We have thirteen – yes, thirteen! – new releases that we’re really excited about. Careful with that TBR pile!
-
Falling Under
Author: Lauren Dane
Released: August 4, 2015 by Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica/Erotic Romance, Romance
Series: Ink & Chrome #2New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lauren Dane delivers the second book in her dark, gritty and romantic Ink & Chrome series
Duke Bradshaw, co-owner of the custom motorcycle shop Twisted Steel, is great with his hands and not afraid to get dirty . . . especially in his fantasies about his redheaded neighbor Carmella Rossi.
Carmella has been secretly lusting after her hot, tattooed neighbor for the last three years. His gravelly voice combined with the throaty purr of his custom bike never fails to send thrills down her spine. When Duke asks her to join him at the shop, she can’t say no. Soon their days together spill over into nights that bring her pleasure beyond anything she imagined. But Carmella grew up with bikers, and knows how bad a bad boy can be. Can she put herself at risk for someone who has heart-breaker written all over him?
Elyse says: I loved the first book in this series and can’t wait for the second.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
The Great Estate
Author: Sherri Browning
Released: August 4, 2015 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: Thornbrook Park #3If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey, don’t miss the fascinating Edwardian world of Thornbrook Park.
Pulled apart by past mistakes…
Sophia Thorne was young and inexperienced when she married the dashing Earl of Averford . . . and through dark and troubled times, their relationship nearly came to an end. Now she’s determined to transform herself into the fiery, ardent lover she always wanted to be, giving them a second chance at love . . . before they’re lost to each other forever.
Driven by a passion neither could deny…
It took nearly losing Sophia for Gabriel to realize he had allowed his love for his great estate to distract him from his beautiful wife. But that time is over. Despite all the obstacles standing in their way, Gabriel vows to teach Sophia what it is to truly love . . . and to be loved by a husband devoted heart and soul to her every desire.
Sarah says: Historical set in the 20s with a hero and heroine who are already married. I’m a little hesitant because the cover copy hints at a little angsty-purple, but I am very curious about the idea of a romance that repairs a marriage when the society around them is disintigrating.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal
Author: Kelly Bowen
Released: August 4, 2015 by Forever Yours
Genre: Historical: European, Novella, Romance
Series: The Lords of Worth #2.5Lady Viola Hextall is bored—of the ocean, her chaperones, and the woeful lack of available dukes on the ocean voyage from London to New York. Scrambling for any diversion short of jumping overboard, Viola strikes up a conversation with the ship’s rough-hewn, blue-eyed surgeon—and discovers an immediate cure for what ails her…
To Nathaniel Shaw, Viola has the bearing of a lady and the spirit of an adventurer—an unlikely combination that he finds utterly irresistible. So he’s hoping to convince Viola to leave the stifling ballrooms of London high society behind because there is a big, wide world just waiting for them to explore—together.
Sarah says: I am really curious about all of the historicals in this series, and figure a short story is a good place to start.
Note: This book is currently on sale for 99c!
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
Two Across
Author: Jeffrey Bartsch
Released: August 4, 2015 by Grand Central Publishing
Genre: New Adult, RomanceTWO ACROSS is a funny and poignant debut novel about trust, forgiveness, and the wisdom of listening to your heart.
Stanley and Vera, academically precocious but awkward teenagers, form a bond when they tie for first place in the National Spelling Bee. Though their mothers have big plans for them-Stanley will become a senator, Vera a mathematics professor-neither wants to follow these pre-determined paths. So Stanley hatches a plan to marry Vera in a sham wedding for the financial freedom to pursue his one true love: crossword puzzle construction. In enlisting Vera to marry him, he neglects one variable: she’s secretly in love with him, a fact that dooms his plan to disaster. Once he’s lost her, Stanley tries to atone for his mistakes and win her back using coded messages in crossword puzzles-but can he find her again before it’s too late?
Sarah says: Everything is coming out on August 4th. What the heck? This is about two kids who meet during the National Spelling Bee, and who as adults try to repair their relationship. Well, the dude does. Cautiously optimistic about this one.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
The Veil
Author: Chloe Neill
Released: August 4, 2015 by NAL
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Devil's Isle #1Seven years ago, the Veil that separates humanity from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Now, those with paranormal powers have been confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil’s Isle.
