Carries Book Reviews

The Templars Falter
Holly Blackstone
(The Void Chronicles, #3)
Publication date: July 23rd 2016
Genres: Erotica, Fantasy

Julianna Foss, full fledged Templar, finds herself in an impossible situation.

The High Templar and Julianna’s lover, Tristan, seemed about to commit himself to their relationship when he became entranced with Iris, the lone survivor of the attack on Hayden’s Gate. The thrall he and many of the other Templars are under is unnatural and Julianna is at a loss as to how to break the spell until Prior Basil asks for her help. It seems that Tristan and his lieutenant Tor have taken deathly ill, and the High Templar’s death would practically assure the Void dragon Dryx succeeds in enslaving the land.

She is forced to confront Lucas, the captured necromancer, and ask his assistance in understanding the source of Iris’ power – but it will come at a price, as Lucas grows increasingly possessive and entranced by Julianna, the first female Templar in hundreds of years.

Julianna succeeds in destroying Iris, but in some ways it is a Pyrrhic victory. Iris really is Reena, sister to the head necromancer Vaux, and that means Julianna has a price on her head. Vaux is ruthless and bloodthirsty, and will stop at nothing to avenge the death of his little sister.

So begins a chain of events that leaves Julianna on the outside once more, confused by her attraction to Lucas, who should be her enemy, and her wounded love for the Tristan. She is further alienated by the secrets she carries, and the terrible knowledge that has been revealed to her about VoidCleaver, the godsword she wields. Basil and Tristan are convinced that she is the Deorwyn, a woman prophecy claimed would help rid the world of Dryx, but she chafes under this new expectation

Julianna is stressed beyond endurance – she carries the fate of the world on her shoulders, will it prove to be too much for her?

*Contains explicit depictions of warfare and sex and is intended for adults.

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EXCERPT:

Julianna threads her way through the corridors until she stands in front of a large door. The sentries look at her a moment, then at one another and open the portal for her and once she is inside, they close it.

Lucas is kneeling near the centre of the cage, his hands and arms bound together, his body bare except for the cloth that covers his sex. I am sure he has hidden his clothes somewhere handy for future use, she thinks as she scans the room briefly before resting her gaze on him.

“Ser Foss”, he says coolly, but his eyes betray the lust he is trying to contain.

“Lucas”, she answers and squats down, pushing her scabbard out of the way.

They stare at each other a moment and then he stands, forcing her to stand once more.

“Are we playing a game, Lucas?”

“I know why you are here.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, I believe I do. The High Templar is ill, and you want my help restoring your former lover to his old glory.”

She sighs, and rubs the heel of her hand against her forehead. “I don’t know what the future has in store for any of us, Lucas, but I know he has been afflicted by something horrible, and I believe he will die – and soon – if nothing is done.”

“I have no reason to help him.”

Julianna quickly erects a ward to ensure privacy. “Do you have any reason to help me?”

“To aid you in this defeats my purpose, my desires. You KNOW this, Julianna.” He looks at her hotly.

“Why are you still here? You could have left last night; I’m sure those clothes are secreted away somewhere.”

“My reasons for remaining are my own.”

“Lucas – I just want to know if my thinking is sound; is it so much to ask that you help me with that?”

“You know what you ask of me!”

“What do you want from me, Lucas? Do you think that allowing him to die will endear you to me? I defended you to the Prior and Calix; we all know Iris is behind this but lack proof. I can take care of her but I want to know what she used on Tristan and Tor; what can we do to unmake that sorcery?”

“I will extract payment from you for this. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Lucas.” She doesn’t hesitate, despite the ominous tone to his voice.

“There is only one thing that can cure their illness – a life.”

“What?” Julianna blanches.

“The magic is strong in their bodies – too potent for most people to combat; only perhaps a few might have a chance, myself included. The quickest and swiftest way to

stop the illness from progressing is to end the life of the one who begat it; the sorcery is tied to her power and life force.”

“Iris’ life is forfeit then – so be it.”

“You do not realise what you will unleash once you kill her; it will pave the way for other… difficulties, other challenges. Her death will not go un-avenged; it may be – will be – a terrible price to pay.”

“If Tristan dies the Order will falter; there is no choice to be made. Whatever happens in the future we will deal with it then.”

