Coming Soon… March 2018

We are excited about March! There are new releases from Alisha Rai, Simone St. James, Penny Reid, Anna Lee Huber and Patricia Briggs, to name but a few.  The AAR staff has picked the contemporary romance, mysteries, thrillers, paranormals, YA, women’s fiction and historicals we are most looking forward to. Here’s hoping our “Coming Soon” choices make your TBR pile grow! (And, as always, let us know any we missed.)

Counting on a Countess by Eva Leigh (27 Mar)

Eva Leigh is a must-read author for me.  I loved From Duke Till Dawn , book one in her London Underground series, and given marriage of convenience plotlines are my catnip, this story of the impoverished earl and the lady smuggler promises to be another great read. – Caz

I’ve heard so many great things about Leigh’s books and am thrilled she’s started a new series. I’m in! – Dabney

The plot is what makes historical romance fascinating for me: two strangers coming together in a marriage of convenience for monetary reasons. They’re hitched together and now they have to make do. I’m waiting to see what Leigh is going to do with this premise. – Keira

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Hurts to Love You by Alisha Rai (27 Mar)
Anyone who has started the Forbidden Hearts series is no doubt highly anticipating this third book. I know I am. The match-up of the sheltered good girl and the tattooed hottie sounds cliche but this author has constantly surprised me with how she’s turned tropes on their heads and infused them with such magnificent emotion. Rai’s contemporary romances are smart, sexy, diverse, and compelling. Can’t wait for this. – Hollis

Rai’s Forbidden Hearts series made a huge splash last year, and I’m looking forward to this third book. – Keira

Since Hate to Want You, the first story in Alisha Rai’s Forbidden Hearts series made my Best of 2017 list, there was no way that I’d miss reading this one. It’s got a ‘sibling’s best friend’ trope as well as the ‘rich girl/poor boy’ forbidden attraction theme and I’ve no doubt it will be as sexy and intense as the rest of the series. – Maria Rose

I’ve read the first two books in this series and enjoyed them both. Rai’s characters are strikingly vivid and unique. I love her ability to show the challenges cross-cultural and cross-class relationships face. – Dabney

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James (20 Mar)

This looks like it could be a breakout book for Simone St. James. Book of the Month Club (remember them?!) has made it one of their featured titles. In 1950, events at a boarding school for “broken” girls lead to murder. In 2014, questions still remain. There is a Gothic suspense element – and a ghost story element. – Anne

A gothic mystery from Simone St. James is always a good bet! – Caz

New to me author, intriguing premise… looks like March is all about the thrillers for me. – Em

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Forbidden Stranger by Megan Hart (6 Mar)

I was a bit underwhelmed by Wicked Attraction, the middle book in Megan Hart’s futuristic trilogy featuring ‘enhanced’ human bodyguard, Nina Bronson, and her sexy, billionaire protectee, Ewan Donahue. BUT I’m still hooked in enough by the author’s great storytelling and terrific world-building to want to find out how it all turns out in the finale. – Caz

I’m really enjoying this science fiction romance trilogy by Megan Hart and am eager to see how Nina and Ewan will get their happy ending (finally!). The world building has been quite fascinating and inventive and as always, the author writes compelling sex scenes and characters. – Maria Rose

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

A Brush with Shadows by Anna Lee Huber (6 Mar)

Cards on the table – I’m in this for the gorgeous Gage. Ms. Huber’s series of historical mysteries has been consistently entertaining and well-plotted, but I’m ready now to learn more about Sebastian Gage and his somewhat mysterious past. – Caz

This is the next installment of the Lady Darby series of historical mysteries and it’s set on the moors where people disappear… it all sounds very gothic and mysterious.  I’m in. – Lee

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Marriage of Inconvenience by Penny Reid (6 Mar)

I’m brand new to Reid’s sparkling contemporary romance series and am hoping to jump in with this charming-sounding volume. – Lisa

The long awaited finale to the Knitting in the City series is here! Book seven features Kat and Dan, an heiress and a security guard who fans have seen throughout the series, with hints that their cool demeanor around each other masks something quite different. What excites me about Penny Reid’s writing is how she invents such unique characters and stories that fit them so well. You never know what you’ll get when you pick one up one of her books but rest assured, it will be worth the read. – Maria Rose

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh (8 Mar)

Mackintosh is one of my new auto-buy writers. I loved her first two books and am eagerly awaiting this one. – Dabney

I love a great happily ever after, so there has to be a very compelling reason for me to stray from my beloved romance novels.  Ms. Mackintosh writes twisty, smart and completely engrossing thrillers.  I’ll stray for her.  I’ve loved each of her previous novels – if we’re friends, you probably received one or both for Christmas – and I’m looking forward to this one too. – Em

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

To Die but Once by Violet Winspear

I love Maisie.  She is so smart and methodical when looking for the truth.- Lee

Winspear gave her Maisie Dobbs books a reboot by finagling circumstances so Maisie ended up in the same position she started in. I’m curious to see what happens next.  –Maggie

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

We’re also looking forward to…

Anne

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (6 Mar)

This hot début from Macmillan’s Fierce Reads program is inspired by West African culture. This YA novel by a Nigerian-American writer features a ruthless king who killed the maji, took away the night magic, and is trying to crush the Divîners. A strong heroine trying to bring magic back to the land. A rebellious princess …  and a crown prince struggling to fulfill his father’s wishes. Yes, there is a romantic element (a hate-to-love theme) — but there are also deeper and darker themes. And if you don’t like deeper and darker themes, how about snow leoponaires?

