BOOK NEWS: January 11, 2022

This new Book News format is still feeling weird to me. I’m used to long scrolls through cover after cover after cover. At the same time as I am missing the old way, though, I love looking at these books because they are the ones I am most eager to see and read and hold. So, here are the books catching my attention this week.

 

Books for Kids


When the Schools Shut Down: A Young Girl’s Story of Virginia’s “Lost Generation” and the Brown v Board of Education of Topeka Decision – An autobiographical picture book from someone who lived during the five year school shutdown of Farmville, Virginia. This is a story I don’t know, and I am eager to get the full scoop here.
Rocket Finds an Egg – A new leveled reader starring Rocket. I will read anything with this dog in it – I love Rocket’s books!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Who Was the Girl Warrior of France? – One of four graphic novels from the folks at Who Was releasing this week. This is the one, though, I am most eager to pick up. The illustrations look fantastic!
House of El: The Enemy Delusion – Book 2 in the House of El series from the folks at DC Entertainment. I really enjoyed the first book in this Superman-adjacent series, so I jumped at the chance to read a review copy of book two. My review of this one will post soon.
The Storyteller – A young woman longing to live life on her own terms discovers the journals of her late aunt who might have been the missing princess Anastasia. This sounds like it’s going to be a great exploration of identity for both the main character and the aunt, and I love books that look at questions of identity.

 

Books for Adults


The Amber Crown (Trade Paperback) – Three outcasts are the only ones who can help a kingdom overrun by a usurper king – but only by following orders from the dead king’s ghost. Oh yeah, I am going to be checking this one out! I already have it on pre-order.
Crimes and Covers (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Magical Bookshop Mystery series. Violet’s wedding reception is disrupted by a dead body. And Violet recognizes the woman as someone who tried to sell her a rare copy of Walden. Thankfully she has her magical bookstore to help her as she tries to solve the crime. This is such a fun series; I’m excited to read a new story set in this world.
The Family You Make (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Sunrise Cove series. A guy who thinks he’s about to die in a snowstorm tells his parents he’s met “the One” and uses the stranger he’s with for his description. But when the two survive the storm, his family is eager to meet the woman he told them about. While she agrees to pretend for one family dinner, she starts to wonder if maybe this could become the life she’s always wanted. Yes, please!
Tailing Trouble (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Furry Friends Mystery series. When the poodle she is boarding discovers a dead body, Ally and her grandfather get drawn into a mystery. This sounds so fun! I have book one on my review list (I am SO behind), and I would love to get caught up on both of these soon!

BOOK NEWS: January 4, 2022

In honor of a new year, and fresh starts, I am taking a new approach to Book News.

I don’t have the same amount of research and writing time as I did when I worked from home, freelancing. So for 2022, Book News will focus on the books I am MOST excited about releasing in a particular week. So you will see fewer titles from week to week. And some of your series favorites might be missing. But what you will see are the books on my wish lists and in my shopping carts and on my TBR piles. Nothing posted out of a sense of obligation, but only the books I am talking about, looking for, and reading this week.

So, here are those books that are releasing tomorrow, January 4th, 2022.

Books for Kids


Hawkeye – This Little Golden Book from Marvel showcases Hawkeye, a perfect choice after the Disney+ program this past Christmas season.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Hide and Geek – A famous toymaker left one final puzzle to solve after her death, and a group of friends are determined to solve it before the toymaker’s factory closes and their families move away. I adore stories like this. This is on my review list.
Operation Sisterhood – A blended family living in one brownstone in New York can feel overwhelming at times. But the four new sisters might just find something to love about their new circumstances.
The Unforgettable Logan Foster – Just as Logan starts to wonder if he will ever find foster parents who “get” him. And when he does finally get some who could be a good fit, he discovers they are secret superheroes being hunted by villains and the fate of the world hanging in the balance. A foster care story with superheroes? Sounds like my favorite parts of Shazam, and I am here for this one! This is also on my review list.
How to Fight Racism (Young Reader’s Edition) – A young reader’s edition of the book How to Fight Racism by Jemar Tisby.
Serendipity – Ten common romance tropes are flipped into new configurations in this short story collection.
Spin Me Right Round – Luis is sent back in time to his parents’ days in high school by a hit to the head. And he sees it as his chance to save a closeted boy whose 1985 experiences mean that today Luis can’t go to prom with his boyfriend. But Luis is quickly in over his head as he learns things about his parents as teenagers while also encountering the homophobia in this conservative high school.
When You Get the Chance – When Millie starts wondering if her dreams to be a Broadway star and find people who get her for who she is will ever come true, she decides to go looking for her mom. This sounds so fun! And there is no way I am passing up a new book by Emma Lord! This is also on my review list.

 

Books for Adults


Be More Loki: Alternative Thinking from the God of Mischief (Hardcover gift book) – A little gift book of images and advice from Loki of Asgard. Absolutely going to be picking this one up!
Rise: An Authentic Lenten Devotional (Paperback) – A devotional for Lent from John Pavlovitz.

 

BOOK NEWS: December 28, 2021

It’s the FINAL release week of 2021. Let’s take a look at what’s wrapping up the year in books.

Books for Kids


Stacey’s Extraordinary Words – A new picture book by Stacey Abrams about a girl who loves words and learns their power when she’s preparing to compete in the local spelling bee.
Bad Kitty Gets a Phone – Kitty is certain a new phone will make her life complete.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Wings of Fire: The Brightest Night (Graphic Novel) – The fifth book of the original Wings of Fire series releases in graphic novel form this week. I pre-ordered this weeks ago. I am really enjoying the stories in this format!
What Was the Harlem Renaissance?
Here’s to Us (LGBTQ+) – The long-awaited sequel to What If It’s Us (♥♥♥♥½). Ben and Arthur keep running into each other even though they have both moved on into new relationships. The frequent run-ins leave them wondering “What if….”

 

Books for Adults


An Unlikely Duchess (Mass Market Paperback) – A marriage of convenience could turn to love for a young woman whose last hope is an old marriage contract and for a duke who needs a proper wife to help his debuting niece.
Death by the Finish Line (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Abby McCree Mystery series. Abby is helping put on a charity 5K when there’s a murder and a friend’s brother becomes the prime suspect.
Star Trek Discovery: The Book of Grudge (Hardcover Gift Book) – Photos and commentary from Grudge showing she truly is a queen.
The Story of You (Hardcover) – A new book from one of the authors of The Road Back to You. This focuses on the stories we tell ourselves, based on our Enneagram types, and on helping us write better, more healthy stories for ourselves. I’ll be reviewing this soon (I loved it!).

 

BOOK NEWS: December 21, 2021

Christmas. Is. Days. Away. It shouldn’t surprise me, but somehow it manages to sneak up on me. There are only a few new releases on my radar for this week. Here they are:

She Persisted: Oprah Winfrey (Nonfiction Chapter Book)
How Not to Fall in Love (Young Adult) – A romance cynic offers to help her best friend over his umpteenth break up with some lessons in how NOT to fall in love.
Be More Boba Fett (Gift book) – Advice for life from the example of Boba Fett.
How to Spot a Family Murder Plot (e-book, December 22) – Even though Mags isn’t biologically a Murphy, she’s still all in about the family reunion at a Scottish castle. When one of the cousins is killed, the family closes ranks so as not to implicate one of their own, but when Mags’ dad becomes the prime suspect, she isn’t as concerned with keeping family secrets.
School of X (Paperback) – Seven new X-Men stories
Star Trek Deep Space 9: Revenant (Trade Paperback) – Dax heads to a resort casino to help an old friend whose granddaughter has gone a bit wild. But Dax discovers she has changed in some “terrifying” ways. Of course, this is on my list.

BOOK NEWS: December 14, 2021

Christmas is less than two weeks away! If you are still trying to find some last minute gifts, might I suggest books? You can read my 2021 Holiday Hint List here – and even look at a Padlet of all of the covers.  Here are some of the new books releasing this week that might go on your shopping list, too!

 

Books for Kids


Group Hug – Animals share comfort and encouragement through hugs.
Snoopy on the Job (Early Reader) – A new leveled reader starring Snoopy.
Thunder and Cluck: Smart vs Strong (Early Reader Graphic Novel) – Book three in this series.
You Should Meet John Lewis (Early Reader) – New leveled reader biography
Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files: Exploring Flight! – A new early chapter book non-fiction series launches this week starring my favorite Questioneer, Ada Twist.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Escape From Atlantis – First in a new series by the fabulous Kate O’Hearn. Two cousins are separated from their parents when the boat they are on in the Bermuda Triangle capsizes in  a storm. The kids find their way to an island that turns out to be the lost island of Atlantis. This sounds amazing!
Just Roll With It (Graphic Novel) – Maggie hopes the rolls of her 20-sided dice will help her through the anxiety of starting middle school.

 

Books for Adults


An Accidental Odyssey (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Exlibris Adventure series. A young woman leaves her fiancé at home while she travels halfway around the world to help her somewhat-estranged father, a classics professor, trace Odysseus’ journey around the Mediterranean.
Eyelet Witness (e-book, December 22) – Book 4 in the Bonnie & Clyde Mystery series. Bonnie and Clyde are helping a new customer when she is suspected of murder.
Jane Austen’s Lost Letters (Hardcover) – Book 14 in the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series. A fidgety older woman hands Josie a package, mentions Josie’s father, and then takes off. Inside is a card with Josie’s name written in her late father’s handwriting along with two letters signed “Jane Austen.”
The Love Con (Trade Paperback) – Kenya has a chance to launch her cosplay career by entering a contest, but the first challenge requires her “significant other.” Her best friend, Cameron, agrees to step in and play the role. I’ve already pre-ordered this one!
Nightwing; Leaping into the Light (Hardcover collection) – Nightwing and Batgirl are investigating Blüdhaven’s new mayor while also looking for a new villain. Issues 78-83. This is on my list for this week.
Zits: Undivided Inattention (Paperback collection) – A new Zits collection.
Be the Brave One: Living Your Spiritual Values Out Loud and Other Life Lessons (Hardcover) – “Part memoir, part spiritual formation guide” by the first female and openly gay chaplain of the NYFD about the change 9/11 made in her life. This sounds fascinating!
My Dad’s Funnier than Your Dad: Growing Up with Tim Conway in the Funniest House in America (Hardcover) – A memoir.
Star Wars Mandalorian: Art of Season 2 (Hardcover)

BOOK NEWS: December 7, 2021

Happy December! Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

 

Books for Kids


Good Knight, Mustache Baby – Mustache Baby and Beard Baby are back, this time fighting the childhood foe, bedtime. I can’t wait to see this one in person. The first two books are some of my favorites.
Build Your Own Disneyland – This gift book becomes a 3D model of Disneyland.
She Persisted: Helen Keller – A chapter book biography.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


What Is the Story of Captain Kirk? (Is it any surprise I already preordered this one?!)
Who Is Queen Elizabeth II? AND Who Were Stanley and Livingstone?
The Big Reveal – Addie and her friends decide to put on a top-secret burlesque show to help Addie raise money for dance school, but when word gets out, the body-shaming and slut-shaming begins.
Fools in Love: Fresh Twists on Romantic Tales (LGBTQ+) – All of your favorite romance tropes applied in new ways. I have this one on my list for this week.
If This Gets Out (LGBTQ+) – From the author of Only Mostly Devastated (♥♥♥♥½) and Perfect on Paper. When two members of a boy band start to fall in love, the pressure from their label to stay in the closet leaves them to wonder if they will ever be able to truly be themselves. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!

 

