Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Can't Wait Wednesday: A Clockwork Heart/Well-Behaved Indian Women/Fast Girls/The Safe Place



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!


A Clockwork Heart
(The Chronicles of Light and Shadow #2) by Liesel Schwarz
(Del Rey, 2013)
FOR BETTER OR CURSE. That might as well have been the wedding vow of Elle Chance and her new husband, the ex-Warlock Hugh Marsh in the second book of this edgy new series that transforms elements of urban fantasy, historical adventure, and paranormal romance into storytelling magic. 

As Elle devotes herself to her duties as the Oracle—who alone has the power to keep the dark designs of Shadow at bay—Marsh finds himself missing the excitement of his former life as a Warlock. So when Commissioner Willoughby of the London Metropolitan police seeks his help in solving a magical mystery, Marsh is only too happy to oblige. But in doing so, Marsh loses his heart . . . literally. 

In place of the flesh-and-blood organ is a clockwork device—a device that makes Marsh a kind of zombie. Nor is he the only one. A plague of clockwork zombies is afflicting London, sowing panic and whispers of revolution. Now Elle must join forces with her husband’s old friend, the Nightwalker Loisa Beladodia, to track down Marsh’s heart and restore it to his chest before time runs out. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: I read the first book, A Conspiracy of Alchemists, in 2013 and immediately added a copy of the second book to my TBR shelf--only there it still sits. I enjoyed the first book and meant to continue on with the series . . . I still want to. 


Have you read A Clockwork Heart? Does this book sound like something you would like to read? 


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.


Well-Behaved Indian Woman by Saumya Dave
Release Date: July 14, 2020 by Berkley
From a compelling new voice in women's fiction comes a mother-daughter story about three generations of women who struggle to define themselves as they pursue their dreams.

Simran Mehta has always felt harshly judged by her mother, Nandini, especially when it comes to her little "writing hobby." But when a charismatic and highly respected journalist careens into Simran's life, she begins to question not only her future as a psychologist, but her engagement to her high school sweetheart.

Nandini Mehta has strived to create an easy life for her children in America. From dealing with her husband's demanding family to the casual racism of her patients, everything Nandini has endured has been for her children's sake. It isn't until an old colleague makes her a life-changing offer that Nandini realizes she's spent so much time focusing on being the Perfect Indian Woman, she's let herself slip away.

Mimi Kadakia failed her daughter, Nandini, in ways she'll never be able to fix---or forget. But with her granddaughter, she has the chance to be supportive and offer help when it's needed. As life begins to pull Nandini and Simran apart, Mimi is determined to be the bridge that keeps them connected, even as she carries her own secret burden. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: There is something about mother and daughter stories that I find compelling--perhaps because I am both a mother and a daughter myself. I also really like generational stories featuring women, and add in the cultural and racism aspects, which also caught my attention when I discovered this one.


Fast Girls by Elise Hooper
Release Date: July 7, 2020 by William Morrow
Acclaimed author Elise Hooper explores the gripping, real life history of female athletes, members of the first integrated women’s Olympic team, and their journeys to the 1936 summer games in Berlin, Nazi Germany.

This inspiring story is based on the real lives of three little-known trailblazing women Olympians. Perfect for readers who love untold stories of amazing women, such as The Only Woman in the Room, Hidden Figures, and The Lost Girls of Paris.

In the 1928 Olympics, Chicago’s Betty Robinson competes as a member of the first-ever women’s delegation in track and field. Destined for further glory, she returns home feted as America’s Golden Girl until a nearly-fatal airplane crash threatens to end everything.

Outside of Boston, Louise Stokes, one of the few black girls in her town, sees competing as an opportunity to overcome the limitations placed on her. Eager to prove that she has what it takes to be a champion, she risks everything to join the Olympic team.

From Missouri, Helen Stephens, awkward, tomboyish, and poor, is considered an outcast by her schoolmates, but she dreams of escaping the hardships of her farm life through athletic success. Her aspirations appear impossible until a chance encounter changes her life.

These three athletes will join with others to defy society’s expectations of what women can achieve. As tensions bring the United States and Europe closer and closer to the brink of war, Betty, Louise, and Helen must fight for the chance to compete as the fastest women in the world amidst the pomp and pageantry of the Nazi-sponsored 1936 Olympics in Berlin. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: We may not get a Summer Olympics this year, but I can at least read about these amazing women as they came together to compete in 1936 during a very tumultuous time during our history.


