Tag: overdrive

This Chick Read: American Witch by Thea Harrison

Molly Sullivan has had the strangest things happening lately. Lights have been fizzling out, her car keeps breaking down, and when she’s angry she see’s little white sparks in her vision. That last gets tested when she finds out her husband has cheated on her… again. When she confronts him, she let’s her anger take reign and her power manifests. Josiah Mason, local DA and a powerful witch in his own right, witnesses this manifestation and offers his help to Molly, which she begrudgingly takes. When she finds something hinky in her husbands finances she turns to Josiah for help.

American Witch is set in the world of the Elder demesne and Thea Harrison’s previous series the Elder Races. Being totally familiar with this realm, I eagerly anticipated reading this novel. I liked Molly’s character a lot. She is getting out of marriage that ends up having a few more surprises than her own manifesting magic. The mystery of her marriage and what her husband was up to was interesting, but I’ll admit that I was disappointed in the lack of focus on Molly’s magic. If I learned that I was turning into a witch and had this amazing power I would have wanted to know everything about it! I thought she was a little disinterested in the beginning and that made it hard for me to connect with her character.

Josiah Mason is driven by revenge. Not the best attribute of a leading male but he could’ve overcome that flaw if he had been a little more empathetic towards Molly. I didn’t believe their connection and didn’t really like how long and more importantly why it took him so long to put her first. Thea Harrison is a great storyteller but I thought she should have pulled the trigger on his emotions a little sooner when it came to his feelings for Molly.

I fought against my ambivalence and really wanted to love this book. I didn’t hate it at all, but thought it could’ve been so much better with only a few tweaks. It’s because of this that I’m giving this novel a 3.5 rating. ❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase!* American Witch

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, so here goes!

JUST FINISHED

Dating-ish (Knitting in the City series #6) by Penny Reid

First Sentence: “I was sweating. ‘Is this seat taken?”

Another wonderfully kooky romance with characters who get under your skin. I LOVE this series!

JUST STARTED

Blindsighted : The First Grant County Thriller by Karin Slaughter

First Sentence: “Sara Linton leaned back in her chair, mumbling a soft ‘Yes Mama’ into the telephone.

I am actually reading another book and was taking a break from company at my mom’s Easter dinner, picked up a book off the shelf and was immediately hooked in by this opening line. Now I’m halfway through. Sorry company! Lol.

I hope your book is just as good as this one! What are you reading?

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads11 Comments

Friday YA: Come Find Me by Megan Miranda

Come Find Me is the story of two teens, Kennedy Jones and Nolan Chandler. Both of them have lived through terrible tragedies and in their own way are searching for answers. Kennedy by continuing her brothers search in space and Nolan on his radio frequency. One day they both notice an anomaly in that radio frequency and through an online blog find each other. They live only a few miles apart, could there be another answer for what has happened in both of their lives?

Megan Miranda hit all of the right buttons with Come Find Me. Kennedy and Nolan were both very easy to relate to, their tragedies were both eerie- although in different ways, and their discoveries led the reader through every emotion. A recipe for an un-putdownable novel!

I don’t want to spoil the mystery at all, but let’s just say that even though they found each other through tragic circumstances, as they investigated this strange frequency and other clues came to light their characters were able to lean on each other and grow stronger together. I loved how they had faith in each other and leaned on the other for strength. As the story reached the conclusion, both resolutions were tragic and yet it didn’t split them apart, that tragedy helped them be each other’s strength. An unusual concept in a teen novel and one I’d like to see explored more.

Even though I just said “teen novel” this didn’t read like it was written for that age group. Other than the fact that one of them didn’t drive, their thoughts and problems were very adult. It was almost as if two kids were swapped in for an adult storyline. Maybe that’s why I could relate to these characters so well? I don’t know, but I was totally enmeshed and enjoyed this novel thoroughly. If you like psychological mystery/thrillers, no matter your age, you need to give Come Find Me a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by it’s depth and emotional impact.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

“I’ve always enjoyed all of Miranda’s novels and will certainly read anything she puts out for us readers. Those who love the YA thriller genre should surely pick this one up – don’t let the slow beginning deter you. The build up of these characters resonate.” Jessicamap Reviews