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Continent by Keira Drake (27 Mar)

I’m interested in this YA fantasy because of the controversy that plagued its publication, and resulted in the book being delayed by many months. The heroine is from a peaceful and technologically advanced society, but she ends up trapped on the Continent, where two nations are always warring against each other. Is it yet another “white savior” book that portrays indigenous people as violent “savages” who are always at war? Gah, I hope not. But I want to find out by reading it.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Silent Victim by Caroline Mitchell  (1 Mar)

Emma has been hiding a secret for years. And a body! She’s hiding the body of her former teacher! The teacher who seduced her! What? I want it now! And because it’s a Kindle First Read… I can get it a month early.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Caz

Seeking Mr. Wrong by Tamera Morgan (6 Mar)

The first two books in the Penelope Blue series about a former jewel thief and her FBI agent husband were fun, sexy reads in the great caper tradition.  With Grant and Penelope working together to unearth an informant while she tries to keep her hands off $20 million in diamonds… what could possibly go wrong? – Caz

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Dabney

Whiskey Sharp – Jagged by Lauren Dane (27 Mar)

The buzz for this book has been intense. I feel like everytime I check Twitter someone’s raving about this book. I liked Dane’s Hurley Boys series and am psyched to check out Whiskey Sharp.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Hollis

Undone by You by Kate Meader (5 Mar)

While Meader’s series might seem like just another set of interconnected hockey romances, these manage to stand out from the crowd because of the circumstances around the ownership of the team (inherited by three female siblings) and the complicated relationships they have with each other (probably my favourite part of the books). However, Undone by You switches things up a bit and the author is offering us a novella featuring the (in her world) only openly gay General Manager and one of the players of the Chicago Rebels. She teased us with little glimpses of Dante and Cade in the last book and I can’t wait to get my hands on this one to see how it plays out.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

High Voltage by Karen Marie Moning (6 Mar)

Fever series continuation/spinoff featuring Dani and Ryodan. Do I need to say more? Probably not. But I will. I’m so excited to get back to this pairing because it is fraught with angst and tension and I’m so looking forward to seeing more of Dani’s growth. Girl has been through a lot over the course of this series and I’m sure it’s far from over.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

INK :  Love Story on 7th and Main by Elizabeth Hunter (13 Mar)

I’ve yet to read a book by Hunter but this synopsis popped up and totally snagged my attention. A bookseller and a tattoo artist share space and probably much more. Being a lover of books and tattoos, and having both, I’m keen to see how this story plays out. From what I can tell it’s also set in a small town and I always love the quirky characters authors bring to settings like that. Very intrigued!

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Keira

The Secret of Flirting by Sabrina Jeffries (27 Mar)

Spying and royalty, assassination and betrayal, and I’m so there!

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Lee

The Woman Left Behind by Linda Howard (6 Mar)

Her newest is about a drone operator.  I know many people were disappointed by her last book, Troublemaker, because the star was a dog, but I liked it.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Maria Rose

Dirty Games by HelenKay Dimon (20 Mar)

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed several of the romantic suspense stories I’ve read by HelenKay Dimon in the past, and I like the way she mixes up the stories to have both straight and gay relationships featured. This one features two men with the promise of an intense action packed plot and a sexy romance.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Maggie

Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs

Another installment in the Alpha and Omega series is always welcome! This time Anna and Charles deal with a traitor in the Montana pack.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Shannon

The Silver Stag by Yasmine Galenorn  (5 Mar)

Any new release from author Yasmine Galenorn is cause for celebration, but The Silver Stag, the first book in her Wild Hunt series has me especially excited. It’s the story of a supernatural bounty hunter struggling to save the world, and I imagine she’ll find true love along the way. I’m counting down the days until this is released.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Every Note Played by Lisa Genova (20 Mar)

I’m always thrilled to get my hands on a new book by Lisa Genova, and Every Note Played is no exception. It’s the story of a concert pianist who is diagnosed with ALS. His ex wife reluctantly agrees to become his live-in caregiver, something that sounds ten-thousand kinds of awkward. It promises to contain the fabulous research and heart-wrenching emotion Lisa Genova is known for, and I’m super excited for its release.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth (6 Mar)

Ever since I read The Things We Keep back in 2016, Sally Hepworth has been on my radar, and I’m particularly excited for The Family Next Door. It’s the story of a close-knit neighborhood and one woman’s growing obsession with the lives of her neighbors. It looks like just the thing to keep me up long past my bedtime.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

All the Beautiful Girls by Elizabeth J. Church (6 Mar)

Set in 1960’s Las Vegas, this is the story of one showgirl’s rise to fame and fortune and promises to explore themes of female friendship, first love, and the place of women in an ever-changing world: all things that are right up my alley.

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Are you looking forward to any of these titles?  Or do you think we’ve missed out on something really good?  Drop by and tell us in the comments!