Escapist Newsletter (Vol 5 Issue 6)

News from LE

THallaway-Almost EverythingI know the last couple of months have been sporadic with the news posts, but I’m hoping to be a little better about it.  I know I keep saying that, but I’m starting to get back into the groove.  I know the author visits have also been minimum, but I decided that until I could keep up with the actual content, I needed to slow down with contests and guest articles.  If you’ve recently contacted me about visiting LE, I’m not ignoring you and will be responding shortly.

It’s June 1st, which means the latest New Author Mini-Challenge, TBR Newbies, is over.  So far, there have been 24 novels read in an effort to try those new authors that snuck into our TBR piles.  Everyone has until June 3rd to get your reviews in, at which point I’ll draw the winner for a novel of choice.

LE will be starting a new feature later this afternoon.  Every week, Casey’s Literary Rants will be discussing the various things that just need to be discussed.  I’ll be honest, I have no idea what’s she’s planning, but I can tell you her first rant is quite amusing.  Want to read it?  Come back this afternoon and you’ll be able to.  *grin*

Cover Extravaganza

During May, 100 different covers were revealed. I’m only going to show off a few that I haven’t seen get as much time on the blogs, but you can find all of them, in their original sizes, on the Facebook page. There were a ton of great sources: Wicked Scribes, All Things Urban Fantasy, Michelle’s Book Blog, Escape Between the Pages, Dark Faerie Tales, Tez Says and SciFiGuy.

New Releases

Antho-Happily Ever AfterJune 1st:
Demons Prefer Blondes by Sidney Ayers
Virgin by Cheryl Brooks (CatStar Chronicles #7)
The Eternal Sea by Angie Frazier
Summer’s Crossing by Julie Kagawa
Fort Freak by Cherie Priest (Wild Cards)
Heart of the Highland Wolf by Terry Spear (Wolf #7)
Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari
The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen
Angel Fire by LA Weatherly

June 2nd:
Dark Touch: Betrayal by Amy Meredith
Dark Heart Rising by Lee Monroe
The Deadliest Bite by Jennifer Rardin (Jaz Parks #7)
City of the Snakes by Darren Shan

June 6th:
Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane

June 7th:
Three Sinful Wishes by RG Alexander
Storm Kissed by Jessica Andersen (Nightkeepers)
The Promise of Love an anthology featuring Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Sylvia Day, Jamie Denton
Chicks Kick Butt an anthology featuring Rachel Caine, L.A. Banks, Rachel Vincent, Karen Chance, Lilith Saintcrow, Cheyenne McCray, Susan Krinard, Jeanne Stein, Jenna Black, Elizabeth Vaughan, Carole Nelson, Douglas, P.N. Elrod, Nancy Holder
Frostbound by Sharon Ashwood
Hexes and Hemlines by Juliet Blackwell (Witchcraft Mystery #3)
Nyx in the House of Night by PC Cast (House of Night)
Hunt the Moon by Karen Chance (Cassie Palmer #5)
Nightfall by Ellen Connor (Dark Age Dawning #1)
Flying Blind by Deborah Cooke (Dragon Diaries #1)
Vampire in Atlantis by Alyssa Day
Hit List by Laurell K Hamilton (Anita Blake)
Hexed by Kevin Hearne (Iron Druid Chronicles #2)
Memories of Envy by Barb Hendee (Vampire Memories)
Hereafter by Tara Hudson
Shadow Walker by Allyson James (Stormwalker #3)
Everdark by Elle Jasper (Dark Ink #2)
Possession by Elana Johnson
Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade (Ghost and Goth #2)
Forgotten Sea by Virginia Kantra (Children of the Sea)Unnatural Issue by Mercedes Lackey
Everlasting by Alyson Noël (Immortals)
Shadowborn by Alison Sinclair
Hunter’s Fall by Shiloh Walker

June 9th:
Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby
Exile by Rebecca Lim

June 14th:
Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lyn Barnes (Raised by Wolves #3)
The Demon’s Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan (Demon #3)
The Revenant by Sonia Gensler
Passion by Lauren Kate (Fallen #3)

June 15th:
Leviathan Wakes by James SA Corey
The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein
An Evening for Vayl and Jaz by Jennifer Rardin (Jaz Parks Short)

