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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

December 2011 Book Releases

Here is my list of books being published in December 2011. If there is something that I've missed, please leave a comment below. Any genre mistakes are mine. Leave a comment if you feel that the genre is wrong. Also note that this list is always under revision. Publication dates change. I try to keep this as accurate as possible.


December 1, 2011

TITLEAUTHORSERIES
Demons Like It Hot Sidney Ayers PNR - Demons Unleashed 2
Night of the Tiger (e) Doranna Durgin PNR - Sentinels 5
Playing With Fire (e) Michele Hauf PNR - Of Angels and Demons 3.5
Brass House William Jones SF
How to Worship a Goddess Stephanie Julian PER - Forgotten Goddesses 2
Bad Blood Kristen Painter UF - House of Comarré 3
The Japanese Devil Fish Girl and Other Unnatural Attractions Robert Rankin SF/AH
The Mechanical Messiah and Other Marvels of the Modern Age Robert Rankin SF/AH
The Hedgewitch Queen (e) Lilith Saintcrow FAR
Dreaming of the Wolf Terry Spear PNR - Werewolf 8




December 5, 2011

TITLEAUTHORSERIES
A Taste of Midnight (e) Lara Adrian PNR - Midnight Breed Novella



December 6, 2011

TITLEAUTHORSERIES
Devil's Kiss Zoe Archer PNR - Hellraisers 1
Dead Bolt Juliet Blackwell PM - Haunted House Mystery 2
Shaedes of Gray (d) Amanda Bonilla UF - Shaede Assassin 1
Spells & Stiches Barbara Bretton PM - Sugar Maple Chronicles 4
Territory Emma Bull H
Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files (h2tp) Jim Butcher UF - Dresden Files Short Stories
Galactic Courier A. Bertram Chandler SF - John Grimes Saga 3
Uncross My Heart Jennifer Colgan PNR
Left Hand of Magic Nancy A. Collins UF - Golgotham 2
Daybreak Ellen ConnorPNR - Dark Age Dawning 3
Himmler's War Robert Conroy SF
An Ill Fate Marshalling Glen Cook EF - Last Chronicle of the Dread Empire Vol 2
Head Rush (e) Carolyn Crane UF - Disillusionists Trilogy 3
Hellsbane Paige Cuccaro UF - Hellsbane 1
Blood of Eden Tami Dane UF - Sloan Skye 1
Undead and Unemployed (ri) MaryJanice Davidson PNR - Queen Betsy 2
Night Reigns Dianne Duvall PNR - Immortal Guardians 2
EVE: Templar One Tony Gonzales SF
Human for a Day Martin H. Greenberg (ed)
Jennifer Brozek (ed)
F - Anthology
Earthbound Joe Haldeman SF - Marsbound 3
Bound by the Vampire Queen Joey W. Hill PER - Vampire Queen 8
Honor's Paradox P.C. Hodgell EF - Kencyrath 6
Cat Tales (e) Faith Hunter UF - Jane Yellowrock (4 stories)
The Fallen Queen Jane Kindred F - House of Arkhangel’sk 1
March in Country E.E. Knight SF - Vampire Earth 9
Alien Proliferation Gini Koch SF - Katherine "Kitty" Katt 4
Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar Mercedes Lackey F - Collection
True Shot Joyce Lamb PT - True Trilogy 3
Selected Stories by Fritz Leiber Fritz Leiber SF - Collection
Lawe's Justice Lora Leigh PNR - Breeds 11
The Cross Sean McCabe H - Vampire Federation 2
Slade Sarah McCarty PNR - Shadow Wranglers 4
The Bards of Bone Plain Patricia A. McKillip F
Eden Tony Monchinski H
Hearts and Swords: Four Original Stories of Celta Robin D. Owens PNR - Celta Novellas
Mecha Corps Brett Patton SF - Armor Wars 1
The Space Merchants (ri) Frederik Pohl SF
His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass Philip Pullman F - His Dark Materials Omnibus
Deadlock Moira Rogers PNR - Southern Arcana 3
That Old Black Magic Michelle Rowen PNR - Living in Eden 3
Mindscan Robert J. Sawyer SF
The Thirteen Hallows Michael Scott
Colette Freedman
F - Hallows 1
Miscellaneous Writings of Clark Ashton Smith Clark Ashton Smith F - Collection
Oral History Lee Smith F
Of Limited Loyalty Michael A. Stackpole F - Crown Colonies 2
The Black Hills Rod Thompson AH/We
Supervolcano: Eruption Harry Turtledove SF
Feral Sheri Whitefeather PER
The Emperor's Knife (d) Mazarkis Williams EF
Reprisal (ri) F. Paul Wilson H - Adversary Cycle
A Bridge of Years (ri) Robert Charles Wilson SF



