Tag: romantic fantasy

This Chick Read: Bride of the Shadow King by Silvia Mercedes

Princess Faraine has been shunned by her people and sent to live in a convent, but when her sister is affianced to the Shadow King Vor, she is brought from the convent by her father to attend her sister and make sure the marriage he wants happens. Faraine and Vor meet on the road when he saves she and her brother from some disreputable Fae and make a connection but knowing a relationship with her would not help his kingdom he chooses her sister to marry.

I have a weakness for romantic-fantasy novels and was really pleased with this plot, characters, and their world. Silvia Mercedes spun a really interesting take on an arranged marriage trope- most likely because their two worlds were so vastly different and viewing those differences through Faraine’s eyes held my attention. Needless to say, the above summation of the plot wasn’t exactly how the story played out but the betrayals and deceit were balanced out by heroics and good deeds making both Faraine and Vor easy to root for because they were so likable.

Some of my favorite moments were prior to the “wedding” when Vor and his people were experiencing the strangeness of Faraine’s world, and then when Faraine was in the depths of Vor kingdom and she was discovering the differences in her new home. Those small details are for me what makes good world building so great and this author did a nice job of painting a picture for the reader, not only of the characters, but of their surroundings. These details gave the book such a nice roundness. As this is a re-release, I immediately go the second novel and continued to read their story- and it was just as good.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Bride of the Shadow King

Copyright 2024 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

This Chick’s Audio Review: The Road of Bones (The Ashen #1) by Demi Winters

Synopsis: Silla Nordvig is running for her life.

The Queen of Íseldur has sent warriors to bring Silla to Sunnavík, where death awaits her. When her father is killed, his last words set Silla on a perilous quest: travel the treacherous Road of Bones—a thousand-mile stretch haunted by warbands, creatures of darkness, and a mysterious murderer—and go to Kopa, where a shield house awaits her.

After barely surviving the first stretch of road, a desperate Silla sneaks into a supply wagon belonging to the notorious Bloodaxe Crew. To make it to Kopa, she must win over Axe Eyes, the brooding leader of the Crew, while avoiding the Wolf, his distractingly handsome right-hand man. But the queen’s ruthless assassin has other plans and hunts Silla obsessively.Will Silla make it safely to Kopa? Or will she fall prey to the perils of the Road of Bones?

Narrated by Islay Jacobs in a charming English accent, The Road of Bones follows Silla on her journey to get to Kopa with the help of the Blood Axe Crew, led by Reynir, or as she refers to him, Axe eyes. He is a viking-esque warrior who slightly terrifies Silla when she hides away in their wagon as they start their journey on the Road of Bones. When she’s found out, her life is threatened, but it’s her charming nature, and the fact that she can cook that lands her a semi-permanent position with their crew at least to the next town. All the while she has the Queen’s warriors hunting throughout the countryside for her as well as an agent of the queen who has a magical ability that is frankly terrifying but also really useful in getting information out of the people she questions.

This novel is filled with loads of adventure, lots of killing, comradery, and a side of romance. Things that are common in epic tales of heroism and adventure. Silla herself starts off as a young 20 year old girl, but ends the novel a slightly stronger woman who has learned a lot about life’s lessons, evil, and heartbreak. I’ll admit to finding her younger self slightly annoying because she was so naive, and still kind of annoying when she lost that naivete yet still refused to embrace her true self. However, I loved the camaraderie, and tales of adventure. I’ve never read a book by this author but I’ve already checked out the second novel in the series because after 25 hours of listening (truth!) I need to know that Silla is going to embrace her future and become the woman I know she can become.

If you are a fan of epic fantasy novels you may like this series. This first novel has given me hope that a female author can write an epic tale that has a strong female lead that can conquer, kick butt, fall in love and remain someone that I can root for until the end. Fingers crossed that book #2 delivers! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Road of Bones

Copyright 2024 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

This Chick Read: a bunch of Nora Roberts!

