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This Chick Read: Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose

When New Orleans public prosecutor Kaj Cardozo’s son is almost kidnapped he hires a private investigation team famous for their protection services. Val Sorensen, is the bodyguard hired to protect Elijah and as the investigation plays out she and Kaj become tied together by circumstance and emotion.

This is the first time I’ve read a novel by Karen Rose and I have to say that I was immediately drawn into the plot, really liking Val’s character, and loving little Elijah. Val’s back story of a former sexual assault while in the marines added to the tension of an already gripping story. As the plot unfolds and the intricacies are revealed I’m impressed with how the two storylines tie together. Kaj, the prosecutor whom the bad guys are targeting was an interesting character, his role as father, love interest, and prosecutor often conflicting making his reactions both real and unbelievable. Admittedly, his was the only character that I had mixed emotions about because of all of the push and pull with his emotions.

The plot had some rather gruesome moments, so if you’re a bit squeamish, as I am, then you may find yourself skimming those scenes, but this story was fraught with emotion and tension despite my closing my eyes and reading at the same time. The bad guys were truly horrible and I rooted for our heroine to wrap this plot up toot suite! Val was such a warrior that it was easy enough to believe that she would overcome all obstacles, get the bad guys, and win her man. Despite the gruesome bits, this plot flew by!

My favorite character by far was the teen hero, Jace. He was such a sweetie and the horrible life he’d led up to that point made me want to hug him and give him a better life. What a great character.

If you like romantic thrillers this novel was a pretty good one!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Beneath Dark Waters

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Codename Charming (Palace Insiders #2) by Lucy Parker

Petunia De Vere is the personal assistant to just wed royal Johnny, whose calamities bring them unwanted attention from the press. After a particularly clumsy moment sparks rumors of infidelity Pet is asked to have a pretend romance with Matthias, head bodyguard to the royal couple. The two of them can’t be any more different. Pet is pretty, petite, bubbly, and vivacious whereas Matthias is gigantic, stoic, and surly. They both reluctantly agree and after spending time together they find out they have a sizzling chemistry. Can Pet get through that thick-skinned exterior? Can Matthias rise above his over-protective nature to let Pet in? This sequel to one of my favorite romances of 2021, Battle Royal, has all the makings of a romantic comedy of errors that can’t help but feel right.

I love, love, love Lucy Parker novels. Set in England and written by an Australian, they just feel different than romance novels written by American authors. You can’t help but use descriptive words like cheeky, brilliant, and gobsmacked when faced with this well-written romance. OK, I’m over that moment of British humor, but really I did really enjoy Codename Charming. Pet was a favorite side character of mine in the previous novel and she and Matthias’s romance was set-up with the gift of a charming little teddy bear.

Once she and Matthias were fake-dating, you really got to see inside of his surly exterior. He was just a big ol’ teddy bear, just like the little one he gave her. A little dusty and mangled, but he had a heart of gold. That was truly when this novel shone, those sweet quiet moments between the two of them. However, I did love the crazy slapstick comedy that Johnny added to the mix.

I have to mention that if you’re a fan of Battle Royal as I am, you will get your fix of Sylvie and Dominic with a couple of wonderful chapters. I love seeing a glimpse into the future of past favorites, and theirs is rainbow bright. Dominic and Pet also have some great brother-sister moments that provide that family insight that one of the subplots in this novel really needed to round out Pet’s character.

Codename Charming was aptly named. This novel was charming, fun, and romantic. Surprisingly it also had a lot of depth. Pet had insecurities that were addressed in this book as did Matthias. Their support of each other through these moments also helped cement them as a couple in my eyes. It can’t all be rainbows and butterflies can it? Life happens, and you need someone strong by your side. They both got that in the other in Codename Charming. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

P.S. -Because I’m a big Lucy Parker fan I have gone down the rabbit hole and found another book that she wrote under the name Elle Pierson, Artistic License. I’ve reviewed this book previously, and really liked it. The reason I bring it up is because there are a LOT of similarities between the characters in these two books. The setting and story are completely different, but I think Lucy Parker has a sweet spot for huge, unattractive (her words) bodyguards with a heart of gold. If you do too, you may want to check out Artistic License.