December 12, 2011

TITLEAUTHORSERIES
Artemis Philip Palmer SF



December 13, 2011

TITLEAUTHORSERIES
Shield of Fire (d) Boone Brux HFR - Bringer and the Bane 1
The Liminal People Ayize Jama-Everett SF
The Wanderers of the Water Realm Alan Lawton F



December 14, 2011

TITLEAUTHORSERIES
A Clean Sweep with all the Trimmings (e) James Alan Gardner SFN
Rise of Empire Michael J. Sullivan EF - Riyria Revelations 2



December 15, 2011

TITLEAUTHORSERIES
The Mailman: 20th Anniversary Special Edition Bentley Little H
The Girl with the Granite Heart A.J. Menden PNR
Quick Bites (e) Jennifer Rardin UF - Jaz Parks Short Story Collection



December 20, 2011

TITLEAUTHORSERIES
Songs of the Dying Earth (h2mm) Gardner Dozois (ed)
George RR Martin (ed)
SF - Anthology
Asunder David Gaider EF - Dragon Age
Second Grave on the Left (h2tp) Darynda Jones UF - Charley Davidson 2
The Doctor and the Kid Mike Resnick SPW - Weird West 2
Touch of Power Maria V. Snyder FR - Avry of Kazan 2
Wolf Whisperer Karen Whiddon PNR - The Pack 9
Count to a Trillion John C. Wright SF



December 27, 2011

TITLEAUTHORSERIES
Claws and Effect (e) Amanda Arista PNR - Diaries of an Urban Panter
Archon (d) Sabrina Benulis F - The Books of Raziel
Bestial William D Carl H
Empire State (d) Adam Christopher SFN
The Demon Lover Juliet Dark PNR
Spirit Bound (h2mm) Christine Feehan PNR - Sisters of the Heart 2
Hell Train Christopher Fowler H
Shadow City Diana Pharaoh Francis UF - Horngate Witches 3
Bedeviled Sable Grace UF - Dark Breed 2
Ghost Walk Heather Graham H
A Hard Day's Knight (h2mm) Simon R. Green UF - Nightshade 11
A Discovery of Witches (h2tp) Deborah Harkness F
Changeling Dawn Dani Harper PNR - Changeling 3
'Salem's Lot (ri) Stephen King H
77 Shadow Street Dean Koontz H
In Too Deep (h2mm) Jayne Ann Krentz PNR - Arcane Society, The Looking Glass Trilogy 1
Ghoul Interrupted Victoria Laurie PM - Ghost Hunter Mystery 6
Invasion Steve Libby SF - Secret World Chronicle 1
The Mortal Bone Marjorie M. Liu UF - Hunter Kiss 4
The Warlord's Legacy (h2mm) Ari Marmell FA -Corvis Rebaine 2
Warrior's Redemption Melissa Mayhue PHR - Warrior 1
No Limits (e) Jenna McCormick SFER - Dark Breed 2
The Bitter Seed of Magic Suzanne McLeod UF - Spellcrackers 3
Shadow Heir Richelle Mead UF - Dark Swan 4
Winter Rod Rees SF/SP - Demi-Monde 1
Heir of Danger Alix Rickloff PNR - Heirs of Kilronan 3
Wicked Circle Linda Robertson UF - Persephone Alcmedi 5
Illegal Alien Robert J. Sawyer SF
Babylon Steel (d) Gaie Sebold FA - Babylon Steel 1
Switchblade Goddess Lucy A. Snyder UF - Spellbent 3
Back to the Moon Travis S. Taylor
Les Johnson
SF
Deliverance Lost Gav Thorpe SF - Horus Heresy 18
City of Light and Shadow Ian Whates EF - City of a Hundred Rows 3



December 31, 2011

TITLEAUTHORSERIES
Hidden Kelley Armstrong UF - Otherworld Illustrated Novella
The Naked God Peter F. Hamilton SF - Night's Dawn 3
Zombies 101 Kenneth Hite SF - 101 Guide
Phases of Gravity (ri) Dan Simmons SF
Gothic High-Tech Bruce Sterling SF - Collection
The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine Peter Straub H - Novella
All About Emily Connie Willis SF - Novelette



d - Debut
e - ebook
h2mm - Hardcover to Mass Market Paperback
h2tp - Hardcover to Trade Paperback
ri - Reissue

AH - Alternative History
EF - Epic Fantasy
F - Fantasy
FA - Fantasy Adventure
FAR - Fantasy Adventure Romance
FR - Fantasy Romance
H - Horror
HFR - Historical Fantasy Romance
PER - Paranormal Erotic Romance
PNR - Paranormal Romance
PP - Paranormal Parody
PT - Paranormal Thriller
SF - Science Fiction
SFN _ Science Fiction Noir
SP - Steampunk
UF - Urban Fantasy
W - Western

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Release Day Review - Killing Rites by M.L.N. Hanover - 4 Qwills

Killing Rites
Author:  M.L.N. Hanover
Series:  The Black Sun's Daughter
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Publisher:  Pocket Books (November 29, 2011)
Price:  $7.99
Language:  English
Genre:  Urban Fantasy
ISBN:  9781439176344
Review Copy:  Provided by the Publisher

Jayné Heller has discovered the source of her uncanny powers: something else is living inside her body. She's possessed. Of all her companions, she can only bring herself to confide in Ex, the former priest. They seek help from his old teacher and the circle of friends he left behind, hoping to cleanse Jayné before the parasite in her becomes too powerful.

