The Baroness’ Choices of New Books Publishing This Week
2023, Week 30’s New Books
My choices for this week include Cozy Mysteries, Sweet Holiday Romance, YA Paranormal Romance, Sweet Romance, YA Dark Fantasy, and Royal Romance.
Look at the beautiful covers. I have a few of these on pre-order. Some of them we are spotlighting throughout the month, so there will be giveaways.
Do you have vacation plans for the summer? Are you hitting the National Parks or going abroad? We are hanging out here, checking out our new area. So far, it’s been fun. I hope your summer is going well too.
Here are my choices for New Books Publishing Week 30 of 2023!
Murder Under A Western Moon by Abigail Keam
Mona Moon Mystery #11
Publication Date: July 24, 2023
Genre: Cozy Historical Mystery
Mona is the American Phyrne Fisher!
Mona Moon and her new husband, Robert Farley, Duke of Brynelleth are about to board an ocean liner to Merry Old England for their honeymoon when Mona receives an urgent telegram from Rupert Hunt, her eyes and ears in the Moon copper mines.
POTENTIAL RIOT AT MONTANA MINE STOP DEAD MINER STOP POSSIBLE MURDER STOP COME AT ONCE STOP RUPERT HUNT
Since the copper mines are the financial backbone of Moon Enterprises, Mona has no choice but to drop her plans and travel to Montana on the next train. She and Robert descend into a world of seething resentments, bitter accusations against Moon Enterprises, and bad decisions that pose a threat to Mona’s world. She travels incognito to search out the truth of Rupert’s allegations against the mining management. She must decide if Rupert is trying to prevent an innocent man from being hung for murder or if he is part of a grandiose plot against her. After all, Mona had been kidnapped by Rupert while searching for the Swift silver mine a year ago. Rupert is a scoundrel, but Mona hired him to be her scoundrel. Is this another of Rupert’s games? Regardless of the threat, Mona must get to the bottom of it. Thank goodness Robert is by her side . . . or could Robert have his own agenda?
A Cowboy’s Fourth of July by Melinda Curtis
The Cowboy Academy #2
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Sweet Holiday Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Nook
Could a cowboy’s former crush…
Be his future?
Dix Youngblood has loved Allison Burns since he tutored her in high school. Now she’s a single mom trying to save her family’s Oklahoma ranch…from him. Foreclosing on bad debts is the only way to succeed as a banker. But he can’t refuse her request for help. From feeding piglets to posing as Allison’s fake boyfriend, Dix is soon pulled into the beautiful rancher’s life. Will she reawaken his cowboy heart?
All That Glitters Isn’t Old by Gabby Allan
Whit and Whiskers Mystery #3
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Cozy Animal Mystery
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The bubbly fun of a rom-com meets the irresistible quirkiness of a cozy mystery in this buoyant new rom-cozy set off the coast of Southern California. It’s the perfect vacation spot for those who want to get away from it all. Unfortunately for Santa Catalina boat tour guide Whitney Dagner and her chonky cat Whiskers, it’s also the perfect vacation spot for people who want to get away with murder…
When she’s not piloting a glass bottom boat, showing the sights to tourists, Whit sells seashells by the seashore—among many other sea and sand souvenirs—to help keep her family shop, Nautically Yours, afloat. It’s a far cry from her corporate climbing ladder life in Los Angeles, but Whit and her frisky feline, Whiskers, love calling Catalina home and being close to family. Especially Whit’s grandmother Goldy, a fun and feisty senior who always marched to the beat of a different drum.
In her youth, Goldy was an item with a Catalina catch named Darren. But it was actually a ruse to fool Darren’s parents who wouldn’t have accepted his preference for men. Eventually, he left the island and chose the life—and life-partner—he wanted for himself. Back in town for his mother’s funeral, Darren takes the opportunity to heal his open wounds, and settle some scores.
In a surprise to the residents, Darren produced a documentary about the history of Catalina, and has arranged a premiere screening in the local theater. But his film career is cut short when his partner’s dead body is discovered the night before the opening. Rumors swirl about Darren’s past, along with his partner’s—and the things they’ve done—giving a lot of folks a lot of motives. Now, it’s up to Whit and her boyfriend policeman to catch a killer, and uncover just how much Grandma Goldy knows about the back door deals tied to Darren’s past . . .
