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Category Archives: books out
Book Pimpage: One Thousand Kisses by Jody Wallace
Hey, Kids! Jody Wallace’s newest release, One Thousand Kisses, is out at Samhain Publishing.
I’m a huge fan of Jody’s and her writing. She is funny and smart. Her books are romantic and quirky, and filled with interesting characters. Here’s the blurb for One Thousand Kisses (which I totally stole from her site):
Embor Fiertag, Primary of the Fey Realm, and Anisette Serendipity, Court intern, are foretold bondmates, but only Embor knows it. He hasn’t informed her of the prophecy because she doesn’t seem to like him. At. All. At the same time, she assumes he disapproves of her. After all, her sister almost got him killed once.
An unsavory political strategy turns the Court against Embor, forcing Embor and Ani to flee to humanspace. With the aid of a scheming feline, they’ll have to share their hearts if they’re to have any hope of keeping the fabric separating the Fey and human realms intact.
Embor is a commanding leader, but is having all sorts of trouble getting Ani to see him as more than that without spilling the beans about the prophecy. What girl wants to be *told* who she’ll end up with? And Ani is caught in the middle of political machinations that would make a White House insider weep. She has to learn to trust herself and Embor if they are to save the realm.
I’ve read 1000K, as well as the previous book set in this world, Survival of the Fairest (which you don’t have to have read to follow 1000K, but buy it anyway ;). Jody has created a world of magic and intrigue like no other author I know.
Go buy Jody’s books. Oh, and Beware of Gnomes!
Five Reasons to Read Gini Koch’s “Touched By an Alien”
Thanks to another win from a generous Galaxy Express promo giveaway, I got to read Gini Koch’s Touched By an Alien. TBaA is full of action, humor, and hot aliens. And nasty aliens too. Care to guess which one our heroine, Katherine Katt, touches? If you answer “both” you’re right, though she doesn’t touch them for the same reasons : )
But I digress.
Five Reasons to Read TBaA:
1) A smart, funny, take-action heroine. When we first meet Kitty Katt (Yeah, yeah. I know. But Koch does a good job making you forget there are an abundance of “Kitty”s in SFR and UF these days.) she is standing on a street corner when some dude turns into a monster and starts killing people. Kitty doesn’t run, which sort of surprises her. Instead, she attacks the monster. With her pen. At first, you think this woman is insane, but you come to see Kitty as someone who doesn’t run from a fight. Her sense of humor is right up my alley, too. Snark and sarcasm? Oh yeah. But never in a cutting way. Well, mostly : )
2) Hot alien hero. Actually, all the good guy aliens are hot, males and females alike. But one is the obvious hero here. Jeff Martini is gorgeous (of course) and funny, a man on a mission who also knows how to bring out the best in people. He “gets” Kitty from their first meeting and tells her and her parents (more about them later) that he’s going to marry her. She takes it as a player’s line, but finds herself falling for him. Who wouldn’t?
3) Nasty aliens. I won’t go into an explanation here because the story about them, what they are doing on Earth, and why they need to be stopped, is better told by Koch : ) Suffice it to say, these baddies are at the head of the class when it comes to making your skin crawl.
4) The worldbuilding in this story is top notch. The combination of the familiar world to give the reader a solid base and the otherworldliness of the aliens is deftly explained and seamlessly carried throughout the book. Once I accepted the idea of Koch’s world (aliens among us) never did I think “Oh, that couldn’t happen.” Within the context of the story, all the fantastic elements worked well.
5) Kitty’s parents. Angela and Sol Katt play important roles in TBaA. They aren’t just there to give Kitty a hard time about her choice of men, wistfully long for grandchildren, or become pawns in the villains plans. Oh no no no. Who they are and what they do is integral not only to Kitty’s character, but to the story. I love both of them, especially Angela who has a few surprises for her daughter : )
One of the things that I was asked to address about TBaA was the first person POV. I have no problem with first person, and often write in it. Does it limit the reader’s access to information and emotion? Maybe, and I think Koch is a tad guilty of having Kitty figure out complex issues involving the aliens faster than most of us would. But she is the heroine : ) First person is effective by giving you a more visceral connection to the POV character. Plus, by only seeing one side of events, when critical information is revealed we can see if the MC (and therefore we the reader) was right in how they perceived things. First person isn’t for every reader or for every story, but it works well here.