Ex's history and a new enemy combine to leave Jayné alone and on the run. Her friends, thinking that the rider with her has taken the reins, try to hunt her down, unaware of the danger they're putting her in. Jayné must defeat the weight of the past and the murderous intent of another rider, and her only allies are a rogue vampire she once helped free and the nameless thing hiding inside her skin.


My thoughts:

I had not read The Black Sun's Daughter series though it was on my to be read list. I really like Urban Fantasy with strong main characters, an interesting world, and well developed stories. In order to get to Killing Rites, which is out today, I read the prior 3 books in the series. Jayné Heller is the main character in what turns out to be an ensemble cast of very different and enjoyable characters. I liked the first 3 books though at times I found Jayné's behavior a bit annoying. However, given her back story, her age, and the world she was thrust into, this behaviour was neither out of place nor entirely unexpected. It worked with the stories. In addition, the author's off and on focus on her love life throughout the first 3 books also put me off a bit. It's not that I don't think there should be relationships in Urban Fantasy, I just became disenchanted with her romantic issues. Nonetheless the first 3 novels were well written and the stories engaging.

Killing Rites is the 4th novel in the series and focuses more on who Jayné really is. I think it is by far the best book in the series because we finally get to find out a bit about the Black Sun's Daughter. Killing Rites also explores the background of Ex, one of the people that has helped and continues to help Jayné in her supernatural tasks. Jayné tends to get beat up on a regular basis but always comes out on top. Killing Rites deals with why this is and her and Ex's reaction to it. Ex has some interesting if over zealous former colleagues. This is a really fun read despite the fact that once again Jayné has some issues of the heart. One of my favorite characters from the first book makes an appearance here. He's still a good guy despite being one of the apparent bad guys

In Killing Rites, Jayné finally begins to understand what is going on with her, 'begins' being the operative word. We don't get a resolution to this particular issue, and I assume it will be visited in further books in the series. We did get to learn a lot about Ex also, which I really liked.

M.L.N. Hanover has created an intricate and well constructed Urban Fantasy world and has woven a riveting, action packed story in Killing Rites. Jayné's strength, innate and enhanced, make her a fascinating heroine and one I want to read more about.

I give Killing Rites 4 Qwills.


I do suggest that you read at least the 1st book in the series, Unclean Spirits, before reading Killing Rites.

Other books in the series:

Guest Blog by Gaie Sebold - November 29, 2011

Please welcome Gaie Sebold to The Qwillery as part of the 2012 Debut Author Challenge guest posts. Gaie's debut novel, Babylon Steel, will be published in the United Kingdom and Canada on January 5, 2012 and in the United States on December 27, 2011 by Solaris.


Things I Didn’t Know

Dear Sally

Thank you for inviting me to guest blog.

Guest blogging is one of the many things I am still finding my way at; it seems to be an essential part of being a debut author in these techno-savvy times. Unfortunately, I’m more techno-idiot than techno savvy; and the fact that I would have to learn to use Twitter (badly, so far) is only one of the many things I didn’t know about being a debut author.

I didn’t know that I would write two novels (not to mention a couple of 30,000 word false starts and innumerable scraps, fragments, ideas and occasionally just titles) before I got an agent. I didn’t know that all the shrieks of glee and popping of champagne corks which accompanied getting an agent would have plenty of time to die away, because it would be several years and two more whole novels before I got a deal with Babylon Steel. I think if I’d known how old I would be before that happened, I might have given up long before – which would have been a pity. (At least, I think it would have been a pity, but I’m still waiting for the first reviews of Babylon Steel …)

Nor did I realise that the inevitable corollary to all this passing time was that when I did get a deal, the team I would be working with would all be delightful, enthusiastic - and rather frighteningly young. (Not to mention capable of spotting a plot-hole at 300 yards).

I didn’t anticipate that I would end up getting published with a novel which is, among other things, about sex and sexual attitudes, and that this fact would alternatively delight me and terrify the life out of me.

I didn’t know how utterly essential my critique group would be (T Party Writers – http://t-party.org.uk/ - nothing to do with the other T Party in any way) They got me up to standard, kept my nose to the grindstone, and provided endless ideas, support, commiseration, cheerleading etc. as required. They’re like one of those dispensers that produces whatever drink you need, from espresso to hot chocolate. They produce actual drinks, too, for sorrow-drowning or celebration as required – and what more could one ask?

