Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Summer 2019 TBR

Dear Rebellious Readers,

It is time for another Top Ten Tuesday which a weekly blog posted hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and this week’s topic is Books on my Summer 2019 TBR. 

1.

Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau

Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance

Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Book one in The Beast Charmer series

Summery from Goodreads:

Fantastic Beasts meets Assassin’s Creed in this epic, gripping fantasy romance from debut author Maxym M. Martineau.

Exiled beast charmer Leena Edenfrell is in deep trouble. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts on the black market—an offense punishable by death—and now there’s a price on her head. With the realm’s most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes him an offer he can’t refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

If only it were that simple. Unbeknownst to Leena, the undying ones are bound by magic to complete their contracts, and Noc cannot risk his brotherhood of assassins…not even to save the woman he can no longer live without

Why: because I got a sampler of this book in my Shelflovecrate(a US book box subscription) and fell in love with it. I only read a few pages and knew I needed to get my hands on the full book or ARC.  I just fell in love with Leena and knew I had to read her story. This book publishes today.

2.

Darkblood Academy: Half-Blood by GK Derosa

Book one in the Darkblood Academy series

Genre: New Adult Paranormal

Summery from Goodreads:

Welcome to Darkblood—oops, I mean Darkhen Academy.

There are three rules to survive the elite supernatural school:
1. Do not talk or even look at The Seven, the uber-powerful supes that rule the academy.
2. Never go into the Fae forest on a full moon… or else.
3. And most definitely do not fall for one of the extremely hot and unattainable instructors.

Too bad I’ve never really been a rule follower…

A year ago the supernaturals came out of the closet on primetime TV, and about a minute ago I found out I was one of them—well, a half-blood anyway.

So here I am at Darkhen Academy, the only human and no magical abilities to speak of. The only reason I’m here is because of my father—a man I didn’t even know existed until now. He’s crazy powerful, and they think I could be too. But what could I possibly contribute to an exclusive squad of dragon shifters, fae, witches, and vampires?

I guess we’re about to find out because the merging of the supernatural and human realms isn’t going as smoothly as planned. If word gets out that humans are no longer safe from the supes, our worlds will once again be closed off.

It’s up to us to stop that from happening

Why: I just finished this author’s Hitched series which you know if you have been following my blog and reviews. I loved Hitched so much and when I heard that the author was doing a spinoff I was overjoyed and I can’t wait to read this book and see how GK Derosa expanses this amazing world she created. 

3.

Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Genre: New Adult M/M Contemporary Romance

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Summery from Goodreads

A big-hearted romantic comedy in which First Son Alex falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends…

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.

The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?

Why: I have heard so many great things about this book. Plus I love royal romance and summer is always a great time for a good romantic comedy. 

4. 

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Summery from Goodreads

Welcome to the Kingdom… where ‘Happily Ever After’ isn’t just a promise, but a rule. 

Glimmering like a jewel behind its gateway, The Kingdom is an immersive fantasy theme park where guests soar on virtual dragons, castles loom like giants, and bioengineered species–formerly extinct–roam free.

Ana is one of seven Fantasists, beautiful “princesses” engineered to make dreams come true. When she meets park employee Owen, Ana begins to experience emotions beyond her programming including, for the first time… love.

But the fairytale becomes a nightmare when Ana is accused of murdering Owen, igniting the trial of the century. Through courtroom testimony, interviews, and Ana’s memories of Owen, emerges a tale of love, lies, and cruelty–and what it truly means to be human.

Why: A fantasy theme park and robot princesses sign me up. It sounds so unique and also I heard it is told in a very unique way with testimony, interviews and flash back memories. I love it when books are told in different formats.

5.

Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries

Genre: Adult Regency era romance

Published by Zebra

Book 1 in the Duke Dynasty series

Summery from Goodreads

From New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries comes a sparkling new series about an oft-widowed mother’s grown children, who blaze through society in their quest for the truth about their fathers . . . and in the process find that love just might conquer all . . .

A series of stepfathers and a difficult childhood have left Fletcher “Grey” Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, with a guarded heart, enviable wealth, and the undeserved reputation of a rogue. Grey’s focus on expanding his dukedom allows him little time to find a wife. But when his mother is widowed yet again and he meets the charmingly unconventional woman managing his stepfather’s funeral, he’s shocked to discover how much they have in common. Still, Grey isn’t interested in love, no matter how pretty, or delightfully outspoken, the lady . . .

Beatrice Wolfe gave up on romance long ago, and the arrogant Duke of Greycourt with his rakish reputation isn’t exactly changing her mind. Then Grey agrees to assist his grief-stricken mother with her latest “project”: schooling spirited, unfashionable Beatrice for her debut. Now that Beatrice is seeing through Grey’s charms to his wounded heart, she’s having trouble keeping him at arm’s length. But once Grey starts digging into her family’s secrets, she must decide whether her loyalties lie with her family . . . or with the man whose lessons capture her heart . . .

Why: I love regency romance and I have loved the past 2 books I have read by Sabrina Jeffries. I have always loved it when heroes and heroines of romances are both not looking for romance but find it. Plus I find the mother of the hero interesting. She has kids from multiple husbands all dukes all passed on. Grief is something I can easily connect with. Plus this book comes out today. 

