April NetGalley Releases (On My TBR 2020)

New books are always on my radar - that's just the truth of it!  I'm constantly adding books (both new and older titles) to my TBR list.  But I'm thinking about starting a new feature where each month I talk about a few of the upcoming releases that I've gotten from NetGalley or Edelweiss.  I get way too many books from those sites and wanted a way to share about them.  It's easier with print review copies where I can just snap a picture and post about here or on Instagram.  But I didn't want to leave out the e-books that I've gotten and want to squeal about with all of you either!  I may change this up but for now I'm going to give you the Goodread's summary and why I'm so excited to read each book.  Let me know in the comments if this is a type of post that you would like to see on a regular basis!

No Going Back by Sheena Kamal

"Nora Watts has a talent for seeing what lies beneath strangers’ surfaces, and for knowing what they’re working hard to keep hidden. Somehow, it’s the people closest to her she has trouble truly connecting with. In the case of Bonnie, the teenage daughter Nora gave up for adoption, she has to keep trying. For Bonnie has a target on her back—and it’s all because of Nora."

This is the 3rd book in what has become a favorite mystery series of mine!  I've been impatiently waiting for this book every since I finished the last page of the second book.  I shortened the Goodread's summary as it will spoil the earlier books if you haven't yet read them.  This IS a series that needs to be read in order but as there are currently only three books - I'm sure you can catch up easily.  And it will definitely be worth your time!  The first book is The Lost Ones if you are interested.  It's so good!

The Split by Sharon Bolton

"No matter how far you run, some secrets will always catch up with you...

The remote Antarctic island of South Georgia is about to send off its last boat of the summer – which signifies safety to resident glaciologist Felicity Lloyd.

Felicity lives in fear – fear that her ex-husband Freddie will find her, even out here. She took a job on this isolated island to hide from him, but now that he's out of prison, having served a term for murder, she knows he won’t give up until he finds her.But a doctor delving into the background of Felicity and Freddie's relationship, back in Cambridge, learns that Felicity has been on the edge for a long time. Heading to South Georgia himself to try and get to her first is the only way he can think of to help her."

I've yet to read a book by this author that I didn't love.  She is one of my absolute favorites so I was so excited to receive a e-copy of this one!  The premise of this one sounds intense and I cannot wait to see if it is going to be as good as it sounds!  If you haven't had the opportunity to try out this author's books yet, start with her Lacey Flint series.  The first book is titled Now You See Me (I think it is under S.J. Bolton rather than Sharon) but that entire series (4 books total) is SO GOOD!

Have You Seen Me? by Kate White

"On a cold, rainy morning, finance journalist Ally Linden arrives early to work in her Manhattan office, only to find that she’s forgotten her keycard and needs to have a colleague she’s never met let her in. When her boss finally arrives, he seems surprised to see her—because she hasn’t worked there in five years."

Kate White is another author whose books I've enjoyed previously.  She has a series as well (the Bailey Weggins series) and some standalones - I haven't read everything that she has written yet but I would definitely like to.  I cut the above summary short as well but it was all I needed to know that I wanted to read this book!

You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce

  "Cassandra Tipp is dead...or is she?

After all, the notorious recluse and eccentric bestselling novelist has always been prone to flights of fancy--everyone in town remembers the shocking events leading up to Cassie's infamous trial (she may have been acquitted, but the insanity defense only stretches so far).Cassandra Tipp has left behind no body--just her massive fortune, and one final manuscript."

This is a new to me author but this book has me SO intrigued!  It sounds kind of creepy and definitely right up my alley!  I also just adore that cover!  I just can't wait to see what this book is all about!

In Her Shadow by Kristin Miller 

"Once his secretary, Colleen is now pregnant with Michael's baby. When he brings her to his opulent estate, Ravenwood, she is abruptly thrust into a life of luxury she's never known. But Colleen finds the immense house suffused with the memory of Michael's beautiful wife, Joanna, who left months ago and who haunts her imagination. It quickly becomes apparent that there is little room for a new mistress of this house: The staff greets her with hostility, and there are entire wings and corridors from which she is prohibited to enter.
Then bones are unearthed in the grove across the street."