Claire Connolly is a good girl with a dangerous secret: she’s a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil. Claire knows that revealing her skills would mean being confined to Devil’s Isle. Unfortunately, hiding her power has left her untrained and unfocused.
Liam Quinn knows from experience that magic makes monsters of the weak, and he has no time for a Sensitive with no control of her own strength. But when he sees Claire using her powers to save a human under attack—in full view of the French Quarter—Liam decides to bring her to Devil’s Isle and the teacher she needs, even though getting her out of his way isn’t the same as keeping her out of his head.
But when the Veil threatens to shatter completely, Claire and Liam must work together to stop it, or else New Orleans will burn…
Amanda says: I heard the author speak about this on a paranormal genre panel at RT15 and I was instantly on board.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
The Blue
Author: Lucy Clarke
Released: August 11, 2015 by Touchstone
Genre: Mystery/ThrillerIn the tradition of Alex Garland’s The Beach, a spine-tingling adventure novel about a group of friends whose journey around the world on a yacht turns from a trip to paradise into a chilling nightmare when one of them disappears at sea.
A group of friends.
A yacht.
And a disappearance-at-sea that turns paradise into a chilling nightmare.Lana and her best friend Kitty leave home looking for freedom—and that’s exactly what they find when they are invited onto The Blue, a fifty-foot yacht making its way from the Philippines to New Zealand. The crew is made up of a group of young travellers bitten by wanderlust, and it doesn’t take long for Lana and Kitty’s dream of sea-bound romance to turn into reality.
Both women fall under the hypnotic spell of The Blue, spending their days exploring remote islands and their rum-filled nights relaxing on deck beneath the stars. But when one of their friends disappears overboard after an argument with another crewmember, the dark secrets that brought each of them aboard start to unravel.
At turns gorgeously scenic and entirely haunting, The Blue is a page-turning thriller about friendship, freedom and wanting to leave the past behind.
Elyse says: A thriller about two young women who join a group of vagabonds on a yacht? Yes please!
Note: This book is on sale for 99c!
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
Brown-Eyed Girl
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Released: August 11, 2015 by St. Martin's Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Travis Family #4Wedding planner Avery Crosslin may be a rising star in Houston society, but she doesn’t believe in love–at least not for herself. When she meets wealthy bachelor Joe Travis and mistakes him for a wedding photographer, she has no intention of letting him sweep her off her feet. But Joe is a man who goes after what he wants, and Avery can’t resist the temptation of a sexy southern charmer and a hot summer evening.
After a one night stand, however, Avery is determined to keep it from happening again. A man like Joe can only mean trouble for a woman like her, and she can’t afford distractions. She’s been hired to plan the wedding of the year–a make-or-break event.
But complications start piling up fast, putting the wedding in jeopardy, especially when shocking secrets of the bride come to light. And as Joe makes it clear that he’s not going to give up easily, Avery is forced to confront the insecurities and beliefs that stem from a past she would do anything to forget.
The situation reaches a breaking point, and Avery faces the toughest choice of her life. Only by putting her career on the line and risking everything–including her well-guarded heart–will she find out what matters most.
Amanda says: I will read anything by Lisa Kleypas. PUT IT IN MY EYEBALLS ALREADY.
Sarah says: It says “Lisa” followed by the word “Kleypas.” I’m in.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
Make Me
Author: Tessa Bailey
Released: August 11, 2015 by Avon Impulse
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Romance
Series: Broke & Beautiful #3Construction worker Russell Hart has been head-over-work boots for Abby Sullivan since the moment he laid eyes on her. But he knows a classy, uptown virgin like her could never be truly happy with a rough, blue-collar guy like him. If only she’d stop treating him like her personal hero—a role he craves more than oxygen—maybe he could accept it.
With the future of her family’s hedge fund on her shoulders, Abby barely has time to sleep, let alone find love. And her best friend Russell acting like a sexy, overprotective hulk any time their Super Group goes out in public definitely isn’t helping her single status. But after a near-tragedy lands Russell in her bed for the night, Abby’s suddenly fantasizing about what he looks like shirtless. Chest hair and tattoos—who knew?
As Russell struggles to keep Abby at a safe distance, she begins to see through his tough-talking exterior—and acknowledge her own feelings. Now she’s ready to turn the friend-zone into foreplay…and make him lose control.
