Carries Book Reviews

Confessions of an Undercover Girlfriend
Kay Marie
(Confessions #2)
Publication date: October 11th 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

From bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis, writing as Kay Marie, comes the second book in the Confessions series, a romantic comedy being hailed as “the new Bridget Jones!” (Broc’s Bookcase).

So, I’m no longer a virgin sex columnist—thank you, Ollie—but if I thought that was going to make my life easier, boy was I wrong! John is back in town determined to win my forgiveness. Blythe is more ready than ever to take me down. Bridget is totally onto the new twinkle in my eye. And, well, Ollie is just as distractingly delicious as usual.

So, naturally, I have a few more confessions to make.

Confession #1: I came up with what I thought would be the perfect plan to keep my relationship with Ollie a secret—pretend to get back together with John!

Confession #2: It backfired. A lot.

This is a sweet romance, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot, and Emily Giffin!

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Sequel to:

Author Bio:

Bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis writes young adult fantasy novels under the name Kaitlyn Davis and contemporary romance novels under the name Kay Marie.

Always blessed with an overactive imagination, Kaitlyn has been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to share her work with the world. When she’s not daydreaming, typing stories, or getting lost in fictional worlds, Kaitlyn can be found indulging in some puppy videos, watching a little too much television, or spending time with her family. If you have any questions for her–about her books, about scheduling an event, or just in general–you may contact her at: KaitlynDavisBooks@gmail.com

To stay up-to-date with all of Kaitlyn’s new releases, sign up for her new release newsletter here: TinyLetter.com/KaitlynDavisBooks

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Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Destroy Me is a companion novella to the Shatter Me series by Tehereh Mafi. This book takes place between the first in the series Shatter Me and the second Unravel Me. This novella is told from the perspective of the villain, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

Warner had been shot in Juliette’s escape attempt and this novella picks up with his recovery and the hunt for the escapees. The story gives a more in depth look at Warner’s character and his obsession with Juliette. Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes and Warner knows he can’t allow his father’s plans for Juliette.

Destroy Me was a great look into Warner as a character in the series and brought more depth to the story that began in the first book. I always enjoy when a companion novella gives another side that we miss in the main story and feel it brings me further into the books and what is going on. I’d definitely recommend picking up these companion reads if reading the rest of the series.

Virtues
Megan Mitcham
(Base Branch, #8)
Publication date: September 6th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Once they’re gone, can you ever get them back?

As a CIA spy turned traitor to her country, Cara Lee kissed her virtues goodbye long ago. After seventeen years, her retribution ended with the burial of her enemy and a fresh start with her daughter. If only she could forgive herself enough to rebuild their relationship.

Luck—her daughter’s fiancé—wasn’t Cara’s only attempt at atonement. She took Marina Sorensen off a Swedish street corner and schooled her in the art of survival. Too bad the girl sold her and Luck out to the thugs of Brödraskapet.

Her disciplined nature prods Cara to tie the loose end—one way or the other. But the commander of the UN’s special forces has other plans. The last thing she wants is another government job. Given an ultimatum—and a babysitter—she plays along.

Tyler Grace should have been a farmer in east Texas, but the universe had other plans. A tactical expert for the Base Branch, when he finds a problem, he seeks the best way to fix it. Cara presents an obstacle he’s ill prepared to conquer—but he’ll die trying.

Struggling to sort through her past, Cara clings to the one virtue she has left, while Tyler dares to prove she never lost them.

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You can also grab Enemy Mine (book 1) for FREE!

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EXCERPT:

Cara’s POV:

“You’re damn determined to get frisked.” The stranger called Bulldogger by the soldiers standing next to him held his hands loose but ready at his sides.

“And you’re determined to lose a part of your manhood.” Cara glared.

Bulldogger stepped into the line of the lasers dotting her stomach. His angry green gaze left her and found his cohorts. He raised his index finger and whirled it. She looked back long enough to see the two men frown and then give her their backs. “You too,” he barked. Luck and Rin balked. “Now.”

When they turned, Cara faced the cowboy. “What about you?”

“So you can sever my spine? I don’t think so.” His nod was slow, his eyes steady.

He’d demanded more privacy for her than she had reason to expect, and they’d wasted enough time. Cara unbuttoned the snap of her slim fitting tact pants, freed the zipper, and pushed them over her hips. Gravity made quick work, plunging them to her ankles and giving her access to all her weapons. Too bad they didn’t work anymore. The black lace of her bra hadn’t enticed him. She doubted the matching boy shorts could. At forty-five, she’d officially lost her touch.

Ever the gentleman, the stranger didn’t leer, but then again, his gaze didn’t leave her body either. Probably scared of losing a ball. And rightly so.

She unbuckled the double straps from her taut thigh and tossed the sheath and two small knives to the floor. Cara hitched her shirt, unwound that strap from her middle, and tossed it and the single blade down with the others.

“Satisfied?”

“Turn.”

Cara glared a hole through his forehead. He whirled that index finger again, while his neutral visage maintained a clinical interest. Still, it felt too intimate to be standing before only him in an open room full of people and guns. She slapped her long blond ponytail over her shoulder and swiveled on her heels, determined not to make anything of her unusual vulnerability. When her gaze lost his, and the mostly bare ass cheeks leveled on him, the humid air inside the old warehouse condensed on her back once more, threatening to give her away. Her feet shifted to complete the 360 with her pants around her ankles. The sooner, the better.

“Stop,” he ordered.

Damn.

“I charge by the minute,” she growled.

“Huh.” The rumble of his harrumph rattled its way across the shell of her ear from mere inches away. Her ruffled ponytail shot over her shoulder and smacked her collarbone. Heat centered her spine as the back of his hand clamped the dagger strapped to the clasp of her bra, running up the center of her back.

“I charge by the inch.” The rumble of his growl reverberated against her cheek. He dragged the hot metal from its sheath, pulling the damp material away from her skin. Gooseflesh spread across her shoulder blades. The sharp point skimmed along her spine.

A shiver zipped every which way, except the way it should’ve…which was no-damn-where.

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Megan Mitcham was born and raised among the live oaks and shrimp boats of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where her enormous family still calls home. She attended college at the University of Southern Mississippi where she received a bachelor’s degree in curriculum, instruction, and special education. For several years Megan worked as a teacher in Mississippi. She married and moved to South Carolina and worked for an international non-profit organization as an instructor and co-director.

In 2009 Megan fell in love with books. Until then, books had been a source for research or the topic of tests. But one day she read Mercy by Julie Garwood. And Oh Mercy, she was hooked!

Megan lives in Southern Arkansas where she pens sizzling suspense novels. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Goodreads. For news, giveaways, and exclusive offers sign up for her newsletter at http://www.meganmitcham.com!

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What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Kate Weston wakes up hungover and trying to recall details of the party she had attended the night before at a fellow classmates house. She vaguely recalls her childhood friend and crush taking away her keys and seeing that she got home safely and it quite thankful.

Unfortunately, not everyone at the party had someone looking out for them. A photo shows up of online of Stacey passed out over Deacon’s shoulder the next morning and then Stacey is accusing several members of the basketball team of rape. But with so many people there why isn’t anyone stepping up to back up Stacey’s story? The boys claim innocence but Kate is determined to find out the truth.

What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler is a young adult contemporary read based on true events. A young girl is raped at a party but no one wants to speak up against their friends and fellow classmates. It even goes as far as some blaming the victim for how she dressed and how she acted instead of those accused of a crime.

What the author has done extremely well in this story is tell such a horrific event through the eyes of the teenagers involved. The story has the feel of the kids questioning what was right, what was wrong and who is to blame or when should one speak up. They go about their lives as the media circus surrounds them and the law is investigating what had happened.

I did feel this one had a tad bit of a slow start to it though but only took off a half star. Later in the story the details at the beginning made a bit more sense but it still started feeling more of a romance read which this is far from with rape being involved.

Overall, 4.5 stars. I would almost suggest that any young woman should be reading this and seeing just what could happen out there so perhaps they can be a bit more vigilant in their lives. Not that rape is ever the victim’s fault no matter the situation but this book shows on a young adult level that the world can be a scary place even when you least expect it.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Juliette has been locked in an asylum for years after an accident when she was younger. During that time the world has changed and Juliette has no clue what the outside world is even like beyond the only walls she’s known.

When they tell Juliette that she is getting a roommate based on her good behavior Juliette can’t help but be suspicious. Why would they put anyone in with her when they know what she can do with just one touch? But when the new roommate turns out to be Adam, a boy that Juliette had a crush on from her past Juliette sees hope for the first time in years but soon finds The Reestablishment has plans for her and want to use her as a weapon.

I was a bit iffy starting off reading Shatter Me. The main character being locked away for so long is a bit manic with the writing style reflecting that and often having not only sentences but sometimes long bits being striked out to show her personality. I got used to this but will have to say that once the story gets going it becomes less often but could have done without it at all at a certain point in the story.

The world in this book did intrigue me though. I would have loved a lot more world building to show what had been going on while Juliette was locked away to make this dystopian society but there was enough in the book to make me curious as to where the rest of the series heads and will probably pick up the next book.

Overall, 3 stars. A decent start to this dystopian series that has me curious but not without a few flaws that didn’t have me absolutely loving it yet.