Author Archive

Welcome K.S. Merbeth, author of BITE

Merbeth author photo 1Giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “laugh in the face of danger,” K.S. Merbeth’s upcoming debut, BITE, will make you chuckle, it will make you cry — but most importantly, it is going to make you fear our very possible and not so distant future.

To find out a little bit more about the brains behind this epic debut, we’ve asked Merbeth to stop by and answer a few of our burning questions:

Where did the idea for BITE come from?

In post-apocalyptic stories, there are always groups of gun-toting psychos looting and killing their way through life. They’re usually presented as mindless villains, by-products of the craziness of the world, without backstories or motivations or anything that makes them seem human. And yet, they are human. So I started to wonder – who are these people? How’d they end up this way? What are their lives like behind the scenes? And those questions spawned the idea of a story with typical “bad guys,” a crew of raiders, as the protagonists.

How did you create such an unusual cast of characters?

Well, to be honest, I’ve never really been a fan of “normal” characters and standard heroes. Instead, I tend to fall in love with fascinating villains and weird side-characters – so those are the types of characters I end up creating, but in my case they’re the main cast. I started with some basic concepts and traits, but discovered a lot about the characters through writing the first draft. Many of them – especially Kid, my main character – really seemed to develop on their own.

Which character was your favorite to write?

That’s a tough one! Kid, of course, was super fun because of her tendency to magnificently screw things up, and the crew’s leader, Wolf, is full of one-liners that I thoroughly enjoyed writing. However, I think my favorite overall was Dolly. She’s a blue-haired markswoman who kicks some serious ass, and her odd personality creates a lot of awkward, interesting interactions with the other characters.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Margaret Atwood, Philip K. Dick, Kurt Vonnegut, Haruki Murakami, Neil Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson… there are plenty more, but those are some of my favorites!

What do you like to do in your free time?

Aside from reading, my main hobby is playing video games, which I probably spend way too much time doing. I also enjoy board games, binge-watching a variety of TV shows, cooking (badly), and laughing at horror movies. As for things that actually force me to get out of my pajamas and leave the house, I love to travel! I really like experiencing new places, new food, and new beer.

What are some of your favorite dystopian films or video games?

First of all, the latest Mad Max may be new, but it’s already secured a special place in my heart. Some of my other favorites are The Road, Zombieland, and The Matrix. Games-wise, I’m a big fan of the Left 4 Dead and Fallout series!

BITE will hitting bookshelves next summer. To find out more about the novel, check out the acquisition announcement.

Acquired: Madness, Mayhem, and K.S. Merbeth

Merbeth author photo 1Even after Mad Max: Fury Road has been in theaters for months, people still cannot stop talking about it — the amazing world, the non-stop action and best of all, the strong female main character. So what better than to acquire a book perfect for fans of that kind of post-apocalyptic madness and mayhem?

BITE by K.S. Merbeth is a dark debut with an edge of black humor that will sweep you off your feet:

“Need a ride?”

Kid has no name, no family and no survival skills whatsoever. But that hasn’t stopped her from striking out on her own in the wasteland that the world has become.

But when Kid accepts a ride from two strangers, she suddenly becomes the newest member of a bloodthirsty raider crew. Dragged on a messy chase, through shoot-outs and severed limbs, the group must outrun everyone they’ve wronged. But in a world that’s lost its humanity, not everything is as it seems and this time it isn’t monsters that crave flesh….

Debut author K.S. Merbeth paints a world that is both fascinating and unnervingly possible. Acquired by Orbit in a two-book deal from Emmanuelle Morgan at Stonesong, this blockbuster will hit shelves summer 2016!

THE LAST WISH is a New York Times Bestseller!

Congratulations, Witcher fans, THE LAST WISH (US) by Andrzej Sapkowski is now a New York Times bestseller!

If you are new to the series, now is a great time to jump in and THE LAST WISH is a perfect place to start:

Geralt of Rivia is a witcher. A cunning sorcerer. A merciless assassin.
And a cold-blooded killer.
His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world.
But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good. . . and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth. 

Magic and war combine in this action-packed first book in the internationally bestselling Witcher series that inspired the video game.  Also, be sure to check out the rest of the Witcher novels here.

Praise for the Witcher novels:

“The character interplay is complex, unsentimental and anchored in brutal shared history. All bodes well for twisty plotting to come.”  — SFX

“Like Mieville and Gaiman, Sapkowski takes the old and makes it new.”  — Foundation (UK)

“Sapkowski revitalizes the genre with energetic and compelling writing. A breath of fresh air in a well-worn genre.  Don’t miss it!”  — Dreamwatch (UK)

 

Calling All Witcher Fans! A New Novel on the Horizon

For all you Witcher fans out there counting down the days until the new game arrives, you now have TWO reasons to be excited for May 19th.  Orbit is ecstatic to announce the acquisition of SWORD OF DESTINY, to be released in ebook simultaneously with the game.  So much Witcher packed into one day!

