Tag: fiction

This Chick Read: A Covert Affair (The Librarian and the Spy Escapade #2) by Susan Mann

The more I read of Quinn and James, the Librarian and the Spy, the more I like them. The two of them have such great chemistry, their dialog showing their brains as well as their bodies are involved in this relationship. Quinn, again amazed me with her knowledge of, well, everything. She is a woman that girls like as well as the guys, and therefore very easy to relate to. James, is dashing, cheeky, and deadly with a weapon. He was protective of Quinn, yet, let her spread her wings and fly. You’ve got to admire that in a man you date, and I really like reading about a man who is comfortable with the strength of his woman.

The mystery, or escapade in this case, was fascinating. It takes place in India, and the historical aspects of this story were really interesting. The insight into Indian and Sikh culture was new for me and completely held my attention. The mix of history and spy romance felt unique and again I have to say that I think the cover for this novel does it a disservice. There is a lot of meat in this storyline, yet the cover makes it look like it’s a fluff novel. It is fun, but it’s not fluff. I enjoyed the first novel a lot and liked this one even more!

I received a copy of this novel through NetGalley for my honest review, and it was honest.

❤️❤️❤️❤️


Click link to purchase! A Covert Affair (Librarian/Spy Escapade)

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 Reads2 Comments

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

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: Everything for Her by Alexa Riley

BIG SPOILERS!!! Read at your own risk. 

Everything For Her was my first book by Alexa Riley, a writing team who has had a ton of success. I have certainly heard of them, but not reading a ton of Billionaire romances, I hadn’t ever picked up one of their novels. I picked up their book for free at a convention and even met the authors who were very gracious and nice. I had high hopes that I would like this book as much as I did meeting them in person, but I’ll be as honest as I always am. I did not. I will say that the writing was excellent, the story well plotted, and it moved along quickly. In fact, I even finished the book! You may ask why I didn’t like this book? One reason, the love interest was a creeper/stalker. I just couldn’t see it any other way!

Here’s the premise: Mallory Sullivan gets a coveted  internship at the Osbourne Corp, one of only three ever given out. She and her best friend move to New York to start this next phase of their lives.  Celebrating at a bar she meets Oz, a handsome guy in a suit, they exchange phone numbers and start to see each other. Sounds pretty innocuous right? I thought so too, at first. Until I read further. It turns out Oz caught sight of Mallory when he was a judge at a math competition when she was in High School.  Now, he was only in college so an age difference wasn’t my big issue. He becomes obsessed declaring her the girl for him.  From that moment on he manipulated her life. She gets the first ever scholarship from the Osbourne Corp. to pay for college and living expenses at Harvard. That is one great scholarship! She gets to school and meets her roomie that she becomes best friends with. Mallory alludes to their all study and no play college life and later in the book we find out that her roommate and soon to be best friend was a plant by Oz. She was her roommate to encourage her away from men and to keep her safe and a virgin for Oz. The internship that moves them to New York? Yeah, that was a set up also. 
Of course, Mallory finds all of this out, and this is the big conflict in the book.  But she lasts THREE DAYS before she forgives him. Umm, girl, he set your life on this course, made sure you remained a virgin, had eyes on you at all times, got reports on your whereabouts, habits etc. then meets you finally in person, lies about his name and who he is, takes your virginity, begging not to use a condom so he can tie you to him with a baby?  WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!  This is not romance. This is called stalking, and the man should be arrested!

Of course, she forgives him, they get married, she has a baby right away, because of course she gets pregnant from all the unprotected sex! The epilogue flashes into the future, with a little boy toddler acting just as possessive at six as his father did at twenty-six. A little stalker to be. How cute. NOT.

Needless to say, I did not care for this book! However, as I said above, these girls can write. So, I gave, it ❤️❤️.

Here’s my question for you, my fellow bloggers.  Why are these kind of plots popular? I get the whole, he can buy you anything with all that money fantasy, but this guy was a serious creep! I kept hoping the HEA would be her leaving his ass, getting a backbone and finding a real man. Please answer in the comments below if you’re a fan of these books. I really want to know the big draw!


Sorry, no links for this one. I can’t encourage buying a book that teaches women to not honor themselves, even in their fantasy life.

