July New Releases

Hello Ladies,

It’s July, you know what that means: 4th of July picnics, vacations, camping, and swimming. Need something to read while on that long car or plane ride? Need a book to read while watching the kids play at the pool? We have plenty of new releases for you to be on the look out for. Please remember that these dates are subject to change since publishers can’t seem to make up their minds. We love them anyways though.

July 1st.

Rowena is looking forward to A Wanted Man: A Stone Creek Novel by Linda Lael Miller. I’ve read a few Linda Lael Miller books and they were pretty good reads.

The past has a way of catching up with folks in Stone Creek, Arizona. So schoolmarm Lark Morgan and Marshal Rowdy Rhodes are determined to hide their secrets-and deny their instant attraction. That shouldn’t be too hard, since each suspects the other of living a lie.

Her too-fancy clothes and big-city ways inspire gossip all over town; his blond good looks and impudent grin belong to a man sporting a gunfighter’s coat.
But Rowdy and Lark have one truth in common: the very real dangers they face. Like the gang of robbers wreaking havoc on the railroad heading toward Stone Creek-the men Ranger Sam O’Ballivan expects Rowdy to nab. And as past and current troubles collide, Rowdy and Lark must surrender their stubborn pride to the greatest power of all-an undying love.

Another book I know Rowena is also looking forward to is Queen of Babble in the Big City (Hardcover) by Meg Cabot. I don’t think she’s been dissapointed yet. This the sequel to Queen of Babble for those who need read books in order.

Lizzie Nichols is back, pounding the New York City pavement and looking for a job, a place to live, and her proper place in the universe (not necessarily in that order).

When “Summer Fling” Luke uses the L word (Living Together), Lizzie is only too happy to give up her plan of being postgrad roomies with best friend, Shari, in a one-room walk-up in exchange for cohabitation with the love of her life in his mother’s Fifth Avenue pied-à-terre, complete with doorman and resident Renoir.

But Lizzie’s not as lucky in her employment search. As Shari finds the perfect job, Lizzie struggles through one humiliating interview after another, being judged overqualified for the jobs in her chosen field-vintage-gown rehab-and underqualified for everything else. It’s Shari’s boyfriend Chaz to the rescue when he recommends Lizzie for a receptionist’s position at his father’s posh law firm. The nonpaying gig at a local wedding-gown shop Lizzie manages to land all on her own.

But Lizzie’s notoriously big mouth begins to get her into trouble at work and at home almost at once-first at the law firm, where she becomes too chummy with Jill Higgins, a New York society bride with a troublesome future mother-in-law, and then back on Fifth Avenue, when she makes the mistake of bringing up the M word (Marriage) with commitment-shy Luke.

Soon Lizzie finds herself jobless as well as homeless all over again. Can Lizzie save herself-and the hapless Jill-and find career security (not to mention a mutually satisfying committed relationship) at last?

Let us know how it is Rowena!

Next up we have Raintree: Sanctuary by Bev Barton. I haven’t read anything by this author before. It looks good though.

War with their archrival, the evil Ansara clan, is unavoidable. For Mercy Raintree, a war means she must assume her position as guardian of the Sanctuary-the sacred Raintree home place deep in the Smoky Mountains. But doing so threatens to disclose her most prized secret-one Mercy has kept to herself for six years.

As the solstice looms and the battle heats up, Dranir Judah Ansara gathers his forces, intending to wipe every Raintree from the face of the land. Including Mercy, whom he’s claimed as his to kill. Then he comes face-to-face with her-and with her daughter, Eve. Will Mercy’s closely guarded secret change not only the outcome of the battle-but also Judah’s own bitter heart?

For those who must read in order, this the third book in the Raintree series.

July 10th

For you Nora Roberts fans, we have HIGH NOON(Hardcover) coming out.

Police Lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara found her calling at an early age when an unstable man broke into her family’s home, trapping and terrorizing them for hours. Now she’s Savannah’s top hostage negotiator, defusing powderkeg situations with a talent for knowing when to give in-and when to jump in and take action. It’s satisfying work-and sometimes those skills come in handy at home dealing with her agoraphobic mother, still traumatized by the break-in after all these years, and her precocious seven-year-old, Carly.

It’s exactly that heady combination of steely courage and sensitivity that first attracts Duncan Swift to Phoebe. After observing her coax one of his employees down from a roof ledge, he is committed to keeping this intriguing, take-charge woman in his life. She’s used to working solo, but Phoebe’s discovering that no amount of negotiation can keep Duncan at arm’s length.

And when she’s grabbed by a man who throws a hood over her head and brutally assaults her-in her own precinct house-Phoebe can’t help but be deeply shaken. Then threatening messages show up on her doorstep, and she’s not just alarmed but frustrated. How do you go face-to-face with an opponent who refuses to look you in the eye?

Now, with Duncan backing her up every step of the way, she must establish contact with the faceless tormentor who is determined to make her a hostage to fear . . . before she becomes the final showdown.

July 17th

Linda Howard, a favorite with Rowena and Holly, has Upclose and Personal coming out.

A mysterious plane crash . . . a dangerous trek through the Idaho wilderness . . . a smoldering attraction . . . and a deadly game of cat and mouse. In her latest tour de force of romantic suspense, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard blends these elements into a gripping story that will keep readers breathless-and leave them begging for more. For in Linda Howard’s world, trust can be a weapon, a kiss can be a threat, and intimacy can be deadly.

Bailey Wingate’s scheming adult stepchildren are surprised when their father’s will leaves Bailey in control of their fortune, and war ensues. A year later, while flying from Seattle to Denver in a small plane, Bailey nearly dies herself when the engine sputters-and then fails.

Cam Justice, her sexy Texan pilot, manages to crash-land the aircraft. Stranded in the wilderness, and struggling to douse her feelings for the ruggedly handsome man by her side, Bailey begins to wonder whether this was a mere accident. Sure enough, upon her return to civilization Bailey’s suspicions mount: Who tampered with their plane? Who’s trying to reunite Bailey and her husband in the afterlife? Trusting her life-and heart-to Cam, Bailey must outwit a killer who will stop at nothing to finish the job.

Sexy, suspenseful, and lightning fast, Up Close and Dangerous showcases a beloved author at her dazzling best.

Releasing on July 21st

The book we’ve all been waiting for, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS by JK Rowling. What will happen with Harry and He Who Shall Not Be Named? Will Harry Die? Will Ron and Hermoinie finally hook up? Did Dumbledore really die and what’s up with Snape? So many questions that will hopefully be answered.

And there you have it ladies. You have plenty to choose from so you can’t complain you have nothing to read. Until next month. Happy 4th of July!