Tag: Commentary

This Chicks Uppercase Box Reveal- Feb18

Conspiracy bag

I love getting home from work and having a little surprise waiting for me on my doorstep. What kind of book will it be this month? Fantasy? Fairy Tale? Romance? Mystery? I opened the package (it’s not really in a box, gasp!) and eagerly slipped open the tie string at the top of the bag. Before I got the knot released something fell to the ground.

There was an item outside of the bag! I guess there wasn’t enough room because the book does seem to be kind of large. I turned over what looked to be a pretty notepad with books laying on some prettily drawn leaves. There’s a quote at the bottom by Maud Casey that says “I was born with a reading list I will never finish.”

Queen's notebook

I’ll admit that I’ve never heard of Maud Casey so I Googled her and found out she’s an American novelist with several best selling titles. Like most of us, it seem’s Ms. Casey has quite the TBR she needs to get through!!

There were two other items in the bag besides the book, which I’ll get to in a moment. The first thing was a packet of Book Lovers Coffee beans. Now I know that some people like to drink tea while they’re reading, and I’ll admit that occasionally I do too. However, my drink of choice on a cold morning is a nice cup of coffee, so this is perfect for me!

I spot another quote, this time on the coffee packet, and by Louisa May Alcott the author of one of my favorite childhood novels, Little Women. “I’d rather take coffee than compliments right now.”  Well, Louisa, it depends upon the day for me. On a bad one, compliments would go a long way. LOL. Although a nice strong cup of coffee can jump my mood from bad to good just as well. Queen's coffee

There is also a sticker proclaiming “Let the Queen Rise!” well, maybe not proclaiming, but it should be! And yes, that sticker gives away the title of the Uppercase Book for Feb 18. A signed copy of The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross.

I’ll admit, I’ve had my eye on this book, so I was excited to see it in the bag. A fantasy novel, my favorite!

Here’s the synopsis:

Grave Mercy meets Red Queen in this epic debut fantasy, inspired by Renaissance France, about an outcast who finds herself bound to a disgraced lord and entangled in his plot to overthrow the current king.

Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron. Growing up in Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her. While some are born with a talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she chose knowledge. However, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, she reluctantly accepts. But there is much more to his story, for there is a dangerous plot to overthrow the king of Maevana—the rival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

And now, with war brewing, Brienna must choose which side she will remain loyal to: passion or blood.

Let’s discuss:

Have you read this book? If so, let me know what you thought of it!

What did you think of the other gifts that arrived in this package?

I’ll be reading The Queen’s Rising and will review it soon, promise!

Until next Sunday,

Deb

If you’re interested in checking out the subscription prices to Uppercase Box, click HERE.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads8 Comments

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Young Adults Save the World

The other day I finished reading a Young Adult book that I felt was kind of well, average. The writing was good, the scenes were set pretty well, but there was just something that bothered me about the plot. It was a contemporary ya action novel that seemed to be inspired by the Jason Bourne spy movies. It was fun, it was well written, but why didn’t it connect with me? I did also have trouble emotionally connecting with the hero, but I really think it’s because I didn’t believe it.It didn’t connect because the world this seventeen year old lives in could be my own world. I had to fight my own reality and couldn’t immerse myself completely into the story.

Is that why it’ easier to accept a 17 year old saving the world or falling in love when it’s a Fantasy novel?  

Absolutely! Why?

