Tag: overdrive

This Chick Read: The Princess Plan (A Royal Wedding) by Julia London

When Eliza Tricklebank receives an anonymous tip about who murdered the secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia she doesn’t hesitate to print it in her gazette. When Sebastian shows up on her door wanting to follow up on that tip Eliza doesn’t act deferential, instead treating him like an ordinary man, and sends him on his way after chastising him for his rude behavior. This doesn’t deter Sebastian, in fact, it intrigues him. When he shows up again to apologize they decide to pursue the investigation together, the tension between them quickly turning from irritation to friendship.

When I read the synopsis for The Princess Plan for some reason I thought it was a modern romance. So, imagine my surprise when I realized this was a historical. Our heroine, Eliza is not your typical historical woman. She’s “on the shelf” at 29 and because of that status doesn’t give a hoot how she’s perceived in society. This gives her character a modern edge that makes her extremely likable. I couldn’t help rooting for her to become his future bride.

The murder takes place at the start of the book and the intrigue and investigation set a fast pace for this romance. Our prince is not just in London for fun, he’s actually trying to complete a trade negotiation as well as find a bride to bring back home to Alucia. The murder of his closest friend allows the reader to see the lonely life of this prince. The contrast to Eliza’s “normal” upbringing, as well as her cheekiness, makes her an irresistible candidate but they of course have obstacles to overcome. I won’t spoil how this is accomplished, but it makes for a fun novel to read! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a free copy of the book through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase!* The Princess Plan (A Royal Wedding)

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

What Are You Reading Wednesday

I found myself in a reading slump and have quite a few books I need to read and review. One genre that always helps me get out of a slump is historical romance. It’s a genre that I love and this book in particular looked fun. Part mystery, part historical romance, and so far it is engaging and has captured my interest!

The one thing I don’t love? This cover!

Synopsis:

Nothing gets the tongues of London’s high society wagging like a good scandal. And when the personal secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia is found murdered, it’s all anyone can talk about, including Eliza Tricklebank. Her unapologetic gossip gazette has benefited from an anonymous tip about the crime, prompting Sebastian to take an interest in playing detective—and an even greater interest in Eliza.

With a trade deal on the line and mounting pressure to secure a noble bride, there’s nothing more salacious than a prince dallying with a commoner. Sebastian finds Eliza’s contrary manner as frustrating as it is seductive, but they’ll have to work together if they’re going to catch the culprit. And when things heat up behind closed doors, it’s the prince who’ll have to decide what comes first—his country or his heart.

What are you reading today?

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This Chick Read: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

Nina Hill is perfectly happy with her quiet life working in a book store and occasionally hearing from her famous photographer mother. She runs several book clubs and meets her friends for their weekly trivia night at local bars. When a lawyer calls out of the blue telling her that her father died she finds out that she has brothers and sisters that live only a few blocks away her life gets turned upside down.

Since her hilarious debut with The Garden of Small Beginnings Abbi Waxman novels jump to the top of my TBR. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill had the same quirky characters and funny one liners I’ve come to love, but in Nina Hill there was a vulnerability that her other characters didn’t have. Nina was a very complex woman. Raised by a nanny, Nina never had the love of a parent or any siblings. Her life was pretty solitary and change made her anxiety skyrocket.

I loved the cast of characters in this novel! Her trivia friends, and love interest/arch nemesis Tom added depth and fun to her somewhat melancholy character. Her brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces- each added a different emotion for Nina to either embrace or overcome. Connection isn’t easy for a woman whose life has been purposely quiet and structured. All of these people force her to move and live outside her comfort zone, which I think a lot of readers could identify with. I identified with Nina’s love for books, her overstuffed bookshelves, and her need for a quiet night of reading. 🙂

If you’re a fan of quirky novels with a hint of a love story and a lot of family drama, then I think you should give the Bookish Life of Nina Hill a try. If you’ve read Abbi Waxman’s previous novels, you’ll enjoy seeing a few familiar characters again, and will like getting to know some new ones. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

“I could go on and on about all the things I loved about this story but will end my review by saying Abbi Waxman has set the bar here for me by creating such a compelling, introvert, giving her conflicts, adding layers of depth to her and then letting her grow. I can’t recommend it enough!” Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading

“The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is a delightful read. It’s funny, at times relatable as only bookish people would “get,” and it’s smoothly written. There’s so much to love about Nina and infinitely more to love about this story. ” Jennifer-Tar Heel Reader

Click this link to purchase!* The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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Friday YA: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

When one of the most dangerous grimoire’s in Austermeer seeks to escape the Great Library, foundling apprentice, Elisabeth, finds herself blocking it’s path. She must keep it from reaching the village where it could wreak havoc and kill many. Despite her humanity, Elisabeth manages the impossible, yet what should have been a victory turns her into a suspect and she’s sent off in the hands of sorcerer Nathanial Thorn and his demon servant, Silas. They soon discover that that’s not the only grimoire to be set free and they must find out who is behind these treacherous acts, or die trying.

I loved Enchantment of Ravens, Margaret Rogerson’s previous novel. It was as gorgeous on the inside as it was on the outside. I did like Sorcery of Thorns but it felt like it was trying to hard to be as good as the first. Elisabeth was a fun character. She was smart, energetic, and fearless. Growing up as a foundling of a Great Library she has a love for books and specifically the grimoire’s rustling voices. Hearing those voices is as supernatural as Elisabeth gets, she’s more smart than magical. She is wary of Nathanial at first because of all of the horror stories she was told as a child about all of the sorcerer families, but as she enlists his help to find who is releasing the grimoire’s there’s an undeniable attraction. I’m not really sure why because he seems pretty arrogant, but growing up an orphan in a library she doesn’t have a lot to compare him to and is dazzled.

I like their interaction with each other and as Nathanial’s back story is introduced it helps him become a little more sympathetic, but for me the more interesting relationship is Nathanial with his demon servant Silas. Nathanial’s parents die when he’s just entering his teen’s and it’s Silas who essentially raises him. A demon is not supposed to have feelings for a human and that relationship has more depth and emotion than the one between Nathanial and Elisabeth.

Sorcery of Thorns is a fun action adventure novel with just a hint of romance. A complete fantasy, it was easy to get lost in the characters and see where the story was leading. I enjoyed myself reading this novel, but didn’t quite enjoy it as much as Enchantment of Ravens. Sorry, I couldn’t help but compare the two! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* Sorcery of Thorns

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase the book through the above link, I receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads3 Comments

This Chick Read: Sweep of the Blade (Innkeepers #4) by Ilona Andrews

Sweep of the Blade is the first novel in this series to not feature Innkeeper Dina Demille. Instead, we learn her sister Maud’s fascinating story of love, heartbreak and honor. Seeing through Maud’s eyes her love for her first husband and consequent betrayal by him I understood more the barrier she built to save herself, and her daughter Helen from caring for anyone that much again. When she helps her sister defend her Inn and meets Arland her will starts to bend until she agree’s to go with him to House Krahr to determine how well she and Helen would fit in.

Maud is such an interesting character! She is a warrior, scholar, mother and woman who just kicks A&&! If you looked up fierce in the Ilona Andrews dictionary, you’d see a picture of Matilda “Maud” Demille. A human married into a vampire House, Maud had to show her worth by knowing every single fact about that vampire world. Those facts combined with her knowledge from an education growing up an Innkeeper’s child made her a silent threat. As she navigates House Krahr those skills become invaluable as she uses them to infiltrate behind possible enemy lines.

Arland, Marshal of House Krahr, is as funny and unique as in previous books, but in this one we see a more serious side. He is back home where he has a job to do and outside influences take up a lot of his time. This doesn’t take away from his determination to win Maud as his wife and be a father to Helen. He does this by allowing Maud to shine on her own. I LOVED that!

Helen as in the last book, steals the show. She is sassy, brilliant, and fierce like her mom. A veritable mini-Maud, albeit she is a human-vampire hybrid. I hope somewhere in our future Helen has her own series!

The Innkeeper series is one of my favorites. I’ve listened and read each book numerous times and always find a new tidbit to keep me coming back. Sweep of the Blade only added to the allure, and the ending? Oh boy! I can’t wait to read what happens in the next novel!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

” got my copy of this around 4:00 this morning, and devoured it in one setting. So much love. I don’t usually like books where one of the main characters already has a kid, but this one is a big exception. Helen is an absolute favorite of mine – I would go so far as to say my favorite kid in a series, period. So, so much fun.” Wicked Scribes

Click this link to purchase!* Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles)

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Happy Monday everyone! I ran across this post on Book Date and liked the idea of sharing what I’m currently reading, and hopefully hearing about what you’ve picked up off your shelf. So here goes!

