Carries Book Reviews

The Gift by Louise Jensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jenna was in desperate need for a heart transplant when a donor heart finally became available. After Jenna’s transplant she feels that she needs to find out more about her donor and against others advice decides to meet with the family of the donor.

Jenna finds that the heart came from a girl named Callie and the more she finds out about Callie the more questions Jenna finds herself with. Jenna begins to have visions, dreams and feelings that she believes belong to Callie and becomes sure that Callie was actually murdered and Jenna needs to find out just what happened to her.

The Gift was an intense psychological thriller that will leave the reader guessing until the very end. It tackles a new idea in having a transplant victim feel connected to their donor. There are actual cases of people feeling that connection to their donors in real life and is known as cellular memory so it was interesting to follow Jenna as she begins to look into her donor and then in her quest for the truth.

Overall, The Gift was filled with likable characters and a plot with plenty of twists and turns the story certainly kept the pages turning to find out just what would happen. Would definitely recommend this one to the fans of a good psychological thriller.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Acca
Christina Bauer
(Angelbound Origins, #3)
Published by: Monster House Books
Publication date: December 13th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

In just one week, supernatural warrior Myla Lewis must discover enough evidence to send the evil House of Acca to prison… or she’ll end up in jail herself, along with her fiancé, Prince Lincoln. No pressure.

To gather proof, Myla and Lincoln go undercover at an all-girl’s high school on Earth. Lincoln acts as the new gym teacher; Myla becomes the school’s least popular transfer student ever. To stop them from getting the goods, Acca releases Hell on Earth. Literally. Good thing Myla and Lincoln aren’t afraid of a tough fight. This one promises to be the hardest yet. After all, who ever said high school wasn’t hell?

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—

Interview with Myla Lewis and Prince Lincoln:

Good Morning, Purgatory

December 13, 2016

Susan Smiley: Welcome back. We’re very excited here at Good Morning, Purgatory. Today we have with us Myla Lewis, the Great Scala, and her fiancée Prince Lincoln.

Myla: He’s not my fiancée. We’re married.

Lincoln: (Smirks) We talked about this, Myla.

Myla: (Makes innocent face) We talked about what?

Lincoln: This is a book tour for ACCA. Christina Bauer wrote our story and we’re here to help her sell more novels. You’re not supposed to give away anything that happens in the books. It’s counter-productive.

Myla: (Taps chin.) There’s a loophole, but my brain is fudge right now.

Lincoln: There is indeed. You can say whatever you want as long as you start off by saying SPOILER ALERT.

Myla: (Snaps fingers.) That’s right. (Clears throat). Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye! This is a SPOILER ALERT! Now, are we all good? (Glares at Susan, eyes glowing red)

Susan: (Blood drains from face) Sure. We’re, uh, fine.

Myla: Okay, everybody. The book happened in the past and as of today, Lincoln and I have already gotten married. Also, he knocked me up and I’m super grouchy. That’s more fair warning than spoiler alert, though.

Lincoln: (Raises his hand) I’ll vouch for that.

Myla: In fact, someone better bring me some crackers like, now. I have the munchies.

Susan: (Calls to stage left.) Can someone get her crackers?

Myla: And I want a diet coke.

Lincoln: (Clears throat.) We talked about that, too.

Myla: Right. The baby. No diet coke.

(Terrified intern runs up and hands Myla a box of saltines.)

Myla: Thanks, kid. (Opens box, stuffs face, and talks through mouth full of crackers.) What’s up, Susan?

Susan: Well, you’re the Great Scala, the only being who can send souls to Heaven or Hell. Our viewers want to know… what’s it like to wield so much power?

Myla: It’s a pain in the ass, mostly. Except I can park wherever I want. That’s pretty much the big perk.

Susan: And what about you, Lincoln? (Blushes.) I can call you Lincoln, can’t I?

Lincoln: Of course.

