Five Books I'm Reading This Summer and Five You Should!

Summer is finally here!

Actually, it’s two weeks into summer at my house. For the first time ever, my oldest child was out of school before her birthday at the end of May. In the next few weeks, one kid will go to NYC for the first time, the other will get a driver’s license, I’ll go to the RWA National conference (also in NYC), there are voice lessons, dance lessons, possibly fencing, and both teens are doing online PE (because evidently that is a thing.)

Somewhere in there, I’m going to be editing and reading. Hopefully more than just these five!

*None of the links below are affiliated.

Five books I’m reading this summer:

American Queen

by Sierra Simone

It starts with a stolen kiss under an English sky, and it ends with a walk down the aisle. It starts with the President sending his best friend to woo me on his behalf, and it ends with my heart split in two. It starts with buried secrets and dangerous desires…and ends with the three of us bound together with a hateful love sharper than any barbed wire.

My name is Greer Galloway, and I serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States.

This is the story of an American Queen.

Actually, I’ll probably end up reading the entire New Camelot Trilogy. This one has already sucked me in and ends on a cliffhanger. I know I’m going to have find out the rest of the story!

Big Chance Cowboy

by Teri Anne Stanley

At Big Chance Dog Rescue,
Even humans get a second chance
After a disastrous mistake disbanded his Army unit, Adam Collins has returned home to Big Chance, Texas. He just wants to sell the family ranch, set up his sister and grandfather with the funds, and then ride off into the sunset.

Lizzie Vanhook has landed back in her hometown, heartbroken and jobless. Adding to her troubles is the unruly stray who's claimed her as his own. Lizzie knows she's in over her head. Enter Adam—not only does he work with dogs, he's also tall, dark, handsome, and the one who got away...

Adam wants nothing to do with other people, much less dogs. But when his old flame asks him to help her train her scruffy dog, he can't say no. As his reluctant heart opens up, the impossible seems possible: a second chance with the woman he's always loved in a place where he, his friends, and the other strays who show up can heal and call home, Big Chance, Texas.

I love Teri! She was one of my first critique partners even though several states separate us. We’ve met in person a few times and she is just delightful. She told me about this series at RWA last year. I’m so excited for it to finally be out (even if it is at the end of the summer.) I mean cowboys, dogs, and Teri’s sharp-witted writing? I’ll totally wait for that!

Lucky’s Lady

By Tami Hoag

Psychologist Serena Sheridan has come back to the small Louisiana town where she’d been raised—and where her grandfather has suddenly gone missing. Successful, ambitious, beautiful, Serena always found the darker world of the bayous far less predictable—and far more treacherous—than the life she’d chosen.

And for help, she must turn to a man as mysterious and dangerous as the backcountry itself: Lucky Doucet. He’s a man with a past littered with secrets best left concealed—the perfect guide to lead Serena into a world of dazzling seduction, sudden violence, and raw natural beauty. From the exotic French Quarter to the most remote bayou, they would follow a trail of corruption and betrayal to a showdown that would require they trust not only their own deepest instincts for survival—but each other.

When I asked what everyone on my facebook page was reading, a friend mentioned The Boy by Tami Hoag. I recognized the author’s name from my mom’s books. My 2018 reading challenge was to read the books my mother left me. I kind of failed miserably. So miserably that I didn’t bother setting a 2019 reading challenge. Mom had this one on her shelf, so I’m going to give it a shot.

Playing with Fire

By Rebecca Hunter

Marianna will do anything to save her father’s company—even hire her ex to help. When old desires catch like wildfire, she won’t let it consume her…but sometimes playing with fire means getting burned.

I won a copy of this book when Rebecca visited Delancey Stewart’s read group (Delancey’s Fancies. It’s a lot of fun. You should totally come play with us.) I enjoyed Rebecca’s sense of humor. I’m excited to try this new-to-me author!

The Story Equation

By Susan May Warren

The easy, organic, can't-fail way to create compelling characters and plot your best-selling novel!

Are you struggling to build a riveting plot? Layered characters? How about fortify that saggy middle? Create that powerful ending?

You can plot your entire book by asking one powerful question, and then plugging it into an “equation” that makes your plot and characters come to life. You’ll learn how to create compelling characters, build the external and internal journey of your characters, create a theme, create story and scene tension, plot your novel organically, and even pitch and market your bestseller. All with one amazing question.

All of the promises of this craft book intrigues me. I really want to know the “one amazing question.”

Five books you should read this summer:

The Sins Trilogy

By Nadia Lee

All three books in this fan-yourself-hot, deliciously twisted trilogy are being released this summer. You can read more about the first one here.

The Mr. Match Series

By Delancey Stewart

Hot soccer players, swoon-worthy romance, and laugh-out-loud writing. This whole series is already available. You can learn more about the first one here. Delancey also has a Movie Stars in Maryland duet coming out in August. It’s going to be fabulous! Trust me, I know.

The Lost Man

By Jane Harper

Think it’s hot where you are? Jane Harper creates the perfect atmosphere of an Australian summer and mystery. Keep a glass of water close while you’re reading this one. You’re going to need it!

Dear Writer, You Need to Quit

By Becca Syme

This book is aimed at writers trying to find their place in a saturated market with a thousand pressures to do everything but, you now, actually write. The information is centered on writing, but could be applied to anyone searching for success in a creative field. Becca also offers class through the Better-Faster Academy. I’ll be blogging about those soon.

The One You Fight For

By Roni Loren

This is the third book in Roni’s The Ones Who Got Away. It is a fabulous love story that rips your heart out then puts it back together all warm and happy. This book can be read as as standalone, but the whole series is fantastic and if you start reading them now, you’ll be done just in time for Kincaid’s book to come out in December!

A few bonus suggestions:

The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas

The Seven and 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

Okay, this is getting epically long. I’ll stop. But if you ever need a book suggestions, I’ve always got them!

Happy reading!

Five Books I'm Reading This Summer and Five You Should