Happy New Year!! I just love this time of year. It vibrates with the feeling of renewal and the opportunity for a fresh start. While I realize that one can technically make any day a new day, the collective energy felt at this time of year seems to provide an extra “umph” that, if utilized, can lead to some profound changes. I’m not one for making resolutions as that idea hasn’t been all that fruitful in my life. However, I do take the time to check my baggage at the door, so to speak, so as not to carry forward feelings of regret, guilt or anger into the new year. I also like to set a tone and direction for the areas in my life where I would like to experience a positive shift moving forward. How do you like to greet the New Year?
As for books, we have another great list for you to dive into this month. For the Terry Pratchett fans, you’ll be happy to know about the Special Editions being released, two of which are out this month! I think there is a little something for everyone here and all of us at The Book Pushers wish you a very Happy New Year of books, books and more books! 🙂
- Contemporary Romance
- Fantasy
- New Adult Romance
- Paranormal Romance
- Post-apocalyptic Romance
- Romantic Suspense
- Science Fiction
- SteamPunk Romance
- Urban Fantasy
- Western Contemporary Romance
- Western Historical Romance
Contemporary Romance
Hope Flames (Hope #1) by Jaci Burton – Jan 7th (Berkley)
Veterinarian Emma Burnett won’t let anything or anyone sidetrack her from her job as new owner of the vet clinic in Hope. She let a man distract her once, with disastrous results. But when Luke McCormack brings in his injured police dog, Emma can hardly ignore him. Despite Emma’s best efforts to keep things strictly doctor and owner of the patient, Luke’s one hot distraction.
*blurb from Goodreads here
The Expert’s Guide to Driving a Man Wild (Bluebonnet #3) by Jessica Clare – Jan 7th (Berkley)
Grant and Brenna have been like oil and water ever since the Wilderness Survival Expeditions company opened up. Grant likes organization. Brenna thrives on chaos. Grant likes quiet. Brenna thrives on chaos. Grant likes clothes that match. Brenna thrives on chaos. But when Grant’s family shows up and begins to harass him about why he isn’t dating, Brenna decides to take matters into her own hands…
*blurb from Goodreads here
Back to You (Coming Home #3) by Jessica Scott – Jan 7th (Grand Central)
He’s in for the fight of his life…
Army captain Trent Davila loved his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children. But when he almost lost his life in combat, something inside him died. He couldn’t explain the emptiness he felt or bridge the growing distance between him and his family—so he deployed again. And again. And again . . . until his marriage reached its breaking point. Now, with everything on the line, Trent has one last chance to prove to his wife that he can be the man she needs…if she’ll have him
…to win back his only love.
Laura is blindsided when Trent returns home. Time and again, he chose his men over his family, and she’s just beginning to put the pieces of her shattered heart back together. But when Trent faces a court martial on false charges, only Laura can save him. What begins as an act of kindness to protect his career inflames a desire she thought long buried—and a love that won’t be denied. But can she trust that this time he’s back to stay?
*blurb from Goodreads here
Reaper’s Legacy (Reapers Motorcycle Club #2) by Joanna Wylde – Jan 28th (Berkley)
WELCOME TO THE CLUB
Eight years ago, Sophie gave her heart—and her virginity—to Zach Barrett on a night that couldn’t have been less romantic or more embarrassing. Zach’s step-brother, a steely-muscled, tattooed biker named Ruger, caught them in the act, getting a peep show of Sophie he’s never forgotten.
She may have lost her dignity that fateful night, but Sophie also gained something precious—her son Noah. Unfortunately, Zach’s a deadbeat dad, leaving Ruger to be Noah’s only male role model. When he discovers Sophie and his nephew living in near poverty, Ruger takes matters into his own hands—with the help of the Reapers Motorcycle Club—to give them a better life.
Living with outlaw bikers wasn’t Sophie’s plan for her son, but Ruger isn’t giving her a choice. He’ll be there for Noah, whether she wants him or not. But Sophie does want him, has always wanted him. Now she’ll learn that taking a biker to bed can get a girl dirty in every way…
*blurb from Goodreads here
Fantasy
Rex Regis (Imager Portfolio #8) by L.E. Modesitt Jr – Jan 7th (Tor)
The saga of the Imager Quaeryt, Commander in the forces of Lord Bhayar, reaches a new climax as the great struggle to unify the continent of Lydar enters its final phase. Only the land of Khel remains uncommitted to Bhayar’s rule. Their decision could mean a lasting peace, or more conflict across an already war-ravaged realm.
While the conqueror of Bovaria awaits emissaries to arrive with news of Khel’s decision, other weighty matters occupy Bhayar, his sister Velora, and her husband Quaeryt—not the least of which is the fulfillment of Quaeryt’s dream to create the world’s first Imager academy, where the magical abilities of these powerful casters may be honed, managed, and put to the service of the common good.
But before that dream may be realized, or Khel’s fateful choice made known, the spectre of high treason threatens to unravel all that Quaeryt has achieved, catapulting him toward a fateful confrontation with Bhayar’s most powerful military leaders.
*blurb from Goodreads here
Small Gods by Terry Pratchett – Jan 9th (Gollancz)
A beautiful gift-edition hardback of the classic Discworld novel.
In the beginning was the Word.
And the Word was: “Hey, you!”
For Brutha the novice is the Chosen One. He wants peace and justice and brotherly love.
He also wants the Inquisition to stop torturing him now, please…
Biographical Notes
Sir Terry Pratchett is a publishing phenomenon. Among his many prizes and citations are the WORLD FANTASY LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, the CARNEGIE MEDAL, the BSFA AWARD, eight honorary doctorates and, of course, a knighthood. In 2012, he won a BAFTA for his documentary on the subject of assisted suicide, ‘Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die’. He is the author of 50 bestselling books but is best known for the globally renowned Discworld series. The first Discworld novel, THE COLOUR OF MAGIC, was published in 1983, and the series is still going strong almost three decades later. Four Discworld novels – HOGFATHER, GOING POSTAL, THE COLOUR OF MAGIC and THE LIGHT FANTASTIC – have been adapted for television, with more to follow. His books have sold approximately 75 million copies worldwide (but who’s counting?), and been translated into 37 languages. Terry Pratchett lives near Salisbury in Wiltshire.*Details at the publishers website here
Pyramids by Terry Pratchett – Jan 9th (Gollancz)
A beautiful gift-edition hardback of the classic Discworld novel.
‘Look after the dead’, said the priests, ‘and the dead will look after you’.
Wise words in all probability, but a tall order when you have just become the pharaoh of a small and penniless country whose largesse – and indeed treasury – is unlikely to stretch to the building of a monumental pyramid to honour your dead father. And particularly when your only visible means of support is a recently acquired qualification from the Guild of Assassins where running a kingdom and basic financial acumen were not prerequisites for course entry…
Biographical Notes
Sir Terry Pratchett is a publishing phenomenon. Among his many prizes and citations are the WORLD FANTASY LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, the CARNEGIE MEDAL, the BSFA AWARD, eight honorary doctorates and, of course, a knighthood. In 2012, he won a BAFTA for his documentary on the subject of assisted suicide, ‘Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die’. He is the author of 50 bestselling books but is best known for the globally renowned Discworld series. The first Discworld novel, THE COLOUR OF MAGIC, was published in 1983, and the series is still going strong almost three decades later. Four Discworld novels -HOGFATHER, THE COLOUR OF MAGIC, GOING POSTAL and THE LIGHT FANTASTIC – have been adapted for television, with more to follow. His books have sold approximately 75 million copies worldwide (but who’s counting?), and been translated into 37 languages. Terry Pratchett lives near Salisbury in Wiltshire.*Details at the publishers website here
New Adult Romance
Before Jamaica Lane (On Dublin Street #3) by Samantha Young – Jan 7th (Penguin)
One simple lesson in seduction between two friends can turn into so much more…
Despite her outgoing demeanor, Olivia is painfully insecure around the opposite sex—usually, she can’t get up the nerve to approach guys she’s interested in. But moving to Edinburgh has given her a new start, and, after she develops a crush on a sexy postgrad, she decides it’s time to push past her fears and go after what she wants.
