Tag: Commentary

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My book review guidelines…

I follow my own set of book review rules. I mean, they aren’t set in stone, but I do try to be consistent with how I write my review, my ratings system, and well, I try to be honorable. I try to respect the amount of work that goes into producing a book. Most of the time.

I thought I’d share my book review process. It’s not set in stone or anything, but this is generally how I craft my review.

  1. READ A BOOK: This one is pretty easy! I have to admit that I don’t stretch my reading boundaries a whole lot. I like Romances, YA, Fantasy, Sci-Fi and a little Mystery, though typically my type of mystery is romantic suspense and not a cop procedural. I do like to watch Law & Order, but I don’t like to read about it. So, I stay in my wheelhouse. I find if I go outside a genre I enjoy, then my rating for the book suffers. It may be a great book! It’s just not a book I usually like to read. So, I don’t.
  2. CHARACTER GROWTH: I am a reviewer that likes to identify and feel something for a character. I talk about the hero, heroine, villain etc. If I don’t see growth from my main characters through the novel the rating suffers. I like to feel a connection and more importantly, I like the characters to connect with each other.
  3. PLOT DEVELOPMENT: This one seems pretty obvious to me, but there must be some sort of conflict that the characters are trying to overcome in order for there to be a resolution and an end to the novel. I’m sure you’d all agree that you hate wasting time on a book that doesn’t go anywhere!  I hate those cliffhanger novels where I have to read 3-5 books just to get to the resolution of the main conflict. AARGGHH!!! Kill me now!
  4. FEELINGS: Humor, passion, anger, pain, hell- even hunger!  Let’s pack that novel full of emotions. Please, please, make me FEEL something. If you can make me laugh, cry, fall in love, then most likely you’ll get at least a three rating from me. If the feelings are not there I probably won’t like the book. Don’t like? Don’t review.
  5. RATINGS: I don’t think I’ve ever given a one star- or heart actually, since I give hearts not stars. However, I have given out a couple of two ratings. I will only give out a two or two and a half rating and review it if I was upset by something in the story line or was sickened by the direction an author has taken and want to make a statement against that plot point. I can think of one off hand where I gave the book a two and a half rating and ranted about the hero in the novel. He was a stalker yet they created a romance out of it. I wanted to ask about why women find that attractive. So I reviewed the book. Normally I would respect the authors efforts and just not review the book.
  6. FUDGING: This is kind of a side note, but do you ever give a book a five rating and then re-read the book and ask why you gave it that rating, when it was really only a four? I’ve done that, I think everyone has! I have some authors that I just love, love, love. Maybe I give them a half point higher than the book deserves because I just love the author that much. I’m in the moment, I’ve finished the book and am in the haze of that world while writing the review. Maybe I should’ve sat on it for a week. Oh well, I’m not going to lose sleep on it, I doubt anyone will fault me for it. Will you?
  7. REQUESTS: I have received a TON of book review requests from independent authors lately. I love that! However, I am one person writing on my blog and only have so much time in a week to read and write. So, unfortunately I have to limit my requests to just an occasional newbie. When I do read a brand new author’s book, I try to read it with the same eye for character development, plot growth and feelings I mentioned above. Every writer is equal in my eyes. (Unless you’re a favorite, HA!) I have read quite a few brand new (to me at least) authors this year and have been pleased to add them to my list of must reads.

I’ve seen a lot of book review bloggers write about trying to read outside their comfort zone, but I have to ask why?  OK, sure, every once in awhile I read a best seller that I normally wouldn’t have picked up. I’ll admit to feeling pretty good about myself for making that effort. However, if I love to read in a certain genre, and I write 3-4 reviews a week, shouldn’t I spend more time reading what I love so my writing will be a reflection of those feelings?

Do you read outside your favorite genres because you are bending to peer pressure?

How do you handle reading your favorite authors novels? Are you fair?

Do you ever make a statement with your review? Should a reviewer make a statement?

What are your book review rules???

I’d love to have a discussion and learn about you!

Until next Sunday,

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads2 Comments

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: What is your Passion?

I know this headline caught your eye! What in the world is Deborah talking about? I know, I know, we all have likes. I like taking walks on cool fall days watching my dog hunt for squirrels. I like sitting on the couch next to my husband, holding his hand while we watch a tv show. I like having dinner with my family and wondering at the random subject changes and how we got from point A to point B in the conversation. I could go on and on about my likes. My world is filled with Deborah likes…

What is your Passion is an interesting question isn’t it? For some people their passion is their faith, for others their passion may be their jobs or family. If we were to take away the obvious- no husbands, wives, family, god, food. As much as i love chocolate, no that isn’t a passion! Passion is what is in your gut. What makes you thrive for life?

It won’t come as a secret to any of you but my passion is discovering a special book. A book that takes you completely by surprise and makes you think! I spoke with the founder of a website for authors called Reedsy. There’s a section on this website with a list of book review bloggers and The Reading Chick is on this list. (whee!) When he and I were talking he asked me what percentage of books have I given five stars to.. I thought about it and really, haven’t a clue but figure it must be somewhere around 20-25%. I have very few books that I review below three stars because I want to honor the work an author puts into producing that book.  So that percentage may be higher. There should be a sixth star for books I feel passionate about and believe it or not, there haven’t been that many. But there have definitely been a few.

Let’s get back to that question though, What is your Passion? My passion is to find that one great book. The one that catches me by surprise and that I can’t wait to tell my friends and family about, the one where our conversation makes you curious, makes you hit that on click buy button.

What is your Passion? I would love to hear it! I know you love your kids, wives, husbands, and of course, god. What is your passion?  Shout it out!  Or, just put it in the comments below. I want to hear it.

Until next Sunday!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads6 Comments

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Share Your Shelves – Alphabet Book Tag (N-Z)

A few months ago I did the first half of the Alphabet Book Tag because I wanted to bring awareness to some books that were already on my shelves waiting to be read, whether they be off my kindle or physical copies of books. I have read quite a few of those books since then because when putting together my post, I reminded myself that they were waiting there to be read.  I promise you, if you should do this tag, you will immediately pick one of the books that have been waiting for you to read, some for years. I bet some of you have these same books or have read some of these. Let me know if you have and what you thought of the book!


 Now You See Me by Lacey Flint
One night after interviewing a reluctant witness at a London apartment complex, Lacey Flint, a young detective constable, stumbles onto a woman brutally stabbed just moments before in the building’s darkened parking lot. Within twenty-four hours a reporter receives an anonymous letter that points out alarming similarities between the murder and Jack the Ripper’s first murder—a letter that calls out Lacey by name. If it’s real, and they have a killer bent on re-creating London’s bloody past, history shows they have just five days until the next attempt.

No one believes the connections are anything more than a sadistic killer’s game, not even Lacey, whom the killer seems to be taunting specifically. However, as they investigate the details of the case start reminding her more and more of a part of her past she’d rather keep hidden. And the only way to do that is to catch the killer herself.

Oblivion by Jennifer Armentrout

Experience OBSIDIAN, ONYX, and OPAL as told by Daemon Black…

I knew the moment Katy Swartz moved in next door, there was going to be trouble. Lots of it.
And trouble’s the last thing I need, since I’m not exactly from around here. My people arrived on Earth from Lux, a planet thirteen billion light years away. Plus, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that humans can’t be trusted. We scare them. We can do things they only dream about, and honestly, we make them look weak as hell. ‘Cuz they are.
But Kat is getting to me in ways no one else has, and I can’t stop myself from wanting her—or wanting to use my powers to protect her. She makes me weak, and I’m the strongest of our kind, tasked with protecting us all. So this one simple girl…she can mean the end for us. Because the Luxen have an even bigger enemy—the Arum, and I need to stay on my game.
Falling for Katy—a human—won’t just place her in danger. It could get us all killed, and that’s one thing I’ll never let happen…

 Paper Princess (The Royals Book One) by Erin Watt
From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.

These Royals will ruin you…
Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone. 
Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.
Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.
He might be right.
Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees. 

 Quick Trick: A Rough Riders Hockey Novel by Skye Jordan
Rough Riders’ center, Grant Saber, has been sidelined for a bum shoulder. If he has to be off the ice for three weeks of recovery, he‘ll do it on his back—breaking in a new wanna-be cowgirl every night. But pressure from the team’s owner and Grant’s parents land him in his hometown of Holly, North Carolina instead. Things look up when he learns the hometown beauty who was once so out of his league is now single, and sexier than ever. Determined to slip in a night with her while he’s in town, Grant is shocked to discover one will never be enough.

Faith Nicholas has no interest in the newest Saber-son gossip. After losing her father just months before, she is now on the verge of losing their family hardware store—which is also her home. She couldn’t care less about the Saber’s big money or flashy toys. But she can’t seem to keep Grant out of her store–or her dreams. His magnetic charisma is impossible to ignore, and the longer he stays in town, the more she finds to love about a man who isn’t as superficial as he’d like others to believe.
With a struggling store, four-hundred miles and a rigorous hockey season looming between them, Grant will have to pull out his very best moves if he’s going to make this quick trick last forever.

