Category: A Hot Chick Who Reads

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3.1) by Sarah J Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight is a novella where we get to catch up on all of our favorite characters setting the stage for the next novel.

Feyre and Rhysand continue their love story, but Feyre also learns how to deal with her grief from the last war in the balance in her new role as High Lady but also as one of the people who lost friends and loved ones. I liked seeing her personal growth. She and Rhys’ love story has stayed true but not evolved and I think she personally needed to grow for that to happen.

Nesta, who is becoming one of the more interesting characters shows a little bit more of her drama, not really advancing her character anymore but we are allowed to see a little interaction between she and Cassian which is interestingly dramatic. I can’t wait for more of their story!

We do catch up with most of our favorite characters as Feyre and Rhys host their first Winter Solstice party together. Think Christmas with the family but this family all like each other. All in all this was a solid set up to the next novel and I enjoyed look through the window into these lives, if only for the moment. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

“I relished this book, because I absolutely adore the world Maas made, and she made sure to show it off with this book. I felt like she took the time to really show us how Velaris looked to her, and I loved that. The winter scenes felt truly magical and so vibrant, I couldn’t stop reading about the beautiful swirling snowstorms.” The Books Are Everywhere

“Overall, the novella was a cute fluffy piece, but by no means a proper instalment in the series in my eyes. Most of the time it felt like something you’d read in a fanfiction, but yeah. I would say to read it if you’re a fan of the ACOTAR world and love seeing the characters interact, but I wouldn’t say it’s a necessary piece in the series and you can also skip it if fillers aren’t really your thing.” The Scarlet Bookkeeper 

YA Fantasy

Click this link to purchase!*A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses)

Copyright 2018 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associates

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This Chick Read: Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata

At seventeen Luna left her old life behind and disappeared to a new town. She meets Mr. Cooper the owner of an auto body shop and is mentored in everything automobile. The people in that shop become her family and Mr Cooper a father figure. When Mr. Cooper takes on a partner, Luna puts a smile on her face determined to be happy in the face of Ripley’s grumpiness. One day, Luna tells a lie for Ripley and he is determined to return the favor, to even the score. When Luna finally asks him for help it’s the start of a friendship and then so much more.

Mariana Zapata is the queen of slow burn romance novels where the build up of the relationship is 90% of the novel. Luna and the Lie didn’t detour from Zapata’s norm however it is a little bit of a darker novel than she usually writes. I wasn’t surprised by Ripley’s character. He is gruff, grumpy, and talks by grunting a lot. Pretty typical of her alpha male hero’s. What was surprising was how he had to overcome Luna’s, dare I say damaged (?), persona. Luna is determined to be happy and live the life she has always dreamed about. When I say determined, I mean she hangs onto that emotion with a fierceness I am just not used to seeing in a romance heroine. Ms. Zapata writes sassy, independent women, which I love! Luna is sassy and independent, but she also lives in her head a lot. Reminding herself of how she is loved, has a good job, and is happy. Repeatedly. Like she is talking herself into those things. When the relationship between Ripley and Luna finally happens, I am so happy that she is finally getting that dream that she’s been pursuing, and with a man that will love and protect her at the risk of his own life. 

This novel was one of my most anticipated releases in the latter half of this year and it did not disappoint. It did make me think. Ripley was an interesting character and although Luna’s thoughts and dreams revolved around him, he wasn’t the heart of this novel. Luna was. Ms. Zapata did such a great job of portraying Luna’s despair and hope that it was those emotions that I felt when the novel concluded. Yes, despair that the book was over and hope that she’ll write one quicker than the last, but also that hope that those who need love and security from others will find what their heart needs. Not all do in life, but in fiction we can write our own happy endings. The despair part is still sitting in my gut. This is a novel that will stick with you for a little while. It was wonderful, but it was also hard to read and yet I want to pick it up again immediately because I believe that’s what I need to exorcise these feelings.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

If you’ve read this novel I’d love to hear if you had the same visceral reaction I did. Let me know!

Click this link to purchase!* Luna and the Lie

Copyright 2018 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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This Chicks Sunday Commentary: The Christmas Song book tag

It’s time to confess. Yes, last year I was nominated to do the Christmas Song book tag and I, well, I didn’t do it. I know! Before I knew it was Valentine’s Day and I couldn’t do a Christmas tag for V-day could I? Guess what? It’s Christmas and I can finally do this totally fun book tag. 

“You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch”- Name a villainous character you couldn’t help but love.

