The Old(er)
I have an embarrassing number of unread books sitting on the shelves in my personal library. Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight and discuss those neglected books in her Books from the Backlog feature. After all, even those older books need a bit of love! Not to mention it is reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!
Primitive Secrets (Storm Kayama Mysteries, #1) by Deborah Turrell Atkinson ( Poisoned Pen Press, 2005)
An exciting new voice richly and suspensefully evokes modern and ancient Hawaii...
When Storm Kayama walks into her lucrative Honolulu law firm one morning, she's shocked--and grieved--to find her adopted uncle at his desk, stiff and cold. Years before, Miles Hamasaki had fulfilled a promise to Storm's father and brought her to be raised with his own family. But, as questions surround Miles' death and her adopted family begins to close ranks, Storm suspects that he has been murdered.
Heading to the Big Island for a weekend escape from escalating pressures, she narrowly escapes a terrible accident. Storm takes refuge in the home of her Aunt Maile, a traditional Hawaiian healer, and Uncle Keone, a paniolo on the huge Parker Ranch. There she encounters a legend from her youth and a family totem, or 'aumakua, which Aunt Maile promises will protect her. As Storm struggles to heal her own childhood wounds and bring justice to Hamasaki's killer, she also comes to grip with the rifts in her own life and culture.
From the winding cane roads of Hamakua to the seedy side of Honolulu's Chinatown, with a deft juxtaposition of a bustling Honolulu against the island's legends and wild beauty, Atkinson reveals a Hawaii that few visitors ever see. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this one: This mystery novel has been sitting on my TBR shelf for a number of years. I am sure the fact that it is a mystery set in Hawaii played at least a small part in my decision to add this one to my collection. This mystery sounds not only suspenseful, but also rich in culture.
Have you read Primitive Secrets? Does it sound like something you would enjoy?
The New
Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss upcoming release we are excited about that we have yet to read.
Release Date: June 9, 2020 by Roaring Brook Press
If no one sees him, does he exist? This superhero-inspired adventure story explores friendship and what it means to be a truly brave.
Nadia finds adventure in the pages of her Superman comic books, until a mysterious boy saves her dog from drowning during a storm and then disappears. Now she finds herself in the role of Lois Lane, hunting down the scoop of the Invisible Boy, and suddenly she’s in a real-life adventure that’s far more dangerous than anything in her comic books.
The Invisible Boy is a mystery and an adventure story, as well as a story about child labor trafficking. Like Katherine Applegate, author of Crenshaw and Wishtree, Alyssa Hollingsworth takes a difficult subject matter and makes it accessible for middle-grade readers. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: This middle grade novel appeals to me for many reasons: Nadia's love for comic books, a mysterious hero, a mystery and such a serious issue as child labor trafficking. I am curious to see everything plays out in Hollingsworth's novel.
The Marriage Game by Sara Desai
Release Date: June 9. 2020 by Berkley
A high stakes wager pits an aspiring entrepreneur against a ruthless CEO in this sexy romantic comedy.
After her life falls apart, recruitment consultant Layla Patel returns home to her family in San Francisco. But in the eyes of her father, who runs a Michelin starred restaurant, she can do no wrong. He would do anything to see her smile again. With the best intentions in mind, he offers her the office upstairs to start her new business and creates a profile on an online dating site to find her a man. She doesn’t know he’s arranged a series of blind dates until the first one comes knocking on her door…
As CEO of a corporate downsizing company Sam Mehta is more used to conflict than calm. In search of a quiet new office, he finds the perfect space above a cozy Indian restaurant that smells like home. But when communication goes awry, he's forced to share his space with the owner's beautiful yet infuriating daughter Layla, her crazy family, and a parade of hopeful suitors, all of whom threaten to disrupt his carefully ordered life.
As they face off in close quarters, the sarcasm and sparks fly. But when the battle for the office becomes a battle of the heart, Sam and Layla have to decide if this is love or just a game. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: This sounds like it will be a fun romantic comedy set in one of my favorite cities.
The Shadow Wand (The Black Witch Chronicles #3) by Laurie Forest
Release Date: June 2, 2020 by Inkyard Press
Elloren Gardner hides the most powerful secret in all of Erthia - she is the Black Witch of Prophecy, and destined to triumph...or be used as the ultimate weapon of destruction.
Separated from everyone she loves, isolated and hunted, Elloren must turn to the last person she can trust, her fastmate, Commander Lukas Grey. With the Mage forces of Gardneria poised to conquer all of Erthia, Elloren has no choice but to ally with Lukas and combine their power to keep herself out of the hands of the Gardnerian leader Marcus Vogel...the holder of the all-consuming Shadow Wand.
With just weeks to train to become a warrior, and no control over her magic, Elloren finds unexpected allies among those under orders to kill her. It's time to step up. To fight back. And to forge onward through the most devastating loss yet. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: I have yet to read the first two books in the series, but they are high on my wish list. I mean, witches!
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I'm really excited for The Marriage Game, and San Francisco is one of my favorite cities too! My good friend read, The Shadow Wand and said it was really good ::)
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
Lindy - I am really looking forward to The Marriage Game! I am glad your friend enjoyed The Shadow Wand. I really need to give that series a try. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI read The BlackWith and enjoyed it and I would like to catch up for before The Shadow Wand comes out. The others sound really good!