I didn’t expect that I would get fits of inappropriate grinning every time I remembered that Babylon Steel was actually going to be published.

I didn’t anticipate the occasional flurry of rampant panic at the thought of strangers I’m never going to meet reading what I’ve written; not just the sexy bits, any of it. Which is daft, considering it’s what I’ve been working for all this time.

I didn’t expect the sense of unreality which continued to make me believe that this wasn’t really happening, until the very moment I received my author copies and realised Babylon Steel really did exist, a book, an actual thing, separate from an idea in my head. Of course, it’s not actually published yet, so I continue to be haunted by the fear that something will happen to prevent it ever reaching readers. If the zombie apocalypse occurs before the release date, I am going to be seriously cross, but somehow, not entirely surprised.

Because all of the above applies to being a debut author whose book hasn’t actually been released. Which is another thing I didn’t realise – how many stages there are to publication, even after you’ve written the book and got it as polished as you possibly can. Agent – whoop! Deal – hallelujah! Then there are press releases and you see it for the first time; ‘BABYLON STEEL…debut novelist Gaie Sebold.’ And you squee a lot. Then your book title appears on the publisher’s website. Then there’s cover design. Possible release dates. First edits. Cover design again. More edits. Getting blurbs. Actual cover appearing on the publisher’s website. More edits. And writing the dedication and acknowledgements, and getting the actual release dates. Each stage is exciting, each brings the book a bit closer to reality. It may sound tedious, but to be honest I’ve loved every minute of it; possibly I’m strange. But I have a book. Babylon Steel, by…me. It really exists. And I thought I knew how cool that would be, but I didn't. It's amazingly cool.

And it still will be, even if there is a zombie apocalypse.


About Babylon Steel

Babylon Steel
Babylon Steel 1
Solaris, December 27, 2012 (US); January 5, 2012 (UK/Canada)
Mass Market Paperback, 544 pages

Babylon Steel, ex-sword-for-hire, ex-other things, runs the best brothel in Scalentine; city of many portals, two moons, and a wide variety of races, were-creatures, and religions, not to mention the occasional insane warlock. She's not having a good week. The Vessels of Purity are protesting against brothels, women in the trade are being attacked, it's tax time, and there's not enough money to pay the bill. So when the mysterious Darask Fain offers her a job finding a missing girl, Babylon decides to take it. But the missing girl is not what she seems, and neither is Darask Fain. In the meantime twomoon is approaching, and more than just a few night's takings are at risk when Babylon's hidden past reaches out to grab her by the throat.



About Gaie

Gaie Sebold was born in the US, lives in South East London, and works for a social change charity. She has had several short stories and a book of poetry published. Her debut novel Babylon Steel is due out from Solaris on 27 December (US). ("Ingenious, gripping, and full of pleasures on every level. Exceptional." Mike Carey.)

She began writing shortly after learning to read, and has produced a large number of words, many of them different. She has worked as a cleaner, secretary, till-monkey, stage-tour-manager, editor, and now works for a charity and runs occasional writing workshops.

She is an obsessive reader, enthusiastically inefficient gardener and has been known to run around in woods hitting people with latex swords and declaim poetry in public, though not usually at the same time. She is currently working on a sequel to Babylon Steel, another novel in collaboration with her partner, writer Dave Gullen, and a romance, with orcs. She likes orcs.

Gaie's Links

Website
Twitter
Babylon Steel on Twitter


Look for an interview with Gaie in January 2012.  Keep up to date with the 2012 Debut Author Challenge at the 2012 Debut Author Challenge Page.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Interview with Nico Rosso and Giveaway - November 28, 2011

Please welcome Nico Rosso to The Qwillery. Nico writes The Limit War series. The Limit of Desire (The Limit War 3) was published on November 7, 2011.

TQ:  What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Nico:  I took this question to my wife, romance writer Zoë Archer. We share an office, so any of my writing quirks are in full view for her. She says, and I know it's true, that I "act out" the scenes as I write them. I'll mumble dialogue or scowl or smile or breathe in pace with the characters.

TQ:  Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Nico:  I'm a big time plotter. I actually enjoy the plotting process, strategizing and allowing myself to be creative without worrying about my word count for the day. With all the action in these sci-fi stories, I really like to know where things are headed before I get down to writing pages.

TQ:  What inspired you to write the The Limit War series?

Nico:  The first story, TAKEN TO THE LIMIT, was set on Earth and designed to sweep the reader into the war in the same way it brings the heroine into it. The idea of a war between two powerful foes rolling across galaxies appealed to me because it provided countless story opportunities. From Earth, we've gone to another planet to see the espionage of the Limit War in PUSHED TO THE LIMIT, and in THE LIMIT OF DESIRE, we are literally in the trenches of the war.

TQ:  What sort of research did you do to create the worlds in The Limit War?

Nico:  I like to reverse research. Because this is sci-fi, I let my imagination take over in the creation of the worlds and cultures, then I try to fill in as many details as possible so it seems as if I poured over books and videos and maybe even visited the distant planets before writing the story.

