Blog Tour Review: Strength (Mark of Nexus #1) by Carrie Butler

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Strength by Carrie Butler
Series: Mark of Nexus #1
Publication: March 7th 2013
by Sapphire Star Publishing
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Number of Pages: 389 (Paperback)
Source: Received a copy to participate in blog tour and give an honest review.

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.

PURCHASE: 

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AUTHOR BIO
Carrie  Butler

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 | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

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REVIEW:

It's been a while since a book has kept me up until the early hours of the morning, but Strength did that...and on a weekday when I had to tutor and be up early (at least my version of early :P). I just did not want to put it down at all! I loved the story, the characters, and just the all-around emotion that this book made me feel! :D

First, I loved the introduction! Rena starts this book off by hiding from the "Madman" a.k.a. Wallace, who turns out to be super hunky, and super in some other ways, too. ;) It was definitely a fresh and exciting way to start the book since I was expecting some kind of mass murderer, and got a hunk instead. :P haha

My favourite part of Strength was the characters. I just loved Rena! I found her so easy to relate to, and I loved her fierce spirit! :D I especially loved when she would stand up to Wallace, or stand up for him. It's nice to see a main character who isn't afraid to say what she really feels and thinks. It's also awesome to see a character who sets a great example by standing up for others. I really wish I had a Rena in my life because she's amazing. :) I also LOVED Wallace! Yes, he was totally sexy, but he was also such a sweet character...and so chivalrous! ;D I always forget how sexy I find chivalry until I meet a character like Wallace...it's kind of sad how little can make me swoon. Men...you need to be more chivalrous! You'll have ALL the ladies! :P Anyway...I loved Rena and Wallace...and when you put them together, I LOVED them even more!!!! I also kind of love that Rena pretty much would just blurt out whatever she wanted to know about Wallace right to his face...it's the kind of awkward thing I would do, so thumbs up for Rena! ;D

Along with the awesome characters, the story itself was amazing! Carrie Butler has crafted an incredibly unique backstory that explains what Wallace and his family are, and I loved that within their history there were myths, too...myths that we got to see in Strength. I'm a huge fan of new-to-me paranormals with awesome backstories, so I completely love it, and I can't wait to find out more about the mark of Nexus!!! :D

Overall, I absolutely loved Strength and I would recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal stories with fierce, yet vulnerable main characters. While Rena was strong and stood up for herself, it's clear that she's vulnerable in the world that Wallace belongs to, and the fact that she stays strong in the face of all of that impressed me even more! I'd also recommend this one to people who like to see romance evolve. I really enjoyed the pacing of Rena and Wallace's relationship. It was a bit fast at times when we'd get the time jumps so that the story would progress, but it was clear to see that it wasn't sudden and it wasn't instalove...although there was definitely some attraction from the start. ;) haha

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So, what do you think?
Are you planning to add Strength to your to-read list?