Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Crazy Release day ACTION! Plus international contest

I feel like I've been under a holiday snowdrift, and here I pop my little head up and there are awesome new books everywhere! Yes, in this metaphor, I am some sort of woodland animal, I guess. A marmoset, perhaps. Is that a woodland animal? Guess what? I'm too lazy even to look it up on wikipedia. Anyway, some of my favorite authors/friends are releasing books today!! Comment to win one of these fine books. Instructions below.

Tempest's Legacy by Nicole Peeler
Oh, Miss Nicole Peeler and her awesome cabinet of wonders that is the Tempest Series. I am so addicted to this world and these characters, sometimes I just think about them when I'm walking around in my regular life. From what I understand, this is an OMG installment and the best one yet to boot.

From Publisher's Weekly's total rave:
Peeler seamlessly blends snarky pop culture references with emotionally harrowing topics in the third Jane True supernatural adventure....Jane is sure to endear herself to new readers with her charm, sass, and vulnerability, while longtime fans will be thrilled by her magical and emotional growth.

The blurb:
After a peaceful hiatus at home in Rockabill, Jane True thinks that her worst problem is that she still throws like a girl - at least while throwing fireballs. Her peace of mind ends, however, when Anyan arrives one night with terrible news . . . news that will rock Jane's world to its very core.

After demanding to help investigate a series of gruesome attacks on females — supernatural, halfling, and human — Jane quickly finds herself forced to confront her darkest nightmares as well as her deepest desires. And she's not sure which she finds more frightening.

Contest Alert! BE SURE to check out Nicole's big contest, vlog, and more about the book at her author site.

Secrets of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Our saucy and fun ex-cop Diana Rowland totally owns the whole demon CSI thing. This series is awesome! I thought that before I even knew Diana. I love the new cover style, too.

Le blerb:
Homicide detective Kara Gillian has a special talent: she can sense the "arcane" in our world, and there's quite a bit of it, even in Beaulac, Louisiana. She's also a summoner of demons, and works on a task force that deals with supernatural crimes. Her partners are attractive and smart FBI agents, but they're not summoners, and they're not telling Kara why they are on this special force with her.
To make things worse, Kara has pledged herself to one of the most powerful of demons-a Demon Lord-who helped save her partner's life, but now expects things in return. Meanwhile, she's trying to solve a string of murders that are somehow tied together by money, sex, rock music and...mud. But how can she concentrate on the case when she's not even sure who-or what-her partners are?
Read the chapter one excerpt here!

Skin Heat by Ava Gray (aka Ann Aguirre)
I love this series for how risky it is, and how inventive it is, and I think it contains some of Gray's/Aguirre's best work. Smart, solid, tight writing, and a unique niche that's a little paranormal, a little romantic suspense.

Also, these books are full of morally dubious, gray-area characters and you know I love that.  Start with the fabulous Skin Games. Learn more on Gray's website.

The blurb:
Veterinarian Geneva Harper finds herself irresistibly drawn to Zeke Noble, the mysterious young man to whom wild is second nature. When a killer threatens Neva, Zeke's need to protect her is as fierce as his desire to claim her as his mate.

My Immortal Assassin by Carolyn Jewel
A top pick from Book Page, and it got 4.5 stars from Romantic Times! This is another series I love - besides being hugely compelling, Carolyn Jewel writes some of the best heroines. I love her heroines.

From RT: "The lines in the war between Magekind and Fiends continue to blur in the next installment of Jewel's exhilarating My Immortal series. The protagonists in this drama have both suffered terribly, giving them a common ground and enemy. Jewel provides her fans with a terrific tale that has action aplenty and drama to spare. Great stuff!"
The blurb:
Revenge. It's all Grayson Spencer wants. Christophe dit Menart, a human with dark magical powers, destroyed the life she loved. She wants the pleasure of killing him, no matter the cost to her. If not for Durian, a dangerously sexy demon fiend charged with keeping Christophe alive, she would have succeeded, too. Now, she's certain all hope is gone. But he has a plan and an offer she can't resist...