“I loved that there was a supernatural element to the story. Though it is a realistic thriller, there is the suggestion that something extraterrestrial or supernatural is happening there. ” Jill’s Book Blog

Click this link to purchase!* Come Find Me

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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This Chick Read: The Austen Playbook (London Celebrities #4) by Lucy Parker

Actress Freddy Carlton has been cast in a live action televised production of The Austen Playbook. A theatrical mash-up consisting of Jane Austen characters and a who dunnit a la the game Clue. Think Emma murdered Mr. Darcy in the library with a candlestick. The live television audience gets to pick how the play will be “played” out. Excited to spend what she thought would be a quiet few weeks on a country estate turns into a stressful production and an investigation that turns very personal.

Lucy Parker once again strikes gold with The Austen Playbook. Freddy Carlton is all grown up from the young ingenue we’ve met in previous novels and when she matches wit’s with curmudgeonly J. Ford-Griffin, theater critic and owner of the country estate where the Austen Playbook will be televised, the pages alight with sassy dialog filled with wit, humor and sexual energy. Their back stories of her grandmother and his grandfather having a grand affair ties them together in a unique way, also adding tension to their investigation of their grandparents romance.

As with the other books in this series, Lucy Parker’s setting of a West End play is completely enjoyable and I loved how the country setting added a different spin to the first two novels in the series. Griff was a little reminiscent in temperament of both Luc Savage and Richard Troy from books one and two, but I’ll admit that I love a curmudgeon who finds love and found Griff just as charming. Freddy’s uplifting and adorable personality make it hard for him to resist and their fall into love is irresistible.

There is plenty of story to go along with the love in this novel. The cast of characters are full of hijinks and Freddy and Griff’s own family provide plenty of dysfunction for our lovebirds to unite together against. This series has quickly become one of my favorite’s and this author is now on my auto-buy list! If you haven’t had a chance to read them, they can each be read as a stand alone, but past characters do pop up here and there and it’s fun to know their back story when they do. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

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

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

“This book is a mixture of drama, swoon romance and great friendships (and relationships in general) that are not perfect but complicated in a way that we can all relate to. ” Ravings of a Book Lover

“…the dialogue was en pointe, the characters were varied and entertaining, the story developed consistently. I was drawn into their world completely. It was so vivid. This is a series I recommend again and again.” I Love Romantic Fiction

Click this link to purchase!* The Austen Playbook (London Celebrities 4)

Copyright Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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This Chick Read: Love Hacked (Knitting in the City #3) by Penny Reid

The Knitting in the City series by Penny Reid follows a group of friends in Chicago who have formed a knitting group. They meet every Tuesday to drink, laugh and talk about each others lives, often solving problems and giving great advice (and sometimes not so great…). Love Hacked is Sandra’s story. In this group Sandra is always the level head, picking through everyone’s thoughts to find what drives them. Sandra is also trying to find love. Every other Friday she meets a new man at her favorite Indian restaurant hoping this guy will be the one and every Friday she is disappointed. Until one Friday after her latest date leaves in tears her waiter, Alex, sits down at her table.

Every time I read a Penny Reid novel I say to myself, this is my favorite novel of hers! Well, yes, this is my favorite novel to date. I’ve read every Winston Brothers novel (including Ashleys story which falls after this one in the Knitting series and is a prequel to the Winston series) and am making my way through this series, with luckily a ton of other books to mine of Penny Reid’s. They are all great books so why do I connect so much with Sandra and Alex’s story? I think all women have put themselves in Sandra’s shoes. At one point or another we’ve all wanted to find that special man that we’d live the rest of our lives with, hopefully fulfilled and loved. Of course, I didn’t have her talent for getting men to reveal their inner soul and leave the table in tears, (which was hilarious while at the same time kind of sad), but I could certainly put on those I want to be loved shoes. Really, it was her interaction with Alex that walked me over the line into loving this book so much.

Alex was an enigma wrapped in a conundrum and completely fascinating. His interactions with Sandra weren’t your normal interactions between a man and a woman who were attracted to each other. Sandra may have been the psychotherapist, but Alex was doing his own analysis of Sandra right back but at the same time throwing up walls to protect himself. Watching them tear down each others walls while coming to care for each other in a totally unique way was enthralling, gripping, and heart wrenching. And I ATE IT UP.

