Escapist Newsletter (Vol 5 Issue 11)

News from LE

KBlake-Girl of NightmaresSince I’m so late with this month’s newsletter, I haven’t gone through the various author websites that I normally do.  So I’m posting what I have now and will scour the websites in the next day or two.  What I end up finding with be included in a news post later this week.  It won’t be the next one, because I already have one ready to go live tomorrow (part of the problem of being late – I have to weed through the stuff that has been posted in November).  If there’s someone you don’t have the time to investigate, let me know and I’ll add them to my search.

Some fabulous news for those participating in reading challenges.  LE will be hosting the New Author’s Challenge for the fourth year.  The 2012 sign-up page has already been published and we’re currently looking at 17 readers looking to expand their author knowledge.  For those unfamiliar with the New Author’s Challenge, it’s a basic reading challenge where participants are encouraged to find new-to-them authors.  If you’ve never tried a reading challenge before, but this is probably one of the best ones to start with (although I may be a little bias).  It’s extremely flexible and you set your limits.

For 2012, LE will be hosting a second reading challenge.  This one will be more of a monthly group read of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series.  The basic idea is to read all 7 Outlander novels as well as all 4 Lord John novels, listed at the challenge page, or as many as you can or want to do. The group read will begin with Outlander and at the end of January, I’ll be posting a Challenge Update where everyone can stop by and discuss it.  The discussion threads are still ongoing some organization, but you can actually help with one part. Discussing one novel a month is fabulous, but what should the order be?  You can help decide here.

As for the current LE contests: We’re giving away copies of Chloe Neill’s Hard Bitten and Hexbound and a Chicagoland Vampire nove – winner’s choice. Contest runs November 1st – 15th.  Also, the winners for the Theresa MeyerHannah Jayne, Weird Fiction and Stories for Nighttime contests were announced here and here. If you’re a winner, please contact me before 11/7 otherwise I will be drawing new names.

Cover Extravaganza

JNassise-By the Blood of HeroesDuring December, 83 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 and Tez Says.

New Releases

November 1st:
Touch by Jus Accardo (Denazen #1)
Wicked Women Whodunit an anthology featuring MaryJanice Davidson, Amy Garvey, Jennifer Apodaca and Nancy J. Cohen
Tied With a Bow an anthology featuring Eileen Wilks, Lora Leigh, Virginia Kantra and Kimberly Frost
A Vampire for Christmas an anthology featuring Laurie London, Michele Hauf, Alexis Morgan, Caridad Pineiro
Body Thief by CJ Barry
Heart of Steel by Meljean Brooks (Iron Seas #2)
Last Breath by Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampires #11)
Temptation at Twilight by Jo Carlisle
Temptation at Twilight by Jo Carlisle
Embrace the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney
Crossed by Ally Condie (Matched)
Deadly Pursuit by Nina Croft
Under the Moon by Natalie Damschroder
Heart of Darkness by Lauren Dane
Darkest at Dawn by Christine Feehan
Genie Knows Best by Judi Fennell
The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper
Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber
Under Attack by Hannah Jayne (Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles #2)
North of Need by Laura Kaye
The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dream-Hunter)
Avenger’s Angel by Heather Killough-Walden (Lost Angels)
The Hunter by Theresa Meyers
Magic on the Line by Devin Monk (Allie Becktrom #7)
Drink Deep by Chloe Neill (Chicagoland Vampires #5)
Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts
The Reckoning by Lili St. Crow (Strange Angels)
My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski
Nightshine by Lynn Viehl (Kyndred)
Not Your Ordinary Faerie Tale by Christine Warren (Others)
Death Magic by Eileen Wilks (World of the Lupi)

November 3rd:
Ascendant Stars by Michael Cobley
The Revenge of the Dwarves by Markus Heitz
Twisted Heart by Eden Maguire (Dark Angel #2)

November 8th:
Batman Noel by Lee Bermejo
Fighting to Survive by Rhiannon Frater (As the World Dies #2)
Shattered by Kailin Gow (Desires #2)
Endurance by Jay L ake (Green Universe #2)
Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon
Unison Spark by Andy Marino
Scholar by LE Modesitt Jr
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini (Inheritance Cycle #4)
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn)

November 14th:
Requiem with the Reaper by Kailin Gow (Harold Kung Fu Kid #3)

November 15th:
Death Watch by Ari Berk (Undertaker Trilogy)
Wherever You Go by Heather Davis
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
Tricks of the Trade by Laura Ann Gilman (Paranormal Scene Investigation #3)
Immortal Darkness by Kailin Gow (Phantom Diaries #3)
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Lightbringer by KD McEntire
The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

November 16th:
The Griffin Mage by Rachel Neumeier
The Onyx Talisman by Brenda Pandos

November 22nd:
New Cthulhu: The Recent Weird an anthology featuring Neil Gaiman, China Mieville, Caitlin R. Kiernan and Sarah Monette
If I Should Die by Allison Brennan
Saints Astray by Jacqueline Carey (Santa Olivia #2)
Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich (Stephenie Plum #18)
In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton (Goblin Wars #2)
Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Bad Blood by Kristen Painter (House of Comarré #3)
Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh (Royal House of Shadows #4)
Soul Screamers Volume 1 by Rachel Vincent

November 23rd: Theft of Swords by Michael Sullivan (Riyria Revelations #1)

November 28th: Falling by Kailin Gow (Fade #2)

November 29th:
Fate’s Edge by Ilona Andrews (Edge #3)
Nightshift an anthology featuring Lynn LaFleur, Kate Douglas and Crystal Jordan
Dead By Nightfall by Beverly Barton (Dead By)
Virtual Virgin by Carole Nelson Douglas (Delilah Street #5)
Angel of Darkness by Cynthia Eden (Fallen Angels of Death #1)
Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep (Mythos Academy #2)
Reckoning by Jeaniene Frost
The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon
Hunter of Shadows by Nancy Gideon (Moonlight #5)
Killing Rites by MLN Hanover (Black Sun’s Daughter #4)
Bound by Darkness by Alexandra Ivy (Guardians of Eternity)
Within the Flames by Marjorie Liu (Dirk & Steele #11)
Legend by Marie Lu
Acquainted With the Night by Piper Maitland
Vampires Dead Ahead by Cheyenne McCray (Night Tracker)
Beyond the Darkness by Jaime Rush (Offspring #5)

November 30th:
Baal by Robert McCammon
The Hunter from the Woods by Robert McCammon

Here are a few other places with their own September releases: Wicked Little Pixie, All Things Urban Fantasy, Tor/Forge, Suvudu, Tez Says, Novels on the Run, The Book Pushers,

Patricia’s Vampire Notes is recapping all the great novels that were out in October.

SHumphreys-UntouchedNew 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:

2012: Underworld by Meg Cabot (Abandon #2)
2012: This Wicked Magic by Michele Hauf (This Witchery #2)
2012: Scent of Magic by Maria Snyder (Healer #2)

01/05/12: Fated by Sarah Alderson
01/31/12: The Dread by Gail Z. Martin
01/31/12: Liquid Fear by Scott Nicholson
01/31/12: Chronic Fear by Scott Nicholson

02/07/12: A Hundred Words for Hate by Thomas Sniegoski (Remy Chandler)

04/24/12: Lies & Omens by Lyn Benedict (Shadows Inquiries)

05/01/12: Destined by Aprilynne Pike (Laurel #4)
05/22/12: Midnight’s Master by Donna Grant (Dark Warriors #1)
05/29/12: A Blood Seduction by Pamela Palmer (Vamp City #1)

06/26/12: Into the Dreaming by Karen Marie Moning
06/26/12: Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter (Lords of the Underworld spin-off #1)

07/03/12: Grave Memory by Kalayna Price (Alex Craft #3)

08/07/12: In the House of the Wicked by Thomas Sniegoski (Remy Chandler)
08/21/12: The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore (Lorian Legacies #3)

10/02/12: Fury’s Kiss by Karen Chance (Dorina Basarab #3)
10/30/12: Iced by Karen Marie Moning (Dani O’Malley (Fever World) #1)

2013: Cemetery Girl by Charlaine Harris
2013: Burned by Karen Marie Moning (Dani O’Malley (Fever World) #2)
2013: Flayed by Karen Marie Moning (Dani O’Malley (Fever World) #3)

From the Author Sites

CVaughn-Straying from the PathAnya Bast has a new series coming out in January from Samhain Publishing that will currently be released as an ebook only (not sure if print will follow at a later date yet).  The Twisted Kiss is the first novel in her new Doomsyear series.  Here’s the blurb.

Kylie Mitchell lives in a world of monsters. Thanks to a military experiment gone viral, over half the population is gone and most of what remains has mutated into storybook werewolves and vampires. In this new Earth, only the tough survive, and Kylie has more than enough reason to want to be left alone.

When the Council of the Wise decrees that she must mate with a potent vampire and a powerful werewolf, Kylie resents their intrusion into her self-imposed exile. As one of the last humans on earth, she always assumed she’d be safe from the super-psychics’ machinations, and she’s not ready to trust her heart to anyone.

Michael and Christian share no great love for each other, but they have one thing in common—their long-time desire for Kylie. Determined to ensure she doesn’t spend the rest of her lonely life wallowing in needless guilt, they choose to put aside their differences and work together, never allowing her time to think as they seduce her body and mind, hoping their love will tempt her heart to open to them.

Yet just as she begins to bloom under their fiercely protective attention, a twisted and monstrous figure from the past rises up, threatening to destroy everything…

Karen Mahoney has announced that the title for her first Moth novel has changed.  The original title was Beautiful Ghosts, but with all the “beautiful” titles out there, they’ve gone back to the that has started it all – Falling To Ash.

Rachel Vincent has posted the cover blurb, as well as a few teasers, for her second Unbound novel, Shadow Bound, which is due out.

If you live in the dark long enough, you begin to forget the light…

KORI DANIELS is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she’s ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if that means taking it from someone else…

The job? Recruit Ian Holt—or kill him.

Ian’s ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he’s on a mission of his own. Ian has come to kill Tower’s top Binder: Kori’s little sister.

Amid the tangle of lies, an unexpected thread of truth connecting Ian and Kori comes to light. But with opposing goals, they’ll have to choose between love and liberty….

Fantastic news for Kim Harrison fans.  The Hollows are coming to the CW!  According to Deadline Hollywood, the Hollows is one of 3 new series that will be put into production.  There isn’t any word on who they are casting yet, but it sounds like a sure thing.  Personally, I think the CW is the best place for it right now, what will all the success they’ve been having with their other supernatural shows.  I think Rachel, Ivy and Jenks have the best chance of surviving there than on one of the bigger networks.  The Hollows won’t be alone either.  Cynthia Hand’s Unearthly series will also be joining the CW.  So what do you guys think?  Good news or bad news?  There’s more info at About.com, SFScope, Suvudu and Examiner.com.

Speaking of Anya, back in May she explained her new series, Brotherhood of the Damned, and now she’s announced the back cover copy for the first novel, Embrace of the Damned.

A damned Viking warrior.
Centuries ago Broder Calderson committed murder. As punishment, he was given over to the dominion of Loki, the Trickster God, made part of the Brotherhood of the Damned and condemned to an immortal life of battle against the Blight, blood-drinkers from Hel.

A mysterious woman he can’t resist.
One thousand years to the day he was damned, Loki allows him a woman as reward for his good service and repentance of his crimes. Once Broder sees Jessamine Hamilton, he is overcome with need. But Jessa is no ordinary woman, and the truth of who—and what—she is could have dangerous consequences.

A tormented man she can’t deny.
Though a future together is impossible, the warrior’s touch ignites an irresistible passion in Jessa. But every heated kiss pushes them closer to destruction. Forced to return to the brutality of his Viking past to protect her, will Broder surrender forever to his darkest impulses?

New Excerpts or Reading for Free

ABast-Embrace of the DamnedSamhain Publishing is offering a TJ Michael’s Carinian’s Seeker as a free read on both the Kindle and Nook until November 14th.

Ilona Andrews is giving us a glimpse into a new short story they are working on for an upcoming anthology.  It’s currently untitled as it’s a work in progress, but it’s a story from Julie’s point of view from the Kate Daniels world.

Kelley Armstrong has posted the tenth chapter to her Online Story. Here are the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventheighth and ninth chapters.

The latest Moon Daughters comic, featuring the girls from Yasmine Galenorn’s Otherworld series, is now out.

Jennifer Armintrout has posted an excerpt from her upcoming Abigail Barnette novel, Bride of the Wolf, which releases sometime this fall.

Shiloh Walker has posted an excerpt from her next Hunter’s novel, Hunter’s Rise, which is due out spring 2012. She has also posted snippets from her upcoming novel, If You Hear Her, the third novel in her new romantic suspense series, here, here, here, here, here and here.

Lauren Dane has posted various snippets from her very recent release, Heart of Darkness, which is the first novel in her new Bound by Magick series, and you can read them here, here and here.

Yasmine Galenorn has posted numerous snippets from her upcoming Otherworld novel, Courting Darkness, which will be out November 1st, and you can read them here, here, here and here.

Rebecca Zanetti has posted an excerpt from her April 2012 release, Tempted.

Lauren Dane has posted an excerpt from Taking Chase, the second novel in her Chase Brothers series.

Ilona Andrews has posted an excerpt from their third Edge novel, Fate’s Edge, which releases November 29th.

Patricia Briggs has posted the prologue to her next Alpha/Omega novel, Fair Game, which releases March 6, 2012.

PC Cast has posted the second chapter to their upcoming House of Night novel, Destined, which releases October 25th.

Kelly Meding has posted the first chapter to her upcoming novel, Trance, which releases next week. (you can also read it at Simon & Schuster)

An ebook of Angie Fox’s Accidental Demon Slayer is going for $.99 right now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rachel Caine has posted a couple of snippets featuring Claire, Amelie and Monica from her upcoming Morganville Vampires novel, Last Breath, which releases next week.

Dark Horse has a free preview of their new graphic novel, House of Night, based on the series by PC & Kristen Cast.

Caitlin Kittredge has posted a teaser from her new Subterranean Press novel, Curse of Four, which is currently only available as a limited edition print.

Crave Online has a sneak peek of Justice League Dark #2.

What Bears Repeating

KDuvall-Darkest KnightKaren Marie Moning has announced the title and release date for the first Dani novel on FacebookIced will be available October 30, 2012.

Gail Carriger has sold a spin-off series of her Parsol Protectorate world to Orbit Books. The novel, Prudence, will begin the Parasol Protectorate Abroad in 2013 to be followed by Imprudence.  In addtion, Little Brown Books for Young Readers will be publishing a YA historical fantasy series that will be set 22 years prior to Soulless.  The first novel, Finishing School, currently has no release date.

There’s an update on Vicki Pettersson‘s new Celestial Blues series, which includes confirmation that there will be at least 3 books for her new Supernatural noir mysteries.  The first novel, The Taken, will be out in June 2012.

Kim Harrison has announced the cities she’ll be visiting for her A Perfect Blood tour. This time she’s listing Detroit instead of Ann Arbor, so I’m hoping this means I won’t have as far to drive. *grin*

Jennifer Estep has announced the title to her seventh Elemental Assassin novel. The anticipated release date for Widow’s Web is September 2012 (so realistically, August 28th, 2012).

Erica Hayes has a new book deal.  She’s sold two books to Berkley featuring a young medical examiner who teams up with a fallen angel to stop demons of creating hell on earth.  The first novel, Revelation, will be out sometime in fall 2012 and will be set during the apocalypse. The second novel, Redemption, will probably be out in 2013.

Featured Book: Shadowlander by Theresa Meyers

TMeyers-ShadowlanderFour sisters, three rules to live by, one big problem.

O’Connell Family Rule #1: Don’t let the Fae know you see them.
O’Connell Family Rule #2: Don’t talk to the Fae.
O’Connell Family Rule #3: Never, ever follow them.

Most people only believe what they can see. Gifted with the ability to see the deep, dark fae of Shadowland, Catherine Rowan Mary O’Connell would prefer not to. When the fae abduct her friend Maya, Cate breaks the sacred O’Connell Family Rules and sets a trap for the handsome fae who haunts her every step.

Rook, High Court Advisor to the Shadow King, has been following Cate since she was sixteen. When Cate reveals herself as one of the fabled “Seers”, Rook is stunned—she is one of the few that can permanently open the gates between their worlds. If he turns her over to the Shadow King, his court will rule the human realm.

Cate knows she has precious little time to find Maya. By midnight, the glamour of Mid-Summer’s Eve will fade, leaving her trapped forever in the Shadowland, but Maya’s abductor won’t give up the woman he’s mesmerized easily.

The midnight hour is almost at hand. Cate must choose: her freedom or her destiny.

This Month’s Reviews

Cat’s Tale by Bettie Sharpe
Chicks Kick Butt an anthology featuring Rachel Caine, Jenna Black, Rachel Vincent and Karen Chance.
Drink Deep by Chloe Neill
The Third Section by Jasper Kent
Serpent’s Kiss by Thea Harrison
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
Heart of Darkness by Lauren Dane
Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane
Soul Possession by Maya Banks
Wanted by Karin Tabke
Graveminder by Melissa Marr

From the Reader

SLaurenston-Bear Meets GirlWicked Scribes has unearthed the news that Kresley Cole will be launching a new series based on the Dacians from her Immortal series.  Shadow’s Claim will be the first novel in the Realm of Blood and Mist series.  Here’s a bit more info:

In the first chaos of the Lore, a brotherhood of vampires dominated, by relying on their cold nature, worship of logic, and absence of mercy. They sprang from the harsh steppes of Dacia and migrated to Russia, though some say a secret enclave, the Daci, live in Dacia still.

This is just amusing.  Prince Charles is claiming ancestry with Romania’s Vlad the Impaler.  I’m not exactly sure, but according to USA Today, he says it’s there and he’s now using it in his quest to protect the forests of Romania’s Transylvania region.  Not that it isn’t a fabulous goal, but I guess I’m just amused that the crown prince, and first in line heir, to the British throne is claiming genetic heritage with a notorious warlord.  Although, theFABlife does make a good point – it makes for some great potential literary spoofs.

Okay, seriously?!  I get the CDC’s Zombie Apocalypse brochure, but now someone is using vampires to promote safe sex?  Vampires.com got their hands on an email blast that Planned Parenthood sent out on Halloween, appealing to people to remember to have safe sex with Vampires. Typical vampire lore states that vampires tend to be disease free and can’t infect humans. Granted, Edward did get Bella pregnant, but he isn’t the first vampire to impregnate a human, and even more important, it’s not that common.

Galaxy Express has her fabulous update on all things science fiction romance.

The Story Siren has a fabulous post, Top 10 Blogging Myths Debunked, that answers a lot of questions that I tend to get asked a lot. If you’re starting out or wondering a few things, I would definitely go check it out.

DC Comics is getting ready to release a Batman holiday graphic, titled Batman Noel, and The Source is giving us a sneak peak.  Seems like a spin on the Scrooge christmas angle.

Wicked Scribes has updates on various novels that are in production to become movies.  There’s even a few dates including a tentative release date of late 2012 for Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander.

Author Appearances

CCrane-Head RushFor the full listing of this month’s interviews, click here.

Contests

All Things Urban Fantasy is giving away a copy of Julie Kagawa’s The Iron Knight – ends November 12th.

Jess Haines is giving away a signed copy The Real Werewives of Vampire County of plus a bunch of other goodies – ends November 30th.

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.