Must-Have November Releases

        Sorry this is a little later than I usually post it (my life has been crazy these last few weeks), but here are my must have releases for this wonderful month of November!

The Bronte Plot

When Lucy’s secret is unearthed, her world begins to crumble. But it may be the best thing that has ever happened to her.

        Lucy Alling makes a living selling rare books, often taking suspicious measures to reach her goals. When her unorthodox methods are discovered, Lucy’s secret ruins her relationship with her boss and her boyfriend James—leaving Lucy in a heap of hurt, and trouble. Something has to change; she has to change.

        In a sudden turn of events, James’s wealthy grandmother Helen hires Lucy as a consultant for a London literary and antiques excursion. Lucy reluctantly agrees and soon discovers Helen holds secrets of her own. In fact, Helen understands Lucy’s predicament better than anyone else.

        As the two travel across England, Lucy benefits from Helen’s wisdom, as Helen confronts the ghosts of her own past. Everything comes to a head at Haworth, home of the Bronte sisters, where Lucy is reminded of the sisters’ beloved heroines, who, with tenacity and resolution, endured—even in the midst of change.

        Now Lucy must go back into her past in order to move forward. And while it may hold mistakes and regrets, she will prevail—if only she can step into the life that’s been waiting for her all along.

        Doesn’t this book sound wonderful? I have already read one book by Katherine Reay—called Dear Mr. Knightly—and I absolutely loved it, so I am hopeful that I will really enjoy this new novel of hers. I have loved in the past the Jane Austen twists Katherine slips into her books (she has also written a book called Lizzy and Jane, I just haven’t gotten to that part of my to-read stack yet) so I am excited to see if she executes her Bronte themes as well as the Austen ones. On top of that, Katherine just does an amazing job of creating real, raw characters and storylines, which makes this book all that more exciting to read.

Whispers in the Reading Room

Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye…and perhaps her heart.

        Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

        Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

        Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

        Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks—the man so many people fear—is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

        Can I even describe to you how excited I am for this book? I doubt it. Whispers in the Reading Room is the third book in Shelley Gray’s Chicago World’s Fair Mystery series, coming after Secrets of Sloane House and Deception on Sable Hill, both of which I loved immensely. The mysteries were so well written, as well as the characters and plotlines, and I am sure that this concluding novel will be no exception. And since I just recently received a copy of it from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, you will eventually be hearing just what I thought of this gem (once I read it that is!).

The Golden Braid

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

        Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

        Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

        The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

        As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

        I have been a huge fan of Melanie Dickerson’s ever since I first picked up one of her fairy tale retellings a few years ago, and I have loved every one of her books ever since. When I heard she was working on a retelling of Rapunzel, I got sooooo excited, and immediately made plans to pre-order that novel. Needless to say, I ended up receiving an influencer copy, so I do have it on my shelf right this minute, and my fingers are just itching to pick it up. Since I have a few books to review before I need to read The Golden Braid, it will have to wait, but you can bet you will be getting a review very soon!

The Wedding Chapel

For sixty years, a wedding chapel sat silent, waiting for love. But times have changed and the hour has come when it just might be too late.

        Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love—the wedding chapel he built for Collette Greer, the woman he fell for back in ’49. But now an offer has come to turn the chapel into what it was meant to be—a place for love—and Jimmy sees no reason to hang onto his dream any longer.

        Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s abysmal marriage rate. But love surprises her when she falls head-over-heels for Jack Forester, a top ad man. Their whirlwind romance results in an elopement, and a mountain of doubt. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to overcome his own demons to find the words of his heart.

        When Taylor takes an assignment in Heart’s Bend, the job does more than send her back to her hometown, but into a world of family secrets buried beneath the sands of time.

        When Taylor’s journey intersects with Coach’s, they rediscover the heartbeat of their dreams and that the love they long to hold is right in front of them. And worth every waiting moment.

        I love Rachel Hauck. Have I ever mentioned that? She writes some of the BEST novels I have ever read. And there is just something about the description for The Wedding Chapel that makes me think this is going to be one of those books. So that’s why I’ve already preordered a copy. It doesn’t come out until mid-November, but I can promise you, I will be posting my review very soon after that release date. Because I have no doubts that this is one of the top books to read this November.

A Thousand Shall Fall

A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War.

        Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off—only to find she’s fallen into the hands of the enemy.

        Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they’re all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

        Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally—and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

        Although I have not yet read anything by Andrea Boeshaar, I have a good feeling about this novel. It sounds so interesting and like it would have so many unexpected twists and turns, and I just cannot wait to get my hands on this one. Since I have a copy of this one as well, that shouldn’t be all that difficult, except for the fact that I have to get far enough through my to-read pile in order to be able to read it! Believe me though, you will be hearing what I think of this book before the month is up!

        Those are the books I am most anticipating this November! What about you? What new books are on your to-read list this month?

        Happy reading!

Linking up at Let it Shine, Monday’s Musings, Literacy Musing Mondays, Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me, and Totally Terrific Tuesdays.

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