Found Here and There

Random News and Such

Ilona Andrews has posted a snippet from an upcoming Kate Daniels short story.

A prequel novella to T.A. Pratt's Marla Mason series has been posted.

Saskia Walker is offering her novel, The Strangeling for free.

Amberkatze has some exclusive scoop from Jeri Smith-Ready of the WVMP series.

All fans of Katie Macalister's Dark Ones series: She's written a short that deals with Alec, from Zen and the Art of Vampires and Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang, and his quest for a Beloved. Check it on on Penguin's site.

The completed letter from Grant, of Marjorie M. Liu's Hunter Kiss series, to his unborn child is up at Penguin's site as well.

Drops of Crimson has posted their YA issue and it has tons of articles and interviews.

The Discriminating Fangirl has created this great community database of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance characters. Anyone with a Google account can contribute.

Here is Kelley Armstrong's latest newsletter. Don't pass this up - there's tons of info that you'll definitely want in there, including LOTS of great giveaways.

Maggie Stiefvater, author of the upcoming novel Shiver, has posted the book trailer on her blog. Take a look:

Here a couple of other books I'm looking forward to

Speaking of Blue Moon, Free Book Friday Teens is offering a sneak peek for all who enter their contest for a copy. They also have an interview with Alyson Noel.

Interviews and the Like

Author Brandon Sanderson will be doing a live Tweet-chatting session about his newest book, Warbreaker. Visit Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists for complete details.

Erica Hayes, who's debut Shadowfae is due for release October 13th, has a guest post up by Alex Bledsoe, author of The Sword-Edged Blonde (a book Erica gushes about).

Vicki Pettersson, who's City of Souls hit stores today, will be doing a live podcast with Authors On Air at 2 PM (EST) Thursday, July 2nd, when she'll be interviewed by Kim Harrison.

Rachel Vincent is over at Amberkatze's Book Blog.

Contests Linkage

Maggie Stiefvater is giving away ARCs and finished copies of Shiver so head over there for details.

Karen Mahoney is giving away a copy of Prom Nights from Hell and Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison to one lucky commenter over at Deadline Dames.

Rachel Vincent is giving away a copy of her latest, Prey, along with a copy of Vicki Pettersson's new City of Souls.

Seems like everyone is giving away Prey. Try for it at Fang-tastic Books, Amberkatze's, or at A Journey of Books.

In anticipation of her upcoming release, Branded by Fire, Nalini Singh is offering a chance to win a copy of Christine Feehan's Hidden Currents or Dakota Cassidy's Kiss & Hell.

Bitten by Books is giving away copies of Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine AND a Sony Reader.

Caffey of Caffey's Reads is offering a copy of Gale Force by Rachel Caine.

Alaine at Alaine, Queen of Happy Endings is offering up an early copy of Blood Promise by Richelle Mead.

Win a copy of Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh over at The Book Smugglers.

Marta Acosta has copies of Stephanie Meyer's The Host are up for grabs at Vampire Wire.

Suzanne McLeod, author of the Spellcrackers.com series, is giving away copies of The Eternal Kiss: Twelve Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire or Jim Butcher's Mean Streets, plus a signed copy of either of her books, The Cold Kiss of Death and The Sweet Scent of Blood.

A signed ARC of Hush, Hush is on offer over at Confessions of a Wandering Heart.

(Un)Cover: Hallowed Circle by Linda Robertson

This is the follow-up to Robertson's debut, Vicious Circle, which hits stores today.

Hallowed Circle (Circle, Book 2) by Linda Robertson

Juno/Pocket (Jan. 2010, according to Robertson's site and Dec. 29, 2009, according to Amazon)

384 pages

ISBN: 978-1439156780

Visit Linda Robertson's site

Read an excerpt of Vicious Circle

Review: Seduce the Darkness by Gena Showalter

Seduce the Darkness (Alien Huntress, 4) by Gena Showalter

Paranormal Romance

Pocket Star (June 30, 2009)

416 pages

ISBN: 978-1416531647

Synopsis from Amazon:

The war between otherworlders and humans changed Earth beyond recognition. It also saved Bride McKells's life. Before, the gorgeous vampire was a target for every fanatic with a stake and a crucifix. Now, she's free to roam the streets -- and desperate to find others of her kind. One man claims to have the answers she seeks. Devyn, King of the Targons, is a warrior and a womanizer, and he makes no secret of how much he wants Bride -- and how dangerous he could be to her in every way.

