Escapist Newsletter (Vol 6 Issue 2)

News from LE

Bourbon StreetI am so totally late with the newsletter this month, but I totally blame it on the Authors After Dark on Bourbon Street event. I was so busy getting that around that I completely forgot about the newsletter until this weekend.  Oh wait…you do know what the Authors After Dark on Bourbon Street event is, right?  If you’re in the dark (*grin* sorry, couldn’t resist), the Authors After Dark on Bourbon St event is featuring a slew of small press authors who will be appearing at the ASD convention in August and they are all discussing that fabulous city New Orleans.  Melanie Card, Jae Lynne Davies, Bronwyn Green, Stacey Kennedy and Arianna Skye have already been by and there are still more coming.  You should definitely stop by as Larissa and I will be giving away two $25 gift cards to ARe (contest details here).

Turning now to a more adminy detail, Literary Escapism has recently updated its Review and Advertising policies.  The Advertising policy really didn’t change too much, I am just no longer listing the advertising co-op I belonged to since it no longer was really active (at least not from LE’s POV).  As for the Review policy, that I kind of did an overhaul on. The quick and short version of the changes is this: LE is only accepting printed ARCs for review and only those received 45 days in advance of it’s publication date.  We’ll accept digital ARCs up to 30 days in advance.  This may seem like an odd move, but I’m thinking it’s going to help reduce a lot of the backend stress that’s been occurring lately.  If you want the full, drawn out reasoning, check up the Review update page, but I’m hoping this will mean more reviews in a more timely manner.

BDB Read-AlongHave you been wanting to read JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series?  Have you wanted a reason to re-read them?  If so I hope you’ll join Dark Faerie Tales and I as we read the series from the very beginning.  We’ll be discussing the fourth novel, Lover Revealed, on Friday so you should stop by.  We’re still discussing the previous novels – Lover Awakened at Dark Faerie Tales, Lover Revealed at Literary Escapism and Lover Unbound at Dark Faerie Tales – so please stop by and add your two cents!

Going back to convention details, the third annual RT Booklovers feature, Look Who’s Going, will begin on March 1st and I’ve already received a bunch of great responses.  This year, the convention is in Chicago, which means Literary Escapism will be represented!  Casey and I will be at the Hyatt from Thursday through Sunday, so if you see us in the hallways, make sure you say hello and snag some of the swag we’ll have!

Cover Extravaganza

GRRMartin-Armageddon RagDuring January, 75 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, Dark Faerie Tales and Tez Says.

New Releases

February 1st:
Stud by Cheryl Brooks (CatStar Chronicles #8)
Kiss of the Vampire by Cynthia Garner
Deliver Me from Darkness by Tes Hilaire
The Lord of Illusion by Kathryne Kennedy
Burned by JF Lewis (Void City #4)
The Wood Queen by Karen Mahoney (Iron Fae #2)
Celebrity in Death by JD Robb (In Death #34)
Catch Me by Michelle Rowen
King of Darkness by Elizabeth Staab
Catch & Release by Blythe Woolston (Carolrhoda Ya)

February 2nd: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

February 7th:
Claws and Effect by Amanda Arista (Diaries of an Urban Panther #2)
Wicked Nights by Nina Bangs (Castle of Dark Dreams #5)
Midnight Enchantment by Anya Bast (Dark Magick #4)
Unbroken by Rachel Caine (Outcast Season #4)
Evercrossed by Elizabeth Chandler (Kissed by an Angel #4)
Underwater Love by MaryJanice Davidson
Heart of Atlantis by Alyssa Day (Warriors of Poseidon #10)
Vampires’ Consort by Bonnie Dee
Shaded Vision by Yasmine Galenorn (Sisters of the Moon #11)
Vengeance Born by Kylie Griffin (Light Blade #1)
Almost Everything by Tate Hallaway (Vampire Princess of St. Paul)
Something About Witches by Joey W. Hill
Apocalypse to Go by Katharine Kerr
World Divided Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
Dead to You by Lisa McMann
Siren’s Desire by Devyn Quinn
Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus (Moon Shifter)
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
The Spy Who Loved Her by Melissa Schroeder
A Hundred Words for Hate by Thomas Sniegoski (Remy Chandler)
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood (Cahill Witch Chronicles #1)
Inked Magic by Jory Strong
Blood and Bullets by James Tuck (Deacon Chalk #1)
Eternal Captive by Laura Wright (Mark of the Vampire)

