Monthly Archives: April 2009

Richelle Mead to Visit Australia in September

From here:

News Flash
Richelle Mead is coming to Australia.
Richelle will visit Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane 14-18 September 2009
Stay tuned for more information about where you can meet her

My Melbourne’s included! :-) But do you think Penguin will get nasty if I bring Richelle’s adult novels (published by a different publisher), too, for signing? Stay tuned.

It’s good to go to bed happy. 1AM now, readers: no time for reading, but whilst awaiting sleep I’d like to come up with a space opera idea…

From the West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum…

Brits give good Americana. Well, Kasabian does, anyway. Here’s the official video for “Fire”, the first single from Kasabian’s third album, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, due for release June 8th. (Check with your favourite music retailer). Thanks to Nova 100 in Melbourne who’ve been playing this song – much appreciated :-) The band’s hair has lengthened, but my word they wear those hats well. Enjoy the audiovisual goodness, y’all:

New US Pre-Order Links

If you haven’t ordered them already, now’s a good time.

Jennifer Armintrout: Queene of Light (1 Oct 2009) Buy (US)
Caitlin Kittredge: Demon Bound (1 Dec 2009) Buy (US)
Jordan Summers: Crimson (3 Nov 2009) Buy (US)

[REVIEW] Savage Retribution – Lexxie Couper

Lexxie Couper
Savage Retribution
Samhain (US: 30th December 2008)
Cover art by Scott Carpenter
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

An Irish werewolf is on the run around Sydney in Lexxie Couper’s Savage Retribution.

High-profile animal rights activist Regan Thomas sneaks into an animal testing facility, and manages to rescue a wolf…but he’s actually Declan O’Connell, a werewolf. And the lab owner is Nathan Epoc, a Scottish werewolf from a rival clan. Epoc wants to siphon Dec’s power. Dec wants to punish Epoc. And Regan wants to shag Dec…or run away from him, alternately.

This is a fun romp, as long you don’t think about it too hard. Unprotected shagging with someone you’ve known less than a day? Dec could’ve had rabies, for all we know. And there’s a lot of running/driving around whilst nude, but generally the public didn’t notice (minus one kindy group).

The author does well in making detective Yolanda Vischka rather grey, her presence either a coincidence or a conspiracy. Thus Regan’s cop brother is confused about his new partner, though suspect or not he totally wants to do her.

If you’re looking for a Sydney version of Keri Arthur, Lexxie Couper may do the trick.

P.S. A pronunciation guide for the Celtic words would’ve been helpful.

Introducing Yolanda Sfetsos, Tracey O’hara & Erica Hayes

Just wanted to take the time to introduce some Australian urban fantasy and futuristic authors whom you may not have encountered yet. You should already be familiar with Keri Arthur, and maybe Lexxie Couper ;-)

Yolanda Sfetsos has recently signed contracts with ImaJinn Books and Samhain Publishing, but information about them hasn’t been officially released yet, so stay tuned. She also has a backlist of eBooks with other publishers. I found her via LiveJournal, I think. Newsletter BlogSpot LiveJournal MySpace Bebo

Tracey O’hara has signed a three-book deal with HarperCollins Eos, with the first book of the Dark Brethren series, Night’s Cold Kiss, due out 25th August 2009 (5th in Canada). Nalini Singh wrote the blurb: “Intense, sexy, bold, Night’s Cold Kiss is a superb debut. Tracey O’hara writes in a voice full of passion and power – I’m already waiting impatiently for the next book from this talented author.” Do you trust Nalini Singh’s judgment? You’ll find out soon enough ;-) Check out the key selling points. I found her via LiveJournal, and then we met at ARRC09. AuthorTracker LiveJournal MySpace

Tracey O’hara
Night’s Cold Kiss (Dark Brethren, Book 1)
HarperCollins Eos (CA: 5th August 2009; US: 25th August 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

(Official cover copy yet to be released. Here are the basics.)
For centuries war raged between the humans and Aeternus vampires – until the efforts of the courageous on both sides helped to forge a fair, if fragile, peace. But the rogue, vicious, and half-mad Necrodreniacs will never be controlled – addicted as they are to the death-high…and bloody chaos.

Erica Hayes has signed with St. Martin’s, and the first Shadowfae Chronicles book, Shadowfae, is due out 13th October 2009. Tracey told me about her, so I looked Ez up when I remembered to, and found her on LiveJournal. I think at ARRC09 I may have asked her where the registration desk was, but I didn’t know who she was at the time. Oops. Sorry, lass! Mailing List LiveJournal MySpace

Erica Hayes
Shadowfae (Shadowfae Chronicles, Book 1)
St. Martin’s Griffin (US: 13th October 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

Official cover copy yet to be released. Here are the basics.)
In a city infested with psychotic fairies and run by sadistic vampire mafiosi, life as a soul-sucking succubus rarely involves lacy lingerie, hot guys or great sex. Instead, Jade must spend her nights seducing gangsters and murderers, or simpering as a trophy girl for hell’s minions. So when she discovers a forbidden ritual that promises to break hell’s thrall and set her free, she’s got nothing to lose, even if it involves seducing the four most repellent souls in town. But when you’re cheating hell, there’s always a catch. Others are as desperate to trap those same souls and escape. Like Rajah, a 400-year-old incubus whose raw sensuality makes him a formidable adversary, even as his empathy for her plight makes him an unexpected ally. But they can’t both win their freedom, and if Jade wants to beat Rajah to the prize, she’ll need all her hell-cursed charms.

RT Explained Simply

You may have heard of a certain con going on in Florida right now. Books + Booze = Peter Griffin demonstrates ;-)

May 2009 Releases

If you’re done with the April 2009 Releases, it’s time to move onto the May 2009 Releases for the US, Canada, UK and Australia. For titles and release dates even further into the future, check my Reading Wishlist.

May’s releases are behind the cut, to spare those of you not interested. I can is considerate, y’all! :-)

Kelley Armstrong
The Awakening (Darkest Powers, Book 2)
Hachette Orbit (UK: 4th May 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

Chloe Saunders used to be a normal teenage girl – or so she thought. Then she learned the shocking truth – she is a walking science experiment. Genetically altered at birth by a sinister group of scientists known as the Edison Group, Chloe is an aberration – a powerful necromancer who can see ghosts and even raise the dead, often with terrifying consequences. Even worse, her growing powers have made her a threat to the surviving members of the Edison Group, who have decided it’s time to end their experiment – permanently…Now Chloe is running for her life with three other supernatural teenagers – a charming sorcerer, a troubled werewolf and a temperamental young witch. Together they have a chance for freedom – but can Chloe trust her new friends?

Eric Garcia
The Repossession Mambo
Scribe (AU: 4th May 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

In a near future when people live virtually forever, rarely dying of disease or old age, there’s big money to be made in the “artiforg” business – the buying and selling of artificial organs that promise to prolong life. Companies are only too happy to extend credit to anyone with the proper financial means. But buyer beware: if you fall too far behind in your payments, your artiforgs will be repossessed. Like many former US soldiers, Remy makes his living reclaiming organs from debtors who can no longer afford them. He’s one of the best, and business is good until Remy finds himself being hunted by the same people he once worked with, and quickly running out of places to hide. Now, he’s holed up in a deserted building, writing his life story on a beat-up typewriter in the hopes of getting it all down on paper before the Bio-Repo Man shows up to collect on his debts. And what a story it is…

Libba Bray
The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle, Book 3)
Simon & Schuster (UK: 5th May 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Having bound the wild, dark magic of the realms to her, Gemma has forged unlikely and unsuspected new alliances both with the headstrong Felicity and timid Ann, Kartik, the exotic young man whose companionship is forbidden, and the fearsome creatures of the realms. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test those bonds. As her friendship with Felicity and Ann faces its gravest trial, and with the Order grappling for control of the realms, Gemma is compelled to decide once and for all which path she is meant to take. Pulled forward by fate, the destiny Gemma faces threatens to set chaos loose, not only in the realms, but also upon the rigid Victorian society whose rules Gemma has both defied and followed. Where does Gemma really belong? And will she, can she, survive?

Lauren Dane
Relentless (Federated Universes, Book 2)
Penguin Berkley (US & CA: 5th May 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

Fifteen Families rule the Federated Universes – and Abbie Haws has spent her life battling the system. She’s always been too driven to pay much attention to love. But when she meets Roman Lyons, Head of House Lyons, who stands for everything she hates, Abbie’s attraction catches her off-guard…Their world, Ravena, revolves around born leader Roman, who dreads meeting this defiant – if stunning – rabble-rouser. But sometimes headstrong personalities that collide in public become hot-and-heavy, guilty trysts in private.

Kim Harrison
White Witch, Black Curse (Hollows, Book 7)
HarperCollins Voyager (UK: 14th May 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

The demon, Algaliarept, although banished back into the everafter has infected others of his kind with his interest in a witch who can channel demon magic. Rachel soon finds herself with not one but three hellions on her tail; and one of them is even crazier and more dangerous than all the fairy assassins, weres and vampires on the planet.

Lili St. Crow
Strange Angels (Strange Angels, Book 1)
Penguin (US: 14th May 2009; CA: 19th May 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re travelling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.) Then her dad turns up dead – but still walking – and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever – or whoever – is hunting her?

Rhonda Roberts
Gladiatrix (Timestalker, Book 1)
HarperCollins Voyager (AU: 20th May 2009)

Left for dead when she was two‚ Kannon Jarratt has no idea of her real identity. Now‚ twenty years on‚ she discovers that her mother might be US Time Marshal‚ Victoria Dupree. Kannon travels to ancient Rome where Victoria is investigating the Hierophant‚ mysterious leader of the Isis cult. To find her mother‚ Kannon becomes a gladiatrix in the service of Domitia Crassus‚ the only person who knows the Hierophant’s identity. Unfortunately‚ all paths are leading her to an epic battle to the death in the arena…

Jes Battis
A Flash of Hex (OSI, Book 2)
Penguin ACE (US/CA: 26th May 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

After a series of brutal murders, Occult Special Investigator Tess Corday is convinced the identity of the killer is locked in her own head. The only question is – how many rules is she willing to break to get to the truth?

Richelle Mead
Succubus Heat (Georgina Kincaid, Book 4)
Kensington (US: 26th May 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

Georgina Kincaid has been a bad, bad succubus…which should be a good thing. But lately, thanks to her foul mood over breaking up with best-selling writer Seth Mortensen, she’s been so wicked that Seattle’s über-demon Jerome, decides to “outsource” Georgina to a rival – and have her spy for him in the process. Being exiled to the frozen north – okay, Vancouver – and leaving Seth in the cosy clutches of his new girlfriend is unpleasant enough. Then Jerome is kidnapped, and all immortals under his control mysteriously lose their powers. One bright spot: with her life-sucking ability gone, there’s nothing to keep Georgina from getting down and dirty with Seth – nothing apart from his girlfriend that is. Now, as the supernatural population starts turning on itself, a newly mortal Georgina must rescue her boss and figure out who’s been playing them – or all hell will break loose…

A. J. Menden
Tekgrrl (Elite Hands of Justice, Book 2)
Dorchester Leisure (US: 26th May 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

When she was 12, Mindy asked to go to the School like other gifted girls. Her parents sent her to another planet. Today, Mindy’s back on Earth. She’s a mechanical genius with the Elite Hands of Justice, America’s premier superhero squad. She’s been having headaches, though, and not just because her long-time crush is flirting with a team-mate. It’s not because she’s pushing thirty. It’s also not because of the contrary actions of the new Secretary for Superhero Affairs, ex-ally Simon Leasure. No, what’s burning her brain is a past she can’t remember, a past that has been erased. It’s a memory surging closer – in flying saucers. Her worst nightmare is returning, big-time, and only she, her friends and her one true love can stop it.

[REVIEW] Skinned – Robin Wasserman

Robin Wasserman
Skinned (Skinned, Book 1)
Simon & Schuster Pulse (US & CA: 9th September 2008 [Hardcover]/4th August 2009 [Trade Paperback]; AU: 1st June 2009; UK: 3rd August 2009)
US & CA Cover by Michael Frost
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

In a highly technological world, humans still shy away from mechs in Robin Wasserman’s Skinned, the first part of a new trilogy.

The car crash was deadly. But Lia Kahn’s parents downloaded her brain and gave it a new body, and though she mostly looks quite human, others view her as a “skinner”, a mech. Or, as her new acquaintances call her, a machine.

Lia is frustrating, and there are moments when she needs to be slapped. She’s superficial, and considers herself above…well, everyone. Thus being shunned is a total shock to her, and she gets her comeuppance. But otherwise Lia thinks and reacts realistically. She does a lot of stupid things, but so do others. Heck, other people need to be slapped, too, and these characteristics stop this novel from being a 5-star read. But the content and plot are so fascinating that Skinned is well worth reading through all the way.

The world-building is richly enhanced, turning even clothing into a thing of technological wonder. Humanity, machinery, and how far each can go is put to the test and explored. For your bitchy teen fix, the supposedly secret relationship is blindingly obvious. Written in first-person from Lia’s point of view, she should realise it, too, but denial makes a fool…

Admittedly read during an hormonal time, I very nearly cried, and that rarely happens when books are involved. If you’ve read this, email me with your guess of when I was teary. (Please don’t do it in the comments here at the blog – let’s protect readers from spoilers.)

Theology, philosophy, science, technology, medicine, relationships and self-discovery combine to create this engaging and thought-provoking futuristic story. But be warned that one’s eyes may leak…

September’s release of Book 2, Crashed, can’t come soon enough.

[COVER ART] Kim Harrison’s WHITE WITCH BLACK CURSE (AU); Richelle Mead’s BLOOD PROMISE (US/CA); Suzanne McLeod’s THE COLD KISS OF DEATH (UK); Maria V. Snyder’s STORM GLASS (UK); Rachel Caine’s FIRESTORM (UK) & Laurell K. Hamilton’s SKIN TRADE (AU)

Found 6 new covers. Unfortunately, I don’t know the names of any of the artists. Artists, if you recognise your work here, please let me know so you can be praised publicly – with your name and all ;-)

Covers are behind the cut, but here are their details:

Kim Harrison: White Witch, Black Curse (AU): 1st July 2009. Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)
Richelle Mead: Blood Promise (US/CA): 25th August 2009. Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)
Suzanne McLeod: The Cold Kiss of Death (UK): 16th July 2009. Buy (UK) Buy (CA)
Maria V. Snyder: Storm Glass (UK): 17th July 2009. Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)
Rachel Caine: Firestorm (UK): 1st June 2009. Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)
Laurell K. Hamilton: Skin Trade (AU): June 2009. Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

Continue reading

Now for Some Comic Relief…

Quotes from the Of Ice and Men episode of American Dad!:

Roger: You call that a Salchow?! It looks like you have mad Salchow disease! That’s right, your skating has a spongiform encephalopathy, bitch!

Hayley: She’s a Russian bride, not a Russian whore. She doesn’t have to act like a whore until one of you marries her.
Steve: But you’re not married and you’re a total whore!
Hayley: That’s because I was born in America!