About Books

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    Holiday books are here …

    Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed something becoming more and more common at my local bookstores — holiday books.

    Yep, those snow- and Christmas-themed covers are here, along with the holiday stories that fill the pages.

    Sleigh Bells in the SnowOne holiday book that I’ve been looking forward to is Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan. I enjoy contemporary romance, and I usually read at least one or two holiday stories this time of year.

    But it’s not just new holiday books that are on the shelves now. You can also find many different editions of classic holiday stories like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens or The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore.

    For Christmas several years ago, Wheezley bought me a copy of A Christmas Carol, and it was interesting to read the story versus seeing all the interpretations in other books and holiday movies.

    Now, I enjoy a good holiday book, but I am totally addicted to all the holiday romance movies on TV stations like ABC Family, Lifetime, and the Hallmark Channel. I love a good holiday rom-com, and I’m looking forward to seeing what new movies come out this year.

    What about you guys? Do you read holiday books or watch holiday movies? Do you have a favorite holiday book or movie that you read or watch every year?

  • Checking out the TBR pile …

    Today, I thought I would share some of the young adult fantasy books in my TBR pile (note that the descriptions are from Goodreads). I’ve been wanting to read all of these for a while now, but all of my writing deadlines keep getting in the way of my reading-for-fun time. Pesky deadlines.

    Siege and StormSiege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo: Darkness never dies.

    Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

    The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

    The Iron LegendsThe Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa: Enter the world of the internationally bestselling Iron Fey series. Dangerous faeries. Heartbreaking romance. Thrilling action and limitless adventure. The world of the fey has never been so powerful. This collection includes three novellas set in the world of the Iron Fey plus the Guide to the Iron Fey with exclusive information about Julie Kagawa’s unforgettable world of Faery.

    Winter’s Passage

    Never make a promise to a faery. They always come to collect. Now Meghan Chase must fulfill her promise to Prince Ash of the Winter Court and embark upon a dangerous journey into the heart of enemy territory—while being pursued by a relentless new foe and guarding her own foolish heart.

    Summer’s Crossing

    What can turn enemies into reluctant allies? A call from the Exile Queen, Leanansidhe, ties legendary prankster Puck to his archenemy, Prince Ash, on a journey that may end in betrayal and will set them both on an irreversible path.

    Iron’s Prophecy

    Before she ever knew what she might become, Iron Queen Meghan Chase was warned by the oracle that her firstborn child would bring nothing but grief. And even as Meghan and Ash celebrate their long-awaited union, the prophecy stirs.

    Three Iron Fey novellas for the first time in print!

    Scent of MagicScent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder: Hunted, Killed—Survived?

    As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

    Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

    War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible … again.

    What about you guys? Are any of these books in your TBR pile? What are some of the books in your TBR pile?

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    Last call to buy Entangled e-anthology …

    I’m one of several authors who contributed a story to Entangled, an e-anthology that was released in 2011. After the end of October, the e-anthology will no longer be available, so if you want to check it out, now is the time to download it.

    Entangled is available for $2.99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

    This was a really cool project to be involved in because the money raised has gone to breast cancer research. 

    My story is called Halloween Frost. It’s about 6,500 words and is part of my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. The story takes place after the events of Touch of Frost. You can read an excerpt here, and here’s the description:

    It’s Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.

    And here’s some general info about the anthology, the other authors participating, and their stories:

    Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories from authors Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, and Michelle Miles, plus a Seven Deadly Sins novella by Allison Brennan.

    Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan.

    All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.