This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Share Your Shelves – The Alphabet Book Tag (A-M)

I just finished a novel and was trying to decide which book I’d read next. As usual I’m looking through NetGalley, my Kindle, YA book subscriptions and bookshelves. Man, I have a lot of books to read and it’s a little overwhelming!  Hmm, is there another way to pick my next book? Why not select a few alphabetically? At least I’d see some not so very obvious and maybe well hidden unread novels that I already own in a new light. On the chance that you also own books on this list maybe it will remind you that these books still need to be read. 

If you’ve read some of these books, chime in! Did you like one? What was your favorite? What would you recommend? 

I’m going to tag a few bloggers that I know have bookshelves that are overflowing to do their own Alphabet Book Tag. Share your shelves! It may help you pick out your next book, or prompt one of your readers to pick up that same book that they already own. These are all fabulous reviewers so check out their websites for interesting ideas.

Tag You’re It! A-M only!  Don’t worry if you don’t have time, but if you do, even if it’s only ABC, pls link me so I can read your tag, Thanks!

Donna@hereonthereeverywhere.us

Corina and Tijuana @booktwinsreviews.com

Lynne@fictionophile.wordpress.com

Raven@Dreamyaddictions.wordpress.com

Marie@Drizzleandhurricanebooks.com

THE ALPHABET BOOKTAG

A Sky Full of Stars by Samantha Chase 

Book five in the series but it looks like a fun enemies to lovers book. I do like Samantha Chase!

Brilliant astrophysicist Dr. Owen Shaughnessy feels more connected to the cosmos than to people. He’s great with calculations, but when he leads a team of scientists to study a famous meteor shower, he doesn’t factor in his free-spirited artist assistant Brooke Matthews.

Polar opposites in personality, the friction between Owen and Brooke threatens to derail the project. But the beauty and mystery of the night sky draw them together—and she’s going to surprise him in ways the stars never could.

Blood Bound by Sharon Stevenson 

I got this one for free by subscribing to the authors newsletter. A paranormal ya? Sold!

19-year-old twin demon trackers Shaun and Sarah Gallows are used to running into trouble—mostly the kind with fangs—but while Sarah embraces her powers to their fullest extent, trusting her instincts implicitly, Shaun distances himself from his abilities and can do little more than despair at his sister’s reckless nature and idly back her up.
When they come across 17-year-old Melissa Carling, a demon tracker who’s been torturing innocent super-naturals, they know they have to stop her. Sarah is desperate to punish Melissa for what she’s been doing but Shaun’s instant attraction to the girl points to a soul-mate bond stronger than anything he’s ever had to fight before…

Caraval by Stephanie Garber 

Ok, I know I’m late to the party. Hey, I own the book, I just need to read what all the fuss is about!

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.


Dear Aaron by Mariana Zapata 

This was a surprise release in June. It’s on Kindle Unlimited, which I subscribe to and I Love Mariana Zapata, so it will be read soon. Probably on my vacation next month.

Ruby Santos knew exactly what she was getting herself into when she signed up to write a soldier overseas.

The guidelines were simple: one letter or email a week for the length of his or her deployment. Care packages were optional.
Been there, done that. She thought she knew what to expect.
What she didn’t count on was falling in love with the guy.



Ever the Hunted by Erin 


A totally gorgeous cover, right? This was in my YA subscription, Uppercase box, and I just haven’t gotten to it yet, but I will!

Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, a legendary bounty hunter—that is, until her father is murdered. The alleged killer is none other than Cohen Mackay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart.  

     She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a force to be reckoned with.  

Falling by Simona Ahrnstedt 

I received this novel at the RT Convention in May, just as I received the first in the series, All In, last year at RT. All In was so good! This comes out in a week or so and I got an early copy. I need to read and review, Lol.

Alexander de la Grip is known in the tabloids and gossip blogs as a rich, decadent, jet-setting playboy who spends most of his days recovering from the night before. With a string of beautiful conquests, he seems to care about nothing and no one.Isobel Sørensen has treated patients in refugee camps and war zones, and is about to depart Sweden for a pediatric hospital in Chad. Devoted to her humanitarian work, she cares almost too deeply. Especially when she learns that Alexander is withholding desperately needed funds from her aid foundation.