I think love is too strong a word but you know it’s a problem when your villain is more interesting than the hero. In this case, I was really hoping Mare would choose to just run away with Maven. Come on, I’m sure I’m not the only one?

“All I Want for Christmas is You”- Which book do you most hope to see under your Christmas Tree?

Mariana Zapata releases her own books on Amazon and has been promising this one for a few weeks now. I am constantly checking to see if it’s been loaded yet. It won’t be under the tree but it better be on my Kindle!

“Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”- Name a character that overcomes major obstacles and learns to believe in themselves.

Our main character always felt like the ugly sister, even though she was a twin (!). This book was funny, joyous, and even had a side love story. Really it was about accepting and seeing who you really are and can be. I loved this book!

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town”- a) Which character do you think would be on the top of the naughty list? b) Which character do you think would be at the top of the nice list?

I’m going for a combo answer on this one. Stella and Michael were both really nice people but when they got together? They were VERY naughty!

“Frosty the Snowman”- Which book just melts your heart?

OK, not your typical melt your heart book, I know! Both Charles and Anna are werewolves. Charles, the enforcer, has a gruff and scary exterior, while Anna as the Omega is soft and sweet. As a couple we have seen Charles soften through his protectiveness of his mate, and Anna become more self confident through her relationship with Charles. It is a wonderful series and these two do melt my heart. While also distributing justice and solving mysteries. 😉

“Feliz Navidad”- Choose a book that takes place in a country other than your own.

Love and Gelato is a sweet YA novel that takes place in one of my favorite countries, Italy. This is a coming of age novel, and yes they eat a LOT of pasta and gelato. Yum!

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”-Which holiday themed book do you use to spread the Christmas joy?

I haven’t read this one in years, but when I was little I loved Twas the Night Before Christmas. It really made the magic of Santa Claus come alive.

“Sleigh Ride”- Which fictional character would you choose to spend the holidays with?

Can you imagine how magical your Christmas might be if you spent it with Mary Poppins? She is practically perfect in every way!

“Baby It’s Cold Outside”- Which book that you didn’t like would you sacrifice to a fire to warm yourself up in the cold?

I just can’t even. Nope. Not going to burn a book even if I didn’t like it!

“Do You Hear What I Hear?”- Which book do you think everyone should read?

If you don’t recognize the above picture from the movie, I am choosing the book The Princess Bride. It is a wonderful fairytale-fantasy novel with amazing characters. It’s funny, emotional, sweet, and romantic. It’s not just a book for women, I know men who have loved it too!

This was a really fun themed book tag! If you should choose, please consider yourself tagged! I want to see your answers, so please  link it back to my blog.

I hope you enjoyed reading my answers. Have you read any of the books listed? What did you think of my answers?

Until next Sunday,

Deborah

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This Chick Read: His Dark Magic (Northern Circle Coven #1) by Pat Esden

Chloe comes from a magical family but a tragic accident from her past has brought shame down upon her and she has escaped away to college in Vermont to re-evaluate and recover her self confidence. When she is approached by the handsome Devlin to come and check out the Northern Circle Coven Chloe is hesitant, but decides to take a chance and meet with them. She is excited to learn that their purposes align, to use magic to heal, and she agrees to join their group. 

Athena, the high priestess of the Northern Circle coven has an ancient relic that she wants the coven to use to bring Merlin back to life, saying that they’ll use his knowledge to make great discoveries in the medical field. Her purpose is actually quite a bit darker which gives this novel a malevolent feel turning it from a romance to a thriller.

I really liked a lot of the characters in His Dark Magic, but there was something holding me back from loving them. Chloe seemed tentative and even though she is taking a chance with joining them, she is fearful of her choice. It turns out her gut feelings were right, but I did rather wish she’d just owned that decision from the start. The surrounding characters, including her love interest Devlin were interesting and I wanted to know a lot more about them, however, the author chose to only give depth to Chloe’s character leaving the others feeling rather 2-D. 

I liked the idea of this book more than I actually liked the book. My feelings were pretty ambivalent which is too bad because it had so much promise! 

❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase!*His Dark Magic

Copyright 2018 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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Friday YA: Almost Impossible by Nicole Williams

Jade, as the daughter of a rock star, has grown up on the road. Her mother’s career skyrockets and Jade wants to take a step back and spend the summer as a normal teenager. She goes to California to live with her aunt and uncle. Her aunt, her mom’s sister, is the complete opposite of Jade’s mom. They live in middle class suburbia and her aunt is solidly normal. Jade gets a job at the local pool, has a curfew, and kisses a boy for the first time. Ahh summer!

