Goodreads says, "Eighteen year old Harper has grown up under her career Marine of a father's thumb. Ready to live life her own way and experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit; she's on her way to college at San Diego State University. Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family and emotions. Some she wasn't expecting yet, and others she never knew she was missing. She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with her boyfriend Brandon, and her roommate's brother Chase. Covered in tattoos, known for fighting in the Underground and ridiculously muscled...they're exactly what she was always warned to stay away from, but just what she needs. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both adore and would do anything for Harper, including stepping back if it means she's happy. Her first year away is turning out to be near perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything."
Joanna Stafford is a Dominican nun, but she isn't your usual nun. She is from the famous Stafford family who is related to the royal family, which makes her aristocracy. She is happy to leave that all behind and become a nun living at peaceful life at Dartford Priory. That is until she gets word that her cousin and best friend is going to be burned at the stake for committing treason. Joanna leaves behind the priory, which isn't allowed, and goes to witness her cousin's unfortunate end. While there, she realizes her father is also there and he ends up interfering, which is a crime. She runs over to her father, but it's too late; now they are both in trouble for interfering with the Henry VIII's justice system. Joanna finds herself in the infamous Tower of London and while there, the Bishop of Winchester visits her offering her a way out as long as she does what he wants. If she doesn't, he will kill her father. Joanna finds herself in a precarious situation; she must find the Athelstan crown for Bishop Winchester which he thinks may be at Dartford Priory. Joanna heads back on this mission along with two monks to look for this crown, but things at the priory have become dangerous. Not only does Joanna need to save her father's life, but she must get the crown before the wrong people do. Nancy Bilyeau's debut, The Crown, is a historical romp through Henry the VIII's dangerous England, a quest for an ancient artifact and ultimately, a captivating mystery.Goodreads says, "An aristocratic young nun must find a legendary crown in order to save her father—and preserve the Catholic faith from Cromwell’s ruthless terror. The year is 1537. . . Joanna Stafford, a Dominican nun, learns that her favorite cousin has been condemned by Henry VIII to be burned at the stake. Defying the sacred rule of enclosure, Joanna leaves the priory to stand at her cousin’s side. Arrested for interfering with the king’s justice, Joanna, along with her father, is sent to the Tower of London. The ruthless Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, takes terrifying steps to force Joanna to agree to spy for him: to save her father’s life she must find an ancient relic—a crown so powerful, it may hold the ability to end the Reformation. Accompanied by two monks, Joanna returns home to Dartford Priory and searches in secret for this long-lost piece of history worn by the Saxon King Athelstan in 937 during the historic battle that first united Britain. But Dartford Priory has become a dangerous place, and when more than one dead body is uncovered, Joanna departs with a sensitive young monk, Brother Edmund, to search elsewhere for the legendary crown. From royal castles with tapestry-filled rooms to Stonehenge to Malmesbury Abbey, the final resting place of King Athelstan, Joanna and Brother Edmund must hurry to find the crown if they want to keep Joanna’s father alive. At Malmesbury, secrets of the crown are revealed that bring to light the fates of the Black Prince, Richard the Lionhearted, and Katherine of Aragon’s first husband, Arthur. The crown’s intensity and strength are beyond the earthly realm and it must not fall into the wrong hands."
Goodreads says, "When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi. Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world. Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale.
Goodreads says, "Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is."
Entice starts about a month after Embrace has ended and Violet feels betrayed by Phoenix and unfortunately, she still feels somewhat of a connection to him. Violet is trying to patch things up with dreamy Lincoln and she knows they can't be together, but how she can she deny her heart? Things heat up in Entice and Violet and her friends find themselves on a quest for the "Scriptures" which will help them defeat the exiles. Violet must also be trained in all things Grigori and Lincoln's apartment becomes a new training center for her a few other newbies. As things evolve, Violet starts to question whether there's a traitor in their group, because all clues point to that and in the back of her mind she has a bigger issue to deal with-- she must figure out what to do regarding her feelings for Lincoln. Jessica Shirvington's second book in the series, Entice, is just as captivating as Embrace. This is, without a doubt, one of my new favorite paranormal series.Goodreads says, "Violet Eden is Grigori - part angel, part human. Her destiny is to protect humans from the vengence of exiled angels. Knowing who to trust is key but, when Grigori reinforcements arrive, it becomes clear everyone is hiding something. Even Lincoln. The only thing Violet does know: Phoenix's hold over her is more dangerous than ever. The race to find the one thing that could tilt the balance of power brings them all to the sacred mountains of Jordan, where Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed."
Goodreads says, "Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different… This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt…with her. Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…"
4. Morgan Matson- She is also one of my favorites. I adored Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and Second Chance Summer is one of my favorite reads of the year.
8. Jessi Kirby- She's one of my newest favorites. I loved Moonglass and have been meaning to read In Honor.
The Torn Wing picks up where The Faerie Ring left off. Things in Tiki's world are never calm and she realizes that the fey have returned to London. Rieker and Tiki realize that there's an intense war going on in the Otherworld. Her life as well as the Queen's are at stake. To complicate matters even more, Tiki has a mark on her arm that obviously means something important; she must get to the bottom of the mark and its meaning. Once Tiki does, her world will be changed irrevocably. Kiki Hamilton's second book in The Faerie Ring series, The Torn Wing, is an action packed romp through Dickensian London that's the perfect blend of fantasy, historical fiction, and a sweet romance.Goodreads says, "London 1872 - A bloody escape, a deadly threat, a shocking revelation... As an orphan who stole the Queen's ring - only to find the ring was a reservoir that held a truce between the world of Faerie and the British Court - Tiki’s greatest fear suddenly becomes all too real: the fey have returned to London seeking revenge. As war escalates in the Otherworld, Queen Victoria’s youngest son, Prince Leopold, is attacked. In order to protect her family and those she loves, Tiki needs to know the meaning ofan fáinne sí, the birthmark that winds around her wrist. But will she be brave enough to face the truth?
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| Image via PBS |
Goodreads says, "Fans of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series and Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy will devour The Beautiful and the Cursed, a wholly original interpretation of gargoyle lore. It was bizarre and inexplicable, but after it happened no one spoke of it and Ingrid Waverly was forced to leave her life in London behind. She had to trade a world full of fancy dresses and society events for Paris with her mother and younger sister, Gabby. In Paris there are no grand balls or glittering parties, and, disturbingly, the house her twin brother Grayson found for them isn't a house at all. It's an abbey. A creepy, old abbey with a roof lined in stone gargoyles that one could almost mistake for living, breathing creatures. And Grayson is missing. Yet no one seems to be concerned about Grayson's whereabouts save for Luc, a devastatingly handsome servant who has some secrets of his own. There's one secret about the city that he can't keep hidden, though. There's a murderer on the loose. And every day Grayson is missing means that there's less of a chance he's alive. Ingrid is sure her twin isn't dead--she can feel it deep in her soul--but she knows he's in grave danger, and that it's up to her and Gabby to find him before all hope is lost. Only the path to him is twisted—and more deadly than she could ever imagine."
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - *Swoon* I love this novel and I love me some Mr. Darcy. I even have a t-shirt that says "Mr. Darcy is my literary boyfriend." Nerd alert.
