Waiting For Wentworth: 2023

Waiting On Wednesday (632) Something Wicked (Black and Blue #3) by Lily Morton

Something Wicked
(Black and Blue #3)
by Lily Morton

Expected Publication: January 3, 2024

Genre: MM, Romance, Paranormal

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings
that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.
(WoW was previously hosted by Breaking The Spine.)

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
After powerful psychic Blue Billings fell in love with Levi Black, he believed their biggest challenges would arise from Blue’s ability to see and speak to the dead. So it’s rather alarming when he and Levi are confronted with a spate of new—and frightening—problems that have to do with the realm of the living.

A sadistic serial killer is stalking their beloved York, and Blue himself is in the killer’s crosshairs. Blue and Levi must race against time to catch the murderer as the deaths increase in ferocity. But when they’re forced from their home, and close acquaintances seemingly disappear like mist over the Minster’s spires, Blue finds that he is completely and terrifyingly on his own, and for the first time in his life, he’s without his powers.

Oh no. I totally don't remember what the heck happened previously in this series. I know I loved the first book, but I read book #2 way back in March of 2022, so hopefully I can dive into this book without a refresher!

What are you waiting on this week?

The Kite & Tallowwood Crossover
by N.R. Walker

Expected Publication: December 22, 2023

Genre: MM, Romance
Novella

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Harry and Asher are living peacefully on the North Coast of NSW. Life is quiet, boring, and utterly perfect. Though coming from a life of danger and excitement, Harry worries that Asher will grow bored of the “normal” life. He misses the adrenaline, the action, and most of all, he misses his “baby.”

So Harry goes against his own better judgement and organises a special Christmas gift for Asher.

Life has been picture-perfect in the sleepy little town of Tallowwood. Since the horrors of the murder trial ended, Jake and August couldn’t be happier. Tallowwood was unassuming and uneventful—just how they liked it.

Even the town’s newest residents are decidedly normal. On paper, that is. In person, August isn’t so sure. He’d done background checks on them when they’d first arrived and found nothing, but something about them was off.

But when the Coffs Coast Gun Club sends an application for a Christmas gala day and a familiar name catches his eye, August is determined to meet the newcomers in an official capacity. He wants to see if his hunch is correct.

What was a surprise Christmas gift for Asher, might just unbox a whole can of worms.

This novella is just a freaking TEASE that the author is putting out there for a full length follow up to Kite. It just happens to be set in the same town as another of her books, Tallowwood... hence, the crossover. However, I'm needing a sequel to Tallowwood because when it was released it was listed as #1, and I've been waiting for a follow up for 4 years. Little peeved here.

Christmas is just a few days away and I feel like I'm not done shopping. I mostly shopped online this year (thanks first to Covid, then a wedding, and now I'm STILL sick.) I'm so used to shopping in person with my handy dandy 'WISH LIST' that something feels incomplete this year. Could it really be this easy? Eeeks.

I'm almost caught up on my reading challenge for the year, so yay!

What are you waiting on this week?

Forgive Me
(Forgive Me #1)
by Ariana Nash

Expected Publication: December 15, 2023

Genre: MM, Romance, Mystery

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Father Francis Scott knows he’s damned, but at twenty-four years old, he has a lifetime to make up for past mistakes. Newly ordained, he’s determined to clean the stain off his soul, one day at a time. Until an angel walks into his church, asking Francis to take his confession.

Francis can’t afford any more mistakes. Unfortunately, the world Angel is about to pull Francis into leaves no room for good men, and as Francis is swept into the dark underworld of organized crime, his love of the Church, his broken soul, and all the sins he’s been running from, conspire to break him.

Angel has no idea why he’s been sent to England, other than to stakeout a priest for Italy’s most notorious mob boss. He hadn’t expected Father Francis Scott to be so young, or for him to be sinfully hot in his black cassock. He also hadn’t expected the priest’s haunted eyes to be filled with secrets.

But when a rival criminal syndicate get the drop on Angel, almost executing Francis under Angel's watch, kidnapping the priest seems like the next best option. Now they’re on the run, barely one step ahead of assassins who think nothing of crossing countries and continents to track them. Why are the Russian and Italian mafia so desperate to get their hands on Father Francis Scott? And why does Angel care?

I've been SO busy reading to catch up on my Goodreads challenge by the end of the year that I haven't been researching books to read. I officially have nothing on my tbr that hasn't been released yet.

And I'm sick again and I don't feel like looking for new releases, so this will have to do.

I paused watching Red, White & Royal Blue to write this post, and I'm going back to it now so please don't interrupt me.

What are you waiting on this week?

Matrimonial Merriment
(Valor and Doyle Mysteries #7)
by Nicky James

Expected Publication: December 7, 2023

Genre: MM, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Who would have thought Quaid and Aslan would come so far?

Join the couple as they scramble to arrange Quaid's dream wedding in under three months.

Then take a seat because you are cordially invited to attend the ceremony.

Whoo Hoo!! I would like to claim that this is my most highly anticipated book of 2023, but it's only been 3 months since book #6 was released. So, not long in real time, but still the wait is killing me.

Sadly, the author also announced she is taking a break from writing this couple, so who knows when or if I'll ever see them again? Makes me sad.

What are you waiting on this week?

For those who want to know, my son's wedding last Friday went off without a hitch! Yay! The stress, though. My Mom and Dad made it to the wedding and reception and they handled it really well.

Unfortunately, 8 of the 14 people we invited to the wedding were no shows. This was after they rsvp'd only a week ago. I have no words.

The bride had 120 people attend, and my son had Mom, Dad, Sister (who was also a Groomswoman) Uncle, Grandma and Grandpa and 6 other people (only 2 were at the wedding, all 6 were at the reception but left after dinner.) My other brother didn't even show up. None of those who didn't attend have contacted us either. So I don't even know what to make of it.

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Catered All The Way
by Annabeth Albert
Expected Publication: December 4, 2023
Genre: MM, Holiday, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Tis the season for a hopeless crush on my older brother’s best friend…

This year will be different. I’m all grown up, my gaming channel is a huge success, and I finally have the confidence to make my move on Atlas Orion, the hottest chief in the navy.

However, I don’t intend for my smooth move to be covering Atlas in cranberry sauce. Not at all how I want to reintroduce myself to my new roomie and coworker. Atlas is in town to help save Seasons, my family’s historic holiday gift shop and event space. Seasons is booked solid with catered parties, so we need to avoid any more disasters.

Like my malfunctioning air mattress. We’re down to one bed, two dudes, and a whole lot of holiday-fling temptation. Atlas has never been with a guy, but I don’t have to do much persuading. And what better way to explore than a secret romp? No strings, and no one has to know.

The problem? With every passing week, I fall harder for Atlas, who’s far more than his drool-worthy muscles and heroic job. He’s kind, funny, makes me breakfast in bed, and each midnight snowball fight brings us that much closer to heartbreak.

Atlas can’t stay in Kringle’s Crossing forever, and I can’t imagine leaving the only place I’ve called home. Our feelings run deep, but is it a holiday illusion? Can we find our way to a lasting future?

The Fake Mate
by Lana Ferguson
Expected Publication: December 5, 2023
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Two wolf shifters agree to be fake mates but unexpectedly find something real in this steamy paranormal romantic comedy by Lana Ferguson.

Mackenzie Carter has had some very bad dates lately. Model train experts, mansplainers, guys weirdly obsessed with her tail—she hasn’t had a successful date in months. Only a year out of residency, her grandmother’s obsession with Mackenzie finding the perfect mate to settle down with threatens to drive Mackenzie barking mad. Out of options, it feels like a small thing to tell her grandmother that she’s met someone. That is, until she blurts out the name of the first man she sees and the last man she would ever date: Noah Taylor, the big bad wolf of Denver General.

Noah Taylor, interventional cardiologist and all around grump, has spent his entire life hiding what he is. With outdated stigmas surrounding unmated alphas that have people wondering if they still howl at the moon, Noah has been careful to keep his designation under wraps. It’s worked for years, until an anonymous tip has everything coming to light. Noah is left with two options: come clean to the board and risk his career—or find himself a mate. The chatty, overly friendly ER doctor asking him to be her fake boyfriend on the same day he’s called to meet the board has to be kismet, right?

Mackenzie will keep her grandmother off her back, and Noah will get a chance to prove he can continue to work without a real mate—a mutually beneficial business transaction, they both rationalize. But when the fake-mate act turns into a very real friends-with-benefits arrangement, lines start to blur, and they quickly realize love is a whole different kind of animal.

I am stressed. Way stressed. And not regarding the approaching Holidays. My son is getting married on Friday and just the logistics of getting my parents to and from the ceremony AND reception is causing me mental anguish. My mom is 85 and has dementia. Dad is 90 and deaf and 90% blind and weak from congestive heart failure and it's just too much. Hopefully, everything goes off without a hitch, so keep your fingers crossed for me!

This week I have yet another Christmas book for my WoW. So far I haven't read anything new that has really stood out. I need to reread some of my old favorites to pull me out of this funk.

And I also have The Fake Date on my tbr, because who doesn't want to read a non-Christmas wolf shifter love story at Christmastime? LOL

What are you waiting on this week?

Holiday Heart Strings
(Hartbridge Christmas #4)
by N.R. Walker

Expected Publication: November 21, 2023

Genre: MM, Holiday, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Englishman Braithe Branson arrives in Hartbridge, Montana, to take on a brief substitute kindergarten teacher position. His introduction to the sleepy town is being pulled over for speeding. Not an ideal start, but at least the deputy was cute.

Colson Price takes being a deputy very seriously. After all, his job is all he has. Disowned by his family ten years ago, he’s vowed to stay closeted so it won’t cost him everything all over again.

But the holidays are tough for Colson, and the new guy in town is far too tempting. With a promise of some very private no-strings encounters on the downlow, he can’t resist.

Braithe is charmed by the handsome deputy, the gorgeous town, and the great group of friends he meets. But as the countdown to leaving gets closer, the more tangled the ‘no strings’ becomes.

Braithe and Colson have to hope that Hartbridge will find a way for this Christmas wish to come true.

More, more, more... more, more Christmas for me!!! It's ridiculous, but I like reading Christmas stories at Christmastime. Lots of reading. ALL the reading! And it must all be Christmasy! Add a bunch of new stories to my annual Christmas favorites and I am happy. At least until I burn out by the New Year and return to my regularly scheduled reading. Bah Humbug.

What are you waiting on this week?

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Christmas Falls
by Various Authors
Expected Publication: November 14 - December 15, 2023
Genre: M/M, Holiday, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
"Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie."

Can I choose an entire series as my WoW? Because I am. And I'm going to do my best to read as many of these books as I can. Or at least the authors that I know or the blurbs that sound the best. Whatever. I love reading Christmas stories so this will just add to my merriment this year.

What are you waiting on this week?

The Christmas Veto
(Festive Fakes #3)
by Keira Andrews

Expected Publication: November 16, 2023

Genre: MM, Holiday, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
My name’s Connor Lisowski, and here’s what you need to know about me:

I’ve had a massive crush on my best friend’s older brother since high school.
Everyone thinks I’m straight.
I have two dads but I’m afraid to come out.

And somehow, I’ve been roped into pretending to be Reid’s boyfriend for the holidays. Who’s Reid, you ask? Only the aforementioned best friend’s older brother who never looked at me twice.

Until now.

Yay! More Christmas reading for me! This one is an ongoing series that the author writes every year. I'm looking forward to reading this because it features the son of the 2 characters from the first book.

What are you waiting on this week?

Snowed In
by Catherine Walsh

Expected Publication: November 1, 2023

Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Megan is dreading going home for the holidays. She’s the village pariah, the she-devil who left local golden boy Isaac at the altar four years ago and ran away to the big city. She could really do without the drama. Particularly as he’s engaged again, and she’s just been dumped for the fourth time this year.

Christian’s fed up of being on his own every Christmas. He doesn’t mind being alone , but he hates his family’s sad eyes and soft tones as they sit around coupled up. Because he’s actually, totally, fine.

So when Megan literally bumps into Christian in a Dublin pub, they come up with a pact to see them through the holiday season. They’re going to be the very best fake dates for each other, ever.

Rules are drawn up, a contract is signed on a wine-stained napkin. They will sit through each other’s family gatherings and be outrageously in love until freed from their annual obligations. After all, it’s only for a few weeks.

But with everyone home for the holidays, two big families to deal with alongside old friends, old flames and old feelings, things are bound to get messy. And when a snowed-in cabin and a little Christmas magic are added to the mix, anything could happen…

And my holiday reading begins. My entire focus switches to Christmas stories at this time of year. Usually at least until the New Year, and then I'm totally over it and ready to move on.

What are you waiting on this week?

The Bone Collector
(The Watch #1)
by Onley James

Expected Publication: November 11, 2023

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Park Chen has spent most of his life as a killer—a deadly, deep cover operative known as the Bone Collector. Now, he’s been benched. Reassigned as an instructor at Project Watchtower, he’s tasked with training a school of psychopathic assassins while trying to keep a promise to his friends.

Gift Ayutthaya isn’t treated like a gift at all. If anything, his parents treat him as a burden, though a spoiled one. After an attempt on his life, they pass that burden onto someone else. Park. The man Gift’s been fantasizing about for years. A man who sees him as an adorable but incompetent distraction.

It’s no secret that Gift doesn’t belong at the Watch, but Park’s made a vow to keep him safe. Gift has made a vow, too. He’s going to use every weapon in his arsenal to find a way to seduce Park and make him love him, once and for all. Or die trying.

Loving Gift was never the issue—Park’s already there. But assignments at the Watch aren’t optional. To stay, Gift has to prove himself, something Park just can’t allow. Can Gift get Park to see that, when it comes to murder, Gift is aptly named? Or will he be relegated to the sidelines in both school and in love?

The Bone Collector is an action packed, smoking hot, age gap romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. It features a rule-following assassin turned reluctant teacher of psychopaths and an adorable, off-limits, fumbling student who just can’t seem to stay away from each other. Prepare yourself for gratuitous violence, very dark humor, more blood than an ‘80s horror movie, and enough heat to fog up a window factory. This is book one in the The Watch series. Each book follows a different couple.

I've never read anything by this author before, so I don't remember how this book came to be on my tbr. It sounds good, so I want to read it.

What are you waiting on this week?

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Lube Job
(Big Bull Mechanics #5)
by K.M. Neuhold
Expected Publication: November 3, 2023
Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
There's no tragic backstory or closet full of skeletons from relationships past. I've just never been very good at the “special” shit. If you're looking for a shoulder to cry on, may I suggest a therapist?

Casual fun with my emotionally stunted, overgrown frat boy roommate slash co-worker should be perfect, right? Shep seems to be just as allergic to commitment as I am to emotions.

If he would just stop looking at me with those puppy dog eyes while I'm elbow deep in a diesel engine, and stop making my stomach flip with that smile of his, that would be great…

I just can't with the covers. Terrible. And the puns for titles. Just no. Otherwise, the books themselves are entertaining.

What are you waiting on this week?

The Mechanics of Lust
(A Mackenzie Country Story #2)
by Jay Hogan

Expected Publication: October 19, 2023

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
I broke the rules and fell in love with my best friend. Newsflash—he didn’t feel the same. I had to stand by and watch him fall for someone else. Moving on hasn’t been easy since we all live and work on the same high country sheep station, but I’m finally getting there.

I’m building a new life, a new set of dreams, planning a different future, just me and my dogs. The last thing I need is Luke Nichols, the sexy, enigmatic, ex-husband of my nemesis, filling my head with a laundry list of cravings. Talk about complicated.

Luke is only in Mackenzie Country for a few months and I’m not about to put my heart on the line again just for a little fun. But the more I’m around Luke, the harder it is to remember exactly why Luke and I are a bad idea, the worst idea.

Things between us are about to go nuclear.

(Trigger Warning: This story contains references to the past loss of a child.)

However much I adore angst, I really, really don't like sad. Did you see that trigger warning? That's sad. So I put off reading the first book in this series for as long as I could. I've enjoyed every book I've read by this author, so I just had to finally read it. It turned out not to be as sad as I feared. Gil, from the first book, and Luke from this book were previously married and lost a daughter, and these 2 stories are about them moving on with 2 best friends. So they all live and work together on a sheep farm (in New Zealand!) and it gets messy and complicated.. but it all works out in the end with HEA's all around.

What are you waiting on this week?

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Icarus and the Devil
(Soul To Find #1)
by Layla Reyne
Expected Publication: October 3, 2023
Genre: M/M, Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
My name is Icarus for a reason. If there’s a way to screw up a plan, I’m your man.

Case in point:
Falling for the man I’m supposed to seduce and ferry to his death. Adam Devlin, aka the Devil. A vigilante ex-cop and a thorn in the side of the mobster blackmailing me. Should be easy. Seduce him, yes. Lead him to his death, world of no.

There’s only one solution to save us both:
Kidnap the Devil.
I mentioned my name is Icarus, right? Three guesses how this plan will go. Bet you only need one.

