Lindsay Emory

August 22, 2016

Best Books

Best Books to Read Now - August 2016

Lindsay Emory

August 22, 2016

Best Books

Reminder/ Caveat/ Disclaimer: This is my (hopefully) monthly list of books I’ve read and enjoyed. These are not reviews, I do not include books I didn’t enjoy because life is too short to speak badly of books!

No virgin heroines here!! Wives, widows, and divorcees are the focus this month! Let's get started, shall we?

The Swans of 5th Ave

by Melanie Benjamin

This was my pick for my book club and let me tell you, I was s t r e s s e d about choosing a book that was "literary" enough (even though my book club isn't snooty like that, I still want to impress.). So I selected this novel based on real people and their relationship with a "literary" author, Truman Capote. Maybe I've read too many

Vanity Fair

issues (see

MEET ME

) but I've had a longstanding fascination with Capote and his glamorous friends; Babe Paley, Slim Keith, Maria Guiness and the rest of his so-called "Swans."

Our group had so much to discuss about this easy, fun, yet thought-provoking read. I highly recommend it - and I'll want to discuss it with you too!

Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress

by Theresa Romain

I've been enjoying the non-traditional historical romance (is that a thing? You know what I mean) and this is one of them. The hero is mixed race and not a Duke, the heroine is an heiress but not aristocratic and it's set in Bath, not London. If that's not enough to interest you, the sexual tension in this book is set to 11.

Your Scandalous Ways

by Loretta Chase

Julia Kelly

recommended this book to me by the pool in San Diego.

A spy.

A courtesan.

Venice.

By Loretta Chase.

Um, one click.

Again, not your mama's Regency romance. And it was awesome.

First Women

by Kate Andersen Brower

I bet she wanted to call this First Wives Club but that was already taken

and so not the same thing. This book is about modern First LADIES, you know, the women who are married to presidents. I was expecting tell-all behind the scenes tales and there's some of that, but what's even better are the truly heart warming stories of the First Families, their friendships with each other and the strength of the marriages in the White House. If you're sick of politics, have turned off cable news and wish you could take a nap until November 10th, I urge you to try this book out because it will make you not want to move to Canada.

What else? Check out this

giveaway

to celebrate our

#ReadWritePlan challenge

for a chance to win a planner, pens or a book (Read, Write, Plan, get it?)

OH! And new subscribers to my newsletter during August will get an opportunity for a free download of my Sorority Sisters Mystery, RUSHING TO DIE!

Click here

to subscribe!

If you've read anything great recently, I'd love to hear your recommendations below or on

Twitter

Facebook

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Lindsay Emory

June 7, 2016

Best Books

Best Books to Read Now - June 2016

Lindsay Emory

June 7, 2016

Best Books

Um...how did it get to be summer already? The kids are out of school, the weather is getting too sticky for my walks and I'm finding myself reaching for a beautiful chilled rose instead of a cup of tea.

Summer is such a fabulous reading time, isn't it? You've got trips and vacations and lazy days by a pool or the lake and we all need reads that will take us away.

Once again, I've got an interesting mix this month. I dug up some reads from my TBR pile, took a chance on a new trope and indulged in continuing a series.

Silent in the Sanctuary / Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn

First up? Two more Lady Julia Gray mysteries! My husband and I were able to escape to Cabo San Lucas for a quick getaway to celebrate my birthday. I posted pics on my

instagram

and our trip was as heavenly as it looked. I have this (strange?) affinity for reading about rainy, cold locations while sweltering by a pool so reading about Lady Julia Gray at Belmont Abbey and on the Yorkshire moors was perfect for me.

Silent in the Sanctuary

kept me guessing the entire time and

Silent on the Moor

was an unusual mystery in that it was piecing together a mystery from the past. Two more winners from Ms. Raybourn.

A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev

Shamefully, this book has been in my Kindle for YEARS. YEARS. Y'all know how that happens. You one-click a book because of rave reviews and a gorgeous cover and then... life. Other books. Pretty soon, your new pretty book is on page four or five in your Paperwhite and you keep thinking, "why haven't I read

A Bollywood Affair

" when you see the constant recommendations on Twitter. So because I'm awesome like that, I finally opened this one... and I couldn't put it down.

