Posts filed under ‘2011 Book Releases’
September 2011 Releases, part 2
Here are some of the books I’m looking forward to that were released last week and will be released this week:
September 13, 2011:
Black Gold (Takhini Wolves, book 1) by Vivian Arend
I’m always a sucker for a good shifter story, and this one sounds like fun.
Alaskan lone-wolf shifter Shaun never expects to be mated to a southern belle, but when he encounters researcher Gemmita, he is thrown for a loop.
My attention was caught by Gemmita, a woman who is trying to assert her independence and get out from under her sheltered upbringing.
I enjoy fated-mate stories, if I can be sold on the emotional connection (not just the sexual/magical connection). I’m hoping for lots of sparks of chemistry and romance from this one.
September 13, 2011:
Down the Mysterly River by Bill Willingham
A couple of months ago, my book club read the graphic novel, Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall, which I totally loved. Since then, I’ve been reading the rest of Willingham’s Fables series.
So, it was with great interest that I saw he now has written a middle-grade book. From the description, it seems like his wonderful imagination is in top form.
When Boy Scout Max, is lost in the woods, he encounters assorted interesting creatures, and flees for his life from scary hunters, known as the Blue Cutters. Max must solve a mystery in order to save himself, and his new friends.
September 20, 2011:
Tempted by His Target by Jill Sorenson
Excerpt here.
Jill Sorenson has become one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. I love her smart and strong heroines, and her sexy heroes. Also, she has a great way of incorporating gritty realism in a way that meshes perfectly with steamy suspense.
In Tempted by His Target, party-girl Isabel is wanted in a drug-related murder. It’s undercover US Marshal Brandon Knox’s job to bring her to justice. However, he finds himself protecting and fleeing with Isabel after he saves her from a murder attempt.
I find I’m really beginning to enjoy “on the run” plots lately (ala The Pharaoh’s Concubine, about which I posted last week), and Tempted by His Target looks like a fun one.
September 20, 2011:
The Rift Walker (Vampire Empire, book 2) by Clay and Susan Griffith
Book 1 in the series, The Greyfriar was on of my favorite reads so far this year. I loved the swashbuckling romance amid a steampunk world, filled with creepy vampires, mysterious caped heroes, and kidnapped princesses.
Even the kidnapped princess, Adele, was a wonderful surprise, since she is no delicate miss. She was brave, independent, and smart. When the Greyfriar rushes in to rescue her, he’s just as likely to find that she has already rescued herself (or at least gone a long way in the process). And, the Greyfriar himself is a great romantic and slightly tragic hero.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot of The Rift Walker, since that will give away events in book 1, and I’d hate to spoil it. However, I will say that I can’t wait for more of the Greyfriar and Adele’s adventures in The Rift Walker.
September 20, 2011:
The Girl of Fire and Thorns (The Fire and Thorns trilogy, book 1) by Rae Carson
I found the description of this book really intriguing. Especially, since it’s felt like a lot of YA is sort of blending together for me, and I was struck by The Girl of Fire and Thorns’ original premise.
Underachieving and underestimated, Princess Elisa lives in the shadow of her older sister. She bears the Godstone in her navel, but has never lived up to its heroic destiny.
Married off to an indifferent the king of a land in turmoil, Elisa must take charge of her life and discover her destiny as the bearer of the Godstone.
❀❀❀❀❀
So that’s what is on my radar for the rest of September. What’s on yours? Got any new releases you want to share?
September 2011 Book Releases, part 1
Another big release day is coming up! Here are a few books I’m looking forward to getting my hands on:
September 6, 2011: One Salt Sea (October Daye series, book 5) by Seanan McGuire
This series has become one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series. The author weaves a good, fast-paced story for Toby and the gang. And, I also enjoy the theme of what it means to be a hero—especially through the eyes of a woman— on which Seanan McGuire often touches. I also enjoy the chemistry between Toby and Tybalt, the King of the Cats.
September 6, 2011: Archangel’s Blade (Guild Hunter series, book 4) by Nalini Singh
While I didn’t enjoy the last book as much as the other books in The Guild Hunter series, I do enjoy the series originality. I’m excited about Archangel’s Blade, because this is the first book that will depart from Elena and Raphael’s relationship, and focus on Dmitri, Raphael’s second in command. I’m hoping this will shake things up a bit. My hopes are high, since I’ve already been hearing great buzz about it.
September 6, 2011: Never Enough (Brown Siblings, book 4) by Lauren Dane
I’m still behind 1 book in this series, but am really looking forward to Adrian’s story.
I’ve really enjoyed all of the stories, and (eldest brother) Brody’s most of all. I like how we get bits and pieces of the other siblings’ stories without sacrificing the central relationship. Dane always conveys the depth of the main characters’ feelings so well.
I just LOVE this cover!
September 6, 2011: Midnight (Dark Age Dawning trilogy, book 2) by Ellen Connor (aka Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty).
I had really high expectations for Nightfall (book 1 in the trilogy) and it lived up to all of them.
The world is dark and gritty and the action is intense. I’m looking forward to seeing how Chris, who is just beginning to become hero material in Nightfall, fills that role in Midnight.
Three years pass between the 2 books, and I’m really curious about how the world has developed during that time.
September 6, 2011: Cipher (Southern Arcana, book 4) by Moira Rogers
I read books 2 and 3 last month, and am so excited I didn’t have to wait long for Cipher.
Kat and Andrew’s story has been unfolding slowly over the course of the series (& boy has it been a bumpy ride!), and now they will finally get their HEA.
One of the great things about this series is that the wolf/supernatural politics are just as absorbing as the romance. I also can’t wait to see what will happen after the events in the previous book.
❀❀❀❀❀
That’s a lot for 1 week, isn’t it? Is there anything coming out this coming week that you’re excited about?
June 2011 Book Releases, part 1
Tuesday is a big ebook day for me. 3 books I’ve really been looking forward to will be released. I won’t know which one to read first.
June 6, 2011: Nightfall (Dark Age Dawning trilogy, book 1) by Ellen Connor
This is book 1 in a new series is by the writing team of Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty. Adjectives like “gritty” and “intense” have been used to describe it.
Ann Aguirre is an auto-buy for me. She does such a great job of balancing world-building, character development, and action.
I was lucky enough to get it and read it over the weekend, after preodering it, I have to say, all of the above is true.
In Nightfall, Jenna is kidnapped by Mason, a man who believes her father’s apocalyptic prophecies and has promised her father he would watch out for her when the predictions start to come true. Together, she and Mason have to fight the horrors that come to pass and figure out what exactly is happening to the world around them and to themselves.
June 6, 2011: Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane
I’ve read contemporary erotic romance, paranormal romance, and futuristic romance by Lauren Dane, but, this will be the first urban fantasy I’ve read by her. I love Lauren Dane’s writing, and am looking forward to it.
Rowan is a “physical vessel to the Celtic Goddess Brigid and raised by the leader of the Vampire Nation”. Sounds like a kick-ass heroine if there ever was one! She encounters a sexy vampire leader, and has to solve a series of vampire-related killings.
June 6, 2011: Yours to Keep (Kowalski family, book 3) by Shannon Stacey
Currently reading this!
After Angela James raved about this book at the Romantic Times blogger dinner, I had to start reading this series.
I’ve really enjoyed books 1 and 2 of the Kowalski family series, and like its predecessors, Yours to Keep has a great blend of fun, family, and chemistry between heroine Emma, and Kowalski cousin (and recent Army vet) Sean.
June 6, 2011: Bad Company by KA Mitchell
There’s something about this story that really sucked me in when I read the excerpt. (See excerpt on linked page.) It’s already pre-ordered, and I can’t wait to download it today!
Nate and Kellan were friends until Kellan outed Nate in high school. 13 years later, Kellan comes to Nate asking for a favor: pose as Kellan’s boyfriend to get back at Kellan’s homophobic father.
Why should Nate help Kellan out? And, why would Kellan ask him, when he knows that Nate hates him?
I love transgression/forgiveness stories, and am so excited to dig into this one!
June 7, 2011: Hunt the Moon (Cassie Palmer series, book 5) by Karen Chance
It’s been a long wait (2 years!) since book 4, Curse the Dawn. I really enjoy this fast-paced series, and am looking forward to see what’s in store for Cassie, Mircea, and Pritkin, especially since I’m hearing that the Pritkin/Cassie relationship might progress a bit.
I’ve read a couple reviews that indicate that this is one of the best books in the series so far, and am excited to see for myself. I’m on the library wait list for this one, so hopefully it won’t be too long before I get it.
June 7, 2011: Hit List (Anita Blake series, book 20) by Laurell K Hamilton
Yes, I’m STILL hanging in there with Anita and the gang.
I am totally invested in the characters, and really want to know how Nathaniel, Jason, Edward, and even Jean Claude are doing.
When Anita and the guys don’t get too caught up analyzing their relationships, there is usually some good supernatural action (of the non-sexy variety), and I’m hoping Hit List will deliver.
I’ve been listening to the audiobooks from the library for a while now, and always like the production on these.
June 14, 2011: The Demon’s Surrender (Demon’s Covenant trilogy, book 3) by Sarah Rees Brennan
This is one of my favorite YA series, and Alan’s on the cover of this one!
If you want a gripping, unique YA, I can’t recommend this series enough. I love the relationship between brothers Alan and Nick. They are often at odds, but when it comes to fighting the magicians who complicate their lives, they have each others’ backs.
And then there’s Jamie, his sister Mae, and the dancer Sin who round out the cast of characters. Confession time: while Nick has had considerable chemistry with both Mae and Sin, it’s his rapport with Jamie that gets me. If this were a different kind of story, I’d be hoping for a Nick and Jamie HEA.
This book is the last in the trilogy, and I can’t wait to find out how Sarah Ress Brennan will conclude it.
June 14, 2011: Come Unto these Yellow Sands by Josh Lanyon
Lanyon is another auto buy for me, and this one sounds really good!
A professor gets embroiled in a murder investigation when he tries to help one of his students. Complicating matters is the professor’s boyfriend, who happens to be the police chief.
I always have high expectations of Lanyon’s books, and am rarely disappointed. I will be pre-ordering it soon!
That’s a lot of books for just a 2 week period! Luckily, 3 of them will be library reads, but even so, my poor bank account is taking a big hit this week!
What are you looking forward to in June?
May 2011 Book Releases, part 1
Today is release day, and it’s one of those weeks where lots of books are released today! Today’s post is about a few of the books I’m looking forward to being released in the first half of May.
It’s been a looong while since I’ve done an Upcoming Releases post! But, I’m hoping this is one more sign that life is getting back to normal around RBA.
I’m trying something new with how I’m doing my Upcoming Releases, since I also want to shake things up while settling back down. I’d love any feedback about this format, as compared to the old one.
May 1, 2011: Deadline (Newsflesh trilogy, book 2) by Mira Grant (pseudonym for Seanan McGuire)
This is a series I still mean to get to, but haven’t yet. However, I’ve been looking out for book 2′s release, since last year, when I gave my niece Feed, book 1 in the Newsflesh trilogy. She’s a fan of post-apocalyptic/dystopian story lines, and zombies are extra bonus points. This had it all for her. She loved it, and cursed me for getting her hooked on a series that required her to wait a year for the next installment.
Well, Deadline is finally here, and I’ve got to get a move on, and catch up!
May 3, 2011: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
I’ve been hearing about this book since January, when Holly (Book Binge) couldn’t say enough good things about it. Since then, I haven’t heard this much buzz about a book since Meljean Brook’s The Iron Duke. (Which proved to more than live up to the hype.)
Now, I’m already pre-disposed to like Dragon Bound, since I have a real weakness for dragons. Make it dragon-shifters, and I am so there. I’ve heard the chemistry between Dragos ind the half-wyr/half-human thief, Pia is great reading.
I can’t wait to pick Dragon Bound up!
May 3, 2011: Sabine (…and the Beast series, book 1) by Moira Rogers
More shifter goodness!
This ebook is actually a short story, that begins the …and the Beast series. It features a curse by the High Lord’s mother who wants her son to forget his mate, Sabine. Sabine must find a way to break the curse.
May 3, 2011: Three to Tango by Lauren Dane, Megan Hart, Emma Holly, and Bethany Kane
I’m a fan of Lauren Dane, Megan Hart, and Beth Kery (writing as Bethany Kane in this anthology), so this one is a definite buy for me. Lauren Dane’s Dirty/Bad/Wrong has a storyline I love: the hero(ine) returning to the small town they came from, re-igniting an old flame. Because of the ménage theme of this anthology, that would be “flames”. 
I’ve heard great things about Emma Holly’s writing, and am looking forward to checking her novella out, too.
May 3, 2011: Divergent by Veronica Roth
The first 100 pages are available to read online at Harper Collins.
YA post-apocalyptic stories are in, and this one sounds really intriguing. The 1st 2 lines of the book’s description alone had me requesting this one from the library:
In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives.
May 3, 2011: Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse series, book 11) by Charlaine Harris
Honestly, I was pretty disappointed in book 10 in the SS series, so I’m really hoping Dead Reckoning will bring back the magic to one of my favorite series.
I always love it when there’s focus on the shifters, and extra bonus is that it looks like we’ll get an extra helping of Sam, one of my favorite characters in this series.
Chapter 1 of Dead Reckoning is available online at the author’s site.
I’ll be back in a couple of weeks to share the books I’m looking forward to that will be released in the last half of May.
Are there any books you’re looking forward to being released in the next week or two?
So, the new year begins! And, with a Sookie cover & excerpt…
I’m still in recovery mode from the holidays, but it’s nice to get back into the swing of things with the blog. I took another long break from posting and bloghopping in December, attempting to feel less guilty about it, and just focus on the holidays.
We had a great time, with lots of family visits. My sister and her partner stayed with us for a week, and it was wonderful to catch up with them. The kid said it was like a long slumber party with grown-ups, and he was sad to see his aunts go (as was I).
I really enjoyed starting some new traditions in the new house, and it was wonderful to have a fireplace to light on cold evenings. We’re still getting used to having a place that can host some bigger gatherings, and we’re already hoping to have our family here for Easter.
My guy rocked the Christmas gift, giving me exactly what I asked for: registration for Saturday at the RT Book Lovers Convention in LA. I’ll hopefully be working out the details for it this week.
In the meantime, I’m beginning to catch up on my bloghopping and reading author sites. While visiting Charlaine Harris’ site, I came across this:
I love the colors used on the cover! It’s so striking. And, as usual, artist Lisa Desimini has incorporated story elements in the cover that make me want to know what’s going to happen in this installment.
Along with the cover, Charlaine Harris posted a generous excerpt for Dead Reckoning. I was a little disappointed in the last Sookie book, Dead in the Family: Eric was far too emo, and Sookie too self-absorbed. However, I have high hopes for Dead Reckoning. After reading its excerpt, I was left wanting more, and can’t wait for its May 3, 2011 release.
How were your holidays? Are there any books you’re especially looking forward to in 2011?
People are going to talk…