I have difficulty believing that we're already in May, but it's true! Where have the other 4 months gone? Where has spring gone?!
Luckily, while waiting for the nice and warmer weather to show up, there are new releases :) Initially, I thought May was going to be a bit lean, but I was wrong. There are lots of books and some that we've really been looking forward to!
May 1
Beyond Solitude by
Kit Rocha
self-published
When a motorcycle accident leaves Derek Ford riding a desk at the O’Kane compound, the last thing he needs is a sexy new assistant upending his office and his life. But Mia isn’t scared of her domineering boss. The friction between them generates an undeniable heat—but Mia will not be kept, and Ford will do anything to protect what’s his.
Genre: Erotic Romance, Fantasy
Series: Beyond, Book # 4.5
Ames: I've really been enjoying this series so far, what I've read of it anyway, and so this one is a no brainer. I also like the sound of the dynamic between Derek and Mia.
May 5
Stranger on the Shore by
Josh Lanyon
published by Carina Press
Twenty years ago young Brian Arlington, heir to Arlington fortune, was kidnapped. Though the ransom was paid, the boy was never seen again and is presumed dead. Pierce Mather, the family lawyer, now administers and controls the Arlington billions. He's none too happy, and more than a little suspicious, when investigative journalist Griffin Hadley shows up to write about the decades-old mystery. Griff shrugs off the coldly handsome Pierce's objections, but it might not be so easy to shrug off the objections of someone willing to do anything to keep the past buried.
Genre: M/M Mystery
Series: n/a
Nath: Feels like it's been a while since Mr. Lanyon's last release. Or perhaps it's just me not staying current ^_^; Have to say, the premise of this one sounds interesting... Do you think there's a chance that Giffin Hadley is Brian Arlington? Or perhaps that'd be too obvious :P
Ames: I know he was on hiatus for a year but a few books have come out. I hate to say it but I haven't really been keeping track. With Jessewave closing their doors, I haven't really been following any M/M blogs so I've lost track. And since I quit Goodreads I've lost track as well. I used to be a member of Josh's Goodreads group. There are a lot of factors going into not being up to date with his books but whatever, this one caught my eye. :P I can't wait to read it.
May 6
Sparrow Hill Road by
Seanan McGuire
published by DAW
Sparrow Hill Road is the first volume in the story of Rose Marshall, who was the first victim of the man called Bobby Cross, although she was far from the last — and unlike most of them, she did not go easy into that good night. Sixty years down the line, she's still kicking ass, taking names, and more than a little bit pissed off about the way that she died.
You want a good little ghost who'll stay where she's put and only haunt the people who deserve it? Go to a sleepover. You want the real story of the American ghostroads? Come and have a word with Rose.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Ghost Stories, Book #1
Nath: I know a lot of people don't like ghosts in their story, but I do :) I especially like mediums... but this one sounds different. I've enjoyed Ms McGuire's writing and I'm hoping this one will stand out :)
The Goodbye Witch by
Heather Blake
published by New American Library (Signet)
As Enchanted Village’s resident Wishcrafter, Darcy Merriweather has the power to make other people’s wishes come true, but what she really wishes is that she had the power to uncloak the invisible man who’s stalking her best friend....
Darcy’s closest friend and fellow witch, Starla Sullivan, hoped she’d never see her ex-husband, Kyle, again. Two years ago he tried to kill her, and he has been a fugitive ever since. Now Starla claims to have seen him back in Enchanted Village, but it seems she’s the only one who can see him. To everyone else, her ex is invisible.
Darcy only wishes his motives were as transparent as the rest of him. Since the police can’t arrest someone they can’t see, it’s up to Darcy to find the secret behind Kyle’s latest disappearing act—before he does something they can’t see coming….
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Wishcraft Mystery, Book #4
Nath: I've been following and enjoying this series from the start :) As such, it was on my auto-buy list. This is the first time I'm reading the blurb and it sounds like it's taking a more serious turn. I think this one will be interesting and I'm looking forward to reacquainting myself with Enchanted Village and its amusing residents :)
Make you Mine by
Macy Beckett
published by New American Library (Signet)
For ninety-nine years, every man in the Dumont family has remained a perpetual bachelor. Residents of Cedar Bayou, Louisiana, whisper about a voodoo hex cast upon the family, sabotaging each man’s chance at marriage. In truth, the Dumont men have their own player personalities to blame, and Marc is no exception. As captain of his family’s riverboat, he’s broken hearts up and down the Mississippi. That is, until his high school crush strolls onboard...
Allie Mauvais rocks the boat when she fills in as pastry chef. She hasn’t seen Marc since senior year, when rumors flew that her great-great-grandmother was the one who cursed the Dumonts. After two weeks on the water, neither can deny the attraction that still burns between them. But to truly reach Marc’s heart, Allie must show him that the hex isn’t real, and it’ll take more than her mouthwatering sweets to prove it. Will Allie’s love be enough to finally make Marc hers?
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Dumont Bachelors, Book #1
Nath: I've heard of Ms Beckett and have been meaning to give her a try. This new series seems the perfect occasion to do so, especially since there are a lot of elements I like: pastry chef character, high school crush, etc. Also, the blurbs for the subsequent books also sound very promising :)
Ames: I tried reading one of her books but it was a library book and I wasn't invested in it enough to re-request it. LOL So I think I'll wait to see what you think of this one. It does sound cute. And I like that cover.
Frisky Business by
Tawna Fenske
published by Sourcebooks
Marley Cartman is fed up with arrogant rich guys who treat her like garbage, so she vows to only date men with modest paychecks and a little dirt under their nails.
Her new boss, William Barclay, is exactly the kind of man she's trying to avoid: an eccentric millionaire with duct shape shoes and an unexplained vendetta against her.
But as Will and Marley butt heads over grumpy badgers and phallic artifacts, they discover that sometimes the opposite of what you want is exactly what you need.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: n/a
Nath: This one seems interesting, especially since Ms Fenske is known to be humorous in her writing. My only question though... Does Marley seek rich guys as dates or is it just rich guys in general?
Ames: I forget where I saw this one mentioned but it intrigued me. It sounds cute. I hadn't heard of the author before but if she's funny, all the better!
It Happened One Wedding by
Julie James
published by Jove
She knows better than to say "I do"
After a humiliating end to her engagement, investment banker Sidney Sinclair is done with commitment-phobic men. But when her sister winds up engaged after a whirlwind courtship, she’s thrown in to close contact with exactly the kind of sexy playboy she wants to avoid—the gorgeous best man. She’s stuck with him, for better or worse, until her sister walks down the aisle, but that doesn’t mean she has to give in to his smooth advances, no matter how tempting they are…
But he makes it hard to say "I don't"
Special Agent Vaughn Roberts always gets his man on the job and his woman in bed. So Sidney’s refusal to fall for his charms only makes him more determined to win over the cool and confident redhead. Only what starts out as a battle of wills ends up as a serious play for her heart. Because the one woman who refuses to be caught may be the only one Vaughn can’t live without…
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: FBI/US Attorney, Book #5
Nath: Ms James is on my auto-buy author list, so picking up this one is a no-brainer :) Really looking forward to it actually. I like that the heroine is an investment banker. Seriously, nowadays, I'm for every tiny things that make books stand out such as their job or a city setting LOL. Anyway, I remember Special Agent Vaughn Roberts and I'm looking forward for him meeting his match :P
Ames: Julie James is also an auto-buy author for me so I'm anxious to read this one. The cover is also a departure stylistically from past covers. I like it.
Nath: I like the cover as well... but for some reasons, I keep seeing flowers instead of shoes ^_^;
In Want of a Wife by
Jo Goodman
published by Berkley
She has nowhere left to turn...
Jane Middlebourne needs a way out. In 1891, life in New York is unforgiving for a young woman with no prospects, especially when her family wants nothing to do with her. So when Jane discovers an ad for a mail-order bride needed in Bitter Springs, Wyoming, she responds with a hopeful heart.
He has everything to lose...
Rancher Morgan Longstreet is in want of a wife who will be his partner at Morning Star, someone who will work beside him and stand by him. His first impression of the fair and fragile Jane is that she is not that woman. But when she sets out to prove him wrong, the secrets he cannot share put into jeopardy every happiness they hope to find….
Genre: Historical Romance, Western
Series: n/a
Ames: I always look forward to Jo's releases. I like that they're Westerns. I haven't read too many historicals this year but I'm kind of sick of England and this will be a nice change of pace I think.
Nath: It's been a while since I last picked up a book by Ms Goodman. Perhaps if this one gets good reviews...
Breakable by
Tammara Webber
published by Berkley
He was lost and alone. Then he found her.
And the future seemed more fragile than ever.
