Waiting For Wentworth

Waiting on Wednesday (453) The Friend Scheme by Cale Dietrich

Expected publication: July 28th 2020 by Feiwel & Friends

Genre: YA, Romance, LGBT

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:

Part thriller, part romance, The Friend Scheme is another twisty #ownvoices YA novel from Cale Dietrich, author of The Love Interest.

High schooler Matt's father is rich, powerful, and seemingly untouchable—a criminal with high hopes that his son will follow in his footsteps. Matt's older brother Luke seems poised to do just that, with a bevy of hot girls in tow. But Matt has other ambitions—and attractions.

And attraction sometimes doesn't allow for good judgement. Matt wouldn't have guessed that when he makes a new friend, one who is also carrying a secret. The boys' connection turns romantic, a first for both. Now Matt must decide if he can ever do the impossible and come clean about who he really is, and who he is meant to love.

I ended up skipping this author's debut book due to the low ratings. Now I see that this book has really mixed reviews! Ahhhh!!!! I don't read much YA lately, and I was looking forward to this. Should I skip it or give it a go?

What are you waiting on this week?

Breaking News (Prime Time #2) by Ella Frank

Expected publication: July 27th 2020

Genre: M/M, Romance

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Sean Bailey, the older brother of my lifelong best friend, has always been a surly, temperamental pain in my ass. But sometime during the last few weeks, I’ve gone and fallen head over heels for him.

Gruff and charming, charismatic in his own way, I’ve found myself looking past my preconceptions and discovered a whole new side to Detective Dick—a side I could fall in love with.

But life isn’t always easy—it can change course in the blink of an eye. Sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad. I know this because last night I experienced both sides.

I went to Sean for help in guarding my body; what I didn’t expect was for him to steal my heart.

I recently read the first book in this trilogy. While not terrible exciting, it was good enough for me to want to continue the series. I haven't read anything else by this author since erotic isn't really my thing, but this series seems pretty tame compared to her other books.

What are you waiting on this week?

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

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

Published July 7th 2020 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: M/M, Romance, Contemporary

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Wanted:
One (fake) boyfriend
Practically perfect in every way

Luc O'Donnell is tangentially--and reluctantly--famous. His rock star parents split when he was young, and the father he's never met spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad's making a comeback, Luc's back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything.

To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice, normal relationship...and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He's a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and he's never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. In other words: perfect boyfriend material. Unfortunately apart from being gay, single, and really, really in need of a date for a big event, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust has settled. Then they can go their separate ways and pretend it never happened.

But the thing about fake-dating is that it can feel a lot like real-dating. And that's when you get used to someone. Start falling for them. Don't ever want to let them go.

Drifter by Eden Winters

Published July 6th 2020 by Rocky Ridge Books

Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Some legends never die.

Killian Desmond met his end in the fiery crash that killed his band, or so the newspapers say. Now a nameless drifter, he plays one pick-up gig after another in a haze of pain and regret, moving on the minute someone says, “You sound like that guy from Trickster.”

Getting outed cost Mike Rose his musical family. A bassist without a band, he’ll play any kind of music to earn a paycheck, but Trickster’s music provides light during the darkest moments of his life.

A chance meeting brings together two lost souls who spark enough heat to set their guitars on fire. Their chemistry, both onstage and off, feels like something written in the words of a song and gives them courage to face life again.

But to seize their future, they have to confront their past.

Every damned, ugly inch of it.

I have 2 picks for my WoW again this week! I've never read anything by Alexis Hall before, but Boyfriend Material sounds too cute to pass up.

Eden Winters has the Diversion series that I've been reading and enjoying, so I thought I'd read Drifter to see what else she can write. And I haven't read a musician story in a while, so we'll see how this goes.

What are you waiting on this week?

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

Hardwood (Four Bears Construction #3)
by K.M. Neuhold
Expected publication: July 1st 2020

Synopsis from Goodreads:
It took me over thirty-five years to admit to myself that I’m gay, another seven to find the courage to say it out loud to anyone else, and exactly thirty seconds to develop a massive crush on my daughter’s music teacher. It’s really not my fault, have you even seen those cute bowties he wears?