Is it because she’s the only woman who ever told him to go to hell?

As the two push each other’s boundaries to the breaking point, the truth turns out to be much more complicated.Pain, love, trust, betrayal. Which will triumph when safety is nothing but an empty word?

Gilded Cage by Vic James 

Another RT Convention YA fantasy novel, but there are never too many. Has anyone read a book by Vic James? 

In a darkly fantastical debut set in modern-day Britain, magic users control everything: wealth, politics, power—and you. If you’re not one of the ultimate one-percenters—the magical elite—you owe them ten years of service. Do those years when you’re old, and you’ll never get through them. Do them young, and you’ll never get over them.

This is the darkly decadent world of Gilded Cage. In its glittering milieu move the all-powerful Jardines and the everyday Hadleys. The families have only one thing in common: Each has three children. But their destinies entwine when one family enters the service of the other. They will all discover whether any magic is more powerful than the human spirit.

Hold ‘Em by Katie Porter 

Ok, I have had this book for YEARS! I’ve read the first two in the series and they were very good. Very sexy! The copy I have has a different cover, but I know some of you ladies like those chest book covers so I chose to put this one up. It sounds like it may be a little Dom/Sub romance?  I might be a little afraid.  Lol.

Daughter of a world-famous motocross champion, and head-on competitor with three brothers, Captain Leah “Princess” Girardi was born with a need for speed. No one tells her what to do, especially not men with chauvinistic “girls can’t be fighter pilots” attitudes.

That’s what ended her brief relationship with Captain Mike “Strap Happy” Templeton. Now, six years later, he’s been assigned to her squadron, and whoa damn, he’s filled out nicely. Plus he’s cultivated a Zen-like chill factor that pulls at her hormones.

Even after four tours, Mike’s the new kid in the 64th Aggressor Squadron. That’s not the only thing new. Since he last saw Leah, he’s learned a few things about himself. A female who outranks him still makes his teeth grind, but in the bedroom he craves the rush of pain inflicted by an adoring, powerful woman.

Their reunion is an explosive revelation. Leah is the beautiful mistress he’s been searching for, and she takes to her new role like a natural. But Leah’s aware one thing hasn’t changed. Loving him is still an all-or-nothing proposition. She’s not sure her reckless streak is wide enough to risk her career—and her heart.

In the Heir by Ruth Cardello 

I met this author at RT. She was sweet and signed a book for me to give away on my blog. Which I will still do! I think this is a Billionaire romance? Millionaire? Hell, couple hundred-aire would be good for some of us, right?

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.



Justice Delayed
by Patricia Bradley 

Another book from RT! This author was so nice. It’s an inspirational romantic suspense, and sounds kind of dark.  I’m definitely more curious about it now….

It’s been eighteen years since TV crime reporter Andi Hollister’s sister was murdered. The confessed killer is behind bars, and the execution date is looming. But when a letter surfaces stating that the condemned killer didn’t actually do it, Detective Will Kincaide of the Memphis Cold Case Unit will stop at nothing to help Andi get to the bottom of it. After all, this case is personal: the person who confessed to the crime is Will’s cousin. They have less than a week to find the real killer before the wrong person is executed. But much can be accomplished in that week–including uncovering police corruption, running for your life, and falling in love.


Keepers by Meg Collett 

I won this series from a blogger and I still haven’t read them but the plot and characters sound unique. Cute covers too!

Stevie Reynolds was a buzz-worthy reality star before moving to Canaan Island to escape Los Angeles and her fame-hungry parents. But not all her demons, like her penchant for wine and bad decisions, are escapable.

Completely broke and fresh out of rehab after her DUI, Stevie gets an offer from her hotshot LA ex to star in his home renovation show with Canaan’s favorite son, Cade Cooper. Stevie returns to the reality business for Cade, who’s relying on the show to help pay for his mother’s cancer treatments.


