About Books

  • Rom-coms to add to the TBR pile …

    2 Comments

    Maybe it’s the hot days and humid nights, but summertime has put me in the mood to read some rom-coms. Here are some books that I’m looking forward to checking out:

    Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein

    Available now

    Named a best beach/summer read by O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Parade, PopSugar, Marie Claire, Bustle, and more!

    From the author of the Love at First Like and Playing with Matches, an electrifying rom-com set in the high stakes world of competitive gymnastics, full of Hannah Orenstein’s signature “charm, whimsy, and giddy romantic tension” (BuzzFeed).

    The past seven years have been hard on Avery Abrams: After training her entire life to make the Olympic gymnastics team, a disastrous performance ended her athletic career for good. Her best friend and teammate, Jasmine, went on to become an Olympic champion, then committed the ultimate betrayal by marrying their emotionally abusive coach, Dimitri.

    Now, reeling from a breakup with her football star boyfriend, Avery returns to her Massachusetts hometown, where new coach Ryan asks her to help him train a promising young gymnast with Olympic aspirations. Despite her misgivings and worries about the memories it will evoke, Avery agrees. Back in the gym, she’s surprised to find sparks flying with Ryan. But when a shocking scandal in the gymnastics world breaks, it has shattering effects not only for the sport but also for Avery and her old friend Jasmine.

    Perfect for fans of Emily Giffin and Jasmine Guillory, Head Over Heels proves that no one “writes about modern relationships with more humor or insight than Hannah Orenstein” (Dana Schwartz, author of Choose Your Own Disaster).

    My thoughts: I always like reading books with unusual jobs/settings, like the gymnastics backdrop in this one. 

    40-Love by Olivia Dade

    Available now

    This match is no game.

    When a rogue wave strips Tess Dunn of her bikini top, desperate, half-naked times call for desperate, please-cover-me-kids-are-coming-closer measures. Enter Lucas Karlsson, AKA that flirty Swede in the water nearby. When he prevents her bare buoys from being exposed to fellow vacationers, even an ocean can’t drown the sparks that fly.

    Lucas, a former top-level tennis pro now giving lessons at the resort, fled there after the abrupt, painful end to his injury-plagued career. But he’s finally ready to move on with his life–and after a few late-night, hands-on sessions with Tess, he’s eager to prove he’s the ace she wants.

    But this match comes with challenges: She’s forty, and at twenty-six, he’s barely old enough to rent a car. Worse, they only have two weeks together before Tess returns to her assistant-principal life in Virginia. During that brief time, they’ll have to play hard, take a few risks, and find out whether their chemistry is a one-shot wonder…or whether they’re meant to be doubles partners for life.

    My thoughts: I have dearly missed watching tennis this year, so this book sounds right up my alley. 

    Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters

    Available now

    Can you fall in love like they do in the movies?

    It’s Evie Summers’s job to find out. Because if she can’t convince her film agency’s biggest client, Ezra Chester, to write the romantic-comedy screenplay he owes producers, her career will be over. The catch? He thinks rom-coms are unrealistic–and he’ll only put pen to paper if Evie shows him that it’s possible to meet a man in real life the way it happens on the big screen.

    Cynical Evie might not believe in happily ever after, but she’ll do what it takes to save the job that’s been her lifeline . . . even if it means reenacting iconic rom-com scenes in public. Spilling orange juice on a cute stranger? No problem. Leaving her number in books all over London to see who calls? Done. With a little help from her well-meaning friends–and Ben and Anette, the adorable father-daughter duo who keep witnessing her humiliations–Evie is determined to prove she can meet a man the way Sally met Harry. But can a workaholic who’s given up on love find a meet-cute of her very own?

    My thoughts: In addition to missing tennis, I’ve also been missing all the big summer movies, so this one also sounds perfect for me. 

    The Wrong Mr. Darcy by Evelyn Lozada and Holly Lorincz

    Available Aug. 25

    In Evelyn Lozada and Holly Lorincz’s lightly inspired Pride and Prejudice romantic comedy, two unlikely people discover the error of judging by first impressions and the beauty of family, friendship and love. This book will entice you through the last page.

    Hara Isari has big ambitions and they won’t be sidetracked by her mother’s insisting that she settle down soon. She dreams of leaving her small-town newspaper behind, as well as her felon father, and building a career as a sports writer, so when she is chosen to exclusively interview a basketball superstar, she jumps at the chance. It’s time to show the bigwigs what she’s truly made of.

    At the same time, she meets a rookie on the rise, Derek Darcy. Darcy is incredibly handsome, obnoxiously proud, and has a major chip on his shoulder. Hara can’t think of a man more arrogant and infuriating. However, fate keeps bringing them together?from locker rooms to elegant parties, to the storm of the century?and what begins as a clash might just be more complicated than Hara anticipated. When she begins to see Darcy in a new light, Hara is not quite sure if she should drop the ball or play the love game.

    My thoughts: I’m always up for another take on Pride & Prejudice.

    What books are you reading this summer?

  • ·

    A Sense of Danger coming from Audible Originals on Thursday, Nov. 12 …

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    I’m thrilled to announce that I have written a book for Audible Originals. Woot! Woot!

    The book is called A Sense of Danger, and it will be released Thursday, Nov. 12. This book is set in a brand-new world—Section 47, a secret government agency that tracks paramortal terrorists, criminals, etc. Also, there are two, first-person points of view in the book, so you will get to see things from both the heroine’s (Charlotte) and the hero’s (Desmond) perspectives.

    Basically, the book is spies with magic. I’ve always loved spy books, and I’m thrilled that I’ve finally gotten to write my very own spy book. 😎 

    The pre-order audiobook links should go up sometime in late September/early October.

    As of right now, A Sense of Danger is a stand-alone adventure, although if it does well, then I might write more Section 47 books. We’ll see what happens.

    AUDIOBOOK ONLY FOR SIX MONTHS:

    Because this is an Audible Originals book, it will ONLY be available as an audiobook for the first six months it is released. So you will be able to download the audiobook on Nov. 12, but NOT an ebook. I will be self-publishing the ebook/print book versions in summer 2021. And no, there is nothing I can do to change that. This is just how the Audible Originals books work—they are original/exclusive to Audible for a certain time period.

    I will share info on the cover art and who will be narrating the audiobook as soon as I get it. In the meantime, here is the book description.

    A SENSE OF DANGER DESCRIPTION:

    A SPY…

    My name is Charlotte Locke, and I’m an analyst for Section 47, a secret government agency that tracks terrorists, criminals, and other paramortal bad guys who want to unleash their abilities on an unsuspecting mortal world. I have a magical form of synesthesia that senses danger and uncovers lies—making me a stealthy operative.

    I’m trudging through another day when one of Section’s cleaners—assassins—takes an interest in me. I don’t need my synesthesia to realize that he is extremely dangerous and that he will do anything to achieve his goals—even if it means putting me in the line of fire.

    …AND AN ASSASSIN

    I’m Desmond Percy, one of Section 47’s most lethal cleaners. I’m also a man on a mission, and I need Charlotte Locke’s skills to help me keep a promise, settle a score, and kill some extremely bad people.

    Charlotte might not like me, but we’re stuck together until my mission is over. Still, the more time we spend together, the more I’m drawn to her. But at Section 47, you never know who you can trust—or who might want you dead.

    Note: Again, since this book is being released by Audible Originals, it will ONLY be available as an audiobook for the first six months that it is on sale.

    I hope everyone enjoys the audiobook when it released. Thanks! 😎 

  • · · · ·

    Some of Jennifer’s upcoming projects …

    2 Comments

    Here are a few of my upcoming book projects:

    The Beauty of Being a Beast short story — October 2020

    My story will first appear in Von Flusshexen und Meerjungfrauen (aka “River Witches and Mermaids”). This is a fairy-tale-themed short story anthology that will be released in German in October 2020. I will self-publish the story in English later on, probably in spring 2021.

    Here is a look at the anthology cover art. Isn’t it gorgeous? I love the colors.

    My 7,000-word story (about 25 pages) is a feminist take on Beauty and the Beast. That is one of my favorite fairy tales, and I enjoyed putting my own twist on the story.

    Elemental Assassin #19 — Spring 2021

    I’m hoping to release the next Elemental Assassin book in spring 2021. The book is (mostly) written, and I’ve started the self-publishing process, but things are taking a lot longer than usual, due to the pandemic.

    Capture the Crown — Gemma Ripley/Crown of Shards World #1 — Summer 2021

    This is the first book in a new trilogy set in my Crown of Shards world. The new trilogy will take place 15 years after the events of Crush the King, Crown of Shards #3, and will focus on Gemma Ripley, the crown princess of Andvari, and her gargoyle Grimley (from Protect the Prince).

    As of right now, the first book is called Capture the Crown, although that could change. The series name has not been finalized yet either. 

    Note: I have a few other publishing projects in the works. I’ll share info on them as soon as I can. Also, please note that these dates are TENTATIVE and could change at any time, due to my writing schedule and various publishing whims (including the pandemic).

    Thanks for reading! 😎 

  • Thrillers and romantic suspense books to add to the TBR pile …

    Maybe it’s the hot days and humid nights, but summertime has put me in the mood to read some thrillers and romantic suspense books. Here are some books that I’m looking forward to checking out. Note that the descriptions are from Amazon:

    Until the End by Juno Rushdan

    Available now

    He’s strong. Fierce. Relentless.
    And he may be her only chance of surviving the night.

    Gray Box operative Castle Kinkade always gets the job done, no matter how tough the assignment. But when he agrees to protect white-hat hacker Kit Westcott, Castle’s loyalty is tested like never before. Trapped in the closest of quarters, protective instincts flaring, he can feel the ice surrounding his heart melt…and he knows he’d do anything to keep Kit safe.

    Even defy the rules that shaped his life.

    Castle is the last person Kit should confide in, let alone be attracted to, but he’s the only ally she has left. Under threat of imminent attack—and a chilling conspiracy that hits too close to home—Castle and Kit are forced to put their hearts and lives on the line…and stop at nothing to face the greatest danger the world has ever known.

    The Final Hour Series:
    Every Last Breath
    Nothing to Fear
    Until the End

    My thoughts: I read Every Last Breath, the first book in the Final Hour series, when it came out last year. This is yet another series that I need to get caught up on. Too many books, too little time.

    Broken by Rebecca Zanetti

    Available now

    Dangerous: Former Navy SEAL Clarence Wolfe’s unit was taken out with a land mine. Injured and devastated, he hasn’t been quite right since. Worse, the tragedy was no accident. All Wolfe wants now is to take down the man responsible. In the meantime, he’s good with being the muscle for the Deep Ops team—and leading a steamy no-strings-attached personal life. Until one intriguing woman changes everything . . .
     
    Determined:  Reporter Dana Mulberry is on a mission to avenge the death of a fellow journalist. She’s finally hot on a trail—right to a sex club—where she runs into . . . Wolfe? It seems both their leads have led to the same spot. To keep from blowing their covers, they’ll have to at least pretend to have a little fun. Trouble is, they genuinely like each other. And that’s way too risky for Wolfe, especially when, to his surprise, Dana agrees . . .
     
    Complicated:  Drawn to each other in ways they can’t understand, Wolfe and Dana keep it professional—until they’re shot at one night. And when their adventures land them both at the heart of corruption in D.C.—and at odds in their missions—they’ll have to dig deeper than ever to succeed in their quests—and with each other . . .

    My thoughts: I’m looking forward to checking out the Deep Ops series.

    Save Me from Dangerous Men by S.A. Lelchuk

    Available now

    Nikki Griffin isn’t your typical private investigator. In her office above her bookstore’s shelves and stacks, where she luxuriates in books and the comfort they provide, she also tracks certain men. Dangerous men. Men who have hurt the women they claim to love. And Nikki likes to teach those men a lesson, to teach them what it feels like to be hurt and helpless, so she can be sure that their victims are safe from them forever.

    When a regular PI job tailing Karen, a tech company’s disgruntled employee who might be selling secrets, turns ugly and Karen’s life is threatened, Nikki has to break cover and intervene. Karen tells Nikki that there are people after her. Dangerous men. She says she’ll tell Nikki what’s really going on. But then something goes wrong, and suddenly Nikki is no longer just solving a case—she’s trying hard to stay alive.

    Part Lisbeth Salander, part Jack Reacher, part Jessica Jones, Nikki Griffin is a kickass character who readers will root for as she seeks to right the world’s wrongs. S.A. Lelchuk’s Save Me From Dangerous Men marks the beginning of a gripping new series and the launch of a fabulous new character.

    My thoughts: A female PI who helps people who can’t help themselves? Yes, please!

    No Exit by Taylor Adams

    Available now

    A brilliant, edgy thriller about four strangers, a blizzard, a kidnapped child, and a determined young woman desperate to unmask and outwit a vicious psychopath.

    A kidnapped little girl locked in a stranger’s van. No help for miles. What would you do?

    On her way to Utah to see her dying mother, college student Darby Thorne gets caught in a fierce blizzard in the mountains of Colorado. With the roads impassable, she’s forced to wait out the storm at a remote highway rest stop. Inside are some vending machines, a coffee maker, and four complete strangers.

    Desperate to find a signal to call home, Darby goes back out into the storm . . . and makes a horrifying discovery. In the back of the van parked next to her car, a little girl is locked in an animal crate.

    Who is the child? Why has she been taken? And how can Darby save her?

    There is no cell phone reception, no telephone, and no way out. One of her fellow travelers is a kidnapper. But which one?

    Trapped in an increasingly dangerous situation, with a child’s life and her own on the line, Darby must find a way to break the girl out of the van and escape.

    But who can she trust?

    With exquisitely controlled pacing, Taylor Adams diabolically ratchets up the tension with every page. Full of terrifying twists and hairpin turns, No Exit will have you on the edge of your seat and leave you breathless.

    My thoughts: I’ve heard this book described as “Die Hard at a truck stop”, which sounds all kinds of awesome.

    When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole 

    Available Sept. 15

    Rear Window meets Get Out in this gripping thriller from a critically acclaimed and New York Times Notable author, in which the gentrification of a Brooklyn neighborhood takes on a sinister new meaning…

    Sydney Green is Brooklyn born and raised, but her beloved neighborhood seems to change every time she blinks. Condos are sprouting like weeds, FOR SALE signs are popping up overnight, and the neighbors she’s known all her life are disappearing. To hold onto her community’s past and present, Sydney channels her frustration into a walking tour and finds an unlikely and unwanted assistant in one of the new arrivals to the block—her neighbor Theo.

    But Sydney and Theo’s deep dive into history quickly becomes a dizzying descent into paranoia and fear. Their neighbors may not have moved to the suburbs after all, and the push to revitalize the community may be more deadly than advertised.

    When does coincidence become conspiracy? Where do people go when gentrification pushes them out? Can Sydney and Theo trust each other—or themselves—long enough to find out before they too disappear?

    My thoughts: I’ve enjoyed Cole’s Reluctant Royals series, and I’m looking forward to checking out her thriller.

    What books are you looking forward to reading this summer?

  • ·

    Fantasy and sci-fi books to add to the TBR pile …

    Hey! It’s time to add some more fantasy and sci-fi books to your TBR pile. You know you want to … 😉 

    Note: The descriptions are from Amazon.

    Chaos Reigning by Jessie Mihalik

    Available now

    Interplanetary intrigue and romance combine in this electrifying finale to the Consortium Rebellion series.

    As the youngest member of her High House, Catarina von Hasenberg is used to being underestimated, but her youth and flighty, bubbly personality mask a clever mind and stubborn determination. Her enemies, blind to her true strength, do not suspect that Cat is a spy—which makes her the perfect candidate to go undercover at a rival House’s summer retreat to gather intelligence on their recent treachery.

    Cat’s overprotective older sister reluctantly agrees, but on one condition: Cat cannot go alone. Alexander Sterling, a quiet, gorgeous bodyguard, will accompany her, posing as her lover. After Cat tries, and fails, to ditch Alex, she grudgingly agrees, confident in her ability to manage him. After all, she’s never found a person she can’t manipulate.

    But Alex proves more difficult—and more desirable—than Cat anticipated. When she’s attacked and nearly killed, she and Alex are forced to work together to figure out how deep the treason goes. With rumors of widespread assaults on Serenity raging, communications down, and the rest of her family trapped off-planet, Catarina must persuade Alex to return to Earth to expose the truth and finish this deadly battle once and for all.

    But Cat can’t explain why she’s the perfect person to infiltrate hostile territory without revealing secrets she’d rather keep buried. . . .

    My thoughts: I really enjoyed Polaris Rising and Aurora Blazing, the first two books in this series, and I’m looking forward to reading this one.

    House of Dragons by Jessica Cluess

    Available now

    Five royal houses will hear the call to compete in the Trial for the dragon throne. A liar, a soldier, a servant, a thief, and a murderer will answer it. Who will win? Three Dark Crowns meets The Breakfast Club with DRAGONS.
    .

    When the Emperor dies, the five royal houses of Etrusia attend the Call, where one of their own will be selected to compete for the throne. It is always the oldest child, the one who has been preparing for years to compete in the Trial. But this year is different. This year these five outcasts will answer the call. . . .

    THE LIAR: Emilia must hide her dark magic or be put to death.

    THE SOLDIER: Lucian is a warrior who has sworn to never lift a sword again.

    THE SERVANT: Vespir is a dragon trainer whose skills alone will keep her in the game.

    THE THIEF: Ajax knows that nothing is free–he must take what he wants.

    THE MURDERER: Hyperia was born to rule and will stop at nothing to take her throne.

    My thoughts: I really like the idea of all these characters competing for one throne.

    The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning

    Available July 7

    The Princess Will Save You is a YA fantasy adventure inspired by The Princess Bride, in which a princess must rescue her stable boy true love, from the acclaimed author of Sea Witch, Sarah Henning.

    When a princess’s commoner true love is kidnapped to coerce her into a political marriage, she doesn’t give in—she goes to rescue him.

    When her warrior father, King Sendoa, mysteriously dies, Princess Amarande of Ardenia is given what would hardly be considered a choice: Marry a stranger at sixteen or lose control of her family’s crown.

    But Amarande was raised to be a warrior—not a sacrifice.

    In an attempt to force her choice, a neighboring kingdom kidnaps her true love, stable boy Luca. With her kingdom on the brink of civil war and no one to trust, she’ll need all her skill to save him, her future, and her kingdom.

    “Full of inconceivable wit, daring adventure, and cunning political machinations…It’s as if Sarah Henning looked into my soul that yearned for a book like The Princess Bride and said—as you wish. And yes, this is a kissing book.” —Ashley Poston, author of Heart of Iron

    “The Princess Will Save You is everything we love about YA fantasy, complete with first love, sweeping adventure, and a fierce heroine who holds her own. There’s something for everyone in this book.” —Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of The Sky in the Deep

    “An action-packed adventure with a fierce heroine that is sure to enthrall! Sarah Henning has created a fantasy narrative that weaves together love and betrayal, pirates and swordplay. Sure to please anyone who grew up loving tales of princesses.” —Emily Lloyd-Jones, author of The Bone Houses

    At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

    My thoughts: I love the title and The Princess Bride inspiration, and this book sounds really fun.

    The Sin in the Steel by Ryan Van Loan

    Available July 21

    Ryan Van Loan’s The Sin in the Steel is a sparkling debut fantasy set in a diverse world, featuring dead gods, a pirate queen, shapeshifting mages, and a Sherlockian teenager determined to upend her society.

    Heroes for hire. If you can pay.

    Buc:
    Brilliant street-rat
    Her mind leaps from clues to conclusions in the blink of an eye.

    Eld:
    Ex-soldier
    Buc’s partner-in-crime.

    No. Not in crime—in crime-solving.

    They’ve been hired for their biggest job yet—one that will set them up for a life of ease.

    If they survive.

    Buc and Eld are the first private detectives in a world where pirates roam the seas, mages speak to each other across oceans, mechanical devices change the tide of battle, and earthly wealth is concentrated in the hands of a powerful few.

    It’s been weeks since ships last returned to the magnificent city of Servenza with bounty from the Shattered Coast. Disaster threatens not just the city’s trading companies but the empire itself. When Buc and Eld are hired to investigate, Buc swiftly discovers that the trade routes have become the domain of a sharp-eyed pirate queen who sinks all who defy her.

    Now all Buc and Eld have to do is sink the Widowmaker’s ship….

    Unfortunately for Buc, the gods have other plans.

    Unfortunately for the gods, so does Buc.

    At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

    My thoughts: Epic fantasy private detectives? Yes, please!

    Spells for the Dead by Faith Hunter

    Available July 28

    Nell Ingram faces a dark magic with no known origin in the newest pulse-pounding paranormal procedural in the New York Times bestselling Soulwood series.
     
    Nell is a rookie PsyLED agent, using the powers she can channel from deep within the earth to solve paranormal crimes. Together with her team, she’s taken on the direst magic and the most twisted foes. But she’ll need to tap into every ounce of power she has for her newest case.
     
    Nell is called to the Tennessee mansion of a country music star and finds a disturbing scene—dead bodies rapidly decaying before everyone’s eyes. The witch on her team, T. Laine, has never seen magic that can steal life forces like this. PsyLED needs to find this lethal killer fast. But when a paranormal-hating FBI agent tries to derail the investigation, and the dark magics begin to spiral out of control, they find themselves under attack from all sides.

    My thoughts: I know many folks love Faith’s books, and I think the covers for this series are particularly dreamy and gorgeous.

    What fantasy and sci-fi books are you all looking forward to reading this summer?