Must-Have May Releases

        How is it already almost May?! I have absolutely no idea, but I am so glad, because that means I get out of school this week! Summer break is finally here, and I am so glad as I desperately need it! Also, I’m so excited for all of the books releasing the next couple of months, and I’ll actually have time to read them because I won’t be doing schoolwork. So, get ready for lots of reviews! For now, though, here are the May releases I’m excited for!

Dawn at Emberwilde

Annabelle is about to enter the world of le bon ton. But there is more to it than meets the eye. And not all of it is good.

        Fellsworth School is the only home that Annabelle Creswell has ever known. An artist at heart, she is curious about what adventure lies beyond Fellsworth’s walls. When her long-lost aunt invites Annabelle and her younger half-sister to accompany her to Bellfield Crossing for the summer, Annabelle cannot resist a new adventure.

        Colin Ashton, on the other hand, has more adventure than he cares for. As a magistrate in Bellfield Crossing, he focuses on keeping illegal activity at bay. He has little time for frivolous activities, which he’s certain are Annabelle’s focus.

        Annabelle is enamored by the opulence that surrounds her at her aunt’s home—more wealth than she has ever known—but it is the orphans at the local orphanage who really capture her heart. As she works among the community, Annabelle quickly finds herself the interest of several suitors. Colin warns her not everyone can be trusted, but she wonders if she can trust him. After all, she has been told stories about him.

        Colin’s and Annabelle’s paths continue to cross as Colin works to unearth the local smuggling ring and Annabelle takes her place in high society. Could Colin have been telling the truth? And will her aunt listen when Annabelle voices her concerns? Or will she send Annabelle back to Fellsworth and away from the life…and man she has come to love?

        Dawn at Emberwilde is the second book in Sarah E. Ladd’s Treasures of Surrey series, coming after The Curiosity Keeper. I’ve been a huge fan of Sarah’s for quite some time now, and even preordered the first novel and absolutely loved it, so I’ve been waiting anxiously for this installment. Fortunately, I have the opportunity to review this novel with the Litfuse Publicity Group, so you’ll be seeing my review of it sometime in the next month or two.

Land of Silence

Before Christ called her daughter… Before she stole healing by touching the hem of his garment…

        Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father’s textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy place Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left.

        No physician can cure her. No end is in sight. Until she hears whispers of a man whose mere touch can heal. After so many years of suffering and disappointment, is it possible that one man could redeem the wounds of body…and soul?

        Land of Silence is Tessa Afshar’s most recent stand-alone novel. I did have the chance to read In the Field of Grace, one of her other stand-alone novels, and I really enjoyed it. I’m hopeful that this book will be that good as well, for I absolutely love Bible story retellings.

Anchor in the Storm

One plucky female pharmacist + one high-society naval officer = romance—and danger.

        For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg’s attentions only annoy—even if he is her brother’s best friend.

        During the darkest days of the war, Arch’s destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves--and with—drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian’s trust and affection?

        Anchor in the Storm is the second book in Sarah Sundin’s Waves of Freedom series, coming after Through Waters Deep. Although I unfortunately didn’t have a chance to read the first novel, I have read one of Sarah’s books before—With Every Letter—and really enjoyed it, so I think this will be a fabulous novel. Plus, this is another one of the books I have the chance to review with the Litfuse Group, so be looking out for my review of this one too.

Fading Starlight

        Lauren Summers is hiding. Her fashion house internship should have launched her career, but a red carpet accident has left her blackballed. The only job she finds is unpaid, but comes with free lodging—a run-down cottage in the shadow of a cliff-side mansion. Unsure of what comes next, she’s surprised to be contacted by a reporter researching a reclusive former Hollywood ingénue who lives in the nearby mansion.

        Kendall Joiner wants Lauren’s help uncovering the old woman’s secrets. In return, she’ll prove the red carpet accident was a publicity stunt so Lauren can regain her former job. With all her dreams in front of her, Lauren’s tempted by the offer, but as she and the old woman get to know each other, Lauren realizes nothing is quite as it seems.

