Carries Book Reviews

Suddenly Spellbound by Erica Lucke Dean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Have you ever come across one of those books that as soon as you get it you have to drop all others and read it? Suddenly Spellbound was one of those books for me, I absolutely loved the first book in The Ivie McKie Chronicles, Suddenly Sorceress. Ivie and her friends on their adventure was just so hilarious that I was still thinking about it and getting a bit of a laugh days, if not weeks later. Definitely one of my favorites last year so needless to say I was excited to get a copy of the second book to review.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot since this is the second book in the series but in Suddenly Spellbound we pick up with Ivie and her friends again shortly after their adventure in the first book. Ivie’s father is back in her life and has a scheme of his own pulling Ivie back into the world of magic much to Jack’s dismay.

Really, all I want to say here is run out and read this series!! Erica Lucke Dean has done it again with another fun adventure in magic but this time we go a little deeper and even have a few touching emotional moments mixed with the laughter. The book still kept the overall light hearted feel to the story though even with the direction the story line takes in the book keeping the reader still laughing all throughout.

Anything Ivie seems to do with magic still turns into one big outrageously comical adventure and I absolutely love spending time with all of the characters in this series so far and joining them on one mishap after another. My only complaint came at the end of the book when it ended on a cliffhanger, but then I ended up excited that it means I should get to enjoy another book in this series someday.

Overall, highly enjoy this series, definitely recommend to any fan of chick lit and/or paranormal.

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

Charm Me by Tena Stetler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After an incident in Summer Riley’s past she has pretty much shut herself off from everyone to hide her secret from her past. You see Summer is a witch but had something happen that closed her off from her family. She lives with her guard dog Piper as her company and runs her yoga studio but usually keeps to herself.

When Summer walks into the shooting range to sign up for a gun safety class she didn’t expect to meet a man that sparks actually fly when the two touch. Devlin Sawyer owns the gun range and is part werewolf, he can’t change but he still has all the senses and is immediately taken with Summer.

Another wonderful little Candy Hearts Romance, this time with a slight paranormal twist. These stories are lovely little tales of a couple meeting just before Valentine’s Day and falling in love. Summer having cut herself off from everyone seemed to just be meant to walk into Devlin’s life. Great read, would definitely recommend.

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

Captive: A Graced Novella by Amanda Pillar
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

In a dystopian world where humans are becoming extinct they are captured and held in camps to be harvested for food. Years before human scientists had created vampires, werewolves and also a race known as the Graced. The vampires and werewolves need the humans for food to survive and it’s been an all out war over control of what is left of the human race. The Graced are also in hiding as they are used for their powers and for breeding.

Quin who is a full Graced with incredible powers has hidden his two sisters who are half human in one of these camps. When vampires take control of the camp from the werewolves Quin seeks the help of Wolf, the alpha to rescue his sisters forming an alliance between himself and Wolf. Wolf’s plan is to get himself captured to get entry to be able to rescue the girls but what he didn’t count on was having an immediate attraction to Laney who he is there to rescue.

I have to say I was intrigued with this story and wasn’t disappointed in the least by the glimpse I was given into this world. What I found though was the usual novella dilemma that I felt I just wanted to know so much more of the story and characters. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it did gain my interest in continuing with other books into the series.

The majority of this story the characters are kept in captivity so I kind of felt that held a bit back from a I really love it moment to making it become an OK this is interesting read. In the end I decided on going with 3.5 stars for this as it was good and would like to continue and learn more.

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

The Girl You Lost by Kathryn Croft
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Simone and Matt Porter had the unthinkable happen to them eighteen years ago, their six month old baby girl, Helena, was kidnapped while Matt’s mother had taken her to the park. The young couple were then bonded together in their grief for the loss of their daughter and now years later a young woman approaches Simone claiming she just may be the missing Helena.

Simone is not sure what to think of Grace’s story, it’s so unbelievable that Simone is almost sure that this is another hoax preying on the grief of a mother’s love for her lost child. But Grace has a stuffed animal just like the one that once belonged to Helena so Simone listens to her and insists on a DNA test but while awaiting the results Grace herself turns up missing which has Simone jumping into investigating the disappearance and her story.

Kathryn Croft has done it again. I had loved The Girl With No Past when I read it so when I saw this title available I just had to read it and see if she could keep up the twists and turns and excitement. I was not disappointed at all.

The Girl You Lost a dark and twisted tale that gives you glimpses inside the mind of the evil behind the crimes all along the way. It is an intense ride uncovering not only the disappearance of a baby girl eighteen years prior but many other horrifying crimes along the way. This book is easily a complete page turning addiction that pulls you in and you don’t want to stop until you find out the entire story and how it will turn out.

I will say with this story I did guess at the overall ending but it didn’t take away from the ride to get there so I will stay with a five star rating for this. The story has such a complexity to it that there were still so many whys and hows to uncover along the way that I think any fan of a good psychological thriller will be completely caught up in the story.

Overall, another great read from Kathryn Croft, an author that I’d suggest any fan of psychological thrillers should give her books a read.

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

Rose by Vanessa Vale
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Rose Lenox feels trapped on the ranch she grew up on with her seven other adopted sisters. She’s more of a tomboy than a lady and wants nothing more than to run her own cattle ranch someday. When her friend and neighbor Chance Goodman agrees that she doesn’t really belong there on her ranch Rose takes it that he means she should leave so she heads off on her own to town.

Chance has watched Rose grow up and has been in love with her for years. When he finds Rose has left he follows and finds her already in trouble in town. Chance immediately rescues Rose then take her to the sheriff to get the two of them married off so she will become his but will he be able to tame Rose’s wild ways?

Vanessa Vale really does erotica very well. There were sparks, there was steam and a whole lot of sexy action between Chance and Rose after their impromptu marriage. The historical aspect was also very pleasant to read and a bit more detail to the story than I actually expected with it jumping right into the erotic side.

However, I did often find myself wondering if the erotic and the historical quite meshed together well enough. I think each on their own would have been great but I would often forget that I was reading a historical tale when the sexual parts were taking place and somewhat vice versa.

Overall, I’d have to give this one 3.5 stars think most fans of erotica should enjoy this one.

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