Strength by Carrie Butler Blog Tour Stop and Review

Strength by Carrie Butler

Series: Mark of Nexus #1 

Publication: March 7th 2013

by Sapphire Star Publishing 

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.

Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation--and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…

Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.

They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do--even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15206714-strength

PURCHASE: 

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1938404351?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1938404351&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

--Barnes & Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strength-carrie-butler/1114599832?ean=9781938404351&r=1%2c+1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&

BOOK TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6Ym7sk3zjo&feature=player_embedded

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AUTHOR BIO

Carrie daydreamed her way through college—until they thrust a marketing degree into her hands, slapped a summa cum laude seal on the corner, and booted her out into a less-than-stellar job market. Instead of panicking at the prospect of unemployment, she used her Midwestern logic to steer into the skid and point her life in the direction she really wanted to go: writing out those daydreams.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.carrieabutler.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6265027.Carrie_Butler

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrieabutler

My Review:

This was a great debut from Carrie Butler! I loved the characters in the book, especially Wallace (swoon) and I’m excited to see where this story ends up going in future novels.

Rena was a strong female lead. She was tough when she needed be, especially when it came to looking out for Wallace. I loved how she refused to be pushed away by him, despite his insistence that he was only trying to protect her. The only thing I wish was that the author provided a little more background on Rena. I think this would’ve helped readers understand her motivations a little better.

Wallace was my favorite character in the book by a mile. It was refreshing to read about a romantic lead that didn’t have a womanizing past or a bad boy reputation. The author wrote Wallace with plenty of depth and I loved the natural development from friendship to romance between Rena and him. When Wallace’s bad boy brother Cole comes into the picture, I was so relieved that the author decided not to have Rena fall for him too. Although I didn’t want a romance between Cole and Rena, I did enjoy his one-liners.

Most of the novel is centered on Rena meeting Wallace and learning about his supernatural heritage. I was looking forward to the paranormal aspects to come into play and I found it took a really long time until they were finally introduced. The last quarter of the book felt rushed and I found myself a little overwhelmed with the inclusion of the new characters and plotlines.  

That being said, I get that this is a series starter and I think the author did a good job of laying the foundation for future books. I’d imagine the action would start quickly in the next novel and not be focused as much on the development of Rena and Wallace’s relationship. I’ll definitely read the next book and I hope it’s released soon. I need more Wallace NOW!

Rating: 4/5 Stars
 

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