 Remember Yesterday by Pintip Dunn

Follow-up to the New York Times bestselling novel, Forget Tomorrow!

Sixteen-year-old Jessa Stone is the most valuable citizen in Eden City. Her psychic abilities could lead to significant scientific discoveries—if only she’d let TechRA study her. But after they kidnapped and experimented on her as a child, cooperating with the scientists is the last thing Jessa would do.
But when she discovers the past isn’t what she assumed, Jessa must join forces with budding scientist Tanner Callahan to rectify a fatal mistake made ten years ago. She’ll do anything to change the past and save her sister—even if it means aligning with the enemy she swore to defeat.

. Soul of Flame (The Imdalind Series #4) by Rebecca Ethington
The Time for the final battle has come.

Edmund’s armies have surrounded the Rioseco Abbey, trapping the few survivors inside. The sight that Ilyan was given a thousand years ago is about to come to pass.
If only Joclyn was able to fight.
Joclyn is tormented by the hallucinations that Cail’s mind has left her with, her magic an uncontrollable torrent that even Ilyan cannot control. Her moments of lucidity are broken by fears of dripping pipes and bleeding walls, and a desire to kill Ryland that she is having trouble trying to ignore.
The sight has shown her power, shown her success, but it has also shown her death – The end of her life something she is not quite willing to give up on yet.
Even past her death, the sight has shown her love, and that love may be the only key to her sanity, to her strength, and to Edmund’s death.
That love may stand in her way, and a single choice may tip the scales and secure their future, or destroy their fate.

 The Hot Shot by Kristen Callihan
First we were friends. Then we were roommates. Now I want more…

What can I say about Chess Copper? The woman is capable of bringing me to my knees. I know this about five minutes after getting naked for her. 
No one is more surprised than me. The prickly photographer my team hired to shoot our annual charity calendar isn’t my usual type. She’s defense to my offense, a challenge at every turn. But when I’m with her, all the regrets and darkness goes away. She makes life fun. 
I want to know Chess, be close to her. Which is a bad idea. 
Chess is looking for a relationship. I’ve never given a woman more than one night. But when fate leaves Chess without a home, I step up and offer her mine. We’re roommates now. Friends without benefits. But it’s getting harder to keep our hands off each other. And the longer we live together the more I realize she’s becoming my everything.
Trick is… Now that I’ve made her believe I’m a bad bet, how do I convince her to give this player a true shot at forever?
 Under the Lights by Abbi Glines
Willa can’t erase the bad decisions of her past that led her down the path she’s on now. But she can fight for forgiveness from her family. And she can protect herself by refusing to let anyone else get close to her.

High school quarterback and town golden boy Brady used to be the best of friends with Willa—she even had a crush on him when they were kids. But that’s all changed now: her life choices have made her a different person from the girl he used to know.
Gunner used to be friends with Willa and Brady, too. He too is larger than life and a high school football star—not to mention that his family basically owns the town of Lawton. He loves his life, and doesn’t care about anyone except himself. But Willa is the exception—and he understands the girl she’s become in a way no one else can.
As secrets come to light and hearts are broken, these former childhood friends must face the truth about growing up and falling in love…even if it means losing each other forever.

 Vigilante Mine by Cera Daniels
Internal Affairs be damned, Detective Amanda Werner’s ditching protocol to hunt the vigilante whose bullet landed her on the bench. But this is no vendetta. Evidence suggests he’s the zealot offing corrupt public officials–the same zealot who’s promised to set the city ablaze by week’s end–and she’ll risk her career and her life to save her hometown. Too bad she can’t find anything stronger than Kevlar to guard her heart against her primary suspect: a masked man with a telepathic German shepherd, unstable supernatural hearing, and lips that invite a whole different brand of investigation.

All businessman Ryan McLelas, a.k.a. Klepto, wants is redemption. But even if Amanda could forgive his itchy trigger finger, Ryan still has to convince her that his alter ego’s no serial killer. No small task, with syndicate-paid police officers turning up among the dead. He’d better keep his own syndicate ties close to his chest and Amanda even closer, because if Klepto is unmasked while he’s hunting the real killer, their passionate affair could mark Amanda as the next dirty cop on the hit list.

