Best Books to Read Now - April 2018

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!

Because I skipped last month, I’m going to cover five books this month! Are you ready? These are good books, y’all. I think I’ve got something for everyone.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

Amazon || iBooks

I really can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t like this. There’s old Hollywood gossip, glamour, love and drama. This is one that would be perfect for vacations and multi-generation book clubs. And I’m probably going to re-read it again at some point, like a classic movie.

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave – Darynda Jones

Amazon || iBooks

The penultimate book of the Charley Davidson series has got me feeling… a little emotional, to be honest. The series is coming to a close … next year? (I just checked. It looks like this was moved out from October ’18). There are very few series that I’ve read twelve books of and have been still this invested. Between this and the Kate Daniels series ending, I’m going to be jonesing for a new paranormal series to adopt. Y’all hit a girl up with some suggestions!

Tempest – Beverly Jenkins

Amazon || iBooks

A mail order bride in Wyoming who greets her husband to be by shooting him. With that premise you know you can’t go wrong, especially with Beverly Jenkins’  expert hand guiding you through a passionate love story rich in amazing historical details. As always, I was swept away and I learned so much! My favorite blend.

Next Year in Havana – Chanel Cleeton

Amazon || iBooks

Much in the vein of Tempest, above, this is another fantastic historical story with strong romance story threads and fascinating glimpses of Cuba during revolutionary times and today. Even I, a former Latin American studies major, found so much to sink my teeth into and I can’t wait for the sequel next year!!

The Secret to Southern Charm  - Kristy Woodson Harvey

Amazon || iBooks

I fell in love with the first book in the Peachtree Bluff series last year and knew I had to not only read the second book but invite Kristy Woodson Harvey onto my WOMEN WITH BOOKS podcast. Listen to the episode and you’ll hear ALL MY THOUGHTS on this book (which is out today! Congratulations Kristy Woodson Harvey!!)

OH! And the first book in the series, SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF SIMPLE, which i featured on the blog last year is on sale for $1.99!! Grab it because you'll want to read both together! 

What have you been reading lately? I can’t wait to tell you about what I’m currently reading… NEXT MONTH! *evil laugh *

Looking for a Great Read?

Argh! Because of my responsibilities judging RITA entries, I wasn’t able to get together my usual Best Books list this month.
 

So I thought I’d highlight some of the books I’ve been talking about on the Women With Books podcast.  Almost all my recent guests (and some more distant ones) have had new releases and/or sales.

Kate Clayborn’s award winning BEGINNER’S LUCK is on sale for $.99!  Try out the book that was nominated for Romantic Times 2017 Book of the Year! 

Megan Frampton’s  LADY BE RECKLESS which we talked about in the most recent episode of WWB has just released, if you're in the mood for a historical romance series loosely based on the Bennet sisters.

Alyssa Cole’s A PRINCESS IN THEORY, which we discussed in Chapter 16 is earning raves everywhere. If you are craving more modern royal romance, check it out.

Past superstar guest Penny Reid has a new book out this week: Marriage of Inconvenience!  I'm pretty sure it's a marriage of convenience story, though, so be warned. ;-)

And the lovely Tessa Dare has her LARP-ing historical romance book on sale: ROMANCING THE DUKE (the reason why we talked about LARP-ing and fan-fic on her episode)

And if you’re looking for more recommendations, as always, check out the books recommended by Women With Books guests on my  Goodreads Women With Books Bookshelf. I love that my guests bring a huge diversity of recommendations to the pod, from classics to science fiction and erotic romance. There's something for every book lover, for sure. 

Next month, I will be back with more of my personal list. Until then, keep reading!

Best Books to Read Now - February 2018

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!

Moonshadow – Thea Harrison

Buy it: Amazon || iBooks

After my Women With Books episode with Jeffe Kennedy, I realized I had not read any of Thea Harrison’s books! And this cover. You guys. This is the sexiest cover – even sexier than Eloisa James’  Half-wet Hugh Grant cover (see here) and this book was soooo good. After a few years of struggling to find a good paranormal/fantasy series, I think I found a winner!

If Ever I Should Love You -  Cathy Maxwell

Buy it: Amazon || iBooks

This was a book I read for an upcoming book club and it was a delight. The heroine struggles with substance abuse so… definitely a first in historical romance for me. But Ms. Maxwell pulls off a second chance romance, with a complicated, stirring backstory and gives you an HEA worth waiting for.

The Wedding Date – Jasmine Guillory

Buy it: Amazon || iBooks

You’ve seen this book everywhere. And in my social media feed. I was lucky to get an ARC from Jasmine’s publisher and was able to read it before my Women With Books interview with her.  The book is that women’s fiction/ romance blend that Jasmine herself calls chick-lit – and I’ve had several listeners tell me they are so excited that chick lit is back… maybe?

The Taste of Temptation by Julia Kelly

Buy it: Amazon || iBooks

Today is release day for this gorgeous enemies to lovers Victorian historical romance! Once again, I received an advance copy because Julia is my dear friend and I was interviewing her for Women With Books. Check out our fun chat and you’ll hear all about my love for these characters and this book!

I’m trying to keep track of all my Best Books to Read Now and my Women With Books Recommendation lists over at Goodreads. Follow me there so that you’ll be able to see them all!

And if you want some free reading this year, I’ll be putting a chapter a month of my next Mistletoe Key novella, LOVE IN THE TIME OF HYGGE in my monthly newsletters!  Sign up here: lindsayemory.com/newsletter

Best Books to Read Now - January 2018

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!

In the last WOMEN WITH BOOKS episode of 2017, I asked author Alexis Anne about her reading resolutions for 2018. Do you make any reading- related resolutions? I’ve decided to read from my TBR pile. It’s not from any sense of Puritanical guilt, but rather I started looking through my TBR lists and realized there were REALLY GOOD BOOKS in there that I really wanted to read, but I keep getting distracted by oh-shiny new books.

So in 2018, you might see some older books featured in this blog. But as I said in that same WOMEN WITH BOOKS episode, I think in this day and age, release dates aren’t as important to readers (now as an author, I must disagree, but that’s a long blog post in itself). What matters is when we discover a book as you’ll see….

A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong – Cecilia Grant

Amazon || iBooks

Yes, it’s a Christmas book. But look, consider your Christmas 2018 book shopping done already. This free novella was a sweet, beautiful holiday read. I read and adored Cecilia Grant’s A Lady Awakened last year (and wrote about it here) but I hadn’t heard about this holiday prequel for that series until some authors on Twitter decided to do a read along. If you’re interested in more commentary, do a search for #ACGPW on Twitter.

Wilde in Love – Eloisa James

Amazon || iBooks

I mentioned this as one of my most memorable books on the last episode of Women With Books, but this was (maybe? I think?) the first Eloisa James book I’ve read. I know. It’s pretty unbelievable. But I really enjoyed the effortlessness of this historical romance, along with the humor and characters. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series featuring the Wilde family

Eleventh Grave in Moonlight– Darynda Jones

Amazon || iBooks

We’re looking down the barrel at the end of the Charley Davidson series but this book was perfect for the holidays for me. Like an old, impossibly snarky friend.  I’ll probably try to dive into Book 12 in January and then it will be a little bit of a wait until book 13 is released later this year.

Sweet Tea & Sympathy – Molly Harper

Amazon || iBooks

In sum, I really hate Molly Harper now. I mean. That cover. That title. That series name. I'm desperately jealous of all of that and I want to live in this book all the time. It’s a romance/ family drama / women’s fiction blend type of book that will be the new trend of 2018 (you heard it here first…) that can make you laugh and cry and fist bump. I’m basically obsessed and totally not stalking Molly Harper at all.

A real life picture of Molly Harper and me (not) behind her.

Speaking of (not) stalking… in case you didn’t know, I have a podcast! It’s called Women With Books and we discuss genre fiction that’s for, by and about women.

Check it out at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher app. And here at womenwithbooks.com

I’d love for you to join the book club!

And if you want some free reading this year, I’ll be putting a chapter a month of my next Mistletoe Key novella, LOVE IN THE TIME OF HYGGE in my monthly newsletters!  Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/b5t7Uj

Keep reading!

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