TQ:  Tell us about The Limit of Desire (The Limit War 3).

Nico:  This story takes place smack in the middle of the Limit War. It was released in conjunction with Veterans' Day, so I wanted to tell a tale of two solders, a man and a woman, as they fought the external war against the enemy and overcame their inner turmoil to fall in love. Here's the blurb:

Captain Jessa Tok is a veteran soldier, but when an artillery strike separates her from the squad she commands, it may be the end of her career and her life. Then a single Dawn Soldier fights his way behind enemy lines to find her. The last man she’d expect. The one soldier she’d had a fling with and was trying to forget.

Sergeant Ryder Hiltop never thought of himself as a hero. He’s a career soldier, just trying not to get killed. But when his captain is lost during an attack, he has to go find her. And not just for the sake of the other Dawn Soldiers. A shore leave with Jessa left an indelible mark on him, and he’ll do anything to make sure she’s safe. But is it a suicide mission to find her? And if they manage to fight their way to safety, can their brief affair grow into something more?

TQ:  Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in The Limit of Desire?

Nico:  Telling a story with two characters who are hot for each other but are way behind enemy lines posed an interesting problem. There's nowhere safe enough for my hero and heroine to take off their body armor, so they have to get a little creative when passions flare. That scene was a lot of fun to write.

TQ:  In The Limit War series, who was the most difficult character to write and why? The easiest and why?

Nico:  I think the most difficult character to write was Drel from PUSHED TO THE LIMIT. He is a complex guy, part technician, part outdoors-man and he has to break out of himself to learn how to fight the enemies of his planet. The easiest to write was Ryder from the latest, THE LIMIT OF DESIRE. Ryder's a wry kind of soldier, always cracking wise but kicks some serious butt when the fighting starts. His was an easy voice to find because he's so free to speak his mind.

TQ:  Which character has surprised you the most in The Limit War series?

Nico:  Teryn in PUSHED TO THE LIMIT surprised me with her backstory. I always knew I wanted her to be a badass spy, trained in subterfuge, but when I went searching in her for what drew her to that, I didn't expect it to come from a background performing on stage. I almost rejected the character quirk, but it grew on me quickly and gave her an unexpected facet.

TQ:  The Limit War series is SciFi Romance. Are there any other genre in which you'd like to write?

Nico:  There are tons of genres I'd like to work in. In fact, I have a post-apocalyptic coming out soon, as well as a superhero romance. Steampunk is really attractive to me because of all the opportunities for invention and there just might be something like that on the horizon.

TQ:  What's next?

Nico:  My post-apocalyptic romance, THE LAST NIGHT, is coming from Carina in February. In the spring, look for my superhero romance, tentatively titled IRONHEART, in an anthology from by Entangled Publishing. There are other things in the works, with announcements coming soon.

TQ:  Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.

Nico:  Thanks so much for having me and for the engaging questions. Good luck to all entering the contest and I hope people enjoy the adventure and romance in the Limit War.


About The Limit War Series

The Limit of Desire
The Limit War 3
Liquid Silver Books, November 7, 2011
ebook

Captain Jessa Tok is a veteran soldier, but when an artillery strike separates her from the squad she commands, it may be the end of her career and her life. Then a single Dawn Soldier fights his way behind enemy lines to find her. The last man she’d expect. The one soldier she’d had a fling with and was trying to forget.

Sergeant Ryder Hiltop never thought of himself as a hero. He’s a career soldier, just trying not to get killed. But when his captain is lost during an attack, he has to go find her. And not just for the sake of the other Dawn Soldiers. A shore leave with Jessa left an indelible mark on him, and he’ll do anything to make sure she’s safe. But is it a suicide mission to find her? And if they manage to fight their way to safety, can their brief affair grow into something more?


Pushed to The Limit
The Limit War 2
Liquid Silver Books, July 2011
ebook

Teryn Pilander lives in a world of secrets. She is a Shadow Corps operative for the Core Army in the Limit War, trained in espionage. Her latest mission takes her to the planet Viela, drawn by a communication that the local government captured a Dusk Warrior Officer for questioning. More interesting than the message, though, is the voice delivering it. A little shy, but deep and strong, the masculine voice sparks dormant fires in Teryn. She tells herself that once the mission is over, she might put her spy self away for a bit and live a little as a woman.

Drel Kol has secrets of his own. He is the one who sent the message drawing Teryn and her team to his planet. But he was just following orders and led her into a trap. Now, the woman he spoke with could be in grave danger. Her voice alone is enough to ignite a passion he has never known. Yet he's only a technician. Can he fight against his own government and the Dusk to save her? And will the new bond between Teryn and Drel be torn apart when she learns his secret?


Taken to the Limit
The Limit War 1
Liquid Silver Books, December 2010
ebook

“Welcome to the Limit War.”

