Sep 24 2013

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Coming Soon: Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

Title: Night Broken

Author: Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercedes Thompson #8

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: March 4, 2014

The Overview: An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right. Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Nik’s Notes:

The Mercy Thompson series is one of my all time favorites! I always devour the books as soon as they come out then spend a full year pining for the next one (as is the case here). They just hit the spot, and I’m confident this one will be every bit as good as the ones before it. If you’ve never given urban fantasy a try, Patricia Briggs is the author to start with!

What book are you waiting on?

Sep 10 2013

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Coming Soon: Hell Bent by Devon Monk

Title: Hell Bent

Author: Devon Monk

Series: Broken Magic #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: November 5, 2013

The Overview: Instead of the deadly force it once was, magic is now a useless novelty. But not for Shame Flynn and Terric Conley, “breakers” who have the gift for reverting magic back to its full-throttle power. In the magic-dense city of Portland, Oregon, keeping a low profile means keeping their gifts quiet. After three years of dealing with disgruntled magic users, Shame and Terric have had enough of politics, petty magic, and, frankly, each other. It’s time to call it quits.

When the government discovers the breakers’ secret—and its potential as a weapon—Shame and Terric suddenly become wanted men, the only ones who can stop the deadly gift from landing in the wrong hands. If only a pair of those wrong hands didn’t belong to a drop-dead-gorgeous assassin Shame is falling for as if it were the end of the world. And if he gets too close to her, it very well could be…

Nik’s Notes:

Hosted by Breaking the Spine, Wednesday is the day to daydream about future releases. Since I’ve already featured all of my top upcoming releases (The Fiery Heart, Champion, Allegiant to name a few) I thought this week I would focus on a book that I am reasonably sure I would be excited for if I were caught up in the series. I love what I’ve read of Monk’s Allie Beckstrom series, and the idea of a spinoff with of male protagonist has me very excited. Because it’s a spinoff, the rules of the world are already established, which means the author can jump right into the action of the story… it bodes well, I’m just saying.

What book are you waiting on?

Sep 4 2013

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Coming Soon: Darkness Splintered by Keri Arthur

Title: Darkness Splintered

Author: Keri Arthur

Series: Dark Angels #6

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: November 5, 2013

The Overview: When Risa loses the second key to hell, she angers several powerful people, and she’s starting to feel the pressure from all sides. She gets a visit from her father, who gives her an ultimatum: Get back the key or he will kill her friends.Ris4a also finds herself under the scrutiny of the vampire council, some of whom consider her a monster who should be destroyed. But they offer her a bloody bargain: Take on the lethal head of the council, Madeline Hunter, and others will support her. As the search for the keys to hell heats up, Risa realizes that she has no choice. For the sake of the people she loves, she must find the keys — and get rid of Hunter — before the second gate is opened and brings the world closer to all hell breaking loose…

Nik’s Notes:

This week’s Waiting on Wednesday (hosted by Breaking the Spine) I’ve chosen to feature Keri Arthur, the author who got me hooked on the urban fantasy genre. To this day, her Riley Jensen series is among my all-time favorites and I’ve read them several times. As a spinoff series, the Dark Angels has been every bit as entertaining as Riley (who, to my delights, makes some appearances). Although I’m not caught up with this series, I hope to be by the time this one is released in November.

What book are you waiting on?

Aug 27 2013

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Coming Soon: Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriager

Title: Curtsies and Conspiracies

Author Gail Carriager

Series: Finishing School #2

Genre: Teen Fiction

Release Date: November 5, 2013

The Overview: Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests? Sophronia’s first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy (won’t Mumsy be surprised?). Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners. Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers’ quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship’s boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a school trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot–one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.

Nik’s Notes:

This Waiting on Wednesday (hosted by Breaking the Spine) was a hard one because I’ve already featured all of the books I am dying to read (Allegiant, Champion, and Fiery Hearts to name a few). So this week my pick is one that I’m convinced I will be excited for once I read the first book (based on customer feedback and helpful reviews by my fellow bloggers). I love books that take place in schools, and this one has sort of a steampunk edge to it that promises to be amazing.

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Aug 20 2013

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Coming Soon: Autumn Bones by Jacqueline Carey

Title: Autumn Bones

Author: Jacqueline Carey

Series: Agent of Hel #2

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: October 1, 2013

The Overview: Fathered by an incubus, raised by a mortal mother, and liaison to the Pemkowet Police Department, Daisy Johanssen pulled the community together after a summer tragedy befell the resort town she calls home. Things are back to normal—as normal as it gets for a town famous for its supernatural tourism, and presided over by the reclusive Norse goddess Hel. Not only has Daisy now gained respect as Hel’s enforcer, she’s dating Sinclair Palmer, a nice, seemingly normal human guy. Not too shabby for the daughter of a demon. Unfortunately, Sinclair has a secret. And it’s a big one. He’s descended from Obeah sorcerers and they want him back. If he doesn’t return to Jamaica to take up his rightful role in the family, they’ll unleash spirit magic that could have dire consequences for the town. It’s Daisy’s job to stop it, and she’s going to need a lot of help. But time is running out, the dead are growing restless, and one mistake could cost Daisy everything.

Nik’s Notes:

The only, and I mean the only reason I haven’t picked this series up yet is because I have this neurotic need to finish all of her other books first. Her Kushiel’s series is so epic and amazing that it has officially landed itself among my all-time favorites. I loved her characters, the world building, and the love story. I am beside myself with excitement to see her apply all of those elements to an urban fantasy setting. I can’t imagine them being anything other than fantastic!

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Aug 13 2013

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Coming Soon: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Words of Radiance

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Series: The Stormlight Archive #2

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: March 4, 2014

The Overview: In that first volume, we were introduced to the remarkable world of Roshar, a world both alien and magical, where gigantic
hurricane-like storms scour the surface every few days and life has adapted accordingly. Roshar is shared by humans and the enigmatic, humanoid Parshendi, with whom they are at war. Among those caught up in the conflict are Brightlord Dalinar Kholin, who leads the human armies; his sister Jasnah, a renowned scholar; her student Shallan, a brilliant but troubled young woman; and Kaladin, a military slave who, by the book’s end, had become the first magically endowed Knight Radiant in centuries.

In Words of Radiance their intertwined stories will continue and, as Sanderson fans have come to expect, develop in unexpected, wonderfully surprising directions. The war with the Parshendi will move into a new, dangerous phase, as Dalinar leads the human armies deep into the heart of the Shattered Plains in a bold attempt to finally end it. Shallan will come along, hoping to find the legendary, perhaps mythical, city of Urithuru, which Jasnah believes holds a secret vital to mankind’s survival on Roshar. The Parshendi take a dangerous step to strengthen themselves for the human challenge, risking the return of the fearsome Voidbringers of old. To deal with it all, Kaladin must learn to how to fulfill his new role as leader of the restored Knights Radiant, while mastering the powers of a Windrunner.

Nik’s Notes:

Hosted by Breaking the Spine, this is a weekly feature where we have a chance to look ahead at what’s new in reading. This is the second week this month that I’ve featured a forthcoming Brandon Sanderson novel. As an aspiring novelist, he is quickly becoming one of my ultimate inspirations because not only is he prolific, but his work is of the utmost quality. You are almost guaranteed an amazing read every time you pick one up. Of all the Sanderson’s on the market, none has gotten quite so much positive feedback as The Way of Kings. It is next on my reading list and I cannot wait to see what everybody is raving about. I will most assuredly be ready for the second book in the series by January.

What book are you waiting on?