Welcome to the August 2018 Reading List!
The August 2018 reading list is chock full of excellent books from romances to business and planners to toddler books. It has been hot…very hot, here in the midwest. Therefore, there has been little cooking & cleaning accomplished. If I wasn’t in the pool, I was probably by the fan with a cold drink and my ipad mini in my hand. I read almost exclusively on the ipad now. I read so much that I like adjusting the size & use the black background with white print since it helps with my eye fatigue. Whatever keeps me READING!
Now onto the list. Hope you enjoy and leave a comment with what you are reading.
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August 2018 Reading List – Quick style
- Sandover Beach Week (Sandover Island Sweet Romance Book 2) by Emma St. Clair
- Strength (Curse of the Gods Book 4) by Jane Washington & Jaymin Eve
- Holding onto Someday by K. Leah
- The Social Tutor (Branches of Love Book 1) by Sally Britton
- The Gentleman Physician (Branches of Love Book 2) by Sally Britton
- His Bluestocking Bride (Branches of Love Book 3) by Sally Britton
- Gregor (Ghosts of Culloden Moor Book 43) by Jo Jones
- Yearly Content Planner & Strategy Guide by Kirsten Oliphant
- Pinterest Power: How to use Pinterest to market your small business or blog by Kelley Grant
- A Gift Horse: A Christmas Carousel Story (12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas) by Beth Carpenter
- The Scientist, the Sea, & the Billionaire by Amberlee Day
- Old McDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz
- Fly Guy Presents: Insects by Tedd Arnold
- Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
This ends the short form bullet list. Read on to find the August 2018 Reading List synopses, images, & more.
Previous Reading Lists:
August 2018 Reading List – Full Edition
Sandover Beach Week (Sandover Island Sweet Romance Book 2) by Emma St. Clair – This is a standalone romance and Book 2 in the Sandover Beach series from Emma St. Clair. Book 1 is Sandover Beach Memories. I loved both of them and think you will enjoy this sweet (clean) romance series. It has humor, drama, fun, and you can both root the the main couple and long to kick them in the pants for making such silly mistakes.
Is it ever too late for a second chance at love?
Emily made the mistake of letting Jimmy go and they’ve both been paying the price. Jimmy nursed a crush on his big sister’s best friend for years. When he finally revealed his feelings, Emily rejected him. He went running to Sandover Island to start a new life as a firefighter and leave the memories of his longtime love behind.
Emily’s life took a downward turn after she lost Jimmy’s love and his friendship. When Jimmy comes to her rescue while she’s on a girls’ trip to the beach, all Emily wants is another chance.
But can she let go of her pride long enough to admit her feelings for Jimmy? And after spending three years trying to get over Emily, can he open up to her again?
Strength (Curse of the Gods Book 4) by Jane Washington & Jaymin Eve I have mentioned this series before. I just love Willa. She is what happens when an everyday, klutzy gal falls in with a pack of brothers who are perhaps Gods? She has a stalwart friend who is more like a sister in Emma. The Abcurse brothers are frustrating, irritating and yet will protect Willa with their lives if needed. Book 4 was a delightful read. The only problem with this series is waiting for the next book to be released. On that note, Pain comes out on October 15, 2018!
Willa Knight: Dead? Alive? Damned to a state of eternal bad luck?
Willa and the Abcurse brothers are back, and more determined than ever to stick by each other. Unfortunately, Staviti has other plans, plans that threaten to change the natural order of the worlds—though nobody really understands why. His agenda may very well affect all beings on Minatsol, even those that thought themselves safe in Topia. Even Willa-invincible-Knight.
Holding onto Someday by K. Leah A wonderful clean romance with twists and turns, just enough angst and drama, and a surprise ending. No spoilers here. You have to read this début novel by K. Leah. Clara is a very likeable main character. I was instantly caught up in the story and could not put this book down. I am looking forward to more from Ms. Leah. Great book!
How quickly life can change!
Clara had it all planned out… graduate from college, get married, find her dream job and start a family of her own. When she met Drew during her senior year of college, she was certain he was the Prince Charming she had been waiting for, the one to complete her fairytale life. Turns out life had different plans.
Now a single, middle-aged workaholic, Clara has poured herself into building her career, and those dreams of finding love have taken a backseat to her success. She’s been holding out for someday, but when that day finally comes… will she follow her heart or will fate step in yet again?
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The Social Tutor (Branches of Love Book 1) by Sally Britton I don’t know what more you can ask for in a Regency romance. Book 1 in the Branches of Love series has it all, from horses to ballrooms, from a business arrangement to love, from family duty to personal dreams. This is a delightfully addicting series that promises more to come.
A Regency romance with a bit of fairy god-father thrown in.
After years of escaping etiquette lessons in favor of the stables, Christine Devon’s grand debut in London is only weeks away, though her deportment lacks the sophisticated polish she needs to achieve her goals of a lofty marriage. Desperate to take her place in society, she needs someone to instruct her in proper behavior. Thomas Gilbert, newly returned from Italy, is ready to begin his dream of founding a horse farm. But during his time away, the estate’s finances have dwindled to almost nothing. Unless he can find a way to save his family from ruin, he will be forced to sell his horses and give up his dreams entirely.
