Carries Book Reviews

Dying for Christmas by Tammy Cohen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While out Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve Jessica Gould meets an intriguing man, Dominic Lacey, and ends up agreeing to go home with him for a drink. As soon as Jessica is alone with Dominic she immediately regrets her decision and begins to fear for what she has gotten herself into.

Jessica finds herself locked in Dominic’s apartment with no means of escape as she slowly comes to realize that he has no plans of letting her go. Over the course of the next twelve days Jessica learns just what a sick and twisted game Dominic has planned. But Jessica has plans of her own that just may help her make it out alive.

What can I say about Dying for Christmas? This was one sick and twisted psychological thriller from start to finish that I just didn’t want to put down. The book will surprise readers and keep them on their toes throughout because as soon as you think you know what is going to happen in this one it never fails to surprise.

Without giving away any spoilers I hope I will say there are two parts to this story. Just as one ends it’s like beginning a whole new book with a different plot and grabs your attention right back into the read with even more twists to keep the pages turning.

Overall, dark and disturbing situations with a twisted plot but one heck of a ride from start to finish.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

The Forgotten Fairytales by Angela Parkhurst
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Norah Hart grew up with only her half sister and father as family and never knew her mother who had not been a part of her life. Now at seventeen she doesn’t understand why her father insists keeping a promise to her mother made years ago when Norah was a baby to send Norah to boarding school that her own mother had attended when her mother had never been in their lives.

As soon as Norah arrives at the school though she quickly finds that things aren’t what they seem and this isn’t your ordinary school. Quickly she’s separated from her sister and put into classes that don’t make any sense and finds that everyone here thinks they are part of a fairy tales. Thinking they have all lost their minds Norah starts planning her escape but then finds herself caught up in the fairy tale world and happily ever afters.

The Forgotten Fairytales was somewhat of a slow starter for me. Not that the story was necessarily bad in the beginning but it seemed to be focused on more of teen drama type of tale to start only with the odd setting of a fairy tale school. But once the story was more explained later on the real action began and I really ended up liking this one.

The book somewhat reminds me of a teen version of Once Upon a Time where everyone has their real life persona but are actually a character out of a fairy tale. Obviously this leads to certain personalities supposedly being a certain way but the story does a great job of giving everything a few good twists and turns to keep a reader on their toes with what to expect.

Overall, 3.5 stars for this first book in the Forgotten Fairytales series, a bit of a slow starter as far as giving more information about the why of the story and getting into the action but still a good read.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher.

With Ties that Bind: A Broken Bonds Novel, Book Two
Trisha Wolfe
Publication date: October 11th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance, Thriller

A new threat has descended upon Arlington, and lead medial examiner Avery Johnson is in its sights, being targeted by the city’s latest serial killing menace known to the public as the Alpha Killer.

Whether urban legend or reality, the Alpha feeds into the media craze, orchestrating a killing spree to stamp out all rivals. And when Avery’s tangled web of deception pulls her further into to Alpha’s sadistic game, there’s only one thing she fears more: losing Quinn. With just as many secrets to guard as the elusive crime lord, Avery’s time is running out to reveal the truth to Quinn, the stubborn, by-the-book detective bent on protecting her at all costs.

As a lead takes the ACPD task force deep into the bowels of a corrupt law firm, the discovery of a vast criminal network with far-reaching connections threatens to unmask many players. How deep does the corruption go? How far does the Alpha’s reach extend? While the team races to catch a killer, Detective Quinn is faced with an impossible choice. Will he betray the woman he’s fallen for, or seek his own vengeance outside of the law?

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Author Bio:

From an early age, Trisha Wolfe dreamed up fantasy worlds and characters and was accused of talking to herself. Today, she lives in South Carolina with her family and writes full time, using her fantasy worlds as an excuse to continue talking to herself.

For more information on Trisha Wolfe and her works, please visit: http://www.TrishaWolfe.com

To be the first to hear about new releases and sale events, sign up for Trisha Wolfe’s Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1rXTKI7

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Dark Water by Robert Bryndza
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Detective Erika Foster has no longer been working homicide and is now in the drug division. When a tip comes in that narcotics have been hidden at a local quarry Erika orders a search but not only do they find drugs but buried in the quarry is a skeleton of a young child.

The remains are identified as belonging to seven year old Jessica Collins who had been reported missing twenty six years earlier. Erika calls in a favor and gets herself assigned to the case vowing to find whoever put young Jessica into her grave and get answers for a family that has grieved for their loss for far too long.

Dark Water is the third book featuring DCI Erika Foster written by Robert Bryndza and just like the first two books in the series this one does not disappoint in the least. I was a tad worried after learning our gritty heroine Erika would be transferring but this story brings her right back to where she belongs with the same cast of characters still surrounding her as she solves yet another case.

As with the first two books in the series the twists and turns pile up as Erika tackles finding her killer. There’s never a dull moment in following along as the story develops and plenty of suspects and situations to keep you on your toes trying to solve the case right along with Erika.

Overall, definitely another winner from Robert Bryndza, I’d recommend this series to any fan of a good police procedural.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Nine Candles of Deepest Black by Matthew S. Cox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paige Thomas and her family have moved to the quiet town of Shadesboro, PA for a fresh start and to heal after the loss of Paige’s older sister in a tragic accident. Paige blames herself in a way for the accident because she knew that it was coming and couldn’t get anyone to listen to her that night. Paige has visions and premonitions but of course everyone chalks it up to her imagination.

When Paige starts school in the new town she meets a group of girls who are more the local outcasts but Paige feels somewhat drawn to them. The new group has been messing around with practicing magic and when Paige touches a Ouija board and triggers a paranormal event they convince her that she is the fifth needed for their circle to begin real magic but of course things do not always turn out as one would like where magic is concerned.

Nine Candles of Deepest Black is a young adult horror read that while I could see touches of different stories or movies this book took on a life of it’s own and brought an action packed ride from start to finish. There’s ghosts, demons, witchcraft and all sorts of things involved in the story to make a great tale when finished.

Perfect for this particular time of year this book keeps you on your seat with not knowing what could come next. Of course messing around with witchcraft is probably obvious that things may go wrong but the girls start off with what seems to be good intentions to only find that they needed to be careful what they wish for as there is more than one way to obtain your end goal.

Overall, from creepy crawlies to ghosts and demons this was one action packed horror read.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.