E.R. Doctor Korina Antonakis thinks she has mastered the chaos of her work and life. In a flash of light, everything changes. A man appears, a soldier from another world. Sergeant Morrow is a Nightfighter, an elite soldier who always battles alone. But he needs an ally on Earth, a doctor. In the dark of night, he opens Korina's eyes to The Limit War. And Earth is on the front lines.

More amazing than the interstellar war, is the soldier before her. He is strong and stoic, a veteran, but beneath the armor, Korina finds the heart of a man. And in Korina, Sergeant Morrow finds the soul of a warrior to match his own. Their lives had started light-years apart, but the attraction between them pulls like destiny. Their desire is real, but the enemy needs to be driven from Earth.

Can Korina and Sergeant Morrow's passion survive in the Limit War?


About Nico

Nico Rosso was born and raised in a factory town. The major industry: Movies. Growing up with a creative family in Los Angeles, Nico was surrounded by the film business, and after college he returned home to work in that industry. From cleaning up gallons of milk after a special effect to pitching ideas to executives as a screenwriter, Nico was there. But the movies had changed from the glowing pictures that once inspired him. He found there wasn’t as much space for his voice and turned to writing narrative fiction, and more specifically, romance (inspired by his wife, Zoë Archer). He created the sci-fi adventure world of the Limit War, taking readers into an intergalactic battle between planet-consuming aliens and the army that combats their spread. Turning his sights to home, Nico set off the apocalypse on the Burning Earth, where humans fight to survive against mutant Fire Eaters. Inspiration comes from travel, daydreams, research and random lightning bolts, so there’s no telling where the next adventure will start.

Nico's Links

Website
Twitter
tumblr
Facebook


The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter a PDF copy of The Limit of Desire (The Limit Wars 3) from Nico.

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

Favorite type of Romance? SciFi? Paranormal? Contemporary? Steampunk? etc.

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)   Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)   Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)   Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a e-mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Monday, December 5, 2011. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*

The View From Monday - November 28, 2011

Happy last Monday in November! Hope that everyone who celebrated had a nice Thanksgiving weekend. If you braved Black Friday I hope that was fun! Check out The Qwillery's 2011 Blogversary Giveaways (announced yesterday).

This week at The Qwillery so far:

Monday - Interview with Nico Rosso, author of The Limit War series.

Thursday - Guest Blog from 2012 Debut Author Myke Cole. Control Point (Shadow Ops 1), his debut novel, will be published on January 31, 2012 by Ace.


There are a lot of books out tomorrow. A book shopping list in PDF format may be found by clicking here. Click "File" on the left and then "Print (PDF)."


November 29, 2011


TITLEAUTHORGENRE - SERIES
Captain Flandry
Poul Anderson SF - Technic Civilization Saga, Vol 5
Fate's Edge
Ilona Andrews UF - Edge 3
Honor Among Thieves
David Chandler EF - Ancient Blades Trilogy 3
The Dark-Eyes' War (h2mm)
David B. Coe EF - Blood of the Southlands 3
Virtual Virgin
Carole Nelson Douglas UF - Delilah Street: Paranormal Investigator 5
Nightshift
Kate Douglas PER - Collection
Angel of Darkness
Cynthia Eden PNR - Fallen 1
Dark Prince: Author's Cut Special Edition (h2mm)
Christine Feehan PNR - Dark 1
1635: The Eastern Front
Eric Flint SF / AH - Assiti Shards 9
The Scottish Prisoner
Diana Gabaldon F / HM- Lord John 3
Hunter of Shadows
Nancy Gideon PNR - Moonlight 5
Killing Rites
M.L.N. Hanover UF - Black Sun's Daughter 4
Pale Demon (h2mm)
Kim Harrison UF - Rachel Morgan 9
Hellhole (h2mm)
Brian Herbert
Kevin J. Anderson
SF - Hell Hole Trilogy 1
Bound By Darkness
Alexandra Ivy PNR - Guardians of Eternity 8
First Grave On The Right (tp2mm)
Darynda Jones UF - Charley Davidson 1
Within the Flames
Marjorie M. Liu PNR - Dirke & Steele 11
Acquainted With the Night
Piper Maitland PT
Vampires Dead Ahead
Cheyenne McCray PNR - Night Tracker 5
Broken Blade
Kelly McCullough F - Fallen Blade 1
All That Lives Must Die (tp2mm)
Eric Nylund F - Mortal Coils 2
Theme Planet
Andy Remic SF - Combat-K 5
Beyond the Darkness
Jaime Rush PNR - Offspring 5
Darkling Fields of Arvon (tp2mm)
James G. Anderson
Mark Sebanc
EF - Legacy of the Stone Harp 2
The Chalice of Death: Three Novels of Mystery in Space
Robert Silverberg SF - Omnibus
Winning Mars
Jason Stoddard SF
Cobra Guardian (h2mm)
Timothy Zahn SF - Cobra War 2