Amanda says: Type-A, somewhat virginal heroine who lapses into Italian when she swears and a blue-collar construction worker hero who doesn’t think he’s good enough for her and her fancy pantsuits. THIS IS MY CATNIP.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
Scandal Never Sleeps
Author: Shayla Black
Released: August 18, 2015 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica/Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Romance
Series: The Perfect Gentlemen #1They are the Perfect Gentlemen of Creighton Academy: privileged, wealthy, powerful friends with a wild side. But a deadly scandal is about to tear down their seemingly ideal lives . . .
Maddox Crawford’s sudden death sends Gabriel Bond reeling. Not only is he burying his best friend, he’s cleaning up Mad’s messes, including his troubled company. Grieving and restless, Gabe escapes his worries in the arms of a beautiful stranger. But his mind-blowing one-night stand is about to come back to haunt him . . .
Mad groomed Everly Parker to be a rising star in the executive world. Now that he’s gone, she’s sure her job will be the next thing she mourns, especially after she ends up accidentally sleeping with her new boss. If only their night together hadn’t been so incendiary—or Gabe like a fantasy come true . . .
As Gabe and Everly struggle to control the heated tension between them, they discover evidence that Mad’s death was no accident. Now they must bank their smoldering passions to hunt down a murderer—because Mad had secrets that someone was willing to kill for, and Gabe or Everly could be the next target . . .
Amanda says: This seems to be a blend of erotica and suspense, which I happen to love. Plus there’s the one-night stand trope between the heroine and her soon-to-be boss. I love a good “surprise boss” plot.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)
Author: Felicia Day
Released: August 11, 2015 by Touchstone
Genre: Memoir, NonfictionFrom online entertainment mogul, actress, and “queen of the geeks” Felicia Day, a funny, quirky, and inspiring memoir about her unusual upbringing, her rise to Internet-stardom, and embracing her individuality to find success in Hollywood.
The Internet isn’t all cat videos. There’s also Felicia Day—violinist, filmmaker, Internet entrepreneur, compulsive gamer, hoagie specialist, and former lonely homeschooled girl who overcame her isolated childhood to become the ruler of a new world…or at least semi-influential in the world of Internet Geeks and Goodreads book clubs.
After growing up in the south where she was “homeschooled for hippie reasons”, Felicia moved to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and was immediately typecast as a crazy cat-lady secretary. But Felicia’s misadventures in Hollywood led her to produce her own web series, own her own production company, and become an Internet star.
Felicia’s short-ish life and her rags-to-riches rise to Internet fame launched her career as one of the most influential creators in new media. Now, Felicia’s strange world is filled with thoughts on creativity, video games, and a dash of mild feminist activism—just like her memoir.
Hilarious and inspirational, You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) is proof that everyone should embrace what makes them different and be brave enough to share it with the world, because anything is possible now—even for a digital misfit.
Carrie says: Felicia FTW!
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
Don’t Get Me Wrong
Author: Marianne Kavanagh
Released: August 25, 2015 by Atria
Genre: Romance, Women's FictionFor fans of Jojo Moyes, David Nicholls, and Sophie Kinsella, here is a Pride and Prejudice for the modern era: Londoners Kim and Harry can’t see eye to eye…until the life of the person they both love most hangs in the balance.
Kim and Harry are total opposites who happen to have the same favorite people in the world: Kim’s older sister, Eva, and her young son, Otis. Kim has never seen what her free-spirited big sister sees in a stuck-up banker like Harry and has spent her childhood trying to keep him out (must he always drive the most ostentatious cars and insist on charming everyone he meets?), while Harry’s favorite occupation is provoking Kim.
Both Harry and Kim are too stuck in their prejudices to care about what’s really going on beneath the surface of each other’s lives. They’ll never understand each other—until the worst of all tragedy strikes. Faced with the possibilities of losing the person they both love most, long-buried secrets come to a head in ways that will change both Harry and Kim forever.