Death of a Clam Digger by Lee Hollis
Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mysteries #16
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
| | BookBub | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Nook | BAM
As the tide rolls out in the coastal touristy town of Bar Harbor Maine, the tasty clams are plentiful–and so is murder in the latest Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails mystery from bestselling author Lee Hollis.
Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell usually reserves judgement for local cuisine, not the people who serve it. But staying neutral isn’t so easy when caught between the biggest seafood rivals in town—her BFF Mona Barnes and the successful Leighton clan. Adding to a bitter decades-old surf-turf war between family businesses, a modern Romeo and Juliet story unfolds as Mona’s son gets engaged to the daughter of her sworn enemy . . .
Spiteful patriarch Lonnie Leighton is also steamed about the arrangement—enough to go to dangerous lengths to break it up. At least, until he’s discovered face down and dead in the clam flats. With unanswered questions swirling, accusations flying in both directions, and a young couple stuck in the middle, Hayley has bigger fish to fry than determining who sources the best shellfish in Bar Harbor. Because someone wants to get away with murder . . . and send whoever else gets in their way to a muddy grave.
Ghosted by Amanda Quain
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
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Never Have I Ever meets The X-Files in Amanda Quain’s Ghosted, a fresh and funny update on the Jane Austen classic, Northanger Abbey.
Hattie Tilney isn’t a believer. Yes, she’s a senior at America’s most (allegedly) haunted high school, Northanger Abbey. But ever since her paranormal-loving dad passed away, she’s hung up her Ghostbusters suit, put away the EMF detectors, and moved on. She has enough to worry about in the land of the living―like taking care of her younger brother, Liam, while their older sister spirals out and their mother, Northanger’s formidable headmistress, buries herself in work. If Hattie just tries hard enough and keeps that overachiever mask on tight through graduation, maybe her mom will finally notice her.
But the mask starts slipping when Hattie’s assigned to be an ambassador to Kit Morland, who’s just transferred to Northanger on―what else―a ghost-hunting scholarship. The two are paired up for an investigative project on the school’s paranormal activity, and Hattie quickly strikes a deal: Kit will present whatever ghostly evidence he can find to prove that the campus is haunted, and Hattie will prove it’s not. But as they explore the abandoned tunnels and foggy graveyards of Northanger, Hattie starts to realize that Kit might be the kind of person who makes her want to believe in something―and someone―for the first time.
With her signature wit and slow-burn romance, Amanda Quain turns another Austen classic on its head in this sparkling retelling that proves sometimes the ghosts are just a metaphor after all.
His Texas Runaway Bride by Amy Vastine
Stop the Wedding #6
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Sweet Romance
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Running from a wedding…
Into happily-ever-after?Willow Sanderson doesn’t want to be a Dallas trophy wife. After ditching her wedding and fleeing to sleepy Maple Grove, Texas, the pediatric nurse immediately gets hired as a live-in nanny for the widowed sheriff’s young son. She soon falls for adorable Camden Koller—and his dad, Bryce. But when Willow’s past and her fiancé catch up with her, will her handsome boss want her to stay?
House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig
Sisters of the Salt #2
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: YA Dark Fantasy
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A modern masterpiece, this is a classic Gothic thriller-fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig, about doomed love, menacing ambition, and the ghosts that haunt us forever.
In a manor by the sea, one sister is still cursed.
Despite dreams of adventures far beyond the Salann shores, seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas has remained at her family’s estate, Highmoor, with her older sister Camille, while their sisters have scattered across Arcannia.
When their sister Mercy sends word that the Duchess of Bloem—wife of a celebrated botanist—is interested in having Verity paint a portrait of her son, Alexander, Verity jumps at the chance, but Camille won’t allow it. Forced to reveal the secret she’s kept for years, Camille tells Verity the truth one day: Verity is still seeing ghosts, she just doesn’t know it.
Stunned, Verity flees Highmoor that night and—with nowhere else to turn—makes her way to Bloem. At first, she is captivated by the lush, luxurious landscape and is quickly drawn to charming, witty, and impossibly handsome Alexander Laurent. And soon, to her surprise, a romance . . . blossoms.
But it’s not long before Verity is plagued with nightmares, and the darker side of Bloem begins to show through its sickly-sweet façade. . . .
Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu by Erika Lewis
Kelcie Murphy #2
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: MG Celtic Mythology
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Kelcie Murphy is back in another action-packed middle grade adventure, Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu!, the second book in Erika Lewis’s magical series infused with Celtic mythology, The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts.