Click this link to purchase this novel!* Codename Charming

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Luck of the Draw (Chance of a Lifetime #2) by Kate Clayborn

When Zoe and her friends won the lottery, each of them had a plan. Zoe, quit her job as a corporate attorney and tried to address the guilt she felt for some of the things she had to do. Writing her feelings on slips of paper and putting them in a jar, Zoe pulls one out and is determined to face her past. Aiden O’Leary is grieving the loss of his brother and facing the woman who sat across the table from his family for the company whose drug helped kill him was the last thing he wanted, but he saw an opportunity. Aiden’s plan for the money his family got in the lawsuit is to purchase a camp and he needs someone to stand by his side as his fianceé, and he asks Zoe to take that place. Over the next six weekends they see a different side of each other and gain a closeness that neither wants to go away.

Luck of the Draw was not quite as charming as the first novel in the series, Beginner’s Luck. Part of this was the subject matter and Aiden’s back story. It’s hard to read a sad novel about a man overcoming the loss of his brother and also Zoe’s guilt that goes along with dealing out the payment for that man’s loss. This was the heart of the story, but there were moments of light inside that darkness. Zoe’s needing to fill Aiden’s silence with chatter, his stoic facade cracking into a grin, their need to hold onto each other, and more. Each of these small moments made you look forward to that next moment that led to Zoe and Aiden’s guilt slowly dissipating. So, yes, there wasn’t as much charm in this novel, but there were plenty of great moments. Also, there was one heck of a declaration from Aiden to Zoe and that one scene was worth everything.

Kate Clayborn has proven that she writes a great story and once again she has also proven that she fills those stories with some great side-characters. As with the first, the girl group who won the lottery together, Kit, Greer, and Zoe stood by each other, embraced their differences, and doled out support and advice. They were wonderful and I wish I had that same kind of girl group in my own life. Aiden was a little bit more of a loner. He was so consumed with grief that despite having people close to him, he held them at a distance because it was too hard to let anyone close. However, as the book advanced and he went through a healing process, he allowed those friends close and that was a win- they were also great side characters who added charm and fun which was needed.

So, I didn’t like this book as much as the first but I still liked it a lot. It had its own heart. It was a little bit more difficult to get through because of the sadness, but once that dissipated a bit, this novel was a gem. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Luck of the Draw

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Perfect Together by Kristen Ashley

Wyn and Remy Gastineau had a wonderful marriage until they didn’t and Remy walked out on Wyn without an explanation. Three years later and Wyn has come to the realization that their marriage is actually over- she is ready to move on. Remy has decided he made the biggest mistake of his life and wants Wyn back.

Second chance romances are not my usual, but I do read almost all of Kristen Ashley’s books (sorry, I didn’t read her foray into erotica) and this one seemed to be a stand alone so I wanted to give it a read. I am so glad I did! It took awhile before the reason for Remy walking out was given but I loved the leading up scenes and Wyn’s confusion about what the heck was going on. I also really liked the emotional depth that Kristen Ashley gave to Remy’s reason and how both he and Wyn worked through these issues. It was dramatic, sometimes overly so, but it also felt real. Something I’m not used to in a KA novel. Her books are sometimes pretty outlandishly portrayed. There were elements of the overly dramatic but for the most part the reactions felt real which gave me a more powerful reaction to the story.

I loved Wyn and Remy’s kids, Sabre, Manon, and Yves. Sabre, the oldest is very like his father, an alpha male but has a bit of a mushy center. Manon, is sweet but has a strong core, and Yves is kind of a combination of the two. Their inclusion in the plot added so much to the story. I don’t know that the book would have been as effective without their opinions, reactions, and everything. Sometimes kids take away from the core duos story, but in this case their children were fully integrated and it made sense. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Perfect Together

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Beginner’s Luck (Chance of a Lifetime #1) by Kate Clayborn

Three friends purchase have a drunk night out and purchase a lottery ticket joking they’d split the winnings if their numbers came up. When they did, they each had plans to make changes in their lives. This first novel follows Kit’s story. Working as an engineer at the local university, Kit is happy at her job although she would love her equipment to have an upgrade. When Ben Tucker, a recruiter, comes calling, Kit has no intention of taking him up on his offer but finds herself running into him while rehabbing her home. Ben is back in town to take care of his father for a few months while he recovers from a stroke and is helping run the restoration hardware store and he has what Kit needs.

I loved the home rehabbing angle of this romance. Ben approaches Kit as one person, the suit wielding power broker, but shows his true colors in a t-shirt and jeans with a wrench in his hand. These two sides of Ben made him so much more personable and you could see how he and Kit, who was as down to earth as they come, fitting together. Their characters were very well crafted and I liked them for each other a lot.

