Feb 142012
 

A Novel of Magic Most FoulA Note from Kia: You’re in for a treat today, kiddies. Our dear friend Leanna Renee Hieber has stopped by to give us an exclusive look at all the things we are eagerly awaiting in the next Magic Most Foul novel. (And oh, YES, we certainly are, aren’t we?) Said novel even has a name now: THE TWISTED TRAGEDY OF MISS NATALIE STEWART

Edit: Also there is a giveaway! Post comment here to win copy of Darker Still! Rules over here

So now without any further chit-chat, let’s let Leanna have her say! 

Five things to look forward to in the next Magic Most Foul novel (Releasing this November!) In no particular order:

  1. Adventure! On Trains! Natalie and Jonathon as heroine and hero continue to lead the series. Our brave young lovers escape from New York City to dodge the after-effects of magic but have to dodge some additional problems along the way.
  2. There’s an homage to Frankenstein in a most disturbing way.
  3. There’s an homage to both The Exorcist and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in one new character.
  4. A Victorian Goth club. AKA “Her Majesty’s Association for Melancholy Bastards” – And I, the author, am a card-carrying Goth and member, so there.
  5. Making out in train cars and carriages. Enough said.

Stay tuned at http://leannareneehieber.comhttp://facebook.com/lrhieberhttp://twitter.com/leannarenee

Reasons to check out DARKER STILL: A Novel of Magic Most Foul if you haven’t already:

  1. There’s a haunted painting. A British Lord is trapped inside. And he’s really good looking. (See, that’s three reasons just in one).
  2. Natalie Stewart, a spirited and opinionated young woman everyone can cheer for, overcomes danger, incredible personal odds and adversity to save lives and save the day.
  3. It will give you the shivers. Lots. Promise. I’ve been told that Natalie’s dreams aren’t to be read right before bedtime.
  4. It’s full of danger, intrigue, mystery, curses, magic, nightmares, disguises and pretty dresses!
  5. It was chosen as an INDIE NEXT recommended book by the American Booksellers Association and it’s a trilogy, so you’d best start now…

Cheers!Leanna’s website: http://leannareneehieber.com and Twitter: http://twitter.com/leannarenee and FB: http://facebook.com/lrhieber

About Leanna

[Source] Author, actress and playwright Leanna Renee Hieber grew up in rural Ohio inventing ghost stories. She graduated with a BFA in Theatre from Miami University, a focus in the Victorian Era and a scholarship to study in London. She adapted works of 19th Century literature for the stage and her one-act plays such as FavoriteLady have been produced around the country. Her novella Dark Nest won the 2009 Prism Award for excellence in the genre of Futuristic, Fantasy, or Paranormal Romance.

DARKER STILL: A Novel of Magic Most Foul, first in Leanna’s Gothic Historical Paranormal trilogy for teens (Sourcebooks Fire), hit the Kid’s/YA INDIE NEXT LIST as a recommended title by the American Booksellers Association. Seventeen Magazine said of DARKER STILL: “This chilling tale will draw you in and keep you guessing until the very last page!” The book has been praised by Shelf Awareness, The Chicago Tribune, Pixie Magazine and more. DARKER STILL will also be translated into several languages.

Oct 022011
 

If you’re a CE Murphy Walker Papers fan – or just want to toss a great author an extra few bucks, then check out this Kickstarter campaign for a new novella and possibly extras!

It’s been 24 hours and the campaign is already fully funded but you still have a few weeks to jump in and get this story if you’d like to be included.

In other WFF news – don’t forget to add a comment to this post to win a digital copy of L.J. McDonald’s newest book!

Sep 242011
 

One week from today, on October 1st, Waiting for Fairies will be hosting Dorchester author L.J. McDonald. She is the author of the Sylph series, consisting of The Battle Sylph, The Shattered Sylph and the recently released Queen of the Sylphs. L.J. will discuss with us how she chooses names for her characters, the likes of which are Solie and Heyou. WFF will also be giving away a download code for a digital copy of Queen of the Sylphs to one lucky commenter – so stay tuned!

