Escapist Newsletter (Vol 5 Issue 8)

News from LE

JSampson-HavocI’ve made a couple of changes this past weekend, nothing drastic but should make things a little easier.  The first one is you can now subscribe to comments/posts without having to leave a comment.  I’ve seen other sites who have had this feature, which I’ve been wanting it, and I finally found a wp-plugin thanks to Fiction Vixen.  The other addition is nothing you’ll be able to see, but it’s going to change how I run contests from here on out.  Basically, thanks to Fiction Vixen again, there’s this fabulous plug-in that will pick winners for me within seconds. How this changes things is that the plug-in only works with the number of comments and doesn’t take into account additional entries made within the same comment.  So I’m just going to get rid of all the additional ways to enter a contest instead of having people leave a comment for each entry.  I’m not a fan of clutter and that would just clutter the comments up.  Plus,  I was asking on FB if people like the multiple chances and the majority says no.

I have the winners from the Purple Cover Contest!  As a reminder, I’m giving away a copy of Melissa Marr’s Radiant Shadows, Chloe Neill’s Hard Bitten and Rachel Caine’s Bite Club. In order to enter, everyone had to answer the question What are you currently (have just finished) reading and why should we (or not) read it?  Or, if you’re not reading anything at the  moment, what’s your favorite 2011 release so far?  Without further ado, the three winners are:

Radiant ShadowsBARBARA E who said: I’m currently reading Skinwalker by Faith Hunter, which is a fantastic urban fantasy set in New Orleans. The main character, Jane Yellowrock is a panther shifter who hunts rogue vampires and who’s best friend is a witch. What’s not to love?
I think my favorite 2011 release so far is Hounded by Kevin Hearne, a fantastic fantasy featuring a 2,000 year old Druid, with interesting characters, a wonderful story, and non-stop action.

Hard BittenSHORTLATTE1 who said: I just finished Divergent by Veronica Roth today. Great YA dystopian (with flaws, but forgivable ones). Although I appreciated the originality of it, I wasn’t a fan of The Hunger Games, so I’m excited to have found another example of the genre to follow.

Bite ClubBLACKWATERMAMA who said: I just finished re-reading Harry Poter & Deathly Hallows for the release of the movie but I’m not counting that. But I am in the middle of Jean Johnson’s Son of Destiny series. It is very good, some heat, and since I am a major readaholic, I like different worlds so it really helps that there are different worlds inside their world. Did that make sense? If not, sorry. Any of the books above look wonderful.

Congratulations Barbara, Shortlatte and BlackwaterMama!  Please email me your info and I’ll get your book mailed out to you.

The next Bookish Escape Discussion is happening this Friday and we’ll be talking about the Dark Days series with its author Jocelynn Drake.  I’ll be posting more information later today.

I’ll also be posting a new contest either today or tomorrow (probably tomorrow since a lot is going up today), so keep your eyes open for that one.  Here’s a hint, the name will be the Black & White Cover Contest.

Now, on with this months news!

Cover Extravaganza

MMeloy-ApothecaryDuring December, 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 and Tez Says.

New Releases

August 1st:
War Games by KS Augustin
The Vampire Next Door by Ashlyn Chase (Strange Neighbors #3)
Plain Fear: Forsaken by Leanna Ellis
The Lady of the Storm by Kathryne Kennedy
Dark Souls by Paula Morris
Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Schecter
The Iron Quill by Shelena Shorts (Pace #3)
Powerborn by Nene Thomas (Zarryoistrom #1)

