This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Releases July’21

When I was looking through the list I saw a lot of top name authors had book releases this month but I’m not always attracted to the same books the general population wants to read. Let’s check my Top 5 against yours.

#5 BOOK RELEASE

Sometimes you just want to read a historical romance. When I’m in that mood, I will usually try to find a Lisa Kleypas novel. I love the way her characters feel so real. This novel is sure to be one of my weekend reads next month.

Synopsis:

Lady Merritt Sterling, a strong-willed young widow who’s running her late husband’s shipping company, knows London society is dying to catch her in a scandal. So far, she’s been too smart to provide them with one. But then she meets Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller, and all her sensible plans vanish like smoke. They couldn’t be more different, but their attraction is powerful, raw and irresistible.

From the moment Keir MacRae arrives in London, he has two goals. One: don’t fall in love with the dazzling Lady Merritt Sterling. Two: avoid being killed.

So far, neither of those is going well.

Keir doesn’t know why someone wants him dead until fate reveals the secret of his mysterious past. His world is thrown into upheaval, and the only one he trusts is Merritt.

Their passion blazes with an intensity Merritt has never known before, making her long for the one thing she can’t have from Keir MacRae: forever. As danger draws closer, she’ll do whatever it takes to save the man she loves . . . even knowing he might be the devil in disguise.

Click the link to purchase this book!* Devil in Disguise (Ravenels)

#4 BOOK RELEASE

I have read the other books in this series and have really enjoyed these characters and their culture. I can’t wait to see Yash fall in love. He always seems so put together!

Synopsis:

Yash Raje, California’s first Indian-American gubernatorial candidate, has always known exactly what he wants—and how to use his privileged background to get it. He attributes his success to a simple mantra: control your feelings and you can control the world. But when a hate crime at a rally critically injures his friend, Yash’s easy life suddenly feels like a lie, his control an illusion. When he tries to get back on the campaign trail, he blacks out with panic.

Desperate to keep Yash’s condition from leaking to the media, his family turns to the one person they trust—his sister’s best friend, India Dashwood, California’s foremost stress management coach. Raised by a family of yoga teachers, India has helped San Francisco’s high strung overachievers for a decade without so much as altering her breath. But this man—with his boundless ambition, simmering intensity, and absolute faith in his political beliefs—is like no other.

Click this link to purchase!* Incense and Sensibility: A Novel (The Rajes Series, 3)

#3 BOOK RELEASE

This novel is set in the same world as the Crown of Shards series which I really enjoyed so I am definitely adding this novel to my TBR.

Synopsis:

Gemma Ripley has a reputation for being a pampered princess who is more interested in pretty gowns, sparkling jewelry, and other frivolous things than learning how to rule the kingdom of Andvari. But her carefully crafted persona is just an act to hide the fact that Gemma is a powerful mind magier—and a spy. 

Gemma is undercover, trying to figure out who is stealing large amounts of tearstone from one of the Ripley royal mines when she encounters Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta—her mortal enemy. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle.

Despite the fact that Andvari and Morta are old, bitter enemies, a dangerous attraction sparks between Gemma and Leo. Further complicating matters is Leo’s murderous family, especially Queen Maeven Morricone, the mastermind behind the infamous Seven Spire massacre.

The closer Gemma gets to the stolen tearstone, the more deadly plots she uncovers. Everyone is trying to capture the crown, but only one queen can sit on the throne … 

Click this link to purchase!* Capture the Crown (A Gargoyle Queen Novel Book 4)

#2 BOOK RELEASE

Here’s another series I’m totally invested in PLUS it’s a Kristen Callihan novel. She writes some great characters who are flawed yet wonderful. I can’t wait to tear in to this novel too. I’ve already pre-ordered this one.