Another thing that made this book work so well were the relationships outside of Ben and Kit. Kit had her core girlfriends who had her back, gave her love, and understood her quirks. Ben’s relationship to his father was warm, sweet, and gruffly caring. All of these characters really added to this novel because it wasn’t just about Ben and Kit, although they were certainly the heart of the novel. They just made them feel rounded and real.

I have read some of Kate Clayborn’s newer novels and wanted to go back through her back list and see what I’d missed and The Chance of a Lifetime series jumped out at me. If they’re all like this first book I’m going to enjoy their charm! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Beginner’s Luck

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Releases- Aug’23

Yes, I do know it’s Wednesday and not Sunday but I was totally into a great audiobook over the weekend and didn’t get this post written until Sunday night. Sorry! There are a log of great August book releases, but these are my top 5.

#5 BOOK RELEASE

After reading a great fantasy novel by this author her name jumped out at me on the list. I love a great contemporary romance and this plot looks so good!

Synopsis:

When Izzy Astor gets on a plane to go home, she isn’t expecting much. It’s the usual holiday travel experience: busy, crowded, stressful.

Then she spots her seatmate, who is anything but ordinary. Nate Phelan sports dark hair, blue eyes, and a deliciously rugged charm that Izzy can’t resist. Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now.

Just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane goes down in the Missouri River.

Their lives change. They change. Nate goes on to a career in the military while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few chance encounters over the years, the timing never feels right.

Then comes a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is tasked with protecting Izzy’s life.

He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart.

Click this link to purchase this book- In the Likely Event

#4 BOOK RELEASE

I love a good enemies to lovers trope and throw in plot about caring for a disabled child and I’m all in. This one looks good!

Synopsis: It all started with an unexpected phone call.
Two years after my fiancé passed away in an accident, his father died suddenly, leaving Brad’s adult, special-needs brother with no one to care for him.
The next thing I knew, I was on a cross-country drive to New Hampshire where I’d be moving in to look after Scottie until I could get him into a group home.
The last thing I ever expected?
I wouldn’t be taking care of him alone.
Josh Mathers, my fiancé’s best friend—who also happened to be my sworn enemy—insisted he was the better person for the job. He told me to go back to California, and I told him where he could stick that demand.
Our disdain for each other wasn’t anything new. It dated back to a text I’d accidentally read years ago.
We hated each other. But we both loved Scottie, so neither of us budged.
Now we were living together in a tiny house—with one available bedroom. Thank goodness it was only temporary.
Over time, I realized the broody jerk I thought I knew was different than I’d imagined.
I found myself slowly growing attached to someone I once considered the enemy…and growing attracted to him.
Sure, both of us were guilt-ridden over Brad. We were also two grown people with pent-up frustration toward one another—stuck in a cabin in the woods.
But this was Josh.

Click this link to purchase this book- I Could Never

#3 BOOK RELEASE

Hazel Beck can write a great magical witchy plot and I can’t wait to see where she takes us with this second book in the series. This sister is one interesting chick!

Synopsis: Is her magic a threat to witchkind…or is she simply powerful enough to save the world?

Rebekah Wilde was eighteen when she left St. Cyprian, officially stripped of her magic and banished from her home. Ten years later, she’s forced to return to face the Joywood Coven, who preside over not just her hometown but the whole magical world. Rebekah is happy to reunite with her sister, and with her friends, but the implications of her return are darker and more dangerous than they could have imagined.

The Joywood are determined to prove Rebekah and her friends are a danger to witchkind, and her group faces an impending death sentence if they can’t prove otherwise. Rebekah must seek help from the only one who knows how to stop the Joywood—the ruthless immortal Nicholas Frost. Years ago, he was her secret tutor in magic, and her secret impossible crush. But the icy immortal is as remote and arrogant as ever, and if he feels anything for Rebekah—or witchkind—it’s impossible to tell.

Click this link to purchase this book- Big Little Spells

#2 BOOK RELEASE

I’m actually reading this one right now and it’s as eerie as that cover looks. I love a good mystery and so far this one is delivering the goods.

Synopsis: There’s no safe place for a child to hide when danger comes from every direction.

Public prosecutor J.P. “Kaj” Cardozo has only lived in New Orleans for six months, and he’s already working on a high-profile celebrity sexual assault case that’s made headlines all over the country. But when his son becomes the target of a kidnapping attempt as a threat to Kaj, he is desperate to keep him safe and turns to a private investigative firm famous for their protection services.