It's a contemporary Indian romance, set in the U.S. (... mostly) but the characters are wholly influenced by their culture and history back in India. There's a complicated relationship between the hero and heroine - you know, your typical "my brother's annulled child bride" trope. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the unique cultural and plot points and Ms. Dev truly shines in writing characters jump off the page, fully realized and nuanced and loveable.

Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson

Speaking of tropes, the secret baby trope is... not my favorite. Especially in contemporary romance. A few years ago, I gave one a shot and, um. Let's just say I was not planning on reading another one. Until I was listening to the

Avon on the Air podcast

and Sarah MacLean said this was the secret baby book that would convert people who didn't like secret baby books and while I respect Ms. MacLean's professional expertise, I was dubious. Because SECRET BABY, y'all. But I bought it because HOCKEY PLAYER HERO. You see where my priorities lie.

Turns out, Sarah MacLean was right. *sigh* This book is a joy, the characters totally made me believe in the secret baby and I'm *semi* converted to secret baby books if they're recommended by Ms. MacLean.

*Note* on Avon on the Air. I'm trying really hard to be respectful here and call Lucia Macro and Sarah MacLean by their proper names. Because when I listen to this podcast, I'm totally calling them "Lu" and "Mac" and discussing books in my head with them (or whoever's on the podcast.) I just love talking books, even if its an imaginary conversation.

See

, also, this blog. If y'all know of any other awesome book podcasts, let me know because I'll happily talk to other podcasters in my head.

Or if you know other good secret baby books, let me know about those, too. I will readily admit that I could be, maybe, a little wrong about secret babies.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Here's another from the TBR pile. This one, unlike A Bollywood Affair was not buried in my kindle. It was on my bookcase. Because it was an actual, physical hardcopy of the book (shocker, right?) that my mom had 'loaned' to me a few years ago. I always knew I'd like Susanna Kearsley's timetravel-esque book about 18th century Scotland because I have a well-documented love for other time-travelly 18th century Scotland books. *cough* Outlander *cough*

On a side note, this season's

Outlander

is KILLING ME. Just knowing what is coming at the end of the season is preliminarily devastating me. I'm texting my friends after each episode asking them for comfort because the end is going to be so exquisitely terrible and then we'll have to wait a stupid amount of time before Season 3 starts...

or maybe not

So yes, Ms. Kearsley's novel did not disappoint. It flips back and forth between the past and present and while no actual time-travel takes place, you, the reader, feels as if it has. I can't wait to read another Kearsley novel, especially after I heard her

interview on the SMART BITCHES podcast.

(another podcast where I talk to another Sarah in my head all the time. I swear, I'm completely normal.)

And that's it for this month! I'm not sure I'll have an official BEST BOOKS TO READ NOW post in July. I'm doing a lot of non-fiction research for a new book I'm writing and I'll be headed to RWA nationals in San Diego (where I'll be sure to add to my TBR pile, natch). I may do a Best of Best Books post instead and then my usual post RWA roundup.

Oh! I'm also busy getting this little baby out the door.

The Last Plus One

Her release date is 6.13.16 and you can read more about it here. If you're not already, make sure you like

THE LAST PLUS ONE facebook page

and

. We're doing a few giveaways, posting excerpts and talking about weddings and you don't want to miss any of that.

As always, keep reading and let me know if you read something amazing!

Lindsay Emory

May 12, 2016

Best Books

Best Books to Read Now- May 2016

Lindsay Emory

May 12, 2016

Best Books

I didn't post my list last month. Why? So many reasons - home repairs/ remodeling, book editing, day job stress etc. But I'm glad to say that I've now read enough awesome books for a new post! YAY BOOKS! Let's get started!

Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins

THIS BOOK. THIS BOOK!!!! Hero is a half-Black former slave who is now passing as a rich white guy in post-Civil War Nevada. Heroine is a free-born woman who has big dreams, a work ethic that won't stop and finds herself stranded in the Nevada desert (in a scene that will make you want to do violence against a fictional character.) Just by nature of their very identities is CONFLICT with a capital C, yet Ms. Jenkins creates a beautiful, historically rich love story in a time period that is underserved in romance novels.

The Rogue by Katharine Ashe

And then THIS BOOK. Yes, it's yet another Great Britain historical romance but OMG. I haven't had feels like this in a long, long time. The hero is NOT a lord or a Duke or whatnot, so that's refreshing. It's set in Scotland, there's a credible mystery, and some secondary characters that practically leap off the page and into your lap.

A caveat: This is apparently the end of one series and the beginning of another. There were references to characters and plot lines that were obviously from the first books in the series. I did not find that difficult to navigate, but it could bother other readers. So start from the beginning (as I'm probably going to do) and then get to THIS BOOK.

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas

I did not realize that this book was released in 2009 until I went to Amazon to steal the cover photo. Like the last book, this was also part of a series but can easily be read as a standalone. The heroine is an American heiress and I'm pretty much a sucker for any New York heiress-husband-hunting in England story (think Earl and Countess Grantham's backstory from Downton Abbey.) There's a touch of magic, a villain who you pray can be redeemed, and a pleasantly grumpy yet not-too tortured hero.

Act Like It by Lucy Parker

First, let's take a moment and gaze upon this cover. THIS. COVER. IS. EVERYTHING. I know most have you have already bought it just based on that cover.

Now I'm going to admit something awful. I bought this book when it came out because THAT COVER and the love on Twitter was strong for this one. Then I didn't read it. And I didn't read it. And I wanted to read it, because The COVER and the LOVE, and LONDON and .... what stopped me from reading it??

I write contemporary romance and mystery and I'm just SO PICKY when I read other contemporary novels. Not picky in a "oh that sucks I'm so much better way" but "is this book going to make me hate everything I write" and "am I unconsciously going to emulate this voice or trope or setting" and "is this just like something I've written and OMG maybe I should change X, Y, and Z in my book." But I was at the beach, and my writer brain was calm and I finally found myself in a place where I could just relax and enjoy all the fabulousness that is this book. It's an enemies to lovers, fake relationship set-up but it ultimately goes to a lovely, REAL contemporary story where you see two people (He is a moody wealthy stage actor - think Richard Burton without the cirrhosis. She is his warm, down-to-earth co-star.) fall for each other for all the right reasons.

The Last Plus One

And speaking of covers... THIS COVER. THIS COVER!!!! Take a second and just appreciate this piece of fun, summer perfection. There's pink! And champagne! And WHO IS THAT GUY? And "I'm on a BOAT!"

This is my next release, a fun little project set at a Maine compound at the wedding of the year. Three authors, three novellas, three Happily Ever Afters. Check it out and make sure you stay tuned to my Facebook and Twitter because there will be a fun wedding-themed giveaway around the release date in June.

Until then, happy reading!!!

Lindsay Emory

March 9, 2016

Best Books

Best Books To Read Now: March 2016

Lindsay Emory

March 9, 2016

Best Books

Another interesting mix of stories this month,but these are all by authors I am a major fangirl for. Shall we get started??

Wife for the Weekend by Ophelia London

If you know me on social media or have followed this blog, you'll recognize the name Ophelia London. The first time I met her in person at a DARA meeting, I kind of (yes, I did) freaked out on her, and gushed about her (then) latest release, Definitely, Maybe In Love (If you love Pride & Prejudice, and you want a modern retelling, check it out). We've become good friends since, and I'm still a fangirl of her personally and of her books. In fact, I was lucky enough to get an early ARC of this book because that dear sweet girl asked me to write a blurb for her. See it there? In tiny letters on the top of the cover? That's how I feel about this funny, sweet book about how two opposites can attract.

Be Not Afraid by Alyssa Cole

I think I've only met Alyssa Cole once in person, at last year's RWA, but it feels like I've *known* her for longer, in that way that you do when you tweet and podcast with someone. When we met, she gave me the biggest, warmest hug and well, I'm just a huge fan. We guested on the same episode of First Draught last year and we shared that we both (coincidentally?) had books where someone gets killed in the first scene; this was the book she was discussing. Yes, it's a romance, lol. It's a short novella set during the American Revolution and if you're obsessed with Hamilton, like I am (Hey Universe, still waiting on those tickets, thx) you will love this story.

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

And I am officially obsessed with this author and series now. My darling friend Erika had been telling me to get on this for a long, long time and I finally did and OMG.

I'm trying to savor the Lady Julia Grey series and not rip through them like I am known to do. If you like modern women in historical times, mystery and dark, forbidding heroes, you will love this book. And Ms. Raybourn seems like a peach so I'm fangirling hard for her, as well.

