****

JF: To celebrate this month’s release of the first book, MIDNIGHT RESCUE, Elle and I are thrilled to be here answering questions about the book’s journey to publication. It’s been almost exactly a year since I acquired three books in a new romantic suspense series by Elle Kennedy for Signet Eclipse (part of Penguin).

Editors say this all the time, but I devoured this submission in one sitting. The heroine’s strength, emotionally and physically, hooked me within ten pages (in revisions, we dropped the prologue to emphasize her strength even more). This was not a romantic suspense where an alpha male swoops in to rescue the heroine; this was a book where the hero and heroine rescue each other.

Although I was excited about the potential of this series and author, the practical side of my brain knew this could be an uphill fight to acquisition. We were seeing very little romantic suspense published at the time—the popularity of sweet, small town contemporaries was really on the rise. MIDNIGHT RESCUE was actually almost the complete opposite of what I thought I was looking to acquire. But I fell in love with the manuscript’s darkness – and also how the romance and banter and friendships balance it out beautifully.

EK: For me, I knew the series would be a tough sell, but my agent and I thought it was worth it to put MIDNIGHT RESCUE in front of some editors to see what the response would be.  We received a several passes on the submission, most editors admitting they loved the book, but it was too dark for their list.  Either that, or the market for romantic suspense wasn’t as “in demand” as paranormal or sweet contemporaries. 

 So I was absolutely thrilled when Jesse acquired the book because of that darkness, and took a chance on a RS manuscript.

JF: Elle’s agent set up a phone call between us. I was hoping to get a sense of how well we could work together on revisions (whether my suggestions resonated with her), how eager Elle was to promote herself, and how active she was online (I’d also investigated this before the call – prepare to be googled, authors. Have a presence online already).

EK: I loved that initial call with Jesse.  Her enthusiasm about the story got me even more enthusiastic about it.  And her thoughts about promotion were eye opening.  At that point, I had somewhat of an online presence, but I realized I needed to do a lot more in terms of putting myself out there.

JF: Elle and I had a great talk, I loved the submission, and everyone who second read in my department agreed. Then we ran numbers and I made an offer for three books in the series.

EK: Best day ever? My agent calling with the news that Signet Eclipse made an offer.  I’m pretty sure I let out a girlish shriek—and people who know me well know that I’m super subdued and rarely girlishly shriek.

I’ve been asked why I chose to go the traditional route rather than self publish digitally or go with a strictly digital publisher, which a lot of authors are doing these days.  It all boils down to that childhood dream of wanting to see my name on the cover of a book, hold that book in my hands, flip through the pages, see it on actual shelves in an actual bookstore.  Bookstores are my favourite places on earth.  I read a lot of ebooks, of course, but for me, I just love having that hard copy of a story in my hands.  So I was so thrilled when Jesse called saying she wanted to publish MIDNIGHT RESCUE.

JF: Now the real fun began: edits! I read the manuscript several times before shooting an editorial letter and line edited manuscript off to Elle. We had a phone call a few days later. Elle jumped right into revisions with enthusiasm. I remember getting emails throughout the month like, “What if I add a dog?” (Authors: there’s ALWAYS room for a dog.)

I sent Elle four pages of notes, as well as a marked up manuscript file, for the first round of broad revisions. This is pretty average length of notes for me, plus or minus a few pages. As I mentioned above, we reworked the structure of the book a little bit, incorporating the prologue more into the story and streamlining character POVs. I also discussed with Elle how the hero and heroine weren’t as active in the climactic suspense plot as I’d hoped they would be. Both characters are strong and capable, but originally they were kept out of planning the rescue mission that is the focus of the book. During a brainstorming session on the phone, Elle came up with a twist that really pulls everything together at the end.

Elle and I had a lot of conversations about how to really be sure that Abby is completely empowered and active throughout the story, even as she learns that she needs to trust her teammates and the hero. This carries over to her sex scenes with the hero, where Elle really amped up Abby taking control of her sexuality, which I love and is an important part of her character’s growth. We also talked through different scenarios for ending the book that allowed Abby to not sacrifice any of her values (or skill set) in order to be with the hero romantically.

EK: I have a love/hate relationship with revisions.  It’s so incredibly difficult cutting or changing parts of a book that you worked on for so long and which has become a part of you.  But I’m lucky to have some wonderful editors who are able to look at that book objectively and tell me what it’ll take to make it even better.  Jesse is no exception.  Every single one of her suggestions made perfect sense to me, so making certain changes was no hardship.

Oh, and fun fact: I added my dog into the book.  Bear, the German shepherd mutt who belongs to one of my mercenaries, is actually my super awesome mutt.

JF: We also started brainstorming series names and cover concepts around this time. We look at what’s popular right now, and think about how to make the book stand out on shelves. This is Abby’s story, so we decided to take a little departure from traditional romantic suspense covers by depicting her alone on the cover. The difficulty was not making her seem like an urban fantasy heroine. As you can see, the designer did an amazing job.

EK:  I love, love, love this cover! When it showed up in my inbox, I was actually speechless (again, not characteristic—sadly, I am a babbler).  I couldn’t believe how fierce the heroine looked, and the colors were absolutely stunning.  After seeing the cover for MIDNIGHT RESCUE, I had no idea how the art department could possibly top it for Book 2.

JF: The art department actually is working on the cover for book #2, MIDNIGHT ALIAS, now. Sometimes photos of potential male cover models appear in my inbox. Designing covers is fun.

EK: Once the book had a cover, it felt even more “real” to me.  And around this time, Jesse had read the revisions and approved them, so the book was moving along on its journey to publication.

JF: We had done two rounds of revisions before turning it over to managing editorial for copyediting. When you’ve read something five or six times and it still resonates with you emotionally, you know it’s a gem!

EK: For me, once the book has been copy-edited, I start to freak out.  Because at this point, I can’t really make any more changes—and what if I suddenly decide that something needs to change?!  Standing by and letting the book get immortalized in print/digital form is like waving goodbye to your kids when they go to college.  You’ve got to let them stand on their own now, no matter how scary that is.

JF: Elle turned in revisions for book #2 in the series (out next Feb) and the outline for book #3 this month. And this whole cycle begins again!

We’re giving away 5 copies of MIDNIGHT RESCUE: A Killer Instincts Novel to randomly selected comments below. Leave a question or comment for Elle or myself—do you have a question about the editorial process we didn’t cover? We’ll try to reply and maybe you’ll win a book!

Visit Elle’s website for more information on MIDNIGHT RESCUE.

Related posts:

1. Hoo Rah: A Giveway for the Troops
2. Book Pimp Post #3
3. Book Pimp Post #4

Author: Sirius Comment: permalink
I actually love well done time travel a lot, would love to win this one :)

Author: Ruth (CO)
Comment: permalink
I am not a fan of time travel so interested in finding out what made this one different.

Author: azteclady
Website: http://www.HerHandsMyHands.etsy.com
Comment: permalink
Considering how miserable The Time Traveler’s Wife made me, I would love to know how this book meets the romance reader expectations of a HEA

Author: becca
Comment: permalink
Usually mainstream novels try to stay as far away from the genre label as they can get. The publicist’s encouraging romance readers to try this is delightful. I’d love to read a copy of this book.

Author: Carolyn Website: http://www.twooldfartstalkingromance.blogspot.com/
Comment: permalink
I have a sister who loves time travel books. I don’t mind them myself, so if I won, so would she. Thank you for the chance to read it. :-)

Author: Lindsay
Comment: permalink
Sounds like a fun book! Thanks for organizing a giveaway!
Author: Tina
Comment: permalink
I noted on the earlier thread that this sounded interesting. Good to see the giveaway offering a chance to read it.

Author: Jeannie S. Comment: permalink
I love a great book and a contest combined….I liked The Time Traveler’s Wife, but it did get a bit confusing at times. And I did not consider it a romance.

A few months ago, Lydia H, a Putnam publicist/marketing individual, emailed me about a book called “Overseas”. Putnam is a hardcover imprint for Penguin and I confess that I was a little apprehensive about a mainstream book being billed as romantic. Romance can mean many things to non romance readers. Plus there was time travel and while I’ve read a few time travel and enjoyed them, I’ve also read many time travels that dealt with the concept poorly and left me despondent (Hello, Knight in Shining Armor). But Miss Lydia was persistent and I promised myself that I would only read the first chapter. As I said in my review, by the end of the first chapter, I was hooked.

I’ve been encouraging others to read this book and Elyssa Papa arranged for us to have a Twitter chat for the book on May 31. All the chatter and excitement prompted Lydia H to email me and offer up 5 books to giveaway. Dear Author will sponsor 3 digital books as well for a total of 8.

In summary, we are going to giveaway 8 copies to US/Canada residents. To enter, just drop a comment below. (The reason that this is a US/Canada giveaway only is because the book is only available in digital to those regions so I wouldn’t be able to buy it and gift it to someone outside of US/Canada). You can also enter a giveaway at Goodreads.

Related posts:

1. Kindle 3G (with Special Offers) Giveaway
2. Caroline Linden Giveaway Winners
3. Winner of the Dear Author Winter Kindle Giveaway & Berkley Giveaway

Thank you for being part of DA.  On to the 9 winners are, according to Random.Org: Commenters 17, 116, 156, 174, 262, 272, 306, 370, 400

• Jason -Kindle Fire
• Christine M. - Kobo Touch (or ebook reader of equal value)
• Jessica- $25 GC
• TrishJ - Kindle Fire
• Ducky – Nook Simple Touch (or ebook reader of equal value)
• emmad - $25 GC
• Anne Fescharek - Kindle Touch (or ebook reader of equal value)
• eta_o - $25 GC
• Amy - $25 GC

The winner of the Sourcebooks giveaway:

• ArkieRN

Related posts:

1. More Information on Sourcebooks “Discover New Love” Subscriptions and Store
2. Georgette Heyer’s 109th birthday celebration: 46 ebooks for $1.99
3. Ebook Reader + Subscription Rental Model Poll

*****

As with everything in the publishing process, the development of a book’s cover art follows a similar path and, our course, that journey takes turns here and there based on more factors than I can name–different publishing houses, various authors, different genres…etc.

Generally speaking, thoughts of a cover begin about twelve to fifteen months before a book’s release date, at which time an author often receives an “art sheet” or something similar.  Here, the author may describe a character’s physical attributes, any scenes in the book that might aid in creating the cover art or themes within the work that could be portrayed on the cover.  The author might also be asked to provide a two to three paragraph blurb of the book so the art department can get a feel for the book’s plot.

Once that information is turned in, all goes quiet on the subject for several months.  Around the eighth month mark prior to release, an author may get a peek at the rough cover art.  Or they may not.  It’s not unusual for publishing houses to keep the cover under wraps—from both editors and authors.  Sometimes authors get to request, and see, changes made.  Often they don’t.  Interestingly, many authors have no input into covers.

This may surprise many readers out there.  It shocked everyone in my circle of family and friends (those outside publishing that is).  They assumed that because I wrote the book, I would have significant input in the design process.  But that’s (generally) not how it works in traditional publishing – and there’s very good reason for this.

Art – all art, including writing – is subjective.  And publishers are looking at cover art from a very different perspective than an author.  While an author may have an affinity for one character over another, desire to highlight a particular theme very close to their heart or portray a certain professional image, a publisher’s goal, first and foremost, is to sell that book.  With the strong emotions of love and hate, likes and dislikes surrounding books, we often forget that publishing is a business.  If we as readers don’t purchase books, publishers don’t make money.  If publishers don’t make money, they close.  If publishers close, they don’t make books.  If they don’t make books, we can’t read.  So covers that sell are beneficial to everyone—publishers, authors and readers.  What will sell?  Well, that would bring us back around to the art is subjective statement.

I have a bachelor’s degree in design.  I’ve worked as a corporate and small business web designer and graphic designer and I know first-hand how hard people can be to please.  Myself included.  Not because any of us are intentionally trying to be difficult, but because the process of manipulating an idea into words is still such a crude and inaccurate process and telepathy is so very unreliable.  I prefer osmosis, myself.

Rest assured, marketing, sales and publicity professionals are just that—professionals.  As writers study articles on craft and promotion, they stay abreast of the latest sales figures, target markets and buying patterns.  And they apply all that knowledge when designing a cover around an author’s story.  Ingenious really when you stop to think about it.

Let’s look at how Kensington took aspects from FEVER’s storyline and combined them with marketing trends and ideas to create FEVER’s cover.