After everything it’s taken to get here, am I going to work up the nerve to come out to my ex-wife and my best friends? Am I ready to shake up my comfortable, simple life and take a chance on Watson? Or am I going to throw a wrench in my own chance for happily ever after?

Separated (In Midsummer #2)
by Jessica Frances
Expected publication: July 3rd 2020

Synopsis from Goodreads:
One jealous sheriff. One pushy Hollywood hunk. One threat. One undeniable attraction. One messy situation. One chance to fix it.

I’ve guarded my heart the same way that I’ve guarded my hometown of Midsummer—with unwavering compromise and integrity. I’ve never even once been tempted to let my guard down. That is … until I met Conner Sherwood.
It didn’t matter that I swore off all romantic relationships. Or that I wasn’t interested in opening myself up and likely getting hurt. Like a moth to the flame, I can’t resist him. I can’t stop myself from wanting something I shouldn’t. Even pushing him away didn’t stop me from wanting him. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one who wants Conner. He has caught the eye of a Hollywood heartthrob. How can I compete with that?
But when Conner starts to receive death threats and an attempt is made on his life, I begin to realize that there is more at stake here than having my heart broken. Conner is in danger being in Midsummer, and whoever is threatening him won’t be satisfied until Conner is no longer breathing.
What I know for certain is that I won’t stop until I catch the person responsible for harming the man I’m coming to realize that I cannot live without.

So I have 2 books that I'm waiting on this week. Hardwood is the 3rd book in a series that I have found to be sweet and fun with little angst. I'm ready for another dose of cute!

Separated is the 2nd book in the In Midsummer series. I read the first book a few days ago, and at 98% there was NO resolution is sight. A quick look on Goodreads made me realize this entire series is based around 1 couple. I had no idea!

What are you waiting on this week?

All That Remains
(Lancaster Falls Trilogy #3)
by R.J. Scott

Expected publication: June 24th 2020 by Love Lane Books Limited

Genre: M/M, Mystery, Romance

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Federal Agent Lucas Beaumont has an agenda—get himself assigned to the case of the apparent serial murders at Lancaster Falls, find out who the murderer is, and then lay the ghosts that haunt his grandfather to rest. In the midst of a horrific murder investigation, the only peace he gets is from simple moments in a warm kitchen, talking to hotel owner, Josh. Attraction to the easygoing man is something he didn’t expect; in doing so, he opens himself to hurt, but at the same time, he begins to fall in love.

Josh is struggling to keep the Falls Hotel, even with every cent he has invested in its upkeep. The one thing keeping him above water is the not entirely legal work he does on the side—a steady income that not even his son knows about. When the FBI takes over his hotel for the duration of the Hell’s Gate serial killer case, Josh is faced with the real possibility that Lucas will not only discover his secret but also steal his heart.

When tragedy hits Josh and his son, and when it seems all hope is lost, can Lucas rescue them both?

I've been waiting for the final book in this trilogy before reading book #2, and it's been a year long wait. I'm currently re-reading book #1 to refresh my memory, and then book #2 and #3 here I come!

What are you waiting on this week?

Fakers by Lucy Lennox and May Archer

Expected publication: June 30th 2020

Genre: M/M, Romance

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Brooks Johnson’s Words To Live By:

When returning to Licking Thicket, TN, for the first time in ten years to reunite with your nosy neighbors, heart-broken ex-girlfriend, and matchmaking mama who never quite believed you were gay, it’s best to bring a fake boyfriend as backup...

Just don’t be surprised when your ex-girlfriend does the same.

And when her incredibly hot fake boyfriend becomes the one island of calm in a sea of bovine-based insanity, it’s best to exercise caution… especially when he pushes you up against the rough barn wall to check you very thoroughly for splinters...

Just don’t be surprised if you fall head-over-hooves in love with him.

I've previously read long running series by both of these authors, so I'm hoping that I like this collaboration. This sounds like it possibly could be fun? Let's hope so!

What are you waiting on this week?

Secret at Skull House
(Secrets and Scrabble #2) by Josh Lanyon

Published April 28th 2020 by JustJoshin Publishing, Inc.

