January 2011 Releases

Done with December 2010 Releases? Here are January 2011 Releases. Some of these books will actually be available in late December (Harlequin changed their release info at Amazon after I’d already done December’s list), so pre-order now and they may arrive before 2011. To see further into the publication date future, check Reading Wishlist.

[REVIEW] Death’s Sweet Embrace – Tracey O’Hara

Tracey O’Hara
Death’s Sweet Embrace (Dark Brethren, Book 2)
HarperCollins Voyager (CA: 5th January 2011; US: 25th January 2011)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA) Buy (Worldwide)

A serial killer is targeting teenage Bestiabeo, paralysing them from the neck down before ripping out their still-beating hearts – this is the fascinating plot. Meanwhile, there’s something going on with an ex-muso Necrodreniac and her groupies, but I don’t really understand that. And the car scene with Antoinette and Christian seems unnecessary and thus gratuitous.

Tracey O’Hara’s parahuman races, organisations, and back-stories are detailed enough to sound almost scientific – no small feat when it comes to paranormal fiction. The characters’ teamwork, professionalism, and sensibilities are realistic. This series is a comfort read of sorts, catching up with old mates. But be warned: Kitt’s twin daughters are Special Snowflakes. In other news, I rather like one of the medical examiners, who cusses all the best words, but she may polarise readers.

There’s a minor character called Rainbow, and while a name as such would otherwise be ridiculous, it actually suits this woman, like a pet name. On another note, I LOVE that there’s a TV station named WTFN, and the story’s intriguing twists form a great climax. And Neil Roberts may be a d-bag, but he’s kind of fun to read.

Happy Birthday, Tracey O’hara!

Yep, our Australian author of urban fantasy romance has survived another year. To celebrate, treat yourself to her first novel, Night’s Cold Kiss, and pre-order her second, Death’s Sweet Embrace:

Tracey O’hara
Night’s Cold Kiss (Dark Brethren, Book 1)
HarperCollins Eos (CA: 17th August 2009; US: 25th August 2009; AU: 22nd September 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA) Buy (Worldwide)
For centuries war raged between the humans and Aeternus vampires – until courageous efforts on both sides forged a fragile peace. But the rogue Necrodreniacs will never be controlled – addicted as they are to the death-high…and bloody chaos. Since witnessing the murder of her mother, Antoinette Petrescu has burned with fiery hatred for the vampire race – even for Christian Laroque, the noble, dangerously handsome Aeternus who rescued her. Now an elite Venator, Antoinette must reluctantly accept Christian’s help to achieve her vengeance – even as he plots to use the beautiful, unsuspecting warrior as bait to draw out the bloodthirsty dreniacs.

Tracey O’hara
Death’s Sweet Embrace (Dark Brethren, Book 2)
Harper Voyager (CA: 5th January 2011; US: 25th January 2011)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA) Buy (Worldwide)
After centuries of secret conflict, humans and parahumans have reached an uneasy truce. But unspeakable evil now threatens the tenuous peace. Teenage shapeshifters are being slaughtered by a sadistic serial killer who rips their still-beating hearts from their paralysed bodies. A task force forms to halt the madness – a union of avengers including the vampiric Aeternus Antoinette Petrescu, as well as Kitt Jordan and Raven Matokwe, members of enemy Animalian tribes…and forbidden lovers. A centuries-old blood feud has divided their shapeshifting peoples, and if their passion is discovered it will doom them both. But past hostilities must be put aside, for the killer they seek is but the first sign of a blossoming terror rising from ancient history: the all-consuming nightmare of The Dark Brethren.

New US Pre-Order Links

Big apologies to my Facebook & Twitter followers who got all those pre-order updates today. I’m making this post with all the links, so I can delete the earlier messages on my Twitter feed. Should’ve thought to make a blog post in the first place, but I had no idea how much new stuff emerged during the past week.

Anyhoo, the following books are now available for US pre-order:

Ann Aguirre: Shady Lady Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (Worldwide)
Kelley Armstrong: The Gathering Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (Worldwide)
Anya Bast: Dark Enchantment Buy (US)
Leah Clifford: A Touch Mortal Buy (US)
Sara Creasy: Untitled 2nd novel Buy (US) Buy (CA)
Lauren Dane: Mesmerized Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)
Jeaniene Frost: This Side of the Grave Buy (US)
Kim Harrison: Pale Demon Buy (US)
Lora Leigh, Ava Gray, Michelle Rowen & Jory Strong: Primal Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)
Tracey O’hara: Death’s Sweet Embrace Buy (US) Buy (CA)
Joss Ware: Night Betrayed Buy (US)