The Safe Place by Anna Downes
Release Date: July 14, 2020 by Minotaur Books
Superbly tense and oozing with atmosphere, Anna Downes's debut is the perfect summer suspense, with the modern gothic feel of Ruth Ware and the morally complex family dynamics of Lisa Jewell.

Welcome to paradise...will you ever be able to leave?

Emily is a mess.

Emily Proudman just lost her acting agent, her job, and her apartment in one miserable day.

Emily is desperate.

Scott Denny, a successful and charismatic CEO, has a problem that neither his business acumen nor vast wealth can fix. Until he meets Emily.

Emily is perfect.

Scott offers Emily a summer job as a housekeeper on his remote, beautiful French estate. Enchanted by his lovely wife Nina, and his eccentric young daughter, Aurelia, Emily falls headlong into this oasis of wine-soaked days by the pool. But soon Emily realizes that Scott and Nina are hiding dangerous secrets, and if she doesn't play along, the consequences could be deadly. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read this: An outsider drawn into the tangled web of a seemingly perfect family is not a new concept, but I do enjoy seeing how different authors weave their own thrilling takes around that trope. I am curious to see where Anna Downes goes with The Safe Place.


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


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38 comments:

  1. Well-behaved Indian Women sounds really interesting! I hope you get to read it soon!

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  2. I actually have read and reviewed A Conspiracy of Alchemists, which I recall thoroughly enjoying. So I hope you get a chance to revisit this engaging world:))

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    1. Sarah - I enjoyed A Conspiracy of Alchemists too. I am not sure why I haven't read this second one yet! Thank you for visiting!

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  3. I like the sound of Well-behaved Indian Women. The others sound very interesting too, but that one stood out to me. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Vi - Doesn't it sound good? I look forward to reading it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  4. Fast Girls is a book I'm really looking forward to reading. :)

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    1. Lark - I hope we both enjoy it! Thank you for visiting!

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  5. ooo i see a couple that sound really good. hope you enjoy them
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. Sherry - I hope I will too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  6. Clockwork Heart has such an awesome cover. I love Carole's feature as well. The other books sounds good as well and I may just have to check out The Safe Place. And might I add that the cover makes me want to take a swim :)

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    1. Barb - I really like that cover too! I hope you like The Safe Place if you give it a try. Thank you for visiting!

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    1. Mary - I hope they will be! Thank you for stopping by!

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  8. Oh these all look good but Fast Girls especially appeals to me. Love that cover!

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    1. Katherine - I am eager to read Fast Girls! Thank you for visiting!

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  9. Oooh! All of these books sound interesting, especially the Clockwork Heart! Great picks!

    Here’s my WoW!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

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    1. Ronyell - I look forward to finally reading it! Thank you for stopping by!

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  10. These all sound good, but I'm most tempted by The Safe Place😁

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    1. Tammy - Doesn't that sound good? I am looking forward to The Safe Place too. Thank you for visiting!

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  11. Oh I SO WANT Well-behaved Indian Women too! The mother-daughter relationships in that sound so promising

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    1. Verushka - I agree! I am excited to read that one. Thank you for stopping by!

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  12. I'm very interested in Well Behaved Indian Women for the reasons you mentioned. All of these sound really good though.

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    1. Suzanne - I am especially eager to read that one as well. Thank you for stopping by!

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  13. LOL!! I think we all have way to many books.. and way to little time to read them! Life of a Reader right?!
    I haven't read these books. But I love the look and sound of A Clockwork Heart.

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    1. Maureen - Yes, we certainly probably do! LOL Thank you for visiting!

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  14. Love the sound of Well-Behaved Indian Women! I had to wishlist it and will look for it when it comes out. The others sound good as well - checking those out.

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    1. Athira - I hope you enjoy Well-Behaved Indian Women when you read it too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. Fast Girls and The Safe Place both look so good. I have to check those out.

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  16. A Clockwork Heart sounds awesome! I'm gonna have to check this series out. Thanks for sharing! :)

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    1. Ashley - I hope you like it if you give it a try! Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. The Safe Place sounds intriguing. Will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing, Wendy!

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    1. Melody - I hope you like it if you do read it. Thank you for visiting!

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