Tag: fantasy

The Reading Chick’s Sunday #Giveaway #2!

Happy Sunday! I am vacationing in Italy with my husband celebrating my birthday, his birthday and our 15th wedding anniversary. Quite the trifecta!  I am sharing this celebration with you by throwing a giveaway with some more books and swag from the RT Convention I went to last May. Here is what’s in this weeks box!

BOOKS:

The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor


All were shocked at the announcement of the “cursed” Lady Claire Cavensham to Lord Alexander Hallworth, the Marquess of Pembrooke, especially since she is already engaged to another unfortunate Lord. Perhaps she will make it to the altar this time with one of these fine gentlemen! —Midnight Cryer

No one is left breathless at the imperious pronouncement of her engagement to Lord Pembrooke more than Claire. She hardly knows the dangerously outrageous man! But after three engagements gone awry and a fourth going up in glorious flames, she isn’t in a position to refuse…

Alexander requires the hand of his enemy’s fiancée in marriage in order to complete his plans for revenge. It’s his good fortune that the “cursed” woman is desperate. However, what begins as a sham turns into something scandalously deeper…

The Darkest Lie by Pintip Dunn


Is it better to live with a lie, or risk everything for the truth?

In Pintip Dunn’s gripping and timely novel, a young woman whose life unravels in the wake of her mother’s alleged suicide sets out to clear her name.
“The mother I knew would never do those things. But maybe I never knew her after all.”
Clothes, jokes, coded messages…Cecilia Brooks and her mom shared everything. At least, CeCe thought they did. Six months ago, her mom killed herself after accusations of having sex with a student, and CeCe’s been the subject of whispers and taunts ever since. Now, at the start of her high school senior year, between dealing with her grieving, distracted father, and the social nightmare that has become her life, CeCe just wants to fly under the radar. Instead, she’s volunteering at the school’s crisis hotline—the same place her mother worked.
As she counsels troubled strangers, CeCe’s lingering suspicions about her mom’s death resurface. With the help of Sam, a new student and newspaper intern, she starts to piece together fragmented clues that point to a twisted secret at the heart of her community. Soon, finding the truth isn’t just a matter of restoring her mother’s reputation, it’s about saving lives—including CeCe’s own…
Sinclair by Celia Aaron


Sinclair Vinemont, an impeccable parish prosecutor, conducts his duties the same way he conducts his life–every move calculated, every outcome assured. When he sees something he wants, he takes it. When he finds a hint of weakness, he capitalizes. But what happens when he sees Stella Rousseau for the very first time?

Sinclair is a prologue to The Acquisition Series and is told entirely from Sinclair Vinemont’s point of view. It can be read in one sitting.
In The Heir by Ruth Cardello

Brett Westerly is his father’s golden child, but it’s come at a cost. As head of the family corporation, he throws himself into his work—hiding in his office is easier than confronting the reality of his broken family.

After a bitter divorce that split the family and divided loyalties, the wealthy Westerly matriarch offers an early inheritance to any grandchild who marries and invites the entire family to the wedding. Brett’s brother Spencer rashly gets engaged, and Brett knows it’s his duty to intervene. But he never imagined the unwelcome desire Spencer’s fiery fiancée would spark in him. Now the man who’s used to getting everything he could want has met the one woman he can’t have.

Ever since she was a girl, Alisha Coventry considered Spencer and his sister Rachelle the family she didn’t have. When Spencer asks for her help, Alisha has no problem becoming his fake fiancée—until she meets Spencer’s sexy older brother Brett. The chemistry between them is undeniable—forbidden—but as their relationship deepens, Brett is determined to have her.

Alisha only wanted to help the family make amends. Now she’s falling for the wrong Westerly.

To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino


It is 1664 and Patience Terry is devastated to learn that Captain Jeremy Horton’s ship has been shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados, with no survivors. She had hoped that Jeremy would someday give up the sea and settle down with her in Southold, Long Island.
Unaware his memorial service is being planned, Jeremy is rescued and aboard a British Naval Gunship with secret orders to attack New Amsterdam and claim it for the British Crown. When he makes his surprise return to Southold–and to an overjoyed Patience–it’s not the happily-ever-after his beloved had hoped for.
With a finely tuned sense for authentic historical characters and settings, Rebecca DeMarino plunges readers into the 17th century–a world of high seas and tall ships, daring journeys and yearning hearts.
Still Life by Dani Pettrey


Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright–and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart.
Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit and support her best friend, who modeled for the show. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead–and the photographer insists he didn’t take the shot. Worse, her friend can’t be found. She immediately calls Parker for help. As Avery, Parker, and his friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.
Swag!!!