June 21st:
TJamieson-Business of DeathHappily Ever After an anthology fearuting Gregory Maguire, Bill Willingham, Susanna Clarke and Neil Gaiman
The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities an anthology featuring Carrie Vaughn
Shadowcry by Jenna Burtenshaw (Secrets of Wintercraft)
Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz (Beauchamp Family Book #1)
The Darkest Heart by Thea Devine
Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich (Stephenie Plum #17)
Collide by Megan Hart
Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
Breath of Angel by Karyn Henley
Embraced by Blood by Laurie London
Dead Rules by Randy Russell
Vacation with a Vampire by Maggie Shayne and Maureen Child
The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood
A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

June 22nd:
Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel (Vampire Queen #2)

June 27th:
Hexed an anthology featuring Ilona Andrews; Yasmine Galenorn; Allyson James; Jeanne Stein
Sisters of the Moon

June 28th:
Deeper Than Midnight by Lara Adrian (Midnight Breed #9)
Supernatural Noir an anthology
Spectyr by Philippa Ballantine (The Order #2)
Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett
Heartless by Gail Carriger (Parasol Protectorate/Alexia Tarabotti #4)
Dark Awakening by Kendra Leigh Castle (Dark Dynasties #1)
Mystical Warrior by Janet Chapman
Fins are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs
Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft
Feast: Harvest of Dreams by Merrie Destefano
Wolf Tales 12 by Kate Douglas
Burn the Night by Jocelynn Drake (Dark Days #6)
Never Cry Wolf by Cynthia Eden
Ashes of a Black Frost by Chris Evans (Iron Elves #3)
Crave the Moon by Lori Handeland (Night Creature #11)
Changeling Dream by Dani Harper (Changeling #2)
Hammered by Kevin Hearne (Iron Druid Chronicles #3)
Blood Secrets by Jeannie Holmes (Alexandra Sabian #2)
The Siren’s Cry by Jennifer Anne Kogler
The Wild Road by Marjorie Liu
Green-Eyed Envy by Kasey Mackenzie (Shades of Fury #2)
Graveminder by Melissa Marr
Torn by Erica O’Rourke
Eat, Slay, Love by Jesse Petersen
Black Heart Loa by Adrian Phoenix (Hoodoo #2)
Tamed by a Highlander by Paula Quinn
Lord of Shadows by Alix Rickloff (Heirs of Kilronan #4)
The Final Evolution by Jeff Somers
Eternity by Heather Terrell
Kitty’s Big Trouble by Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville #9)

June 29th:
Naamah’s Blessing by Jacqueline Carey (Naamah #3)

June 30th:
Forsaken Harbor by Laura Kreitzer (Summer Chronicles #2)
Luminous by Dawn Metcalf

Here are a few other places with their own June releases: SciFiGuy (Fantasy, Young Adult, UF & PNR), Wicked Little Pixie, All Things Urban Fantasy, Tez Says,

IKruger-UndeadNew Release Dates:
I’ve finally gotten the New Releases page updated. A printable version of the New Releases page was requested on facebook awhile back and that is now available. For a listing of all the novels that were added, click here, here and here. Here’s a few more:

08/04/11: Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson
08/16/11: Bye Bye, Baby by Max Allen Collins (Nate Heller)

09/01/11: Undead by Kirsty McKay
09/13/11: Fateful by Claudia Gray
09/13/11: Undead by Isabella Kruger (Ever After #1)
09/19/11: The Business of Death by Trent Jamieson (Death Works #3)
09/27/11: Lost In Time by Melissa de la Cruz (Blue Bloods)

11/01/11: Courting Darkness by Yasmine Galenorn (Sisters of the Moon #10)
11/01/11: Under Attack by Hannah Jayne (Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles #2)
11/23/11: Theft of Swords by Michael Sullivan (Riyria Revelations #1)
11/29/11: Within the Flame by Marjori Liu (Dirk & Steele #11)

12/14/11: Rise of Empire by Michael Sullivan (Riyria Revelations #2)

2012: Kitty Steals the Show by Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville #10)

01/03/12: Born of Ashes by Caris Roane (Ascension #4)
01/23/12: Heir of Novron by Michael Sullivan (Riyria Revelations #3)
01/31/12: By a Thread by Jennifer Estep (Elemental Assassin #5)
01/31/12: On Midnight Wings by Adrian Phoenix (Makers Song #5)