Needless to say, I loved this novel. I had picked it up so many times and put it down. I’m not sure why and am kicking myself for not enjoying their story before now. However, sometimes those novels that surprise you with their strength and your emotional impact to them are read when you need to read them. This was the perfect time for me. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!*Love Hacked: A Reluctant Romance (Knitting in the City) (Volume 3)

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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Friday YA: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Birdie Lindberg is a quirky eighteen year old, by day aspiring private detective and by night front desk clerk at an old historic hotel. Home schooled and raised by her grandparents on an island off the coast of Seattle she has led a pretty sheltered life. One night after a job interview she meets Daniel Aoki, aspiring magician and overall nice guy at her favorite diner. Their instant connection turns into a flirtation that ends as a tryst in the back seat of his car. Horribly embarassed, Birdie runs off hoping to never see him again. Little does she know that she would soon be working the night shift alongside Daniel, and that they’d investigate a mystery that would bring them close once again.

I loved the quirkiness of this novel! Our heroine, Birdie is sweet, but also socially awkward yet her innocence and naiveté are so charming the reader can’t help but be drawn to her. She is the first character I can recall reading who has narcolepsy and it’s fascinating to read how she deals with that secret. Daniel is also adorably quirky with his magic tricks and wry smile giving us clues that all may not be as they appear on his surface. They have an old world feeling that fits right in with the Sam Spade type mystery they are trying to solve. As a side note the other characters in this book were just as charming and added to the overall feel of the story.

Hidden beneath their colorful exterior are some serious subjects. Birdie’s secret narcolepsy is one, but Daniel also has his own dark background. The reveal is quite a pivotal scene in the book and I don’t want to spoil the story but just as in the land of OZ there is a lot hidden behind that magic curtain and not all of it is fun and games. I love how this author led up to the conflict really making the reader care for this characters yet didn’t lose any of the curiosity’s that make the book so special.

I loved Starry Eyes, also by Jenn Bennett, and somehow missed reading Alex, Approximately when it came out. After reading Serious Moonlight I’ve reminded myself why I love Jenn Bennett’s books and will be fixing that error asap! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

“There truly is something a little magic about this book. It just glows and I loved every minute of it. From the all-too-real confusion and embarrassment Birdie feels as she navigates her relationship with Daniel, to the hilarious moments between family (Birdie’s aunt and grandfather are amazing and I loved Daniel’s family). And can I just say that card trick Daniel does???? Whew. Be still my beating heart.” Madison’s Library

“Overall, I enjoyed Serious Moonlight. While there were a lot of heavier topics to deal with, at it’s heart it was a cute contemporary romance that I shipped. I really liked Birdie and Daniel together. There were many cute moments between them, including one of the coolest first date experiences I’ve ever heard of. I think fans of more serious YA contemporaries will enjoy it.” Stephanie’s Book Reviews

Click this link to purchase!* Serious Moonlight

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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This Chick Read: Making Up (London Celebrities #3) by Lucy Parker

Trix Lane, circus acrobat extraordinaire, has put her bad relationship in her past and is focused on giving the best high wire performance on the West End. When the leading lady has a bad fall, Trix is thrust into the spotlight at the same time as her old nemesis Leo Magasiva is hired as the makeup artist for her troupe. She and Leo grew up together and were once friendly, but that tension has long since turned into antagonism. Can they get past their hate for each other? Of course!

We saw a bit of Trix’s bad relationship in Pretty Face, as Dan, her ex, showed off his mean streak to Lily on her opening night. Trix’s self confidence took a beating and she is not ready to start a relationship and build that trust with someone else. She and Leo’s relationship takes a turn for the better but the actions of her past still dictate her future. I liked Trix a lot and especially liked the inside look at circus acrobatics. I grew a little tired of her insecurity and fear. For me, it went on for just a touch too long.