Synopsis:

Brenna

There are some people in life who know exactly how to push your buttons. For me, it’s Rye Peterson. We can’t spend more than ten minutes together before we’re at each other’s throats, which makes working together that much harder. Rye is the bassist for Kill John, the biggest rock band in the world, and I am his publicist. It doesn’t help that the man is gorgeous, funny, talented, and…never takes anything seriously. Avoidance is key.

But everything changes when he overhears something he shouldn’t: a confession made in a moment of weakness. Now the man I’ve tried so hard to ignore is offering me the greatest temptation of all—him.

Rye

Brenna James is the one. The one I can’t have. The one I can’t get out of my mind. Believe me, I’ve tried; the woman loathes me. I managed well enough—until I heard her say she’s as lonely as I am. That she needed to be touched, held, satisfied. And I could no longer deny the truth: I wanted to be the one to give her what she craved.

I convinced her that it would just be sex, mutual satisfaction with nothing deeper. But the moment I have her, she becomes my world. I’ve never given her a good reason to trust me before. Now, I’ve got to show Brenna that we’re so much better together than we ever were apart.

Things are going to get messy. But getting messy with Brenna is what I do best.

Click this link to purchase!* Exposed (VIP Book 4)

MY MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK RELEASE FOR JULY 2021

Here is another author that I never miss a new book. I’ve pre-ordered this one too and can’t wait to hear Jackson James’ story. How will she make this kind of bad guy into our hero? I am eager to find out!

synopsis:

One unforgettable night leads to an unlikely shared connection, and unlikely connections never go unnoticed by the good folks in Green Valley, Tennessee. . .

Jackson James follows the rules. He has to. He’s a sheriff’s deputy in a super small town with a super big personality. However, strict adherence to the law during the day has been enjoyably balanced by rakish rules at night. Jackson, typically happy to protect and serve (and serve, and serve), starts questioning the value of wayward evenings when getting laid starts to feel more like being waylaid. Could it be that Green Valley’s most eligible—and notorious—bachelor longs for something (and someone) real?

Mega movie star Raquel Ezra follows only one rule: always leave them wanting more. Studio execs, reporters, audiences, fans, lovers—no one can get enough of the smart, savvy, and sexy bombshell. But when “generous offers” begin to feel more like excessive demands, years of always leaving has the elusive starlet longing for something (and perhaps someone) lasting.

When Raquel abruptly returns to the quirky Tennessee hamlet, her path crosses with the delectable deputy with whom she spent one unforgettable night. Unfortunately, scandal and intrigue soon follow. Raquel and Jackson must decide which is more important: following their rules? Or, at long last, finding something real.

Click this link to purchase!* Totally Folked: A Small Town Romance Folktale retelling (Good Folk: Modern Folktales Book 1)

Just like I said above I know that my top 5 is not necessarily your top 5. Let me know if you have a great book coming out next month on your radar. I’m always adding to my TBR!

Happy Reading!

Deb

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase a book through one of the above links I’ll receive a small stipend.

This Chick Read: Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie

When Jane Quinn and her band the Breakers step in for Jesse Reid at the Bayleen Island Music Fest Jane overcomes disappointed fans and has the night of her life… up to that point. The next night when Jesse’s manager approaches her in the bar where she works and wants to sign the band to a contract Jane’s life changes abruptly. The Breakers become Jesse Reid’s opening act on their tour and he and Jane connect emotionally through their music and beyond. This novel is filled with music and fun, but it will also wrench your soul.

First and foremost this is a novel about music. Jane is a musical prodigy able to pick up any instrument and play. Her mother wrote music and Jane also has this capability, but her lyrics are always personal and at first she doesn’t want to show that much of herself to the world. It takes a tragedy for her to show all of her emotions to the world. It was at this point that Jane had my by in. Her holding back also made me hold back.

Jesse was a conundrum. He had all of this talent yet there were hints of a “troubled past” that weren’t explained until later in the book. Between Jesse and Jan he was the more immediately likable but I’ve always liked an underdog and Jesse started out the book at the top of his game and musically he stayed there. Jane’s journey both musically and emotionally was much greater and it was because of how she handled the ups and downs in this book, and evenly more importantly fought for her music that I cared what happened as much as I did.