Genre: M/M, Mystery, Romance

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ellery Page is back--and in hot water again!

Unlike everyone else in Pirate's Cove, Ellery Page, aspiring screenwriter, reigning Scrabble champion, and occasionally clueless owner of the village's only mystery bookstore, is anything but thrilled when famed horror author Brandon Abbott announces he's purchased legendary Skull House and plans to live there permanently.

Ellery and Brandon have history. Their relationship ended badly and the last thing Ellery wants is a chance to patch things up--especially when his relationship with Police Chief Jack Carson is just getting interesting. But then, maybe Brandon isn't all that interested in getting back together either, because he seems a lot more interested in asking questions about the bloodstained past of his new home than discussing a possible future with Ellery. What is Brandon really up to?

Ellery will have to unscramble that particular puzzle post haste. Because after his former flame disappears following their loud and public argument, Ellery seems to be Police Chief Carson's first--and only--suspect.

***This story contains no on-screen sex or violence

An M/M Cozy Mystery.

I have a confession. I really like Ellery! More so in this book than in the first. He's settling in quite nicely with his shop, the theater, scrabble club, and the mystery book club. And he's at a happy place in his friendship with Jack. I'm still on the fence about Jack. I want to like him for Ellery's sake, so I'm willing to cut him a little slack. I could appreciate his honesty regarding a certain situation, even though it hurt Ellery. I suppose it's better to know up front rather than when you're head over heels. But, oh, the lost potential makes me so sad!

I do usually prefer one character in Lanyon's books, while the other one frustrates me beyond belief. That's what is happening again! I'm looking forward to learning more about Jack and the events in his past that make him behave this way. I can't wait to see how his and Ellery's relationship evolves.

The secondary cast of characters are, once again, a mixed bag. The gossip flies around town faster than I could keep up with. I just shake my head every time one of them encourages Ellery to investigate a murder. Enough already! I feel as though Pirate's Cove is running low on murder suspects, so I think some fresh faces need to be introduced pronto!

Lanyon’s writing talents are spot on, always providing a well paced and easy to follow mystery that holds my attention to the end. I can't wait for the next book!

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Chasing Ghosts
(The Quentin Strange Mysteries #1)
by Dean Cole

Expected publication: June 12th 2020

Genre: LGBT, Mystery

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Haunted pasts. Terrifying apparitions. Dark secrets.

Quentin Strange is … well, strange. But it isn’t just his anachronistic sayings and dress sense, the fact that he’s a socially awkward, book-loving loner who’s possibly still a virgin at nearly thirty. He’s seeing and hearing things. Odd things. Ghostly things.

Getting the gig as photographer for The Cricklewood Gazette, he travels with his new partner, journalist Katrina (make sure you call her Kat) Brannigan, to Hilderley Manor, an enormous manor house nestled in the remote countryside of Northern England that is believed to be one of Britain’s most haunted buildings. The pair join a ghost hunting team and a group of fellow guests for a long weekend of ghostly activities.

But something dark haunts the draughty corridors of the house. And it links to a decades-old mystery that is about to be uncovered.

A mystery like no other. A story of the supernatural. Of death, and what it does to the living. The first book in a new series, Chasing Ghosts is a quirky British mystery that explores the supernatural elements of our world with touches of LGBT romance, humour and horror.

This is a new to me author, but this synopsis sounds like a winner! Hopefully, this will be a great start to a new series.

What are you waiting on this week?

Pages

Waiting on Wednesday (453) The Friend Scheme by Cale Dietrich

Waiting on Wednesday (452) Breaking News (Prime Time #2) by Ella Frank

Waiting on Wednesday (451) Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall and Drifter by Eden Winters

Waiting on Wednesday (450) Separated by Jessica Frances and Hardwood by K.M. Neuhold

Waiting on Wednesday (449) All That Remains (Lancaster Falls Trilogy #3) by R.J. Scott

Waiting on Wednesday (448) Fakers by Lucy Lennox and May Archer

Review: Secret at Skull House (Secrets and Scrabble #2) by Josh Lanyon

Waiting on Wednesday (447) Chasing Ghosts (The Quentin Strange Mysteries #1) by Dean Cole