August 2nd:
The Wild Side an anthology featuring Tanya Huff, Caitlin Kittredge, Toni L.P. Kelner, Dana Cameron, Sarah A. Hoyt, John Lambshead, Diana Rowland
Home Improvement: Undead Edition by
Anthology – Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, James Grady, Heather Graham, Melissa Marr and others
The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley (Highland Pleasures #3)
Real Vampires Don’t Wear Size Six by Glory Bartlett (Glory St. Claire)
The Marked Son by Shea Berkley (Keepers of Life #1)
The Mythology of Supernatural by Nathan Brown
Resurrection by Boone Brux (A Bringer and the Bane Novel, #1)
Changing the Game by Jaci Burton
Bloodhunt by Shannon Butcher (The Sentinel Wars)
Working Stiff by Rachel Caine (Revivalist)
Ward Against Death by Melanie Card
A Midnight Dance by Lila DiPasqua (Fiery Tales #3)
Luck of the Devil by Patricia Elmer (Luck of the Devil #1)
Dream Dark by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (Beautiful Creatures)
Out in Blue by Sarah Gilman (Return to Sanctuary #1)
Storm’s Heart by Thea Harrison (Elder Races)
Blood Cursed by Erica Hayes (Shadowfae #5)
Steelhands by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett
Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark-Hunter #20)
Water to Burn by Katharine Kerr
Night Walker by Lisa Kessler (The Night Series #1)
Master of Shadows by Angela Knight (Mageverse #8)
Blood of the Demon by Rosalie Lario (Demons of Infernum #1)
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
Midnight Sins by Lora Leigh
Blood Ties by Mari Mancusi (Blood Coven Vampires #6)
The Dark Elite (featuring Firespell and Hexbound) by Chloe Neill
Envy by Gregg Olsen (Empty Coffin)
Heart Search by Robin Owens (Celta’s Heartmates)
A Little Death by Scarlett Parrish
Darkness Descending by Devyn Quinn
The Diviner by Michelle Rawn
Downpour by Kat Richardson (Greywalker #6)
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
The Watchers by Inara Scott (Delcroix Academy #2)
Eternal by Gillian Shields
Death Sentence by AG Smith (Escape from the Furnace #3)
The Moonlight Brigade by Sarah Jane Stratford
Basilisk by Rob Thurman (Chimera #2)
Primal Law by JD Tyler (Alpha Pack)
Between by Jessica Warman
Demonic by Sheri Whitefeather

August 3rd:
Dark Parties by Sara Grant
Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink (Prophecy of the Sisters #3)

August 4th:
Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson
Dark Angel by Eden Maguire (Dark Angel #1)

August 5th:
Anacsazi by Emma Michaels (Sense of Truth #2)
Shimmer by Alyson Noël (Riley Bloom)

August 9th:
The Magician King by Lev Grossman
Southern Gods by John Honnor Jacobs
Reaching Through Time by Lurlene McDaniel
All You Desire by Kirsten Miller (Eternal Ones #2)
Angelina’s Bachelors by Brian O’Reilly
Siren’s Storm by Lisa Papademetriou

August 11th:
Elemental Reality by Cesya Cuono

August 15th:
The Urban Fantasy Anthology an anthology featuring Peter Beagle, Patricia Briggs, Neil Gaiman, Charles de Lint, Emma Bull, Jeffrey Ford, Kelley Armstrong, Norman Partridge , Carrie Vaughn, Bruce McAllister, Suzy McKee Charnas, Francesca Lia Block, Thomas M. Disch, Susan Palwick, Holly Black, Steven R. Boyett, Tim Powers and Al Sarrantonio
Bargains and Betrayals by Shannon Delaney (13 to Life #3)
Kitemaster and Other Stories by Jim C. Hines
Evolve 2: Vampire Stories of the Future Undead by Nancy Kilpatrick
Zombie Jamboree by Jennifer Rardin (Jaz Parks Short)

August 16th:
Bye Bye, Baby by Max Allen Collins (Nate Heller)
Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones (Charley Davidson #2)
The Death Catchers by Jennifer Anne Kogler
Best of the Tomes of the Dead Vol. 2 by Gary McMahon
Low Town by Daniel Polansky
Kitty’s Greatest Hits by Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville)

August 17th:
The Red Wyvern by Katharine Kerr (Dragon Mage #1)
The Edinburgh Dead by Brian Ruckley

August 23rd:
Ashes by Ilsa Bick
Where Demons Fear to Tread by Stephanie Chong (Company of Angels)
Devil to Pay by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress)
Nocturne by Christine Johnson (Clair de Lune #2)
Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
Two Lines by Melissa Marr
Possess by Gretchen McNeil
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (VA Graphic Novel)
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines #1)
This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
Down to the Bone by Justina Robson (Quantum Gravity #5)
Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter (Royal House of Shadows #1)
Dark Taste of Rapture by Gena Showalter
Body of Sin by Eve Silver
Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

August 30th:
Hades by Alexandra Adornetto (Halo #2)
Aftermath by Ann Aguirre (Sirantha Jax #5)
The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance an anthology featuring Sonia Florens, K.D. Grace, Adrianne Brennan, Michelle M. Pillow, Charlotte Stein
So I Married A Demon Slayer an anthology featuring Angie Fox, Kathy Love and Lexi George
Supernatural an anthology featuring Larissa Ione, Alexandra Ivy and Jacquelyn Frank
Bound by Night by Amanda Ashley
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
With Fate Conspire by Marie Brennan (Onyx Court #4)
The Measure of the Magic by Terry Brooks (Legends of Shannara)
Witchlanders by Lena Coakley
Blood Rules by Christine Cody (Bloodlands #2)
Once and Again by Lauren Dane (Petal Georgia #1)
Evangelina by MaryJanice Davidson (Jennifer Scales)
Seven Years To Sin by Sylvia Day
Grave Expectations by Sherri Browning Erwin
One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress #7)
The Hour of Dust and Ashes by Kelly Gay (Charlie Madigan #3)
Shadow Highlander by Donna Grant
Ghost of a Smile by Simon R Green
Unwelcome by Michael Griffo (Archangel Academy)
Enemy Mine by Karin Harlow
The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris
Damned by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié (Crusade #2)
Taken by Passion by Jaymie Holland
Roil by Trent Jamieson
Devil’s Business by Caitlin Kittredge (Black London #4)
Night Falls on the Wicked by Shari Kohler
Awakenings by Edward Lazellari
Nauti Intentions by Lora Leigh
Blood Sacrifice by Maria Lima
A Taste of Crimson by Marjorie Liu (Crimson City #2)
Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry
The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
Succubus Revealed by Richelle Mead (Georgina Kincaid)
Fury by Elizabeth Miles
Soul Thief by Jana Oliver (Demon Trapper’s Daughter #2)
The Fox Inheritance by Mary Pearson
Hellbent by Cherie Priest (Cheshire Red Reports #2)
Wings of Fire by Caris Roane
The Deed by Lynsay Sands
Twisted by Gena Showalter
Crossroads by Jeanne Stein (Anna Strong Chronicles #7)
Night Forbidden by Joss Ware (Envy #5)
Supernaturally by Kiersten White

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

SWilliams-Shadow ReaderNew 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 and here. Here’s a few more:

09/13/11: Darkness on Fire by Alexis Morgan

10/03/11: Angel Arias by Marianne de Pierres (Burn Bright #2)
10/18/11: A Vampire for Christmas an anthologe featuring Laurie London, Michele Hauf, Caridad Pineiro and Alexis Morgan
10/25/11: Claimed by Pleasure by Jaymie Holland

11/03/11: Twisted Heart by Eden Maguire
11/29/11: Nightshift an anthology featuring Lynn LaFleur, Kate Douglas and Crystal Jordan
11/29/11: Acquainted With the Night by Piper Maitland

2012: Hope Shatters by Keri Arthur (Myth and Magic #3)
2012: Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent (Sou Screamers #6)
2012: Shadow Bound by Rachel Vincent (Unbound #2)

01/01/12: The Lure of Song and Magic by Patricia Rice
01/01/12: Hold Me If You Can by Stephanie Rowe (Soulfire #3)
01/10/12: Worlds of Fantasy an anthology featuring Jeffery Ford, Lisa Mantchev, Holly Phillips and Ekaterina Sedia
01/24/12: Havoc by Jeff Sampson

02/02/12: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne
02/21/12: Fever by Lauren Destefano (Chemical Garden #2)
02/28/12: Angels’ Flight by Nalini Singh (Guild Hunters)

03/13/12: Bound by Desire by Jaymie Holland
03/14/12: SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing by Terry Spear

04/01/12: Blue Magic by AM Dellamonica (Indigo #2)
04/01/12: Bear Meets Girl by Shelly Laurenston (Pride)
04/03/12: Crystalfire by Kate Douglas (Demonslayers #4)
04/24/12: Warrior by Kristina Douglas (Fallen #2)

05/01/12: Sparks Fly by Katie MaAlister (Light Dragons)

06/01/12: Darkness Devours by Keri Arthur (Dark Angels #3)
06/01/12: Werewolf in Seattle by Vicki Lewis Thompson (Wild About You #3)

08/01/12: Immortal Defender by Lisa Hendrix (Immortal Brotherhood)
08/02/12: Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark-Hunter #22)

09/01/12: Blaze Dark by Marianne de Pierres (Burn Bright #3)
09/25/12: Seduce Me in Shadows by Jacquenlyn Frank (Three Worlds #3)

12/04/12: Veil of Destruction by Shiloh Walker (Veil #3)

2013: Title Not Yet Announced an anthology featuring Nalini Singh

From the Author Sites

NSingh-Angels FlightCarrie Vaughn has some fantastic news.  She’s just been contracted for four more Kitty Norville novels.  In a surprising announcement, those four novels may not be all Kitty.  Vaughn is thinking that one of them may be a spin-off novel, but she’s not saying who it would be about.

Meljean Brook is sharing the news that there will be a Mina/Rhys novella in her January release, The Iron Duke.  The novella will also be made available as a standalone ebook later.