I have only one criticism for this author. I was so invested in these characters that I felt betrayed by how she wrapped up the book. Yes, there were a lot of characters and I liked hearing their lives were fulfilled or they found a partner or whatever, but the pages may have been better spent on wrapping up Jane and Jesse’s lives in a different more emotional way. I felt disassociated from those pages like I was reading a newspaper. It was kind of a let down after the emotional ride the author had taken me on through the book up to that point.

I can’t let this review end without saying how much I appreciated how wonderful all of the song lyrics were in Songs in Ursa Major. There was truly some great poetry and songwriting skills made by this author. Even though I couldn’t hear the actual music the lyrics made me feel the emotions the author intended me to feel. Emma Brodie has loads of talent and I hope she writes another book quickly. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Songs in Ursa Major: A novel

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserve

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

This Chick Read: A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses #5) by Sarah J. Maas

Nesta, the once human sister of Feyre, now turned HIgh Fae, is drowning her memories of the Hybern war by drinking to excess, sleeping with men indiscriminately, and living in a hovel. When her sister and her mate Rhys step in it’s to save her from herself. Now living in their old home 5,000 steps above the city she must train by day with Cassian and spend the afternoon working in the library with the Sisters. She abhors the first and decides to tolerate the second. Her relationship with Cassian has always been tumultuous to say the least and the last thing she wants to do is spend time alone with him despite their attraction for each other. Those feelings change when she befriends a priestess named Gwyn and a shopkeeper named Emerie, who together decide to train as Valkyrie’s and create a sisterhood that would give them strength and courage.

I, too, was not a big fan of Nesta’s during Feyre and Rhys’s story. What was there to care about? She was cold, heartless, and didn’t care about our heroine Feyre at all. She was also pretty brutal to Cassian, a warrior who seemed to care for her despite her bad attitude. In fact, it almost seems he cared for her because of it. In A Court of Silver Flames we finally learn what’s going on in Nesta’s head. I had wondered how SJM was going to turn this character around when legions of fans couldn’t stand her, myself included. It wasn’t the love story (if that’s what you call it) between she and Cassian, at least for me. It was the need to help the priestess’s and her friend Emerie overcome the trauma and abuse they’d taken from men. Through that friendship she rebuilt who I thought she was into the person she was meant to be. Yes, part of that person was lover and mate to Cassian, but more importantly it was the inner struggle and discovery of who she was as High Fae, instead of as human woman.

Cassian was an interesting character. He was the General of Rhysand’s army overcoming his own rotten childhood by being the best at what he was and enforcing that message to the Illyrian’s who tortured him as a child. Through this novel we learned a lot about what makes him tick and in large part that is his relationship with his bro’s Rhysand and Ash. Those three, just as Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie do in this novel. overcome all obstacles to survive and succeed. It put into strong relief the facade that he wears as charmer and brutish warrior and helped me buy into this pairing with Nesta.

As with any of SJM’s novels, there are so many intricacies. Nesta’s powers that she stole from the Cauldron, Ash’s secretive spying, the revolt by Fall, I can go on and on. Each sub-plot adding to the overall story, but also leading us towards the next novel. I won’t go into details because if you’re a fan, you should have this experience on your own. Did I end my journey with this story liking Nesta more than I did when I started? Absolutely! I’ve read some reviews where readers are still holding a grudge and in my opinion I just can’s see how they can. Nesta has more than redeemed herself in my eyes and ok, I guess she too deserves a whole lot of love and Cassian seems to fit her perfectly.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 5)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (6/21/21)

I’m going to fess up I have not actually read any books this week. I have listened to one and am listening to another. I’m not sure if anyone is still interested because both books are from Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series. LOL. Has anyone else found that when they have a stressful work week a previously read book is a great comfort? That’s what I’m going through right now. So, listening to the Kate Daniels series makes me feel good. For what it’s worth here is what’s currently on my shelf.

JUST FINISHED

Technically this book is it’s own series but it falls between book #9 and book #10 in Kate Daniels and it’s content was relevant to the series. This book is the beginning of Hugh’s story and is meant to be read before the final Kate Daniels novel. I think it’s the third time I’ve listened to this novel and it still takes me over half the book to forgive him for what he’s done in the other series. He is one seriously bad dude.

JUST STARTED

After finishing Hugh’s novel I quickly start Magic Triumphs which wraps up the series. It is so good.

What books are you finding comfort reading this week?

Happy Monday!

Deb

This Chick Read: Million Dollar Demon (the Hollows #15) by Kim Harrison

Cincinnati has a new master vampire and she has decided to take control of the city. She is forcing people out of their homes to make room for her crew causing chaos on the streets. She’s also hassling Rachel’s allies and has kicked Rachel out of her temporary home. She wants Rachel out of Cincinnati. Rachel and her pixie pal Jenks head back to the church, their wrecked out home and a slew of homeless inderlanders follow. Everyone expects Rachel to step up and solve the problem of this master vamp who is out of control and completely insane.

Fifteen books in and I am still riveted by Rachel’s episodic life. In Million Dollar Demon Rachel just wants to find a home to live in but everyone expects her to step up and solve one of the biggest problems to hit Cincinnati in years. Candace, the new master vampire leads by making her followers fear her. When Rachel finally meets her she realizes the horrors that await her city of someone doesn’t step up to control the situation. Unfortunately for her she is the one who has to step up. She is dating the Sa’han of the elves, runs a pack of werewolves with the alpha David, and is scion to one of the most powerful living vampires in Cincinnati. Because of these relationships and her status as a demon born witch who helped save the demon realm in a previous novel, Rachel is the go-to to fix this problem.

Rachel has evolved so much through this series. She was just a young witch in the first novel and even though she still seems to stumble into trouble without a scratch despite not wanting the attention her status has totally changed. The one thing that hasn’t is that somehow she still seems slightly unsure of herself yet bullsh(t$ her way through most problems. I like sassy female protagonists and there is no one mouthier than Rachel Morgan.

There wasn’t much I didn’t like about Million Dollar Demon’s plot. There was plenty of action, heroics, and edge of your seat awareness that things might just go wrong to keep me reading rapidly. When I was younger Rachel was one of my favorite characters and I still like her a lot. Every time I read one of these Hollows novels I’m transported to a familiar place and it’s a comfort. I can easily get wrapped up in a story and forget about the outside world. I just wish Rachel had learned some confidence. She’s great at faking it but she’s still the insecure young girl she was in the first book. Maybe that was the one thing keeping it from being a five star read. I want Rachel to finally stand up and say I am here and no one is going to do that in my city, and mean it!

If you like paranormal action books this series is a lot of fun. Start with book one because I think if you haven’t read the previous novels it would be really confusing to start with book fifteen. This is urban fantasy escapism and boy this one’s a wild ride.

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Million Dollar Demon (Hollows)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

This Chick Read: Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey

Teddy is almost thirty years old, lives with her doctor boyfriend, and is still trying to find what she wants to do with herself. When her boyfriend dumps her out of the blue her life’s direction or lack of one becomes even more apparent. Working in a toy store may not be the way she wants to spend the rest of her life but what does she want to do? For solace she turns to episodes of her favorite children’s television program hosted by Everett St. James. Everett’s lessons in the show speak to her and on a whim she decides to send him an email.

I swear I’ve compared this author’s voice to Nora Ephron in the past but Very Sincerely Yours definitely feels like a rom-com similar to You’ve Got Mail or While You Were Sleeping. Winfrey’s characters are always every women. As a reader I can identify with pieces of Teddy and as she goes on her journey I hold her close as if she were me. When she and Everett become email pen-pals their dialog is witty, fun, funny, and sweet. They are both quirky characters and really it’s no surprise that they fit each other. (Yes, yes, I know this is not a true story but I am INVESTED!)

