Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Most Anticipated Romances - - First Quarter 2018


Janga:


We’re only weeks into 2018, and it’s already shaping up to be another great year for romance readers. I started my new reading year with Kate Moore’s A Husband Hunter’s Guide to London, a pleasing blend of romance and mystery that features a heroine who has spent a decade living in the Middle East and is unaccustomed to English society. This one has been released already but it was on my most anticipated list. 



Lauren Willig’s The English Wife is also on shelves already. A Gilded Age mystery by a gifted writer—this one has been on my can’t-wait-to-read list since I first learned about it. 



January 23 will see Susan Mallery’s Sisters Like Us, the fourth Mischief Bay book, and Jill Shalvis’s About That Kiss, the fifth Heartbreaker Bay book (Kylie and Joe’s story) released. I eagerly anticipate every Susan Mallery book, and I’m a huge Heartbreaker Bay fan, so both of those are must-reads. 





The last Tuesday of the month boasts so many releases that every romance reader is sure to find something special. At the top of my list are three I’ve already read: Jamie Beck’s All We Knew, the second Cabot book and a marriage-in-trouble book, one of my favorite tropes; Manda Collins’s Wallflower Most Wanted, the third Studies in Scandal book with a vicar hero who totally won my heart; and Laura Lee Guhrke’s The Trouble with True Love, the second Dear Lady Truelove book that gives a neat twist to the titular advice column.  





If you have been following Sharon Sala’s Blessings, Georgia series, The Color of Love may be on your most-anticipated list too. Ruby Dye and her secret admirer, “Peanut” Butterman, finally get their story. That one will be released February 6. I am also eagerly awaiting Debbie Mason’s next Harmony Harbor book, Driftwood Cove, which will download to my Kindle on February 20. 




February 27 is another Super Tuesday for romance readers. I have seven titles from that group on my most anticipated list. The Sins of Lord Lockwood, Meredith Duran; Fatal Chaos, Marie Force; Lady Be Reckless, Megan Frampton; Hello, Stranger, Lisa Kleypas; The First Kiss of Spring, Emily March are the next books in series in which I am already invested. The new books will be #12 in Marie Force’s tales of the adventures of Sam and Nick and #14 in Emily March’s Eternity Springs series. I never miss a book in either. Duran, Kleypas, and Frampton are all on my auto-buy list.


My Once and Future Duke by Caroline Linden starts a new series that sounds promising. Home with You by Shirlee McCoy introduces another of her sweet romance series, but the Bradshaw brothers are residents of Benevolence, Washington, and thus these books are connected to the Sweet books. 


The last day of February will bring a new book in another favorite series, Anna Campbell’s Dashing Widows. I am so looking forward to Lord Garson’s Bride.

I discovered Penny Reid in 2017 and quickly developed an addiction to her Winston Brothers book. I must wait until summer for Dr. Strange Beard, but I like her Knitting in the City series too. Book 6 in that series, Marriage of Inconvenience, releases on March 6. So does Trish Milburn’s thirteenth Blue Falls, Texas book, Twins for the Rancher





March 6 is also the release date for Grace Burrowes’s fourth Windham Brides book, A Rogue of Her Own. I’ve been impatiently waiting for Charlotte and Sherbourne’s story since I turned the final page of No Other Duke Will Do





Late March, the 27th, to be exact, will bring new historicals from Lenora Bell (What A Difference a Duke Makes—a new series that begins with a governess story. I fell in love when I read the blurb!), Sabrina Jeffries (The Secret of Flirting, Sinful Suitors #5. S. J.’s newsletters always leave me counting the days until her next book.), and Eva Leigh (Counting on a Countess, London Underground #2. I count on Eva Leigh’s books to give me something unexpected.) 




I’m an equal opportunity reader, so, of course, I have contemporaries on my March most-anticipated list. At the top are The River House, the eighth book in Carla Neggers’s Swift River Valley series, and Falling Star, the second book in Terri Osburn’s Shooting Stars series. The first is a reunion story, and the second is a redemption tale—my tropes of choice. I can’t wait!




I think that is twenty-five books, and this is just the first quarter of 2018. It looks like another year with lots of additions to my keeper shelves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PJ:

I agree with Janga! This is shaping up to be a wonderful year for romance. Eleven of the books on Janga's list are also on mine so rather than repeat what she's already said, I'll list them here: Wallflower Most Wanted (Manda Collins), The Trouble With True Love (Laura Lee Guhrke), Driftwood Cove (Debbie Mason), Hello, Stranger (Lisa Kleypas), The First Kiss of Spring (Emily March), Lord Garson's Bride (Anna Campbell), Twins for the Rancher (Trish Milburn), What A Difference a Duke Makes (Lenora Bell), The Secret of Flirting (Sabrina Jeffries), Counting on a Countess (Eva Leigh), and Falling Star (Terri Osburn).


I kicked off my 2018 reading with the January 2 release, Every Dog Has His Day, the third book in Jenn McKinlay's humorous and heartwarming Bluff Point contemporary romance series (read my review here). This one's on my Best of 2018 watch list.






When the Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham is the next book in her humorous, heartwarming, and deeply emotional Cottonbloom series. It's another heartstealer in what has become one of my favorite small-town contemporary romance series. 





Staying in the contemporary category, I can't say enough about Roxanne St. Claire's new family-centric Dogfather series. The fourth full-length book in the series, Bad to the Bone comes out January 26 and it's a keeper. Keep the tissues handy for this one. It has all the feels. It's also on my Best of 2018 watch list.







Take one widowed doctor and father in the Old West who "buried his heart along with his wife," one mail-order bride who "greets her intended with a bullet instead of a kiss," put them in the gifted hands of Beverly Jenkins and you'll understand why her January 30 novel, Tempest is on my must-read list. 





You won't want to miss Lorraine Heath's January 30 release, Beyond Scandal and Desire. This emotional tale of love and revenge kicks off her Sins for All Seasons series which tells the stories of a group of bastards in Victorian England, and showcases why Heath's stories have been beloved by readers for 25 years. 






My most anticipated February books bring a mix of romantic suspense, historical, and contemporary romance. First up is Rodeo Sheriff, the fourth book in Mary Sullivan's emotional and heartwarming Rodeo, Montana series. I've been invested in this small town and the group of friends at its core since reading the first book in the series. 






I've been hooked on Katie Ruggle's writing since reading her debut in 2016. On February 6, Ruggle takes readers back to the Colorado mountains for Survive the Night, the third book in her gripping Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series. This one features K9 officer Otto Gunnersen, a big, sexy man of few words, animal lover, and natural protector. If you're running for your life - like the heroine - Otto is the man you want by your side.






I discovered Kelly Bowen when I picked up a copy of her 2017 RITA award winning novel, A Duke to Remember in 2016. She begins her new The Devils of Dover (I love that title!) series on February 20 with the release of A Duke in the Night (That cover! Oh, my!)  I can't wait! 






If you like suspense, action, deep emotion, and love set in rugged Montana, you can't go wrong with Jennifer Ryan. Her books always keep me reading late into the night and I'm confident Montana Heat: True to You will keep the streak alive when it comes out on February 27. 









I've fallen hard for Kimberly Kincaid's Cross brothers and am enthusiastically anticipating brooding, oldest brother Owen's story in Crossing Promises, a contemporary romance that will be out March 5.







March 6 brings the second book in Shana Galen's The Survivors series. I adored the first book, Third Son's a Charm and am eager to see what Galen has in mind for Major Neil Wraxall, bastard son of a marquess, sent to assist Lady Juliana, daughter of an earl, proprietor of an orphanage and in the sights of London's worst slumlord in No Earls Allowed



What books are you most anticipating this first quarter of 2018?



34 comments:

  1. Most historicals but especially A Rogue of Her Own

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    1. I have the feeling that one will be on many reader lists!

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  2. Kelly Bowen's A Duke in the Night

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    1. I'm excited to read this one. I really love her writing.

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  3. all of those and Eloisa James Too Wilde to Wed, Sabrina Jeffries The Secret of Flirting, Julia London Devil in Tartan

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    1. Too Wilde to Wed will undoubtedly be on both my list and Janga's for our second quarter most anticipated. I've read Devil in Tartan. It's another good one from London! The Secret of Flirting made both of our lists for this quarter. I'm really enjoying this series!

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  4. ALL OF THE CONTEMPS YOU NAMED. ANY ANY NEW BY ROBYN, CARR, SUSAN MALLERY, DEB MACOMBER AND ALL MY OTHER FAVS. I HAD HEARD ABOUT TRENTHAM BUT DEF WILL HAVE TO TRY HER WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATION. THANK YOU.

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    1. Do give her a try, Patoct. When the Stars Come Out is the fifth book in her Cottonbloom series but she's split them into two trilogies. It's not necessary to read all five in order but I do recommend reading in order within each trilogy. The books in the first trilogy: Kiss Me That Way, Then He Kissed Me, and Till I Kissed You are currently priced at $5.99 (ebook and paperback).

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    2. I'm looking forward to every single one of the historicals. They're all favorite Authors of mine, so I can't play favorite. I've put them all on my "wish list". I'm so glad that you're always able to let us know what great books are coming out.

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    3. Hope you enjoy them, Diane. There really are a lot of wonderful books coming out.