“I warn you again – the cost may be great.” Lucas’ brow furrows. “I can feel Fate move beneath our feet. Julianna! I…”, he shakes his head. “I do not advise it.”

“I take that responsibility.” As she says it, Lucas’ shoulders slump and Julianna feels as if something has passed in front of her.

“I will pray to the gods for you, for mercy. Go then, hatch your plan”, Lucas says and walks towards the bars of the cage. “As for you, love – I will see you again very, very soon.” He casts one more hungry look at her before turning and walking to the far side of his enclosure. Julianna stares at his muscular back for a moment, watches him breathe, and then removes the ward and stalks from the room.

Author Bio:

Holly was born in New Jersey and moved to the Pacific Northwest at the age of eighteen. She’s always loved writing and expressing herself and scrupulously kept a journal at a young age. She started her first book around the age of eight, although she never completed it, and in high school was co-editor of her school’s literary magazine. She enjoys blogging, reading, and writing poetry and novels. Although an American, Holly is fascinated with British and Scottish history and culture; this interest is reflected in her choice to often use British spellings for words because she likes them better.

Holly likes exploring how a character’s personality changes and adapts as they are introduced to new experiences that are challenging. She also enjoys creating worlds and tales that are deep and complex and are driven by a solid story, yet have intense erotic elements.

Much to her chagrin, Holly has many interests and has a hard time keeping up with them all. She enjoys cooking and has made wine with friends; she likes gardening, drawing, reading, video and board games, dancing, eighties music and yoga, to name a few of her more regular preoccupations.

She welcomes comments and questions at her website: http://www.hollyblackstone.com

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Extracted
Sherry D. Ficklin & Tyler Jolley
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: August 15th 2016
Genres: Steampunk, Young Adult

Two opposing factions of time travelers vie for control of the future in this thrilling steampunk series opener dubbed “Interesting” and “Unexpected” by Kirkus Reviews.

Lex and Ember—two time travelers with no memories of their lives before being recruited into the time war—are torn between the factions. When Lex accepts a mission that lands him deep within the heart of the Telsa Institute, he meets Ember, and the past that was stolen from them comes flooding back. Now armed with the truth of who they were, Lex and Ember must work together to save the future before the battle for time destroys them once again.

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EXCERPT:

My breath comes in short, shallow bursts. I can feel the warmth of Ethan’s body radiating like a tuning fork against my back. In front of me, there is only darkness. I strain, listening, waiting for the next wave of attack. The leather straps holding up my suede harness dig into the skin of my shoulders, but the ache only sharpens my focus. The urge to turn around is strong, though I know better. Months of training have taught me exactly what happens when I turn my back to the darkness. So I listen, honing my senses until I catch the sound of Ethan taking a small step forward, away from me. My eyes are useless, so I close them. Knowing my attackers are well paid for their ability to move in silence, there is little hope that they will give themselves away. We need another strategy. As if reading my mind, Ethan picks up the conversation we were having earlier.

“All I’m saying is, maybe you need the extra practice,” Ethan says, his tone mocking. Even without being able to see him, I can sense him moving, beginning to

circle counterclockwise. I know he’s trying to draw them out, to bring the fight to him. It seems like a sound strategy, so I jump on board.

“Oh, yes, because it isn’t like she turned around and kicked the crap out of you, too.” I’m mimicking his movements now. My voice is flat, free from emotion, and my words are empty. I can’t see him moving, but I can feel him, as if we’re connected by a million invisible threads.

“How am I supposed to just punch a girl?” Ethan asks. “And I was tired from taking the guy out like five seconds earlier.”

“She isn’t a girl. She’s more like a pissed-off kangaroo in a top hat. She has a nasty right hook, I’ll give you that.”

I hear the sharp whip of air as a bamboo pole cuts through the darkness, headed toward my face. Even with our phony argument going on, I’m able to hear it coming before it lands. I bring up my hands and block the blow with my forearms. The impact stings, bruising the bones there, but better my arms than my face. With a movement perfected after one too many blows to the head, I grab the pole and pull it aside, dragging my attacker with it. As he closes in, I drop the pole and lock arms with Ethan. I flip over his back and kick out, knocking my attacker to the mat. As he struggles back to his feet, Ethan spins into my place, delivering a secondary kick that sends the man flying into the wall with a dull thud. “Yeah, but she’s scrappy,” he says.

