Carries Book Reviews

For the One
Brenna Aubrey
(Gaming the System #5)
Publication date: May 10th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

He’s got everything but game….

William Drake is an artistic genius with a photographic memory and the intensity to master practically any task. Oh, and he owns a chunk of a billion-dollar gaming company. A twenty-six year-old guy with his wealth, talent, and good looks shouldn’t have problems winning over women. Except he does. To be exact—and detail-obsessed William is always exact—he’s got problems with Jenna Kovac, the troubled beauty who has his heart working overtime and his tongue tied in knots.

And she can’t afford to lose.

Jenna Kovac is a survivor. When war ripped her world apart, she lost her family, her homeland, and her one true love. She’s made a new life for herself in the US, but she’s learned that nothing is permanent, and some nights it’s not even safe to dream. When a scumbag sells her future out from under her, suddenly the only man who can get it back is William Drake, geeky—but scorching-hot—social disaster. William must learn to stay cool under pressure for the all-important duel he’s about to fight. Unless she can teach him to loosen up, she’ll lose everything. Again.

But Jenna’s got a few things to learn from this irresistibly enigmatic man. As they spend time together, they’re soon exchanging long, slow kisses—and painful secrets. There’s so much more to William.

Something that might be worth taking one more risk…

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

“What the hell was that? Why did you storm off?”

“Because I didn’t want to say anything rude, and you made me angry.”

“Because I asked you to look me in the eye?”

“Yes.”

“Well, maybe I’m just tired of you looking everywhere but my eyes.”

He blinked. “It’s difficult.”

“Why?”

He shook his head. “Because when I’m looking in your eyes, I’m too distracted to hear what you are saying. It’s intense.”

“What’s intense? I mean, I know I’m beautiful, but…” I joked in an effort to lighten the mood.

“Yes. You are beautiful. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

I sucked in a breath. Wow. He’d said it in a matter-of-fact tone as if stating that the sky was undeniably blue. There was no art to the words, no obvious attempt at flattery. Why was my throat closing up like this?

“I was joking.” I laughed self-consciously. “I’m not really that full of myself.”

“I don’t know what that means. But you shouldn’t joke about being beautiful. It’s not a joke.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets and waited.

I felt both uncomfortable and pleased at the same time. My cheeks were flaming hot and—ironically—I couldn’t meet his gaze even if he wanted me to.

“I didn’t realize,” I suddenly blurted, my voice trembling with regret.

“What?”

“That it was so hard for you to look in my eyes. I thought that was a myth. I don’t spend a lot of time around autistic people.”

“It’s hard to look in anyone’s eyes, but easier if I know the person.” I was flooded with relief that he seemed okay discussing this. “Mostly it keeps me from focusing on what is being said. It also makes me feel like I’m violating that person’s privacy.”

“By looking in their eyes?”

“Like I’m seeing things that I shouldn’t see.” He shakes his head. “I get tired of having to explain it to people. And you aren’t going to get it so—”

“The eyes are the windows to the soul,” I interrupted quietly.

“Eyes are not windows.”

“It’s a metaphor, Wil. It means that a person’s eyes can show what’s going on with them beneath the surface. So maybe you’re feeling like a Peeping Tom?”

He was quiet for a long time, shifting from one leg to the other. “Yeah, so maybe if I make eye contact with you as long as you want, you’ll let me peep through your window.”

I opened my mouth, about to lodge a protest, when I saw the smile on his face. He was rather pleased with himself and his joke. “Ha ha. Then again, you do stare at my boobs enough.”

“I like your breasts.” His eyes darted to my chest, causing my nipples to tighten under my t-shirt.

I folded my arms to cover my unconscious reaction and laughed. “I can tell.”

“And your butt. And your legs. And—”

“All right, all right. I get the picture. Let’s get in your car,” I said with an exasperated sigh. Typical man.

Author Bio:

Brenna Aubrey is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary romance stories that center on geek culture. Her debut novel, At Any Price, is currently free on all platforms.

She has always sought comfort in good books and the long, involved stories she weaves in her head. Brenna is a city girl with a nature-lover’s heart. She therefore finds herself out in green open spaces any chance she can get. A mommy to two little kids and teacher to many more older kids, she juggles schedules to find time to pursue her love of storycrafting.

