Waiting For Wentworth

Waiting On Wednesday (484) Mystery at the Masquerade (Secrets and Scrabble #3) by Josh Lanyon

Mystery at the Masquerade
(Secrets and Scrabble #3)
by Josh Lanyon

Expected publication: February 26, 2021 by JustJoshin Publishing, Inc.

Genre: M/M, Romance, Cozy Mystery

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:

Love is in the Salt Sea Air--and So is Murder!

Ellery Page, aspiring screenwriter, reigning Scrabble champion, and occasionally clueless owner of the Crow’s Nest mystery bookshop, is both flattered and bemused when he’s invited to the annual Marauder’s Masquerade, the biggest social event of the season in the quaint seaside village of Pirate’s Cove, Rhode Island.

Ellery doesn’t even know Mrs. Bloodworth-Ainsley—nor, it turns out does Mrs. Bloodworth-Ainsley know Ellery. But Marguerite’s son, Julian, wants to know him. Julian, handsome, rich, and engaging, is a huge mystery buff, but he’s never quite worked up the nerve to ask Ellery out.

As his relationship with Police Chief Jack Carson seems to be dead in the water, Ellery is grateful for a little flattering male attention from the village’s most eligible bachelor. But any hopes of romance hit the shoals when Julian is accused of murdering his mother’s unlikable second husband during the spooky annual ghost hunt in the old cemetery.

I actually never read a cozy mystery before this series, but so far I am digging it. This author is one of my favorites, and I've read almost everything she's wrote, so it's automatic for me to want to read this series, too. AND, I already have this on my Kindle waiting for me to read (because I'm special!!)

What are you waiting on this week?

Fools (Licking Thicket #3)
by Lucy Lennox and May Archer

Expected publication: February 28th 2021

Genre: M/M, Romance

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Tucker Wright’s Clues for Life:

What’s a 4-letter word for an utterly oblivious, totally commitment-phobic, heartbreakingly gorgeous man with a pet pig named Bernadette?

That’d be D-U-N-N, as in Dunn Johnson, my very best pal and fishing buddy since I moved to Licking Thicket.

What’s a 6-letter word for a nerdy, crossword-loving town doctor who’s doomed to be hopelessly, thoroughly, irrevocably, in love with that straight best friend for the rest of his born days?

That’s T-U-C-K-E-R, as in me.

But when I agree to let Dunn be my 24/7 dating coach, and he decides to get our whole nosy town in on the act, there’s only one 5-letter word to describe the pair of us.

F-O-O-L-S.

This series is a little wacky - or maybe it's just the town of Licking Thicket that's wacky. Either way, I'm enjoying this series, even if I can't take it too seriously.

What are you waiting on this week?

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by K.J. Charles

Expected publication: February 24th 2021 by KJC Books

Genre: M/M, Romance, Historical

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Robin Loxleigh and his sister Marianne are the hit of the Season, so attractive and delightful that nobody looks behind their pretty faces.

Until Robin sets his sights on Sir John Hartlebury’s heiress niece. The notoriously graceless baronet isn’t impressed by good looks, or fooled by false charm. He’s sure Robin is a liar—a fortune hunter, a card sharp, and a heartless, greedy fraud—and he’ll protect his niece, whatever it takes.

Then, just when Hart thinks he has Robin at his mercy, things take a sharp left turn. And as the grumpy baronet and the glib fortune hunter start to understand each other, they also find themselves starting to care—more than either of them thought possible.

But Robin's cheated and lied and let people down for money. Can a professional rogue earn an honest happy ever after?

This is one of those authors you see all the hype about, but never read for yourself. So I finally picked up the first book in a new series and loved it! Then I read the 2nd book and loved it even more! Then the author got distracted and wrote this particular book instead of book #3. So I'll read this one while (not so) patiently waiting for that 3rd book.

What are you waiting on this week?

The Murder Between Us by Tal Bauer

Expected publication: January 28, 2021

Genre: M/M, Suspense, Romance

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

It was just one night.
It was just one mistake.

FBI Agent Noah Downing had questions about his sexuality that a single night in Vegas should have answered. But dawn finds him on a plane back to Iowa, back on the trail of a vicious serial killer who disappeared six years ago and has suddenly resurfaced. There's nothing like a murder investigation to escape an existential crisis.

FBI profiler Cole Kennedy is still reeling after finding a heart-stopping connection with a seemingly perfect man, only for him to vanish. When he's sent to Iowa to profile the killer terrorizing America's heartland, he finds more questions than answers - both about the murderer and about Noah, the last man he ever expected to see again.

A twisted secret stretches between Cole and Noah, tangled with questions they both have about each other. But now, thrown together, they'll have to unravel the killer's profile and follow his trail... back to the very beginning, to where everyone's questions are answered once and for all.