If you’ve never heard of L.J. McDonald before, that’s okay. I hadn’t either until I was contacted for this guest blog. Since that time, I’ve read The Battle Sylph, courtesy of Dorchester, and I thought it was pretty darned nifty. This is a fantasy romance about a girl who escapes being used as a virgin sacrifice by a rescue from the very demon whose summoning was supposed to be completed by her death.

Regular readers here will know that if there’s one genre I’m prejudiced against (At least I’m self-aware and working on my flaws, okay?), it would be romance. I find most romance novel plots weak, contrived, and the sugary-sweet HEAs (Happily Ever Afters) nauseating. If you’re like me, I think The Battle Sylphs would be a pleasant surprise. (And if you’re not like me, then you’ll probably enjoy this series even more than I did.)

The world was original; the plot was engrossing. Secondary characters were more than mere cardboard cut-outs. The best part? Reading the series digitally means there are no “man-candy” covers to be embarrassed about if you’re reading in public!

This series reminds me of Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera, with less focus on the military aspects and more on the relationship and human interactions. It also, unexpectedly, says quite a bit about misconceptions and prejudice, if you’re paying attention. And if you’re not, it’s still an entertaining read that left me frankly shocked at how late it kept me up. I’ve come to the conclusion that Dorchester publishes some damned good stuff!

Mar 222010
 

Having a fascination with unique, humorous zombies (Shaun of the Dead), I was pleased when I recently had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Brains: A Zombie Memoir by Robin Becker.

Brains is an autobiographical accounting of the “undeath” of Professor Jack Barnes, who is bitten by a zombie during the outbreak of an unusual man-made virus. When Jack comes back to himself after his death, he realizes that he still possesses one of the talents he had when he was alive: Zombie Jack can write.

So he sets out on a journey to recruit others like himself and track down their creator, Howard Stein, inventor of the zombie virus. Once there, his plans are to use his written words to persuade the humans to give zombies equal rights. “The pursuit of life, liberty, and brains,” Jack writes.

On his journey, he meets Joan, a nurse with a deft hand for repairing zombie afflictions; Guts, a boy who can run like the wind (an unusual feat in a crowd of undead shufflers); Ros, a former soldier who has the unique ability (for a zombie) of speech; and Annie, a teenage girl with a pair of pistols and the aim of Annie Oakley.

At 192 pages, this book shouldn’t have taken me the several days that it did to finish; but somewhere in those several days I came to realize that Jack’s story isn’t just a zombie story. The zombies’ limitations speak not only to the plight of the undead, but also to the elderly, the infirm, and the mentally or physically impaired. Maybe I’m reading too much into it. Perhaps I am. My maternal grandmother died very quickly of ALS (Lou Gherig’s disease) when I was 16, and the mental image I have of her possessing a perfectly sound mind while her body deteriorated around her has haunted me ever since.

“The pursuit of life, liberty, and brains,” Jack writes. It sounds humorous – and it is. But written between the lines are the further pursuits of open communication with other sentient beings, the ability to be cared for, of having ones needs met when one isn’t able to do for oneself. Of not being hated, feared, or mocked for what one looks like, or for being impaired physically or mentally.

I had no idea when I picked it up that I would read this short, humorous, light-hearted story so seriously. But I have, and I think that the plight of Professor Jack Barnes, zombie author, will be staying with me for a very long time.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Feb 222010
 

Well, we’re up to our final post in our Kiaras Festivus party. In less than a week, the Dreaded Event* will occur and I will console myself with red meat, margaritas, and fried cheesecake. But before that, I would like to introduce you all to the talented Jaye Wells.

Urban fantasy author Jaye Wells is a self-proclaimed ‘plantser‘¹ who lives in Texas with her “saintly husband and devilish son”, the latter of which she fondly refers to as ‘Spawn’. Read the rest of her bio here. Ms. Wells’ second book will be released on April 1st, 2010. Amazon has it listed as March 30th – which is why she fits in with our February/March party. That, and because it’s my birthday and I’ll invite whoever I want!

I very recently re-read the first book in the Sabina Kane series: Red-Headed Step Child, and – while my husband still pokes fun at the title – it’s still quite possibly my favorite vampire story of all time. In Sabina’s world, vampires are descended from Lilith and carry the mark of Cain in their red hair. Continuing with the Biblical theme, these vamps are highly allergic to apples (Much more pleasing to the nose than garlic, in my opinion!) and can be killed with a stake of apple wood to the heart.

There also seem to be (so far) three other varieties of supernatural creatures in this world: fairies of assorted flavors, mages, and demons. The mages are the vampires’ rivals; any unions between the two races are forbidden. Which explains why half-vampire, half-mage Sabina Kane has such a terrible temper.  (You can read what I thought of Red-Headed Step Child here.)

My final word on this series? It’s worth the read just for Giguhl, the sarcastic, home shopping addicted, shape-shifting demon in (hairless) cat form.

*The ‘Dreaded Event’ being my 25th + n birthday.
¹ A correction, with a hat tip to the author herself.

A look at RHSC:

In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina doesn’t really fit in. And being an assassin – the only profession fit for an outcast – doesn’t help matters. But she’s never brought her work home. Until now.

Her latest mission is uncomfortably complex, and threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races. As Sabina scrambles to figure out which side she’s on, she uncovers a tangled political web, some nasty facts about her family and some unexpected new talents. Any of these things could be worryingly life-changing, but together, they could be fatal …

This time, it’s personal.

Read the 1st chapter of RHSC here.

But at Indiebound or Barnes & Noble.

The new release: Mage in Black

Sabina Kane doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to family. After all, her own grandmother, leader of the vampire race, wants her dead. So when she arrives in New York to meet her mage relatives, the reunion puts the fun in dysfunctional. Not only is mage culture completely bizarre, but everyone seems to think she’s some kind of ‘Chosen’ who’ll unite the dark races. Sabina doesn’t care who chose her, she’s not into destiny.

But the mages aren’t Sabina’s only problem. In New York’s Black Light District, she has run-ins with fighting demons, hostile werewolves and an opportunistic old flame. Sabina thought she’d take a bite out of the Big Apple – but it looks like it wants to bite back.

Pre-order Mage in Black at Barnes & Noble.

And check out the cover for the next release at Jaye Well’s blog.

Follow the author on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jayewells

And just for fun follow Giguhl the demon, too. http://twitter.com/giguhl

Don’t forget that you can comment on this post for an entry into our Kiaras Festivus giveaway! Details on this post.
Feb 152010
 

With seven books and an anthology under her belt – and 2 of those books releasing this year – you’d think that Rob Thurman would almost be a household name by now. But nay, gentle reader, this is far from the truth. Ms. Thurman – and it is Ms. Thurman, sorry to disappoint you – needs our help! I’d say this is probably the most under-rated author in the urban fantasy genre today. She does amazing work, folks, and she’s not getting the exposure she so justly deserves – so spread the word!

She’s also offering a sneak peek at chapter 1 of the next book (currently in progress), #6 of Cal & Niko, if you purchase book 5 at a brick-and-mortar store between the release date on March 2nd and March 6th. Jump on this, folks. It’s exceedingly rare to get a peek at a work that hasn’t even made it to the galley stage yet! Also remember that you can win a copy of book 5, Roadkill, from me at the end of our Kiaras Festivus contest!

Please note that if you win my contest and choose Roadkill as your prize, I will do my utmost to make sure the book is purchased from a brick-and-mortar store and to provide a receipt so you’ll be eligible for the sneak peek! (No guarantees, sometimes life gets in the way. But I’ll try my best.)

Now, let’s take a look at her back list, shall we?

Book #1 of the Cal & Niko Leandros Brothers series: Nightlife

There are monsters among us.   There always has been and there always will be.  I’ve known that since I can remember, just like I’ve always known I was one…


…Well, half of one, anyway.


Welcome to the Big Apple. There’s a troll under the Brooklyn Bridge, a boggle in Central Park,  and a beautiful vampire in a penthouse  on  the  Upper  East  Side—and  that’s  only  the beginning.  Of  course,  most  humans  are  oblivious  to  the preternatural nightlife around them, but Cal Leandros is only half human.


His  father’s  dark  lineage is the stuff of nightmares—and he and  his  entire otherworldly  race  are after Cal.  Why?  Cal hasn’t exactly wanted to stick around long enough to find out.