She currently resides on the west coast with her husband, two children, two adorable golden retriever pups, a bird and some fish.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

Goodreads     Amazon    Barnes & Noble

My Review: 

In the year 2052 Earth has what is known as Hatred Day. A day marking the day that an alien race known as Inborns came to Earth and whose arrival on earth caused an environmental and biological crisis. Snofrid Yagami has been enslaved and hated even by her own Inborn kind and finds herself awakening to find that part of her memory has been stolen.

Sno is determined to do whatever she can to ensure her freedom and find out what happened to her memory. When an interspecies war breaks out after the death of a high-ranking human Sno finds herself desperate to find a way out of the city and save herself so she ends up making a deal with Hadrian, an Inborn Commander. Hadrian’s offer is for Sno to become the bait needed to help win the war.

Hatred Day is one of those reads that has a bit of mix in the genres having both elements of sci-fi and fantasy and even a touch of dystopian with it being set in a world at war. The book is action packed and takes off right from the start of the read. I did feel this made it a bit tougher to keep up with what was actually going on jumping in so early but once the world building got going it became easier to understand.

Once understanding a bit more of this read and getting to know the characters I found myself engaged in the action. I did wonder a tad about the memory loss since Sno seemed to function as if she were normal for most of the read. But the dark and brutal world this is set in is certainly something different to my normal reading so I found myself overlooking the few flaws in the beginning once we learn of the war and plot.

Overall, 3.5 stars for Hatred Day, a pretty good read and start to this new series with a mix to the genres. Check this one out for one fast paced, action packed brutal adventure.

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

The Burning Star
Jessie Lane, M.L. Pahl
(Star, #1)
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Seventeen-year-old Kay’s journey of a lifetime started in the woods where she met a beautiful man … along with a monster. The chance encounter led her to an unbelievable world that shouldn’t have existed, a place where myths and fairytales were real and, in some cases, deadly.

Kay knew she would have to brave this new world if she hoped to find a cure for her terminal cancer.

With a strange yet beautiful cast of characters, Kay uncovered truths that would change her life forever. However, before it was all over, she discovered she wasn’t the only one with problems.

Yet another seventeen-year-old young woman was fighting for her life.

Kira had grown up in a magical world. Despite this, her life had not been filled with many good things. She considered her empty, emotional solitude the only positive aspect of her life and fought daily battles to escape abuse and torture.

Trained to be an expert assassin, she was charged with kidnapping Kay and delivering her to Kira’s master, Lord Donovan.

As the two young women set forth on their journeys, their paths would cross in unimaginable ways. There was only one question that remained: who would come out alive?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks / All Romance

The Frozen Star
Jessie Lane, M.L. Pahl
(Star, #2)
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

The journey continues …

Kay discovered secrets, lies, shocking truths, and even love in a strange new world hidden from humans. Everything she thought she knew was turned upside down when she found out three things: she wasn’t human; she had a power she couldn’t control; and there was a possibility she might have found a way to cure her deadly cancer by using that very same power.

Just when she was on the precipice of gaining everything she wanted and saving her own life, tragedy struck. Would she be able to fight her way back to Ryan and save herself in the process?

Kira had lived a terrifying life of servitude and abuse under Lord Donovan and his son, Cole. It was an existence that had stripped away her emotions and reasons to keep fighting.

Just when she thought freedom was within reach, Lord Donovan struck again, ruining her plans and almost killing her. When she awoke from her injuries, it was to stunning revelations that would change her life forever, changes she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted.

Persistent individuals, such as Prince Kane, refused to let her walk away, though. Would she embrace all of her sudden fortune? Or would she walk away from those who needed her most, forsaking their acceptance and love?

WARNING: This is a upper ya/young adult/new adult fictional story that includes some explicit language, graphic violence, and mild sexual situations. Recommended for ages sixteen and up.

*This book is a re-release and revision from the original book published in 2012. Please be aware that some things have been added, deleted or changed.*

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks / All Romance

Author Bio:

Jessie Lane is a best-selling author of Paranormal and Contemporary Romance, as well as, Upper YA Paranormal Romance/Fantasy.

She lives in Kentucky with her two little Rock Chicks in-the-making and her over protective alpha husband that she’s pretty sure is a latent grizzly bear shifter. She has a passionate love for reading and writing naughty romance, cliff hanging suspense, and out-of-this-world characters that demand your attention, or threaten to slap you around until you do pay attention to them.

She’s also a proud member of the Romance Writer’s of America (RWA).

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

M.L. Pahl grew up in coastal North Carolina. With the Marine Corps at her back and the sandy beaches beckoning her, she learned nothing could hinder her imagination.

Not wanting to be stuck in one genre, she decided to dabble in everything from zombie apocalypses to romance and even paranormal.

She currently resides in the frozen north of Minnesota with her family and those cute dogs she always tweets about.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Hosted by:

Cloaked in Blood
T.F. Walsh
(The Wulfkin Legacy #3)
Published by: Crimson Romance
Publication date: May 9th 2016
Genres: Adult, Paranormal

The daughter of a sultan alpha, Selena Kurt agrees to an arranged wulfkin mating to protect her sister from a dangerous alpha from the enemy clan. To her surprise, her match is Marcin Ulf, the next in line for the Hungarian throne . . . and the wulfkin who broke her heart years ago.

Marcin is just as shocked to learn he’ll be matched to the enemy’s daughter and the woman he’s never forgotten. Before they can be paired, however, they’re drawn into a tournament where Marcin will compete to free his estranged imprisoned brother, while Selena battles for the life of another wulfkin alpha. Both intend to seize this chance to save those they’re fighting for – even if it means facing off with one another just as their romance rekindles.

Will tribe loyalty triumph, or will they realize they’re better off as a team before it’s too late?

Cloaked in Blood is the book 3 in the Wulfkin Legacy series, but can be read a stand-alone-book.

Wulfkin Legacy Series:

Cloaked (prequel to #1) – Out now

Cloaked in Fur (Book #1) – Out now

Cloaked in Secrecy (Book #2) – Out now

Cloaked in Blood (Book #3) – Out now

Cloaked in Christmas – End of 2016

Sign up here for T.F. Walsh’s newsletter to keep up to date with latest releases, giveaways, and exclusive content.

Goodreads / Amazon / Kobo / Barnes & Noble / GooglePlay / iTunes

EXCERPT:

SELENA

Then another wulfkin entered the room behind him. Solid, tall, and all shoulders.

And suddenly my heart hammered so hard the walls seemed to be thumping too.

Marcin.

Windblown hair draped over his shoulders, tawny brown strands reaching halfway down his chest. His shirt was torn across his shoulder. Blood stained the fabric, worn as a badge of honor for whatever heroic deeds he’d accomplished.

Our gazes locked, and he stopped midstride. It was like a sucker punch to the gut. All the air left my lungs, leaving me light-headed.

Sea-spray blue eyes, darker than I remembered them, searched my face. Shock crammed behind his gaze as his cheeks blanched. He’d had no idea I was coming here—it was written all over his frozen expression, the way his mouth fell open, his breath hitched.

My wolf prodded me, stirring inside, well aware of who stood before us. Marcin had grown into even more of a wulfkin god: muscular, strong cheekbones, and a chest broad enough for me to sleep across. All I could think about was touching him to make sure he was real and not in my imagination.

Move closer. Take him.

I shouldn’t, yet every molecule in my body fought against the logic that said stay away.

Sure, I’d planned for this very moment and even practiced my nonchalant response in front of the mirror. Except now, my voice was wedged somewhere between my toes and head. My body shook with the desperate urge to be pressed up against him, feel his hungry kisses, and listen to his wicked whispers. I struggled with the charge in my veins screaming that I should run to him, throw my arms around his neck, and forget the past nine years. Forget that he tore out my soul. Forget that I mistook him as my mate because he’d lied to me. Abandoned me.

Author Bio:

T.F. Walsh emigrated from Romania to Australia at the age of eight and now lives in a regional city south of Sydney with her husband. Growing up hearing dark fairytales, she’s always had a passion for reading and writing horror, paranormal romance, urban

fantasy and young adult stories. She balances all the dark with light fluffy stuff like baking and traveling.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Amazon

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Cat’s mother passes away suddenly she rushes home to the small town of Rowan for the services. She’s sure that her mother was in good health and things just don’t seem right with her passing although her father said she had suffered a stroke after digging up an ancient grave. Cat finds the ancient coffin is full of rose petals leading her into an investigation and discovering secrets about her family and a world that she never knew of.

Rose Petal Graves was a fairly short read that when done I’d have to say my biggest complaint is that it ended. This first book of the Lost Clan series introduces us to a world of magic, faeries, hunters, and ancient rituals. Full of surprising fun it was one that had me turning the pages to see what would come next.

Cat was a likable character that stumbles into a mystery that she’s determined to solve. Finding herself involved in things she’d only imagined and learning more about who her family is over the course of the read she needs to find out just who she can trust. With a few surprises in store it definitely had me engaged the entire time.

Overall, great start to a new series will be looking forward to reading the next.

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