I've been wanting to read this author's books, but for some reason I haven't made it a priority. I've been reading a ton of shmoopy romances lately, so I'm more than ready have some suspense along with my love story. This sounds like a perfect read for my current mood!

What are you waiting on this week?

Right as Raine (Aster Valley #1) by Lucy Lennox

Expected publication: February 2, 2021

Genre: M/M, Romance

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Tiller:

As the first openly gay professional football player, I can’t afford to make any mistakes, on or off the field. And the absolute biggest mistake I could make right now would be to fall for Mikey Vining, my best friend, employee and, more importantly, Coach’s baby boy. I might fantasize about Mikey at night-—every night—but actually touching him would be a serious personal foul.

And falling for him? That’s completely out of bounds.

Mikey:

I’ve learned my lesson about falling for one of my dad’s players. They’re a bunch of spoiled jocks with more muscles than brains. I’ve spent years learning to keep my eyes, and my hands, to myself. But resisting the temptation becomes nearly impossible when Tiller Raine and I end up together in a small cabin in a remote Colorado town.

Suddenly, there’s not much to do but look at each other. And talk. And hopefully, hopefully touch.

But what happens when our stay in Aster Valley is over and it’s time to return to the real world? Will Coach blow the whistle on our relationship? Or will Tiller admit there might actually be something he loves more than football after all?

I read the prequel to this series as a holiday freebie. I do enjoy this author, so I'm looking forward to this new series. I'm just a little hesitant to read a 'sports' romance that doesn't seem to be about sports at all. I'll see how this turns out.

What are you waiting on this week?

Winter Waites (Aster Valley #0.5) by Lucy Lennox

Expected publication: January 26 2021

Genre: M/M, Romance

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Gentry Kane is a rockstar I've been half in love with my whole life. And now he's my patient.

When Winter Waites knocks on the door to the snowy cabin where his next physical therapy patient awaits him, he has no idea his dream celebrity is on the other side. Gentry Kane is everything Winter has always fantasized about. But it was only a fantasy.

What happens when Winter is faced with the flesh and blood man who wants more than physical therapy? Can one night in a cozy cabin lead to more? And how will that affect Winter's growing career in the tiny, charming town of Aster Valley?

I've actually already read this one!!!!! And it was SO stinking CUTE!! I picked this for my WoW this week before I found out that it was part of the 180 free book giveaway that I mentioned in my WoW post 2 weeks ago. So, bonus for me - a free read AND the start of a new series by an author that I enjoy.

What are you waiting on this week?

Benediction (Diversion #9) by Eden Winters

Expected publication: January 15 2021

Genre: M/M, Romance

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

"Are you afraid yet? You should be."

Undercover narcotics agent and former drug trafficker Lucky Harrison paid his debt to society and now lives a law-abiding life, complete with a home, a man he loves, and their son.

An old enemy lurks in the shadows, threatening all he holds dear. A dead witness. A kidnapping attempt. Arson. All send the message: "I’m coming for you." Hiding in Atlanta’s underbelly, always one step ahead of Lucky, the killer will stop at nothing to exact revenge on the man who thwarted his plans.

But if anyone thinks they’re going to take away the perfect world Lucky’s created, they’d better think again.

I still need to read Book #8 before I can read this one. In book #7, Lucky was slightly (read that as highly) obsessed with having a baby. Not just any baby, obviously, but Bo's baby. It annoyed me and made the story less likable. Hopefully, I can get over my annoyance and get back to enjoying this series!

What are you waiting on this week?

Flakes (Licking Thicket #0.5)
by Lucy Lennox and May Archer
Expected publication: January 12 2021
Genre: M/M, Romance

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Colin’s Do’s and Don’ts for a Happy New Year:

1. Do not develop a crush on your archnemesis, contractor Ryder Richards.

2. Do finish remodeling the heinous mega-mansion with him well before the first snowflakes fall on New Year’s Eve.

3. Do not notice that he's still the hottest man in Licking Thicket.

4. Do not let that gorgeous man provoke you.

5. Do not let his provocation distract you.

6. Do not let your distraction leave you stranded at the house with him during a blizzard.

7. Dear heavens, do not let him crack open the moonshine and light a fire.

8. Do not play drunken truth or dare with him.

9. And for gravy’s sake, do not let yourself fall in love.

10. But if you do… Don't be surprised if this is the happiest year ever.

I'm in a little bit of heaven here. This is just ONE of the 180 FREE gay romances on Prolific Works - it's a Winter Wonderland giveaway!! I have my eye on quite a few of these, especially the ones that are tied to series that I've read or am currently reading. My pick this week is a prequel to a series that I am enjoying.

What are you waiting on this week?