Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Waiting to Read Wednesday (#19)



The Old(er) 
I have an embarrassing number of unread books sitting on the shelves in my personal library. Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight and discuss those neglected books in her Books from the Backlog feature. After all, even those older books need a bit of love! Not to mention it is reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!


The Dress Shop of Dreams by Menna van Praag
(Ballantine, 2014)
For fans of Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and Adriana Trigiani, The Dress Shop of Dreams is a captivating novel of enduring hopes, second chances, and the life-changing magic of true love.

Since her parents’ mysterious deaths many years ago, scientist Cora Sparks has spent her days in the safety of her university lab or at her grandmother Etta’s dress shop. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta’s charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but the colorfully vibrant racks of beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: With just a few stitches from Etta’s needle, these gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman’s deepest desires.

Etta’s dearest wish is to work her magic on her granddaughter. Cora’s studious, unromantic eye has overlooked Walt, the shy bookseller who has been in love with her forever. Determined not to allow Cora to miss her chance at happiness, Etta sews a tiny stitch into Walt’s collar, hoping to give him the courage to confess his feelings to Cora. But magic spells—like true love—can go awry. After Walt is spurred into action, Etta realizes she’s set in motion a series of astonishing events that will transform Cora’s life in extraordinary and unexpected ways.
[Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: I fell in love with The House at the End of Hope Street and meant to read this one as soon as it came out. Only, it has ended up sitting on my shelf waiting instead. Doesn't this sound delightful? I am sure I will enjoy it!


No Humans Involved (Otherworld #7) by Kelley Armstrong
(Bantam Spectra, 2007)
In her acclaimed Women of the Otherworld series, bestselling author Kelley Armstrong creates a present day in which humans unwittingly coexist with werewolves, witches, and other supernatural beings. Now, in this spellbinding new novel, a beautiful necromancer who can see ghosts must come to terms with her power—and with an evil she never thought possible.

It’s the most anticipated reality television event of the season: three spiritualists gathered together in one house to raise the ghost of Marilyn Monroe. For celebrity medium Jaime Vegas, it is to be her swan song—one last publicity blast for a celebrity on the wrong side of forty. But unlike her colleagues, who are more show than substance, Jaime is the real thing.

Reluctant to upstage her fellow spiritualists, Jaime tries to suppress her talents, as she has done her entire life. But there is something lurking in the maze of gardens behind the house: a spirit without a voice. And it won’t let go until somehow Jaime hears its terrible story. For the first time in her life, Jaime Vegas understands what humans mean when they say they are haunted. Distraught, Jaime looks to fellow supernatural Jeremy Danvers for help.

As the touches and whispers from the garden grow more frantic, Jaime and Jeremy embark on an investigation into a Los Angeles underworld of black magic and ritual sacrifice. When events culminate in a psychic showdown, Jaime must use the darkest power she has to defeat a shocking enemy—one whose malicious force comes from the last realm she expected. . . .

In a world whose surface resembles our own, Kelley Armstrong delivers a stunning alternate reality, one where beings of the imagination live, love, and fight a never-ending battle between good and evil.  [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: I seem to be stuck in the middle of quite a few series (I can't stop myself from starting new ones, what can I say?) I have enjoyed this series quite a bit and need to get back to it. I bought a copy of this book when it first came out in hardback. 

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The New
Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss upcoming release we are excited about that we have yet to read.


Deadly News (A Britton Bay Mystery #1) by Jody Holford
Release Date: October 30, 2018 by Lyrical Underground
Former Army brat Molly Owens is ready to put down roots, and the picturesque seaside town of Britton Bay on the Oregon Coast seems like the perfect place for it. Especially when she lands a job as editor of the local paper. But she’s got one colleague who’s very bad news . . .

As an experienced journalist, Molly is eager to bring the struggling Britton Bay Bulletin up to speed. But when she pushes Vernon, one of her less welcoming reporters, to dig a little deeper into the story of a prominent local family, the man ends up dead. The fact that he wasn’t well-liked makes finding the killer extra complicated. The lists of suspects range from his ex-wife to his own son to Molly’s boss, who has a secret of his own. But when Molly’s attempts to sleuth out the truth result in her receiving frightening threats, the trouble is just beginning . . .

The one bright spot is Molly’s newfound flirtation with Sam Alderich. The sexy mechanic is used to taking things apart and piecing them back together, and between the two of them they just might be able to solve this deadly puzzle—if Molly can survive peaceful small-town life long enough . . .
[Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: If the cute puppy on the cover isn't enough to pull me in, it certainly might be the fact that the heroine is a military brat--something I can relate to. This cozy mystery sounds like fun, and I look forward to reading it.


The Ice Maiden by Sara Sheridan
Release Date: November 1, 2018 by Severn House
As she stows away on a ship bound for Antarctica, a young woman uncovers a shocking betrayal. 
1842. Stranded on Deception Island in the South Atlantic, her whaling captain husband lost at sea, Karina is destitute and desperate. Disguised as a cabin boy, she stows away on a British ship. But Karina is about to get a nasty surprise. 
As she grows closer to ship's surgeon Joseph Hooker, Karina and the rest of the crew find themselves pushed to the limits both physically and emotionally as conditions worsen onboard. Engulfed in the chillingly hostile Antarctic landscape, something extraordinary happens - and Karina's story becomes intertwined with some of the 20th century's bravest Polar explorers ... [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: A woman who disguises herself as a boy, betrayal, Antarctica, and stuck in a dire situation . . . . I must know how it all plays out! 


Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Release Date: November 6, 2018 by Jimmy Patterson Books (Little, Brown & Company)
Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It's the highest honor they could hope for...and the most cruel.

But this year, there's a ninth girl. And instead of paper, she's made of fire.

In this lush fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most oppressed class in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards still haunts her. Now, the guards are back, and this time it's Lei they're after--the girl whose golden eyes have piqued the king's interest.

Over weeks of training in the opulent but stifling palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit being a king's consort. But Lei isn't content to watch her fate consume her. Instead, she does the unthinkable--she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens the very foundation of Ikhara, and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide just how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.

TW: violence and sexual abuse [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read it: I admit the trigger warning which includes sexual abuse gives me pause, but the premise of this new fantasy novel has me wanting to read it just the same. I want to know more about Lei and see her win in the end (I sure hope she wins!). The Malaysian influence on this fantasy novel also is a draw for me.


Do any of these books appeal to you? Have you read them?


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34 comments:

  1. I love Kelley Armstrong's writing but I haven't picked up that series yet. Hope you love it! :)

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    1. Rachel - I love the series. I haven't tried her latest series. I need to do that! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Oh I'd love to read Girls of Paper and Fire! Just look at that cover! Here's my Wednesday post! Happy Hump Day! x

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    1. Sassy Brit - Doesn't it look good? I can't wait to read it. :-) Thanks for visiting.

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  3. If you get a chance, do try and sit down with No Humans Involved - it's one of my favourites in the series. I also love the look of Girls of Paper and Fire - thank you for sharing this interesting list, Wendy:)

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    1. Sarah - I am glad to hear you liked No Humans Involved so much. I can't wait to finally dive in. Thank you for stopping by!

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  4. I would definitely read The Ice Maiden. I've read one book about Antarctica, present day setting, but it was very interesting. Certainly a historical book would be good. I've had Armstrong on my list for a while, just not sure when I'll get to her first book.

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    1. Charlie - Antarctica isn't a setting I have spent much time in, but it certainly interests me. I've actually bounced a round a bit with Armstrong's series. I do think reading them in order is best, but they can be read as stand alones as well. Thank you for visiting!

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  5. I think Deadly News sounds really good and that puppy is too cute for words. Also, The Ice Maiden is one I've had my eye on. I love books set in cold regions, Antarctica especially. Enjoy, Wendy!

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    1. Kay - Isn't that an adorable cover? I love cozy covers. :-) Thank you for stopping by, Kay!

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  6. I have an arc of Deadly News because PUPPY! No surprise there huh? That Armstrong series is one of the few I have finished so yep, I think you need to catch up. I loved it and it remains one of my faves. Althought I actually ended up liking her Cainsville books better. And hey, I forgot I'm current with them too!

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    1. Barb - No, I am not surprised you would want to read Deadly News too. :-) Such a cute puppy. I do want to catch up in Armstrong's series. I've really enjoyed it. I haven't tried her Cainsville books yet, but I want to. Thank you for visiting!

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  7. The cover for Deadly News is just too cute! I definitely want to read that one. Girls of Paper and Fire sounds really interesting too. Thanks for sharing! Enjoy! :)

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    1. Ashley - I think so too. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  8. I have to say THE DRESS SHOP DREAMS and THE ICE MAIDEN BOTH SOUND APPEALING TO ME! :)

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    1. Donna Marie - I do hope I will be able to read both sooner than later. You know how that goes though. LOL

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  9. I'd give The Ice Maiden a try just for the "bound for Antarctica" thing. Why is that continent so fascinating?

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    1. Lark - I know I would likely never want to live there given the cold. I am not a cold person! But I do find it fascinating to read about. Thank you for visiting!

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  10. I am stuck in the middle of more than a few series. I have some that I really will need to go back to the beginning to even try to remember what was happening. I really want to read more from Kelley Armstrong!

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    1. Carole - Me too. I am in the middle of so many . . . And I keep starting new ones! Haha Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. The Ice Maiden and Girls of Paper and Fire sound fascinating! The sexual abuse warning for Girls of Paper and Fire gives me pause too - I'll probably have to wait for reviews to see how it's handled before deciding if it's for me.

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    1. Eustacia - I am glad for the warning at least, so I can at least mentally prepare. Thanks for visiting!

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  12. I remember when Dress Shop of Dreams came out! I wanted it so much but then completely forgot about it. Turns out I still want it!

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    1. Katherine - I was so excited when it first came out! And then . . . Too many appealing sounding books, Katherine. That is our problem. I hope we both love this one when we get to it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  13. Girls of Paper and Fire has definitely caught my attention too. The book sounds fantastic, and that cover doesn't hurt either. :-)

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. Nicole - No, the cover definitely doesn't hurt. :-) I hope it turns out to be really good! Thank you for visiting!

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  14. I read only the first one but I am not really comfortable with magic and remain skeptical throughout! Sorry.

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    1. Mystica - No apologies necessary. We all like what we like. I love books involving magic and the supernatural so this one is right up my alley.

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  15. Girls of paper and fire sounds awesome!

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  16. The Dress Shop of Dreams and Girls of paper and fire intrigue me. I'm not keen on the sexual abuse of it either. I love the cover of the Ice Maiden, but I'm not sure if I'd enjoy it or not.

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    1. Amy - At least we know ahead of time and so can be a bit prepared, right? Hopefully all these will be good! Thank you for visiting!

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  17. Girls of Paper and Fire sounds so interesting, I can't wait to check some of these out (even though my TBR is already insane)! Great pick!

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