February 8th: In Too Deep by Amanda Grace

February 13th: The Fourth Wall by Walter Jon Williams

February 14th:
Slayer’s Kiss by Cassi Carver
Bewitching by Alix Flinn (Kendra Chronicles)
The Nightmare Garden by Caitlin Kittredge (Iron Codex #2)
Thief’s Covenant by Ari Marmell
When We Were Executioners by JM McDermott
Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer
Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton (Angelfire #2)
The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers
Diabolical by Cynthia Leitich Smith

February 15th: Mrs. God by Peter Straub

February 21st:
The Troupe by Robert Jackson Bennett
Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer (Nightshade #3)
Fever by Lauren Destefano (Chemical Garden #2)
A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison (Hollows #10)
A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton
Tempted by Blood by Laurie London
Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr
The Half-Breed Vampire by Theresa Meyers
Raven Calls by CE Murphy (Walker Papers)
The Darkest Seduction by Gena Showalter
The Restorer by Amanda Stevens (Graveyard Queen #1)

February 24th: The Legend of Eli Monpress by Rachel Aaron

February 28th:
Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch
How to be Death by Amber Benson (Calliope Reaper-Jones #4)
Burn Me Deadly by Alex Bledsoe (Eddie LaCrosse)
Timeless by Gail Carriger (Parasol Protectorate #5)
A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford (Touch #2)
Yours, Mine, and Ours by MaryJanice Davidson
Kingdoms of Dust by Amanda Downum (Necromancer Chronicles #3)
The Scar by Sergey and Marina Dyachenko
By a Thread by Jennifer Estep (Elemental Assassin #6)
Carpathia by Matt Forbeck
Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors by Molly Harper
When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen
Black Howl by Christina Henry (Black Wings #3)
Torn by Amanda Hocking (Trylle #2)
My Lord Vampire by Alexandra Ivy (Immortal Rogues #1)
Witchful Thinking by HP Mallory
A Sliver of Shadow by Allison Pang
The Husband Hunt by Lynsay Sands
Angels’ Flight by Nalini Singh (Guild Hunters)
Fever by Joan Swan
If You Know Her by Shiloh Walker (If #3)
Partials by Dan Wells

Here are a few other places with their own September releases: Tez Says and Wicked Little Pixie.

New Release Dates:

So yeah, the New Releases page isn’t updated just yet.  I have a list of 94 new release dates to post and since I’m already late in publishing the newsletter, and all of those would add a lot of length to an already long post, I’m going to post them in a couple of days. However, a printable version of the current New Releases page is available. For a listing of all the novels that were added this month, click here.

Book News

KSparks-Wanted Undead or AliveIn her latest newsletter, Kerrelyn Sparks shared the cover copy for her twelfth Love at Stake novel, Wanted: Undead or Alive, which releases March 27th.

In the last book, Sexiest Vampire Alive, the vamps were busy with damage control. After Corky Courrant posted a video that proved their existence, they convinced the American government to declare it a hoax. Now in Wanted: Undead or Alive it’s time to go after Corky Courrant and make her pay for her crime.

When Corky escapes, the vamps search for her in Eastern Europe and Russia. Phineas is left behind, minding the fort, when a clue comes in. Could Corky be hiding in Wyoming? With all the other guys gone, it’s up to Phineas to investigate. He pairs up with female werewolf Brynley Jones, and together, the two set off on a wild adventure that will put their lives on the line and their hearts at stake. Will they fall in love or kill each other before catching up with Corky?

Did you see the fabulous new cover Jess Haines has?  I don’t know what everyone else thinks, but personally, this is sooo much better than the previous H&W Investigation novels. Stalking the Others totally has the badass hotness that Hunted By The Others had and I am so glad to see it’s return.

If you’ve been eagerly awaiting the fourth book in Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush series, then make sure you get your hands on the paperback version of Crescendo. Fitzpatrick is putting out the word that the first chapter for book four has been included in the back.

Karen Mahoney has some fabulous news. Karen will be writing a comic book script for one issue of Atomic Diner‘s Jennifer Wilde. Here is what Karen is telling us about her story:

My story will stand alone and is set in Ireland. I think (hope!) we’ll be keeping the working title I came up with, The Wilde Hunt – that should give you a bit of a clue that I’m going heavy on the folklore/mythology, as Jennifer and the ghost of Oscar Wilde take a trip into the Irish countryside… and get way more than they bargained for.

