Carries Book Reviews

Eternal Heat
J.L. White
(Firework Girls, #3)
Publication date: May 16th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Play with me.

They call us the Firework Girls.

I’m Ashley. My music is like a lover, surrounding me. Filling me. Transporting me with its power.

Much like he did … before he broke my heart.

Now he’s back, wanting another duet. Can I play the same old song? Do I even want to?

Goodreads / Amazon

Previous books in the series:

—

EXCERPT:

It’s a little like being in the Twilight Zone. Erik doesn’t belong here at Hartman, with my friend saying his name like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Erik belongs in a grand house by the river in a whole different world.

But there he is, climbing the steps to the stage. Just like that.

My skin crawls and my heart pounds in this sickening way. I sink lower in my chair, but my eyes follow his every move. He looks the same, but different. He’s just as handsome as ever, maybe even more so if that’s possible, but he’s broader in the chest and his hair is a bit longer and he’s sporting a five o’clock shadow. He’s wearing black jeans and a casual button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows.

I know those forearms and those hands. I know those long fingers. Down to the last detail, I remember it all.

As he settles himself on the bench and lays out his sheet music, I’m struck by his impossible good looks. Men this handsome aren’t exactly what you’d consider typical fare anywhere, but definitely not among the world of classical pianists. He looks more like a rock star.

Maybe that’s why, in the midst of the shock and pain and (yes) anger at seeing him again, my heart is still fluttering in that maddening way. Still. After all this time. After everything.

Then he begins to play.

Like the rest of him, his music is deeply familiar to me, but it too has changed. It’s more mature. More controlled. In fact, it’s absolutely heartbreaking. That deep, haunting quality to his music is still there, and its ability to render me helpless hasn’t lessened at all.

Oh, how I remember this.

What happened all those years ago has never truly left me, but seeing him and listening to him brings it all back with such freshness, I don’t know whether to cry or laugh or rage. I’m flooded with so many memories, all wrapped up in the sweet torture of his music. I’m too stunned to do more than stare. I can barely breathe.

Author Bio:

J.L. White writes steamy romances featuring smart, sexy women and the swoon-worthy men who adore them. Her sexy love stories are full of passion but don’t skimp on the tenderness.

She’s addicted to trendy coffee houses, poolside lounging, and HEAs. When not tapping blissfully away on her laptop, she takes time to enjoy life with her husband and their children.

Don’t miss a new release! Join the JL White mailing list for updates on new books, sales, and other goodies: http://jlwhitebooks.com/get-emails-about-hot-new-releases/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLWhiteAuthor

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Friendly Fire by John Gilstrap
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ethan Falk was working as a barista when a man comes in as a customer that Ethan recognizes. When Ethan was eleven he was kidnapped and tortured and the man in front of him is one of those responsible. Without thinking Ethan grabs a knife and follows him into the parking lot and kills the man.

When police arrive and Ethan tells his story they are finding it hard to believe as there is no record of Ethan being kidnapped. His parents had hired a man that goes by the name Scorpion to rescue Ethan and do whatever was necessary to ensure his return.

Now Ethan is under arrest for murder and Jonathan Grave who is the one that goes by the name Scorpion knows he needs to find a way to help his former client without blowing his cover. Jonathan and his team soon find that the man Ethan killed had ties to an ongoing terrorist plot that needs to be stopped along with helping Ethan.

Friendly Fire is the eighth book in the Jonathan Grave series by John Gilstrap but the first of the series that I have read myself. After reading John Gilstrap’s Nick of Time series and absolutely loving it I couldn’t resist trying this novel when Kensington Books offered it for review and I’m glad that I did. The book read fine as a standalone, perhaps there’s a bit of back story that’s missed in earlier books but it was easy to jump in and get to know the characters involved.

Friendly Fire has the same story structure that I became familiar with in the Nick of Time series. The action is fast paced and has multiple layers to the story all throughout the read. You follow along with Ethan and his story all the while following along with what Jonathan and his team are doing keeping both stories on pace to come together for an explosive conclusion at the end.

Great read that I’d highly recommend checking out if a fan of fast paced, action packed adventures. There never seems to be a dull moment in a John Gilstrap novel and I always seem to fly right through them wanting to know how it will all tie together in the end.

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

Summer Heat: Love on Fire Boxed Set
Publication date: May 24th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance

16 All New Contemporary Romances from NY Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling Authors.

Guaranteed to make your blood run hot. Passion, steamy nights, excitement, and suspense. Something to suit every reader’s taste. Grab a cool drink (you’ll need it!), find a hammock, and curl up for an unforgettable escape.

1: Caridad Pineiro, Under the Boardwalk – A passionate night under the boardwalk brought them together, but can Chase and Natalie rekindle that lost love in just one night?

2: Nina Bruhns, Fast and Flirty – The top-secret package STORM Corps transporter Kade Maddox is hired to deliver turns out to be way more trouble—and a whole lot sexier—than he ever anticipated.

3: Rebecca York, Outlaw Justice – Will a surprise reunion with her old lover save her life when she flees from a homicidal husband?

4: Jennifer Lowery, The Fall (Book #2 ATCOM series) – The last thing ATCOM agent Brendan Devayne wants is to settle down, but Mia Lawrence makes him think twice…

5: Taylor Lee, Jared: (Book 1, The Justice Brothers Series) – The rookie cop learned the hard way that when tangling with the Justice Brothers, Justice—like Love– isn’t always fair or easy.

6: Traci Hall, Festival by the Sea – Al Cooper’s too bad to be a cop and too good to be a crook; Darcy Smith can’t get enough.

7: Stephanie Queen, Beachcomber Heat – This summer’s heat wave on Martha’s Vineyard is breaking records, but so is the crime wave. The combination is causing a wave of red-hot dangerous desire between Dane and Shana.

8: Kathy Ivan, Sex, Lies and Apple Pies – A televised baking competition brings them together. But deceit, intrigue and revenge are on this menu. Can their love survive?

9: Jackie Ivie, The Hunted – LeeAnn’s got business in Miami. Bring on the sun. Sand. Sexy men to look at. The last thing she expects is to be someone’s target.

10: Michele Hauf, The Geek Gets The Girl – Mistaken for the IT geek? This sexy CEO is about to learn the intimate operations of his company—up close, and personal.

11: Rachelle Ayala, Bad Boys for Hire: Ken (Bad Boys for Hire Series, #2) – After Jolie Becker is left at the altar, her friends secretly hire a hunky beach bum to cheer her up.

12: Katy Walters, Sands of Seduction – Clary escaped to a place of sea and sand, a place of passion and seduction.

13: Melissa Keir, Protecting Her Pigg – Arson and fire bring them together, but what will cause the most damage…the arsonist bent on revenge or their own stubborn ways?

14: Dani Haviland, Pool Boy Wanted (No Experience Preferred) – He’d never known a woman before, and that’s just how she wanted him.

15: Jacquie Biggar, Summer Lovin’ – Can two mismatched lovers find a way past their mistakes, or will they keep their lonely hearts forever guarded?

16: Angelique Armae, Dark Wolf – When Highland wolf Callen MacHendrie catches intern Miranda Kendrick stealing his prized sword, the term wild romp takes on a whole new meaning.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes

Excerpts from a couple of books included in this boxed set:

SANDS OF SEDUCTION

She took a deep breath; was there ever a good time? She must do it; accept it, not hide away anymore. Right now she needed a roof over her head and a job far away from the taunts and stares.

Clary heard the letterbox of the front door, snap shut. The post, it was never ending; every day she gathered up over half a dozen envelopes and yet more leaflets, more dead trees. As she slammed the spam into the recycle bin, a glossy photo caught her eye. Her heart leapt, just what she was looking for; a cottage for sale in a picturesque hamlet, nestling at the foot of a forest in the South Downs. It was half way across the country, but the further the better. She frowned reading the message, maybe it was just a general advert, but it seemed personal.

Delighted you are reading this. I invite you to make an appointment as soon as possible. Your dream cottage by the sea is waiting for you; within easy reach of Brighton and London.

Phone or email Cecil Partridge now, don’t hesitate.

02890 760723 cpartridge@tellomail.co.uk

After pouring a fresh cup of coffee, she picked up the leaflet, taking it to the small dining room, serving as an office. Sitting at the PC, she bent to stroke the head of her

white retriever, gazing up at her with those brown soulful eyes. ‘Would you like to live by the beach? Run on the sands, swim in the sea?’

Lila raised her head, with a huge smile, a pink tongue lolling out of her black lips. ‘Yes you would wouldn’t you. Okay – let’s do it. Right now.’ Clary googled ‘MoveNow’, the best website for buying and selling houses or apartments. She tried to swallow the hurt; it seemed so strange searching for property without Theo by her side. It was impossible to ban the memories, the grief. Clenching her teeth, she rubbed away the tears stinging her eyes; dread welled up. Fight it Clary, fight it. Her chest tightened, as she forced herself to search the list of properties for sale. After only a few seconds of scrolling along, she recognized the hamlet. There was more information on the list; it was near a medieval market town with an ancient castle. The tiny village was a picture postcard, composed of cottages either side of a cobbled street, with a village store. The price was low and within her range. It was all she needed or wanted.