  1. World building: When I read V. E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic series, or Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series, I didn’t have time to stop and question the logistics, emotional capacity, training, and fortitude of the main characters. I was too busy immersing myself in the world they were building. Trying to figure out the schematics of jumping Londons distracted me from scoffing at such a young person single handedly saving her race. (yeah, I mixed the plots a bit to prove my point, but you get the drift.)
  2. Magic: It may be a tired trope, but if our hero or heroine has a magical power, that power trumps how old they are. 17? Pshaw! This girl can fling lightening out of her hands! This guy is a billionaire who has created a virtual reality game that is taking over the world! When he/she uses that power to save herself, her friends, or the world… well, I’m all in! I don’t even stop to think twice about it! Of course, not all powers are used for good, but point made.
  3. The power of love: I am not going to say that love can’t conquer all because love changes people and makes them view life differently. Love is life changing, but is that power of love more believable when it’s a 17 year old girl who turns into a dragon or a seventeen year old girl late for class in high school? Well, I’m intrigued by this girl who turns into a dragon and will be more willing to overlook her age than the girl I envision as myself in a high school setting.  The comparison to myself makes me remember all of her life that remains in front of her. I’m a little more skeptical that she may have found the love of her life at 17 than that she turns into a dragon. Weird, right?
  4. Fight experience: I’m speaking VERY generally, but I believe the percentage of 17 year old’s in the real world who have the fighting skills to overcome terrorists are pretty slim. However, in a fantasy setting where sword skills are learned by the age 10, and of course there are those magic powers  they can use (!), I can believe the storytelling for that world. After all, it’s not my own world, it’s make believe.

teen super hero's

You get the point. So, here’s the dilemma. How do you write a YA novel, set in the world we are living in, where it’s believable for the main protagonist to have the skills, knowledge and fortitude to save the day, fall in love and otherwise be a hero that is believable?

How do you review that book and not let your own opinions (yes, maybe even disbelief) of that story reflect in your review? Or do you let it affect your review?

I’d like to hear your opinion!

Until next Sunday,

Deb

p.s. I am in no way saying that a 17 year old can’t save the world, only that it is more believable in a Fantasy novel. There are amazing young people out there who love this world and will hopefully keep helping save it. This post was a silly way for me to procrastinate writing a review about a teen spy that saved his school. Back to it!

 

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads11 Comments

This Chick’s Sunday Commentary: Reading Challenges- why participate?

Reading Challenges. What do they mean really? If I finish the year at 40% to my reading goal am I giving myself an F? Is that what reading challenges are supposed to make me feel like? I hope no one takes them that seriously! As many do, I set a goal for myself on Goodreads for last year and again set one up for 2018. Does it drive me? Do I feel good or bad when I hit a mark that shows progress?  Society has taught us, with grades through school, goals and budgets to hit at work, and even how many times we have sex with our spouse in a week, to grade ourselves against what someone else has declared the norm. So my reading challenge shouldn’t be about if I hit my goal or not, right? At what point do I start feeling bad about myself? Being driven to succeed by overachieving?

overachieving meme

OK, I’ll fess up. I’m somewhat of an overachiever and actually surpassed my Goodreads challenge for last year by 12 books. I may have cheated a little bit because I listened to quite a few books too and counted those as having been read. Technically they were listening, but it was a book and I finished it and because I was driven to succeed by a number no one else set for me but myself, I counted it. Whew! Glad I got that off my chest….

Let’s talk about these challenges. Why do we do them?

  1. Well, I’m a book blogger! I read books. I talk about books. I review books. Sometimes I need help motivating myself. I’m a goal oriented person and these challenges do the job! It seems silly, doesn’t it? Why would I procrastinate reading a book when I love to read? Well, sometimes if you feel like you have to do it, you put pressure on yourself. So having someone else challenge me? It’s a contest, and well, I love to win. Even if the prize is only reading a great book.
  2. I like to feel like I’m part of a group. Isn’t that why we read popular books and comment and have conversations about them? Isn’t it fun to interact with people who are doing the same things you are doing? Feel free to nod in agreement. 🙂
  3. Focus!  This is a big one for me. Like most of you, I too have a ton of books to read, lots of ARC commitments and still want to read my own stack sitting on my nightstand. A challenge, whether it be a Goodreads countdown, or even a TBR Take down challenge helps me focus and get the job done!
  4. Organization- I’ll admit, I mainly use Goodreads to keep track of all of the books I read. It’s a great tool!  The extra side benefit is I get to see what my friends read too. Want to be my friend on Goodreads? I would LOVE that!  Click HERE.  I love to scroll through the feed to see what everyone is reading.
  5. I created my own mini challenge last year when I went on vacation. Kindle Unlimited lets you borrow 10 books at a time and I noticed that I’d let mine get up to 10 and had to delete a book (horrors!) in order to add a new one. I needed to read down my Kindle Unlimited list. I challenged myself to read only Kindle Unlimited books while on vacation.  I think I read 6? Of course, I read the first in a series and then read the other three that hadn’t been on my list previously so I kind of defeated the purpose. However, it was a goal I set and I somewhat stuck to it! LOL.

giphy

I know there are other readers, bloggers and talkers out there who love challenges.

Do you participate in any challenges? Or have you created your own? Feel free to add the link to your challenge in the comments. We all need motivation!

Why do you participate? For the same reasons I mentioned? Or do you have your own reasons. Tell me in the comments. I bet Quite a few of us feel the same way!

Until next Sunday!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads4 Comments

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Book Blogging Pro’s and Con’s

My blog, The Reading Chick, is now almost two and a half years old. Wow, where did the time go?!!

Initially I started blogging because I wanted to talk about all of the books I read. When I first started blogging all of my book choices were what I was drawn to read. As time went on I started following authors Facebook pages and twitter accounts, sometimes reaching out to let them know I’ve read and liked a book. Even making friends (of sorts) with some of them, joining review clubs and Facebook discussions, etc. Then I discovered NetGalley. Like many bloggers I went out of control. All of those books, free!!! All I had to do was write a review and post it on my blog, Amazon and wherever. When I couldn’t keep up, I had to reign myself in, stopping those requests until I honored the commitments I had made. Although I’ll confess, there were a few books that I just couldn’t get into and just sent a note back to the publisher saying I was sorry but I wasn’t going to be able to review the book. I felt so bad!

Once I was back in control I asked myself why I was doing this? The pressure of putting out a blog a few times a week can be another full time job, and one that doesn’t even make me any money. Is it worth it? I decided to make a list of my Pro’s and Con’s of being a book blogger to help me decide my feelings.

PRO’s

  • I read at least two hours a day. On weekends sometimes 4-5 hours. At 50 pages an hour I get through 2-4 books a week. The point is, I read A LOT.
  • I love to write. I get a really great feeling when I craft my post. Not all of my reviews are great, but some of them are really really good. When an author take one of my quotes and tweets it at me? Wow, there’s no better feeling.
  • I have made friends in the blogging community that I can discuss my passion for books with? How cool is that? Something I have in common with hundreds, if not thousands of other bloggers!
  • FREE BOOKS. I have a few authors that I jones for. If you know me well, you know I love Urban Fantasy authors like Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs and Anne Bishop and romance authors like Jill Shalvis and Kristen Ashley. If I can read them free? Bonus!
  • Helping authors get the word out about a new book. Although this can also be a Con because they don’t hit a home run EVERY time they write a book, but still, I do love supporting them and seeing other bloggers talk about those same books.
  • Reading a review about a book that I’ve already read and reviewed myself. I LOVE this! I love writing a note about what I liked or disliked. I love opening up that conversation.
  • I love that I seem to be on a couple of publisher’s lists to send out notes asking me to read a novel because I’ve read and reviewed a similar novel for them. It makes me feel special.
  • Reading my fellow bloggers posts. I love to find new books that you all recommend as well as chime in on some great discussions.

CONS

  • Keeping up with my blog schedule. I put out three reviews a week and on Sunday I try to be more creative. Either a discussion, interview, or well, anything besides a review. It is HARD to come up with good ideas!
  • Book review requests. I would love to help discover that next great novelist. It is hard to find the time!! Lately, I’ve started to get about 5-10 book review requests per week. Does everyone else get these too? How do you handle them? I try to respond to everyone thanking them for sending me their letter and I so want to support them, but I am only one person reading and just don’t have as much time as I’d need to get through them all.
  • Not getting carried away on NetGalley. It’s so easy! I have my favorite authors, and sometimes they all have publishing dates close to one another. It makes life difficult when I’m a day away from their release date and I haven’t read the book yet. I know, they’re my favorite. I should read it as soon as I get it, but I don’t. I try to honor all of my commitments, so soonest date published gets read first. When they stack up? It freaks me out.  LOL
  • Sometimes I just don’t want to write a review but with the need to put out three a week I feel like I have to write one. I know that reviews mean a lot to an author, especially on site’s like Amazon where they get ranked and show up in more recommendations the more reviews they have listed, either good or bad. It’s the thought that I should write one that makes writing difficult.
  • I have a full time job. Occasionally I write during the week, but the majority of my writing gets done on the weekend. So, that’s 2-4 posts I have to write in two days. The first one goes down like a fine wine, and then it gets less sweet and more acidic.
  • Finding the time to keep up with commenting on other blogs. I love having that conversation, but there are some weeks where I just don’t get to it. I feel like I’m letting people down.