As a child, Landon Lucas Maxfield believed his life was perfect and looked forward to a future filled with promise — until tragedy tore his family apart and made him doubt everything he ever believed.
All he wanted was to leave the past behind. When he met Jacqueline Wallace, his desire to be everything she needed came so easy…
As easy as it could be for a man who learned that the soul is breakable and that everything you hoped for could be ripped away in a heartbeat.
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Series: Contours of the Heart, Book #2
Ames: I re-read Easy recently to get ready for this one. This is the story from Lucas' POV and I usually stay away from those kinds of books but I enjoy Webber's writing and I'm willing to take a chance.
Blue Notes by
Carrie Lofty
published by Simon & Schuster (Gallery Books)
After being bounced from foster family to foster family, Keeley, a talented pianist, is ready to start over as a junior at Tulane. But when she plays a small concert that attracts the attention of Jude, a brooding playboy and heir to an enormous fortune in the wake of his parents’ tragic death, suddenly Keeley’s life is thrown off balance once again.
Jude is the first person to confront her about the pain behind her music, and she struggles with whether or not to let him into her life, or to keep protecting herself from the hurt that relationships have caused her in the past. But Keeley’s about to learn that the melancholy young billionaire who appears to have everything he wants can open her eyes to exactly what she needs…
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Series: n/a
Nath: The first thing that caught my attention was the author's name, then the cover and the blurb. Overall, I think Blue Notes has a lot of promise and I hope that Ms Lofty succeeds in her first foray of a contemporary setting :)
Ames: I agree, there's a lot of promise here and I'm intrigued. This one sounds good.
Since You've Been Gone by
Morgan Matson
published by Simon and Schuster
The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just... disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try... unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait... what?
Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?
Go Skinny Dipping? Um...
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Series: n/a
Nath: I loved, loved, loved Ms Matson's debut novel, Amy and Roger's Epic Detour. That book has earned Ms Matson a spot on my auto-buy author list :) I'm always looking forward to her books, especially since they are not yearly releases. As for Since You've Been Gone, it sounds fun and I'm curious to see how Emily will complete the list :P
Ames: Second Chance Summer wasn't the greatest but I'm always willing to give Matson a chance because I too loved Amy and Roger's Epic Detour. This one sounds like a good summer read.
The Chapel Wars by
Linsey Leavitt
published by Bloomsbury
Sixteen-year-old Holly wants to remember her Grandpa forever, but she’d rather forget what he left her in his will: his wedding chapel on the Las Vegas strip. Whatever happened to gold watches, savings bonds, or some normal inheritance?
And then there's Grandpa's letter. Not only is she running the business with her recently divorced parents, but she needs to make some serious money--fast. Grandpa also insists Holly reach out to Dax, the grandson of her family's mortal enemy and owner of the cheesy chapel next door. No matter how cute Dax is, Holly needs to stay focused: on her group of guy friends, her disjointed family, work, school and... Dax. No wait, not Dax.
Holly’s chapel represents everything she’s ever loved in her past. Dax might be everything she could ever love in the future. But as for right now, there's a wedding chapel to save.
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Series: n/a
Nath: Lately, I've been in the mood for funny contemporary, whether it's YA, NA or romance. This one seems to fit the bill to a T no? I mean, wedding chapels!! LOL.
Ames: This one sounds quirky. How can a sixteen year old run a wedding chapel? LOL
The Falconer by
Elizabeth May
published by Chronicle Books
Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived.
Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844
Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.
Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.
But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Series: The Falconer, Book #1
Ames: This one sounds like the Gardella Vampire Chronicles but with faeries instead of vampires. And I like that!
Deep Blue by
Jennifer Donnelly
published by Disney Press
Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe.
When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world's very existence.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Series: Waterfire Saga, Book #1
Nath: I had to check that this Jennifer Donnelly was the same Jennifer Donnelly who wrote the Tea Rose series. Talk about a change of directions! It seems to me many authors have tried to write about mermaids without much success. I hope Ms Donnelly changes the trend! Although I have to say, this one sounds a bit "young" as a setting...
Ames: I soooo am not interested in mermaids but I read a post on the author's blog about how she came to write about them and I am intrigued. I love Jennifer's writing and I'm willing to follow her on this journey.
Enlightened by
Joanna Chambers
published by Samhain Publishing
Five months ago, David Lauriston was badly hurt helping his friend Elizabeth escape her violent husband. Since then, David has been living with his lover, Lord Murdo Balfour, while he recuperates.