November 30, 2011


TITLEAUTHORGENRE - SERIES
The Hunter from the Woods
Robert McCammon H - Michael Gallatin 2


h2mm - Hardcover to Mass Market Paperback
h2tp - Hardcover to Trade Paperback
tp2mm - Trade Paperback to Mass Market Paperback


AH - Alternative History
EF - Epic Fantasy
F - Fantasy
H - Horror
HM - Historical Mystery
PER - Paranormal Erotic Romance
PM - Paranormal Mystery
PNR - Paranormal Romance
PT - Paranormal Thriller
SF - Science Fiction
UF - Urban Fantasy

Sunday, November 27, 2011

2011 Blogversary Giveaways!

I started The Qwillery as a general blog on October 1, 2008. In the last 3 months of 2008, I posted 19 times. In 2009, the number increased a bit to 38 for the entire year! I guess I really don't like talking about myself much. It's on the boring side. Trust me on that. About midway into 2010 postings increased dramatically and The Qwillery had firmly evolved into a book blog. Now posts are over 30 a month and many people from around the world visit the blog. Fun stuff. Still, I like to celebrate the anniversary of The Qwillery on the 1st of October, which, after all, is the day I started this sometimes odd but always wondrous blogging journey.

Announcement of the blogversary giveaways is a bit late as you can see. Stuff happened! There are 4 giveaways this year:

1) New York Comic Con / NOOK Simple TouchTM Giveaway;
2) Steampunk Giveaway;
3) Angel Giveaway; and
4) Demon Giveaway. 

It will work more or less like last year - you must list your giveaway order of preference in your comment because you can only win 1 of the 4 giveaways.  The first commenter chosen will get his/her first choice, the second commenter chosen will get the highest of his/her choices that has not been given away, etc. until all 4 giveaways have been given away.  All giveaways are open internationally. See The Rules below.

Please note that the NOOK Simple TouchTM requires a US billing address and a Barnes & Noble account. You can read more about the NOOK Simple TouchTM at the Barnes & Noble's website: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/Support-NOOK-Simple-Touch/379003176.  The NOOK Simple TouchTM being given away is the Limited Edition that was available only on Black Friday. The border on the front of the device is white instead of black. Please note that I have not opened the box. The winner gets to do that!

And now... the giveaways:

New York Comic Con (NYCC) / NOOK Simple TouchTM Giveaway

Includes:
a NOOK Simple TouchTM ereader,
a signed copy of Awakenings by Edward Lazellari,
a signed copy of A Kiss Before the Apocalypse by Thomas E. Sniegoski,
a bookmark with a quill crafted by Wicked Lil Pixie Designs,
a signed copy of The Postmortal by Drew Magary and pin,
a Soulless 2011 NYCC Special Preview comic with Soulless pin,
and a Game of Thrones NYCC comic preview.

In addition, the NYCC / NOOK Simple TouchTM Giveaway includes The Qwillery necklace and earrings crafted by Cemetery Cat Jewelry:

Silver plate chain holds a pewter Celtic knot with a sterling silver quill and ink charm 
dangling below.. A pewter bat charm highlights.





The Steampunk Giveaway

Includes:
The Native Star and The Hidden Goddess by M.K. Hobson,  
The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper,
a bookmark with a quill crafted by Wicked Lil Pixie Designs,  
The Buntline Special by Mike Resnick,  
The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack and The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man by Mark Hodder,  
Dead Iron by Devon Monk,
a signed copy of The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross,
and The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook.

In addition, the Steampunk Giveaway includes a Steampunk necklace crafted by Cemetery Cat Jewelry:

Brass chain holds a pendant made of altered art and watch ephemera.




The Angel Giveaway

Includes:
Covet, Crave and Envy by J.R. Ward,
a bookmark with a quill crafted by Wicked Lil Pixie Designs,  
Angel's Blood, Archangel's Kiss, Archangel's Consort, and Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh,
Touch of Crimson by Sylvia Day,  
Avenger's Angel by Heather Killough-Walden, and
a signed copy of Sins of the Angels generously provided by Linda Poitevin along with some Sins of the Angels bookmarks.

In addition the Angel Giveaway includes a Divine Intervention necklace crafted by Cemetery Cat Jewelry:

Peridot Swarovski crystal is the foundation of this necklace. An Art Nouveau Lily pendant 
holds a large crystal teardrop, while a pewter angel looks on. 16"




The Demon Giveaway

Includes:
The Lords of the Underworld novels by Gena Showalter: The Darkest Night, The Darkest Kiss, The Darkest Pleasure, The Darkest Whisper, The Darkest Passion, The Darkest Lie, The Darkest Secret, and The Darkest Surrender,
a bookmark with a quill crafted by Wicked Lil Pixie Designs

The Demonica novels by Larissa Ione: Pleasure Unbound, Desire Unchained, Passion Unleashed, Ecstasy Unveiled, and Sin Undone.

