Best Books to Read Now - 2017 Gift Edition

Because books are the best gifts. These books will inspire, educate and help your friend/ partner/ Aunt Sally have a great holiday.

Braving the Wilderness - Brene Brown

Seriously. I’ve been recommending this to all my friends. A must-read for anyone who looks around and thinks we could do better in how we relate to one another.

Amazon | | iBooks

Giant of the Senate – Al Franken

For those who like to laugh along with a fair and balanced (truly) look at politics. It shouldn’t ignite too much debate around the turkey. Also a good audio book to listen to in the car while driving to Aunt Sally's.

Amazon | | iBooks

John Adams – David McCullough

For the history lovers and the Hamilton fan in your circle, this biography of John Adams is an evergreen great read.

Amazon | | iBooks

Tools of Titans - Tim Ferriss

For fans of Tim Ferriss’ podcast, for self-improvement lovers and those who like all sorts of words of wisdom and hacks, this book is full of extensive tips and tricks for being your best self in 2018.

Amazon | | iBooks

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! – Ree Drummond

Because everyone wants good, classic food. Perfect for hostess gifts, teachers, and Aunt Sally. (and me – my secret homemade cobbler recipe came from The Pioneer Woman blog… shhh…)

Amazon | | iBooks

Resisting Santa – Lindsay Emory

Um, my new release just came out! It’s a quirky holiday romance set in Mistletoe Key, Florida, where Christmas is celebrated 365 days a year -  like a Hallmark movie you can read in line at the post office.  Get one for everyone you love who needs a sugar cookie break!

And – for the month of November all proceeds from the sales of  RESISTING SANTA and BLUE CHRISTMAS, the second book in the Mistletoe Key world will go to hurricane relief. So get it, quick!

Amazon | | iBooks

RESISTING SANTA - Cover Reveal!!!

It’s here! The cover for my #bookinaweek (read about the creation of it here)!

RESISTING SANTA, Book 1 of the Mistletoe Key series!

Isn't it adorable? The cover fits the book perfectly- cute, holiday fun.

Want more? Read on!

Caroling Mermaids, Snow in Florida, and Matchmaking Parrots – Who can Resist Love in Mistletoe Key?

Mistletoe Key takes Christmas traditions very seriously. So when Eliza Hart advocates for a gender-inclusive Santa late one night on public radio, she inadvertently sets off an historic island-wide scandal.  After years away, she’s just returned to the island but once again she’s persona non grata, fighting the patriarchy one Santa suit at a time.

Tiki bar owner Shep Butler had a childhood crush on Eliza and while she’s stirring up trouble in town, he can’t help the feelings she’s stirring up in him. He’s always been fascinated with her eyes and her freckles, but now her grown-up feminist opinions are a package deal and maybe even a deal breaker.

On an island where Christmas is celebrated 365 days a year, can Eliza and Shep find room at the inn for different opinions – and love – before politics and tradition tear them apart?

This book was so fun to write and I’m loving hearing back from early readers that they’re having fun reading it!

If you're in the mood for a Hallmark Christmas movie that you can read on your phone, well, this is the book for you.

Pre-order yourself a Holiday Present today!

Amazon ||iBooks || Barnes & Noble || Kobo

Best Books to Read Now - October 2017

I didn’t post a list of books last month because for several strange reasons, I was overlapping a bunch of these – hence a bunch of books to recommend in October! WHeee!

The Look of Love – Julia Kelly

I was very lucky to get to read an early copy of this and once again, I’m blown away by Julia’s sweet, smart, sexy prose in the first book of this new historical romance series with a MATCHMAKER in SCOTLAND!! (I know, you just one-clicked that, right?)

Buy THE LOOK OF LOVE at Amazon || iBooks

King of the Sea – Madame de Boudoir

Out today! This is a paranormal erotic romance novella that made me gasp and laugh, too. Madame’s voice is fresh, intoxicatingly creative and the start of what should be an unforgettable new series featuring mermaids/ mermen and their loves through history.

Buy KING OF THE SEA at Amazon || iBooks

The Alice Network – Kate Quinn

Pretty much a non-fiction book disguised as fiction with effortless, suspenseful, thrilling prose. I’m obsessed with lady spies and recommending this to everyone.

Buy at Amazon || iBooks

Beard in Mind – Penny Reid

Another Winston Brothers installment, this time featuring the good-looking and good-natured Beau and the surly and sexy mechanic Shelly. We caught a glimpse of this couple in Cletus’ book and their story of overcoming illness to find love and family will kill you in a good way.

Buy at Amazon

Beginner’s Luck – Kate Clayborn

A debut that left me laughing, crying, and with a hurting tummy (from nerves! Were these two crazy kids going to work out?). For those who love STEM heroines, HGTV home renovation shows and real, fun contemporary romance. I’ve got Kate coming up on Women With Books next week so make sure you subscribe to hear our very cool conversation.

