Books I'm Looking Forward to Reading in 2011

So, we've talked about 2010.  Now that we're several days into 2011 I think it's time to talk about the good stuff we're all looking forward to this year.

The book I was most excited about reading as the ball dropped on Friday night was How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling.  It's been described as The Bachelor in Regency England, which sounds like fun.  Also, I know Vicky from my time in West Houston RWA, and she's a real sweetheart.  I've dropped out of touch with the group in the last year or two, but I couldn't have been more thrilled when I heard she sold her first book.  How to Marry a Duke launched this week, and I'll be posting my review on Friday.

The next book on the publishing schedule that I'm looking forward to is Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning, due out January 18th.  I wouldn't care if Mac was run over by a bus (which she's just about smart enough to manage), except for the whole first person narrator thing.  It's Barrons I want more of.  The last book ended on a cliffhanger, and I'm dying to find out how it is resolved.  I really, really don't think it's going to be what the author wanted us, or at least Mac, to think it is.  I guess we'll all know for sure in a couple more weeks.

The Mysterious Lady Law by Robert Appleton comes out on January 31st.  It's got steampunk and a mystery and some romance, but mostly do you see that gorgeous cover?  It know I shouldn't.  I know it's wrong.  But a beautiful cover will suck me in every time.  As we've previously established, I'm shallow like that.  If the story provokes half the reaction in me that the cover does, I'll definitely be reviewing this one.

Moving into February, we have A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.  This is the one the publisher sent me a copy of through the First Reads program over at Goodreads.  A library, an ancient text, a scholar and reluctant witch, a sexy vampire, and a whole lotta trouble.  I can't wait to dive into this one.  And it's got a pretty cover, too.




March brings California Schemin' by our very own Kate George.  California appears to be the sequel to her first book, Moonlighting in Vermont.  (Which I received for Christmas and haven't had a chance to read yet.)  No cover yet, as far as I can tell, although I know she's run through a million different versions, trying to find exactly the right one.  That's all I can tell you at the moment, because my extreme allergy to spoilers prevents me from checking the storyline!

March also brings the latest book by one of my very favorite authors, Sarah Addison Allen.  I don't even know what The Peach Keeper is about, but you know what?  It doesn't matter.  I still want to read it.  Her books are that good.  If you haven't read any of her books, run, don't walk, to your nearest book source and get yourself a copy of Garden Spells or The Sugar Queen.  Which one is my favorite depends entirely on which one I've read most recently.  Whichever book you choose, prepare to be hungry.

And then comes April and the latest installment of the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher, Ghost Story.  The last book ended in such a big way, I'd want to read it even if I wasn't a big Dresden fan, just to see what happens next.  The end of Changes was a game changer.  I never discount Harry Dresden, but at this moment I just can't see how he can come back from this.  Which means that Butcher has something clever up his sleeve.  I can't wait to see what it is.

Later in April comes the long anticipated One Was a Soldier by Julia Spencer- Fleming.  I have to admit, I have some anxiety about this book.  It's been pushed back at least a year from it's original pub date, which isn't usually a good sign.  But I love Clare and Russ, so I'll be along for the ride.  If you've never read this series, I highly recommend it.  Murders in a small town in upstate New York, a Chief of Police with trouble on his hands, and a Lady Priest who's always sticking her nose where it's not wanted.  Lots of chemistry and complications.  Spencer-Fleming is one of the top three new (to me) authors I've discovered in the last few years.


Skipping ahead to June, this is when Jenny Crusie's newest book Lavender's Blue: Liz Danger Mystery series, Book One is tentatively scheduled.  Awww, yeah.  New Crusie.  That's all that needs to be said about that.

Skipping forward again to August we have Tawna Fenske's first book, Making Waves.  Let's see.  Modern day executives turn pirate and try to intercept an illegal diamond shipment made by their conniving ex-boss.  I'm so there.  If it's half as amusing as her blog and  Twitter stream, this is going to be one heck of a book.

And then there's a book called A Little Night Magic by some chick named Lucy.  She's not committing to when it will be out, other than hopefully sometime in 2011.  Let's get the FGBVs going, ladies.  I want to read this one.

So what books are you looking forward to this year?  And what did I miss?  I know there's got to be something.