In addition the Demon Giveaway includes the Tansy necklace crafted by Cemetery Cat Jewelry:

Nestled among silver plate chain are brilliant purple "tanzanite" colored Swarovski crystals and a Victorian style hand . This is all held together by a pewter scrolled Victorian flower pendant. 
Swaying from the pendant is a large teardrop Swarovski crystal of the same color. 16 1/2"



THE RULES

What: 4 Giveaways:  New York Comic Con / NOOK Simple TouchTM Giveaway, Steampunk Giveaway, Angel Giveaway, and Demon Giveaway. You can only win one of the giveaways!

How:  Leave a comment listing the giveaways in your order of preference and answer the following question:

What is your favorite book of 2011 (so far)?

NOTE: Four commenters names will be randomly chosen. Commenters must list the giveaways in their order of preference in your comment! If you do not list the giveaways in order of preference your entry will not be counted. If you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted. The first commenter chosen will get his/her first choice, the second commenter chosen will get the highest of his/her choices that has not been given away, etc. until all 4 giveaways have been given away.

You can receive additional entries by:

1)  Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)  Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)  Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Don't forget to list your giveaways in order of preference and answer the question!!

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Sunday, December 11, 2011. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Winners x 15!!

And the winners are....

US Mass Market Paperback of Avenger's Angel (Lost Angels 1) by Heather Killough-Walden


5 Winners:  booklover0226, ChrisbailsBrooklynn Gibbs,  
Debby, and The Happy Booker.



Lady Caroline Necklace created by Cemetery Cat Jewelry


Question:  Do you have any favorite covers or ones that didn’t work for you and why?

Sara M who said...
I will admit, covers are a big part of my reading experience. The reviews I write on my blog are split into four categories: plot, pace, characters, and cover. Because these are the make or break factors of a book for me.

The one book that I've picked up solely for the cover: Wither by Lauren DeStefano (which I ended up really enjoying even though it's outside of my genre preferences).

And some of my favorite covers are ones that include a lot of relevant details to the plot: Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep and Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler.


Germline (Subterrene War 1) by T.C. McCarthy


Question:  Science Fiction or Science Fact?

J.K. Coi who said...
OMG this book looks fantastic! I love science fiction, it doesn't matter how much fact is thrown in, but I want even the non-factual science to sound plausible, you know?


The Doomsday Vault (Clockwork Empire 1) by Steven Harper


Question:  Do you have a favorite Steampunk novel or story?

Julie who said...
My favorite so far is Clockwork Angel, but I've got The Iron Duke and Soulless waiting on my bookshelf and I hear they're pretty good, too!


The Hunter (Legend Chronicles 1) by Theresa Meyers


Question:  Paranormal Romance, Steampunk Romance, or any kind of Romance?

Maegan Morin who said...
I like any kind of romance!! Thanks for the giveaway!



Dead Mann Walking (Hessius Mann 1) by Stefan Petrucha (signed)


Question:  Favorite novel, short story, movie, TV show with zombies?

Sariah said...

Right now I would have to say The Walking Dead. Love that show!!! Thanks for the chance.


North of Need (e-book) by Laura Kaye (International) and North of Need Trading Cards (US/Canada)


Question:  Which cover do you like better and why? How important are covers to you in making you consider and/or buy a book?

North of Need (e-book)

Denise Z who said...

I have a definite preference for the North of Need cover. It is lovely and mysterious. I want to hold it and look closer at what is not clear and try to figure out what it means. The other cover is lovely, but if I was in a bookstore I would definitely pick up North of Need to see what it was about:) Thank you for taking the time to share with us today and for the awesome giveaway opportunity.



North of Need Trading Cards

donnas who said...

I really think both covers are awesome and Im not sure I can pick one between the two. As for importance in buying a book. The cover might make me pick it up and look at it, but unless it sounds good too I wont buy it based on cover alone.



Seed by Rob Ziegler


Question:  Which post-apocalyptic or dystopian novel would you recommend?

TheGirlOnFire who said...

I just finished The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch and really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend it!


Gift basket (US/Canada) and Hot Vampire Kiss / Hot Vampire Seduction (e-books) (International) from Lisa Renee Jones




Question:  If you wrote a novel, short story, novella, etc. what would be the name of your Main Chararcter?

Gift basket:

Rachel who said...

Actually, I've been creating background stuff for writing my own novel, and my main character is Evan.



Hot Vampire Kiss / Hot Vampire Seduction (e-books):

Gena R who said...

Oh wow, I've just added your books to my TBR list. They sound awesome!

I'd also use a combination of my son's names of Challan and Seth - Something like Chaleth perhaps. It's different, anyway!


The winners have been notified and have until 11:59 PM US Eastern Time on Saturday, December 10, 2011 to respond or The Qwillery will very randomly choose a new winner or winners.

Thank you very much to everyone who reads The Qwillery.