This Chick Read: Fracture (The Lattice Series #1) by Mira McKinney

Fracture: A Midlife Urban Fantasy of Stolen Memories and Buried Power

For nineteen years 43 year old Stephanie Cross has graded papers and raised her two children alone after her husband’s death. This small world that she’s created feels small and safe. One day when riding the subway to work she see’s a fracture in the universe and without knowing how or why she steps towards it, raises her hands and somehow closes it so that reality returns without any of the other passengers realize anything was wrong. Sick to her stomach and not knowing what just happened she continues to work, but is followed by a man who claims she has a power that is needed to hold against the darkness that wants to come through from the other side. By that evening she finds out that life as she knows it has ended and a life that she had lived before is starting to come to the surface.

What a great story! The first chapter started a little slow, or maybe it was just that my brain was slow, but whatever, by the second chapter Stephanie had gelled as a character I knew I was going to love. The fact that she was an older heroine who had plenty of life left to live made me like her even more. As she recovered her memories this out of shape “older” woman finds out that she used to kick @&& and that together with her deceased husband were quite a team.

I love it when I come across a series that is going to have all of the books released consecutively over the next couple of months. I can look forward to re-reading and getting to know all of these fabulous characters, think about the possibility of her finding love again, and just really finding herself again. This book was a banger and I can’t wait for the rest to be released. Then hopefully there will be audiobooks to feed my inner beast. They (the publisher) hooked me with the Ilona Andrews reference and boy did they deliver. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

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This Chick Read: The Queen of Lombard Street by Lisa Kleypas

In Victorian England men take care of everything, including opening up bank accounts for the women in their families, even if you’re a famous economist like Reina Martin. With her mentor, William Farlow, Reina is determined to open the first bank for women, where women can manage their own financial security. At home, Reina’s recently employed staff of paroled prisoners are learning to live new lives and create a family. When she discovers her butler, Pembroke, is actually an undercover detective looking for information on William Farlow, who is suspected of financial crimes that could bring ruin to England’s economy and Reina has to make a choice on betraying her mentor or saving the working class families she was once among.

I have missed Lisa Kleypas and am so glad that she’s back writing historical romances. In the Queen of Lombard Street she writes a riveting novel that deals with historical facts regarding women’s rights and life below stairs. She’d always had strong female leads, but Reina Martin, a woman who has risen above her class, but because of her birth can never become one of the peer, is a heroine that I can absolutely root for. She is intelligent, has empathy for others, and a huge heart. My favorite thing about her is the fact that she employed parolee’s and treated them with kindness despite their being a bit scary to her at first.

Pembroke was also a really interesting hero. Yes, he was undercover and because of that he was a bit dishonest, but as he and Reina got closer what became important to him was protecting those people in that household that he’d gotten to know and care for and protecting them. What was different about him was that he treated Reina as an equal. Not something you typically see in a historical romance. It put a more modern spin on the issues of that time which I found interesting.

This author has always had a talent for writing an interesting story. In the Queen of Lombard Street, she did her research, but she also gave these characters life and heart. What a rich and enjoyable novel! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Queen of Lombard Street

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This Chick Read: Of Iron and Moonlight (Stones of Oraith #1) by Irene Edwards

If you love epic fantasy then you need to pick up Of Iron and Moonlight. Set in Oraith, this novel tells two stories. The first is Kora and Duncan’s told from both POV’s. Duncan as a Duke in his kingdom is told to find a bride to help his King gain a political angle. Able to “choose” his wife he picks between two sisters. One who would navigate the politics and court well, the other the more quiet (yet beautiful) Kora who has sat by her father’s side helping keep the books and giving advice over their people’s disputes. Not surprisingly, Duncan chooses Kora.

The second story follows Njall as he picks through the lies he’s been told by his Fae King about the humans that he’s been stealing and bring back to the Fae kingdom. One of these women, Elara is on the hunt to find her best friend who was stolen (by Njall), and he agree’s to help her get her back. As these two plots unfold the political machinations are intricate, the romance subtle yet emotional, and the battles bloody.

Usually when I read a story that has multiple POV’s as this one does, I like one of the stories better than the other and I get frustrated when the POV changes to the story I like the least. Surprisingly, that didn’t happen with this novel. I was just as intrigued by what was happening in the human world as I was in the fae, and as they started to intertwine I could not put this book down.

As a debut novel, this one was a doozy. We are left with just a hint of what the next book will bring and hopefully all of these characters I’ve come to love will all be taking part. I’m hooked on the intrigue, emotion, and action-adventure. I hope this author writes quickly, I’m eager for the next book!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Of Iron and Moonlight

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This Chick Read: Trust Fall by Lynn Painter

Julia loves her small town in Nebraska but when her family inherits a ton of money and some property in Manhattan, they all need to move to the city and live in their new home for six months in order to fulfill the terms of the will. She and her twin brother enroll in their new school where Julia is immediately a fish out of water. Damion is one of the uber wealthy kids who go to her new school. When he’s tasked with helping Julia get her math skills up to speed he agrees to keep it a secret. His presence by her side draws some unwanted attention, but also curiosity from the “in” crowd. She and Damion are drawn to each other because of their differences but Damion’s harboring a secret that might break Julia and harm her family.

A fish out of water theme in a young adult novel is not really a new concept, but the uber-wealthy setting and mystery surrounding their inheritance peaked my interest and Lynn Painter’s excellent writing skills kept me reading until the last page. Admittedly I was a bit more interested in Damion’s story than I was in Julia’s. I like my heroine’s with a bit more grit and determination but I could definitely see their fascination with each other and why they were drawn together. Julia’s small town charm and naiveté paired well with Damions jaded rich boy persona.

Damion’s parents took the evil role in this story and I kind of felt like they were let off a little too easy at the end of the novel. I won’t spoil the story but I will say that part of Julia’s charm for Damion was her strong family unit, one which he wasn’t fortunate enough to have himself. His great-uncle we the one family member that gave Damion a semblance of normality and after putting together all the puzzle pieces it was easy to see Damion fall in love with that family just as much as his uncle had.

I don’t read a ton of YA novels anymore, but when Lynn Painter has a new novel coming out I have a 50/50 chance that it will be young adult, and I always do read those because I’m such a fan of her writing. This wasn’t the best one I’ve read but I did enjoy the characters and this different world that she chose to drop them into. ❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Trust Fall

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This Chick Read: Well Versed (Well Met #5) by Jen DeLuca

The last time Caitlin Parker worked for during the summer at the Willow Creek Renaissance Festival she was eighteen. It was a magical summer and she fell in love not only with the magic of the festival, but also with a Alexander Wright. Alex was working with a group of guys called the Sword Bros, entertaining crowds with their rehearsed sword play. When Alex ended their relationship abruptly, it broke Cait’s heart but also took away her love of the festival and she never returned until this year. Now 24, unemployed and looking for work, she’s back in her hometown, living at home, and sidearmed by her aunt into helping out during the faire. She is promised that the Sword Bros are not one of the acts, but what she doesn’t realize is that Alex is now a solo act and has also returned for the summer. Promising herself to not get involved, Cait ends up falling in love again, but is is with the man or the festival?

I’ve read all of the books in this series and although none of them have ever matched my love for the first novel they’ve eached brought a different viewpoint and romance that centers on the Willow Creek Renaissance Festival. In this fifth novel, it’s fun to see where all of the other characters are in their lives, but also to relive this event for what may be the last time.

Caitlin and Alex were both very young when they first met and now six years later they are a little older and wiser but somehow still retain that innocence that being young brings to a story. They are both trying to find their way in the world and discovering their paths forward and it made me look back to when I was that age. Gosh they seemed so young, but at 24 and 26 I was in the exact same place, although not wearing Renaissance garb (thank goodness). I’ve read some comments from other reviewers about how this felt like a young adult romance and at times it did, but even in your early to mid 20’s you are kind of still young adults. So, for this older lady their actions, reactions, emotions, and feelings all fit that age as I remembered it to be. I was not one bit disappointed with their youthfulness.

I thought both characters showed quite a bit of growth during their one month working the festival. Caitlin figured out her feelings for all things Willow Creek, the festival, and also her rekindled amour for Alex. He, too, was trying to find his place in the world and found it in this small town with Caitlin. I liked how their future seemed to have that shiny newness by the end of the book and that their story felt complete. Huzzah! I liked this installation in the Well Met series. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Well Versed

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This Chick Read: Wolftamer (The Magpie and the Wolf Duology Book 2) by Maggier Rapier

Saoirse and Faolan’s tale picks up right where the first book left off. They have done the impossible and found the Island of Lost Souls. What was to become Faolan’s biggest story yet ended up trapping him, unable to leave his wife behind. When their archenemy, King Maccus arrives on the island with a deadly relic, Faolan knows he is the only person to take on the challenge of finding all of the other relics before Maccus can.

Just like with movies, the second iteration can sometimes be underwhelming. While I wouldn’t call this novel underwhelming, I think after the action filled first book it took me a little while to find the pace of this story but once I did, I was enmeshed in Saoirse and Faolan’s future and wanted to see him beat his enemies to those relics but also to save the love of his life. Their pairing could have gone pale and tired, but I became just as invested in their future as before.

Rounding out this story were the same amazing cast of characters. The focus may have been on our main characters but the reader becomes just as attached to some of these characters and their own subplots. Reader beware there are a few surprises awaiting you and I can’t guarantee you won’t need to grab a tissue or two.

I thought this second and last installment in this series was satisfying and I loved the continuation of their love story. I’m a big believer in happy endings and I was not disappointed in the least by the ending in this one. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Wolftamer

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This Chick Read: Murder in Blackfriars (A Below Stairs Mystery #9) by Jennifer Ashley

Kat Holloway’s beau, Daniel has always had a past shrouded in mystery. When a man comes forward saying he has information about who Daniel’s parents were and then is abruptly murdered, Kat knows she must help Daniel solve the murder so he can finally know his roots. Kat is afraid this mystery will tear them apart, something her heart may not survive.

As we move closer to the union of Kat and Daniel, it seems another mystery stands in the way of their happiness. Kat is determined to help Daniel, but at the same time she learns that her darling daughter will be moving with her adopted family out of the city into a suburb of London. Something that Kat knows may be the best for her, but will also make it difficult for her to see her very frequently. This, along with solving the mystery of Daniel’s background really amps up the tension in this story. As a reader of all 9 novels, and a bunch of short stories in this series, I just want Kat to get her happily ever after. A home with Daniel, her daughter, and his son. I feel like we are fast approaching that time which may or may not be the end of this series.

It seems like, with the death of this mystery man who said he had information for Daniel, that they would’ve hit a dead end, but Kat can pull information out of a brick. Tracking down info is her secret sauce and somehow she finds a thread to follow. I love it that these threads don’t seem to dangle in front of her but that she hunts them down with the help of her bevy of friends. I like all of the stories in this series but Murder in Blackfriars was especially poignant. Her daughter moving away, and the threat to Daniel’s peace made for an emotional story and one of the better ones in the series. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Murder in Blackfriars

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This Chick Read: The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen

Australian author Emma Callandar has been offfered the chance to help esteemed mystery writer Iris Blackthorne finish her final novel. It’s 1965 and Iris’s memory is fading. She sends Emma off to the Isle of Skye in Scotland, where the novel is set so that she’ll get a feel for the place and the people. What Emma uncovers is a tie to a real-life crime from 1906, and the family enmeshed in its history does not want that tale told.

Emma has traveled alone to London for work, leaving her life behind in Australia. Despite the bold start to a new life, Emma is young and naive. She lives in a time where she both wants to find a way, but also find a husband who will take care of her and keep her safe. These two dichotomy’s to her personality are what led Emma into solving this mystery. She was bold enough to once again, travel a distance to discover a new place, the Isle of Skye, but her naiveté and poor decision making keeps her on the edge of disasterous occurances and in the end, danger. This was a book where I enjoyed seeing her grow but at the same time was saying ‘come on now, Emma, is that the best plan’?

I love a good historical mystery and Rhys Bowen does a great job of setting a scene and the mood of a novel. I’ve been to Scotland, but not to the Isle of Skye, a place that sounds beautiful, but also a place that hasn’t gotten out of the previous century. I enjoyed the slower pace on the island juxtaposed against the increasing tension as Emma gets closer to solving the mystery. There is a hint of romance, but really, Emma seemed to want to find romance with any young man, which I found slightly annoying. Again, that was a sign of the year this story took place more than it was that Emma wasn’t independent thinking.

I don’t always love a slow paced mystery, but I was definitely in the right mood for this one. I was charmed by the characters, frustrated by women’s rights in the ’60’s, and hooked by the mystery. A solid weekend read! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book! The Castle in the Glen

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This Chick Read: The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren

When Emery met Luca at her cousin’s wedding their connection was instant. Their eyes met across the room, he crossed to her side and they never strayed far from each other from that moment forward. Three months later they were married. This was completely out of character for Emery, a scientist who connects all the dots and crosses every T. When she forgets their third anniversary Luca gives her the “We need to talk” line and she knows her life is heading in the wrong direction. When she witnesses him being hit by a car she doesn’t think, she injects him with this super secret life saving serum and brings him back from the dead. She knows Luca would’ve wanted her to take the risk, but unfortunately the Luca that wakes up, doesn’t remember a thing about her. This is her chance to start over and pick her relationship over her job.

Despite the incredible premise, these characters won me over and made me want to believe that a love like theirs exists. Yes, Luca had no idea who Emery was, but there was still that instant connection that they felt the day they met. The author made that connection believable despite the resurrecting from the dead main plot. This story was the ultimate second chance romance. Brought back from the dead, Luca doesn’t know he was going to have “the talk” with Emery. He just knows that she feels familiar, safe, and is gobsmacked by her beauty and smarts. Emery takes this chance to be 100% honest with Luca, something that she held back from during their marriage. We can all take a few lessons from the characters in this book, being honest with the ones you love is always the best road to happiness.

I’m never bored when reading a Christina Lauren novel. Her dialogue is always witty and usually the plot has a little extra oomph and holds my interest. This one had a double dose of both and this story was fun, easy to read, and held my interest, which has been hard lately with how busy life sometimes gets. It makes me appreciate how I can count on this writing duo to give me what I need the most, an escape from reality through the lives of really interesting characters. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Romance Revival

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This Chick Read: Unpredictable Magic by Faith Hunter

Angie Everhart and her brother Evan run a PI firm in Chattanooga solving paranormal crimes. When they are hired to find a missing woman who was last seen at their Aunt Jane’s residence things get very complicated. The client isn’t who she appears to be and all of a sudden the city gets overrun by demons led by Angie’s ex-husband. All of a sudden they are in the middle of a political paranormal war. Partnering with the local CPD and with the help of their friends they set out to rid Chattanooga of these unpleasant visitors.

Loved! If you have read the Jane Yellowrock series you’re familiar with many of these characters. Angie and her brother were children in that series and boy have they changed! Evan went on to fight in the war at 17 and his many experiences have led him to team up with the sister he’s closest to, far away from their family and Queen (Aunt Jane). When Angie’s ex shows up wanting to take over the world, because that’s what the bad guys always want, she steps up and we get to see the bad @&& witch that was hinted at in her youth. I love me a heroine who is strong and can kick some vampire butts.

As with all of Faith Hunter’s novels, the dialogue was lively and full of snark and sass, the action scenes were amazing and full of blood and gore, and the interactions between the characters showed growth, emotion, and even romance! I don’t want to spoil the love interest angle, but Angie and an old beau find each other again and are perfect for each other! Hopefully this is the first of many books in this exciting new series. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Unpredictable Magic

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