Wicked Beautiful by J. T. Geissinger
Life coach and best-selling author Victoria Price has it all: a successful career, fabulous friends, a fantastic penthouse in Manhattan. What she doesn’t have—and doesn’t want—is a husband. Fifteen years ago her high school flame broke her heart so badly she swore she’d never love again. Now she makes millions teaching other women how to be just like her: a ruthless bitch.

Drop-dead sexy restaurant tycoon and infamous playboy Parker Maxwell has only three rules for the women he dates: no questions about his past, no expectations for the future and no spending the night. When he meets Victoria, however, he’s willing to break his own rules if it means sating the explosive desire she arouses in him. What he doesn’t know is that the alluring Victoria Price used to be the mousy Isabel Diaz, the girl he deflowered and dumped long ago.
Presented with a perfect opportunity for revenge, Victoria decides the game is on. But when her connection with Parker proves more than just skin deep, she has to make a choice—continue with her plan for payback, or risk her career, her reputation and her heart by taking a second chance on love?




I didn’t have any books on my shelves for the last three letters of the alphabet. Even though thats not really a win since I have so many other books on my shelves, I’ll take it as three less books I have to read. LOL

I am not going to tag anyone on this adventure, but if you’d like to join in and show us all whats on your shelves, please do! There were a couple that I had forgotten about like Soul of Flame. I bought that book right when it came out because I had liked the series so much. Then I forgot about it, and that isn’t the only sad story. 

What books have beèn forgotten on your shelves? I challenge you to pick one up and read it next!

Until next Sunday,

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

Guest Post: Me Too

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

The horrible allegations against Harvey Weinstein and the women brave enough to step forward, have ripped away the curtain of shame that many of sheltered behind. I, too have my own story to tell, although it is not one of physical abuse.

When I was younger, in 1992, I went away to another state to interview for a job at a television station. I was there for the weekend to get a feel for that city and see whether I would like to live there. Unfortunately, the person I was interviewing with treated this weekend like I was their date. Planning a weekend full of dinners out, a concert, and yes, even dancing. I was very uncomfortable, but he never crossed that line where it became totally clear that this was inappropriate behavior. It wasn’t until my actual “interview” took place in his boss’s bedroom that a big light went off. I came away unscathed, but there are many women who weren’t as lucky as I. I wanted to share this post I read this morning from another blogger on Suzie Speaks blog. She has the courage to tell her own story. Please read it and share your own story. It is ok to speak up!

#Metoo

Deb

suzie81speaks's avatarSuzie Speaks

**Trigger Warning – Domestic Violence and Abuse**

The allegations surrounding the predatory culture within Hollywood has once again highlighted the frequency and acceptance of sexual harassment and abuse, with a whole host of celebrities (both female and male) sharing their own personal and horrific experiences. Unfortunately, while the majority of the focus was initially directed towards a single person, it is not an uncommon nor new story and it’s something that takes place daily in every walk of life, prompting thousands to share their own stories, or simply respond with ‘Me too.’

Today’s post is an extremely personal one from Em Linthorpe. I have the upmost admiration for her courage to discuss such an experience, and I will leave the comments open below for you to respond with the courtesy and respect she deserves…

First I want to mention two bloggers who after reading their posts this week, inspired me…

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This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Book Lovers Tag

I saw this tag on Vicki’s blog at The Page Turner and thought it would be a fun get to know you post. I enjoyed reading Vicki’s answers and went on to check out her blog after I read this post. She is one busy woman! Mother, grandmother, writer, blogger….wow! Check out her blog if you haven’t already, she’s got some great writing samples, tags and reviews.

The Book Lovers Tag

Do you have a specific place for writing? 

I don’t really have a special place for writing my blog posts. I’m usually in my living room with my feet kicked up on the coffee table while typing away on my IPad. Right now the TV is on with a MLB Playoff game in the background. I like a little background noise and the TV on to stare blindly at when I’m thinking of something clever to say.


Bookmark or random pieces of paper?

Oh, I am definitely a book mark gal.  I have some nice bookmarks that I’ve picked up traveling but I also have bookmarks from publishers, authors, book of the month clubs. Oh gosh, I have them EVERYWHERE! The picture below isn’t even all of them, just a handful. Anyone want one? I’ll mail you one if you comment below!


Can you stop anywhere or must it be at the end of a chapter?
Most of the time I stop at a natural break but if I’ve pushed myself into reading through the night or until really late, I’ll just close the book. Most likely I’ll have to backtrack a few pages anyway just to remember the plot. Have you ever read when you’re really tired and then can’t remember anything? Yeah, me too!

Do you eat or drink while reading?

