In Anticipation: The Last Bastion of the Living by Rhiannon Frater

Every once in a while, I come across a book that immediately and completely bowls me over merely by checking out its introductory matter--the title, the cover, and the book description. The latest book by Rhiannon Frater, The Last Bastion of the Living was one such book. Among a rash of well-written zombie fiction that's seen a nice level of popularity over the last few years, this one grabs attention with its science-fiction flavorings. Check out the blurb:

     The Bastion was humanity’s last hope against the fearsome undead creatures known as the Inferi Scourge. A fortified city with a high wall, surrounded by lush land rich with all the resources needed to survive, protected by high mountain summits, and a massive gate to secure the only pass into the valley, the Bastion became the last stronghold of the living on earth. But one fateful day, the gate failed and the Inferi Scourge destroyed the human settlements outside the walls and trapped the survivors inside the city. Now decades later, the last remaining humans are struggling to survive in a dying city as resources and hope dwindle.
     Vanguard Maria Martinez has lived her whole life within the towering walls of steel. She yearns for a life away from the overcrowded streets, rolling blackouts, and food shortages, but there is no hope for anyone as long as the Inferi Scourge howl outside the high walls. Her only refuge from the daily grind is in the arms of her lover, Dwayne Reichardt, an officer in the Bastion Constabulary. Both are highly-decorated veterans of the last disastrous push against the Inferi Scourge. Their secret affair is her only happiness.
     Then one day Maria is summoned to meet with a mysterious representative from the Science Warfare Division and is offered the opportunity to finally destroy the Inferi Scourge in the valley and close the gate. The rewards of success are great, but she will have to sacrifice everything, possibly even her life, to accomplish the ultimate goal of securing the future of humanity and saving it from extinction.

Aside from the fact that Rhiannon Frater is already known for her amazing As the World Dies post-apoocalyptic zombie-filled series (as well as for her dark urban fantasy books), just the premise of this book sounds so promising that it will most certainly be a topping many a "Best Of" list by year's end. What really draws me specifically is what looks like a well-developed, complex futuristic world. It's got order (the Bastion and its Vanguards) amongst chaos (the Inferi Scourge). It's got intense character relationships (Maria and Dwayne). It's got allusions to an epic adventure (the mission given to Maria by the Science Warfare Division). And best of all, it's got zombies. ^_^ I'm a HUGE fan of dystopians...when done right. I'm talking Brave New World right. Aftertime right. Feed right. As the World Dies right. ^_^ And this one has as much promise as any of those to be a wild ride.

The cover, in a word, is amazing. Visually striking even with the muted colors--perhaps even because of the sedate color scheme. The woman (warrior!) on the cover alludes to darkness, boldness, and lethal  ability. The murky clouds in the background appear animated with menace and threat. This cover is definitely not easily ignored. The cover artist is Claudia McKinney; bravo to you, ma'am! (As well as to the typographer, Ashley of Bookish Brunette Designs. Perfectly fits the sharp, futuristic feel of the book description).

The Last Bastion of the Living: A Futuristic Zombie Novel by Rhiannon Frater will be released on June 12, 2012.

In Anticipation: The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens

Without a doubt, the book The Restorer by Amanda Stevens was one of my favorite books of 2011 (easily top three). The chilling, highly atmospheric debut (yup, this was a freakin debut!) novel was absolutely unexpected, but it turned out to have been just what I needed. So enter the followup one year later, called The Kingdom, which is promising to be just as spooky and mysterious:

Deep in the shadowy foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a dying town...

My name is Amelia Gray. They call me The Graveyard Queen. I’ve been commissioned to restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls, South Carolina, but I’m coming to think I have another purpose here.

Why is there a cemetery at the bottom of Bell Lake? Why am I drawn time and again to a hidden grave I’ve discovered in the woods? Something is eating away at the soul of this town—this withering kingdom—and it will only be restored if I can uncover the truth.

I like how the book description above is not very spoiler-y. There was a lot that went down in the first book, a lot of unfinished business between certain characters, but it's left alone in the blurb to focus on reintroducing the mysterious unknown that's explored so well by the author. Amelia Gray is sent on another assignment, to complete the seemingly straightforward (though labor-intensive task) of restoring a graveyard. But of course, nothing is as it seems, and even the dead have an active role to play. The elusiveness of the blurb is the stuff great mystery is made of.

The cover of this book (and the other installments) is not the flashiest ever, but that's perfectly appropriate to the tone and focus of the series. It's quiet, unassuming, and mysterious, and it belies something dark and forbidding. I love how all the little visual clues just reinforce what the blurb and previous installment established--that this will be a quietly powerful tale--and a super creepy one, to boot.

If you haven't checked out this series yet, I'd sooo recommend you do, provided you can handle a bit (read: a lot) of creepiness. ^_^ Be sure to read in broad daylight, preferably with someone else present. ^_^ It'll totally be worth it.


Graveyard Queen series:
#0.5 - The Abandoned (published April 1, 2011 by Harlequin Mira)
#1 - The Restorer (published April 19, 2011 by Mira)
#2 - The Kingdom (to be published March 27, 2012 by Mira)
#3 - The Prophet (to be published April 24, 2012 by Mira)

In Anticipation: Horizon by Sophie Littlefield

And so all good things must come to an end.

In this case, I'm pretty sure that even the end is going to be good (and by "good" I mean "mega badass"). I'm talking about the third and final book in the Aftertime series by Sophie Littlefield. (Click to see my reviews for Aftertime and Rebirth.) Thus far, the trilogy's overarching story—which centers on Cass Dollar's struggle to survive and keep her little daughter safe in the midst of civilization's collapse—has been thrilling, (sometimes) scary, and (always) profoundly affecting. Check out the description (edited from the publisher's version to remove possible spoilers):

Cass Dollar is a survivor. She's overcome the meltdown of civilization, humans turned mindless cannibals, and the many evils of man.
     But from beneath the devastated California landscape emerges a tendril of hope. A mysterious traveler arrives at New Eden with knowledge of a passageway North—a final escape from the increasingly cunning Beaters. Clutching this dream, Cass and many others decamp and follow him into the unknown.
     Journeying down valleys and over barren hills, Cass must confront the worst of what's inside her—dark memories from when she was a Beater herself. But she, and all of the other survivors, will fight to the death for the promise of a new horizon…

From the looks of the blurb, this series seems to follow the structure of a classic three-act play: the first "act" does most of the setup and introduction of a dilemma, the second finds circumstances the most dire, and the third resolves or implies hope for resolution. (Think Star Wars, Episodes 4-6. ^_^)

The cover art for this book is, like the other two, fantastic. One can gather so much about the tone and direction of the plot by simply looking at the art, even without benefit of the book description. I'm still curious as to who made the call for the bird to be on all of the covers. There was a reference made to a bird in book one (I believe), evoking the thought that its very survival is a symbol of hope amidst such dire circumstances. Same thing with the choice of an overall color wash—a tentative shade of blue that hints at renewal. And then there's the hazy cloud formation, which on the Aftertime cover was a barage of smoke, and on Horizon appeared to resemble a disorienting fog. Here, it's thick healthy clouds just barely obscuring the sun's light. Hope! Life! We'll see if that comes together for the cast (fingers crossed).

But anyway. Enough nerdy cover art examination. It's just that everything about this trilogy of books has seemed so thoughtful and multi-layered. I cannot wait to have this final installment of the series sitting on my bookshelf, and I will continue to shout about the trilogy's awesomeness to anyone crazy enough to listen to me. ^_^

Horizon is available NOW (release date: January 24, 2012) from Harlequin Luna.

In Anticipation: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Click pic for Goodreads page

Maria V. Snyder is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to fantasy novels. Her stories are pretty accesible, even for those who are not really fans of the genre. Her three series (Study; Glass; and Insider) are all kinds of popular and well-received. Now she's returned with a brand new series, Healer. Check out the premise for the first book, Touch of Power:

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.
     Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

I remember being totally wowed by Snyder in her novel Poison Study. The world she'd created in that book was so lush and well fleshed out, so exciting and unpredictable. The main character was nuanced, her predicament believable even in its fantastical setting. Avry's story looks to be just as promising, with an epic conflict into which the main character finds herself insinuated. Avry's predicament sounds compelling: she has a gift that is at once reviled and revered, and it's her own people that are guilty of the former, the enemy of the latter. That's the stuff of great drama, I tell you!

I love this book cover. It's because of the color palate that I dig it so--purple is my favorite color (which is not at all obvious from this blog's design, right? ^_^). And I like that the imagery tells much of the story: you've got Avry's powers on display in the foreground, with beautiful flowers and a gentle glow around her implying that her gift is life-giving and precious. The lands depicted just beyond her arm emphasize the important connection between her powers and her people (or perhaps other peoples). There are two other iterations of the cover, one for the UK release and the other for the Australian release. They're pretty to be sure, and they have some similar elements (visual representation of Avry's magic, a sweeping vista in the background), but I think that the US cover spoke to me the most. Here they are below:

UK Cover

Australian Cover

At any rate, I'm planning on diving into this book very soon! Look out for a review of Touch of Power early in the new year.

Touch of Power is scheduled to be released on December 20, 2011 by Mira (in other words, get it now!).

In Anticipation: Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook

I promise not to make a comment
 about the sword placement. Oh, wait...

You know, I am absolutely a series reader; I general like to be able to hang on to characters and written worlds for a period spanning one book. But even so, there isn't a gaggle of books/series over which I lose my mind with anticipation. There were really only two such books for me thus far in 2011 (Rebirth by Sophie Littlefield and The Renfield Syndrome by J. A. Saare), and in November there will be a third. In 2010, author Meljean Brook published what is perhaps my favorite steampunk book, The Iron Duke. The world that was created was original and riveting. Here's the word on the followup

As the mercenary captain of the Lady Corsair, Yasmeen has learned to keep her heart as cold as steel, her only loyalty bound to her ship and her crew. So when a man who once tried to seize her airship returns from the dead, Yasmeen will be damned if she gives him another opportunity to take control.
     Treasure-hunter Archimedes Fox isn’t interested in the Lady Corsair — he wants her coldhearted captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. To reclaim it, Archimedes is determined to seduce the stubborn woman who once tossed him to a ravenous pack of zombies, but she’s no easy conquest.
      When da Vinci’s sketch attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco — and straight into their enemy’s hands. But as they fight to save themselves and a city on the brink of rebellion, the greatest peril Yasmeen faces is from the man who seeks to melt her icy heart…

...man o' man. Both Yasmeen and Archimedes appeared in The Iron Duke, and even then it was clear that sparks will fly when the two are put within close range of each other. Both are really intense as individuals, too--particularly the memorable, fiery, and independent Yasmeen. They ended the last book on the most antagonistic of terms, so it will be a lot of fun getting to see how they make nice and play together. And beyond the couple, it looks like this book will involve an adventure in Horde territory. The Horde up until now have been a largely unseen--though considerable--threat. It's high time to see the opposition up close and personal.

The cover of this book is sufficiently delightful. :o) I think I still prefer the first book's to this one's, but it's definitely worthy of the story that contains it. The In fact, is that the same cover model on both covers?


Meljean Brook's book, Heart of Steel, (The Iron Seas, #2) will be released on November 1 by Berkley Sensation. An excerpt from chapter two can be found here.


Books in the Series (from author website; not including short stories)
Book 1: The Iron Duke, published October 5, 2010
Book 2: Heart of Steel, expected publication November 1, 2011 by Berkley
Book 3: Riveted, expected publication late 2012

In Anticipation: The Many Sins of Lord Cameron

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! I'm chortling in my joy. ^_^ Author Jennifer Ashley--who also writes as Allyson James (of Stormwalker fame) and Ashley Gardner--will in August see the release of her third Highland Destiny book, entitled The Many Sins of Lord Cameron. The series' two previous books have been very enjoyable, already featuring the four sexay brothers from the Scottish highlands. Here's a look at the latest book's synopsis:

     Lord Cameron Mackenzie is intrigued when he finds the pretty widow, Ainsley Douglas, hiding in the window seat of his bedchamber. Cam remembers Ainsley Douglas all right—six years ago, he’d caught her in this very bedchamber, during a house party in the Mackenzies’ Scottish manor. Enchanted by her ingenuous excuses, he decided to seduce her, but stopped shy when she’d made a rather touching appeal about her “good husband who didn’t deserve to be heartbroken.”
     Later, Cameron learned that her visit to his bedchamber was part of some female intrigue against him, the kind his late wife used to practice. Ainsley protested her innocence, but Cameron’s anger made him never want to see her again. Now she’s back, at another houseparty—and Cameron finds the gray-eyed minx in his bedchamber, again. Her excuses are just as ingenuous, but this time Cameron is determined to teach her a lesson.
     They have unfinished business, Cameron tells her. He asks her how many of her many buttons she’ll let him unclasp, promising that before the houseparty is over, she’ll be asking him to undo them all.
     Ainsley’s dismay is real. She’s on a mission to prevent embarrassment to Queen Victoria, and time is running out. Though the needs he’d stirred long ago during her unhappy marriage rise again, she knows it would be foolish to fall for love-them-and-leave-them Cameron Mackenzie. But he asks her a question that challenges her beliefs about love and happiness, and she finds herself risking all to be with the black sheep of the Mackenzie family.

Oh yes, Cameron's got many sins, alright. There was an excerpt of the book at the end of Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage, and though I typically avoid reading such tidbits (for the untenable eagerness they induce), I had to know what was in store for the next mackenzie. The opening scene was gripping, and I was unsurprisingly begging for more. Thank goodness book three will be released soon; really, August cannot come fast enough! But until then, there's the wealth of information available on Jennifer Ashley's website: the author has an entire section dedicated to the Mackenzie clan, one that includes a family tree, character biographies, and book release information. That all comes in handy, given the complex histories that each of the Mackenzie brothers has endured.

And as for the cover? Well, now. The cover is just peachy keen by me. ^_^ Not much particularly unique about it, in general. But it is worth noting that it is the first cover of the series to feature only a male on the cover. Makes me think (and hope) that the story will focus more on Cameron's life and development. The previous books have only alluded to a very scarred and tumultuous history for both him and his son. Here's to finally finding out why he's so...out there! lol

Jennifer Ashley's book, The Many Sins of Lord Cameron, (Highland Pleasures, #3) will be released on August 2 by Berkley Sensation.


Books in the Series
(from author website)
Book 1: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Ian) Leisure, May 2009; re-release August 2011
Book 2: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage (Mac) Berkley Sensation, July 6, 2010
Book 3: The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (Cam) Berkley Sensation, August 2, 2011
Book 4: The Duke's Perfect Wife (Hart) Berkley Sensation, April 2012
Book 5: The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Elliot) Berkley Sensation, Jan 2013
Book 6: The Life and Love of Daniel Mackenzie (Daniel) Berkley Sensation, Oct 2013

Armchair BEA Day 2: Best Of 2011

2011 is shaping up to be a great reading year for fans of genre fiction series. I tried my very best to narrow down the books that I'm most excited about this year (both released and upcoming), but barely scraped by under ten selections. ^_^ Check it out.

Already Released

Aftertime (Aftertime, #1)

by Sophie Littlefield

Quick Take: This book had my pulse racing for much of the time I spent reading it. The lush visuals, the emotions, the mystery and (of course) the high chill-factor made this an absolutely wonderful read. I was so spooked and unnerved, but absolutely could not tear my eyes from the page. (full review)

The Restorer (The Graveyard Queen, #1)

by Amanda Stevens

Quick Take: Loved it. Loved. It. Stevens's writing style is so easy to get into. To say that I look forward to more of this series is a serious understatement. Highly recommended to all of my ghost-story-friendly urban fantasy peeps. (full review forthcoming)

5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth

by The Oatmeal

Quick Take: Freaking. Hilarious. (full review)

Upcoming Sequels

Heart of Steel (Iron Seas, #2)

by Meljean Brook
I sort of have to not think about this book's release, or else I get too excited and whiney about the release date still being a good ways off. But you can bet I'll be first in line to buy this one. And oh, the wait will have been SO worth it.

Release date: November 1, 2011 by Berkley

Shadowflame (Shadow World, #2)

by Dianne Sylvan

A paranormal romance series that reads like urban fantasy…I'm hooked. This installment continues the adventures of newly minted vampire Miranda Grey.

Release date: July 26, 2011 by Ace

Rebirth (Aftertime, #2)

by Sophie Littlefield

I absolutely fell in love with the first book, and from the quick synopsis of the second, I think my love affair with this series is bound to continue. Protagonist Cass Dollar is a supremely intriguing character.

Release date: July 19, 2011 by Luna

Runners up ('cos it's so hard to pick JUST three!):

Heartless, Archangel's Blade, Spider's Revenge, The Renfield Syndrome

Upcoming New Series

My Life As A White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie)

by Diana Rowland

This book has a fabulous premise, making me so excited to read about a good (and good looking) zombie. ^_^ I have the feeling this series will become a favorite; Rowland's Kara Gillian series is already near the top of my lists.

Release date: July 5, 2011 by DAW

Nightfall (Dark Age Dawning)

by Ellen Conner

From the writing team of Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty, this paranormal romance series looks like it will have all the necessary elements for a good time. The three books (Nightfall, Midnight, Daybreak) will be released within months of each other.

Release date: June 6, 2011 by Berkley Trade

Dead Iron (Age of Steam)

by Devon Monk

As far as I'm aware, I've never before read a Devon Monk book. But when I hear the word "steampunk," I automatically sit up and take notice. Monk's Allie Beckstrom series is quite beloved…so I'm sure the author is fully capable of creating another winner.

Release date: July 5, 2011 by Roc Trade

**Note: Release dates may not be finalized.**

In Anticipation: Rebirth by Sophie Littlefield

Near the beginning of this year, I was given the opportunity to read a galley of a book by Sophie Littlefield, author of crime novel A Bad Day for Sorry and YA thriller Banished. The book in question, Aftertime, knocked my freaking socks off, a fate from which I've yet to recover. The post-apocalyptic tale of personal redemption and love was wonderfully written, with a scope both epic and intimate, themes both frightening and comforting, and so much more than I could have hoped for. At the moment, it's my favorite book of the year.

Needless to say, when I found out that the book was in fact the first in a series, I was over the moon. The sequel, Rebirth, is set for release in the middle of this summer...and from the blurb below, it sounds like it'll be a doozy. (Note, if you've not read the first book, decide now whether you care to read the info below!)

     Civilization has fallen, leaving California an unforgiving, decimated place. But Cass Dollar beat terrible odds to get her missing daughter back—she and Ruthie will be happy.


     Yet with the first winter, Cass is reminded that happiness is fleeting in Aftertime. Ruthie retreats into silence. Flesh-eating Beaters still dominate the landscape. And Smoke, Cass’s lover and strength, departs on a quest for vengeance, one that may end him even if he returns.
 