Despite the pain of his injuries, David’s time with Murdo has been the happiest of his life. The only things that trouble him are Murdo’s occasional bouts of preoccupation, and the fact that one day soon, David will have to return to his legal practice in Edinburgh.
That day comes too soon when David’s friend and mentor takes to his deathbed, and David finds himself agreeing to take on a private mission in London. Murdo is at his side in the journey, but a shocking revelation by Murdo’s ruthless father leaves David questioning everything they’ve shared.
As tensions mount and the stakes grow higher, David and Murdo are forced to ask themselves how far they’re prepared to go—and how much they’re prepared to give up— to stay together. And whether there’s any chance of lasting happiness for men like them.
Genre: M/M Romance, Historical
Series: Enlightenment, Book #3
Ames: I enjoy Chambers' writing and look forward to her new releases. Short and sweet but I don't need to justify why I want this one. LOL
May 13
Odin's Ravens by
K.L. Armstrong and
M.A. Marr
published by Little, Brown Books
Seven kids, Thor's hammer, and a whole lot of Valkyries are the only things standing against the end of the world.
When thirteen-year-old Matt Thorsen, a modern day descendant of the Norse god Thor, was chosen to represent Thor in an epic battle to prevent the apocalypse he thought he knew how things would play out. Gather the descendants standing in for gods like Loki and Odin, defeat a giant serpent, and save the world. No problem, right?
But the descendants' journey grinds to a halt when their friend and descendant Baldwin is poisoned and killed and Matt, Fen, and Laurie must travel to the Underworld in the hopes of saving him. But that's only their first stop on their journey to reunite the challengers, find Thor's hammer, and stop the apocalypse--a journey filled with enough tooth-and-nail battles and larger-than-life monsters to make Matt a legend in his own right.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Series: The Blackwell Pages, Book #2
Nath: The first book in the series, Loki's Wolves, did not impress me much given Ms Armstrong and Ms Marr's known talent. Still, because of said talent, I'm not ready to give up on this series yet. However, I'm not in a rush either to pick up Odin's Ravens. It's on my radar and hopefully, reviews for it will be good.
Free to Fall by
Lauren Miller
published by Harpercollins Publisher (Harper Teen)
What if there was an app that told you what song to listen to, what coffee to order, who to date, even what to do with your life—an app that could ensure your complete and utter happiness? What if you never had to fail or make a wrong choice?
What if you never had to fall?
Fast-forward to a time when Apple and Google have been replaced by Gnosis, a monolith corporation that has developed the most life-changing technology to ever hit the market: Lux, an app that flawlessly optimizes decision making for the best personal results. Just like everyone else, sixteen-year-old Rory Vaughn knows the key to a happy, healthy life is following what Lux recommends. When she’s accepted to the elite boarding school Theden Academy, her future happiness seems all the more assured. But once on campus, something feels wrong beneath the polished surface of her prestigious dream school. Then she meets North, a handsome townie who doesn’t use Lux, and begins to fall for him and his outsider way of life. Soon, Rory is going against Lux’s recommendations, listening instead to the inner voice that everyone has been taught to ignore — a choice that leads her to uncover a truth neither she nor the world ever saw coming.
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi
Series: n/a
Nath: I've heard of Ms Miller and wanted to give her a try. This one has an interesting premise.
Ames: This sounds sooooo scary because I can imagine this happening!
Nath: I know!!
All Lined Up by
Cora Carmack
published by Harpercollins Publisher (William Morrow)
In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.
Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.
But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.
Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.
Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.
And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.
Genre: New Adult
Series: Rusk University, Book #1
Nath: While I'm not a huge fan of the sport itself, I like how central football seems to be to in this book since it is a big reality in the States and its colleges. Ames, let me know if it's good!
Ames: I am a big Friday Night Lights fan and I like football movies (although you wouldn't catch me watching a football game LOL) and this one sounds like something I'd really enjoy.
May 20
Sixth Grave on the Edge by
Darynda Jones
published by St.Martin's Press
Few things in life can come between a grim reaper and her coffee, but the sexy, sultry son of Satan is one of them. Now that Reyes Farrow has asked for her hand, Charley Davidson feels it's time to learn more about his past, but Reyes is reluctant to open up. When the official FBI file of his childhood abduction lands in her lap, Charley decides to go behind her mysterious beau’s back and conduct her own investigation. Because what could go wrong?
Unfortunately, another case has fallen into her lap—one with dangerous implications. Some very insistent men want Charley to hunt down a witness who is scheduled to testify against their boss, a major player in the local crime syndicate. If Charley doesn't come up with an address in 48 hours, the people closest to her will start to disappear.
Add to that a desperate man in search of the soul he lost in a card game, a dogged mother determined to find the ghost of her son, and a beautiful, young Deaf boy haunted by his new ability to see the departed as clearly as he sees the living, and Charley has her hands full. The fact that Reyes has caught on to her latest venture only adds fuel to the inferno that he is. Good thing for Charley she's used to multi-tasking and always up for a challenge…especially when that challenge comes in the form of Reyes Farrow.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Charley Davidson, Book #6
Nath: Wooohooo, finally a new Charley Davidson book! Her books are usually released earlier in the year and I had to say, I've been needing my fix :) I love the cover and I know this book is going to be funny! And I'm all for more Quentin! If you haven't read this series, give it a try!
Far Too Tempted by
Emma Wildes
published by Samhain Publishing
Once he broke her heart, but now he's wickedly tempted...
Alexander Ramsey, the youngest son of a duke, has returned to England with a barely healed wound and a war-torn heart. He hopes retiring to a life raising horses near his family's estate will bring him some peace.
If only it was that easy. The girl he's done his best to forget has grown into an enticing woman. A woman who despises him, if their accidental encounter in his new house is any indication.
Jessica Roweland has no family, certainly no fortune, and to make matters worse—which hardly seems possible—the only home she has ever known has been sold to her despicable arch enemy. The man she once thought she loved.
Caught alone in his presence, Jessica faces utter ruin as society begins to whisper over the incident. Unless she can restrain the urge to strangle him and marry him instead, she will be the subject of endless scorn and scandal.
Forced into marriage and called upon by the Crown to solve a series of murders, Alex accepts both tasks—the first, his very distinct pleasure. The second, a very difficult mission that will threaten both their lives.
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: n/a
Nath: Yay! A new release by Ms Wildes! She's one of my favorite historical romance authors. Definitively going to give this one a go, especially since this heroine seems so fiery :P
Ames: I really enjoy Emma Wildes' writing as well and I'm looking forward to this one. I like this kind of set up too - past lovers who are now enemies.
Biggest Flirts by
Jennifer Echols
published by Simon & Schuster (Simon Pulse)
Tia just wants to have fun. She’s worked hard to earn her reputation as the life of the party, and she’s ready for a carefree senior year of hanging out with friends and hooking up with cute boys. And her first order of business? New guy Will. She can’t get enough of his Midwestern accent and laidback swagger.
As the sparks start to fly, Will wants to get serious. Tia’s seen how caring too much has left her sisters heartbroken, and she isn’t interested in commitment. But pushing Will away drives him into the arms of another girl. Tia tells herself it’s no big deal…until the yearbook elections are announced. Getting voted Biggest Flirts with Will is, well, awkward. They may just be friends, but their chemistry is beginning to jeopardize Will’s new relationship—and causing Tia to reconsider her true feelings. What started as a lighthearted fling is about to get very complicated…
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Series: Superlatives, Book #1
Ames:This one sounds cute because it's the girl who's afraid of commitment this time. LOL Although yearbook crap wasn't a big deal, so I'm sure there's more to the story than that. I was voted most laid back in my yearbook and we took a picture and that was it. haha
Nath: Ms Echols' books have been a miss for me lately, so I think I'm going to wait for you to read it before I give it a try, Ames.
The Art of Lainey by
Paula Stokes
published by Harpercollins Publisher (Harper Teen)
Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.
And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.
What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with, if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be?
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Series: n/a
Nath: This is usually the kind of YA book that I avoid, because it's all about the high school life and drama ^_^; However, there's something about this cover... Plus, the mention of The Art of War :P Also, I've seen some reviews mentioning how funny and refreshing the book was. Since this one comes out directly as a paperback, I'm willing to take a risk and give it a chance! :)
Ames: I like the sounds of this one! It sounds somewhat similar to Getting Over Garrett Delaney. Also, I like that the heroine is a soccer star. Which reminds me of She's the Man and then I get to thinking about Channing Tatum....
The Staff of Serapis by
Rick Riordan
published by Disney Hyperion
Annabeth encounters more oddities in the subway than usual, including a two-headed monster and a younger blond girl who reminds her a little of herself...
Genre: Fantasy Young Adult
Series: Percy Jackson/Kane Chronicles Cross-over #2
Nath: I'm a fan of both series, so I'll read this. Especially since the cross-over has been hinted more than once. I do wonder what it will lead to...
May 27
Skin Games by
Jim Butcher
published by New American Library (ROC)
Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, is about to have a very bad day….
Because as Winter Knight to the Queen of Air and Darkness, Harry never knows what the scheming Mab might want him to do. Usually, it’s something awful.
He doesn’t know the half of it….
Mab has just traded Harry’s skills to pay off one of her debts. And now he must help a group of supernatural villains—led by one of Harry’s most dreaded and despised enemies, Nicodemus Archleone—to break into the highest-security vault in town so that they can then access the highest-security vault in the Nevernever.
It’s a smash-and-grab job to recover the literal Holy Grail from the vaults of the greatest treasure hoard in the supernatural world—which belongs to the one and only Hades, Lord of the freaking Underworld and generally unpleasant character. Worse, Dresden suspects that there is another game afoot that no one is talking about. And he’s dead certain that Nicodemus has no intention of allowing any of his crew to survive the experience. Especially Harry.
Dresden’s always been tricky, but he’s going to have to up his backstabbing game to survive this mess—assuming his own allies don’t end up killing him before his enemies get the chance….
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: The Dresden Files, Book #15
Nath: FINALLY!!! It's been forever since the last book, Cold Days, was released! Can't wait to get my hands on Skin Game... and oh boy the blurb!! Talk about a surprising twist LOL. Harry working with Nicodemus?! How will that turn out?!
The Secret Life of Violet Grant by
Beatriz Williams
published by Putnam
Manhattan, 1964. Vivian Schuyler, newly graduated from Bryn Mawr College, has recently defied the privilege of her storied old Fifth Avenue family to do the unthinkable for a budding Kennedy-era socialite: break into the Mad Men world of razor-stylish Metropolitan magazine. But when she receives a bulky overseas parcel in the mail, the unexpected contents draw her inexorably back into her family’s past, and the hushed-over crime passionnel of an aunt she never knew, whose existence has been wiped from the record of history.
Berlin, 1914. Violet Schuyler Grant endures her marriage to the philandering and decades-older scientist Dr. Walter Grant for one reason: for all his faults, he provides the necessary support to her liminal position as a young American female physicist in prewar Germany. The arrival of Dr. Grant’s magnetic former student at the beginning of Europe’s fateful summer interrupts this delicate détente. Lionel Richardson, a captain in the British Army, challenges Violet to escape her husband’s perverse hold, and as the world edges into war and Lionel’s shocking true motives become evident, Violet is tempted to take the ultimate step to set herself free and seek a life of her own conviction with a man whose cause is as audacious as her own.
As the iridescent and fractured Vivian digs deeper into her aunt’s past and the mystery of her ultimate fate, Violet’s story of determination and desire unfolds, shedding light on the darkness of her years abroad . . . and teaching Vivian to reach forward with grace for the ambitious future––and the love––she wants most.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: n/a
Ames: I like Williams' writing and I'm super tempted by the time periods in this book. I've shied away from WWI settings in the past but I can thank Jojo Moyes for opening my eyes. And I like that the other time period is the 60s, not current day. This should make for a very interesting read.
The Once and Future Duchess by
Sophia Nash
published by Harpercollins Publisher (Avon)
A duchess in time saves a noble line...
In theory, the Duke of Candover is the most eligible peer in the realm. But in truth, he has a deep aversion to the merest hint of marriage, not to mention two botched engagements which have marked his jaded soul. Now, after a debauched bachelor party that causes public outcry, the Prince Regent is demanding that it's Candover's turn to be brought to heel. And Prinny secretly believes that Isabelle Tremont, the Duchess of March, is precisely the lady up to the challenge.
Isabelle must marry, but a day of reckoning with the man she's loved for years is her greatest fear. If Candover insists she's too young and innocent for a seasoned world-weary man like him, there's no shortage of other candidates. Gentlemen of prestige and position. Gentlemen whose attentions are driving Candover to jealous distraction. Yet one abandoned moment under the stars hints that if they can put aside pride and duty, then a love once denied might just be their destiny.
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Royal Entourage, Book #4
Nath: I haven't followed the series very closely, but this one is the one I think everyone has been waiting for. At least, I have, and that's enough to make me pick it up :)
Ames: This sounds like a May/December romance and I love that! If not, it still sounds cute. Especially him getting jealous. I like jealous heroes (in moderation).
Once Tasted by
Laura Moore
published by Random House Publishing (Ballantine Books)
Three siblings, an extraordinary family, a lasting heritage—in the irresistible Silver Creek Ranch trilogy, they’ll fight for the land and the people they love.
Everything has come easily to Reid Knowles, the middle son of a California ranching family. But his charmed life is suddenly complicated when his good friend and neighbor asks him to help run the winery next door. His neighbor’s niece, Mia Bodell, is in charge—and she has made it clear that she’d rather be roped to a steer than to Reid Knowles. Never one to back down from a challenge, Reid vows to win her trust.
Her life marked by loss, Mia knows that nothing comes easily—love included. In high school, her heart was crushed by Reid, and even though years have passed, the hurt lingers. Mia is achingly aware that the teen heartthrob has matured into a devastatingly handsome playboy, and the budding winemaker refuses to let down her guard. But one taste of unbridled passion changes things. From Reid’s first intoxicating kiss to his unexpectedly tender seduction, Mia is swept into a passionate affair that could tear her heart to pieces . . . or give her everything she has ever wanted.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Silver Creek, Book #2
Nath: I like Ms Moore's writing style. It's very quiet and soothing and makes for solid contemporary romance books :) Looking forward to Once Tasted :)
Unmasking Juliet by
Teri Wilson
published by Harlequin
Ever since she was a little girl learning to make decadent truffles in her family's chocolate shop, Juliet Arabella has been aware of the bitter feud between the Arabellas and the Mezzanottes. With their rival chocolate boutiques on the same street in Napa Valley, these families never mix. Until one night, when Juliet anonymously attends the annual masquerade ball. In a moonlit vineyard, she finds herself falling for a gorgeous stranger, a man who reminds her what passion is like outside of the kitchen. But her bliss is short-lived when she discovers her masked prince is actually Leo Mezzanotte, newly returned from Paris and the heir to her archenemy's confection dynasty.
With her mind in a whirl, Juliet leaves for Italy to represent the Arabellas in a prestigious chocolate competition. The prize money will help her family's struggling business, and Juliet figures it's a perfect opportunity to forget Leo…only to find him already there and gunning for victory. As they compete head-to-head, Leo and Juliet's fervent attraction boils over. But Juliet's not sure whether to trust her adversary, or give up on the sweetest love she's ever tasted..
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: n/a
Nath: If well-written and well-executed, this one could be really interesting! Let me know, Ames!
Ames: LMAO What do you mean let you know?! You brought this book to MY attention. hahaha But now that you have it does sound interesting and I would like to read it. So I guess I will let you know. :P
Nath: Ohhhh. Oups LOL. I guess it was part of my honorable mentions...
Played by
Liz Fichera
published by Harlequin (Harlequin Teen)
This Game Is Getting All Too Real
He said: I like to keep under the radar and mostly hang out with my friends from the rez. But when I saved Riley Berenger from falling off a mountain, that rich suburban princess decided to try to save me.
She said: If I can help Sam Tracy win the heart of the girl he can't get over, I'll pay him back for helping me. I promised him I would, no matter what it takes.
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Series: Hooked, Book #2
Ames: This one caught my eye because Sam is Native American. I tend to shy away from Native characters in romance (mostly because they're paranormal) but in a contemporary setting I want to see how it plays out. And I'm Native American. For those who didn't know. LOL
Tease by
Sophie Jordan
published by Harpercollins Publisher (William Morrow)
What happens when a girl who always calls the shots meets a guy who's too wild for even her?
A born flirt and good-time party girl, Emerson has never had a problem finding a willing guy. She's always chosen her hookups carefully, and she's never broken her three cardinal rules:
Never let them see the real you.
Never fall in love.
Always leave them begging for more.
Then Shaw comes along. A hottie from the wrong side of the tracks, he's immune to her flirtatious banter and come-hither smile. After rescuing her from a disastrous night at a biker bar, he doesn't even try to take her to bed—he calls her a tease and sends her home instead. Unable to resist a challenge, or forget the sexy, dark-eyed, bad-boy biker, she vows to bring him to his knees.
But instead of making Shaw beg, Emerson finds herself craving him. For the first time in her life, she's throwing out her rule book. Suddenly, she's the one panting for a guy she can't control—a guy who won't settle for anything less than the real Emerson and who forces her to do things she's never imagined, including facing a past she thought she'd buried.