Amanda says: Described as a modern Pride & Prejudice, and well that’s just simply not fair to say that and expect me NOT to read it.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
Heat Exchange
Author: Shannon Stacey
Released: August 25, 2015 by Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Boston Fire #1Lydia Kincaid’s shipping back to Boston, but she’s not happy about it. She left to get away from the firefighting community—her father was a firefighter, her brother’s a firefighter and, more important, her ex is a firefighter. But family is number one, and her father needs her help running the pub he bought when he retired. Soon, Lydia finds it hard to resist the familiar comfort and routine, and even harder to resist her brother’s handsome friend Aidan.
Aidan Hunt is a firefighter because of the Kincaid family. He’s had the hots for Lydia for years, but if ever a woman was off-limits to him, it’s her. Aside from being his mentor’s daughter, she’s his best friend’s sister. The ex-wife of a fellow firefighter. But his plan to play it cool until she leaves town again fails, and soon he and Lydia have crossed a line they can’t uncross.
As Aidan and Lydia’s flirtation turns into something more serious, Lydia knows she should be planning her escape. Being a firefighter’s wife was the hardest thing she’s ever done, and she doesn’t know if she has the strength to do it again. Aidan can’t imagine walking away from Boston Fire—even for Lydia. The job and the brotherhood are his life; but if he wants Lydia in it, he’ll have to decide who’s first in his heart.
Sarah says: Stacey has a new series set in a Boston firehouse and I’m very much looking forward to this one. The football series, alas, was not my thing.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks! -
When a Scot Ties the Knot
Author: Tessa Dare
Released: August 25, 2015 by Avon
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: Castles Ever After #3On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shyly pretty and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she invented a sweetheart.
A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter … and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely.
Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh. The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep—handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He’s wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters… and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.
Elyse says: Everything Dare writes is rainbows and unicorns. And we talk about the Sam Heughan look a like on the cover please?
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!
There are so many great reads coming out this month!! Super excited.
Looking forward to Augusts releases!
Not a romance, but The Dark Forest, the sequel to The Three-Body Problem, comes out in English on August 11! That’s probably my most anticipated book of the month, since I madly adored TBP. When a Scot Ties the Knot is the runner up, though. The first two Castles Ever After books were both really fun, and I see no reason for this to be any different. Tessa Dare is a fantastic writer, and the premise sounds delightful. Who doesn’t love a good boyfriend who lives in
CanadaScotland?Also releasing:
Magic Shifts: Ilona Andrews
Malice at the Palace: Rhys Bowen
Lure of the Moonflower: Lauren Willig (We finally get Jane’s story!)
Indexing 2: Seanan McGuire in serial form (Indexing was my favorite book last year!)
The sinopsis of lisa kleypas’s book is wrong. It was published in Spain a couple of months ago and the content is not what you say here. You should verify it. BTW I didn’t like it, it was just OK, like a harlequin and not what you expect from a Kleypas’ novel.
@Bona: The synopsis we put in for books is usually the one the publisher uploads to Amazon and Goodreads. However, it looks like the copy has changed since we put the book in the database on our site! Interesting to see that Avery was originally envisioned as a fashion designer instead of a wedding planner!
Any time I see the words “a modern Pride and Prejudice” (or any comparison to P&P, really) connected with a book, I just know to skip it because it will let me down. Nothing is as good as P&P. Kiss the Earl used the opposite approach (“a modern girl’s guide to seducing Mr. Darcy!”) and time travel. It is cute enough, but slow going and the hero is almost nothing like Darcy.
I wish my Kindle would make that little “you’ve got mail” ding so I could drop everything when “Falling Under” downloads. So excited for it.
After that I’m tapping my foot for the end of the month when Elizabeth Lowell’s latest, “Perfect Touch”, releases. Ah, the classics.
Where’s the love for Magic Shifts!!
@Alia: Thanks for the heads up about The Dark Forest! Just put in a library request for it.
I third the Magic Shifts comments! New Kate Daniels day is like a holiday for me, I can’t wait. August 4th!
Two instant top o‘ the TBR list there:
The Kelly Bowen series…Didn’t realize there was a 2.5 coming out. More chickens please! 😉
Lisa Kleypas. BEEN waiting forevah for Joe’s story!
Just sitting here patiently waiting on that Tessa Dare. That I then probably won’t read for a month and half because it looks an awful lot like what I will read while driving from Florida to Massachusetts in October.
I feel like I should clarify that there will be other drivers. I will in no way have nose in book while actively driving on interstate highways.
I have audiobooks for that part.
