Mark of the Witch
Maggie Shayne
Mira, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778313335
Indira Simon was once a practicing Wiccan, but became a doubter. However, recently her dreams have become real as she wakes up from a nightmare to find bruises on her arms.Though her reaction to what is going on will remind her why she left, Indy contacts her former High Priestess Rayne for help.
Growing up, Father Thomas heard the tale of the three witches. Now he believes what he thought was mythos is real and that the trio is reborn to assist their master. Father Thomas believes he needs to be there to aid the witches; of which he thinks Indy is one. Mentored by Father Dom, Father Thomas risks everything to protect Indy; however, he was not expecting his heart was at risk too. As death seems imminent for both of them, they have their faith and their love.
The first Portal romantic urban fantasy is a superb tale that interweaves ancient Babylon into a contemporary thriller. Fast-paced and filled with twists, the key cast makes for a strong opening act as readers will believe in the magic of Maggie Shayne. Harriet Klausner
Redoubt
Mercedes Lackey
DAW, $25.95
ISBN: 9780756407452
In Valdemar, Herald trainee Mags displays unique skills as he is fluent in Mindspeech and shows a penchant towards stealth. The King’s Own Herald Nikolas trains Mags as a royal spy.
His first assignment is to investigate the strangers who recently have arrived in Valdemar as his mentor needs to know who they are and more important why they entered the city. Unaware when he began spying on the newcomers, they are interested in him. When they kidnap him, Mags knows he needs to escape soonest or face death and perhaps something worse as he realizes these new arrivals targeted him from the onset.
The fourth Valdemar Collegium Chronicles (see Changes) is an entertaining fantasy starring a likable lead character who has come a long way from his Magpie slave days (see Foundation). Fans of the saga will enjoy the engaging storyline due to the 5-whys mystery, but Mags fails to assimilate as he does not move forward much even in captivity; he remains a stranger in a strange land though he learns more of who he is. Harriet Klausner
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Gideon's Angel is coming
Gideon’s Angel
By Clifford Beal
The plot thickens on February 28th (UK) and March 11th (US & Canada)
£7.99 (UK) ISBN 978-1-78108-083-2
$7.99/$10.99 (US & CAN) ISBN 978-1-78108-084-9
Available as an ebook
1653. Naive Royalists plot the downfall of Oliver Cromwell. But only one man knows the true enemy isn’t the Lord Protector – not when Satan is after the throne of England.
The English Civil War has ended with Cromwell now king in all but name. Many want him dead, including exiled royal officer, Richard Treadwell. But when the soldier-for-hire returns to England, he uncovers another plot to assassinate Cromwell that could bring a very different monarch to the throne – Satan himself!
Treadwell must choose between avenging the family and fortune stolen from him and the future of his country – because in order to save England from the Devil, he is going to have to save Cromwell.
Not to mention convincing a certain musketeer by the name of d’Artagnan that he should help him rather than drag him back to his would-be masters in France.
With gorgeous alternate covers for the UK (above top) and North America, demons, religion, magic, Freemasons, and Ranters all tangle together in this bloody historical adventure that requires an old Cavalier to save the English throne from the Lord of Hell!
“Splendid... Seventeenth-century Britain in all its sweaty, superstitious,
blood-soaked savagery, with the bonus of added demons.”
– New York Times bestselling author James Lovegrove
About the Author
Clifford Beal, originally from Providence, Rhode Island, worked for 20 years as an international journalist and is the former editor-in-chief of Jane’s Defence Weekly in London. He is the author of Quelch’s Gold (Praeger Book 2007), the true story of a little-known but remarkable early 18th century Anglo-American pirate.
By Clifford Beal
The plot thickens on February 28th (UK) and March 11th (US & Canada)
£7.99 (UK) ISBN 978-1-78108-083-2
$7.99/$10.99 (US & CAN) ISBN 978-1-78108-084-9
Available as an ebook
1653. Naive Royalists plot the downfall of Oliver Cromwell. But only one man knows the true enemy isn’t the Lord Protector – not when Satan is after the throne of England.
The English Civil War has ended with Cromwell now king in all but name. Many want him dead, including exiled royal officer, Richard Treadwell. But when the soldier-for-hire returns to England, he uncovers another plot to assassinate Cromwell that could bring a very different monarch to the throne – Satan himself!
Treadwell must choose between avenging the family and fortune stolen from him and the future of his country – because in order to save England from the Devil, he is going to have to save Cromwell.
Not to mention convincing a certain musketeer by the name of d’Artagnan that he should help him rather than drag him back to his would-be masters in France.
