Carries Book Reviews

Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The sixth book of the Morganville Vampire series, again picking up right where the story left off in the last book. Claire and her friends, vampire and human are left fighting for their town and trying to find a cure.

This entire series just seems to be one long continuous book really, so many different things intertwined into each addition. A few things will finish with each book but others are always left up in the air. I’ve become hooked on finding out where the entire thing is going to lead and how Morganville will end up. Never quite know what to expect and where the story will go from book to book.

Fade Out by Rachel Caine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fade Out is the seventh book in the Morganville Vampire series. Continuing on where the sixth left off this is a rebuilding time for Morganville. Bishop is no longer around, Amelie is grieving, some new rogue vampires are introduced and an old flame of Shane’s shows up in town.

Not one of my favorites of the series by any means. I’d say the theme to this book was jealousy, not very intriguing really. The action slowed down quite a bit and what there was seemed a little predictable. Hopefully the story picks back up in the next book.

Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kiss of Death is the eighth book in the Morganville Vampire series. Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael are granted permission to leave Morganville and take a road trip to Dallas to a recording studio that wants Michael. Of course with anything thing this group takes on it doesn’t turn out as planned.

Kind of another slower edition of the series. There are some good moments in it but with most of the cast of characters back in Morganville it felt a bit on the dull side. Couldn’t help but miss crazy old Myrnin and his kookiness and the couple of characters from the town that did show up weren’t my favorites. It also, took a while for any action to occur and then when it did it seemed over in a blink of the eye.

Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Feast of Fools is the fourth book in the Morganville Vampire series. Again it picks up right where the previous book had left off. Claire’s parents have moved to town adding more people for Claire to worry about. A few new vampires have shown up that don’t seem to have the best of intentions.

With all books in a series I try to keep my reviews a bit vague as I don’t want to add much in that would spoil things but with this particular book there wasn’t much to even talk about. Easily the slowest so far without much action at all in it. Honestly felt like most of the plot happened in the last two or three chapters and even then there wasn’t too much overly exciting.

Probably a 2.5 in all actuality for this particular book as I spent most of it waiting for more. Hopefully the story picks up in the next book.

Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lord of Misrule is the fifth book in the Morganville Vampire series. Picking up after the ending of book four, Claire and her friends are still dealing with the new evil vampire in town, Bishop. There’s a huge uprising going on and a storm threatens the town.

I have to say this might be my favorite of the series so far. It felt as if the action that was missing from the last book ended up added into this book. Something constantly going on which makes for more exciting reading.

I do find that this series just seems to be one continuous story so I’m awfully glad I wasn’t reading these one at a time when they first came out. Still not my favorite series ever but as each goes by it drags me in more and more.

The Dead Girls’ Dance by Rachel Caine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Dead Girls’ Dance is the second book in the Morganville Vampire series and it picks up right after the ending of the first book. Claire and her roommates now not only have the vampires to deal with in Morganville but Shane’s father has shown up with his bikers buddies.

So far I’m finding this series just rather average. Sometimes I enjoy what’s going on but at other times I find Claire to be rather annoying and some of the choices made to be laughable. I’m still kind of comparing this to some of the rather campy horror movies that are usually more for a laugh but that’s not necessarily a bad thing either.

Not really a bad read but room for improvement still. Hoping that Claire will mature a bit in the upcoming books. Things should get a bit more interesting after some of the happenings in this book.

Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Midnight Alley is the third book in the Morganville Vampire series. This installment picks up with Claire and company right where The Dead Girls’ Dance has left off. Claire has to start honoring her contract with Amelie by beginning to work with a vampire named Myrnin and there seems to be a serial killer on the loose but it isn’t a vampire.

I have to say I enjoyed this book a bit more than the first two in the series. Perhaps it’s the fact that Michael now gets to be more involved by getting out of the house or just that working with Myrnin we learn some new secrets about the vampires.

Claire can still seem to act without thinking about her own safety sometimes but it did seem like she was a bit more careful about her safety in this book. Shane however makes some dumb moves just when I thought we were learning some common sense.

Overall, 3.5 stars for Midnight Alley. I think fans of supernatural/vampire stories will enjoy this series but still room for improvement in the story line.

A Christmas Miracle for Daisy by Jane Porter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Cormac Sheenan gets a text that his goddaughter’s school is on lockdown due to an active shooter situation and he gets stuck in traffic trying to get to her, he decides that living in Southern California is not the best for Daisy. Being the head of his own company Cormac decides to move the headquarters and all executive offices back to his small hometown of Marietta, Montana.

Whitney Alder is an executive with Cormac’s company in the Denver office but the two also have a stormy history. They had dated for a year before Cormac unexpectedly broke it off without a reason why. But also they had been involved in a heated custody battle for Daisy two years prior. Daisy is the daughter of Whitney’s long time best friend and her husband but the two were killed in a car accident. Whitney and Cormac were both supposed to be the godparents but only Cormac had been named for custody in the will.

Whitney immediately turns down the offer to move to Marietta but Cormac tempts her with an offer to help for six weeks. She would earn an enormous severance package and the ability to be able to spend time with Daisy whom she hasn’t seen in two years. With the holiday magic of small town Marietta at work plus a bit of match making from four year old Daisy and Santa Claus, Whitney and Cormac slowly rekindle their old flame.

Another lovely holiday romance taking place in the enchanted town of Marietta. I just can’t help but love this small town and it’s Christmas charm. Such a lovely festive atmosphere for falling in love you just can’t go wrong with any romance taking place there.

It did take me a bit of time to warm up to Cormac, he was obviously completely devoted to Daisy but as far as romantic was concerned he was definitely a bit lacking. Whitney was a wonderful strong lead that complimented Cormac well though as she was the one person who could stand up to him.

The ending of this one seemed a tad rushed too which sometimes happens with novellas but still a great read I’d recommend picking up during the holiday season.

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

Finding Christmas by Jeannie Moon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After two years of hospitals and rehabilitation Maggie Benson returns home to Holly Point to reunite with her family right before the holidays. She’s struggled to overcome her emotional and physical scars since being shot down during a routine mission in which her plane caught on fire and she had to bail out. During her recovery from the burns Maggie’s foot and leg became infected and she had to have her leg amputated at which time she pushed everyone away to fight through the recovery on her own.

After returning home Maggie struggles with just who she is and what she will do with her life now. After a chance meeting with Will Fitzgerald who is a teacher at the local school and her younger brother’s coach Maggie finds that Will is going to be alone for Thanksgiving and invites him to spend the holiday with her family. Will is immediately taken by Maggie’s strength and what she has been through and wants to get to know her better but Maggie doesn’t trust that any man will ever see her as a woman and not just run from her scars.

What a beautiful and touching story that is definitely one to have the tissues handy while reading. The journey that Maggie has been on and continues to struggle with is one that most certainly should touch anyone’s heart. The issues in this novella are completely real, dealing with PTSD and injuries are struggles that many face daily which makes this book all the more heartwarming and emotional to read. Maggie is one strong woman but even with her strength she still continues to struggle to overcome how she sees herself and how she is treated by others.

This is also one that is a beautiful Christmas romance with all the settings, activities and a close family involved in a small town holiday which makes it all the more special. As part of series this read fine as a standalone novella.

Overall, easily a novella that I’d highly recommend to read, just have your tissues ready as it’s an emotional ride.

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