'Compromised' by Kate NOBLE

From the BLURB:

Miss Gail Alton is not having a good day. Or a good year. First, her new stepmother strong-arms her into attending the Season as a foil to her beautiful sister Evangeline. Then, while riding her mare in the park, she gets toppled by a stuffy, self-important, too-handsome-by-half "gentleman" who has the audacity to blame her for their fall into the chilly lake! Little does she know that the very same man will soon be found in a compromising position with Gail's sister.

Forced into asking for Evangeline's hand in marriage, Maximillian, Viscount Fontaine, can't take his mind off the irksome girl who threw him from his horse and who can match wits with him at every turn. He's determined to follow through with his best intentions, yet he can't deny that every encounter with Gail makes him want to cast propriety aside-and whisk away the sister of his soon-to-be bride.

It’s not very often that I find myself on the edge of my seat while reading a regency romance. More often than not the storyline is predictable and a happy ending is never far away. That’s quite all right – in fact it’s the whole reason I read regency romances. But I was pleasantly surprised by Kate Noble’s debut novel and how she managed to make ‘regency romance’ synonymous with ‘nail biter’.

Noble gets her hero and heroine so utterly twisted up in a thoroughly compromising position that even though I knew (deep, deep down) that things would work out romantically in the end, it was still a roller coaster of a journey to see how the characters got there.

Max and Gail meet when the two are unceremoniously dumped into a lake by their respective horses. Heated words ensue and the next time they meet, Gail is drunk as a skunk at a Ton party and vomiting on Max’s shoes. At the same Ton party Max bumps into Gail’s elder sister, the lovely Evangeline, and is instantly infatuated and even a little relieved when they are discovered in a compromising (though innocent) position that forces him to propose to her. Max can only see one drawback to marrying the ethereal Evangeline, and that is having Gail ‘the brat’ as his sister-in-law.

What follows is a slowly romantic and totally unintentional courtship between Max and Gail as Max learns the fleeting affections of lust are no match for the timelessness of true love. It’s incredibly sweet to watch Gail and Max go from being at logger-heads to reluctant affection to utter devotion. And all while navigating Ton gossip and the promises each of them have made.

Gail is a wonderful regency heroine. As is the case with most beloved leading ladies of the 1800’s – Gail is no dimwitted debutante. She is a wallflower who shies away from social events and conversations with men – but only because she fears her wicked wit and quick tongue will get her in trouble. She has high-minded opinions about England’s need to colonize other countries and the Crown’s rape of other cultures. She is utterly charming and a little bit clumsy. My kind of girl!

Max is a wonderful leading man for the headstrong Gail. He doesn’t back down from her arguments and actively encourages her debates and disagreements with him. He is enamored of her fiery personality and encourages her to let it out more often.

Gail hemmed. “I just worry too much about making a mess of things.”

Max squeezed her hand. “I am suddenly overwhelmed by this feeling that you will be just fine.”

“Why is that?” she questioned.

He laced his fingers through hers. “Because when no one’s watching,” he whispered, “you’re fearless”.

Max and Gail are smokin’ hot too. Their romance is aided by pent-up frustrations caused by propriety and an inconvenient engagement to the wrong sister – so when they do finally act on their feelings, it’s sexy as all get out!

The best thing about ‘Compromised’ is Noble’s ability to keep the reader guessing. Even though you know a happy resolution is in store, Noble has created such a twisty-turny plot and gotten her characters into such hot water it’s entertaining to see how they get themselves out of their predicaments.

I will definitely be reading more of Ms. Noble’s work – I even think she will join the ranks of Lisa Kleyas, Julia Quinn and Tessa Dare as being one my favorite historical romance authors.

5/5

SJ Day update on the 'Marked' series

In my 'Where are they now? - Author updates' post, I said I couldn't find any information on the status of SJ Day's 'Marked' series:

Well I now have an update, and it's bad news. It's all explained in this post by Ms. Day. But basically: SJ Day has successfully pitched a new paranormal romance series to Penguin's 'NAL'. This means Ms. Day won't be working with her previous publisher 'TOR' ... which means no more 'Marked' series in the immediate future. She could renew her contract and write more 'Eve' books (she says she still has ideas for the series) but I got the impression that fans would have to wait a long time.

Our only consolation is that SJ Day's short story in 'The Mammoth book of Paranormal Romance' anthology (released October 5th, 2010) is set in the 'Marked' universe and will wrap up the series (editing permitting).

In the mean time, keep your eyes pealed for new work by 'Sylvia Day'. Not much is known about the new series - except that it is a 'paranormal romance' and it is indeed a 'series', not stand-alone.

I am actually quite saddened by this news. I thought the 'Marked' series hit its stride with book #3 ' Eve of Chaos' - which beautifully set up a complicated and intriguing plot line for future books. I was looking forward to reading about how this universe would grow.

Oh well. All I can hope for now is some sort of resolution with regards to who Eve chose - Cain or Abel?

'One Week as Lovers' by Victoria DAHL

From the BLURB:

Some Pleasures, Once Tasted...

Even after finding his betrothed in the arms of another man, Nicholas, the Viscount Lancaster, knows he must wed. Propriety and the dire state of his finances decrees it. At least a visit to his country estate provides relief from playing the role of loving fiance, as well as a surprising encounter with Cynthia Merrithorpe. Once his childhood companion, Cynthia has grown into a lovely, alluring woman one who's undertaken a daring ruse to avoid being sold into a miserable marriage.

Are Too Delicious To Forget...

When Nicholas left for London to assume his new title, Cynthia was forced to put aside her girlish infatuation. Now he's returned, more wickedly attractive than ever. And this time, Cynthia is determined to experience the pleasure she's dreamed of for so long. But with a man like Nicholas, seduction is only the beginning of a sensual journey that will tempt them both to defy convention, and uncover the very heart of desire...

This was my first Victoria Dahl book.

I wasn’t overly impressed – I’ve read better historical romances, and authors like Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn remain among my favorite authors of the genre. ‘One Week as Lovers’ was just a little too hum-drum for me. The storyline is mediocre; so much is made of the fact that Nick and Cynthia grew up together, were childhood friends who drifted apart when Nick gained the title of ‘Viscount’. But I didn’t really feel the ‘connection’ between them – Dahl relied too heavily on Cynthia’s girlhood crush being the basis for her adult feelings.

The storyline is a bit all over the place as well. There were so many plot lines criss-crossing and starting/stopping; it was a little hard to get invested in any one. For one thing, Cynthia fakes her own death in the beginning to get out of a marriage contract. Nick discovers the ton woman he is engaged to has been cheating on him. Cynthia suspects that she has the map to buried pirate treasure – and when Nick comes to mourn Cynthia’s passing and he discovers she is in fact alive, they set out to locate the treasure trove.

And amidst all these storylines (enough for three separate books, at least) is something shady concerning Nick’s past, and a rumor that he tried to hang himself. This is actually the most intriguing storyline, and one that saves the book. When the truth about Nick is revealed it is an intense climax, heart-breaking and gut-wrenching.

I will say something for Dahl – she knows her way around a sex scene. Seriously good, smutty stuff.

He looked up for a moment as if startled, but she put her mouth on his and brought him back to her.

In the dark she could feel everything. In the dark it was just Nick and his taste and smell and touch. In the dark there was no fiancée and no scar around his neck and no ship to America.

I’ve read so many Victoria Dahl endorsements – first from Patti at ‘Book Addict’, and more recently from Mandi at ‘Smexy’. Having now had the pleasure of reading her ‘Tumble Creek’ series, I think Dahl’s strength lies in contemporary romance rather than historical.

2/5

'Bite Marks' Jaz Parks #6 by Jennifer RARDIN

From the BLURB:

Jaz is possessed. After biting the neck of a domyter during a forced visit to his territory, she now has unwelcome voices in her head. While fighting for supremacy in her own mind, she finds herself confronted with a near-impossible task: perform perfectly on her next mission or face the unemployment line.

This is Jennifer Rardin’s sixth ‘Jaz Parks’ book.