From the storyline:

• My hero, Teague Creek, is extremely physically fit—not only because he’s sexy and FEVER is a hot romantic suspense, but because his character is an escaped prisoner, and his bulk and strength kept him safe from attacks inside prison.  Hence, the uber-hot guy on FEVER’s cover.
• Teague was a career firefighter prior to his wrongful conviction and subsequent imprisonment.  An explosion at a military warehouse containing illegal, highly radioactive chemicals endowed him with his paranormal abilities.  Hence, the cover background of flames and the over red-orange color theme.
• Teague’s tattoos play and interesting and intricate part in not only his character in FEVER, but in the storyline as well.

Marketing angles:

• Male chest images are very hot sellers.
• The font they used is strong and sharp, much like the storyline.
• The font they used has a paranormal feel, an element not otherwise suggested in the cover design
• The V in the font points to his, er…ah-hem…which so many of you astute readers have pointed out, with more than a tiny bit of giddy glee, I might add.
• The tattoo’s, while not the same as those in the book, are more appropriate for a cover image and convey interest, sensuality, mystery and danger.

As in many of my art courses in college, we could go into lengthy discussions on silent messages, color theory, image placement, etc., and all of that plays a part in every aspect of design.  I’ve only hit the major points here, but I hope you’ve found it interesting.  And I hope you love the cover of FEVER as much as I do.

Now, I’d like to introduce New York Times bestselling author Pamela Palmer.  Since her debut novel in 2007, Pamela has published ten novels and one novella, her most recent, ECSTASY UNTAMED, releasing tomorrow with a stunning cover!  Pamela gives us her experienced view on the subject of cover design.

Joan:  Pamela, did you have any influence in your early cover art? Did that change as your status as an author grew?

Pamela:  I’ve always had input, but I wouldn’t really say I’ve ever had much influence. In truth, at least at Avon, the editorial team, marketing dept., publicity, art department, etc., all discuss their vision for the cover, taking into account the author’s suggestions. But, ultimately, the cover is in the hands of the art department.

Joan:  What can you tell us about the process of cover art creation from your personal experience?

Pamela:  I’ve published with three publishers and each does it a little differently. At Berkley, where I published two time travels under the pseudonym, Pamela Montgomerie, my editor emailed me with a suggestion for a cover look, sharing the covers of other books that were similar. We went back and forth until we were both happy with the type of look. In both cases, the covers turned out very similarly to what we’d discussed. Avon requests my input prior to the cover conference I described in the previous question. Harlequin asks their authors to fill out exhaustive Art Fact Sheets from which the art department comes up with the cover design. Months later, I’ll get an email from my editor with the actual cover and it’s always a thrill. It’s often like seeing my characters come to life for the first time.

Joan:  What do you think constitutes a killer cover, from both a reader and an author perspective?

Pamela:  A killer cover has to be eye-catching, which is an elusive quality. Of course, what appeals to one person won’t necessarily appeal to another. Some prefer a sexy cover, others prefer romantic. Still others prefer pretty scenery. But eye-catching always wins the day. The cover of Ecstasy Untamed, which releases Oct. 25th, is bright pink with a gorgeous bare-chested man on the cover. This one definitely catches the eye.

Joan:  What is your favorite cover out of all of your work? Why?

Pamela:  Oh, this is hard to answer. I’d have to say it’s the cover of Rapture Untamed, book four in my Feral Warriors series. I adore the black and white intensity, the hero’s hard expression mirrored in the face of the lethal black jaguar behind him.

Joan:  Do you think using the same font for an author’s name repeatedly builds that author’s brand for reader recognition?

Pamela:  I do think branding is important and the font is certainly a big part of that, especially if it’s a distinctive font. With my Feral Warrior series, I’ve been so pleased that Avon has kept the same basic cover look (the bare-chested male with the animal he shifts into somewhere on the cover). The titles, too, have all remained ‘Untamed’ which clues the reader each book is the next in the Feral Warriors series. I was kind of thrilled when this latest cover, Ecstasy Untamed, had my name larger than the title.

What is your favorite aspect of a novel cover?  Any comment or question enters you for a chance to win one of three Pamela Palmer novels and one of ten custom handmade FEVER bookmarks. 

Open internationally.

*****

Joan Swan is engaging in a  behind-the-scenes tour of what’s involved in getting a debut author prepared for publication. During week one, she talked about getting that call and all that goes into the submission process to make that call become a reality with guest Lauren Dane.  Last week, edits were the topic of discussion with Kat Martin.   You can find out more about the author and her debut book, FEVER, at her website  www.joanswan.com

Related posts:

1. REVIEW: Desire Untamed: A Feral Warriors Novel by Pamela Palmer
2. A Special Guest Post on Cultural Appropriation By Handy Hunter
3. WINNERS of Pamela Clare Giveaway

1) Sarah O.

2) Lobo

3) Natalie

4) Jennifer K

5) JK Coi

6) SeaGrace

Did you love “Iron Duke” like the DA Reviewers? (reviews here and here with a bookchat here) Were you anxious for the sequel, “Heart of Steel”, featuring Yasmeen and Archimedes? Were you thinking of driving to New York and banging on the door of Penguin in hopes that they might give you an early copy? If so, this giveaway is for you. And now, from the desk of Ms. Brook’s editor, Cindy Hwang:

Meljean Brook’s THE IRON DUKE was one of my very favorite books of 2011, and not just because I edited it! J I really feel Meljean created something very special with THE IRON DUKE and the whole Iron Seas steampunk universe, and I’ve been itching to return to her world and to her characters, especially the indomitable airship captain, Yasmeen and adventurer, Archimedes Fox. I know that many readers felt the same way and now, the wait is almost over–Meljean’s 2nd novel of the Iron Seas, HEART OF STEEL, will be out in November. To make the wait a bit more bearable, and to celebrate the publication of HEART OF STEEL, I have 6 ARCs of HEART OF STEEL to give away to lucky readers.

Okay, for this contest, you will need to stand on your head, take a video of yourself, and chew gum at the same time.   Just kidding.  I know that Meljean and Cindy are big fans of Batman and Wonder Woman.  To enter our giveaway, name your favorite super hero or heroine!  Contest is open until Friday, 8 pm CST.

Related posts:

1. BookChat: The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
2. REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Demon Bound by Meljean Brook
3. Reviewx2: Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

1) SeaGrace
2) Eilis Flynn
3) Julie L.
4) Robyn B.
5) Amy K
6) Maggie
7) Elizabeth56
8) DarcyO
9) Maili
10) Lindsey

Please send me your snail mail address at sunita at dear author dot com.

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you Sourcebooks!

Dear Ms. Kearsley,

Your novel, The Winter Sea, blew me away last year. It was one of my Best of 2010 books, and I’ve recommended it not only to everyone I know, but to total strangers as well. When I was offered the chance to review your new novel, of course I jumped at it. But while that decision was easy, it was a little more difficult to decide just how to approach it as a reader and reviewer. A book that completely hits every mark for me is a rare and precious experience, but it also means that it takes extra effort to keep those memories from overshadowing the next read.

The Rose Garden is very much a Kearsley novel. Your voice is unmistakable, and there are aspects of structure and style that are similar to The Winter Sea. But it is also quite different in some ways. It would be wrong to categorize it as a genre romance novel, even though there is a very satisfying romance at the core of it and several smaller romantic sub-plots. It feels like a cross between a romance, a journey story (although not exactly women’s fiction), and a straight fiction novel with a strong sense of place and a wide variety of characters.

Eva, our narrator, journeys to Cornwall after the death of her movie-star sister, Katrina, in order to scatter Katrina’s ashes, grieve, and then decide what she wants to do with her life. Although their family had lived in several different countries, their summers in Cornwall held a special significance for both sisters. A successful public relations executive, Eva had settled in Los Angeles to be near to and work with Katrina. Now she is alone, and when the Halletts invite her to stay at Trelowarth while she considers the future, she accepts. She is drawn in to their world: Mark, the son and proprietor of Trelowarth Roses; Susan, his younger sister whose plans to help Trelowarth achieve a sounder financial footing make Mark uncomfortable; and Claire, their artist stepmother who provides a loving home and a link to the past.

As Eva settles in and picks up the threads of her old life, she suddenly finds herself briefly thrown back in time to Trelowarth in an earlier and more dangerous era (which readers of The Winter Sea will recognize, albeit from a different angle). At first she thinks she’s hallucinating from stress, grief, and exhaustion. But the episodes continue, and soon Eva meets the 18th-century inhabitants of the house: Daniel Butler, a sea captain, and his Irish friend and collaborator, Fergal. Daniel, Fergal, and Daniel’s charming and erratic brother Jack are enmeshed in Jacobite plotting against the Crown, as well as more run of the mill smuggling, and as Eva involuntarily goes back and forth in time her risk of being captured as a confederate of the two grows. But so does her attraction to Daniel and her friendship with Fergal, and even though she knows a great deal about what might happen to them, as well as tantalizing details about their individual futures, she falls in love with Daniel, and she is increasingly drawn to life in that period. But how can she stay in the early 18th century, and what will happen to the Eva of the 21st century and the people around her if she succeeds in going back permanently?

I am not a fan of time-travel novels as a rule, but I’m happily making an exception for your books. I really appreciate the way you deal with the small and not-so-small details, like Eva’s clothing. When Eva goes backward and forward in time, she arrives wearing time-inappropriate attire. This is manageable in the present, but the stock of clothing available to her in 1715 is much smaller. Not only do you pay attention to the dangers and ramifications of this problem, but you use it to show how Eva and Daniel’s relationship progresses, and it leads to a lovely moment in the story. When Eva is finally wearing clothing that is intended for her alone, it means something.

Equally insightful and appealing to me is how you portray gender issues. While time-travel romances tend to focus on the differences for women across the centuries, here Eva and Daniel discuss the constraints and opportunities for both men and women. Eva is frustrated by the limitations she faces in the early 1700s, but Daniel reminds her that although he has more freedom to make decisions and take public action, he too is constrained in ways that Eva realizes are different that those men face in the present:

‘I assure you, Eva, I do have a high regard for liberty.’

‘I know you do.’

‘And whatever custom may decree in public, in my family every woman has been free to speak her mind.’

‘Behind closed doors.’

He smiled and said, ‘I’ve found that there are many things more safely done behind closed doors than in the public view, by men as well as women.’ Then, more serious, ‘Do you think I am free to say exactly what I please, and when? In truth you’d be mistaken. If I stated my opinion of the current state of politics, I’d soon be clapped in irons for treason.’

He was right, I knew. ‘But even if you can’t state your opinions, you can act on them.’

‘Not openly. No, you and I are both confined to showing but one part of us in public, and another to our friends. As for the whole of us … well, that must be reserved for those few people we are fortunate enough to love and trust.’

The 18th century is so exciting, both for Eva and for the reader, that the contemporary story pales somewhat by comparison. The potential secondary and tertiary romances are enjoyable but not particularly gripping, but the Hallett family is well drawn and their individual and collective stories are engaging.

As always, the setting is beautifully depicted. I could smell the sea of Cornwall and feel the walks up The Hill, and the historical background is terrific. There is a strong sense of context without any dreaded infodumps, and the reader is immersed in the period without feeling like she’s attending a lecture.

The most difficult aspect of time-travel romance is finding a way to have an HEA that seems to make sense and that doesn’t cause too much sadness for those who are left behind. You come up with an ingenious and surprising solution to this problem, but one that is sufficiently complicated that I had to go back and read it again. So readers, be warned: when the book nears the end and the suspense is killing you, make sure to slow down while you read. I can’t explain without massive spoilers, and I’m not sure I entirely buy it, but hey, it’s a time-travel, so I can live with that. Readers can rest assured that Eva and Daniel have a satisfying HEA, and a couple of the secondary threads wrap up with happy surprises.

This novel is an example of how a story can be utterly, completely romantic in tone without having explicit sex or even many romantic interludes between the hero and heroine. It is worth keeping in mind that it does not follow the conventions of a genre romance. A key focus of the story is on Eva’s journey from a grieving sister to a woman who looks forward to her future with the man she loves (however unusually she’s reached that point), and her friendships with Fergal, Claire, and the rest of the Halletts are critical parts of that journey. The first part of the novel is accordingly quite sad, although I didn’t find it depressing. As Eva recuperates at Trelowarth and becomes involved in the Hallett’s lives, and then even more entwined in the lives of Daniel, Fergal, and Jack, the sadness recedes (although it never goes away completely, and how can it?).

The first line of this story is devastating, but the last line is filled with happiness. They make powerful bookends to a memorable novel.

