Books to Binge On: May 2017

Posted May 3, 2017 by Holly in Features | 9 Comments

Books to Binge On


White Hot by Ilona Andrews.

The Hidden Legacy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews continues as Nevada and Rogan navigate a world where magic is the norm…and their relationship burns hot

Nevada Baylor has a unique and secret skill—she knows when people are lying—and she’s used that magic (along with plain, hard work) to keep her colorful and close-knit family’s detective agency afloat. But her new case pits her against the shadowy forces that almost destroyed the city of Houston once before, bringing Nevada back into contact with Connor “Mad” Rogan.

Rogan is a billionaire Prime—the highest rank of magic user—and as unreadable as ever, despite Nevada’s “talent.” But there’s no hiding the sparks between them. Now that the stakes are even higher, both professionally and personally, and their foes are unimaginably powerful, Rogan and Nevada will find that nothing burns like ice …

Holly: Finally! The first book was released years ago. I’m glad the series is finally getting pushed out.


The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn.

While you were sleeping…

With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He’s unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier’s life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie…

I told everyone I was your wife

When Edward comes to, he’s more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is—even if he does not recall her face—and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he’d always assumed he’d marry his neighbor back in England.

If only it were true…

Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself—completely—to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.

Holly: It’s Julia Quinn. Enough said.

Rowena: I enjoyed the first book so I’m looking forward to getting to know Edward, the Rokesby brother that I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet.


Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen.

A goalie has to trust his instincts, even when taking a shot to the heart…

Mike Beacon is a champion at defending the net, but off the ice, he’s not so lucky. A widower and a single father, he’s never forgotten Lauren Williams, the ex who gave him the best year of his life. When Lauren reappears in the Bruisers office during the playoffs, Beacon sees his chance to make things right.

Lauren hates that she’s forced to travel with the team she used to work for and the man who broke her heart. There’s still undeniable sexual tension running between her and Mike, but she won’t go down that road again. She’s focused on her plans for the future—she doesn’t need a man to make her dreams of motherhood come true.

Lauren plays her best defensive game, but she’s no match for the dark-eyed goalie. When the field of play moves to Florida, things heat up on the beach.

One of Mike’s biggest fans doesn’t approve—his teenage daughter. But a true competitor knows not to waste the perfect shot at love.

Holly: This book is my favorite of the series so far. I loved Mike and Lauren both, which is surprising since I didn’t like her in the previous books.

Rowena: Ditto to what Holly said. This is definitely my favorite book of the series and I can’t wait for more from this series. Mike and Lauren were a fabulous couple and I enjoyed seeing them find their way back to each other. Sarina Bowen is great at writing grown folks relationships and she really rocked it with this one.


Red Wolf by Jennifer Ashley.

The New York Times bestselling author of Guardian’s Mate returns to the world of the Shifters and a tale of a new love under fire…

Lupine Shifter Dimitri has always had to defend himself to other Shifters. As a red wolf, he’s not considered a “pure” wolf, and the battles have honed him into a tough fighter, a champion of the fight clubs. Jaycee Bordeaux, a leopard Shifter, is Dimitri’s staunchest defender and oldest friend. Dimitri is determined to turn that friendship into a mate bond.

Jaycee loves that idea, but she knows that a mate bond can’t be forced. And when Dimitri and Jaycee are called on to go undercover to protect collared Shifters, she knows the dangers ahead will make or break their future together.

Holly: The last couple releases in this series were hit and miss for me, but I’m excited for Dimitri and Jaycee. Who doesn’t love a stuttering werewolf?


Ravenheart by Danikka Dark.

Book 2 in the Crossbreed series.

Two weeks after joining Keystone, Raven Black is ready to take on the world as a criminal hunter for hire. If only her partner wasn’t a bloodsucking Vampire with a penchant for getting under her skin. Despite her lavish surroundings, Raven misses the freedom of life without rules. And Keystone’s next assignment is about to test her self-control in more ways than one.

Dead bodies are popping up in the human district, and all signs point to a Breed serial killer. In order to catch him, Raven and Christian embark on a mission that takes their partnership into uncharted waters. Lives are at stake. Can Raven trust her instincts, or will she fall into a web spun from lies and deceit?