Click here to read blurbs for books 2, 3 and 4. You can also read the blurb (and chapter 1!)  for Thurman’s Trickster novel, Trick of the Light here.

Now that we’re all introduced. Here’s the blurb for Book 5 – Roadkill. Releasing March 2nd!

Niko could have died because of her.  I don’t forget things like that…not ever.  I wanted a little payback for those she’d cheated in the past.  For those she’d cheat in the future.


For what she’d allowed to happen to my brother.


For good old fashion revenge.


Once, while half-human Cal Leandros and his brother Niko were working on a case, an ancient gypsy queen gave them a good old-fashioned backstabbing.  They barely made it out alive.
Now, as their P.I. business teeters on insolvency, guess who shows up with a job?


The gypsy crone wants them to find a stolen coffin. Cal would rather help her into one, but this coffin contains an evil known as the Plague of the World–and it makes the Black Death seem like a fond memory.
But the thief has already left town, so the Leandros brothers are going on the road.


And if they’re very, very lucky, there might even be a return trip…

So, as you can see, there’s some awesome stuff here to read. I’ve personally been pushing the series on all my Supernatural fan friends. With the disclaimer that I’ve never seen more than 2 episodes of the show myself, I have been assured that though both stories have two brothers who kick some evil monster ass (and both are “awesome!” says my friend), the books really aren’t that similar to the show. (In my experience, Cal is much snarkier and foul mouthed than anything they could show on TV. Which just makes it better, in my opinion!) But my point is: fans of the one have been known to be fans of the other. Just sayin’.

Other items of interest: My review of Trick of the Light.

*Remember! You can comment on this post for an entry into our Kiaras Festivus contest!
Feb 092010
 

We’re overdue for our first Kiaras Festivus post, folks, so let’s get started! To refresh your memory, this February we’re focusing on three brilliant but under-appreciated authors who have new releases in February and March. And remember – at the end of the month, I’ll be drawing three winners to receive a book of their choice from any of these authors!

This week we’re shining the spotlight on Diana Rowland. Ms. Rowland is the lovely & talented author of Mark of the Demon and the upcoming Blood of the Demon. You can find her on Twitter here. She also has a blog here, and you should read it.

Hailing from Louisiana, Ms. Rowland has accomplished all the things a Southern woman should: a black belt in Hapkido, a marksmanship award while working as a police detective, and the performance of multiple autopsies. What? These aren’t the things every gentlewoman aspires to? [Read the full bio on her website here.]

Now, let’s get to know the books!

Mark of the Demon blurb

(My review is available here.)

When Homicide Detective Kara Gillian finds traces of arcane power on a body, she quickly realizes that this is no ordinary murder. The serial killer known as the Symbol Man is a nightmare that Beaulac, Louisiana thought had ended three years ago, but now he’s back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he is well-versed in demonic lore.

However, Kara is a Summoner of Demons, and may be the only cop on the city’s small force who can stop the killer. Able to see and interact with a world most people can’t, Kara must draw on her skills as a police officer and master of the arcane to stop the Symbol Man from killing again and possibly summoning something even she can’t control.

But with a demonic lord of unearthly beauty and power haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head….

Buy Mark of the Demon at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Indiebound or your favorite local book shop!

Blood of the Demon blurb

(Available February 23, 2010)

The serial killer known as the Symbol Man has been dealt with, the demonic lord Rhyzkahl is no longer invading her dreams, and Detective Kara Gillian is doing her best to get her life back to normal after being kind of dead for a while.

Unfortunately, there’s little about Kara’s life that is ever normal or simple. As a skilled summoner of demons, she’s hoping to use her arcane abilities to retrieve her aunt’s essence and restore it to her body. But when Kara discovers that FBI Agent Ryan Kristoff is somehow known to the demonkind–and not in a good way–old doubts surface and new problems emerge. Moreover, her investigations into the deaths of several seemingly unrelated victims reveal disturbing links to the arcane, with unsettling similarities to her own situation.