Mandatory Repairs
(Collier's Creek #2)
by Elle Keaton
Expected Publication: October 3, 2023
Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
He's never been to the Cowboy State before, but he's already made an enemy. Max Stone is a glass-is-always-full kind of guy and he strongly believes in doing the right thing.

In this case, doing the right thing means traveling to Collier's Creek, Wyoming to meet the half-sister he’s never known and help save her family ranch.

He feels slightly aimless after selling his software company and retiring. He’s only forty-two, and after a lifetime of working hard, there's a bucket list of things he’d like to check off. One of them is meeting someone who likes him for who he is, not his bank account. He has a good feeling about Collier's Creek.

Nash Vigil isn’t rolling out the welcome mat for Max Stone. Stone wants something, and Nash is going to figure out what it is. Then he’s going to make sure he doesn’t get it. No doubt Max is just like his cheating, lying father.

After another day fighting a losing battle at the ranch, Nash ends up helping a sexy newcomer who didn't realize that alcohol and high altitude don’t mix.

Just Nash’s luck, he's the one man Nash cannot be attracted to. Just Max's luck, someone has him in their sights and he may need a sexy cowboy to ride to his rescue.

The author calls Icarus and the Devil a "Paranormal romantic suspense." Hmmm. I've read quite a few of her books, but they've all been contemporary. She's never written paranormal before. I think I should be cautious with my expectations because I don't usually read paranormal. But I'll go for it and see if I like it.

Mandatory Repairs is part of a series written by different authors. They're all stand alones, so I don't have to read an entire series to enjoy just one book.

What are you waiting on this week?

EWB
by N.R. Walker

Expected Publication: September 29, 2023

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Marshall:
I hate Valentine Tye. I’ve hated him since we were ten years old. I hate everything he is, everything he stands for. Even the mention of his name gets my back up.

Valentine:
I know what people think of me. I know what they assume. They all think I’m some spoiled rich guy who’s had everything handed to him. They don’t know me at all. Behind my carefully constructed walls is an emptiness so dark it scares everyone away.

So... I may have truncated that synopsis because it is not safe for public consumption. Ahem.
I love this author. She can write the sweetest, gooey romance ever, and then turn around and write dark, emotional, and angsty like a pro. This book is obviously not sweet and gooey.

What are you waiting on this week?

Equinox
(The Lake Prophet Mysteries #2)
by Eli Easton and R.J. Scott

Expected Publication: September 29, 2023

Genre: M/M, Romance, Mystery

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
The tranquility of Prophet is shattered when a local trail rider is killed and whispers of wolf packs and murder spread like wildfire.

Three months after the murder of Mike Bressett, the sleepy town of Prophet faces another tragedy—the death of Billy Odette, a well-liked Makah man who ran trail rides for the tourists. When Billy is discovered to have been the victim of a vicious animal attack, dragged right off a popular trail, angry locals are quick to blame a wolf pack that’s recently moved into the area. But Sheriff Gabriel Thompson learns that the death isn’t as simple as it seems when decades-long animosities and secrets come to light.

A figure from Tiber Russo’s past cast a shadow over his blossoming friendship with Gabriel and dashed any hope for a meaningful relationship. However, as Tiber confronts the demon on his doorstep he turns to Gabriel for help, and all the reasons he has to stay apart become nothing at all.

While Tiber and a local wildlife painter fight to protect the wolves, Gabriel has to unravel a tangled web of deception, betrayal, and long-held grudges and as the mystery unfolds, he discovers Billy’s death is part of a larger plot that threatens his town and beyond, and when Tiber’s life is threatened, will Gabriel lose everything?

I just got around to reading the first book in this series, and while sort of interesting, it wasn't all that... so it was kind of just okay? Not much romance, but the mystery was good enough (if a bit all over the place with suspects.) But I feel the need to continue the series because I am interested in seeing how things play out. It sounds like there still isn't much 'romance' for a book being marketed as MM/Romance/Mystery. Hmm.. we shall see.

What are you waiting on this week?

Find Me Worthy
(Safe Harbor #3)
by Annabeth Albert

Expected Publication: September 28, 2023

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
WORTH: I thought I’d lost myself…

Until Sam found me. Now I’m back in Safe Harbor, where I haven’t belonged in over twenty years. I’m unsure how I ended up here, yet I’m certain Sam is the key to finally healing.

But it’s complicated.

