Hi there! Time for another Spell the Month in Books! I saw this on several blogs, including Carla Loves to Read, Bookworm Blogger, and Secret Library Book Blog and thought it looked like fun! It was originally created by Reviews from the Stacks, and the idea is to spell the month using the first letter of book titles.
For October, I’m highlighting books I’ve read and LOVED!
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O: Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Title: Once upon a Broken Heart
Author: Stephanie Garber
Series: Once Upon a Broken Heart #1
Page Length: 416
Publication Date: Sept. 28, 2021
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Synopsis: A new series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after.
Evangeline Fox was raised in her beloved father’s curiosity shop, where she grew up on legends about immortals, like the tragic Prince of Hearts. She knows his powers are mythic, his kiss is worth dying for, and that bargains with him rarely end well.
But when Evangeline learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, she becomes desperate enough to offer the Prince of Hearts whatever he wants in exchange for his help to stop the wedding. The prince only asks for three kisses. But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’s pledged. And he has plans for Evangeline that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy…
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | My Review
C: Capture the Crown by Jennifer Estep
Title: Capture the Crown
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: A Gargoyle Queen – Book 1
Page Length: 464
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Synopsis: Gemma Ripley has a reputation for being a pampered princess who is more interested in pretty gowns, sparkling jewelry, and other frivolous things than learning how to rule the kingdom of Andvari. But her carefully crafted persona is just an act to hide the fact that Gemma is a powerful mind magier—and a spy.
Gemma is undercover, trying to figure out who is stealing large amounts of tearstone from one of the Ripley royal mines when she encounters Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta—her mortal enemy. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle.
Despite the fact that Andvari and Morta are old, bitter enemies, a dangerous attraction sparks between Gemma and Leo. Further complicating matters is Leo’s murderous family, especially Queen Maeven Morricone, the mastermind behind the infamous Seven Spire massacre.
The closer Gemma gets to the stolen tearstone, the more deadly plots she uncovers. Everyone is trying to capture the crown, but only one queen can sit on the throne…
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | My Review
T: Tempting Auzed by Victoria Aveline
Title: Tempting Auzed
Author: Victoria Aveline
Series: The Clecanian Series #4
Publication Date: July 9, 2021
Synopsis: Alejandra is a survivor. So far, she’s lived through abduction, a near drowning, and being lost in an alien forest. She thought things were finally starting to go her way when the most intense, grumpy, and insanely tempting man she’s ever seen rescues her from a monster. But sadly, that’s just when everything gets even more complicated.
Auzed has his orders. He is to find the missing human and deliver her to Tremanta. Getting caught trespassing in Sauven territory was not part of the plan. Neither was pretending to be the sexy beauty’s fiancé to protect her from forced marriage to a Sauven stranger…but here they are.
Their relationship was supposed to be fake. But it’s not long before they start to wonder if true love and a happily ever after is possible for two star-crossed opposites. And if it is…just how far are they willing to go to claim it?
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | My Review
O: Of Earth and Air by Cameo Renae
Title: Of Earth and Air
Author: Cameo Renae
Series: Heir of Blood and Fire #3
Publication Date: Aug. 24, 2021
Synopsis: Prince Roehl holds Calla’s fragile heart in his cruel hands. In a wicked twist of fate, Roehl captures the two men Calla loves most. By his command, she will come to him in Aquaris… or both will be put to death. It may be a fatal mistake, but that’s the risk Calla is willing to make when she leaves her friends behind and races through the Argent Sea. Roehl has proven his vile heart will stop at nothing to get Calla in his clutches and use her power for his own twisted agenda… even if it means killing all who dare cross him. Calla’s only chance to defeat him, is by partnering with newly formed allies who are eager as she to see the malicious prince’s reign of terror end.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | My Review
B: The Bachelor Bargain by Maddison Michaels
Title: The Bachelor Bargain
Author: Maddison Michaels
Series: Secrets, Scandals, and Spies #1
Page Length: 400
Publication Date: May 17, 2021
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Synopsis: Bachelors, beware. For those who keep secrets and prey on the innocent, you will be exposed, with all your dirty little secrets laid bare to one and all. You have been warned…
Lady Olivia Haliford has had enough. Tired of seeing women lose their reputations, futures, and sometimes even their lives to scandal while the men walk free, she is ready to take back power and stand up for women everywhere. Along with her two closest friends, she plans to start an anonymous publication dedicated to dishing the dirt and exposing the secrets of society’s most eligible bachelors. But in order to do so, she will have to make a deal with the devil…
Sebastian Colver, known as the Bastard of Baker Street, is feared throughout London as the city’s most notorious gambling den owner and undisputed king of the underground. His life is nothing but darkness and danger, so he is shocked when the petite lady gracing his doorstep seems anything but frightened of him. He agrees to be a silent partner in the publishing of the Gazette if she will use her connections to sponsor his sister and launch her into Society and away from his dark world.
