Kim Harrison
[isbn]
As a long-time reader of Kim Harrison's urban fantasy books, the upcoming arrival of her newest series almost slipped past my radar. Once found, I pounced on a copy of Three Kinds of Lucky, and then quickly devoured it. It was so enjoyable to dive into a completely new series, with unique new magical elements and complicated characters. I am now enamored of the world where certain people can see the residue left over from using magic,... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Lorraine Heath
[isbn]
How can you go wrong with a woman bent on revenge? This time, it's Regina Leyland. She was jilted at the altar and now, five years later, she's writing a scandalous, "fictional" tell-all under a pen name about "her" seduction and ruination. The book's "Lord K" bears an uncanny resemblance to Lord Knightly, who's furious to have his good reputation questioned. Fake reconciliation between the two leads to unquestionable sparks with a second chance... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Susan Dennard
[isbn]
Winnie Wednesday is back! She's passed the Hunter trials, and the forest is still holding onto its secrets and sending monsters her way. Is there really a Whisperer monster? Why does nobody believe her when she says it's not the werewolf, and what are those Dianas really up to. Get ready for some slow-burn romance, changing friendships, changing family dynamics... and is being a Luminary really all it's cracked up to be? I'm still... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Jacqueline Carey
[isbn]
Come back to the world of Terre d'Ange, a land full of secrets. Relive the action of the epic fantasy, Kushiel's Dart, now told from the eyes of Joscelin. Kushiel's Dart followed bond servant Phedre as she rises through the court as a courtesan/spy, and the betrayals that land her and her guard, Joscelin, in the hand of the enemy as they fight to save their country. Cassiel's Servant is Joscelin's experiences from their... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Kendare Blake
[isbn]
Behind every great hero is an Aristene. Mythical female warriors who are sent by the Goddess, to guide their heroes to victory and Glory. They are the Heromakers. Reed's trials will resonate the most with the "horse-girls," the ones that want to be immortal, that want their horses to live with them forever, and go into great battles together. This was such a fun, unputdownable fantasy read that will leave you longing for the next installment.
Recommended by Mecca A.
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India Holton
[isbn]
India Holton brings us back to her quirky and lovable Dangerous Damsels universe that is once again filled to the brim with pirates, witches, flying houses, and tea. This time we focus on two adorably awkward rival spies (Agent A and Agent B) as they attempt to keep the Queen alive. They begin their undercover mission as enemies, but with a fake marriage, fake emotions, and only one couch... things just might lead to heart palpitations. Full of... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Mira Grant
[isbn]
Move over Disney's Ariel – these are the mermaids of your nightmares.
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Susan Dennard
[isbn]
Back in 2019, Susan Dennard started a choose your own adventure storyline in her Twitter feed. For months, hundreds of fans logged on daily to "Sooz-Your-Own Adventures" and helped Winnie Wednesday on her way to becoming a hunter, dealing with friendships and family, and trying to get "boops" for Jay Friday. This book is Susan's new take on Hemlock Falls, Winnie's quest to become a hunter and all the monsters that go bump in the forest. I had so... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Erin Beaty
[isbn]
A fascinating medieval-vibe story that revolves around an orphaned girl who stumbles upon a murdered body. With a sect of the population worshipping the moon, blood magic, and "Ripper"-styled murders, this was a fun mystery with a touch of romance that kicked me out of my reading slump.
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Kelley Armstrong
[isbn]
While drawn to the sound of a woman in distress, Mallory ends up attacked... and wakes up in 1869 Edinburgh, in the body of a house maid for an undertaker. Now it's a race to figure out who attacked them and get back to her own body in 2019. First in a new series, I can't wait for the next one!
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Megan Bannen
[isbn]
A fun and funky rom-com genre mash-up that's set in a fantasy-western world filled with zombies, demigods, magical mail service, and dogs!! One of my favorite books I've read in 2022 so far. Beware... you might need tissues, but it does have a HEA. xoxo Enjoy!
