Kini: First of all, how in the world is it December? 2019 has been the longest year but also it feels like it has flown by. There are a handful of books I am really excited about this month.
Best Women’s Erotica of the Year #5 12/10– I have had this on my TBR and I just waiting for a good moment to read it. It is edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel and has stories by Sierra Simone, Sabrina Sol and many more.
Husband Material by Emily Belden 12/30– Nothing appeals to me quite like a blurb that mentions a widow and her husband’s best friend. It feels like it might be a take on unrequited love trope that I typically adore.
The Wives by Tarryn Fisher 12/30. I have had a paper galley of this book since August and it has just been sitting on my bookshelf waiting for me. I read some of Fisher’s early books. She likes to write mind-fuckery and incredibly complicated and flawed characters. Especially female characters. And I enjoyed it. But I haven’t read her for a while and I don’t typically read suspense or thrillers but I was hooked when I heard the summary. This is also FIsher’s first traditionally published novel.
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn 12/31– I cheated and I have already read this. I was anxiously awaiting it since I first heard about it. I devoured it when it arrived in the mail earlier this year. I am going to read it again before I write a review.
(I am friends with Kate on social media)
The One for You by Roni Loren 12/31– I have loved the previous books in this series. I continue to be in awe of Loren and how she takes a subject like a school shooting and crafted a fantastic series.
Angela: Yay for end of year best of lists, cyber sales and wrapping up this long ass year! Bring on 2020!I have a few books I’m looking forward to this year and some I’ve been eyeing for awhile, but just haven’t gotten to yet.
A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh 12/03– It’s been sitting on my Kindle for months, but I’ve been saving it. Time to break it out and savor in Ms. Singh’s awesome talent. (And her first mystery/suspense novel.)
The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe 12/30-
In the second novel in Joanna Shupe’s the Uptown Girl series, a ruthless casino owner bent on revenge finds his plans upended by a beautiful woman who proves to be more determined than he is–and too irresistible to deny.
Yes, please.
The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski– Out Now- The Witcher hits Netflix on 12/20 and I want to read the first book in the series before it comes out.
Why Kill the Innocent (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery Book 13) by C.S. Harris– Out Now- I’ve been reading this series all year and I’m finally down to the last two books. I love this series and simply adore Sebastian and Hero.
Sheena: I seriously (sersly!) love this time of year! Reading all of the “Best of” lists and the 2020 most anticipated lists is always so fun and exciting for me and I always come away with a new-to-me author or series to fall in love with. Bring on the lists! Until then, here’s what has caught my eye for December:
The One For You (The Ones Who Got Away, #4) by Roni Loren 12/31– Roni Loren’s beautifully poignant and downright genius gift of pulling you into her stories of love, redemption, forgiveness, guilt, PTSD and personal triumph have counted me a fan for years. The One For You is (finally!) featuring my fav series survivor and I know Kincaid’s story is guaranteed to pulverize my heart until its hanging by its own mangled strings. And. I. Am. READY.
A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh 12/3– Its not romance. But it is allegedly dark (my jam) and definitely Singh (my fav), so that means I’m IN. Did I read the blurb? meh, It’s Singh. Nuff’ said.
Wicked Hour (Heirs of Chicagoland, #2) by Chloe Neill 12/3 – I’ve checked in and out over the course of the Chicagoland series, and with the latest release in the spin off featuring Ethan (eye flutters) and Merit’s daughter, Elsa, I’m in! Neill does amazing urban fiction- I usually don’t gravitate toward UF (typically too light on the romance for me) but Neill has a way about her. I dig it.
Horde Kings of Dakkar, #2 by Zoey Draven 12/31 – It doesn’t have a title yet. And the 12/31/2019 release date could very well be nothing more than Goodreads urban legend. But damn if I am not counting the minutes until I am able to feast upon this novel. Book 1, Captive of the Horde King was oh so delicious, I really (really) need my seconds! I’ll owe Angela until the end of my days for rec’ing it to me this summer. Cat-NIP.
Penny’s Protector, (Icehome, #10) by Ruby Dixon December 19′– I love Ruby Dixon and she’s confirmed Icehome #10 will arrive in December, like clock work. These alien sci-fi romance tales are beyond cherished! I look forward to a new one every time and it is some of the most fun escapist reading I’ve found. So freaking fun and funny! Do you read them!? Read them!
What books are you excited about this month?
Kini—you and I have the same catnip: I love stories about widows and their late husband’s best friends (even late husband’s brothers—although that has to be handled delicately). I don’t know what my husband would think about widows being a catnip of mine—lol! Anyway, I’ve added the Emily Belden to my tbr.
I only have a few new books so far on my December list: THE DEAL by Clare Connelly, the fourth and final book in Dare’s Billionaires Club series (each book written by a different author); SEXY AS SIN by Julie Kriss, the next in her series about four working-class guys who unexpectedly become billionaires (as so often happens)—this one includes the “little sister is forbidden” trope, never a favorite of mine, but Kriss usually puts an interesting spin on even the most played-out conventions; and Skye Warren’s oft-postponed AUDITION, which starts a new trilogy featuring two people who were secondary characters in the first North Security trilogy. I really liked the rather dark dynamic between the two when we glimpsed it in the earlier books—can’t wait to see how Warren develops their story.
And, as always, I live in hope that eventually Kati Wilde’s LOSING IT ALL (the next in her Hellfire Riders MC series and the book I’ve been waiting for for three years) will finally see the light of day. I know she’s said on her website that someone close to her was going through a difficult time, plus her day job had a big project due, which meant her time for rewriting the book was significantly cut back. Kati also has another book in the pipeline, EVIL TWIN, but if that will come before or after LOSING IT ALL is finally published, only time will tell.
Please let the new Horde Kings be available in December.