Durian has spent his life as a trained and sanctioned assassin. His duty: to enforce the laws against demons harming humans. He's always prided himself on staying out of the fray, carrying out his orders and honoring his fealty to his warlord, but never getting attached. Never until Grayson, a spunky and determined woman clearly gifted with magic herself. He convinces her to swear fealty to him so he can protect her and teach her to use her magic to taste the revenge she so desperately wants.

They're soon bound together in a forbidden desire--a dangerous passion that calls into question Durian's oath of loyalty to his warlord. When he refuses to return her to Christophe, his disobedience threatens to inflame the tumultuous war between demons and the magekind. Can they--and their love--survive?
Read Chapter one here. More on Carolyn Jewel's site.

And now for something completely different, two books that are not UF, PNR or anything of the sort!  

by Andrew Shaffer
A crazy little number by Shaffer, aka Evil Wylie. Yes, philosophers manage to be far more interesting and imaginative in their romantic screw-ups than actors and athletes ever could be. This is a fun, fascinating, highly readable release.

I just really love the whole human interest angle of history - check the excerpts and you'll see why this is an awesome subject for a book. In addition to a fine addition to the Crane library, this baby's going to make a great gift for some of my friends.

From Publisher's Weekly: “Shaffer’s jaunty compendium of highbrow heartbreak provides proof positive that even the most brilliant of minds can fall afoul of Cupid—and offers some measure of hope to the lovelorn.”
You can get excerpts here. Shaffer's website is here.

Merit Badges by Kevin Fenton
I'm so excited about this book, which has won the AWP award, and is getting great buzz. And it's not just because Kevin is a longtime friend of mine - this book is seriously awesome.

Merit Badges is the kind of book that evokes time and place so precisely that it's LOL funny, yet stunningly poignant all at once. The time and place in question here is small town Minnesota, starting in the 1970's - a time when high schools had "plastic pod chairs in the concourse" and stoner kids got into fights set to the Allman Brothers - and going on up to 2000 or so. At one point, one of my favorite characters says: "The weather was like me, only more so. The weather needed some counseling. The weather had to think about the consequences of its actions."

The characters are vivid and achingly true, sometimes in a touching and highly entertaining way (like the one guy who models himself on the dad from Leave it to Beaver). This tale of their aspirations, their loves, their disappointments is hugely compelling. It leaves a reader with a wonderful, thoughtful feeling about life.

I'm getting this book for the FREAKS in my life who don't like UF or PNR or historicals. LOL. Actually, I would highly recommend it for somebody who enjoys Nick Hornby, or Kazuo Ishiguro. And three of the four main characters are boys, so this is a great guy book. I can't say enough good about it.

Facebook page for Merit Badges here. More on Fenton's site here.

CONTEST PART: Comment for a chance to win one of these fine books anywhere Book Depository will ship.

You don't have to decide what book you want in your comment, just comment. In a week, next Tuesday morning, when I'm having my morning shot of whiskey and foot massage, I'll randomly choose TWO winners and email them, and they'll get to pick one of these books as a gift from Carolyn Crane.

64 comments:

Tez Miller said...

I would love to receive Diana Rowland's SECRETS OF THE DEMON. (Though I'm looking forward even more to MY LIFE AS A WHITE TRASH ZOMBIES ;-) )

Kulsuma said...

Yay! Count me in please.
k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

Kt Clapsadl said...

Hmm.. Where can I get set up for a Tuesday morning foot massage and shot of whiskey? ;)

kclapsadl @ gmail dot com

elaing8 said...

some great titles to choose from.please count me in
elaing8[at]netscape[dot]net

orannia said...

Please don't include me in the giveaway, but...WOW! So many releases!

Hope you and Mr Crane had a lovely New Year's Eve Carolyn!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win Tempest’s Legacy. I've been meaning to read the Jane True series!
BookshelflustATgmail.com

Jackie (Literary Escapism) said...

Morning foot massage? I'm with KT, where can I get some action like that?

Holz Smolz said...

Hehe what an awesome way to start the morning...not sure about the whiskey though lol. Would love to enter!

holz_twilight@msn.com

Unknown said...

Hi Carolyn!
So many wonderful books Released into the Readership Wilds...
What a wonderful way to begin 2011!
All the best,
Rob

StacyUFI said...