02/01/12: Celebrity in Death by JD Robb (In Death #34)
02/07/12: Shaded Vision by Yasmine Galenorn (Sisters of the Moon #11)
02/07/12: Almost Everything by Tate Hallaway (Vampire Princess of St. Paul)
02/07/12: Something About Witches by Joey W. Hill
02/28/12: Angels’ Flight by Nalini Singh (Guild Hunter #4)

03/06/12: Wicked Edge by Nina Bangs (Castle of Dark Dreams)
03/06/12: Now or Never by Michele Bardsley (Wizards of Nevermore #3)
03/06/12: Oracle’s Moon by Thea Harrison (Elder Races #4)
03/06/12: Eventide by Elle Jasper (Dark Ink Chronicles #3)
03/06/12: Darkness Undone by Jessa Slade (Marked #4)
03/06/12: Dire Needs by Stephanie Tyler

04/01/12: The Calling by Kelley Armstrong (Darkness Rising #2)

05/01/12: Deadly Descendant by Jenna Black (Descendant #2)

06/01/12: Title Unknown by Nalini Singh (Psy/Changeling)

From the Author Sites

DQuinn-Sirens DesireJennifer Estep excitedly announced that she has sold two more Elemental Assassin novels to Pocket Books.  I’m wondering if these two novels are By a Thread, which comes out in February 2012, and the seventh novel due out later that year or if that means we’ll be getting books eight and nine as well.

It was just announced at Publisher’s Weekly that Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong have teamed up to write a new YA trilogy called the Blackwell Pages.  The new series will be slated as a middle grade since it involves three 12-year-olds who are descended from Norse gods and have to stop an impending apocalypse.  The first novel, Loki’s Wolves, is set to release in Spring of 2013.

Orbit Books will be releasing a bunch Jennifer Rardin’s Jaz Park short stories over the next couple of months. Scouting Jasmine and The Golem Hunt are already out and available for $1.99.  On June 15th, we’ll be able to read An Evening for Vayl and Jaz; on July 15th, we’ll be able to read The Minion Chronicles: Paul and Brady Get Hoodoo with the Voodoo; and on August 15th, we’ll have Zombie Jamboree.  All three will also be available for $1.99.

Nalini Singh will be doing a live chat for Penguin’s Project Paranormal Facebook page on June 2nd at 3:30pm EST.  In more Singh goodness, if you’re on her mailing list, than you already know who the next Psy/Changeling novel will be about.  Interesting enough, the next changeling who will find his mate is under the illusion that his mate is already with another and he’s too late.  So I’m curious to see what fate has in store for Riaz.  While there’s not a title yet, a tentative release date was announced.  We’ll be able to read the story in June 2012 and the Arrows may be making their move.  We’ll have to wait a see.

Jenna Black has announced the title for her second Descendant novel.  With a tentative release date of May 2012, we’ll get to read Deadly Descendent.

Kelley Armstrong has posted a tentative title and release date for the second Darkness Rising novel.  In April 2012, or close to that, we may or may not have The Calling.  With it still a year away, both the date and title could change, but at least we have a goal and something other than “book 2” to call it.

Keri Arthur had the fabulous news that the third Dark Angels novel (you know, Risa’s series) not only has a working title, Darkness Devours, but could possibly hit the shelves early 2012.

First off, I really need to check my blog feeds more often.  I didn’t realize that my feed for Marjorie Liu‘s site wasn’t working.  If it had been, I would’ve known that she announced the title to the next Dirk & Steele novel.  Within the Flame will feature Eddie and will be out in November 29th.

New Excerpts or Reading for Free

TMeyers-HunterIlona Andrews has posted a snippet from an upcoming enovella that has neither a title or a release date yet.

Jenna Black has posted the first chapter to the third Faewalker novel, Sirensong, which will be released.

Nalini Singh has posted an excerpt for her upcoming novel, Archangels’ Blade, which is due to release.

Shiloh Walker has been posting snippets from her upcoming novel, Hunter’s Fall, which releases June 7th.  You can read them here, here, here, here, here and here.

Diana Pharaoh Francis has posted a snippet from her third Horngate Witches novel, Shadow City, which is set to release December 27th.

