September and October are incredibly busy for me. So busy, in fact, that I completely fail to keep up with anticipated book releases during those months.
This November, I emerged from the fog to find that I missed a huge pile of releases. Not just any releases, either. Apparently my friends haven’t been slacking off all year like I have and they produced some stunning new books.
I’ve been busy loading up my kindle and I recommend you do the same.
Over the next few days, I’ll share the newest books I’m excited about reading. I’m limiting these posts to books by local Austin authors (yes, the people I have to look in the eye and admit that I haven’t read their book yet, but I’m getting to it, really!).
First up, two holiday reads.
by Vivien Jackson and Christa Paige
Okay, I have actually read this one and I just adored it. This is a short and very sweet Regency Christmas offering. Don’t be fooled by the word ‘sweet’ – despite the lack of actual sexual content, the chemistry between Lady Carolyn and Doctor Avery is evident from the first page. Recommended!
Blurb:
Lady Caroline Selwyn’s world centers on her father, so when she receives dire news of his health—two days before Christmas, no less—her first thought is to weep. Her second is to make this Christmastide the best he’s ever known. She rummages in memory for festive traditions, plans charades, purchases bean cakes…and acquires an affianced husband. Oh, not a real one—what she does is convince Papa’s physician to pretend an engagement, for just a few weeks.
Doctor Samuel Avery can hardly credit his complicity in this madcap deception. Whatever was he thinking? But it does seem to improve the comfort of the earl, and his own sisters are in alt at the idea of his impending nuptials. And he has admired Caroline for so long, the role of her betrothed is easy to play. In fact, the scheme seems in every way perfect. Except that it is not true.
A Blush® Regency romance from Ellora’s Cave
by Jax Garren
Another Christmas novella. Jax excels at combining modern and mystical. Despite the storybook title, The Elf and the Ice Princess has a contemporary setting. I fell in love with Jax’s slightly-alternate now Underlight series and I expect this one to be just as intriguing. This book is at the very top of my holiday to-read list!
Blurb
A frozen heart…
Three years ago, amid grief and defeat, the man who once made Carrie Martin believe in happily-ever-afters deserted her on New Year’s Day. Ever since, she’s seen no reason for holiday joy amid the materialism and chaos of the most stressful time of year. So when a tipsy guy in a mall elf costume falls into her lap at happy hour and starts spouting poetry, it’s just one more reason to be disgusted at the season’s excess.
A man who’s more than he appears…
Brett Virtanen, part-time elf and a caterer in training, is smitten with Carrie’s strength and sass. Having faced down a painful past of his own, he’s determined to be the one to warm her frozen heart. But when Carrie’s job forces her to attend a gala hosted by her ex–and his new wife–it could take more magic than a costumed elf can conjure to make this ice princess once again believe in love.
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