A chance meeting between them may solve both their problems. Christine gains a tutor in the finer arts of polite behavior, while Thomas is given access to the finest bloodlines in England. But as time passes, the arrangement is less about business, and more about love. Will they see it in time, or will Christine leave Thomas behind for the splendor of London’s ballrooms?
The Gentleman Physician (Branches of Love Book 2) by Sally Britton The story of the Devon sisters continues in book 2 in the Branches of Love series as Julia is banished by her ogre of a father to assist her cousin. The story epitomizes second chance love. You can’t help but root for Julia & her long lost love to triumph over all their obstacles.
A Second Chance Regency Romance
“I didn’t really understand what love was. I didn’t know what it meant, that I should’ve fought harder for it.” Banished from home by her angry father, Julia Devon travels to Bath to fulfill her role as family spinster by assisting her cousin, Lady Macon, in caring for her dying husband. Nathaniel Hastings’s life runs in a predictable pattern, until a routine visit to one of his ailing patients brings him face to face with Julia, the woman who broke his heart five years before in London.
Julia and Nathaniel find themselves unlikely allies as they work together to tend to the family’s needs, fend off Lady Macon’s scheming brother-in-law, and avoid confronting the pain of their shared past. But could this accidental meeting be their second chance at love?
His Bluestocking Bride (Branches of Love Book 3) by Sally Britton Can a novel where the main love interests never even share a kiss be called a romance? You bet! Sally Britton writes a wonderful story of a well-read, intelligent woman who makes the hard decision to make a “marriage of convenience” to her long-time love. The Branches of Love series “branches” off to include the story of the Calvert family.
As a book lover, this story is a winner for the great portrayal of what an intelligent woman had to deal with in the Regency era.
He vows to never risk his heart again. She hides her love to avoid rejection. A marriage of convenience is not what either of them wished for. Overlooked by society and underappreciated in her family, Ellen Bringhurst has resigned herself to spinsterhood and a life of reading. Until her match-making friends contrive to reintroduce Ellen to the man she has secretly loved since their shared childhood.
As the younger son to an earl, Marcus Calvert must wed in order to inherit his estate. Still nursing a broken heart, he prefers a practical approach to matrimony rather than romantic love. When Ellen is presented as a possible bride, he proposes a marriage of convenience. Ellen accepts his hand, hiding her feelings rather than risking her husband’s rejection. Marcus, though determined not to expose his heart again, finds more to admire in his childhood friend with each passing day.
What began as a sensible arrangement now has the possibility to become so much more. But is Marcus willing to risk his heart a second time?
Gregor (Ghosts of Culloden Moor Book 43) by Jo Jones Soncerae and her ghosts are back in a new story by Jo Jones. Follow along as Gregor and Ainsley struggle to overcome the many obstacles facing the Jacobites and there sympathizers after the battle of Culloden. You can find my review of the previous Scottish ghosts in this post.
Two days, one love, and a chance at redemption.
Gregor Mitchell desperately wants a do-over. If he could just trade his ghostly existence for a couple of days of mortality, he’d go back to the dreadful years after Scotland’s tragic loss at Culloden. There, he might finally prove his worth to himself, his country, and those still fighting for its freedom.
Ainsley Edwards is willing to risk everything–including her family–to smuggle escaping Jacobite warriors to safety. But in a world of deception and lies, trust carries a high price.
When Gregor upsets Ainsley’s carefully constructed façade, everything could come crashing down around them.
Sometimes, the cost of love is too high. Will theirs be strong enough to rise from the ashes?
I’m throwing in a break from the fiction for you.
August 2018 Reading List – Business Books
Yearly Content Planner & Strategy Guide by Kirsten Oliphant I am trying to be more organized and intentional in my writing, therefore I am re-reading this helpful planner and guide. It has so much useful information. The more I learn, the more I can glean from the wealth of knowledge generously shared in this book. I think it will be one I re-read frequently since what doesn’t click with me today will be just what I need tomorrow.
Stop wasting time on what isn’t working! Scale up your success with strategic plans for your writing and promotion this year.
You’ll learn how to:
- use simple analytics to narrow your focus
- create blog posts and other content your audience is hungry for
- utilize the power of microblogging
- reverse engineer your desired income
- plan launches without overwhelming your audience
- implement a working social media strategy
- …and so much more!
Whether you are a blogger, writer, podcaster, or YouTuber, you’ll find helpful tips and resources to map out a successful year’s worth of content. This in-depth planner also comes with a free printable content calendar with daily, weekly, and monthly planning pages to help you put your goals into action.
If you are ready to see results for your creative work, this planner is the first step to success!
Pinterest Power: How to use Pinterest to market your small business or blog by Kelley Grant If you are looking to up your Pinterest presence from just saving recipes to making it work for your business, then you need to read this simple to understand book from Kelley Grant. She walks you through the steps you need to take to maximize your Pinterest business account. Pinterest Power helps you learn the ins and outs of marketing on Pinterest.
