The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point).
Kindle freebie on October 8, 2021 (currently $4.99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as of writing this post)
Overall rating 3.73 with 2,285 ratings and 498 reviews
New Orleans Rush by Kelly Siskind Series: Showmen #1
on April 23, 2019
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 333
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Beatrice Baker may be a struggling artist, but she believes all hardships have silver linings...until she follows her boyfriend to New Orleans and finds him with another woman. Instead of turning those lemons into lemonade, she drinks lemon drop martinis and keys the wrong man's car.
Now she works for Huxley Marlow of the Marvelous Marlow Boys, getting shoved in boxes as an on-stage magician's assistant. A cool job for some, but Bea's been coerced into the role to cover her debt. She also maybe fantasizes about her boss's adept hands and what else they can do.
She absolutely will not fall for him, or kiss him senseless. Until she does. The scarred, enigmatic Huxley has unwittingly become her muse, unlocking her artistic dry spell, but his vague nightly activities are highly suspect. The last time Beatrice trusted a man, her bank account got drained and she almost got arrested. Surely this can't end that badly...right?
Somehow I read the second book in this series before the first one. I really enjoyed it a lot, along with everything else I have read from this author, so I was excited to read more in the Showmen series. The series connection seems to be a male lead in each books’ romantic couple being a leader, at least with the two books I have read now. There is a very loose character connection but it was difficult to find.
I liked the main characters with their penchant for taking care of others before themselves. Huxley has tried hard to honor his father and help his brothers. Bea has been the adult rather than her parents for most of her life.
However, I felt they were both unrealistic. Huxley would have long ago been called on his theater which needed major repairs. Bea was in severe danger from loan sharks and a bit TSTL. The way they worked out of these problems was not believable.
I did enjoy the way they both had different bodies than normal and both were accepting of those differences. They relished and supported each other, giving encouragement in an often negative world. The appreciation they had for one another was a contagious energy which lifted their lives and those around them. Their miscommunication was thankfully short, and I was happy to have them be happy in their HEA.
These are only Kindle freebies I get, or ones through author newsletters which anyone can sign up and get for free. I don’t include things like Kindle Unlimited or Prime Free Reading (I do have it). Both Tantor and Audible have occasional free audios (to anyone) and I do include those. Since I one-click on 1-2 freebies a day or probably at least 5 a week, I came up with this feature to make sure I start reading them.
So I have thought about doing a Thrifty Thursday Challenge someday. For now, what I think would be fun is if you have read and reviewed a freebie, link up to your review (Goodreads, blog, facebook or wherever) below.
Add your review link here:
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About Kelly Siskind
A small-town girl at heart, Kelly moved from the city to open a cheese shop with her husband in northern Ontario. When she’s not neck deep in cheese or out hiking, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head. She laughs at her own jokes and has been known to eat her feelings—gummy bears heal all. She’s also an incurable romantic, devouring romance novels into the wee hours of the morning.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I’ve not read any of her books yet, but I do like the idea of something different in the people and cool about him being a magic act.
I really like this author.
Great review Anne! I’ve made the mistake of reading the second or third book in a series before I read the first one. But those books either made me want to read the first book or giving the series a pass.
Thank you Elizabeth. I don’t like to read out of order but I think that is because I read series in genres like UF or mystery where it matters. In this series, contemporary romance, it doesn’t matter at all really.
Sounds like an entertaining read.
It was different and I generally like different.
Sounds like a good read, although a shame that the characters behaved somewhat unrealistically.
I liked how different it was but couldn’t quite suspend disbelief. Somehow that’s harder for me in contemporary romance possibly because there are less overall layers / plots than in some genres? IDK
Sounds like a fun, cute series. If the story is cute enough, I can forgive some unrealistic characters.
yes Wendy. I often do that but sometimes it doesn’t happen. That’s me. I think there are many others who would like this story more. And I did enjoy it. I’m glad I read it.
This sounds good even if you need to suspend disbelief about the loan sharks etc. Nice review. I like the idea of Thrifty Thursday.
I have to do something to read all those freebies I take! Otherwise ARCs, library books always get picked up first with a due date.
I got this as a freebie audiobook at one time I think. And I read and enjoyed it enough, but had some of the same issues you did. I do want to read or listen to the second one though! I think the second one might be on sale on Audible right now too for a pretty good deal. Great review!
Thanks Lisa! I think everything is on sale at Audible right now. I liked the second one more than this one. I did like this one too with a few small issues.