I could throw a couple more Pro’s and Con’s onto the list, however, I think these help you get my point. There are many great things about blogging. That’s why I keep doing it! There are also a lot of things that weigh me down when it comes to blogging. However, I do think that the Pro’s out weigh the Con’s. It all comes down to the fact that I like to read and I like to write. Now that I’ve started could I stop? I think I would miss it too much! I would miss you all too much too.

Do you have some of the same Pro’s and Con’s on your list? How do you handle the sacrifice you make to write daily or spend your weekend writing like I do?

How do you keep your commitments to put out a review as the book comes out? Do you fall behind? Not care? Are you always on time?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Until next Sunday,

Deb

Book meme

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads23 Comments

This Chicks Uppercase Box Reveal- Jan18

It’s a new year and just to switch things up a little I’m going to start including a monthly post called This Chicks Uppercase Box Reveal.  I subscribe to a Young Adult book of the month club called Uppercase Box. Yes, I am a little outside the demographic but I got the subscription when I was writing a young adult novel and have kept it because I got addicted to the fun monthly surprise in a box, and a book pick that was not usually on my radar. In addition to some book themed goodies, what makes this subscription so unique is that each novel comes with keywords that you can use to sign in online and interact with other readers, view videos from the author and read tidbits about what the author was thinking when they wrote a certain portion of the book. Behind the scenes insight which makes the reading experience even more enjoyable!  If you’d like more information go to uppercasebox.com and read their blurb.

Now, for the big reveal! When I first open the package, I see an Uppercase Box bag filled with goodies.

Conspiracy bag

There were a few things inside the bag besides the book:  A magnet with a quote from the book- No One Knows But We Will , a typewriter sticker (a little young and sweet for my taste, but great to pass along to a fellow reader), and wooden rocket bookmark. There is a couple of hints in this photo below that reveals a little bit about the book…

Conspiracy bookmark

Conspiracy- Jane Austen card

The above card would be great framed wouldn’t it? It has a nice quote from Jane Austen that reads “I Declare After All There Is No Enjoyment Like Reading”. Amen sister! This is definitely true in my household!

Now for the January 12018 Uppercase Box Book, drumroll……..

A signed copy of A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia A Cole

Synopsis: 

Octavia has always dreamed of becoming a whitecoat, one of the prestigious N’Terra scientists who study the natural wonders of Faloiv. So when the once-secretive labs are suddenly opened to students, she leaps at the chance to see what happens behind their closed doors.

However, she quickly discovers that all is not what it seems on Faloiv, and the experiments the whitecoats have been doing run the risk of upsetting the humans’ fragile peace with the Faloii, Faloiv’s indigenous people.

As secret after disturbing secret comes to light, Octavia finds herself on a collision course with the charismatic and extremist new leader of N’Terra’s ruling council. But by uncovering the mysteries behind the history she’s been taught, the science she’s lived by, and the truth about her family, she threatens to be the catalyst for an all-out war.

This is a recent release and I haven’t heard of this book. However, I really enjoy Science Fiction books and think this one sounds pretty good!

Have any of you read this book yet? If so, let me know if you liked it!

When I get it read, you will definitely see my review on The Reading Chick!

Happy Reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads1 Comment

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: This is Why a New York Times Bestselling Author Changed Her Pen Name to G. L. Carriger: On Pseudonyms, Cover Art & Reader Betrayal (Important for Writers) by Author Gail Carriger

I am a big fan of Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate, Custard Protocol series and her YA series The Finishing School. I have reviewed a few of her books and occassionally read her newsletters to keep up with what she has coming out and is working on. Lo and Behold, tonight I read this fabulous article about why or really what cover art should say about what is in your novel. I totally agree with the importance of portraying what’s inside the book correctly. I think I have mentioned this a time or two… It’s fascinating to hear from the authors viewpoint. She also talks about her slight change in pen name when she writes from genre to genre. Her reasons make total sense when writing a clean YA, steampuk, to a raunchier adult, LGBTQ novel.