First let’s talk about Teddy. Clueless in life, yes. However, she is not dumb. She’s surprisingly witty and smart. I think she actually surprises herself too. At first she see’s herself through her ex’s eyes, then her friends, and with Everett’s help she finally see’s herself through her own eyes and she likes what she sees. Her “Do 1 Thing You Hate” every day challenge helps her find an identity and not surprisingly that identity is full of color.

Everett is probably that boy in school that you all give the side eye too. From the age of four he knew he wanted to be a puppeteer and that he wanted his own show. His whole life was focused on those things and unsurprisingly he achieved them. Being an older brother to a sister much, much younger than he, he loved how kids thought and spoke and he learned how to speak to them in return. Not surprisingly that voice also speaks to adults like Teddy who were fans of his show. (Hello, adult mom fan club!) When Teddy writes to him he gets a kick out of her and writes back and they find each other’s voices to be fascinating. Unsurprisingly since this is a romance, they find their physical selves fascinating in real life too.

This is a feel good, laugh out loud, teary-eyed romance novel. I love quirky characters and these two hit a chord with me. Admittedly quirkiness may not be loved by all, but Very Sincerely Yours put a smile on my face. My husband even commented on how I was smiling while reading. I shook with laughter too. Teddy was my favorite because her journey was a bit harder but I was secure in knowing that at the end of that journey was the wonderful Everett and so I was patient, not reading ahead as I can do when I’m impatient. I read at the speed that this author intended me to read, not wanting to miss a word because in these words were great lessons but also great heart. In this reviewers humble opinion this is Kerry Winfrey’s best novel yet.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received this novel through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Very Sincerely Yours

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (6/14/21)

Ah summer time! The weather changes on a dime in Tennessee. Will it be hot and muggy, rainy, or will we have a break from the heat with an 85 degree day? This weekend was a little bit of all of those things. Thrown into the mix was a birthday dinner with a good friend but I still found time to read a little bit! Here are my recent reading choices.

JUST FINISHED

I am still making my way through this series listening to the audio books and enjoying every second of the journey. Kate Daniels is one of my favorite characters, Ilona Andrews my favorite writing team, and Renee Raudman the penultimate of narrators. The nuances in her voice really bring out the humor in Kate’s internal voice. Such a great series.

JUST STARTED

I’m back in the Hollows with Rachel Morgan, witch-demon. This is book 14 or 15 in this series and I have not gotten tired of it. Thank goodness the author hasn’t either!

I have also mixed in a little contemporary romance but it seems I am on a journey through the fantasy genre lately. Which books do you ultimately keep reading? Any great series with a good narrator? I’m loving my audio books lately. Let me know what you’re enjoying in the comments below.

Happy Monday and happy reading!

Deb

This Chick Read: Shattered Bonds (Jane Yellowrock #13) by Faith Hunter

Jane returns to the Asheville area to recoup after the blood duel between Leo Pelissier MOC of New Orleands and the European vampires. Recovering after the loss of some friends, as well as healing her wounds Jane is lying low when evil finds her. Not at full strength, Jane has to find a way to defeat this ancient enemy to keep her friends and family safe.

In Shattered Bonds we see a Jane Yellowrock that we haven’t seen before. Weak and wounded both mentally and physically Jane isn’t at all prepared to fight the brother of the big bad who had been chained in Leo’s basement for all of those years. This vampire is all powerful and it takes digging deep for Jane to find her fighting form so she can take him on.