    The survivalist community Cass has planted roots in is breaking apart, too. Its leader, Dor, implores Cass to help him recover his own lost daughter, taken by the totalitarian Rebuilders. And soon Cass finds herself thrust into the dark heart of an organization promising humanity’s rebirth—at all costs.
     Bound to two men blazing divergent paths across a savage land, Cass must overcome the darkness in her wounded heart, or lose those she loves forever.

From the looks of it, Rebirth might have some of the dichotomy of scope that was present in its predecessor. One got glimpses of the great magnitude of the fate that's befallen society, but saw it through the eyes of a flawed individual who had much soul searching to do. That'd be a great thing for this story, because Cass has been a supremely compelling character to follow. It's too bad Smoke might be out and about for some of the time, but it's equally intriguing that there might be new faces to look forward to.

The cover art is great, in my humble opinion (props to the artist!). It's visually in line with the first book of the series, with similar visual cues (the lone figure in the distance, the murky and diffuse atmosphere, the delicate bird perched upon some barbed wire, etc.). But what's noticeably different are the signs of life and civilization hinted at by the pristine wire fence and...(gasp!)...is that electricity in the street lamp? Oh, and the risk of over-analyzing, I'll also point out the choice of green as the main color in the scene fits the title, at the very least. What else to represent rebirth than the hue of our beloved flora?

Rebirth is scheduled to be released in July, 2011 by Harlequin LUNA.

LUNA website: here

Sophie Littlefield website: here

In Anticipation: The Renfield Syndrome

Last year, I was encouraged by one of my Goodreads peeps' review to read a book entitled Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between (thanks Michelle R!). The friend had gushed about its awesomeness, from the interesting cast and dark tone to the engaging plot line. I read it and was similarly enchanted. Fortunate for both of us is the fact that it was just a series opener! The follow-up, The Renfield Syndrome, is tentatively set for release during this summer. Here's a taste of what it's about.

     Rhiannon thought facing off against a deranged child vampire was the most dangerous task she would ever have to undertake, but she’s about to discover making a deal with a demon is far, far worse. Sent forward into another reality, one in which vampires are now dominating nearly extinct humans, she realizes the sooner she returns to her vampire lover, Disco, the better.

     Unfortunately, time changes a lot of things; including those most trusted around her. When she’s faced with a loss and betrayal unlike any she has ever known, her focus shifts from severing the debt between the demon that wants to kill her, to exacting a revenge that will bring forth consequences she never could have fathomed. By reaching out to the darkness lingering within her, she’ll find the strength to push forward despite the circumstances that would see her dead and buried.

     After all, when it’s all said and done, all that she has left to lose is her soul.

Now, I was wrecked upon finishing Undead…; wrecked in a good way, that is. By now, many know that the book ended with a doozy of a cliffhanger. Whether one likes that or not, it made for some exciting drama! The events therein will clearly have a profound effect on the focus of the second book. Protagonist Rhiannon is starting from scratch: she's lost, disoriented and in need of assistance (whether she knows it or not).

The cover for this book is fantastic. The background should give some clue as to what Rhi's got facing her. And speaking of fading…I dig how Rhiannon's face is not shown. It provides a touch of intimidation and gravity.

It so happens that the first book has been redesigned in a style similar to the second, and will accompany the re-issue of the book. You'll find below the original art next to the redesign. Which style do you prefer; the more photo-realistic original or the slightly hyperrealistic re-design?

Original

Redesign

The Renfield Syndrome is currently expected to be released in August 2011. 

In Anticipation: My Life As A White Trash Zombie

So, this is not exactly hot-of-the-presses news or anything, but nonetheless I need to show my love for an upcoming series by Diana Rowland. The author's Kara Gillian series is just so fabu-tastic. This summer will mark the release of the first book in her second series, featuring the most misunderstood of paranormal creatures, the zombie. ^_^

     Living with her alcoholic deadbeat dad in the swamps of southern Louisiana, she's a high school dropout with a pill habit and a criminal record who's been fired from more crap jobs than she can count. Now on probation for a felony, it seems that Angel will never pull herself out of the downward spiral her life has taken.
      That is, until the day she wakes up in the ER after overdosing on painkillers. Angel remembers being in an horrible car crash, but she doesn't have a mark on her. To add to the weirdness, she receives an anonymous letter telling her there's a job waiting for her at the parish morgue--and that it's an offer she doesn't dare refuse.
      Before she knows it she's dealing with a huge crush on a certain hunky deputy and a brand new addiction: an overpowering craving for brains. Plus, her morgue is filling up with the victims of a serial killer who decapitates his prey--just when she's hungriest!
     Angel's going to have to grow up fast if she wants to keep this job and stay in one piece. Because if she doesn't, she's dead meat. Literally.

Now, I've already read two of the Kara Gillian books. And I tell you, Ms. Rowland is gifted when it comes to writing about forensics and detective work. Not surprising, seeing as how she writes from experience and first-hand-knowledge. The fact that this new series has a protagonist that works for a morgue...well, you can bet there'll be some interesting visuals. ^_^ 

What's more, the protagonist seems to be a bit of an f-up as far as responsibility goes (during her mortal existence, at least). While it seems that Angel's death is a bit of a wake up call for her to get her act together, I'd imagine she's bound to me a more down-to-earth type. Not a vision of perfection, but a potty-mouthed, mistake-making...human like some of us are. Well, maybe not quite human. One doesn't often think of zombies as loveable, cool or sexy. This book will likely be a nice change from the vamp and shifter protags of most urban fantasy series.

Now, I've got to Cover-Talk for a second, because as it happens, this artwork was done by none other than Dan Dos Santos. The man is just so gifted. A beautiful, cute-looking zombie with blood all over her mouth? Love it. And the "I Love Brains" tattoo is just a crack-up.Thankfully, the cover copy is simple and lets the beauty of artwork shine through.

A sample of the book cover with full copy text. From dianarowland.com

What are your thoughts on this new series? Do you like the cover art? Do you think you might pick it up when it's released this summer?

My Life As A White Trash Zombie will be released on July 5th, 2011 by DAW.

In Anticipation: Forever Vampire

It's Hauf time! (Please excuse my punniness, but I just had to.) ^_^ I recently came across a blog post from author Michele Hauf, reminding me of the impending release of a book that I've been looking forward to reading. Tis called Forever Vampire, and has a connection to a world/story she'd previously created:

     Vail the Unwanted is a pure-blood vampire. But raised in Faery, he has neither home nor peace, and when his aid is sought in the recovery of a priceless diamond gown, his price is information. Specifically the whereabouts of his accursed father. His goal is revenge, and the supernaturally sexy Lyric, the icy blond vampiress with whom he must work, is a distraction he can't afford.
      Outwardly as cold as the diamond dress in which she was kidnapped, Lyric has her own secrets. Desperate to break free from her criminal family, she aligns herself with the brooding Vail. Together they seek justice while each secretly works for freedom and a fresh start. For Lyric that means holding herself apart, even from the smoldering blue-eyed Vail. For Vail, it means a battle to the death for revenge—and for a temptress he can't deny.

I'm very much looking forward to this book because of its connection to Hauf's Seducing the Vampire. It's not quite a direct sequel; in fact, the protagonist of Forever Vampire was introduced only in the last few pages of StV. But the lore is there, and some of the things that transpired in the first book will almost certainly have immense bearing on the events of this one. The simple fact is I really enjoyed StV (here's my review of the book), and look forward to being able to revisit that world. Sure, StV was mostly historical fiction, and this book is most likely all contemporary...but that makes things even more exciting and epic, in my opinion! ^_^

Michele Hauf had mentioned in one of her blog posts that "Vail is one of my favorite heroes so far." That's a strong endorsement if I ever heard one. I adored Rhys from StV, but I'm all for falling even harder for another one of Hauf's delicious heroes.

Forever Vampire  is currently scheduled for release on April 19, 2011 by HQN.

In Anticipation: Wilder's Mate by Moira Rogers

Title: Wilder's Mate

Series: Bloodhounds, #1

Author: Moira Rogers (website)

Release date: March 8, 2011 by Samhain

I'm always on the lookout for a good Steampunk yarn. Oftentimes, such tales are full of imagination and wonder,  for both the futuristic elements and the historical romanticism. I very recently discovered this little gem here, an upcoming publication from the paranormal romance writing team known as Moira Rogers. Check out the blurb:

    Wilder Harding is a bloodhound, created by the Guild to hunt down and kill vampires on America's frontier. His enhanced abilities come with a high price: on the full moon, he becomes capable of savagery beyond telling, while the new moon brings a sexual hunger that borders on madness.
      Rescuing a weapons inventor from undead kidnappers is just another assignment, though one with an added complication--keeping his hands off the man's pretty young apprentice, who insists on tagging along.
     At odds with polite society, Satira's only constant has been the aging weapons inventor who treats her like a daughter. She isn't going to trust Wilder with Nathaniel's life, not when the Guild might decide the old man isn't worth saving. Besides, if there's one thing she's learned, it's that brains are more important than brawn.
      As the search stretches far longer than Wilder planned, he finds himself fighting against time. If Satira is still at his side when the new moon comes, nothing will stop him from claiming her. Worse, she seems all too willing. If their passion unlocks the beast inside, no one will be safe. Not even the man they're fighting to save.

How fun does that sound?! What's more, the story takes place in the Americas, which is not always the case for steampunk stories (I think the British Isles are often a favored setting, for good reason). Based on this description, it sounds like it's going to be a sweeping story. Not to mention steamy! An excerpt of Chapter One can be found at Rogers's website.

I really dig the vibe of this cover. It looks more obviously Western than anything else, but also puts off a vibe of intensity and potential violence. I love it. ^_^ I certainly wouldn't want to tussle with the dude pictured (whom I assume is Wilder Harding?).


Does this book look like anything interesting to you?  What are your thoughts on the cover?

In Anticipation: Aftertime

Was it the chicken or the egg that came first?? I can no longer recall what initially drew me to this book: the dramatic and intense cover art, or the intriguing book blurb. Both seem to suggest a book that's epic in scope and grim in tone...no forgone conclusions for an HEA here.

Awakening in a bleak landscape as scarred as her body, Cass Dollar vaguely recalls surviving something terrible. Having no idea how many days—or weeks—have passed, she slowly realizes the horrifying truth: Ruthie has vanished.
      And with her, nearly all of civilization. Where once-lush hills carried cars and commerce, the roads today see only cannibalistic Beaters—people turned hungry for human flesh by a government experiment gone wrong.
      In a broken, barren California, Cass will undergo a harrowing quest to get her Ruthie back. Few people trust an outsider, let alone a woman who became a zombie and somehow turned back, but she finds help from an enigmatic outlaw, Smoke. Smoke is her savior, and her safety. For the Beaters are out there. And the humans grip at survival with their trigger fingers. Especially when they learn that she and Ruthie have become the most feared, and desired, of weapons in a brave new world...

How crazy does that all sound? It's just got to be a blast! A very harrowing, freaky blast. The author, Sophie Littlefield, has written quite a few YA novels, which at first led me to believe that this would be a YA book. But given the pretty heavy themes hinted at above (not to mention the protagonist is a mother), I'm going to say that's a "not as such, sir." :o) But anywho. From Ms. Littlefield's comments, it looks like this is the first in a series of books.
The cover. Oh, the cover! I couldn't for the life of me find out the name of the artist who drew up this piece (does anyone happen to know?), but what a fantastic job they've done. The thrust of the situation is quite obvious...desolation, trauma, solitude. But the details are deliciously few, leaving one to wonder..."something really bad just happened...what next?" Heck, I even dig the fact that the bird up in the corner isn't some imposing raven (whose symbolism we're all familiar with), but a frikin...what, a pal warbler or something? Love it! ^_^
So looking forward to reading this.

Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield will be released in February 2011 by Harlequin LUNA.

In Anticipation: Archangel's Consort

It should be absolutely no surprise to anyone who's into urban fantasy and/or paranormal romance that the latest book in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, Archangel's Consort, is being released near the end of next month. I've tried my best to avoid specific information on the plot up until now (including Ms. Singh's generous teaser excerpt), because I wouldn't be able to focus for the inevitable obsessing over every crumb of knowledge. But now there's no helping it...I had to look up at least the book description:

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil… 

     A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders.
      The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.
      An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…

Now, there is absolutely no way this book won't be intense as all hell. I keep wondering how this book could "up the stakes," and clearly this is the answer. Some of Raphael's beginnings were alluded to in Archangel's Kiss, so it should be expected. Methinks this will be his book for all intents and purposes...some more of the veil will be lifted from his mysterious, almost intimidating persona.

Could this cover possibly be any more beautiful? The artist is Tony Mauro, who's done countless book covers and movie posters, many of which anyone would recognize immediately. The guy's done an amazing job here. Unlike on the cover of the last book, the wings on Elena look exactly as I pictured them in my mind (e.g. no huge gargoyle horns ^_^). I'm guessing the background is the Angel compound's training area where Elena spent time with Galen and Illium (a.k.a. "Bluebell"). And of course, that knife in her hand should be the gift she received from a certain lovable Archangel. Someone clearly insisted on some accuracy in the depiction. I wonder who it was?

In Anticipation: Secrets of the Demon

As December has arrived to round out the year, I've found myself thinking about some of the books that I'm looking forward to in the new year. There are a number that are poised to be released right at the beginning of January, and of those here's one that I'm perhaps the most excited about. That'd be Secrets of the Demon, the third book in Diana Rowland's "Kara Gillian" series, which is urban fantasy and police procedural. Here's a partial book description (as the full description has a teensy spoiler of book 2):

Homicide detective Kara Gillian has a special talent: she can sense the "arcane" in our world, and there's quite a bit of it, even in Beaulac, Louisiana. She's also a summoner of demons, and works on a task force that deals with supernatural crimes. Her partners are attractive and smart FBI agents, but they're not summoners, and they're not telling Kara why they are on this special force with her... she's trying to solve a string of murders that are somehow tied together by money, sex, rock music and...mud. But how can she concentrate on the case when she's not even sure who-or what-her partners are?

I read both books preceding this one, and enjoyed both overall. The first I hadn't absolutely knocked me out (review's here if you're curious about what I mean), but the second book just hooked me, line and sinker. Ms. Rowland is really great at the art of the police procedural. This shouldn't come as a surprise as she's worked as a street cop, a detective, a computer forensics specialist, a crime scene investigator, and a morgue assistant before her books were published. The lady knows about crime, ya'll! ^_^ The scenes related to investigation are so exquisitely detailed, sometimes chillingly so. It integrates well with the paranormal aspect, which comes in the form of Kara and her crew. I'm looking forward to more of those combined elements in this next book, now that a fair bit of world-building has been done.

So, for anyone who's read the first and/or second books, you'll notice that the cover style has changed for this installment. This is actually not surprising, as Secrets of the Demon (and presumably, the books to follow) is being published by DAW, no longer Bantam. New publisher, new cover. While I did really like the original cover style, I LOVE me some Daniel dos Santos...and he's the one who did the artwork for this latest book. I swear, the man can do no wrong. He's rocked all sort of authors' work...and I'm pleased to see him add his touch to this series.
The depicted woman on the cover is a great visualization of Ms. Rowland's descriptions of Kara. I have to admit, she kind of reminds me of the actress Amanda Peet. ^_^ I think that's due to the dark features and striking eyebrows on both females. Pretty ladies, both!

The book is released on January 4, 2011 by DAW Books. Ms. Rowland has an excerpt of the book available on her website (here).

In Anticipation: Matched

Though I only occasionally dip into the realm of Young Adult titles, it's been pretty difficult--nay, impossible--to avoid the massive wave of press for author Ally Condie's latest offering, Matched. If you haven't already gotten wind of it, this is what the dystopian novel is about:

In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die. Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion.
Matched is a story for right now and storytelling with the resonance of a classic.

I must say, I am absolutely in love with the cover; it's so striking in its simplicity, and the lime green just draws the eye immediately. It's actually what drew my interest toward the book. That's right; the synopsis was only part of the equation here. ^_^ But the premise really does sound intriguing. I'm usually a fan of dystopian-themed novels, for most every age group from youth to adult. I'm hoping the aforementioned love triangle isn't all there is to the story; the notion of the Society having such minute control of every aspect of citizens' lives is intriguing, and I hope it's explored thoroughly.

On the heels of the Hunger Games trilogy's conclusion, this might just be what the doctor ordered for many people out there. Here's hoping it's worth such comparison!

In Anticipation: Hard Bitten

So, the fourth book in Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series--one of my favorites!--won't be out until May 2011, but she has recently released the book's description:

     Times are hard for newly minted vampire Merit. Ever since shapeshifters announced their presence to the world, humans have been rallying against supernaturals--and they're camping outside of Cadogan House with protest signs that could turn to pitchforks at any moment. Inside its doors, things between Merit and her Master, green-eyed heartbreaker Ethan Sullivan are ... tense. But then the mayor of Chicago calls Merit and Ethan to a clandestine meeting and tells them about a violent vamp attack that has left three women missing. His message is simple: get your House in order. Or else.

     Merit needs to get to the bottom of this crime, but it doesn't help that she can't tell who's on her side. So she secretly calls in a favor from someone who's tall, dark, and part of underground vamp group that may have some deep intel on the attack. Merit soon finds herself in the heady, dark heart of Chicago's supernatural society--a world full of vampires who seem to ready to fulfill the protesting human's worst fears, and a place where she'll learn that you can't be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands...

Now, I don't know about you, but I'm absolutely digging the vagueness of the synopsis. Too much detail and the anticipatory tickle would be a full out burn. ^_^ I'm also pretty curious about this "talk, dark" underground-connected vamp…could it be Jonah, the Grey House Guard Captain introduced in Twice Bitten? Here's Merit's introduction to him…

This vamp was tall and lean, with longish auburn hair that just reached his shoulders, blue eyes set beneath long brows, and a chiseled chin. He wore a short-sleeved shirt with a collar, the bottom tucked into his jeans. Tattoos ringed each bicep?a flying angel on one arm, a slinking devil on the other. I wondered what he was conflicted about.

Hm. How yummy would that be? I think Ethan needs a bit of competition…and Merit needs some vampire spice, what with as cute, intelligent and baddass as she is!

The cover of this next installment is just beautiful. Nevermind that my favorite color happens to be purple… it's the perfect tone to lay over a cloudy Chicago night. Not too dank, but not silly. It's also nice to see some extremely recognizable vantage of the Windy City. It looks like photo rather than painting…and if so, I wonder from where the was taken? Helicopter? Hancock tower? I dunno, I'm not well versed in Chicago city-layout. But it's fun to wonder!