Anyways, you can read the article yourself because I have pasted it below.

If you read to the very bottom you will see a quote from THE READING CHICK ( yes ME!) from a review I wrote for Prudence. Color me shocked when I saw that! And VERY pleased!

So please enjoy Ms. Carrigers thoughts, she is a super talented writer, well spoken, and really knows what she’s talking about.

Deb (The Reading Chick)

This is Why a New York Times Bestselling Author Changed Her Pen Name to G. L. Carriger: On Pseudonyms, Cover Art & Reader Betrayal (Important for Writers)

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On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads4 Comments

This Chick’s Christmas Wishes

It’s a cold dreary Christmas Eve in Nashville, TN. A perfect day to be at home on the couch wrapped in a blanket reading. Not me! I was dashing about town buying last minute Christmas gifts in advance of company coming over for dinner tonight. I’m looking forward to this evening when everyone is in bed to get that hour to myself to relax and read the next few chapters of the book, my husband and dog lightly snoring next to me.

In the midst of the final countdown to Santa coming tonight I took a moment to capture this year’s photo of my baby boy.  Well, my baby Goldendoodle dog, Nash. I wanted to share the moment with you and wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Boxing Day, Festivus and any other holiday you may be celebrating.

Nash Christmas 2017

The importance of the day is not the gifts we all receive but the family with whom we will be celebrating. My thoughts and prayers are with those of you who have lost a loved one this year and whose celebration may be a little less light. The sky will be a little brighter tonight with one more star.

Until next Sunday,

Happy Holidays!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads3 Comments

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Christmas Book Tree’s

I was in Columbia, TN this week wandering around their downtown and wandered my way into a bookstore. Funny how that happens!  What drew me in was this beautiful Christmas book tree in the window of the store. (I’ll be honest, the books did too!)

Book TreeI took a picture and turned to the guy at the counter and asked him how many books it took to make this tree. He said “I dunno.” Very disappointing answer! I can’t imagine I’m the first person to walk into the store and ask that question. Anyway, I took a picture and marveled at how high it stood, wondering if I had enough books at home to make one.  I probably do, but it would leave my bookshelves absolutely empty! As well as the thought of putting all of those books back on the shelves persuaded me to not build a tree quite that large.

I went home and started googling Christmas Book Tree’s and found that it doesn’t really matter the size. Here are some of my favorite’s.

Book Tree 2

I kind of want the big round room to put this one in, too! How fabulous!

Book Tree 3

Here is a little desktop tree. I love the look of it, but I’m cringing at bending all of those bindings!  I love the size though!

Book Tree 4

I love this idea because you don’t need a big room. Just a wall to stack your books against and a little festive garland!

Book Tree 5

Then you have your color coordinated books mini tree. It sits nicely on an end table and has a star on top. Love, Love, Love!  I’m positive I can do this one!

Off I go to create my little book tree. Have any of you created a book tree? Care to share how big, or what you picked for your theme? Did you stack? Create a circle?

I hope your holiday season is happy, festive and bright!

Merry Christmas-

Deb

postnote: I was inspired to create my own mini tree. What do you think?

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads19 Comments

An Interview with Faith Hunter author of the Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood Series


Hi Faith! Thank you so much for answering a few questions, I’m a big fan of your Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood series and can’t wait to hear your answers to my questions.
 ME: I have a confession. I read the first Soulwood novel before picking up and reading the first Jane Yellowrock novel and now after reading Flame in the Dark, I am three books in on each series. Since Soulwood is a spinoff of the Jane Yellowrock series, I am given clues into some of the later Jane books, especially when it comes to Rick LaFleur. However, I don’t feel like I HAD to read the Jane Yellowrock series first, was that intentional?

Faith: Not really. I was about eight or nine books in to the Jane Yellowrock series when I began to consider a spin off. With a spinoff there is always a common backstory that overlaps, and that overlapping grows organically. What I didn’t expect to happen was the lingering coinciding that came from Rick LaFleur’s continued presence in both series. I’m trying to break away Rick’s presence in Jane’s series, without taking the easy path of just killing him off. Instead, I am replacing him with a different character who will have a major role in Jane’s life. It’s been a technically interesting experience to slowly cut Rick away from Jane’s series, while not leaving a hole in Jane’s life, and at the same time, not leaving a hole in Rick’s life either, so that Rick can take up permanent residence in the Soulwood series.
ME: Jane’s character seems to be more intense than Nell Ingram’s even though they both have struggled with dark incidents in their pasts. Do you have more of an affinity with Jane or Nell? Which character has been more fun to write?

Faith: I don’t like or dislike either Jane or Nell more than the other. Both are fabulous to work with for entirely different reasons. Jane is harder to write simply because there is so much backstory in her life. The Jane Yellowrock series is now 12 books long (this counts DARK QUEEN which I am wrapping up) and is projected to go through 14 books. (Yes that makes my head spin.) To keep Jane fresh, I’ve had to write in some major changes and obstacles to overcome, and her challenges are always more physically dangerous and physically difficult than Nell’s will ever be. 
That said, Nell has to overcome so many social and emotional problems that Jane never will, because Nell was raised in (and escaped from) a polygamous cult. Her place in the real world is uncertain, and because she is the only one of her kind, that she has ever met, Nell is stumbling along in the dark, finding her way. When put in context, with Nell as a law enforcement officer, there is a layer of internal conflict that Jane will never face.
Sooo… Like a good parent, I didn’t answer to say which of my children I prefer. (gives cheeky grin)
ME: In the first three books of the Soulwood series we have seen Nell’s character grow from church widder woman to independent townie, at least inside Nell’s own mind. Do you attribute this growth and independence to her discoveries about her nature or about herself as a woman? Which discovery is more important to her independence?

Faith: I attribute Nell’s changes to education. Nell has met new people and seen how they live, how they react to one another, how normal relationships are supposed to work, all in the course of a joining a law enforcement team and solving dangerous paranormal crimes and meeting a possible romantic interest! (Can I squee over Occam?!?) She has seen women in powerful jobs, where they are in charge of men, give orders, and follow through on projects. And she has discovered what it is like to be part of a team made up of equal partners, instead of always being the one on the bottom of the pack. All this is new and exciting and in total opposition to her previous experience in a polygamous cult. 
Her own nature is something that actually sets Nell apart and steals her independence. In each book, the balance of action and danger weigh against her personal situation and history and the ways in which Nell is being forced to grow simply by being part of society and part of a crime-solving team.
ME:  Occam and Nell’s relationship seems to finally be moving forward. I have been waiting forever for that first kiss, and boy, it was a good one! Nell as a nymph or brownie, seems to have a very fertile nature. She grows leaves and twigs that need grooming. Her relationship with Occam will obviously change how Nell sees herself, but will it also change her nature?

Faith: I don’t think any creature changes its nature. A cat is always a cat, a tree is always a tree. But what I do see changing is the isolation that is part of Nell, instinctual as much as nurtured into her by John Ingram, her deceased husband. I see Nell reaching out, making friends and family, and growing into an emotionally healthy woman while solving crimes, learning about the world and falling in love. Badges and romance! Nature and falling in love! And learning how not to be a victim.
ME: This world that you have created for both of your series is so expansive! How do you keep track of characters, species, relationships and plot points? Do you have a system you can share?

Faith: Yeah…. I kinda painted myself into a brick wall with that one! I have three people I depend on for help in keeping me straight. One wonderful person keeps a searchable character history for me (which I’ll be giving away soon). Another one is keeping a book-by-book plot outline (which might be updated into the Jane Yellowrock Companion soon, a free gift to fans). The other one is a timeline and continuity editor who works with me all through each book to keep me on the straight and narrow and to do an ongoing copy edit. It takes a village!
ME:  Can you give us a hint of what’s coming up next for Nell and the PsyLED team? 

Faith: More crime. More vampire tree. More romance. More of everything!
ME: Last question- will Rick and Jane have a reunion in the Soulwood series? ( you don’t have to answer this one if you don’t want to…)

Faith: No. Not planning on it. The two series will separate totally after FLAME IN THE DARK and DARK QUEEN. But oh my! What a separation!

