Hotly Gratifying: 5/28 - 6/3

In which I feature some really cool book releases and categorize them in good fun.

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Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

Moment in the Sun: After Jason Kisses Mac

Oh, God.
I wrenched myself free and stumbled away. This wasn't happening. My life was not becoming one of those torried teen-angst shows on cable.
But then a handful of pebbles and dirt slid down the hill and I turned toward the noise. Kyle stood at the top, staring down at us, his face a blank mask.
Something inside my chest splintered.
Without a word, he turned and strode away.
It was official: my belonged on the CW. (80%)

Future Indulgences

Doing a Dance with Ants in My Pants for:

Goodreads | Order Now for $14.30

Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days.

Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape.

Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon.

The first in a series, this epic and richly detailed drama is grounded in historical communities and their mythic beliefs. It includes a medieval map of Europe that will track their journey; and the interior will include relevant decorative elements as well as an interior line illustration. And look for a QR code that links to a note from the author with additional, detailed information about the setting and the history that informed the writing. With Philippa Gregory’s trademark touch, this novel deftly brings the past—and its salacious scandals—vividly and disturbingly to life.

Why? I already explained this in My Big, Fat TBR Pile (19), but I'll say it again. It's mother fryin' HISTORICAL FANTASY. Gosh, it's been SO long since I've read a really fabulous HF novel. And I'm CRAVING SOME. Not to mention the universal sign that it's meant with a boy named LUCA in ITALY (River of Time, anyone?).

Goodreads | Order Now for $13.37

There is a great legend of the guardian angel who traveled across time and space for the human girl he loved, slaying those who would threaten her with a gleaming sword made of heavenly light.

This is not that story.

Jerome Hancock is Heidi Devine's guardian angel. Sort of. He's more of an angel trainee, in heaven's soul-rehabilitation program for wayward teens. And he's just about to get kicked out for having too many absences and for violating too many of the Ten Commandments for the Dead.

Heidi, meanwhile, is a high school junior who dreams of being an artist, but has been drafted onto her basketball team because she's taller than many a grown man. For as long as she can remember, she's heard a voice in her head - one that sings Lynyrd Skynyrd, offers up bad advice, and yet is company during those hours she feels most alone.

When the unthinkable happens, these two lost souls must figure out where they went wrong and whether they can make things right before Heidi's time is up and her soul is lost forever.

Martha Brockenbrough's debut novel is hilarious, heartbreaking, and hopeful, with a sense of humor that's wicked as hell, and writing that's just heavenly.

Why? HILARIOUS doesn't even BEGIN to cover what I think this book will be. Come on, a wayward teen angel in rehabilitation who botches up the guardian angel business? Let's get real - you know you want to read this bad boy as much as I do.

Genre Mood of the Moment: Fantasy
Recommended Treatment:

"Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is pretty much my dream book. Cultivated from the richness of the Russian language, and perhaps customs—though I’m not certain, this fantasy brings me joy beyond imagining. Leigh Bardugo is the map that leads us to the treasure trove, as each word is spun gold, each place are brilliant gems, but king among them is the diamond and perfect, dazzling shards are scattered to live in each character."

Looking to Try:

To be released June 26...

Or more specifically, the first in the series, which is called Shadowcry, then Blackwatch. First, I LOVE THE COVERS. Like, you don't understand - I LOOOOVE these covers. I think the cover gods sprinkled a little more magic dust than usual. I'm sensing special shelf here, peeps, and so I can't wait to get my hands on both!

Next to Make Your TBR Want to Scream:
Click the images to go to the Book Depository

Singles:
Plus 1s and Up:


Trailer Discoveries Funtage

Got something specific in mind? Let me know down in the comments section. Don't be shy about letting me know what releases have you foaming at the mouth, trembling in the hands!