Nate Sawyer is a gorgeous player who never commits, but to his close friends, he’s as loyal as they come. So when Olivia turns to him with her relationship woes, he offers to instruct her in the art of flirting and to help her become more sexually confident.
The friendly education in seduction soon grows into an intense and hot romance. But then Nate’s past and commitment issues rear their ugly heads, and Olivia is left broken-hearted. When Nate realizes he’s made the biggest mistake of his life, he will have to work harder than he ever has before to entice his best friend into falling back in love with him—or he may lose her forever…
*blurb from Goodreads here
Deeper (Caroline and West #1) by Robin York – Jan 28th (Bantam)
In this New Adult debut by Robin York, a college student is attacked online and must restore her name—and stay clear of a guy who’s wrong for her, but feels so right.
When Caroline Piasecki’s ex-boyfriend posts their sex pictures on the Internet, it destroys her reputation as a nice college girl. Suddenly her once-promising future doesn’t look so bright. Caroline tries to make the pictures disappear, hoping time will bury her shame. Then a guy she barely knows rises to her defense and punches her ex to the ground.
West Leavitt is the last person Caroline needs in her life. Everyone knows he’s shady. Still, Caroline is drawn to his confidence and swagger—even after promising her dad she’ll keep her distance. On late, sleepless nights, Caroline starts wandering into the bakery where West works.
They hang out, they talk, they listen. Though Caroline and West tell each other they’re “just friends,” their feelings intensify until it becomes impossible to pretend. The more complicated her relationship with West gets, the harder Caroline has to struggle to discover what she wants for herself—and the easier it becomes to find the courage she needs to fight back against the people who would judge her.
When all seems lost, sometimes the only place to go is deeper.
*blurb from Goodreads here
Paranormal Romance
Burn for Me (Phoenix Fire #1) by Cynthia Eden – Jan 28th (Kensington Books)
Under Fire
Eve Bradley was undercover looking for a story, not a cause. But something about the man they called Subject Thirteen got her involved. The scientists said he was a devil, and they had a decent case: Terrifying power. A bad attitude. And looks that could lead anyone to sin. . .
Cain O’Connor knows the minute he catches her candy scent that Eve could drive him wild. But she’s a threat–in a way no one has been for him in years. She’s safer away from him, too. But with a powerful conspiracy determined to shut Eve up for good, there’s no time to argue. All they can do is trust their instincts–and their hearts. . .
*blurb from Goodreads here
Magic Possessed (The Hidden #2) by Jamie Rush – Jan 28th (Forever)
They are the Hidden.
Not quite human. Far from normal.
And never, ever safe…Too Hot To Handle
Her brother was mysteriously murdered with no witnesses, clues—or motives. Yet Violet Castanega knows he won’t be the last to die unless she seeks help. But the Hidden’s law enforcement won’t come to the aid of her rowdy dragon clan, and the only person who will listen to her is one tough cop. Violet has tangled with him before, and it got rough. This time, it’s getting hot…
Too Close For ComfortPowerful Guard member Kade Kavanaugh has been ordered to take out Violet Castanega. While assassination orders don’t come with explanations, his instincts scream that killing the feisty beauty is wrong. Now Kade must put his career, not to mention his life, on the line to save her. But as the passion—and the danger—heat up between Kade and Violet, can they survive the darkest magick of all?
*blurb from Goodreads here
Post-apocalyptic Romance
Sole Survivors (Crux Survivors #2) by Dani Worth – Jan 14th (Samhain)
In a harsh new world, only she can bring him to life…
Sole Survivors, Crux Survivors, Book 2
Chase Hawthorne is on the run from a ghost. The shooting that took his little sister and scarred Chase’s face and body has left far deeper scars on his brother Tripp’s soul. Driven to pull up stakes and head for the most haunted place in Louisiana, Chase hopes to prove to Tripp there is no ghost of his twin beckoning from the afterlife.
When he comes upon a young woman fighting off raiders, Chase doesn’t hesitate to help the first female he’s seen in years. And he tries to ignore his instant attraction, hoping Tripp will feel it, too—and emerge from his frightening depression.
Keera has been alone too long, and Chase makes her feel things she never thought she’d feel again. Tripp may be the needier brother, but it’s Chase she wants. Scars and all.