But matters get more complicated when she discovers other links between the victims, leading her into a morass of political corruption. And it doesn’t help that Rhyzkahl has asked her to be his own summoner, a commitment that could have quite a few advantages and plenty of pitfalls. Politics–whether among humans or demons–is a dangerous game with very high stakes, and Kara is learning that lesson the hard way.

Buy Blood of the Demon at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Indiebound or your favorite local book shop!

Don’t those sound nice? So, please, if you have a bit extra in your book-buying budget this month or if you’re looking for a great new author, try picking up Mark of the Demon. You won’t regret it!

**Remember – you can comment on this post for another entry into our giveaway!

Feb 012010
 

Welcome to Festivus Kiaras - or the Festival Known as the Month-Long Celebration Before My Birthday! Yes, that’s right – it’s my birthday and I’m hitting a milestone this year. Although. I’m still maintaining that I’m turning 25 (for the 5th time, of course). Shh… I won’t tell if you won’t.

And in grateful recognition of no one mentioning my real age, I’m going to give away a few books. Yes, that’s right. It’s my birthday but I’m going to give you the gifts!

I also thought it was high time that a few authors I feel are under-appreciated are given the spotlight. They all have new releases coming out this month or next, and we’re going to pour on as much publicity for them as we possibly can this month. Then, after the heady glow of my new birthday presents has worn away*, I’ll be giving away copies of YOUR CHOICE of book from each author’s stable.

*This means on or about March 1st or 2nd. I reserve the right to be hung over for far longer than that, though. It is, after all, my birthday. (My birthday being the 28th of February, of course. I keep forgetting it’s not a national holiday.)

The authors are:

  • Diana Rowland (@dianarowland) who’s 2nd book, Blood of the Demon is due out February 23rd.
  • Rob Thurman (@Rob_Thurman) whose new release Road Kill (Leandros Brothers Book 5) is coming March 2nd.
  • Jaye Wells, (@jayewells) also with a book #2, Mage in Black, releasing on March 3oth.

Here are the rules:

  • Contest is open to those with an available continental US address only. I know. I’m very sorry, ye olde International Readers, but I don’t have the funds to ship overseas. However, if you have a friend who’s available inside the US to forward your winnings to you, then more power to ya.
  • I will draw three names at random from the eligible entries on or about March 1st, 2010 to win one book each.
  • If you’re chosen the winner, you may choose any one (1) book from any of the three authors as your prize. Yes, that includes their newest releases – but you will need to wait until the book’s release date. Sorry, but I don’t have an in with the authors or the publishers. (I have to wait on my copies, too, you know!)
  • Your book will be purchased from the online retailer of my choice and then shipped directly to you. Once the item is purchased, I am no longer responsible for ensuring the item reaches you.
  • Your email address, mailing address, etc. will not be used for anything but this contest.
  • I decide what constitutes an eligible entry. Don’t like that? Go play in someone else’s sandbox.

How to enter:

  • Post a (well written, contributing, not-spammy) comment on any post on this website with a ‘Posted on’ date in February 2010. Including this one.
  • Write a review of one of these authors’ books and post it anywhere. (Some suggestions: your blog, Amazon, B&N.com, GoodReads, Shelfari, etc.) Then come back here to either this thread or one of the ones that will be posted for each other and leave the link to your review. (Review must have been posted after Jan 1st, 2010.)
  • Haven’t read any of these authors? You can also tweet this contest on Twitter or post it on Facebook. These links should trackback automatically, but you might want to come back and link them just in case. (Please don’t Tweet or FB this contest more than once a day. WFF is not about spam.)

And I think that’s it. If there are any questions, please post them in the comments.

Jan 242010
 

I’ve been meaning to get this up for awhile. I’m really looking forward to this sequel to The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. For your enjoyment while we both wait – here’s the book trailer and an excerpt to Darkly Luminous.

The Official Trailer

A Brief Excerpt

Excerpt from The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker courtesy (and copyright) of Leanna Renee Hieber. Read more excerpts here.

Miss Persephone Parker lay deep in the honeyed thick of dreams, shifting between terrible vision and wonderful memory. The terrible vision began beautiful but ended in horror, she recalled.