In this book you will learn how to:
set up your business profile
create boards and pins
use Pinterest to increase traffic
use schedulers to save time
..and more!
Back to the August 2018 Reading List. Hope you enjoyed the business break.
A Gift Horse: A Christmas Carousel Story (12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas) by Beth Carpenter I received an advance copy of this book. My honest opinion is you will love it, especially if you like those delightful Hallmark Christmas movies. A Gift Horse is my first exposure to this yearly Christmas series. When I have some time, I will be reading more of them. This book will be released on October 9th, but you can pre-order now! I highly recommend doing so.
What could be more appropriate that a story set in Christmas Town!
Luke Mueller has good reasons to keep to himself. After his fiancée and best friend cheated him out of his company three years ago, he moved to Christmas Town and started a business restoring antique farm equipment. His only real friend was the octogenarian next door. Since she had no family around to support her, Luke pitched in to help, especially after she grew ill.
Now her granddaughter, Gwen Heatherton, has inherited the farm, and Luke wants nothing to do with a woman too self-centered to visit her dying grandmother. But when Gwen requests his expertise to restore Christmas Town’s carousel in time to celebrate the anniversary of her grandmother’s friends, he agrees to help. For her grandmother’s sake.
As he works alongside Gwen in the carousel restoration, Luke discovers she’s not the selfish person he thought she was. If anything, she’s too generous with her time and energy, constantly volunteering for whatever needs doing, and in Christmas Town in December, that’s a lot. When Luke gets saddled with a canine escape artist, Gwen is there to help with that too.
The more time he spends with Gwen, the more Luke grows to admire her. He slowly learns to trust again. But Gwen has a secret that involves Luke. If he finds out, the foundation of trust they’ve built may be destroyed. And trust isn’t easy to restore.
The Scientist, the Sea, & the Billionaire by Amberlee Day What could be more fun than throwing a lab rat scientist onto a tropical beach with a long lost love? This story has mystery, hilarity, a family to despise, families to love, and the BEACH! It is a winner.
A contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion with a twist of palm trees, fruit drinks, and white beaches.
Marie Frye has only one regret, and it’s a big one: letting her father convince her that she couldn’t be a successful scientist and have the love of her life, too.
Tagg Berger is always busy playing tennis, or surfing, or skiing…or running the multibillion-dollar company he started in the pursuit of perfect sports equipment. The one thing that slows Tagg down is the tug at his heart, the girl who chose her career over him, the girl he never stopped loving.
After years apart, the remarriage of mutual friends brings Marie and Tagg to the beautiful north Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos. While the memory of lost dreams keeps them apart, sparks still fly when they’re together. But, if they’re going to find true love, they’re going to have to learn to trust one another again, and trust is harder to build than a billionaire-dollar company.
August 2018 Reading List – Children’s Books
Old McDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz This book comes highly recommended by a certain 2 year old that is my source for all toddler books. I hear he nearly wore it out in the week he had it from the library.
A nice spin on a classic book & song for all kids in love with “diggers & trucks”.
Old MacDonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O. And on that farm he had a…TRUCK?! With a DIG DIG here and a SCOOP SCOOP there, this classic folk song just got revved up! Beloved machines—the excavator, dump truck, bulldozer, and more—will have the vehicle-obsessed of all ages reading and singing along.
Fly Guy Presents: Insects by Tedd Arnold There is nothing like insects to draw the attention of readers in the 6 – 8 year old range. The Fly Guy series of non-fiction books sneak in a little learning while engaging this easily distracted group of readers.
Learn all about insects with Fly Guy and Buzz!
Fly Guy and Buzz are ready for their next field trip! And in FLY GUY PRESENTS: INSECTS they go outside to learn all about other insects like Fly Guy! With straightforward text, humorous asides, and kid-friendly full-bleed photographs throughout, young readers will learn lots of fun facts about all sorts of bugs. Award-winning author/illustrator Tedd Arnold really brings nonfiction to life!
Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo A highly rated Newberry Award winner for the 9 – 11 year old reader. I have not read this one but with a storyline like this, how could you go wrong.
Holy unanticipated occurrences! A cynic meets an unlikely superhero in a genre-breaking new novel by master storyteller Kate DiCamillo.
It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry — and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart. From #1 New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo comes a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format — a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black-and-white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell.
This wraps up the August 2018 Reading List. If you read to the very end, I commend you and am sharing a link to a limited time offer* of a FREE BOOK!
Click here to get your FREE book from BookBub Please note, you will need to enter your email address to receive your book
*This offer is valid on this post’s publication date. It is only for a limited time which is determined by BookBub.* I have no affiliation with BookBub other than being a fan.
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Oh man! Several of these sound really good! Especially the business books and the one about Culloden. (I’m a big Outlander fan, so the Jacobites are close to my heart.)
Thanks. The Sept list came out today. More Jacobites! I’m an Outlander fan too.