1001 Dark Nights Coloring book, pencils and swag!

One Wolf Clan pen from Sara Humphreys

Two lip balms

One Pedometer from Tina Desalvo

One bar of sexy shifter soap from Jodi Vaughn

One heart shaped can opener from xoxoafterdark.com

One set of post its in a book from Collette Cameron

One charm from Audrey Carlan

Please enter below for the giveaway! US only, sorry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads2 Comments

This Chicks Kindle Unlimited Vacation

Hey everyone, I am going on vacation!  Wheee!!!!!  I will be traveling and sightseeing, but I will also be doing a LOT of sitting in airports, waiting on buses, etc. SO, I foresee some reading in my future. I will, of course, be with my hisband, so I need to spend time gazing into his baby blues as well, but I know I will be picking up a book or my phone/IPAD to catch up on some reading too. So, I have set myself a task.  I have maxxed out my Kindle Unlimited 10 books limit. I guess it should be called Kindle Limited if they are going to limit my number of books, right? Well, I do like this subscription because I’ve discovered some great new authors, so I need to free up some space.  Below, are my list of KU books that I am going to read on my vacation. My goal is to read five. Pretty lofty for one week but with two days of travel I may be able to get through a few at least!

Here are my books I hope to read.

 The setting is Italy!!! Coincidently, also where I will be going on vacation, so it’s first on my list.
Libby has been drifting through life for too long and, now in her early 30’s, it’s time to grow up. She decides to have one last summer of fun before buckling down, so heads off to beautiful Positano in Italy.

There, despite all her good intentions, she can’t help but fall a little in love with the very handsome, but rather naughty, Luca and, as the summer draws to a close, Libby has some big decisions to make.

Should she head back home and face up to her responsibilities? Is Luca really the right man to start a family with, or has the perfect man been right in front of her eyes all this time?

And, when it comes to affairs of the heart, is it really better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?

 You got to love the Winston Brothers!! This one just came out and I deleted another book to get it on my kindle.
Beau Winston is the nicest, most accommodating guy in the world. Usually.

Handsome as the devil and twice as charismatic, Beau lives a charmed life as everyone’s favorite Winston Brother. But since his twin decided to leave town, and his other brother hired a stunning human-porcupine hybrid as a replacement mechanic for their auto shop, Beau Winston’s charmed life has gone to hell in a handbasket.

Shelly Sullivan is not nice and is never accommodating. Ever. She mumbles to herself, but won’t respond when asked a question. She glares at everyone, especially babies. She won’t shake hands with or touch another person, but has no problems cuddling with a dog. And her damn parrot speaks only in curse words. Beau wants her gone. He wants her out of his auto shop, out of Tennessee, and out of his life.The only problem is, learning why this porcupine wears her coat of spikes opens a Pandora’s box of complexity–exquisite, tempting, heartbreaking complexity–and Beau Winston soon discovers being nice and accommodating might mean losing what matters most.

  I read the first in this shifter series and was so surprised by it (in a good way!) that I eagerly got Transcend when it came out. It’s only sat for a couple of months but its time to read it!

The bestselling, groundbreaking Origin series continues with Transcend. Women are disappearing in New City, and the Corporate Army assigns their best soldiers to the case. In a world still recovering from war and death, every woman is needed for the survival of the human race.