A guy who just might leave her wanting more. . . .
Genre: New Adult
Series: The Ivy Chronicles, Book #2
Ames: I've heard positive things about the first book in this series and I do plan on reading it. So that's made me curious about book 2 and it does sound like something I'd like. Especially the bad boy biker. :P
Guy in Real Life by
Steve Brezenoff
published by Balzer + Bray
It is Labor Day weekend in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and boy and girl collide on a dark street at two thirty in the morning: Lesh, who wears black, listens to metal, and plays MMOs; Svetlana, who embroiders her skirts, listens to Björk and Berlioz, and dungeon masters her own RPG. They should pick themselves up, continue on their way, and never talk to each other again.
But they don't.
This is a story of two people who do not belong in each other's lives, who find each other at a time when they desperately need someone who doesn't belong in their lives. A story of those moments when we act like people we aren't in order to figure out who we are. A story of the roles we all play-at school, at home, with our friends, and without our friends-and the one person who might show us what lies underneath it all.
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Series: n/a
Ames: I've read that fans of Fangirl would like this one and it does indeed sound cute.
Stuff by
Josephine Myles
published by Samhain Publishing
When Mr. Glad Rags meets Mr. Riches, the result is flaming fun.
Tobias “Mas” Maslin doesn’t need much. A place of his own, weekends of clubbing, a rich boyfriend for love and support. Too bad his latest sugar daddy candidate turns out to be married with kids. Mas wants to be special, not someone’s dirty little secret.
When he loses his job and his flat on the same day, his worlds starts unraveling…until he stumbles across a vintage clothing shop. Now to convince the reclusive, eccentric owner he’s in dire need of a salesman.
Perry Cavendish-Fiennes set up Cabbages and Kinks solely to annoy his controlling father. Truth be told, he’d rather spend every spare moment on his true passion, art. When Mas comes flaming into his life talking nineteen to the dozen, he finds himself offering him a job and a place to live.
He should have listened to his instincts. The shop is already financially on the brink, and Mas’s flirting makes him feel things he’s never felt for a man. Yet Mas seems convinced they can make a go of it—in the shop, and together.
Genre: M/M Romance, Contemporary
Series: The Bristol Collection, Book #2
Ames: I really love Myles' writing and Stuff sounds like a good contemporary frolic I would really enjoy.
May 29
Guardian by
Alex London
published by Philomel
In the new world led by the Rebooters, former Proxy Syd is the figurehead of the Revolution, beloved by some and hated by others. Liam, a seventeen-year-old Rebooter, is Syd’s bodyguard and must protect him with his life. But armed Machinists aren’t the only danger.
People are falling ill—their veins show through their skin, they find it hard to speak, and sores erupt all over their bodies. Guardians, the violent enforcers of the old system, are hit first, and the government does nothing to help. The old elites fall next, and in the face of an indifferent government, Syd decides it’s up to him to find a cure . . . and what he discovers leaves him stunned.
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Series: Proxy, Book #2
Ames: I loved Proxy and have been eagerly awaiting this book for a while now. I can't wait!
The Immortal Crown by
Richelle Mead
published by Dutton
Gameboard of the Gods introduced religious investigator Justin March and Mae Koskinen, the beautiful supersoldier assigned to protect him. Together they have been charged with investigating reports of the supernatural and the return of the gods, both inside the Republic of United North America and out. With this highly classified knowledge comes a shocking revelation: Not only are the gods vying for human control, but the elect—special humans marked by the divine—are turning against one another in bloody fashion.
Their mission takes a new twist when they are assigned to a diplomatic delegation headed by Lucian Darling, Justin’s old friend and rival, going into Arcadia, the RUNA’s dangerous neighboring country. Here, in a society where women are commodities and religion is intertwined with government, Justin discovers powerful forces at work, even as he struggles to come to terms with his own reluctantly acquired deity.
Meanwhile, Mae—grudgingly posing as Justin’s concubine—has a secret mission of her own: finding the illegitimate niece her family smuggled away years ago. But with Justin and Mae resisting the resurgence of the gods in Arcadia, a reporter’s connection with someone close to Justin back home threatens to expose their mission—and with it the divine forces the government is determined to keep secret.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Age of X, Book #2
Ames: Richelle Mead is an auto-buy author for me and holy crap this book sounds good!