We’ve may have seen this, but it seemed like there was more.  However, Laurell K Hamilton has posted the first chapter to the next Anita Blake novel, Hit List, which is out next week.  There’s good news for the Edward lovers – if the first chapter is anything to go by, there’s going to be a lot of Edward.

Nalini Singh has posted a deleted scene, Wolf School, which was originally going to be a part of Play of Passion.

Faith Hunter has posted a teaser for her fifth Jane Yellowrock novel, which is still currently without a title.

Devon Monk has posted the first chapter to Dead Iron, the first novel in her new Age of Steam series, which will be released July 5th.

Lauren Dane has been sharing a few snippets.  The first, second and third snippet is for Once and Again, which will be published later this year.  The fourth one is for dirty/bad/wrong, which is a part of the Three to Tango anthology which was just released.

Yasmine Galenorn has been posting snippets of her upcoming novel, Night Veil, which will be released July 5th.  They can be read here, here, here,

Jocelynn Drake has posted a snippet from the final Dark Days novel, Burn the Night, which releases June 28th.

Ilona Andrews has posted a snippet from the third Edge novel, Fate’s Edge, which will be released November 29th.

Meljean Brook has posted an excerpt from her upcoming novel, Demon Marked, which will be out September 6, 2011.

Diana Pharaoh Francis has posted an excerpt from her new fantasy novel, Soul Mage, which doesn’t have release date information yet.

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne is a prequel story to Kady Cross’s The Girl in the Steel Corset and is currently available for free on Amazon right now.

Ilona Andrews has published the second volume of Curran POVs, Fathers and Sons, which is available in Kindle prc and Epub. Here’s the synopsis.

Shiloh Walker has posted a snippet from her novel, The Hunters: Jonathan and Lori, which is currently available.  A new snippet for Hunter’s Fall was also posted.

SmartPop has posted an excerpt of Lili St. Crow’s Defiance, which released in April.

Ilona Andrews has posted an excerpt from their upcoming novella, Magic Dreams, which will be released in the Hexed anthology on June 7th.  Alright, I may have posted this already, but it has Dali and it’s a good size excerpt.  *grin*

Shiloh Walker has a fabulous snippet of her new e-release, Hunt Me.

Kalayna Price has posted the first chapter (with more to come in June) of her upcoming Alex Craft novel, Grave Dance, which will be released July 5th.

Harper Collins has posted the first chapter (if not the first 20%) of Vicki Pettersson’s The Neon Graveyard, which releases next week.

Lauren Dane has posted an excerpt from her upcoming Brown Siblings novel, Never Enough, which releases September 6th.

It’s not a free read, but a cheap read – Bring Out Your Dead by Kate MacAlister is currently available for $.99 on Amazon.

Alyssa Day has posted the first chapter to her upcoming novel, Vampire in Atlantis, which releases June 7th.

Virgina Kantra has posted a sneak peek at her upcoming novel, Forgotten Sea, which releases June 7th.

Lauren Dane has posted a snippet, or two, from her upcoming novel, Goddess With a Blade, which releases June 6th.

What Bears Repeating

STHumphreys-UnleashedNalini Singh is working on a new novella, Angel’s Dance, featuring Galen and Jessamey from the Guild Hunter series which is going to be included in a new anthology titled Angels’ Flight.  This anthology will include three of Singh’s Guild Hunter novellas – Angels’ Judgment, Angels’ Pawn and the current work in progress Angel’s Dance.  However, I haven’t found a date on when it will be released.

Anya Bast is talking about world-building in erotic novels, especially in her Jeweled / Jaded novels, in anticipating of the release of Jaded next month.

Cailtin Kittredge has announced the title to her third Iron Codex novel.  The expected publication date for The Nightmare Garden is February 14, 2012, which is also the scheduled release for the paperback edition of The Iron Thorn.

Kim Harrison has announced the title for the tenth Rachel Morgan novel.  Hopefully soon, we’ll be able to read A Perfect Blood.

Diana Pharaoh Francis has posted a description of the third Horngate novel, Shadow City, which releases in December.

Featured Book: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

BFantaskey-Jekel Loves HydeJill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules–especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she’s tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything–even Tristen’s love–just for the thrill of being…bad.