A great cup of coffee or tea in the winter, a sandwich on my lunch break. You bet! I can’t write while eating though…

Music or TV while reading? 

The TV is on all the time because if I’m reading my husband is watching one of his shows (Ice Road Truckers, Deadliest Catch, DIY shows..). We are in the same room so that counts as hanging out, right? Lol. Music is a whole other ballgame. That breaks my concentration and I have to leave the room.  

One book at a time or several?

Sometimes if I’m reading a book and its good but isn’t really grabbing me, I’ll put it down and pick up something I’m more in the mood to read.  I am also usually listening to an audiobook on my drive to and from work, so sometimes three at a time!

Do you prefer to read at home or elsewhere?

Anywhere! 

Read out loud or silently?

Do people really read out loud? Fascinating. No, I’m a silent reader, although if it’s funny I may laugh out loud!

Do you read ahead or skip pages?

I don’t read ahead unless it looks like the romance isn’t going anywhere or I need to make sure someone doesn’t die at the end. Mostly I read it as it should be read, in order.

Break the spine or keep it new?

Break the spine??!! Sacrilege! NO! I try to keep my books in great shape. In fact, my own mother destroys books and if something is really good I’ll buy her her own copy and won’t let her touch mine.  She is horrible!

Do you write in your books?

Not usually? But I do have a Little Free Library and will put my number inside a book occassionally if I’m putting it out for someone to take.

What books have you read recently?

I just finished Warcross by Marie Lu, it was fabulous. I am also listening to 2 series as re-reads. Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series and Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series. And I just noticed that the names of the series are their main characters, and female. Maybe I need to branch out!


All time favorite book?

I don’t really have one? I do love it when a book creates a memory for me. My mom reading me The Hobbit, my love for any of the OZ books as a little girl. As an adult? I love a good fantasy novel and am enjoying reading a number of new authors…


My nominations for the Book Lover’s Tag are:

If you read to the end, consider yourself nominated! 

Until next Sunday,

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads6 Comments

This Chick’s Sunday Commentary: The one where she saves Julie’s life

I would LOVE to have three days to just read and read and read. Unfortunately some thing just keeps getting in the way. This week I read one book. It took me forever to read it and that just, well, never happens. I can always find the time! I write on other bloggers posts, giving them tips and hints about how to carve out more reading time. Listen to audio books while you excercise, read during your commute to work, take a book and read on your lunch break. All of these things I normally do, but this week I just did not.

What’s wrong with me? Nothing really. I am still getting up in the mornings and taking a nice long walk for excercise. I am listening to a series I absolutely loved, Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series. Well, I guess that is actually the problem. I have become obsessed with these books again! They have gotten in the way of me picking up a new book. I have ARC commitments! Who cares? Says my inner demon. Listen to Kate kick ass and fall in love with Curran. I have projects to focus on at work! Who cares? My inner demon speaks yet again. I am enthralled with the narrator who gives voice to all of these fantastic characters in these books! I laugh out loud at Kate’s inner monologue. She’s got such a sarcastic inner voice and it reminds me of my own! I forgot how much I love these characters that made a lonely Kate no longer alone. I have fallen in love again with Derrick, Julie, Andrea, Aunt Bea, and yes most especially that gravelly voiced Curren. Yum.

So, I have been in a bit of a reading slump. At least of new books. It’s a good thing I pre-schedule my blog and have written a bunch of reviews… ok, I have to get back. I am at the end of book 5 , Magic Slays, you know, the one where she saves Julie’s life? Yeah, intense!

If you haven’t read this series, here’s the first one. If you have a long commute? I suggest listening to it. You will NOT be disappointed.


Click this link to purchase!   Magic Bites

Copyright 2017 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: To LOVE or Not to Love..Audio Books

If you have a book blog then your love of all things books is a given. Or is it? Some bloggers hash out their feelings on ebooks versus physical copies of books and usually the physical copy wins. (Although my guess is that many of you have hundreds of ebooks lined up on a kindle or nook!) So, the natural next question would be, how do you, as a blogger, like audiobooks?

 Here are my thoughts!

PROS

  • Re-reading series: If you are anything like me, you are trying to balance your ARC commitments with just picking up a book and reading it for pleasure. But what about re-reading? There is nothing better than getting back to that series that you fell in love with while reading it for the first time! Now, years later, you have memories of having loved the series, but there are 20 books and it’s probably not realistic that you’ll ever read them again. But, wait! Do you have a long commute to work? Do you go to the gym or walk in the mornings? If so, then you have found the time to re-read! Kind of. You can now enjoy that morning walk while listening to an old favorite. Believe me, you will get that chance to listen to all 20 in the series.
  • Narrators– When you have found a great narrator, you will follow that narrator to their other books. A great narrator makes you forget that you are listening to a woman speak in your male heroes voice, or a man in a womans voice. But what about if your book has many voices? A great narrator will capture that personality of EACH character. Here are my recommendations on a few. Sample one by clicking the link. 

                Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School) narrated  by Emily Gray! 

              A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel narrated by Nicholas Guy Smith 
                Outlander narrated by Davina Gray 

      • Inspiration! – Ok, that may be taking this a little far, but if I am in the middle of a really good book I would do anything to keep listening to it! ( and save my marriage by not ignoring my husband on purpose.☺️) Take another walk! Listening to an audiobook while excercising has inspired me to, well, excercise! Lol. 
      • Car Rides– Listening to an audiobook makes my drive go so much quicker! To be honest, I don’t have a very long drive to work and will sometimes sit in the parking lot for five or ten minutes until the scene concludes. However, I am in outside sales and spend a good bit of time driving, so my drive has now become fun!
      • Subscription services– I can support my local bookstore! Yes, you can also get Audiobooks on Amazon’s Audible or even at your local library, but I found Librofm.com, which is a monthly subscription service, just like audible, but it is connected to my local bookstore.  I love supporting my local bookstore and the dollars for the subscription at least in part, goes to them. Yeah!


      CONS

      • Narrators– I don’t want to say anything bad, but when the narration doesn’t click for me I have to dump the book and choose another. What makes a narrator bad? It could be an annoying voice on the main character, or it could be the actual writing of the book didn’t make for a good audiobook. If an audiobook doesn’t grab me, its just like reading a book myself. I struggle, and really, you have to devote A LOT of time to one! I will not spend 12 hours with a narrator I don’t click with.
      • Reviews– This is a great way to spend time reading another book to review. A Gentleman in Moscow (pictured above) is a book that I am currently listening to on my walks. Nicholas Guy Smith’s aristocratic voice is perfectly matched to the main character. I am listening to it in real time, and do NOT speed the audiobook up. I have heard that some bloggers do this, and I think that you can’t get emotionally involved with a narrator that sounds like a chipmunk! That would hurt my enjoyment of the story as well and therefore my review of that book. Bad Bloggers!
      • Time Spent– I am a very quick reader, so its a little frustrating when a narration drags. That is not the narrators fault it’s the writer who wrote all that prose! However, when someone reads it aloud it makes that paragraph seem even longer. Pick your book to your mood. If you are in a descriptive prose kind of mood, great! If you want a lot of dialog or action, be smart and pick that kind of book!
      • Romance– I love to read romance novels. That’s my go to genre when I am feeling down because an HEA picks my mood right back up. However, listening to a 30 page sex scene? NOT MY THING. Especially in a car when the audio all of a sudden seems so loud. I’ll find myself looking at the person on the bus bench next to me to see if they can hear what I’m hearing. Embarassing!  I guess I like my sex scenes to be a little more private.  Lol.  Years ago I was on a road trip with my mom and we had picked an audiobook to listen to. Oh my gosh, when a sex scene came up, we both looked at each other and laughed hysterically! I fast forwarded through the scene! There’s just something about hearing it outloud.  That is still a funny memory that she and I share with people. It makes for a great story, but I NEVER want to do that again. Lol.

      What is your opinion of Audiobooks? Do you have any funny stories to share? Any favorite narrators or books?  Please comment!

      Until next Sunday,

      Deb

      On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads14 Comments

      Wait, What? This Chicks a Unique Blogger?

      I have been nominated by Mischenko at ReadRantRockandRoll.com for the Unique Blogger Award.  This is a totally fun post and I hope I can do it justice as Mischenko did on their blog. Check Mischenko’s blog out HERE! Take note of the creative use of video, pictures and graphic art. I’m seriously jealous of Mischenko’s talent! 


      The Rules:

      1) Share the link of the blogger who has shown love to you by nominating you.

      2) Answer the questions.

      3) In the spirit of sharing love and solidarity with our blogging family, nominate 8-13 people for the same award.

      4) Ask them 3 questions.

      OK,  glad we got the rules out of the way, whew! Let’s get to this!

      Here are Mischenko’s Questions—-

      1) What’s something unique about you?

      Well, I don’t know that I’m that unique actually. I have a handsome, loving, supportive husband, as a lot of women do. I have a too adorable Goldendoodle named Nash, who besides my hubby is the love of my life. Isn’t he cute??! 85 lbs of adorable goofiness.