Read more after the jump »

Debuting This Week

I'm currently finishing up the complete future releases list but, in the meantime, here's a simple list of what's newly available this week.

06/30/09 Darkness Calls (Hunter Kiss, Book 2) by Marjorie M. Liu

06/30/09 Eve of Chaos (Marked, Book 3) by S.J. Day

06/30/09 City of Souls (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 4) by Vicki Pettersson

06/30/09 Huntress (Anthology) by Christine Warren, Marjorie M. Liu, Caitlin Kittredge, Jenna Maclaine

06/30/09 Seduce the Darkness (Alien Huntress, Book 4) by Gena Showalter

06/30/09 Vicious Circle (Circle, Book 1) by Linda Robertson

06/30/09 Witches Incorporated (Rogue Agent, Book 2) by K. E. Mills

06/30/09 Four Dukes and a Devil (Anthology) by Cathy Maxwell, Tracy Anne Warren, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash

06/30/09 Dying Bites (The Bloodhound Files, Book 1) by D.D. Barant

06/30/09 Wolf Tales VIII by Kate Douglas

06/30/09 Midnight's Master (Midnight, Book 3) by Cynthia Eden

06/30/09 Hidden Currents (Drake Sisters, Book 7) Christine Feehan

06/30/09 Rapture (Shadowdwellers, Book 2) by Jacquelyn Frank

06/30/09 Breath of Fire by Tammy Kane

06/30/09 Desire Untamed (Feral Warriors, Book 1) by Pamela Palmer

07/01/09 Prey (Werecats, Book 4) by Rachel Vincent

See any that I've missed? Feel free to mention them in the comments!

Winners: My Forbidden Desire

The giveaway for My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel is over, so here are the lucky winners!

The Wanderer, Jenna Alexander, Caffey, Elaing8, and LadyVampire2u!!!

Congrats to you all! I'll be contacting you soon for your mailing info so watch your email.

Contest winners were chosen by List Randomizer at Random.org

(Un)Cover - The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

YA Fantasy

HarperTeen (March 16, 2010)

336 pages

ISBN: 978-0061779817

From KimberlyDerting.com:

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

Interview: Gena Showalter, author of Seduce the Darkness

The talented Gena Showalter, author of the Alien Huntress series and the upcoming YA novel Intertwined, was kind enough to answer to questions here today.

What got you interested in writing?

Reading was my biggest passion. I had all these stories of my own floating around in my head, and pretty soon, writing them down was the only thing I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. So I gave it a shot and fell in love with the process.

What have you learned about yourself since you began to seriously pursue writing?

Before writing books I was a big time slacker. I mean, being voted worst employee of the year by your mom . . . Honestly, I never finished anything. But once I started that first book, OCD kicked in. I could think of nothing but getting to the end. But to get there, I had to learn discipline. I had to learn to trust my creative mind and not try and write what I thought others would want me to write.

Read more after the jump »

Review: My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel

My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel

Paranormal Romance
Forever (June 1, 2009)

384 pages

ISBN: 978-0446178242

From Amazon.com:

TORN BETWEEN...

Alexandrine Marit is a witch in mortal danger. An evil mage craves the powerful, mysterious talisman that supplies her magic, and the only person who can keep her safe is a dark and dangerous fiend called Xia. With his fierce animosity toward witches, he's hardly the ideal bodyguard. Yet as days turn into nights, she can't deny the white-hot passion between them.

Read more after the jump »

Interview: Carolyn Jewel, author of My Forbidden Desire

The lovely Carolyn Jewel, author of My Forbidden Desire was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us today.

1. What got you interested/started in writing?

I can't remember a time when I didn't imagine that one day I would write stories. What took me a while was coming to the realization that I wouldn't just wake up one day and discover I'd written a novel. Something need to happen to bridge that gap between thinking about and doing something about.

For me, the inciting incident was reading a book I felt was terrible. After which I said the words I've been told about 60% of all writers say before they start writing for the first time; I could do better than that!

Writing, of course, is very hard work. But that reaction led me directly to my next realization, which was that if I wanted to write, perhaps I ought to sit down and actually do so. Which I did.