Leo was also introduced in the previous book as Lily’s make up artist, turning her into Queen Elizabeth in the play she was in. Mostly quiet, it was his looks that jumped off the page. I was glad to see the man beneath the exterior come to life in Making Up. If I had a choice between our two main characters, Leo was definitely my favorite of the two. He has also gone through some tough times, but he rose above his circumstances, or is trying to, and while he strives to over achieve his professional goals he does this with confidence and even a little bit of humility. He was just a little bit more likable than Trix.

This is my least favorite book in this series but that’s only because the first two were so fabulous! It would be hard to keep that high of an average. I did really like the change in scenery to a circus rather than a play again, but enjoyed the glimpse we were given into the lives of previous characters I’d grown to really like. I think when I read this one again, I’ll like it more than I did this time. I started it immediately upon finishing Pretty Face, which was my favorite in the series. I think it couldn’t help but lack a little in comparison.

I highly recommend this series if you are looking for a new voice in contemporary romance. It’s a fun setting, the characters have a ton of depth and show a lot of growth, and the romance is spot on. I’m still obsessed with this author and can’t wait for the next book to release in April. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Opinions from around the Blogsphere

“For fun, sexy romantic comedies I highly recommend all the books in this series, and can’t wait to see what other romances Ms. Parker has up her sleeve!” Harlequin Junkie

“Making Up has easily become one of my favorite reads for this year and I swear the book gods heard all of our pleas because this series is not over yet! I can’t wait to see what story Lucy Parker brings to the West End world next and hopefully we get a chance to catch up with some of my favorite West End performers in the books to come.” The Romance Corner

Click this link to purchase!* Making Up (London Celebrities)

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Full Tilt by Emma Scott

Kacey Dawson is on her way to fame as the lead guitarist in a rock band, she seems to have it all so why does she have to get totally wasted to get through the night? After once again drinking to the point of passing out, Kacey wakes up on the couch of Jonah Fletcher, her limo driver. Jonah can see that Kacey needs a place to get away and dry out and he offers her his place to stay in until she has to leave for her next stop on the tour. Surprisingly, she takes him up on it and they begin an unlikely friendship, finding something in the other that brings their hearts to life.

I have never read a novel by Emma Scott, but after reading Full Tilt I know I will definitely be looking through her backlog for my next fix. Full Tilt was heavy, dark, desperate, uplifting, sad, and joyous. By the third chapter I was all in and I think I must’ve gone through a box of Kleenex while rooting for this couple to overcome the odds.

I wasn’t so sure about Kacey at first. She’d had a hard life, found herself in a sweet spot with fame and then wasn’t happy with what that got her. She seemed to be a typical rock chick, at first. Jonah was a little tougher to undertand. He’d shut himself off from everyone but his immediate family and a couple of friends, to protect himself, but to also protect others because he was terminally ill. By doing this he took all of the color out of his own life, which is funny because he was an artist who was building a glass installation full of color and imagery. Kacey was anything but colorless and she filled his life with the technicolor of love. He and Kacey’s unlikely friendship turned into a soul changing love story. Not just theirs, but mine too as I read their story. It was heart lifting and heart breaking at the same time.

This is a novel that you just need to throw yourself into. I had put it on my Kindle quite a few months ago after reading a review that made me curious. Other than that Kacey was a rock star who was on the rocks, I didn’t remember the plot and I’m glad I went into this one blind. Take my word for it. Get this novel. Don’t read the synopsis, just pick it up and take yourself on a journey. It will be heart breaking and yes, you’ll ugly cry, but it will also remind you what love is all about. That’s why we read romance novels, right? ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

“Full Tilt is more than the story of two people. It’s the story of Kacey, Jonah, his family and friends, Vegas, hope, loss, art, talent, but ultimately it’s about love. The love we have for family, the love we share with friends and the love we leave behind.” Reading, Writing and Ramblings

“In the middle of the rubble I found that, actually, Kacey is one of my favorite heroines. Her addiction made me feel deeply sorry for her instead of frustrated with her decisions. And then there is freaking Jonah. He’s just as amazing as his name. Seriously. I can’t even with how much I adored him — right from the beginning.” In Love and Words

Click this link to purchase!* Full Tilt

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

Friday YA: When Summer Ends by Jessica Pennington

Olivia thinks that she has her life all figured out until her boyfriend ghost’s her, her summer internship falls through, and her guardian gets a new job that means they’ll be moving across country for her senior year. When she gets a job at the local outdoor company she gets to know Aidan, the golden boy pitcher on her high school team who quit suddenly at season’s end. They become unlikely friends who help each other learn to find a new brand of happiness, a happiness that includes each other.

