Top Ten Tuesday: My Summer TBR

I’m finally back! I cannot tell you how much I have missed participating in Top Ten Tuesday, but now I’m finally back to posting about it again, and I’m so glad. I am really into lists for some reason—it’s my personality I guess—so I think that is why these posts are so enjoyable for me to write. Now that I have decided to put more time back into my blog again, I have easily made the decision to get back to participating in Top Ten Tuesday again as well. And my first post back just so happens to be a really great one: books to read on the beach/by the pool, or in other words, books on my summer TBR list! Since my TBR list is always SUPER long, these kinds of posts are really easy for me. So, for the first four books on this list, I chose books that are currently on my bookshelf that I am really looking forward to finally getting around to reading, and am planning on reading in the next couple of months. Then, for the last six books on this list, I chose some new releases that are coming out this summer that I’ve been dying to read ever since I learned about their impending release. So, let’s get down to this list!

First are the books that are already on my shelves:

All This Time by Melissa Tagg

Bear’s past refuses to let go.

Ten years ago, Bear McKinley gave up everything—his freedom and his reputation—for his mess of a family. But after years of distance and too many attempts at starting over, he finally has a new life…until his past catches up to him once again. Suddenly, he finds himself charged with the care of his missing brother’s children, convinced he’s out of second chances to make his life count. And yet, with every day that passes, these kids and the woman he never stopped missing help patch the holes in his heart. Maybe this is the fresh start he’s been longing for all along. But as his newfound hope grows, so does the mystery surrounding his brother’s activities—and when the threat reaches into the lives of those he loves, it’s clear he can’t run away this time.

Fear holds Raegan’s future captive.

Raegan Walker is fine. She’s happy working part-time jobs and rarely venturing from her hometown. At least, that’s what she tells everyone…and herself. But she can’t help wondering what might’ve happened if she hadn’t abandoned her art so many years ago—and if Bear McKinley had never left. When Bear returns and she’s commissioned for a painting that just might revive her artistic ambition all in one week, it’s time to finally reach for more than fine. But doing so means facing the fears that have held her back all this time, including admitting the secret she’s kept from Bear and her family. With her dream and her heart on the line, how much will Raegan have to risk to finally chase her happy ending?

 

All This Time is the fourth book in Melissa Tagg’s Walker Family series, coming after From the Start, Like Never Before, and Keep Holding On. I actually ordered this book early last month, so it hasn’t been on my shelf as long as some of the others, but considering how much I enjoyed the first four books in the series, I have really wanted to read this book for a long time. I’m honestly surprised it’s taken me this long to read it, but I’m taking it with me on my upcoming vacation, so it won’t be on my TBR list much longer.

Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter

Former free spirit Zoe Collins swore she’d never again set foot in Copper Creek or speak to the man who broke her heart. But return she must when her beloved Granny dies, leaving the family legacy to Zoe—a peach orchard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When Zoe returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle, she finds that she’s the only person in town who doesn’t expect her to give up the life she’s established far away from Copper Creek. Everyone believes she was born to run the orchard, but how can she make it her home after so many years?

Cruz Huntley never quite got over his first love, Zoe Collins, the little sister of his best friend Brady. Not when she cheated on him during their “break,” not when she took off to parts unknown with good-for-nothing Kyle Jenkins, and not even now—five years later.

As life-changing decisions and a history with Cruz hang over Zoe’s head, tensions rise between her and Kyle. Even as she comes to terms with the shifting relationships in her life, Zoe still isn’t sure if she can remain in Copper Creek with her new responsibilities…and her first love.

 

Blue Ridge Sunrise is the first book in Denise Hunter’s Blue Ridge Romance series. Denise Hunter has been one of my all-time favorite authors for quite some time, so this novel was one of my auto-buys from awhile back when I could do that more frequently. In fact, considering the fact that the second book in this series—Honeysuckle Dreams—comes out this month, I am just a little bit behind on reading this story. Especially since Denise has usually been one of my first-to-read authors. But, there is one bright side to my delay, I don’t have to wait very long to read the next book in the series.

Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

Working as a paid companion may be quite commonplace, but Miss Gertrude Cadwalader’s eccentric employer makes her job unpredictable, to say the least. She finds herself carrying out an array of highly unusual tasks, including wearing peculiar outfits and returning items the woman pilfered. But when the wealthy Mrs. Sinclair catches Gertrude sneaking around the Sinclair yacht with some of the missing items in her possession, she immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair is caught in the middle of a misunderstanding between his mother and Gertrude, but he can’t help coming to his friend’s defense. Even as he hopes their friendship might become something more, Harrison is unprepared for the outlandish escapades that seem to follow the lovely, anything-but-ordinary Gertrude at every turn.