Read more after the jump »

In My Mailbox (9)

This weekly meme is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I usually post all of the little details about each book that I got - that ain't happening today! It's too early and there are too many books for me to even consider doing all that. Combine all of that with the fact that I still have unopened packages, so this post will likely be updated later. I'll just link the images to each books Amazon page in case you want to find out more.

For review:

Won:

Through Bookmooch:

In My Mailbox (8)

This weekly meme is hosted by The Story Siren.

I still have a several packages that I haven't gotten around to opening (I'm being lazy, I know), so I'll probably be updating this post later. But, for now . . .

For review:

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Young Adult Urban Fantasy

Scholastic Press (August 1, 2009)

400 pages

ISBN: 978-0545123266

From Amazon.com:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor

Young Adult Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Arthur A. Levine Books (October 1, 2009)

272 pages

ISBN: 978-0545055857

From Amazon.com:

Three tales of supernatural love, each pivoting on a kiss that is no mere kiss, but an action with profound consequences for the kissers' souls:

Goblin Fruit: In Victorian times, goblin men had only to offer young girls sumptuous fruits to tempt them to sell their souls. But what does it take to tempt today's savvy girls?

Spicy Little Curses: A demon and the ambassador to Hell tussle over the soul of a beautiful English girl in India. Matters become complicated when she falls in love and decides to test her curse.

Hatchling: Six days before Esme's fourteenth birthday, her left eye turns from brown to blue. She little suspects what the change heralds, but her small safe life begins to unravel at once. What does the beautiful, fanged man want with her, and how is her fate connected to a mysterious race of demons?

Purchased:

Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland

Urban Fantasy

Bantam (June 23, 2009)

384 pages

ISBN: 978-0553592351

From Amazon.com:

Cop and conjurer of demons, she's a woman in danger of losing control—to a power that could kill....

Why me? Why now? That’s what Beaulac, Louisiana, detective Kara Gillian was asking herself when an angelic creature named Rhyzkahl unexpectedly appeared during a routine summoning. Kara was hoping to use her occult skills to catch a serial killer, but never had she conjured anything like this unearthly beautiful and unspeakably powerful being whose very touch set off exquisite new dimensions of pleasure. But can she enlist his aid in helping her stop a killer who’s already claimed the lives—and souls—of thirteen people? And should she? The Symbol Man is a nightmare that the city thought had ended three years ago. Now he’s back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he, too, is well versed in demonic lore.

Kara may be the only cop on Beaulac’s small force able to stop the killer, but it is her first homicide case. Yet with Rhyzkahl haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head...

Whitechapel Gods by S.M. Peters

Steampunk

Roc (February 5, 2008)

384 pages

ISBN: 978-0451461933

From Amazon:

TWO GODS-ONE CHANCE FOR MANKIND

In Victorian London, the Whitechapel section is a mechanized, steam-driven hell, cut off and ruled by two mysterious, mechanical gods-Mama Engine and Grandfather Clock. Some years have passed since the Great Uprising, when humans rose up to fight against the machines, but a few brave veterans of the Uprising have formed their own Resistance-and are gathering for another attack. For now they have a secret weapon that may finally free them-or kill them all...

Ghost Ocean by S.M. Peters

Urban Fantasy

Roc (May 5, 2009)

496 pages

ISBN: 978-0451462695

From Amazon.com:

Beings of unimaginable power, classified as myths and legends, have been imprisoned in the secludedtown of St. Ives for centuries - watched over by guardians with supernatural skills. Te Evangeline's father was one such guardian, a "binder" who died in the line of duty and who passed along his ability to his daughter. Now, Te must awaken the magic within her before her father's killer releases his fellow prisoners on an unsuspecting world.

Review: Darkness Calls by Marjorie M. Liu

Darkness Calls (Hunter Kiss, 2) by Marjorie M. Liu

Urban Fantasy

Ace (June 30th, 2009)

320 pages

ISBN: 978-0441017300

From Marjoriemliu.com:

They are the obsidian shadows of my flesh - tattoos with minds, hearts, and dreams. By day, they protect me. But when night calls to them, they leave my body, dissolving into their true form - as demons…

Nomad born and bred, demon hunter Maxine Kiss has always relied upon herself to fight the darkness that surrounds her, the predators-human, zombie, and otherwise - who threaten the earth. But one man has penetrated her lonely life: Grant, the last of his kind. With music he is able to control any living creature…including demons. And now his life is in danger.

