Escapist Newsletter (Vol 5 Issue 4)

News from LE

I don’t have a lot to report from LE’s end, but I do have a few things. If you’re not familiar with The Book Bloggers and Publishers Online Conference, then I would check it out.  This is the second year for it and I ended up learning quite a bit last year.  The conference goes from April 13th through the 17th and all attendees will click away from the conference with a bunch of books.  It’s also a great way simply to network with other bloggers.  I’ll be attending as well as talking on a few panels, so hopefully I’ll see some of you there.

The RT Booklovers Convention starts on Wednesday, is anyone going?  I’ve already started saving up for next year in Chicago.

Cover Extravaganza

KGrayson - Utterly CharmingDuring March, 110 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, and Tez Says.

New Releases

April 1st:
Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan (Twisted Tales #1)
Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer by Maureen McGowan (Twisted Tales #2)
Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend by Linda Wisdom (Hex #5)

April 4th:
Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler (Horsemen of the Apocalypse #2)

April 5th:
Hidden Embers by Tessa Adams (Dragon’s Heat)
Shady Lady by Ann Aguirre (Corine Soloman #3)
Primal an anthology featuring Lora Leigh, Michelle Rowen, Jory Strong, Ava Gray
Teeth an anthology featuring Neil Gaiman, Melissa Marr, Holly Black, Cassandra Clare and more
Dark Enchantment by Anya Bast (Dark Magick #3)
Red Glove by Holly Black
Vampire Dragon by Annette Blair (Works Like Magic #3)
Ghost Story by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #13)
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (Mortal Instruments)
Mesmerized by Lauren Dane (Phantom Corps #2/Federation #4)
A Hard Day’s Fright by Casey Daniels (Pepper Martin Mysteries)
Starfire by Kate Douglas (Demonslayers #3)
Deadworld by JN Duncan
Department 19 by Will Hill
Among Thieves by Douglas Hulick (Tale of the Kin)
Red Mortal by Deidre Knight (Gods of Midnight #4)
Alien in the Family by Gini Koch (Katherine “Kitty” Katt #3)
Navarro’s Promise by Lora Leigh (Breeds #17)
Huntress by Malinda Lo
Magic on the Hunt by Devon Monk (Allie Beckstrom)
Haunting Desire by Erin Quinn
The Demon and the Succubus by Cassie Ryan (Sisters of Darkness)
Vowed in Shadows by Jessa Slade (Marked Souls)
Mona Lisa Eclipsing by Sunny
Blood Sin by Marie Treanor (Awakened by Blood #2)
Eternal Kiss by Laura Wright

April 7th:
The Dragon’s Path by Daniel Abraham (The Dagger and the Coin #1)

April 12th:
The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong (Darkness Rising #1)
Moon Called Volume 1 by Patricia Briggs
Clay by Cheyenne McCray (Armed & Dangerous)
The Unremembered by Peter Orullian
After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn

April 14th:
Life on Mars by Jonathan Strahan

April 15th:
Sophia by DB Reynolds (Vampires in America)

April 19th:
Bewere the Night an anthology featuring Holly Black, Elizabeth Hand, Sandra McDonald, Cherie Priest
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Rage of the Fallen by Joseph Delaney (Last Apprentice)
The Last Warrior by Susan Grant
Skeleton Crew by Cameron Haley
Forever Vampire by Michele Hauf
Quicksilver by Amanda Quick (Arcane Society: Looking Glass #2)
Twilight Prophecy by Maggie Shayne
Defiance by Lili St. Crow (Strange Angel #4)
The Restorer by Amanda Stevens (Graveyard Queen #1)

April 25th:
The Dark Commands by Richard K Morgan

April 26th:
Mercy Burns by Keri Arthur (Myth & Magic #2)
Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences)
Gods & Monsters by Lyn Benedict
Dark Descendant by Jenna Black
Embrace Me at Dawn by Shayla Black (Doomsday Brethren #5)
Abandon by Meg Cabot
Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep (Elemental Assassin #4)
Uncertain Allies by Mark del Franco
Demon Hunting in Dixie by Lexi George
Ascension by Sable Grace
Untamed Highlander by Donna Grant (Dark Sword)
The Hidden Goddess by MK Hobson
Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon (League)
Big Bad Beast by Shelly Laurenston
Bound by Darkness by Alexis Morgan
Forever Summer by Alyson Noël
Burning Skies by Caris Roane (Ascension #2)
What She Wants by Lynsay Sands
The Chase by Lynsay Sands
The Brat by Lynsay Sands
The Perfect Wife by Lynsay Sands
As You Wish by Gabi Stevens
Camera Obscura by Lavie Tidhar (Bookman #2)
A Forever Kind of Love by Shiloh Walker
Black Magic Woman by Christine Warren

April 30th:
Subterranean: Tales of Dark Fantasy 2 an Anthology
Tales of Dark Fantasy 2 an anthology featuring Kelley Armstrong

Here are a few other places with their own April releases:  Wicked Little Pixie, Anna’s Book Blog, Dirty Sexy Books, The Book Pushers, Tez Says,

Patricia’s Vampire Notes has a great recap of novels released in March.

New Release Dates:
RKadrey - Aloha from HellI’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 and here. Here’s a few more:
2011: Magic of the Moonlight by Ellen Schreiber

05/09/11: Blue Galaxy by Diane Dooley
05/24/11: Welcome to Bordertown by Holly Black

06/21/11: Happily Ever After an anthology featuring Gregory Maguire, Bill Willingham, Susanna Clarke and Neil Gaiman
06/21/11: The Darkest Heart by Thea Devine

07/05/11: Dangerous Pleasure by Lora Leigh
07/26/11: Rush of Pleasure by Rhyannon Byrd
07/26/11: Sympathy for the Devil by Justin Gustainis

08/02/11: Midnight Sins by Lora Leigh
08/03/11: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink (Prophecy of the Sisters #3)
08/30/11: The Measure of the Magic by Terry Brooks (Legends of Shannara)
08/30/11: Nauti Intentions by Lora Leigh

09/06/11: The Taker by Alma Katsu
09/13/11: Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay
09/27/11: Lawe’s Justice by Lora Leigh (Breeds)
09/27/11: Ganymede by Cherie Priest (Clockwork Century #3)

10/01/11: Utterly Charming by Kristine Grayson
10/04/11: A Touch of Crimson by Sylvia Day (Renegade Angel)
10/18/11: Aloha from Hell by Richard Kadrey
10/25/11: Claimed by Rebecca Zanetti

11/01/11: Tied With a Bow an anthology featuring Lora Leigh, Virginia Kantra, Eileen Wilks and Kimberly Frost
11/01/11: Not Your Ordinary Faerie Tale by Christine Warren (Others)
11/15/11: Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide by Michelle Rowen and Richelle Mead
11/15/11: The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
11/29/11: Legend by Marie Lu

12/01/11: Kingdoms of Dust by Amanda Downum (Necromancer Chronicles #3)
12/06/11: Nautier and Wilder an anthology featuring Lora Leigh, Jaci Burton

From the Author Sites

Dark Swan Graphic - EugenieDark Swan GraphicHave you heard of VYou.com yet?  It’s a new social media outlet that a few authors are starting to take advantage of.  One such author is Jenna Black.  The basic idea is you can load up Jenna’s profile, ask her any question you want and she’ll respond with a video answer.  It’s still in its beta stage, but a few other authors you can find using it are Teresa Medeiros, LA Banks, Larissa Ione, Becca Fitzpatrick, Molly Harper and Desiree Holt.

Richelle Mead has announced the title to the fourth Dark Swan/Eugenie novel.  We’ll have Shadow Heir in January 2012.  Richelle is also sharing some fabulous news about her upcoming Dark Swan: Storm Born graphic novel.  The first edition will be available May 18th and thanks to Sea Lion Books, i have a few of the images to show off.  Here is two samples, but I’ve uploaded a few more at the facebook page.

In an interview with Digital Spy, Neil Gaiman has confirmed that American Gods will be made into a film and that a director has already been attached to the project.  He didn’t say who, just that said director has a few Oscars under his belt and is in love with the novel.

Have you ever wondered about that dark time when Elena was first bitten by Clay? Have you ever wanted to see it in graphic detail?  Subterranean Press will be releasing Kelley Armstrong’s Becoming later this summer and is now available for preordered.  Even better, Becoming will come signed by both the author and the artist, but you better hurry and snag yours if you want one.  There will only be a limited number offered and once they are gone, they’re gone.

Elena Michaels has just been bitten by her boyfriend, psycho werewolf Clay Danvers. As the werewolf curse is slowly taking over her body and mind, she clings to the last shreds of her humanity, scared that her life will never be the same again. As per readers’ request, finally the tale of Elena’s Bite. ‘Becoming’ covers the darkest part of Elena’s introduction to life as a werewolf, and fills in an important chapter in the Otherworld story.

The Otherworld, a series of novels written by Kelley Armstrong. Elena Michaels is the world’s only female werewolf. And she’s tired of it. Tired of a life spent hiding and protecting, a life where her most important job is hunting down rogue werewolves. Tired of a world that not only accepts the worst in her— her temper, her violence—but requires it. Worst of all, she realizes she’s growing content with that life, with being that person

Limited: 1000 numbered copies, fully bound in cloth, signed by artist and author
Lettered: 26 signed leatherbound copies, housed in a custom traycase, with all profits going to charity

Speaking of Kelley, her 2011 tour schedule has been posted and she’s making quite a few stops in the US and Canada.  One such stop will be at the Ann Arbor Barnes & Noble on April 14th and I am so there!

Gail Carriger has a big announcement.  She’ll be writing a new four book young adult series based in the same world as her Parasol Protectorate series, just 25 years earlier.  Here’s what Gail has to say:

The Finishing School Series is set in the same world as The Parasol Protectorate series, only 25 years earlier, and features a finishing academy located in a giant caterpillar-like dirigible floating over Dartmoor in which young ladies are taught to . . . finish . . . everything . . . and everyone . . . as needed. There will be steampunk etiquette! There will be well-dressed espionage! There will be Victorian fake food. There will be flying mechanical sausage dogs named Bumbersnoot. I am excited.

Angie Fox has released her short story, Love Bites, from the The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2, for $1.99 on Amazon.

The OddShots and Deadline Dames are attempting to entice each other to the dark side.  I think they both are winning.  *grin*

Jennifer Estep is sharing the news that before the release of her new YA novel, Touch of Frost, there will be a prequel story made available in ebook format in July.  First Frost will introduce everyone to Gwen, Mythos Academy and a few other characters we’ll likely be running into.  There’s no firm release date, but with Touch of Frost due out July 26th, Jennifer is hoping the story comes out at the beginning of July.

Jess Haines has released the cover copy for her third H&W Investigations novel, Deceived By The Others.  She also includes a short snippet.

Chloe Neill announced the title for the third Dark Elite novel.  We’ll get to read Charmfall early next year.

New Excerpts or Reading for Free

CPriest - GanymedeChloe Neill has posted the first chapter to Hard Bitten, which releases May 30th.

Terry Garey has posted an excerpt from her upcoming novel, Devil Without a Cause, which releases.

Jenna Black has posted the first chapter to her new adult urban fantasy, Dark Descendant, which releases.

HarperCollins has made available the first nine chapters to Kelley Armstrong’s The Gathering, which releases.

Tor.com has posted the prologue to Sam Sykes Black Halo, which releases.

HarperCollins is offering Aprilynne Pike’s Wings as a free read on Amazon.  Right now, you can simply preorder it as it won’t be released until April 5th. I’m assuming this will be a limited time offer, so if you want it, get it now.

I’ve been browsing through Amazon’s Kindle store recently and found these gems:

Eileen Wilks has posted an excerpt from her new World of the Lupi novel, Death Magic, which releases.

Lauren Dane has posted an excerpt from her upcoming release, Mesmerized, which hits shelves on Tuesday.

Are you a fan of HP Lovecraft?  Then I would definitely head over to Tor.com and grovel a little before Ruth X.  She underwent the amazing task of compiling the complete works of Lovecraft and formatted them for ebook.  And she’s offering it for free!  The ebook contains all original stories that were penned by Lovecraft between 1917 and 1935.  For a complete look at all the titles, check out the table of contents.

Harper Collins has posted the first four chapters to Kerrelyn Spark’s upcoming novel, Vampire Mine, which is due to release.

Beth Williamson’s first Devils on Horseback novel, Nate, is currently available as a free read for the Kindle and Nook.

Yasmine Galenorn has posted a snippet from her second Indigo Court novel, Night Veil, which will be released

Shiloh Walker has posted a snippet from the fifth Grimm’s Circle novel, Locked In Silence.  It is tentatively scheduled to be released in September.

Rachel Vincent has posted a snippet from her new adult novel, Blood Bound, which will be released August 23rd.

ADownum - Kingdom of DustIlona Andrews has posted a snippet from a work in progress that currently doesn’t have a title.  All we’re told is that it will eventually be released as an ebook and I’m thinking not as a Kate Daniels story.

Lauren Dane has posted an excerpt from her novella, dirty/bad/wrong, which will be released on May 3rd in the anthology Three to Tango.

Larissa Ione has posted an excerpt from her upcoming novel, Eternal Rider, the first novel in her Lords of Deliverance series which releases

The first chapter for China Mieville’s May 17th release, Embassytown, has been posted by PanMacMillan.

Jim C. Hines has posted a snippet from his story Corrupted, which will appear in a new anthology titled The Modern Fae’s Guide to Surviving Humanity.  There is also a snippet to his story Libriomancer, which will be the first novel in his new Magic Ex Libris series releasing in 2012.

Penguin Australia has posted an excerpt from Chapter One of Lili St. Crow’s Defiance, which comes out in April.

Amanda Stevens has posted the Chapter One of her upcoming release, The Restorer, which will be out April 19th.

Sable Grace has posted an excerpt from her upcoming release, Ascension, which will be out April 26th.

Kalayna Price has posted an excerpt from her second Alex Craft novel, Grave Dance, which will be out July 5th.

Yasmine Galenorn has posted a fourth snippet from her upcoming novel, Night Veil, the second Indigo Court novel being released in July.

Karen Mahoney has posted the first two chapters from her new release, The Iron Witch.

Are you having any Kelley Armstrong withdrawals? If so, she has a slew of free short stories, set in both of her worlds, available on her website.  Want to know about Adam’s heritage?  Then I would suggest Demonology. Or what about how Derek and Simon ended up at Lyle House?  That would be Dangerous.

What Bears Repeating

BYovanoff - Space BetwenPeople have been screaming for it and Tor.com has the knowledge.  A Dance with Dragons, the much awaited Song of Ice and Fire novel by George RR Martin, finally has a released date.  July 12th will be a great day for many Martin fans.

Melissa Marr announced a new short story collection.  While there won’t be any more Wicked Lovely stories, we will get one more novel in February 2012.  Marr is collecting all of her WL World short stories and publishing them in one book titled Faery Tales & Nightmares.  Stories included will be Stopping Time, Old Habits, Cotton Candy Skies, A Hoard as well as the story slated for the Enthralled anthology coming out this fall.  We’ll also get the selchie story, Love Struck, that first appeared in Love is Hell, which is not a WL story.

Carolyn Crane has announced that she is taking part in a new ebook anthology, titled Wild and Steamy, involving series spinoffs.  Her story will feature Sophia and the Monk and can be read without having read her Disillusionist series (although why you haven’t read them when Carolyn is awesome is beyond me).

Vicki Pettersson has a website!  Well, she may have had one prior to this, but the blog look is very new if the archives are anything to go by.  If you’re a fan of the Zodiac Signs series, then I would definitely hop over and see what Vicki is up to.

Featured Book: Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan

MMcGowan-Cinderella Ninja WarriorIn this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince—she’s a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you’ve ever read!

This Month’s Reviews

Hot for the Holidays (Anthology)
Jenny Pox by JL Bryan
Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress by Christine E. Schulze
The Smoke Thief by Shana Abé
The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
My Christmas Wish by Ember Case
Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks
Wolfsangel by MD Lachlan
It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare
Taste Me by Tamara Hogan
The Burning by Nancy Holder and Jeff Mariotte
Undercover Lover by Charlene Teglia
Death’s Sweet Embrace by Tracey O’Hara
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

From the Reader

Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings has announced the fifth edition of his fabulous Once Upon a Time Challenge and it, yet again, has some amazing buttons for it. I am definitely going to have to check out more of Anne-Julie Aubry after seeing the images Carl used. The 5th annual Once Upon a Time Challenge runs from March 21st through June 20th. I always love joining Carl’s challenges, so I think I’m going to attempt it; however, I’m going to stick with The Journey level.

The Ultimate VampList was just updated and now lists over 4500 individual vampire fiction titles.

Have you decided to go to the RT Booklovers Convention yet? If you haven’t, check out who you could be missing: Rachel Herron, Zoe Archer, Mia Marlowe, Mary Wine,

Babbling About Books has another fabulous WTFckery post. I swear, some of the things people dream up is shocking. What’s more, the book covers Kate has found…damn.

Wicked Scribes has a bunch of fabulous updates including:

Go check out Wicked Scribes for even more news.

Jackie U from Bitten by Books has another fabulous Off the Fang, this time talking about those series that have ended earlier than some of may have wanted.

The new Wonder Woman television series, which is scheduled to air this fall on NBC, has had some images leaked out and I have to say I’m not too excited about it.  I’m a fan of the comic films, but I’m just not digging Adrianne Palicki as Wonder Woman.  I’m still waiting to see her portray the Amazonian Princess elegance and beauty that Linda Carter had.  Seriously, every shot I’ve seen with her in it either has her wearing a really bad wig or she’s sporting some really unflattering faces.  To see some of the different images, click here, here and here.

The Spring 2011 issue of Subterranean Online has been published. Inside, you’ll find a new novelette from Tobias Bucknell and Paolo Bacigalupi set in the same world as their The Executioness and The Alchemist.

Going through Tor’s Steampunk newsletter, I came across a new web drama series called Blood and Bone China.  I’ve only seen the first chapter, but it has caught my attention.  The series has twelve episodes/chapters planned and the first one went up this month, so it’s not too late to tune in.  Here’s the synopsis:

It is 1897 and a city is in turmoil. In the smoky, dirty depths of middle England, the people are terrified. The once bustling streets of Stoke are empty, the silence is only broken by the whispers of devils, demons and vampires. Poor souls are being taken, vanishing without a trace.

When the local doctor is snatched away, word travels to his brother, a young vet by the name of Newlyn Howell. Spurred on to discover the truth by the enigmatic Alexander Pyre, Newlyn’s dark adventure into the depths of Victorian Stoke begins… and what he discovers is beyond belief.

Here’s the link for Chapter One, but you can find more information about Blood and Bone China at their Facebook page.

Author Appearances

AKatsu - TakerFor the full listing of this month’s interviews, click here.

Contests

Antho - Married Demon SlayerTo help celebrate their release, Deidre Knight and Elle Jasper are having an Island Dreaming Giveaway. Here’s the details:

Wouldn’t you rather be at the beach than wherever you are right now? Luckily, Deidre Knight and Elle Jasper have the cure for your island dreaming — a trip to breath-taking Tybee Island, Ga. The island is located near historic Savannah where both authors based their series. Deidre’s next Gods of Midnight book, Red Mortal, is due in stores on April 4th, and Elle’s Everdark will be released on June 7th.

So, how do you get to Tybee? Just tell Deidre and Elle why you deserve a romantic getaway. The best answer wins 2 nights at the luxurious Lighthouse Inn, including a $500 travel voucher and dinner at Wiley’s Championship BBQ. Enter here: www.knightagency.net/romanticgetaway.html

Reading Escapes Giveaways is giving away UF, PNR & YA prize packs. Ends April 19th.

From the Shadows is giving away a copy of the anthology Those Who Fight Monsters. Ends April 5th.

GoodReads is giving away 12 copies of Chloe Neill’s Hard Bitten. Ends April 10th.

Tynga’s Reviews is giving away a copy of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Invincible. Ends April 6th.

Dark Faerie Tales is giving away a copy of Molly Harper’s How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf and The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf. Ends April 3rd.

Anya Bast is giving away a $100 gift certificate and a slew of books to celebrate the release of Dark Enchantment.  Ends April 5th.

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.

3 Comments

  1. So RT will be in Chicago next year?! That’s awesome, it’s slightly closer. I thought last year they said 2012 was New Orleans, so this should work out better for me since I can’t attend this year. :(

    • @Leslee – Thanks for the update on Butcher. I hadn’t heard that.

      @Jessica – From what I heard, RT was trying for NOLA, but things weren’t working out. So they’ll be in Chicago in 2012. I want to say they are still trying for NOLA, so maybe in 2013.

  2. Just wanted to let you know, they have pushed back Ghost Story by Jim Butcher. It won’t be released until July 26. :)

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