Sam’s had a crush on me since we were younger. To me, however, he was always the annoying kid tagging along. Now he’s all grown-up and delightfully bossy as he encourages me to reclaim my health.

I enjoy pushing Sam’s buttons, and one button too many leads to a scorching kiss. But I can’t imagine staying in Safe Harbor forever, and no way is Sam leaving.

Sam’s given me a place to stay, a job at his nonprofit coffee shop, and a sense of purpose when I had none. But can I give him my heart? And more importantly, can I overcome my past to make Safe Harbor my future?

This is the final book in this trilogy, and I am anxious to find out the conclusion to the mystery that spanned the series. (Just tell me who did it!!!!)

What are you waiting on this week?

Halloween Pouches in my Etsy Shop

I have Halloween zipper pouches available in my Etsy shop.

Owl 'O Ween:

Spooky N Witchy:

Spooky N Sweeter:

Disrupted Engagement
(Valor and Doyle Mysteries #6)
by Nicky James

Expected Publication: September 22, 2023

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
The ring has been bought, and all Aslan has to do is create the perfect setup for a proposal. No problem. Nothing to it. Quaid deserves the best, and he plans to deliver.

After choreographing a romantic evening to officially pop the question, Aslan is ready.

But things don’t go as planned, and the evening is ruined. Quaid’s insecurities rear their ugly head, making him suspicious. He knows Aslan is hiding something, but pessimism insists it isn’t a good thing.

When Aslan gets called out of town to hunt down a long-acting serial killer, there is no time to soothe his over-anxious boyfriend’s worries or make a new attempt to propose.

Torn between a complicated case and figuring out the perfect way to ask Quaid to marry him, Aslan is left scrambling. Every idea falls flat. Every scrambling attempt fails. The more pressure he puts on himself, the more unsuccessful his efforts, and Quaid’s fears grow.

Aslan needs to solve this serial killer case and get home to straighten the mess he’s made.

Book #6 already?? I am VERY excited to read this. I've been doing my happy dance in anticipation. (One legged happy dance, cuz ya know, walking boot on my left foot until the busy, busy, busy doctor can fit me in his precious schedule. Insert eye roll.) Anyway, I can't believe we're up to 6 books (7 if you count #0.5 which is when these two met and didn't like each other.) I love these guys, and I've enjoyed their crime solving abilities. Their cases have been very intriguing so far, so I hope this case is good too. I've got this preordered, so I'm just waiting for it to show up on my Kindle so I can get to reading!

What are you waiting on this week?

The Charmer
(The Vers Podcast #4)
by Riley Hart

Expected Publication: September 6, 2023

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
If you listen to The Vers, a queer podcast I host with my three best friends, you know me as The Charmer. I’m always happy, flirting, and trying to win everyone over. I think most people would be surprised to learn I have a lot more going on beneath the surface.

But ever since all my friends have fallen in love, it’s getting more difficult not to feel left out…

Cue my fascination with Spencer, my neighbor who hates me. There’s something addicting about getting under his skin, and I blame the combination of my confusing emotions and too many drinks for spilling my guts to him about all my insecurities.

Turns out, Spencer doesn’t hate me, and my word vomit is the catalyst that makes us decide to be buddies. Along the way we become friends, and when I fall for him, it’s surprising that he feels the same. Spencer’s easy to talk to, fun to be around, and did I mention he’s hot?

Spencer has me wanting more for the first time in my life, and he’s determined to help with my disordered eating, but if I want a healthy future with him, I need to work toward being healthy for myself too.

This has been a really good series about 4 friends who are very different. I've liked all of the books so far, and I hope I like this one, too.

What are you waiting on this week?

The Unlikely Heir
(Unlikely Dilemmas #1)
by Jax Calder

Expected Publication: August 24, 2023

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
What happens when the Prince of Wales falls in love with the Prime Minister?

My boring life working in an insurance call center in sunny California just took an unexpected turn. Thanks to my misbehaving relatives, I’ve leapt from obscurity to royalty as the new heir to the British throne.

But my welcome in England is about as warm as the weather. I arrive to discover a country horrified at the thought of an American version of Prince Charming and ready to revolt against the monarchy. I vow to my grandmother, the Queen, that I will do everything possible to help her save the crown.

Unfortunately, royal life isn’t easy. From bewildering traditions, traitorous friends, and malevolent swans, the only thing I’m succeeding in is providing entertainment for the tabloids and social media trolls.