Read more after the jump »

Review: The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu

The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss, 1) by Marjorie M. Liu

Urban Fantasy

Ace (June 24, 2008)

320 pages

ISBN: 978-0441016068

From Amazon:

Demon hunter Maxine Kiss wears her armor as tattoos, which unwind from her body to take on forms of their own at night. They stand between her and her enemies, just as Maxine stands between humanity and the demons breaking out from behind the prison veils. It is a life lacking in love, reveling in death, until one moment—and one man— changes everything.

Iron Hunt is a unique urban fantasy novel, in more ways than one. The mythology and world-building it employs is new to me and gives us an unique take on demons and other supernatural races, as well as human life itself. It also contains a novel concept amongst urban fantasy novels: a pre-established and, for all accounts, stable romantic relationship between the heroine and love interest. But what I found to be the most thought-provoking about the story was the way that it was told.

Read more after the jump »

Coming Attractions

A few housekeeping items:

The blog tour for Carolyn Jewel's My Forbidden Desire starts tomorrow. My review will go up then and a Q&A with Carolyn will shortly follow it.

The My Forbidden Desire Giveaway ends Monday, June 29th at 11:59 pm and anyone that comments on the review will receive an extra entry!

Other blogs participating in the tour

http://bridget3420.blogspot.com - June 28 review and giveaway

http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com - June 28 review and giveaway

http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com - June 28 review and giveaway

www.morbid-romantic.net - June 28 review, giveaway, and Q&A

http://debbiesworld.wordpress.com - June 28

http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com - June 28 giveaway

http://rannthisthat.blogspot.com - June 28

http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com - June 28 review, giveaway, and Q&A

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com - June 28

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com - June 28 review and giveaway

http://www.mgpblog.com/ - June 28 review and giveaway

http://www.startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com - June 28 review and giveaway

http://trinsnook.blogspot.com - June 28 review and giveaway

http://mustreadfaster.blogspot.com - June 29 review and giveaway

http://www.loveimpossible.com - June 29 review and Q&A

http://seductivemusings.blogspot.com - June 29 review and giveaway

http://reviewfromhere.com/ - June 29 review

http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/ - June 29 review; giveaway

http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/ - review, giveaway, and Q&A

http://reesspace.blogspot.com - review and giveaway

http://carolsnotebook.wordpress.com/ - June 29 review, giveaway, and possible Q&A

http://horrorandfantasybookreview.blogspot.com - June 29 review and giveaway

http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset - review

Gena Showalter will be interviewed here on Monday! Make sure to stop by and check it out because commenters will receive an extra entry in the Seduce the Darkness Giveaway!

Speaking of the giveaway, it ends Tuesday, June 30th at 11:59 pm. Hurry up and enter if you haven't already!

Other blogs participating in the blog tour

Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/

Book Series Reviews: http://bookseriesreviews.blogspot.com/

All About {n}: http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/

Debbie’s World of Books: http://debbiesworldofbooks.com/

Wendy’s Minding Spot: http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/

Anna’s Book Blog: http://annavivian.blogspot.com/

My Guilty Pleasures: http://www.mgpblog.com/

Drey’s Library: http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/

A Book Bloggers Diary: http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/

Book Soulmates: http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/

A Journey of Books: http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com/

My Friend Amy: http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/

Literary Escapism: http://www.literaryescapism.com/

Horror and Fantasy Book Review: http://horrorandfantasybookreview.blogspot.com/

Temple Library Reviews: http://templelibraryreviews.blogspot.com/

Fantasy Freak: http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com/

Books Joseph Reads: http://booksjosephreads.blogspot.com/

Make sure to stop by them and say hi!

Also, I have a few new features starting soon so keep your eyes peeled next week!

Destined for an Early Grave book trailer, among other things

Jeaniene Frost posted her new book trailer over at her blog.

Here it is!!!

I CANNOT WAIT!

Speaking of trailers, here's one for Ethan Hawke's upcoming film Daybreaker. It's set in 2019 after a plague has changed most of the human race into vampires. It's due for release January 8th.

In other news

Melissa Marr, author of the Tattoo Faeries YA series, has inked a deal for a new adult series. The first book, Graveminder, was described in Publisher's Weekly as "Six Feet Under laced with ancient Irish evil and a dash of Faulkner".

Becca Fitzpatrick has dropped some new info at her blog about her upcoming novel, Hush, Hush.

"When I was in NYC, my editor and I collaborated on a new top-secret ending to Hush, Hush. This ending won't be in the ARCs. So if you get a chance to read an ARC, you'll have to check out the hardcover in October to see how the book really ends."

Author J. F. Lewis, of Staked and Revamped, is asking for advice on how to conduct his next contest over at The League of Reluctant Adults. Apparently the winner of said contest will get to be eaten in his next book.

Steph, of Steph Su Reads, has posted about a great topic - Race and Ethnicity in YA Books. I think this issue spans beyond YA to literature in general, especially fantasy novels.

Interviews and Contests

Chloe Neill is giving away five signed Chicagoland Vampires bookplates.

Amberkatze has an interview with Ciara and Shane of Jeri Smith-Ready's WVMP Radio series. Jeri and Amber are also giving away a bunch of things, including the winner's choice of any one of Jeri's books.

Kami Garcia, co-author of Beautiful Creatures, is giving away one of her paintings.

Jess at Book Reviews by Jess is giving away a signed copy of Rachel Vincent's soon-to-be-released fourth Werecats novel, Prey.

Friday Feature: Light of Burning Shadows by Chris Evans

This is a new series that I'm starting for the blog. It's similar to Friday Finds, however, it can be for anything fantasy-related (i.e. films, events) with a recent or upcoming release date. They will also include more info than just a plot summary.

Who: Author Chris Evans was born in Canada and now lives in New York City. He's a historian as well as an editor of military history and current affairs books. He is also the author of A Darkness Forged in Fire, the first book in the Iron Elves trilogy.

What: The Light of Burning Shadows - Book Two of the Iron Elves, which will be released on July 28, 2009.

When: The time period that provides the backdrop for the series is primarily based on the Napoleonic Wars and British imperialism of the 1800s.

Why: Because when his publicist contacted me I thought that it would be interesting since it's a departure for me. It supposed to be in a similar vein as Tolkien (who's books I haven't read yet, but I really liked The Lord of the Rings films). I don't read too many straight Fantasy novels and tend to stick to Urban Fantasy or paranormal-themed books. Also, I'm curious to see how the author applies his military and history expertise to the telling of the story.

"They might be doomed, damned, and buggered for all eternity, but that didn't mean they couldn't sparkle like a diamond in the sun and grin like a skull in the moonlight on their way to oblivion."

Musket and cannon, bow and arrow, and magic and diplomacy vie for supremacy once again in this second epic fantasy adventure from acclaimed author Chris Evans. As the human-dominated Calahrian Empire struggles to maintain its hold on power in the face of armed rebellion from within, the Iron Elves' perilous quest to defeat the power-hungry elf witch, the Shadow Monarch, takes on greater urgency.

The Iron Elves, shunned by their own people for bearing the mark of the Shadow Monarch, and desperately wanting to forever erase this shame, became legendary for their prowess on the battlefield as the Calahrian Imperial Army's elite shock troops. But when their commanding officer, Konowa Swift Dragon, murdered the Viceroy of Elfkyna, he was exiled, and these brave elves were banished to a remote desert outpost, doomed and leaderless, their honor in tatters.

Recalled to duty to reform his regiment from the dregs of the Imperial Army, Konowa thwarted the plans of the Shadow Monarch at the Battle of Luuguth Jor -- ensuring that the fabled Red Star, a source of great natural energy, did not fall into Her hands. Now Konowa must cross storm-tossed seas to seek out the lost elves and the prophesied return of another Star somewhere in a desert wasteland roiling with mysterious power, infernos of swirling magic, and legends brought back to life in new and terrible ways. And the fate of every living creature will come to depend on a small band of ragged and desperate soldiers, whose very loyalty to the Empire they have sworn to serve is no longer certain. When death is but a temporary condition, a terrifying question arises: who is the true ally -- and fearsome enemy -- in a growing conflict that threatens all?

For more info on Chris Evans and Light of Burning Shadows, visit his website.

Friday Finds

This weekly meme is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Whitechapel Gods by S.M. Peters

Steampunk

Roc (February 5, 2008)

384 pages

ISBN: 978-0451461933

From Amazon:

TWO GODS-ONE CHANCE FOR MANKIND

In Victorian London, the Whitechapel section is a mechanized, steam-driven hell, cut off and ruled by two mysterious, mechanical gods-Mama Engine and Grandfather Clock. Some years have passed since the Great Uprising, when humans rose up to fight against the machines, but a few brave veterans of the Uprising have formed their own Resistance-and are gathering for another attack. For now they have a secret weapon that may finally free them-or kill them all...

Friday Finds

This weekly meme is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

Sweet Mary by Liz Balmaseda

Literary Fiction

Atria (July 14, 2009)

256 pages

ISBN: 978-1416542964

From Amazon:

In this mesmerizing debut novel by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Liz Balmaseda, one woman's hunger for justice becomes a journey into darkness -- and a punishing, soul-searching test of priorities.

Dulce Maria "Mary" Guevara is a woman with nothing left to lose. Wrongly accused of being a cocaine queen, she has lost her job, her reputation, and -- worst of all -- custody of her son. Even after the charges are dropped, suspicion lingers. Desperate to get it all back, she takes what she considers the only path open to her: She goes on a hunt for the real drug queen. Unfortunately, the one person she believes can help her is the last person she wants to see again: Joe Pratts, her ex-fiancé, a man whose connections to the drug world once ended their relationship.

Trying not to fall for Joe again is just the beginning of Mary's challenges, however. Her search leads her through the most deceiving of jungles: suburbia. There, she comes face-to-face with disturbing realities that challenge everything she thinks she knows about her formerly tranquil life. Mary's final dilemma hits closer to home than she ever imagined.

Sweet Mary is a gripping, heartrending story with a noir soul and plenty of surprising twists -- an assured debut from a writer with tremendous experience and talent.

Friday Fill-In

1. She had a great, iconic hairstyle. (Farrah Faucett)

2. God, my friends and my family is by my side, always.

3. I know this: I'm intelligent, talented, and capable of greatness.

4. I'm in shock still. (About Michael Jackson)

5. These words apply to me: driven, laid-back, funny, blunt, real, and loyal.

6. It was dark yet the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on some projects, tomorrow my plans include catching up with friends and Sunday, I want to catch up on housework!

Another Free Read: Sorcerer and Stone by Sarah Rees Brennan

Sarah Rees Brennan, author of the The Demon's Lexicon, has just begun posting freebie stories for every week that her sales increase. Check out the first part of the first short story, Sorcerer and Stone, at her blog.

Free Read: Night Shift by Lilith Saintcrow

Lilith Saintcrow has announced at her blog that Night Shift, the first book of the Jill Kismet series, is now part of Hachette's Open Book program. This means, dear readers, that you can read the complete novel for free! So go on, check out Night Shift!

(Un)Cover: Bone Magic by Yasmine Galenorn

Yasmine Galenorn has just posted the final artwork for the upcoming 7th Otherworld book, Bone Magic, which is officially released on January 5, 2010.

We're the D'Artigo sisters: savvy--and sexy--operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister Delilah is a two-faced Were who turns into a golden tabby when she's stressed. And Menolly's a vampire who's still trying to get the hang of being undead. As for me? I'm Camille D'Artigo, a wicked-good witch who's learning death magic with my youkai-kitsune husband. Until now, the Moon Mother's pretty much ignored me, but she's about to take me on the Hunt of my life...

Another equinox is here, and life's getting more dangerous for all of us. The past is catching up to our friends, Iris and Chase. Smoky--the dragon of my dreams--is forced to choose between his family and me. To top it off, there's a new demon general in town and we can't locate her. And when the Moon Mother and the Black Beast summon me to Otherworld. I think I'm just going to reunite with my long lost soulmate. But once there, I'm forced to undergo a drastic ritual that will forever change my life, and the lives of those around me.

Booking Through Thursday: Hot

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme

Now that summer is here (in the northern hemisphere, anyway), what is the most “Summery” book you can think of? The one that captures the essence of summer for you?

(I’m not asking for you to list your ideal “beach reading,” you understand, but the book that you can read at any time of year but that evokes “summer.”)

It may be an obvious pick but I don't care - Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

It was the first comedy by Shakespeare that I read and, along with Twelfth Night, it remains a favorite of mine. The mythical creatures and their forest world is always so fun and just evokes images of warm night's spent laying in the middle of a forest clearing.

What books make you think of summer?