About Books

  • Books in my TBR pile …

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    Well, the holiday rush is over, and those bookstore gift cards have been getting a workout. I’ve been on a bit of a young adult reading kick lately, so today, I thought I’d share some of the YA books in my to-be-read pile. Note that the descriptions are from Goodreads:

    The Iron QueenThe Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa: My name is Meghan Chase.

    I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.

    This time, there will be no turning back.

    My thoughts: This is the third book in Kagawa’s Iron Fey series, after The Iron King and The Iron Daughter. I’m looking forward to continuing with the series. One of the things that I like about these books is the magic of the traditional Fey as compared to the new Iron Fey.

    Falling KingdomsFalling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes: In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power–brutally transforming their subjects’ lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

    Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

    Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished–and finds himself the leader of a people’s revolution centuries in the making.

    Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past–and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

    Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword…

    The only outcome that’s certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

    My thoughts: This is the first book in Rhodes’s Falling Kingdom series. I love epic fantasy, and I’ve seen this book on several blogs. I’m looking forward to checking it out.

    Also, Morgan (aka Michelle Rowen) will be doing a guest blog for my site later this month, so be on the lookout for that.

    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.

    My thoughts: This is the second book in Snyder’s Healer young adult epic fantasy series, after Touch of Power. Again, I love epic fantasy, and I’m looking forward to seeing what new adventures are in store for Avry.

    What’s in your TBR pile these days? What books are you looking forward to reading this year?

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    And the title is …

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    So I can finally announce the title for the ninth book in my Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series.

    And the title is … Heart of Venom.

    I think it’s a cool title and fits in well with the others in the series, as well as the plot of the book. I can’t say a lot about the book just yet, but I will share that it focuses on Sophia and Jo-Jo and some of their backstory.

    As of right now, Heart of Venom is set to be released on Aug. 27 (it is a September book). The book is up for pre-order at Amazon. It should be available for pre-order at other booksellers soon.

    I’ll also be sharing the cover art and more as it becomes available.

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    New cover for Deadly Sting revealed …

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    Deadly StingI have some news to share — there has been a change in the cover art for Deadly Sting, the eighth book in my Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series.

    Originally, Deadly Sting was going to have a step-back cover, just like Widow’s Web did. You can check out this blog post that I did about the old step-back cover.

    But now, there will only be one cover for all of the Deadly Sting books — print and e-books. Basically, the new cover sort of combines the elements of the two old covers. The new and final cover art is shown at left.

    Also, here is the book description for Deadly Sting. As always, if you don’t want to be spoiled, you may want to skip reading the description:

    Red is definitely my color. Good thing, because in my line of work, I end up wearing it a lot.

    Most people shy away from blood, but for an assassin like me — Gin Blanco, aka the Spider — it’s just part of the job. Still, it would be nice to get a night off, especially when I’m attending the biggest gala event of the summer at Briartop, Ashland’s fanciest art museum. But it’s just not meant to be. For this exhibition of my late nemesis’ priceless possessions is not only the place to be seen, but the place to be robbed and taken hostage at gunpoint as well. No sooner did I get my champagne than a bunch of the unluckiest thieves ever burst into the museum and started looting the place.

    Unlucky why? Because I brought along a couple of knives in addition to my killer dress. Add these to my Ice and Stone magic, and nothing makes me happier than showing the bad guys why red really is my color.

    Deadly Sting will be released on March 26, 2013. The book is up for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million. You can read the first chapter here, although please note that this chapter has spoilers for Widow’s Web, so if you haven’t read that far in the series yet, you may want to avoid reading the chapter.

    Anyway, hope everyone enjoys seeing the new cover.

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    Audiobooks available for Crimson Frost …

    Some of you have seen this already, but my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series is being released as audiobooks. Huzzah! I know a lot of folks really enjoy the audiobooks, and I’m glad that the series is being made available in this format.

    Basically, the digital audiobooks will be available through Audible, while the physical CDs will be available through Brilliance Audio. You can also get the physical CDs through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and other booksellers.

    Crimson Frost is currently available as a digital audiobook through Audible. The physical CD audiobooks will be available on Jan. 22, again through Brilliance Audio and through booksellers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, etc. The narrator for the book is Tara Sands.

    The rest of the Mythos Academy series is being released in audiobook format (digital and CDs) over the next few months. I don’t have a lot of info on the exact release dates, but this is what is posted on Amazon:

    Touch of Frost: Feb. 19 — Amazon

    Kiss of Frost: March 19 — Amazon

    Dark Frost: April 19 — Amazon

    I’ll keep you posted as I get more information about the audiobooks and their release dates. Also, Midnight Frost and Mythos Academy #6 will also be available in audiobook format. At this time, First Frost, the prequel e-story, will not be available as an audiobook, but that may change in the future. We’ll see what happens.

    Anyway, I hope that folks enjoy the audiobooks. Happy listening!

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    Crimson Frost blog tour wrapping up …

    Crimson FrostThe blog tour for Crimson Frost, the fourth book in my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series, has mostly wrapped up at this point, although I will be doing a few more blogs here and there as my schedule allows.

    I just want to say thanks to all of the blogs for hosting me and for all that they do to promote books. You guys rock!

    Also, I’m sending out the giveaway books as I get the mailing information from the blogs. So if you are waiting on a book, please be patient.

    Anyway, thanks again to all the blogs and everyone who followed the tour and commented on the posts. Hope everyone enjoyed the blog tour. Thanks again, everyone!