Overall, Touched By an Alien is a well-paced, fun read. Go out and get it. The sequel, Alien Tango, comes out in December. I know what’s going on my Christmas list.
Five Reasons to Read Kristin Landon’s Hidden Worlds Trilogy
I have been a follower/fan of The Galaxy Express for a while now, and can’t tell you how happy I am that the site exists. Heather Massey does an amazing job promoting Science Fiction Romance. Interviews, reviews, discussions, you get it all at TGE. And giveaways. I have benefited three times from such promotions and have always imagined one of my books being the prize at TGE someday. After this third win, Heather gently reminded me that what I SHOULD do (my emphasis, not hers. Heather is very kind to knuckleheads like me) is give back for my great luck by talking about the books.
Oy. Ever feel like a complete tool? Yeah, that would be me.
I should have done this long ago, and I apologize to Heather at The Galaxy Express and Kristin Landon for being so…well, the only word for it is negligent…lazy…oblivious. I guess that’s three words, but they all apply. (I will run another self-flagellating apology when I post about Nathalie Gray’s Agent Provocateur : )
So let me stash the wet noodle for a moment and tell you why you need to read this series.
After the Earth was destroyed by ruthless machine intelligences known as the Cold Minds, the remnants of the human race sought refuge on the Hidden Worlds. For 600 years, the worlds have been protected by Pilot Masters, men who have been bred and trained for this sole purpose. But from a small, insignificant world comes a woman looking to secure her planet’s economic health. A woman who holds the key to a secret the Pilot Masters don’t want revealed.
Can you guess what is eventually going to happen? Well, maybe you can, to a degree, but there’s more to these books than a bunch of evil machines and haughty pilots. Much, much more.
Granted, I’ve only just finished Book Two, The Cold Minds, but I have more than enough to back up a recommendation. I stink at “reviews” and decided to take Heather’s suggestion to make a list. It is a tad vague, but that’s to avoid spoilers : )
1. Stellar writing. And I don’t use “stellar” in the “it’s about other worlds” sense. I mean the writing is AMAZING. Ms. Landon has some mad skills in this department. Intricate plotting, incredible detail, well-rounded characters. I’ve read more seasoned authors who can’t weave a story nearly as well as she. Brava, madam.
2. Delicious villains. No, not the machines; they are creepy. Not all the humans are the good guys here. The characters are multidimensional and the villains, like all good villains, are heroes of their own stories. You can totally see that, considering the situation they are in. Well, *mostly* see that. There are some real jerks, but jerks you’ll love to hate : )
3. Super hero. No, not the Batman or Superman variety. The hero is Iain sen Paolo, one of those haughty pilots. At first, he comes across as a bit over-privileged and self-involved (sorry, Ms. Landon, but he does : ) . But he comes around soon enough. Iain isn’t perfect, and he has some issues to deal with, but he’s trying hard to be loyal to his brother pilots (even after they treat him like dirt because—oops! That would be telling ; ), save his people, and love the heroine when she is pushing him away.
4. A heroine you can love. Linnea Kiaho is one brave young woman, and tougher than she first appears. She is more than a little naïve about the ways of the rest of the worlds, and unfortunately she gets a harsh lesson all too soon. But saving humanity—and her family back home–is more important to her than dwelling on her own problems. You just want to sit her down and say, “Linnea, honey, sometimes it’s okay to be selfish.” I don’t think she’d listen, though. It’s not that she is a martyr or does silly things in the name of love and self sacrifice. Linnea is smart, and that, along with her vulnerability and her determination to save her people, makes her a heroine you can root for.
5. Mind boggling world-building. Along with Ms. Landon’s incredible writing talent, you get one of the most complex and detailed universes in SF. Six hundred plus years of history and subsequent human cultures. I would have to put her universe up there with the one in David Weber’s Honor Harrington series. Yes, it’s that well thought out.
Go get this series. Go now. Get all three books and start reading. Then come back here and tell me what you thought. Better yet, tell the author. I hear they love getting fan mail : )
I am about to start Book Three, The Dark Reaches, so my next post might take a bit.
ETA: Finished The Dark Reaches. My take: Whoa and damn! Read this trilogy!
Book Pimpage of the Month: Mercenary’s Promise
What kind of book pimper am I??? I meant to do this earlier but apparently the chip in my head is acting wonky (better get on that, Sharron).
My BFF Sharron McClellan has the second of her Mercenary series out this month, Mercenary’s Promise from Silhouette Romantic Suspense. Having been there at its beginnings and reading the development of this book as well as the others, I must say these are some high-octane reads. Set in the steamy jungle of South America, it’s a fast-paced combination of action and romance.
Here’s the blurb:
Wilderness guide Bethany Darrow was desperate to save her kidnapped sister in Colombia, but lying about having the money to pay dark, mysterious mercenary Xavier Monero would cost her dearly. Especially when their forced proximity during a dangerous jungle rescue unleashed a smoldering, irresistible attraction.
Xavier knew the beautiful American was trouble the second he laid his eyes on her. Taking Bethany on the mission was a risk, and he wasn’t prepared for the peril she placed on his heart. Suddenly he wanted more than fortune—he wanted Bethany, body and soul. But everything comes with a price….
Sounds good, yes? Well, it is. Trust me. So go get it, and pick up the first book, Mercenary’s Honor, while you’re at it. Oh, and pre-order the upcoming anthology Blackout at Christmas (Nov. ’09) too. That last one isn’t a Mercenary book, but Sharron’s story is damn good.
Liam’s Gold by Jody Wallace
My pal Jody’s newest release, Liam’s Gold, is out now from Samhain Publishing. Never before had I considered leprechauns sexy, but take a look at that cover. Yum!
So get thee to Jody’s site to read an excerpt and/or click on over to Samhain and buy the book. It’s a shorter read, but packed with good stuff. Then again, ALL of Jody’s stuff is good : )
Sharron McClellan and Jody Wallace: Come On Down!
Two of my friends and crit partners have books out or about to come out, and due to the chips in my head I’m required to post about them. No. Not because of the chips. Because they’re wonderful books and wonderful authors and you have to buy them or I will be terminated…
All kidding aside (since when, you ask), Jody and Sharron are fabulous writers who knock my socks off every time I read their stuff. And I read a lot of their stuff so my socks are flying all over the place.
Jody’s latest release from Samhain is Survival of the Fairest. It’s fun, funny, sexy and quite the ride. Chock-full of interesting critters, human and otherwise. Here’s a blatant rip-off from her site:
SURVIVAL OF THE FAIREST — Paranormal Romance by Jody Wallace
Talista has been sent, like all young fairies, to a remote area in humanspace to survive two weeks without magic. But Tali’s got different ideas. What better place than Vegas to learn to live like humans, a true test of survival?
Jake always knew he was different, even before he learned about his flair for hypnotism. He has no trouble mesmerizing the luscious Tali during his magic show, but the lights that appear around them aren’t part of the pyrotechnics.
Can he accept the truth? And will that truth bring them closer—or tear the fairy realm apart?
Tali isn’t your typical fairy princess. Not by a long shot. And the blurb fails to mention the gnomes. They aren’t typical either. You can get the word right from them here. Go down to the Wednesday July 30 video post. Be sure you don’t have any liquids near when you watch. Then go buy the book.
Sharron’s book, coming out in September, is face-paced and action-packed. Another blatant rip-off, this time from *her* site:
Mercenary’s Honor September 2008
Fiona Macmillan has incriminating pictures of the Columbian head of Security executing a rebel leader. On the run with the police force searching for her, she turns to Angel Castillo, ex Mercenary, to get her out of the country before she winds up dead in a ditch.
Unfortunately, Angel doesn’t think much of reporters but more important than his distaste for Fiona’s profession is a dying man’s request that he help her.
Angel and Fiona are in heaps of trouble from the get-go and it’s non-stop action and romance (of course) from the first page to the last.
Go order and pre-order your copies now. You’ll enjoy having your socks strewn about, trust me.
Sharron McClellan and Jody Wallace–More Friends with Books Out
I’ve mentioned releases for both Sharron McClellan and Jody Wallace in an earlier post, but this time I have blurbs and fabulous covers to go with them. One can’t pimp one’s friends too often. Okay, you know what I mean.
First up is Breathless (Silhouette Romantic Suspense, February 2008), Sharron’s latest. That cover is smokin’! And the story? Even better.
SHE WAS IN HOT WATER
Athena Academy’s darkest nemesis is gunning for her, but USMC Combatant Diver Jessica Whittaker is not easily intimidated. Without thinking twice, she volunteers to do anything to help bring down the school’s deadliest enemy.
Her assignment: an expeditionary mission aboard a sunken ship. Salvaging for clues on an abandoned vessel should have been simple. But a hostile force—and an unbelievably handsome diving buddy—have turned up the heat. If Jess ever wants to set foot on dry land again she’ll have to contend with her enemy—and her lover—or risk revealing her deepest secret.
As Sharron’s friend and crit partner, I’ve read this story, and let me tell you, I will NEVER think of a ship’s engine room as some dank, mucky place again. Read the book to see what I mean ; )
Jody’s A Spell for Susannah (Samhain Publishing) was released as an ebook yesterday and will be available in print later this year. Is that a gorgeous cover or is that a gorgeous cover? Susannah is a retelling if the “Twelve Dancing Princesses” fairy tale.
Princess Susannah’s work with fairy magic unlocks a delicious secret:Beneath the castle where she and her sisters live, there’s an enchanted palace full of princes who love to dance. In a world where the nobility are fairy-cursed to bear no male children, it’s a secret she and her sisters enjoy to the fullest. When the King and Queen hire Jon Tom to find out where their daughters go every night, Susannah finds herself wanting to share all her secrets-and her heart. But if Susannah’s secrets go public, the fairies are going to come looking for her. And they won’t be happy.
Jody never disappoints when it comes to fun, fabulous reads. I think Susannah will breathe new life into the fantasy romance genre.
I can’t tell you how great it is to have such talented friends to brag about. Now go buy their books so I can get my pimpage cut ; )
Woo Hoo! More Friends with Books Out
Thankfully, my friends/crit partners don’t hold it against me when I neglect to spout their latest publications. I try to only be slow, not completely forgetful.
Sierra Donovan’s Meg’s Confession is out. I haven’t read this one, but I have read Sierra’s other work as one of her crit partners. Like my other C.P.’s, the woman can flat out write.
Jody Wallace has contributed to and edited SUM 3, an anthology of speculative romance penned by the winners of the Speculative Romance Online’s Zircon short fiction contest. Excellent writing in lovely little bits.
So treat yourself to some new reads. I know I will!
Better Late Than Never
Two of my friends/crit partners had books come out in the last month or so and I neglected to mention them. Yes, I suck, but don’t let that stop YOU from checking out these talented writers.
The first is by Sharron McClellan. Hidden Sanctuary is one of the Madonna Key stories in the Silhouette Bombshell line. Sharron writes fabulous action-adventure-romance stories set in exotic locations featuring kick-ass women. Don’t forget to read her blogs as well. She’s a funny, snarky gal as well as a great friend and writer.
The other is by the naughty alter ego of one of my other friends and CPs. Ellie Marvel’s novella Birthday, in Red Sage’s Secrets 17, has gotten excellent reviews. I haven’t read this one yet, but I’ve read some of her other work. Sexy, funny and engaging, that’s what you’ll get from Ms. Marvel.
To help me make amends for inadvertantly dissing my friends, go check out their sites and buy their books. Go. Now. Give yourself an early holiday gift.