Stevie refuses to break Cade’s sensitive heart, but she can’t keep herself from falling for his kind smile and easy laugh. When the producers push her to risk her shaky sobriety and Cade’s credibility for the sake of ratings, Stevie is ready to quit—until her ex threatens to reveal an intimate secret from her past.

If her secret is leaked, Stevie will lose everything she loves on Canaan Island, including Cade.

Love’s Rescue by Christine Johnson

An Inspirational Historical romance. This looks like a great story, and wait, is her love interest a pirate? This looks good, I forgot I had it. See, this tag is working for me!

When her mother dies, Elizabeth Benjamin heads home to Key West, determined to transform herself into the perfect Southern belle her parents always wished her to be. But nothing goes according to plan. Her crippled brother resents her, the servants do not obey her, and Rourke O’Malley, the dashing man she vowed to forget, refuses to relinquish his hold on her heart. Worst of all, it becomes painfully obvious that her father is not the upright man he appears to be.

As family secrets come to light, Elizabeth is faced with a difficult choice: to do her duty and abandon her dreams, or to leave her life of privilege behind to chase the man her father sees as little better than a pirate.
From the first emotional page, author Christine Johnson throws readers into a world of impossible choices, hidden desires, and heart-melting romance in the steamy south. Readers will cheer for Elizabeth and Rourke as they battle the odds and the elements to secure their future.


Mogul by Joanna Shupe 

This is the newest from Joanna Shupe. I love that this series is set in the Industrial era, which isn’t a time period I read too often. Baron was fabulous so I know I will love this book!

The privileged members of the Knickerbocker Club can never climb too high up the social ladder. But for one charming New York bachelor, does the ascent take precedence over love in the Gilded Age?

As owner of a well-respected national newspaper, Calvin Cabot has the means to indulge his capricious taste for excess–and the power to bring the upper crust of society to its knees. So when a desperate heiress from his past begs for his help, Calvin agrees . . . as long as she promises to stay out of his way. Except, like the newsman, this willful beauty always gets what she wants . . .

Lillian Davies lives a life brimming with boundless parties, impressive yachts, and exotic getaways. But when her brother disappears, Lily knows that blood runs thicker than champagne and she’ll spare nothing to bring him back alive. Unfortunately, the only man who can help her is the one she never wanted to see again. Can Lily keep Calvin at arm’s length long enough to save her brother and protect her name . . . even when the tenacious powerbroker turns out to be absolutely irresistible?




Wow, finding titles beginning with a certain letter was a lot more difficult than I thought. Especially since I didn’t allow myself to throw out the “The” in a title. My taste seems to be pretty eclectic doesn’t it? There are some great books on this list, at least I think there are. If you’ve read any of these please let me know what you thought! Which one would you read first?

Until next Sunday,

Deb

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag

I saw this tag on The Literary Elephants blog and thought it looked like a lot of fun! Check out the Literary Elephant HERE for some great book reviews, tags and commentary! The great thing about books is that our opinions are so subjective. What I like may be what you hate or we may love the same things. I blog because I love talking about books, but over the past two years I’ve really enjoyed reading about YOUR opinions on books. Some of you have influenced my reading as I hope I may have influenced yours.

Ok, on to the fun Tag! Here are the questions, straight from The Literary Elephants mouth. Oh, and if you click on the highlighted name of each book it will take you to their Amazon page so you can check them out.

The best book I’ve read so far in 2017
According to Goodreads I have read 116 books so far this year. Wow, that’s a lot of books! There were quite a few I loved, but did I love one more than another? That’s a hard call because its hard to compare books from different genres, but my favorite probably won’t surprise any of you who follow my blog regularly. I LOVED Anne Bishop’s Written in Red. It was original, the characters were amazing and the world building tremendous. I went on to read the rest of that series as fast as I could, then went out and bought them all in hardback for my library. To read my review of Written in Red click HERE.

