About Books

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    Black Widow excerpt online …

    Book #12 I’ve posted the first chapter of Black Widow, Elemental Assassin #12, on my website.

    You can read the first chapter here. Scroll down and click on the Read Excerpt tab.

    Note: The chapter does have spoilers for other books in the series, including Poison Promise, book #11. So if you don’t want to be spoiled, you might want to skip reading the chapter.

    Black Widow will be released on Nov. 25 in print, e-book, and audio editions through all the usual book retailers, including the following:

    Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / IndieBound / iTunes / Kobo

    The audiobook will be available through Audible, and the awesome Lauren Fortgang is once again be the narrator.

    And here is the back cover copy for Black Widow:

    There’s nothing worse than a cruel, cunning enemy with time to kill—and my murder to plan.

    With wicked Fire elemental Mab Monroe long gone, you’d think I could finally catch a break. But someone’s always trying to take me down, either as Gin Blanco or my assassin alter-ago. Now along comes the Spider’s new arch-nemesis, the mysteriously named M. M. Monroe, who is gleefully working overtime to trap me in a sticky web of deceit.

    The thing is, I’m not the only target. I can see through the tangled threads enough to know that every bit of bad luck my friends have been having lately is no accident—and that each unfortunate “coincidence” is just one more arrow drawing ever closer to hitting the real bulls-eye. Though new to Ashland, this M. M. Monroe is no stranger to irony, trying to get me, an assassin, framed for murder. Yet, as my enemy’s master plan is slowly revealed, I have a sinking feeling that it will take more than my powerful Ice and Stone magic to stop my whole life from going up in flames.

    Hope that everyone enjoys the excerpt. Happy reading!

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    Halloween book signing at Mountain Empire Comics …

    I will be signing books on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Mountain Empire Comics in Bristol, Tenn. as part of the store’s annual Halloween event.

    I will be signing books from noon-2 p.m. (or maybe even 3 p.m.), depending on the crowd. The street outside the store will be closed off so vendors can set up, and some other Halloween events will be going on in downtown Bristol as well that day. So come on out, and join in the fun.

    I will have print copies of all three of my current series to sign — Elemental Assassin; Mythos Academy; and Bigtime. Since I have 20-plus books out now, I only bring a few copies of each one to signings. So if you know you’re going to be at the signing and want a specific book, please leave a comment on this blog post, and let me know which book you want so I can (hopefully) have enough copies of each title.

    It should be a fun event. Hope to see you there!

  • Checking out the fall TBR pile …

    2 Comments

    Today, I’m sharing some books that are waiting in my TBR pile and another one that I am looking forward to that is being released this fall.

    Note: The descriptions are from Goodreads.

    In Your DreamsIn Your Dreams by Kristan Higgins — out now

    Amazon / iTunes

    Emmaline Neal needs a date. Just a date—someone to help her get through her ex-fiancé’s wedding without losing her mind. But pickings are slim in Manningsport, New York, population 715. In fact, there’s really only one option: local heartthrob Jack Holland. Everyone loves Jack, and he won’t get the wrong idea…. After all, Jack Holland would never actually be interested in a woman like Em. Especially not with his beautiful ex-wife creeping around, angling to reunite ever since he rescued a group of teens and became a local hero.

    But when the wedding festivities take an unexpectedly passionate turn, Em figures it was just one crazy night. Jack is too gorgeous, too popular, to ever end up with her. So why is she the one he can talk to about his deep, dark feelings? If Em is going to get her dream man, she’ll have to start by believing in him…

    Prince's FirePrince’s Fire by Amy Raby — out now

    Amazon / iTunes

    As the sister of the Kjallan emperor, Celeste cannot choose where to bestow her heart….

    The imperial princess has been offered in marriage to the Prince of Inya as part of an alliance needed to ensure Kjall’s military prowess. And despite having been hurt in the past by men using her to gain power, Celeste finds herself falling for the passionate fire mage.

    Prince Rayn has no intention of allying his country with the militaristic Kjallans. But his political enemies at home may be the greater threat. The princess’s beauty and intelligence catch him off guard, throwing an unexpected and dangerous hurdle in the way of his plans.

    As a deadly political plot threatens Rayn’s life, the attraction between Celeste and Rayn ignites into a sizzling affair. But to save her people and herself, Celeste will have to discover if Rayn’s intentions are true or risk having her love burn her yet again….

    Snow Like AshesSnow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch — Oct. 14

    Amazon / iTunes

    A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

    Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

    Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

    So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

    What’s in your TBR pile right now? What books are you guys looking forward to this fall?

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    Black Widow, Elemental Assassin #12, up for pre-order …

    2 Comments

    Book #12Just a reminder that Black Widow, Elemental Assassin #12, is up for pre-order. The book will be released in print, e-book, and audio editions on Nov. 25. It is up for pre-order at the following sites:

    Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / IndieBound / iTunes / Kobo

    The audio book will be available through Audible. The awesome Lauren Fortgang will once again be the narrator.

    Spoiler warning: Here is the back cover copy for Black Widow. Please note that this does contain some spoilers, so if you absolutely do not want to be spoiled, you may want to skip reading the next few paragraphs.

    There’s nothing worse than a cruel, cunning enemy with time to kill—and my murder to plan.

    With wicked Fire elemental Mab Monroe long gone, you’d think I could finally catch a break. But someone’s always trying to take me down, either as Gin Blanco or my assassin alter-ago. Now along comes the Spider’s new arch-nemesis, the mysteriously named M. M. Monroe, who is gleefully working overtime to trap me in a sticky web of deceit.

    The thing is, I’m not the only target. I can see through the tangled threads enough to know that every bit of bad luck my friends have been having lately is no accident—and that each unfortunate “coincidence” is just one more arrow drawing ever closer to hitting the real bulls-eye. Though new to Ashland, this M. M. Monroe is no stranger to irony, trying to get me, an assassin, framed for murder. Yet, as my enemy’s master plan is slowly revealed, I have a sinking feeling that it will take more than my powerful Ice and Stone magic to stop my whole life from going up in flames.

    In other words: This book will feature the Gin and M.M. Monroe smackdown that you guys have been waiting for. 😉

    So go forth, and pre-order, if you wish. Nov. 25 will be here before you know it.

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    Cold Burn of Magic, Black Blade #1, coming in 2015 …

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    I’ve posted some news about this on my social media sites already, but I’m happy to formally announce that I have sold a new young adult urban fantasy series. Woot! Woot!

    It’s called the Black Blade series, and it features magic, monsters, and mobsters. The heroine is Lila Merriweather, a 17-year-old thief who does her best to avoid the Families (mobs) that run her town, a total tourist trap known for the monsters that haunt the area. But, of course, Lila finds herself in the middle of a feud between two of the Families. And there’s a cute guy in the mix too. As of right now, there will be at least three books in the series.

    Cold Burn of MagicCold Burn of Magic, the first book, will be released on April 28, 2015 by Kensington. It is up for pre-order at the following sites:

    Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / IndieBound / iTunes / Kobo

    And here is the book description:

    THERE BE MONSTERS HERE…

    It’s not as great as you’d think, living in a tourist town that’s known as “the most magical place in America.” Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

    I try to keep out of it. I’ve got my mom’s bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

    But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend’s pawn shop, and I have to make a call—get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn’t. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I’m stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I’m going to end up just like her…

    I’m excited about the new series, and I hope that everyone enjoys learning more about it. Lila has been a really fun, snarky character for me to write so far. I’ll be posting the final cover art and more as they become available. Thanks, everyone!