Random (almost) Summer Update

Well, it is summer. At least for me it is. Yes, technically, summer doesn’t start until June 21st, which from the time of this post is just five days away. But phew, summer is here in So Cal. We got our first “Heat Wave Warning” of the summer and this weekend it could get up to 120 degrees. No, I’m not kidding.

 

 

But in other news, I’m steadily working on multiple projects, but my Blackgate trilogy is progressing nicely. Book 2 is done. I’m letting it rest for a bit, while I’ work on something contemporary, and then I’ll start editing it and then get into Book 3. I’m all hands on deck (which I guess is a weird way of saying it, since it’s only me and I only got two hands) when it comes to finishing the trilogy and putting it out before the end of the year.

 

Also, I haven’t really stuck to giving good reviews (or even adequate reviews) on Goodreads. I’ve been reading a ton, but my reviews stink. Sorry. But, I will say what I’ve read lately and if you’ve found you’re way here to my blog, here are some books to check out:


 

I finally dug in to the Creepy Hollow books again, books 4-6. This story takes place in the same world Rachel Morgan set up in books 1-3, but it takes place almost ten years later, with a new main character. I won’t spoil anything, but when a certain character was revealed, I was like, “What? How in the world is she (Morgan) going to get me to like this character? There’s no way!” But she did. I’m really enjoying this series and have the next story arch, Creepy Hollow book 7 on my TBR list.

Here’s the Amazon Blurb: “When Calla Larkenwood is given the opportunity to realize her dream of becoming a guardian, she enters a world far more dangerous than she could ever have imagined. One foe is intent on bringing the Guild down for good, while another prepares for a horrifying prophesied spell that will forever change both the magic and non-magic realms. In a world where everyone keeps secrets and the line between good and bad has become blurred, how will Calla figure out whom to trust?”

 


I’ve quickly become a fan of Amy Sparling. A lot of her stuff is a quick read and really cute, and it’s the same with her newest book Natalie and the Nerd. Definitely check it out if you want quick read.

Amazon Blurb: “Natalie’s school work is the last priority on her long list of things to worry about. Since her parent’s divorce, her mom’s boutique—their only source of income—is about to go under, and Natalie spent all summer and most of her senior year trying to save the little shop. Now that she’s in danger of failing high school, the assistant principal (who happens to be her evil step mother) is making Natalie join daily tutoring sessions with Jonah Garza, the school’s valedictorian.

Taking math lessons from the rich nerdy boy is the last thing Natalie wants to do, but Jonah needs these community service hours to get into Harvard, so he’s not going to give up on her. In addition to working at the boutique and studying with Jonah, Natalie’s lifelong crush just started paying attention to her. She’s being pulled in so many directions, she doesn’t think to question why the son of the biggest business mogul in town is suddenly trying to win her affections.

When her crush betrays her and the store goes into foreclosure, Natalie has to choose between fighting harder to keep her mom’s dream alive, or fighting to pass high school and start a future of her own.”


And finally, I finished About Last Summer a few days ago. This is the first book I’ve read from Patricia B. Tighe, and it won’t be the last. It’s another YA Contemporary, and I enjoyed this book so much. She sets up the premise great, and I love the back and forth between Gabby and Noah.

Here’s the Amazon Blurb: “Pretend to be from Spain? Act like she can barely speak English? Sure, why not? It wouldn’t be the first time Gabby Vega had agreed to a challenge from her best friend, Kenzie. Besides, it’s only for a week of vacation with Kenzie’s cousins. Gabby will prove to Kenzie she can keep up the fake identity for the whole trip—that she’s not a quitter.

There’s just one major surprise. Noah Jernigan is also staying with Kenzie’s cousins. Noah, the boy she fell in love with at drama camp last summer and the boy she had to dump when it was over. The boy who knows who she really is.

Noah can’t believe it when Gabby appears at the Bryson’s vacation home in the New Mexico mountains. He hasn’t seen her in a year. It practically took that long just to get over her. And now she’s Gabriela from Spain? All he wants is to get as far away as he can. Or maybe the exact opposite. Stick as close to her as possible and find out what the heck happened last summer. And definitely get some payback.

Now Gabby has to keep Noah at arm’s length as she pretends to be Gabriela. She doesn’t want to answer his questions or rehash last summer. Because one thing is clear—the more time she spends with Noah, the more she’s in danger of falling for him all over again.”


Well, that’s it for now. June is halfway over, but I’ll try to update the blog again, if for nothing else, with some new book recommendations.

-RH

 

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