You are not alone. By that statement I mean you are not alone in your ever-growing “TBR” pile. #amiright? Please excuse that lame use of a hashtag in a blog post. It seemed like an opportune moment!
Also opportune: new releases! I feel like I’ve read nothing but older titles for the past few years, so I’ve found the addition of a New Releases 2021 list over on Amazon to be quite a refreshing change.
This list is, so far, has encouraged me to seek out new authors and new types of stories I wouldn’t have otherwise found. Feeling stuck with your own reading habits? Try compiling such a list! Not only may you find something new to love, but it’ll give you something to look forward to as well.
Already Released
Author: Martha Keyes
Pub Date: 27 February ’21
Genre: Scottish Historical Romance
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Christina MacKinnon is secretly relieved to be a widow. She is equally desperate to distance herself from the clan of her dead husband, but as the heir to his estate—one she needs in order to support her siblings—she must first stave off both the advances and threats of the man next in line to inherit. It seems the only person she can turn to is a nearby stranger who seems inclined to help her. But he has a request….read more.
My initial thoughts: As I’m on a bit of a Scottish/Highlander story kick right now, I really wanted to read this as soon as I saw it. While it seems like every Highlander tale tries to be the next “Outlander,” I hope this one stands on its own two feet. The use of a widow character in stories has been a popular trait as of late, so I hope this tale doesn’t turn cliche with its use as well. Fingers crossed! I could really use an adventure right now.
Author: Shari L. Tapscott
Pub Date: 29 January ’21
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Temporary peace has settled across Draegan as a new era begins for the cursed kingdom, but the royals know that tranquility is fleeting. In order to fulfill the magic and save the continent from its imminent destruction, Rhys and Amalia must once again return to Renove and see the rightful king ascend his throne.
The sorrows of yesterday forgotten, Amalia looks forward to crossing the rift one last time to see her family, filled with hope that the impossible task she and Rhys were charged with will soon be complete.
read more
My initial thoughts: I’ve followed this series almost since the first novel was published a few years ago. Let me tell you something: I don’t normally gravitate towards fantasy reads, but this one I’m thoroughly enjoying. That should tell you something. I really like Tapscott’s writing style, as well as the characters in this series. You want to root for almost all of them, and that’s rare.
Author: Jennie Goutet
Pub Date: 1 March ’21
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
At the start of their London Season, Philippa Clavering discovers her friend, Susan, is being pursued by the wrong gentleman and decides to turn Susan’s head to a worthier suitor. Not one to shrink from what she views as her duty and gift, Philippa sets plans in motion to bring about the happy ending her friend deserves. What she does not expect is to have Susan’s older brother watching—and criticizing—her every move.
After a respectable number of years on the town, Jack Blythefield is at last contemplating the idea of settling down. What he seeks is a compliant wife to provide him an heir or two and make his home comfortable while he spends his evenings at the club, where a man can get some peace. What he does not need is a termagant who sets his life on end with madcap schemes, which invariably involve his unwilling assistance. read more
My initial thoughts: Right off the bat I can tell this isn’t going to be your typical Regency story. Regencies usually go one of two ways: the hero’s part of the King’s ranks and is undercover; or the wallflower needs attending, much to everyone’s chagrin. This one looks quite promising. We shall see, won’t we?
Not Yet Released
Author: Michele Ashman Bell
Pub Date: 1 April ’21
Genre: Historical Adventure
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Anduron, 1498. The king and queen are dead, murdered by one who will stop at nothing to rule. But the young princess—Rosemund—has survived, spirited deep into the forest by her parents’ most trusted advisor. There, she finds refuge in a small cottage and a new life, one in which she must play a role that will ensure her survival. Soldiers are combing the countryside, searching for the lost princess, and they will not rest until she is found—and executed. read more
My initial thoughts: adventure, adventure, adventure! Please, give me all the adventure! I’ve read so much romance as of late that I really need more swordplay n’at. This has Sleeping Beauty vibes as well, and I hope there’s at least a little nod in there to the fairy tale. I’m a sucker for retellings, okay? The heroine might be a bit young for my tastes, but we shall see.