You know when you are sick and you just want some comfort food? For me that food is usually a grilled cheese sandwich or a frozen chicken pot pie. These things just make my heart warm and help me feel just that small bit better. Well, Nora Roberts books are grilled cheese sandwiches for my spirit. I needed a hit of comfort food and happened upon her backlog of books when I was surfing my digital library. She has been so prolific that there are some books from 20 years ago that I know I read when they came out but honestly didn’t remember and thought, why not? I was surprised at how much I loved this venture down memory lane (or lack of memory as the case may be).

The book I read had a much older cover than this newer version, but as the book came out in 2001 I’d imagine it’s had a few variations. As noted by this cover, this book centers around the Giambelli family and Sophie, specifically. Her grandmother in a rather machiavellian way maneuvers, she and her step-son into swapping positions in the family business. Tyler MacMillan runs his grandfather’s vineyard and when he’s told Giambelli is merging with MacMillan and he has to give up running the vineyard to learn marketing and promotions, he is not pleased at all. Especially as he’s paired with the energetic and very attractive Sophie. Attraction ensues and when you add a little danger in the form of someone using their wine to poison people, voilâ! You get a wonderfully written romantic suspense novel that still holds well over time. I’ll admit that I did look up what cell phones looked like in 2001 for entertainment value, but that’s neither here nor there. The story held my interest and gave me that comfort I needed. Plus I liked Sophie and Tyler’s unusual and kind of begrudging love story. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Next up!

Yeah, I couldn’t just read one book I had to read one of the Irish trilogy’s! I didn’t remember this series at all and was immediately drawn into the magic of Ireland and the beloved Gallagher family. Jewels of the Sun was written in 1999, so it’s an oldie but goodie, but again since these novels had a bit of fantasy in the story my mind wasn’t diverted by technology and I easily fell into the story. This first novel follows Aidan Gallagher, who runs the local pub with his brother and sister. Gallaghers is filled with light, love, and a bunch of Irish characters who add a lot to the plot and give the story some charm. Jude Murray is the heroine, has some Irish heritage, and moves into her great aunt’s (I think?) fairie cottage, which is right above Prince Carrick of the fairies castle (as in below the earth). Her cottage is haunted by the love of Prince Carrick’s life and their story is the reason for the trilogy. They need three couples to find true love to have their curse broken so they can be together. The other two couple being Shawn and Brenna, and then Darcy and Trevor. The thing I love about these trilogy’s is that when they are good, you get lost in them and you just want to keep reading. The great thing about reading books this old is that they are all available to read!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Some Nora Roberts books are better than others, of course, but all four of these were pretty solid! If you are like me and read too many books in a year to remember the plots of books you’ve read over 20 years ago, then you may want to go to your nearest library and pick up a virtual copy! Or you can purchase your copy at the links below.

Click this link to purchase The Villa!*

Click this link to purchase The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy!*

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Primal Mirror (Psy-Changeling Trinity #8) by Nalini Singh

Auden Scott is not the child her Psy parents wanted, especially after her brain injury. Her thoughts are scattered and her memory is fuzzy or just blank. The only thing she knows is that she must protect her unborn baby, a baby she has no recollection of conceiving. Leopard Alpha, Remi Lenier’s instinct is to protect, his pack, his allies, and his new neighbor. Her eerie eyes and changing scent confound the man and intrigue his cat. Nothing about Auden is as it seems and when she asks for his help Remi can’t help but respond.

Primal Mirror is the 8th book in the series, but this Psy-Changeling world is over 20 books in. I’ve read a few across both Psy series and I feel like if you’re familiar with the details of this world you can jump right in mid series. That’s what I’ve done when I chose to read Primal Mirror, the newest novel in this world. It didn’t matter that a few characters may have had recurring plots, I was intrigued by Remi and Auden and wanted to read their story, not the backlog of other novels. It was easy to immerse myself in this world again and get wrapped up in this intriguing and kind of eerie story.

After reading the synopsis of Auden Scott and her memory issues and pregnancy I knew the plot could be slightly uncomfortable and without going into too many details that might spoil the plot, I will say that this was the case. If you can’t remember getting pregnant, chances are that the how’s and what-for’s are probably not going to be all sunshine and rainbows. As the plot surrounding Auden’s mystery is revealed it was very easy to root for the good guys, which is a great transition to the subject of Remi. As an Alpha, his instinct is to protect, but that doesn’t explain why he is drawn to someone that shouldn’t intrigue him, but he is a cat and cat’s are curious. Once he unveils the mystery he is all in to help Auden and keep her baby safe. I liked their interactions with each other, despite their personality differences. It certainly helps that Auden doesn’t seem to be interested in being removed from emotion as are most Psy. This makes their meld into a couple not seem so forced.

I’m not usually drawn to read Nalini Singh’s books, although I do like the mysteries she has started to write, but for some reason I was drawn to this book. It could be that the promotional tour did it’s thing and I seemed to cross paths with this book more than her others, but I’m not sorry that I did pick it up. Maybe because I’ve only read a few of these novels, but I found this one interesting, easy to read, and easy to get into. All in all, a solid weekend read! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Primal Mirror

Copyright 2024 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

This Chick Read: The House at Watch Hill (The Watch Hill Trilogy #1) by Karen Marie Moning

Zo Grey is mourning the death of her beloved mother when she receives a call from a lawyer stating that she’s the soul beneficiary of a relative in Divinity, Louisiana. Dead broke and no where to call home Zo figures she doesn’t have anything to lose and flies out to Louisiana to hear the details of her inheritance. What she finds is that she has inherited a very large manor on a hill, but she must live in that house for three years before officially becoming the heir. Putting aside her foreboding she moves into this Gothic mansion where she is faced with riddles, secrets, and faces sinister forces that are impossible to comprehend. In order to discover her true identity she must awaken her hidden powers.

I’m a fan of this author’s and really enjoyed both the Fever and Highlander series. I was surprised to receive an ARC for this novel and relished digging into this brand new series. The synopsis sounds eerie and interesting I just knew that I was going to love the main character, Zo, and her story. For some reason though, I had difficulty falling into the story and really had trouble caring for Zo. She was impressively whiny and her character was very dark. Granted, she was going through some tough times, and I tried to give her some slack, but as the book went on she became more unlikable. The characters around her were interesting and ultimately my curiosity about those characters was the reason why I did keep reading. Also, I kept thinking there would be a shift and Zo would evolve into a character I could come to care about but she just never got there. It wasn’t until the final chapter that I became more interested, wondering where the author would take us in the next novel.

If your a fan of this author’s your either going to love or hate this book. I kind of fell in between, but I will admit it was a tough story to love. If it wasn’t for the cliffhanger ending (yes, there is one!) I probably wouldn’t be invested enough to pick up the second novel. However, she made me just curious enough that I know I’ll give it a try. I have hope that Zo becomes more interesting, less self-serving, and a bit more about her background is explained! ❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* The House on Watch Hill

Copyright 2024 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

This Chick Read: Storm of Secrets and Sorrow (Legacy Series #2) by Melissa K. Roehrich

Control has slipped through Theon St. Orcas’s fingers. He’s been given a task by the rulers of the realm and he’s racing against the clock to get his plans back on track. Everyone wants something from Tessa and she trusts no one, including the one she is still tied to, Theon. She has plenty of secrets and is busy navigating this realm full of villains.

Tessa and Theon have two marks now and are tied closer than before. He’s responsible for keeping her safe but a mysterious group thinks they’d save the world if they ended her life. Lucky for Tessa her powers keep getting stronger and she learns she doesn’t need Theon to determine her fate. She is going to determine her own.