Time is running out in this pulse-pounding tale of dark secrets, murder, and forbidden desires.

Holly: Dark can be hit or miss for me, but this series looks intriguing.


Shadow Reaper by Christine Feehan.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan continues her sexy new series, as the Ferraros—a Chicago crime family—use their power as shadow riders to protect their empire and the ones they love…

Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood – but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own…

Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her – a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She’s someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco’s embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them…

Holly: This is the second book in the series. I didn’t enojoy it quite as much as the first, but I’m still excited to see where Feehan takes things.

Rowena: I didn’t enjoy the first book in this series all that much but one of the bright spots in that book was Ricco so even though I probably won’t read more books from this series, I do want to read Ricco’s book. He was yummy in Shadow Rider.

Casee: This book was a disappointment after Shadow Rider. I had high expectations.


Love Me Again by Jaci Burton.

In the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Don’t Let Go, it’s never too late for a second chance at first love…

When Loretta Simmons returns to Hope, Oklahoma, after a disastrous marriage, she’s determined to remain independent for the sake of her daughter. The only thing standing in her way is Deacon Fox—the man she loved and walked away from years ago.

Since Loretta owns the bookstore right next to his current renovation project, Deacon can’t escape the woman who broke his heart. Throw in her adorable little girl and one ridiculously oversized dog, and they’re almost a family. Only he can’t be that guy—what they had was once in a lifetime.

But love has a funny way of re-opening a door you thought was firmly closed…

Holly: I’m still not really reading contemporary romance, but I’m stock-piling this series for when I’m back on it again.


Trying It All by Christi Barth.

Order. Attention to detail. Never leaving anything to chance. These are the qualities that make Riley Ness such a terrific federal agent . . . and a pain in the ass to everyone else. The only time Riley lets loose is when he’s hanging out with his closest pals. So when he’s thrown together with gorgeous, flighty Summer Sheridan, Riley’s brain tells him she’s a ticking time bomb—but his body doesn’t want to play by the rules.

Riley has to be the most irritating man Summer has ever met. The brooding hunk thinks he needs to teach her a few lessons about real life, while she’d rather show him how to enjoy it. But her BFF’s all but engaged to Riley’s best friend, and besides, their intense physical chemistry is all too real. Summer just needs Riley to try to meet her halfway and take a chance with the one thing that matters: his heart

Holly: I’m stock-piling this series for when I’m reading contemps again, too.

Forget You, Ethan by Whitney G..

From the New York Times bestselling author of ‘Sincerely, Carter’ comes another sexy summer romance that features life-long friendships, steamy first kisses, and never-ending nights at the beach.

Rowena: I’m a big fan of Whitney G.’s Sincerely, Carter and I’m looking forward to reading more of the same of that kind of story with this one. This looks like it’s a standalone and I know that it’s been scheduled to release for a long ass time but for some reason, it still hasn’t been released so I’m over here…hopeful.

I need to know Ethan…and why we should forget him.


Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith.

Alice doesn’t believe in luck—at least, not the good kind. But she does believe in love, and for some time now, she’s been pining for her best friend, Teddy. On his eighteenth birthday—just when it seems they might be on the brink of something—she buys him a lottery ticket on a lark. To their astonishment, he wins $140 million, and in an instant, everything changes.

At first, it seems like a dream come true, especially since the two of them are no strangers to misfortune. As a kid, Alice won the worst kind of lottery possible when her parents died just over a year apart from each other. And Teddy’s father abandoned his family not long after that, leaving them to grapple with his gambling debts. Through it all, Teddy and Alice have leaned on each other. But now, as they negotiate the ripple effects of Teddy’s newfound wealth, a gulf opens between them. And soon, the money starts to feel like more of a curse than a windfall.

As they try to find their way back to each other, Alice learns more about herself than she ever could have imagined . . . and about the unexpected ways in which luck and love sometimes intersect.

Rowena: I used to be a really big contemporary YA reader but I haven’t been reading much of it lately. I’m still following certain YA authors because I have enjoyed their books in the past and Jennifer E. Smith is one of them. This book is getting some great advance reviews so I’m mighty curious to try it out for myself so on my wish list it goes.


All Closed Off by Cora Carmack.

Stella Santos is fine.

Maybe something terrible happened to her that she can’t even remember. And maybe it drives her crazy when her friends treat her like she’s on the verge of breaking because of it. Maybe it feels even worse when they do what she asks and pretend that it never happened at all. And maybe she’s been getting harassing emails and messages for months from people who don’t even know her, but hate her all the same.

But none of that matters because she’s just fine.

For Ryan Blake, Stella was always that girl. Vibrant and hilarious and beautiful. He wanted her as his best friend. His more than friends. His everything and anything that she would give him. Which these days is a whole lot of nothing. She gets angry when he’s there. Angry when he’s not there. Angry when he tries to talk and when he doesn’t.

When Stella devises an unconventional art project for one of her classes all about exploring intimacy—between both friends and strangers—Ryan finds himself stepping in as guinea pig after one of her subjects bails. What was supposed to be an objective and artistic look at emotion and secrets and sex suddenly becomes much more personal. When he hits it off with another girl from the project, Stella will have to decide if she’s willing to do more than make art about intimacy. To keep him, she’ll have to open up and let herself be the one thing she swore she’d never be again.

Vulnerable.

Rowena: I have been waiting what seems like forever for this book to come out. I needed Stella’s story like I needed to breathe. It’s been two years since the last book, All Played Out came out and I’ve been thirsty for this story ever since. It’s finally here guys. The wait is over and I’m going to inhale the shit out of this book once it drops.


When it’s Real by Erin Watt.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Erin Watt comes the addictive contemporary tale of a teen rock star in need of an image makeover and the teen girl hired to be his fake girlfriend.

Meet Oakley Ford-teen celebrity, renowned pop star, child of famous movie stars, hottie with millions of fangirls… and restless troublemaker. On the surface he has it all, but with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry, and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley’s team decides it’s time for an intervention. The result: an image overhaul, complete with a fake girlfriend meant to show the world he’s settled down.

Enter seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett-devoted sister, part-time waitress, the definition of “normal.” Under ordinary circumstances she’d never have taken this gig, but with her family strapped for cash, she doesn’t have much of a choice. And for the money Oakley’s team is paying her, she figures she can put up with outlandish Hollywood parties and a team of publicists watching her every move. So what if she thinks Oakley’s a shallow, self-centered jerk? It’s not like they’re going to fall for each other in real life…right?

Rowena: Erin Watt, won me over when they wrote Paper Princess and I’ve been their reading bitch ever since. I’m so going to read this book. Everyone needs those guilty pleasures that just get you hyped up. I’m looking forward to this book ruining me.


Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han.

Lara Jean’s letter-writing days aren’t over in this surprise follow-up to the New York Times bestselling To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You.

Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbor, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding.

But change is looming on the horizon. And while Lara Jean is having fun and keeping busy helping plan her father’s wedding, she can’t ignore the big life decisions she has to make. Most pressingly, where she wants to go to college and what that means for her relationship with Peter. She watched her sister Margot go through these growing pains. Now Lara Jean’s the one who’ll be graduating high school and leaving for college and leaving her family—and possibly the boy she loves—behind.

When your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

Rowena: I’ve been rooting for Lara Jean since first reading To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and two books later, I’m still pretty hooked on her story with Peter. I think this is the last book and I’m super stoked to read it.


Lethal Lies by Rebecca Zanetti.

Revenge. It’s the only thing that will help Anya Best sleep at night. The serial killer who murdered her sister is on the loose, and Anya will stop at nothing to put him behind bars-even use herself as bait to lure him out of hiding. But she can’t do this alone.

Private investigator Heath Jones’s job is to bring bastards to justice. This time it’s personal. He knew the Copper Killer’s latest victim so when her sister asks for his help, he’s all in. But when Anya uses the media to taunt the killer, she exposes Heath’s identity, putting them both in jeopardy. Now, secrets buried long ago are coming to light and the forces determined to destroy him are watching Heath’s every move, waiting to exact their own revenge. And they’ll use anything and anyone to get to Heath.

With twists and turns that will take your breath away, LETHAL LIES is sexy, action-packed suspense at its very best from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti.

Casee: This book is the second in Zanetti’s Blood Brothers series and it was fantastic. It was much better than the first book. I loved Heath.


Deadmen Walking by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Hell On Earth

When the Chthonians brought the primal gods to a truce at the end of their great war, part of the pact they forged was that the worst of the evil the gods had unleashed against each other and mankind would be forever banished.

But forever is a long time. And nothing can contain those determined to find a way back.

To catch evil, it takes evil . . .

While Thorn is able to contain the demons unleashed on the ground, the ones who prey on the innocent sailors and sea faring travelers are beyond his reach.

For the sake of humanity, he makes a shaky alliance with an old foe, Marcelina. In the form of the ship they sail upon, she assembles a team under the command of Captain Devlyn Nathaniel Bane, one of the most notorious and bloodthirsty pirates to ever sail the high seas.

Damned and murdered by his own, Bane is out for revenge. With his own secret agenda, he agrees to take charge of the motley crew of pirates and brigands, and to protect the seas from the preternatural terrors that seek to devour every unwary soul they can take.

Theirs is a sacred and deadly task, as they are hunted by their prey and human authorities alike. If they fail, the world will fall to the ancient gods of chaos, and anarchy will reign. Most of all, the Southern gate, where the greatest, most powerful darkness is imprisoned, will be opened and there will be no stopping it.

It’s yo ho ho and a bottle of high seas stakes where the souls of all humanity are the ultimate prize and bargaining chip.

Casee: First of all, I am digging this cover. Second, I am digging the title. Third, I am digging the name of the series. Who knows if I will dig the book. That remains to be seen.


Come Sundown by Nora Roberts.

The Bodine ranch and resort in western Montana is a family business, an idyllic spot for vacationers. A little over thirty thousand acres and home to four generations, it’s kept running by Bodine Longbow with the help of a large staff, including new hire Callen Skinner. There was another member of the family once: Bodine’s aunt, Alice, who ran off before Bodine was born. She never returned, and the Longbows don’t talk about her much. The younger ones, who never met her, quietly presume she’s dead. But she isn’t. She is not far away, part of a new family, one she never chose—and her mind has been shattered…

When a bartender leaves the resort late one night, and Bo and Cal discover her battered body in the snow, it’s the first sign that danger lurks in the mountains that surround them. The police suspect Cal, but Bo finds herself trusting him—and turning to him as another woman is murdered and the Longbows are stunned by Alice’s sudden reappearance. The twisted story she has to tell about the past—and the threat that follows in her wake—will test the bonds of this strong family, and thrust Bodine into a darkness she could never have imagined.

Casee: I love Nora. I’ll read anything she puts out.

What are you looking forward to this month? Share!


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9 responses to “Books to Binge On: May 2017

  1. Looking forward to the Nora book, especially as her trilogies are going to be different from now on and I don’t read J D Robb.

  2. Jen

    I’m excited about The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick. I got an ARC of it like a million years ago and read it right away, and now that it’s *finally* coming out I’m thinking I want to read it again! It’s just kind of a fun romantic suspense with a great historical setting. Sarah Morgan has a new one coming out too, New York Actually. Oh, and Cynthia Eden has a new LOST book and I think the heroine is a bounty hunter, woo!

    I too am so excited about Lethal Lies because I love that world. I’m glad to hear it was good, Casee! Seriously, how did I miss out on so many good ARCs this month? I have to wait to read them like regular people, lol!

    • Jen

      And I just realized I do actually have an ARC of Lethal Lies. Ahem. This semester has stolen my brain, but on the plus side I’m almost done and now I have a book to read. 🙂

      • I’m pretty interested in reading The Girl Who Knew Too Much too since I plan on going to the book signing at The Ripped Bodice next week. Fingers crossed, anyway. I’m glad to see that you enjoyed it, Jen.

  3. I feel like I should announce that the release of Cora Carmack’s All Closed Off was pushed back to July 18th. I’m sooooooo anxious for that book!

  4. Kareni

    You listed several books I was already eager to read ~ The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband, the Sarina Bowen book, Red Wolf, and the Nora Roberts title. And you’ve added a couple of other books to my list as well.

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