Jaz is back, along with Cole, Bergman, Cassandra, malamute Jack and official boyfriend, Vayl. Rardin has set this 6th novel in Australia’s capital, Canberra. As an Aussie I should be patriotic and proud – but Canberra, really? The most boring Australian city? Rardin does not exaggerate when she comments on its ugliness and the complete lack of nightlife.

One set-back to Rardin’s series is her reliance on reader’s memories. She picks the story up right where Jaz left off in ‘One More Bite’, including references to Cassandra’s complicated demon-warding rituals and the state of Jaz’s soul. There were a few times reading ‘Bite Marks’ when the references to past books were over my head – and I just had to smile, nod and keep reading in the hopes that it would all eventually make sense. Which it usually did, kind of.

But I also kind of love how fervently Rardin jumps into the story – from page one everything is helter skelter, full-throttle peddle-to-the-meddle and I love it! Jaz and Vayl are at their best when their fighting back-to-back because Rardin clearly relishes writing action scenes.

I kind of wish Rardin had as much fun writing Jaz/Vayl sex scenes. After finally making their flirtation official in ‘One More Bite’, I was looking forward to reading about Jaz and Vayl in couple’s bliss in ‘Bite Marks’. And while it is quite clear these two are loved up and blissed out – Rardin doesn’t go into the nitty gritty (unfortunately), she just offers readers tantalizing glimpses of Vayl and his sexy tush and hints at Jaz and Vayl’s passion:

Rising so deliberately that I could see the muscles bunch and relax in his shoulders and chest, he took my hand and lifted it to his lips. Every finger got a light caress. Then he kissed Cirilai solemnly before looking up into my eyes, his own telling me things only my heart could understand. “We are sverhamin and avhar now. That means we walk in our own Trust. Together.”

This was my biggest disappointment. I thought that after such a build-up to their relationship, Rardin would gift readers with some seriously sexy smut. Not the case, and I feel a little cheated.

I really liked this sixth installment. A ‘Jaz Parks’ book is always a fun read, and Rardin delivers ten-fold in ‘Bite Marks’. Plenty of action, lots of Jaz/Vayl developments (which are good, even without detailed sex – damn!) and plenty of funny Cole comments.

3.5/5

'Black Magic Sanction' Hollows #8 by Kim HARRISON

From the BLURB:

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter--and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment--at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

This is the 8th book in Kim Harrison’s popular ‘Rachel Morgan; The Hollows’ series.

I waited for this book for a year. After ‘White Witch, Black Curse’ I was absolutely desperate for the next instalment, because it finished on such a cliff hanger. In book #7, Rachel found herself shunned by the Witch community and ex-communicated because of her demon dabbling. Rachel was at an all-time low, and I was eager to find out how she would deal with this new catastrophe. But I’m sad to say that having now read book #8, I’m a tad disappointed.

I got to the end of ‘Black Magic Sanction’ and I honestly couldn’t tell you what has changed for Rachel. Whereas in past books the final page has left Rachel with demon marks, student to a demon teacher, killer of a vampire master, and reunited with her biological father… ‘Black Magic Sanction’ finished on a whimper, rather than a bang.

My first big complaint has to do with the introduction of yet another male love interest for Rachel, in the form of ghost Pierce.

Pierce first appeared in a ‘Hollows’ short story in the 2007 anthology ‘Holidays are Hell’. The short story was a ‘Hollows’ prequel called “Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel”, and featured an 18-year-old Rachel Morgan, her brother Robbie and a deceased Coven witch turned ghost, Pierce. I really liked that short story, and admittedly Pierce and Rachel had quite a bit of sparkage in just that little anthology.

But I feel bad for all those ‘Hollows’ fans who have not read that short story, and for whom Pierce’s sudden appearance at the end of ‘White Witch, Black Curse’ was a total WTF? moment. It doesn’t help all those in-the-dark fans that in ‘Black Magic Sanction’ Rachel constantly refers to Pierce as her ‘girlhood crush’. I can only imagine there are quite a few confused readers out there wondering if they’ve skipped a book in the series.