Grade: A-

~ Sunita

Goodreads | Amazon | BN | nook | Sony | Kobo

Related posts:

1. Sunita’s Best of 2010 Reviews: The Winter Sea, by Susanna Kearsley
2. REVIEW: Scream for Me by Karen Rose
3. Winners of the Karen Rose Giveaway

Update:  Our clue time period is coming to an end.  Please go to FreshFiction at 12 pm EST for the next clue. Good luck!

We are participating the New York to Dallas blog scavenger hunt.  To enter, you will need to “LIKE” the Facebook JD Robb Official Fan Page in order to view the scavenger hunt information and participate.  Go here:  http://www.facebook.com/jdrobbauthor#!/jdrobbauthor?sk=app_172485766161734.

This clue will expire in one hour.  After 11:59 EST, you will no longer be able to provide an answer to your particular clue, but will have to move on to the next one.

You can tweet about this using #NY2D hashtag.

Clue:  DIVIDED IN DEATH’S Reva Ewing worked as a security specialist for Roarke Enterprises but is a suspect in her husband and friend’s deaths.  But all her computer files are hacked, so Eve suspects more than just jealous rage is at stake.

Don’t mistake this see-through glass store in New York for fruit – they’ll sell you computers.

Answer:  Remember, post your answer (the location)  to the Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/jdrobbauthor#!/jdrobbauthor?sk=app_172485766161734

Related posts:

1. WINNER: JD Robb Promotional Item
2. Publisher Alert: New Concepts Publishing Releasing Unauthorized Material
3. REVIEW: Creation in Death by J.D. Robb

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Welcome to Ace and Roc’s exciting fall books preview and giveaway. It’s almost autumn, and when it starts getting colder, I, for one, love to curl up with a good book. We’ve got some great debuts and new titles from favorite authors to talk about (and give away) to keep you entertained no matter the weather.

Thanks again to Dear Author for giving me this opportunity to let you know about some of our terrific upcoming titles. As always, there are too many good books for me to mention all of them, so you can visit our site (http://us.penguingroup.com/scififantasy) or our Facebook page to see what other books we’re publishing (http://www.facebook.com/acerocbooks).

September 2011

SHADOW KIN by M. J. Scott

This is a debut I absolutely loved when I read the manuscript for the editor who was considering it, and I hope you’ll give it a shot! It’s set in a wonderfully realized fantasy city with a 19^th century feel to it, and the main character is an assassin bound to a vampire lord. It combines elements of traditional fantasy, urban fantasy, steampunk, and romance in an evocative world to make a powerful, unique, and thrilling story.

Imagine a city divided. On one side, the Night World ruled by the Blood Lords and the Beast Kind. On the other, the elusive Fae and the humans protected by their steadfast mages. A city held together by nothing more than a treaty—and even then, just barely…

I was born of a Fae mother, but I had no place among her kind. They called me soulless. An abomination. Perhaps they’re right.… I am a wraith, a shadow who slips between worlds. I was given into the service of the Blood Lord Lucius, who raised me to be his most feared assassin. Still, I’m nothing more than a slave to my master and to the need that only he can fulfill.…

Then Lucius orders me to kill Simon DuCaine, a powerful sunmage. In the blaze of Simon’s magic, my own disappears. Instead of seeking revenge, he shows me mercy. He wants to free me. But that’s one thing my master and his kind will never allow.

And even if I thought I could trust Simon, stepping from the shadows into the light isn’t as simple as it sounds.…

BLOODLANDS and BLOOD RULES by Christine Cody

Because I completely failed to organize an Ace / Roc giveaway for our summer titles (mea culpa), you may have missed the launch of Christine Cody’s new Bloodlands series in August. We are publishing the books back-to-back, so I’m making up for my oversight by highlighting the series and giving away the first two books.

This is another new series that’s so fresh and different it’s a little hard to classify. Christine’s editor describes it as a post-apocalyptic western—with vampires.

The New Badlands—a desolate area in the West forged by the terrible events that altered the entire country, where a few frightened citizens retreated underground to shelter from the brutal weather…and from a society gone deadly dangerous.

Then the vampire arrived—and they started calling it the Bloodlands.

Not because Gabriel, the so-called monster running from his true self, was searching for his lover’s murderer. Nor because Mariah, the woman who reluctantly took him in, was willing to do anything to survive in the changed world.

No, the Badlands officially became the Bloodlands the moment a gun-for-hire who’d decided to slay every monster left in the country came after Gabriel.…

 

October 2011

SINS OF THE ANGELS by Linda Poitevin

This is the first in an exciting new urban fantasy series featuring a detective with a secret lineage, an undercover hunter, and a Fallen Angel out to destroy the world.

Homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis answers to no one. Especially not to the new partner assigned to her in the middle of a gruesome serial-killer case—a partner who is obstructive, irritatingly magnetic, and arrogant as hell.

Aramael is a Power—a hunter of the Fallen Angels. A millennium ago, he sentenced his own brother to eternal exile for crimes against humanity. Now his brother is back and wreaking murderous havoc in the mortal realm. To find him, Aramael must play second to a human police office who wants nothing to do with him and whose very bloodline threatens both his mission and his soul.

Now, faced with a Fallen Angel hell-bent on triggering the apocalypse, Alex and Aramael have no choice but to join forces, because only together can they stop the end of days.

DEAD MANN WALKING by Stefan Petrucha

I have three words for you: zombie private detective. DEAD MANN WALKING kicks off a new series with a twist. Full disclosure—there is not a lot in the way of romance in this book. But if you like straight up fantasy noir mystery, this could be right up your alley.

The name is, or maybe I should say was, Hessius Mann. I’m dead. After I was executed for my wife’s murder, suppressed evidence came to light and the verdict was overturned. Lucky me, I was brought back to life, thanks to the miracles of modern science. Not that anyone believes I’m innocent. Hell, even I don’t, seeing as how I can’t remember.

Livebloods would rather we zombies be unseen and unheard as well as undead, but now that I’ve joined the ranks of Fort Hammer’s pulse-challenged, I try to make a “living” as a private investigator. Not that I get hired often. So when a lawyer brings me a missing person case and offers a whole lot of cash, I’m not inclined to say no. But after a few zombies turn up cut to pieces, I start thinking someone’s giving me the run-around—and it’s not like I’m in any condition to make a quick getaway…

ANGELS OF DARKNESS by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook, and Sharon Shinn

This is a collection of four urban fantasy and paranormal romance novellas with an angel theme from an absolute all-star lineup of writers!

Angel’s Wolf by Nalini Singh

In the spellbinding universe of the Guild Hunter, a vampire becomes obsessed with the seductive angel who rules the Louisiana territory. But in her court, all is not what it appears to be.

 

Alphas: Origins by Ilona Andrews

A woman is kidnapped into a world divided by a superhuman civil war. As the captive of an irresistibly dangerous male, she has two choices: submit and become a pawn, or take hold of her own destiny.

 

Ascension by Meljean Brook

When vampires disappear from a community he’s protecting, a world-weary Guardian doesn’t know what evil he’s hunting, but he’d rather hunt alone than accept help from his ex-lover and fellow Guardian, Radha. But Radha refues to leave him, because she’s determined not just to help him save the community…but to save him.

 

Nocturne by Sharon Shinn

Accepting a position in a secluded and whispered-about mansion, a woman soon discovers the source of its mystery: the blind, tormented angel who lives there, and whose secrets could now destroy them both.

November 2011

THE SHADOW READER by Sandy Williams

THE SHADOW READER is the first book my wonderful assistant Kat Sherbo has edited, and it’s really terrific. It’s urban fantasy, but about the fae, and with as strong a focus on the fae realm as the human. The heroine’s voice drew me in right away. All her life she’s been used by the fae for the special ability she has, and when the book opens she’s taking a college final for the umpteenth time—only to be interrupted by the fae, who need her for something. Again.

Some humans can see the fae. McKinzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.

A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.

But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has to decide once and for all whom to trust—and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

LAST BREATH by Rachel Caine

This is not technically a Roc book, but I write this, so.… LAST BREATH is the next in Rachel’s Morganville Vampires YA series. Personally, I think the series hits a new high with this book. It’s so powerful and emotionally wrenching that I cried. (Not to say that I’m a heartless wench or anything, but it takes a lot for a book to make me cry.) Never fear—things will turn out in the end.

Morganville, Texas, is a small college town that’s had its share of problems, thanks to a sometimes volatile mix of human and vampire residents. But there is a new threat in town, and he’s turning the vampires from predators into prey.…

With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace.

She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone who has just moved to town—a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville’s newest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn’t merely human. But is Magnus a vampire—or something else entirely?

One thing is clear: Magnus is to blame for the disappearances. And if vampires are turning into victims, what chance does a human like Claire have?

December 2011

THE DOOMSDAY VAULT by Steven Harper

Another new series! The first of the Clockwork Empire novels is a highly entertaining romp through a steampunk world of gears and gadgets.

In a Britannia of clockwork automatons and airships, Alice Michaels’s prospects are looking grim.

The Honorable Alice B. Michaels is in a life-or-death struggle for survival—socially speaking, that is. At age twenty-one, her unladylike interest in automatons, and the unfortunate death of most of her family from the clockwork plague, have sealed her fate as a less than desirable marriage prospect. But a series of strange occurrences is about to lead Alice in a direction quite beyond the pale.

High above the earth on the American airship USS Juniper, Gavin Ennock lives for the wind and the sky and his fiddle. After privateers attack the Juniper, he is stranded on the dank, dirty, merciless streets of London. When Alice’s estranged aunt leaves her a peculiar inheritance, she encounters Gavin under most unusual—even shocking—circumstances.

Then Alice’s inheritance attracts the attention of the Third Ward, a clandestine organization that seizes the inventions of mad geniuses the plague leaves behind—all for the good of the Empire. But even the Third Ward has secrets. And when Alice and Gavin discover them, a choice must be made between the world and the Empire, no matter the risk to all they hold dear.

FATE’S EDGE by Ilona Andrews

Ilona Andrews is endlessly inventive and always surprising, and I have to say I just love the Edge series, set in a world with Wal-Mart on one side and sorcerers on the other. Each book follows a new couple, although you’ll see appearances from favorites (like Jack and George) in FATE’S EDGE.

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Wal-Mart and magic is a fairy tale—and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny…

Born into a family of con men, Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge for an unmagical existence in the Broken. Audrey is determined to stay on the straight and narrow, but when her brother gets into hot water, she takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack-of-all-trades.

Kaldar Mar is a gambler, a lawyer, a thief, and a spy with some unusual talents that guarantee him lucrative work. His latest assignment has him tracking down a stolen item, and Kaldar doesn’t expect much of a challenge—until Audrey turns up to give him a run for his money.

But when the missing object falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job and survive, he’s going to need Audrey’s help…

Here’s what we’re giving away:

• Shadow Kin by M. J. Scott (three finished copies)
• Bloodlands and Blood Rules by Christine Cody (three sets of finished copies)
• Aftermath by Ann Aguirre (two finished copies)
• Sins of the Angels by Linda Poitevin (two advance reading copies)
• Dead Mann Walking by Stefan Petrucha (two advance reading copies)
• Angels of Darkness by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook, and Sharon Shinn (three advance reading copies)
• The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams (three advance reading copies)
• Last Breath by Rachel Caine (three advance reading copies)
• Magic on the Line by Devon Monk (three advance reading copies)
• Fate’s Edge by Ilona Andrews (three advance reading copies)
• The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (three advance reading copies)

Anne Sowards is an executive editor at Penguin Group (USA) Inc., where she primarily acquires and edits fantasy and science fiction for the Ace and Roc imprints. Some of the great authors she works with include Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Anne Bishop, Ilona Andrews, Karen Chance, Jack Campbell, and Rob Thurman. When she’s not reading, she listens to Chinese rap and spends way too much time playing video games. Follow her at http://twitter.com/AnneSowards.

TO ENTER:  Leave a comment about your favorite thing to do in the fall.  Contest will end on Friday, September 9, noon CST.

Related posts:

1. Anne Sowards, Editor, Gives 2008 Urban Fantasy Preview
2. ACE ROC Fall Preview and Giveaway
3. Pocket Fall Preview & Giveaway

Today is our August giveaway. To enter the ereader giveaway, I would like for you to leave a comment about one thing you think DA does not do well.  We want to improve this place and it is always helpful to hear what the users think about the site.

To sum up, leave a comment in this thread about how we can improve DA to win the August eReader Giveaway.  This contest will be open until Wednesday 8 pm CST.  The winner will be announced on Thursday.

The September giveaway will be different.  During the month of August, I will be gathering up all the commenters who leave a comment throughout the month and giving away another Kindle 3G with special offers to one of those people. I encourage lurkers to comment on one of our Open Threads.   To enter the September eReader Giveaway, simply leave a comment throughout the month of August. (This thread will not count)

Thank you for being part of DA and for contributing its ongoing success.

Related posts:

1. Tuesday Links: The Kindle with Special Offers
2. eReader.com Has Free Harlequin Giveaway
3. Winner of the Dear Author Winter Kindle Giveaway & Berkley Giveaway

Winner list:

• 1) Tracy
• 2) Joder
• 3) Billie
• 4) Heather
• 5) Kelly in Hockeytown
• 6) Nicole Strain
• 7) Kim in Hawaii
• 8) Sally Wilburn
• 9) erin
• 10) heatwave16
• 11) Diana
• 12) Kim
• 13) Nicole Zoltack
• 14) romsfuulynn
• 15) Andreea C.
• 16) Has
• 17) donna ann
• 18) cyclops8
• 19) srs
• 20) Jess Macallan
• 21) wendy
• 22) Gail D.
• 23) Lush26
• 24) Robin K
• 25) blodeuedd
• 26) JenMcQ

Today we have the May/June/July/August preview post from Pocket. This post is sponsored by Pocket in that they agreed to giveaway books in exchange for posting about the books. It’s a win, win. The following is a brief description of the book and the cover. I’ve noted whether the book is a DA Recommended read. We haven’t read all of the upcoming releases, but of the ones we have, I’ve noted the ones we’ve particularly enjoyed. You can find out more about these authors and their books at Pocket After Dark.

RULES: Comment to enter. Include in your comment the title of the book in which you are most in reading. The giveaway is open until Friday 12 pm CST. The winners will be posted on Saturday.

GIVEAWAY: The giveaway is open to everyone. If you are an international winner, your book will be sent by Dear Author via Book Depository when Book Depository makes it available to be sent or, electronically, if the book is available in your region. (I.e., we can’t send an August release to you today).

ADDITIONAL NOTES:  If you have not received your book within 4 weeks of the giveaway, please email me and let me know. We want to make sure that you receive your items.  Thanks and good luck.

******

MAY RELEASES

Hush by Cherry Adair, on sale now.
New York Times Bestselling author Cherry Adair introduces an edgy, sexy new suspense series with this exhilarating international tale of hide and seek.

A reckless adventure in a deadly paradise.

Thrill seekers Zakary and Gideon Stark travel the globe in search of extreme adventure, but a trip to Venezuela to jump off the world’s highest falls catapults them into a perilous game of life or death—where they don’t know the rules.

A one-night stand that will change his life forever.

Kidnapped with a woman Zak knows nothing about, the brothers are held prisoner deep in the jungle. A risky, deathdefying escape separates them and nearly claims Zak’s life . . . until his recovery reveals a baffling new sixth sense.

An unexpected diversion with lethal consequences.

Now, to find his missing brother, Zak and the mysterious Acadia Gray will have to out-smart, out-gun, and out-maneuver not just the brutal kidnappers but also a new player who joins the adrenaline game: a ruthless opponent who wants the Stark brothers dead—at any cost.

Tangled by Jennifer Estep, on sale now.

I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.

But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead. Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too. The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . . .

Dark Descendant by Jenna Black, on sale now.

From the acclaimed author of the Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist books comes the gripping first novel in a new series about a private eye who discovers, to her surprise, that she’s an immortal huntress.

Nikki Glass can track down any man. But when her latest client turns out to be a true descendant of Hades, Nikki now discovers she can’t die. . . . Crazy as it sounds, Nikki’s manhunting skills are literally god-given. She’s a living, breathing descendant of Artemis who has stepped right into a trap set by the children of the gods. Nikki’s new “friends” include a descendant of Eros, who uses sex as a weapon; a descendant of Loki, whose tricks are no laughing matter; and a half-mad descendant of Kali who thinks she’s a spy. But most powerful of all are the Olympians, a rival clan of immortals seeking to destroy all Descendants who refuse to bow down to them. In the eternal battle of good god/bad god, Nikki would make a divine weapon. But if they think she’ll surrender without a fight, the gods must be crazy. . . .

Dead on the Delta by  Stacey Jay, on sale now.

Once upon a time, fairies were the stuff of bedtime stories and sweet dreams. Then came the mutations, and the dre-ams became nightmares. Mosquito-size fairies now indulge their taste for human blood—and for most humans, a fairy bite means insanity or death. Luckily, Annabelle Lee isn’t most humans. The hard-drinking, smart-mouthed, bicycle-riding redhead is immune to fairy venom, and able to do the dirty work most humans can’t. Including helping law enforcement— and Cane Cooper, the bayou’s sexiest detective—collect evidence when a body is discovered outside the fairy-proof barricades of her Louisiana town.

But Annabelle isn’t equipped to deal with the murder of a sixyear- old girl or a former lover-turned-FBI snob taking an interest in the case. Suddenly her already bumpy relationship with Cane turns even rockier, and even the most trust-worthy friends become suspects. Annabelle’s life is imploding: between relationship drama, a heartbreaking murder investigation, Breeze-crazed drug runners, and a few too many rum and Cokes, Annabelle is a woman on the run—from her past, toward her future, and into the arms of a darkness waiting just for her. . . .

Concrete Savior by Yvonne Navarro, on sale now.

THEY SAY NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED. BRYNNA MALAK IS LIVING PROOF .

A fallen angel in human form, Brynna is trying to earn another chance at heaven. So far, her road to redemption is littered with casualties, especially since Lucifer’s minions are intent on dragging her back to hell. And being mortal only got more complicated since Brynna became involved with Detective Eran Redmond.
Still, Brynna’s relationship issues—like the fact that one glimpse of her can drive men crazy with desire—may have to wait. A mysterious “hero” is saving Chicago’s citizens from certain death, with strange and sinister consequences. Brynna knows too much about demonkind to believe in coincidences. Some dark force is at work here, and Brynna may be the only one who can stop it. . . .

Demon by Kristina Douglas, on sale now.

Fallen angels abound in the second sizzling paranormal romance in the Fallen series by newcomer Kristina Douglas featuring Azazel, the King of the Fallen

One of the first Fallen, Azazel is second in power only to Lucifer. And with the activation of a prophesy binding him in marriage to the Demon Queen, Lilith, he’ll be even stronger. But Azaiel doesn’t want the power. After the death of his beloved mate, Sarah, he wanders the earth a lost soul, broken and disheartened. That is, until he decides to take matters into his own hands, to find the one woman who could take Sarah’s place as his wife…and kill her.

Scarlet Nights: An Edilean Novel by Jude Deveraux, on sale now.

What if you learned that your fiancÉ was not who he claimed to be?

Engaged to the charming and seductive Greg Anders, Sara Shaw is happily anticipating her wedding in Edilean, Virginia. The date has been set, the flowers ordered, even her heirloom dress is ready. But just three weeks before the wedding, Greg gets a telephone call during the night and leaves without explanation. Two days later, a man climbs up through a trapdoor in the floor of Sara’s apartment, claiming that he is the brother of her best friend and that he’s moving in. While Mike Newland is indeed telling the truth about his identity, his reason for being there reaches far deeper. He’s an undercover detective, and his assignment is to use Sara to track down a woman who is one of the most notorious criminals in the United States—and also happens to be the mother of the man Sara plans to marry.

Mike thinks the job will be easy—if he can figure out how to make a “good” girl like Sara trust him, that is. But Mike has no idea what this mission has in store for him. He’s worked hard to keep private his connections to Edilean, which date back to his grandmother’s time there in 1941. But as Mike and Sara get to know each other, he can’t help but share secrets about himself that he’s told no one else. And in return, Sara opens up to Mike about things she could never reveal to Greg. As the pair work together to solve two mysteries, their growing love begins to heal each of them in ways they never could have imagined.

Scandal in Scotland by Karen Hawkins, on sale date now.

New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins spins an unforgettable tale of a captivating beauty with a secret, a dashing sea captain on a treacherous mission—and the priceless artifact that seals their destiny.

A DESPERATE BEAUTY

Despite fame and countless admirers, actress Marcail Beauchamp has never forgotten William Hurst, the audacious seafarer she once loved . . . and lost. Now, forced by a mysterious blackmailer who threatens her family, she must steal an ancient onyx box from the one man she’s vowed never to see again.

A BOLD ADVENTURER

To save his brother from a ruthless abductor, William must deliver the artifact as ransom. He’s stunned when Marcail, more lovely than ever, suddenly appears on his ship. But when she drugs him and steals the box, his fury knows no bounds.

THE TREASURE EVERYONE WANTS

William pursues Marcail, but too late: she has already delivered the box. The estranged lovers realize they must work together—both to regain the artifact that could mean life or death to his family and to destroy the mysterious blackmailer’s power over her family. Thus begins a high-stakes quest through the reaches of Scotland, a quest that stirs up long-forgotten memories and an unquenchable passion. . . .

JUNE RELEASES

A Wedding Wager by  Jane Feather, on sale date June 28, 2011.
The second novel in New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather’s sexy and scintillating Blackwater Brides trilogy.

Serena Grantley and her stepfather, General Heyward, have spent the past two years traveling around the capitals of Europe, running faro banks among the highest echelons of European society. Serena is indispensable to her stepfather in the business, not only as an experienced faro dealer but as a draw for the men, young and old, who find her charm and beauty irresistible.

Now, much to the delight of her lovesick suitor, the Honorable Sebastian Sullivan, Serena has returned to England with the general, who plans to expand his London gambling house and line his pockets at the expense of the city’s inveterate gamesters. Serena and Sebastian’s burgeoning love affair was cut abruptly short by her departure two years ago, and the two have struggled ever since to overcome their heartache. Unfortunately, their reunion is short lived — aiming to put a halt to the young lovers’ plans, the general has already decided to offer Serena up as a mistress to the dissolute earl of Burford. As Lord Burford becomes more and more pressing in his demands, Serena and Sebastian are left with no choice but to concoct a plan that will turn the tables on the earl and her stepfather.

Lord of Shadows by  Alix Rickloff, on sale date June 28, 2011.

LORD OF SHADOWS is the second book in Alix Rickloff’s devilishly sexy Irish Regency paranormal romance series.

After her father’s murder, Lady Sabrina Douglas retreated into the sanctuary of the cloister, becoming a Sister of High Danu, women devoted to the contemplative life of the Other world. Unfortunately Sabrina’s past catches up with her when a man is found half-dead on a beach and brought to the care of the Sisters.

Daigh MacLir has no memory of who he is or where he comes from. Only a pressing feeling of an unsolved task he’s been given and blinding headaches and hellish nightmares that torment him with images of another existence, one submerged in evil and hate.

Taken in by the nuns, Daigh is drawn to Sabrina without knowing exactly why, only a sense that she will be the one to help him remember who he is. It’s only when those memories return and he realizes not only who he is—a soldier of Domnu; a mage-born slave spawned from the bones of a dead warrior, but what he’s been sent here to do—capture the Rylkoth Tapestry depicting the final resting place of King Arthur—that he realizes Sabrina Douglas will either save him from hell or he will send her there.

Black Heart LOA by Adrian Phoenix, on sale date June 28, 2011.

“An eye for an eye is never enough.”

Kallie RiviÈre, a Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a bent for trouble, learned the meaning of those ominous words when hoodoo bogeyman Doctor Heron targeted her family for revenge. Now, while searching for her still-missing bayou pirate cousin, Kallie finds out the hard way that someone is undoing powerful gris gris, which means that working magic has become as unpredictable as rolling a handful of dice. The wards woven to protect the Gulf coast are unraveling, leaving New Orleans and the surrounding bayous vulnerable just as an unnatural storm—the deadliest in a century—is born. As the hurricane powers toward the heart of all she loves, Kallie desperately searches for the cause of the disturbing randomness, only to learn a deeply unsettling truth: the culprit may be herself. To protect her family and friends, including the sexy nomad Layne Vallin, Kallie steps into the jaws of danger . . . and finds a loup garou designed to steal her heart—literally.

Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett, on sale date June 28, 2011.

Meet Arcadia Bell: bartender, renegade magician, fugitive from the law. . . .

Being the spawn of two infamous occultists (and alleged murderers) isn’t easy, but freewheeling magician Arcadia “Cady” Bell knows how to make the best of a crummy situation. After hiding out for seven years, she’s carved an incognito niche for herself slinging drinks at the demon-friendly Tambuku Tiki Lounge.

But she receives an ultimatum when unexpected surveillance footage of her notorious parents surfaces: either prove their innocence or surrender herself. Unfortunately, the only witness to the crimes was an elusive Æthyric demon, and Cady has no idea how to find it. She teams up with Lon Butler, an enigmatic demonologist with a special talent for sexual spells and an arcane library of priceless stolen grimoires. Their research soon escalates into a storm of conflict involving missing police evidence, the decadent Hellfire Club, a ruthless bounty hunter, and a powerful occult society that operates way outside the law. If Cady can’t clear her family name soon, she’ll be forced to sacrifice her own life . . . and no amount of running will save her this time.

Mystical Warrior by Janet Chapman, on sale date June 28, 2011.

An eleventh-century lass with a stubborn streak unleashes the red-hot hero inside her modern lover in bestselling author Janet Chapman’s irresistible new Midnight Bay adventure.

Trace Huntsman’s peaceful life has headed to hell in a hand-basket ever since stunningly beautiful Fiona Gregor moved into the vacant apartment above his house. Kidnapped centuries earlier and transformed into a red-tail hawk, Fiona is human once more and must learn how to be a modern woman. But damned if Trace is going to be the one to teach her. Not when her mere presence ignites a fiery passion deep within his cautious heart.

Fiona longs to overcome the painful memories of her tragic past—to let down her guard and become a mother again. But so far her handsome landlord is not exactly thrilled with the stray animals—and suitors—that keep following her home. When the wizard Maximilian Oceanus shows up, Trace reaches the end of his rope. Weird things happen when Mac is around—raging storms, snarling demons—but this time, Midnight Bay is at the center of a fierce battle, and Fiona is the primary target. Only Trace can save her, but first, the lovers must set aside their fears . . . and open up their hearts.

A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal by Meredith Duran, on sale date June 28, 2011.

IN GRITTY, WORKING-CLASS LONDON, SHE DOES WHAT SHE MUST TO SURVIVE . . .

When Nell Whitby breaks into an earl’s house on a midnight quest for revenge, she finds her pistol pointed at the wrong man—one handsome as sin and naked as the day he was born. Pity he’s a lunatic. He thinks her a missing heiress, but more to the point, he’ll help her escape the slums and right a grave injustice. Not a bad bargain. All she has to do is marry him.

A NOTORIOUS LADIES’ MAN COULD TAKE HER FROM POVERTY TO OPULENCE . . . BUT AT WHAT PRICE?

A rake of the first order, Simon St. Maur spent his restless youth burning every bridge he crossed. When he inherits an earldom without a single penny attached to it, he sees a chance to start over—provided he can find an heiress to fund his efforts. But his wicked reputation means courtship will be difficult—until fate sends him the most notorious missing heiress in history. All he needs now is to make her into a lady and keep himself from making the only mistake that could ruin everything: falling in love. . . .

Jane’s Note:  This is a DA recommended read.  Duran is a remarkable writer.

JULY RELEASES

Shadow Fall by Seressia Glass, on sale July 26, 2011

Kira returns to Atlanta where her training in Egyptology involves her with a new museum exhibit that allows visitors to experience a pharaoh’s journey through the underworld. On top of the day job, her defeat of the Fallen a few months before left a power vacuum in the Shadow community. The resulting power struggles make the intrigues of Ancient Rome look like playground squabbles. The paranormal body count begins to point to a serial killer, pitting Shadow against Light. Meanwhile, humans are disappearing from the exhibit, some turning up dead. Kira herself is a suspect in the slayings. With the preternatural community suddenly united against her, Kira knows she’s got to use all her resources to piece the puzzle together before her town becomes a very public battlefield. When Kira discovers that an old adversary appears to be behind both the killings and the exhibit, all in the effort to resurrect an ancient god, she has no choice but to fight Shadow with Shadow. The decision forces Kira to embrace the darkest part of herself—and forces her lover, the eternal warrior Khefar, to choose between Kira and the rest of the world. Either way, when the smoke clears, things will never be the same.

The Killing Song by P.J. Parris, on sale July 26, 2011.

From the USA Today bestselling author of the Louis Kincaid mysteries comes a heart-pounding new thriller with a sizzling new hero—Matt Owens, a South Florida investigative reporter on a desperate hunt for his sister’s killer. Matt Owens is a Pulitzer Prize–nominated journalist, but at thirty-five, he’s adrift, more inclined to hit the bottle alone than the Miami Beach club scene. But when his beloved younger sister Mandy comes to visit, Matt wants to show her a new world. It’s the trip of her dreams, but the nightmare begins when Mandy disappears from a crowded dance floor. When her lifeless body is found, one clue—a grisly rock song downloaded onto her iPod—may be the calling card of a serial killer. Shattered with grief and guilt, Matt begins a lonely journey to find Mandy’s killer, following a chain of musical clues that lead him from an abandoned London rock club to a crumbling Scottish castle and finally to the ancient bone-strewn catacombs below Paris. Only one person believes in his quest—Eve Bellamont, a dedicated French detective whose own five-year obsession to find the phantom killer has left her an outcast in her own department. Together, they race to decipher the “killing songs” that the madman leaves with each victim and stop him before another beautiful young woman dies.

With No Remorse by Cindy Gerard, on sale July 19, 2011

Black Ops, Inc. operative Luke – Doc Holliday – Colter is taking some much needed down-time, making his way across the Peruvian Andes via rail, when banditos attack the moving train in the midnight hours. It soon becomes apparent that robbery is not their intent but the abduction of super model Valentina, who is traveling incognito while recovering from a public scandal involving her ex-husband, high profile US Senator, Marcus Chamberlin. Luke whisks Valentina off the train in a daring escape but the two of them become the targets of a relentless manhunt. Enlisting the aid of Luke’s BOI teammates, they soon discover that Val’s intended abduction is linked to a plot put in play by an international gun smuggling alliance. The BOI team led by Luke, with Val along as a necessary pawn, must race halfway around the world to thwart a ruthless attack that would not only result in a devastating loss of life but destroy a tenuous peace the US and her allies have established in a vastly unstable part of the world.

Jane’s note: I read this book and then went and bought the entire backlist.  Make what you will of that. ;)

Bound by Moonlight by Nancy Gideon, on sale date July 26, 2011

POLICE DETECTIVE CHARLOTTE CAISSIE AND HER SHAPE-SHIFTING PARAMOUR MAX SAVOIE THOUGHT THE PAST WAS BEHIND THEM. BUT IN NANCY GIDEON’S IRRESISTIBLE NEW ROMANCE, THEY DISCOVER IT MAY NEVER LET THEM GO. . . .

THEY SWORE THEY’D BE TOGETHER FOREVER.

Detective Charlotte Caissie is suddenly sharing drawer space and making local news with her shape-shifter lover, Max Savoie. He’s determined to be accepted by her peers—so how can she ask him to return to his criminal roots to help her solve a complex case?

BUT THOSE THEY TRUST THE MOST . . .

Working undercover with her partner to find the serial killer who’s kidnapped a colleague’s daughter, Cee Cee is caught between her job and her fiercely possessive lover. And when she calls on Max’s preternatural talents to aid his hated enemy, she crosses a line that strains their relationship to its limit.

. . . WILL DO ANYTHING TO TEAR THEM APART.

With his secret spreading, Max is forced to protect his family and his clan. The only certainty is his love for his human mate . . . unless the loyalties that define them divide them forever.

High Country Bride by Linda Lael Miller, on sale now.

One ranch. Three sons. Only one will inherit…and on one condition.

Tired of waiting for his sons to settle down, Arizona-territory rancher Angus McKettrick announces a competition: the first son to marry and produce a grandchild will inherit Triple M ranch. Now, three distinctly different, equally determined cowboys are searching high and low for brides.

If Emmeline Harding knows one thing, it’s that she can’t hold her liquor. And though she’s not sure how she came to wake up next to a stack of gold coins in a brothel, she fears the worst. Fleeing town as a mail-order bride, she wonders: how will she ever confess her past to her handsome new husband?

Freedom-loving Rafe McKettrick is a man of strong beliefs and stronger passions and he’ll do anything to win the Triple M — even marry a stranger. To his surprise, Emmeline’s charms beguile him even as the secrets he senses she’s hiding ignite jealousy and suspicion. But when a visitor from the past enters the high country, the newlyweds have no choice but to give up on a marriage in name only and seek a union that satisfies them body and soul.

AUGUST RELEASES

Night Falls on the Wicked by Sharie Kohler, on sale date August 30, 2011.

Sharie Kohler returns to the shadowy world of the Moon Chasers, where a seductive witch stalked by demons finds protection in the arms of a lycan on a mission of blood vengeance.

Darby has spent the last three years of her life running from the demons that seek to possess her. She’s walked away from all friends and family for fear that she will drag them too close to the danger forever nipping her heels. As a white witch, demons seek to possess her and use her as Satan’s instrument on earth. Determined to never be a device for evil, she lives life below the radar and stays one step ahead of the evil hunting her. Except there’s more than one evil lurking in the shadows …

When Darby is captured by a pack of lycans, she fears her days of running are at an end. Once they discover that she’s not a simple human, but a witch, they keep her prisoner to take advantage of her supernatural gifts. It will take a miracle to save her …

Infected by a lycan at the age of sixteen, Niklas is no ordinary lycan. The son of a witch, nothing matters to him so much as killing his brethren, wiping out the soulless monsters who murdered his mother and turned him into one of them. On a mission to wipe out a nasty nest of lycans, he rescues a female enticing enough to distract him from his purpose. Only he soon discovers Darby is no ordinary female he can rescue and then just release into the world. Like his own mother, she’s a white witch. Suddenly, he finds himself bodyguard to a woman that has not only lycans hunting her, but demons, too. And the stubborn female isn’t the least grateful, constantly rebuffing his efforts to help her and trying to leave him in the dust.

Except he can’t let her go … he can’t forget the woman who makes him feel alive in a way he hasn’t felt in years.  Even as he battles his own desire for her, Darby fights her attraction to Niklas – a lycan she should feel nothing for– and knows it’s a battle she may lose. But with the evil threatening at every side, what chance do they have?

The Hour of Dust and Ashes by Kelly Gay, on sale date August 30, 2011.

Now that Detective Charlie Madigan knows the off-world drug ash makes humans the perfect vessels for possession, she’ll do anything to save her addicted sister Bryn. But as New Year’s Eve approaches and ash victims began taking their own lives, Charlie is out of time. And worse, every exorcist in Atlanta has fled, leaving no one able to “see” who among the addicted are possessed and in danger. Desperate for help, Charlie turns to an ancient race of beings—creatures of mist and smoke, and embarks on a journey into hellish Charbydon with her siren partner Hank and the Revenant Rex to save Bryn and make it back before the creatures exact their deadly price. But one of them isn’t coming home…

Blood Sacrifice by Maria Lima, on sale date August 30, 2011.

The fifth book in Maria Lima’s critically acclaimed urban fantasy series.

War has been declared by the fae against the Kelly Clan. Keira, her vampire lover Adam, and all the Wild Moon residents must leave the ranch as possession of it and all clan lands are in contention. Taking up residence in a historic San Antonio hotel, Keira, her family, and allies must strategize on how to win and reclaim for their land—a situation made even more difficult by the convoluted wordings of the ancient Challenge that has been invoked. As they research possibilities strange things begin to happen back in Rio Seco: the old cemetery is vandalized, fires break out at the strip center…and Minerva Kelly, clan leader and matriarch is missing. Have the Faery captured her? Should Keira risk breaking the Challenge rules and return to the Wild Moon or is it best to allow events to play out? Either way, she may lose everything.

Dark Taste of Rapture by Gena Showalter, on sale date August 23, 2011.

Beautiful Noelle Tremain has just completed AIR (Alien Investigation and Removal) training and successfully navigated her first mission. Life is perfect.  Until her best friend is turned into a vampire, destroying her day life, and she’s partnered with Hector Dean, destroying her nightlife.  He’s the sexiest, most powerful man she’s ever met, able to atomize his arm and punch through anything – but he’s also an emotionally distanced hardass willing to do anything to avoid her.  To stay on top of their case, she might just have to find a way on top of him.  But oh, the naughty things a girl will do for her job . . .

Snapped by Laura Griffin, on sale date August 30, 2011.

This is the fourth thrilling Tracers novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Griffin.

After being caught in the crossfire of a deadly shooting, Sophie Barrett counts herself lucky to escape with her life. As details of the incident begin to emerge, though, she realizes there is more going on than a senseless act of violence. Now she just has to convince a team of investigators that they’ve got it all wrong.

Homicide detective Jonah Macon knows Sophie has a knack for crossing paths with trouble. He’s saved her butt before, and he’s more than happy to do it again. After all, she’s beautiful, sexy, and fearless. But when she takes on an entire task force of experienced cops, he thinks she’s finally gone too far. Her conspiracy theory is, in a word, unbelievable.

Jane’s Note:  This series is a favorite of Jayne’s and Jayne doesn’t even like romantic suspense. I promise that it is on it’s way to you, Jayne, but I confess that I read it first. After all your praise, I couldn’t resist.  Enjoyed it so much that I bought the previous three in the series. Sadly, my credit card is weeping.

Enemy Mine by Karin Harlow, on sale date August 30, 2011.

The second book following Enemy Lover in Karin Harlow’s new series featuring vampires and a black ops team called L.O.S.T.

Description

While tracking uranium-spinning centrifuges in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, L.O.S.T. operative Nikko Cruz is ambushed and left for dead.  The last person he expects to see is Selena de la Roja, the only woman he ever loved and the same woman he was sentenced to death for killing.

Selena has secrets she’s killed to protect.  Deep, dark, otherworld secrets.  A mother driven mad.  A power-hungry father.  A lineage that makes her half-daemon, a fact she despises.  Selena’s most important secret, however, is one she’s already died to keep.  To protect her daughter, she’ll slay daemons, steal ancient artifacts, and drink immortal blood.  But when she sees her lost love dying on the side of a mountain road, Selena discovers she can’t walk away.  Selena saves Nikko by injecting him with the last of her immortal blood serum, even though doing so pits her against her dangerous employer, a vampire crime lord.

Shotgun Bride by Linda Lael Miller, on sale date August 23, 2011.

One special lady will help this cowboy lawman win his father’s ranch — and steal his heart in the bargain….

Kade McKettrick’s got five mail-order brides-to-be camped out at the local hotel, all more than eager to provide him with the heir that will win him the Triple M ranch. But Kade, the newly appointed marshal, has his hands full with a troublesome outlaw gang. Why, then, is he so easily distracted by pretty “Sister Mandy” — who most assuredly is not the nun she claims to be?

On the run from her outlaw stepfather, Mandy Sperrin hides beneath her solemn disguise, and vows to keep her wild, passionate nature from the respectable citizens of Indian Rock. Yet when the handsome marshal makes it clear that he wants her, Mandy gives in to her heated desires….

Despite the secrets that may lure them both perilously close to danger, Kade knows that proposing marriage may be the only way to keep this spirited woman by his side. But are her ties to a shadowed past more threatening — and closer — than Kade knows? His strong, sensual embrace may charm Mandy’s wild heart — but will she surrender to a lifetime of his deep and powerful love?

Related posts:

1. Berkley Jove Giveaway for June July August Books
2. ACE ROC Giveaway June July August
3. Pocket Fall Preview & Giveaway

WINNERS of Into the Crossfire by Lisa Marie Rice are:

1) Winnie P
2) Victoria Zumbrum
3) Tracy
4) Amy P.
5) Dana
6) Breanna
7) kzoet
8) Julie
9) StacieDM
10) Jessie Patterson

Please use this form:

Pamela Spengler-Jaffee, the publicist for HarperCollins, emailed me yesterday and asked if I was interested in doing a giveaway to support the troops and celebrate their service. Absolutely! Together we came up with the following. LIsa Marie Rice writes books about former special forces heroes. Her 2010 book is Into the Crossfire features Sam Reston, a former Navy SEAL. We are giving away 10 copies of Into the Crossfire to any random commenter.

But that is not all. Regardless of whether you comment or how many people comment, HarperCollins is donating a couple hundred books through books for soldiers AND a brand new K3. To match that, Dear Author is also going to be donating a K3 to the ebooks for soldiers.

If you would like to get involved here are the two links:

• Operation Paperback
• Books for Soldiers
• eBooks for Troups

Additionally, Dear Author is interested in adopting a platoon and if you are interested in helping us do this, drop me an email and let me know what you would be interested in doing. I’ve emailed the Adopt a Platoon organization to find out what kind of commitment would be required of us and how we can best help to boost troop morale.

Thanks guys and happy reading.

Related posts:

1. REVIEW: Into the Crossfire by Lisa Marie Rice

Welcome to Ace and Roc's fantastic forthcoming spring books preview and giveaway. The weather is slowly but surely warming up, and we've got a lot of great books to talk about (and give away) to keep you entertained, inside or out!

Thanks again to Dear Author for giving me this opportunity to let you know about some of our terrific upcoming titles. As always, there are too many good books for me to mention all of them, so you can visit our site (http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/specialinterests/scifi/index.html) or our Facebook page to see what other books we're publishing (http://www.facebook.com/acerocbooks).

March 2011

RIVER MARKED by Patricia Briggs

This is the latest in the Mercy Thompson series, and it's wonderful. Mercy is half-Native American, but was not raised in that culture and tradition. So I was really excited when Patty told me she would be exploring more of Mercy's heritage in this book.

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long gone father. She’s never known any others of her kind.

Until now.

An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River, one her father’s people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help . . .

TWILIGHT'S DAWN by Anne Bishop

Anne made her name with the original Black Jewels trilogy, and has gone on to write other tremendous novels set in the violently passionate and darkly erotic world of the Black Jewels. This realm is a fascinating land ruled by the Blood, a race of witches and warlocks whose power is channeled through magical jewels.

TWILIGHT'S DAWN is a collection of four original Black Jewels novellas, including "Winsol Gifts," "Shades of Honor," "Family," and "The High Lord's Daughter". Some of the events are controversial, but I think that makes the novellas all the more powerful and thought-provoking!

FALLING UNDER by Gwen Hayes

I am cheating a bit by including this as it is published by Penguin's imprint NAL rather than by Ace or Roc, but as I'm the editor and I write this preview, well- FALLING UNDER is a debut YA paranormal. On the surface you may think it's a familiar story-’girl who feels like she doesn't fit in meets a mysterious boy who is hiding a paranormal secret-’but you'd be missing out if you don't give this a try. It's the voice, the writing, the emotion, the fantastical dream sequences, and the surprising and unexpected twists and turns the plot takes that make this one of my favorite first novels this year.

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she's ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she's seen Haden before-’not around town, but in her dreams.

Theia doesn't understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels toward him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure whether she wants to resist him-’even if the cost is her soul.

April 2011

AMONG THIEVES by Douglas Hulick

A thrilling fantasy debut, this is an action-packed novel about thieves and mercenaries, magic and swordplay, loyalty-and betrayal. It's readable and engaging, with a morally ambiguous hero who is part of the criminal underground of a wonderfully realized fantasy city. (Plus great fight scenes!) Full disclosure: there is not a lot in the way of romance, just a few hints of a possible future development. But I noticed a fair amount of interest in the K. J. Taylor traditional fantasy we gave away last season, so I thought there may be more traditional fantasy readers on Dear Author than I realized. And it's another of my favorite first novels, so I couldn't resist sharing!

Ildrecca is a dangerous city, if you don't know what you're doing. It takes a canny hand and a wary eye to run these streets and survive. Fortunately, Drothe has both. He has been a member of the Kin for years, rubbing elbows with thieves and murderers from the dirtiest of alleys to the finest of neighborhoods. Working for a crime lord, he finds and takes care of trouble inside his boss's organization-’while smuggling relics on the side.

But when his boss orders Drothe to track down whoever is leaning on his organization's people, he stumbles upon a much bigger mystery. There's a book, a relic any number of deadly people seem to be looking for-’a book that just might bring down emperors and shatter the criminal underworld.

A book now inconveniently in Drothe's hands-

CON & CONJURE by Lisa Shearin

Lisa writes traditional fantasy with a modern-day attitude and her Raine Benares novels are a riot.

Raine Benares is a Sorceress Seeker of average powers-’a finder of things lost and people missing. But then she is accidentally linked to the Saghred, an ancient soul-stealing stone with limitless power to destroy, and she starts developing all kinds of powers. Now Raine is the most popular girl in town, and everyone wants to get their hands on her-’and the power she controls.

A goblin black mage, for one. He’s figured out that by killing Raine, he can get revenge and take the Saghred’s power for his people in a 2-for-1 deal. But to get Raine, the goblins first have to go through the paladin Mychael: Raine’s significant other and self-appointed protector. They’ve hired the best assassin (living, dead, or otherwise) to handle the job-’and Raine should know, she used to date him-until she found out what he did for a living.

Now Raine and her friends must thwart the assassin and stop the goblin black mage before he gets his hands on the Saghred. Because it may have limitless power, but that power is fueled by one thing: souls. And if the goblins take control of it, they intend to use it-’and the slaughter will be horrific.

SHADY LADY by Ann Aguirre

This is the latest in the fantastic Corine Solomon urban fantasy series, with a strong voice and a unique setting.

Corine Solomon has tried her best to flee her past, her lover, and her “gift”-’but she can never completely escape. Corine is a handler, and when she touches something, she knows what’s happened to an item, who’s owned it, and where it’s been. Using her gift, she can find the missing-’and that’s why people never stop trying to find her.

Corine is just trying to get back to her old life, to her pawn shop in Mexico and her own bed. But then she gets a visit from a past acquaintance. Kel Ferguson, heavily muscled and covered with tattoos, looks like a convict but calls himself a holy warrior. And he has a warning for Corine.

The Montoya cartel is coming for her. And in Corine’s world of magic and strange gifts, cartels don’t just come packing automatic weapons. No, the Montoyas use warlocks, shamans, and voodoo priests-’any advantage to get their merchandise to market and crush their rivals. Corine interfered in the Montoyas' plans, and they won’t rest until she’s dead-

May 2011

WARCRY by Elizabeth Vaughan

This is me cheating a little again. WARCRY is published by Berkley Sensation, but I'm the editor, so here goes. Elizabeth Vaughan’s novels are a rare hybrid, combining the powerful love story of a romance with the world building of a fantasy novel. WARCRY picks up after the conclusions of DESTINY’S STAR and WARLORD (with appearances from Lara and Keir of WARPRIZE).

Atira of the Bear is a fierce Plains warrior who lives for battle-’and values freedom above all else. But when she encounters a former enemy from the land of Xy, she finds herself wanting something more than her own independence.

Heath of Xy has traveled to the Plains to serve his Queen-’but also because he cannot resist the hunger he feels for Atira. Now that the Queen and her Warlord are returning to Xy, he has one more chance to convince this beautiful, proud warrior to share her life with him.

But all is not well in Xy. There is a faction of nobles who are plotting against the Queen and her barbarian Warlord. As cultures clash and tempers flare, Heath and Atira must come together to fight the conspiracy-and to search their hearts for something deeper than raw passion.

Here's what we're giving away:

• River Marked by Patricia Briggs (two advance reading copies)
• Twilight's Dawn by Anne Bishop (three advance reading copies)
• Falling Under by Gwen Hayes (three advance reading copies)
• Blackout by Rob Thurman (three advance reading copies)
• Among Thieves by Douglas Hulick (three advance reading copies)
• Con & Conjure by Lisa Shearin (three advance reading copies)
• Shady Lady by Ann Aguirre (three advance reading copies)
• Magic on the Hunt by Devon Monk (three advance reading copies)
• Warcry by Elizabeth Vaughan (three advance reading copies)

Anne Sowards is an executive editor at Penguin Group (USA) Inc., where she primarily acquires and edits fantasy and science fiction for the Ace and Roc imprints. Some of the great authors she works with include Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Anne Bishop, Ilona Andrews, Karen Chance, Jack Campbell, and Rob Thurman. When she’s not reading, she listens to Chinese rap and spends way too much time playing video games. Follow her at http://twitter.com/AnneSowards.

If you are a winner, enter your contest information here:

Related posts:

1. Spring 2010: Ace/Roc Preview and Giveaway
2. Berkley/Jove Spring Preview & Giveaway 2010
3. Winners of the Spring 2010: Ace/Roc Preview Giveaway

Cindy Hwang at Penguin contacted me and asked if I was willing to read an edited manuscript of Thea Harrison’s Dragon Bound. Harrison hadn’t published a word in 10 years and frankly I was pretty burned out on paranormal romances (we had a tough time putting together the slate for DABWAHA because at first it was everything by Nalini Singh and The Iron Duke). I promised I would give it a try as long as I could quit after the first chapter if I didn’t like it. Deal struck and manuscript arrived shortly after.

