BIG WARNING: You need to put your wallet, your credit cards, even your spare change, in a safe to which you do not know the combination to.
It’s a steep month, ya’ll!
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The Look of Love
Author: Crystal Bright
Released: June 23, 2015 by Lyrical Shine
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Mama's Boys #1You can’t fight love…
There’s only one thing MMA fighter Gunnar Wells is more devoted to than his career, and that’s his mother, “Queen” Elizabeth. An elegant African American woman who adopted Gunnar and his two white brothers, Elizabeth was there when they needed her, and they’ll do anything for her. For Gunnar, that means running her hair salon when she suddenly falls ill. And if that’s not awkward enough for the champion fighter, he’ll have to work alongside Eboni Danielson, the other love of his life. The one he left behind to pursue his dream. The one he’s never forgotten…
Between the salon and her volunteer work, Eboni keeps busy to keep her mind off the man who broke her heart. So when Gunnar shows up again, she does her best to stay cool—on the outside. But the more she watches Gunnar step up and help out, the less she can deny her feelings. Soon Gunnar is doing everything he can to convince Eboni to give him a fighting chance. Can she trust him again—even when old secrets and new dangers come between them once more?
Sarah says: Technically June but in publishing land, where dates are weird, I can pretend (barely) that it’s July. This is about a white MMA champion fighter who agrees to run his adoptive black mother’s hair salon in Virginia. It’s a second chance at love story, too.
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Wolf with Benefits
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Released: June 30, 2015 by Kensington
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Series: Pride #8There’s nothing like a good-ol’-boy wolf. And ace security expert Ricky Lee Reed serves, protects and seduces with all the right moves…
Sure, Toni Jean-Louis Parker has to be the responsible oldest sister to a crazy-brilliant clan of jackal siblings. But now she’s cutting loose for some hot, sweaty, no-commitments fun—and the sexy, slow-talking, swift-moving predator assigned to keep her family safe is just the right thing to shapeshift her love life into overdrive. Trouble is, he’s starting to get all obsessive wolf on her every time he looks in her direction…
Getting serious about anyone isn’t in Ricky Lee Reed’s plans. Hell, even now he doesn’t really have a plan—outside of catching whoever is threatening this dangerously brilliant family. But the more he sees of Toni, the more he’s howling for her. And whatever it takes to convince her that what they have is everything, well, this wily wolf is down for the sizzling chase…
Note: This is technically a reprint.
Sarah says: The terms “crazy brilliant” and “dangerously brilliant” are used to describe the heroine and her family. With Laurenston writing, that promises to be hilarious. I’m on board already.
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Lady Maybe
Author: Julie Klassen
Released: July 7, 2015 by Berkley
Genre: Inspirational, Regency, RomanceIn the new novel by the three-time Christy Award-winning author of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, a woman’s startling secrets lead her into unexpected danger and romance in Regency England…
One final cry…“God almighty, help us!” and suddenly her world shifted violently, until a blinding collision scattered her mind and shook her bones. Then, the pain. The freezing water. And as all sensation drifted away, a hand reached for hers, before all faded into darkness…
Now she has awakened as though from some strange, suffocating dream in a warm and welcoming room she has never seen before, and tended to by kind, unfamiliar faces. But not all has been swept away. She recalls fragments of the accident. She remembers a baby. And a ring on her finger reminds her of a lie.
But most of all, there is a secret. And in this house of strangers she can trust no one but herself to keep it.
Sarah says: Historical mystery with heroine who has amnesia. I am intrigued!
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A Million Miles Away
Author: Lara Avery
Released: July 7, 2015 by Poppy
Genre: Teen Fiction, Young AdultWhen high school senior Kelsey’s identical twin sister, Michelle, dies in a car crash, Kelsey is left without her other half. The only person who doesn’t know about the tragedy is Michelle’s boyfriend, Peter, recently deployed to Afghanistan. But when Kelsey finally connects with Peter online, she can’t bear to tell him the truth. Active duty has taken its toll, and Peter, thinking that Kelsey is Michelle, says that seeing her is the one thing keeping him alive. Caught up in the moment, Kelsey has no choice: She lets Peter believe that she is her sister.
As Kelsey keeps up the act, she crosses the line from pretend to real. Soon, Kelsey can’t deny that she’s falling, hard, for the one boy she shouldn’t want.
Amanda says: Did you read the description? DID YOU?! I already have so many feels and I haven’t even read it yet.
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Prince’s Gambit
Author: C.S. Pacat
Released: July 7, 2015 by Berkley
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance
Series: Captive Prince #2The second novel in the critically acclaimed trilogy from global phenomenon C. S. Pacat—with an all-new chapter exclusive to the print edition.
With their countries on the brink of war, Damen and his new master, Prince Laurent, must exchange the intrigues of the palace for the sweeping might of the battlefield as they travel to the border to avert a lethal plot.