Copyright 2017 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads12 Comments

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads10 Comments

This Chick Read: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer

I listened to this audio book and was immediately immersed in all of these characters individual stories. Told through a series of letters, we really get a feel for the era, post World War II, and the city of London. The inhabitants of that city struggling to begin their lives again after living through the atrocities of war. Juliet, who the novel revolves around, is a writer and had a very successful column in the paper under a pen name, about a soldier at the front. As she begins her life after the war, she is struggling to find a subject to write about when she receives a letter from a man on the island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands, off the coast of England. This letter starts a pen pal relationship with him and his impromptu book club named the Guernsey Literary Potatoe Peel Pie Society and ultimately an idea for a novel. Continue reading “This Chick Read: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer” →

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads9 Comments

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads14 Comments

This Chick Read : The Drowned Girls (Angie Pallorino #1) by Loreth Anne White

If you are a fan of Law & Order SVU you will love The Drowned Girls. It is dark and the subject matter is pretty brutal, but the mystery is top notch. There is also a parallel romantic storyline that hooks you right in.  Angie Pallorino, our heroine, is struggling with her mother’s dementia while also trying to make detective in a police department that is a total boys club. Angie and her partner are working a case that has surprising similarities to a girl who has been brutally raped and tortured. Because of the similarities, Angie is asked to work with Homocide to try to solve these crimes. Surprisingly, the detective she is asked to work with was her one night stand from the night before. Awkward! Pallorino and Maddocks decide to put that behind them but as the mystery unwinds the tension between them amps up and when they finally give in their passion is explosive.

Both of these characters are flawed and some of their foibles are psychological in nature. The combination of Angie’s possible hereditary turn towards dementia, the horrifying details of the crime they are trying to solve, and the hallucinations she is having about a young Polish girl gives the story a gritty dark tone. Throw in Maddocks new job, his troubled relationship with his teenaged daughter, and both of their inclinations for control in the bedroom making this a very dark tale. However, the fact that these two troubled people support each other with all of their issues gave me hope and kept me reading until the end, which was really satisfactory.

I saw this title on a best romance list and questioned that choice. Not that it isn’t a good book. It is a very good book. But it’s a mystery first and a romance second. Actually, when I think about this novel as I’m writing, the larger aspects of these characters and the storyline are the sinister, mystery elements. Not the romance, though thank God it had one because those scenes lightened the tone a little. Not much, but a little. Anyway, it is an excellent mystery about the darker aspects of humanity, and also about two people who find each other in their darkest hour and learn to trust and support each other. I liked that angle a lot. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I was given an ARC of this book by the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review, and it was honest.


Click the link to purchase! The Drowned Girls (Angie Pallorino)

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: How to Kill a Rock Star by Tiffanie DeBartolo

This book was published in 2005 and it somehow landed on my radar this year and boy am I glad it did! Written in a style reminiscent of the movie Almost Famous, it was gritty, emotional, funny and real. The two main characters Eliza and Paul are a perfect match, both neurotic artistic geniuses and totally in love with each other.

Eliza, a music journalist lands the story of the century and gets a gig as a journalist for a fictional Rolling Stone like magazine. She moves to New York for the job, but also to be closer to her brother, Michael who happens to be a guitarist in a band called Bananafish. He has gotten married to her best friend and vacated the apartment they were living in with the lead singer, Paul Hudson. Eliza moves into their room at his place and it isn’t long before she and Paul are a couple and are working together to get Bananafish noticed. When Paul’s star is finally on the rise he is torn between the commercial direction his record label wants him to take and the grass roots direction he feels is more right for his music. Unfortunately, with a band relying on him to make money, he has to compromise on his dream.
The characters in this book had so many issues! It was a struggle for them to deal with everyday life, then you throw these kinds of choices in front of them and there are bound to be mistakes, anger, and heartbreak and this story had plenty of all of that. All of that angst and pain was worth it for the great ending to this story. If you are like me and love rocker romances, you must pick up this book! If only for reading about people who have conversations instead of looking at their phones or conversing via text. So refreshing!

❤️❤️❤️❤️


Click the link to purchase! How to Kill a Rock Star

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