It sure feels like gothic novels are making a comeback in 2020 and I am HERE for it!  This cover...that premise...I am so excited to read this one!  It's kind of giving me some Rebecca vibes as well which makes me want to reread that one sometime in the near future.

Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia

"Nora Trier catches thieves. As a forensic accountant and partner in her downtown Minneapolis firm, she’s unearthed millions in every corner of the world. She prides herself on her independence, the most essential currency of accounting, until her firm is hired by Strike.

An anti-corporate, feminist athletic empire, Strike is owned by Logan Russo, a brash and legendary kickboxer, and her marketing genius husband, Gregg Abbott. They’re about to host a major kickboxing tournament with twenty million dollars in prize money, and the chance for the champion to become the new face of the company. Gregg suspects his wife already has a new face in mind—a young trainer named Aaden, for whom Logan feels an unexpected connection.Days before the tournament begins, it’s discovered that the prize money is missing. Gregg hires Nora’s firm to find both the thief and the money but Nora has a secret connection to Strike that threatens her independence. Her partner pressures her into taking the case anyway, hinting he has information about Strike that could change the course of the investigation in a shocking and deadly way."

I read and really enjoyed this author's 1st book a few years back - Everything You Want Me To Be.  I've been wanting to read more by her every since!  I really like the sound of this one so I'm looking forward to reading this one soon!

There you have it - six of the books that I've gotten from NetGalley and Edelweiss that I'm super excited to read and that are coming out next month.  I'm actually planning on participating in a #Netgalleyspringclean challenge on Instagram next month.  That means I'm really going to focus on getting some of these books read in the very near future.  

Are there any April releases that you are excited about?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading (April 8th)

"It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date."

Happy Monday everyone!  It's a bit of a later post over here but I really wanted to share a quick reading update with all of you.  I love sharing my thoughts on books with reviews but I really want to mix it up more here on the blog.  That takes time though which isn't always something I have a lot of.  Are you following me on Instagram yet?  If not you can find me @samsbooks1020 (you can also find me on Twitter and Goodreads with this same handle).  But anyways....on Instagram I mentioned that this month I'm trying to focus on reading some of the review copies that are piling up on my nightstand.  My pile was getting kind of high (for me at least) and I didn't want it to get out of control.  So far both of the books that I've read this month are off of that pile so I feel successful already!  My current read is a NetGalley book but this also counts since it is a review copy (I just mentioned my print copies on Instagram).  I'm SUPER behind on my NetGalley reads as well - although when am I not is probably an accurate statement honestly.  Regardless, I feel like I'm making some good progress and knocking out some of those "should" reads.  After this though I seriously need to mix in some backlist books because I'm slacking there this year.  I've been focusing so much this year on newer releases when I usually mix it up.  Maybe I'll do a backlist May or something.....but on to the books I've been reading!

Since my last reading update (which has been a couple of weeks) I've finished the following:

Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien was a fun cozy mystery that has me excited to read the other books in this series.  I've actually already shared my thoughts on it here if you are interested.

A Beautiful Corpse by Christi Daugherty was an amazing addition to this mystery series (book one just released last year so you don't have too many books to catch up on if you are interested).  This book was even better than book one - my thoughts will be up on this one hopefully later this week.

Fierce Justice by Piper J. Drake was an enjoyable romantic suspense and also the first book I finished off of my review stack this month.  I'll be sharing my full thoughts on it hopefully soon as well.

Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan was SO, SO good!  I'm really looking forward to sharing my thoughts on this one but I will tell you this - I felt a personal connection to this one which is why I couldn't help but love it so much.  SO good!

I'm now currently reading the following:

I'm really enjoying it so far but won't be sharing my thoughts on this one until next month.  I'm participating in a blog tour for it so will be sharing my review then.  I'm off to focus on my laundry piles and watch a little television.

Happy Monday!

April Reading Plans (2017 Edition)

Wow!  It is hard to believe that I'm already working on my reading plans for April.  2017 hasn't been my best year so far in regards to how many books I've read but it has been a good year quality wise.  This will probably one of the busier months for my family as we adjust to sports schedules and fitting all of that around school and homework.  I still have lots of reading goals and books that I would like to read so my reading pile is as huge as always.  Here are the print books that I'm hoping to read in April:

• A Perfect Gentleman by Candace Camp - This was a surprise review copy sent by the publisher to me this past month.  I enjoyed one of this author's books last year so I was super excited about this especially as I hadn't heard about it until now.  I read the premise and can already tell that this is a book I will enjoy.
•  Summer Knight by Jim Butcher - I've been craving some Harry Dresden so it is well past time to continue on with this series.  I was listening to a podcast the other day that mentioned this series and ended up requesting this book from the library soon after.  I can't wait to see what kind of trouble Harry gets himself into next.
• The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen - 1st in a series and this is actually off of my own shelves.  I picked this book up from the used bookstore earlier this year I believe and am anxious to read it.  I've never seen the show that is based on this series but I wouldn't mind checking it out (after I read the books first).  I can't wait to check this book out!
• The Day I Died by Lori Rader-Day - This is a review copy for an upcoming TLC Book tour that is later this month.  This author has been on my radar for awhile now so I can't wait to finally give her a try!  It sounds like my kind of book and will probably end up being my next read.

I've decided that for April my goal is to mainly read e-books for the majority of the month.  You've heard me say a million times how terrible my self control is when it comes to NetGalley and Edelweiss.  Despite always signing up and participating in #COYER e-reading challenges, I am still desperately trying to catch up on some of these review copies that are just sitting unread.  I would love, love, love to make a dent on my TBR list for e-books.  Here are the kindle books that I have added to my April pile of possibilities:

 

 

 

•  Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner - These first two books are both the first books in a series that I haven't yet started and now also have the 2nd book waiting to be read.  Don't worry I'm shaking my head at myself over here too.  I really like the sound of this one and am eager to get started on it!
• Mummy's Favorite by Sarah Flint - See above for my part of my explanation on wanting to read.  The cover of this one is also pretty great and then you add in the description....well, I've already downloaded this one on my phone ready to be started.  Both of these books sound like they will be right up my alley so I can't wait!
• Final Girls by Riley Sager - I told you guys that I wouldn't be able to wait too much longer before reading this one.  It doesn't release until July I believe but I just have to check it out for myself now.  It sounds creepy and thrilling and I'm there for all of that!  Plus, that cover!!!
• Dangerous Behavior by Nancy Bush - I requested this one from NetGalley based of the description alone.  I've had this author on my TBR list for years but hopefully not for much longer.  It sounds like a page turner and I'm looking forward to checking it out!
• He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly - This is another author that I've been wanting to read for years.  I jumped all over the chance to read this one because I've got no self control.  Also, because this book basically sounded amazing and how could I not?  
• Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen - I'm participating in a blog tour for the publisher for this one later this month.  I couldn't help saying yes because I am basically addicted to all thrillers/mysteries as of late.  It sounds like it will be a great read and I have high hopes!
• Death Among the Doilies by Mollie Cox Bryan - 1st in a cozy mystery series that I've been wanting to start.  It also helps that I now have the second book also waiting to be read on my kindle so I need to read this one first (I'm seeing a trend here as well).  I love a good cozy to switch things up so this should be perfect.
• The Child by Fiona Barton - Last year I read and enjoyed The Widow by this author.  This book sounds even better so I couldn't resist requesting it.  I'm loving that cover as well!  I think that one of the characters from the previous book is in this one as well (the detective or reporter maybe?) so that will be interesting to see as well. 
• The Lady Traveler's Guide to Scoundrels & Other Gentlemen by Victoria Alexander - I feel like this book should win the award for longest title.  This is for another upcoming TLC book tour although my review date isn't until May or June - I can't remember off the top of my head.  Another author that I've been wanting to try so I'm excited to see what this book is all about!
• Undertow by Elizabeth Heathcote - Oh my goodness- the premise of this book!  A woman who gets married and then thinks that her new husband may have killed his previous wife.  I'm so there!  That cover is so eye-catching as well and I just had to check it out for myself!

So many books!!  I really, really would love to read the majority of these books and make a small dent in my e-reader TBR.  Okay, it might only be a drop but it is the thought that counts.  I have plenty of good reading ahead of me so hopefully my reading picks up this month.  I mean how can it now when I have all of these to look forward to?

What book/s should I read first?  Have you read any of these yet?  What books are you hoping to read in April?  Do share!

Happy Reading!

