What to Read? A List & Giveaway

ByCara Putman
10 Comments

It’s summer and I’ve been reading voraciously…still and again. I’ve also been getting ready for the Fall season of Book Talk. Those two go together really well as I’ve been talking with my author friends, publicists and publishers about who to host on the show. It also means I’m reading some really fun books.

I’m also keeping the mail busy as packages arrive from Baker Book House, publishers, and other bookstores with an almost shocking frequency. As y’all know that means I sometimes end up with multiple copies of a great book in my house. It’s a truly terrible dilemma. What to do with said extra copies. I love to give them away. 🙂 That’s what I’m going to do with the bonus copy of A Lady’s Handbook to Gadgets and Guile that I purchased sort of by mistake. Oops!

But first I want to share about a few other books I’ve read and really enjoyed recently. First up is The Bachelor Spy by my good friend Pepper Basham.

Spies Infiltrate Havensbooke Hall. . .and Another Mystery Adventure Begins

Stephen Blake’s life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1914 England doesn’t follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall, he’s sent there to uncover the plot.

Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she’s shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing. . .and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.

Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out?

Brighter than Before by my friend Courtney Walsh is contemporary rom-com with tastes of women’s fiction. Here’s more: Life has a way of changing your path–and Claire Karadec certainly didn’t plan on a fork in the road in her forties. From New York Times bestselling author Courtney Walsh comes a witty, warm, and uplifting novel about second chances, found family, and the courage it takes to become yourself.

Claire discovers that belonging isn’t a place you’re invited to–it’s a life you build one brave choice at a time. And the sweetest things often show up when you finally get out of your own way.

Lose yourself in a story that’s equal parts heartwarming, hopeful, and full of joy. Early readers are loving the witty humor, uplifting journey, and sweet, clean romance that makes Brighter than Before such a life-affirming escape. Grab your copy today and discover a second-chance story about courage, connection, and building a life that feels truly your own.

“Utterly charming! What an original and adorable story.”–JEN TURANO, USA Today bestselling author on A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure

Little Women meets Inspector Gadget in Angela Bell’s witty romp of brilliant women, whimsical gadgetry, and sweet he-falls-first romance set in the Victorian era with themes of disability representation, women in STEM, light academia, and steampunk.

It’s summer and I’ve been reading voraciously…still and again. I’ve also been getting ready for the Fall season of Book Talk. Those two go together really well as I’ve been talking with my author fr

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An award-winning author of 50 books, Cara is an Assistant Dean and Clinical Associate Professor in business law and ethics to graduate and undergraduate students at Purdue University. She lives with her husband, children, a perfect cat, and a sweet yet rambunctious shelter puppy in Indiana.

10 Comments

  1. Wow all of these books will be great reads. I do love humor in books and to laugh out loud. Psalm 106:1 ” Thank You Lord How good You are Your love for us continues on forever.”. The Lord be with us all and wrap us in His everlasting arms and give us His hope and peace.

  2. Oh my goodness. Your post reminded me that I have the audiobook of book #4 of the Freddie and Grace Mysteries but haven’t listened to it yet. And since the audio of book #5 isn’t available yet (soon I hope) I have time to catch up. And that steampunk novel sounds like I absolutely have to give it a listen too. It’s a good thing I’ve gone digital or I would be buried under the weight of my TBR.

    1. Robin, I LOVED the Grace and Freddie mysteries so much. And I really think you’ll love Angela Bell’s novels. They are fun and have heart.

  3. Great list, Cara! I’m reading The Bachelor Spy right now and loving it, as I do all of Pepper’s books. 🙂 Gadgets & Guile is near the top of my TBR, too, and I can’t wait to jump in. Quirky historicals are precisely my cup of tea!

  4. Thanks for the book suggestions! My family has stopped asking what is inside the boxes and packages that arrive. LOL Books. 99 percent of the time, books.

  5. I preordered a copy of “Gadgets & Guile” that included bonus goodies (while supplies last) from Baker House online. It’s on my TBR pile.

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