Susan: You’re the High Prince of the Thrax, a race of demon fighters from Earth. Most of our viewers have never left Purgatory. We see some recordings of Earth on television reruns, but everyone wants to know… what’s it really like?

Lincoln: (Purses lips.) Filled with demons, mostly. Only humans can’t see them. Trust me, Purgatory is a nicer place to live.

Susan: (Blushes.) Thank you, Lincoln. I must say, you’re a… (Giggles.) Very fit man.

Myla: Back off. That’s my baby daddy.

Lincoln: Ever since Myla became pregnant, her demonic side is a little high-strung.

Myla: True that. I tried to fight a broom the other day. Long story.

Susan: How fascinating. Your mother is the President of Purgatory and your father is first consort as well, isn’t he?.

Myla: Yup. He’s also an archangel.

Susan: What’s that like?

Myla: It’s like any girl living in her parent’s basement while being pregnant. Not too great. Lincoln and I are looking into getting our own place in Purgatory, but it isn’t easy.

Lincoln: We need a rooftop where her father can land safely. He’s a big fan of flying around.

Myla: What a pain. (Tips cracker box upside down, nothing comes out.) Well, I’m all out of crackers, which means I need to get some juice and a back rub. (Chucks box aside and turns to Lincoln.) You up for that?

Lincoln: (Leans in and whispers something in Myla’s ear. Her eyes glow red.)

Myla: (Hops to her feet.) We’re leaving RIGHT now, thank you very much. (Waves to camera.) Buy Christina’s book and write a review for crying out loud. These books won’t sell themselves.

Lincoln: (Takes Myla’s hand,) And keep an eye out for the next installment, THRAX, which is due out in the Fall of 2017.

Susan: Thank you both for visiting us here today. (Turns to camera.) I’m Susan Smiley, and this was Good Morning, Purgatory.

Author Bio:

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English as well as Television, Radio, and Film Production. Her day job is in marketing for companies like Microsoft, Cisco, and Zerto. Back in the go-go 90′s, she founded her own software start-up, Mindful Technologies. Christina believes that, upon close examination of Tolkien’s text, it’s entirely possible that the Balrog was wearing fuzzy bunny slippers.

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This Piece of My Soul
Robyn M. Ryan
Publication date: January 24th 2017
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Sports

They believe love conquers all.

One of pro-hockey’s golden couples, Andrew and Caryn Chadwick live in the limelight reserved for elite professional athletes. On their second anniversary, Andrew receives an unexpected contract offer to join the Tampa Suns. As they look forward to a new adventure, neither foresees an event that challenges their love and threatens their marriage.

Until it doesn’t.

A sudden and senseless accident threatens Andrew’s life and inexplicably drives a wedge between the couple. Shattered by the incident, paralyzed by fear that it could happen again, Caryn finds herself at odds with her husband and unable to provide the support he needs—at the time he is most vulnerable.

As their perfect world crumbles, each makes choices that take Andrew and Caryn further apart. Distrust, fears, and secrets construct walls. This Piece of My Soul follows the joint and separate paths the couple navigate as each hopes to rediscover the love that can conquer all.

**Although This Piece of My Soul is the second book in the Clearing the Ice Series, it can be read as a standalone novel.**

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Sequel to:

—

PRE-ORDER SPECIAL!

Pre-order This Piece of My Soul for only $1.99 – sale price ends Jan 31st!

Get This Piece of My Heart, the first book in the series for just 99¢ (regularly $2.99) through January 31, 2017.

—

EXCERPT:

Andrew Chadwick jerked awake as the phone vibrated on the bedside table. He glanced at the screen as he quickly pressed “ignore.” He slipped from the bed, hoping the noise and movement didn’t wake his wife. His eyes adjusted to the darkness and satisfied that Caryn still slept, he grabbed clothes and headed downstairs. Don Wilson calling in the middle of the night can only bring news I don’t want to hear. Andrew quickly texted a response to his agent, then dressed and splashed cold water on his face. He grabbed a Coke, and quietly opened the door to the courtyard patio. He sat in the Toronto predawn light, staring at the phone a few minutes before he returned the call.

Don apologized before Andrew could speak. “Sorry to call so early. I know you’re headed out today and had to catch you before you two fall off the grid.”

“What can’t wait ten days?” Andrew twisted the bottle cap and took a long drink.

“Tampa sent an offer sheet an hour ago.”

“Hudson signed with Chicago?”

“Late last night.”

Andrew sighed. “How much?” He closed his eyes and his agent relayed the amount and terms. Not what I want to deal with today. “The Blues’ response?”

“Just got off the phone with Jenkins. Andrew, if you sign the sheet, the Blues can’t match the offer without making some quick moves. This totally blows up their salary cap.”

“No indication they’re interested in a deal?”

Don barked a laugh. “Oh, they might sign the deal we discussed last month.”

Andrew’s fingers drummed against the table. “Your take on their lack of interest up to now?”

“The Blues can’t afford you long-term; you’ll be traded before your current contract expires.” Wilson waited a beat. “The Suns are a contender right now, Andrew. They want you to fill a huge hole in the starting line. This may be the offer you can’t refuse.”

“How long do I have?”

“Obviously, the Suns would like your answer as quickly as possible. They’re willing to fly us down so we can discuss this face-to-face, and you and Caryn can look at the area. I can hold them off a while, but probably not ten days.”

Andrew stood and walked across the patio. “No, I don’t want this hanging over our heads that long.”

“If you tell me your trip plans, I will rebook it out of Tampa.”

“Good try, Don, but no, I’ll take care of that.” He laughed a little. “Give me a few hours. I need to discuss this with Caryn and think things through.”

Slipping his iPhone into his pocket, Andrew stepped back inside. Way too early to wake Caryn. His thoughts drifted to the trip they were scheduled to begin

that morning. An anniversary tradition that began with their honeymoon two years earlier. Destination his secret and Caryn packing according to his ambiguous suggestions—casual or formal, warm or cold, passport just in case. Despite her best efforts to pry information from him—even during their most intimate moments—Caryn never knew the destination until they arrived at the airport. Even then, he might insert a plane change mid-route.

Last year, she thought they were going to California’s wine country, but when the plane landed in San Francisco, he took her hand and led her to another gate. He laughed softly as he remembered her expression of delight, mixed with pure panic at the thought of getting on another plane that would take them over the Pacific Ocean to reach the final destination, Fiji. He’d pushed her to her limit…well, beyond her limit. Despite the unforgettable ten days in the lush secluded villa, he carefully planned this year’s trip to minimize her discomfort.

Andrew leaned against the counter and gazed out the kitchen window, the darkness slowly retreating. Tampa’s offer cast a shadow over their plans, not just the anniversary trip but the upcoming move back to St. Louis before training camp. Caryn’s made St. Louis a second home, her client list managing corporate and individual social media accounts expanding monthly. Not to mention that her best friend, Lauren, just landed a marketing job in St. Louis and plans to move from Vancouver in just a few weeks.

He pushed away from the counter and wandered to the living room, closing his eyes and sitting back in the chair. It’s a no-win situation. If I sign the Suns’ offer sheet, the Blues will either decline to match—or worse, trade teammates to keep me.

His ambitions had never included owning one of the highest contracts on a team. But, if he didn’t sign the offer sheet, his agent’s prediction very likely would play out. Come March, he’d find himself playing on a different team, worst-case scenario traded to one of the teams in the midst of rebuilding.

The Suns were a contender now. They’d made it to the Stanley Cup Final last season. They couldn’t re-sign the league’s leading scorer, but extended the offer sheet to the Blues last night. The offer catapulted him into an entirely new level, both in terms of money and the pressure of replacing the team’s leading scorer. Andrew knew he could fill the slot—on the ice at least—but at what cost to Caryn, their friends in St. Louis, the chemistry that existed among his linemates?

He didn’t hear Caryn approach until her hand rested on his shoulder. “You’re up early, Drew. I planned to surprise you with breakfast in bed.” She pressed her lips against the top of his head. “Happy second anniversary.”

Andrew slipped his arm around her waist and drew her onto his lap. “My favorite day of the year,” he whispered before her kiss chased all thoughts of Tampa from his mind.

“Shall we just skip the breakfast part?” Her voice purred in his ear.

He closed his arms around her, his mouth finding hers. He shifted his body until he could stand with her locked in his embrace. He stepped across the room and gently placed her on the sofa, breaking the kiss with a soft curse as his phone vibrated in his pocket. He sat on the edge of the sofa as he pulled the phone from his pocket and glanced at the display. Don. Again. Now what?

“You’ve got something?” He caught Caryn’s questioning look at the impatient tone in his voice as he stood and began to walk across the room.

“Just spoke with Jenkins again. Wanted to see if they are open to revisiting our contract negotiations before you decide anything.”

“And?” He stopped for a moment, anticipating the response.

“He said their offer is on the table.”

“Take it or leave?” Andrew felt Caryn’s hand grasp his shoulder, but he shrugged it off as he continued pacing.

“More or less. You owe it to yourself to talk with the Suns. The Blues best offer is two years only. You could be looking at a long-term deal with Tampa.”

“Yeah. Give me a little more time. I’ll call you back.” He ended the call and tossed the phone across the table before turning toward the door. His mounting frustration threatened an angry release.

“Drew?”

He held up his hand. “A couple minutes, Cary. I need to clear my mind.” Without waiting for her reply, he jerked the door open and stepped outside, closing it firmly behind him.

Author Bio:

By the time she was an eight-year-old tomboy growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Robyn M. Ryan definitely knew what she wanted to do when she grew up—play major league baseball or write. This goal grew throughout elementary and high school, first composing novels featuring favorite TV and music personalities, then venturing into sports writing.

Attending UGA’s journalism school launched her career in public relations, which included an internship with the Atlanta Flames NHL hockey team. At that time Robyn wrote books she and her friends wanted to read. With the encouragement of a writers group on twitter—WritersThatChat—This Piece of My Heart, a hockey romance, and the first book in Robyn’s series Clearing the Ice was published May 2016. The second book in the series, This Piece of My Soul, introduces the Tampa Suns professional hockey team. This Piece of My Soul is set for release January 24, 2017.

Besides writing, Robyn’s passions include following NASCAR and the New York Rangers, reading all the great books in the sports romance genre, and splitting time between homes in Atlanta and Palm Coast, with two brilliant Westies who definitely rule both homes.

As do many writers, Robyn chooses to write using a pseudonym—hers is a combination of her sons’ names, a contribution from her youngest nephew.

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Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner: A sharply funny read featuring suspicion, seduction and shockwaves by Helen Cox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bonnie Brooks is one the run after witnessing a murder in Atlantic City and finding herself the next target of the killer. Not really knowing where to turn with very few friends and estranged from her family Bonnie finds herself in New York at the Starlight Diner, a fifties themed restaurant where her old friend Esther Knight has been working.

Unfortunately when Bonnie arrives at the diner she finds her friend is out of town and with the prospect of spending the night on the streets in the middle of winter Bonnie finds herself taking up an offer from a diner regular, Jimmy Boyle. What Bonnie didn’t expect that night was she would end up needing much more than a place to stay from Jimmy when she finds herself arrested for the murder she witnessed.

Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner is the second book in the Starlight Diner series from Helen Cox. While the story does pick up exactly where it ended in the first book of the series, Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner, the books have changed main characters and it’s not extremely necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this second installment. You do get updates on previous characters and they are involved but the story in this book could be read without knowing the events of the first.

As with the first book in this series I still really enjoyed the setting in this series. The retro diner is full of regulars that have become like family to one another and with Bonnie coming to town she becomes one of them and gains their trust and help with her situation. The plot in this second edition also drew me in immediately and I really enjoyed Bonnie and her story which had the pages turning to find out how it would all work out in the end.