“It’s not what you are, but who you are,” Pierce said, and when he stood as well, I started edging into the hall. “I saw you when you had just tipped the scales to womanhood, and I can tell you that you’re much the same in your mind now as you were then.”

“And what is that?” I asked from within the dark hallway.

Pierce was silent until he stopped right before me, his face showing an unreadable emotion. “You’re firm in will, pure in intent, strong in magic. But now it’s tempered with wisdom, and you’re more beautiful and brilliant yet.” I went to turn away, and he pulled me back. “You are shades of gray swirling, balancing needs and desires,” he added, watching me. “You are good, Rachel. No matter what your choices lead you to, you will remain such.”

I don’t mind Pierce on the whole. I like that he is Victorian-minded and a very otherworldly gentleman – his speeches are great to read (“I swan”) and he proves very useful over the course of ‘Black Magic Sanction’. But I refuse to get invested in his character. Kisten was the only male love interest of Rachel’s that I liked, and I think he will be her last *serious* boyfriend.

I couldn’t help but resent Pierce because eight books in I desperately want Rachel and Ivy’s relationship to evolve beyond the ‘platonic’.

That brings me to my second annoyance…

Kim Harrison’s ‘The Hollows’ series is in a class all its own in the world of Urban Fantasy. Her series has amazing scope; they are truly epic and grand-scale. Harrison is one of the ‘big poombah’ writers of the UF genre and I absolutely adore her writing.

One of the reasons Harrison stands out in this ever-popular genre is because she isn’t afraid to take chances in her series. She kills off characters, she turns bad guys good and vice versa - and maybe best of all, she has her fans eager for an unconventional F/F pairing between Rachel and Ivy.

‘Hollows’ fans have patiently waited for things to progress between the vampire and the witch – they’ve read through Ivy admitting her love for Rachel, Rachel adamantly maintaining her heterosexuality and carrying on meaningless relationships with throw-away men (Marshal!) and we’ve been titillated by girl on girl scenes as they ‘explore their boundaries’. But eight books in and ‘Black Magic Sanction’ feels like one giant step back in any possible HEA for Ivy and Rachel.

‘Black Magic Sanction’ has Ivy in a new relationship with FIB officer, Glenn. And a possible ménage relationship with a new character called Darryl (who neither Rachel nor readers have been introduced to). Meanwhile Rachel is denying her growing feelings for Pierce…

It certainly feels like Harrison is going over old territory and not giving readers anything new. Harrison is contracted for 12 books (possibly 13 if her contract gets extended) in the series – and fair enough if she doesn’t want to write a HEA between Ivy and Rachel with 4 books still to go. But when she writes such distance between Ivy and Rachel, and doesn’t include any scenes of them being alone together – it just feels like she’s leaving those two characters and their relationship to stagnate and frustrate readers.

And that brings me to my third complaint.

Ivy and Jenks didn’t play a big enough role in this book. Rachel, Ivy and Jenks and their unconventional but steadfast friendship is the main reason I keep coming back to this series. I love their little Triumvirate and any scenes of the three of them. But those ‘threesome’ scenes are far and few between in ‘Black Magic Sanction’. Pierce hogs the spotlight with Rachel, and it feels like there is a growing chasm between Rachel and Ivy/Jenks.

Basically my biggest complaints are to do with the emotional character ARC’s in Harrison’s series. But I can’t fault the nuts and bolts of Harrison’s writing. She navigates her way around action scenes as though she’s writing for the big screen – and reading them gets your adrenaline pumping.

While I wasn’t thrilled with the progress of the emotional relationships, Harrison has very cleverly added a new layer of mystery to Rachel’s relationship with demon, Al and elf, Trent. Harrison has definitely increased the intrigue of those two men, and is setting up for some very interesting future plot lines….

** SPOILERS **

‘Black Magic Sanction’ also includes a very sad character death. No doubt many fans will have predicted this passing, but it still won’t prepare you for the impact of the scene. I bawled my eyes out.

