Waiting on Wednesday: 'Alien VS Alien'

 "Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

 TITLE: 'Alien VS Alien' Katherine "Kitty" Katt #6

AUTHOR: Gini Koch

RELEASE DATE: December 4th 2012

BLURB:

Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini and the rest of the American Centaurion Diplomatic Corps are still recovering from their introduction to Washington D.C. politics, parties, and conspiracies. So when compromising pictures arrive, no one’s too surprised. They’re also the least of anyone’s worries.

Evil androids running amok, birds of all kinds and from all places creating havoc, a Senator trapped in an ever-tightening web of intrigue, and escalating international tensions all seem tough but manageable. But the disappearance of Jeff Martini and Charles Reynolds during the International One World Festival signals more than the usual nastiness — and it looks like even ACE can’t help them.

Then new trouble arrives in old packages and even with the best hackers in the world, beings from near and far, the full might of Earth’s military, and the Wonder Twins on their side, Centaurion Division’s outmanned and outgunned.

Now Kitty’s racing against the clock to find not only Jeff and Chuckie, but to keep the peace between Middle Eastern countries, all while searching for the bases of super-soldier operations — to stop them or die trying.

WHY I'M EXCITED: Um, because it's Gini Koch?! Need I say more? It became quite clear in 'Alien Diplomacy' that baby on-board has taken this series on a whole new and thoroughly thrilling trajectory. And the always gorgeous Dan Dos Santos cover-art is another hit - how cute does baby Jamie look?!

Waiting on Wednesday: 'A Corner of White'

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

TITLE: 'A Corner of White', first book in new series 'The Colors of Madeleine'

AUTHOR: Jaclyn Moriarty

RELEASE DATE: October 2012

BLURB: 

Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England, the World – a city of spires, Isaac Newton and Auntie’s Tea Shop.

Elliot Baranski lives in Bonfire, the Farms, the Kingdom of Cello – where seasons roam, the Butterfly Child sleeps in a glass jar, and bells warn of attacks from dangerous Colours.

They are worlds apart – until a crack opens up between them; a corner of white – the slim seam of a letter.

A mesmerising story of two worlds; the cracks between them, the science that binds them and the colours that infuse them.

Why am I so excited for this book (apart from the fact that Moriarty's 'Ashbury/Brookfield' series was fantastic)? Check out what Markus Zusak has to say about it:

'Perfectly strange, and absolutely comical and heartfelt... Jaclyn Moriarty is one of the most original writers we have.'

Waiting on Wednesday: 'The Scottish Prisoner' Lord John Grey #3 by Diana Gabaldon

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

TITLE: 'The Scottish Prisoner' Lord John Grey #3

AUTHOR: Diana Gabaldon

RELEASE DATE: October 25th 2012

BLURB:

There are only two compensations to Jamie Fraser’s life as a paroled Jacobite prisoner-of-war in the remote Lake District: he’s not cutting sugar cane in the West Indies, and he has access to William, his illegitimate (and very secret) son, otherwise known as the ninth Earl of Ellesmere. His quiet life comes suddenly apart with the appearance of Tobias Quinn, an Irishman and an erstwhile comrade from the Rising.

Some Jacobites were killed; others, like Jamie, imprisoned or transported. Others escaped. And many of them didn’t give up. Quinn still burns with passion for the Stuart Cause, and he has a Plan. A singularly dangerous plan, involving Jamie Fraser and an ancient relic of Irish kingship—the sacred cup of the Druid King.

Jamie has had enough of politics, enough of war—and more than enough of the Stuarts. He’s having none of it.

I am a HUGE Diana Gabaldon fan. I adore all things 'Outlander' but like many fans I have a love/hate relationship with Gabaldon's mega-meticulous novels. On the one hand, I love that when a new 'Outlander' book comes out, we have 500+ pages to get lost in. On the down-side ... it's a 4-5 year wait between books. I am at the point now where 'An Echo in the Bone' feels too long ago and I NEED Jamie and Claire to come back into my life.

Which is why I am thrilled for Gabaldon's third 'Lord John Grey' book, 'The Scottish Prisoner'. Mostly because, as the title suggests, Jamie Fraser will be making a major cameo in this book. And tensions between him and John are likely to rise, as Gabaldon's sneak-peeks have suggested. I know that 'Scottish Prisoner' is way out of the current 'Outlander' series timeline (sitting somewhere in 'Voyager', I think?) but I like that Jamie's relationship with his illegitimate baby son, William, will likely be a focus. I think this will actually be a real cohesion between 'Echo', since in that book William's paternity became a focus...

I would read Diana Gabaldon's shopping list, if she'd let me. So I am beyond thrilled for 'The Scottish Prisoner' - bring on more Jamie, baby!

Waiting on Wednesday: 'Death Magic' World of the Lupi #8 by Eileen Wilks

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

TITLE: 'Death Magic' World of the Lupi #8

AUTHOR: Eileen Wilks

RELEASE DATE: November 1st 2011

BLURB:

DEATH MAGIC opens with Special Agent Lily Yu in Washington, D.C. with her fiancé--lupi prince Rule Turner—to testify before a Senate subcommittee about her role in the magical collapse of a mountain last month. She is not there to tell them about the strange legacy she carries from that event—or about the arcane bond between her and Rule--or what her boss in Unit Twleve of the FBI’s Magical Crimes Division is really up to. She sure won’t tell them that the lupi are at war with an Old One who wants to remake humanity in her own image.

Lily is managing the conflict between her duty as an officer of the law and the need for secrecy pretty well . . . until the rabidly anti-magic senator who chairs that committee is murdered. The line between right and wrong, always so clear to her, becomes hopelessly blurred as events catapult them all towards disaster, and prophecies of a cataclysmic end to the country she loves and serves--and to the entire race of lupi--seem well on their way to being fulfilled.

I adore Eileen Wilks's 'World of the Lupi' series. It is one of the best and most original urban fantasies out there. I can't believe we've been with Lily and Rule for eight books now ... it feels like it was only yesterday that I was foraging for books to fill the curiosity that 'Mercy Thompson', 'Sookie Stackhouse' and the like had infected me with. I stumbled across 'World of the Lupi' from word of mouth on the Amazon recommends pages, and had my curiosity heightened when many message board devotees pimped the series to me. And I'm so glad I found it.

Wilks's world has werewolves in the limelight, as tabloid fodder and political scandal. She takes the old mythology and puts a contemporary cultural and societal spin on it. Not to mention a steamy, illicit romance with an FBI agent and prince werewolf. *sigh*

I'm really looking forward to 'Death Magic' because book #7 was SPECTACULAR. 'Blood Challenge' was a real departure from the norm in the 'Lupi' series. In this book, a previously secondary character was given the narrative limelight and a new romance introduced. I loved Arjenie and Benedict - they were complete opposites with complicated pasts and plenty of baggage. But they were also terribly romantic, and Benedict became a new book boyfriend favourite.

I don't know how big an appearance Benedict and Arjenie will have in 'Death Magic', since Wilks has a short story planned for them in the Christmas supernatural anthology 'Tied With a Bow'. I do hope they at least make a cameo appearance... but even if they don't, I'd be quite happy for 'Death Magic' to be the Lily and Rule show. Are these two crazy kids gonna get married already!?!

Although, considering the HUGE end of 'Blood Challenge' that thrust Cynna and Cullen into the spotlight ... I have a feeling the 'World of the Lupi' will be expanding once again beyond Lily and Rule. I trust in Eileen Wilks completely, and will be salivating for this eighth instalment in the coming months!

Waiting on Wednesday: 'Fair Game' by Patricia Briggs

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

TITLE: 'Fair Game' Alpha & Omega #3

AUTHOR: Patricia Briggs

RELEASE DATE: January 2012 / February 2nd 2012 ???

BLURB:

When the FBI request a pack consultant on a serial killer case they're following in Boston, Anna and Charles are sent in. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves – all of them were.

Someone is targeting their kind. And if Charles and Anna can't get to the bottom of this mystery, they may be next...

I am cra-cra for this book release! Especially because Ms Briggs has (understandably) cut back to only one book release a year - which means 2012 we will be without Mercy.
I'm not going to lie, it will be tough. Especially since things got to a really good place with Mercy and Adam in 'River Marked' - I (and many fans) cannot wait to read about their loved-up marital bliss.

However. I am also a BIG Charles Cornick fan, and I am a HUGE Charles & Anna shipper. It has been ages since we last read about this unlikely duo (not since 'Hunting Ground' way back in 2009!) - it's high time we revisited this pair.

The cover art is (as always) to-die-for, courtesy of Daniel Dos Santos. I have been keeping track of Mike Briggs's blog posts concerning Patty's progress with 'Fair Game' - and it sounds like this hasn't been an easy book to write. But that makes things all the more intriguing.