In this collection of short stories, following the adventures of the hit collection The Last Wish,  join Geralt as he battles monsters, demons and prejudices alike…

Geralt is a witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary murderer: his targets are the multifarious monsters and vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent. He roams the country seeking assignments, but gradually comes to realise that while some of his quarry are unremittingly vile, vicious grotesques, others are the victims of sin, evil or simple naivety.

For new and returning fans, SWORD OF DESTINY is the perfect new addition to The Witcher series! Look for the print edition online and in stores this December.

Also, check out CD ProjektRed’s trailer (NSFW) for The Witcher: Wild Hunt here!

Praise for the novels of The Witcher:

“Like Mieville and Gaiman, Sapkowski takes the old and makes it new.”
Foundation (UK)

“The character interplay is complex, unsentimental and anchored in brutal shared history. All bodes well for twisty plotting to come.”
SFX

“Sapkowski revitalizes the genre with energetic and compelling writing. A breath of fresh air in a well-worn genre.  Don’t miss it!”
Dreamwatch (UK)

Garden of Dreams and Desires — Available Now!

“With the Crescent City series, Painter proves herself a master of Urban Fantasy, creating a darkly gorgeous new world, richly drawn characters, and nonstop action.”
— Kristen Callihan

“[Kristen Painter’s] rich, modern storytelling lays out an intricate plot layered with plenty of action and intrigue. Exquisite characters lie at the center of this story… From the first page, House of the Rising Sun is truly a superb and exciting read.”
— RT Book Reviews (4.5 Stars), Top Pick!

Readers and reviewers alike have been raving about Kristen Painter’s Crescent City series, and as of this week, the wait is over! GARDEN OF DREAMS AND DESIRES (US | UK | AUS) is available, and now you can collect the entire trilogy from any of your favorite retailers.

New to the series? Read an excerpt from the first book, HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN, here!

Praise for the Crescent City series:

“I tore through Painter’s new series. Best new urban fantasy out there!”
       — Kresley Cole, New York Times bestselling author 

“Urban fantasy fans will enjoy entering Painter’s vividly drawn world.”
       — Library Journal

“Painter creates an intricate, well-crafted plot, along with compelling, distinctive characters and an enthralling twist… this story will definitely have readers turning pages all night!”
       — RT Book Reviews

Cover Reveal – Garden of Dreams and Desires by Kristen Painter

For all you urban fantasy and Kristen Painter fans out there, the wait is finally over!  We are delighted to share the cover by Mélanie Delon for GARDEN OF DREAMS AND DESIRES — the spectacular conclusion to the Crescent City series.

Magic is twisted and chaos reigns in this climactic final novel in the Crescent City trilogy by award-winning author Kristen Painter.

New Orleans is on the brink of war.

Harlow is a ghost in her own body. She has no control, no power — all she can do is watch as her twin sister Ava Mae lives recklessly and foolishly, slowly destroying everything Harlow has worked so hard for.

Augustine needs to focus on his new role as Guardian of New Orleans, as tourists mysteriously disappear off the streets, but all he can think of is rescuing Harlow — Keeping his family safe.

As the Coven grows more powerful, control of the city hangs in the balance and if the witches prevail, no fae will survive.

GARDEN OF DREAMS AND DESIRES will publish April 7, 2015.  New to this fabulous series? Check out the first two (House of the Rising Sun and City of Eternal Night) — out now!

Let the Good Times Roll… City of Eternal Night by Kristen Painter is available now!

Mardi Gras — a time of fun, frivolity, and anonymity.  It is an event that draws people from around the world, and serves as the very colorful – and very deadly- backdrop for Kristen Painter’s new book in the Crescent City series!

Mardi Gras approaches, bringing with it hordes of tourists eager to see the real-life Faery Queen holding court atop her festival float. When the Queen is kidnapped, it’s up to Augustine, the fae-blooded Guardian of the city, to rescue her before time runs out.

But Augustine’s mystifying protégée, Harlow, complicates the task by unintentionally aiding the forces of evil, drawing danger closer with each step. The Queen might not be the first to die…

Check out an excerpt here.

City of Eternal Night is the second installment in the Crescent City series — an adventure you’re not going to want to miss!  Check out what reviewers and fans are saying:

“Painter creates an intricate, well-crafted plot, along with compelling, distinctive characters and an enthralling twist… this story will definitely have readers turning pages all night!”  — RT Book Reviews on City of Eternal Night (Top Pick!)

“Painter delivers on her promise of excitement and romance in the second installment of the Crescent city Series.” — Publishers Weekly on City of Eternal Night

“…by the end of the book I was awed because the path I thought this book would take, was nothing like how it turned out, and I LOVE when an author can surprise me…. City of Eternal Night was an excellent follow-up to my favorite book of the summer, continuing the story beautifully and keeping us on our toes.” – The Saucy Wenches Book Club

“Between the Fae and the witches, City of Eternal Night features some really fantastic magic…. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one.” –  Vampire Book Club

An Epic New Cover — War of Shadows by Gail Z. Martin

There are no words to express how excited I am to share the epic awesomeness that is Gail Z. Martin’s new cover!  War of Shadows has it all—danger, mystery, hope, despair, and the aftermath of battle just finished… or a battle just begun.  Basically, everything you could ever want in an epic fantasy.  

Blaine “Mick” McFadden has scored a victory and restored the magic, but new threats rise from the wreckage of the kingdom of Donderath.  While the magic remains brittle and undependable, warlords both mortal and undead vie for power, fighting for control of the ruined Continent.  McFadden and his unlikely band of convict heroes must choose their allies wisely as renegade talishte take long-awaited vengeance and powerful mages seek to control Donderath’s next king.  Blaine McFadden must protect those loyal to him against the coming storm, and find a way to bind magic to the will of mortals before it destroys him, because time is running out…

War of Shadows is the third novel in the fabulous Ascendant Kingdoms Saga.  If you are unfamiliar with the series, be sure to check out the first two books—ICE FORGED (US | UK | AUS), and REIGN OF ASH (US | UK | AUS)

Praise for the the Ascendant Kingdoms Saga:

” The immediate action in this story pulls the reader in… And with more than a few unexpected twists, this easy-to-follow storyline will leave the reader completely surprised and ready for the next book in the saga.”
— RT Book Reviews 

“There’s plenty of action and plot embroidery, and the pages turn easily.”  — Kirkus 

This week is Gail Z. Martin’s annual #DaysOfTheDead blog tour! Head on over to her website to check out the cool interviews, extras, and giveaways happening all week long.

Red Blooded: Hot off the Press!

Jessica is going to Hell.

After settling a fragile truce between the vampires, werewolves and witches, the last thing Jessica wants to do is face the demons head on. But when the Prince of Hell kidnapped her brother, he set into motion a chain of events that even Jessica doesn’t have the power to stop.

Now, Jessica must go into battle again.  But Hell is a whole new beast — new rules, more dangerous demons, and an entirely foreign realm.  And when Jessica is dropped into the Underworld too soon, without protection or the help of her friends, she must figure out just how powerful she can be… or she will never make it out alive.

Since FULL BLOODED (US | UK | AUS) hit shelves in 2012, Amanda Carlson has kept readers on the edge of their seats, following Jessica’s adventures as she has struggled against werewolves, witches, vampires, and fate that is not to be denied.  But RED BLOODED (US | UK | AUS), book four in the non-stop action Jessica McClain series, brings the series to a whole new level. Describing a Hell as you’ve never seen before, Amanda Carlson hits shelves with her best book yet, immersing the reader in a world where nothing is familiar and anything goes.  With the help of some new and possibly reliable allies and a blast from the past that should not be missed, fans will not want to miss this latest installment!

And if you are not familiar with the Jessica McClain series, never fear!  You can check out a sample chapter here, and we are currently doing a Goodreads giveaway of book one — a perfect way to jump in and invest in this great new series that you are bound to love.  Head on over to Goodreads now and check it out!

Praise for the Jessica McClain novels:

“Carlson has crafted a real roller coaster of a book and series!”—RT Book Reviews

“Amanda Carlson’s debut novel is a fast-paced tale with a cliffhanger ending that left me panting for more. Full Blooded left me on the edge of my seat from cover to cover.”—New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter

“Amanda Carlson’s Full Blooded is full of all good things: danger, excitement, an original, LIKEABLE heroine and some great mythological mayhem.”—New York Times bestselling author Karen Chance

“A wild, wolfy ride that will have you howling for more!”—Kristen Painter, author of Blood Rights

The Fates Will Decide

FORTUNE’S FAVORS, the third and final installment of the Nyx Fortuna series releases Tuesday, August 12th!  The fight for the world has begun, and only the fates can stop hell from being unleashed.

The end always comes at a price…

To save his cousin Claire, Nyx Fortuna was forced to release the goddess Hecate. Free and bent on destroying the world, Hecate will kill anyone that gets in her way… starting with every member of the Wyrd family.

Now, Nyx and company must join forces with the Fates and fight to return Hecate to her underworld prison. Magical and mortals alike must take sides to survive, but no war is without its casualties…

Praise for the Nyx Fortuna series:

“Skillfully rendered in crisp, edgy prose, STRANGE FATES offers an exciting start to what’s sure to be a winning new series. I can’t wait to follow the sexy-as-heck Nyx Fortuna into the next installment!”
— Alyson Noël, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“An intriguing protagonist, snappy dialogue, and a fast-paced plot.”

        — Publishers Weekly “Nyx is a likable hero and provides a refreshing change from the usual urban fantasy fare.” — Library Journal

If you are new to the Nyx Fortuna series, be sure to check out STRANGE FATES and DARK DESCENT!