Blog Tour: Inspire by Cora Carmack {Review+Giveaway}
Welcome to my stop on the Inspire blog tour hosted by InkSlingerPR!
Today I am excited to share my review, as well as a giveaway with you all!
Inspire (The Muse #1)
by: Cora CarmackPublication Date: Dec. 15, 2014
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Paranormal
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by InkSlingerPR in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 284 pages
Order Links: Amazon
| B&N | Kobo | iBooksMy Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Kalliope lives with one purpose.
To inspire.
As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real.
Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.
Her presence may inspire genius.
But it breeds madness, too.
To inspire.
As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real.
Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.
Her presence may inspire genius.
But it breeds madness, too.
When I first heard Cora Carmack was writing a NA Paranormal, I knew it would be a must read for me. For her to incorporate Greek mythology was the icing on the cake, as I am obsessed with all things mythology! I should also mention, this is Cora's sexiest book yet!
My heart broke for Kalli. She has spent eternity seeking out creative minds and acting as their muse, but she never truly connects to any of them. She is unable to, knowing that if she stays too long, it could lead to disastrous results. It is a very lonely, sad life to live. She must be extremely careful not to draw attention to herself, which would risk exposure for all the lesser gods who walk the earth. Finding balance must be incredibly tiring for her, as she has to watch how much energy she expends with humans. Expending too much could lead to madness and chaos, and her life isn't so valuable and precious that she is above being dealt with to eliminate unnecessary attention to their kind.
Meeting Wilder Bell changes everything for Kalli. He is not the artistic kind, so she is surprised she's drawn to him in the first place. (I'm not- seeing a hot guy act adorable with a little girl are enough to make ovaries explode) For the first time in a long while, Kalli wonders what it would be like to be with someone who is not in danger of being destroyed by her power. Wilder is a good guy through and through, as his family has been dealt a difficult hand in life. Gone are the days of reckless, wild abandon- he must embrace his responsibilities and be the man the women in his life desperately need. He has sacrificed a lot for his family, thus making him that much more incredible in my eyes. He is also drawn to Kalli and finds himself wanting to know the beautiful woman who has so effortlessly captured his attentions.
I was not expecting the book to change POVs, but I have to admit, it was nice to be inside Wilders's head as well and I really felt we got to know him a lot better this way. His dedication to his family is what won me over instantaneously. There's also the bonus of him having tattoos and wearing glasses at times. As much as Kalli pulls away and runs from him, he is an incredibly patient guy. He has no idea that she is trying to protect him from herself and I am surprised he didn't run from this seemingly emotionally unstable, crazy girl.
As I said earlier, this is Carmack's sexiest book to date. Kalli and Wilder have some very sexy times and some of the wicked things Wilder says will leave you fanning yourself and craving more. Their relationship does progress a bit faster than I normally like, but I didn't let it bother me too much. Instead, I focused on the fact that both Kalli and Wilder NEED this. They are both so deserving of love and passion after everything they've both sacrificed in their lives. My heart shattered for them when more obstacles would get thrown their way and force them apart. Some people are just stronger together and this is absolutely true for them.
Carmack has completely killed me with this cliffhanger and I am desperate to get my hands on the next book. I liked that this one read as more of a contemporary with paranormal elements, but with the mythological aspect really ramping up at the end of this book, I am beyond excited to see where Carmack will go in the next novel.
Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.
5 comments
I think I would enjoy the different perspective in view points. I also enjoy it when you don't expect that but end up enjoying it! I have heard quite a few good things about this book, so I know I'm going to have to pick it up when I can!
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
I am dying to make time for this book. I adore NA paranormal and this one sounds amazing. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many amazing things about Cormack and this book is right up my alley - seems like a must read!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I just finished reading this! loved! Wilder is my new fave Cora boy! He's seriously a combination of everything I love! Loved the greek mythology aspect in this too. totally intriguing and I can't wait for the next!
ReplyDeleteI got this one for myself for Christmas, I cannot wait to start though I do hate massive cliffhangers... hopefully it is not too bad!
ReplyDeleteAshley @ The Quiet Concert
Leave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!
My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.