Welcome back to Hide Your Wallet, where we caution you to secret away any means of spending as we unleash a deluge of new releases!
We have a few fantasy romance and horror titles coming out this week, which personally makes me a very happy reader. We also have series continuations and a monster romance.
What are you looking forward to this week? Let us know!
An Acquired Taste
Author: Cheri Ritz
Released: July 18, 2023 by Bella Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceWhen Elle Bissett agrees to go on a televised celebrity cooking competition, she’s expecting to get some television face time, not go head-to-head with Ashley Castle, an acting rival from her youth. If she could only keep her focus on the recipes instead of getting distracted by Ashley’s piercing blue eyes, she should have no problem earning the title of Celebrity Cook Off Champion .
For Ashley Castle, appearing on the cooking competition show is a surefire way for her to earn the homemaker cred she desperately needs—at least according to her agent. The fanbase of her reality show, Queen of the Castle , has been waning steadily since her divorce. The only problem is, she doesn’t know how to cook. It doesn’t help that Elle Bissett keeps dazzling her with something more than those mad kitchen skills she keeps showing off. If she could just find a way to focus, she might stand a chance.
What’s a few swapped recipes between former child stars?
Tara: I love celebrity romances. I love cooking show romances. Now, finally, a celebrity cooking show romance!
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!Camp Damascus
An Indie Next Pick • A Most Anticipated Book by GoodReads, LitHub, Paste, CrimeReads, Electric Lit, BookPage and more!
“A joyful, furious romp through dark places, Tingle proves he’s as good at fear as he is at love.” ―T. Kingfisher, bestselling author of What Moves the Dead
From beloved internet icon Chuck Tingle, Camp Damascus is a searing and earnest horror debut about the demons the queer community faces in America, the price of keeping secrets, and finding the courage to burn it all down.Welcome to Neverton, Montana: home to a God-fearing community with a heart of gold.
Nestled high up in the mountains is Camp Damascus, the self-proclaimed “most effective” gay conversion camp in the country. Here, a life free from sin awaits. But the secret behind that success is anything but holy.
And they’ll scare you straight to hell.
Amanda: Oh hell yeah!
Tara: I rarely read horror and I’m not sure if this will be triggering or validating, but I’m willing to roll the dice because I’m so happy to know this book exists.
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!Dark Water Daughter
Author: H.M. Long
Released: July 18, 2023 by Titan Books
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: The Winter Sea #1A stormsinger and pirate hunter join forces against a deathless pirate lord in this swashbuckling Jacobean adventure on the high-seas.
Launching the Winter Sea series, full of magic, betrayal, redemption and fearsome women, for readers of Adrienne Young, R. J. Barker and Naomi Novik.
Mary Firth is a Stormsinger: a woman whose voice can still hurricanes and shatter armadas. Faced with servitude to pirate lord Silvanus Lirr, Mary offers her skills to his arch-rival in exchange for protection – and, more importantly, his help sending Lirr to a watery grave. But her new ally has a vendetta of his own, and Mary’s dreams are dark and full of ghistings, spectral creatures who inhabit the ancient forests of her homeland and the figureheads of ships.
Samuel Rosser is a disgraced naval officer serving aboard The Hart, an infamous privateer commissioned to bring Lirr to justice. He will stop at nothing to capture Lirr, restore his good name and reclaim the only thing that stands between himself and madness: a talisman stolen by Mary.
Finally, driven into the eternal ice at the limits of their world, Mary and Samuel must choose their loyalties and battle forces older and more powerful than the pirates who would make them slaves.
Come sail the Winter Sea, for action-packed, high-stakes adventures, rich characterisation and epic plots full of intrigue and betrayal.
Amanda: I’m all for more fantasy romances in my life.
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!Immortal Longings
Author: Chloe Gong
Released: July 18, 2023 by Gallery/Saga Press
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Flesh & False Gods #1Amanda: I’ve really loved Gong’s new adult romance retellings, so I am super pumped for this one.
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!Only Good Enemies
Author: Jennifer Estep
Released: July 18, 2023
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Galactic Bonds #2New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Estep continues her Galactic Bonds series with a new, action-packed adventure that blends science fiction, fantasy, and historical romance. This rollicking space opera features a mix of magic and technology, along with a soul mates, slow burn, and enemies-to-lovers story. Perfect for fans of Star Wars, Bridgerton, and Pride and Prejudice.
A WOMAN ON A MISSION . . .
My name is Vesper Quill. I used to be a lowly lab rat, toiling away in obscurity developing brewmakers and other household appliances. But thanks to my seer magic and my own ingenuity, I’m now a Regal lady and the head of a successful corporation.
My mission? To destroy the Techwave, the dangerous group that has stolen my designs and plans to weaponize them against the Imperium. But when my mission takes an unexpected turn, I’m once again surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.
Further complicating matters is Kyrion Caldaren, an arrogant Regal lord whose fate is bound to mine. Kyrion doesn’t realize the two of us still have an unwanted connection that puts us both in grave danger . . . or does he?
A MAN SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES . . .
My name is Kyrion Caldaren. As the leader of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force, I’ve been tasked with tracking down and destroying the Techwave before they seize control of the Archipelago Galaxy.
My other mission? Find a way to assassinate Lord Callus Holloway, the Imperium ruler who wants to take my psion power for his own. Holloway is also a threat to Vesper Quill, who haunts my thoughts, despite the broken bond and distance between us.
When I realize Vesper is in danger, my priorities change, and I vow to use all my telepathic, telekinetic, and other abilities to help her. I will save Vesper from her enemies and mine—even if I have to burn down the whole bloody galaxy.
Aarya: Hoping the romance amps up as the first installment was a slowwww burn.
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!Resonance Surge
Author: Nalini Singh
Released: July 18, 2023 by Berkley
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity #7Where are the broken? A propulsive question that unleashes a world of secrets in New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s Resonance Surge . . .
StoneWater bears Pavel and Yakov Stepyrev have been a unit since birth, but now Pavel’s life is veering in a new direction, his heart held in the hands of Arwen Mercant, a Psy empath—and the only man who has ever brought Pavel to his knees.
This is it. A point of irrevocable change. For Pavel . . . for Arwen . . . for Yakov . . . and for another pair of twins whose bond has a far darker history.
A low-gradient Psy, Theodora Marshall is considered worthless by everyone but her violently powerful twin, Pax. She is the sole person he trusts in their venomous family to investigate a hidden and terrible part of their family history—an unregistered rehabilitation center established by their grandfather.
Places of unimaginable pain designed to psychically wipe minds, leaving the victims shells of their former selves, the Centers are an ugly vestige of the Psy race’s Silent past. But this Center was worse. Far, far worse. And now Theo must uncover the awful truth—in the company of a scowling bear named Yakov who isn’t about to take a Marshall at face value . . . especially a Marshall who has turned his dreams into chilling nightmares.
Because Yakov is the great-grandson of a foreseer . . . and he has seen Theo die in an unstoppable surge of blood. Night after night after night . . .
Aarya: Back to the bears!
Sarah: New! Psy! Changeling!
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!Silver Nitrate
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Released: July 18, 2023 by Del Rey
Genre: HorrorFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Daughter of Doctor Moreau and Mexican Gothic comes a fabulous meld of Mexican horror movies and Nazi occultism: a dark thriller about the curse that haunts a legendary lost film–and awakens one woman’s hidden powers.
Montserrat has always been overlooked. She’s a talented sound editor, but she’s left out of the boys’ club running the film industry in ’90s Mexico City. And she’s all but invisible to her best friend, Tristán, a charming if faded soap opera star, though she’s been in love with him since childhood.
Then Tristán discovers his new neighbor is the cult horror director Abel Urueta, and the legendary auteur claims he can change their lives—even if his tale of a Nazi occultist imbuing magic into highly volatile silver nitrate stock sounds like sheer fantasy. The magic film was never finished, which is why, Urueta swears, his career vanished overnight. He is cursed.
Now the director wants Montserrat and Tristán to help him shoot the missing scene and lift the curse . . . but Montserrat soon notices a dark presence following her, and Tristán begins seeing the ghost of his ex-girlfriend.
As they work together to unravel the mystery of the film and the obscure occultist who once roamed their city, Montserrat and Tristán may find that sorcerers and magic are not only the stuff of movies.
Amanda: New horror from Silvia Moreno-Garcia!
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!The Summer Girl
Author: Elle Kennedy
Released: July 18, 2023 by St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Romance
Series: Avalon Bay #3College student Cassie Soul hasn’t spent an entire summer in Avalon Bay in years, not since her parents divorced and her mother spitefully whisked her away to Boston. Now that her grandmother is selling the boardwalk hotel that’s been in their family for five decades, Cassie returns to the quaint beach town to spend time with family, ring in her twenty-first birthday…and maybe find herself a summer fling.
On her first night in town, she finds the perfect Tate Bartlett, Avalon Bay’s fun-loving golden boy.
Tate, sailing instructor and lovable player, is no stranger to flings. In fact, he’s always down for a good time. But the moment he meets Cassie, he knows she’s not the girl you play games with. Cassie is gorgeous, hilarious, and, frankly, the coolest person he’s ever met. The last thing he wants to do is risk breaking her heart, and so he reluctantly puts her in the friend-zone…only to realize he made a huge mistake. Soon, his attraction to Cassie becomes impossible to ignore. He wants that fling now. Big-time.
And maybe even something more.
As Cassie and Tate walk the line between friends and lovers, they’re about to discover that their situation is the least complicated part of this equation. Because Avalon Bay is full of secrets—and their relationship might not survive when those secrets come to light.
Elyse: I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series and I’m interested in seeing how the other characters develop.
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!To Have and to Heist
Author: Sara Desai
Released: July 18, 2023 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mystery/Thriller, RomanceTo exonerate her best friend, one woman must mastermind a jewelry heist during the wedding of the season in this hilarious romantic-comedy caper from the author of The Dating Plan .
Simi Chopra is on a bad-luck streak. She’s lost yet another job, her student loan debt won’t stop growing, her basement apartment is a certifiable flood zone, and now her best friend has been accused of stealing a multimillion-dollar diamond necklace. To put it lightly, she’s desperate for a break—that’s right when Jack waltzes out of the bushes and into her life.
Jack is just as charming as he is mysterious. When he offers to help her find the missing necklace and steal it back, Simi jumps at the chance to clear her friend’s name and collect the substantial reward. But every good heist needs a crew. All she needs to do is transform a ragtag group of strangers into an elite heist crew, infiltrate a high-society wedding and steal the necklace from a dangerous criminal before the happy couple say “I do.” Meanwhile the bride is keeping secrets, a detective with a slow-burn smile keeps showing up at her door, and the ultimate robbery might not be the wedding con, but the way Jack is stealing her heart.
Amanda: I’m a sucker for a heist and a “ragtag” group.
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!Sanctuary with Kings
Author: Kathryn Moon
Released: July 20, 2023
Genre: Erotica/Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Tempting Monsters #3Evanthia waited patiently, year after year, for the fall of the Seven Veils. When the house crumbles, she seizes her moment and runs, promising herself never to fall back into the grip of Birsha and his twisted pleasures.
No more cages. No more kings. No more monsters.
If only she could survive without the latter.
Aarya: For fans of monster erotic romance.
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Fatal Legacy, the next Flavia Albia mystery by Lindsey Davis, is out today!
Jennifer Crusie and Bob Meyer have a new book coming out on July 25th with the 2nd and 3rd releasing just two and four weeks after!
LAVENDER’S BLUE
REST IN PINK
ONE IN VERMILION
It’s been a long time since there has been a new Crusie; I am really looking forward to reading these.
I guess I should leave a link for the Crusie/Meyer books since it’s been reported that one has to jump through hoops to find them on Amazon.
Well, that didn’t work. If this doesn’t, you’re on your own… 😉
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7PPTJ4C?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_awt_ser_img_widg_pc_tukn
If my neighborhood indie (which closes at 5 PM) gets my preorder of the Nalini Singh book today, I think that qualifies as an “appointment” for which I need to “leave work early.”
@Michele in Floyd: So many thanks for the Crusie links. I remember her sharing snippets of this on her blog years ago. Glad to know it’s finally seen the light of day. I pre-ordered all three.
Also BN links for those who buy there: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22The+Liz+Danger+Series%22?Ntk=P_Series_Title&Ns=P_Series_Number&Ntx=mode+matchall
I have nothing on my TBR for this week, but yesterday I discovered that last week C.M. Nascosta released A BLUE RIBBON ROMANCE. It’s a retelling of her minotaur-human romance, MORNING GLORY MILKING FARM, told from the minotaur’s point-of-view. I downloaded it from Kindle Unlimited and basically inhaled it in one sitting yesterday: it’s good, but you have to have read MGMF first to get some of the context.
@Michele in Floyd: Thank you so much! This was so buried; I had tried but failed to find them.
SAMMY ESPINOZA’S LAST REVIEW by Tehlor Kay Mejia (mentioned in the July 2023 Queer Books roundup) is out today! It’s a bisexual, second chance, found family and found biological family good time!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0593598776/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1689696046&sr=8-1
Local indie had signed Silver Nitrate. My wallet is empty now.
Also, Bob Mayer has written follow ups to Agnes and the Hitman. I know nothing about them, but they showed up in my recommended reads recently on Amazon.
Thanks DiscoDollyDeb! I just finished a Blue Ribbok Romance! Morning Glory was so good, i was excited to read from Rourkes POV. It didnt disappoint