Each story in this series we have seen Jane’s power grow so it was really interesting to see her fight the weakness buried inside her body. Shattered Bonds told the story of Jane’s internal struggles as well as giving us those action sequences we have grown to love while reading these novels. I’ll admit this book was harder to read. I don’t like seeing one of my favorite characters weak but after reflecting on it I realized that her sickness made her human. Something that she was starting to lack in the previous novels. She can’t always be powerful and strong, but in fighting through adversity she gains a different kind of strength. Shattered Bonds took Jane back to her Indian roots spiritually, in a way we hadn’t see previously. I still prefer the kick butt heroine, but I can see why the author took Jane on this journey.

I often wonder how long Faith Hunter can keep up the fast, action-packed pace. Selfishly, I hope it’s for a good long while.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* Shattered Bonds (Jane Yellowrock Book 13)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

This Chick Read: Wilder (The Wild Ones #3) by C.M. Owens

When Piper and Reese inherit a cabin in Tomahawk from the grandmother they never knew they decide to take a break from their exhausting family and hide out in Tomahawk and check out this place that their grandmother loved. Reese heads into town and meets Hale Vincent who having no fear and no clue asks her out and is determined to find a friend for her sister if his brother Killian doesn’t want her. In the meantime Piper is at the cabin when she see’s a fawn break through the ice in the lake and she’s determined to save it. Tying a noose around it’s neck she pulls the fawn out but falls through the ice herself. When she wakes up she’s in a cabin with a family talking about who’s going to get naked with her to warm her up. Needles to say, our her Kai Wilder is the lucky winner. Hearing them talk about things like impregnating her Piper is eager to get warm and get out of there. Later when she finds out she’s been set up on a date with this same guy? She’s not eager to get acquainted. Needless to say their first date is different. A dead deer (not the same one that fell in the pond), skinning, and eating that same deer for dinner is a LOT different than what she’s used to and while Reese seems to be going with the flow Piper is not.

I have to admit this was a tough one to give a brief synopsis because it really does not tell the hilarity of that first meeting and the first date. Tomahawk, Washington and these two boys did not disappoint, although Piper and Reese took me a bit to get warmed up to. Haha, get it?

As a reminder, Tomahawk, Washington is run by the Wild Ones, four families that are over the top, well, just over the top. In the two previous novels we got to know the Vincents and the Malones and in this novel we get to finally know Kai Wilder, who seemed to be one of the wilder ones. Although in this novel, he was actually pretty quiet and sweet. He was also pretty clueless.

Piper and her sister Reese come from a wealthy family who’s father will be running for office. Making their living posting on social media, something that is completely alien to the nature loving easy going Kai. I thought their interactions with each other were funny and cute but didn’t seem to really be going anywhere, which was also frustrating. Luckily by the end of the book the author turned it around and gave us a more well rounded character in Piper who we could root to be with our easy going charming Kai.

This book was funny like the first two and I really enjoyed seeing all of the other crazy characters again in Tomahawk but I think because it took me so long to warm up to Piper it was my least favorite of the three so far. Unfortunately this author seems to have taken a hiatus from this series because she set us up for Reese and Hale’s romance as well as Killian and Nela’s (Hale’s brother) but it’s been three years since Wilder has come out and it’s crickets on this series. I will still hold out hope because it’s a rarity to find three books in the same series that make me laugh out loud. Ms. Owens if you read this blog, please, please write another Wild Ones novel. These characters are worth exploring more! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (6/7/21)

I am still all wrapped up in listening to the audio books for the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. When you listen one after another you really catch some of the nuances you missed when reading the books initially. Despite the time sucker of listening to audio books I did finish reading one book. I need to get back on track with my reading this week and have a favorite author that will help me get started.

JUST FINISHED

Despite being lectured by the author through the characters about adults not being the target for ya novels (I am one myself!) I liked this story. I don’t think this was an original story but it was entertaining.

JUST STARTED

Ah Rachel Morgan, I wonder what she will be up to in this novel. I do love my journey into the Hollows.

What books are you reading this week? Or what book do you want to read this week? A good book can make the week go by faster. Have a great Monday!

Deb