** END SPOILERS **

All in all, I wasn’t impressed by ‘Black Magic Sanction’, and this was probably my least favourite book in the series (and I’m including the one in which Kisten dies! So that is saying something). Not enough happened, Ivy and Rachel’s ‘will they or won’t they’ began to grate and I didn’t get a big enough Jenks fix.

2/5

'Tuscan Rose' by Belinda ALEXANDRA

Received from the publisher

From the BLURB:

The internationally bestselling author of WHITE GARDENIA returns with her greatest heroine yet. A mysterious stranger known as ′The Wolf′ leaves an infant with the sisters of Santo Spirito. A tiny silver key hidden in her wrappings is the one clue to the child′s identity ...

Rosa′s only family is the nuns who have raised her. When she turns fifteen, she must leave them and become governess to the daughter of an aristocrat and his strange, frightening wife. Their house is elegant but cursed, and Rosa - blessed with gifts beyond her considerable musical talents - is torn between her desire to know the truth and her fear of its repercussions.

And all the while, the hand of Fascism curls around beautiful Italy, and none of her citizens is safe. Rosa faces unimaginable hardship: her only weapons her intelligence, intuition and determination ...and her extraordinary capacity for love.

The book opens in 1914, Florence and a man abandoning a newborn babe to a convent. He leaves the child with only a key tied to her foot, and a warning to the nuns that if the child remains anonymous, she will be safe. The novel then skips ahead to 1929, when 15-year-old Rosa Belocchi is about to leave the church and the only home she has ever known to become governess in the Scarfiotti villa.

‘Tuscan Rose’ is a sprawling saga of epic-proportions. Belinda Alexandra shows readers the height of Mussolini fever as the narrative spans decades and depicts Italy’s Police State under ‘Il Duce’ and consequent involvement in WWII.

Rosa Belocchi narrates throughout – first her tenure as governess to the Scarfiotti family, then her imprisonment as ‘enemy of the state’ that portrays the world of female political prisoners at the height of fascism. Rosa narrates through her marriage to a good, Jewish man during the ‘Pact of Steel’ between Germany and Italy and the vicious anti-Semitism that followed into invasion and war.

Antonio reached out and touched her wrist. The guard didn’t stop him. “You know, once war breaks out there are no decent men and no morals any more,” he said. “If people start thinking that way they will be defeated. What all the decent people need to do before war even breaks out is say ‘No!’ That is the time to be decent. That’s the only time it will do any good. But that’s not what we Italians did. We either cheered Mussolini on for our material gain or tried to ignore him. Now we pay the price.”

Rosa is a fierce narrator and a mass of contradictions. At times she comes across as frustratingly naïve, but with a backbone of steel - she loses her innocence but retains her moral compass. Ultimately though, Rosa is a heroine to inspire. She is imprisoned, beaten, humiliated and degraded – but never defeated.

Belinda Alexandra masterfully recreates Italy’s turbulent times through the eyes of a narrator who is ultimately one of histories victims. Rosa Belocchi is most certainly a victim of circumstance, as her fascinating tale unfolds and Alexandra depicts the consequences of history on those who were too small to impact it.

‘Tuscan Rose’ is a rambling historical chronicle, but there is also a touch of fable and fantasy to Alexandra’s story. Rosa’s abandonment when she was a baby is shrouded in mystery and adds to the mythological life of Ms. Belocchi. A man the nuns dubbed ‘The Wolf’ left Rosa in their tender care. And during her time at the Scarfiotti villa, Rosa hears rumors of witchcraft and believes her mistress to be a practitioner of the black arts…

Rosa is also a ‘handler’ – she can touch an object and see its origin;

The salami slices swelled and took on the form of a sow lying on her side with piglets sucking at her teats and wiggling their curly tails. Something began to tickle and scratch Rosa’s throat. She gagged and turned away, spitting the mouthful of food she had been chewing into her table napkin. She gasped when she looked at it and saw a fluffy yellow chick cheeping at her before gradually fading away.

This touch of fantasy permeates the story and ignites Alexandra’s writing to add a touch of whimsy to bleak history.

