TBQ'S Book Palace: Whatcha Reading? (110)

A new Saturday post where you can share with us what you are currently (or just finished) reading and I will share my brief thoughts on books that I read during the previous week.

July 30th - August 5th:

Charged by Jay Crownover

Kindle | NOOK | Kobo
Goodreads

Audiobook from Overdrive
Narrators = Monica Palms & Michael Reeve
Narration rating = 2 - 4 Stars
Rating = 2.5 Stars

Bad girl in trouble again
Criminal defense attorney helping her out
He's about 10 years older (she's only 22 -- or is it 24?)

Honestly, my main problem with the book was the heroine, who was flat, boring, and annoying. The narrator for her parts was much the same, so only 2 stars for her narration.

The hero and his narrator were both fine. Nothing WOW! but nothing annoying, either. I really appreciated that he grew as a character by the end of the book.

I also repeatedly noticed chunky, awkward, and unclear writing -- and if I'm noticing it while listening, I'm sure it was much, much more evident in print.

I'm realizing that Crownover's writing is hit or miss for me; so far I've read 3 of her books, and only one worked well for me, the other two were duds. I'll still try more from her, but I'll continue to only read what my library has; I can't see spending my money on a hit-or-miss author. Even on sale, tbh.

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

Kindle | NOOK | Kobo
Goodreads

Rating = 4 Stars

THAT COVER THO! I will never NOT pause and gaze at that cover.
Cat

Kickass, determined, stubborn
Very powerful, has access to a lot of magic
May be connected to a few gods. As you do.

Griffin, aka Beta Sinta (that's a royal title -- beta to an alpha, not beta hero)

No magic
Warlord turned "Royal" (his family took over the Sinta realm and now lead it; his sister is Alpha)
A bit alpha-pushy (okay, a lot alpha-pushy) with Cat

But it didn't bother me much because she has power in their dynamic, she's no push-over

Also stubborn and protective. Especially when it comes to Cat

Slooow burn

Delicious when the tension finally cracks though.

I might have loved the almost-dry-humping (no Os) leading up to the sexy times a bit more than the sexy times. Both were great though! I just really appreciate good dry-humping.

Great world building, very interesting

Gods, magic, and mystery/suspense (who's after her? why? etc.), oh my!

Enjoyed the secondary characters, too
1st POV, Cat only

I wish there had been at least a few chapters from Griffin's POV too

Book 1 of 3 (I think?) following these two. HFN ending here, plot lines are not all wrapped up here, though it's not a cliffhanger.

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The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann

Audiobook from Overdrive

Kindle | NOOK | Kobo
Goodreads

Narrator = William Dufris
Narration rating = 3 1/2 - 4 Stars
Rating = 3 1/2 Stars

Injured Navy SEAL is recovering at home [Tom]

While home, he thinks he sees a terrorist who has been missing for years -- but is the man really in their coastal town or is Tom's head injury causing paranoia?

Pediatrician who has also temporarily returned home to take care of her dying father [Kelly]

The two grew up together; his great-uncle has been friends with her dad since they served in WWII

In fact, their time in the war is a subplot over the course of this book

There's also a secondary romance between Tom's teenage niece and a comic book artist/beta hero

I liked this one, and will definitely be back for more from Brockmann. I'd say the romance here often took a backseat to the other plots and characters, but I didn't really mind it because I was still enjoying the story and characters. The suspense at the end was rushed and almost too neatly wrapped up, though.

The closet scene tho -- that was pretty hot. :)

The narrator was good as well. There were times when I felt like his performance was a bit too over-the-top (drawing out random words to make a point, I guess, but it just came across as a bit weird, etc.) but for the most part, I liked his narration. I thought he especially did a great job with the voice of Charles, Kelly's father -- definitely sounded like an ill, old man trying to talk. I imagine that was hell on his voice for this book, actually!

Currently $2.99!

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

Releases August 22nd

Kindle | NOOK | Kobo
Goodreads

Rating = 4 1/2 Stars
August Royal Pick

Beauty and the Beast theme!
That cover though!
It's Tessa Dare, 'Nuff said
Such a lovely read

I adored this one, a great start to a new series from Dare. I cannot wait for the rest of the books!

I'll have a review up August 16th.

Find all my tweeted quotes HERE

Currently Listening To:

Kindle | NOOK | Kobo
Goodreads

Once again, waiting on holds to come in, and this one was available now. Since I so enjoyed book 1 last month, especially with this narrator, I'm excited to start it!

Currently Reading: