So this month I read an astonishing 39 books this month which I was immensely pleased with. I also completed my TBR for the biannual bibliathon and marked off quite a few books on some other challenges I am taking part in this year.
1. Buzz Books 2018: Young Adult Fall/Winter by Publishers Lunch – A collection of excerpts from many upcoming novels in a variety of genres.
2. The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes – Some people are born boring. Some live boring. Some even die boring. Fred managed to do all three, and when he woke up as a vampire, he did so as a boring one. Timid, socially awkward, and plagued by self-esteem issues, Fred has never been the adventurous sort. One fateful night – different from the night he died, which was more inconvenient than fateful – Fred reconnects with an old friend at his high school reunion. This rekindled relationship sets off a chain of events thrusting him right into the chaos that is the parahuman world, a world with chipper zombies, truck driver wereponies, maniacal necromancers, ancient dragons, and now one undead accountant trying his best to “survive.” Because even after it’s over, life can still be a downright bloody mess.
3. Dear Earthling: Cosmic Correspondent by Pen Avey – Dethbert Jones is your average ten-year-old – only he lives on the planet Crank with his pet chicken-snail, Precious, and his robot best friend Andi Social. When he and Andi join the Space Cadets, a Scouts-like organization, they are totally smooshed at the prospect of going to Space Camp where they’ll learn to pilot a real shuttlecraft and disintegrate weapons of mass destruction. Blamtastic! To earn his cosmic correspondent badge, Dethbert begins writing to an earthling – and boy, does he have a lot to write about! Between questions about Earth food, culture, and activities, Dethbert recounts his experiences attempting to avoid his horrible little sister, impress his animal-obsessed crush, and fly a space shuttle. Misadventures – from hairy ankles to crash landings – abound, but Dethbert’s curiosity and enthusiasm can’t be crushed, not by anything in this galaxy, anyway!
4. Four of a Kind by Kellie Bean – The odds of giving birth to identical quadruplets: 1 in 13 million. The population of Fairview, a town where all anyone talks about is the Fairview Four’s return after fourteen years: 47,327. The chance of Reagan meeting a guy who sees her as one of a kind: better than she thinks. Following in her sisters’ footsteps—and, all too often, their shadows—is nothing new to Reagan. But a disastrous first day at Fairview High forces her down a new path, one that could lead to seeing herself as more than just someone else’s sister. Things aren’t going as smoothly for Reilly, Reece, and Rhiannon though. How can Reagan let herself be happy—or dare to fall in love—when she may be the only one who can bring her family back together?
5. Twilight Vows by Shion Hanyū (Illustrator) & Maggie Shayne – After graduating from college, Rachel is returning to her hometown. She’d lost her parents when she was young, and when she was still a child, her aunt and uncle decided to murder her for the insurance money. Fortunately, a beautiful man saved her life, promising her that she was not alone, that she had him. The man shared his name with a legendary vampire from the area, and when she grew up, Rachel decided she would seek out the enigmatic man who’d saved her life.
6. Musical Hearts by Nancy Brewka-Clark – When Harriet kidnapped a baby girl and raised her to be a princess, she neglected the possibility that sweet little Melissa would turn into a teenage hellion. Unexpected comic relief comes in the form of Barbara, Harriet’s ex, who arrives to help with Melissa’s coming out ball—and reignites old sparks. Meanwhile, displeased that only men are allowed to attend the coming out ball, young, stubborn Daphne disguises herself as a man so she can meet the beautiful princess—who comes to learn that what she wants, and thinks she wants, aren’t always the same thing.
7. A Lost Love by Hiromi Kobayashi (Illustrator) & Carole Mortimer – After suffering gruesome injuries from an accident, Jacqui wants a new identity so she can start her life over again. Plastic surgery gives her a new face, and she gives herself a new name—Brooke. As Jacqui, she fell in love with her husband, Rafe, and he promised to love her forever. But she found herself in a miserable marriage to a high-class tyrant, and it wasn’t long before Jacqui was cast out of his estate, surrounded by nothing but bad rumors about her marriage. Now, as Brooke, Jacqui sneaks into her ex-husband’s life just to see her dearest son once more.
8. Lady Folbroke’s Delicious Deception by Riho Sachimi – Emily was so happy to have married her first love, Adrian, an earl. But after the wedding ceremony, he went to London and never came back. And then one day, three years later, her husband’s cousin comes to see her, saying that unless she gives birth to an heir, her husband’s lands and title will become his. Without thinking, Emily blurts out, “I’m carrying the earl’s child.” Now that she’s said it, she’s going to have to make an heir in a hurry. So Emily heads for London, knowing she’s unwelcome there and is shocked when she discovers the real reason her husband hasn’t come home.
9. Trial by Seduction by Karin Miyamoto – Glenna’s older sister drowned at sea when they were on vacation in Florida ten years ago, and Glenna knew that the man involved had a tattoo of the legendary moon bird on his wrist. Now Glenna is working as a famous photographer’s assistant, and she’s back at the same spot in Florida for a shoot. She’s determined to find out the truth of what happened to her sister while she’s there. But there are three men with the moon-bird tattoo, and they’re all brothers! One of them approaches her while she’s scouting a location… Was he the one, or was it one of his brothers? Glenna can feel her heart pounding. She knows she shouldn’t fall for him…yet he’s so hard to resist!
10. One Wedding Required by Megumi Toda – Amber was Finn’s secretary at work…and his fiancée at home! But her happy heart is slowly filling with anxiety. Ever since their engagement, he’s been pushing her away and telling her that he’s too busy with work. Finn is the talented CEO of a modeling agency, and models are constantly trying to seduce him. She worries that he’s not in love with her anymore… And just as Amber began to doubt him, she caught him in the embrace of a beautiful young model!
11. The Magic of Christmas by Motoyo Fujiwara – Merry, a server, was in desperate need of money. One day out of the blue, Peter, one of her customers, asked her to pretend to be his girlfriend over the Thanksgiving holiday. He seemed serious and the money would certainly help, so Merry accepted his proposal. When they went to visit his family, his sweet mother welcomed Merry with open arms. She believed that Merry and her son were going to get married. Merry was concerned that Peter’s mother was getting too excited about their fake relationship. But she was more concerned about how Peter and his son didn’t seem to get along. Perhaps there was a way Merry could help Peter and his family…
12. The Ruthless Greek’s Return by Tomomi Yamashita – Jessica was once a professional tennis player, but after her parents died, her life changed completely. She took in her half-sister and became a model for a timepiece brand. Then that brand was bought out and the new boss called Jessica in for a meeting. She worried about losing her contract, but when she entered the CEO’s office, the man standing before her was Loukas, her ex-boyfriend! They had broken up eight years earlier because her father objected to their relationship. Loukas used to be poor, but he had since made a great success of himself. When he saw Jessica, a sardonic smile came to his face—it was clear he held a grudge about their past and that he planned on getting his revenge!
13. Surrender to a Playboy by Erio Hori – Mary works for a woman of great wealth who has asked Mary to send for her grandson, Bonner, whom she hasn’t seen for several years. So Mary sent letter after letter to Bonner, asking him to come. When her letters go ignored, she writes a final letter to him, saying that he will be disinherited if he fails to come. When Bonner shows up after her last letter, Mary is furious with the good-for-nothing. But something about this seemingly gentle, handsome man makes her feelings waver. She knows he’s a heartless playboy…so why is she attracted to him?
14. Seduced into the Greek’s World by Keiko Okamoto – Natalie is a single mother whose everyday life is filled with work and caring for her little girl, leaving no time for romance. When her work takes her to Paris, she is invited to a dinner with her boss, millionaire Demitri Makricosta. Her heart flutters at his passionate gaze but she tells herself she’s there to work. Still, when she has dinner with him, she struggles to resist his charm and soon finds herself in his bed. It was supposed to be just a one-night fantasy. But maybe the future holds more…
15. The CEO’s Scandalous Affair by Yukako Midori – Anna is a secretary in a Miami company. Her boss, Parker, is a good-looking man. Needless to say, she is attracted to him, but she never lets it show. One day Parker has a family meeting to discuss the leadership of the company after his father’s sudden death. After the family meeting, Parker decides to go to London on a whim and tells Anna to come with him. Anna can’t help but feel excited by his invitation but reminds herself that he’s still her boss. Little does she know that he’s begun to have feelings for her, too!
16. Lifelong Affair by Yu Senke – Morgan is in shock from the sudden news that her sister and her husband both died in a plane crash. And before she can even mourn, she is unexpectedly visited by Alex Hammond, her sister’s brother-in-law and CEO of the family company. Although they only met once at her sister’s wedding, she still remembers the strong impression he left on her. He reveals to her that there was, in fact, a single survivor from the crash—their newborn nephew, of whom Morgan and Alex have been appointed legal guardians! But can they overcome their vast differences to raise this baby together, or will this new family shatter under the pressure?
17. The Ultimate Guide to Stargazing by Gregg D. Thompson – STARGAZING is an exciting guide to observing all types of celestial objects and astronomical phenomena in both the northern and southern hemispheres. It encompasses a lifetime of research across numerous subjects.
18. Partner for Love by Marito Ai – Darcy came all the way from London to visit Bindaburra Ranch, a property that her great-uncle left her in his will. On her way to the ranch, her car ran into trouble and she had to walk along the road in an unfamiliar countryside in her heels. Just as she was about to lose hope, a man named Cooper came in his car and saved her. But Cooper claimed that he was the owner of the Bindaburra. Was Cooper trying to take advantage of her uncle’s death to claim the ranch her uncle loved?
19. The Tycoon’s Dating Deal by Masaru Urakawa – Kara’s friend, who runs a matchmaking site, pleads with her to attend a speed-dating party. At the event, she reunites with a man she never imagined she’d see there… Matthew! Matthew was Kara’s first love, the man who coolly turned her down nine years earlier. As a successful lawyer, he should be able to get any woman he wants, so why attend the party? Confused and swept up by the energy of this man who hasn’t changed one bit, Kara finds herself being chosen as his match!
20. Never Go Back by Kinuko Nakayama – Olivia is taking on a big project for her company, renovating a historic mansion at Ramillies College. The opportunity is too good for her to pass up! But she soon discovers that their current client, Ludwig, is the same person who evicted her and her grandfather from their beloved home nine years ago! Despite hating him to the core, she is steadily taken in by his devilishly good looks and magnetic personality. In this unavoidable reunion, will she be able to take control of her feelings and seek revenge on the man who ruined her life?
21. The Secrets She Carried by Keiko Yamada – The hotel where Erin works has finally found a buyer…but it’s her old flame and former boss, hotel mogul Cristophe Donakis. She was his devoted worker and passionate lover, but as soon as he’d had his fun, he left her high and dry. Now he has Erin’s back against the wall. He claims he has proof that she stole twenty thousand pounds from the hotel he’d trusted her to manage, and Erin can’t prove her innocence. He says he’s willing to keep quiet on one condition… He wants to spend one last weekend with her!
22. Konohana Kitan Volume 2 by Sakuya Amano – Yuzu is a brand new employee at Konohanatei, a hot-springs inn for yokai. A simple, clumsy but charmingly earnest young girl, Yuzu must figure out her new life working at the spa with all the other fox-yokai, making the occasional mistake but also many new friends along the way. Konohana Kitan follows her day to day life working at the inn, meeting the other employees and guests, and learning to appreciate the beauty of the world and the people around her.
23. Konohana Kitan Volume 3 by Sakuya Amano – Yuzu is a brand new employee at Konohanatei, a hot-springs inn for yokai. A simple, clumsy but charmingly earnest young girl, Yuzu must figure out her new life working at the spa with all the other fox-yokai, making the occasional mistake but also many new friends along the way. Konohana Kitan follows her day to day life working at the inn, meeting the other employees and guests, and learning to appreciate the beauty of the world and the people around her.
24. Never Blamed by Sabrina Kade – Abducted and living with an old, lonely alien was never Hollis’ plan, but the routine and security sure beat the crazy world outside. So, each day she survives. She stays safe. And that seemed like enough—right up until the moment a sexy, quirky alien literally crashes into her life. Born into wealth, but not happiness, Chimase refuses to follow in his ancestor’s footsteps—so when he sees Hollis, he’s determined to make her his mate, even though she’s human. Worse, she already belongs to another and seems resigned to her fate. But Chimase knows they belong together, despite their differences. And Chimase is about to show Hollis that just because she’s alive, doesn’t mean she’s living.
25. Dark Metro: The Ultimate Edition Manga by Tokyo Calen & Yoshiken (Contributor) – Terror awaits the people of Tokyo, with gruesome lessons only the dead can teach. Anna almost descends to the dark side when she follows the suicidal Rei down an escalator to hell. Seiya pulls her back, but will they make it out of Tokyo’s secret metro lines in time to escape Rei and the ghosts who inhabit the Tokyo underground? A waitress at a maid cafe sparks jealousy. A mother who can’t handle the responsibility of raising her child commits a horrible crime. An ancient sword awakens a psychotic samurai. And finally, the solemn guide Seiya reveals his own tragic past and the nature of his gifts that are his curse.
26. Cellies Volume 1 by Joe Flood & Davis Stuart II – Ever had to wake up and go to a dead-end job? The clerks of America’s fourth most-trusted cellular carrier feel your pain. This Jog Mobile location just outside of Pittsburgh employs the lovable underachiever Devin, under-employed MBA Elena, privileged heiress Parker, sarcastic high schooler Rey, former journalist Jerry, and their oblivious dude-bro…
27. Blood and Ink by Stephen Davies – Kadija is the music-loving daughter of a guardian of the sacred manuscripts of the ancient city of Timbuktu, Mali. Ali is a former shepherd boy, trained as a warrior for Allah. Tonight, the Islamist rebels are coming for Timbuktu. They will install a harsh regime of law and tear apart the peaceful world within the mud walls of the city. Television, football, radios, even music, will be banned. Kadija refuses to let go of her former life. And something in her defiance draws Ali to her. Which path will he choose?
28. Death Knocks by Miranda Hardy & Jay Noel – It’s Maverick’s senior year. He’s no longer stuck in the “friend zone” with the girl of his dreams. He’s looking forward to college and being on his own. And he plans to have a blast along the way. One knock at the door changes everything and thrusts Maverick into a world he never knew existed. The Black-Eyed Kids don’t demand money… they want much more than that, they want his life. Maverick needs answers, and to get them, he must join forces with the very creature who took away all that he cared about. But a mysterious party will do what it takes to keep their secrets hidden. Now he must race to expose the truth or face a fate far worse than death itself.
29. In an Absent Dream (Wayward Children #4) by Seanan McGuire – This fourth entry and prequel tells the story of Lundy, a very serious young girl who would rather study and dream than become a respectable housewife and live up to the expectations of the world around her. As well she should. When she finds a doorway to a world founded on logic and reason, riddles and lies, she thinks she’s found her paradise. Alas, everything costs at the goblin market, and when her time there is drawing to a close, she makes the kind of bargain that never plays out well.
30. Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean – In each generation, a competition is held to find the next Empress of Honoku. The rules are simple. Survive the palace’s enchanted seasonal rooms. Conquer Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, and you can marry the prince. All are eligible to compete – all except yokai, supernatural monsters and spirits whom the human emperor is determined to enslave and destroy. Mari has spent a lifetime training to become Empress. Winning should be easy. And it would be if she weren’t hiding a dangerous secret. Mari is a yokai with the ability to transform into a terrifying monster. If discovered, her life will be forfeit. As she struggles to keep her true identity hidden, Mari’s fate collides with that of Taro, the prince who has no desire to inherit the imperial throne, and Akira, a half-human, a half-yokai outcast. Torn between duty and love, loyalty and betrayal, vengeance and forgiveness, the choices of Mari, Taro, and Akira will decide the fate of Honoku.
31. Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) Re-Read by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff – The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra – who are barely even talking to each other – are forced to fight their way onto one of the evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit. But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again!
32. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career. Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
33. Fire Hot Aunt by Katsuki Izumi – Toru, who just became a high school student, ends up going to school and living with Sugako, who is his aunt and is also same age as him. The super-beauty Sugako stirs up all kinds of trouble. What will Toru do…?!
34. Queen of Kenosha by Howard Shapiro & Erica Chan – A coming of age tale, this is the first installment of the Thin Thinline Trilogy, the fiercely independent Nina Overstreet has an axe to grind. A talented singer-songwriter slogging her way through the burgeoning Greenwich Village folk music scene of 1963, the Queen of Kenosha, Wisconsin, realizes that standing on the cusp of stardom gets her little respect and barely a cup of coffee in New York City. It finally comes, but in a way she could have never imagined. A chance encounter with the mysterious Nick Ladd at a late-night gig spins her life in a different direction―one that becomes a daily balance between life and death, right and wrong. Nick recruits Nina to join him and a team of ex-FBI operatives in a clandestine agency to stop the establishment of the Fourth Reich by undercover Nazis in post-War America. It’s a cause Nina believes in … until she’s forced to compromise the very principles of fairness and patriotism, she holds dear. As she and Nick grow closer as partners, she forces him to question his own intentions. But as the body count mounts in pursuit of the Nazi ringleader, the evasive Alex, the stakes grow even higher for Nick and Nina.
35. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Re-Read by J K Rowling – Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry’s eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!
36. Geneva Sommers and the Quest for Truth by C. J. Benjamin – Geneva Sommers, a young orphan girl on a quest to know who she is, has always wished for a different life. Since the great flood and the untimely death of her parents, she’s lived a captive life at the orphanage, barely surviving the dangerous predators that patrol the prison-like walls of the Troian Center. One day, Nova, a brave orphan boy claiming to know the truth, speaks up. He tells her an impossible legend and that she’s the key to unlocking it. Not only does he believe she’s the daughter of a long-lost goddess, but he thinks she holds the magic necessary to save their island. If the myths are true, not only will Geneva learn her true identity but she could be the only one able to prevent Hullabee Island from falling into the hands of a dark and mysterious enemy. With the help of Nova and her fellow outcast friends, Geneva plans to escape the Troian Center to uncover the truth and save her island. But first, she must learn to master her newly acquired magic powers. Will she master her magic in time or will her quest for the truth be her fatal flaw?
37. Geneva Sommers and the Secret Legend by C. J. Benjamin – Geneva finally knows her true identity. Her quest for the truth uncovered the legendary Book of Secrets. The fabled tome gave her a name, a family and a destiny to fulfill. But it’s much more than she bargained for. Hullabee Island holds more secrets than she ever imagined. The further she and her friends move into the mystical rainforest the more truths they uncover, proving nothing is what it seems. While on the run from the island’s evil dark army, a forgotten tribe offers unexpected refuge to Geneva and friends, bringing new allies into her life. They teach her how to access magic beyond her wildest dreams. But can she trust them with the mysterious secrets of her destiny? Geneva isn’t the only one determined to solve the mysteries the book holds. With the enemy closing in, her powers will be tested. Is she strong enough to harness the legendary power the Book of Secrets grants, or will it fall into the wrong hands?
38. Belle: Beast Hunter Complete by Dave Franchini – The Grimm Universe is filled with heroes far and wide dealing with all kinds of threats, from vampires and werewolves to corrupt government organizations and ancient orders battling for control of the realms of power. But what lies in the deepest corners of our world could give the evilest creature nightmares. A threat since the beginning of time is rising, and only one person will be there to stop it from destroying everything. Introducing the newest ally in the war of monsters: Belle the Beast Hunter!
39. Sleeping Together (Perfect Drug #1) by Kitty Cook – Vanessa Brown is having nightmares: about babies. Ever since her husband, Pete, mentioned he wanted to start a family, Ness has been trying to convince herself she’s stoked to spawn despite her inability to keep a cactus alive—and a decade-old secret she doesn’t like to remember. So when she catches her slacker-cool co-worker, Altan Young, stealing sleeping medication from the pharmaceutical company they both work for, she decides to try the pilfered pills to finally find some rest. But side effects of Morpheum include headaches, nausea, and possible mind melding—a fact Ness and Altan stumble upon when they share the same freaky sex dream. (Awkward.) Now, these two colleagues are joined at the brain by night, experiencing dozens of fantastic sleep-staged adventures courtesy of a little imagination and a whole lot of drugs. With the stress of being caught between the men of her literal and figurative dreams (not to mention her nightmare of a boss), Ness starts to enjoy snoozing more than being conscious—and the company of her work husband more than her real one. If she doesn’t wake up and smell the coffee soon, her dreamy escape could become a dirt nap in this feisty debut novel about the dark side of dreams’ coming true.
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