Recommended by Mecca A.
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P. Djèlí Clark
[isbn]
A Master of Djinn returns us back to P. Djèlí Clark’s alt-Cairo historical steampunk universe that he first introduced us to in The Haunting of Tram Car 015 and A Dead Djinn in Cairo. Dapper-dressing Agent Fatma el-Sha’arawi — along with her quasi-girlfriend — are joined this time with both new and old colleagues from the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities. It’s another case full of murders and... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Martha Wells
[isbn]
With a title like Murderbot Diaries, you might expect Martha Wells’s award-winning series to be about a ruthless killing machine. What you get instead is a moody, slightly sarcastic security unit who just wants to be left alone to watch all the entertainment feeds it’s downloaded. But as weird things start to glitch, Murderbot’s newest mission of keeping a scientific team from getting themselves killed while on planet might just teach it... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Kerrigan Byrne
[isbn]
The Fiona Mahoney Mysteries will suck you into a gritty Victorian era London full of murders. After finding the brutalized body of her friend, Fiona inadvertently creates a new job for herself... cleaning up the blood from crime scenes. Now she's pulled into another mystery surrounding murdered sex workers, while still trying to seek justice for her friends' death. Surrounded by an eclectic cast of friends and foes, from Jack the Ripper to Oscar... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Martha Wells
[isbn]
Another year, another Murderbot. With Network Effect, though, we finally get a full novel instead of novella length, wheeeee. Everyone needs to meet the antisocial, snarky AI that just wants to hide away and binge -watch space soap operas, maybe keep an eye on their "not friends," and maybe keep them out of trouble. The Murderbot is still my go to series to push on the World! #Murderbot4ever
Recommended by Mecca A.
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P. Djèlí Clark
[isbn]
I had so much fun in P. Djèlí Clark’s alt-Cairo universe, which he introduced in two short novellas, The Haunting of Tram Car 015 and A Dead Djinn in Cairo, that I pounced on the full-length novel when it became available and I wasn't disappointed. Dapper-dressing Agent Fatma el-Sha’arawi is back with both new and old colleagues from the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities for another case full of... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Seanan McGuire
[isbn]
Another beautiful and heartbreaking installment in the Wayward Children series. This time we travel with Lundy through her door into the Goblin Market, where rules and fair value govern the world. In the Market, Lundy finds a lifestyle that calls to her, bringing her outside of the life she's always lived inside her head. With each of her visits to the Goblin Market, Lundy feels more and more like she's come home. But what happens when it comes... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Erin A Craig
[isbn]
This is a fabulously creepy, dark, and Gothic retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" wrapped up in curses and gods. Full of death and mystery: Can you really believe what you see? Dance if you dare. I cannot recommend this book enough!
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Sarah Maclean
[isbn]
The Bareknuckle Bastards are back with Whit "Beast" at the helm alongside the incomparable, curvaceous Hattie Sedley. Full of intrigue, witty banter, and sizzling chemistry (with a few naughty nautical knots thrown in for fun). The Year of Hattie is here and she's taking no prisoners in her quest to rule her world.
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Lorraine Heath
[isbn]
Beyond Scandal and Desire is the first book in the A Sin for All Seasons series. The whole series revolves around the Trewlove siblings. They are not related to each other but all have a fierce love for the widow who took them in as babies and an incredible loyalty to their makeshift family. With three books out so far and the fourth about to arrive in August, Mick and Aslyn's story from Beyond Scandal is still my favorite of... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Sandhya Menon
[isbn]
Full of heartfelt laughs and swoon-worthy banter, this book is a MUST! Sweetie is just such a force of nature. She accepts and embraces all of herself in a world that overly focuses on flaws that people have. Ashish and Sweetie are hopelessly adorable as they navigate their new relationship, standing up for what they need to succeed in their lives, both individually and as a couple. Sandhya Menon excels with stories that you just can't help but... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Brigid Kemmerer
[isbn]
"One day isn't your whole life. A day is just a day." It's not a romance, but there is a love story. It's about people. Friendship. Family. Love. Loss. Months later and I still think about how wonderful this book is.