For those who are unable to make the RT Booklovers Convention this year in Chicago, the location has been announced for 2013.  Per the latest issue of RT Book Reviews, next year’s convention will be held in Kansas City, at the Sheraton Crown Center (formerly Hyatt Crown Center), May 1st through May 5th.  You’ve been given more than a year’s notice…let’s start saving!

Wicked Scribe found the news about Darynda Jones’ new young adult series. Death and the Girl Next Door will have a April 3, 2012 release date and will be the first in the new Darklight series.  A cover is quite different from her Charley Davidson series.

Things get turned upside down for sophomore Lorelei MacAlister when the Angel of Death starts high school in her small town. What she doesn’t know is that she has been slated to die. It’s simply her time. And Death has been sent to do the deed. But when she touches him, when she peers into his eyes and reaches into his heart, he realizes she is more than what he was led to believe, and he disobeys his orders. He brings her back from the brink of death when he was supposed to push her into it. Because of this, he gets trapped on this plane. And that’s when all hell breaks loose. Literally.

In addition to this, there is also news as to the titles for ones’ fourth and fith Charley Davidson novels.   I’m still checking on the release dates, but we get to look froward to Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet and Fifth Grave off the Beaten Path.

Gini Koch has some fabulous news.  She’s sold a new series to Night Shade Books, with the first book in the new Alexander Outland series, Space Pirate, to be released June 5, 2012.

Fangirl squee time.  Shiloh Walker has released the cover copy for her sixth Grimm Circle novel!  Grimm Tidings (maybe about one of the Grimm brothers?) will be out in April.

SWalker-Grimm TidingsIn his mortal life, the only thing Jacob liked better than money as a good brawl—until he stuck his fist into the wrong fight, and a demon sent him spinning into a new life as a Grimm.

Now, a hundred years later, he’s been called to protect someone too much like himself. A woman who could let the chains of her past drag her down unless she learns to let go. A woman who fights like there’s no tomorrow, because she clearly doesn’t want a tomorrow.

Celeste thought her second chance at life would be an opportunity to fix some of her worst mistakes, to set things straight. She couldn’t have been more wrong. She’s trapped by the past and her regrets, and nothing—not even her darkly sexy new trainer, Jacob—has a blade sharp enough to cut her loose.

Chains are Jacob’s specialty, but his help comes with a price. To her, the cost is her heart. To Jacob…something much more.

Jennifer Estep has posted the cover copy for her next Elemental Assassin novel, Widow’s Web.  Be warned, if you’re not caught up with the series, this may contain some spoilers.

Jeri Smith-Ready had some fabulous news. Amy and Jen (from Fictitious Delicious) have developed KiltandKeeley.com, a fan site for her Shade series. The girls have big plans for the official launch, which was today, so make sure you head over and check it out.

Fabulous news for fans of Joey W. Hill’s Vampire Queen series. Berkley has contracted her for two new novels, anticipated release dates being late 2012 and early 2013.  In her newsletter, Joey mentions who the possible characters may be.  The first book, likely a menage a trois, will feature Alanna (introduced in Vampire Trinity) who has left the Council in a sticky situation.  The second book tentatively returns to Alistair and Nina (who met in Vampire’s Claim) and would be there story.

Melissa Marr is giving a quick update on her writing schedule, but if you read closely, you might notice some news that might get some attention. There is a third Smart Chicks tour in the works!

Kelley & I successfully planned a tour, edited an anthology (Enthralled, Sept 2011), & executed a second Smart Chicks AND second anthology (Shards & Ashes, out in 2013). Umm, and we had a giant retreat 3 group retreats for writers (& 2 more on the schedule & a third Smart Chicks Tour, details to come soonish).

Obviously Marr doesn’t give us much details since the tour is still being developed, but for those who were unable to make it to the previous two, maybe the third time is really the charm.

New Excerpts or Reading for Free

GAWilliams-Riders on the StormHollywood Crush has the first chapter to Andrea Cremer’s Nightshade prequel, Rift, which has an August 2012 release date.

Shiloh Walker has posted a snippet, as well as an additional snippet, from her story, The Departed.  There is also a snippet from her recently released, If You See Her. And, IMO the best one, there is also an excerpt from her sixth Grimm Circle novel, Grimm Tidings, which will be out in April.

Cynthia Eden has posted an excerpt from Bound in Sin, which is currently being offered for free at All Romance eBooks and Smashwords and is priced at $.99 on Amazon.

Cherie Priest’s Clementine is now available as an ebook for the low price of $4.99. Considering the hardcover is going for $90+, if you’re a fan of her work, I would snatch this up.  Also available is her new release, Tanglefoot, which is set in her Clockwork Century world, and available for $.99.

JF Lewis has posted an excerpt from his next Void City novel, Burned, which will be released.

Yasmine Galenorn has a new Moon Daughters comic up.

Lauren Dane has posted a snippet from her upcoming novel, Sway, which releases in August as part of the Cherished duology.  She has also posted an excerpt from her Phantom Corps novel, Captivated, which will be released May 1st.  Dane has also posted a snippet from Beneath the Skin, which happens to be another de la Vega novel (Gibson to be exact), which will be released by Samhain on April 3rd.

Nalini Singh has posted an excerpt from her story Angels’ Dance, which will be released in her upcoming anthology, Angels’ Flight, on February 28th.

Harper Collins has posted chapters One, Two, Three and Four of Kim Harrison’s A Perfect Blood, which will be released February 21st.

Yasmien Galenorn has posted a first, second and third excerpts from chapter two of Shaded Vision, which will be released on February 7th.

Colleen Gleason has posted an excerpt from her novel, Sanctuary of Roses.

If you’ve been waiting to read the fabulous anthology, Under Her Skin, which features Meljean Brook, Jeaniene Frost and Ilona Andrews, now is your chance.  It is currently being offered for the low price of $.99 and considering it has stories by these three fabulous authors, that is really a great deal.  I’ve head it’s a limited time offer, so get it while you can.

Jennifer Estep has posted the first chapter to her next Elemental Assassin novel, Widow’s Web, which releases August 21st.

Featured Novel: Inked Magic by Jory Strong

JStrong-Inked MagicWith the touch of her palms to the skin of a crime victim, San Francisco tattoo artist Etaín can see the faces of the guilty and draw them. Changeling elf but unaware of it, at odds with her police captain father and FBI agent brother, magic and gift have put her in the path of two compelling men.

Cathal Dunne, the son of an Irish mob boss, needs Etaín’s help finding the rapists who left his cousin for dead. Eamon, a powerful elf lord, is determined to make her his consort-wife.

Her gift once made permanence impossible when it came to a lover. Now, as she approaches the transition to fully Elven, her survival depends on keeping two. One of the men is willing to share her. The other isn’t-until the search for a sexual predator turns deadly, and only by paying magic’s price will there be any future at all.

This Month’s Reviews

Matched by Ally Condie
Dark Lover by J. R. Ward
The Scorpions Strike by C. L. Talmadge
Deliver Me from Darkness by Tes Hilaire
Undeniably Yours by Shannon Stacey
Dark Lover by JR Ward
Lover Eternal by J. R. Ward
Stud by Cheryl Brooks
A Demon Does It Better by Linda Wisdom
Bite Club by Rachel Caine

From the Reader

TKeeating-Fair GameStorySellerPro has an interesting take on ePiracy and I kind of get his points. Not that I’m advocating it, but I get what he’s trying to say. What do you think? Do you agree with this author or disagree?

Superheroes are definitely hot right now (Ironman, rawr!), so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see them returning to television.  According to Blastr, the CW is currently working on a pilot featuring the Green Arrow from DC Comics.

Suburban Vampire just went through and updated her Vampire Movie Listing and there are a ton being released in 2012. You should check out this list.

Authors After Dark has announced the Mistress of Ceremonies for their 2013 convention.  The 2013 AAD convention will be held August 15-18th 2013 at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott in Savannah, Georgia and will be lead by the one and only MaryJanice Davidson, author of Underwater Love, Undead and Unemployed, Wolf at the Door and Evangelina.

Stumbling Over Chaos has another fabulous Misadventures in Stock Photography and this time we’re meeting Starey Glarey Guy.

Babbling About Books has uncovered the news that some publishers are asking bloggers to sign a contract in order to review their books.  WTF?  I’m sorry, but that just seems wrong.  Reviewing is done differently depending on who you are.  People have their own methods and making them adhere to some form that a publisher wants seems like it would take away from the authenticity of the review.  I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m with Katiebabs…if a publisher wants me to sign a contract, then I just won’t receive review copies.

Author Appearances

TConnolly-IronskinFor the full listing of this month’s interviews, click here.

Contests

All Things Urban Fantasy is giving away a copy of Karen Mahoney’s The Wood Queen – ends February 7th.

Blodeuedd is giving away two copies of Deliver Me From Darkness by Tes Hilaire – ends February 9th. (US/Canada only)

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.

1 Comment

  1. Hi! Love your site! Just wanted to let you know that Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb isn’t going to be out until Feb 21st. :)

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