JUST FINISHED

First Sentence Read: “Just as Emma Castle’s plane landed in Scotland, she pulled out her phone and viewed the incriminating evidence once again.”

This was a cute, lighthearted women’s fiction novel, but I found myself wanting to slap all of these characters silly. Do people really dither about, messing with each other’s lives like this? Super frustrating! Yet… I did read the whole thing. LOL

JUST STARTED

First Sentence Read: “It was late winter in Northern Rus’, the air sullen with wet that was neither rain nor snow.”

I have heard so many great things about this book, but I’m having trouble getting into it! I may need to skip it and pick up a different book. I’ll try one more chapter…

Now that you know my struggles and frustrations with the books I’m reading, what book are you reading this fine Monday?

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads8 Comments

This Chick Read: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

High school dropout, Alex Stern, wakes up in a hospital the soul survivor of a multiple homicide, and is offered a chance to start her life over at Yale. All expenses paid. Wanting to get away from the life she’d been living, Alex says yes and moves across country where she finds herself living among the privileged, but that privilege comes with a price. Alex’s job is to monitor the activities of eight societies. Their occult activities become more dangerous and it’s evil starts grasping at the edges of the life she’s trying to re-build.

I’ll admit, horror novels are not my thing, but Ninth house feels more fantasy than horror. I’m a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and this novel definitely had elements that were similar to that series, although it didn’t have the humor. Like Buffy, Alex Stern is a fascinating protagonist. She isn’t a “chosen one” but the fact that she can see ghosts has shaped her entire life. Not able to live a normal life, she gave up and started living on the outskirts of one. Taking drugs takes the edge off her ability and whereas she was never a full drug addict, she lived among many. When Yale came calling she was ripe for the picking, and the fact she saw ghosts? That was the first good thing to happen because she could see ghosts.

When she enters Yale her world expands from the supernatural. This whole new world opens up before her and her job is to police and make sure no one uses their “skills” to take advantage of anyone. A departure from her previous life for sure, but one that she takes to suprisingly easy. When a murdered girl drops into her lap, Alex starts to investigate and it’s at this point that the book really takes off!

At about 30% into the book I was able to immerse myself in the story and started to really appreciate all of the details of this world Leigh Bardugo created. Set in current time, but with elements of the magical and supernatural, Ninth House is unlike other novels in that it merges the real with fantasy so seamlessly. As Alex investigates this murder and delves into each of the eight societies at Yale I was gripped by questions and read quickly as I sought the truth of those answers through Alex. This is one of those novels that you’ll pick up again and discover new revelations that you somehow missed in the first reading. I’m already blocking off time to listen to the audiobook when it comes out! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* Ninth House

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- this means I’ll receive a small stipend should you purchase this book through the link provided above.

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This Chick Read (Audio Review): Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The story of the meteoric rise of a rock band and the demise of that same band. Set in the 70’s, Daisy Jones and the Six unveils a story of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but told documentary style. The band takes the reader on a voyeuristic journey through the experiences of everyone involved. The two leads narrated by Jennifer Beals, Pable Schreiber, Benjamin Bratt and more, I was riveted by the characters, awestruck by the casualness of the era towards sex and drugs, and hopeful that the resolution would give me a happy ending for the characters I had come to love.

I’ve read that the story is based loosely on the rise of Fleetwood Mack but in my mind Daisy Jones was more of a Goldie Hawn than a Stevie Nicks. Daisy was just so carefree and sweet although her choices were self destructive to the extreme. When she finally gets her big chance, paired up with a rock band called The Six, her steely ambition contrasts interestingly with that sweet demeanor. As Jennifer Beals voices the character, those two traits come across so strongly, but in this soft easy voice. She did an outstanding job of making Daisy someone we could love, even though her addictions get worse and her actions are painful

Billy and Graham Dunne along with four other members of their band are on a slow rise towards fame when that rise gets a boost by their hit performed with Daisy. When a Rolling Stone writer points out their sizzling chemistry it’s decided that Daisy will join the band. Pablo Schreiber who narrates Billy Dunne’s character gives voice to Billy’s pragmatic character and was fantastic in his portrayal. Benjamin Bratt narrates the voice for Graham Dunne and tells an emotional journey of love between he and pianist Karen Karen that is heartbreakingly real. I’ll admit to driving through the mountains and balling my eyes out towards the end of this novel. Graham and Karen’s story was amazing.

