like the actor who plays Jamie. He’s been trying to win the prize for best amateur cosplayer for years. Against the advice of his friends, he goes to Jet City Comicon in a kilt as Jamie, the striking redheaded Highlander. When he’s injured during a mock battle with a vicious cosplaying orc, his friends get him help from a beautiful doctor in a stunning red dress.

Has Austin met his Elinor? The adventure is just beginning…

Find out why readers love Gina Robinson’s good guy heroes, the strong women they fall for, and their funny, witty, romantic stories. Grab your copy of Almost Jamie today!

The Jet City Kilt Series

(These two books must be read in order):

Almost Jamie

Almost Elinor

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EXCERPT:

Austin pulled me past Jet City Comicon’s VIP waiting area to the front of the general admission crowd waiting to see the stars of Jamie. He seemed energized.

Several fan clubs gathered together at the front of the line, wearing buttons and holding banners.

He approached the throng and blew them kisses. “Lovely ladies!” Suddenly, Austin was Jamie, as played by Connor, right down to the convincing, and sexy, Scottish accent.

The cheering crowd felt his charisma and did a collective swoon. I was so close to him, I was nearly bowled over by the switch and power of personality.

“Beautiful lasses, I’m sorry to disappoint you. Especially as you’re so enthusiastic. But I’m no Connor Reid. I’m his long-lost American cousin.” He winked. “Or so we decided when I was tipping back Scotch with him last night.”

The crowd quieted, enthralled.

“That’s right.” He nodded and cocked his head the same way Connor did. “Get a good look at me up close.” He leaned in to one of the women nearest the cords holding the crowd back.

“Well? Austin asked in his best brogue. “Do I do him justice?”

The woman stared at him, scrutinizing him with breath held. “You may not be Connor, but you’re gorgeous and every bit the Jamie I imagined from reading the books.”

Austin took both of her hands in his. “Aye, you’re sweet to say so.” He lifted her right hand to his lips and brushed it with a kiss.

Austin stepped away from her and pulled me forward. “I’d like to introduce you to my Elinor. Even though she’s a Sassenach, isn’t she beautiful?”

“Take a bow,” he whispered to me, grabbing my hand and bowing with me. “This is Blair Edwards.” He gestured to my gown. “Look at this meticulous re-creation of Elinor’s dress she made!”

He spoke to the crowd again, dropping his accent now.

“We’re both cosplayers—we do this for the fun of it. And because we love Jamie!”

Author Bio:

Gina Robinson is the bestselling and award-winning author of the popular Switched at Marriage, Billionaire Duke, and Billionaire Matchmaker romantic comedy series, featuring a billionaire in a surprising marriage of convenience, a billionaire who inherits a British dukedom, and a playboy billionaire in business with a Manhattan matchmaker, the Reckless and Rushed contemporary new adult romance series, and the Agent Ex series of humorous romantic suspense novels. Her books have delighted readers and received praise in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Romantic Times Book Reviews.

She writes romance and women’s fiction across a wide variety of subgenres—new adult, contemporary, historical, romantic suspense and romantic comedy.

Her love stories are infused with a happy blend of romance, adventure, a bit of mystery, and humor. Readers are drawn to the light touch she gives even serious topics and the fast, fun, easy-to-read pace of her books. From college campus to Seattle to Las Vegas to England, her settings become almost characters of their own, driving the story.

She believes in the power of true love and passion, and that every great romance should have a happily-ever-after.

To keep informed of her new releases, sign up for her mailing list at http://www.ginarobinson.com

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Hello Readers! Welcome to the Dual Cover Reveal for

There Once Were Stars AND Here Skies Surround Us

by Melanie McFarlane

presented by Month9Books!

What do you think of the covers?

Peace. Love. Order. Dome. That’s the motto that the Order has given the residents of Dome 1618 to live by. Natalia Greyes is a resident of Dome 1618, a covered city protected from the deadly radiation that has poisoned the world outside for four generations. Nat never questioned the Order, until one day she sees a stranger on the outside of her dome. Now Nat wants answers. What else might her government be hiding from the good and loyal people of Dome 1618?

Nat leaves her home, Dome 1618, just as they begin to colonize on the outside. She travels with Evan to his home, Dome 569, to deliver a replica of the immune serum and allow Evan to report back to his mother, Caroline. But when they arrive, members of the “New Order” take them into custody and Nat and Evan are separated, once again.

Thankfully she is reunited with her uncle, Alec, who takes Nat under his protection. But Nat has a lot to learn about Evan’s home, a progressive dome that colonized on the outside over a decade ago. There are many rules in Dome 569 put in place by Caroline; some that come with sharp and sometimes deadly consequences when broken. Here, Nat learns of the struggles that can come with change, and how

tearing down the old ways doesn’t always make things better overall. In the process, she uncovers truths that could tear down the kingdom Caroline has sacrificed to protect, and in turn puts Nat at risk.

Will Nat be able to protect Evan from the lies, or will he succumb to them for the sake of his family, just as his mother did many years before? As Nat uncovers the secrets of Dome 569, will she be willing to give up her morals and values to pay the price for freedom, or die fighting for what she believes in?

Melanie McFarlane is a passionate writer of other-wordly adventures, a little excitable, and a little quirky. Whether it’s uncovering the corruption of the future, or traveling to other worlds to save the universe, she jumps in with both hands on her keyboard. Though she can be found obsessing over zombies and orcs from time to time, Melanie has focused her powers on her YA debut There Once Were Stars, and her YA urban fantasy Summoner Rising.

She lives with her husband and two daughters in the Land of Living Skies.

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