Author: Heather B. Moore
Pub Date: 1 April ’21
Genre: Historical
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Georgina Ballard has been disappointed in love more than a few times, a fact that she is uncomfortably aware of amid her sister’s wedding preparations. When her elderly aunt Rowena bids Gigi to accompany her on an art tour across Europe, Gigi hesitates but eventually resigns herself to the train journey alongside a group of aged art connoisseurs, if only to mollify her aunt. read more
My initial thoughts: Yet another new book for April 1st! I had to check my sources several times while building this post just to make sure I hadn’t read the dates wrong. I normally don’t read books set in this time but c’mon. Trains? How could I pass that up? Just have a train in your tale and I’ll gravitate to it like moths to a flame! Not only that, but it’s received rave reviews over on Goodreads. Yes, histfic! Give me all the adventure, please!
Author: Sally Britton
Pub Date: 30 April ’21
Genre: Historical Regency Romance
Formats: Kindle
Emma Arlen has spent a decade as a member of the duke’s family, in the position of companion to his daughter and ward to the duke himself. She would do anything to show her support to the ducal family for their love and kindness. When Lady Elinor begs Emma to distract a most determined Sicilian suitor, she agrees at once. How hard can it be to keep one man entertained for a few weeks? read more
My initial thoughts: After thoroughly enjoying the first book in this series, I knew I had to pick this one up. I discovered MR GARDINER AND THE GOVERNESS at a time when I wasn’t keen on romance novels. Let’s just say Sally Britton changed my mind. I know it’s impossible to love every story by a single author, so let’s read to find out!
Author: Jen Geigle Johnson
Pub Date: 3 May ’21
Genre: Historical
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Peace is tenuous in the small kingdom of Oldenburg, and the looming threat of invasion from Napoleon weighs heavily on the royal family. Their country’s best chance for safety lies in strengthening their alliance with the English. So it is that Prince Hayes Wilhelm finds himself returning to England, where he hopes a prominent duke can help him protect his country. read more
My initial thoughts: The cover. Look at that cover! I know they say to not judge a book by its cover, but I’m a very visual individual. the cover first, has to draw me in. Followed closely by the synopsis. Speaking of the synopsis, this one certainly gives us a glimpse of high stakes, and not just with matters of the heart. I hope it excels in both.
Author: Esther Hatch
Pub Date: 3 May ’21
Genre: Historical Romance
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
His scandals were right on track until she derailed everything.
As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters. The ruse will be no hardship—she’s secretly been fascinated by the man for years. read more
My initial thoughts: it’s the classic “damned if they do, damned if they don’t. While I’ve no idea if this will be a clean romance or not, I’m once again drawn in by yet another element of this story: trains. Yup. I’m a train fiend, okay? Perhaps one day I’ll compile a blog post explaining why, but not today! I’m also a sucker for rake-turned-faithful stories. Looking forward to this one!
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Pub Date: 1 June ’21
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Formats: Kindle, Audiobook
Ever since she was a child, Audrey wanted her life to be extraordinary. But as the daughter of a viscount born in late fourteenth-century England, the only thing expected of her was to marry—until an act of malice by her sister, Maris, four years ago damaged her prospects even further. Though Maris was sent away, twenty-year-old Audrey is still suffering the scars of her sister’s cruelty. So when her father announces his plans to marry off his damaged daughter and bring Maris back home, Audrey decides to flee in search of her true destiny. read more
My initial thoughts: She was already a seasoned author by the time I discovered Melanie Dickerson’s books. I own nearly all of them – though some I like more than others. To this day I’m still not sure how I feel about THE ORPHAN’S WISH or THE PIPER’S PURSUIT. But I’m ready for a another medieval tale, one not connected with the prior series, with the Dericott series.
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Pub Date: 27 July ’21
Genre: Historical Romance
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
“The devil never tries to make people do the wrong thing by scaring them. He does it by tempting them.”
Lady Merritt Sterling, a strong-willed young widow who’s running her late husband’s shipping company, knows London society is dying to catch her in a scandal. So far, she’s been too smart to provide them with one. But then she meets Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller, and all her sensible plans vanish like smoke. They couldn’t be more different, but their attraction is powerful, raw and irresistible. read more
My initial thoughts: Oh dear. This is book seven in a series of seven! I really hope that it can still be read as a stand-alone tale without much background info needed. This is also another romantic tale with a widow as the heroine. Does this speak to today’s times? I can’t help but wonder… I don’t wonder, however, about the inclusion of more Scottish characters. Yes! Give me all the kilts. Um…that doesn’t sound good, does it?
Well, there you have it. Ten titles I’m looking forward to reading in 2021. As always, this list is subject to change, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Have you made a New Releases list yet? No? What are you waiting for? Go and show your fellow authors some love.