The set-up to this book is so YA, but when you get into the meat of it, there is a ton of depth to this story. Jade is living a normal teenage life for the first time, but the situations she finds herself in land her in the deep end of the pool for the first time. She meets and crushes on the head lifeguard, but doesn’t understand why this charming guy is so reserved. Quentin ends up being her neighbor and as the two of them develop a friendship she see’s that this fun guy has a very strong sense of responsibility that actually matches her own, but in a different way.

There was one story line which added to Jade’s story, but didn’t seem as pivotal as it probably should have. It did provide a mirror to Quinton’s, which was probably the purpose to it being included. Without going into details I’ll just say that it did make Quinton’s big reveal more impactful.

Almost Impossible was a sweet story about a girl who was looking for a change in scenery and actually found direction and a place for herself in this world. Something we can all aspire to find in our own life. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Opinions from around the Blogospere

“This book didn’t do anything to me emotionally even after a couple of heavy discoveries, and it’s really unsettling. However I like that it has a great family concept, amazing support system and featured a couple of responsible young adults which is kind of rare.” The Bookynista

“I started this book with apprehension and ended it totally in love with it. I will definitely be recommending this one to people looking for a cute summer romance read.” Books in Her Eyes

YA Contemporary

Click this link to purchase!* Almost Impossible

Copyright 2018 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights REserved

*Amazon Associate

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This Chick Read: Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet

Capt. Tess Bailey is stealing from the more fortunate by providing for those who have less. A Robin Hood type heroine with a big heart and small pockets.  She is running from the Dark Watch and has a price on her head with her identity a secret even from her own crew. When she comes face to face with the commander of the Dark Watch, someone she knows from her past. she makes the decision to jump into a black hole to what she and her crew thinks is certain death, to find they’ve landed close to a planet where they can recoup and hopefully get their ship repaired. She meets Shade Ganavan, a man she thinks is a mechanic, but who is really a bounty hunter. As he fixes their ship they grow close and we see a different side of Tess. One that is shy and sweet rather than direct and take charge. As Shade gets to know her, he can’t imagine that she is the type of criminal deserving of the price on her head and is forced to make a difficult decision, turn her in for the reward or let her walk away from him forever.

Amanda Bouchet proves again that she knows how to write a novel. This world was interesting and the characters grew on me, but it was hard not to compare Nightchaser with her Kingmaker series. They are completely different, one a science fiction romp while the other is a Greek mythology action adventure. Tess, like Cat, wasn’t sure exactly who she was and what powers she held and watching her explore and understand who she was and I’m sure in future novels, her personality and powers will unfold a bit more, but  I found myself to be impatient for a big reveal that when uncovered was a little light on impact. I couldn’t quite figure out why this novel wasn’t a home run for me. I enjoyed it, but wanted more than what I got.

Shade was a scoundrel which fit this space adventure very well.  Even though Tess was uncertain of his feelings, we knew from his POV that he’d fallen for her which took a little of the air out of his more impactful scenes. I have high hopes for the future novels in this series where we can get some epic adventures out of Tess, Shade and their crew.

A word to the wise, don’t do what I did by comparing this to the Kingmaker series. It’s completely different! I think I did myself a disservice, but in my own defense, I had really enjoyed the last series and wanted to escape into a book that good again. I didn’t get that but I still got a story that was good and characters that had a lot of heart and were interesting. They have room to grow and I have faith that this author will make this series another epic ride. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I was given an ARC of this book through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest.

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

“The truth is, I enjoyed this story immensely and it really got me excited to read more of Bouchet’s work. Tess and Shade are a great heroine/hero pair and play off one another nicely, both in their anger and their sizzling sexual tension.” KJ Harrowick

NIghtchaser

Click this link to purchase!* Nightchaser

Copyright 2018 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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This Chicks Sunday Commentary: The Get to Know you Book Tag

I thought it would be fun to do a book tag today! This one is pretty simple and I hope you have as much fun reading it as I had putting it together. I’ll admit a couple of these were tough!

Favorite Book of All Time

I had quite a few of the Wizard of Oz books as a child. I loved how Frank L. Baum created this whole world that my imagination could get lost in. I have memories of reading these books with my mother and watching the movie and wanting to find friends like the cowardly lion, scarecrow and tin man. 

