Eagerly Awaited August 2016 Books

Some months are more filled with enticing books than others.  As we get to the end of summer (it’s flown by way too fast!), the August 2016 lists are out already. Some months, individual reviewers may only have a book or two to look forward to. However, this time around, my inbox lit up like a Christmas tree!  From historicals to suspense to contemporary to category romance, we are all eagerly looking forward to reading something new this August!

A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean

I’ll admit that I was late to the party on discovering this author. However, I picked up one of her books after meeting her at RWA several years ago and being impressed by what she had to say(and also having lots of fun chatting!) Not every book has worked, but enough of them have been fabulous for her to be an autobuy for me. – Lynn

She’s hit-or-miss for me, but I loved her Never Judge a Lady by her Cover so much that I always hope lightning will strike again. This continues the series which began with The Rogue Not Taken, which got a B+ here (I agree with that review’s B+) – Caroline

Sarah MacLean has earned my trust as a one-click author. This is a book that will disrupt all others as soon as it hits my Kindle. – Kristen

Ms MacLean is pretty much an auto-buy author for me these days and I like the way she is paralleling our celebrity-obsessed culture with the scandals of the early 19th Century. – Caz

Sheikh’s Mail-Order Bride by Marguerite Kaye

Darkly handsome princes in exotic locations… I loved the previous book in this series (The Widow and the Sheikh) and am a big fan of this author. Her research is always impeccable and she writes wonderfully sensual romances with complex characters whose dilemmas and feel realistic.  – Caz

SHIPWRECKS AND SHEIKHS OMG YES. – Caroline

For me, Marguerite Kaye’s historical romances are a cut above the usual, both in terms of how she uses her settings and how she crafts her characters.  She’s definitely one of the bright spots in the Harlequin Historicals lineup. – Lynn

The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne

The first two books[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][in the Victorian Rebels series] were both DIK reads for me. The Victorian Rebels series draws readers in with its dark themes but overwhelming sense of redemption and love for its characters. – Sara

I’ve enjoyed the other two books in this series; they have a touch of the “old-skool” about them in terms of the heightened emotions and go to some pretty dark places. The heroine appeared briefly in The Hunter, and I’m keen to read her story. – Caz

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

I’m a sucker for any Beauty and the Beast retelling. This is an intriguing idea of mixing steampunk elements with paranormal creatures and the fairy tale theme love taming a beast of a man. – Sara

Because I can’t resist a fairy tale retelling, especially when that fairy tale is combined with Jane Eyre! – Melanie

An Indecent Proposal by Katee Robert

I have really loved this series so I am excited to get the next installment. So far, Robert has produced two excellent books about the children of mob families falling in love, and I think the next book will prove to be just as good. – Haley

I really enjoyed the first two stories in Katee’s O’Malley’s mafia romance series and I’m hoping this will be just as good! – Maria Rose

Burn Down the Night by M. O’Keefe

When I finished The Truth About Him I thought, “I need Max’s story. Immediately.” Now that the moment is finally here, don’t call. Don’t text. And for heaven’s sake, don’t come over because I plan on being occupied with this tale of a very bad boy. – Heather

Molly’s foray into new adult romance has been wildly successful with the first two books in her Everything I Left Unsaid series and I’m looking forward to this latest from her! – Maria Rose

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

I got a review copy of this, and it is positively fabulous. Definitely a great new fantasy read. – Melanie

This book has received a ton of buzz. I’m hoping it lives up to it all. The synopsis definitely leads me to think it will. – Shannon

Lord of the Darkwood by Lian Hearn

I gave a DIK to her previous Across the Nightingale Floor, a medieval fantasy set in Japan. This book continues a different series in that same setting. Her stories are compelling and action-packed, and her spare prose is lovely.  – Caroline

Her tales are ever so athmospheric, they are unputdownable. – Rike

Sunset in Central Park by Sarah Morgan

I loved the first book in this series (as well as the prequel novella) and am excited to read the second. – LinnieGayl