With gorgeous alternate covers for the UK (above top) and North America, demons, religion, magic, Freemasons, and Ranters all tangle together in this bloody historical adventure that requires an old Cavalier to save the English throne from the Lord of Hell!
“Splendid... Seventeenth-century Britain in all its sweaty, superstitious,
blood-soaked savagery, with the bonus of added demons.”
– New York Times bestselling author James Lovegrove
About the Author
Clifford Beal, originally from Providence, Rhode Island, worked for 20 years as an international journalist and is the former editor-in-chief of Jane’s Defence Weekly in London. He is the author of Quelch’s Gold (Praeger Book 2007), the true story of a little-known but remarkable early 18th century Anglo-American pirate.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Age of Voodoo Coming
Age of Voodoo
by James Lovegrove
The ritual begins 26th February (US & Canada) and 28th February (UK)
£7.99 (UK) ISBN 978-1-78108-085-6
$8.99/$10.99 (US & CAN) ISBN 978-1-78108-086-3
Available as an ebook
You don’t know what a little Voodoo can do to you...
James Lovegrove is returning to his New York Times bestselling Pantheon series – which has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide – where gods are made real and men have to contend with their rule.
The latest stand-alone title in this action-packed military SF series takes you to the Caribbean, where paradise isn’t exactly what it seems and a world lurking beneath the surface is waiting to be unleashed.
Lex Dove, retired British wetwork specialist, is quietly living in the Caribbean when he gets the call: one more mission where the money and risks are high. But he didn’t think that leading a US black ops team to an abandoned Cold War bunker would lead to the discovery of barely human monsters, created in a disastrous mix of science and voodoo. But if they can’t stop the clock, if they can’t contain the god deep in the earth, then those monsters are the least of their problems – because if his anger is released, the world might not survive it!
“The kind of complex, action-oriented SF Dan Brown would write if Dan Brown could write”
– The Guardian
“Lovegrove is vigorously carving out a godpunk subgenre.”
– Pornokitsch
Other books in the series
A thematic series of related, but stand-alone novels, the Pantheon series addresses the theme of “men versus the gods” in different worlds, with different pantheons, offering different takes. All high-action military SF books, the series has presented an armed uprising against distant but powerful Egyptian divinities, a high-powered slugfest between battle-suited humans and super-heroic Greek gods, and a gritty, intimate firefight between an infantry company and an army of ancient Norse giants.
About the Author
James Lovegrove published his first novel at the age of 24 and has since had more than 40 books out, including The Hope, Escardy Gap (co-written with Peter Crowther), Days, The Foreigners, How The Other Half Lives, Untied Kingdom, Imagined Slights, Worldstorm, Gig and Provender Gleed. His short fiction has appeared in magazines as diverse as Interzone and Nature and in numerous anthologies. He has written extensively for reluctant readers, with titles such as Wings, The House of Lazarus, Ant God, Cold Keep, Kill Swap and Dead Brigade. He has also produced a sequence of teen fantasy novels, the Clouded World series, under the pseudonym Jay Amory. He is a regular reviewer of fiction for the Financial Times and lives in Eastbourne on the south coast of England with his wife Lou, sons Monty and Theo, and cat Ozzy.
Monday, January 7, 2013
New Hippoocampus Titles
Special pricing is good until the end of this week, but check with them and make sure before you order.
THE COMPLETE POETRY OF GEORGE STERLING
Limited Edition Slipcased Hardcover (50 sets only)
Limited Edition Hardcover (150 sets)
Edited by S. T. Joshi and David E. Schultz
1317 pages (three volumes)
ISBN 978-1-61498-050-6
ORDER NOW AND SAVE $100
George Sterling (1869-1926) was an American poet based in California who, during his time, was celebrated in Northern California as one of the greatest American poets. A student of Ambrose Bierce, he was himself the mentor to the young Clark Ashton Smith. His poetry has never been collected in a definitive edition-until now.
The Hippocampus Press edition of The Complete Poetry of George Sterling has been in preparation for close to a decade, and is finally nearing fruition. Meticulously edited by by S. T. Joshi and David E. Schultz, and featuring a preface by noted historian Dr. Kevin Starr, this three volume collection will be released in a limited edition of only 200 sets.
Advance orders receive a substantial discount on the set, plus free worldwide shipping. This special offer is extended for one week only. In addition, the first fifty sets include a custom slipcase-the first such amenity Hippocampus Press has ever offered.