I did enjoy this book. It’s a big read, 563 pages – but the history is rich and devastating, the romance is tragic but poignant and the entire book feels sweeping and grand-scale. I had a few small complaints, like wishing Rosa had stayed longer on the Scarfiotti villa, if only to learn more about her mysterious employers… but ultimately I was happy to be swept away on Rosa’s journey.

4/5

Urban Fantasy MOVIE adaptations

With the release of the new Twilight trailer for 'Eclipse' I got to thinking about how much the Urban Fantasy genre has blown up. There are so many great movie/TV/graphic novel adaptations going on - the genre is really branching out into different forms of New Media. So I thought I'd do a little post updating you on what's coming, what's cancelled and possible future endeavors.... Enjoy!

Melissa Marr:

It was announced last year that the first book in Melissa Marr’s ‘Wicked Lovely’ series would be coming to the big screen.

Many in Hollywood believe Marr’s project was chosen to compete against the adaptation of Aprilynne Pike’s book ‘Wings’, which has confirmed Miley Cyrus for the lead. Both books are aimed at the YA audience. Both are about fairies, which is tipped to be the ‘next big thing’ after vampires for 2011.

‘Wings’ will be made by Disney, and is being produced by the same team who made ‘Twilight’ (Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey). ‘Wicked Lovely’ has no cast as yet, but is being adapted by Universal Pictures. Both have a tentative 2011 release date – and I wouldn’t be surprised if they went head-to-head to battle it out at the box office.

Patricia Briggs:

In 2008 the ‘Mercy Thompson’ books were optioned to 50 Canon Entertainment. 50 Canon created TV show ‘Huff’, but they’ve also done movies such as ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’. It’s unclear whether the ‘Mercy’ series was optioned with the intent of turning them into movies or a TV show.

Since 2008 nothing has come of the contract. It might just have been a case of 50 Canon hedging their bets. At the time ‘True Blood’ (adaptation of Charlaine Harris’s ‘Sookie Stackhouse’ series) hadn’t hit our TV screens, so maybe they bought the ‘Mercy’ rights and then waited to see how ‘True Blood’ fared.

Since the HBO success, 50 Canon may have decided not to compete against such a high-rating show, or they could be waiting to see how audiences respond to the werewolf storyline of season 3….

Also at the time of the contract, Briggs’s comic book adaptation of her series hadn’t hit shelves. ‘Homecoming’, the first ‘Mercy’ comic by Dabel Brothers, came out last year to an underwhelming fan response. This could have impacted 50 Canon’s decision to adapt, but it’s highly doubtful.

The contract between Briggs and 50 Canon was rumoured to be in the six figures (if, or when, they decide to adapt). So regardless of whether or not the adaptation gets a green light this was a huge coup for Briggs professionally.

I, personally, think that the ‘Mercy Thompson’ books would make a great TV show… but at the same time I feel very precious about the series and would want it to be done *just* right.

Laurell K. Hamilton:

Last year Hamilton announced on her blog (with much ego-stroking) that her ‘Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter’ series was being bought to the small screen by IFC (independent film channel).

I was actually really excited for ‘Guilty Pleasures’ (the first book in the Anita Blake series) to be adapted. Hamilton’s first books in the series were great (it all went downhill around about ‘Narcissus in Chains’) and I think they would have made for a really entertaining mini-movie.

Unfortunately the deal with IFC fell through, rather disastrously.

Ms. Hamilton told fans about the no-go ‘Anita’ movie back in November 2009. She posted this rather quizzical statement on her blog: “It has been frustrating watching other shows in the genre I pioneered go on the air while we didn’t, but in the end I believe most things happen for a reason. I would rather have no television show than a bad one.”

Fans have been left to speculate about this cryptic blog post. It’s pretty obvious that there was some sort of creative difference going on between Hamilton and IFC.

And her reference to ‘other shows’ being made from adaptations – she can only mean Charlaine Harris’s ‘True Blood’. Maybe it stuck in Ms. Hamilton’s craw that Ms. Harris got HBO while she was stuck with IFC? Who knows? All we know for sure is that an adaptation of vintage Anita Blake is probably never going to happen now. If Hamilton was ‘difficult’ to work with, chances are other movie production companies will follow in IFC’s footsteps and not touch her.