It’s hard having a father who’s an infamous traitor. It’s even harder having a mother who’s an omen of doom.
After a summer away, Kelcie Murphy is excited to be back at the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts. But she and her friends have barely settled in when they receive a visit from her mother―the war goddess, Nemain―with a warning of coming calamity.
The Heart of Danu, the legendary source of all light and warmth in the Lands of Summer, is going to be stolen. And only Kelcie and her mates can stop it. As they travel with the rest of the students to Summer City to take part in the glorious Ascension Ceremony, Kelcie has no time for the military parade, the lavish ball, or even to visit her father: she’s determined to protect the Heart and her new home.
But the Lands of Summer are still not a welcoming place for Kelcie. When disaster strikes, the Queen, the High Guard, and even some of her schoolmates suspect Kelcie is to blame.
As the world is plunged into darkness, Kelcie will have to decide: does she keep fighting for a place that may always see her as a traitor’s daughter, or for a future greater than the war to come.
Mai Tai Massacre by Jasmine Webb
Charlotte Gibson Mysteries #8
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Cozy Mystery
When a local Maui resort is attacked, it’s all hands on deck to try and find the culprit. Which means Charlie is on the case, but so is Jake. And the last time they worked the same case was choppier than the north shore waves during a storm surge.
But Charlie’s got more to worry about than just solving this case. For one thing, why has her mom been acting strangely? And have the Ham brothers in Seattle gotten the message to leave her alone?
Charlie could really use another drink, but she’s going to have to keep a clear head if she’s going to get to the bottom of this case. The killer thinks they’ve gotten away with it, and the closer Charlie gets to uncovering the truth, the more danger she’s in. Can she bring the killer to justice before they make sure it’s last call for Charlie?
Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah
Beacon Bakeshop Mystery #4
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
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It’s Halloween weekend and Beacon Harbor, Michigan, has a packed schedule of events, including the Pumpkin Pageant, featuring humans and their canine counterparts. For treats, there’s plenty of pumpkin goodness from bakery/café owner and local lighthouse resident Lindsey Bakewell. But someone wants to spoil the fun with a deadly trick . . .
Lindsey prefers to keep her bakeshop’s Halloween decor light and autumnal, rather than gruesome and ghoulish. But everyone knows her lighthouse home is haunted. Some intrepid teens have even tried to break in to witness the resident ghost themselves. Dreading Halloween night, Lindsey reluctantly allows her influencer and podcaster best friend, Kennedy, to host a live ghost-hunting investigation in the lighthouse, conducted by a professional team. Protective of her ghost, Lyndsey is understandably nervous about what they might uncover . . .
The segment is uneventful—until things take a terrifying turn. The team freaks out. As Kennedy joins the mad dash outside, she bumps into what looks like the prankster teens’ creepy clown costume hanging from a tree. But when Lindsey’s dog, Wellington, begins to whine, they make a grim discovery: the clown is no dummy. It’s a corpse.
Now Lindsey and company will need to keep their cool if they want a ghost of a chance to solve the murder—and see another Halloween . . .
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Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft by Ellery Adams
Book Retreat Mystery #9
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Cozy Mystery
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For bibliophiles who love Rita Mae Brown and Alexander McCall Smith, New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams is sure to delight with her newest novel set at Virginia’s book-themed resort, Storyton Hall. It’s the perfect getaway for book lovers, but when resort manager Jane Steward tries to take a quick break of her own, it leads to a real-life mystery that’s far from relaxing . . .
Jane and her fiancé, Edwin, are headed to the North Carolina coast for a much-needed vacation. Their harborside loft has floor-to-ceiling bookcases and breathtaking views, but Jane’s hopes of exploring the town with her man are stymied when Edwin steps on a stingray. Things take an even less romantic turn when Jane stumbles across a dead body . . .
Instead of taking leisurely beach strolls, Jane is suddenly on a literary chase through time, unearthing a dark secret in her family tree that threatens all she holds dear back in Storyton. And it’ll take a whole village to help her make amends for the past—and stop a madman bent on exacting justice in the present.
Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Hannah Swensen Mysteries #29
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Nook | BAM
Fans of deliciously charming, page-turning whodunits rejoice! Beloved New York Times bestselling author and Queen of the Culinary Mystery Joanne Fluke delivers the twenty-eighth mouthwatering Hannah Swensen Mystery!