“Scrappy? Is that boy code for you couldn’t stop staring at her rack?”

Behind me, I feel Ethan duck a blow, and then land one of his own before pressing his back against mine. “I… that’s not… I didn’t even… I mean…” he sputters.

I smirk. Busted.

Footsteps approach, but we keep sparring. I bend over, using my attacker’s own momentum against him as I put my shoulder into his gut and stand, propelling him over my head and onto his back on the mat. I don’t need to see my victory to realize what the maneuver has cost me. A muscle in my lower back seizes, and it’s all I can do not to drop to my knees in agony. I clench my fists until I feel my fingernails cut bloody crescents in my palms. There is no way I’m going to be the weak link—no way I’m going to let Ethan fight alone. Back to back, that’s how Rifters are trained to fight. And Ethan always has my back.

“Don’t feel too bad. She was pretty scrappy after all.”

Ethan mumbles, “It’s a girl thing.”

“Hold up, what’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, stiffly regaining my footing as my back screams in protest.

As usual, Ethan turns to check on me. “Nothing personal, Ember.”

Not wanting him to get slammed for it again, I grab him by the shoulder and pull, revolving us to our starting positions just as the first attacker flips back onto his feet and lunges. He would have taken me in the stomach, but I bring up my knee just in time to block his advance before kicking him in the face. There is a loud crunch that sounds like breaking bone. I hear him hit the mat with a groan. The lights flick back on, and Mistress Catherine blows her whistle.

Normally we spar with off-duty guards, since most of them have military training of some kind. They know how to take a hit and how to deliver one without doing too much damage. We might be lowly recruits, but Rifters are rare, and our lives are precious.

But as the man whose nose I have just broken pulls off his black ski mask, my heart falls into my shoes. Flynn is staring up at me, and his face is covered in blood.

“Nice hit, Ember,” he says as blood drips from his nose and onto his white shirt. Mistress Catherine hands him his horn-rimmed glasses and shoots me an amused smirk. Behind me, Ethan snickers.

Great. And here I was thinking this day couldn’t get any worse.

Reaching down, I offer Flynn a hand up, which he accepts with a smile.

“I’m so sorry,” I mutter, but he waves it off.

“Catherine told me you were really coming along. I wanted to see for myself.”

The others are shuffling out, so I turn to grab a towel and follow them, but Mistress Catherine closes the door behind a worried-looking Ethan, presses her back against it, and narrows her eyes at me. I used to think it was hard to look menacing in a knee-length pencil skirt and beige brocade top, but she radiates power. It might be the stern pucker of her thin lips, or the way her graying hair is knotted tightly at the nape of her neck. She resembles a librarian except for the long, jagged scar that runs from her left temple to the cleft in her chin. Well, that and the spider-shaped, iron shoulder harness permanently affixed to her upper arm.

Not sure what’s going on, I freeze, yellow towel in hand. Before I can say anything, I feel something moving behind me. I manage to move to the side just as a wooden staff comes slamming down against the spot where I’d stood a heartbeat earlier. I turn and see Flynn grinning, blood still dripping off his chin. He spits before whirling the staff like a windmill in front of him. “What I don’t understand,” he says, circling to my left, “is how that Hollow got the best of you. According to Ethan’s report, Kara had no problem with her. And Catherine here tells me that you mat Kara at almost every practice now.”

I have no idea what to say. Does he think I let her beat up on me? Just then, my legs are swept out from under me. I fall to the mat, but, rolling swiftly backward, I bounce up onto my feet. Catherine has a staff, too, and comes toward me from the right. I hold up my hands and back up slowly. In the corner of the room, a vent erupts in a cloud of steam, and Tesla’s image appears but says nothing.

“Look, I didn’t let her get away,” I say. “If that’s what you’re implying. She was strong. And fast.”

Catherine shakes her head. “You are strong. And fast. And clever.”

“I’m sorry!” I blurt out when my back hits the corner and they are still coming at me.

