Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Waiting to Read Wednesday: The Widow of Pale Harbor, Red at the Bone, Last Pen Standing, & The Star-Touched Queen



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 Star-Touched Queen (The Star-Touched Queen #1) by Roshani Chokshi (2016)
Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you’re only seventeen?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father’s kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran’s queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar’s wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire…

But Akaran has its own secrets—thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most…including herself.
[Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: I imagine I fell in love with the cover, which is why I gave this one a closer look to see if it would be something I would like. Maya sounds like an interesting character. Add to that a curse, an arranged marriage, secrets, and an ancient mystery, and I knew I had to read it.

Have you read this one? If so, what did you think? 


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.


The Widow of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox
Release Date: September 17, 2019 by Graydon House
A town gripped by fear. A woman accused of witchcraft. Who can save Pale Harbor from itself?

Maine, 1846. Gabriel Stone is desperate to escape the ghosts that haunt him in Massachusetts after his wife’s death, so he moves to Maine, taking a position as a minister in the remote village of Pale Harbor.

But not all is as it seems in the sleepy town. Strange, unsettling things have been happening, and the townspeople claim that only one person can be responsible: Sophronia Carver, a reclusive widow who lives with a spinster maid in the eerie Castle Carver. Sophronia must be a witch, and she almost certainly killed her husband.

As the incidents escalate, one thing becomes clear: they are the work of a twisted person inspired by the wildly popular stories of Mr. Edgar Allan Poe. And Gabriel must find answers, or Pale Harbor will suffer a fate worthy of Poe’s darkest tales. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: Upon first reading the description of The Widow of Pale Harbor, I was sold. A woman accused of witchcraft? Strange and unsettling events similar to what one might find in Poe's work? I cannot wait to read this!


Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
Release Date: September 17, 2019 by Riverhead Books
An extraordinary new novel about the influence of history on a contemporary African-American family, from the New York Times-bestselling and National Book Award-winning author of Another Brooklyn and Brown Girl Dreaming.

Two families from different social classes are joined together by an unexpected pregnancy and the child that it produces. Moving forward and backward in time, with the power of poetry and the emotional richness of a narrative ten times its length, Jacqueline Woodson's extraordinary new novel uncovers the role that history and community have played in the experiences, decisions, and relationships of these families, and in the life of this child.

As the book opens in 2001, it is the evening of sixteen-year-old Melody's birthday celebration in her grandparent's Brooklyn brownstone. Watched lovingly by her relatives and friends, escorted by her father to the soundtrack of Prince, she wears a special, custom-made dress. But the event is not without poignancy. Sixteen years earlier, that very dress was measured and sewn for a different wearer: Melody's mother, for her own sixteenth birthday party and a celebration which ultimately never took place.

Unfurling the history of Melody's parents and grandparents to show how they all arrived at this moment, Woodson considers not just their ambitions and successes but also the costs, the tolls they've paid for striving to overcome expectations and escape the pull of history. As it explores sexual desire and identity, ambition, gentrification, education, class and status, and the life-altering facts of parenthood, Red at the Bone most strikingly looks at the ways in which young people must so often make long-lasting decisions about their lives—even before they have begun to figure out who they are and what they want to be. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: Jacqueline Woodson's name is enough to make me stand up and take notice.  But I also want to read this multi-generational story which "uncovers the role that history and community have played in the experiences, decisions, and relationships of these families, and in the life of this child." I imagine this will be an emotional and beautiful read.


Last Pen Standing (Stationery Shop Mystery #1) by Vivian Conroy
Release Date: September 24, 2019 by Poisoned Pen Press
Will this paper trail run cold?
As the new co-owner of Tundish Montana's stationery shop WANTED, Delta Douglas knows how to organize a killer crafting event. Creativity and cardstock are all she needs to move one step closer to her ultimate dream: developing her own line of crafting products. But on the night of the workshop, at the swanky hotel venue, glitter isn't the only thing found sprawled on the floor. A hotel guest is discovered dead in the bar, and amid the confusion, Delta's best friend is suspected of the crime.
Enlisting the help of her Paper Posse and Spud, her canine sidekick, Delta dives into the investigation. But with many high-powered suspects on the line, Delta soon realizes her sleuthing may come with deadly consequences. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: Cozy mysteries are such fun, and while I am picky about the type of craft-themed cozy I will read (because I can't read them all!), I don't think I will be able to resist this one set in a stationery shop.  And Spud, her canine sidekick! It's easy to forget how much I love dogs all the cats on my blog and in my life.


Do any of these books appeal to you? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to? 


© 2019, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

60 comments:

  1. The Widow of Pale Harbor is the one that grabs me--for the premise and that wonderful cover!

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    1. Jenclair - I really like the cover of The Widow of Pale Harbor too. Thank you for visiting!

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  2. I love the cover and description for Widows of Pale Harbour! I hope you get to read it soon!

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    1. Eustacia - I am really drawn to it as well. I hope I will get to read it soon too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  3. I am pulled in by The Widow of Pale Harbor, yes, yes please! I am attracted by that one the most but all your choices sound good to me. I hope you read one and find it fascinating.

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    1. Rita - It really does sound like it will be a great read, doesn't it? I hope it will be! Thank you for visiting!

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  4. So I'm totally on board with The Last Pen Standing (DOG!) and The Witch of Pale Harbor. However, all four sound great and I hope you enjoy them. I've heard such wonderful things about Jacqueline Woodson.

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    1. Barb - I knew you couldn't resist the one with a dog. :-) I hope I enjoy them all too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  5. I enjoyed The Star-Touched Queen and I hope you'll enjoy it as well. The other books sound interesting to me, too.

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    1. Melody - I remember you mentioning you enjoyed The Star-Touched Queen. I hope I will too! Thank you for visiting, Melody!

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  6. I'm reading Red at the Bone right now and, so far, I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

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    1. Kathy - I am so glad to hear it! I hope I will enjoy it as well. Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. From its eye catching cover to its tree that bears memories instead of fruit I'm loving the sound of The Star-Touched Queen. Hoping you'll enjoy it, I look forward to reading your thoughts on it.

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    1. Felicity - I keep wanting to use your first and middle name because they flow so well together. :-) I hope I can make time for The Star-Touched Queen soon. It's been too long on my TBR pile and deserves to be read. Thank you for visiting!

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  8. The Star Touched Queen does sound intriguing! I like the premise. I can see that one being good. :)

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    1. Greg - Doesn't it sound good? I hope it will be. Thank you for stopping by!

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  9. The Widow of Pale Harbor is one I really want to read, too. :)

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    1. Lark - I am really looking forward to that one! Thank you for visiting!

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  10. You are always adding to my TBR! The Widow of Pale Harbor sounds like it is going to be a perfect read for fall. I hope that you enjoy all of these! :)

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    1. Candid Cover - Turn about is fair play. You are always adding to mine. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. Last Pen Standing sounds so good! I love cozies featuring dogs, so this is going on my wishlist. :)

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    1. Ashley - I hope we both will enjoy Last Pen Standing. It does sound good! Thank you for visiting!

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  12. I haven't been reading the Star Touched Queen series, but they sound interesting!

    Here’s my WoW!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

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    1. Ronyell - I hope it will be good! Thank you for stopping by!

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  13. I've seen Red at the Bone on several "must read" lists, so I'm very interested in that. Great choices this week!

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    1. Tammy - I keep hearing good things about Red at the Bone. Thank you for visiting!

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  14. Delta is my spirit animal! Last Pen Standing sounds like just the kind of cozy to love.

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    1. Verushka - It does sound really good, doesn't it? I can't wait to read it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. I guess we're both suckers for a pretty cover! I like the sound of the cozy mystery. Thanks for stopping by Colletta's Kitchen Sink :)

    Colletta

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    1. Colletta - Yes, I can't resist a pretty cover. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  16. Widow of Pale Harbor does sound like a good one.

    LOL, I've picked books for their pretty covers, too.

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    1. Sophia Rose - Some covers are just too pretty to resist. Haha. Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. All of these sound good. I'm particularly curious about Last Pen Standing. Such a fun title and cover and I do love the cozies:)

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    1. Laura - I really like that title too. And cozies do have great covers, don't they? Always so cute and fun. Thank you for visiting!

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  18. haven't heard of any of them. thanks for sharing
    sherry @ fundinmental

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  19. Yep, I would add all of these to my pile. I saw a few good reviews for the Hester Fox book and have heard great things about Jacqueline Woodson. I hope you enjoy all of these, Wendy!

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    1. Carole - I hope I will enjoy them! Thank you for visiting!

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  20. Last Pen Standing has a cute cover. The Star-Touched Queen looks interesting and I can see why the cover caught your eye.

    Happy reading!

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    1. Bea - I really like that cover too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  21. The Widow of Pale Harbor is on my TBR as well!

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    1. Kayla - I hope we both love it when we read it! Thank you for visiting!

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  22. The Star-Touched Queen and The Widow of Pale Harbor have awesome covers!
    Enjoy the books. :)

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  23. Love the sound of The Widow of Pale Harbor. Great cover, too. Hope you enjoy all your picks!

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  24. All of these sound really good, especially The Widow of Pale Harbor and that Jacqueline Woodson book. I hope you'll enjoy all of these. :)

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  25. The first two are on my tbr and I have yet to get to them, so hopefully we both will. :)

    Tressa @ Wishful Endings

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    1. Tressa - I hope we both will love them! Thanks for visiting!

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  26. I love the cover of The Widow of Pale Harbor and the synopsis sounds really intriguing! I haven't heard about this book before but I'm going to add it to my TBR immediately!

    I hope you'll enjoy all these books! Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Lynn - I love that cover too. I hope we both get a chance to read it and love it. Thank you for visiting!

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  27. All of these books sound good, but The Star Touched Queen sounds especially intriguing and unique, and this is my first time hearing about it! I'm adding it to my TBR. Thanks for putting it on my radar!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. Lindy - I am not sure why I keep putting reading it off. I should just dive in! I hope you enjoy it if you do read it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  28. I am over the moon excited to read Red at the Bone! 👍✨

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    1. La La - It sounds amazing, doesn't it? I hope we both enjoy it. Thank you for visiting!

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  29. I need to participate in Carole's book feature so I can remember all my old shelf sitters! I'm really looking forward to the Woodson book as well. It sound so good!

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    1. Iliana - Not that it's helping me actually read them yet . . . Haha

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