The story opens with Pia, someone with some kind of power bargaining with a witch for a spell which she then uses on Keith, her ex boyfriend who sold her out to some more powerful beings. The way in which Pia bargains with Keith gives me some idea that Pia may actually be one of those characters who thinks things through before jumping off the ledge. (As in, she recognizes she might need a parachute). Unfortunately, it’s Pia’s lack of foresight that leads her into this predicament.

Pia was blackmailed into committing a crime more suicidal than she could possibly have imagined, and she had no one to blame but herself.

Knowing that didn’t make it easier. She couldn’t believe she had been so lacking in good judgment, taste or sensibility.

Honestly what had she done? She had taken one look at a pretty face and forgotten everything her mom had taught her about survival.

Pia and her mother have been on the run for as long as Pia can recall. Her mother drummed into Pia that she could not reveal her secrets to anyone, that it would mean the death of her and endanger those around her. But when Pia’s mother dies, Pia is terribly lonely and in a moment of weakness shares a secret, a small one, with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend brags about this to someone else and this secret carries on the wind to someone very powerful who ultimately forces Pia to steal something from the Dragos Cuelebre, the Great Beast. The Wyr who ruled all Wyrs. And no one steals anything from Dragos and lives:

Then Pia heard the most terrible sound of her life. It started low like a vibration, but one so deep in power it shook her bones. She slowed to a stop along with the other pedestrians. People shaded their eyes and looked around as the vibration grew into a roar that swept through the streets and rattled the buildings.

The roar was a hundred freight trains, tornadoes, Mt. Olympus exploding in a rain of fire and flood.

Pia fell to her knees and threw her arms over her head. Others screamed and did the same. Still others looked around wild-eyed, trying to spot the disaster. Some ran panicked down the street. The nearby intersections were dotted with car accidents as frightened drivers lost control and slammed into each other

Then the roar died away. Buildings settled. The cloudless sky was serene but New York City most certainly was not.

Alrighty.

She pushed upright on unsteady legs and mopped her sweat dampened face, oblivious to the chaos churning around her.

She knew what-’who-’had made that unholy sound and why. The knowledge made her guts go watery.

If she were in a race for her life, that roar was the starter pistol. If God were the referee, He had just shouted Go.

And Dragos did indeed yell “Go” to Pia but maybe not for the reasons Pia thought. Being all powerful for century upon century can imbue a certain malaise into even those with limitless wealth and power, or maybe even because of the limitless wealth and power. Dragos sees the theft of an item in his hoarde as an affront, of course, but more importantly, a challenge.

I could see almost immediately what intrigued Dragos based on how the theft was portrayed, what was taken, and what Dragos learns about Pia, bit by bit. There was a great scene early on when Dragos is hunting Pia by a receipt that he found belonging to her. It shows his disconnect with others, his presumptuousness, and most of all, his curiousness (which fits with his dragon being).

Dragos held the receipt up, sniffed and frowned. Even to his sensitive nose the receipt was starting to lose that delicate feminine scent and smell like him.

He strode inside. The penthouse took the Tower’s top floor. Just below that were his offices, meeting rooms, an executive dining hall, training area and other public areas. The third floor down housed his sentinels and other top Court and corporate officials. If it had been a stand alone building, it would have been a mansion. All the rooms and halls were built on a massive scale.

Dragos located the kitchen in the penthouse. It was a foreign place filled with chrome machines and countertops. No one was there. He went in search of the communal kitchen responsible for serving the dining hall and all the sentinels, Court and corporate executives’ needs. He located it on the next flight down.

He strode through the double doors. Half a dozen kitchen staff froze. In the corner a brownie gave a squeak of dismay and faded into invisibility.

The head chef hurried forward, wringing her hands. She was a dire wolf in wyr form but she kept her human shape, that of a tall gray-haired middle-aged woman, during work hours. “This is an unexpected honor, my Lord,” she gushed. “What can we do for you?”

“There are plastic bags with zippers on them. I’ve seen them in commercials,” Dragos said to her. He snapped his fingers, trying to remember the name. “You put food in them.”

“Ziploc baggies?” she asked in a cautious voice.

He pointed at her. “Yes. I want one.”

She turned and snarled at her staff. A faerie leaped to a cupboard then bounded to them. She bowed low to Dragos, head ducked and eyes to the floor, while holding a cardboard box up. He pulled out a baggie, placed the 7-Eleven receipt inside and zipped it closed.

“Perfect,” he said, placing the baggie in his shirt pocket. He walked out, ignoring the babble that rose behind him.

In these pairings between all powerful men and the hapless female, the question is always “why her”. But Pia is very special, not only because of her personality but because of what she is. She is some type of wyr, but what kind I couldn’t figure out. I admit to not being the most well read of fantasy readers so it may be that those who are steeped deep into fantasy genres might guess right away. By keeping Pia’s identity a secret, but unfolding clues along the way to Dragos, there is a certain suspense and momentum provided that allows for a romance to develop without the reader feeling frustrated.

Pia and Dragos get caught up in battle over power and Dragos’ life is placed in jeopardy more than once and Pia gets to do some saving of her own.

Harrison really delivers on the sexual tension with an alpha male dragon wyr who is both possessive and acquisitive and a heroine who has powers we aren’t quite sure about.

I’m really excited about this new series, three stories which will be published this year. In some ways, I felt the feel of the world was similar to Nalini Singh’s Archangel series. It’s modern, contemporary with an old world power overlay. The heat level is about on par with Singh as well. Berkley is holding 10 ARCs to be given away to random commenters. International readers welcome.

The only thing we would ask is that if you are moved, you might say something on the internet somewhere or to a friend, about this book as this is a new author and this series could definitely use some word of mouth help. (This is not a precondition to winning an ARC. ARC giveaways are ALWAYS random).

Let us know what your favorite Dragon story is in the comments to enter your name in our ARC Giveaway. (Mine is the Hurog series by Patricia Briggs). You can pre order the book here.

Updated with winners:

1. miss_thing:   I’ve never been a big aficionado of dragon stories, but I have to say I LOVE the dragons in Michelle Sagara’s “Cast In…” series. They have such style and attitude :-). I particularly love the Arkon, who is the ultimate protective archivist… I’d love to read this book – you had me at the comparison to Nalini Singh.
2. BethP: I, too, would have to say the Shana Abe Drakon series.
3. Julie:   The only dragon series or stories I have read, and liked are by Katie MacAlister. But this one sounds interesting.
4. Minh: This book sounds like a blast! My favourite dragon books at the moment has to be the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik, they’re brilliantly crafted with wonderful characters.
5. Jan:   Anne McCaffrey’s dragonrider books were some of the first fantasy books I read as a teenager. I also like Patricia Briggs’ Hurog series. I’m looking forward to this new series by Thea Harrison.
6. Joseri: Definitely Patricia Briggs Hurog books, the first is probably my most favourite book ever.
7. Joni: Sounds really interesting. I think I’d have to agree with Kim that my favorite dragon series is the McCaffrey one, although I definitely liked some parts of it more than others.
8. Lisa Iriarte:   I will always be partial to the Dragonsong/Dragonsinger books by Anne McCaffrey.
9. Rosario:   I’ve had a look at the comments, and it looks like I haven’t read any books with dragon main characters (unless you count Marjorie Torrey’s Artie and the Princess, which I read and loved as a child). This one sounds really interesting, though, and I’d love to give it a try.
10. Dana:   I also loved the dragonriders of Pern. This book sounds good.

Related posts:

1. REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Demon Bound by Meljean Brook
2. Prom Nights from Hell by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle
3. REVIEW: [SFR Classics] Dragon Bones / Dragon Blood by Patricia Briggs

“The gift I’m most excited to give this year is my first ever college grade report to my parents, they are going to be so proud of me! All A’s :)

I would like ARCHANGEL’S CONSORT by Nalini Singh”

The winners of the Berkley giveaway (all 84 of them) are as follows:

• Katrina
• Bronte
• Eskimo
• JK Coi
• Eliza Evans
• MelissaG
• elaing8
• Leslee
• Natasha C
• Shannon H
• Silver James
• Bernadette Stock
• Jody
• Patricia
• Melissa B
• Oriana
• Terri Schaefer
• maered
• Sabrina
• LSUReader
• Myranda
• Barbara
• Patrice
• Biki
• DeeCee
• Kimmie P
• Michelle
• Eithne O’Hanlon
• Rachel Elizabeth
• EMoore
• Marcee
• Janell
• Heather
• Raffaela
• MD
• SarahM
• Missy_G
• Karen Harbur
• Linda Henderson
• Tara
• Cathi
• Brooke
• Nicola
• Cherie J
• Karen W.
• Melissa (Books and Things)
• Linda B
• Nicole Zoltack
• JessQ
• Priya Shukla
• cassandra
• mstieh
• Lea Rose
• Cynthia N.
• Miranda
• Amanda T.
• Allie
• Wendy Thompson
• Shawntelle Madison
• terhi
• Sabrina Garcia
• Danielle Bull
• Wenj
• sharon
• Erika R
• Amy P.
• Stacy(Urban Fantasy Investigations)
• Georgia W
• Amy
• Christina
• Heather F.
• Nicole
• Linda Bingham
• Kyesha M.
• jcp
• Stephanie B
• Kate A
• Lisa Richards
• Shell
• E
• Mike Richardson
• Krystyn
• Kimmie P
• Angela Haley

Related posts:

1. 2010 Berkley Winter Giveaway
2. WINNERs of the Berkley/Jove Spring Giveaway
3. WINNERS of the Berkley Fall Giveaway 2010

****

Right in time for the holidays, it’s the winter edition of the Berkley Jove giveaway! We have an awesome line-up of books that will keep you warm this winter, and as you can see from the number of titles we’re giving away, it truly is better to give than to receive. So get ready to stuff your stockings with some great books. Thanks, as always, to Jane and Dear Author for hosting this fun event. Don’t forget that we can only highlight a few titles–for a complete listing and more information about our titles, visit www.berkleyjoveauthors.com.

December

NO PLACE TO RUN, Maya Banks
NO PLACE TO RUN is the 2nd book in Maya’s terrific KGI series, which got off to an outstanding start with the highly powerful and emotional THE DARKEST HOUR. This time, it’s Sam Kelly’s turn in the spotlight, as a woman who disappeared from his life after a brief, unforgettable affair returns with a vengeance–and with a promise of a future together. If they can survive the danger ahead first, of course. Maya has quickly become a must-read favorite of many readers, and NO PLACE TO RUN is truly romantic suspense at it’s finest.

REAL VAMPIRES HAVE MORE TO LOVE, Gerry Bartlett
Glory St. Clair, the lovable big-boned vampire, is back, and her love life is as exciting as ever. Now, it’s her erstwhile bodyguard Rafael who has moved back into her life–and her apartment too. There’s plenty of love, laughter and sexual tension in this terrific book, guaranteed to heat up your holiday!

YOU DROPPED A BLONDE ON ME, Dakota Cassidy
National bestselling author Dakota Cassidy has wowed readers with her fun, irreverent humor and sexy romance for years. Now Dakota returns with an all new novel of contemporary romance, YOU DROPPED A BLONDE ON ME. You won't want to miss the story of Maxine Cambridge, ex-trophy wife extraordinaire who is ready to throw down some payback on her ex-life and battle for what's hers, and she’s even more determined to do it standing on her own.

January

BLOOD CHALLENGE, Eileen Wilks
Eileen Wilks returns with the latest book in her Lupi series, and not only do Lily and Rule return, but Benedict, Rule’s enigmatic and sexy older brother, takes center stage with his own romance–and a new mate. I’ve been asking Eileen for Benedict’s story for years now, so I’m especially excited about BLOOD CHALLENGE, and I know there are a lot of readers out there who’ve been waiting for Benedict’s story too.

CHASING THE SUN, Kaki Warner
This is the enthralling conclusion to the blazingly romantic “Blood Rose” western historical romance trilogy that has been praised by the Chicago Tribune as “emotionally compelling…[and] flawlessly written.”

DARLING STRUMPET, Gillian Bagwell
For historical fiction readers out there, don’t miss DARLING STRUMPET, which details the story of Nell Gwynn, probably the most famous courtesan of the Restoration period in England and perhaps the most beloved mistress of King Charles II. This story details her beginnings in the London slums to her rise in the world of the theater where she catches the eye of the king.

February

ARCHANGEL’S CONSORT, Nalini Singh
This is the highly anticipated third book in the Guild Hunter series, as Archangel Raphael and Guild Hunter Elena Deveraux return to New York City, and Elena’s new status as an angel and Raphael’s consort puts them in the unrelenting public eye. But they have a lot more than public opinion to worry about, as an Ancient is awakening–an Ancient who is Raphael’s mother. This book is another major step forward in the utterly compelling relationship between Elena and Raphael, and fans won’t be disappointed!

NIGHTSHADE, Michelle Rowen
NIGHTSHADE is the first in a new urban fantasy romance series that is as riveting and page-turning as it gets. Jillian Conrad is put in the ultimate wrong place/wrong time situation when she’s injected with a serum that makes her a living, breathing weapon against vampires, but the poison also makes her blood nearly irresistible to vampire senses. Now sought after by both humans and vampires, her only protection is Declan Reyes, a half-vampire who can barely control his own urges around her. The sexual tension between Declan and Jillian just sizzles. It’s edgy, dark and compulsively readable–perfect for fans of both urban fantasy and paranormal romance.

ANIMAL MAGNETISM, Jill Shalvis
Jill Shalvis consistently writes wonderful contemporary romances, and ANIMAL MAGNETISM is another winner. It features all the sparkle, humor and sensuality that Jill is known for, combined with a menagerie of adorable animals. Lilah, the heroine, owns the town’s only kennel, and is distracted by several animals when she rear-ends the hero’s truck. Sparks fly between the two, and you won’t want to miss the resulting fireworks.

For the giveaway:

• 3 copies of NO PLACE TO RUN, Maya Banks (I’m really enjoying this series)
• 2 copies of YOU DROPPED A BLONDE ON ME, Dakota Cassidy
• 3 copies of DAY OF THE DRAGON, Rebecca York
• 2 copies of GODDESS OF CAMELOT, P.C. Cast
• 2 copies of EXPLOSIVE, Beth Kery (I liked this one and reviewed it here)
• 2 copies of REAL VAMPIRES HAVE MORE TO LOVE, Gerry Bartlett
• 2 copies of IN TOO DEEP, Jayne Ann Krentz
• 3 copies of RUTHLESS GAME, Christine Feehan
• 3 copies of THEN HE KISSED ME, Christie Ridgway
• 2 copies of BLOOD CHALLENGE, Eileen Wilks
• 3 copies of MASTER OF SMOKE, Angela Knight
• 3 copies of SKIN HEAT, Ava Gray
• 3 copies of ANGEL AT DAWN, Emma Holly
• 2 copies of IMMORTAL CHAMPION, Lisa Hendrix
• 2 copies of SPELLWEAVER, Lynn Kurland
• 2 copies of DARLING STRUMPET, Gillian Bagwell
• 2 copies of THE PERFECT PLAY, Jaci Burton (this is the one with this! cover)
• 3 copies of ICE BREAKER, Deirdre Martin (I enjoyed this one, reminded me a little of Body Check)
• 2 copies of ARCHANGEL’S CONSORT, Nalini Singh (loved it)
• 3 copies of NIGHTSHADE, Michelle Rowen
• 3 copies of CHASING THE SUN, Kaki Warner
• 3 copies of ANIMAL MAGNETISM, Jill Shalvis
• 3 copies of REAPER’S JUSTICE, Sarah McCarty
• 3 copies of BLOOD WYNE, Yasmine Galernorn
• 2 copies of CAPTIVE, Christina Phillips
• 3 copies of RAVEN’S QUEST, Anya Bast

and these additional titles from the DA Stash

• Demon Marked by Anna J. Evans
• Must Love Kilts by Allie Mackay
• Finding Destiny by Jean Johnson
• Siren’s Surrender by Devyn Quinn
• The Irish Princess by Karen Harper
• Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
• Restless Heart by Wynona Judd
• A Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson
• Surrender to Darkness by Annette McCleave
• Goddess of Legend by PC Cast
• Blood of the Rose by Kate Pearce
• Here to Stay by Catherine Anderson
• Reaper’s Justice by Sarah McCarty
• Visions of Magic by Regan Hastings
• On the Hunt by Gena Showalter et al
• The Other Side by JD Robb
• Angel at Dawn by Emma Holly
• Then He Kissed Me by Christie Ridgeway

*****

So here is how to enter. Simply leave a comment about what the gift you are most excited to GIVE as a present this holiday season AND the book that you would most like to receive out of the titles listed in the above giveaway. As an added treat, anyone who comments on this post (in addition to the commenters for the Ace/Roc giveaway will be entered to win a Kindle 3G wifi (est. retail value of $139) as a gift from Dear Author. We will close the comments on Friday at 7 pm CST and the winners of the book giveaway will be announced on Saturday. The Kindle winner will be announced on the 18th and hopefully the winner will receive it before Christmas (unless you live outside the US then I am shipping it the cheapest way possible. Good luck!)

Related posts:

1. Winners of the 2010 Winter ACE/Roc Giveaway
2. Berkley/Jove Spring Preview & Giveaway 2010
3. WINNERS of the Berkley Fall Giveaway 2010

Dear Ms. Thorne,

After I read your last historical release, The Twilight Gods, I added you to my list of authors to watch and read regularly.   The Twilight Gods was a great, historically researched novel that felt comfortably Dickensian.   While I have yet to really dig into your contemporary novels, I know you have an admirable ability to write historical novels.   I wasn’t at all worried about your latest release, and it proved to be just as good as the last one.   While it didn’t capture me as intently as The Twilight Gods did, the quality of writing was lovely and consistent.   This is so much more than a Christmas story.

The story, as many Christmas ones do, begins with a toymaker.

Abelard Bauer is a toymaker living in Bavaria in the mid-1800′s.   His work is known to be meticulous and lovely, and many people in his village buy the toys from him to put under their trees.   While toy making is his trade, what he really impresses people with is his knowledge of making glass spheres and ornaments.   Princes and shepherds, and most recently, a tiny glass minstrel.

In the same tiny, Bavarian town lives a man named Andreas Schiffer.   He knows Abelard well enough.   Haunted by the tragic death of his son, and the darkened history behind it, Schiffer is hostile towards Abelard.   Despite the fact that they share the tragedy of their sons perishing in the same accident, they also share another secret.

Their sons were lovers.

Set around the magical time of Christmas, The Glass Minstrel is the heartbreaking story of a toymaker who finds himself in the throes of depression.   The last of his family has gone from him, just after he began to understand what it was like.   It is a story of a broken friendship, of understanding, and of how loneliness affects us all.   Especially around the holidays.

Reading your novels is always a quietly uplifting experience.   Nothing immediately catches your attention, but you are pleasantly surprised by what the pages of the book hold.   By the end of the story, you are invested in the characters and analyzing their motives like you would in the best of novels.   Genre fiction is hard to pull off as something both original yet familiar, but books such as The Glass Minstrel manage to get it right.

Abelard was a protagonist I was amazingly fond of.   It’s interesting to read a young adult novel where the adults are more centered than the teenager in the story, although there were several teenage characters in the narrative.   His place in the story was simple yet powerful, and it was really touching to read about the dedication to his craft and how he missed his son.   the fact that he was an accepting father was also a nice touch.

Schiffer was the black to Abelard’s white, though not in a bad way.   Where Abelard deals with his grief by befriending a young teenager named Jakob (who is much like his son), Schiffer bemoans his fate and tries to make sense of the journal his son Heinrich left behind.   His character is intense and angry, and seeing that anger slowly disappear as he became more accepting of his son’s passing was nice.   It blended with the acceptance of what his son was, as well.

The story of Jakob was a pleasant side story that represented the love of the younger Bauer and Schiffer in a new form, although Jakob’s road to romance is not easy, and is not destined for a quick fix.   He traverses the difficult waters of liking a childhood friend that is either straight or not accepting of their sexuality, and of liking someone that, while kind, is destined to never return those affections.   Jakob’s character is the one that will resonate with teen readers the most, and I really enjoyed how real he was.   I would have liked to know him outside the pages of your novel.

Your writing was as pleasant as always, and your style remains something unique yet accessible.   Historical fiction enthusiasts especially will enjoy your attention to detail and the way you focus on characters of the middle class, as so few authors tend to do.   Another thing that I really liked about this book is the journal entries from Heinrich that began each chapter.

Our books make for good props.   It’s quite funny how everyone else sees us and commends us for being such a studious pair, with our books and notes spread out on the grass while we lie on our stomachs or sit against our favorite beech tree.   Half the time we simply write notes to each other, which we pass back and forth.   Sometimes I think we get a little too sentimental, but Stefan seems to take a lot of pleasure in it, so I try not to feel too self-conscious about being sweet on him.

- from the journal of Heinrich Schiffer

The plot was nice enough, though I think the subject of Christmas will deter some readers, despite the fact that the novel isn’t meant to be a Christmas story so much as a story that takes place around Christmastime.   The setting was also thinner than The Twilight Gods, and I found myself not enjoying it as much.   I would have liked more vivid descriptions of it, but it wasn’t so sparse as to deter readers.   Merely, I felt that it could have been done better.

For readers that are unfamiliar with LGBTQ genre fiction and/or LGBTQ historical fiction, especially for young-adults, your work is a great starting point.   Your stories are engaging and the feelings and situations you deal with are universal to all time periods.   With enjoyable characters and writing that hardly misses the mark, I enjoy your work, and think that many other people will as well.   You know how to write about LGBTQ issues delicately, yet you still manage to convey a wonderful message.   We’re just like everyone else, and that’s what is important.   B +

All the best,
John

Amazon Buy Link

We have a signed PRINT copy (US only) *and* a DIGITAL copy (no geographic restrictions) of this book to giveaway. Comment by 6am EST on Wednesday to win! (One win per person for the week of our Gay Writes giveaways, but feel free to comment on all posts to increase your chances of winning!)

Related posts:

1. GAY WRITES REVIEW: Strawberries for Dessert by Marie Sexton
2. REVIEW: The Privateer by Danielle Thorne
3. GAY WRITES REVIEW: Homecoming by Nell Stark

Don’t forget that on Today from 6 pm to 8 pm CST, Dear Author will be hosting a bookchat for Butterfly Swords.

Kobo Books will give away one Kobo Reader to a random customer who buys Butterfly Swords during the month of October. So from October 1 through October 31, if you buy Butterfly Swords from KOBO BOOKS, you will be entered to win a Kobo Reader.

The author Jeannie Lin will be joining us but we’ll definitely have time to gab after she leaves if you feel uncomfortable with the author presence.   Come join us this evening.

Related posts:

1. Butterfly Swords Bookchat & Kobo Reader Giveaway
2. Thoughts on Jeannie Lin’s Butterfly Swords
3. Bookchat Reminder + Kobo Reader Giveaway

Kobo Books will give away one Kobo Reader to a random customer who buys Butterfly Swords during the month of October. So from October 1 through October 31, if you buy Butterfly Swords from KOBO BOOKS, you will be entered to win a Kobo Reader.

The author Jeannie Lin will be joining us but we’ll definitely have time to gab after she leaves if you feel uncomfortable with the author presence.   So again, mark your calendars for Saturday from 6 pm to 8 pm CST for a bookchat and don’t forget to buy Butterfly Swords from Kobo to be entered to win a Kobo reader.

Related posts:

1. Butterfly Swords Bookchat & Kobo Reader Giveaway
2. Sony Reader Pocket Edition Giveaway: Help Me Fill My Widget
3. Multifunction v. Dedicated Ebook Reader & Samhain Giveaway

Dear Author will also be hosting a bookchat for Butterfly Swords here on one of the following dates to be determined by your poll answers (poll will close tomorrow at 5 am CST).
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Related posts:

1. Thoughts on Jeannie Lin’s Butterfly Swords
2. REVIEW: Prince of Swords by Anne Stuart
3. Sony Reader Pocket Edition Giveaway: Help Me Fill My Widget

• Susan
• AmandA
• arani
• Lizzy
• EGS
• Linda Henderson
• Bailey
• Mar
• Mihir
• martins
• Tili S.
• Laura L
• Patty A.
• Barbara
• Carol Causey
• Kathy Spillers
• Rory
• Jen Merry
• Julie
• Stephanie K.
• vickyvak
• Linda S
• kris
• Cindy
• Teri C

Related posts:

1. WINNERS of the Berkley Fall Giveaway 2010
2. Pocket Fall Preview & Giveaway
3. Winners of Erin McCarthy’s Hot Finish