Tag: books

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

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Book Buying Habits

I saw this post on BookerTalk a few weeks ago and knew that I was going to steal it for my own.    Check out her blog for some more great posts!

 If you love to read, and like many of us book bloggers have an over abundance of books, whether they are virtual or physical, you may also be wondering how your book hoarding got out of control. Lol. These questions struck a chord and while answering, I learned a lot about myself.  I bet they’ll strike a chord with you too. I’d love to hear your answers!

Here we go!
     Where Do You Buy Your Books?

I buy my books several ways. The one click option on Amazon is a dangerous, dangerous thing. Luckily you can return books pretty easily if you have buyers remorse, but I usually don’t. Locally, here in Nashville we have a great local bookstore called Parnassus books. I’ve been known to spend an hour or so perusing their selection. I’ve also ordered directly from an author’s website a time or two.

     Do you ever order books, if so do you do it in store or online?

I order books online from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, but if I truly love a book and want it for my library I’ll order it from my local bookstore. It’s really important to me to support local stores. Buy local!!

     On average, how many books do you buy in a month?

Does Kindle Unlimited count? If so, probably 4 to 5 a month. Then if I read a series that I must have for my library that number can go up. My most recent series purchase was Anne Bishops Others series. So. Awesome.

     Do You Use Your Local Library?


Recently in one of my Sunday Commentary posts I actually explored my local library. The big branch in downtown Nashville was so gorgeous.  I hadn’t been there before, but I do have a library card and use it a LOT. Through the app Overdrive you can read ebooks that you get directly from your library. Audio books and movies too! When I discovered the Overdrive app it really cut down on my spending.  I have been wondering though how an Author gets paid for those library ebooks. If you know, pls comment below!

Want to read that post about my own local library? Click HERE!

      If so, how many books do you/can you get at a time?

I don’t know about physical books, but I can check out 10 at a time on my Overdrive app. I am always hovering around 10.

      What is your opinion on Library books?

I like them, obviously! Total money saver.

      How do you feel about charity shop, second hand books?

We have a store that accepts used books, or buys them back and gives you store credit. It’s called McKay’s Books. I always have a bag to take in. I do usually give the credit to someone in my family though. I like the idea that my books are going to be read by someone else and I have somewhere to take them. I don’t ever want to throw a book in the trash.

     Do you keep your read and TBR pile together/on the same book shelf or not?

My books are scattered. My sister and I share a few bookshelves in our living room where all of the unread books are shelved. We have a system where we put a post it note in the front cover with our initials on it so we know the other person has read that book. I usually move the books she has read to my own shelf in my room. Then I have the pile next to my bed that I tell myself I’m going to read next. Yeah, that doesn’t always happen because a new book comes out or something my sister reads was GREAT and I have to read it soon, etc. those piles are a constant work in progress.

      Do you plan to read all the books you own?

My first instinct is to scream YES! But, I would need an alternate universe or two, with multiple Deborah’s in each one to possibly read every book in my TBR. 

      What do you do with books that you own and that you feel you’ll never read/felt you didn’t enjoy?

I am putting up a Little Free Library in our front yard and I hope to pass along a lot of my books that are neighborhood friendly to random readers. However, there are certain genres that are probably not going to be acceptable to the neighbors. LOL. Those I will pass on to friends or give to McKays as a trade in. 

      Have you ever been on a book buying ban?

Nope. Though after writing this and thinking about all of the books I need to read I probably should.

      Do you feel that you buy too many books?

Maybe? I buy less than I used to so it’s a step in the right direction!
I hope you all have enjoyed reading about my book buying, borrowing and lending habits! I’d love to hear what you think of my responses or even to hear what your own answers would be!

Have a great weekend and Read On!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads4 Comments

This Chick Read: Take Me Back by Meghan March

Read at your own Risk-slight spoilers ahead.

I have never read a Meghan March novel and didn’t quite know what to expect. The synopsis sounded like your typical second chance romance. They meet on a beach vacation, fall in love and get married. After their marriage the communication stops and they are barely speaking to each other anymore. They make one last ditch effort and go on another beach vacation in the tropics. They are re-kindling the romance and then this second chance romance story becomes a romantic suspense novel. WHAT?!!!  I was totally blindsided! In a great way!

Second chance romances are not my favorite, but I am a HUGE fan of romantic suspense novels and this one captured my attention, lock, stock and gun barrels!

Part of the fun with this novel was the fact that I was completely snookered! I mean, I thought it was turning into a swinger book or something, and i was starting to get really uncomfortable. (Blushing while writing) Swingers, threesomes, bondage, etc. are not really my thing, so thank god I was completely wrong! Our heroine in peril, struggles to find her inner Rambo, and was failing horribly at that, when our hero turns into hot commando guy and saves the day! Woo-Hoo!