But exposing the secrets of the rich and powerful can be dangerous. Almost as dangerous as a lady falling in love with the king of the underground.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | My Review
E: Edgewood by Kristen Ciccarelli
Title: Edgewood
Author: Kristen Ciccarelli
Page Length: 384
Publication Date: Jan. 18, 2022
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Synopsis:No matter how far she runs, the forest of Edgewood always comes for Emeline Lark. The scent of damp earth curls into her nose when she sings and moss creeps across the stage. It’s as if the woods of her childhood, shrouded in folklore and tall tales, are trying to reclaim her. But Emeline has no patience for silly superstitions.
When she learns her grandfather disappeared from his nursing home, leaving only a milky orb in his wake, the stories Emeline has always scoffed at suddenly seem less foolish. After searching for him almost everywhere, Emeline finally succumbs to the call of Edgewood, entering the forest she has spent years trying to escape.
Emeline finds herself in the court of the fabled Wood King himself. She makes a deal—her voice for her grandfather’s freedom. Little does she know, she’s stumbled into the middle of a curse much bigger than herself, one that threatens the existence of a life she has worked so hard to forget.
With the help of a handsome and brooding tithe collector, a surly blacksmith, and a lost childhood friend, Emeline sets out to not only save her grandfather’s life, but to right past wrongs, and in the process, discover her true voice.
R: A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman
Title: A Reckless Match
Author: Kate Bateman
Series: Ruthless Rivals #1
Page Length: 336
Publication Date: Sept. 28, 2021
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Synopsis: The first in a new regency romance series about two feuding families and reunited childhood enemies whose hatred turns to love.
Maddie Montgomery’s family is in debt, and her hope rests on the rival Davies clan missing their yearly “pledge of goodwill,” ceding the land that separates their estates. With Maddie’s teenage nemesis, Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, Earl of Powys, away, hope is in reach.
But then, Gryff shows up and is stunned that the tomboy he once teased is now a woman. When Gryff and Maddie discover contraband on their land, they realize it can benefit both families. But they’ve also uncovered a dangerous plot, and they need to work together to get out alive. Soon, their hatred for each other starts to feel more like attraction.
Kate Bateman brings crackling banter, steamy romance, and a dash of adventure into the first book in the Ruthless Rivals series.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | My Review
Have you read any of these? Which books would be on your list? Comment below!
Love this idea for a post 💖
It’s so fun! 🙂
Ooh, quite a few eye-catching titles on here. I totally forgot I was reading The Clecanian series and its been so long now I think I’m gonna have to re-read the first few books 😂 The Bachelor Bargain looks fun as well so that’s obvi going on the TBR too. Great list, Julie!
Great picks! All of the covers are amazing. I also love seeing OUABH everywhere. 😍
Me too – it’s such a great read!
Definitely eye catching covers here, Julie. I only have one on my TBR and that is Edgewood.
Oooh, I’ll be curious to hear what you think of it! The cover is gorgeous!!
The cover was what initially attracted me, but it sounds interesting as well.