Blogs and Book Birthdays!

I’m blogging over at Magical Words with a hopefully pithy post on safety and suspense called “Wherein No One is Safe.”  I hope you’ll check it out and leave a comment.  One of my favorite things about Magical Words is the discussion that always seems to come along with the articles.  Often just as intriguing, if not more so!

In other news, today is a big, BIG day for new releases.  I’m incredibly excited to wish happy book birthdays to Chloe Neill for BITING BAD, the latest novel in her New York Times bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series, to Rachel Caine for TERMINATED, her stunning conclusion to the Revivalist series, to Amy Christine Parker for her debut YA thriller GATED and to Susan Krinard for her awesome new paranormal romance DAYSIDER.  (Also, in case you missed it, MIST, the first novel in Sue’s urban fantasy series, came out just last month!)

 BITING BAD by Chloe Neill (NAL)

Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.

Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.

Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.

Reviews

“I absolutely loved this book from start to finish; this is the installment that I have been waiting for. . . . Chicagoland Vampires are better than ever!” – Rabid Reads

“These books are wonderful entertainment; and if you are looking for a vampiric role-model, you couldn’t do any better than Merit of House Cadogan. Chicago is lucky to have her.” — #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Charlaine Harris

“[H]eart-pounding danger, high-stakes drama and excitement as Merit, Ethan and crew take on a treacherous new enemy!” — RT Book Reviews
 TERMINATED by Rachel Caine (Roc Books)

Bryn Davis has survived Pharmadene’s attempts to destroy her, but in doing so, she was forced to receive the military upgrade of her nanites … which makes her even more dangerous than before, even to her own side. But she’s not running from her enemies — she’s running toward them. It’s time to terminate the oncoming corporate zombie apocalypse for good … even if it means terminating herself along with it.

Reviews

“The action-packed conclusion to this inventive interpretation of the zombie mythology is sure to please urban fantasy and sci-fi fans alike. There are plenty of bad guys, fights and surprises to keep readers on their toes as Bryon and friends slip from safe house to safe house in an attempt to stay alive long enough to discover what is really going on. The character development is outstanding, especially Bryon and Patrick as they struggle with their past and more importantly, immediate issues. What could have been a heartbreaking finish ends instead on a high note that is certain to please Caine’s fans.” —MonstersAndCritics.com

“We have zombies filled with nanobots that rapidly heal the body and a giant evil pharmaceutical company. Add in some ex-military types, ex-spies, highly connected and very resourceful paranoid types, and a psychotic villain and this is one action packed, exhilarating read.” —Badass Book Reviews

“From heart pounding action to characters you can really get behind and a fantastic finish to the Revivalist series, TERMINATED is one book you won’t want to miss!” —A Book Obsession (5 Stars)

 GATED by Amy Christine Parker (Random House Children’s)

She thought the evil lived outside the walls. She was wrong.

Amy Christine Parker’s deliciously chilling prose creates a fast-paced, nerve-fraying contemporary thriller that questions loyalties and twists truths.

In the Community, life seems perfect. Lyla Hamilton believes she is one of the chosen. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pioneer invited her family to join the Community and escape the evil in the world. They’ve thrived under his strict, charismatic leadership.

Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:

Pioneer is her leader. Will is her Intended. The end of the world is near.

Pioneer has visions of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must prepare to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the Silo, the underground shelter where the Community will wait out the apocalypse.

Lyla loves her family and friends, but a chance encounter with an unchosen boy has her questioning Pioneer, the Community–everything. She needs time to figure out the truth. But with Pioneer’s deadline for the end of days fast approaching, time is the one thing she doesn’t have.

Reviews

“Parker doesn’t pull punches, indicating a level of brutality that will appropriately disturb even as it successfully conveys Lyla’s complete entrapment in the Community. Compelling and not that distant from real-world cults that have ended in tragedy.” — Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2013

“Parker skillfully explores the mindset and inner workings of an apocalyptic cult, steadily building toward the inevitable moment of truth…As for the apocalypse itself, Parker keeps things suitably ambiguous, resulting in a complex, intriguing tale rooted in real-world events.” — Publishers Weekly, June 10, 2013

“Parker is a seriously talented writer. She has that rare talent for getting inside your head and making you look at things in a certain way. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.” —Escape into Words, July 16, 2013

“Gated is unlike any other YA book out there.  It isn’t afraid to push the limits, or to go as far as it needs to go to stay honest.  Gated is a candid look at the inside of a cult, an unflinching reflection on today’s society, and of course, a masterful thriller.”— Pretty Deadly Reviews

 DAYSIDER by Susan Krinard (Harlequin Nocturne)

Human/vampire relations are in turmoil in a stunning new series by New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Susan Krinard

Tensions between human and vampire factions are escalating. Peace hangs in the balance. And like two ill-fated stars, Alexia Fox and Damon are destined to collide. She’s a seductive human operative on a mission to infiltrate an illegal vampire colony. He’s a vampire and represents everything she loathes—and all that she desires. Their attraction is scorching, immediate…and could explode like the fragile truce they’ve both been fighting independently to preserve. Now the world’s last hope hinges on their ability to work together. As enemies they are doomed, but as allies they just might save the world.

Reviews

“A complicated and fascinating mythology makes Daysider a fun read. Its fast-paced excitement will keep readers’ attention from beginning to end.” –Romantic Times (4 1/2 Stars)

“I thoroughly enjoyed this book! …Susan somehow managed to combine heart stopping action and edge of your seat suspense with enough romance to keep diehard Paranormal Romance fans happy while still making Urban Fantasy lovers want more.” – Literal Addiction