Congratulations to lantern C. V. Lee! Her newest novel, Her Noble Groom, comes out July 24. Don’t miss it! It is a poignant medieval romance about forbidden love, second chances, and the courage to follow your heart.

She is a daughter of the gentry. He is a servant. When war shatters her world, he becomes her refuge.

1461. Thomasse dreams of parties and finding the perfect husband. But when Edward, Duke of York, seizes the throne, she is forced to flee England with her father. Stripped of her privileged life, Thomasse’s world turns upside down. When a gallant stranger saves her from drowning, is the warmth she feels gratitude—or something deeper?

James vowed never to love again, and seeks solace in caring for the horses. But saving Thomasse rekindles a spark he thought was extinguished forever. Falling for her would be foolish, and he struggles to resist their undeniable attraction.

BEST COVER

Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race (June 10)

“A ferocious tale of female rage and the strength of sisterhood, Six Wild Crowns is an inventive and fantastical reimagining of Henry VIII’s queens – and their fight to reclaim the power stolen from them. Race weaves a rich tapestry of political maneuverings, where love must war against sovereignty, truth battles tradition, and two queens forge heart-wrenching solidarity as they riot against a world determined to hold them down.”―S.A. MacLean, author of The Phoenix Keeper

The soft blues and greens of The Emerald Shawl and Lightning in a Mason Jar appeal to me, but if you’ve been reading this post each month, you know that already! I also like the brighter colors in Seven Brides for Beau McBride, though, and the bolder green of Into the Leopard’s Den. This month, though, the bright red and gold of Six Wild Crowns caught my eye first. It also has a crown and dragons on it. That can’t be beat.

Murder at the Colosseum by Jim Eldridge (Rome, 1900, July 24)

Lightning in a Mason Jar by Catherine Mann (South Carolina, 20th century, July 1)

The Emerald Shawl by Louise Douglas (Bristol, 1864, July 31)

Seven Brides for Beau McBride by Amy Berry (Montana, 19th century, July 2)

Into the Leopard’s Den by Harini Nagendra (Bangalore, 1922, July 1)

BEST TITLE

The Whisky Widow by Karen Brooks (Scottish Highlands, 1780, July 2)

“From the bestselling award-winning author of The Good Wife of Bath comes this rollicking historical adventure that celebrates the art of whisky distilling, the defiant spirit of the Scottish Highlanders and a woman’s fearless quest.” ~book description

A good title needs to make a connection with me so that I want to pick it up. TI love books about libraries and art. I like stories of girls winning, too. That Which Binds Us and The Secret Market of the Dead broach subjects that are interesting. So all of these have something that intrigues me, but The Whisky Widow hints of Scotland and a drink I enjoy. That’s enough to make me pick it up!

That Which Binds Us by Cathy Rigg (Virginia, 1854, July 10)

The Secret Market of the Dead by Giovanni de Feo (Naples, 18th century, July 8)

The Wartime Librarian’s Secret by Molly Green (Somerset, 1942, July 17)

A Girl’s Guide to Winning the War by Annie Lyons (London, 1940, July 25)

To Sketch a Scandal by Jess Everlee (London, 1886, July 22)

MOST INTRIGUING

Typewriter Beach by Meg Waite Clayton (Carmel/Hollywood, 1957/2018, July 1)

“Clayton delivers an irresistible story of 1950s Hollywood featuring a restless ingénue who befriends a blacklisted screenwriter . . . . Readers will be riveted.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Typewriter” means writer to me, so that title immediately caught my interest. I love Carmel-by-the-Sea and a story set in a cottage there is a must-buy. Plus, Meg Waite Clayton is a favorite author of mine. Everything about this book calls to me!

A Bookseller in Madrid by Mario Escobar (Madrid, 1930s, July 1)

The Paris Bookshop Secret by Iris Costello (Paris, 1950s, July 31)

25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie (Edinburg, multiple dates)

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Mexico, three timelines, July 15)

The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O’Connor (Santa Barbara, 20th century, July 22)

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Need more historical fiction on your TBR? See more new release titles at Historical Novel Society.

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