The Bourbon Kings by JR Ward

Someone who doesn't need another fangirl is J.R. Ward. The woman is worshipped by millions for her Black Dagger Brotherhood series and I've read them all. Here's the deal about the BDB; they're badass, supernatural vampires who live like Jay Z and look like, I don't know, hot wrestlers. Then J.R. Ward starts this series, about a Kentucky bourbon dynasty and I was like...

But somehow a privileged Southern family is just as insane as rap-star vampires. This book is a total throwback to 1980's Jackie Collins/ Dynasty/ soap opera gloriousness. It's ludicrous and no one is a nice person and you see the plot twists from a mile away and you just want to gobble it up like a one pound bag of peanut M&Ms. My advice? Wait for this summer, when the sequel comes out and you'll have two cracktastic sagas to enjoy by the pool

So what else is new?

MEAN SISTERS, (the UK version of Sisterhood is Deadly (which is on sale for $.99! for a limited time!)), releases in the UK on March 17, 2016 and is currently for sale via pre-order for .99!

I had such an amazing response to my last Goodreads giveaway, that I'm doing another one and giving away another 2 books to celebrate the print release of RUSHING TO DIE. Check it out!

We're headed to the mountains for Spring Break so I'm going to fill up my Kindle with something amazing to read in the lodge while everyone else skis... Any suggestions?

Lindsay Emory

February 10, 2016

Best Books

Best Books to Read Now: February 2016

Lindsay Emory

February 10, 2016

Best Books

So this last month has been a hard reading month. You'll notice that I'm not including four books and that's not because I didn't read four (or more) books, it's just I can't talk about all of them (*cough* RITA *cough*).

Hopefully next month I'll be right back to devouring my 2016 TBR pile, which will include diverse authors and genres to talk about! Yay!

But actually, this month's reads were pretty diverse. In fact, they're so diverse, I'm finding it hard to find a theme that will hold all of them. I have a memoir by an Indian-American actress/writer/producer, a paranormal about the Grim Reaper and an Italian literary novel translated into English.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

I've been a HYUGE (say in a Donald Trump voice) fan of Mindy Kaling since WAY back in the day. I even used to follow her shopping blog back before shopping blogs were a thing (like, circa 2004). I love her voice in her television shows (The Office and The Mindy Project) and I loved her voice in this memoir, as well. It was seriously LOL funny. I know, lots of people say that but trust me. I've also decided that one day Mindy and I will develop a project together. This is a serious Bucket List item, along with

*meet Dolly Parton,*
*see Hamilton on Broadway* and
*get my eyebrows on fleek.*

Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones

I feel kind of dumb talking about this book, when apparently book #9 in this series was just released? I don't know how I got behind, because I usually jump on new releases in series I love. This is another book / series where I just love the voice (Wait....

I now know the theme for this entry. VOICE. All of these books have great VOICE. Carry on.

Charley Davidson (the main character in this series, also known as the Grim Reaper) is one of those voices that can inspire me, make me laugh and make me feel immediacy. It took me a little longer to get into this book, probably because I waited so damn long between books, but the cliffhanger and the way Ms. Jones wrapped up on plot point and jumped into a new direction has me so excited to pick up #9, The Dirt on Ninth Grave ASAP.

My Brilliant Friend, by Elena Ferrante

Last month I mentioned that I had been invited to a real, grown-ass, booky book club. I was so excited! All of my other book clubs have dissolved like:

[embed]http://https://youtu.be/qkTzDh8IKNU[/embed]

This month's selection was MY BRILLIANT FRIEND and I'm still trying to process it. The voice is incredibly intimate yet distant, with a beautiful musical quality. It's a story of a complicated friendship between two girls in post-War Naples and I flipped through the pages trying to figure out what was going to happen next, who was good, who was a psychopath, who was maybe a mentally ill murderer. I'd love to discuss this one with more of you!

In case you aren't a digital reader, RUSHING TO DIE came out in paperback yesterday! If you've read it (or any of my books), please consider leaving a review wherever you bought it. I'm also giving away two copies on Goodreads and you have until February 14th to enter there!

As always, I'd love to hear what you've been reading and what you thought about it! Leave a comment or hit me up on Facebook to discuss books, #mancrushmonday and more.