Olivia has definitely hit a rough spot! She has imagined her future as part of her boyfriends family as a kind of replacement for what she’s lacked in her own life. She was abandoned by her mother and that fear of being alone makes her forgive a lot of things in her boyfriend that she might not have forgiven otherwise. When she and Aidan start their friendship they have so much in common. Although Aidan has a great family life, his own life is changing drastically due to his failing vision. He find solace in his art, and she finds solace in her writing. They have that creativity in common, and together they challenge each other, which is a big contrast to the safe relationship Olivia had previously. Their relationship felt real and was one I could easily buy into.

Aidan was a great YA hero. He was slightly tragic with his failing eyesight but was a truly wonderful guy. You really wanted Olivia to get over that old boyfriend and give Aidan a chance to win her over. Jessica Pennington’s style of writing is so comfortable and easy to read. While this story didn’t give me any extreme emotions I did really enjoy reading it and would recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of YA contemporary novels and wants a great book to read for the summer.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Opinions from around the Blogosphere

“I loved how the characters complemented each other; as the reader, I ended up rooting for them. They deal with their issues in their own way, and I liked how they tried to make the best of their situation despite everything. They were inspiring. ” L.M. Durand

“Olivia and Aiden are two different characters who fit together perfectly. They each have did so much growing through out the book. I love the friendship that blossoms between them and the relationship that eventually develops. If you’re impatient like I am, I’m warning you that I found this to be slow-burn romance and literally every time I read it I was like “JUST GET TOGETHER ALREADY I DONT HAVE TIME FOR THIS.” Kayla Reads and Reviews

Click this link to purchase!* When Summer Ends: A Novel

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

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This Chick Read: Pretty Face (London Celebrities #2) by Lucy Parker

To director Luc Savage nothing will compromise his new West End production. Even when one of the board members tries to pull rank and cast soap opera star Lily Lamprey as Elizabeth I. After viewing one reel of her Marilyn Monroe-esque acting, he refuses to consider her for the part until his casting director asks him to take another look. When Lily tries out in person he see’s a glimmer of Elizabeth and is intrigued, despite her breathy delivery.

Pretty Face could very easily gone the way of My Fair Lady with Luc trying to re-make Lily into his perfect Elizabeth. He does get her a voice coach and he is reluctantly attracted to the ingenue but thankfully that is where his Henry Higgins likeness stopped. Once Luc decided that he was going to stop fighting his attraction to Lily he went all in, despite what getting involved with her could do to his reputation and career. He, in fact, put love first before what had been the most important things in his life. You’ve got to love that attribute in a man!

Even though Lily had the body and voice of Marilyn Monroe, her personality was anything but Monroe-like. She knew her soap opera background didn’t do her any favors and she worked hard to overcome those expectations. I really enjoyed Lily’s sass and fire and in fact was pleasantly surprised at the depth to her character. I shouldn’t have been though, as Lucy Parker gives her characters great back stories which make them jump off the pages in 3-D and put her readers through a riot of emotions. Pretty Face was no different, I was caught up, hook line and sinker!

I think I wrote on Goodreads that I am now obsessed with Lucy Parker novels. I really am. Her stories could so easily be fluffy romances, but they aren’t! They are well written, her characters are rock solid and the build up in the romance is riveting to read. Her dialog isn’t too shabby either, it’s actually really fun! Growing up in Southern California, I love the London West End playhouse setting and the fact that these are also slow burn romances. The build up from enemies to friends to lovers has you gripping your book until your fingers hurt, the tension only unwinding when the characters deliver their HEA. Yeah, Lucy Parker is a new favorite and I will be recommending this book and series to everyone I know. Consider yourself recommended. 🙂 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* Pretty Face (London Celebrities)

Copyright 2019 Deborah Kehoe The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads