July is always super hot here, and I'm currently looking at a 10 day streak of temps above 90 F. Here are a few books for those days when you have to stay inside with the AC, go to the beach but stay under your umbrella, or generally lay about hiding from the sun.
Unfit to Print, by KJ Charles - July 10
When crusading lawyer Vikram Pandey sets out in search of a missing youth, his investigations take him to Holywell Street, London’s most notorious address. He expects to find a disgraceful array of sordid bookshops. He doesn’t expect one of them to be run by the long-lost friend whose disappearance and presumed death he’s been mourning for thirteen years.
Gil Lawless became a Holywell Street bookseller for his own reasons, and he’s damned if he’s going to apologise or listen to moralising from anyone. Not even Vikram; not even if the once-beloved boy has grown into a man who makes his mouth water.
Now the upright lawyer and the illicit bookseller need to work together to track down the missing youth. And on the way, they may even learn if there’s more than just memory and old affection binding them together...
A 40,000 word novella.
Andrea - You can read Andrea's full review on Monday, 7/2! (This link will be live at 10 am EST)
Buy a copy: Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble
Mr. Hotshot CEO, by Jackie Lau - July 10As CEO of Fong Investments, I'm a busy man. In fact, my family claims I'm an obsessive workaholic, and when they force me to take two weeks off, I have no idea what to do with myself.
While brooding over an espresso, I meet Courtney Kwan, a biomedical researcher who savors the little things in life. And, suddenly, an idea strikes me—I will pay this woman to teach me how to enjoy my vacation from work.
Soon, I find myself doing crazy things like baking cookies, reading for pleasure, buying a phallic cactus, and falling in love. But Courtney is dealing with some serious issues of her own, and I fear that when I return to work, I won't be able to give her what she needs, and I'll lose her forever…
Suzanne - This is the followup to Grumpy Fake Boyfriend, which I reviewed here and found to be the perfect happy distraction. Review soon!
Buy a copy: Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble
A Gentleman Never Keeps Score, by Cat Sebastian - July 10
Once beloved by London's fashionable elite, Hartley Sedgwick has become a recluse after a spate of salacious gossip exposed his most-private secrets. Rarely venturing from the house whose inheritance is a daily reminder of his downfall, he’s captivated by the exceedingly handsome man who seeks to rob him.
Since retiring from the boxing ring, Sam Fox has made his pub, The Bell, into a haven for those in his Free Black community. But when his best friend Kate implores him to find and destroy a scandalously revealing painting of her, he agrees. Sam would do anything to protect those he loves, even if it means stealing from a wealthy gentleman. But when he encounters Hartley, he soon finds himself wanting to steal more than just a painting from the lovely, lonely man—he wants to steal his heart.
Suzanne - We interviewed Cat about her books back in December and hosted the cover reveal for this book. It's finally here! (Disclosure, Cat is a friend, so Margrethe and I don't review her books but we do love them.)
Buy a copy: Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, Barnes & Noble
A Wolf Apart, by Maria Vale - July 31
Can a human truly make room in her heart for the Wild?
Thea Villalobos has long since given up trying to be what others expect of her. So in Elijah Sorensson she can see through the man of the world to a man who is passionate to the point of heartbreak. But something inside him is dying...
Elijah Sorensson has all kinds of outward success: bespoke suits, designer New York City apartment, women clamoring for his attention. Except Elijah despises the human life he's forced to endure. He's Alpha of his generation of the Great North Pack, and the wolf inside him will no longer be restrained...
Suzanne - I really liked the first in this series and I'm going to try to get a review of this up for you soon!
Buy a copy: Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, The Ripped Bodice
A Duke by Default, by Alyssa Cole - July 31Award-winning author Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals series continues with a woman on a quest to be the heroine of her own story and the duke in shining armor she rescues along the way…
New York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and—most importantly—herself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she’s capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss…when she’s not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.
Tavish McKenzie doesn’t need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory…even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprentice—and his attraction to her—but when Portia accidentally discovers that he’s the secret son of a duke, rough-around-the-edges Tav becomes her newest makeover project. Forging metal into weapons and armor is one thing, but when desire burns out of control and the media spotlight gets too hot to bear, can a commoner turned duke and his posh apprentice find lasting love?
Ana - Ana's very positive review will be up on July 23! (This link will be live on that date. :D)
Buy a copy: Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, The Ripped Bodice
Short list this month, but I'm out of time so tell us -
What books are you excited for?