 

April Reading Plans (2016 Edition)

My reading goal in April is to work on getting some of those unread books off of my e-reader.  You might wonder then why I already have a picture of print books at the top of this post, right?  Well, for one you should know by now that just because I have a reading goal that it doesn't mean I will always follow it.  Hence the reason I am also sharing the print books at the top of my reading pile that I am hoping to try and squeeze in among those e-reads.  In March I managed to read ten books and it would be absolutely fantastic if I could do that again.  As always I am being overly ambitious and including a ridiculous number of books in my reading pool.  Let's get started then, shall we?

• The Good Traitor by Ryan Quinn - This is a review copy for a Partners in Crime Book tour.  It is a thriller but sounds like a different type than I usually read so I'm looking forward  to it.  My tour date is for later this month so look forward to my thoughts then.
• The Stopped Heart by Julie Myerson - This is a review copy and a Goodread's win.  It is a chunkster but sounds very, very intriguing.  I'm eager to get to it and have very high hopes.
• Asylum by Jeannette de Beauvoir- Review copy and Goodread's win as well.  I've actually been really lucky lately as three books on this pile are thanks to Goodread's giveaways.  This is book one in a new mystery series and I just cannot resist a good mystery.  I'm very excited to read this one!
• Bitten by Kelly Armstrong - I won this book thanks to COYER and a Twitter chat.  I picked this one because I have been wanting to continue on with this series for a really long time.  I've read this one but it was years ago and I remember very little about it.  I can't wait to finally continue on with this series!
• In Bitter Chill by Sarah Ward - I have been wanting to read this book for SO long! So I'm sure that you can imagine how thrilled I was when I found out that I had won a copy in a Goodread's giveaway.  This is a thriller and one that I just know that I'm going to enjoy so I won't be waiting long to read it.

• The Murder That Never Was by Andrea Kane - This is actually my current read and really great so far!  I'm reading it for another PICT tour that is coming up in a few weeks.  I'm reading this series completely out of order but it hasn't hurt my enjoyment of it at all.
• Notorious by Carey Baldwin - Review copy courtesy of Edelweiss for a PICT tour.  Yes, this is another trend but I can't help that they have all of these amazing sounding books coming up on tour.  Another mystery that sounds really interesting and that I'm looking forward to!
• The Demonists by Thomas E. Sniegoski - NetGalley review copy and beginning to a new urban fantasy series.  I love the cover for this one and cannot wait to begin reading it.  I have very high hopes for this one!
• Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower - Beginning to a new cozy mystery series and also another NetGalley review copy.  I'm a sucker for a good cozy mystery so this is yet another book that I am really looking forward to.  
• A Lovely Way to Burn by Louise Welsh - This is going to sound weird but even though I've never read this author I basically want to read all of her books and just know that I will love them.  This combines a mystery that takes place during a pandemic.  OH MY GOODNESS....I am sold just from that!  Also a NetGalley review copy.
• The Obsession by Nora Roberts - NetGalley review copy.  Nora Robert"s standalone.  That is all I have to say.  I've been just waiting to read this one closer to its' release date and that date is approaching fast.  I can't wait!
• Hold Your Breath by Katie Ruggle - 1st in a new romantic suspense series and NetGalley review copy.  I am a sucker for a good romantic suspense so I'm looking forward to reading this one.  
• The Baker Street Phantom by Fabrice Bourland - Yet another review copy and how could I not want to read this one just based off that cover??  Gorgeous!  Plus it is a mystery and we all know how I love a mystery.
• Death by Coffee by Alex Erickson -  This one has been sitting on my kindle for way too long so I will definitely be reading this one in April.  Another cozy mystery series that I am really looking forward to trying.  
• A Talent for Trickery by Alissa Johnson - NetGalley review copy yet again and look at that awesome cover as well.  This is a romance but it sure doesn't sound like your typical romance and I'm intrigued.  Can't wait!

Whew!  I'm worn out after talking about all of these books that I want to read.  I'm not going to list all of the books from previous piles that remain unread but just know those are in my April reading possibilities pile as well.  I have lots of really great reading ahead of me so I will get to it.  Before I leave you all though, which books are you hoping to read in April?  Which one of these books would you read first if you had the choice?  Do share!