Pick it up at Amazon || iBooks

Unfortunately, I also had a DNF (did not finish) this month. It broke my heart to do as it’s not in my essential nature to give up on a book.  Do you ever stop reading before a book is over? Or are you a push-through-til-the-end kind of reader?

And have you read any of the books that I’ve recommended? If you have (or do) please let me know what you think – either on my Lindsay Emory facebook page or my Women With Books podcast page. I’d love to discuss books and what makes you read til the very end.

Best Books to Read Now: July 2017

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!

An Extraordinary Union - Alyssa Cole

Amazon | iBooks

This was totally my catnip book. Spies, Civil War, a woman with extraordinary mental abilities (the heroine has a perfect memory!).  A great start to a series and a great book to read during the patriotic season!

The Day of the Duchess - Sarah MacLean

Amazon | iBooks

In the middle of this, I was comparing it to my favorite Sarah Maclean, (Yes, I always mention it. Temple’s book, No Good Duke Goes Unpunished) because my heart was clenching in that oh-so-painful-but-good way and I realized it was because they’re both stories of second chance love.  There’s also more of SESILY, a secondary character who’s been in at least two or three of this series and I’m really hoping that Ms. MacLean puts us out of our misery and gives us the Sesily (and the American?) book that we’ve been dying for.

Slightly South of Simple - Kristy Woodson Harvey

Amazon || iBooks

This was my book club pick for the summer. I told my book club that I was picking a book with a beach on it, so I did, and so I read it by the beach when we were able to get away to Mexico last month. This is a great, easy read, about sisterhood, second chances and summers gone by.

The Deep End- Julie Mulhern

Amazon || iBooks

I’ve had this on my TBR list for a really long time, and was finally in a place where I could read a straight up mystery (I don’t like reading it when I’m writing it) and I give this an enthusiastic two thumbs up (I think I’ve already hand sold a few more copies). It’s set in the 1970’s, in a Kansas country club set. The time period isn’t too much, and as a writer, I appreciated that the setting allowed Ms. Mulhern to write mysteries where no one could call the police on their cell phones, which really changes plots these days.  A start to a five book series, I think, so you’ll have a lot to binge!

On the Lindsay Emory books front, if you’ve been following along on my Facebook page, you’ll see that I just wrote a BOOK IN A WEEK.  At the end of the week, I had a first draft of my Mistletoe Key Christmas novella, hopefully releasing in November 2017!  Go check out the posts (and unedited snippets!) and then sign up for Mistletoe Key updates and giveaways here.

Or sign up for my general monthly newsletter here. I love sharing the highlights of my month and doing a monthly giveaway for subscribers.  HOPEFULLY, I will have a big announcement later this month (or early August) so please, check here or sign up for my newsletter so you can squee with me. 

Or if you just want just-the-facts book news, Bookbub (that site that sends you your favorite books on sale - if you're not subscribed you want to be) has a way for you to follow me and they'll update you on when my books are released. Just click follow and easy peasy: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lindsay-emory

Best Books to Read Now: June 2017

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!

Let's jump in, shall we?

Summer Heat by Alexis Anne

Amazon || iBooks

A hot steamy romance with baseball?  Um, yes. There's just something about summer nights and guys in tight white pants. Fans of Alexis Anne will be thrilled with this new story in her Storm Inside world, and past characters come back!  Whee!

White Hot by Ilona Andrews

Amazon || iBooks

I've waited for this book for what, 2, 3 years? Of course I took a day off to read it. I've recommended the first book in the series, Burn For Me, here and it's still on sale for $2.99.  The third book in the series is releasing in August and yes, it's that good. I've converted a number of peeps into fans, so if you're jumping on the train, let me know so we can gush together.

It Happened on Love Street by Lia Riley

Amazon || iBooks

I'm going to be honest. I read the first five pages of this book and texted a writer friend: "I hate Lia Riley so much."  I don't really hate Lia because she's sweet and awesome and writes incredibly real, funny, sexy books that inspire envy and low-self-esteem in other authors (me.)  This book is Kristan Higgins-esque set in a small Georgia town that's like Bluebell, Alabama (from Hart of Dixie) mixed with Stars Hollow. Read it and bask in the sexy adorableness.

You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

Amazon || iBooks

This was the inaugural #HBICNation book club pick (read more about HBIC Nation here) and I really enjoyed it! I can't wait to talk about the mindset of wealth with the other HBICs. If you're a creative entrepreneur who identifies as an HBIC, check out our Facebook group and join the party (and book club.)

Make sure you're signed up for my newsletter [here] to get all the latest news about books, appearances and sales AND my monthly round up and giveaway!!

As always, I'd love to hear what books you've been reading and loving lately! Comment below!