Tag: book review

This Chick Read: The Librarian and the Spy by Susan Mann #giveaway

Congratulations to the winner! This Giveaway has ended.

The Librarian and the Spy was a mystery wrapped in intrigue disguised as a romance. In my opinion the cover, although cute, did the novel a disservice. The book was so much more than the cover leads you to believe! This book was clever, it’s heroine was bright and the hero had a James Bond-ish charm. Most important was the fact that it was a light hearted mystery first with a touch of romance second.

The novel gets off to a quick start. Quinn the Librarian, is at work when James, undercover as an insurance agent, requests her help researching some jewelry and pieces of art. There is, of course an immediate connection. They are both attractive after all! However, it was Quinn’s intellect that James was also attracted to. She is so well read that she is a walking Encyclopedia. She comes up with tidbits about useful and useless things that created clever dialog and add depth to the storyline. As she gets drawn into the case James is working on, her research becomes invaluable and she ends up working the case full time, against his better judgement. She was agent 99 to his agent 86 (a Get Smart reference for you youngsters!). James, unlike Max in Get Smart, is actually suave and is not a bumbling fool, so the attraction is much more understandable! LOL.

I really enjoyed the surprise I received when I started reading this book. As an avid reader myself, I loved how Quinn got herself out of predicaments by remembering a scene from a favorite book and then re-enacting it. I wish my memory were that good! I also enjoyed the lighthearted romance, partly because Quinn reacted realistically to James and not as a woman in lust.  ❤️❤️❤️❣️

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Click the link to purchase! The Librarian and the Spy (Librarian/Spy Escapade)

Copyright 2017 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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This Chick’s Sunday Commentary: My Reading Getaway #sundayblogshare

When I think of summer I think of reading a book on a beach, the sound of surf in my ears and a fruity drink in my hand. Unfortunately I don’t live at the beach, nor am I going on vacation to one. At least this year! I will, however, be cracking open a book or fourteen this summer outside and in, finding a quiet getaway from my family for a few hours lost  in a book. I relish those moments when I can fall in love, solve a mystery, or save a world, even if I am just doing it vicariously.

Sometimes when I’m sitting in my armchair or outside on my front porch I dream of having my own private girly reading getaway. Images flash through my mind of various possibilities.

If I had endless amounts of money, I would build my own cottage in the backyard where I could read and write privately for hours at a time.


Unfortunately, I don’t have those gobs of money to create a getaway that is quite so expansive. But, I could create some that are a lot less expensive.


A secluded daybed bower with an extreme mountain of pillows looks very comfortable! 


Or this little covered bench in the rose garden. I (ok, my husband…) could probably build the bench, but I don’t have a rose garden. Sigh.


A tent is a perfect idea! Set one up in the backyard with a load of pillows and a big pitcher of iced tea. Doable! Although I’d need to buy a tent as I’m not much of a camper. I’ve got the pillows though! Lol.


I love this swinging bed! Especially the chandelier and light hanging over the structure. This could easily be built! However, I lack a tree with a limb to hang the bed from. Looks comfy though!


The picture on the left is a no brainer. Any of us can buy an Adirondack chair and paint it a soothing color! We are getting closer to my budget!


Ah, who am I kidding. As long as the weather is nice I have a perfectly nice front porch to read my book!

Where is your favorite place to read your book? Inside? Outside? I’d love to hear about your reading nook.

Until next Sunday!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads11 Comments

This Chick Read: The Ultimatum (The Guardian #1) by Karen Robards

Spoilers ahead!

The Ultimatum starts off quickly as we find our heroine Bianca in the midst of a caper to steal money out of an Arab Prince’s vault. When she discovers somebody beat her team to the money, the robbery turns into an escape for their lives and we get a hint of what is to come in this book; action, romance and danger. Essentially all of the ingredients  I have come to expect from a romantic suspense novel by Karen Robards.

Bianca St. Ives is an interesting heroine. She has been brought up as a con artist. Definitely not your typical upbringing. She was raised in boarding schools with a father who only visited when he needed her for a con, and didn’t show affection.. She has only ever had one friend, not letting people get too close because she has to hide who she really is- someone who isn’t sure of her own identity.

Even though I enjoyed Bianca’s take charge attitude and strength of character, she was a little cold. I could understand her need to keep her livelihood private, but her actions didn’t carry a lot of warmth making it really hard to see her as three demonsional even coming across as a little robotic. When she meets Mickey, who is an undercover agent protecting the Arab Prince’s money from being stolen, he was easily identifiable as her love interest. They had instant chemistry, however, when they came face to face later on in the book they don’t get beyond that surface chemistry again reinacting the same type of scene as their first meeting. I found that a bit frustrating and confusing wanting their relationship to become more established and expecting a romantic suspense novel. You know, with a couple becoming romantic. Unfortunately, the book ended before they established anything other than a flirtation, leaving us and the plot hanging in limbo until the second book is written. Even though the writing was good, the plot interesting, that lack of connection left a bad taste in my mouth. If the next book resolves this plot point, All will be forgiven, but will I want to take the chance and read it? Still undecided.

❤️❤️❤️

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


Click the link to purchase! The Ultimatum (The Guardian Book 1)

Copyright 2017 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Trigger (Origins #1) by Scarlett Dawn

Shifter Romance Alert! Shifter Romance Alert! Shifter Romance Alert!

Some people really don’t appreciate a good shifter romance. What’s not to like? Men, (or women!) who can shift between human and some sort of animal form, finds their mate, goes all alpha on them and they live forever in heat, uh love. Right?  Well, Trigger does have a few of those elements. Godric, God to his friends, is the King. Literally. He’s a lion shifter, and he rules a world where women must get married to procreate by the age of 25, or enter the military. Who wouldn’t like that premise? Well, most women probably. However, once I started reading, I was intrigued! Continue reading “This Chick Read: Trigger (Origins #1) by Scarlett Dawn” →

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This Chick Read: A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab

A Darker Shade of Magic has a really interesting concept. There are four London’s in alternate universes. The darkest, black London was given up as lost long ago because magic took it over. The danger was so great that the next London, Grey, (I hope I get these in the right order!) shuts itself off and loses all of its magic. The third London, white, has strong magic, and its citizens view that the more you have the higher in hierarchy you are in society. The strongest citizens rule. Last is red London. Red also has magic, but is ruled by peaceful people, and its citizens are happy and pretty normal.  Kell, an Antari, can travel between all of the London’s, and he does, delivering messages to all of its rulers (except black as it is shut off.) Until one day, the rulers of white London try to rule them all. Continue reading “This Chick Read: A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab” →

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This Chick Read: Cake-A Love Story by J. Bengtsson

If you are a fan of RockStar romances you are going to really enjoy Cake. This debut novel by J. Bengtsson had depth, humor, and a ton of emotion. Our rockstar Jake McKallister has the reputation for being close mouthed and a bit of a loner. He has good reason to be, you see, when he was a child he was kidnapped by a serial killer and endured abuse and torture before escaping. That dark past would make you think that this romance would be dark and disturbing, and at times it is, but from the moment our heroine Casey Caldwell gets paired up with Jake at his brother’s wedding, I found myself laughing out loud at her antics.

Casey is not shy, isn’t in awe of Jake, other than at his handsomeness, and most importantly is the perfect foil to his more serious nature. Reading about their courtship was a lot of fun. However, with every romance novel our couple must overcome obstacles, and in this novel the biggest obstacle is Jake’s past abuse. Those scenes were deftly told and had an emotional punch. I was reaching for the box of kleenex on my nightstand and quietly blowing my nose not wanting to wake my husband.

One of my favorite scenes from the wedding was when Casey started trying to come up with their famous couple moniker. Hers were hilariously outrageous and clearly a joke, but just as Jake walks away from her door and looks back at her he says ” I think our name should be Cake.” That statement, quietly said, had Jakes buy in, and it was that moment that J. Bengtsson had mine. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Click the link to purchase! Cake: A Love Story

Copyright 2017 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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This Chicks Sunday Commentary: How do I pick my next book??? #Sundayblogshare

I am definitely having one of those weeks. You know, the one where I’m playing catch up with my ARC commitments, my library books are expiring, I’ve gotten a few (ok 7!) Kindle Unlimited books that are taking up valuable real estate on my kindle, AND I just took a short road trip and saw a ton of Harley riding men and women that had me jonesing to re-read one of my favorite books (Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley).  Big run on sentence so sorry about that, but whew!  How, oh how do I pick out my next book???

Normally, I have a system. 

  • Check NetGalley and emails for my ARC commitments. Right now I have an ARC a week that I need to read, then two for 7/4 releases. Luckily I’m a fast reader. But knowing I have three days to read and write the review, i have a slight reprieve so on to the next step.
  • When does my next book expire on Overdrive? If it’s soon, I may need to read it. Does everyone know about The Overdrive app? If not, You Are Missing Out!  It was my best discovery ever! You can check out ebooks from your library through this app. Instantly! Also, I can recommend to my library, through the app, to purchase certain books. If they purchase it, and 80% of the time they do, they’ll put me in line for it, or if no one else is in line I’ll get an automatic checkout. You can check out 10 books at a time, have 20 on hold, and this includes pre-release books, and you can keep a wishlist of all the books you still want to read. A library TBR. Like I need another one, right? So, of course as I’m reading your reviews and finding all sorts of books that sound great because YOU liked them, I put them on my wishlist so I can look at them again later and then possibly read.
Overdrive App!!
  • Next I peruse my bookshelves and look at the physical specimens that I brought home from the RT Convention. My sister and I combined our shelves and they are filled with over 200 books. Some of which are actually ARCs themselves. Yikes! There are some great books on these shelves!
  • Then I look at my kindle. Yep, it’s filled with purchases, free copies, and more RT Convention giveaways. I think my last count was around 180. Oh, and don’t forget about those Kindle Unlimited books. They don’t expire, but I put a small amount of pressure on myself to actually read what I’ve purchased. More great books to read, but when?!

  • Then, like I said above, I’m craving that re-read of Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley. I’ve only read the dang thing like 5 or 6 times? Why is it so appealing? Well, hot alpha guy and very pretty, not biker babe looking lady hook up, fall in love and fight danger. What’s not to love?  I sincerely love reading Tack and Tyra’s story. She’s a hoot! And takes no shit, which seriously, with a biker guy, that takes some cojones! (Balls for those non Spanish speaking ladies in the crowd…) 

  • Last, I look at my Hardback copy of Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray. It’s Donna (heronthereeverywhere), Sarah (Travels with Choppy) and my Blog Book Club pick for the month. It looks good, right? I still have until 6/15. I’m a fast reader, right?


I’ve gone through these steps multiple times. Which book is next?!! Eeeny Meeny Miney Moe!

I’d love to hear about your strategy for picking out your next book! What catches your eye? Is it the deadline? Cover? Favorite author? 

Until next week!

Deb

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This Chick Read: Any Day Now (Sullivan’s Crossing #2) by Robyn Carr

Finally, the second installment in Robyn Carr’s Sullivan’s Crossing series! This novel does have a romance plot but it was Sierra’s journey of sobriety and need to finally lay down roots, build relationships and a home, that rang true for me and struck an emotional chord. Robyn Carr builds great family relationships and Sierra’s relationship with her brother Cal strengthened and grew into a relationship that all readers would want to have with their siblings.

Connie, Sierra’s love interest, had a previous relationship that ended poorly but didn’t spoil him for love. He knew almost immediately that there was something special about Sierra, and truly, Sierra doled out her issues to him a little at a time, which enabled him to see her strengths instead of those problems overshadowing her uniqueness. He was a rock, telling her that nothing she told him would scare him away. Who wouldn’t love that?

The added plot of a possible stalker gave this novel a sense of urgency that sped up the slow pace of the relationship stories. I enjoyed the psychological thriller, but more so because it helped bring Sierra together with her brother and gave him the chance to stand by her and be that older brother that she needed to have in her youth.

This series is becoming one of my favorites of Robyn Carr’s. Sullivan’s Crossing sounds like it’s an ideal place to “come to Jesus” with the difficulties of life and find love, but even more importantly to find yourself. I may need to take a trip!

❤️❤️❤️❤️


Click the link to purchase! Any Day Now (Sullivan’s Crossing)

Copyright 2017 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads3 Comments

This Chick Read: A Court of Wings and Ruin (Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Slight spoilers ahead!

It was hard to not read all of the reviews of this book before actually reading it myself. They were everywhere! All of my fellow bloggers gushed and sighed, exclaiming over Feyre and Rhys’s love story. Oh those Tamlin fans quickly became Tamlin haters, much preferring Feyre and Rhys. I don’t disagree, Tamlin has some serious control and anger issues, but I was happy to see that in A Court of Wings and Ruin, he was able to redeem himself, if only slightly. Rhys as Prince Charming is almost too good to be true, but the fairy tale prince continues his reign and can do no wrong in this book.

This book was a little more political in nature with all of the High Lords coming together to save humankind from King Hyberns reign of terror. I found the interactions between all of the High Lords, their relationships to each other and to Rhys to be infinitely fascinating. This book was so much more than the love story we read in the second book. Sure, there was a ton of passion between Feyre and Rhys, and it was a great love story, but the real story was about love   within a family, both new and old. Their fight against evil and how that love for family and each other is all that matters.

I thought this was the third and last book in the series but apparently Maas is not done with this storyline. I’m really looking forward to the next installment but I wonder how she is going to outdo this outstanding piece of fiction. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (no gushing, sighing or crying involved in this review!)


Click the link to purchase! A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses)

Copyright 2017 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads3 Comments

The Chick Read: Rejected Writers Take the Stage (Southlea Bay #2) by Suzanne Kelman

As I started this book I prepared for another madcap caper by the ladies in the Rejected Writers Book Club and I was not wrong. It starts off much like the previous novel with Librarian Janet Johnson getting roped into another startling adventure by alpha book club leader Doris. However, this caper is for a very good cause. Book club member Annie, who runs a kennel for dogs without homes on her family farm, is behind on mortgage payments and has to come up with a large sum of money quickly or her farm will go into foreclosure. Doris and the other ladies of the book club are determined to hold a theatrical fundraiser to help her come up with the sum of money needed. Janet gets hoodwinked into directing a hilarious musical production. As you can imagine with this zany cast of characters this production does not go smoothly, but it is fun entertainment and great reading.

I like this cast of characters a lot. Although everyone seems to be afraid of Doris, she has a big heart and is always helping out others, even if she is bulldozing over them while doing so. I enjoyed the continuation of the love story started in the first book between Flora and Dan, but did get a little frustrated that Flora continued to have such little self esteem when facing the very annoying Marcy who was also vying for Dans love, when it was really clear that he only had eyes for Flora. Janet, as the straight man in this group of crazies, seems to have finally accepted her role and even as she grumbles to her husband about all of the silly things she has to do, you can see that being a part of this group has allowed her to have fun and that was something she needed in her life. Fun.

If you like women’s fiction with a crazy cast of characters then this is the book for you. Read the first in the series called The Rejected Writers Book Club as it will explain a lot of back story and I think you will enjoy this book more for having read it. I did enjoy the adventure a bit more in the first book but this was a solid follow up. ❤️❤️❤️❣️

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

If you’d like to read my review of The Rejected Writers Book Club click HERE.


Click the link to purchase! Rejected Writers Take the Stage (Southlea Bay)

Copyright 2017 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads