Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Waiting to Read Wednesday: The Second Life of Mirielle West /The Dating Dare / Death in Castle Dark / Ink Mage


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 Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore
Release Date: July 27, 2021 by Kensington Books
In this thought-provoking and sensitive novel, inspired by the true story of a Louisiana leprosy hospital where patients were forcibly quarantined, acclaimed author Amanda Skenandore tells an extraordinarily timely tale of resilience, hope--and the last woman who expected to find herself in such a place...

1920s Los Angeles: Socialite Mirielle West's days are crowded with shopping, luncheons, and prepping for the myriad glittering parties she attends with her actor husband, Charlie. She's been too busy to even notice the small patch of pale skin on the back of her hand. Other than an occasional over-indulgence in gin and champagne, which helps to numb the pain of recent tragedy, Mirielle is the picture of health. But her doctor insists on more tests, and Mirielle reluctantly agrees.

The diagnosis--leprosy--is devastating and unthinkable. Changing her name to shield Charlie and their two young children, Mirielle is exiled to rural Louisiana for what she hopes will be a swift cure. But the hospital at Carville turns out to be as much a prison as a place of healing. Deaths far outnumber the discharges, and many patients have languished for years. Some are badly afflicted, others relatively unscathed. For all, the disease's stigma is just as insidious as its physical progress.

At first, Mirielle keeps her distance from other residents, unwilling to accept her new reality. Gradually she begins to find both a community and a purpose at Carville, helping the nurses and doctors while eagerly anticipating her return home. But even that wish is tinged with uncertainty. How can she bridge the divide between the woman, wife, and mother she was, and the stranger she has become? And what price is she willing to pay to protect the ones she loves?
[Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: One of my favorite novels is Moloka'i by Alan Brennert about a girl who grows up in a leprosy settlement. I have since read more about leprosy and the appalling way people with the illness have been treated throughout history. I am really excited about The Secret Life of Mirielle West and cannot wait to read it. 


The Dating Dare (A Sweet Mess #2) by Jayci Lee
Release Date: August 3, 2021 by St. Martin's Griffin
Jayci Lee, author of A Sweet Mess, returns with The Dating Dare—her next witty, chemistry-filled romantic comedy.

Tara Park doesn’t do serious relationships. Neither does she hop into bed with virtual strangers. Especially when that particular stranger is her best friend’s new brother-in-law. It isn’t an easy decision, though. Seth Kim is temptation personified. His unreasonably handsome looks and charming personality makes him easy on the eyes and good for her ego.

When a friendly game of Truth or Dare leads to an uncomplicated four-date arrangement with Seth, Tara can’t say she minds. But their dates, while sweet and sexy, have a tendency to hit roadblocks. Thankfully, their non-dates and chance meetings get frequent and heated.

Seth is leaving for a new job in Paris in a month and a no-strings attached fling seemed like a nice little distraction for both… But soon Seth realizes that Tara Park doesn’t come in a “nice & little” package--she’s funny and bold, sweet and sexy, and everything he ever wanted and never expected to find. Neither of them are ready for something serious and both have past relationship baggage they’ve been ignoring, but with a shot at forever on the line will they follow their hearts and take a chance on happily-ever-after? [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: Doesn't this sound cute? I love the premise behind this one and am anxious to read it. 


Death in Castle Dark by Veronica Bond 
Release Date: August 3, 2021 by Berkley
Actor Nora Blake finds her dream job when she is cast in a murder-mystery troupe that performs in an imposing but captivating old castle. When she stumbles upon a real murder, things take a nightmarish turn in this first book in an exciting new series.

Maybe it was too good to be true, but when Nora Blake accepted the job from Derek Corby, proprietor of Castle Dark, she could not see any downsides. She would sink her acting chops into the troupe's intricately staged murder-mystery shows, earn free room and board in the fairy tale-like castle, and make friends with her new roommates, which include some seriously adorable kittens.

But something sinister lurks behind the walls of Castle Dark. During Nora's second performance, one of her castmates plays the part of the victim a little too well. So well, in fact, that no one can revive him. He has been murdered. Not ready to give up her dream gig--or to be the next victim--Nora sets out to see which one of her fellow actors has taken the role of a murderous real-life villain. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: A mystery within a mystery and an old castle. This is one cozy I will not be able to pass up when it comes out. 


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

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!


Ink Mage
(A Fire Beneath the Skin #1) by Victor Gischler
(47th North, 2013)
The city of Klaar has never fallen. No enemy has ever made it across the Long Bridge or penetrated the city’s mighty walls. Even when a powerful invading army shows up at the gates, the duke and his daughter, Rina Veraiin, are certain that it poses little threat.

But they are cruelly betrayed from within and, in a horrific spasm of violence, the city is brought to its knees.

With the help of her bodyguard, Kork, the battle-trained young Rina narrowly escapes the slaughter and makes her way to the lair of an ancient sorcerer—the Ink Mage—who gifts her with a strange, beautiful set of magical tattoos.

Now a duchess in exile, Rina sets out on a quest to reclaim what is rightfully hers, aided by a motley assortment of followers who will help her in her cause—some for noble reasons and others for their own dark purposes.

With the enemy’s agents nipping at her heels, Rina must learn to harness her new and startling magical powers if she is to assert her rightful place as ruler of Klaar. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: Ink Mage is the first in a trilogy. It was published in serial format, which is part of why I did not rush to read it right away even though it has been sitting on my Kindle for some time now. I do not especially like cliff hangers. I am sure the strong female lead is what attracted me to this book when it first came out. It has gotten mixed reviews which gives me pause about picking it up, but I prefer to judge for myself in the end. 


Have you read Ink Mage?  Does this book sound like something you would like to read? 

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40 comments:

  1. The Second Life of Mirielle West sounds like a very good book! I've not read much about leprosy so I'm intrigued!

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    1. Eustacia - It does! I am eager to read it. I hope you are well. Thank you for visiting!

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  2. The Second Life of Mirielle West intrigues me.
    Ink Mage sounds good to me.

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  3. The Second Life sounds fascinating! I don't often see stories dealing with leprosy so I may have to consider this.

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    1. Tammy - I have read a small few, but it's a topic that doesn't seem to come up a lot. Thank you for visiting!

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  4. I went through Gischler's Ink Mage trilogy in 2016. One right after the other, although the first was my favorite!

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    1. Jenclair - I am glad to hear you like his books! I hope I will too. Thank you for stopping by!

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  5. The Second Life of Mirielle West is absolutely my kinda read!

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    1. Stephanie - I can't wait to read it! Thank you for visiting!

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  6. I do think that The Second Life of Mirielle West sounds very interesting. I had not ever thought about someone from Los Angeles having that illness, but people who had it came from everywhere. Also didn't know that there was hospital in Louisiana for those suffering from it. I'll put that one on my list for sure.

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    1. Kay - I hope you get a chance to read it! Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. The Dating Dare is already on my want to read list. It sounds so cute. And Ink Mage sounds really good, too! That cover alone makes me want to read it. :)

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    1. Lark - It does sound cute. :-) I hope we both enjoy it! Thank you for visiting!

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    1. Lisa - I hope we both like it! Thank you for stopping by!

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  9. I'm hoping to start Death in Castle Dark very soon. I love the murder mystery show gone awry premise!

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    1. Diana - You will have to let me know what you think of it. It does sound good. Thank you for visiting!

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  10. I hope you enjoy these when you get a chance to read them! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. A Leprosy hospital sounds awful. Those poor people. Interesting idea for a book though.

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    1. Mary - It definitely doesn't sound like a pleasant place. Thank you for visiting!

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  12. The Second Life sound so interesting! I hope it turns out to be a story with lots of good historical detail. I'm putting that one on my radar!

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  13. I read the Dating Dare and it was cute! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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    1. Wendy - I am glad to hear you enjoyed The Dating Dare. I look forward to it. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  14. That first one- wow what a sad situation and I bet that will be an intense read.

    Death in Castle Dark looks fabulous.

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    1. Greg - Yes, definitely a sad situation. Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. All of these books are new to me this week. I might have to check out The Dating Dare since I have been in the mood for a rom com.

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    1. Carole - I hope you enjoy The Dating Dare if you give it a try. Thank you for visiting!

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  16. I have Death in Castle Dark coming up on my reading list and I'm really looking forward to it. The Second Life sounds fascinating. I had no idea that leprosy was still such an issue as recently as the 1920s but I'm definitely curious. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Katherine - I hope you enjoy Death in Castle Dark. It sounds promising. Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. I read a book a long time ago about an island which had leprosy patients and a young girls arrival there. It was a rather sad, intense read but was factually correct. I just cant remember the author at all.
    Thanks for these four updates.

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    1. Mystica - One of my favorite books is Molokai which has that premise. I wonder if it is the book you are talking about. Thank you for visiting!

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  18. You're post made me think that I should include one more book to the ones I read this week, which was "Reason to Breathe" by Rebecca Donovan. Thanks for that.

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  19. The Dating Dare sounds like a fun read to me! Will have to check that out. :)

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

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  20. OOH! The Second Life of Mirielle West puts me in mind of Victoria Hislop's The Island. Definitely one for my Wish List, I'll be sure to add it.

    Loving the cover of Ink Mage, I may well add this when I'm about it.

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    1. Felicity - I will have to check out The Island. Thank you for mentioning it and for stopping by. :-)

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