The Tri-County Summer Solstice Celebration has come to town, and even among local artisans, athletes, and marching bands, Hannah attracts fans of her own while serving lip-smacking pink lemonade desserts. But the mood sours when a body turns up, leading revelers to wonder if the festivities mark both the longest day of the year and the deadliest . . .
A retired professional MLB player has met a terrifying end—and, considering the rumors swirling about his past, the list of suspects could fill a small stadium. Among them could soon be Delores, Hannah’s mother, who publicly held a grunge against the victim after he infamously dunked her in the tank at a previous county fair . . .
Now, with her mother’s innocence on the line, a life-changing announcement at The Cookie Jar, and a plethora of desserts to bake, Hannah can’t afford to strike out as she begins a dangerous investigation into the ruthless killer who’s truly in a league of their own . . .
Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!
Royal Mom for the Duke’s Daughter by Jennifer Faye
Princesses of Rydiania #2
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Royal Romance
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A ready-made family…
for the princess?Princess Beatrix knows widower Duke Rez turned away from high-society life to raise his daughter. But Bea needs his help to dispel vicious rumors circling the palace. Summoning Rez, she never expects him to bring baby Evi. The little family is a painful reminder of her own infertility. But when attraction sparks between them, dare Bea hope that her future might include motherhood?
From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.
Steeped in Malice by Vicki Delany
Tea by the Sea Mysteries #4
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
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Thanks to the Great Teacup Shortage, Cape Cod tearoom proprietress Lily Roberts is already feeling the strain. But when a family fracas turns deadly over an antique tea set, she’ll really have to pour through the clues before another crime is brewed up.
With a “beautifully described setting and a cast of charming, small-town characters” (Booklist), this new installment in award-winning crime writer Vicki Delany’s Tea by the Sea Mystery series is a delightful treat for fans of Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries!
Afternoon tea isn’t just about flavorful brews and delicious treats. It’s also about presentation—fine china teacups (never mugs!), with carefully coordinated saucers and plates. With her fragile stock running low, Lily has an excuse to indulge in one of her favorite hobbies: visiting an antiques fair for replacements.
Among other finds, Lily snaps up a charming Peter Rabbit-themed tea set in a wicker basket, perfect for children’s events. But a few days later, a woman named Kimberly marches into the tearoom, rudely demanding to buy it back—then later returns and removes an envelope hidden in the basket’s lining.
An acquaintance of Lily’s named Rachel is on the trail of the tea set too. Apparently, she and Kimberly are half-sisters, searching for their mother’s final will. To her annoyance, Lily is dunked into the middle of this mess—especially when her ex-boyfriend turns out to be involved. But it’s more than a storm in a teacup when one of the sisters is found dead on the grounds of the B&B owned by Lily’s grandmother, Rose.
Is this a simple case of greed boiling over, or are there other suspects in the blend? It’ll take some savvy sleuthing from Lily, Rose, and their allies to find the answers before a killer shatters more lives . . .
Well Dressed to Die by Kate P. Adams
Charleton House Mysteries #9
Publication Date: July 29, 2023
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Water is the life-giver and the death-bringer…
The night before the ancient well-dressing tradition in the Derbyshire village of Castledale, the dressers work feverishly to get the displays finished in time. However, someone has got in ahead of schedule. One of the wells is already dressed… with a dead body.
Despite being determined not to get involved in the investigation into how Cora Parrish came to drown in the well, and concentrate instead on her day job as cafés manager at the popular local tourist attraction Charleton House, amateur sleuth Sophie Lockwood can’t help being intrigued. From the victims of Cora’s schoolgirl bullying to those wishing to conceal a murky past of their own, suspects abound. Distracted by the appearance of a handsome historian, and by the unexpected turn her colleague and best friend Mark’s career takes, Sophie feels as if she is going round in circles, achieving nothing but stirring up the dirt.
Then a startling revelation on the local news leaves Sophie convinced she has cracked the case. But after a fractious confrontation and an encounter in a remote beauty spot, she realises that even Derbyshire’s very own Sherlock can sometimes get things wrong.
Grab your hiking boots, we’re heading deep into the stunning Peak District for coffee, cake and a country walk, with laughs, surprises and intrigue aplenty along the way.
Includes additional bonus short stories.
Well, that’s it for the New Books Releasing Week 30 of 2023
Drop a comment if you like one of the books above or if you have one to recommend.
Thank you for stopping by,
Happy Reading!
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