        Fading Starlight is the latest of Kathryn Cushman’s stand-alone novels, and is a book that sounds wonderful. I’ve only read one of her novels before—Almost Amish—but I really enjoyed it, so I have a feeling I will enjoy this one as well. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to soon!

Her One and Only

        Gray Fowler, star NFL tight end, is being pursued by a stalker, so his team hires a protection agency to keep Gray under the watch of a bodyguard at all times. When Gray meets Dru Porter, an agent assigned to him, he’s indignant. How can an attractive young female half his size possibly protect him?

        But Dru’s a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt. She’s also ferociously determined to uncover the identity of Gray’s stalker. And she’s just as determined to uncover the identity of Gray’s stalker. And she’s just as determined to avoid any kind of romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past. But the closer they get to finding the stalker, the closer they grow to each other. As the danger rises, can Dru and Gray entrust their hearts—and their lives—to one another?

        Her One and Only is the fourth book in Becky Wade’s Porter Family series, coming after Undeniably Yours, Meant to Be Mine, and A Love Like Ours. I’ve become a HUGE fan of Becky’s, and I really enjoyed all of the previous novels, so I just know I’m going to love this one! Yay for me; this is another book I’m reviewing with Litfuse! Keep an eye out for my review!

The Quieting

        The Stoltzfus family faces serious problems, both in the church and at home. Everyone in the community expects minister David Stoltzfus to fix things—fast. But David doesn’t work fast. He prefers to wait for God to work in individual hearts. However, even he is left wondering if the solution to their most pressing problem might be a Quieting.

        When David’s mother arrives, uninvited, more upheaval is in store. She has matchmaking plans for everyone in the family, including David and her eligible granddaughters—and especially for David’s niece Abigail. When Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem—but will it create another?

        The Quieting is the second book in Suzanne Woods Fisher’s The Bishop’s Family series, coming after The Imposter. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to read The Imposter, but I have read many of Suzanne’s books in the past, and I’ve loved them. I can’t help but think I’ll love this book as well!

Someone Like You

        Julia Dare is trying to run her own business, raise her young son, Max, and help her widowed mother. Her biggest worry, though, is keeping Max’s father from being a bad influence while still allowing the boy to spend time with his dad. When an account from her event-planning business sends her to Caliente Springs resort, she’s shocked to encounter Zeke Monroe, her college sweetheart.

        Zeke is determined to keep Caliente Springs running despite financial trouble. When Julia walks back into his life, he’s surprised at the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client’s wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. With Zeke and Julia both pushed to their limits, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

        Someone Like You is another book I’m reviewing through Litfuse, but it won’t be the first book I’ve ever read by Victoria Bylin. I just recently read Until I Found You and absolutely loved it! I’m hoping this book will be just as good.

Song of Silence

        Lucy and Charlie Tuttle agree on one thing: they’re committed to each other for life. Trouble is, neither of them expected life to look like this. While Charlie retired early, Lucy is devoted to a long-term career…until the day she has no choice.

        Forced to retire from her position as music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school, Lucy can only watch helplessly as the program her father started years ago disintegrates before her eyes. As the music fades and a chasm separates her from the passion of her heart, Lucy wonders if her faith’s song has gone silent, too. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes.

        When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees—and hears—everything.

        Song of Silence is Cynthia Ruchti’s most recent stand-alone novel. I’ve read one of her novels in the past—An Endless Christmas—and I really enjoyed it, so I’m hopeful I’ll enjoy this novel as well. I’ll be reading it soon since I’m reviewing it for Litfuse, so look out for my review to find out what I think of it!

Together at the Table

Three months ago, Juliette D’Alisa’s world changed.

        In a bittersweet series of events, her mother’s health took a turn for the worse. Juliette and her brother opened their restaurant together to rave reviews, but her romance with Memphis immunologist Neil McLaren ended in anger and tears.

        As autumn sweeps into the Pacific Northwest, Juliette feels that she’s finally on the cusp of equilibrium. The restaurant continues to thrive, and her family is closer than ever. She and sous-chef Adrien are seeing each other, both in and out of the kitchen. Just when she thinks her world might stop spinning, a trip to the waterfront lands a familiar face into her path.

        Rather than dwell on her personal life, Juliette throws herself into work and research. After reading her grandmother’s letters from war-torn Paris, she still wants to know the full story—and she’ll travel across countries and oceans to find it.

        But even Juliette can’t outrun the man who stole her heart. As she finally uncovers the truth about her family history, what will it mean for her own chances at lasting love?

        Together at the Table is the third book in Hillary Manton Lodge’s Two Blue Doors series, coming after A Table by the Window and Reservations for Two.

The Beautiful Pretender

What happens when a margrave realizes he’s fallen in love with a servant?

        The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

        Avelina is only responsible for two things: making sure her deception goes undetected and avoiding being selected as the margrave’s bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

        Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences. Will Avelina be able to stop the evil plot? And at what cost?

        The Beautiful Pretender is another of Melanie Dickerson’s young adult novels, and I cannot tell you how much I have been dying to read it. I have read almost every one of Melanie’s novels and I have loved every one of them, so I’m so glad that I’m getting the chance to review this book through the Litfuse group! Look out for my review because it’s coming soon!

A Daughter’s Dream

        Rebecca Kinsinger has always dreamed of being a teacher. But when she’s given the opportunity she’s been waiting for at Charm Amish School, she’s dismayed to discover that teaching is hard work—work she’s afraid she’s not very good at.

        That is, until Lilly Yoder joins the class. A thirteen-year-old who’s just lost her parents, Lilly is in need of someone like Rebecca. For the first time since starting her new job, Rebecca feels a sense of purpose. But when she meets Lilly’s uncle, Jacob, his good looks and sweet, easygoing temperament are hard to ignore. How can she even entertain romantic thoughts of Jacob when his niece is her student?

        Suddenly becoming Lilly’s sole caregiver, Jacob Yoder never thought he’d be a single parent—or a farmer. Having been living in Florida as a carpenter, Jacob feels more at home wielding a hammer than a backhoe. The only bright spot in his life is Rebecca Kinsinger. As Lilly and Rebecca develop a bond, Jacob’s fondness for the pretty teacher grows, too.

        But when a fateful accident brings them together, Rebecca and Jacob must choose between duty and desire. Will they follow the path before them? Or set out to find true happiness…and true love?

        A Daughter’s Dream is the second book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s The Charmed Amish Life series, coming after A Son’s Vow. I didn’t entirely love the first novel, but it was a good book, so I’m hoping that this next one will be better. I’m a fan of Shelley’s, so I have faith in her. Plus, I’m also getting this book through Litfuse.

From This Moment

        Romulus White has tried for years to hire illustrator Stella West for his renowned scientific magazine. She is the missing piece he needs to propel his magazine to the forefront of the industry.

        But Stella abruptly quit the art world and moved to Boston with a single purpose: to solve the mysterious death of her beloved sister. Romulus, a man with connections to high society and every important power circle in the city, could be her most valuable ally.

        Sparks fly the instant Stella and Romulus join forces, and Romulus soon realizes the strong-willed and charismatic Stella could disrupt his hard-won independence. Can they continue to help each other when their efforts draw the wrong kind of attention from the powers-that-be and put all they’ve worked for at risk?

        I’ve read one of Elizabeth Camden’s novels in the past, and I really enjoyed it, so I have a feeling that I would really enjoy From This Moment as well. Besides, it sounds like a perfectly wonderful novel!

Sea Rose Lane

        After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to the town where he grew up—only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed & breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he’s constantly distracted by noise, chaos—and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect and construction chief who’s invaded the house with her motley crew.

        As for BJ, her client’s son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn’t high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces to create a program for Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

        Sea Rose Lane is the second book in Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series, coming after Hope Harbor. I really, really enjoyed the first book, so I am hopeful that I would also enjoy this one as well. Irene has a wonderful writing style that I am sure will come through in this next novel.

        So, those are the May releases I’m excited for! What about you? What are some new releases you’re waiting for?

        Happy reading!

To see where I’m linking up, check out my Where I Party page.

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