Forced to hide his identity, Damen finds himself increasingly drawn to the dangerous, charismatic Laurent. But as the fledgling trust between the two men deepens, the truth of secrets from both their pasts is poised to deal them the crowning death blow…
Includes a bonus chapter (print edition only)!
Elyse says: I really enjoyed the first book in this crack-tastic m/m fantasy series
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Finding Master Right
Author: Sparrow Beckett
Released: July 21, 2015 by InterMix
Genre: Erotica/Erotic Romance, Romance
Series: Masters Unleashed #1Kate’s fantasies have always featured sexy, dominant, crop-wielding men, but finding one in real life was easier said than done. She’s used to getting what she wants, but the creeps that keep flirting with her aren’t her kink.
Enter Banner. His intensity scares her—he’s looking for a slave, and Kate doesn’t want to be one. But when he offers to help find the perfect Dom for her, she’s glad to have a matchmaker and protector.
Banner knows he and Kate aren’t sexually compatible, so what better way to get the tasty almost-vanilla girl out of his head than finding her a good Dom? As it becomes clear that Kate has no clue what she wants when it comes to kink, he devises a series of experiments to help her figure things out—a perfect plan, if he could stop himself from training and bedding her. Obsessing about owning a girl who wants to be free isn’t healthy. But when Banner finds the right Dom to collar Kate, how will he hand over the leash?
Amanda says: I’m constantly on the search for new (and potentially good) BDSM erotica.
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The Bourbon Kings
Author: J.R. Ward
Released: July 28, 2015 by NAL
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: The Bourbon Kings #1For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.
For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.
As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.
Elyse says: I think Amanda squeed the loudest when we got an ARC of this book but I might have been second.
Amanda says: Yep, I nearly cried when we got this ARC.
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The Dinosaur Lords
Author: Victor Milan
Released: July 28, 2015 by Tor Books
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: The Dinosaur Lords #1A world made by the Eight Creators on which to play out their games of passion and power, Paradise is a sprawling, diverse, often brutal place. Men and women live on Paradise as do dogs, cats, ferrets, goats, and horses. But dinosaurs predominate: wildlife, monsters, beasts of burden – and of war. Colossal planteaters like Brachiosaurus; terrifying meateaters like Allosaurus and the most feared of all, Tyrannosaurus rex. Giant lizards swim warm seas. Birds (some with teeth) share the sky with flying reptiles that range in size from batsized insectivores to majestic and deadly Dragons.
Thus we are plunged into Victor Milán’s splendidly weird world of The Dinosaur Lords, a place that for all purposes mirrors 14th century Europe with its dynastic rivalries, religious wars, and byzantine politics…and the weapons of choice are dinosaurs. Where we have vast armies of dinosaur-mounted knights engaged in battle. And during the course of one of these epic battles, the enigmatic mercenary Dinosaur Lord Karyl Bogomirsky is defeated through betrayal and left for dead. He wakes, naked, wounded, partially amnesiac – and hunted. And embarks upon a journey that will shake his world.
Carrie says: Elyse pointed me at this thing and I squeed so loud. It involves medival battles on dinosaurs. Why? BECAUSE THEY CAN. I expect insanity.
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Dragon Fall
Author: Katie MacAlister
Released: July 28, 2015 by Forever
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Series: Black Dragons #1YOU FLIRT WITH FIRE…
For Aoife Dakar, seeing is believing-and she’s seen some extraordinary things. It’s too bad no one else believes that she witnessed a supernatural murder at an outdoor fair. Returning to the scene for proof, Aoife encounters a wise-cracking demon dog-and a gloriously naked man who can shift into a dragon and kiss like a god. Now thrust into a fantastical world that’s both exhilarating and terrifying, Aoife is about to learn just how hot a dragon’s fire burns.
WHEN YOU DATE A DRAGON
Kostya has no time for a human woman with endless questions, no matter how gorgeous or tempting she is. He must break the curse that has splintered the dragon clans before more of his kind die. But his powerful attraction to Aoife runs much deeper than the physical-and there may be more to her than even his sharp dragon eyes can see. To survive the coming battle for the fate of his race, he needs a mate of true heart and soul . . .
Elyse says: DRAGON SHIFTER
Sarah says: DRAGONS DRAGONS DRAGONS.
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Frisk Me
Author: Lauren Layne
Released: July 28, 2015 by Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: New York's Finest #1Officer Luc Moretti had no idea that his dive into the East River would have him drowning in a media frenzy. No matter how many times he tells reporters he was just doing his job, they’re determined to make him into NYC’s newest hero. Coming from a long line of NYPD’s finest, Luc knows that being a cop has nothing to do with headlines and viral videos, and he’s more than ready to get back to life away from the cameras-until he meets the gorgeous but jaded journalist assigned to film a TV special on him . . .
Ava Sims may be the only woman in NYC who isn’t in love with Officer Moretti. That’s why she’s going after the real story-to find out about the man behind the badge. Ava’s determined to keep things strictly professional, but the more time she spends around Luc, even she has to admit there’s something about a man in uniform . . . and she can’t wait to get him out of his.
Amanda says: The heroine is a “jaded journalist” looking to knock the NYPD’s golden boy down a peg. Yes, please. It also doesn’t hurt that the cover model looks a little like Charlie Hunnam.
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I can’t wait for Prince’s Gambit!
Wolf with Benefits was good, really funny, IMO. But also it was really a bridge book to Bite Me, which was incredible.
Will be looking forward to a review of the JR Ward. She lost me quite a few vampire books ago, but a straight up contemporary could be interesting.
@Laura: It’s very strange so far. It’s like a huge soap opera and focuses more on the family as a whole, rather than the individual romance.
J.R. Ward: fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me into reading The King, I now give you the cut direct. You are dead to me.
On the other hand, Vicki Pettersson has a new book this month, Swerve, that I’m totally ignorant about, and totally hot for. And I’m #1 on the reserve list for the Katie McAllister, cause she makes me laugh out loud.
I’m looking forward to Cindy Spencer Pape’s Ether & Elephants. It’s book 8 of the Gaslight Chronicles, a steampunk romance series that’s a favorite of mine. (And other than Meljean Brook, pretty much the only other steampunk I read… so far.) In case anyone’s interested, Photographs & Phantoms is free for your sampling. (It’s book/novella 2, but I started with it and it hooked me on the series…)
@ms bookjunkie, I just finished Ether & Elephants yesterday, and it was quite good. I am a little disappointed she’s stopping the series before getting to Jamie and Piers, but it was an excellent finale.
I’m waiting for Captive Prince #3 to release before starting the series… Because impatience and a bad/failing memory.
@Erin Burns: Yay! Boo! And: at least she gives us Tom and Nell, because I would’ve been mighty peeved, what with their story threading the whole series like it does.
@ms bookjunkie I agree, I would have been peeved if she’d failed to deliver, or dragged them out beyond all reasonable terms. And Nell and Tom were gut wrenching. It is a very satisfying read.
Looking forward to Prince’s Gambit. Thanks for sharing some interesting titles.
I’m SO. EXCITED. for Meredith Duran’s Luck Be a Lady, out July 28th. Over the past few years, she’s become one of my favorites. She’s on my autobuy list (which only has about three people), I’ve read all of her books at least twice, and I’ve literally been checking her site every week in the hopes that it will magically come out sooner. It’s been too long since her last book, but she’s got this one at the end of July and another at the end of August!
Yay for a new Katie MacAlister dragon book! It’s been three long years since “Sparks fly.” And there’s a new Jayne Castle coming out the same day. Dust bunnies for the win!
Dang. I got all excited when I saw Shelly Laurenston. Then I realized it was a reprint. 🙁
I might have to give her new series a try. (Call of Crows?)
@TheMistWalking
The Unleashing? I liked it quite a bit. But even I have to agree with detractors that it was a bit more scattered than her usual book. But if you like plot pets, this has the best one I have ever read.
I’m confused. There have already been 2 volumes of The Captive Prince released under the name S.U. Pacat (which always cracked me up since I’d mentally say “supacat”). So, is Gambit the same book as the previous Vol. 2, just retitled and under a new author name? And the upcoming Kings Rising the only true new book? Maybe I’m too suspicious, but it feels like a fast one is being pulled here.
I’m all about the historicals, so I’m looking forward to Vanessa Kelly, “How To Marry A Royal Highlander” which was released yesterday.
@Hera, I think “Lady Be Good” is the Duran book coming out in July, and “Luck Be a Lady” is in August. Either way, I’m definitely reading both of them!
Susan, I believe they self published the first two, and then got this publishing deal. They’ve been pretty upfront about it on their blog. I think they did a re-edit of the whole series prior to these releases, but I haven’t read the “proper” published versions to compare them to the self pub/what was on the blog way back in the day, so I don’t know how different they are.
But substantially yes, it will only be the third one being the truely “new” book, which is why I’m waiting to buy the last one so I can finally see how the series finishes!
The Unleashing has dropped to $2.99 on Amazon (US). I don’t know if it’s on sale or what, but much better the $9.99.
This months list seems like a better mix of genres then the previous. Thanks! 🙂
Well, hello, Dinosaur Lords. You look an awful lot like the book club pick for August.
@Shemmelle, thanks so much for the info! I hope someone at one of the few blogs I read will do a review/comparison of the re-released volumes regarding the changes and if they’re substantive enough to warrant reading those versions before moving on to Vol. 3.
BATTLE DINOSAURS YESSSSSSSSS!!!!
What words does Amanda think “ya’ll” is a contraction of? “Yam” and “all”?
Lou, that was unnecessary. Stop it.
I will regret sharing this, I know, but there’s a giveaway on goodreads for the Katie MacAlister: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/144547-dragon-fall
And I loved The Unleashing–it had its flaws, but if I can’t have more wolves/bears/etc, at least I’ve got SOMETHING.