ReplyDeleteMy CWW
Jenea - I am looking forward to reading The Black Witch! Hopefully soon. :-) Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI love the sound of The Invisible Boy - to the extent that I nicked across to Netgalley to see if I could request it, only to discover it has already been archived! Given that it isn't being published until September, that sounds like a daft decision! *stamps foot and pouts* I hope you enjoy this one, Wendy:))
ReplyDeleteSarah - It's already archived? Oh no! I'm sorry you couldn't get it. I hope you do get a chance to read it at some point! Thank you for visiting!
DeleteOh, I need to add The Invisible Boy to my list.
ReplyDeleteJennifer - Doesn't it sound good? Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteThese are all new to me, and I love the sound of The Invisible Boy. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTammy - I am looking forward to reading The Invisible Boy when it gives up. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteOOH! Love legends though I can't say I've ever come across any specific to Hawaii so your first choice interests me greatly. That said so does The Invisible Boy. Such a great selection, enjoy.
ReplyDeleteFelicity - Thank you! I hope both will be enjoyable. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteAll books and authors are new to me. But the Shadow Wand looks gorgeous. To be honest, I could read them all. Do they come with some extra reading time? *smile* Thanks for sharing them with us and happy reading. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteVi - I wish they did come with extra reading time? That would be so nice! Thank you for visiting. Stay safe as well.
DeleteI really loved the first two books in the Black Witch Chronicles and look forward to this third entry!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I look forward to starting this series and am glad to hear you loved the first two books. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteThe Invisible Boy sounds good to me! I'll keep this book in mind for my future reads.
ReplyDeleteMelody - I hope it will be as good as it sounds! Thank you for visiting. :-)
DeleteThe Invisible Boy really appeals to me.
ReplyDeleteKathy - Doesn't it sound good? I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteThe Invisible Boy does sound super fun. But maybe I'm just really in the mood for a light-hearted and entertaining read. :)
ReplyDeleteLark - That's where I am right now--in the mood for light-hearted reads. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteWhile I really like the feature of the new, I especially love the meme featuring the older books. After all, at one time we were so excited about them right? I need to participate as I have so many shelf-sitters and this would be a great way to get all excited about them again and read them! haha.. I really like the sound of the Hawaii mystery like you, the cultural details make it sound very appealing.
ReplyDeleteIliana - I have so many great sounding older books on my shelves still to read. I had almost forgotten about Primitive Secrets. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI know I heard about that mystery set in Hawaii a long time back and I just noticed that it's published by the Poisoned Pen Press. Probably saw it in their bookstore. I need to investigate further....ha!
ReplyDeleteKay - It sounds like it will be a good one. I hope you like it if you decide to read it! Thank you for visiting.
Deletesome good looking books. i am especially interested in primitive secrets. just the title makes me curious but throw in hawaii and all that goes with it...oh yeah
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Sherry - It does sound good, doesn't it? I don't know why I haven't read it yet. I love the Hawaiian setting. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteOooh! I love the cover to Shadow Wand! All of these picks sound interesting!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my WoW!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Ronyell - I hope they will all be good! Thank you for visiting!
DeleteThe Marriage Game sounds like an awesome read and that cover is stunning. I'm always in the mood for a good rom-com. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteAshley - I love the cover of The Marriage Game too. I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI need to start that Laurie series. I think I own all of them but this one. Don't know why I've waited so long. Great choices this week but of course, I've come to expect you adding to my TBR!
ReplyDeleteBarb - I need to start it too, and am not sure why I've waited so long either. We both need to get on this one and soon. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteAll of these are new to me but they all look great! I need to check out the first one. I've been all about mysteries lately and that looks a bit different.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I hope you enjoy Primitive Secrets if you decide to read it! Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI have not heard of any of these, Wendy! I am always amazed by how many unique books are out there in the world. Primitive Secrets sounds really interesting. I hope you love these when you do get the chance to read them.
ReplyDeleteCarole - I am always hearing about new-to-me books from these lists too. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteThe Invisible Boy sounds so good! A Lois Lane on the hunt sounds adorable! The Marriage Game is another title that looks so good!!!
ReplyDeleteVerushka - I think so too! Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI haven't read any of these. A couple of them sound interesting though.
ReplyDeleteMary - Hopefully I will enjoy them when I get the chance to read them. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI am going to have to add The Marriage Game to my TBR because it sounds delightful. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteAlicia - I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to read it! Thank you for stopping by.
Delete"The Marriage Game" sounds fun!! Hope you enjoy all of the books you feature here, and appreciate you visiting Finding Wonderland.
ReplyDeleteRissi - Thank you! I hope I will too. :-) Thank you for visiting!
DeleteLooks like you have some really great reads to look forward to. Hope they are all wonderful for you.
ReplyDeleteSarah - I hope I will enjoy them when I read them too. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteEnjoy these when you get to them Wendy! so many books and so little time.
ReplyDeleteNaida - Thank you! And thank you for visiting. :-)
DeleteI think The Marriage Game sounds adorable😁 Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTammy - I hope it will be good! Thank you for stopping by!
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