Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings

Author News & Stuff:

News:

Kelly Gay says that the second Charlie Madigan novel will be titled The Darkest Edge of Dawn (Aug. 31, 2010). The Better Part of Darkness, Kelly’s debut novel in this series, will release on November 24, 2009. I just finished reading The Better Part of Darkness, my review will be up next week. Kelly landed herself on my must read list with this one. Yeah, I enjoyed it that much.

Larissa Ione announced that she will be writing a paranormal novella in an anthology with Jacquelyn Frank that will be due for publication sometime in 2011.

Georgia McBride announced St. Martin’s Press “New Adult” Contest: Sponsored by #YAlitchat. If your an aspiring YA author, here’s your chance. St. Martin’s Press is out looking for “great, new, cutting edge fiction with protagonists who are slightly older than traditional YA and can appeal to a younger adult audience.”

Katie MacAlister is having a giveaway for several ARCs of Steamed (February 2, 2010), her new Steampunk novel.

Excerpts/Chapters/Free Reads:

Ann Aguirre posted an excerpt to Skin Tight (June 1, 2010), the second book in her new Skin series published under Ava Gray.

Rachel Caine post a sample chapter for Kiss of Death, the next Morganville Vampires book. She also post a free short short Grudge, it’s Sam’s story.

Kimberly Frost posted a Reader’s Guide for her book Would-Be Witch, the first book in her Southern Witch Series.

Gena Showalter posted an excerpt to The Darkest Angel: A Lords of the Underworld tale. An iron-willed demon assassin, the angel Lysander has never known lust—until he meets Bianka. Spawned from the bloodline of Lucifer, the beautiful but deadly Harpy is determined to lead the pure-hearted Lysander into temptation…

Nalini Singh posted an excerpt to Bonds of Justice, a Psy-Changeling book due out in July 2010.

Rachel Vincent posted a mini excerpt of My Soul to Save, the second book in her Soul Screamers series.

New Covers:

Lover Mine (April 27, 2010) the eighth book in J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, was posted around the blogosphere by Babbling about Books and More, Dark Faerie Tales, Lovin’ Me Some Romance, Michelle’s Book Review Blog, Smexy Books, and Writings of a Wicked Book Addict. Yeah, this series is that popular!

The book blurb is from Goodreads.

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - vampire warriors, defenders of their race... John Matthew has been through his vampire transition and taken to the life of the Brotherhood with a vengeance, but he still can't shake the nightmare of his past and is unsure of his future as a warrior hero. He's made a promise to honour the Brotherhood and their fight with the slayers at all costs, until the love of his life is kidnapped and he is forced to make a choice that could change his life and the Brotherhood's forever...

SciFiGuy.ca posted the new cover for Succubi Like It Hot (January 19, 2010) from Jill Myles's The Succubus Diaries. The first book in this series, Gentlemen Prefer Succubi releases on December 29, 2009.

The book blurb is from Simon and Schuster.

NOBODY SAID SUCKING WAS EASY.

With a hot new figure, her dream job as an archaeologist, and two gorgeous boyfriends to scratch her seductive Itch -- an angel and a vampire -- Jackie Brighton is totally getting the hang of life as a succubus. Then she accidentally knocks the pizza guy unconscious with her touch. Great -- she's cursed. After striking a deal to get the curse lifted by a crafty demon, Jackie and her best friend Remy take a road trip to deliver a cryptic message to the nation's oldest succubus. Unfortunately, neither of her jealous lovers is talking to Jackie right now, and due to the curse, she's desperate to get her Itch scratched very soon. Their journey gets weirder with every mile -- demonic possession, a charming stalker, a cryptic warning -- and when they get to New Orleans, Jackie discovers a dangerous catch to her supernatural bargain. Someone wants her dead -- again. Can a brainy vixen in a miniskirt outsmart the forces of evil?

Babbling About Books and More post the new cover for The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker (April 27, 2010), the second book in the Strangely Beautiful series by Leanna Renee Hieber.

Book blurb from Leanna Renee Hieber’s web site.

With radiant, snow white skin and hair, Percy Parker was a beacon for Fate. True love had found her, in the tempestuous form of Professor Alexi Rychman. But her mythic destiny was not complete. Accompanying the ghosts with which she alone could converse, new and terrifying omens loomed. A war was coming, a desperate ploy of a spectral host. Victorian London would be overrun.  Yet, Percy kept faith. Within the mighty bastion of Athens Academy, alongside The Guard whose magic shielded mortals from the agents of the Underworld, she counted herself among friends. Wreathed in hallowed fire, they would stand together, no matter what dreams or nightmares—may come.

Interviews/Guest Blogging:

• Bree Despain at Dark Faerie Tales
• Carole Nelson Douglas at VampChix
• Jocelynn Drake at Silk & Shadows
• Beth Fantaskey at Amberkatze’s Book Blog
• Judi Fennell at Anna’s Book Blog
• Diana Pharaoh Francis at Parajunkee’s View
• Kelly Gay at Number One Novels, The League of Reluctant Adults
• Jackie Kessler at Naughty Edition Books
• Katie MacAlister at Border’s True Romance
• Chloe Neill at Dark Faerie Tales
• Jennifer Rardin at Enchanted by Books
• Denise Rossetti at Lovin' Me Some Romance
• Lili St. Crow aka Lilith Saintcrow at The Book Butterfly
• Laurie Faria Stolarz at Ellz Readz

Interesting Tidbits:

I have a post up on what everyone's preference is for book reviews and it includes a poll. If you haven't voted please go by and cast your vote on whether you prefer short or long reviews or no preference. I'm really interested in what the outcome will be.

All Things Urban Fantasy has a new feature up: 2nd Opinion Review. In Abigail’s own words: I often disagree with reviews of particular books, sometimes even from reviewers who I usually agree with.  I know that some of you have disagreed with some of my previous reviews and I’d like to give you the opportunity to offer a 2nd Opinion Review. – Things could get interesting over there!

Odd Shots has a Are You A Psy Or a Changeling? Quiz up. I took it and apparently I’m a changeling. *sigh*

Ann Aguirre has setup a new blog The Dragon Age Blog: Writers getting their geek on. Looks like Ann, Larissa Ione, Jill Myles, Michele Lee, Ilona Andrews, Brad Galloway and Moira Rogers (Bree and Donna) are all blogging over there about their newest gaming obsession: Dragon Age Origins. I think this must be the hot game of the moment because my son and his friends are also playing it. He talks of nothing else.

Comic Books Improve Early Childhood Literacy: The Telegraph reports that Professor Carol Tilley, a professor of library and information science at the University of Illinois, says that comics are just as sophisticated as other forms of reading, children benefit from reading them at least as much as they do from reading other kinds of books, and that there is evidence that comics increase children's vocabulary and instill a love of reading. – I find this real interesting especially since I use to hide the comics my dad bought from my mom. She swore up and down they were bad for me. [Slashdot]

Kindle for PC – You can now read Kindle books on your pc. Cool thing about it, it’s free and no Kindle required. The downside you can’t lay down with your pc or laptop and snuggle with it, like you can with a book or an ereader. [Lifehacker]

Giveaways Around the Virtual World:

As always, I hope you find a new a book or an author that you've not heard of before listed here. Good Luck! The ongoing contest list is on my blog's sidebar.

• SciFiGuy.ca: Reviewer Giveaway - "Indigo Springs" by A.M. Dellamonica
  Doug is giving away a copy of Indigo Springs by A.M. Dellamonica to one lucky winner, with one catch: Whoever wins has to agree to a guest review of Indigo Springs on SciFiGuy.ca. Open to Everyone. Winner will be drawn on Friday, November 13th.
   
• Lovin' Me Some Romance: Interview with Denise Rossetti & Giveaway!
  Lovin' Me Some Romance has interviewed Denise Rossetti and is giving away a copy of Denise's latest Four-Sided Pentacle release, Thief of Light. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter at Midnight PST on Thursday, November 12th.
   
• Fantasy Literature: Giving Thanks
  Fantasy Literature is giving away a copy of Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong. Stop by Fantasy Literature and let them know: Who you are most grateful to have read this year. Winner will be announced on Thursday, November 12th.
   
• Book Junkie: Review & Contest: Bound to Shadows by Keri Arthur
  Brandi has reviewed Bound to Shadows by Keri Arthur and she is giving away a copy, courtesy of Meryl L. Moss Media Relations. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is by Wednesday, November 11th.
   
• Book Chick City: Interview & Giveaway with Keri Arthur
  Keri Arthur has been interviewed by Book Chick City. And there is a giveaway for a copy of Keri's latest book Bound to Shadows. Open to everyone. Deadline to enter is by Thursday, November 12th.
   
• Anna's Book Blog: Guest Blog & Giveaway with Judi Fennell
  Judi Fennell is guest blogging over at Anna's and thanks to Sourcebooks, Anna is giving away copies of Judi's Mer series books In Over Her Head and Wild Blue Under to one lucky commenter. Deadline to enter is by Thursday, November 12th.
   
• Silk and Shadows: Jocelynn Drake guest blogs!
  Jocelynn Drake is blogging at Silk and Shadows, and she is giving away a complete collection of her books and stories to one lucky person. Jocelynn's collection includes the Unbound anthology, Nightwalker, Dayhunter, and Dawnbreaker. Deadline to enter is on Thursday, November 12th.
   
• All Things Urban Fantasy: Guest Blog & Giveaway: Kelly Meding as Evangeline Stone, Vamps 101
  Kelly Meding, whose debut novel Three Days To Dead will release on November 24, 2009, is guest blogging about Vamps and giving away a $20 Amazon gift card. Open to everyone. Deadline to enter is at Midnight MST on Friday, November 13th.
   
• Jocelynn Drake: Contest Round 18: Jackie Kessler
  Jocelynn is giving away a signed copy of Hell's Belles and The Road to Hell by Jackie Kessler, books 1 & 2 in Jackie's Hell on Earth series. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is Saturday, November 14th.
   
• The Book Smugglers: Book Review & Giveaway: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
  The Book Smugglers have reviewed Blood Promise by Richelle Mead, book four in the Vampire Academy series, and they have one copy of Blood Promise to give away. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is at 11:59 PM PST on Saturday, November 14th.
   
• Naughty Editions: 5 Minutes with Jackie Kessler!
  Naughty Editions has interviewed Jackie Kessler and they are also giving away a copy of Jackie's book The Road to Hell. Deadline to enter is at 11:59 EST on Saturday, November 14th.
   
• Teens Read and Write: Our first MegaBook GIVEAWAY with Multiple Winners!
  Teens Read and Write are having a HUGE book giveaway. They are adding two books to the initial giveaway stash of 12 books for every 25 new followers to their blog. Head over to see what is up for grabs in the giveaway. Open to everyone. Deadline to enter is at Midnight PST on Sunday, November 15th.
   
• Amberkatze's Book Blog: Author Interview & Contest with Beth Fantaskey
  Amberkatze has interviewed Beth Fantaskey, author of Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side and Beth is giving away a printed copy of The Wedding chapters. Open to everyone. Deadline to enter is at 4pm CET on Sunday, November 15th.
   
• Number One Novels: Kelly Gay: The Better Part of Darkness
  Kelly Gay has been interviewed over at Number One Novels and they are giving away an autographed copy of Kelly's debut novel, The Better Part of Darkness. Open to the US. Deadline to enter is at Midnight on Sunday, November 15th.
   
• Ellz Readz: Author Interview & Giveaway: Rachel Caine
  Ellz Readz has interviewed Rachel Caine and she is giving away a copy of Rachel's latest Morganville Vampires book, Fade Out. Open to anyone who can receive books from the Book Depository. Deadline to enter is Sunday, November 15th.
   
• Graeme's Fantasy Book Review: Giveaway! 'Gardens of the Moon' - Steven Erikson (10th Anniversary Edition)
  Graeme is giving away five copies of the 10th Anniversary Hardback Edition of Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson, courtesy of Transworld. Open to everyone. Deadline to enter is Sunday, November 15th.
   
• Graeme's Fantasy Book Review: Giveaway! 'Elric in the Dream Realms' (Michael Moorcock)
  Graeme is giving away a copy of Elric in the Dream Realms by Michael Moorcock, courtesy of Del Rey. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is Sunday, November 15th.
   
• ONLY THE BEST SCI-FI/FANTASY: Signed Giveaway: Flesh & Fire, by Laura Anne Gilman
  Alec is giving away a signed copy of Flesh and Fire by Laura Anne Gilman. Deadline to enter is at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, November 15th.
   
• Vampire Wire: Contest for VAMPIRE TAXONOMY and Friday Froofrah
  Vampire Wire is giving away a copy of Vampire Taxonomy by Meredith Woener, courtesy of Penguin Books. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is by Sunday, November 15th.
   
• Graeme's Fantasy Book Review: Giveaway! 'The Gathering Storm' (Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson)
  Graeme is giving away three copies of The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson, courtesy of Orbit. Open to the UK. Deadline to enter is by Sunday, November 15th.
   
• Vampire Wire: Contest for "Blood Ties: Season Two" DVDS, only slightly used
  Marta is giving away her slightly used Blood Ties: Season Two DVD. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is by Sunday, November 15th.
   
• SciFiGuy.ca: Sweet Giveaway - "Bitter Night" by Diana Pharaoh Francis
  Doug is giving away two copies of Bitter Night by Diana Pharaoh Francis, courtesy of Simon and Schuster/Pocket Books. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is Midnight EST on Monday, November 16th.
   
• Enchanted by Books: Guest Author Jennifer Rardin
  Rachael is giving away three copies of Bite Marks, the sixth book in Jaz Parks Series by Jennifer Rardin. Open to the US. Deadline to enter is 10:00 pm EST on Monday, November 16th.
   
• SciFiGuy.ca: The Gathering Storm for The Dame Sasha Giveaway
  Doug is giving away three excellent books to three lucky winner: The Gathering Storm by Brandon Sanderson, Sasha by Joel Shepherd and The Dame by R.A. Salvatore. Open to everyone. Deadline to enter is at Midnight EST on Monday, November 16th.
   
• Book Junkie: Giveaway: Bitter Night by Diana Pharaoh Francis
  Brande is giving away a copy of Bitter Night by Diana Pharaoh Francis, courtesy of Pocket Books. Open to the US and Canada. For those outside of the US, Brande will send a copy of Bitter Night to an international entrant in a separate drawing. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, November 17th.
   
• mis(h)takes: Day 336 - Win Hush, Hush
  Mishel is giving away her ARC of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Open to the US. Deadline to enter is by Sunday, November 22nd.
   
• Patricia's Vampire Notes: Bitter Night - Blog Tour and Contest
  Patricia is giving away two copies of Bitter Night by Diana Pharaoh Francis, courtesy of Pocket Books. Open to the US and Canada. Deadline to enter is 11:59 Hawaii Time on Tuesday, November 24th.
   
• Pure Imagination: Fallen by Lauren Kate international GIVEAWAY!
  Lori is giving away a ARC of Fallen by Lauren Kate. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is before Wednesday the 25th, when the winner will be announced.
   
• Books: GIVEAWAY CONTEST
  RKCharron is giving away a copy of Under the Dome by Stephen King. Open to everyone. Deadline to enter is at midnight on Thursday, November 26th.
   
• Gothic Asylum Reviews: What Are You Thankful for Contest
  Gothic Asylum Reviews is having a contest for a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com. Drop by and tell them what you are thankful for. Deadline to enter is at 11:59 Eastern on Monday, November 30th.
   
• Faith Hunter: CONTEST!!!
  Faith Hunter is giving away a signed, personalized ARC of her second Jane Yellowrock novel Blood Cross. Deadline to enter is Before Tuesday Dec 1, 2009 at 6 a.m EST.
   
• Dark Faerie Tales: Author Interview: The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
  Bree Despain has been interviewed by Dark Faerie Tales. Stop by for a chance to win a copy of The Dark Divine by Bree Despain and SWAG. Open to Everyone. Deadline to enter is at 11:59 PM EST on Monday, December 14th.