I'm a little perplexed with release date discrepancies - on Briggs's site it's down as a firm January 2012, but Goodreads has it has February 2nd. The optimist in me is choosing to believe Briggs's website.

Anyway. I can't wait for this book. Mercy went out on a bang this year, to mark her hiatus - now let 2012 be the year of Charles & Anna!

Waiting on Wednesday: 'Outlander' 20th Anniversary Edition

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

‘Outlander’ 20th anniversary edition by Diana Gabaldon

Release Date: today, July 6th!

I must admit that I had a mild excitement-apoplexy when I saw this cover and thought it was the 8th instalment in the ‘Outlander’ series. But my fan-girl high was only bought down a couple rungs when I realized it was actually a new hardcover 20th anniversary edition of the first novel.

Now, I love ‘Outlander’. It is easily, without a doubt, one of my all-time favourite novels . . . ever. And as such I have undergone multiple re-readings of the novel, as well as marked my favourite passages, quotes (and a certain wedding-night scene). I have also leant my copy out to numerous friends and family (and by ‘lent’ I mean practically shoved it down their throats and forced them to read it upon threat of bodily harm!). So my copy is a little battered.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

. . . So, I will definitely be buying myself the new hardcover edition, and keeping it dog-eared free and pristine to have pride of place on my keeper shelf! It's just so pretty, *sigh*.

Waiting on Wednesday: 'The Hunger Games' movie

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

So this is not a traditional waiting on Wednesday – because I'm not waiting (salivating, chomping at the bit, gagging, begging. . .) for a book. It’s actually a movie that’s based on a book. . . same, same – but different!

Suzanne Collin’s ‘The Hunger Games’ movie adaptation to be released in 2012.

I have to admit, I was one of those nay-sayers who balked at the idea of Jennifer Lawrence in the role of Katniss Everdeen. Trust me; I am happy to repent in the wake of press photos. . . Jennifer Lawrence looks like she’s totally going to kick Capitol ass!

I am sorry that I originally wanted Kaya Scodelario in the role (though I do still think she would have made an incredible ‘girl on fire’!). But I have since watched ‘Winter’s Bone’ and been figuratively ‘shut up’ by Lawrence’s bow and arrow + hair-dye.

Though, in my defense, when Jennifer Lawrence was announced as Katniss Everdeen the only reference I had for her was looking like a Baywatch-wannabe at the Oscars:

I'm still a little iffy on Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy (yes, I was rooting for Robert Downey Jnr, just like everybody else!). And I'm not getting the same lusty heart-palpitations for Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) as I do for Liam Hemsworth (Gale) – but my initial doubts about Jennifer Lawrence have taught me not to count my eggs before they hatch, and not to judge a cast before you see their promo shots. Lesson learned!

And may the odds be ever in your favor!

P.S. – is it 2012 yet? Because I'm also hanging out for the ‘Arrested Development’ movie. Seriously, I'm so excited I could weep!

Waiting on Wednesday: 'Tied with a Bow' anthology

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

TITLE: ‘Tied with a Bow’ anthology

AUTHOR(s): Lora Leigh, Virginia Kantra, Eileen Wilks, Kimberly Frost

RELEASE DATE: TBA November 2011

I'm really excited for this anthology, because Eileen Wilks is writing a short story called ‘Human Error’. Here is a short synopsis from Wilks’s blog;

"Human Error," which is about Arjennie and Benedict. It's Christmas and Benedict is going to spend the holiday with Arjenie's family . . . her large, Wiccan, entirely human family. Who he hasn't met. Now, Benedict has lived most of his life at Clanhome, surrounded by lupi. He isn't used to fitting in with humans. He even asked his brother for advice about clothes, hoping to create the right impression.

So it's a shame the way things go wrong from the moment he gets out of the car ....

I love, love, loved Benedict and Arjenie in ‘Blood Challenge’. They were my favourite part of that book, and I have high hopes that Wilks writes a spin-off series for them (à la Patricia Briggs’s Charles and Anna in the ‘Alpha and Omega’ series).

I'm not sure if Arjenie and Benedict will have a big role in the eighth ‘World of the Lupi’ book, titled ‘Death Magic’. But in the meantime I'm excited for a short story that lets us read Arjenie and Benedict’s continued happily-ever-after. Yay!