Angieville

Phoenix Unbound —the first book in Grace Draven 's new Fallen Empire series—releases from Ace Trade Paperback on September 25th. In honor of the release, Penguin Random House is celebrating with a giveaway that features not only an ARC of Phoenix Unbound but also a Fantasy Romance Starter Kit made up of other first-in-series romantic fantasy books by Ilona Andrews , Patricia Briggs , Nalini Singh , Anne Bishop , and Chloe Neill . Guys, this includes the first Kate Daniels and Alpha & Omega books. Two of my very favorites. I love the whole idea! Just click here to enter the sweepstakes giveaway. PHOENIX UNBOUND by GRACE DRAVEN Ace Trade Paperback | September 25, 2018 A woman with power over fire and illusion and an enslaved son of a chieftain battle a corrupt empire in this powerful and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the  USA Today  bestselling author of  Radiance . Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital--her fa...

It has been too long since I've had a new Alpha and Omega novel in my hands. Dead Heat was a solid entry on my Best of 2015 list , and I have missed Anna and Charles (and Bran) ever since. Burn Bright is, if you can believe it, the fifth installment in the series. So it's no wonder I began reading and instantly felt how good it was to be back in Aspen Creek again with all of Bran's crazy foundlings. By now, Patricia Briggs ' books are firmly comfort reads for me, whether they're brand new or not. They feel like home. Which is probably why the dedication in this one made me tear up. I'm so glad we go on. I'm so glad words go on. And that we are connected to one another through them. Anna and Charles are somewhat housebound in Aspen Creek since the Marrok up and took off for Africa to see a man about a horse how Sam is doing. And, in his absence, it is Charles the pack looks to for leadership, enforcement, and otherwise keeping things in line until Bran...

So a lot of times spin-off series fall somewhat flat for me. Either I'm so invested in those original characters that I have trouble shifting my loyalty as unswervingly to these previously side characters, or the story lines are just not as strong, or the genre shifts in a direction that just doesn't click for me as well, or what have you. But from the moment I picked up the introductory novella to Patricia Briggs ' Alpha & Omega series, Anna and Charles were just  in with me . And the three novels that followed only cemented that fact. It looked like we might not be getting another book for some time, which is why I was so thrilled to hear she'd gone ahead and written a fourth. Dead Heat is due out March 3rd of next year, and when I saw the cover all I could do was squee. Because Charles in human form. And because fourth book in a series I truly love.

Today, Tor.com revealed the cover of the next Mercy Thompson novel, Night Broken . As has become tradition here, I like to post the new cover and dish about it. This is a much-beloved series, and I'm always eager to see how Dan Dos Santos chooses to depict Mercy next. Tor's cover reveal includes some fascinating comments from Dos Santos on his painting process, as well as some awesome preliminary sketches. Apparently the Ace art director and editor weren't too keen on the hooded trench he initially worked up, but I have to say I'm a fan of it. Wish he'd been allowed to keep that element. Even without it, though, this is probably my favorite Mercy cover since Blood Bound . I love her face and hair. And, guys, just look at what she's holding! Can't wait.

So how many of you out there follow Patricia Briggs ' Alpha and Omega series as well as her Mercy Thompson one? I'm always curious about how many followers the offshoot series get as compared to the flagship ones. This has been on my mind, especially in light of Ilona Andrews ' Gunmetal Magic recently making its debut (more to come on that one soon). I was torn at first with the notion of this series, though. First of all, I love the tiny glimpses of Charles we get in Mercy's world. And I was insanely curious about the Marrok's  hit man  son and how he would fare in his own story. At the same time, no Mercy? No Adam? But potentially more Bran . . . THE EMOTIONS!  I have them. So back when the introductory novella first came out, I picked it up in a Barnes & Noble and stood there reading the first pages. Just to see. You understand. Well, I ended up finishing it right there. Standing in the bookstore. I immediately purchased it and began counting down the day...

I've seen this pop up hither and yon for awhile and been waiting for the official word to go up over at Hurog.com . It just did and I'm excited to post the cover of the sixth Mercy Thompson novel-- River Marked . We knew this one was going to delve a little deeper into Mercy's past, particularly the walker heritage and abilities she inherited from her father. And my little Mercy-loving heart does its little dance of joy at the thought. The cover reflects the Native American ancestry, for sure, and I'm noticing lots of feathers in her tattoos as well. Interesting. Personally I like that cover artist Dan Dos Santos subtly changes her tattoos with each cover to match the tones and themes of the individual books themselves. So what do you think? And if you haven't read this article over at Tor, in which Dos Santos and the real-life Mercy cover model Jaime talk about the creation process, I highly recommend you do. I had no idea there was an actual cover model and th...