 

Out of the Ordinary is the second book in Jen Turano’s Apart from the Crowd series, coming after Behind the Scenes. I just finished Behind the Scenes two days ago and I absolutely loved, it, so I am dying to read this next book in the series. Though, I expected that I would be, because Jen is one of my absolute favorite authors. Her novels are always so funny, and full crazy adventures and narrow escapes and I absolutely love them, so that’s why this will most likely be the next book that I read.

Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter

When Noah and Josephine discover their divorce was never actually finalized, their lives are turned upside down.

Following his divorce, Noah gave up his dream job and settled at a remote horse ranch in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Georgia, putting much-needed distance between himself and the former love of his life. But then Noah gets a letter from the IRS claiming he and Josephine are still married. When he confronts Josephine, they discover that she missed the final step in filing the paperwork and they are, in fact, still married.

Josephine is no happier about the news than Noah. Maybe the failed marriage—and botched divorce—was her fault, but her heart was shattered right alongside his, more than he would ever believe. The sooner they put this marriage behind them, the better for both of their sakes.

But when Josephine delivers the final paperwork to his ranch, the two become stranded in his cottage during the worst spring snowstorm in a decade. Being trapped with Josephine is a test of Noah’s endurance. He wrestles with resentment and an unmistakable pull to his wife—still beautiful, still brave, and still more intriguing than any woman he’s ever known.

As they find themselves confronted with each other and their shared past, old wounds surface and tempers flare. But when they are forced out into the storm, they must rely on each other in a way they never have before. Josephine finally opens up about her tragic past, and Noah realizes she’s never been loved unconditionally by anyone—including him. Will Noah accept the challenge to pursue Josephine’s heart? And can she finally find the courage to trust Noah?

 

Sweetbriar Cottage is another book I have had on my shelf for quite some time. It came out before the other Denise Hunter novel I have on this half of the list, and has in fact been on my bookshelf for almost a year, so I really do need to get around to reading it. And it’s not that I don’t want to read it, but rather, quite the opposite. With this very intriguing storyline, this is actually one of her books that I am most looking forward to. So I’m bringing it along on my vacation as well.

Now for the half of the list that is focused on new releases, which truly are the perfect new reads for the days at the beach.

Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano

After years of hiding her true nature, Miss Temperance Flowerdew is finally enjoying freedom outside of the shadow of her relations, so the last thing she expected on her way to work was to be grabbed off the street by a stranger and put on a train bound for Chicago.

When Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is called upon to rescue a missing woman, he follows the trail to Chicago only to discover that the woman is his good friend, Temperance. Before they can discover who was behind her abduction, they’re spotted alone together by a New York society matron, putting their reputations at risk.

Even though Gilbert is willing to propose marriage, Temperance is determined not to lose her newfound independence. But when the misunderstanding in Chicago escalates into a threat on her life, accepting Gilbert’s help in solving the mystery may lead to more than she ever could have dreamed.

 

Caught by Surprise is the third book in Jen Turano’s Apart from the Crowd series, coming after Behind the Scenes and Out of the Ordinary, and releases on July 3^rd. Since I just read Behind the Scenes and I’m planning on reading Out of the Ordinary next, I knew I had to add this story to this summer to-read list. Besides that, funny stories are always enjoyable to read at the beach, and anything by Jen is sure to be full of just the perfect amount of hilarity.

A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter

When Katherine “Kit” FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she’s forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend’s missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she’s telling.

After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can’t matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and to raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. But as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, the risk of revealing the truth may come at too high a price for those she loves.

 

A Defense of Honor is the first book in Kristi Ann Hunter’s Haven Manor series, and is another novel I am just dying to read. It actually released on the 5^th of this month, so it’s already out, but I have already met my book-buying quota for the month so I haven’t been able to buy it. Yet. It resets soon, so you better believe this will be one of the first books I purchase. Kristi writes some of the best historical fiction I have ever read, so whenever she has a new novel coming out, it automatically makes it onto every TBR list.

Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter

Brady Collins is juggling full-time fatherhood with the booming auto repair business he runs out of his barn. His ex-wife’s sudden death has shaken him, but the devastating news that follows leaves him reeling: Sam is not his biological son.

Wen Sam’s wealthy maternal grandparents decide they want custody of the child, Brady knows he’s in for the fight of his life. Brady’s attorney tips him off that one major life change would virtually assure him of winning guardianship of baby Sam at the final hearing: the stability of an impending marriage. And his friend Hope is willing to step in as the loving and devoted fiancée.

Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has been driven by a solitary goal her entire life, and she’s finally been offered her dream job—in Atlanta. Unfortunately, her arrangement with Brady requires her presence in Copper Creek, and she is faced with missing the chance of a lifetime or standing in the way of a dear friend’s dreams.

Both Hope and Brady would give their lives for beautiful Sam. But can they give their trust to one another?

 

Honeysuckle Dreams is the second book in Denise Hunter’s Blue Ridge Romance series, coming after Blue Ridge Sunrise. I figured since I had Blue Ridge Sunrise on this list, I had to add this new addition—which came out back in May—as well. Besides, Denise is really talented at writing stories with serious themes, but making them light, summery reads, which makes this the perfect novel for this type of list.

The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck

Romance has never been actress Chloe Daschle’s forte—in life or on screen. But everyone knows who to call for a convincing death scene…and it might be killing her career.

When Chloe is given a peek at the script for an epic love story, she decides to take her destiny into her own hands and request an audition for the lead female role, Esther Kingsley. The compelling tale, inspired by family lore and a one-page letter from the colonial ancestor of scriptwriter Jesse Gates, just might break her out of this career-crippling rut. Jesse would rather write about romance than live through it after his past relationship ended in disaster. But once on-set together, the chemistry between Jesse and his leading lady is hard to deny.

Centuries earlier, in the heart of Revolutionary War, Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow wrote their saga off the silver screen. Esther’s Loyalist father opposes any relationship with Hamilton, but Esther must face her beloved father’s disapproval and the dangers of war in order to convince Hamilton of their future together. Hamilton has loved Esther for years, and on the eve of battle pens the love letter she’s always wanted—something straight from the heart.

 

The Love Letter is Rachel Hauck’s most recent stand-alone novel, and it actually released just last week. Rachel is another one of my auto-buy authors, so if I hadn’t already met my limit, this is a novel I would have already ordered as well. Rachel’s stories are always phenomenal, and she is especially talented at writing novels that go back and forth between contemporary and historical. I know that this one is going to be no exception, which makes it perfect for this list.

A Rebel Heart by Beth White

Five years after the final shot was fired in the War Between the States, Selah Daughtry can barely manage to keep herself, her two younger sisters, and their spinster cousin fed and clothed. With their family’s Mississippi plantation swamped by debt and the Big House falling down around them, the only option seems to be giving up their ancestral land—until a hotel management agent for the railroad offers her hope for the future.

If she’ll turn her home into a hotel, Levi Riggins says, he can all but guarantee it will be saved. Selah isn’t sure she entirely trusts the handsome Yankee. Yet what other options does she have? She’ll have to stay on her guard…but she never expected to have to guard her heart.

 

A Rebel Heart is the first book in Beth White’s Daughtry House series, and is another book I am just dying to read. I read Beth’s Gulf Coast Chronicles series awhile back and absolutely loved it, so I have been eagerly anticipating the day when she would release something new. This story, which released on the 5th, is one that I have been looking forward to even more than I expected for one simple reason—it’s set in the Civil War era. Anyone who knows me knows that Civil War history is one of my absolute favorites, and I am sure that Beth is going to do a wonderful job of writing about it.

Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof

A tale of family, brotherhood, and the healing power of love.

After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of nineteenth-century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred-acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.

But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?

 

Sons of Blackbird Mountain is the first book in Joanne Bischof’s Blackbird Mountain series, and is another novel I have really been looking forward to. It releases on July 3^rd, and is a story already know is quite unlike anything else I have ever read. I have read one of Joanne’s novels before (The Lady and the Lionheart), and absolutely loved it, but I know absolutely nothing about either Norway or nineteenth-century Appalachia. So, if you are looking for a book that is a little more unique, this is definitely the one for you.

Well, those are my top ten books to read by the beach/pool or books on my summer TBR list! What about you? What are you looking forward to reading this summer?

Happy Tuesday and happy reading!

Top Ten Tuesday is a linkup hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

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.