I didn’t think this series could get any darker, but whoah! It certainly can! In the first novel we learn a bit about Tessa’s background and why she always vacillates between giving up and fighting back. Thank goodness about half way through this novel she gets her fight on and some of the old Tessa reappears. We have also learned Theon’s plans to save the world which turns him from questionably a bad guy to possibly a good guy? Despite this change in status he still makes bad decisions which again causes a certain someone from mistrusting him. Will they or won’t they ever choose the same side? On to book #3 which comes out in October!

Again, if you have triggers regarding death, small places, destruction, violence and end of the world prophecies, this may not be the series for you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

Copyright 2024 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

This Chick Read: Rain of Shadows and Beginnings (Legacy Series #1) by Melissa K. Roehrich

Every five years eligible Fae are gathered for the Selection and are required to serve one of the six Kingdoms. To be chosen to serve as the Source for a chosen Heir of one of those kingdoms is seen as a huge honor and at this year’s Selection there are six heirs looking for a source. Tessalyn Asura is at the Selection and has not interest in being one of the chosen but finds herself serving as the source for the heir of the mysterious Arius Kingdom. Theon is the heir of death and Tessa is going to do everything possible to escape his control.

I came across this series by chance and am so glad to have discovered a new and really talented author. Rain of Shadows and Beginnings reminds me quite a bit of ACOTAR but unfortunately I don’t think Tessa is going to be able to escape her fate as easily as Feyre did in her series. Tessa is tied to Theon magically and each time she is marked they grow closer needing that physical closeness of touch in order to calm their magic. What is the purpose of being someone’s source you ask? Well, good question! In this magical world of Devram, the Legacy (Theon and his pals) are descendents of gods and the Fae who serve them have elemental powers that are revealed. As a Source, the Legacy would have access to Tessa’s powers, making his own so much stronger. So the heir’s search for the strongest Fae available and Tessa seems to be one of the strongest.

As with a lot of romantic fantasy novels, Rain of Shadows and Beginnings is pretty darn dark. Theon is not the kindest Legacy Tessa could’ve found herself tied to. He has been taught from a very young age a lack of trust and because he doesn’t trust easily he handles Tessa, who is described as uncontrollable, in a manner that is abusive. I would be bothered by this a lot more if Tessa wasn’t such a strong character and fought back as hard as she does. Theon never knows what is coming next. This Fae that he’s chosen is not malleable as he’s seen other Sources be, she argues every point and doesn’t want anything to do with this life that she now lives. Who could blame her! As I found out more about each of their backgrounds I could understand better why they were both reactionary and dark. It didn’t excuse the abuse but it did explain it. It also gave me a reason to root for Tessa, who was a hard character to like.

There were some great side characters in this book as well. I loved Tristyn, Luka, and Axel. Without their involvement this book would’ve just been one dark, hot mess. These guys lightened up the mood and created reasons to see both of our main characters in a different way other than snarky and off putting. Gosh, reading all of the above you might think I disliked this book but I actually liked it a lot! I’m looking forward to book #2!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Rain of Shadows and Endings

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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This Chick Read: A Usual Suspect (Fractured Conclave #1) by Vanessa Nelson

When a friend calls Hallie in a panic, she races to her side to investigate. As a skip tracer, she is used to finding the lost who don’t want to be found. What she finds in Rosalie’s house is a murdered member of the elite and some assassins who try to finish the job by killing them too. Hallie needs to use all of her skills to remove she and her friend from the suspect list and find the killers before they find her.

I can always count on Vanessa Nelson to deliver some great world-building, a strong female lead, and a mystery that hooks the reader into the story and doesn’t let them go until the story is finished. A Usual Suspect delivers on all of these things but is also delivers the promise of more great books to come.

