Welcome back, everyone!
I feel like July’s releases were in like a lion and out like a lamb. There were a ton of anticipated releases for us toward the beginning of the month and now things have slowed down. Is that the case for all of you too?
What books are wrapping up your July? Tell us in the comments!
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How to Tame a Wild Rogue
Author: Julie Anne Long
Released: July 25, 2023 by Avon
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: The Palace of Rogues #6In USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long’s thrilling new romance in the Palace of Rogues series, an infamous privateer’s limits are put to the test when he’s trapped during a raging tempest with a prickly female at the Grand Palace on the Thames.
He clawed his way up from the gutters of St. Giles to the top of a shadowy empire. Feared and fearsome, battered and brilliant, nothing shocks Lorcan St. Leger—not even the discovery of an aristocratic woman escaping out a window near the London docks on the eve of the storm of the decade. They find shelter at a boarding house called the Grand Palace on the Thames—only to find greater dangers await inside.
Desperate, destitute, and jilted, Lady Daphne Worth knows the clock is ticking on her last chance to save herself and her family: an offer of a loveless marriage. But while the storm rages and roads flood, she and the rogue who rescued her must pose as husband and wife in order to share the only available suite.
Crackling enmity gives way to incendiary desire—and certain heartbreak: Lorcan is everything she never dreamed she’d wanted, but he can never be what she needs. But risk is child’s play to St. Leger. And if the stakes are a lifetime of loving and being loved by Daphne, he’ll move any mountain, confront any old nemesis, to turn “never” into forever.
Aarya: Easily my favorite of the series (which has been a hit-or-miss so far).
Lara: I have loved every second of this series and can’t wait for the next installment.
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Not That Duke
Author: Eloisa James
Released: July 25, 2023 by Avon
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: Would-Be Wallflowers #3The Duke of Huntington has no interest in an eccentric redhead who frowns at him over her spectacles…until he realizes that she is the only possible duchess for him. A new enemies-to-lovers romance by New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James.
Bespeckled and freckled, Lady Stella Corsham at least has a dowry that has attracted a crowd of fortune-hunting suitors–which definitely doesn’t include the sinfully handsome Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, who laughingly calls her “Specs” as he chases after elegant rivals.
And then–
The worst happens. Marriage.
To the duke. To a man marrying her for all the wrong reasons.
How can Silvester possibly convince Stella that he’s fallen in love with the quirky woman he married? Especially after she laughingly announces that she’s in love–but not with that duke.
Not with her husband.
The lates from Eloisa James!
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The Sun and the Void
Author: Gabriela Romero-Lacruz
Released: July 25, 2023 by Orbit
Genre: LGBTQIA, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: The Warring Gods #1In a lush world inspired by the history and folklore of South America, a sweeping epic fantasy of colonialism, ancient magic, and two young women’s quest for belonging unfolds.
Reina is desperate.
Stuck living on the edges of society, her only salvation lies in an invitation from a grandmother she’s never known. But the journey is dangerous, and prayer can’t always avert disaster.
Attacked by creatures that stalk the region, Reina is on the verge of death until her grandmother, a dark sorceress, intervenes. Now dependent on the Doña’s magic for her life, Reina will do anything to earn—and keep—her favor. Even the bidding of an ancient god who whispers to her at night.
Eva Kesare is unwanted.
Illegitimate and of mixed heritage, Eva is her family’s shame. She tries her best to be perfect and to hide her oddities. But Eva is hiding a secret: magic calls to her.
Eva knows she should fight the temptation. Magic is the sign of the dark god, and using it is punishable by death. Yet, it’s hard to deny power when it has always been denied to you. Eva is walking a dangerous path, one that gets stranger every day. And, in the end, she’ll become something she never imagined.
Amanda: I’ve been a fan of Gabriela’s artwork (I own several of her cute mugs), so I’m interested in seeing what other talents she has!
Elyse: I’m always excited for fantasy that isn’t set in a Euro-centric world.
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The Sweetest Revenge
Author: Lizzy Dent
Released: July 25, 2023 by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, RomanceDahlia: This one’s both super fun and deliciously cathartic.
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The Midsummer Bride
Author: Kati Wilde
Released: July 31, 2023
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: The Dead Lands #4A Barbarian Who Must Lie
When a prideful queen comes to his prison cell with an unbelievable proposal of marriage, Warrick of the Dead Lands is quick to accept … but not merely to secure his freedom. Because he recognizes the powerful jewels the queen wears — jewels pilfered from the temple of a goddess, who unleashed her wrath upon a kingdom. His plan? Pretend to go along with Queen Elina until he can steal the jewels back, then use them to lift the goddess’s curse.Except the queen isn’t who Warrick assumes she is at first glance, and his deception might cost him everything…
A Queen Who Must Die
Betrayed by everyone she’s ever loved, trusting no one, Elina has spent years searching for the warrior prophesied to overthrow the sorcerer who stole her throne … and Warrick is the one warrior she’s found whose description matches the prophecy. She doesn’t want to marry a barbarian, but she’s running out of time — the sickness ravaging her body means she’ll be dead long before she sees home. Only the enchanted jewels she wears give her the strength to continue on … and her new husband’s touch offers the only pleasure she’s ever known.
But after a life spent running from those who betrayed her, Elina doesn’t know whether to trust Warrick with her kingdom — or her heart…
Aarya: Long awaited and very anticipated!
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I am so there for THE MIDSUMMER BRIDE—anytime Kati Wilde has a new release, it’s cause for celebration! The only other book I have on my tbr this week is Maisey Yates’s contemporary cowboy romance, THE ROUGH RIDER, which just dropped today. It’s the next book in her Four Corners Ranch series and features the marriage-of-convenience trope.
Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer are self-publishing a new mystery/romance trilogy over the next month or so and the first one, Lavender’s Blue, is out today. The ebook version should be available on most major platform, while I think the hardback & trade paperback are Amazon only. It so great to see Jennifer Crusie publishing again & I’m planning to spend this evening reading Lavender’s Blue.
New Kati Wilde!!!! Ahhh but I have to wait 5 more days, noooooo!
The only book I’ve read by Julie Anne Long was AFTER DARK WITH THE DUKE (book 4 in this same series), and it was amazing and heartbreaking and INTENSE. Not a lot happens – it really is 2 people spending time together, learning about each other and falling in love. I’m excited about HOW TO TAME A WILD ROGUE, but I think I might need in the right mind frame for it. Ready for a real meal, not movie popcorn, if that make sense.
All on my TBR; have heard nothing but raves about the Long and James.
I joined the Bad Decisions Book Club last night and had to stay up until I finished the Crusie / Mayer book. Really enjoyed it. It’s quite lengthy (Amazon says 448 pages) and it was good to be able to sink into the people and the small town. Liked the interpersonal stuff and the history between people that continues to affect them. Liked the level of detail (the place Vince lives, the t-shirt collection etc). Liked the complicated families and the nuances about even people who are nightmares in many ways having good points. Loved Liz’s celebrity client and her getting involved in people’s lives over the telephone.