Click the link to purchase! Written in Red (A Novel of the Others)
My favorite sequel of the year

No question my most anticipated and favorite sequel of the year so far has been White Hot by Ilona Andrews. I re-read Burn for Me just so it would be fresh in my mind and then burned through White Hot. Ilona Andrews writes the best paranormal fantasy novels! Read my review HERE for White Hot.


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


A new release I haven’t read but really want to

The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichart. It looks like a sweet summer romance and I have actually purchased it but haven’t read it yet.  But I will! Read the synopsis by clicking on the name above.

Click the link to purchase! The Simplicity of Cider: A Novel

My most anticipated release for the second half of the year

This is easy, its Wildfire, the third in the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews. I have the first two in paperback and have already pre-ordered Wildfire to include on my bookshelf.  It comes out July 25th and I can’t wait!

Click the link to purchase! Wildfire: A Hidden Legacy Novel

My biggest disappointment of 2017

Oh boy. I hate to talk about the disappointments, and luckily there have only been a couple. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire just didn’t do it for me. I don’t know if it was the hype? I read so many reviews about how great it was and well, I thought it was one hot mess. For more details, read my review of it by clicking  HERE.


Click the link to purchase! Beautiful Disaster: A Novel (Beautiful Disaster Series)


My biggest surprise of the year

It was definitely Illuminae by Amie Kaufmann and Jay Kristoff. What a fantastic story, told in a totally original way. It was part novel, part graphic novel and part military manual.  Lol, thats kind of a joke but not really. Read more of my thoughts in my review HERE.


Click the link to purchase! Illuminae


Favorite new-to-you or debut author

My sister introduced me to an author named J. Bengtsson. She wrote this great rock star romance named Cake. This is a truly hilarious romance, but it also has real depth to it. Well rounded and really really good. Read my review of Cake HERE.


Click the link to purchase! Cake: A Love Story


My new fictional crush

Oh gosh, I don’t really get crushes. Although I will say either Gabriel or Ricky in Kelley Armstrong’s Cainsville series would do in a pinch. Or possibly both of them? Hmmm.

Click the link to purchase! Omens (Cainsville)

My new favorite character

I’m going to go with Simon, no Meg, from Anne Bishop’s Others series. No Simon. They are just both great characters! I pick both! Seriously guys, pick up Written in Red for your Urban Fantasy fix. I may have to read it again. Right now.

A book that made me cry

It’s not hard to do, I’m a big baby! Dancing in the Rain by Kelly Jamieson. Its a sad premise about a woman who had a one night stand in college, got pregnant, raised her daughter then finds out she has cancer. She wants her daughter to have a father so she tracks him down. Its a love story and a three kleenex novel. For my review click HERE.


Click the link to purchase! Dancing in the Rain


A book that made me happy

Oh gosh, just reading makes me happy, but let’s see.  Abbi Waxman’s novel The Garden of Small Beginnings was laugh out loud funny! My husband kept giving me the side eye and I’d try to explain the dialog, and well, it’s never as funny as in the moment your reading it. Anyways, this book was amazing. Read more of my review HERE. Then pick up the book!

Click to purchase this book! The Garden of Small Beginnings

My favorite book-to-movie adaptation that I’ve seen this year

I have no idea!  Was Star Wars: Rogue One a book?  I loved the movie.

The most beautiful book I’ve bought/received this year

Flame in the Mist was gorgeous!

Click the link to purchase! Flame in the Mist

Some books I need to read by the end of the year

I have two more left in Kelley Armstrongs Cainsville series and I know they’ll get read soon. Rituals is out in August so I don’t have long to wait for that final novel.

 

I’m also looking forward to reading the next book in the Cake series by J. Bengtsson


I want to finish the Red Queen series.


Wow, there are so many that this post would go on forever! I’ll just stop with those four.

What do you think? In looking at these titles I can see that I definitely like fantasy novels, LOL. How would you answer these questions? Consider yourselves tagged! And let me know when you’ve posted your answers so I can take a look!

Until next Sunday!