I don’t think Flynn would ever hurt me, not really, but Catherine, well…

Without another word, they both attack. I manage to duck one blow but take another in the ribs before I decide to make a break for it. Jumping as high as possible, I’m able to get a hand on the chain attaching one of the punching bags to the ceiling and hoist myself up. I leap over Flynn and roll as I hit the ground behind him. They’re quick, though, and have me surrounded again in seconds.

It’s easy to forget that they are trained Rifters, too. Catherine doesn’t rift anymore, but Flynn is still active and in really good shape. They aren’t holding anything back either. Flynn lands a blow to my lower back, but when Catherine moves in, I’m able to grab her staff and force it from her bad arm. Suddenly, time is moving in a blur. I’m not thinking about my next move anymore. My body is reacting of its own accord. I’m not sure how it happens, but I blink and Catherine is on her knees. Flynn is standing in front

of me, and I have the two staffs crossed at his neck. He’s holding up his hands and saying my name.

I drop the sticks and step back. The muscles in my arms and legs are twitching like I’ve just run ten miles.

“That’s what we mean,” Catherine says, climbing stiffly to her feet. “You could have taken the Hollow girl. So, why did you hesitate?”

I close my eyes, calling the fight to the front of my memory. There was something about the girl. She was beautiful, for sure, but that wasn’t it. There was something else, too. Something I can’t put into words. I look up to find they’re staring at me, waiting for some kind of answer. I can feel Tesla glaring holes into my back, watching me like one of his little science experiments. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

Flynn sighs and holds his hands out to me. I take them without hesitation. “Ember, I know it’s hard. I know you don’t like hurting people. It’s against your very nature to harm someone or let someone suffer. But you are too important to risk losing. Understand? Sometimes, you have to put someone down, let someone get hurt or even die, to save yourself and your team. You can’t hold anything back.”

I take a deep breath. “And what if someone dies because of me? Because, for some reason, my life is worth more than theirs?”

Flynn lowers his head, looking me in the eye. “That is a burden you will have to learn to carry.”

Author Bio:

Sherry D. Ficklin is a full time writer from Colorado where she lives with her husband, four kids, two dogs, and a fluctuating number of chickens and house guests. A former military brat, she loves to travel and meet new people. She can often be found browsing her local bookstore with a large white hot chocolate in one hand and a towering stack of books in the other. That is, unless she’s on deadline at which time she, like the Loch Ness monster, is only seen in blurry photographs.

Author links:
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Tyler H. Jolley is a sci-fi/fantasy author and full-time orthodontist, periodontist (see: Overachiever). He divides his spare time between writing, reading, mountain biking, and camping with his family.

Author links:
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Dead Ringer by Jessie Rosen
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

When Laura Rivers starts school at Englewood High she finds everyone staring at her and treating her a bit weird. Soon Laura finds out that she resembles another student who had mysteriously vanished the previous year and had been thought to have committed suicide.

Laura is determined to not let the whispers and stares ruin her fresh start at Englewood. She soon catches the attention of the popular Charlie Sanders. But Charlie and his friends have a reason to be paranoid and Laura soon discovers it has to do with the missing girl.

Dead Ringer sounded like it would be a great YA mystery/thriller read but I had seen a bit of mixed reviews for it so was curious if I would enjoy it myself or not. Unfortunately I didn’t come away loving this story as I hoped I might.

The book really just starts off being a bit confusing trying to keep track of so many characters thrown into the mix with some even having alternative identities during the story. It’s a bit along the lines of a “I Know What You Did Last Summer” vibe to it so I still wanted to see where it would go.

Once I started working out who everyone was it picked up the pace a bit as the author attempts to throw in some twists and turns along the way. But the entire time I had a feeling I knew what was going on regardless of the direction it was taking at that moment and in the end I was pretty much right on the money.

What really didn’t help is the ending of this is a cliffhanger and I’m not even sure this story is supposed to continue. Sometimes cliffhangers are fine for the end if you know it’s a series it can be a bit exciting to wait for the next but I was really expecting a nice tidy ending with this one.

Overall, 2.5 stars, a bit too predictable for my taste and didn’t care for the ending.

Dead Souls: A Novel by J. Lincoln Fenn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After growing up in a horrible situation Fiona Dunn hasn’t let herself become close to too many people in her lifetime. Currently Fiona is in the longest relationship she’s ever had but when she sees her boyfriend with another woman Fiona immediately thinks the worst.