Hallie was a big mystery herself. Being of mixed race, she is not considered human after a near fatal attack in her childhood. She was saved by a mysterious person and has gained inhuman strength, quickness, and healing abilities that are more common among the elite. She also has a truth sense which helps her succeed as a skip tracer with a 100% close rate. As the reader quickly finds out, this is one woman you don’t want on your trail! Not only is Hallie interesting, but this world she lives in as well as the characters we’ve been introduced to are ones I’d like to explore more, but will have to wait a few months for the second novel to be released. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Usual Suspect

Copyright 2024 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

This Chick Read: Rift in the Soul (Soulwood #6) by Faith Hunter

Nell Ingram draws her powers from deep in the earth, and uses them to help Psy-LED, the Psychometric Law Enforcement Division, which solves paranormal crimes. When a local vampire calls to report a dead body on her compound, Nell knows she and her team have to be ready for anything.

But the dead body is just the beginning of a mystery that involves supernaturals of all kinds, including some of the most powerful vampires in the country. As Nell gets closer to the truth, she begins to understand that the perpetrator is tracking her too—and that there is something personal about this crime. Something with roots that go almost as deep as those in Soulwood.

By book six I am totally invested in Nell and the Psy-LED crew. The mystery is always so interesting and the romance between she and Occam, so, so sweet! Does it matter that Nell comes from a line that has an affinity with plants and the Earth? A kind of brownie or sprite, which sounds kind of cute and sweet, but her powers are tied to her land which can be hungry. I find the personification of her “Vampire tree” as a Green Knight who will protect she and her family very interesting. Especially since that Knight seems to be evolving, now able to communicate in a very humanistic way. I’m curious to see where Faith Hunter is taking that character and if it/he can evolve into reality. In fact, when you look at Nell and the Green Knight’s evolution, it seems like it’s Nell that is becoming more plant-like and the Knight more human. Like I said, interesting!

When the Angel in the latest Jane Yellowrock book gave the Vampire’s their soul’s back, a kind gesture I’m sure, but causing all sorts of havoc in the vamp community. They now have “feelings” which are damned inconvenient for a bunch of bloodsuckers. When an ancient vampire from the Spanish Inquisition comes to town his intentions seem to be connected to Soulwood and Nell’s family, so as expected, Nell goes all twigs and twines in defending her territory. Sweet and salty Nell is now coming into her own as a threat and I love that evolution!

Amidst all the doom, gloom, and interspecies fighting, Nell and Occam are planning their wedding. These brief moments are such a contrast to all the darkness in the story and really create that impact of blinding love conquering all that makes their union so wonderful. I really enjoy this plant woman and her cat man. They are a fun couple to root for! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Rift in the Soul

Copyright 2024 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

This Chick Read: The Last Dragon King (Kings of Avalier #1) by Leia Stone

The Dragon King is looking for a wife. He must produce a child in order for his people to retain their magic and his sniffers are sweeping the kingdom for women of childbearing age who have enough magic to bear his children. Arwen lives in one of the smallest villages in the kingdom and when the Kings guards arrive in town the eligible ladies are excited. Arwen’s mother packs a bag and urges Arwen to leave, telling her a secret about her heritage. No surprise that she’s caught at the gate and found to bear magic and is hustled off to the Dragon King.

The Last Dragon King was a refreshing, easy to read, romantic fantasy novel with an interesting plot and some great world building. Drae and Arwen had great chemistry, fun dialog, and there were plenty of action sequences to hold my interest. It felt like reading a fairy tale story with a curse of sorts put on the kingdom that only the right girl/woman could cure. Arwen doesn’t want anything to do with saving the world. She only wants to get back to her small village and her mom and sister.

Drae’s “curse” is actually the really interesting part of this tale. Imagine having to procreate to keep your kingdom healthy and magical. It’s an interesting twist on the poisoned apple in snow white. Drae, of course, is the handsome, physically fit hero and is pretty tempting to our heroine, but it’s the sword fighting and saving the kingdom bits that really draw Arwen. A fun story to while away a weekend afternoon! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Last Dragon King

Copyright 2024 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