Ok, I didn’t give away the plot, but did give away a little bit of the surprise in this book, because it was that surprise that I enjoyed so much. How could I write a review without revealing a little of my shock and awe?  This book was fun, and a light read. No heavy lifting needed. The perfect vacation book, unless you’re taking a beach vacation. You may want to pack a gun, instead of a book! ❤️❤️❤️❣️


Click the link to purchase! Take Me Back

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: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir 

When a book gets so many great reviews I’m always somewhat hesitant to read it right away, afraid the story will not be able to live up to the hype. I’ve had it on my list to read for quite awhile and in fact the second book in the series is now out. Was it worth all of the great reviews? Absolutely!  Continue reading “This Chick Read: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir “ →

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This Chick Read: Run to Ground (K9 Unit #1) by Katie Ruggle #giveaway

(Congrats to the winner of this Giveaway!!)

I have been eagerly anticipating this new novel by Katie Ruggle. In her previous Search and Rescue series I really enjoyed her unique characters and thrilling storylines.  Run to Ground, the first in her new K-9 Unit series did not disappoint. Our heroine Jules Jackson, rescued her siblings from an abusive step parent and skipped town. She’s understandably nervous, expecting cops to break down her door at any minute. So, when Theo, a cop, shows an interest in her she tries to avoid catching his eye. Theo is slightly suspicious of her twitchiness but his inner demons are calmed when she’s around and so he ignores his instincts and doesn’t investigate her too deeply. Theo’s been very depressed since his previous partner committed suicide. He inherits his deceased partner’s K-9, Viggy, who has also been extremely depressed since his death. The two of them are a sad pair but  when Viggy meets Jules’s brothers and sisters he starts acting like a normal dog and Theo is drawn even more into Jules’ orbit.

For a girl who had the balls to steal her siblings away from a bad situation I was a little disappointed that Jules was so timid. It was a little annoying, but the fact that she liked Theo despite those fears, and didn’t try too hard to avoid him helped me get over that annoyance pretty quickly. Her brothers and sister were charming and their interaction with Viggy was so sweet it helped balance Theo’s rather anti social personality. When Jules’ life is in danger, we see both Theo and Viggy in a heroic light, overcoming their fears.

This novel was a little different than her previous books, but I still enjoyed the connection these characters made with each other. If I was disappointed at all it was because it took me a little longer to identify with these characters. However, the book was still filled with action and suspense and made for an enjoyable weekend read. I look forward to her next novel which will continue with Jules’ runaway family storyline as a subplot to our next romantic duo.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received an ARC of this book for my honest review, and I was honest.

GIVEAWaY

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Click the link to purchase! Run to Ground (Rocky Mountain K9 Unit)

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: An Extraordinary Union (Loyal League) by Alyssa Cole #Giveaway

This Giveaway has ended. Congrats to the winner!

An Extraordinary Union gives us a glimpse of Civil War era south through the eyes of Elle Burns, a former slave who is an undercover spy on a plantation, working for the Union. I am used to reading historical novels through rose tinted glasses. Caucasian lady, Duchess or lower class girl catches the eye of her also caucasian Duke, Viscount, or sometimes club owner. They meet, don’t want to fall in love, but lust after each other. An Extraordinary Union was a refreshingly honest interracial historical romance. Elle as a spy, is undercover in the role of slave. It was seriously disturbing to read about how slaves were treated as property and animals. How slave women were abused by owners, mistresses and guests, and how their voices were not heard. It also gave impetus to Elle’s character, and why she would put herself back in this subjugated position to fight for others freedom.

Malcolm, her love interest, is an undercover Pinkerton detective, also working for the Union. He is a guest in Elle’s household, there to try to retrieve information from the plantation owner about soldier movements in the area. He and Elle meet, and there is an immediate attraction. However, they both struggle against that attraction because of society’s mores. Elle’s self hatred for being attracted to Malcolm, a white man, made this book ring true and those honest feelings invested the reader in the outcome of that relationship. Rooting for them against all odds. The fact that Malcolm’s background as an immigrant from Scotland, where his family was forced to flee for their lives gave them a commonality that added to his character and gave the reader an understanding of why they would risk their lives for each other. An Extraordinary Union, indeed.

There was more to this book than the interracial relationship. It was also part suspense, mystery and action thriller. Overall, a very good story. However, for me, it was the love story that was told with such honesty that made me enjoy it so much.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

GIVEAWAY- A copy of An Extraordinary Union signed by the author! (US only) expires 6/5/17

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click the link to purchase! An Extraordinary Union (The Loyal League)

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: Shadow Reaper (Shadow #2) by Christine Sheehan

Warning-explicit photos below. Continue at your own risk.

Shadow Reaper continues the story of the Ferraro family, and in this case playboy race car driver Ricco Ferraro. Ricco, recovering from a horrible racing accident has realized that he has nothing to live for. His reputation as a playboy is a sham, and he can’t seem to care for anyone or anything anymore. When looking for a model to practice the art of Shibari (more on this later), he meets Mariko and his shadow immediately connects with hers and he knows he finally has finally found someone worth living for. He also knows that she has come to kill him and his past has caught up with him and his family and the women he now cares deeply for may be in danger.

As with the first book, Shadow Rider, Christine Feehan creates a really interesting dark and dangerous world. One I can’t help but feel fascinated by. The Ferraro family, although mafia like as a comparison, may be more super hero. They fight for the unprotected and underprivileged, and kill to make their people safe. The Ferraro’s  use a particular skill, shadow riding, that enables them to use shadow’s as a means of traveling quickly from one place to another. Also using those same shadows to hide in and step out to fight or kill when necessary. It’s really a neat creation and I wish the author had not gotten sidetracked into the art of Shibari because to me that was a distraction from an otherwise good storyline. Part of the distraction was in trying to figure out the descriptions I was reading. I’ll admit to stopping while reading and googling Shibari, looking at photographs, reading about it and internally going “huh”. Then skipping those pages which were supposed to be a dramatic romantic hook to the storyline just to get to the good parts where the Ferraro’s were fighting for their brothers honor, Mariko’s life and their own lives.

Now, on to Shibari. In layman terms  and skipping the history lesson, Shibari uses rope to create erotic imagery and is considered an art form. In some cases, I’ll agree, it can be quite lovely, but also kind of scary. Because I found the visuals helpful, here are a couple of pictures on either end of the spectrum.


You can tell by these photos that I was a little confused by what I was supposed to be visualizing when Ricco was tying up Mariko. Although she did seem to like it, it just wasn’t my thing. However, I am positive that there will be huge fans of what Ms. Feehan was trying to achieve in this book. In fact I bet there are a few of you who will google Shibari right after your done reading this blog. You’re welcome! However, it just kind of got lost in the translation for me. I did enjoy the other portions of this book. The storyline was great and I love the imagery of shadow riding. As I stated in my review of Shadow Rider, I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this book. It was a tough one for me to review!

I received an ARC of this book for my honest review, and it was honest!

❤️❤️❤️❣️

Read my review of Shadow Rider- click HERE


Click the link to purchase! Shadow Reaper (Shadow Riders Novel, A)

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: Say Yes to the Marquess (Castles Ever After) by Tessa Dare

Ah, the age old problem of being engaged to a Marquess, while secretly having feelings for his brother. Truthfully, I don’t blame her. The Marquess has been MIA for eight years! Talk about a long engagement. Rafe, brother to the missing Marquess, has a problem. Clio wants out of the engagement, and he has to sign the papers. Rafe refuses, because while he does lust after his brother’s fiancée, he doesn’t want to be the person who tears them apart, even if it’s just with a signature on paper.  Continue reading “This Chick Read: Say Yes to the Marquess (Castles Ever After) by Tessa Dare” →

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This Chick Read: Echoes in Death (In Death #44) by J. D. Robb

Eve and Roark, just back from vacation are on the way home from a charity event when a bloody, naked woman steps out in front of their car. They rush her to the hospital and that quickly, she’s back on the job and Eve’s next investigation begins. This investigation revolves around a man who dresses up like a horror flick, invades homes and ties up the husband making him watch while he rapes the wife. Not an easy thing to read about, and for Eve, it once again brings back the ghosts from her troubled past. Continue reading “This Chick Read: Echoes in Death (In Death #44) by J. D. Robb” →

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This Chick Read: White Hot (Hidden Legacy #2) by Ilona Andrews


White Hot is the long awaited second book by the writing team of Ilona Andrews. This urban fantasy novel is set in a contemporary world where your place in society is determined by how high a grade of magic you can use. At the end of the last novel Nevada Baylor, owner of the family run Baylor Investigations has rebuffed Connor “Mad” Rogan a Prime. The prime designation determined by the highest level of magic capable in an individual. Nevada has the age old issue of wanting to be her own woman but also wanting Rogan to want her enough to fight for her. Of course, being a man, he hasn’t a clue that’s what she wants, she’s hurt he didn’t make an effort to be with her. Nevada takes a new case that pits she and her family up against several Houses that may or may not try to kill her to keep her from investigating her clients wife murder.  Of course, Rogan is also investigating these murders, in fact, his team of body guards got wiped out by these murderers, and he’s determined to avenge their deaths. He and Nevada again team up to solve this crime and their relationship dance continues to tempt us with drama and passion.

Ilona Andrews excels at character building and these two characters are among my favorites that they’ve written. However, what makes this series so good are the strength of the characters that surround Nevada and Connor. We are given insight into what makes each of these characters tick by seeing how they act with the people they care about. Nevada especially because her family relationships unveil secrets about Nevada that we hadn’t learned yet. Connor’s interactions with his employee’s and his friend Augustine also reveal the depth of his feelings for Nevada, and those feelings are intense!

This series is so much fun to read! It’s full of action and passion, and written with a singular voice and touch. I’m not sure how writing teams work, but these two have it down to an art!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️


Click the link to purchase! White Hot (Hidden Legacy)

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 Reads4 Comments