Books for Adults


Absence of Mallets (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the Fixer-Upper Mystery series. Shannon and Mac are on the hunt for a killer who is trying to up-end everything they are trying to build in their community.
Absynthe (Trade Paperback) – A shell-shocked veteran with telepathic powers thanks to a military project in WWI teams up with an heiress to take on his former commander who is now the President and who wants the military program to stay secret, permanently. This is absolutely on my list for this week! I have already pre-ordered it.
The Amish Quilting Bee (Trade Paperback) – A collection of three Amish stories about new relationships and quilts.
The Case of the Sugar Plum Shenanigans (e-book, December 9) – When her boyfriend goes to Wisconsin for a job interview, Annie decides to go along. They can stay at her great-aunt’s inn, The Cheesehead Lodge. Sure, her family is a bit odd, and Annie is a ghost-whisperer. But they’ll only be there a few days – what could possibly happen?
The City of Shadows (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Counterfeit Lady series. Elizabeth tries to convince her friends and family to help her con a con when she takes on a fake medium trying to fleece widows.
Cold Brew Corpse (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Coffee Lover’s Mystery series. Lana has a chance to get back into journalism when she is asked to write about the murder of a local business person.
Debutante’s Code (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Thorndike and Swann Regency Mystery series. A young lady ready to debut in London discovers her parents are spies when they disappear and she tries to complete their last mission. This sounds fun!
How to Book a Murder (Hardcover) – First in the new Starlit Bookshop Mystery series. Emma agrees to plan a mystery-themed dinner for a wealthy friend, but the fun ends when someone is murdered.
A Nose for Mischief (e-book) – First in a new Riverbend K-9s series. Zoey finds herself unemployed and unemployable after the FBI raids her former employer. But she gets a fresh start working with a rescue dog – and an FBI Special Agent – in the Riverbend K-9 Academy. So when it looks like the FBI didn’t get the whole story in their raid, Zoey agrees to go back in undercover with her dog and Special Agent as back up. This sounds fun!
A Plus One for Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Friend for Hire Mystery series. Emma is looking for a new business opportunity when a friend tells her she should become a companion/friend for hire. But when one of her first clients is murdered while they are together, Emma gets drawn into a mystery. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Proposing Mischief (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Joplin Chronicles series. A farm girl looking for a way out of her circumstances finds something unexpected in an old mine shaft that draws her into a deal with the son of of the mining company owners that throws all of Joplin into a tizzy.
Renewed for Murder (Hardcover) – Book 6 in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. Amy’s Aunt Lydia begs for her help when Lydia’s best friend is accused of murder. But the woman isn’t helping herself any when she refuses to say why the dead woman was blackmailing her. I have this one on my review list.
Slip Stitched & Slayed (e-book) – Book 5 in the Knitty Kitties Mystery series. It’s Christmas time and Tessa has no room in her schedule for sleuthing why Santa dropped dead in the middle of the Christmas parade.
Stitched in Crime (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Craft Fair Knitters Mystery series. Lia and the Ninth Street Knitters are investigating when a new crafter is killed.
What the Cat Dragged In (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Whitman Street Cat Café series. After a steamy night together, two cat rescue volunteers discover that he is her best friend’s brother. There’s no way they can keep seeing each other – but it also feels like they can’t possible walk away.
Without a Hitch (Trade Paperback) – A wedding planner looking for a way to make a name for herself takes on more high-end, over-the-top events. Based on real events in the lives of the authors.
Call Us What We Carry (Hardcover, poetry) – A poem collection by Amanda Gorman.

 

 

BOOK NEWS: November 30, 2021

The Christmas season has officially arrived! Take a look at some of the books releasing this week as November turns to December.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


The Smartest Kid in the Universe: Genius Camp – Book 2 in the Smartest Kid in the Universe series about a boy who eats what he thinks are normal jelly beans and becomes the smartest kid in the universe. This time, Jake heads to Genius Camp and goes head-to-head with the smartest computer in the universe. I got a kick out of book 1 last year – this new book should be great!
Spell Sweeper – A girl who flunked out of wizard school still has a chance to save the day when another wizard rips the fabric of magic itself and Cara’s group of cleaners just might be the only ones to save the day. This sounds fun and is on my list for this week!
Stuntboy, in the Meantime (Graphic Novel) – The latest from Jason Reynolds. Portico Reeves is the best superhero you’ve never heard of – Stuntboy. He works in secret keeping all the other superheroes safe. But sometimes that responsibility gives Portico “the frets.” I am really eager to see this one in person.
You’ll Be the Death of MeKaren McManus is the queen of the teen thriller! And her newest sounds like another winner. Three old friends decide to ditch school together, and they kick off their skip day following another kid they see ditching – and then he ends up dead. Each of the three teens has a connection to the dead kid – and things to hide.

 

Books for Adults


And They Lived Happily Ever After (Trade Paperback) – A romance novelist has dreams that magically end up in her bestselling stories. But a real-life kiss threatens to expose secrets she has kept hidden for years. This. Sounds. AMAZING. Already pre-ordered.
Bear a Wee Grudge (Trade Paperback) – Book 5 in the Teddy Bear Mystery series. Sasha is hunting a murderer when her father is accused of killing their business rival right before the big Highland festival.
Big Trouble in Little Greektown (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Goddess of Greene Street Mystery series. Athena and Case are looking for a killer when they find a dead body at a Save the Dunes event.
Christmas Candy Corpse (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Courtney Archer Mystery series. Courtney is sleuthing when the assistant director for a holiday baking special is murdered.
Claret and Present Danger (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Literary Pub Mystery series. It’s murder at the Ren Faire when the faire’s illusionist dies in the middle of his act. Local pub owner, Sadie, is on the hunt for a killer.
A Counterfeit Suitor (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the fantastic Rosalind Thorne Mystery series. Rosalind is serving in her role as a “useful woman” when her father unexpectedly returns to town. A drunk and a forger who ruined his family and fled town with Rosalind’s older sister, Sir Reginald has been closely corralled by her sister for years, but he recently ran off and connected with a man who would love to see Rosalind ruined. But when Rosalind’s father is killed, and her enemy is blamed, he comes to her for help. I will be reviewing this one soon!
Do I Know You? (Trade Paperback) – A new thriller from Sarah Strohmeyer (The Bubbles Yablonsky series, The Cinderella Pact – ♥♥♥♥). As heiress Bella Valencia prepares for her society wedding, she fears someone will uncover the secrets she is keeping – someone like Jane Ellison who is convinced Bella is responsible for the disappearance and presumed death of Jane’s sister.
Killer Words (Trade Paperback) – Book 7 in the Mystery Bookshop Mystery series by V. M. Burns. Sam and her grandmother take on a new mystery when a cop with history with their family is accused of murdering a mayoral candidate.
King of Battle and Blood (Trade Paperback) – First in a new series. Isolde’s plan is to end a years-long war by marrying a vampire king and killing him once and for all. But when her first attempt fails and the king threatens to turn her into the very thing she despises, she must consider other options – but falling for the king is NOT one of them.
Marriage Can Be Mischief (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Amish Matchmaker Mystery series by Amanda Flower. Millie is looking at a second chance with her childhood friend, Uriah, but Uriah has another mission while in town. His sister was thought to have murdered her abusive husband and run away, but now her body has been found. Uriah is hoping Millie can help him discover the truth. This is on my review list!
Mimi Lee Cracks the Code (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Sassy Cat Mystery series. Mimi, her boyfriend Josh, and their cat Marshmallow jump at the chance at a free stay on Catalina Island, But they are embroiled in another mystery not long after they arrive.
Murder at the Lobstah Shack (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series. Mac and her book group start sleuthing when a friend is suspected of murder after a woman she fought with is found, dead, in the Lobstah Shack’s freezer.
A Murder Like No Author (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Main Street Book Club Mystery series. A man accusing a local author of not actually writing his big bestseller is found dead, and Arlo and her friends start investigating.
A Murder Yule Regret (Mass Market Paperback) – [Look at that gorgeous cover!!] Ivy’s pictures become evidence in a murder case when someone is killed during the Dickensian holiday costume party Ivy is shooting for her photography business.
Petals and Poison (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Flower House Mystery series. A college professor is killed in the Flower House’s back room, which is not the sort of change in luck Sierra had been hoping for.
Star Trek Coda: Oblivion’s Gate (Trade Paperback) – The last book in this trilogy that brings together Jean Luc Picard, Ezri Dax, Benjamin Sisko, and William T. Riker.
Stink Eye (Baby Blues – Paperback Collection) – The 38th Baby Blues collection.
Tales of Life and Daph: Weddings. Funerals. Sleuthing. (e-book) – Book 3 in the Daphne Jones mystery series. Daphne is attending her first conference for wedding officiants when she receives a mysterious note that says “murder is on the menu.”
To All the Dogs I’ve Loved Before (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Pine Hollow series. Elinor and Levi were engaged, once upon a time. Neither one is inclined to see history repeat itself, but Elinor’s new rescue puppy seems determined to push the couple into giving love a second chance. This sounds adorable.
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience (Hardcover) – The latest from Brené Brown. Brown explores 87 emotions and experiences that make up what it means to be human and maps the skills we need for meaningful connection. This is on my list for sure.

 

BOOK NEWS: November 23, 2021

The week of Thanksgiving is rarely a big release week in the world of books. Enjoy this handful of new titles for the week.

 

Books for Kids


Hornswoggled! – A group of animals find themselves hornswoggled (tricked) when someone takes some of their most precious things and replaces them with something silly. This looks adorable!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Huda F Are You? (Graphic Novel for Teens and Young Adults) – A Muslim girl searches for her identity when she moves to a new town. I am always intrigued by an identity story!