Faith thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. You have really made me excited to read more of your novels!

Deborah

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chicks Sunday Brunch Book Tag

Good Morning everyone!  I have gotten a little behind on writing my weekly Sunday Commentary. So, I’m sitting in my chair, laptop on my lap, dreaming of a big breakfast (that someone else would cook) and mulling over some books I have recently read when I thought Breakfast… Books… Breakfast…. Books. Wait, those two things go together splendidly! There’s nothing I like better than reading a book while eating breakfast. The next time you find yourself eating one of these meals, try doing it while reading these books or one of your own.

The American Classic- Eggs, Bacon and Toast

eggs-bacon-toastCome Sundown What matches up perfectly with our American Grand Slam breakfast? Come Sundown by Nora Roberts. Bodine Longbow is running the resort side of her family’s business. She is not looking for love but she definitely finds it when Cal Skinner moves back home. Their love story is the perfect silky fried egg that you eat with toast. That piece of crisp bacon is the family drama that sideswipes your emotions taking this novel beyond a normal romance. Perfection is often what you can easily grab out of your refrigerator and make. Yep, that’s Nora Roberts to a tee!

Cinnamon Roll– An oooey, gooey wrapped up bundle of goodness. OMG….

Cinnamon-Rollimage-1 Really any Kristen Ashley novel is a guilty pleasure. It’s like that cinnamon roll that sits on the plate in front of you. You gaze at it longingly knowing that once you start eating it you won’t be able to put it down until you have licked the last bit of frosting off the plate. For me, that’s a Kristen Ashley novel. I stared at The Time In Between on my kindle and waited until I knew I had the time to read it straight through to the finish. It did not disappoint, just as that cinnamon roll never has… I wish I had one of each right now!

The Denver Omelet- with Cheese please!

Denver OMeletimg_1155  Penny Reid has written a wonderfully charming series about the Winston Brothers. These novels are quirky, fun, and have a ton of heart, just like a Denver Omelet. You have a hearty omelet filled with crunchy peppers and onion, and oh those bits of ham provide that bit of decadence and fun. In my world, I always add cheese, because well, cheese makes everything better. In the Winston Brothers world, Cletus is the cheese. If you’ve read these books, you know what I mean…

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes- 

Fluffy-Pumpkin-Pancakes-with-Butter-1img_0746 Who doesn’t love a stack of fluffy, buttery, dripped in syrup pancakes? I love them! This year I discovered the Others series by Anne Bishop. You may wonder how an urban fantasy series matches up with a stack of spicy pumpkin pancakes? Well, just as with this stack, you look at it and see pancakes. Yes, the butter is melting on the top of the stack, and the syrup is dripping off the sides. You think you know what you’re going to get. Then you take that first bite, and pow! The cinnamon and pumpkin flavor hit your taste buds. Surprise! Then you dig in and gobble up that stack. That’s exactly how I felt about this series. I had seen it and thought someday… Then when I actually picked it up and took that first bite? Wow…

The Egg Cup-

egg cupimg_1211-1 The egg cup. Oh so very civil and proper. You tap it with your spoon until you crack through the top and then eat the insides out of the shell. Alexander Rostov, the gentleman in A Gentleman in Moscow is the epitomy of civilized. Even though he is under house arrest in the grand Metropol hotel he is always elegant, cultured and charming. He and this egg in a cup had a lot in common. Smooth veneer, but with a little work you would taste that silky goodness that resides inside. All in a very civilized manner, of course!

This breakfast tag was so much fun to put together!  Warning though, if you choose to take part in this tag you will crave a massive breakfast at the end of it!

I am going to tag a few of my blogger friends. If you don’t feel like partaking, don’t worry about it!  If you do, pls tag me so I can read your breakfast match ups…

Marie @ Drizzle and Hurricane Books

any of the ladies at Thrice Read

James @ This is My Truth Now

Eva@ Novel Deelights

Kristin @ Kristin Kraves Books

Have fun with it!  Until next Sunday, (I’m off to make breakfast now!)

Deb

 

 

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads1 Comment