Deb

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: A Positive Spin on a Negative book Tag… #giveaway

I am normally a very positive person!  Really, I am! (She says very confidently.). But, I’ll admit, there is something I need to get off my chest. I have seen a Tag which puts a negative spin on reading and/or picking out a book and this really bothers me. After seeing this tag a couple times I wrote the questions down, not sure if I ever wanted to put my answers in writing for the world to see. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by saying I’m just never going to read their book. Not that I think a ton of authors are reading my posts, but you never know! Wouldn’t you hate to have, oh, I don’t know, J.K. Rowling know that you hated Harry Potter? Or never intended to even pick it up? Why, yes, you would! As if! Anyways, I took a glance at those questions today and thought I am not going down that road of negativity!  So, I am choosing to do the Books I Probably Won’t Read Tag, but am re-naming it…

I Have One Month to Live and Can’t Die without Reading These Books… Tag!. Ok this title may be a little over the top but you get my drift. Right? Except for the dying in the next thirty days, this is positive!

1. A really hyped up book you’re dying to read in the next 30 days?

This is a tough one! My backlog of hyped up books is actually quite large because I always get sidetracked by something new, or a review I’ve read of a book I’ve never heard of that I have to get, and the list goes on. YOU of all people know this frustration. Back to the question. Hmmm, hyped up book implies YOU all have talked this one up. Ok, I’m picking an older book that I have on my kindle and have heard a TON of good things. PUCKED, by Helena Hunting. I’m not really sure why I haven’t picked it up? It’s certainly not because the book cover sucks. Umm, ok, stop staring. LOL But now that I have said I would, I will. In the next 30 days, I promise!


If you’re like me and haven’t read this one yet, check out Pucked HERE!

2. A series you absolutely have to start and will promise to finish?

I am a sucker for books about books or libraries. Especially if they are an action adventure mystery and this series sounds like it’s right up my alley.  The first novel in the Great Library series by Rachel Caine is called Ink and Bone and it looks fantastic. I’ve picked it up and thought about reading it several times. But, you know, I got distracted by a different book, and now there are three! I need to get started. Check out Ink and Bone HERE!


3. A classic that you’ve always wanted to read but have never gotten around to?

Ok, I’m going to be honest here. I don’t really want to read any classics. I LOVE the idea of reading a classic, and I was an English major with an American Lit minor so I’ve read my fair share a long time ago. I will say that even though I get caught up in contemporary novels if I were to pick one up I think I’d like to read The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle. I did love that classic movie and have often thought a modern day retelling of that story would be awesome. So maybe this will give me a few writing ideas. 


4. What genres are you likely to read?

If one of my favorite urban fantasy authors has a new book out it will jump to the front of my TBR. Ilona Andrews, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, and the more recently discovered Anne Bishop. Kelley Armstrong is also one of my favorites, which is why I was so ashamed that I hadn’t read her Cainsville series because I thought it was a horror story!  I’m hanging my head in shame again. Sigh.

Other favorite genres are romance (all types though I lean toward sweet unless it’s Kristen Ashley), ya ( I lean more towards fantasy but have read romance. It brings back such sweet memories of those long long long ago days. Lol.)  and mystery (not gory, but has a good hook.) Defintely NO HORROR! Nightmares for days if I read horror.

5. A book on your shelf you haven’t read but will in the next 30 days?

Well, I already said Pucked, which is on my virtual shelf, but what the hell, I’m a fast reader and can get through two in the next thirty days… and start Ink and Bone. Oh Gosh. I will read The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. Here’s the synopsis:

Nemesis 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.  2) A person’s undoing.   3) Joshua Templeman – Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. Hate. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of ritualistic passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Lucy can’t understand Joshua’s joyless, uptight, meticulous approach to his job. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy’s overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and Pollyanna attitude.

Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head and Lucy refuses to back down when their latest game could cost her her dream job…But the tension between Lucy and Joshua has also reached its boiling point, and Lucy is discovering that maybe she doesn’t hate Joshua. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.


