BP Note: Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. These are the hot, lazy, humid, brassy sky days when you just want to sit in front of a fan, eating frozen treats and reading a good book. Or lazing at the beach enjoying the cooling ocean breezes and reading a good book. Or sprawled on a picnic blanket under a tree in a park and reading a good book. Hmm reading a good book seems to be a common theme here… Luckily this month’s post, like all of them, contains books we are looking forward to reading and we hope you find something that catches your interest as well. In addition please let us know what you are looking forward to reading. As always, take care of yourselves and let people who matter to you know they matter. Knowing can make a world of difference!
Oops! This was all set up to publish on the 1st. Not sure what happened. Sorry about that.
Happy reading!
~E_
Cozy Fantasy
Alchemy and a Cup of Tea (Tomes & Tea #4) by Rebecca Thorne – 12 Aug (Bramble)
Reyna and Kianthe have no trouble ruling the Queendom, battling evil alchemists, and rescuing adorable baby dragons, but can they save their town from the ravening influx of…. tourists?!?
On the night of her kidnapping, all Reyna wanted was a relaxing cup of tea. She didn’t expect to be dropped in a hidden cell, but what the hells. She’s flexible.
When Kianthe “rescues” her wife, she expects they’ll be back at New Leaf having tea by noon. But there’s a problem: an alchemy circle marred Reyna’s cell. What does a radical group of alchemists want with the Queendom’s newest sovereign… and why did they think they could get away with this?
To make matters worse, Kianthe and Reyna’s hometown is having its own problems. Word of New Leaf Tomes and Tea―and its celebrity owners―has finally spread, and tourists are flooding into Tawney. As their friends struggle with the sudden influx, Kianthe and Reyna have to face a bigger conundrum than rogue alchemists: the fact that closing their bookshop might be the only way to save their town.
Things can’t just be simple, can they?
Of Owls and Oolong (Owls, Tea Shops and Other Magical Nuisances #1) by Shari Tapscott – 22 Aug (Self)
There are three things you need to know about my great aunt—she’s eccentric, she’s rich, and she’s dead. No, make that four things. She also named me as the sole beneficiary of her fortune. There are, however, a few stipulations.
1. I must move into her cottage in Moss Hollow, Vermont—a magical community that values tradition and tourists.
2. I must keep her beloved tea shop open and running for at least three years.
3. I must take care of her tiny owl, a prickly creature by the name of Rowan. He’s moody, opinionated, and he used to be a mage.
He doesn’t like me, he doesn’t like my dog, and he really doesn’t like the handsome fae councilman who starts hanging around as soon as I arrive in town.
But for a small fortune, Rowan and I are going to learn to coexist long enough for me to figure out how to turn him back into his normal self with my “cute and worthless” pixie magic—preferably before he ruins my dating life or drives me insane.
The Baby Dragon Bakery (Baby Dragon #2) by A.T. Qureshi – 28 Aug (Avon)
Lavinia has it all. A loving family (complete with adorable pet baby dragon). A place at university training to be a magical animal vet. And a part-time job at the enchanting Baby Dragon Cafe. The only thing she doesn’t have is her one true love: Theo.
Theo is the local baker and her best friend. On paper, they’re perfect: he’s funny, she’s witty. He’s sweet, and she’s a little salty. That’s why they’ve been friends for as long as they can remember. They’ve never been without one another – and it’s clear to everyone that they’re meant to be.
Everyone except Theo. Because when Lavinia finally makes her move, he pulls away.
Lavinia is devastated. Has this friendship gone up in smoke? Or will Theo finally realise that he wants them to be more than friends?
Fantasy
Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher – 19 Aug (Tor Books)
Healer Anja regularly drinks poison.
Not to die, but to save—seeking cures for those everyone else has given up on.
But a summons from the King interrupts her quiet, herb-obsessed life. His daughter, Snow, is dying, and he hopes Anja’s unorthodox methods can save her.
Aided by a taciturn guard, a narcissistic cat, and a passion for the scientific method, Anja rushes to treat Snow, but nothing seems to work. That is, until she finds a secret world, hidden inside a magic mirror. This dark realm may hold the key to what is making Snow sick.
Or it might be the thing that kills them all.