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I AM PROVIDENCE: The Life and Times of H. P. Lovecraft (PAPERBACK)
by S. T. Joshi
Trade paper
2 volumes
ORDER NOW AND SAVE 10%
"I received Joshi's monumental biography of Lovecraft the other day and have been poring over it since. ... Every major library in world should have in its holdings these volumes. And Joshi should be recognized as the major biographer he has proven himself to be, his single volume biography alone having already well made this case." -Thomas Ligotti
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DEAD RECKONINGS No. 12
A Review of Horror Literature
Edited by June M. Pulliam and Tony Fonseca
No. 12 (Fall 2012)
96 pp.
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In future months, we'll be releasing H. P. Lovecraft: Letters to Elizabeth Toldridge and Anne Tillery Renshaw, as well as a monograph by David Goudsward on Lovecraft's travels in the Merrimack Valley; a collection of William F. Nolan's essays on Ray Bradbury, aptly titled NOLAN ON BRADBURY; plus new fiction titles from Jason Brock, John Langan, Matt Cardin and others. Stay tuned!
Thank you for your interest in Hippocampus Press!
www.hippocampuspress.com
Saturday, January 5, 2013
John Edwards, David Weber and Claire Ashgrove
Fallen Masters
John Edward
Tor, $25.99
ISBN: 9780765332714
Astronomers locate the dark mass and determine that the cloud hurtles toward the Earth like an arrow targeting a bulls-eye. However scientists are bewildered as to what this phenomenon is and how to prevent a calamity. Religious leaders representing all denominations are also at a loss as to what can be done. NASA scientist Jason Chang informs the President of the United States that Dark Matter has appeared from apparently a location in the Abell 2744 galaxy cluster with a trajectory destination earth.
Internationally respected inspirational singer Charlene St John heads to Mexico for her last performance as she has terminal cancer and is hoping to gain an audience with the Lady of Guadalupe; whom many believe is the Virgin Mary. Psychic Mama G envisions evil in space that will make humanity extinct unless this malevolence can be stopped. Surgeon Tyler Michaels lost his wife and unborn child while he saved someone else. He and Nurse Rae bond as both feel the cloud traveling towards earth is evil coming to destroy mankind. The dark horde waits for their advanced party to complete the first mission including the assassination of the American President and the abduction of the First Son as destination earth has begun.
Fallen Masters is an entertaining good vs. evil thriller that focuses on mankind’s final days in which the last hope is the inherent goodness in most people. The storyline makes a plea for readers to allow their inner spiritual goodness to flow free in order to make a better place to live for everyone. Although the characters are stereotypical to the nth degree, John Edwards’ fans will enjoy the psychic's novelization of his spiritual message. Harriet Klausner
Midst Toil and Tribulation
David Weber
Tor, $27.99
ISBN: 9780765321558
In the Year of God 896, the island kingdom of Charis continues to openly defy the Church of God Awaiting. The hostilities have been at sea, on land and in the minds of people via insidious religious terrorist propaganda.
A new front opened when a schism split apart the affluent Republic of Siddermark. The Church of God Awaiting Grand Inquisitor Vicar Clytahn, a member of the ruling Group of Four vicars, plans to starve the people of Siddermark into obedience. The vicars publicly acclaim his courage but fear the backlash as Siddermark is a major source of funding. The Charis Empire leaders (King Cayleb, Queen Sharleyan, and warrior monk Merlin Arthawes) believe they must aid the besieged people of Siddermark. Cayleb understands the implications as he has led naval victories over the enemy since his kingdom rebelled a few years ago; but deploying land forces to battle the more powerful militia of the Church means sending soldiers to their death. At the same time Group of Four Captain General Vicar Allayn Maigwair forges a powerful army.
The latest Safehold thriller (see How Firm a Foundation, By Heresies Distressed and A Mighty Fortress) is a strong entry as the military focus is on strategically key Siddermark. The storyline continues the overarching deep theme of a dictatorial church using all means to oppress its followers and destroy “heretics” like those who formed the Kingdom and Church of Charis deploying any means necessary to achieve their aims. Though the cast is out of a Cecile B. Demille’s epic can be overwhelming; a who’s who glossary helps as Midst Toil and Tribulation is an insightful engaging look at a dogmatic dictatorial church killing any opponents with collateral damage acceptable. Harriet Klausner
Immortal Surrender
Claire Ashgrove
Tor, $7.99
ISBN: 9780765367594
In 1119, the archangels warned the nine Knights of the Templar not to dig beneath the Temple Mount. They ignored the archangels and excavated holy relics. Their punishment for their disobedience is to combat Azrael's demons until they convert into evil Knights of Azrael; as ironically each demon they slew places darkness on their soul until they are engulfed. By the twenty-first century, for those still loyal need to find the Seraphim before Azrael obtains the eight remaining holy relics needed to defeat the Almighty.