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  5. I really didn't have a list until I read this post. LOL Now I have quite a few to add to one... especially the Lisa Kleypas and Kelly Bowen releases. The #1 book I feel like I've been waiting forever for, and I believe the last I read it is due out in February or March, is RESURRECTION by Karina Bliss. I really can't wait to read Moss and Stormy's story.

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    1. I hadn't heard a date yet for Resurrection. I'm pretty sure Janga will be all over that one!

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    2. PJ knows me so well.:) Irish, the last note I have on Resurrection says an April 3 pub date. KB did not mention it in her most recent newsletter, so I'm guessing that is still the target date. It is certainly one of my most anticipated books of 2018.

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  6. I'm looking forward to The Sins of Lord Lockwood by Meredith Duran. I also want to read Lorraine Heath and Lisa Kleypas' books.

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    1. I haven't read the new one yet but I don't think Meredith Duran is capable of writing less than a stellar book. Lorraine Heath's new one is a 5-star read for me!

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    2. Also, I'm curious to see what Lisa Kleypas does with Garrett. I'm very intrigued by her character.

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  7. I thought of one more...Sarina Bowen's BROOKLYNAIRE is due out in the beginning of February. That's a much anticipated book. She's been teasing her readers with Becca and Nate's story through her whole Brooklyn Bruisers series.

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    1. I really need to pick up one of her books. I've heard a lot of buzz but haven't read her yet.

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    2. She's really great, PJ. Very prolific too! She has 4 series to date on her own (Gravity, The Ivy Years, True North, The Brooklyn Bruisers) and then has collaborated with Elle Kennedy, Sarah Mayberry and Tanya Eby. The books with Tanya Eby aren't really working for me but the others are outstanding!

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  8. Thanks for the mention, ladies! So many great-looking books listed here.

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    1. Your books are always cause for excitement in my house, Trish!

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  9. Lisa Kleypas, Lorraine Heath, Meredith Duran are certainly ones I look forward to. Frankly, I get much of my news of new romance release news here.

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  10. I liked the upcoming Heath book too. The new series promises to be an interesting one. I had some concerns about the first one because I am not fond of revenge plots, but Heath did not allow that to overpower the book or the hero. I am looking forward to Gillie's book. Also, like PJ, I am loving Roxanne St. Claire's Dogfather books. The only reason I have not pre-ordered the next one is that it is not showing up in the Kindle store.

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    1. No pre-order on Bad to the Bone. It will be available on January 26.

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  11. I'm reading the ARC of Manda's book and am loving it

    denise

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  12. I have so many of the ones you have listed. Debbie Mason, Susan Mallery, Katie Ruggle, Roxanne St. Claire and Teri Osburn.

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  13. Unguarded (One Fairy Tale Wedding Book 1) by Noelle Adams. I read everything of hers, she's a favorite. Cold Fury (Cold Harbor Book 3) by Susan Sleeman, a Christian romantic suspense. Love at Lakewood Med by T. J. Amberson. His Best Mistake (The MacLean Family Legacy Book 1) by Lucy King.

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  14. I'll go for every one you both listed above. I have no idea how you can read so many. I can never carve out the time. The bad weather and a case of the flu have allowed me to read a few I have been trying to get to. I have enjoyed every book you have recommended that I have been able to read.
    I have been following Linda Broday's series and am looking forward to the next one out in her Texas Heroes series, THE COWBOY WHO CAME CALLING. This is a reprint, but one I have not read. Book #3 Texas Heroes — To Catch a Texas Star — releases July 2018. She has a new series starting soon, a spin-off of her Men Of Legend series, that I am eagerly awaiting.

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  15. So many good books coming up. I'm so looking forward to the books from Roxanne St. Claire, Kimberly Kincaid, Emily March & Laura Trentham. Jill Shalvis has a new one coming out soon that I'm looking forward to also. I'm sure I'll also end up reading a few of the others.

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  16. I am looking forward to any new Roxanne St Clair Dog Series that you mentioned and a few others here.
    Karen T. (Natty's Mama)

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  17. Manda Collins, Grace Burrowes, Lenora Bell, Terri Osburn, Roxanne St. Claire, Lorraine Heath and Shana Galen

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  18. Kelly Bowen and Grace Burrowe's are already next on my TBR, on of course Shana Galen's No Earls Allowed. I love historical romance ;)

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  19. So many great books coming out. Lisa Kleypas, Lorraine Heath, Grace Burroughs, Anna Campbell, Kely Bowen and my #1 The English Wife.
    Carol Luciano
    Lucy4750 at aol dot com

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  20. As I always say, So many books, so little time!
    Looks like some great ones coming up, PJ and Janga!

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