Must-Have July Releases

The Wonder of You

        Mortified after her semester abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough for the adventures she’s dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness.

        Heir to a European hotel dynasty, Roark St. John has trekked from one exotic locale to another, haunted by tragedy and the expectations that accompany his last name. Amelia is the first woman to give him a reason to stop running. He’ll do anything for a second chance—even contend with Amelia’s old flame, who is intent on sending Roark packing.

        While one surprise after another leaves Amelia reeling, Roark’s continued presence only highlights the questions pursuing her. Like him, is she running from the life God has called her to? Could finding her new place mean leaving home behind?

        This is the fifth book in Susan May Warren’s Christiansen Family series, and I have been anticipating it since I finished the fourth one—Always on My Mind—a couple of weeks ago. There were little hints about Amelia’s story mixed into Casper’s, so I am excited to finally find out what really happened, and how it plays out. I also just really enjoyed all of the other siblings’ stories I’ve read so far; Darek’s—Take a Chance on Me—Eden’s—It Had to Be You—Grace’s—When I Fall in Love—and Casper’s. Susan May Warren had me falling in love with the Christiansen’s since page one of the first book, so I know this is a book I will be reading as soon as I can.

Pick up any of the Christiansen Family novels here!

Lady Maybe

        One final cry…”God Almighty, help us!” and suddenly her world shifted violently, until a blinding collision scattered her mind and shook her bones. Then, the pain. The freezing water. And as all sensation drifted away, a hand reached for hers, before all faded into darkness…

        Now she has awakened as though from some strange, suffocating dream in a warm and welcoming room she has never seen before, and tended to by kind, unfamiliar faces. But not all has been swept away. She recalls fragments of the accident. She remembers a baby. And a ring on her finger reminds her of a lie.

        But most of all, there is a secret. And in this house of strangers she can trust no one but herself to keep it.

        Since I am a huge Julie Klassen fan and have read every single one of her books so far, I have been looking forward to this book for quite a while. It sounds utterly amazing, and I know Julie will not disappoint, as she never has yet. I’ve already pre-ordered myself a copy, so you will be hearing what I think about it sometime soon after it releases.

Get a copy of this book here.

The Curiosity Keeper

“It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whoever possesses it.”

        Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille must allow a mysterious stranger to come to her aid.

        Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content to work as the village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may be the answer to his many questions.

        Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, these two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, they will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.

        Since I just absolutely love mysteries, the description from this book completely intrigues me. It leaves so much to the imagination, and makes me want to dive right in every time I read about it. That’s why I’ve also pre-ordered this one as well. Besides, Sarah E. Ladd always writes the perfect historical romances.

Want a copy of the perfect historical romance? Pick one up here.

A Bride at Last

        Abandoned by his mail-order bride, Silas Jonesey has fought an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true and his estranged wife has contacted him with her whereabouts.

        Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but upon realizing she’d been deceived about her intended groom, she’s now settled into life as a schoolteacher. When the mother of a student passes away, Kate assumes she’ll take on care of nine-year-old Anthony—until two men suddenly show up in town, claiming to be the boy’s father.

        Silas can see Anthony loves Kate, so he enlists her help in reaching out to the boy and attempting to prove his paternity to the court. When a common interest in Anthony leads to an interest in each other and Silas and Kate begin to think they can overcome their rocky start, neither is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony’s wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?

        As the third book in Melissa Jagears’ Unexpected Brides series, I have had time to anticipate this novel as I have read the first two, A Bride for Keeps and A Bride in Store. Both were absolutely wonderful, as I am sure this one will be as well!

You can pick up any of the books in this series here.

In Good Company

        After growing up as an orphan, Mille Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren’t always well-received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

        Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare.

        At wit’s end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance—with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children’s parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?

        The second book in Jen Turano’s A Class of Their Own series—After a Fashion being the first—is another book I have been anticipating for a while. I finished After a Fashion only a couple of weeks ago—I read it in a day to be exact—and I absolutely loved it. Jen does an amazing job of making you feel transported to whatever place and year she is writing about, and all of her interesting heroines are sure to keep you laughing. This is a novel you cannot miss!

Don't miss it! Grab a copy of either book in this series here!

Refining Fire

        Twenty-two-year-old Militine Scott is in training at the Madison Bridal School in Seattle, yet she has no intention of pursuing marriage. What respectable man would have her? But she has found the school provides the perfect opportunity to keep her unsavory past hidden.

        Thane Patton, though fun-loving and fiercely loyal to his friends, hides a dark secret as well. He finds himself drawn to Militine, sensing that she harbors a haunting pain similar to his own.

        Will they allow God to make something new and beautiful from the debris of their pasts?

        Also the second book in its series, Refining Fire comes after Steadfast Heart. I am afraid that I did not enjoy Steadfast Heart nearly as much as I thought I would, so I am not nearly as excited about Refining Fire as the other novels on this list, but I am hoping this book will be better than the first.

Grab yourself a copy of either Refining Fire or Steadfast Heart here.

To Capture Her Heart

In an uncertain time, she faces a choice that will change her life forever.

        It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montaukett tribe, is celebrating her wedding feast when a rival tribe attacks, killing the groom and kidnapping her. Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is bound by her captors and left to die—until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren.

        Still tender from her loss, Heather Flower begins to heal in the home of the Hortons, English friends of her people. Torn between her affection for Dirk and her longtime friendship with Ben Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice—stay true to her friend or follow her heart.

        Another second in its series, The Southold Chronicles, I know why I'm looking forward to this book. One of the reasons is because I know Ben from the book before. The other reason is because I hope to find this novel not as slow going as A Place in His Heart.

You can purchase your own copy of A Place in His Heart or To Capture Her Heart here.

            Those are the July releases I'm most looking forward to! I hope you'll check them out and look for my reviews of them in the future!

All credit for the italicized synopses goes to each author and their publishers.