Overall, a great edition to the series and would look forward to reading more books set at the Starlight Diner.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Pocket Full of Tinder
Jill Archer
(Noon Onyx #4)
Publication date: December 15th 2016
Genres: antasy, New Adult, Science Fiction

Noon Onyx is back! In this long-awaited fourth installment, Jill Archer returns readers to the dangerous world of Halja, where demons, angels, and humans coexist in an uneasy state of détente.

Maegester-in-Training Noon Onyx feels like she’s done it all – mastered fiery magic, become an adept fighter, learned the law, killed countless demons, and survived having her heart broken by both love and an arrow, but now she’ll face her greatest challenge yet…

Far to the north lies an outpost famous for its unrest – Rockthorn Gorge. The town’s patron has specifically requested Noon’s help. Her assignment? Help the neophyte demon lord build his fiefdom and keep what’s his. The problem? Lord Aristos – Noon’s new employer – is her erstwhile lover, Ari Carmine, the aforementioned heart breaker. And the number one thing he wants is her.

When Rockthorn Gorge’s viaduct is destroyed by Displodo, an enigmatic bomber, killing a dozen settlers and wounding scores more, Noon sets off early to aid in the search and rescue. Ari is listed among the missing and the suspects are legion. But Noon’s search is just the beginning. Her journey forces Noon to confront not only those she loves, but also enemies hell-bent on destroying them.

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—

EXCERPT:

PROLOGUE

Ari

Last year

Second semester

He’d been traveling for weeks, following the river westward. A great aerial beast with a broken wing trying to follow the curving lines of a bigger, blacker beast on terra firma. Beneath him, the Lethe River twisted and writhed. Every left turn was agonizing. The wing, bent at an unnatural angle, caught wind where it shouldn’t. The drag was enormous. He often felt as if he were drowning, his wings clasping at the edges of a whirlpool whose edges grew taller and steeper as it closed in on him. And then he’d have to push, soaring up into the air again with labored breathing that sounded louder than a blue whale’s blowhole.

As he neared New Babylon he kept a keen eye on the water, searching for boats and sails and men. Men who may not have seen a drakon in decades, perhaps longer. Men who would sound an alarm and alert others to his presence. It was the type of homecoming he wished to avoid.

So he’d flown at night and timed his arrival with the new moon. All below was black and gray. Far off there were tall ships lit by lanterns, but closer (thank Luck closer) was his goal – Bradbury’s docks.

A man without fire or an electric torch would have been blind. But to a drakon, the world seemed drawn with charcoal and smudged with starlight. Another night, with a different wing and the company he sought, he might have thought it beautiful.

He smelled the river and the city, the scents of men and the rich food they liked to eat. Loud, boisterous voices rose from the waterside inns, saloons, and taverns. He clenched his jaw and banked left across the water toward Etincelle, straightening again – or at least trying to – before he got too close. With a last, desperate push up he rose above the Lethe, beating his inefficient wings against the midnight sky, until he found warm air to ride down, circling… waiting… watching for anyone who might still be at the docks. He did not want to be seen in drakon form.

He landed less gracefully than he would have liked, skidding to a halt just before hitting a crate that would have tumbled into the Lethe had he not finally found purchase on the dock with his claws. With a last glance around, he shifted.

Wings collapsed. Snout, jaws, and teeth were reabsorbed. Claws disintegrated, turning to dust. Tail wriggled and twisted, curling inward, like a snake eating itself. Lungs and heart halved. And then halved again. Head pounding, body shaking, Ari fell to his knees, his right palm pressed against the dock, his left arm cradled uselessly against his side.

He was home.

Author Bio:

Jill Archer is the author of the Noon Onyx series, genre-bending fantasy novels about a postgrad magic user and her off-campus adventures. The series includes DARK LIGHT OF DAY, FIERY EDGE OF STEEL, WHITE HEART OF JUSTICE, and the upcoming POCKET FULL OF TINDER.

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