And then the broodingly handsome Prime Minister, Oliver Hartwell, bursts into my life.

With his meteoric rise from poverty to the most powerful man in the country, Oliver understands my current plight. Innocent messages of support turn into late-night chats—and unexpected feelings.

But there’s one major problem. The royal family must remain politically neutral at all times.

So how can I keep my promise to save the monarchy when I’m falling in love with the Prime Minister?

The premise seems a little far fetched, but what the heck, let's go with it! I haven't read anything by this author before, and the only reason this book piqued my interest is because of the hype around Red, White and Royal Blue (the movie.) Which I haven't read yet because it's listed as YA, but now I want to watch the movie. I'm supposed to have foot surgery soon, so I have it on my list of 'things I want to watch while I'm unfortunately sitting on my ass for 3-4 weeks'.

What are you waiting on this week?

Not Dating Material
(Accidental Love #2)
by Saxon James

Expected Publication: August 30, 2023

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
MOLLY:

Moving to Seattle is supposed to be all about getting a fresh start and leaving the bitter man I was becoming behind.

I have new roommates–quirky, sometimes strange, roommates–a nosy, next door neighbor and a grumpy kitty for company, but even surrounded by people, I still don’t feel like I belong. Plus, it turns out the men in Seattle are exactly the same as the ones I left behind, and my string of romantic disconnections continues.

It’s not until one of my roommates, Seven, hits me with some hard truths that I realize where I was going wrong.

Maybe the men aren’t the problem.

I am.

SEVEN:

Being found in a compromising position by my cute new roommate isn’t an ideal way for us to start a friendship.

But he'll keep his pretty lips zipped if I step in as his dating coach. We go out, I point out where he’s going wrong, and he magically becomes dating material.

The problem is, between my codependent brother Xander and a new best friend I can’t get rid of, Molly and I are the target of a matchmaking scheme. My life is way too busy to add another person to it, and Molly is the kinda guy who needs to be made a priority, which I just can’t do. Xander’s medical anxiety takes up too much of my time, and I’ve never found a partner who doesn’t resent it.

I’m determined to help Molly find his happy ever after.

But that guy will never be me.

I liked the first book in this series, and I liked the multiple roomates situation that was going on. Lots of characters to keep track of, but entertaining. I'm hoping this has a little bit of relationship angst because I do like some angst now and then. (And I have to point out that I don't like this cover at all. It's just too... fake looking.)

What are you waiting on this week?

On The 2
by Felice Stevens

Expected Publication: August 7, 2023

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
First rule of riding the subway: Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t even look at anyone.

But what if they’re grouchy and gorgeous and you’re sitting right next to them? I always did like a challenge. I want to turn that frown upside down, but he barely looks at me. I take a chance and poke the bear, and to my shock, he plays along and growls back. The more we meet on the train, the more I realize he’s not the uptight grump I first thought. Then one night, there he is — in my world, in my space.

But I’m no fool. A man like Nash Roman doesn’t date a guy who sells suits at Macy’s. Nash is prep school and Ivy League, and I’m night school while working two jobs to pay bills. Nash is fine wine, expensive restaurants and handmade suits, and I’m beer, corner takeout, and a lucky find at Goodwill.

What am I — street-smart Ethan Moreno — doing, playing in his world? This man is older than me, way richer than me, and has already made it clear he doesn’t believe in love. I should walk away. Instead, I’m falling for him. Hard.

Nash couldn’t care less if his father doesn’t think I’m good enough or if people gossip because we’re so different. I need to trust in him and us, but I’ve been burned before. And just like the Uptown Number 2, sometimes you have to travel a different route to get to the final destination: Forever.

I've only read a few books from this author, but I remember enjoying them. This book sounds really good so I've added it to my tbr.

What are you waiting on this week?

My Roommate Is a Vampire
by Jenna Levine

Expected Publication: August 29, 2023

Genre: Romance, Paranormal

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
True love is at stake in this charming, debut romantic comedy.

Cassie Greenberg loves being an artist, but it’s a tough way to make a living. On the brink of eviction, she’s desperate when she finds a too-good-to-be-true apartment in a beautiful Chicago neighborhood. Cassie knows there has to be a catch—only someone with a secret to hide would rent out a room for that price.