She was young and powerful, standing in an endless field of perfumed flowers. The sky was what she imagined of Heaven. Eternal and wondrous, a beautiful raven-haired man held her tightly in his arms, and his great wings encircled their clinch, grazing her satin skin that ached for his touch. Phoenix was more than man or angel; he was a God, a being of sense and light, reason and truth. He was the perfect complement to her life-force of beauty, kindness, sensibility and love. Their mutual fellowship of light was blinding. Never had two beings been so suited. They loved one another not because it was destined but merely because it was right and mutually joyous. Their respective divine forces fit together as a puzzle, interlocked and stronger for it.

But jealousy set the God aflame—literally. Darkness set Phoenix on fire, and her lover died before her heavenly eyes. Screams shook the Earth. Tears enough to drown the world flooded the ground. His great form crumbled to dust, and the vendetta was born.

She turned back to the cave from whence came murder. Red eyes burned from the shadows. Vengeance flared in her heretofore peaceful breast, fueling a hallowed blue fire forged from the remnants of her one true love—and somehow the girl that was now Miss Parker knew that what she viewed here was a score she would unfortunately have to settle herself.

The scene shifted from nightmare to memory.
Here she recognized herself, her queer white skin, and remembered that friends called her Percy. A distinguished professor held her in his arms. Her body was corseted, swathed in satin, wreathed in heather. He wore a fine frock coat and waltzed with her by moonlight. His black hair lustrous in shafts of silver light, his dark eyes bright and compelling, this was her one true love. Acutely aware of the press of his hand and the curve of his lips, here was her destiny, the man who understood her, who unlocked her eerie visions and made everything strange about her beautiful.

The handsome, stoic face of Professor Alexi Rychman suddenly shifted, and in its place flashed red, angry eyes—fiery, terrible eyes—and she heard the all too familiar hissing of snakes. She bolted upright, launching herself toward consciousness before those eyes could seek her out.

Percy awoke in a large room she did not know.

Buy the Book

Pre-order Darkly Luminous at B&N or Amazon.

Upcoming Releases 2010

 Books  Comments Off
Jan 102010
 

Here are some things I’m looking forward to in ’10. Have something to add? Put it in the comments.

February

23 – Blood of the Demon (Kara Gillian #2) by Diana Rowland

Black Magic Sanction (The Hollows #8) by Kim Harrison

March

2 – Shalador’s Lady by Anne Bishop

RoadKill (Cal Leandros #5) by Rob Thurman

30 – Changeless (Parasol Protectorate #2) by Gail Carriger

Mage in Black (Sabina Kane #2) by Jaye Wells

April

6 – Changes (Dresden Files #12) by Jim Butcher

27 – The Darkly Luminous Fight For Persephone Parker (Strangely Beautiful #2) by Leanna Renee Hieber

May

25 – Early to Death, Early to Rise (Madison Avery #2) - Kim Harrison

June

1 – Chimera by Rob Thurman

8 – Cheat the Grave (Signs of the Zodiac #5) by Vicki Pettersson

14 – Naamah’s Curse by Jacqueline Carey

July

6 – Red Hood’s Revenge (Princesses #3) by Jim C Hines

August

17 – The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Books I Want

 Books, Featured  Comments Off
May 062009
 

I’ve promised my readers a  list of the upcoming books that I’m just dying to have. So without further ado, here they are… (Readers, authors, publishers and admirers – feel free to send me copies of any of these as gifts :-) . )This list mostly only encompasses the next three months of releases.

In order of release:

  • May 26, 2009 – Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison (YA)
  • May 29, 2009Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
  • June 2, 2009 – Black & White by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge
  • June 15, 2009 – Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
  • June 24, 2009 – Naamah’s Kiss by Jacqueline Carey
  • June 30, 2009 – City of Souls (Zodiac #4) by Vicki Pettersson
  • June 30, 2009 – Dying Bites by D.D. Barant
  • July 7, 2009 – Strange Brew (Anthology) edited by P.N. Elrod
  • July 7, 2009 – Skinwalker by Faith Hunter
  • July 28, 2009Redemption Alley (Jill Kismet #3) by Lilith Saintcrow
  • September 30, 2009 - Soulless by Gail Carriger

I’ll update this post as I run across other great upcoming books.