Mina Kramer is a socialite in New City. She smiles for her father’s business associates, laughs at all their jokes, and acts the perfect daughter. When she’s suddenly abducted from a party at Baker Corporation, her whole world turns sideways. The kidnappers aren’t asking for her family’s money, the one item her parents have plenty of. With only confusion and captivity in her future, she prays for a rescue by her parents.
Except her saviors come in the form of the all-power Mr. Finn Baker and Poppy Carvene, a tiny sprite of a woman. And they don’t return her to her parents. Mr. Baker decides he wants to keep her and use her as bait to flush out the kidnappers’ leader. 
Mina must push her fears aside or dive deeper into them. Does she want to run to her parents, who are safe? Or will she transcend to a woman who fights criminals bent on destroying New City? And can she overcome her startling feelings for the sexy Mr. Baker, a man who harbors secrets of his own?
 The first book Cake: A Love Story was great. My sister has read The Teory of Second Best and she told me that its really funny and better than the first. She usually nails it when calling good books so I’m looking forward to reading it. Sidenote, the author is from my home town and I feel great supporting her efforts even though I don’t know her personally! Shout out to Camarillo, CA!
Twenty-two-year-old Kyle McKallister has lived his life in the shadows. Younger brother to one of the world’s most elusive and embattled celebrities, Kyle has carved out a comfortable existence touring with his famous brother and living in the lap of luxury with no commitments or plans of his own, only a deep, haunting loyalty to his brother. But his life is about to be shaken up when the opportunity comes to compete on a popular reality show. 

Small town girl Kenzie Williams has come on the show for one thing only: to win. But when a disastrous start forces her to rely on an eclectic band of misfits, she finds herself immediately smitten with a handsome and mysterious cast mate. 
But life on the island is just a game. Can Kyle and Kenzie’s fragile spark survive the pressures of the real world?
 I really loved Dragon Ridden, the first in this series and was so excited that the sequel was finally coming out. After all, Dragon Ridden was written in 2012, that’s a big stretch between books! Luckily I read this book maybe 10 months ago and can still remember the plot as it looks like this one takes up right where the first left off.
An ancient discovery has been made close to the city of Aurelia—one that promises wealth and power equal only to the dangerous secrets lying at its heart.

With three powerful groups vying for control of the discovery’s unlimited potential, it will take a delicate touch not to tip the scales toward war. Something Tate Fisher, a newly accepted dragon-ridden with a bit of a memory problem, has never been known for possessing.

Tate must learn to navigate the undercurrents of this society if she wants her friends and empire to come out the other side in one piece. Because these secrets involve Tate, and they don’t intend to let her go so easily.



Oh, gosh, when I went through my KU titles so many looked good! If I can read more I definitely will.  I’ll let you know how it goes!
Salute!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads2 Comments

This Chick Read: Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

Silver Silence is an off shoot of the Psy Changeling series, but is the first in its own trilogy. It is set in the same world and some of the characters mentioned are favorites from our past, but this novel is centered on Silver Mercant, a Psy, and Valentin the alpha of a powerful Russian bear tribe. As their world is trying to unite, Silver, as one of the leaders in this accord comes under attack by a group who’d like to see them fail. She is poisoned, and only because Valentin was present when she fell and his super bear nose is able to sniff out the poison, is her life saved.

Valentin was the perfect balance to the rather cool Silver. She is enmeshed in Silence, which allows her to feel emotionless, something an empath like herself needs. However, Valentin’s charming ways has her casting aside Silence for the chance to feel what love, and yes, sex, feels like. His humor and passion win her over and I didn’t have a problem seeing why she’d put her sanity in jeopardy. He was too adorable!  She, on the other hand was one cool woman. It was harder to see why he was drawn to her, other than her take charge attitude which fits his need for an Alpha mate.

This was a light read, and if you are a fan of this series, you can jump right in. I’ve read a few of the Psy Changeling novels and didn’t have trouble picking up where I left off. I do think if you haven’t read any of her previous novels the details of these races may be lost and would affect your enjoyment of the book. However, Nalini Singh is a great writer and the intrigue in this story enhanced the novel and I think anyone would enjoy the romance between Silver and Valentin.

❤️❤️❤️❤️


Click link to purchase! Silver Silence (Psy-Changeling Trinity)

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 Reads1 Comment

This Chick Read: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

At first glance Karou and her life seem pretty normal. She’s an artist going to school in the magical city of Prague. She and her best friend Zazou have normal teenage conversations about dirtbag exboyfriends and cute future ones. A hint of the magical gets introduced into the story and the reader starts to realize that with Karou, appearances are deceiving and that hint of magic becomes a deluge until the reader is drenched in the fantastical.

