Cover Reveal: Carousel of Faults by Mark C. King

Today I’m helping unveil the cover for Carousel Of Faulta, the second installment of Mark C. King's series The Book Reapers, designed by Key of Heart Designs. Without further ado, here is the cover:

Are we defined by our faults?

Naomi Gladwyn’s life went from abominable to amazing. Narrowly avoiding life in a dismal London workhouse, she ended up with an adopted family and dear friends. This new life, however, is not without its thorns.

Much of her time revolves around Dark Books – books that are so emotional, so influential, that a reader cannot help but carry out what is written, often with deadly results. She now hunts these dangerous tomes with her adopted father, Mr. Stafford.

But a past mistake, a torturous secret, haunts her and – when revealed – puts everything she has and everything she ever wanted in jeopardy.

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38313224-carousel-of-faults

Title: Carousel of Faults (The Book Reapers, Book 2)
Author: Mark C. King
Release Date: July 10
Author Website: www.markcking.com
Twitter: @markckingauthor
Instagram: @mark_c_king

Wednesday Chatter: Ratings and Why I Take Them With A Grain Of Salt

Wednesday Chatter is a weekly feature at Ruby's Books where we'll be talking about anything and everything related to books and reading. Click here if you want to see what we talked about in the previous weeks

WARNING: Some bad words might be used in the following post. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Hello dear book lovers! Today I want to talk to you about ratings. I was inspired by a discussion I had with Lia over on Twitter, and by one of the interview questions Fanna had for me in her Interview Of The International guest post series.

I've always been a firm believer that while it's good to have rated reviews, because they give some sort of guideline for when you're checking out a book you are curious about, at the end of the day, those ratings are subjective. What I consider a 5 star book some other reader might view as a 3 star book or lower.

At the same time, my 5 star rating and another reader's 5 star rating, ultimately, don't mean the same thing. For example, for one reader it might mean the book had no issues, no little detail that may be seen as problematic. For me, however, a 5 star rating refers to a book that, despite those issues, of which sometimes I'm aware of and sometimes I'm not, has the elements of a great read: good plot, good pacing, great characters, great conflict, AND not a lot of inconsistencies. I accept that in long series there may be some inconsistencies, but not the kind that make me think a character has blue eyes in chapter 3 and then two chapters later that same character has red eyes with black dots. Unless it's some type of shifter and then it's something that makes sense.

Besides the regular rating, I also am a firm believer in half stars, if you use the 5 star rating system. For me, there's a big difference between a 4 star rating and a 5 star rating. Besides the quality aspects in the story and characters, a 5 star book means I'll definitely be rereading it at some point, a 4 star read I might reread, and anything under doesn't usually end up in my reread pile. However, there are subtle details, small things that will make a book better than a 4 star read, but not quite a 5 star read. It's difficult to explain, and it's usually little things that make me go for that extra half star.

Does that mean ratings don't count? No. Ratings definitely count. BUT. I like to take into account what that reader or that reviewer considers a 5 star review and then go from there when trying to decide if the book in question might be something I'd enjoy, based on a reader's rating.

That being said, I am rarely shocked by a book getting certain ratings, be they high or low. Each and every one of us is a single individual with things we like and things we don't like, things we have in common with others and things we don't. It's only natural that a book will find its perfect reader. This is why I have so many erotic novels in my Read shelf on Goodreads. At the same time, we also evolve as readers. For example, if anyone had told me, 10-12 years go, that I would enjoy reading anything other than erotic romance books, I would have laughed in their faces. And yet here I am, reading mysteries, thrillers and YA books and loving them.

While I do believe that ratings are a great way to categorize books and to make you figure out what is popular and what isn't, I think it's important to remember that ratings have always been and will always be subjective, and each and every one of us has different ways to interpret them. It's why we might love an "underappreciated" book or series (take my deep love for Beautiful Creatures) and why we might be the black sheep and dislike "hyped" books (me and ACOMAF).

Let's discuss. Do you think ratings have a universal meaning or do you focus on a combo of rating and review when trying to decide what to read next?

Book Review: 1001 Dark Nights Bundle Fifteen

Author: Larissa Ione, Lexi Blake, Rebecca Zanetti, J. Kenner, Sidney Bristol.
Series: 1001 Dark Nights
Audience: +18
Genre: Erotic Romance, Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
Release Date: March 27th 2018
My Rating: 4.5 cups
Source: InkSlinger PR
Blurb (from Goodreads):

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Larissa Ione, Lexi Blake, Rebecca Zanetti, J. Kenner, and introducing Sidney Bristol.

Five Dark Tales. Five Sensual Stories. Five Page Turners.

RAZR: A Demonica Novella by Larissa Ione
Meet mortal enemies Razr and Jedda...and the priceless diamond that threatens to destroy them both even as it bonds them together with sizzling passion. Welcome back to the Demonica Underworld, where enemies find love...if they're strong enough to survive.

ARRANGED: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella by Lexi Blake
As Loa Mali's sovereign, Kash Kamdar is always in control, the final authority. Until his mother uses an ancient law to force her son into marriage. His prospective queen, Dayita Samar, is a buttoned-up intellectual, nothing like Kash's usual party girl. Still, from the moment of their forced engagement, he can't stop thinking about her. Could Day help him find respite from the crushing responsibility he's carried all his life? This fairy tale could have a happy ending, if only they can escape Kash's past…

TANGLED: A Dark Protectors-Reece Family Novella by Rebecca Zanetti
Ginny O'Toole has spent a lifetime repaying her family's debt, and she's finally at the end of her servitude with one last job. Of course, it couldn't be easy. After stealing the computer files that will free her once and for all, she finds herself on the run from Theo Reese, a pissed off vampire who has never fallen for her helpless act. A deadly predator too sexy for his own good. If he doesn't knock it off, he's going to see just how powerful she can really be.

HOLD ME: A Stark Ever After Novella by J. Kenner
My life with Damien has never been fuller. Every day is a miracle, and every night I lose myself in the oasis of his arms. But there are new challenges, too. Our families. Our careers. I know we will survive-we have to. Because I cannot live without Damien by my side. But sometimes the darkness seems overwhelming, and I am terrified that the day will come when Damien cannot bring the light.

DANGEROUS ATTRACTION by Sidney Bristol
Ex-Navy SEAL Travis Ration is an expert hunter. Whether his prey is criminal or victim, he always gets his mark. When the FBI call in a favor and ask him to look into a serial killer over the holiday break, he jumps at the opportunity to fill the long, cold days with something besides regret and bad movies. In Las Vegas, he's on the hunt for a prolific serial killer no one wants to admit exists. The leads are dry and the evidence gone, until she walks into his life. Bliss Giles-curvy, sassy and everything he can't have.

Every Dark Nights tale is breathtakingly sexy and magically romantic.

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

Wednesday Chatter: 5 Characters That Need Their Own Books

Wednesday Chatter is a weekly feature at Ruby's Books where we'll be talking about anything and everything related to books and reading. Click here if you want to see what we talked about in the previous weeks

WARNING: Some bad words might be used in the following post. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Hello dear book lovers and welcome to another Wednesday Chatter post! Today I want to talk to you about some characters that I wish would get their own books. Unfortunately, I will probably always just keep on dreaming about one of these characters getting their own story. A girl can dream, right?

1. Samwise Gamgee - Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

I've said it once and I'll say it again: one pf the true heros of The Lord of the Rings is Sam. He's the brave one that has everything to lose, that doesn't know where he's going, that is totally devoted to a guy he considers his "master", while Frodo whines. Yeah, yeah, he agreed to take the Ring into Mount Doom, but I can't help but think Frodo just wanted to emulate his uncle, Bilbo. I would love to know what happens to Sam after he gets married, after Frodo takes the ship to the Undying Lands. I want to know about his family.

Source: Popkey

2. Georgiana Darcy - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

While I've always had a crush on Mr. Darcy, I always wondered about his sister. Georgiana is a mystery, and besides the fact that Wickham had previously tried to get her to fall in love with him and eventually marry him, I know nothing about her. From what I remember she was sweet, shy, and she saw her brother the way I would imagine she would have seen her father. I always wondered about that. I would definitely have loved to read a story about Georgiana all grown up.


3. Neville Longbottom - Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Every now and again I wonder about the unfairness that Neville had to go through. Sure, I always sympathized with Harry, but I always hated when Neville was always made fun of, even by the narrator. I want to know what happened with Neville, I want to read about him growing up before getting to Hogwarts, I want to read about him meeting the woman or man of his dreams, I want to see him happy.

Source: Popkey

4. The Darkling - Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

So... I haven't yet finished the Grisha trilogy, so I don't know the full story of the Darkling. But if there's one villain that has fascinated me since the first moment I met him on page, it's him. I am curious about him, and, much like any other villain, I want to know what makes him bad. Was he born bad, or was he made bad by his need for power? What made him devolve in his evilness? I know I probably would have the answers I need in the last book of the trilogy, but I would love a short story from his POV.

5. Savitar - Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon

I am pretty sure he'll get his own book sometime in the future, but I would very much like for that future to be now. Savitar is the eccentric guy that loves surfing, sarcasm, and killing anything that annoys him. I would love to know his story, if somehow Appolymi is going to be his soul mate, the real reason behind him helping Acheron, the reason why he lives alone, away from anyone that might mean something to him. He loves power but he doesn't abuse it, and when he's not being sarcastic, he's a great guy. I need his story now.

Let's discuss. Which character deserves his or her own book in your opinion? Why?

Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Hello fellow book lovers! Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is about Books On My Spring TBR. I don't know when I'll start reading them, but I will read them before June gets here.

Blog Tour Book Review: Three To Ride by Lexi Blake

   

Author: Lexi Blake

Series: Nights in Bliss, Colorado #1

Audience: +18

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance

Publisher: DLZ Entertainment, LLC

Release Date: March 20th 2018

My Rating: 4 Cups

Source: InkSlinger PR

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Re-released in a second edition with two new chapters and additional new content.

Rachel Swift is a woman on the run.

A stalker sent Rachel's world reeling. Now she's running for her life, and Bliss, CO, seems like the perfect place to hide. Bliss is a strange little town, filled with artists, nudists, and the occasional conspiracy nut. It's a good place to start over.

Max and Rye are just the men to catch her.

Horse trainer Max and Sheriff Rye gave up on their dream of finding one perfect woman to share long ago. Rachel walks in, and they're both in love and fighting their true natures.

A town like no other….

When Rachel's past catches up with her, all of Bliss is in danger. Rachel knows she should run, but how can she leave behind the love she’s found with Max and Rye and the home she’s built in Bliss? With her whole town behind her, Rachel is ready to make her stand. It's time for her to get back in the saddle and ride.

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way. 

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.