Feeling miserable Fiona finds herself in a bar drinking away her troubles when she’s approached by a mysterious man. The stranger begins buying Fiona’s drinks and chatting with her but before the night is over he tells Fiona he is none other than the devil and wants to trade for her soul.

Dead Souls is a horror read that while it’s not based on any new or completely original idea the story just kind of drew me in and worked to grabbed my attention anyway. The idea of Fiona who was a rather flawed character selling her soul and what followed from there had me turning the pages to see where the story would go and what would happen.

The author also tied in real events and people to the tell the story of selling ones soul so that is always a fun way to explain the devil’s existence in the world. By the end of this book I wasn’t quite sure what to expect either and it had one of those complete gag me moments of an ending that only belongs in a horror story, what a way to wrap things up.

Overall, great horror read that had me engaged all the way through.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mr. Corporate
J.A. Huss
(Mister #3)
Publication date: August 17th 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Weston Conrad is the best headhunter in the business. That handsome smile goes a long way towards convincing most people to trust him with their future.

I’m not most people. I’m his direct competition. And it doesn’t hurt to be just the kind of woman he’s been looking for.

I’m gonna flash you these legs, Weston Conrad.

I’m gonna wear low-cut shirts and micro-mini skirts.

I’m gonna dazzle you with wit and conversation and kiss those lips like they’re exactly what I’ve been waiting for.

So don’t hate me when you figure out my secret.

You understand, right? You’re Mr. Corporate and this is just business.

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EXCERPT

Weston takes off his tie and begins unbuttoning his shirt. My eyes open a little wider. I watch every move. The way his fingers flip each button loose. The way his tanned and muscular chest flashes me as the shirt comes apart. That stupid Corporate grin on his face.

I sigh with frustration just as he takes the whole thing off and starts going for his belt.

Will Weston Conrad strip naked to swim?

Oh, yeah. You bet your ass he will. I called him Naked Man back when we were together. He has a thing for it.

“Come on, Tori. Let’s swim. You don’t need a suit. I’ve seen your goods.”

“First of all,” I say, crossing my arms and maintaining eye contact as the pants come down, “I’m not ‘goods.’ Second of all, I’m not giving you the pleasure of seeing me naked after you’ve been such an asshole.”

“When was I an asshole?”

He’s kidding, right? “All the time.”

“I’m just truthful, Victoria. You just can’t handle the truth.”

“I’m tired of fighting—” But I stop talking. Because yeah, he still looks amazing in those black boxer briefs he’s partial to.

“Did you miss him?” West asks.

“Who?” I say, forcing myself to look up at his face.

“Naked Man?”

I almost laugh, but catch myself just in time. “Weston—” But before I can get anything else out, he’s crossing the floor, I’m backing up, my hands are up, warning him to stay away, and I bump into the couch and fall back.

He stops in front of me, his goddamned bulge staring me in the face.

At least he’s not hard.

Ooops. Spoke too soon.

“Weston, stop it.”

“Come on,” he says, extending his hand. “We’re going to the beach.”

“I’m not getting naked with you.”

“I don’t need you naked. Your fucking skirt is so short you could wade in up to your thighs.” He shakes his hand at me, urging. “Come on.”

I close my eyes so I can stop staring at the bulge, stop imagining his hard cock and all the ways I’ve been intimate with it in the past, and take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. His arm slips around my back and he pulls me into his chest. God, I can feel his fucking dick against my hips.

“Victoria,” he says in my ear. “You’ve missed me,” he says, switching to the other one.

I wait for what comes next. It’s a thing he always did with me when I was on the verge of something. Panic, or sadness, or whatever comes with all the things we went through.

He would stand behind me, both hands squeezing my shoulders. His mouth would go to work on my earlobe, and my neck, and my mouth. Then his fingers would dip down into my bra to squeeze my breasts and pinch my nipples.

We’d always have sex after that. Always. It drove me crazy.

But before I can say anything—No, we’re not doing that, or, Back off, mister, I’m not yours—he backs away and he’s heading for the door, tugging me along.

I sigh, missing his attention so much in that unused moment.

COMING UP NEXT – MR. MYSTERIOUS!

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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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