If you’re new to Hide Your Wallet, this is where we list new releases we’re pretty excited for in the coming month.
Each reviewer has a book maximum (five per person), and we’ve separated HYW into two parts. The first HYW of the month will cover books that release from the 1st to the 14th. The second HYW will cover books released from the 15th to the end of the month.
We also think this will help us feature books from smaller publishers who don’t have buy links up as early as the bigger trade houses.
As always, if we missed any books that you’re particularly looking forward to, tell us all about them in the comments.
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The Witch of Tin Mountain
Author: Paulette Kennedy
Released: February 1, 2023 by Lake Union
Genre: Gothic, Historical: American, Horror, Literary FictionIn Depression-era Arkansas, something wicked has come to a haunted mountain town in a novel of uncanny suspense by the author of Parting the Veil.
Blood and power bind three generations of women in the Ozark Mountains. So does an evil that’s followed them across the decades.
1931. Gracelynn Doherty lives peacefully on Tin Mountain, helping her adoptive granny work her cures. Despite whispers that the women are witches, the superstitious locals still seek them out, whether they suffer from arthritis or a broken heart. But when evangelist Josiah Bellflower comes to town touting miracle healing, full bellies, and prosperity, his revivals soon hold Tin Mountain in thrall—and Granny in abject fear.
Granny recognizes Josiah. Fifty years ago, in a dark and desperate moment, she made a terrible promise. Now Josiah, an enemy, has returned to collect his due.
As Granny sickens and the drought-ridden countryside falls under a curse, Gracelynn must choose: flee Tin Mountain and the only family she knows or confront the vengeful preacher whose unholy mission is to destroy her.
Amanda: Saw the She Wore Black podcast tweeting about this one!
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It’s Always Been Ours
Author: Jessica Wilson
Released: February 7, 2023 by Hachette Go
Genre: NonfictionWe will rewrite the narrative of Blackness that centers and celebrates our joy.
In It’s Always Been Ours eating disorder specialist and storyteller, Jessica Wilson, challenges us to rethink what having a “good” body means in contemporary society. By centering the bodies of Black women in her cultural discussions of body image, food, health, and wellness, Wilson argues that we can interrogate white supremacy’s hold on us and reimagine the ways we think about, discuss, and tend to our bodies.
A narrative that spans the year of racial reckoning (that wasn’t), It’s Always Been Ours is an incisive blend of historical documents, contemporary writing, and narratives of clients, friends, and celebrities to examine the politics of body liberation. Wilson argues that our culture’s fixation on thin, white women reinscribes racist ideas about Black women’s bodies and ways of being in the world as “too much.” For Wilson, this white supremacist, capitalist undergirding in wellness movements perpetuates a culture of respectability and restriction that force Black women to perform unhealthy forms of resilience and strength at the expense of their physical and psychological needs.
With just the right mix of wit, levity, and wisdom, Wilson shows us how a radical reimagining of body narratives is a prerequisite to wellbeing. It’s Always Been Ours is a love letter that celebrates Black women’s bodies and shows us a radical and essential path forward to rediscovering their vulnerability and joy.
Shana: I’m obviously very biased, but I’m excited that I’m on the cover of this book! I’m sure my next stop will be a clinch cover .
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Not Your Ex’s Hexes
Author: April Asher
Released: February 7, 2023 by St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Series: Supernatural Singles #2In April Asher’s next Supernatural Singles novel, Not Your Ex’s Hexes, a one-night-stand between a willful witch and a broody half-demon conjures an adventure that wouldn’t be complete without several magical mishaps.
For her entire life, Rose Maxwell trained to become the next Prima on the Supernatural Council. Now that she’s stepped down, it’s time for this witch to focus on herself. And not think about her impulsive one-night stand with Damian Adams, a half-Demon Veterinarian who she can’t get out of her head. Neither of them is looking for a relationship. But when Rose is sentenced to community service at Damian’s animal sanctuary it becomes impossible for them to ignore their sparking attraction. A friends-with-benefits, no feelings, no strings arrangement works perfectly for them both.
After a sequence of dead-end jobs, it’s not until Rose tangos with two snarly demons that she thinks she’s finally found her path. However, this puts Damian back on the periphery of a world he thought he left behind. He doesn’t approve of Rose becoming a Hunter, but if there’s one thing he’s learned about the stubborn witch, it was telling her not to do something was one sure-fire way to make sure she did.
Working—and sleeping—together awakens feelings Damian never knew he had…and shouldn’t have. Because thanks to his ex’s hex, if he falls in love, he’ll not only lose his heart—but his humanity.
Amanda: You had me at witch and half-demon!
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Of Manners and Murder
Author: Anastasia Hastings
Released: February 7, 2023 by Minotaur Books
Genre: Historical: European, Mystery/Thriller
Series: Dear Miss Hermione #1Of Manners and Murder is the first in the delightful new Dear Miss Hermione mystery series from Anastasia Hastings.
1885: London, England. When Violet’s Aunt Adelia decides to abscond with her newest paramour, she leaves behind her role as the most popular Agony Aunt in London, “Miss Hermione,” in Violet’s hands.
And of course, the first letter Violet receives is full, not of prissy pondering, but of portent, Ivy Armstrong is in need of help and fears for her life. But when Violet visits the village where the letters were posted, she find that Ivy is already dead.
She’ll quickly discover that when you represent the best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, both marauding husbands and murder are par for the course.
Sarah: I love this concept of an Agony Aunt solving crime, and I heard that there’s a romance inside, too.
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Radiant Sin
Author: Katee Robert
Released: February 7, 2023 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Dark Olympus #4There’s nowhere more dangerous than Olympus…and no one more captivating than its golden god: Apollo. Keeper of secrets, master of his shining realm…and the only man I am powerless to deny.
*A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Apollo and Cassandra that’s as sinful as it is sweet.*
As a disgraced member of a fallen house, Cassandra Gataki has seen firsthand what comes from trusting the venomous Thirteen. But when the maddeningly gorgeous and kind Apollo asks her to go undercover as his plus-one at a week-long party hosted by a dangerous new power player…Cassandra reluctantly agrees to have his back.
On one condition: when it’s all over, and Apollo has the ammunition he needs to protect Olympus, she and her sister will be allowed to leave. For good.
Apollo may be the city’s official spymaster, but it’s his ability to inspire others that keeps him at the top. Despite what the rest of Olympus says, there’s no one he trusts more than Cassandra. Yet even as their fake relationship takes a wicked turn for the scaldingly hot, a very real danger surfaces… threatening not only Cassandra and Apollo, but the very heart of Olympus itself.
I know we have some Dark Olympus fans eager for this release!
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Black Hellebore
Author: Grace Draven
Released: February 14, 2023
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Wraith Kings #3.1**The love story of Brishen and Ildiko continues in this Wraith Kings novella, set after the events in THE IPPOS KING – WK #3.**
To protect his people and save his kingdom from destruction, Brishen Khaskem made an unthinkable sacrifice, stripping all but the youngest Kai of their magic in order to transform himself and four others into powerful Wraith Kings who would battle the ancient malice known as the galla.
But victory comes at a high price. The loss of their sorcerous heritage is a bitter consequence for the Kai. When an unexpected enemy threatens the lives of his beloved wife Ildiko and his adopted daughter, the queen regnant, Brishen may pay the highest price of all. What will be the ultimate cost of reviving a dead legacy and regaining a lost hope?
A tale of trust and deception.
Aarya: I haven’t caught up with this series, but I remember really loving Radiance.
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Stone Cold Fox
Author: Rachel Koller Croft
Released: February 14, 2023 by Berkley
Genre: Mystery/ThrillerA perfectly wicked debut thriller about an ambitious woman who, after a lifetime of conning alongside her mother, wants to leave her dark past behind and marry the heir to one of the country’s wealthiest families.
Like any enterprising woman, Bea knows what she’s worth and is determined to get all she deserves—it just so happens that what she deserves is to marry rich. Filthy rich. After years of forced instruction by her mother in the art of swindling men, a now-solo Bea wants nothing more than to close and lock the door on their sordid partnership so she can disappear safely into old-money domesticity, sealing the final phase of her escape.
When Bea chooses her ultimate target in the fully-loaded, thoroughly dull and blue-blooded Collin Case, she’s ready to deploy all of her tricks one last time. The challenge isn’t getting the ring, but rather the approval of Collin’s family and everyone else in their 1 percent tax bracket, particularly his childhood best friend, Gale Wallace-Leicester. Going toe-to-toe with Gale isn’t a threat to an expert like Bea, but what begins as an amusing cat-and-mouse game quickly develops into a dangerous pursuit of the grisly truth. Finding herself at a literal life-and-death crossroads, with everything on the line, Bea must finally decide who she really wants to be. Like mother, like daughter?
Amanda: Love a con artist character.
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So many of the books I had on my January TBR had their publication dates postponed until February. Meanwhile, I already had a number of books set for February, so if all of the upcoming dates pan out, I’m in for a lot of reading. However, even since I put this list together last week, some dates have changed (the dates listed are the most recent publication dates), so I suppose only time will tell.
WILDER AT LAST (February 7) is the fifth (and final?) book in Serena Bell’s Wilder Adventures series about a family that runs a outdoor adventures company. This features antagonists who fall in love as the hero helps the heroine attract the attention of a celebrity chef.
BITTER PLAY (February 7) is the third book in Alison Rhymes’s False Start series of “football-adjacent” romances (the heroes are either football players or former football players). I loved the first book in the series, BROKEN PLAY, a nuanced view of marital infidelity, but I was less enthusiastic about the second, BRUTAL PLAY, which I thought suffered from having an awful hero. I’m hoping Rhymes rights the ship with BITTER PLAY (which features the “man in love with his sister’s best friend” trope).
COWBOY, PROMISE ME ALWAYS (February 9) is the sixth and final book in Genevieve Turner’s Cowboy Homecoming series. I’ve really enjoyed this entire series and am looking forward to the final story—a Beauty & the Beast retelling with enforced proximity.
THREE TO GET READY (February 16) is the third book in Skye Warren’s series about the Hughes family who are fabulously wealthy but cursed by a genetic condition that causes early dementia. The previous book, TWO FOR THE SHOW, ended on a cliffhanger with the hero’s father (who has been kept secluded for several years) having a public meltdown that revealed his condition.
WED FOR THEIR ROYAL HEIR (February 21) by Jackie Ashenden begins a new HP series, Three Ruthless Kings. This one features an unplanned pregnancy.
HE SAID FOREVER (February 21) by Ruth Cordello is the fourth book in her Lost Corisis series. Sometimes the books in these series require constant reference to a family tree (which Cordello helpfully provides) to keep all the characters and their relationships straight.
FAIR GAME (February 21) is the third book in Amelia Wilde’s series about a woman who becomes involved with the man who holds her father responsible for his parents’ deaths.
THE PLAYING GAME (February 21) is a welcome return for Ainsley Booth (who has recently been publishing more frequently under her alternate pen name of Zoe York). Booth’s books are generally sexier, leaning more toward erotic romance, than the ones she publishes as Zoe York, so I’m expecting this m/f hockey romance to be smoking hot!
COWBOY WILD (February 21) is the third book in Maisey Yates’s Four Corners Ranch series of cowboy romances. This one features the “older brother’s best friend”–not one of my favorite tropes, but if anyone can make it work, it’s Yates.
THE NEW GUY (February 28) is a new book in Sarina Bowen’s Brooklyn Hockey series. This is an m/m romance—which I think may be a first for the Brooklyn Hockey books (although Bowen has written plenty of m/m books, including some featuring hockey teams, but not within the Brooklyn Bruisers universe).
So many good books this month! Hide Your Wallet, indeed! Thanks for the recap, I’m off to look these up.
@DiscoDollyDeb, I had the fortune of reading an ARC of WILDER AT LAST, and it is excellent. Serena Bell knocks it out of the park with it!
I’m also excited about Erin Nicholas’s ROCKED BAYOU, the next in her Badges of the Bayou series! I think that’s out the same day…
@Shana – What a lovely cover–you definitely radiant joy here! Well done! Is there a story about how you became involved with this project?
This month is the first book in Kelley Armstrong’s Rockton spin off, MURDER AT HAVEN’S ROCK. A new town is being built in the Yukon wilderness. A town that will be the haven Rockton was before greed took over the cabal running it. Now Casey and Eric will be the last word on new residents. Unfortunately building isn’t even finished before there’s a disappearance, and then a body. I’m pretty excited for this new evolution.
I’ve gotten a little picky about my historical romances, so I’m cautiously optimistic for ARTFULLY YOURS from Joanna Lowell. I very much enjoyed her THE DUKE UNDONE, but the follow up, THE RUNAWAY DUCHESS, suffered a little in execution. And I am beyond tickled the MMC’s last name is De’Ath. Do they pronounce it death? Duh eth? Dee ath? Shades of JR Ward!!!
Death and De’Ath are pronounced “Deeth” according to fans of Dorothy Sayers’ hero Lord Peter Death Wimsey. In one novel he’s undercover and uses the surname Death, which was disorienting until you got deeper into the book.
I noticed that one of the books mentioned is by Grace Draven. I don’t know if this is an appropriate place to draw attention to the fact that she is very ill with cancer, has an autistic son from whom her husband is the primary caretaker, and is the sole income earner in her family. There is a gofundme campaign in process. The link can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-author-grace-draven-beat-cancer?member=24609203&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined
I learned about this from Ilona Andrews blog and therefore have reason to believe that this is absolutely a true story and a definite need for help.
If this is not an appropriate place to mention this issue, please delete this comment. Thank you
“And of course, the first letter Violet receives is full, not of prissy pondering, but of portent, Ivy Armstrong is in need of help and fears for her life. But when Violet visits the village where the letters were posted, she find that Ivy is already dead.”
This is really, really badly written, and does not make me want to pick up the book at all. Where was the editor for this blurb?!
@Diane: you might want to also post that link (and supporting information) on today’s Links post.
@Shana, what a fabulous cover!
Not Your Ex’s Hexes was pretty good; the rest is on my TBR!
DiscoDollyDeb, what links page? Where?
@Diane: I believe that @DDD meant this page ~
https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2023/02/links-art-spongebob-more/
@Diane, 3D means the link in your post for the go fund me for GraceDraven.