Tuesday Kate Daniels!! Nothing else matters….
Two Across sounded really cute so I checked out the reviews on GR and…hmmm, I’m grateful someone posted spoilers because it seems to be totally Sparkesque.
I really like the sound of Two Across-I will be checking that one out!
When A Scot Ties The Knot sounds great-it reminds me of the 1930 film, The Flirting Widow. Same kind of thing, a woman invents a suitor, and kills him off-only to have him turn up in the very dashing form of Basil Rathbone. This was the movie where I realized that Rathbone was incredibly sexy!
Seriously leaving out Kate and Curran???
Fifths the Kate Daniels! Oh, if only I was still young enough to stay up late reading and be able to perform at work the next day . . . .
@Mara: Snubbing Kate & Curran wasn’t intentional, but when we do these new release posts, we limit the books to ones that we’re excited for, rather than just providing a general list of releases. But that’s also part of the fun of the post! We get to hear what the rest of the Bitchery is looking forward to as well!
Interesting to see that Avery was originally envisioned as a fashion designer instead of a wedding planner!
I swear I read a snippet on LK’s website with Avery as a fashion designer. LOL
Weird – the veil is coming out in April 2016 in the UK!!!!
The Felicia day book sounds fun buts it’s £10.99 and I’m not paying that much for any book – might see if the library will get it in.
The Kleypas book features a former fashion designer turned wedding/party planning business co-owner. Has the blurb on this site changed? The one that is here now is spot on. I liked the book but didn’t love it. A so-so LK novel is still better than many author’s best work , imho.
@Jill: If you were curious, this was the synopsis we had before I updated it this morning:
Avery Crosslin is a talented young fashion designer with a bright future ahead of her. But when the company goes into liquidation, Avery finds herself without a job and a boyfriend who decides to leave her.
When her father falls ill, Avery is by his side day and night. But one evening she notices a young man, Joe, in distress and offers to help. Their instant attraction to one another is magnetic but even though she is unexpectedly charmed by the good-looking stranger, Avery tells him that she has to leave. He asks for her name and number, but she lies and tells him she has a boyfriend. At this point in Avery’s life, the last thing she wants or needs is more complications.
The next day, as Avery returns to the hospital to thank the nurses for taking such good care of her father at the end of his life, one of them gives her an envelope from Joe. It is addressed to “Brown-Eyed Girl.”
Avery knows she wants to see Joe again but she faces a dilemma. When she learns that Joe is the man responsible for her father’s death she is troubled.
Is there any hope of a future for them both?
Heidi Cullinan’s Lonely Hearts is August 11th! I can’t be the only one climbing the walls while waiting for this release, right?
Am very excited for the Tessa Dare book and will probably buy it when it comes out. I’ll read the Lisa Kleypas book eventually too, but it’s rather expensive…
Yep, another person impatiently tapping her foot for when Magic Shifts drops on Tuesday. I’m seriously considering a sick day.
@CK:
I just had a peek and… DAMMIT. Thank you for the heads up!
Another Ilona Andrews fangirl here. I can’t wait for Tuesday! I don’t even care that the Kindle preorder price was $12.99. They’ve totally earned it.
They have. I poked my head in to say ‘But… two days until Kate and Curran?’ and realized that everybody else had beaten me to it.
Yet another person expecting Magic Shifts was going to be listed even though its not listed a romance. This is the 4th or 5th month in a row that the Hide Your Wallet entry doesn’t even tempt my wallet.
Heather
@Heather: Our Hide Your Wallet tends to be based on our individual reading tastes, and while I love urban fantasy, I stopped reading the Kate Daniels series around book four. Which is why we have the Bitchery to talk about what they’re excited about too! We’re all so diverse in what we read that what’s on my radar might not be on yours and vice versa, and we can discover some awesome new books/authors that way.
I think for August I’m most excited about the Kristan Higgins book, last Pink Carnation book, and the Tessa Dare book. Don’t Get Me Wrong sounds interesting, but the date says July not August.
@Jennifer: Fixed! Thanks for the catch, Jennifer!
Harper Fox has a new Tyack and Frayne that was lovely!
[…] releases: Fiction Vixen (romance), Smart Bitches (romance), Tor.com (PNR, genre benders, UF, fantasy, scifi), and Dear Author […]