A couple of fun images for you guys today. First off, my artist brother-in-law came across this demonstration that artist Dan Dos Santos did for the oil painting process he went through on the artwork for   the cover of  Moon Called -- the first Mercy Thompson novel. Adam thought it was awesome and that I'd like it and he was right on both counts. I thought you would as well. I have to say, I really sort of love that first sketch, even if it didn't end up in the final cover. Enjoy ! Second, the official trailer for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader film is out and my boy and I are so excited we can hardly wait. The scene where the water comes pouring out of the picture on the wall gave me chills. It's set to come out right around his birthday so I already know what we'll be doing to celebrate...

I am very excited about these two upcoming releases, you guys. Instead of getting a third installment in Patricia Briggs ' Alpha and Omega series this year, we're being treated to something different and new. Masques was first published fifteen years ago and it is Ms. Briggs' first novel. It is also the first in a series (of sorts) called the Sianim series, which includes previously published books  Steal the Dragon and When Demons Walk . These are self-contained standalone novels that take place in the same world. The direct sequel-- Wolfsbane -- was written but never published. Until now, that is. This fall we get a repackaged, revised edition of Masques September 28th. And then, in November, we get Wolfsbane for the first time in print. And these are the new covers. All I know is that the books involve shapeshifters and a character named Wolf. Sign me up!

Is there anything like holding the latest Mercy Thompson novel in your hands? Especially when it's all large and hardback and glowing ? Because the window on this book seriously glows. And the spine and back are warm and golden and it's just so much prettier than the online images led me to believe. These are the simple things that make me happy. A beautiful dust jacket. A favorite author doing well. Spending time once more with characters who are friends now and who are none the worse for wear for our time apart. In fact, just a handful of pages into Silver Borne   it was like we'd never been apart at all. After reading the first three books in the series, I convinced DH he wanted in on this action. So we've read them all aloud together now and it's so nice having that to look forward to each night. Suffice it to say, neither of us was disappointed in the slightest. This is the series that started my love for urban fantasy and so it will necessarily always hold a ...

So did you notice Patricia Briggs posted the entire first chapter of the upcoming fifth Mercy Thompson book-- Silver Borne --to her website recently? I stumbled across it yesterday and let's just say it is nice and long, Adam is there (and so is Sam), and by the end I had a big, fat smile on my face. Go on. You know you want to read it... Interestingly, Patty has the following to say about Silver Borne : This is Samuel's book and also deals with the terrible things that can happen when you are late returning a borrowed book. Awesome.

I can't imagine how time-consuming it must be to write two different series simultaneously, but I am seriously so glad I'm able to go to the bookstore and get my Patricia Briggs fix twice a year. When I first heard she was starting a series featuring Sam's half-brother Charles, I could hardly wait to start. I love the world she's created with her Mercy Thompson books and I can't get enough of anything to do with the Marrok himself--the leader of the North American werewolves. As he is Charles' father I knew we'd be getting more Bran, which could only be a good thing. My fingers are still crossed she'll embark on a third series centered on the Marrok. His ancient awesomeness deserves his own series. I enjoyed Cry Wolf , the first in the Alpha and Omega series, and was looking forward to more development in this second installment. Things are slowly progressing between mated Charles and Anna Cornick. For a man whose life revolves around being his father...

This just in. Patricia Briggs has posted the cover for her upcoming fifth Mercy Thompson book-- Silver Borne . I love the title and I love the cobwebby books on either side of Mercy. So what do you think? And do you have a favorite Mercy cover so far? As I've mentioned before I'm extremely partial to the cover of Blood Bound , but I do love the way she's peering over her shoulder and her awesome Mercy's Garage shirt on the cover of Iron Kissed .

Last week I ran across Brian James' article on judging books by their covers and it got me to thinking. I try not to be a cover snob. I do. I try and fail and try again in the hopes that one of these days I'll learn my lesson. This is a near-constant topic of discussion within the circle of friends and family members I'm constantly pushing books on. A bad cover that conceals treasures within forces you to go on the defensive. I suppose it just hones my bookselling skills but I hate the number of times I've had to say, "Don't let the cover get to you, it's a freaking awesome book. You will love it!" Oftentimes I actually love these covers, but for one reason or another, they're hard to hand other people. The Mercy Thompson series is at the top of this particular list for some reason. I love Daniel dos Santos ' cover art. I really do. I'm particularly fond of the cover of Blood Bound . She just looks like Mercy to me. I love the composition...