A veteran Marine, Val Sorensen is glad to have found a new career with Broussard Investigations. Her latest assignment as the bodyguard to ten-year-old Elijah Cardozo reminds her why—Val is a kick ass guardian with a tender heart.  Through her duties, Val grows fond of the boy—and his handsome father.

But when the high-stakes investigation reveals an explosive network of crime through a revived drug gang, lingering deep-seated corruption in the NOPD, and a group of murderers-for-hire targeting Kaj, Elijah, and his star client, they’re all left scrambling for safety…

Click this link to purchase this book- Beneath Dark Waters

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

MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK RELEASE – AUGUST’23

Lucy Parker’s books are immediate reads for me I enjoy her writing so much. This series is so much fun!

Synopsis:

Petunia De Vere enjoys being the personal assistant to lovable, bumbling Johnny Marchmont. But the job has its share of challenges, including the royal’s giant, intimidating bodyguard, Matthias. Pet and Matthias are polar opposites—she’s spontaneous and enthusiastic, he’s rigid and stoic—but she can sense there’s something softer underneath that tough exterior…

For Matthias Vaughn, protecting others is the name of the game. But keeping his royal charge out of trouble is more difficult than he imagined because everywhere Johnny goes, calamity ensues, and his petite, bubbly assistant is often caught in the fray. Matthias hates the idea of Pet getting hurt and he’s determined to keep everyone safe, even if it means clashing with his adorable new coworker.

When a clumsy moment leads to a questionable tabloid photo, the press begins to speculate that Pet is romantically involved with Johnny. To put an end to the rumors, the royal PR team asks Pet and Matthias to stage a fake relationship and the two reluctantly agree. But as they spend more time together outside of work, they begin to wonder what real emotions this pretend connection might uncover. Especially when a passionate kiss leaves both of their heads spinning… 

Click this link to purchase this book- Codename Charming

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick’s Audio Review: Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is imploding- her divorce is just about finalized, the promotion she was looking for has been delayed, and her brother’s chances for a new kidney are one in a million. When the new Dr. Jacob Maddox over-steps she goes into full on beast mode and delivers a set down that they both will never forget. Realizing his error, Jacob writes her an old fashioned letter that starts a back and forth letter exchange that creates a rock solid friendship. When Jacob secretly tests himself and is a match as a donor for her brother’s kidney Brianna will do just about anything Jacob wants in return for this life-saving gift. Jacob asks for that favor- he wants Brianna to pretend to be his girlfriend for a series of events with his family, something that she’s happy to do, but this line she crosses makes it very hard for them to ever go back to being “just friends”.

First, I need to give props to the narrators, Kyla Garcia and Zachary Webber. I’m a huge fan of Zachary Webber’s and have listened to him many time so falling back into his voice and portrayal of Jacob was no hardship and super easy. Kyla Garcia was a new narrator for me, but she too was wonderful and the two of them together had great chemistry. Abby Jimenez wrote some great dialog for these two characters and due to their narration, I was all in. This story caught me hook, line, and sinker.

These letters that Briana and Jacob exchanged were such a great way to create a voice for each character. Their jobs as emergency room doctors would be a dreadful read, but their relaying their days to each other on paper allowed the author to create unique voices for each of them. It also allowed the characters to relay things about themselves that would be hard to say in person. So, they got to know each other quickly and when they finally became friends in person it was a seamless exchange. I just so loved that. Am I the only one that was reminded of the movie You’ve Got Mail during these chapters? It was just all so fun and charming. I was smiling the whole time I read those letters.

I really liked how this novel explored social anxiety as a theme. I think it’s one of the first times where I’ve read a romance where the hero had this mental issue and it really opened my eyes to anxiety and how people deal with living with it. I loved how Briana knew how to deal with it and automatically did things to make him feel more comfortable, really without much thought. It made me love her a lot and get invested in the two of them as a couple. Briana too, was not without her own mental issues and the author did a great job explaining what was happening in a realistic way that didn’t get bogged down by technical terms. Briana and Jacob were so present for each other you couldn’t help but love them both.

I found this novel charming, funny, emotional, sad, and inspiring. I’m kind of surprised to be using those descriptors in what I thought would be a simple rom-com but this novel had a depth that leapt out and punched me in the face and made me take notice. You can’t help but admire a story that makes you feel all of those things and then reflect back on it again days later and say to yourself, yeah, that was a really good one. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Yours Truly

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (7/31/23)

OK, I know I said a couple of weeks ago that I love the summer when it’s hot outside and I can curl up inside in the air conditioning with a good book, but this weather is ridiculous! In Nashville it’s been triple digits and it’s pretty hard to cool down even with air conditioning. Regardless, I am still curling up with a good book… or two.

JUST FINISHED

It’s a good thing the weather was so hot because I chose to listen to this novel and it’s fast paced action sequences, fight against good & evil, and love story were hard to set aside. Oh, and did I say there was dragons????!!! I LOVE dragons!

JUST STARTED

After the action in Fourth Wing, I needed a genre switch and chose Beneath Dark Waters. This novel started off with a jolt and I’m loving the heroine so far. Can’t wait to see where it leads.

Are you staying out of the heat? Hang in there with a good book!

Have a great Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick’s Audio Review: Meet Me In The Margins by Melissa Ferguson

Savannah Cade, editor of small publishing house of highbrow literature, drops the manuscript of a romance novel she’s writing at the feet of her new boss, William Pennington. Relieved at not getting fired for that snafu, she hides the manuscript in the hidden room she’s found and when she returns for it, she finds the first chapter has snarky edits written in the margins. After submitting it to a competitive romance publishing house and receiving some of the same edits back, she is given 6 weeks to complete the manuscript and she needs the help of her mystery editor. Striking up an unseen agreement to help her with the edits, she and her mystery editor exchange comments and get to know each other in the margins. Savannah finds herself more and more attracted to this mystery man but she just can’t figure out who he might be.

I love when the novel I’m reading takes place in the city where I live. Recognizing landmarks, restaurants, and coffee shops in a book is a lot of fun and when that place is Nashville, TN there can be a lot of comedy had from a scene in a honky tonk and there was a great pivotal scene early on in this book that set the tone for the relationship between Savannah and Will and I knew I was going to like a lot about this book. I wasn’t wrong.

Meet Me In the Margins is narrated by Talon David, who is a new narrator to me. I liked her voice and how she imbued life into the characters, but I’m not sure if it was her delivery or if it was the way the novel was written- there were times that her voice seemed a little too formal. You know when your speaking and your read the words “It is” and if you say it you say “it’s” but it’s read “it is”? I think this author didn’t use some of the more common language and it came off as a slightly stilted read. Not the narrator’s fault at all I think, but it was something I noted when I listened to the book. Despite those brief moments, I really enjoyed the narration and the story.

What book lover doesn’t like reading about a character who is trying to write her first romance novel? I found those scenes between she and her mystery editor to have a lot of wit and I really liked the direction the author took the story. Other than that slightly stilted language that gave the narration a hiccup, I liked this novel a whole lot. William was a very proper gentleman and Savannah an interesting young lady and you could feel their interest in each other. Because this was a novel that didn’t go “between the sheets” the build-up to the big reveal felt a little long, but I appreciated the sweetness of the story and characters. I especially liked Savannah’s best friend Lilah. I thought she was a hoot!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Meet Me In The Margins

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Flirting With Fire by Jane Porter

Margot Hughes has spent 25 years of her life pursuing a career in theater and after a horrible break-up with her fiancé she moves back home to Cambria and finds work in real estate. When her boss and friend, Sally, has a heart attack, Margot finds herself flung back onto the stage, helping launch Sally’s local historic theater production of Barefoot in the Park. The director and lead actor’s had quit and Margot was having trouble casting when TV star Max Russo arrives in town to see his dear friend Sally and agrees to help Margot by taking the male lead if she will cast herself in the other spot. While regretting the circumstances Margot reluctantly finds herself enjoying being back on a stage, especially opposite a professional like Max, and the heat that strikes between them makes for some really interesting scenes.

Even though Flirting with Fire can be read as a standalone novel you will find some familiar characters popping up from the other Flirting novels by Jane Porter. I’m not sure if her other books have more mature hero’s and heroine’s but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading a novel about people who have similar thoughts and feelings to my own. Margot is 49 years old and while Max is slightly younger, it’s refreshing to read a novel with a solid story with some sizzle with characters who are a bit more mature. Margot had appeared in the other Flirting novels and I was eagerly anticipating her own love story because her devastating breakup had already been told and I was happy to see her get her own hea. She and Max had an instant attraction but what I really loved about the two of them together was they understood each other’s life decisions. It was easy to like and root for them.

I’ll admit I love books set on the stage. It’s not something I’ve ever aspired to do but it sure is fun to read about putting on a production and the team work it takes to make it happen. Margot and Max made a great team and their energy made for some fun reading! This novel hit all of my buttons and once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Flirting with Fire

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads