The New Year is traditionally known as a time for reflection, change and looking to the future. Well, I don't really have any desire for reflection, no need to change (so I hope), so I think I will just look forward. And that means, looking forward to all the new releases scheduled for next year. Here are just some of the books I can't wait to read.
Kim Harrison'sWHITE WITCH, BLACK CURSE, currently scheduled for release on February 24. This is the seventh book in the Hollows series, and I know I am not the only one looking forward to the next installment. This is not just an enjoyable paranormal series, but intelligent and funny, too. I wish I was as cool as Rachel Morgan.
Elizabeth Hoyt'sTO BEGUILE A BEAST, scheduled for April 28. I am new to reading Ms. Hoyt's books, but I am eagerly waiting for the third in the Legend of the Four Soldiers series.
Lauren Willig'sTHE TEMPTATION OF THE NIGHT JASMINE, scheduled for January 22. I am currently rereading the entire series right now in preparation for the fifth book of the Pink Carnation series.
Rachel Caine is a busy, busy woman. February 3 is the release date for UNDONE, first book in her new Outcast series. CAPE STORM (due August 4th) is the 8th book in the Weather Wardens series. And LORD OF MISRULE, her fifth book in the Morganville Vampires series, comes out January 6th (okay, not much of a wait there).
And, on January 27, Helen Scott Taylor's American Title IV winning novel, THE MAGIC KNOT, is released. I will be talking about that here later in the month.
There are literally dozens of other books I am looking forward to, not to mention all the new authors and series I hope to discover. Feel free to share any you might be wanting, as well.
CJ Lyons ( Jan 09 ) Suzanne Brockmann ( Jan 09 ) Anne Stuart ( Feb 09 ) Karen Rose ( Feb 09 ) Linnea Sinclair ( Mar 09 ) Sophia Nash ( Mar 09 ) Catherine Asaro ( Apr 09 ) Teresa Medeiros ( Apr 09 ) Rachel Gibson ( May 09 ) Brenda Novak ( May 09 ) Alyssa Day ( June 09 ) Mary Jo Putney ( June 09 )
February 09 issue book titles and ratings are now up on the site. Magazine subscribers have access to reviews online. Non subscribers can access February issue reviews on March 1st.
Go to "Current Issue" page and use "Book Reviews" drop down menu or see below.
I have recently set a personal best - I have read 6.5 books in six days, and that record looks to continue on at its current pace. With my workload decreasing for the holidays, I find myself with enough time to indulge in my favorite pastime, reading.
Some of the books I read were wonderful and a few were just okay. My favorite of the books I read was LIKE NO OTHER LOVER by Julie Anne Long, a title that I don't think really fits, but a great story nonetheless.
It was everything a romance should be. It was romantic, without being overly sentimental. It was interesting without overwhelming the essence of the story. It reminded me of the wonderful beginning of a relationship - the sparks that fly when you meet, the charge with that first kiss and the wonderful, painful first days of getting to know the person you are going to fall in love with.
After some of the books I read, I realized I wanted a break. I had read so many books over the last few weeks that were chock full of intrigue and plots that thickened. I wanted to read something simple, or at least in a different category. I dug through all my shelves, discarding as I went. Paranormal? No, definitely intrigue-full. Another romance? Most of the ones I had were full of politics and confusion.
I turned to my nonfiction shelves. Biographies, social history and theory, history - none of them kept my attention long enough to read more than a few words. So, I went to bed.
And this morning, when I woke, I went straight to my bookshelves and grabbed another romance. This one was not just full of politics, but was based on the true story of a political figure from the past. I guess I didn't really want an escape after all.
We have all been hearing dire news about the economy for several months. Industries that are seemingly unconnected to the housing industry fall that started it all are feeling the pinch as we are officially recognizing a recession.
In the space of two days, several publishers admitted to layoffs, consolidation of divisions and freezing of wages. People used to think the publishing industry was immune to economic problems, and now, they are rethinking that position.
Personally, I have always bought books over food. If it came down to a meal out and a book I wanted, the book won. Of course, this frustrated my family and friends to no end, but I was fine with my priorities. Food feeds the body, but books feed the mind and soul. Even now - in fact, especially now - books are critical to my happiness. I watch less and less television and have set aside a few hobbies. I am enjoying my immersion in the stories I am reading. This will not change as the recession continues.
And apparently, I am not the only one who thinks books are a good choice in a down economy. Celebrities such as Maya Angelou, Jon Stewart, Elmo (yes, Elmo) and Rachael Ray are coming together to tout buying books as gifts this Christmas season. As part of the website called booksaregreatgifts.com, these and other celebrities explain why books are grand in a video.
While I realize I am likely preaching to the choir, I hope everyone will consider giving at least one book as a present this year. They are inexpensive and there is one for everyone. Have someone on your list that says they don't read? Maybe they would like a cookbook, or a book on wood carving, or an atlas for all their traveling. Maybe they have a favorite television series or movie that has a tie-in that could get them started on the journey to loving reading.
And don't let the book giving stop there. Birthdays, Valentine's Day and everyday all make great excuses to buy, and share, a book.
New Regency has acquired rights to an article commissioned by GQ magazine about Mr. Romance competition.
"The pic will be a comedy about a cynical guy who is forced to enter the Mr. Romance competition to win back the love of his life. The competition, which finds hunks whose photos grace the bodice-ripping covers of romance novels, is a real event." (Via variety.com, December 16, 2008)
Be sure to vote for your favorite hero and heroine in round two of American Title V writing competition. One contestant will be eliminated in this round based on the number of votes. At the end of the competition, the winner will receive a publishing contract with Dorchester.
If you have a website or blog, please help us spread the word with these banners:
It's hard to escape the juggernaut that is the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. With the 11th book set to be released this coming April and a TV series on Sci-Fi, most people have at least heard of it, if not avidly swallowed every page of every book.
I have been a fan of the series from the first book. I have reread several books in the series. I have a bumper sticker on my car that says, "My other ride is an undead dinosaur," an inside reference from one of the books. I buy the books as they come out. I collect all the short stories that come out associated with the series (see MY FAT SUPERNATURAL WEDDING and its sequel, for instance).
However, while I have owned the books in his other series, the Codex Alera, I have not had a chance to read them until now. (On a side note, while at the 2007 RT convention, I had a chance to not only meet Mr. Butcher and his lovely wife, author Shannon K. Butcher, but to sit down and have coffee with them; Mrs. Butcher mentioned that she actually prefers the Codex series to the Dresden Files.)
I started reading the first book, FURIES OF CALDERON, a few days ago. Knowing I love Mr. Butcher's writing style, and wanting to try something new, I was open to seeing what the series was all about. It's set in a world where magic takes the form of "furies," spirits of a sort that aid humans with the ability to call on them. The young boy, Tavi, is furyless, considered a freak by most of the rest of society. When it looks like war is going to come to their land, however, it's up to Tavi to save them all.
With all the skill and charm of the Dresden books, if not quite so sarcastic, this is an excellent fantasy tale. I would read it even if it was not written by one of my favorite authors. In fact, while I own the next three books and want the fifth (release on Dec. 2nd), I have other books that deserve my attention more. However, I know I will be returning to this series as soon as possible.
Susan Elizabeth Phillips ( Dec 08 ) CJ Lyons ( Jan 09 ) Suzanne Brockmann ( Jan 09 ) Anne Stuart ( Feb 09 ) Karen Rose ( Feb 09 ) Linnea Sinclair ( Mar 09 ) Sophia Nash ( Mar 09 ) Catherine Asaro ( Apr 09 ) Teresa Medeiros ( Apr 09 ) Rachel Gibson ( May 09 ) Brenda Novak ( May 09 ) Alyssa Day ( June 09 ) Mary Jo Putney ( June 09 )
"NYPL invites readers to a party befitting a princess to mark the royal finish to Meg Cabot'sPrincess Diaries series! Cabot will provide all the dishy details about FOREVER PRINCESS, the last book in the wildly popular series. This free event is open to the public and will take place on Friday, January 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Celeste Bartos Forum, The New York Public Library at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Tickets are limited, so please RSVP." (Via nypl.org, December 4, 2008)
Win FREE Registration to the 2009 RT Booklovers Convention!
In celebration of CRY FOR PASSION -- Robin Schone's eagerly anticipated March 3, 2009 release -- Robin is sponsoring two lucky readers to attend the 26th Annual RT Booklovers Convention in Orlando!
"Flirting With Forty" TV movie based on Jane Porter'snovel premieres on December 6, 7 and 8 at 9pm ET on Lifetime channel. Starring Heather Locklear and Robert Buckley.
November 08 issue book reviews can now be accessed by general public (magazine subscribers can access December and January issue reviews). Go to November Back Issue page or see below.
Due to my massive backlog of books in my TBR pile, I have been breaking one of my cardinal rules - I have let people borrow books before I have read them. This isn't usually that big a problem as even if they disclose information about the book, I don't really mind.
Until this time.
I had lent the third book in Richelle Mead's Succubus series, SUCCUBUS DREAMS, to a friend of mine to read on the plane. When he got back, he was desperate to talk about some of the developments in the book. Since it's not usually an issue to learn about events in a book I haven't read, I let him tell me about it.
The next day, I read it. And the whole time, his words were running through my head, ruining my enjoyment of the story. He told me the ending and inadvertently included information from the preview of the next book, due out in June.
I really did like the SUCCUBUS DREAMS, as I always love Ms. Mead's books. The story was really well done and the characters, as always, were fun to read about. I do wish I hadn't found out about some of the major plot developments beforehand, and now I know to no longer allow my friends to talk about a book before I read it.