But letting people too close comes with risks. And as they are drawn into the search for a young man’s family, both must accept the possibility that there’s more to life—and love—than simple survival.
Warning: A hero who puts his own needs aside for family. And a woman who’s out to prove there’s no law against a man listening to his body once in a while.
*blurb from Goodreads here
Romantic Suspense
River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz – Jan 7th (Putnam)
It’s been thirteen years since Lucy Sheridan was in Summer River. The last time she visited her aunt Sara there, as a teenager, she’d been sent home suddenly after being dragged out of a wild party—by the guy she had a crush on, just to make it more embarrassing. Obviously Mason Fletcher—only a few years older but somehow a lot more of a grown-up—was the overprotective type who thought he had to come to her rescue.
Now, returning after her aunt’s fatal car accident, Lucy is learning there was more to the story than she realized at the time. Mason had saved her from a very nasty crime that night—and soon afterward, Tristan, the cold-blooded rich kid who’d targeted her, disappeared mysteriously, his body never found.
A lot has changed in thirteen years. Lucy now works for a private investigation firm as a forensic genealogist, while Mason has quit the police force to run a successful security firm with his brother—though he still knows his way around a wrench when he fills in at his uncle’s local hardware store. Even Summer River has changed, from a sleepy farm town into a trendy upscale spot in California’s wine country. But Mason is still a protector at heart, a serious (and seriously attractive) man. And when he and Lucy make a shocking discovery inside Sara’s house, and some of Tristan’s old friends start acting suspicious, Mason’s quietly fierce instincts kick into gear. He saved Lucy once, and he’ll save her again. But this time, she insists on playing a role in her own rescue . . .
*blurb from Goodreads here
Science Fiction
Dreams of the Golden Age (Golden Age #2) by Carrie Vaughn – Jan 7th (Tor)
Like every teen, Anna has secrets. Unlike every teen, Anna has a telepath for a father and Commerce City’s most powerful businessperson for a mother. She’s also the granddaughter of the city’s two most famous superheroes, the former leaders of the legendary Olympiad, and the company car drops her off at the gate of her exclusive high school every morning. Privacy is one luxury she doesn’t have.
Hiding her burgeoning superpowers from her parents is hard enough; how’s she supposed to keep them from finding out that her friends have powers, too? Or that she and the others are meeting late at night, honing their skills and dreaming of becoming Commerce City’s next great team of masked vigilantes?
Like every mother, Celia worries about her daughter. Unlike every mother, Celia has the means to send Anna to the best schools and keep a close watch on her, every second of every day. At least Celia doesn’t have to worry about Anna becoming a target for every gang with masks and an agenda, like Celia was at Anna’s age.
As far as Celia knows, Anna isn’t anything other than a normal teen. Still, just in case, Celia has secretly awarded scholarships at Anna’s private high school to the descendants of the city’s other superpowered humans. Maybe, just maybe, these teens could one day fill the gap left by the dissolution of The Olympiad….
*blurb from Goodreads here
Steampunk Romance
Ashes & Alchemy (Gaslight Chronicles #6) by Cindy Spencer Pape – Jan 6th (Carina Press)
A Gaslight Chronicles novella
London, 1860
Police inspector Sebastian Brown served Queen and country in India before returning to England to investigate supernatural crimes alongside the Order of the Round Table. If his wifeless, childless life feels a little empty sometimes, that’s not too great a price to pay in the name of duty.
Minerva Shaw is desperately seeking a doctor when she mistakenly lands on Sebastian’s doorstep. Her daughter Ivy has fallen gravely ill with a mysterious illness–the same illness, it seems, that’s responsible for taking the lives of many of Ivy’s classmates.
Seb sniffs a case, and taking in Minnie and Ivy seems the only way to protect them while he solves it. But as mother and daughter work their way into his heart and Seb uses every magickal and technological resource he can muster to uncover the source of the deadly plague, it’s he who will need protecting from emotions he’d thought buried long ago.
30,000 words
*blurb from Goodreads here
Wicked After Midnight (Blud #3) by Delilah S. Dawson – Jan 28th (Pocket)
A contortionist and a rakish brigand navigate the cabarets of Paris to rescue a girl taken by slavers in the third steampunk-tinged romance of the Blud series.
Life as a contortionist in Criminy’s Clockwork Caravan should be the height of exotic adventure, but for Demi Ward, it’s total dullsville. Until her best friend, Cherie, is stolen by slavers outside of Paris, and Demi is determined to find her.
On the run from his own past, Vale Hildebrand, a dashing rogue of a highwayman, hides Demi from the slavers…but why? He pledges to help her explore the glittering cabarets of Paris to find her friend, but much to Vale’s frustration, Demi soon attracts a host of wealthy admirers. The pleasures of music, blood, and absinthe could turn anyone’s head, and it would be all too easy to accept Cherie’s disappearance as inevitable—but with Vale’s ferocious will and Demi’s drive to find her friend, they soon have a lead on a depraved society of Parisian notables with a taste for beautiful lost girls. Can Demi wind her way through the seedy underbelly of Paris and save her best friend before she, too, is lost?
*blurb from Goodreads here
Urban Fantasy
Broken Blade by J.C. Daniels – Jan 6th (Self)
Kit Colbana: assassin, thief, investigator extraordinaire. Now broken. She always expected her past to catch up with her but never like this. Haunted by nightmares and stripped of her identity, she’s retreated to Wolf Haven, the no-man’s land where she found refuge years before. But while she might want to hide away from the rest of the world, the rest of the world isn’t taking the hint.
Dragged kicking and screaming back into life, Kit is thrust head-first into an investigation surrounding the theft of an ancient relic…one that she wants nothing to do with. Her instincts tell her it’s a bad idea to just leave the relic lying about, but finding it might be just as bad.
Forced to face her nightmares, she uncovers hidden strength and comes face to face with one of the world’s original monsters.
If she survives the job, she won’t be the same…and neither will those closest to her.
*blurb from Goodreads here
Western Contemporary Romance
My Heartache Cowboy (The Cowboys #2) by Z.A. Maxfield – Jan 21st (Intermix)
Can love conquer all?
Jimmy Rafferty and Eddie Molina go way back at the J-Bar ranch. They’ve worked together, bunked together, camped out, and drank together. So how has Jimmy failed to notice that Eddie is gay? Eddie has not failed to notice that his friend has a serious drinking problem, and he’s determined to help Jimmy kick the booze cold turkey.
Taking him up to a snowbound cabin to detox, Eddie is confronted with Jimmy’s fierce denial. But the pains of withdrawal are nothing for Jimmy compared with the heartache of denying his true feelings and his deep longing…for the one man who cares for him more than anyone else on earth.
*blurb from Goodreads here
Western Historical Romance
Boots Under Her Bed by Jodi Thomas, Jo Goodman, Kaki Warner, Alison Kent – Jan 7th (Berkley)
From four acclaimed authors come four all-new novellas featuring the rugged men of the West and the women who want them
From Jodi Thomas…Callie has done a lot of crazy things, but it’ll take one more to prove she isn’t nuts: find a husband, fast! Her only requirement: he has to be taller than she is and swear not to have her committed during their ruse of a marriage.
From Jo Goodman…Felicity Ravenwood was raised to be independent-minded, but when this runaway bride opposes her father’s choices, it is up to Nat Church to bring her around. But he doesn’t count on springing her from jail, holding her hostage, or falling head over boot-heels in love.
From Kaki Warner…Two strangers on a train have more in common than they know—both have hidden purposes and ties to a Nebraska bank robbery. But when their schemes unravel, they find a bigger surprise awaiting them than either could have imagined.
From Alison Kent…When runaway New York socialite Maeve Daugherty joins her father’s bodyguard Zeb Crow on his personal mission of revenge, what was a slightly scandalous new life as a bookkeeper for an infamous San Antonio brothel becomes downright dangerous. But that’s not stopping Maeve from having the time of her life.
*blurb from Goodreads here
Wow I have an enormous list of new books for January as well, just posted it, and the only one we have in common is Jayne Ann Krentz.
Oh this year is starting off well with tons of anticipated books.
I already got my first shipment of Special Edition Terry Pratchett. SQUEE!!!!!