Top 3 Books Coming Out Later This Year (Laurie)

I glanced through my "Want to read" list on Goodreads earlier this week and realized how many amazing books will be releasing over the next few months! So, of course, the first thing that came to mind was how well these upcoming releases would fit in a Top 3s post :) I hardly touched any books in August, but here's hoping I get more reading time this fall and winter!

3. A Dance of Shadows by Erica Marie Hogan

I absolutely adored Winter Queen, so I can't wait to see what Erica has in store for the sequel! No cover image yet, but doesn't the title alone make you want to read the book? I can't wait to revisit the author's intriguing world, beautiful prose, and complex characters. A Dance of Shadows releases in October, so you have just enough time to read Winter Queen before it comes out :) 

In case I haven't sold you on it yet, here's the back cover blurb:

The Winter Queen has brought the storm … and the Abyss roams the halls of the Blood Keep. 

Ten days have passed since Sundragon blood was shed for a sacrifice by Raphaela Kael. Ten days since Lathan and Maxx Jandry fled the city in search of Princess Damari Kael and their niece, Noelle. Brecken Jandry, Brae’s loyal husband, remains a tortured prisoner in the Kael dungeons and no one in Sunkai is safe from Roderick and Raphaela’s wrath. 

Damari Kael flees Sunkai with little Noelle Jandry, determined to deliver the child to the safety of the Shadow Lands, even as her own power emerges within her. The Eventide Sisters embark on a mission to join the Winter Queen. Across the land, Clea Jandry arrives in her birthplace of Molderëin where she is met with a savagery she thought long dead. Afra Malaki seeks the Creator’s will and the Queen of the Woodlands prepares for battle. 

In the peaceful city of Quintaria, the Winter Queen grieves. But the shadows are coming for her. They carry a message for Adlae Sundragon, and they will not rest until all is revealed.

Eeeeek, I can't wait!

2. Fairyeater by Pam Halter

I've been curious about Fairyeater ever since I had the opportunity to meet Pam Halter at a conference several years ago, and it's coming out next month!! The cover reveal happened last week, and wow! Between that and the back cover blurb, I'm more excited to read it than ever! Pam has incredible creativity and a fabulous sense of humor, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what she's come up with :) Here's the blurb:

All fifteen-year-old Akeela has ever wanted is an ordinary family who will love her. But the only mother she has ever known is the old hag, Krezma, who berates her night and day. Why did the old woman even take her in? 

But Krezma knows her charge is no ordinary child. She can see the auras surrounding living things and communicates with fairies. And the birthmark on her palm reveals a secret Krezma must hold close for the child’s safety. 

A secret that the witch, Tzmet, hunts for night and day, drying and eating fairies for the power they contain. When Akeela discovers her fate lies in being the next Fairy Guardian, all hope for an ordinary life dissipates like the dreams they were. She must protect the fairies from the witch and an even darker power that threatens them all. 

Akeela is unwillingly thrust into an adventure that throws her into the hands of friends, strangers, and enemies masquerading as allies, and it will not end until she decides to accept her fate and give up her dream. 

Maybe even her life.

Isn't that cover amazing??


1. Mark of the Raven by Morgan Busse

Have you ever taken one glance at a book and knew you had to have it? That was totally me with this book.  I've had great experience with Bethany House Publishers' books in the past, I've heard great things about Morgan's writing, and that cover!! *happy sigh* Mark of the Raven releases in November, so I don't have to wait too much longer! Here's the back cover blurb:

Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person's dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate. 

As she discovers her family's dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family's legacy--a legacy that supports her people--or seeking the true reason behind her family's gift. 

Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house. 

One path holds glory and power, and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and execution. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

Can you see why I'm looking forward to this book?!


Honorable mention goes to Kill the Beast by Michele Israel Harper, which releases in just a few weeks!! I'm SO excited about this book, but I decided to leave it off since it made my top 3 list back in 2017 when it was originally scheduled to be published :)


At the risk of turning my TBR pile into an even larger mountain, what upcoming releases are you looking forward to? Will you be reading any of the books I mentioned?


Happy reading!
Laurie