Favorite Book Five Years Ago

This series and the heroine Mercy Thompson has been one of my all time favorites. This novel in particular was when my love for the strength and resilience of Mercy was born. The series is still ongoing and I love how her character has grown and become an even greater role model for a woman’s strength and honor in every aspect of her life. Yes, this is a fantasy series, but there are truths in character that can be applied in any realm.

Favorite Duology/Trilogy Series

What can I say? This series is magical and the characters fabulous.

Last Book You Read

This was a great wrap up to Britta’s story. I’m looking forward to reading Once a King which is Aodron’s follow up. 

Last Book of Poetry I’ve Read

Oh Boy. I don’t think I’ve ever read a complete book of poetry. Sorry!

What Book Most Influenced Your Life

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.”  Those were the first words that started my love of fantasy novels.

Book that Made You Ugly Cry

This was a really different well written YA novel about three friends.  It was a tearjerker, but uplifting too.

Book That Made You Laugh

This one ran the gamut of emotions, but Kate Daniels and her snarkiness has always made me smile.

Character You’d Like to Be for a Day

Jasmine Santos has known heartbreak, but she’s a fighter, a winner, and when she finds her man he loves her with the strength she has always needed. She is also sarcastic and kind of mean, but when you get to know her you love her.

Book So Good You Dreamed About It

The culmination of an amazing series and really action packed. I battled dark forces when I dreamed that night. And won!

Book You DNF’d

It just wasn’t for me. 

What Book Are You Excited to Read

It comes out on 11/27 and I can’t WAIT! If you haven’t read any books my Mariana Zapata…. what are you thinking? LOL.

Well, I hope you got to know me a little bit more. I have pretty eclectic tastes in books don’t I? 

I’m going to tag a few bloggers, but if you don’t have the time or aren’t interested don’t worry about it. If I didn’t tag you and you want to try out this book tag, feel free! Please tag me in your post so I can read your answers. Thanks!

Destiny @ Howling Libraries

Marie’s Book Boutique

Marie’s Book Boutique

Bionic Book Worm

Shalini’s Books and Reviews

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Friday YA: Once a King (A Clash of Kingdoms #3) by Erin Summerill

Once a King carries on the story of King Aodren and his fight to bring peace between his people and the Channelers who were persecuted under his fathers reign until most of them escaped to other kingdoms. This novel takes on the topic of drug dealing, although in a fantastical way. Someone is creating an oil called Sanguine that seems to give the non magical Channeler abilities, but in fact causes them to go mad with anger and cause death. Lirra, who we met in the previous novel, investigates the mystery of who is distributing this drug, reporting her findings back to Aodren. Whew!

While all of this is going on, there is a tournament between all of the kingdoms champions. It is a sort of Olympics but with jousting, sword fights and blood. Needless to say, this fake Sanguine (the real Sanguine is a miraculous healing drug and really rare) is being taken by the champions. Needless to say, bad things happen.

I really liked Aodren in the previous book and had looked forward to reading his story. I wasn’t disappointed! It’s easy to admire a character that wants to make a big change like racial discrimination and hatred. The tournament setting gave him the chance to be a “hero” in a physical way, which balanced well with the honorable aspects to his character. It made him come to life more than in the previous novel where he seemed to be not fully fleshed out.

I was a little confused by the Lirra in Once a King. In Ever the Brave she was more of a hard ass so I was surprised by how youthful she seemed. Yes, she was still heroic in investigating Sanguine but there was another side to her in this novel that was sweet and young. It made the budding romance between she and Aodren more believable. The young honorable King with the beautiful uncertain maiden. 

I liked the story overall and enjoyed Erin Summerill’s writing again. She’s a very consistent writer and I know what I”m going to get when I read one of her books. An enjoyable fantasy written with a lot of heart. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase!*Once a King (Clash of Kingdoms Novel)

Copyright 2018 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick all rights reserved

*Amazon Associate

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This Chick Read: Lethal White (Cormoran Strike #4) by Robert Galbraith

Lethal White was one of my most anticipated novels of 2018 and it did not disappoint! After catching a serial killer both Cormoran and Robin are recovering both physically and emotionally, their new partnership strained and a little uncomfortable. When Cormoran receives a visit from a disturbed man insisting he saw a girl being strangled when he was young he’s intrigued. He casually makes a few inquiries and through this mystery he and Robin start to repair their friendship.

Why is Cormoran Strike, the ex-military amputee who drinks a bit too much such a great hero? Through his current and past relationships we see how emotionally stunted he can be hiding from his own thoughts at times by having another pint. Robin’s relationship with her fiancee/husband Matthew offers the reader a comparison and allows us to see Comoran’s strengths. As Robin navigates her tumultuous new marriage I wallowed in what should have been’s between she and Strike. It was only the intricately wrought mystery that diverted my attention and allowed me to put those bitter feelings on simmer. What is it about these two characters that make me want them to be together so much?

There were many twists and turns to this mystery. What started with the young disturbed man in Strike’s office turned into political subterfuge. Without giving anything away I will say that I was surprised at the who dunnit and went back and forth through that journey of discovery trying to figure out how and when Strike figured out what was going on because I sure as hell didn’t figure it out!

If you love British crime mysteries you need to read this series. It gets better with each book and the tension between Cormoran and Robin keep you coming back for more. Will they ever get their relationship figured out? Who knows? But I sure do enjoy watching them tiptoe around their feelings for each other. Oh, and the mysteries are great too! For those of you who don’t know this, Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for J. K. Rowling. It’s amazing that the same person who wrote the Harry Potter books wrote these novels. She’s one talented lady! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

‘Overall, I would say that this book interested me more because of Cormoran and Robin’s personal lives than because of the mystery storyline. I truly believe this novel could’ve been like 50% shorter and the result would’ve been the same. And that’s a pity because I really like JK Rowling, and I love Robin and Cormoran, but unfortunately, this was not a favorite of mine.’ The Misstery

‘Despite this book being wrapped in a bewilderingly atrocious cover, this book is a solid entry in the series, though not really my favorite. Long-winded or not, fans of the series will probably forgive the extra bloat of the book to enjoy its complicated and tangled mystery. It’s a ferocious Gordian Knot, just waiting to be patiently picked apart.’ The Bibliofile

Lethal White

Click this link to purchase!*

Copyright 2018 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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This Chick Read: The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson

Librarian Charlotte Gorman is on a much needed vacation with her sister Ginny. Well, her sister invited her to share her suite in Orlando while she is competing in the Miss American Treasure beauty pageant and Charlotte is planning on hitting all of the amusement parks while giving moral support to Ginny. At 29 this is the last year that Ginny will be able to compete, and she wants to win just like her mother did years ago. Unfortunately, Ginny comes down with an allergic reaction to something and her face swells up like a pumpkin and you guessed it, she guilts Charlotte, her TWIN sister, into taking her place….just until the swelling goes down.

Even though Charlotte and Ginny are twin sisters and share the same face, they don’t share the same self image. Charlotte has always felt like Ginny was the pretty sister but when Ginny works her beauty pageant magic Charlotte is shocked she’s the spitting image of her sister, yet she is still just Charlotte on the inside. I loved how Charlotte’s journey in going through the first few levels of the pageant really helped her see herself differently. Mostly I liked how these two twin sisters grew closer through this process and honored the memory of their mother.

Charlotte’s journey of self discovery was not just through the beauty pageant. There is also a love interest for Charlotte and he is her perfect match! Although the romance was downplayed a bit for the plot about the two sisters, I still enjoyed that tension and loved the secrecy of their flirtation. If I were partial to sighing while reading I probably would’ve fainted from lack of breath. That didn’t happen, but I did have a slight smile on my face through all of their scenes and even laughed out loud a few times. This was one funny book!

Do you know when you start a novel and the words flow easily and you can feel yourself relaxing into the main character, not fighting against the words? That was how The Accidental Beauty Queen was for me. It was the perfect book for that perfect moment in time and I just loved it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

“Near the beginning I did struggle with Charlotte a little as even though she is 29 she sometimes felt 21. I found her sister, Ginny, to be selfish and single-minded although she did redeem herself in the end. I liked that Wilson didn’t make all of the contestants vapid and shallow, but instead gave them more faceted personalities. Although at times this felt a little childish (or maybe like a YA novel with adults), overall I enjoyed the story and characters.” Time Enough for Books

“What The Accidental Beauty Queen is really all about isn’t the glitz and glamour, but self-discovery, friendship and loyalty, and simply being who you are and were always meant to be.  Charlotte and Ginny both have a lot of maturing to do, and that growth happens in the span of one crazy, tumultuous week.  I found myself quite taken with this book and look forward to Teri Wilson’s next offering.” Rolopolo Book Blog

Click this link to purchase!*The Accidental Beauty Queen (Royals)

Copyright 2018 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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