—

THE GEEK GETS THE GIRL

According to the wrinkled strip of paper taped over the original brass placard on the office door, Rachel Parker was the manager of the Paris Haute Heels office. Zac assumed Miss Parker was the woman who strode down the parquet-floored aisle between cubicles with the air of a confident runway model, red heels clicking smartly. Not even the weight of the office supplies she carried could lower her proud jaw. Juggling a coffee cup in one hand, file folders, binders, purse and briefcase in the crook of an elbow—not to mention a mouthful of pink phone messages—she shrugged by Zac where he stood in the doorway to her office, and lunged toward the glass-topped desk to release her burden.

The sleek bend of her body sprawling over the desktop begged attention. A clingy, dark blue dress hugged her from shoulders to mid-thigh, and he visually caressed the taut curve of her ass. Hmm, what did the French call it? Derriere. Nice. And when in France… His fingers cruised an imaginary stroll over the dangerous curves. Shifting into high gear, he hugged the corner and stepped on the accelerator, moving down around her thigh. Breathy pants encouraged his actions until—

Those breathy pants ceased, and the woman whose curves he’d just mastered in a matter of three fantasy seconds stood staring at him, green eyes narrowed in stern summation.

Conjuring a save to cover the distraction that had almost netted him the yellow flag, he tapped the paper taped over the door’s nameplate. “Snazzy décor you’ve got here, Miss Parker.”

“Cutbacks. Tightening the proverbial office belt. It works for me.” Long coils of chestnut hair danced over the spill of office ephemera as she nestled the paper coffee cup into a nook amidst the scatter. “And you have finally arrived.”

She caught his surprise and reacted, propping a manicured hand on her hip. “Seriously? How long does it take for IT to process a call for help? I know all eight private offices in this building share one tech department, but you must have more than one guy to handle service calls.”

“IT?” Nowadays, he generally put his fingers on sales figures, outlook charts, and the butter-soft leather in the company jet. Zachary Cosgrove had moved up from humble IT guy. Way up. “Oh, you assume—”

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The Book Of Shade by K.C. Finn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lily Coltrane was just starting her first year at the university and looking to make new friends. After meeting her new roommate the pair decide to check out what clubs and activities are available. The Illustrious Minds Literary Society peaks the girls interest so they decide to check out the club to be involved and meet new people.

At the first meeting the girls find the club makes monthly visits to the Theatre Imaginique to see a performance of an obscure group of carnival performers. After meeting the proprietor Lemarick Novel, Lily finds that she herself has hidden abilities she didn’t know existed and that she is a Shade and can do magic.

The Book of Shade turned into one of those reads that I wasn’t sure what I should expect but am glad I picked it up to give it a try. A world of magic and paranormal was brought to life with the backdrop of this unique stage show at the theater. Our main character finds that she’s part of this world all the while juggling her starting up college and classes.

Interesting characters and concepts all throughout the read kept me engaged in seeing where this would lead. Along with the world of the Shade comes those that hunt them and the mystery of how Lily is one herself. A bit of romance, paranormal, mystery and fantasy all combined into one intriguing read.

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

The Adventures of Alexis Davenport by Shay West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Adventures of Alexis Davenport is the complete collection of the Alexis Davenport series by author Shay West. The three books included are Dangerous Reflections, Twisted Reflections and Desperate Reflections.

After Alexis’s mother and father divorce her mother moves her to a new city to live with an aunt until the pair can get back on their feet. Dealing with a new city, a new school and making new friends is overwhelming enough but then Alex sees a strange reflection in the mirror instead of her own.

After seeing the strange woman a few times the next thing Alex knows she feel a pull to touch the mirror and ends up finding herself traveling back in time and in the mystery women’s body. She has access to the stranger’s memories so lives in their shoes during each time jump but soon comes to the conclusion that her trips have a greater purpose, to help save the world from an evil time jumper.

This was really a fun read from start to finish. The three books take place over the course of several years, basically Alex’s time during her high school years as she navigates making new friends, boyfriends, learning to drive and her mother beginning to date again.

There are several jumps back into history all throughout the read which were fun to witness. Alex has always loved learning about history and seems to soak the information in as she reads so when she times jumps she would know the time/situations she would find herself in and be able to handle the situations.

Really my one complaint during the read came with it becoming a bit too teenage angsty in places during the current story line. I think this was really more apparent towards the third book with her mother beginning to date but of course that’s something a teenager would have to come to terms with after a divorce.

Otherwise, I found this a really fun read and would recommend checking it out. Each book seemed to have a bit of a cliffhanger ending to it so picking up the collection let me read all three straight through which was great.

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