There were SO many awesome books releasing this week. Im so excited to read....

Stacy
Urban Fantasy Investigations
Chllybrd(at)gmail(dot)com

Alexandra said...

Wow, I LOVE contests! Especially the international kind! :D
I can recommend the Jane True books, Nicole Peeler did an incredibly good job writing them. She's a bit slow, though, but I guess that's what you get if people will insist on keeping their other job, instead of writing day and night to satisfy their readers :-)

a.preis@web.de

Anonymous said...

Hmm, I like the reviews :) Thanks for the contest, it's a grate chance!
mikki-mano@hotmail.com

writtenwyrdd said...

I love these new release posts, because I can find new books to lust after. On the other hand, I hate them because I buy new books and I already have over 500 in the TBR pile!

I'd love to win any of the options except Paranormalcy, as I bought that one already.

Becky LeJeune said...

Ooh, I definitely want to enter. Love Peeler and Rowland and definitely should check out the others as well.

Dawn said...

I just finished reading Nicole Peeler's Tempest's Legacy. It was excellent. The Jane True series is one of my favorite because of the humor and Jane is so normal, not the usual urban fantasy heroine (I love those heroine's too, but its a nice change). My daughter thinks I'm nuts because I sit and laugh out loud while I am reading Peeler's books. I definitely recommend the series. I'm planning to start reading Secrets of the Demon today. The first two in the series were great and I can't wait until I start reading the third.

There are so many great books coming out now. So please count me in for the contest, and thanks for having it.

Sweet Vernal Zephyr said...

Did you say whiskey foot massage? Doesn't that sting a little? LOL

Please count me in and thank you for the generosity!

Miranda ~ Sweet Vernal Zephyr Book Reviews
mdwartistry at yahoo dot com

Bethany C. said...

I made a comment on your facebook post- was that a whoopsie?

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Dana said...

Me, me, me!!! I want a book!

Happy New Year!

daymstephens[at]gmail[dot]com

Cherry said...

Please count me in! :D

Cherry Mischievous
cherrymischif-warrior [at] yahoo [dot] com

Coley said...

This is an excellent contest. Thank you for the opportunity! Count me in!

ntelhiard[at]gmail[dot]

Rhianna said...

2011 is already shaping up to be a year of awesome for bookness. Count me in for the giveaway!

always.and.never AT gmail DOT com

LSUReader said...

Thanks for a great giveaway. Count me in, please. And I was just curious--what kind of whiskey do you drink to accompany a foot massage? (Email in profile.)

Chris said...

Not entering, but will mention it Friday!

donnas said...

Lots of great books. Thanks for the chance!

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Anonymous said...

I always love a good contest and even better when you win. I am in desperate need of a good book until you get book 3 out!
Hope you're keeping toasty!
Melanie

throuthehaze said...

Great picks to choose from! Thank you for the giveaway :)
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Renee said...

It's a great release day! I was lucky enough to read/review Carolyn Jewel's My Immortal Assassin early, and it totally rocked! Reading Tempest's Legacy now. So far, so good!

Merit Badges sounds like loads of fun. Will have to check it out!

kylie said...

A shot of whiskey? Does it help with the pull-ups? Anyways, I wanted to add another great title that dropped on crazy release day: Blood Challenge by Eileen Wilks. For those who follow her Lupi series - this is one big volume!

____ said...

Whiskey and footrub? Yum. Anyhow, please enter me, there are plenty of books above that I'd love to win!

Thanks!

Carolyn Crane said...

I'm so glad for all these entries! And thanks for the tips on the other series - Eileen Wilks was one of my earliest UF reads, and on Facebook, a pal reminded me about Jane Yellowrock. Yeah!

Oh, my morning whiskey? Earl Grey. And thanks Kylie for pointing out my pull ups thing! LOL. OMG, I'm probably back to one.

Darlyn said...

Wow..This is great. Count me in too!

darlyn225 at gmail dot com

buddyt said...

Two of my favorite authors and mentioned here. I like Ann Aguirre but have not had the chance to read any of her books under the Eva Gray name. And I also like Nick Hornby so Merit Badges would probably be for me.