If Retribution is the 20th Dark-Hunter novel, then the 22nd novel already has a name and a synopsis.  We’ll have the Guardian in November, but we’ll get Time Untime August 2, 2011, which is going to be Kateri and Ren’s story.

The Mayans aren’t the only ones with a 2012 prophecy…

Long before recorded history, there was a warrior so feared that everyone trembled before his wrath. Only a brutal betrayal by the one closest to him could defeat him. But not even death was the end of a man so strong.

The Time Untime approaches…

Kateri Avani has been plagued her entire life with dreams she doesn’t understand. Images of places she’s never been and of a man she’s never seen. Her quest for answers has driven her to Las Vegas where she hopes to finally silence the demons in her mind.

What she never anticipates is coming face to face with the warrior who has haunted her her entire life.

Ren Waya came back from the dead to keep the prophecy…

Sad news…Wicked Scribes had the news that Shiloh Walker’s third Veil novel, Veil of Destruction, has been postponed to December 2012.

Jeri Smith-Ready has begun her serial novella, Let It Bleed, a WVMP Vampire story.  This won’t be your typical online serial either:

Let it Bleed will be a serial novella, that you, my friends, get to take part in.

At the end of each chapter, I’ll post one question, asking you to guess what happens next. Maybe it’ll be old-school soap-opera style like, “Whose baby is Felicity carrying?”, “Where did Dorian hide the murder weapon?” and “Will Chandler forgive Marguerite for sleeping with his four brothers and embezzling a quarter mil from his alpaca farm?”

Think Dark Shadows with blue jeans ‘n’ loud music.

Anyway, your guess will get you entered into a drawing for your choice of signed books in the WVMP Radio series.

For all the details on Let It Bleed, check out Jeri’s website or simply click here to be added to her “chapter notification” mailing list.  You can read the first chapter here.

New Excerpts or Reading for Free

THarrison-Oracle MoonYasmine Galenorn has posted an excerpt from her upcoming Sisters of the Moon novel, Courting Darkness, which will be out November 1st.

Jeaniene Frost has posted the first three chapters to her upcomign Night Huntress novel, One Grave at a Time, which is available August 30th.

She Loves Hot Reads has posted the first chapter to Lori Handeland’s Crave the Moon, which is now available.

OMG….Karen Marie Moning has posted a hidden scene from Darkfever (from Barron’s POV) that is absolutely hot!  Seriously…if you love Barrons, you’ll love this.

Katie MacAlister has an excerpt posted for her upcoming Dark Ones novel, Much Ado About Vampires, which releases October 4th.

Larissa Ione has an excerpt up for her story Vampire Fight Club, which releases in the Supernatural anthology at the end of the month.

Dark Faerie Tales has an exclusive excerpt from Karsten Knight’s Wildfire, which is now available.

RomCon has posted an exclusive sneak peek at Michelle Rowen’s Bloodlust, which is now available.

Lauren Dane has posted an excerpt from Giving Chase, which is available now.  She has also posted an excerpt from her newly released novel, Goddess With a Blade.

Yasmine Galenorn has posted an excerpt from her upcoming Indigo Court novel, Night Veil, which comes out July 29th.

Leanna Renee Heiber has posted the first 30 pages of her upcoming gothic historical, Darker Still, due to release November 1st.

Jeri Smith-Ready has posted a teaser from her upcoming novel, Shine, which is due out May 2012.

Rachel Vincent has posted a Tod-centric teaser from her next Soul Screamers novel, If I Die, due out September 27th.

Gini Koch has posted a teaser from her recent release, Alien in the Family.

Kelley Armstrong has posted the third and fourth chapters to her Online Story.

Richelle Mead has posted the first chapter to her upcoming Georgina Kincaid novel, Succubus Revealed, which is due out August 30th.  The first chapter to her upcoming Bloodlines was been posted on Scribd.

Lauren Dane has posted an excerpt from her November release, Heart of Darkness, the first in her new Bound by Magick series.

Paranormality has posted an excerpt for Nancy Gideon’s Bound by Midnight, which releases today.

Joey W. Hill has posted an excerpt to her upcoming novel Bound by the Vampire Queen, which releases December 6th.

What Bears Repeating

JHolland-Bound by DesireRichelle Mead has post the description for the final Dark Swan novel, Shadow Heir, which is scheduled to be released January 3, 2012.

Marjorie Liuhas some fantastic news.  She just signed a new contract for a new 3 book paranormal romance series that is not related to the Dirk & Steele series.  In fact, this one is a completely different world which is…

an apocalyptic landscape populated by monsters – vampires, werewolves, and other impossible creatures – who are hunted, enslaved, and persecuted by an elite ruling class of human men and women who possess a magic that allows them to control a vast zombie army.

JF Lewis announced the title to his fourth Void City novel.  We’ll get to read Burned in February 2012.

Sherrilyn Kenyon is the next author on the block to head to the theaters.  According to Variety, Kenyon is joining with Amber Entertainment to bring her novels to life.  The first up will be Infinity, the first novel in her Chronicles of Nick series.  Right now, it sounds like everything is in development, so no news on a release date or anything.

Tez Says has found seven new book deals that were just announced.  One such deal involves Kady Cross and a new series that sounds really interested.

Featured Book: The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan

GDuncan-The Last WerewolfThen she opened her mouth to scream—and recognized me. It was what I’d been waiting for. She froze. She looked into my eyes. She said, “It’s you.”

Meet Jake. A bit on the elderly side (he turns 201 in March), but you’d never suspect it. Nonstop sex and exercise will do that for you—and a diet with lots of animal protein. Jake is a werewolf, and after the unfortunate and violent death of his one contemporary, he is now the last of his species. Although he is physically healthy, Jake is deeply distraught and lonely.

Jake’s depression has carried him to the point where he is actually contemplating suicide—even if it means terminating a legend thousands of years old. It would seem to be easy enough for him to end everything. But for very different reasons there are two dangerous groups pursuing him who will stop at nothing to keep him alive.

Here is a powerful, definitive new version of the werewolf legend—mesmerising and incredibly sexy. In Jake, Glen Duncan has given us a werewolf for the twenty-first century—a man whose deeds can only be described as monstrous but who is in some magical way deeply human.

This Month’s Reviews

Queen of Dragons by Shana Abé
I Dream of Genies by Judi Fennell
To Kill A Vampire by Julianna Sage
Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar
In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare
Feast: Harvest of Dreams by Merrie Destefano
The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man by Mark Hodder
Memories of Envy by Barb Hendee
Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward
Beyond The Night by Joss Ware
A Song For My Mother by Kat Martin
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
Sweet Possession by Maya Banks
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep
Go The F*ck To Sleep by Adam Mansbach
Mad Skills by Walter Greatshell
Touch If You Dare by Stephanie Rowe
Lover Enshrined by JR Ward
My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Bloodlust by Michelle Rowan
A Table for Three by Lainey Reese

From the Reader

LDestefano-FeverEllora’s Cave made an announcement on their facebook page the other day.  Beginning August 1st, and occurring every Monday from 4-5pm EST, Jaid Black and Lisa Gray will be coming to you live via Cave Chaos.  The show will cover topics ranging from female sexuality, Ellora’s Cave and anything else that comes to mind.

Tor.com has the scoop on the 2011 World Fantasy Award nominees.  The awards will be given out at this year’s World Fantasy Convention, will occurs October 27th through the 30th in San Diego CA.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is starting to get underway and registration is now open.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is an annual celebration of book blogs. It’s a jam packed week dedicated to acknowledging the hard work and contribution of book bloggers to preserving our culture of literacy. This year’s celebration takes place September 12-September 16th. The week includes guest posts, dailty activities, giveaways, games, special podcasts, and an awards program exclusively devoted to book blogs.

The BBAW is generally a lot of fun and I have no doubt this year will be just as much fun.  To go along with the week, there are also the BBAW Awards and it looks like the girls behind BBAW have done some adjustments to the process again this year.  The Awards are a great way to show love to all the fabulous sites out there, so make sure you take a chance and head over to nominate your fave.  In addition to the blogs, the awards also include a few book categories.

Author Appearances

AMorgan-Darkness on FireFor the full listing of this month’s interviews, click here.

Contests

BDarc-Dead AlertGoodReads is giving away 5 copies of Lynda Hilburn’s The Vampire Shrink – ends September 30th.

Patricia’s Vampire Notes is giving away a copy of Justin Gustainis’ Hard Spell – ends August 5th.

Dark Faerie Tales is giving away a copy of Maggie Stiefvater’s Forever – ends August 12th.

Dark Faerie Tales is giving away a set of the complete Catherine Fisher’s Relic Master series – The Dark City, The Lost Heiress, The Hidden Coronet and The Margrave – ends August 15th.

GoodReads is giving away 10 copies of Cherie Priest’s Ganymede – ends September 9th.

All Things Urban Fantasy is giving away five copies of Kenneth Oppel’s This Dark Endeavor – ends August 6th.

Dark Faerie Tales is giving away five copies of Jonathan Maberry’s Dust and Decay – ends August 6th.

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.

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