Akiva meets Karou when she’s running an errand collecting teeth for the father figure in her life, Brimstone. Brimstone is a chimeara, a race that is monster like in appearance, but human in manner. Kind of. Akiva spots Karou in a marketplace and there is something fascinating about her, so he follows her. When he see’s her buying teeth, he jumps to a conclusion and tries to kill her. Karou, an innocent, somehow defends herself with tattoo’s that blaze into life in his presence, shooting fire, and escapes back to Prague. He follows her and observes her life, realizing he was mistaken. This is where their love story begins. It’s mythological in nature, but reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet’s tale of two lovers from opposing families, although in this case they are from opposing races who are at war with each other.

I loved the mythology of this world, the city of Prague is magical in nature and was the perfect setting, and I fell immediately in love with Karou. Her story was pure fantasy and her love for Akiva overflowed. Their’s is a story I will read to the end.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click link to purchase! Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone)

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 Reads6 Comments

The Reading Chick’s Sunday #Giveaway !!

I am celebrating the end of Summer and my birthday by giving away books and swag from last May’s RT Convention over the next three Sundays. Each giveaway has a mix of genre’s as well as a handful of fun swag from some authors who I hope you’ll explore and love!

This Sunday’s giveaway includes:

Hooked on Love by Jennie Marts (my book has a different cover than below)


Avery Oliver can see the byline now. Chicago City Girl Tackles Colorado Mountains with Sexy, Reclusive Guide. What better way to jumpstart her journalism career than to head out into the woods with a hunky guide? It’s all very Bear Grylls, but she’ll take it, even if it means ditching her beloved designer suits and handbags.

All Sullivan Reed needs in life is a fly rod and the roar of a river. Playing guide to a hot little reporter can’t end well…until they strike a deal that’s mutually beneficial. She’ll pretend to be his girlfriend to deflect an overly flirtatious neighbor, and he’ll help her with the article. It’s a win-win.

Until it isn’t. Turns out, the only thing Avery’s worse at than fishing is being a fake girlfriend, because every time he’s with her, he forgets it’s all pretend…

Hot Seal by Lynn Raye Harris (my book has a different cover again!)


Navy SEAL Dane “Viking” Erikson has sworn off women—or at least he’s sworn off one woman: DEA Agent Ivy McGill. His ex-wife.

But when they’re forced to work together on a critical military mission, Dane can’t help but notice how the one woman he shouldn’t want is the only one he can’t stop thinking about.

Ivy knows what it’s like to fall for a SEAL’s hard muscles and killer smile—and she knows what it’s like when everything falls apart. So why is she naked against a wall and begging Dane for more?

Dancing in the Rain by Kelly Jamieson (Read my review HERE)


Happily ever afters aren’t just for fairy tales. In this heartfelt novel, a retired athlete must become a father to the daughter he never knew—just as he discovers the power of love with a woman who reignites his passions.

Drew Sellers is drowning in broken dreams and empty beer bottles. Hockey was his world, until a bum knee reduced him from superstar to has-been. Then he learns that, thanks to a one-night-stand back in college, he’s the father of a preteen girl with major issues. Her protective aunt sees right through Drew’s BS, but “Auntie P” is no stereotypical spinster. With her slender curves, toned legs, and luscious lips, she has Drew indulging in fantasies that aren’t exactly family-friendly.

At another point in her life, Peyton Watt would have been all over a cocky alpha male who pushes all her buttons like Drew. Right now, though, she needs to focus on taking care of her niece during her sister’s health crisis, all while holding down a job and keeping her own head above water. Besides, Drew’s clearly no father of the year. He’s unemployed. He drinks too much. And he’s living in the past. But after Peyton gets a glimpse of the genuine man behind his tough-guy façade, she’s hooked—and there’s no going back.

An Uncommon Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray


Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a ranch on her own, Laurel Tracey decides to hire a convict—a man who’s just scary enough to take care of squatters and just desperate enough to agree to a one year post.

The years following the war have been hard on Laurel Tracey. Both her brother and her father died in battle, and her mother passed away shortly after receiving word of their demise. Laurel has been trying to run her two hundred acre ranch as best she can.

When she discovers that squatters have settled in her north pasture and have no intention of leaving, Laurel decides to use the last of her money to free a prisoner from the local jail. If she agrees to offer him room and board for one year, he will have to work for her to pay off his debt.

Former soldier Thomas Baker knows he’s in trouble when he finds himself jailed because he couldn’t pay a few fines. Laurel’s offer might be his only ticket out. Though she’s everything he ever dreamed of in a woman—sweet and tender-hearted, yet strong—he’s determined to remain detached, work hard on her behalf, and count the days until he’s free again.

But when cattle start dying and Laurel’s life is threatened, Thomas realizes more than just his freedom is on the line. Laurel needs someone to believe in her and protect her property. And it isn’t long before Laurel realizes that Thomas Baker is far more than just a former soldier. He’s a trustworthy hero, and he needs more than just his freedom—he needs her love and care too.

The Talon of the Hawk by Jeffe Kennedy


A HEAVY CROWN

Three daughters were born to High King Uorsin, in place of the son he wanted. The youngest, lovely and sweet. The middle, pretty and subtle, with an air of magic. And the eldest, the Heir. A girl grudgingly honed to leadership, not beauty, to bear the sword and honor of the king.
Ursula’s loyalty is as ingrained as her straight warrior’s spine. She protects the peace of the Twelve Kingdoms with sweat and blood, her sisters from threats far and near. And she protects her father to prove her worth. But she never imagined her loyalty would become an open question on palace grounds. That her father would receive her with a foreign witch at one side and a hireling captain at the other—that soldiers would look on her as a woman, not as a warrior. She also never expected to decide the destiny of her sisters, of her people, of the Twelve Kingdoms and the Thirteenth. Not with her father still on the throne and war in the air. But the choice is before her. And the Heir must lead…
SWAG!!

An eye glass cloth from Audrey Carlan

One Dragon Clan button from Sara Humphreys

One notepad from Donna Michaels

One Selfie stick in a box from Tina deSalvo

One deck of cards from Ally Broadfield

One flashlight keychain that says Montana Rescue

One dueling pistols necklace

One mirror compact from Milly Tilden

Two lip balms.

Here is a picture of all the goodies and the link to enter the giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads3 Comments

This Chick Read: Wildfire (Hidden Legacy #3) by Ilona Andrews

Nevada Baylor and Connor Rogan are one of my favorite fictional couples. The combination of strength, unselfishness, and unbelievable chemistry make discovering this world and reading their story a lot of fun. Wildfire, the third and possibly last book in this series stayed on my TBR only as long as it took for me to pick it up, take it home and start reading.

Nevada has discovered that she is related to one of the most ruthless houses. A house that does not have any living relatives but one, and her grandmother has found out that her lost son had a family, and she is going to try to claim them. In order to keep her family safe Nevada and her sister need to declare themselves Primes and become their own House, House Baylor. Nevada makes plans to register their house while investigating another mystery and battling the mysterious Consortium that was revealed in the two previous books.

Every time a House is revealed with new and fascinating powers I fall in love with the world in this book a little bit more. The thought that this could be the last one is heartbreaking. BUT, I have heard a rumor. Apparently Ilona and Gordon Andrews don’t want this to be the last book in the series either. There is a strong possibility that they may release more, but not with this publisher. I certainly hope so! Every Ilona Andrews book is completely original. What makes this series so special? Connor and his tragically lonely background, incredible power, honor and vivid love for Nevada makes him magical. Nevada’s strength of character, love for a man that everyone else is afraid of, and her loyalty towards her family and friends gives us a heroine to root for. The two of them together have depths that I still need to plunder. Please!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️


Click link to purchase! Wildfire: A Hidden Legacy Novel

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

This Chick Read: Wicked Bite (Realm Enforcers) by Rebecca Zanetti

Finally we get to see Bear the Alpha of the Grizzly nation and head of the Grizzly MC Club get his own heroine and chance at everlasting love! Wicked Bite continues the storyline of finding and eliminating the Apollo drug that is being used to kill off the Witch nation. Nessa Lansa goes undercover by approaching Bear as a possible mate. She is a witch who can’t draw upon fire and he is a bear shifter who is also half dragon. In a previous novel, Bear went against nature to shift into a dragon to save his sister Simone, irreparably harming his soul. Nessa’s story is that if they mate, her healing skills will work better at healing Bear, where she may gain his dragon fire. Of course, there’s this thing called physical attraction that comes into play and Bear starts taking this Mate thing very seriously!