Fantasy Romance
A Tale of Mirth and Magic by Kristen Vale – 5 Aug (Forever)
Elikki may not have a family, but she has her fierce independence, boundless charm, and enough talent as a jewelry artisan to make a living on the road. Unfortunately for some, she also can’t yet manage to control her chaotic magic. . . and her temper. Sweet, soft Barra lives a quiet life with his mas and three sisters, managing the books for his family’s business. All he wants is to blend in and not make waves—a bit tricky, as a nearly eight-foot-tall purple half-giant.
When Elikki lands in hot water after dealing with a particularly rude customer, Barra finds himself helping her flee the constables. With a bounty on her back—and a severe crush forming on his end—they decide to travel together to the next town. So begins a journey filled with cozy inns, delicious meals, heaps of excellent sex, and a sprinkling of danger. As their adventures bring them closer together and the threat of capture rises they find themselves changing in surprising ways. He’s given up on finding love. She’s always refused to try. But traveling together, they may discover unexpected, powerful romance and stronger self-identities—if the bounty hunters don’t get them first.
The Sea Witch (Salt & Sorcery #1) by Eva Leigh – 26 Aug (Canary Street Press)
Condemned as a witch, sentenced to die, Alys Tanner uses her innate magical power to flee Puritanical New England. Stealing a ship, Alys becomes captain of The Sea Witch, leading its all-female, sorcery-wielding pirate crew. But the colonial British navy is in hot pursuit. The navy fights for a choke hold on the Caribbean and will destroy anything they cannot control, especially witches.
When Ben Priestley, a headstrong naval navigator, is inadvertently captured by the lady pirates, dangerous truths are revealed. A quest that could turn the tides against the navy’s might ignites a reluctant partnership between the by-the-books prisoner and the fierce witch pirate captain. While they brave backstabbing pirates, perilous tropical islands and monster-filled seas, Alys and Ben’s mistrust grows into unexpected desire as they battle an enemy that will stop at nothing to rule the waves.
Mystery
Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill – 19 Aug (Poisoned Pen)
Crime fiction author Joe Penvale has won the most brutal battle of his life. Now that he has finished his intense medical treatment, he and his twin sister, Meredith, are boarding the glorious Orient Express in Paris, hoping for some much-needed rest and rejuvenation. Meredith also hopes that the literary ghosts on the train will nudge Joe’s muse awake, and he’ll be inspired to write again. And he is; after their first evening spent getting to know some of their fellow travelers, Joe pulls out his laptop and opens a new document. Seems like this trip is just what the doctor ordered…
And then some. The next morning, Joe and Meredith are shocked to witness that the cabin next door has become a crime scene, bathed in blood but with no body in sight. The pair soon find themselves caught up in an Agatha Christie-esque murder investigation. Without any help from the authorities, and with the victim still not found, Joe and Meredith are asked to join a group of fellow passengers with law enforcement backgrounds to look into the mysterious disappearance of the man in Cabin16G. But when the steward guarding the crime scene is murdered, it marks the beginning of a killing spree which leaves five found dead—and one still missing. Now Joe and Meredith must fight once again to preserve their newfound future and to catch a cunning killer before they reach the end of the line.
Paranormal Romance
The Vampire’s Receptionist (Charmed Away Temp Agency #4) by Amy Padilla – 5 Aug (Self)
Kian was born between two worlds. Half fae, half green witch, accepted by neither. He was used to being an outcast. A big believer in fate, when he’s offered a reference to work at a temp agency, he takes it without hesitation. And find a job he absolutely loves. Who’d have thought being a temp would be so fun? His newest contract takes him to Spellbound, where he notices his new boss struggling to function. Old EMT habits kick in, and he offers his assistance with a blood donation. He’s done it a dozen times. Nothing could go wrong. Right?
Dorian thought transferring to the medical innovations division would be an interesting challenge. He’d forgotten just how exhausting it was to get an entire division on track. Too busy to worry about self-care, he waits a little too long between feedings and just barely stops himself from attacking a temp. When said temp offers him a blood donation, he can’t very well refuse. It was only supposed to be one time. Surely that would be okay. Right?
Coffee is life, Dorian says so, Kian likes to cause mischief, Something is wrong with Dorian, Kian has a special reaction to blood donations, Dorian helps him out, Dorian is not old as dirt, thank you very much, Don’t mess with the car, Never challenge a druid, Some things are better than coffee, guaranteed HEA
Zomromcom (Supernatural Entanglements #1) by Olivia Dade – 5 Aug (Berkley)
When Edie Brandstrup attempts to save her sweet, seemingly harmless human neighbor from the first major zombie breach in two decades, she’s stunned to be saved by him—and his ridiculously large sword—instead. As it turns out, he’s actually a super-old, super-surly vampire. But for all her neighbor’s newly revealed cynicism and lethality, Gaston “Max” Boucher (yes, Gaston) is unexpectedly protective. He wants her to stay in his safety bunker until the breach is resolved. Edie can’t risk more innocent people getting killed, though—and Max won’t let her save them alone.
As they unravel a sinister conspiracy to set zombies loose on the world (again), the duo meet a host of lovable allies and discover they’re not the only ones willing to fight for the future of humanity. Despite the awful timing, Edie finds herself falling for the vampire who’s helping her save the world . . . but all their dangerous plans could end their future before it even begins. As she and Max battle side by side, Edie must decide whether having a love worth living for also means having a love you’d die for—and, in a world that grows deadlier by the minute, whether that’s a risk she’s willing to take.
Wooing the Wiccan (Elf Magic #1) by Louisa Masters – 7 Aug (Self)
I’m surrounded by two hundred thousand elves, yet somehow, I’m still lonely.
After a rough few millennia, the past decade has finally brought us peace and security—and justified my choices as our leader. But as chaos gives way to calm, I have more time for myself… yet it’s not what I want it to be. I’ve been alone for a long time, but before my people and work needed me more. Now the lonely hours stretch into eternity.
Until I meet Jared.
He’s my perfect match in every way; a teacher, a gardener, a cat dad. He loves books, nature, and interacting with others. He’s sweet, funny, kind, and we’re fire in the bedroom. The only hiccup? He’s human, and he doesn’t know other species exist.
Legally, we haven’t been together long enough for me to tell him I’m not human, and it’s getting harder and harder to keep this secret. To keep part of myself from him… to lie. But what if he learns the truth—a truth that will shatter the core of his beliefs—and can’t handle it?
What if he can’t forgive the lies?
Harmonic Pleasure (Mysterious Arts #6) by Celia Lake – 8 Aug (Celia Lake)
Vega is a singer.
Hard work and talent have brought her to a long-term contract at London’s best magical night club. There’s plenty to keep her new music, reading the mood of the audience that night, and exploring the city. When her family asks for her help, she thinks they need an archaeologist instead.
Farran loves art in all its forms.
As he nears the end of his apprenticeship with one of Albion’s magical auction houses, he needs to decide what to do next with his career. After taking a short-term assignment in London, Farran wants to help Vega. The question is how.
Together, they explore the magic of London in all its forms and the songs of its history. Their explorations take them from the Guildhall and Tower of London into hidden spots underground. Along the way, Vega has to decide which of her secrets to reveal, and whether Farran will understand what she loves.
Harmonic Pleasure is full of music, London’s many-faceted history, and varied forms of magic. Set in 1928, join Farran and Vega as they navigate what loving their families and homes mean as they live their lives. Harmonic Pleasure can be read in any order.
Love at First Sighting by Mallory Marlowe – 12 Aug (Berkley)
Los Angeles social media influencer El Martin seems to live the perfect aesthetic life. But what El wants more than anything is to find something real to make her heart race in a way it hasn’t in years. She doesn’t expect that feeling to come from capturing footage of an unidentified flying . . . thing, much less from the charming Man in Black who keeps following her around.
Agent Carter Brody is trying his best to keep the Private Intelligence Sector afloat by dragging their hopelessly out-of-date office into this century, even though what he really wants to do is follow in his father’s footsteps identifying and hiding extraterrestrial sightings. He gets his chance after being assigned to El’s case and is stopped in his tracks not only by her ingenuity and confidence, but also by the unnerving coincidence of how her sighting looks eerily like what he saw right before a family tragedy.
The deeper El and Carter fall into the mystery, the harder it is for them to ignore their growing chemistry, as their own alien feelings become dangerously terrestrial.
To Kill a Badger (Honey Badgers #6) by Shelly Laurenston – 26 Aug (Kensington)
Nelle Zhao is a social media maven who knows what matters. And the only thing that matters right now is survival. Not easy, though, when her honey badger teammates attract trouble the way she attracts attention. She didn’t know when it became her job to protect the ones she cares about from themselves, but even she has to admit…she’s really good at it. Too bad some people don’t appreciate when she’s being helpful. Especially Keane Malone, who doesn’t know how to accept a friendly paw. But Nelle excels at helping! And at ignoring other people’s irrational demands, such as doing it all alone. Keane, poor pretty kitty, doesn’t understand the kind of assistance a shit-starting honey badger like Nelle can truly offer . . .
Keane knows two things—he doesn’t like other people, and he is going to crush the de Medicis, an evil coalition of male lion shifters who are not only snatching innocent humans for fun and profit, but also killed his father. And for once, he may not be able to fight this fight alone, forcing him to let long-legged, jet-setting Nelle join the fight. And getting close to Nelle is suddenly bringing out his roar . . .
Bitten Vampire (Bitten Chronicles #2) by Brogan Thomas – 28 Aug (Brogan Thomas Books)
Winifred “Fred” Crowsdale thought life couldn’t get worse after a decade-long relationship ended in humiliating betrayal. Then, her rambunctious husky chewed through a door, prompting her furious landlord to kick them out—and ban them from every rental in town. Her only hope? A mysterious, sentient house that offers them a home.
But Fred’s luck takes a deadly turn when a food-delivery gig in the Vampire Sector goes wrong… leaving her with fangs, an insatiable thirst, and a kill-on-sight warrant from the ruthless vampire court. Now she must fight to control her new supernatural powers while staying one step ahead of relentless hunters—and a dangerously enthralling vampire who wants her for himself.
Can Fred harness her evolving psychic gifts, protect her beloved dog, and outrun the lethal slayers?
Science Fiction
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz – 5 Aug (Tordotcom)
While San Francisco rebuilds from the chaos of war, a group of food service bots in an abandoned ghost kitchen take over their own delivery app account. They rebrand as a neighborhood lunch spot and start producing some of the tastiest hand-pulled noodles in the city. But there’s just one problem. Someone―or something―is review bombing the restaurant’s feedback page with fake “bad service” reports. Can the bots find the culprit before their ratings plummet and destroy everything they created?
Urban Fantasy
BP Note: the following release information is still subject to change (updated release date). Back cover blurb and release date are tentative but as one of the calmer early members of the BDH I could not resist including this release. I will attempt to make updates as information is confirmed.
The Inheritance (The Inheritance #1) by Ilona Andrews – 12 Aug (Self)
We are at war.
This war is not about wealth, resources, or territory. It’s a war of biological extermination. The very existence of humanity is at stake.
The moment the first gate burst, sending a monster horde to rage through our world, it brought us unimaginable suffering, but it also awoke something slumbering deep within some of us, a means to repel and destroy our enemy. Powers beyond comprehension. Abilities that are legendary.
The war is ongoing. If you are a Talent, your country needs you. The world needs you. Be the hero you always wanted to be.
Take my hand and answer the call.Elias McFeron
Veiled Justice (The Other Detective #1) by Heather G. Harris – 28 Aug (Hellhound Press Ltd)
My name’s Stacy, but you can call me Inspector Wise. As part of the Connection—the magical law enforcement keeping the supernatural under wraps—I deal with the grittiest magical crimes. The Other Realm is a Vampire-eat-Werewolf kind of world, and only the toughest survive. Fortunately, I’ve got a rare magical I can slip into minds and make people dance to my tune. It’s frowned upon to do that though, so I keep my talents more hidden than Area 51.
My job? Investigate magical murders and cover them up. There’s no shortage of murders to solve, so I get myself a greener-than-green detective to be the Robin to my Batman, which is a problem because I don’t play nicely with others.
Ogres, corpses, and a rising death toll spell trouble—especially when the Ogre King keeps appearing at my crime scenes. But is he responsible for the bodies hitting the floor, or is his interest something else entirely?
Then a body turns up with a personal a threat aimed at me. Now, it’s a race against time to find the killer… before I’m next.
The monthly Must Have list is a compilation of the upcoming release titles that we, The Book Pushers, just can’t wait to get our hands on. Don’t see a title you’re excited about listed here? Add it to the comments section below. Let us know what you’re looking forward to!