Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Waiting to Read Wednesday: First Grave on the Right / The Midnight Bargain / Murder in the Margins / Jingle All the Way


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!


First Grave on the Right
(Charley Davidson #1) by Darynda Jones
(2011)
This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual.
Or a diagram of some kind.
A flow chart would have been nice.

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can't she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?

With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor,
First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: I have had this one for quite a while now--acquire date unknown. I am not sure how this is still on my TBR pile and not one I have read. A grim reaper PI? Sounds right up my alley. 


Have you read First Grave on the Right? 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.


The Midnight Bargain
by C.L. Polk
Release Date: October 13, 2020 by Erewhon
Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who practices magic in secret, terrified of the day she will be locked into a marital collar that will cut off her powers to protect her unborn children. She dreams of becoming a full-fledged Magus and pursuing magic as her calling as men do, but her family has staked everything to equip her for Bargaining Season, when young men and women of means descend upon the city to negotiate the best marriages. The Clayborns are in severe debt, and only she can save them, by securing an advantageous match before their creditors come calling.

In a stroke of luck, Beatrice finds a grimoire that contains the key to becoming a Magus, but before she can purchase it, a rival sorceress swindles the book right out of her hands. Beatrice summons a spirit to help her get it back, but her new ally exacts a price: Beatrice’s first kiss . . . with her adversary’s brother, the handsome, compassionate, and fabulously wealthy Ianthe Lavan.

The more Beatrice is entangled with the Lavan siblings, the harder her decision becomes: If she casts the spell to become a Magus, she will devastate her family and lose the only man to ever see her for who she is; but if she marries—even for love—she will sacrifice her magic, her identity, and her dreams. But how can she choose just one, knowing she will forever regret the path not taken? [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: What to do when your dreams are in conflict? And magic! Doesn't this sound good?! And look at that beautiful cover! 


Murder in the Margins
(Open Book Mysteries, #1) by Margaret Loudon
Release Date: October 27, 2020 by Berkley
The plot thickens for American gothic writer Penelope Parish when a murder near her quaint British bookshop reveals a novel's worth of killer characters.

Penelope Parish has hit a streak of bad luck, including a severe case of writer's block that is threatening her sophomore book. Hoping a writer in residence position at The Open Book bookstore in Upper Chumley-on-Stoke, England, will shake the cobwebs loose, Pen, as she's affectionately known, packs her typewriter and heads across the pond.

Unfortunately, life in Chumley is far from quiet and when the chairwoman of the local Worthington Fest is found dead, fingers are pointed at Charlotte Davenport, an American romance novelist and the future Duchess of Worthington. Charlotte turns to the one person who might be her ally for help: fellow American Pen. Teaming up with bookstore owner Mabel Morris and her new friend Figgy, Pen sets out to learn the truth and find the tricks that will help her finish her novel. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: This bookish cozy mystery calls to me and sounds like a great start to a new series. I look forward to giving this one a try.  


Jingle All the Way
by Debbie Macomber
Release Date: October 13. 2020 by Ballantine Books
A young workaholic avoiding home for the holidays discovers that you can't run away from who you are--a heartfelt Christmas novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Everly Lancaster always dreamed of leaving her hometown in rural Illinois. Now she helps run a burgeoning startup in Chicago, where her professional goals leave little time for friends...or a vacation.

When a massive snowstorm hits, Everly's mother urges her to come home for Christmas, but she hesitates to return to the life she's worked so hard to escape. Searching for other holiday plans, Everly tasks her assistant with booking her a cruise--the perfect getaway. Embarking on a weeklong tour of the Amazon guided by charming naturalist Asher Adams, Everly slowly but surely begins to realize that relationships are more important than work--and just might decide to journey home just in time for Christmas Day.

Debbie Macomber's signature wintry warmth shines in this holiday delight. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: A Christmas cruise to the Amazon sounds like a break from the traditional Christmas romance.  I have heard great things about Debbie Macomber's novels and perhaps this would be a good one to start with it?


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


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26 comments:

  1. Murder in the Margins sounds so good! I love bookish cozies so this is definitely going onto my wish list. Thanks for sharing! :)

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    1. Ashley - I love bookish cozies too. I don't really need to start another series, but I cannot resist! Thank you for visiting!

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  2. Oooh! Lots of interesting winter themed books! Great picks!

    Here’s my WoW!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

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  3. I've heard great things about the Darynda Jones series, and i really want to read The Midnight Bargain too😁

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    1. Tammy - The Midnight Bargain sounds so good, doesn't it? I hope we both enjoy it when we read it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  4. The Debbie Macomber Jingle All The Way sounds great. I am not in the Christmas mood yet but maybe books like this will help me *smile* Thank you for sharing and happy reading!

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    1. Vi - I am not especially in a Christmas mood yet either, but I can feel it coming on soon. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  5. I read the second Darynda Jones book a few years ago and thought it was humorous and fun. (Couldn't read the first one because my library didn't have a copy.) Hope you enjoy all of these! :)

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    1. Lark - I am glad to hear you enjoyed the second Darynda Jones' book. Humorous and fun sound like just what I need right now! Thank you for stopping by!

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  6. I read The First Grave on the Right a long time ago and loved the MC. I need to reread it so I can continue on with the series. Stormi and I have already planned a new series to start our feature with but maybe this one will be next!

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    1. Barb - I am glad to hear you loved the MC of The First Grave on the Right. I can't wait to meet her. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  7. I want those sandals from First Grave on the Right. lol

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    1. Mary - They are pretty awesome, aren't they? :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  8. I looove the cover for The Midnight Bargain! Hope you get to read those books soon!

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    1. Eustacia - I really like that cover too! Thank you for visiting!

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  9. i hope you enjoy them all. darynda's book sounds like one i would love to read too
    sherry @ fundinmental

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  10. I read First Grave on the Right a few years ago, but did not read any others. I keep saying I am going to as i did enjoy it. I hope you finally give it a go.

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    1. Carla - That's how I am about so many series I start. LOL I will try to make time for it soon. Thank you for visiting!

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  11. I have had a copy of First Grave on the Right for years. I actually have the whole series I believe so I really need to start reading it! I hope you enjoy all of these, Wendy!

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    1. Carole - I can say the same about some series I have on my TBR shelves too. I have every book in the series, but still have yet to read them! Haha. Aren't we a pair? Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. I just picked up Murder in the Margins and am so excited! I enjoyed First Grave on the Right though I had a few issues with it and that's kept me from going back to the series. It's a lot of fun regardless.

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    1. Katherine - I hope you enjoy Murder in the Margins. It sounds so good! Thank you for visiting!

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  13. The First Grave on the Right and the rest of the series are fun reads. And I've now added The Midnight Bargain and Murder in the Margins to my tbr. Hope you enjoy all your picks!

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    1. Laura - I am glad to hear you enjoyed The First Grave on the Right! Hopefully Midnight Bargain and Murder in the Margins will both be good! Thank you for visiting!

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