I’ve heard this is the last novel in the Realm Enforcers series. Oh no!  As an offshoot of the Dark Protectors series I really enjoyed catching up with all of our past characters. I hope I’m wrong because I can see a couple more heroes in this last novel that should get their own story. Can we get another spinoff? We can only hope!

Bear had been a favorite character and I was happy to see his HEA. His easygoing bear nature fooled everyone including Nessa, who learned that there was a reason he was Alpha, and in this novel that Alpha warrior got to come out and play. Nessa was also no push over. Her Alpha Princess came out packing this novel full of action, and not just of the bedroom variety! If this series does end here, I think it’s a great ending, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there’s more of this world in our future.  ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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


Click link to purchase! Wicked Bite (Realm Enforcers Book 5)

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 Reads1 Comment

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

This Chick Read: Red Queen (Red Queen #1) by Victoria Aveyard

The premise of a class structure that was separated, not by the color of your skin, but by the color of your blood was interesting. Those with silver blood, surprisingly called Silvers,  had special power talents, like telekinesis, mind reading, controlling fire, water, etc. Those citizens with red blood (Reds) were normal, and the peasants and worker bees in this fantasy world. When Mare Barrow, a Red, receives placement as a servant in the ruling family’s castle, she finds out that her blood, although red, is different. She, too, has a power! She manifests that power for the first time in a room full of Silvers, and because she can’t be explained, the monarchy decides to create a new identity for her, placing her as a princess of a lost Silver family. However, Mare knows she is not Silver, and in fact, still bleeds red in not only color, but also in idealisms.

Red Queen had the normal YA trope of young idealistic girl feeling her power/strength for the first time. It also used the threesome trope. Young girl torn between two brothers, the future king, who is a gentle warrior, and the younger brother, her betrothed, who is quiet and shares her idealisms. Maybe that was why I was ambivalent? I think if I had read this book when it came out, the use of those tropes wouldn’t have been as stale. It wasn’t until the book turned political that I got truly interested. When Mare started fighting back was when my interest was earned. Finally, I thought! A fight against prejudice, no matter what kind, I will relish. Knowing this is a trilogy, I am hoping the second and third book start quickly and the story doesn’t get bogged down by other over used tropes.

I did enjoy this fantasy world that Victoria Aveyard built. It was really well thought out, and kind of Machiavellian, which was fun to read about. Even though this book took a little time to get into, the positives more than made up for the negatives. I will totally pick up the next novel in the series and see how Mare’s rebellion continues. This book ends right when things were starting to get interesting! ❤️❤️❤️❤️


Click the link to purchase! Red Queen

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 Reads10 Comments

This Chick Read: Spellbinder (Moonshadow #2) by Thea Harrison

Thea Harrison has created a world that I’ve grown to love in her Elder Races novels. The Moonshadow series is a spin off from the Elder Races, so the world and mythology are the same and if you are a fan of those novels as I am it’s easy to jump right in and feel at home. Spellbinder is the story of a famous violinist, Sidoni Martel, who is kidnapped after a concert and left with the light court as tribute to their Queen. This was done to punish Morgan Le Fae, the Queen’s sorceror and huge fan of Sidonie’s. As a human Sidonie is at the whim of this evil queen who punishes her with torture and time in the dungeon. This is where Morgan finds, heals and falls in love with Sidonie. This is also where the story gets interesting. There is more to Morgan’s story than we’ve been led to believe and in order for these two to be together they have a huge hurtle to overcome.

This story was not unique, it played on the legend of King Arthur and even the Devil and Daniel Webster, however it was imbued with such passion between Morgan and Sidonie that I threw away those moments of similarity and rooted for them as a couple. In Moonshadow, the first book in this series, we see a little of Morgan, and he is a bad guy in that novel, as well as in some of the Elder Races books. I had a moment or two of doubt that the author could turn my feelings around, but he was paired with Sidonie who I loved from the first note she played and she easily swayed me to their side.

The reason I read romance novels is for that fantasy element of true love and grand passion. If I can’t believe in the couple the story falls flat. The relationship in this story had heart and Sidonie and Morgan fought ferociously to be together. I love that in a romance!

❤️❤️❤️❤️


Click the link to purchase! Spellbinder (Moonshadow) (Volume 2)

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