6.

Brazen and the Beast by Sarch Maclean

Genre: Adult Regency Romance

Published by Avon

Book 2 in the Bareknuckle Bastards series

Release Date: July 30,2019

Summery from Goodreads

The Lady’s Plan

When Lady Henrietta Sedley declares her twenty-ninth year her own, she has plans to inherit her father’s business, to make her own fortune, and to live her own life. But first, she intends to experience a taste of the pleasure she’ll forgo as a confirmed spinster. Everything is going perfectly…until she discovers the most beautiful man she’s ever seen tied up in her carriage and threatening to ruin the Year of Hattie before it’s even begun.

The Bastard’s Proposal

When he wakes in a carriage at Hattie’s feet, Whit, a king of Covent Garden known to all the world as Beast, can’t help but wonder about the strange woman who frees him—especially when he discovers she’s headed for a night of pleasure . . . on his turf. He is more than happy to offer Hattie all she desires…for a price.

An Unexpected Passion

Soon, Hattie and Whit find themselves rivals in business and pleasure. She won’t give up her plans; he won’t give up his power . . . and neither of them sees that if they’re not careful, they’ll have no choice but to give up everything . . . including their hearts.

Why: Strong independent heroine finds tied up guy in her carriage. He turns out to be the King of Covent Garden and then they become rivals in business and love. I love rival stories especially when they fall in love. This book doesn’t come out until July 30 but I have an eARC and plan to read it soon. 

7.

Roar by Cora Carmack

Genre: YA Fantasy

Book 1 in the Stormheart series

Summery from Goodreads

In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.

Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.

To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.

Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.

She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.

Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.

Why: Book 2 is coming out soon and I am doing a buddy read with my bookstagram friends Mary @aparanormalromance and Jan @mccanbooks. I love doing buddy reads and I loved the last book I read by this author. One of her new adult books All Lined Up. 

8.

Strangely Beautiful by Leanna Renee Hieber

Genre: Adult Paranormal Historical

Books 1 and 2 in the Strangely Beautiful series

Publisher: Tor Books

Summery from Goodreads

Originally published as two books, Strangely Beautiful unites Leanna Renee Hieber’s critically acclaimed novels in a single revised volume, restoring the author’s original vision for the work.

Miss Persephone Parker—known as Percy—is different, with her lustrous, snow-white hair, pearlescent pale skin, and uncanny ability to see and communicate with ghosts. Seeking to continue her education, Percy has come to Queen Victoria’s London, to the Athens Academy. What she will learn there will change her life forever.

Athens Academy is the citadel of The Guard, an ancient order that battles the forces of evil. The Victorian Guard, led by professor Alexi Rychman, is incomplete. They cannot defeat Jack the Ripper— who is more than the serial killer he appears to be—or the greater monster his appearance heralds.

Percy’s lifelong habit of concealment combined with Alexi’s fevered search for the Guard’s missing seventh nearly prove disastrous as ancient Greek myths begin playing out in modern, gaslit, Victorian London. Percy and her new friends and allies must overcome their preconceptions about each other and their own histories before they can set the world to rights.

Why: I am really behind on Leanna Renee Heiber’s books and she is one of my auto buy authors. I love her work and it really speaks to my soul and did I say she is one of my soulmate authors. I love her books and characters and writing. I can’t wait to read this series. 

9.

Talon by Julie Kagawa

Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Book 1 in the Talon series

Summery from Goodreads

THE DRAGONS OF TALON: Once hunted nearly to extinction, they are now poised to take over the world. 

THE ORDER OF ST. GEORGE: The legendary dragonslayers will stop at nothing to wipe dragons from the face of the earth. 

These mortal enemies are locked in secret and deadly combat, with humanity none the wiser. 

To take her rightful place in the Talon organization, young dragon Ember Hill must prove she can hide her true nature and blend in with humans. Her delight at the prospect of a summer of “normal” teen experiences is short-lived, however, once she discovers that she’s also expected to train for her destined career in Talon. But a chance meeting with a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught.

As Ember struggles to accept her future, St. George soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian is tasked with hunting her down. But when faced with Ember’s bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything the Order has ingrained in him—and what he might be willing to give up to uncover the truth about dragons

Why: Dragon shifters need I say more plus Julie Kagawa is such an amazing author and I love her writing and characters and I love dragons. Finally all the books are out and I can binge read it. 

10.

Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Book 1 in the Crown of Feathers Trilogy

Summery from Goodreads:

I had a sister, once…

In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders—legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire—until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart.

I promised her the throne would not come between us.

Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders—even if that means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks.

But it is a fact of life that one must kill or be killed. Rule or be ruled.

Just as Veronyka finally feels like she belongs, her sister turns up and reveals a tangled web of lies between them that will change everything. And meanwhile, the new empire has learned of the Riders’ return and intends to destroy them once and for all.

Sometimes the title of queen is given. Sometimes it must be taken.

Why: Fighting Sisters and Phoenix Riders. I love phoenixes but never see book about them much and I love any book with complicated sibling relationships. 

So what is on your Summer TBR? Any of the same books as mine? Leave me the link to your TTT in the comments so I can see which books you are looking forward to this summer.

Yours in Rebellion

Nicole the Reading Rebel