This Month’s Reviews

Afterlife by Merrie Destefano
Undone by Rachel Caine
Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder
The Horns of Ruin by Tim Akers
The Falling Machine by Andrew Mayer
Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill – Spoiler Edition
The Second Glass of Absinthe by Michelle Black
To Kill A Vampire by Juliana Sage
The Grimrose Path by Rob Thurman
Taken by the Others by Jess Haines
Roadkill by Rob Thurman
The Battle Sylph by LJ McDonald
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
Unknown by Rachel Caine
Unseen by Rachel Caine
Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
Masques by Patricia Briggs
Touching Darkness by Jaime Rush
Go the F*ck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach
Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh
To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory
Lover Eternal by JR Ward
Knight Angels: Book of Love by Abra Ebner

From the Reader

MSullivan-Theft of SwordsGalaxy Express has a fabulous roundup of the latest science fiction news and releases.

52 Stories has another fabulous story posted this week. For your reading pleasure, we have Rahul Mehta’s The Cure.

What may seem like a simple parable turns, in Rahul Mehta’s talented hands, into something more: a psychological portrait that lingers unresolved in the mind, like a spinning top poised over the story’s intriguing final words, uncertain where to land. The story comes from Mehta’s lovely collection Quarantine, just out from Harper Perennial.

Did you know there are 26 different SciFi movies being released this summer?  If you didn’t, Blastr has you covered as they showcase all the trailers (but two) for the movies.

Did you go to the Book Expo of America?  Leading up to the big event, Dark Faerie Tales showcased various authors who were roaming the Expo in New York City. Here’s who was there: Rachel Vincent, Clay & Susan Griffith, Maria Snyder, Kady Cross, Sophie Littlefield, Wendy Delsol, Ally Condie, Leigh Fallon, Kiki Hamilton, Cinda Williams Chima, Carrie Vaughn, Carrie Jones, Melissa Marr, Maryrose Wood, Kate Garrabrant (aka KT Grant), Kristen Painter, Melissa de la Cruz, Nick James, Amy Garvey, Leah Clifford, Scott Tracey, Lisa McMann, Lev AC Rosen, Cindy Pon, Alma Katsu and Anton Strout.

Mmmm…Candy Land is being made into a movie?  Seriously?  And, according to Blastr, the director is comparing it to

Fabulous news for all you Orlando Bloom fans.  According to Blastr, Peter Jackson has confirmed that Bloom will be back as Legolas in The Hobbit, which is set to release at Christmas in 2012.  Bloom won’t be alone either, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving and Cate Blanchett are all returning.  The Hobbit will be broken up into two movies and we have dates for that!  The first will open December 19, 2012 with the second half coming a year later in December 2013.

Author Appearances

KMcKay-UndeadFor the full listing of this month’s appearances, click here.

Contests

JHannah-Under AttackGoodReads is giving away 23 copies of Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty’s Greatest Hits.  Ends June 10th.

GoodReads is giving away 20 copies of Max Allen Collins’ Bye Bye, Baby.  Ends June 13th.

Lauren Dane is giving away copies of Goddess With a Blade, Revelation, the first three novels in her Brown Siblings series and an ARC of Once and Again.  Ends June 4th.

Angie Fox is giving away copies of So I Married A Demon Slayer here and here.  I’m not seeing an end date, so if it’s over by the time this is posted, I’m sorry.  If it isn’t, I would go enter now.

Anya Bast is giving away a book a day up until June 7th to celebrate the release of Jaded.  You’ll need to check each day to see what the current book is.

On June 10th, I Smell Sheep will be having a contest for a swag bag of books, bookmarks and anything else they can stuff into a bag.

All Things Urban Fantasy is giving away a set of Alayna Williams’ Dark Oracle and Rogue Oracle.  Ends June 7th.

Tynga’s Reviews is giving away a copy of Jeri Smith-Ready’s Shift. Ends June 8th.

Lauren Dane is giving away a book a day until June 6th in celebration of her upcoming novel, Goddess With a Blade.

Rachel Vincent is giving away an ARC of If I Die.  Ends June 2nd.

Patricia’s Vampire Notes is giving away a Michele Hauf’s Her Vampire Husband, Seducing the Vampire and Forever Vampire.  Ends June 8th.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

2 Comments

  1. thanks for the shout out!! :) I can’t imagine the work that goes into putting this together each month. Well, I do and I can’t imagine doing it! Thanks for all the work you do :)

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