After asking Ames and Rowena some suggestions, I decided to go with a classic - new releases! By the way, is it me or my list of auto-buys is getting shorter and shorter? Or perhaps the list of authors is as long, but they publish less? I look at my book journal and there seems to be less books that get me really excited? For example, this month, I only had 3 auto-buy books; all the rest were on the radar/maybe books... It's still going to be a long post though, so get ready :) Here are the books I'm looking forward to.
Auto-Buys
I've talked about these three books already in my Birthday Book Haul. The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan and The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson were both on my auto-buy list while I got Shuffle, Repeat by Jen Klein because I've been in the mood for YA and decided to treat myself ;)
The third auto-buy book is Gone with the Witch by Heather Blake and I'm actually reconsidering it because I'm 2 books behind on this series (not counting this new one) ^_^; While I really like Ms Blake's writing, none of her new series - A Wishcraft Mystery and A Magic Potion Mystery - has hooked me in like the Lucy Valentine series.Darcy and her dog Missy are determined to put their best foot forward at the Enchanted Village’s annual Pawsitively Enchanted pet contest. She’s happy to lend a hand when the show’s organizer hires Darcy to keep an eye on things among growing suspicions that someone is sabotaging the event. But Darcy’s quest for justice is thrown off the scent when her lead suspect is found dead at the competition.May 3.
As if a murder weren’t bad enough, someone begins snatching up prize-winning pets right from under their owners’ noses. Darcy is determined to protect the pampered participants at whatever cost. But she’ll have to work fast to sniff out the thief before she becomes the next victim of a killer determined to stop her dead in her tracks...
Maybes
For the past few years, I haven't been in the mood for historical romance... Perhaps I read too many in a too short amount of time. Anyway, my reading of this genre has been restricted to a short list of my favorite authors and among them,Mary Balogh. Except, this is another series that haven't done much for me... If I pick up this book, it'll be for the hero and if I don't pick up this book, it'll also be because of the hero ^_^; I just can't decide if I'm interested in reading Only Beloved given that George is starting over romance-wise at his age.For the first time since the death of his wife, the Duke of Stanbrook is considering remarrying and finally embracing happiness for himself. With that thought comes the treasured image of a woman he met briefly a year ago and never saw again.May 3.
Dora Debbins relinquished all hope to marry when a family scandal left her in charge of her younger sister. Earning a modest living as a music teacher, she’s left with only an unfulfilled dream. Then one afternoon, an unexpected visitor makes it come true.
For both George and Dora that brief first encounter was as fleeting as it was unforgettable. Now is the time for a second chance. And while even true love comes with a risk, who are two dreamers to argue with destiny?
Like many others, Linda Howard used to be on my auto-buy list. I didn't read her last couple of books, but I'm really considering getting Troublemaker because a) this is her come-back book and therefore, it deserves a chance and b) the reviews so far have been quite positive.For Morgan Yancy, an operative and team leader in a paramilitary group, nothing comes before his job. But when he’s ambushed and almost killed, his supervisor is determined to find out who’s after the members of his elite squad—and why. Due to worries that this unknown enemy will strike again, Morgan is sent to a remote location and told to lay low and stay vigilant. But between a tempting housemate he’s determined to protect and a deadly threat waiting in the shadows, keeping under the radar is proving to be his most dangerous mission yet.May 10.
The part-time police chief of a small West Virginian mountain town, Isabeau “Bo” Maran finally has her life figured out. She’s got friends, a dog, and a little money in the bank. Then Morgan Yancy shows up on her doorstep. Bo doesn’t need a mysterious man in her life—especially a troublemaker as enticing and secretive as Morgan.
The harder they fight the intense heat between them, the closer Morgan and Bo become, even though she knows he’s hiding from something. But discovering the truth could cost Bo more than she’s willing to give. And when Morgan’s cover is blown, it might just cost her life.
Deep Dark by Laura Griffin is the latest installment in her Tracer series, which I've read on and off. I like that most of the characters work in law enforcement... but I can't help but compare Ms Griffin's books to Karen Rose's and well, we know who wins that battle ^_^;The moment detective Reed Novak steps onto the crime scene, he knows the case is going to rock his world. A beautiful young woman murdered at home. No sign of forced entry. No motive. She’s obviously not the killer’s first victim, and Reed’s instincts tell him she won’t be his last. Reed’s first clue comes via a mysterious text that links to a dating profile, but even more intriguing than the clue is the person who sent it.May 24.
As a white-hat hacker in the Delphi Center’s cyber investigation unit, Laney Knox sneaks into some of the deepest, darkest corners of the Internet looking for predators. Laney would prefer to stay away from Austin PD’s most recent murder case, but she can’t ignore the chilling similarities between that crime and her own brutal attack years ago. Laney offers to help the sexy lead detective, but he wants more from her than just a promising tip—Reed wants her trust. Laney resists, but as their relationship deepens she’s tempted to reveal the closely guarded secrets that could make her a key witness…or the killer’s next victim.
Love doesn’t always follow the same schedule...May 3.
Alex Walker doesn’t need a woman in his life. In fact, he doesn’t have time for one. Between his career in the FBI and the demands of being good father, romance is an unwanted distraction.
Likewise, Cassidy Mullen is fine on her own. The independent career woman has never had a husband in her plans—forget about kids. But when her friend Alex gets into a bind with his ex over their daughter, Cass finds herself suddenly playing the part of Alex’s stable, child-loving fiancée—and liking it a lot more than she’d care to admit.
Soon Alex and Cass can’t deny the real passion growing between them. But as fake affection turns into real love, Cass and Alex will have to make a choice: say “I Do” to their feelings or give up on happily-ever-after for good...
It's not a secret that I have a weakness for characters with disabilities. While looking for YA books, I came across Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers in which the heroine is deaf and the hero is a rock star. Yep, that was enough to deserve a second glance ;)
His world is music. Her world is silent.May 3.
Ali Collins was a child prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the twenty-first century—until she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor. Now, at seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with American Sign Language and lip-reading. She’s a constant disappointment to her father, a retired cop fighting his own demons, and the bruises are getting harder to hide.
When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she’s swept back into the world of music. Jace Beckett, the nineteen-year-old lead singer of the band, has a reputation. He’s a jerk and a player, and Ali wants nothing to do with him. But there’s more to Jace than the tabloids let on. When Jace notices Ali’s bruises and offers to help her escape to New York, Ali can’t turn down the chance at freedom and a fresh start. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nationwide tour. With the help of Jace, Ali sets out to reboot her life and rediscover the music she once loved.
On the Radar
May 3
May 10
May 31
I've read Chanel Cleeton before and while the books didn't wow me, they were enjoyable. My only hesitation about Fly with Me is that the hero is in the military... Yep, I still have the military/army reading block. Sigh.
Summer of Sloane and Girl Against the World are on my radar because they're YAs.
For some reasons, Elizabeth Hoyt's books are always on my radar even though I haven't read any in ages and I actually don't enjoy her writing as much as everyone. I think it's the hope that maybe, this is the book that will change my mind ^_^;
Julie Anne Long is another author that everyone loves and I'm lukewarm to... However, I'm curious about Hot in Hellcat Canyon since it's Ms Long's foray into contemporary romance.
I enjoyed Sarah Morgan's writing, but I don't feel a loyalty for her. Didn't her last couple of releases... but Sleepless in Manhattan has such a cute cover LOL.
I've read Slow and Steady Rush by Laura Trentham and it was okay... Didn't have the urge to pick her again. However, this is a new series, so who knows?
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Told you the list was long LOL. I like to be aware of what's coming out and new authors and so on, that's why my lists are always long... but how many of these will I actually read? Who knows...
