I have been traveling through New Zealand since October, and as you might expect, it’s difficult to backpack with a bag full of books (which is what I’d prefer to do). Instead, I’ve transitioned to an e-reader, for the first time in my life, and have been making my way through a few favorite series that I’ve been able to download through various libraries. But now, August is upon us, and that brings about a few changes:
- My birthday is in August.
This isn’t a particularly noteworthy birthday (other than all birthdays being noteworthy in that it marks another year alive and hopefully productive), but any birthday is an excuse to spend money on things I really want, like books.
2. I both have a home and will be traveling.
This is big news because now that I have a permanent home in New Zealand, I am able to start collecting books in this country. But, of course, now that I’ve settled here, work is sending me abroad (not that I’m complaining), so I will obviously need some new reading material while I travel.
There have been so many books released in the last few months that I have not been able to download for free from the library, so I’m making plans to have a bit of spree in early August. Here’s what I’m looking to get. Happy Birthday to Me!
Delicate Ink, book 1, Montgomery Ink
Carrie Ann Ryan
9781623221096, paperback
Publisher Description: On the wrong side of thirty, Austin Montgomery is ready to settle down. Unfortunately, his inked sleeves and scruffy beard isn’t the suave business appearance some women crave. Only finding a woman who can deal with his job, as a tattoo artist and owner of Montgomery Ink, his seven meddling siblings, and his own gruff attitude won’t be easy.
Finding a man is the last thing on Sierra Elder’s mind. A recent transplant to Denver, her focus is on opening her own boutique. Wanting to cover up scars that run deeper than her flesh, she finds in Austin a man that truly gets to her—in more ways than one.
Although wary, they embark on a slow, tempestuous burn of a relationship. When blasts from both their pasts intrude on their present, however, it will take more than a promise of what could be to keep them together.
Forevermore, book 7, Darkest London series
Kristen Callihan
9780349406114, paperback
Publisher Description: Miss Layla Starling, the young, beautiful, and extremely wealthy heiress, is the talk of London. Until now, she’s managed to evade the marriage noose. Despite the fact that she is unfortunately American, she’s received a staggering number of offers. And turned down every one.
St. John Evernight does not want to admit the relief he feels every time he hears that she has rejected one of her suitors. Which is unfair of him. Layla deserves to be happy. But he can not offer her happiness. He will never be normal, never be anything but a freak in her world. So St. John resolves to keep his distance, until he is recruited by the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals to guard Layla. For she is in grave danger, and he is about to learn the full extent of his powers.
A Gift for Guile, book 2, The Thief Takers series
Alissa Johnson
9781492620532, paperback
Publisher Description: Once a famous officer of Scotland Yard and now a renowned private detective, Sir Samuel Brass has better things to do than shadow a reckless hellion in her misguided quest for atonement. But when the daughter of a notorious criminal – and a former thief herself – returns to London to right an old wrong, Samuel is drawn back into the dangerously exciting world of Esther Walker-Bales.
Beautiful and conniving, maddening and brilliant, Esther is everything he shouldn’t want. She’s a liar. She’s a con. She’s a thief. And God help him, but he’d do anything to keep her safe.
Esther knows she’s put herself in terrible danger, but nothing will stop her from making amends that are long past due-not her family’s enemies, not old fears, and certainly not the domineering, interfering and undeniably handsome Sir Samuel Brass. Yet whenever he’s near, Samuel makes her long for a life that can never be hers…and wish she were worthy of being saved.
Illusion Town, book 13, Harmony series
Jayne Castle9780515155754, paperback
Publisher Description: With its opulent casinos and hotels, the desert city of Illusion Town is totally unique—and will take you on a thrill ride you’ll never forget.
Hannah West isn’t the first woman to wake up in Illusion Town married to a man she barely knows, but she has no memory of the ceremony at all. For that matter, neither does Elias Coppersmith, her new husband. All either can remember is that they were on the run…
With Hannah’s dubious background and shaky para-psych profile, she could have done much worse. The cooly competent mining heir arouses her curiosity—as well as other parts of her mind and body. And even her dust bunny likes him.
But a honeymoon spent retracing their footsteps leads Hannah and Elias into the twisting underground catacombs, where secrets from both their pasts will come to light—and where the energy of their clashing auras will grow hot enough to burn…
Imprudence, book 2, The Custard Protocol series
Gail Carriger
9780316212212, Hardcover
Publisher Description: London is in chaos.
Rue and the crew of The Spotted Custard returned from India with revelations that shook the foundations of the scientific community. There is mass political upheaval, the vampires are tetchy, and something is seriously wrong with the local werewolf pack. To top it all off, Rue’s best friend Primrose keeps getting engaged to the most inappropriate military types.
Rue has got personal problems as well. Her vampire father is angry, her werewolf father is crazy, and her obstreperous mother is both. Worst of all, Rue’s beginning to suspect what they all really are… is frightened.
When the Custard is ordered to Egypt, transporting some highly unusual passengers, Rue’s problems go from personal to impossible. Can she get Percy to stop sulking? Will she find the true cause of Primrose’s lovesickness? And what is Quesnel hiding in the boiler room?
And here’s one that didn’t just come out, but it’s one that I’ve been dying to read for a while:
Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha, book 7, Mrs. Pollifax series
Dorothy Gilman
9780449209837, paperback
Publisher Description:
Emily Pollifax goes to Hong Kong for CIA Bishop and young friend Sheng Ti. Feng Imports has sent false reports for two months, co-owner Detweiler, now addict, lives in store. Psychic Hitchins seeks Inspector Hao for his son Alec. Eric the Red leads terrorists to take over the citadel and city within days. Robin, now with Interpol, and Cyrus help.
WildlyRead 