I have to admit, I haven’t read the first book in this series yet. It has been sitting on my Kindle since it came out. However, I am already planning to get the second one so I can go through both when I have a chance. I love Sarah Morgan’s books and I have heard great buzz about this series. – Haley

A Season of Ruin by Anna Bradley

I’m far too interested in historicals with “ruin” in the title. – Anne

I enjoyed this author’s début (I gave it a B) and she is clearly a strong storyteller with the ability to create likeable characters and a strong sense of connection between her protagonists, so I’m looking forward to reading her second effort. – Caz

Love on Her Terms by Jennifer Lohmann

This author is an autobuy for me because her books feature interesting stories and smart writing.  And since I tend to read for good heroines, I like that Lohmann creates strong female characters. – Lynn

I liked a number of the author’s previous books and this one featuring a graphic novelist as heroine sounds interesting. – LinnieGayl

Can I See You Again? by Allison Morgan

I read Alison Morgan’s debut (The Someday Jar) so am definitely excited about her new book, Can I See you Again? – Lee

The French War Bride by Robin Wells

Once upon a time Ms. Wells was one of my favorite authors. She quit writing for a few years but now that she’s back I’m interested in seeing if I still enjoy her work. – Maggie

Looking for Group by Alexis Hall

This is a story that seems to rely heavily on gamers and the virtual world. Additionally, the protagonists are very young men and online is their world. It feels to me like a perfect setting for a gentle romance. – BJ

Homecoming by Shannon Stacey

The last time we saw the hero and heroine, they were having an adult moment on the hood of a car. Definitely need to see where Ms. Stacey is going with them!  – Kristen

Midnight Soul by Kristen Ashley

I have been reading this alternate reality series from the first and enjoyed each installment. From previous books we have seen Franka in her role as ultimate, amoral, backstabbing, bitch,so it will be very interesting to see how transforming her into a heroine succeeds. – Mary

A Sunday Kind of Love by Dorothy Garlock

If A Sunday Kind of Love is as wonderful as her usual stuff I’ll be shelling out for the paperback for sure. – Lisa

No Mistress of Mine by Laura Lee Guhrke

I’ll admit that it took me a while to warm up to Guhrke’s European historicals. I loved her earlier books, set in a variety of American times and places. However, even if I miss the varied settings, her writing style has continued to mature and Guhrke tells wonderful stories.  Also, if I’m going to be totally honest(and a little shallow) – I love the pretty cover on this one! – Lynn

To Kiss a Thief by Susanna Craig

OK, I confess. I want this one because it has an angsty plot with the heroine caught in a scandal and separated from her husband, who now wants her “to pay for her crimes.” Other people will loathe this plot. I just preordered it. :)  – Anne

Flight from Mayhem by Yasmine Galenorn

Yasmine Galenorn is one of my very favorite authors. I read and love everything she writes. This, the second in her Fly By Night series, promises to be another hit for her. – Shannon

Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh

Ms. Singh’s Psy-Changeling novels have consistently been fantastic paranormal reads.

– Maggie

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Title

I cannot recommend Sarah Title’s Practice Makes Perfect more highly and I definitely suggest you pick it up it if you’re looking for a fun, yet knowing contemporary read. – Lisa

The Marine’s Embrace by Beth Andrews

She’s an autobuy author for me. – Rike

Damaged Goods by Ainslie Paton

This line from the blurb makes the book sound highly intriguing! ‘ This is the story of a man who can’t get it up and a woman who’s never gotten it on.’ – Maria Rose

Secrets of Nanreath Hall by Alix Rickloff

The Secrets of Nanreath Hall by Alix Rickloff has an intriguing plot set in two different decades in Cornwall. – Lee

Frost Line by Linda Howard and Linda Jones

I am going to try one more new Howard book before I give her up as an auto-buy. – Mary[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]