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Julie Buxbaum
[isbn]
This is one of those books where the cover doesn't match the story. You think you are getting a light and fluffy romance and BAM!... bring on the grief, the bullying, and the betrayals. Such a heartwarming story about a girl learning to live with her father's death and her budding friendship/attraction to a boy with Asperger's. David is an absolute gem! Ditch your idea of normal.
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Shelly Laurenston
[isbn]
I don't think I have ever laughed so hard while reading a book, EVER! I was expecting your typical shifter romance and was wonderfully surprised by the craziness that is the MacKilligan honey badger sisters. Their deadbeat conniving father gets them into such insane situations, and then the lengths they have to go to get out of them is pure chaos. This book has a higher body count than sex scenes. The heart of the story does come down to family,... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Sean Grigsby
[isbn]
Killer dragons + firemen + menacing droids = a fast-paced, hilarious book you need to have in your life. The antics and camaraderie of Cole Brannigan and the other rookies frequently had me laughing out loud on my bus commute. I sincerely hope there are follow-up books that will give us closer looks at the other team members. I get the feeling that Renfro must have some hidden secrets I just need to know about.
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Jay Kristoff
[isbn]
Once again we follow along on Mia Corvere's vengeance-dealing quest to bring murder and mayhem to those who had her family killed. It took me longer than normal to read this book, because I kept putting it down for fear that the author was about to kill characters I didn't want to see dead (he has a way of doing that). Start with Nevernight so that the craziness in this book makes sense — it is so worth it. The ending of this book... Just agh!... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Ren�e Ahdieh
[isbn]
Feudal Japan? (Check.) Samurai? (Check.) Palace intrigue? (Check.) Mystical magics? (Check.) Feisty young women? (Check.) Brooding young men? (Check.) Swoon-worthy romance? (Heck yeah!... I mean, check.)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Sandhya Menon
[isbn]
Dimple: Wants to be a web designer and not married off by her parents to the "Ideal Indian Husband." Rishi: Wants a perfect marriage like his parents and is happy to have them find the girl for him. “'Hello, future wife,” he said, his voice bubbling with glee. “I can’t wait to get started on the rest of our lives!'” — how can you not root for Rishi after he gets an iced coffee tossed on him for saying this? When Dimple Met Rishi is such... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Kelley Armstrong
[isbn]
Rockton: In the middle of the Canadian Yukon, this is the town where you go when you need to disappear, and only those with council-approved reasons can get in. Once the murders start, the secrets come out, and not all are as innocent as they would appear. Murder, mystery, and betrayal... who can you trust when no one is who they say they are? Kelley Armstrong has done it again!
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Gloria Steinem
[isbn]
My Life on the Road is a wonderful memoir told through moving and humorous anecdotes that cover everything from Steinem's family, her organizing activist life, and her political campaign work. As a product of the '70s, I had heard Gloria Steinem's name brought up and knew she was considered a feminist, though I had no clue as to her full impact on society then and now. Her compassion for everyone and ability to sit and listen to those... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Seanan Mcguire
[isbn]
Every Heart a Doorway has it all. It’s dark and creepy, mysterious and macabre, and at its heart there's a whole lot of that feel-good love. Love that comes from new friendships and finding your way in a world that is no longer home. And if you are lucky... back to the home of your heart. "You’re nobody’s doorway but your own, and the only one who gets to tell you how your story ends is you." (Seanan McGuire)
Recommended by Mecca A.
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Ezekiel Boone
[isbn]
Who can resist a black, flowing river of carnivorous spiders? "It's not just a bunch of spiders attacking people. They're hunting as a group. Like a pack. It's coordinated." The Hatching made me remember why I find spiders so darn creepy, yet oddly I am eagerly awaiting book two.
Recommended by Mecca A.
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