Of course, her new roommate Frederick J. Fitzwilliam is far from normal. He sleeps all day, is out at night on business, and talks like he walked out of a regency romance novel. He also leaves Cassie heart-melting notes around the apartment, cares about her art, and asks about her day. And he doesn’t look half bad shirtless, on the rare occasions they’re both home and awake. But when Cassie finds bags of blood in the fridge that definitely weren’t there earlier, Frederick has to come clean...

Cassie’s sexy new roommate is a vampire. And he has a proposition for her.

Jessica over at A Great Read put this book on my radar. I've been looking for something different to read, and this sounds like it should be lots of fun!

What are you waiting on this week?

The Deja Glitch
by Holly James

Expected Publication: August 1, 2023

Genre: Romance, Fantasy?

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
To break out of a 24-hour time loop, all Jack needs is for Gemma to fall in love with him in a single day. All Gemma needs is to remember him first . . .

Gemma Peters is doing fine. She’s making a name for herself in the L.A. music biz as a radio producer. She’s got a ride-or-die best friend in Lila, and she gets to come home to Rex, her loving Labrador, every night. But ever since her rock star ex-boyfriend used her to get a record deal from her rock legend dad, she’s made a “no musicians” rule when it comes to dating that’s becoming more like a “no dating” rule, period.

So, when Gemma crashes (literally) into Jack one Thursday morning, at first she feels like fate might finally be doing her a favor. After all this guy is cute and, wait, is she imagining it, or is he staring a little too deeply into her eyes? And how does he know her name? Even harder to explain is the funny feeling of déjà vu she gets every time she looks at him. It’s not at all like Gemma to kiss a man and forget him completely, so then how can she explain the dreamlike memory of his lips on hers?

The truth is this is no ordinary Thursday. Not for them. In fact, they’ve lived this day over and over for months. And while Gemma has been totally oblivious to the time loop, Jack has been agonizingly aware of every single iteration. Luckily, Jack has a theory to bring his own personal Groundhog Day to an end. And it’s simple. Before the day is over, he just has to get Gemma to fall in love with him.

I've been looking for some cute romance books to read lately, and I came across this. I have a thing for 50 First Dates, so I hope I enjoy this book just as much.

What are you waiting on this week?

Pages

Waiting On Wednesday (632) Something Wicked (Black and Blue #3) by Lily Morton

Waiting On Wednesday (631) The Kite and Tallowwood Christmas Crossover by N.R. Walker

Waiting On Wednesday (630) Forgive Me (Forgive Me #1) by Ariana Nash

Waiting On Wednesday (629) Matrimonial Merriment (Valor and Doyle Mysteries #7) by Nicky James

Waiting On Wednesday (628) Catered All the Way by Annabeth Albert and The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson

Waiting On Wednesday (627) Holiday Heart Strings (Hartbridge Christmas #4) by N.R. Walker

Waiting On Wednesday (626) Christmas Falls by Various Authors

Waiting On Wednesday (625) The Christmas Veto (Festive Fakes #3) by Keira Andrews

Waiting On Wednesday (624) Snowed In by Catherine Walsh

Waiting On Wednesday (623) The Bone Collector (The Watch #1) by Onley James

Waiting On Wednesday (622) Lube Job (Big Bull Mechanics #5) by K.M. Neuhold

Waiting On Wednesday (621) The Mechanics of Lust (A Mackenzie Country Story #2) by Jay Hogan

Waiting On Wednesday (620) Icarus and the Devil by Layla Reyne and Mandatory Repairs by Elle Keaton

Waiting On Wednesday (619) EWB by N.R. Walker

Waiting On Wednesday (618) Equinox (The Lake Prophet Mysteries #2) by Eli Easton and R.J. Scott

Waiting On Wednesday (617) Find Me Worthy (Safe Harbor #3) by Annabeth Albert

Halloween Pouches in my Etsy Shop

Waiting On Wednesday (616) Disrupted Engagement (Valor and Doyle Mysteries #6) by Nicky James

Waiting On Wednesday (615) The Charmer (The Vers Podcast #4) Riley Hart

Waiting On Wednesday (614) The Unlikely Heir (Unlikely Dilemmas #1) by Jax Calder

Waiting On Wednesday (613) Not Dating Material (Accidental Love #2) by Saxon James

Waiting On Wednesday (612) On the 2 by Felice Stevens

Waiting On Wednesday (611) My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

Waiting On Wednesday (610) The Deja Glitch by Holly James