I get so excited when my favorite authors break into hardcover. In fact, I'm pleased as punch to shell out the bigger bucks because it means that the awesome I've been basking in for awhile now has finally caught on and is being recognized on a wider scale. So it was, in a word,  thrilling  to open up the package from  Penguin  and see the words "#1  New York Times Bestselling Author" atop  Patricia Briggs ' shiny new hardcover  Bone Crossed .  Mercy Thompson starts her fourth adventure staring herself down in the mirror trying to decide where to go from here. The closing events of  Iron Kissed   left our favorite VW mechanic feeling, at best,  very  conflicted. She managed to make several key decisions, but can't quite seem to outrun her demons. Of course occupying the place of honor as lone walker, Alpha's declared mate, and vampire public enemy #1 doesn't help. She doesn't have long to fret, though, when an old acquaintance shows up on her doors...

As you probably know the fourth Mercy Thompson book, Bone Crossed , is being published by ACE on Feb. 3rd. To support her first hardcover release, national bestseller  Patricia Briggs is going on a 7-city book tour. Kicking off her tour in Seattle, Patty will be traveling to the following cities and stores:  February 3rd University Books 7:00pm Seattle, WA February 4th Third Place Books 7:00pm Lake Forest Park, WA February 5th Powell's Books (Beaverton Store) 7:00pm Portland, OR February 6th Borderlands Books 7:00pm San Francisco, CA February 7th Mysterious Galaxy Books 2:00pm San Diego, CA February 8th Barnes &  Noble (Bella Terra) 2:00pm Huntington Beach, CA February 9th Borders (Waters Place) 7:00pm Ann Arbor, MI Sadly, none of these are near me. So if one of them is near you, make sure to go and show her some big fat Mercy love! And make sure to tell me all about it afterward...

First, for fans of the Hero series, Moira J. Moore has posted the matching scene from the first book, Resenting the Hero , written from Taro's perspective instead of Lee's. And it's awesome. Only 8 months left till the fourth book comes out! Next, here is the cover for the second Alpha and Omega novel, Hunting Ground , by Patricia Briggs . (Thanks Renee  for the heads up!) Lastly,  Urban Fantasy Land is holding their Reader's Choice Awards right now. If you go vote and spread the word about the awards, you'll be entered in a contest to win a $25 gift card from a major online bookseller. Go have your say !

Patricia Briggs has the first chapter of Bone Crossed up on her site. You know you can't resist.  Charlaine Harris has the first chapter of Dead and Gone up on her site. Word is the weres come out to play in this one.  And Word Wenches has an interview with Sharon Shinn up on their site. In it she mentions toying with the idea of writing a novella about Kirra and Donnal as well as possibly following the next generation in the Twelve Houses world.  One word: yay!

Now I hestitate to get my hopes up too high, but I couldn't not note that 50 Canon Entertainment has just optioned the film rights to Patricia Briggs ' Mercy Thompson series! Press release found here . Now...who could play Adam?

With the release of Cry Wolf (the first in a new series), Patricia Briggs fans can now look forward to two Briggs books coming out per year. A Mercy Thompson in the winter and an Alpha and Omega in the summer. So. Very. Awesome. After inhaling the original "Alpha and Omega" short story in On the Prowl last year, I could hardly wait to follow Anna and Charles's story in full-length book form and now, having finished it, I can honestly say it was a treat. Picking up immediately after the events of "Alpha and Omega," Anna finds herself and her few belongings bundled up and on her way to Montana with a wounded Charles and his father, the enigmatic Bran, otherwise known as the Marrok, aka leader of the entire werewolf population of North America. Nervous and unsure of just what she's gotten herself into, Anna suddenly finds herself living at Charles's house, attending werewolf funerals, and embroiled in the same kind of wolf politics she was assiduously k...

Patricia Briggs has posted an excerpt from her upcoming Alpha and Omega novel Cry Wolf . This is the first in a new series set in Mercy Thompson's world following Samuel's brother Charles and a new wolf named Anna. It comes out July 29th. The sample chapter is delicious and will hopefully tide you over till then. For background on these two characters, pick up the original short story "Alpha and Omega" in the anthology On the Prowl . It's superb.