Hollywood’s a big damn pond, and authors are small fish – especially when the Urban Fantasy genre has blown-up and there are plenty of possibilities for adaptation.

Charlaine Harris:

Ms. Harris has said in numerous interviews that she was quite surprised that, of all her books, it was ‘Sookie Stackhouse’ that was made into a TV show. She always thought that ‘Harper Connelly’ was more screen-friendly, and a more likely choice for adaptation.

Well since 2008 ‘True Blood’ has been going from strength to strength, and has regained HBO’s status as the premier network (not since ‘The Sopranos’ have ratings been so high). So it’s no wonder that people are sniffing around Harris’s other work.

It was recently announced that Harris’s ‘Harper Connelly’ series was being adapted into a graphic novel. ‘Dynamite Entertainment’ bought the rights to the 4-book series – which is about a young woman who can ‘sense’ the dead and see the last moments of a deceased’s life.

There’s no release date as yet, but it’s likely the graphic novel will come out late 2010, or early 2011.

This might just be the first step before turning the ‘Harper Connelly’ books into a movie or TV show. No doubt the media will be abuzz over this adaptation, purely because of Charlaine Harris’s recent fame with ‘True Blood’ and the ‘Sookie’ books being a staple of the New York Times Bestseller’s list. If the comic book gets enough hype, I wouldn’t be surprised if a production network snaps up the movie/TV rights.

I, for one, would love to see a big/small screen adaptation of this series. All of Charlaine Harris’s series’ are great, and deserve as much attention as ‘Sookie Stackhouse’ – but I have a particularly soft spot for the brilliant ‘Harper Connelly’.

Kelley Armstrong:

Back in 2004 Armstrong’s ‘Bitten’ was sold to Warner. Bros and several screenplay drafts were written. Angelina Jolie was even rumoured to star.

Since then the contract has run out and Warner. Bros decided not to renew. That means another production company could try and buy the movie rights, but Ms. Armstrong has advised fans not to hold their breath.

Bummer.

Maggie Stiefvater:

September last year Ms. Stiefvater broke the happy news on her livejournal.

Her ‘Wolves of Mercy Falls’ trilogy has been picked up for movie adaptation. It’s being made by ‘Unique Features’.

No news yet about casting or release dates – but I think the movie will be a sure thing. Werewolves are so hot right now; the YA/tween audience cannot get enough of Taylor Lautner.

‘Shiver’ will be like a “what if Jacob got Bella in the end?” to satisfy all those who weren’t in the ‘Team Edward’ camp.

‘Shiver’ is a gorgeous book and absolutely deserving of this happy news!

Kim Harrison:

In July 2009 Kim Harrison announced that her series 'The Hollows' was going to be adapted into a Graphic Novel by Del Ray. Ms. Harrison is actually writing the script herself, so expect plenty of that snappy dialogue and dry wit that we've come to love.

The novel will be told from Ivy's POV (*squee!*) and is set around the time of her 'Hollows' novella in 'Dates From Hell'. And Kisten is still alive (*SQUEE!*).

The 8th 'Rachel Morgan' book was released this month (to much success, of course) and the Graphic Novel is tentatively scheduled for a fall 2010 release (could possibly turn into a 2011 release though). The artist is Pedro Maia and Ms. Harrison has posted some (very rough) sketches on her blog.

The graphic novel looks and sounds great so far. I especially like the idea of it being told from Ivy's POV - hopefully we'll learn a lot more about the 'behind the scenes' of the vampires and their politics. And I think it will be great to get into Ivy's psyche and maybe discover when her feelings for Rachel changed.

I think the 'Rachel Morgan' series is one of the best Urban Fantasies out there. Hands down. Brilliant. But I think a movie/TV adaptation would be very hard, if not impossible to accomplish. The world is so intricate and there's so much back story... I don't know that such a screen adaptation would be possible. But a graphic novel is just the right kind of new media for Ms. Harrison. It allows her to work closely on script and visualize her 'Hollows' world without constraint. Fantastic!