Happy Tuesday!
We’re halfway through August! How are we feeling in terms of our TBR piles? Good? Overwhelmed? There are only eight books on our radar this week, but we know there are a ton more releasing today.
What books are on your list? Let us know!
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A Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire
Author: Sarah Hawley
Released: August 13, 2024 by Berkley
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Series: Glimmer Falls #3Ben Rosewood never meant to be bound to a vampire succubus, especially one as sexy-yet-terrifying as Eleanora Bettencourt-Devereux, but he has to admit there are some fang-tastic perks….
Werewolf Ben Rosewood is happy with his life. One hundred percent. Everything is fine. His business, Ben’s Plant Emporium, is thriving, and he’s even expanding the shop. His anxiety disorder is…well, it’s been better, but that comes with the territory of running a business and having beastly urges every full moon, right? As for romance—who has the time? Though his family is desperate to see him settled, Ben is fine approaching forty as a single werewolf. But after drunkenly bidding on and winning a supposedly-possessed crystal on eBay one night, he finds himself face-to-face with a beautiful but angry vampire.
Eleanora Bettencourt-Devereux is a rare breed—a vampire succubus born from two elite European bloodlines during medieval times. But thanks to an evil witch, she’s been stuck in a crystal since she was thirty, forced to obey orders from the possessor of the rock. Eleanora’s been dreaming of breaking the spell and severing the witch’s head for centuries. But did this witch really sell her to someone new, and for only ninety-nine cents?
Eleanora would claw this werewolf’s heart out and eat it, if only the binding spell would allow her to. But Eleanora and Ben soon realize they can help each other with both vengeful and less hostile needs. And why not have a little fun along the way?
The latest in the Glimmer Falls small town paranormal romance series!
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Comes in Waves
Author: Ana Hartnett
Released: August 13, 2024 by Bold Strokes Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceTara: I love the idea of the teen summertime crush moving back to town.
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The Dollmakers
Author: Lynn Buchanan
Released: August 13, 2024 by Harper Voyager
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction/FantasyIn this dark and enchanting stand-alone fantasy from debut author Lynn Buchanan, discover a world centered around destructive, all-consuming monsters; the magical dolls designed to fight this force; and the artisans tasked with creating demon-slaying dolls. A touch cozy fantasy and a touch horror, The Dollmakers is perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli films, the works of TJ Klune and Travis Baldree, and readers of Juniper & Thorn and The Goblin Emperor .
In the country called One, dollmakers are vital members of the community. An artisan’s doll is the height of society’s accomplishments, while a guard’s doll is the only thing standing between the people of One and the vicious, cobbled monstrosities that will tear apart any structure—living or dead, inanimate or otherwise—to add to their horde.
Apprentice Shean of Pearl is a brilliant dollmaker. With her clever dolls, she intends to outsmart and destroy the Shod, once and for all—a destiny she’s worked her whole life toward accomplishing. But when the time comes for her dolls to be licensed, she’s told her work is too beautiful and delicate to fight. A statement that wounds and infuriates her; the Shod killed everyone she loved. How could her fate be anything but fighting them?
In an attempt to help her see a new path for herself, Shean’s mentor sends her on a journey to the remote village called Web, urging her to glean some wisdom from Ikiisa, a reclusive and well-respected guard dollmaker. But Shean has another if she can convince the village of Web of her talents, the Licensor Guild will have to reconsider and grant her a guard’s license. And what better way to convince them than challenging Ikiisa and instating herself as the official dollmaker of Web? Once she’s done that, proving her dolls’ worth in the fight against the Shod will be simple. As simple, that is, as calling the Shod to Web…
Amanda: You had me at cozy horror.
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Haunted Ever After
Author: Jen DeLuca
Released: August 13, 2024 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal, Romance
Series: Boneyard Key #1It’s love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone’s spirits from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.
Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning.
Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG” and “MY HOUSE” when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she’s catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.
As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don’t get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie’s worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing… and Nick’s afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good.
A small town romance set in Florida with a dash of ghostly behavior.
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Lady Macbeth
Author: Ava Reid
Released: August 13, 2024 by Del Rey
Genre: Gothic, Historical: European, Science Fiction/FantasyFrom #1 New York Times bestselling author Ava Reid comes a reimagining of Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare’s most famous villainess, giving her a voice, a past, and a power that transforms the story men have written for her.
The Lady knows the stories: how her eyes induce madness in men.
The Lady knows she will be wed to the Scottish brute, who does not leave his warrior ways behind when he comes to the marriage bed.
The Lady knows his hostile, suspicious court will be a game of strategy, requiring all of her wiles and hidden witchcraft to survive.
But the Lady does not know her husband has occult secrets of his own. She does not know that prophecy girds him like armor. She does not know that her magic is greater and more dangerous, and that it will threaten the order of the world.
She does not know this yet. But she will.
This Shakespearean retelling might appeal to the Bitchery!
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Men Have Called Her Crazy
Author: Anna Marie Tendler
Released: August 13, 2024 by Simon & Schuster
Genre: Memoir, NonfictionAmanda: This isn’t a tell-all (though I wouldn’t mind if she lit her ex’s ass up) but I’ve heard it’s a heart-wrenching and beautiful memoir of trauma and mental health.
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Mistress of Lies
Author: K.M. Enright
Released: August 13, 2024 by Orbit
Genre: LGBTQIA, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: The Age of Blood #1A villainous, bloodthirsty heroine finds herself plunged into the dangerous world of power, politics and murder in the court of the vampire king in this dark romantic fantasy debut.
Fate is a cruel mistress.
The daughter of a powerful but disgraced Blood Worker, Shan LeC laire has spent her entire life perfecting her blood magic, building her network of spies, and gathering every scrap of power she could. Now, to protect her brother, she assassinates their father and takes her place at the head of the family. And that is only the start of her revenge.
Samuel Hutchinson is a bastard with a terrible gift. When he stumbles upon the first victim of a magical serial killer, he’s drawn into the world of magic and intrigue he’s worked so hard to avoid – and is pulled deeply into the ravenous and bloodthirsty court of the vampire king.
Tasked by the Eternal King to discover the identity of the killer cutting a bloody swath through the city, Samuel, Shan and mysterious Royal Blood Worker Isaac find themselves growing ever closer to each other. But Shan’s plans are treacherous, and as she lures Samuel into her complicated web of desire, treason and vengeance, he must decide if the good of their nation is worth the cost of his soul.
Fans of From Blood and Ash and Kingdom of the Wicked will devour this decadent, bloodthirsty debut.
Amanda: This sounds dark, twisty, and sexy!
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Supersized Bubblegum
Author: E.A. Noble
Released: August 15, 2024
Genre: Science Fiction/FantasyIn a world filled with superheroes, supervillains, and delectable snacks, four Fatty Baddies kick off their girls’ night with a snack hunt. They never expected to be caught in a superpowered fight for their lives. Stuck in a sticky situation, one of their crew vanishes. With no one to turn to, the Fatty Baddies join forces with a shady duo in order to get their friend returned. This newfound team must employ their wits and extraordinary gifts to unravel an evil plot that could forever snatch away the people they love.
And, oh yeah. Fat chicks gaining superpowers by eating bubblegum. That totally happens.
Brace yourself for a sugar explosion as the Fatty Baddies chew their way to the truth!
Shana: I’m excited for a fat positive superhero book!
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I’m intrigued by A Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire, but I am thinking the two elite European bloodlines thing is a deal breaker. Does anyone read this series? I gave up on small town witch romances because of the white supremacy underpinnings (there’s a great article about it in the unlikely event that anyone reading them missed this issue and wants to know more) but I really would love to find some where keeping witches safe and bloodlines pure isn’t the justification for exclusionary practices. I am …underwhelmed, let’s say, by Lamarckian magical systems (in which strength is hereditary). This series has very appealing titles, and the back blurb isn’t necessarily the writer’s doing. Can anyone tell me how lazy the world building is in this regard?
On the TBR, all of them!
Dark AND enchanting? Is that a fantasy novel thing? I think of enchanting as the opposite of dark.
@LML: I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive. Like I find Jareth, the Goblin King “dark and enchanting,” but that could be all David Bowie’s fault.
Just released today: Kris Ripper’s SETTLE THE SCORE—m/m romance between MCs who have antagonism in their past (based on the blurb, one may have outed the other) and who end up being snowed in together. Angsty close proximity? I am so there.
@KKW I’d love to read that article! I’m not very into small-town witch romance, but I am VERY into sociological analyses of genre fiction