Looks cute right?
Just to put more pressure on me to read this novel in the next thirty days, I will give it away to one of my followers. Yes, we will share the same book! It will be gently read but it’s FREE.  Of course, you’ll have to wait a month!  Unless I read it this week which isn’t likely because of ARC commitments, sorry! But if you can wait a little bit, I will send it to you. Please enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. (US only, sorry!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wasn’t this tag so much more fun putting a positive spin on the Books I Probably Won’t Read Tag? Let’s be honest, there are thousands of books I will never get to, but my intentions are always good. We all have our favorite genres and one books come first, which leaves little free time to try others. 

Did you like my tag? Want to join in with your own answers? Great! Consider yourself tagged! Link to my blog so I can see how you would respond.

Until next Sunday,

Deb

This Chick Read: Frostblood (Frostblood Saga #1) by Elly Blake #giveaway

Ruby and her mom have kept a secret from her village for years…they thought. When Frostblood soldiers show up in town, the villagers hand her over to save themselves. Ruby embraces her heritage to escape and ends up watching her mother die and her village burn down. She is a Fireblood, and her king has persecuted them so that there are very few left. Rescued from prison, Ruby lands in the midst of Fireblood rebel monks who wish to train her to use her flames……and kill the king.

Interesting concept, but somewhat familiar to the Red Queen. In Red Queen the color of your blood determines your societal rank, with silvers having powers. In Frostblood, what you are is determined by your power. Ruby has the gift of fire and heat, hence the Fireblood moniker. Those who have the power over ice and cold are Frostbloods. In both series our heroines are “captured” and trained to use their powers. In Frostblood I did enjoy her Yoda/Luke Skywalker type relationship with Brother Thistle who has determined that she is the “child of light” that is prophesied to save them from their ruthless king. Ruby is skeptical, but not stupid, and takes what training she can get. Smart girl, since she has been only successful at accidentally setting things on fire when she’s angry up to this point!

There is some historical references to Fire and Frost working together in the past, so when Ruby has a love hate relationship with Arcus, a young mysterious Frostblood, it’s no surprise when those feelings turn more to the love side of that equation (Also a similar plotline to Red Queen). Before they can explore those feelings too far, she is captured and comes to the attention of the King. This is when the story really starts moving.

This was a well written ya fantasy tale, but those similarities were a little distracting at first. There were enough differences, especially once she is in the Kings castle and forced to compete in the King’s tournament for her life, that I was able to lose myself in the storyline and enjoy the book. The second book, Fireblood, is out in September so you won’t have long to wait before the next installment. ❤️❤️❤️❣️

Would you like your own copy? Enter the Giveaway below for a signed hardback!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


or click the link to purchase! Frostblood (The Frostblood Saga)

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.

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

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

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

Slight spoilers ahead!

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

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

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


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

Copyright 2017 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

This Chick Read: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir 

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

This Chick Read: Shadow Reaper (Shadow #2) by Christine Sheehan

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

❤️❤️❤️❣️

Read my review of Shadow Rider- click HERE


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

Copyright 2017 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

This Chick Read: Etched in Bone (Others #5) by Anne Bishop

This series has quickly become one of my favorites. I was eager to read Etched in Bone, while at the same time dreading it. Do you ever love something so much that you want to eat it up and put it off at the same time? This was one of those novels for me! Continue reading “This Chick Read: Etched in Bone (Others #5) by Anne Bishop”

This Chick Read: The Hunt (The Cage #2) by Megan Shepherd

After their escape failed in The Cage. Cora who had started to have feelings for their Kindred keeper Cassian, found out he was the one that betrayed she Lucky and Mali. A betrayal that was supposed to help enhance the psychic abilities that he thought she had. I’m not sure how that was supposed to enhance abilities, but it certainly pissed Cora off! As a punishment for their escape, she, Lucky, and Mali are put in some sort of Safari themed enclosure where Kindred go to relax and fake kill things. One scene between Lucky and one of the animals particularly struck me (and Lucky!) as sad and awful. Cora, still determined to escape, takes Cassian up on his offer to train her to use her psychic abilities but this time she will use him. She trains and is able to telepathically build her strength and plan an escape for she and her friends. Continue reading “This Chick Read: The Hunt (The Cage #2) by Megan Shepherd”