If you loved the movie Almost Famous, I think you will enjoy Daisy Jones and the Six. Listening to it was like listening to an ensemble cast from a movie. I can’t name all of the narrators, but believe me when I say they did a hell of a job and I can’t imagine not listening to it again and again. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

“If you love a gripping yarn, stories about real people and their struggles and a plot that is entertaining and exciting, look no further than Daisy Jones And The Six. Believe the hype, it’s real.” Bibliobeth

“I do not think that you necessarily need to be a music lover to enjoy this book, but it will certainly help.  I found the scenes that involved writing lyrics completely fascinating and I loved that the book gives the reader an inside look in to the music industry.” Kristin Kraves Books

Click this link to purchase!* Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads21 Comments

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (11/4/19)

Happy Monday everyone! I ran across this post on Book Date and liked the idea of sharing what I’m currently reading, and hopefully hearing about what you’ve picked up off your shelf. So here goes!

JUST FINISHED

First Sentence Read: “The fog came without warning, swift skeins of milk-white vapor curling across the Yorkshire countryside, ethereal init’s beauty.”

JUST STARTED

First Sentence Read: “Lady Taylor had bugs in her walls and not the kind that had jointed legs and crunchy bodies.”

I have been on a huge historical mystery jag and am trying to mix things up with the second novel in the sci-fi series by Jessie Mihalik. I hope it starts quickly because I’ve got my eye on another historical! Lol. Sometimes you just get in that mood for a certain genre, you know?

What kind of book are you in the mood to read today?

Let me know in the comments below!

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads3 Comments

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Oct’19 Wrap Up!

As I sit here high on life and leftover Halloween candy, I’m reflecting back on the month of October. It went almost as quickly as the Milky Way bars out of my Halloween candy stash!

My reading slowed down quite a bit in October. Part of that was ending my old job and starting the new one (it’s going fabulous so far!), but mostly it was because I was in the mood for some historical mysteries and those take a little longer for me to read and listen to. Here are some great books from my October reading list.

OCTOBER- BEST READS!

Yes, this was NOT a historical mystery! LOL. My favorite fantasy duo released the next installation in the Innkeeper Series and I rushed to read this one. It was as good as was promised! Review has been written and scheduled!

Click this link to purchase!* Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles)

This is the 5th book in the Sebastian St. Cyr series. Our Viscount Devlin likes to solve mysteries utilizing his position in society to go where Bow Street can’t. There are a LOT of novels left in this series and I’m listening to them instead of reading. The amazing Davina Porter is the narrator and she makes me forget that I’m living in Tennessee and not in 18th century England. Her characterizations are incredible. For those of you who have listened to the Outlander series, it’s the same narrator.

Click this link to purchase the audiobook!* What Remains of Heaven

My recommendation is to really give yourself time to read this one continuously. It’s take about 30% in before I was fully invested, but when I hit that point I didn’t want to stop. It was really good!

Click this link to purchase!* Ninth House

THIS CHICKS SUNDAY COMMENTARY

November 1st was the start of the ebook embargo by MacMillan publishing. They are limiting our local libraries to an 8 week wait on newly published books and then only allowing them to own it for a specifies length of time. For most of us who can’t afford to buy every single book we want to read this is a HUGE deal! I wrote a post notifying my fellow book lovers about the details of what was going on and asked you all to sign a petition. If you missed those details, please click the link below.

Should Publishers be Allowed to Limit ebooks to Libraries?

If you missed any of my posts in September I wrote up a brief wrap up. Please click the link below to check it out!

Sept’19 Wrap Up!

I always look into the next month to see what books are being published and which one’s are on my own radar. If you missed my post, please click the link below!

My Top 5 Nov’19 Book Releases

WHAT’S ON TAP FOR THIS MONTH?

It will come as no surprise to anyone that I have a lot of reading in front of me! Whereas I don’t have a lot of reviews that must post in November, I have quite a few in early December! I’ll try to wrap those up and get them written early so I can relax around the holidays!

Enjoy your own month of reading and let me know if you read a really great book. I’m always looking to add to my TBR!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads