Posts Tagged ‘urban fantasy’

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!

New Short Fiction for the New Year!

Happy New Years everyone! We hope 2015 is already off to a smashing start for each and every one of you. To kick off another great year of publishing, let us tell you about two brand new novellas that are available now in the US and UK! If you made a resolution to read more this year, there is no time like the present to get started!

FireWater_JayeWellsFIRE WATER by Jaye Wells

Rookie cop Kate Prospero only has one more training assignment to pass before she’s officially sworn in to Babylon Police Department. But the veteran cop in charge of the river patrol boat is a salty old guy isn’t happy about playing tour guide to a rookie and seems even less interested in real police work. But while on patrol, they stumble on to what appears to be a floating dirty magic lab. This highly combustible situation might finally be the key to these two unlikely partners finding common ground.

For more adventures of Kate Prospero, check out DIRTY MAGIC (US | UK | AUS).

ReturnToHonorRETURN TO HONOR by Brian McClellan

Captain Vlora is a powder mage in the Adran army. Once the favored, adopted daughter of the field marshal, she is now a pariah amongst those she called her family. Her superior officers would like nothing more than to send her to a far off posting and forget about her, but no one is exempt when there is a war – and powder mages are desperately needed.

When a traitorous guard captain goes on the run with information that could harm the war effort, Vlora is sent on his trail. She has three days to find him; she will have to make new friends and test the limits of her skills. Fail, and good soldiers will die. Succeed and maybe, just maybe, she can begin to work her way back into the field marshal’s good graces.

A new story set in the world of the Powder Mage trilogy, the most acclaimed and action-packed new epic fantasy series in recent years. RETURN TO HONOR takes place directly following the events of book one, PROMISE OF BLOOD (US | UK | AUS).

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

I Dream of JINN AND JUICE – available now in e-book!

What’s your dearest wish? In celebration of the recent e-book release of JINN  AND JUICE (US | UK | AUS) , we’re granting wishes! Step right up and rub the magic lamp, but be careful what you wish for….

Jinn and Juice is a brand new urban fantasy novel by Nicole Peeler, author of the wickedly awesome Jane True series. For a limited time, you can pick up the e-book for only $2.99 in the US and £1.99 in the UK

Here’s a bit more about the story:

Cursed to be a jinni for a thousand years, Lyla nears the end of her servitude — only to be bound once again against her will. Will she risk all to be human?

Born in ancient Persia, Lyla turned to her house Jinni, Kouros, for help escaping an arranged marriage. Kouros did make it impossible for her to marry — by cursing Lyla to live a thousand years as a Jinni herself.

If she can remain unBound, Lyla’s curse will soon be over.

Unfortunately, becoming Bound may risk more than just her chance to be human once more — it could risk her very soul…

Praise for Jinn & Juice:

“Peeler is perfect. Jinn and Juice is her best urban fantasy yet with vibrant characters that leap off the page fully formed from the first line. Fast-paced, rowdy, smart, irresistible, and tender, there’s just no one who hits the urban fantasy marks as well as Peeler. Buy this book! Read it! Love it!”—Kat Richardson

“Peeler has done it again! Jinn and Juice is a delightful read filled with action, humor, heart, and a heroine to cheer for. And it doesn’t hurt that there are also sirens, trolls, bugbears, and plenty of Pittsburgh steel.”—Kevin Hearne

“Jinn and Juice is a raucous, raunchy tale well told. One thing’s certain: you’ll never look at Pittsburgh the same way after you’ve taken Nicole Peeler’s mythic joyride up, down, and sideways in pursuit of an abducted teenage girl and freedom from a thousand-year curse. Legend and history, betrayal and love intertwine as the story moves from lascivious sex clubs to the unraveling of a mystery to a magical jinni throw-down which will leave you panting for more. Jinn and Juice is Urban Fantasy at its smartest, naughtiest, funniest best.”—Juliet Blackwell

“Snarky, sexy! Beautifully descriptive and painstakingly plotted. Lyla is a smart, sly and just this side of scary. Peeler’s world-building is clever and complete with every possible fairy folk character! The other-worldly seems familiar and glamorous all at the same time. And I learned how to curse in a few new languages, so it was educational!”—Molly Harper on Jinn and Juice

*The print edition of Jinn and Juice will be available for purchase in April 2015.

DEAD HEAT, the new Alpha and Omega novel from Patricia Briggs

Great news! In March 2015 we’ll be releasing DEAD HEAT (UK | ANZ)  a new urban fantasy novel from Patricia Briggs – and it’s a brand new Alpha and Omega book. FAIR GAME (UK | ANZ) was the last novel in this series, and fans have been dying to find out what happens next to Anna and Charles . . .

It’s very much a case of “opposites attract” with these two. With Charles being an Alpha and Anna being an Omega, they  represent the different sides of the shifter personality. Watching their relationship develop, and how they face each dangerous new situation together is just so addictive . . .

Please see here our brand new cover artwork for the book, which is from the illustrator Fred Gambino. Look out for it in March 2015, and read the blurb below!

For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal, or at least it starts out that way . . .

Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae’s cold war with humanity is about to heat up – and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.

DISCOVER THE NEW CHARLES AND ANNA NOVEL 2 FROM THE NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING PATRICIA BRIGGS.

New Short Fiction: PACK by Lilith Saintcrow

If you’ve been waiting on the edge of your seat for the latest from urban fantasy star, Lilith Saintcrow, wait no more! PACK, a brand new e-only standalone, is now available.

When the world falls apart, Lydia knows all you need is a gun and a dog. Unfortunately, she’s going to find out that’s not quite enough…

If you’re a fan of the Dante Valentine and Jill Kismet books, this urban fantasy should be on your must-read list. It’s also a great entry point work if you haven’t had the chance to sink your teeth into one of Lilith Saintcrow’s book’s yet.

And just in case you need another reason to check out this latest from Lilith Saintcrow, see what others have had to say about this master of urban fantasy!

“No one does gritty and paranormal better than Saintcrow.” — RT Book Reviews (Top Pick)

“She’s fabulous. ”  — Christine Feehan

“What’s not to love? Fans of Laurel K. Hamilton should warm to Saintcrow’s dark evocative debut.”
—Publishers Weekly

If the Victorian era is more your style, check out Lilith Saintcrow’s THE IRON WYRM AFFAIR and the rest of the Bannon & Clare series – available in print and e-book.

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

HIDDEN: Out Today from Benedict Jacka

HIDDEN is released today – the fifth book in Benedict Jacka’s addictive urban fantasy series about the adventures of Camden-based mage Alex Verus.

Alex has successfully fought Dark mages, assassins, golems, angry apprentices and even the odd Light mage or two, but what happens when someone close to Alex doesn’t want his help?

We also release the first volume of this fantastic series, FATED, in audiobook today. Go to Soundcloud now to listen to a sample of FATED read by the fabulous Gilbert Jackson who does an amazing job with Alex’s voice:

‘It was a slow day, so I was reading a book at my desk and seeing into the future . . .’

With five Alex Verus novels now to enjoy and big name fans such as Charles Stross, Patricia Briggs and Jim Butcher, this is an urban fantasy series well worth sinking your teeth into. Try it in paperback or audio today!

The Alex Verus series, books 1-4

 ‘Harry Dresden would like Alex Verus tremendously – and be a little nervous around him.  I just added Benedict Jacka to my must-read list’

Jim Butcher

‘Jacka writes a deft thrill-ride of an Urban Fantasy – a stay-up-all-night read.  Alex Verus is a very smart man surviving in a very dangerous world’

Patricia Briggs

Magic is a drug. It’ll cost more than you can pay. . .

When a rare Blue Moon upsets the magical balance in the city, Detective Kate Prospero and her Magic Enforcement colleagues pitch in to help Babylon PD keep the peace. Between potions going haywire and emotions running high, every cop in the city is on edge. But the moon’s impact is especially strong for Kate, who’s wrestling with guilt over her use of illegal magic.

When a rogue wizard steals dangerous potions from a local coven, Kate’s team must find the thief’s hideout before the vengeful coven catches him. But the investigation uncovers the rogue’s dangerous plot to unleash chaotic magic on the city. Once the Blue Moon rises no-one’s secrets will be safe. Not even Kate’s.

CURSED MOON (US | UK | AUS)  by Jaye Wells is out today! I’m very excited as it’s the second book in the Prospero’s War series and when I read it (oh, a year ago?), I was blown away by what a fantastic writer Jaye is. So if you’re not familiar with Jaye Wells, DIRTY MAGIC might be a great place to start. It’s fun, with great pacing, tough characters and I would even go so far as to say that it’s like The Wire crossed with Wizards.  We have a female cop, Kate Prospero, who came from what we would consider a drug family – but this is a world where potions are the new crack.  And using dirty magic is the only way that people can get their hands on them. And whoa, do these potions have side effect.

What I wanted to get into is Jaye’s wickedly, lovely, and VERY twisted imagination.  If  you want more, then Jaye is your girl. I’ve selected a quick highlight from Cursed Moon to whet your appetite:

Aphrodite herself stood at the rear of the courtyard, bathed in a shaft of sunlight. I was pretty sure she’d planned the position for effect. When we entered the courtyard, she looked up and flipped the long side of her hair back over her shoulder. The left half wore a form-fitting red wiggle dress with red stiletto, while the right half wore half a collared shirt, slacks and a single black wingtip. As she moved forward, she led with the left side and a femme fatale smile.

“Kate—Oh, excuse me, I mean, Detective Prospero,” she said, giving me a once-over that left me feeling like I’d come up lacking. Her seductive voice twined through the room like smoke. She sashayed toward us on one high heel and one thick-soled men’s dress shoe. (more…)

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!