Thanks for the giveaway and go easy on the whiskey !

Carol T

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Happy New Year!

I follow on GFC.
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspo

Unknown said...

I have been reading, reading, reading! 2011 so far looks like an excellent year for finding new authors (three for me already!) and old friends.

Thanks Carolyn!

Dottie :)

Christa said...

Awesome!
ambience.of.rain {at} gmail.com

stormvikki said...

I love your morning routine...lol reading alot more for 2011 is my resolution

mariska said...

Ooh, I do want to enter !!

uniquas at ymail dot com

Unknown said...

I am following this blog now. Where has it been!? Thank you for the contest!

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

Bella@BeguileThySorrow said...

LOL I wish I could start all my days with a morning whiskey and foot massage but earl grey is good too:P
Do you buy Twinings? I hear it's what the Queen uses :D
As for the books I got my little eye on Skin Heat!

Bookwyrm369 said...

Great contest! Several of these were already on my wishlist but not all of them :-)

smaccall @ comcast.net

heatwave16 said...

Ok, I definitely need to become a writer if I can start all of my Mondays with whiskey & a foot massage. :) I keep telling my boss that since I don't operate any heavy machinery, that drinking should definitely be allowed.

Thanks for the contest!!!

heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

Teril said...

Oh those were awesome new books! Thanks for passing on the works and growing my TBR pilr, I would love one ;)

Kaya H said...

Wow, I am totally amazed by this dazzling array of awesome reads. I would love one!

kasuranna(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Mel said...

SOme great books there - count me in! (Anything to stop my bank manager moaning - he seems to think books aren't an investment!) :)

Mel S
notanotherbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I'd absolutely love to win Diana Rowland's Secrets of the Demon.

drakeLa90 at aol dot com

Sharon S. said...

so many to choose from! Wonderful choices. Thanks

Beth said...

That's a good list. I'm rereading the 2nd Rowland book because I saw it lying around.

Cindy said...

So many books so little time. Tuesday was a huge boks release day and several on your list made my list. My husband thinks I've lost my mind cause I just can't stop buying books. Every Tuesday my reading buddy and I stop at our local B&N and make our hauls.
Thanks for this opportunity.
Cindy
ctrim(at)wi(dot)rr(dot)com

Bea said...

So many wonderful choices! Thanks :)

Spav said...

I've been dying to read Tempest's Legacy!

spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

Christine said...

Yes, please! So many great new releases. =)

christine.dunbar@gmail.com

Christine said...

Carolyn, you make each one of these books sound so compelling! I love the cover art to Nicole's books. I really need to catch up with this series. I follow Nicole on twitter and just love her style and sense of humor.

Anonymous said...

Hmm, these reviews sound awsome, thanks :) If I won, I' pick Secrets of the Demon by Diana Rownland :)
Thanks for the giveaway :)

Anonymous said...

oh, and I forgot my email: mikki-mano@hotmail.com

Manda Nadine said...

Oh my I would love love love to read Tempest Legacy. Her books are beyond divine!

a.turner.85 (at) gmail.com

alanajoli said...

I am so behind! I need to pick up TEMPEST'S LEGACY. Must have that book! (Would love to be entered to win, of course!)

qylie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
qylie said...

I love how the goodreads community reviews and rates stuff amazon used to be my preferred book review look up place.. Already 4 people on goodreads reviewed "Great Philosophers Who Failed at Love"!

Cherry said...

Yikes!! Thank you!! :D

sam said...

hope it's not to late to enter, i would love to win a book. Just started reading mind games and I just love it.

Carolyn Crane said...

Hey Sam!
No, the contest is closed and I have two winners I will announce later but I have lots of contests so come back. So glad you're enjoying Mind Games!!

Alexandra said...

Hi Carolyn,
someone posted a link to this contest on Twitter, this is how I came here ... soI looked around a bit, hurried over to Amazon to buy Mind Games. I loved Justine and the whole story! I can't wait to read Double Cross, I just ordered it :)

Carolyn Crane said...

Alexandra! Thanks! I'm so happy that you took a chance and enjoyed it.