 

Books for Adults


The Becoming (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Dragon Heart Legacy series. Breen returns to Talamh with Marco who is trying to come to grips with the magical world while Breen’s grandfather is scheming to destroy Talamh. I have the first book on my wishlist, and just picked it up in e-book format for a great price.
The Bone Shard Emperor (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Drowning Empire series. As Lin assumes the throne, a faction of rebels prepares to strike while a legendary group of magicians returns, claiming they come in peace, but they leave Lin wondering if she can trust them. I have the first book from this on my wishlist, too.
Fated Blades (e-book novella) – Warriors from rival families must work together in secret to discover who betrayed their families and threatens their survival. I’ve already pre-ordered this one. It sounds perfect for me.
The Gospel for Loyalists – I am still waiting for Tyler to get to my number, but in the meantime I will tell you I enjoyed the layout and approach in his book for 3s, The Gospel for Achievers which I reviewed last year. While I wait (mostly patiently), I am happy to share the series with my Enneagram friends of other numbers.

 

 

BOOK NEWS: November 16, 2021

It’s hard to believe we are only a couple weeks from Thanksgiving and the all-out push toward Christmas. Sit back for a few minutes and scroll through this week’s list of new releases. As always, keep in mind that release dates are changing thanks to the ongoing supply chain issues.

Books for Kids


Zoey and Sassafras: Wishypoofs and Hiccups – Book 9 in this darling series. The magical animals in the forest are being changed, and Zoey and Sassafras must find out why. I love this series that uses science to solve fun, magical problems. This is right up my alley.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


The Crown Heist (Older Middle Grade) – Book 3 in the Lost Art Mysteries series. Art helps his friend Camille when her estranged father goes missing right before she is supposed to meet up with him.
Graceling (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel adaptation of Graceling by Kristin Cashore about a young woman serving as her uncle’s enforcer who agrees to help a foreign prince looking for his missing grandfather. I have wanted to read this book for years! Maybe I’ll have to pick up the graphic novel instead.
The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks – The third and final book in the Montague Siblings series. Adrian goes in search of the older siblings he never knew he had. I have this whole series on my wish list.
Sword of Desire – Book 2 in the Reigning Kingdoms duology, a spin-off from the Knights of the Realm series, which I loved. Harley has been kidnapped and is working to get free while Ackley is torn between his quest and going to rescue her.

 

Books for Adults


An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire (Trade Paperback) – Sequel to A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (♥♥♥♥). A couple with a rocky history team up when her friend is kidnapped. This is on my list for this week.
Beating the Wrap (e-book) – Book 3 in the Bonnie & Clyde Mystery series. A heated exchange with a neighbor over her cat leaves Bonnie in the hot seat when that neighbor is later found dead.
Doggone Deadly (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series after the DELIGHTFUL Furbidden Fatality. Kari is helping out at a dog show when her best friend is accused of murder. This is at the top of my list for this week!
The Hookup Dilemma (Trade Paperback) – A fantastic one-night-stand becomes a complication when Rashida and Elliott end up on opposite sides of an issue.
Mercy (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Atlee Pine series. Atlee may be on the final leg of her journey toward finding the sister who was kidnapped as a child as well as answers to all of the questions Atlee has dealt with all these years.
Peppermint Bark (e-book) – Book 9 in the Dogmothers series. A widow co-fosters a dog with the guy who stood her up for prom all those years ago.
Rare Danger (e-book, novella) – An air force veteran and a private librarian team up when a book dealer goes missing and his partner is murdered.
Sense of Danger (e-book) – A stand alone urban fantasy from the author of the OUTSTANDING Crown of Shards series about the team up of a spy and an assassin who needs her special talents.
The Singles Table (Trade Paperback)- Book 3 in the Marriage Game series. A lawyer and a security specialist make the best of being stuck together during the wedding season when she promises to help him find love if he introduces her to some of his famous clientele. This is on my review list.
Get Untamed the Journal – A guided journal based on the author’s book Untamed.
The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Love, Talk, Work, Drink, and Eat…. Everything With Ranch (Hardcover) – From one of my favorite internet personalities, Charlie Berens. I can’t wait to see this one in person.

 

BOOK NEWS: November 9, 2021

Lots of fantastic books releasing this week – here are some of the ones on my radar:

Books for Kids


Who Was Walt Disney? (Board Book) – A board book from the Who Was folks.
Off-Limits – Dad’s office is “off limits.” But who can resist all of those cool, fascinating gadgets and supplies? Certainly not me – this is on my list for this week!!
Stitch by Stitch: Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly Sews Her Way to Freedom – An enslaved seamstress is able to buy her freedom because of the gorgeous gowns she made.
Itty Bitty Princess Kitty: Tea for Two – When Itty starts spending time with some pegasi she meets, her best friend Luna starts to feel left out.
When Pigs Fly (A Batpig Book) (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series. A bite from a radioactive bat gives Gary special powers. This looks so fun!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Amethyst: Princess of Gem World (Graphic Novel) – From Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. When a prank goes wrong, Amethyst is grounded to Earth. She’s only supposed to be there a week, but three years later, Amy has completely forgotten her old life.
Batman, Robin, and Howard (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series from the author of early Jedi Academy series, Jeffrey Brown. When Robin/Damian Wayne makes a mistake on patrol, he is benched from his superhero-ing and sent to a new school where he encounters a new rival. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Out of My Heart (Older Middle Grade) – A sequel to the bestselling Out of My Mind. This time, Melody is determined to experience summer camp and all the adventures one has to offer.
What Was the Plague? and Who Was David Bowie?
Margot Mertz Takes It Down – A teen who launched her own business as a digital cleaner to clean up your most embarrassing online gaffs uncovers a revenge porn site featuring girls from her school and vows to take it – and those behind it -down.
Year of the Reaper – A former engineer’s apprentice and a young historian team up to find a royal assassin.
You’ve Reached Sam – A girl missing her dead boyfriend calls his cell to hear his voice again – and he picks up the phone, giving her a second chance to say goodbye.

 

Books for Adults


The After Party (Trade Paperback) – Three women commiserating over their awful boss after a holiday party find themselves facing new challenges when their boss is later murdered.
The Archivist (Hardcover)- An archivist working to finish processing the papers of a writer on the short list for a Nobel finds herself investigating her predecessor who died – a woman who had a torrid affair with the writer. Could her death be more than the accident the police believe it was?
An Eggnog to Die For (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Cape Cod Foodie Mystery series. While Sam was hoping for a nice, quiet Christmas, stumbling over the body of the town’s Santa Claus has made that dream a whole lot less likely.
How to Murder a Marriage: The Ex-Whisperer Files (Trade Paperback) – A relationship advice author is trying to make a new life for herself, but instead she is dodging a stalker and looking for a woman who went missing after the author told the woman to leave her husband.
Maggie Dove and the Lost Brides (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Maggie Dove series. While Maggie is hired to find a runaway bride, she instead finds her niece on her doorstep in a wedding gown after being jilted by her own fiancé. But when the runaway bride is found dead, her groom is suspected of murder, and Maggie’s niece has fallen in love with the murder suspect, Maggie still has plenty of sleuthing to do.
Never Fall for Your Fiancée (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Meriwell Sisters series. A woman struggling to get by after her father abandoned her and her sisters can’t afford to pass up the Earl’s offer to pretend to be his fiancée while his mother is visiting. But if they were to actually fall in love, it would complicate things for both of them.
The Return of the Pharaoh (Hardcover) – Dr. Watson’s journal shares the story of a previously unknown Sherlock adventure, where he went searching for a missing Duke in Egypt.
The Undertakers (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Murders & Magic series. Hetty and Benjy are investigating a series of fires around Philadelphia as well as a fire company that seems all too willing to let homes burn if they belong to Black citizens.
Vanishing Edge (Hardcover) – A former FBI agent and a former SEAL, both working with the National Parks, team up to determine what happened to the folks who disappeared from their exclusive campsite full of high-tech gear.
The Wedding Ringer (Trade Paperback) – A woman, down on her luck and settling for playing a princess at birthday parties agrees to be a bridesmaid for hire as a means to an end. But the gig could end up getting her a real friend – and a real chance at love. This is on my review list!
Divine Disruption: Holding on to Faith When Life Breaks Your Heart (Hardcover) – Pastor Tony Evans and his family have endured several tragedies in recent years. In this book, Pastor Evans and his adult children, including writers/preachers Priscilla Shirer and Chrystal Evans Hurst (She’s Still There – ♥♥♥♥♥, share how their faith has withstood the tragedies.
Will (Hardcover) – A memoir.