      I love to read, but well, that’s not too unique. We’re a bunch of book bloggers, right?Hmmm, I do have a Free Little Library that I stock with books to share with my neighbors? I guess that’s a little unique! I’m going to go with that one! I always need new stock if anyone lives in Nashville and wants to swap some books with me!

      2) What’s a favorite book, movie, or song you enjoyed this month?

      I have to go with a movie for this one. If you haven’t seen Wonder Woman you need to rush out and see this movie! Especially if you are a woman. It was the best of the Super Hero movies. If only I was as gorgeous as Gal Gadot and could kick butt like Wonder Woman did in this movie. 


      3) What’s your favorite thing to do in your free-time and what do you love about it?

      I love taking a vacation! Lol. Well, who doesn’t, but truly a vacation combines three of my favorite loves. Exploring new places, eating out -learning new cultures, and reading while traveling! I recently took a vacation to Italy and had a blast! 


      The picture above was taken in front of an ancient Roman wall in Verona. Verona was the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and was a beautiful place!

      Thanks Mischenko! It was fun to share a little bit about me. Now it’s my turn to nominate a few fellow bloggers!

      Ravenblake99 @ Dreamyaddictions.wordpress.com

      @ LiteraryElephant.wordpress.com

      Any of the ladies of (or all of them!) @ThriceRead.com

      Beth @ Readingeverynight.wordpress.com 

      If you don’t feel like it, no worries! If you do, please tag me so I can read your answers to these questions…

      1) If you were a Superhero and were going to fight crime against an evil villain from a book, who would that Villain be (include the book please!) and why do you want to fight them? Side question- would you win?

      2) What city do you live in, and what is one of your favorite things you like about your hometown? (I like to travel and may visit! Lol)

      3)  Think of your favorite character from a book. Now describe them, a quirk you love about them, and why I should like that character as you do.  (I’m always picking a new book to read as is everyone else reading this blog!)

      Have fun!

      Deb

      On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads1 Comment

      This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Book Club- More Wine Please…

      I love getting together with friends having some cocktails, food, and dishing on a good book. It’s a great time to get away from problems at work, and you can leave your husband and kids at home.  It’s the best hour and a half vacation in the middle of my week! But, sometimes that book club starts to feel like a chore.  Here are a few tips to keep it fun!

      1) Don’t captain the Book Club Ship!  Wouldn’t it be more fun if you just showed up, ordered a drink and had fun with your friends? Yes it would! Looking over your shoulder for your boss and tearing your hair out in panic while google searching book club questions is no way to spend your last half hour at work! 


      2) Can we pick a fun book to read please?  I get it. We all have different tastes in books. I got my fill of Pride and Prejudice while in college and other people think thats what a book club should be about. Be adventurous! Pick out a juicy book- think sex. Lots of it! There’s nothing more fun than giggling about the sex scenes with your friends. You might even get some great tips!  Lol.


      3) Keep your group small. Unless you are meeting at someones home, it’s hard to hear people across a big table. Remember, you will be talking about things that might be overheard by Grandma and Grandpa sitting at the next table. Although truly, Grandpa would probably love to hear our unsavory discussion about the hero in our book! Grandma may want to thank us later!

      4) Finish the book! Ok, I’ll admit, I have been totally guilty of this one. I know some friends who read on their phone at work just to get it finished! Remember though, if the book is a mystery and half the group hasn’t read it, the ending will be spoiled. If we hate it, you will hear we hated it! Who would want to finish a book if no one liked the characters, the writing sucked, etc? It happens! Not all books are great, but do your part and finish the book so you can give your honest opinion.


      5) Take part in the discussion! That’s why we have alcohol. It loosens lips, so hopefully even our quiet friends will take part. Don’t drink? Sugar is the next best thing! Order lots of dessert. Sugar high’s and alcohol buzzes are remarkably similar. Both cause hyperactivity and chatter.


      I am totally trying to be funny and make a joke out of how serious some book clubs take themselves. For those of you who like those, I apologize! I like the next great book just as much as the next person, however, truthfully 95% of the time I’d pick Kristen Ashley over Jodi Piccoult. If I could just find that Kristen Ashley book club!  Lol.

      Until next Sunday!

      Deb

      On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads5 Comments

      This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Favorite Fictional Couples 

      I have never been the type of person who gets crushes on famous actors, has a book boyfriend, favorite band or heck, even a favorite food.  Sure I have likes and dislikes; I like Chris Hemsworth more than Liam Hemsworth and Mexican Food more than Chinese, but never have had an outright favorite.

      I do however have favorite fiction couples. Is it the thought that there is one person out there for everyone? Sure. But it’s more of how those two people fit together and that chemistry thats so fascinating. Let’s analyze a few of my favorites.

      The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon – Jamie and Claire

      I read these books when they first came out in the ’90’s. Yes, some of you weren’t even born yet! ALL the women in my family passed these books around to each other and swooned over Jamie and Claire. One of my Uncles even named his daughter Claire ( yes, the men in my family have read Outlander, even my own husband!). Why do these two connect so well with us? Claire is a modern woman, well modern for historical highland Scotland anyway. She’s smart, stands up for herself, and even though torn between two men finds enough love within herself for both. Jamie is the love of her life or lifetimes, as the case may be. Jamie, a young handsome highlander likes her smarts, sass, and experience. Most importantly, he allows her to to be Claire. In doing so, he captures her heart even when they live centuries apart. That separation and the fact that Claire travels through time to be with her true love only makes us love it and them more.

      Click this link to purchase! Outlander

      In Death series by J. D. Robb – Eve and Rourke

      She’s a cop, and he’s a gazillionaire ex-thief and the setting is futuristic New York. Despite their surface differences they have commonalities in their depths. Eve was abused and raped by her own father and she killed him when she was a child in self defense. Roarke was a street punk who survived by those artful dodger skills. Both lacked love as children but somehow overcame that to have thriving careers and ultimately finding that love they needed from each other. He is whimsical and uber brilliant, and she is steely and analytical and because of those traits they are the yin to each others yang. It’s great fun to see Eve discover her own hidden depths and Roarke to love in overwhelming waves and to see each other grow as a couple because of their trust for each other.  His gazillionaire status doesn’t play into it at all though all his gadgets, gizmos and exotic locations do make for a fun read

      Click the link to purchase! Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)
      The Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews – Nevada Baylor and Connor Rogan

      An Urban Fantasy series, the third,Wildfire, came out this week and I am reading right now. (I MUST get back to it!) Connor Mad Rogan, is a Prime. A mage with an extraordinary skillset that has been used in battle and earned him a certain reputation. He and Nevada cross paths when they are both investigating the same crime. He is instantly intrigued by her and although she can’t ignore how attractive he is, his reputation is pretty scary (hence the nickname “Mad”) and she isn’t interested. However, forced to work together she is drawn to his strength and honor, and see’s that young boy inside of him that suffered from a lack of love. Those things whittle away at her walls until she lets him in, and at that moment, he has her trust, heart, and hope. Connor, with all of that power never used it to win her over. I think it was the fact that he let her grow without trying to influence her, fought by her side, protected her family and ultimately that strength of passion that won her over. Oh, don’t forget their incredible chemistry. Wowza!

      Click the link to purchase! Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy)
      A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas – Feyre and Rhysand

      This YA fantasy series used misdirection and an evil enemy to move our two heroes Feyre and Rhysand together both in the fight against evil but also in a bonding love that would seem to be everlasting. Feyre, human turned Fae, is certainly put through the wringer in these books. Fighting for herself and her family, the whole time. Rhysand, introduced to the reader as the King of darkness, had a lot to overcome, both with Feyre and the reader because Ms. Maas manipulated our minds into believing he was the bad guy. As the story unfolds and we see the true nature of Rhysand and Tamlin (the red herring) our own hearts unfold, right along with Feyre’s and we bleed our love for Rhysand. Or at least that is what it felt like to me. Theirs was a union that had to overcome death, deception and war. In comparison their happy moments felt like golden moments of stolen time, sure to be taken away. Feyre, although not my favorite female character of all time, was held up as part of one of my favorite couples because of Rhysand’s grit and fortitude, and yes love and passion. He was desperately fighting for their love, we just didn’t realize it until later, and when we did, we bought it and him, hook, line and sinker.

      Click the link to purchase! A Court of Thorns and Roses

      The more I think on this topic the more I could go on and on and on. I left out the obvious classics like Romeo and Juliet (although they both die so really does that count?), Ron and Hermione for the Harry Potter fans, and even Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. These four are a few of my favorites and I know my choices lean towards fantasy which may not appeal to everyone.

      I would love to hear who is your own favorite fictional couple. Do they come from the classics? Contemporary romance? Or are they from fantasy novels like mine? Please comment below and lets talk.

      Until next Sunday!

      Deb

      On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads5 Comments