Hands up if you can’t believe it’s July already. *raises hand*
June seemed to speed by in the blink of an eye. Very soon it’ll be time to go to RWA Nationals in Anaheim – anyone else going to be there?
Those of you who’ve been following this blog for a while know that every month I tell you which contemporary romance novels I’m looking forward to, and I ask which new releases you can’t wait to read.
I’ll randomly choose one commenter to win a $10 gift certificate for herself AND for the contemporary romance author she recommends. More details on that below.
Ready? Here are the July releases I’m loving!
Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis
LOVE CAN HAPPEN IN A HEARTBEAT
Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s lovable mutt to caring for his rambunctious son. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad…
With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family-until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “good bedside manner.” Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day…
My two cents
I had a truly wonderful week reading all three of Jill Shalvis’s latest Lucky Harbor novels, including an advance copy of Forever and a Day from NetGalley. I’ll post my review of all three on Thursday, but I can tell you now that all three books are contenders for my personal Best Contemporary Romance of the Year. Forever and a Day is funny, gripping, and poignant. I couldn’t put it down.
Release date: July 31, 2012
Read an excerpt of Forever and a Day
Buy Forever and a Day on Amazon
Buy Forever and a Day on Barnes & Noble
Melt Into You by Roni Loren
Her first love has returned, and he’s brought a friend…
After running away from home and the boy who broke her heart, Evan Kennedy has kick-started the perfect new life with her celebrity fiancé. So what if said fiancé prefers guys? She knew the deal. And with her ticket to The Ranch, an exclusive resort where any fantasy can be satisfied, she knows she can find someone to fulfill her less-than-traditional desires on the side.
She just never expected that man to be Jace Austin, her old heart-breaker—all grown up, hard-bodied, and holding out a collar. She knows it’s probably a world-class bad idea—especially since Jace has brought along his buddy Andre, who’s every bit as irresistible. But if they can stick to the no-strings rules, so can she.
Too bad Jace has never been so good with rules. Evan is convinced “forever” is a word used only in greeting cards, but Jace and Andre have one last fantasy of hers left to fulfill. It’s time to go big or go home. And neither man has ever been a fan of going home.
My two cents
I haven’t read Melt Into You yet, but I read Roni Loren’s debut, Crash Into You, and it was incredibly hot. I love the way Roni writes. Her characters have true depth, making her stories all the more erotic. I can’t wait to read Jace’s story!
Release date: July 3, 2012
Read an excerpt of Melt Into You
Buy Melt Into You on Amazon
Buy Melt Into You on Barnes & Noble
Giveaway!
Answer at least one of the questions in bold below. By “contemporary romance” I mean romance between human beings set in the present day. It can be romantic suspense, inspirational, erotic, category-length or whatever.
I’ll choose one winner on Tuesday July 10th. That person will get a $10 gift certificate to the online book retailer of their choice, AND I’ll send the same to the author they mention.
If the winner mentions more than one author, I’ll ask her to choose which one gets the gift certificate.
This is open internationally.
Questions:
What contemporary romance novel(s) being released in July are you looking forward to? Have you read anything by the authors I mentioned? Which of their books do you like best?
Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas! Can’t wai! 😀
Ooh, how did I miss this one, ladymilano?? I LOVE Lisa Kleypas! Thanks for reminding me!
I’m looking forward to Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller and Leaping Hearts by JR Ward. I haven’t read any of the books by the authors you mentioned.
Hope you get to read those two soon, bn100!
I’ve read Jill Shalvis books. LOVE them & I can’t wait for this one but, the one I’m more excited about is Echoes at Dawn by Maya Banks. LOVE the KGI series & I’ve been waiting for Rio’s book for a while 🙂
Thanks, Kat :*
I’ve heard so many great things about the KGI series, Monikarw, but I haven’t read any of them. Thanks for the rec!
I love Jill’s books and am looking forward to At Last and Forever and a Day.
patoct@yahoo.com
I think you’ll really love them, Patoct!
I am looking forward to Virginia Kantra’s new book, “Carolina Home”. It’s set in my home state and sounds like a wonderful love story.
I’ve never read Virginia Kantra’s books, Suz Glo. I’ll have to put her on my TBR list!
I’m currently working my way through Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series and loving it. I love how she manages to work so much humor into her books, while at the same time keeping the intensity high.
I totally agree, Jen. She makes me laugh so hard, but there’s no shallow humor. It makes her stories all the more real.
I am looking forward Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas and The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Can’t wait to read both.
Greetings from oven-like Italy, Kat! In July I’m looking forward to read “A Man of Privilege” by Sarah M. Anderson (Harlequin Desire). It’s a story about a blue-blooded lawyer & a Native American heroine. RT Magazine gave it 4.5.stars & I can’t wait to read it.
Could you send some of that heat up north, Natalija? I bought a skirt a few weeks ago, during a brief sunny spell, and I haven’t worn it once. Too much rain in the Netherlands. Maybe I need a trip to Italy. 🙂
A Man of Privilege sounds great. I hadn’t heard of it, but I’m going to go check it out. Thanks for the tip!
I can’t wait for the latest book by Jill Shalvis. I am loving her Lucky Harbor books. The perfect blend of humor and romance. Great series.
Isn’t she wonderful, Trish? I love Lucky Harbor. Wish I could live there. 🙂
Looking forward to the new Crooked Creek series by Molly O’Keefe. Can’t Buy Me Love and Can’t Hurry Love sound like great reads!
I’ve been hearing so many great things about Molly O’Keefe, Vanessa. Thanks for the rec!
To be honest I don’t real a lot of contemporaries but Jill Shalvis is one of my favorites and I always enjoy her books so I totally agree with Forever and a Day!
I think Jill Shalvis is one author everyone loves, catslady!
I’m looking forward to JoAnn Ross’ “Moonshell Beach.
I will have to go with Jill’s new book. I love her books.
I’ve only read a couple of books by jill Shalvis
I’m looking forward to Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas. I didn’t think the magic worked in the last book, but it was still a good read.
I’m only waiting for the new Lucky Harbor novels right now! Love that series!
I really have to give the latest series by Lisa Kleypas a go. I have them all but the magic thing scared me off a bit so far.
I’m looking forward to reading Carolina Home by Virginia Kantra and Jill Shalvis’s new one you wrote about . I have read and enjoyed her books for years and I would say the Lucky Harbor series is my favorite by her.
I’m looking forward to read Jill Shalvis’s book 🙂
I love authors like Lisa Kleypas and Susan Elizabeth Philips, so obviously ♥ THE GREAT ESCAPE BY SUSAN *excited screaming* is a must have. 😀