I want, I want, I want

I went through a phase for a while where I was having a really hard time finding anything to get interested in ... this happens to me sometimes. I don't like the look of any of the books I've brought home, I can't get interested in the online discussions about books, and even books by authors I KNOW I love just don't sound quite right to me. About the only thing I've read for a two or three month period was manga.

But I decided I had to get back into my favorite thing, and amazingly I got lucky and found a couple of great books that have me excited about reading again. The only problem is that some of the books I really want to read RIGHT NOW aren't out yet. But I want them NOW! *whines*


Valley of the Soulby Tamara Siler Jones
Spectra, 31 October 2006
Jones' blend of fantasy and mystery is really perfect. Not so much fantasy that you feel you have to have a dictionary for all the places, people, and concepts shown within, and not so much mystery that the world-building and characters seem perfunctory. I love this series, and the unique and fascinating hero that Jones' writes about.


Angel in a Red Dress
by Judith Ivory
Avon, 1 October 2006
I know I am far from the only person who loves Judith Ivory, but she is the author of one of my absolute favorite romance books (Black Silk, not the typically-favorite Beast). She is a very talented writer who I can only be grateful that she writes historical romances when they are waning and so many authors seem to be leaving for greener pastures.


Blood Bound
by Patricia Briggs
Ace, 30 January 2007
Still a long wait for this one. I loved Moon Called, and I feel like I've been waiting for this forever, even though I know it's only been a few months.


Demon Angel
by Meljean Brook
Berkley, 2 January 2007
Brook's short story in the anthology Hot Spell was the best in the bunch, and really showcased the potential she has as a storyteller, and world-builder, and she has a great blog too.


Grave Surprise
by Charlaine Harris
Berkley, 26 September
I know most everyone is familiar with Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series, and I've enjoyed it too, but I actually liked the first of her new series, Grave Sight, more than Sookie. I guess for me, I found Harper to be more of a relatable character than Sookie, and I enjoyed her relationship with her brother, and her reticence and her feeling of responsibility to her "gift."


New Moon
by Stephanie Meyer
Megan Tingly, August 2006
I know there were many people online who enjoyed Twilight (and if you haven't read the version of the first chapter from Edward's point of view that is at her website, go there now). It's really an incredibly good, suspenseful, romantic book that is a great young adult novel and transcends the label at the same time. I've been recommending it to young people and adults alike.

Irony

Is it just me, or does it seem ironic (irritating? unsurprising?) that the authors come out of the woodwork to jump into discussions like this or this, but when a discussion like this comes up they are nowhere to be found? Right now there are 62 comments on that last post, and not one by a recognizable, New York-published author (and you know they all saw it and the other posts circulating in the blogosphere).

Oh wait, I know why they're not there. Because the first "discussion" was about a meanie reader beating up on the poor author. But the new "discussion" is just about the unimportant issue of inclusion/exclusion in romanceland and who deserves to be part of the "in crowd" and they all really don't want to be the last-kid-picked-for-the-kickball-team. I've realized it now -- for most authors, an internet presence is either 1 - marketing to readers or 2 - networking with other authors. It's all mercenary.

Upcoming From Publishers Lunch

Lots of little tidbits about interesting upcoming books, mostly from Publishers Lunch, but some from other places on the internet. Most of these have very little info available at this point, but some of the authors have more on their websites.

Chris Marie Green, writing as "Crystal Green," sold her Vampire Underground series to Berkley.

Sasha White's LUSH, a contemporary erotica anthology of three novellas centering around a gallery specializing in erotic art.

Bella Andre's WINE, WOMEN AND SEDUCTION and CONSTANT CRAVINGS, erotic romance.

Kim Harrison and Marty Greenberg, editors's HOTTER THAN HELL, an anthology of erotic paranormal stories by today's leading romance writers.

Heather Waters' DEVIL'S POSSESSION, a paranormal historical, in which a woman declares a dead man the sire of her child rather than admitting to a violent assault.

Alesia Holliday's dark paranormal romance ATLANTIS RISING, about a race of Atlantaen warriors tasked to protect mankind in its darkest hour.

Cathy Mulvany's SOMETHING WICKED, about a young journalist who, while searching for the truth behind an ancient Paiute legend, discovers that vampires are real.

Karen Kelley's DOUBLE DATING WITH THE DEAD about a psychic and a skeptic stuck in a haunted hotel with two sex-starved ghosts to Kensington Brava.

Sylvia Day's contemporary erotic novella, A FAMILIAR KIND OF MAGIC, about a rogue Familiar and the warlock who tames her, to Avon.

Louisa Burton's HOUSE OF DARK DELIGHTS, in the tradition of Arabian Nights and Anne Rice's erotica, comprised of linking stories and characters set in a mysterious French chateau and spanning several historical periods, to Bantam.

Pamela Aidan's originally self-published Fitzwilliam Darcy trilogy, based on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, AN ASSEMBLY SUCH AS THIS, DUTY AND DESIRE, and THESE THREE REMAIN, all seen from Darcy's point of view, to Touchstone Fireside.

Katie MacAlister's GHOST OF A CHANCE, part of a new darkly comic paranormal mystery series set in her popular Otherworld, to NAL, in a two-book deal.

Elizabeth Hoyt's THE RAVEN PRINCE, a tale of a widow, an Earl, and a scandalous brothel in Georgian London, to Warner, in a two-book deal.

Julie Kenner, Johanna Edwards, and Serena Robar's FENDI, FERRAGAMO AND FANGS about three teenage supermodels who happen to be vampires, to NAL.

Cait London's trilogy of paranormal romantic suspense thrillers about triplet sisters stalked by a psychic vampire, to Avon.

Janice Maynard writing under a pseudonym's NAUGHTY HOUSEWIVES, about three desperate and unhappy wives fighting for what they want and need, who will go to any lengths on their sexual odysseys, to Berkley Heat.

Marsha Moyer's next two novels, continuing the story of Lucy Hatch and country singer Ash Farrell, to Three Rivers Press.

Maureen Child's DUSTING FOR DEMONS, in which a very unexpected birthday gift leaves a thirty-something single mom dealing with the chore of demon killing amongst her daily to-do list, to NAL.

Sasha White and Saskia Walker's KINK, an erotic anthology, featuring White's WATCH ME about a married woman, her exhibitionism, and the husband who catches her at it, along with Walker's SEX, LIES, AND BONDAGE TAPE, in which a backstage media secret leads to sex games, to Berkley Heat.

Eve Silver's DARK PASSIONS, the story of a woman haunted by tragedy, forced to accept the protection of a ruthless smuggler bent on vengeance, to Kensington in a three book deal.

Aisha DuQuesne's THE SINGER, the first title in a new series of sensual crime thrillers, to Bantam Dell.

Sunny's MONA LISA CRAVING, book three of her erotic paranormal Mona Lisa series, and BITE ME TENDERLY, the first book in her new Lucinda, Princess of Darkness erotic paranormal series, to Berkley.

Shannon McKelden's VENUS ENVY, about a goddess-turned-fairy godmother who isn't about to let any reluctant Cinderella get in her way, to Tor for their new chick lit line.

Vickie Taylor sold two more "gargoyle romantic suspense" novels to Berkley.

Anne Kelleher sold fantasy trilogy "The House of the 13th Moon" to Luna.

Sarah Hoyt, writing as Sarah D'Almeida, sold three books in a Three Musketeers mystery series to Berkley/Jove.

Faith Hunter's BLOODRING and two more novels in a "sexy urban fantasy series" went to Roc.

C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp's TOUCH OF EVIL, the first in a new vampire/shapeshifter world, plus two more in their award-winning Sazi shapeshifter series, to Tor Romance, in a three book deal.