Knight Farran de Clare rejects the destined mate though he knows the ultimate cost is his soul. Archangel Gabriel assigns Farran to keep safe scientist Noelle Keane. When he meets the atheist, Farran curses Gabriel as she is his seraph. Farran vows to protect her, but pledges never surrender his soul to her as he prefers Azrael if forced to choose. However when Azrael’s demons threaten Noelle, Farran realizes his foolishness and he will die to keep his soul mate safe. She stuns him when she demands he give her his heart along with his soul.
The second Curse of the Templars (see Immortal Hope) romantic urban fantasy is a super tale starring a wonderful obstinate lead pair. The atheist brings freshness with her viewpoint re angels, knights and demons troupe, oh my; while her knight provides a unique perspective on salvation. Claire Ashgrove builds on her mythos with the Templar history enhancing the contemporary tale of a cynical knight and a devotee of the scientific method. Harriet Klausner
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Vampires, Zombies, Fantasy and a Future Earth
Covet
Melissa Darnell
Harlequin Teen, $9.99
ISBN: 9780373210565
In Jacksonville, Texas until recently Savannah Colbert never comprehended why the Clann overtly loathed her. At school Tristan Coleman refused to acknowledge she existed as he was warned to keep his distance. That ended when she came back from a week of absenteeism totally changed as Sav and Tristan became an entry (see Crave).
After a warning from the Vampire Council to never see Tristan or else, Sav ends their relationship to protect her beloved from what she is tuning into. Tristan refuses to accept her assertion that it is over as he knows there is more to this. Vowing to find a way for them to be together, neither is ready for what awaits them.
The second Clann teen urban romantic fantasy is an engaging coming of age thriller. Both protagonists mature out of necessity as much as due to their love, while the support cast enhances the insight into the Darnell vampire mythos. Leisurely paced for the most part, readers will enjoy this fresh vampire romance. Harriet Klausner
Alice in Zombieland
Gena Showalter
Harlequin Teen, $18.99
ISBN: 9780373210589
On what should have been her sweet sixteenth birthday, Alice Bell tasted tragedy. Zombies killed her mom, dad and younger sister, and Alice’s innocence. Besides numbing grief and bone marrow deep need for revenge, Alice regrets that she believed her late father was a lunatic when he insisted monsters lived.
Alice believes she is targeted by these evil beasts for death too. She knows she cannot confront the malevolents by herself, but never expected Cole Holland, the student at school with the worst reputation, to become her defender and mentor. With him and his friends accompanying her, Alice prepares for war against the zombies; unaware that her new ally has secrets that make zombies look like preschoolers.
The first White Rabbit Chronicles is an exciting teen urban fantasy starring a terrific protagonist whose entire life changes in a nanosecond. The key cast is fully developed while enhancing Alice’s coming out party. Although references from the Carroll’s classic starts as fun, these citations eventually distract from what overall is an entertaining zombification of Alice. Harriet Klausner
Darkest Desire
Tawny Taylor
Kensington Aphrodisia, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758265661
The three Alexandre Brothers (Drako, Talen and Malek) have been the leaders of the Black Gryffon for a decade since their father retired at fifty; as expected. Although Drako as the oldest is top griffin, his siblings understand the mission is to protect humanity and keep secret the sources of humanity's power safe from the covetous Chimera. Proud of his offspring, their father reminds them it is time for wives and children so that they too can retire at fifty like he did.
Drako has found his woman Rin (see Darkest Fire). As the second Malek believes he has selected his mate in former sex slave Lei. However, though she is attracted to him, they have a problem with their relationship since both are doms. Adding further complications are Male is in a relationship with Brent and the Chimera targets Lei.
The second Black Gryffon erotic Celtic fantasy romance is an action-packed thriller with an intriguing love between two doms arguing who’s on top. However, neither protagonist feels three dimensional though sub-genre fans, especially those who read Darkest Fire, will enjoy the heated courtship. Harriet Klausner
Dearly, Beloved
Lia Habel
Del Rey, $16.99
ISBN: 9780345523341
By the end of the twenty-second century, much of the planet was devastated; the United States nuked itself into a united wasteland. Central and South America consolidated as New Victoria with the capital in New London, Nicaragua. The society is based on the historians' interpretation of life in Britain during the reign of the late nineteenth century monarch.
Not all is idyllic as the Laz virus has created sentient and feral zombies. Most humans refuse to distinguish between the two classes of zombies as a majority of the humans believe a truly dead zombie is a good zombie. However, some individuals like teenager Nora Dearly knows otherwise ever since she met Punk undead Bram Griswold who saved her life (see Dearly, Departed). The civil rights issue explodes into hostilities especially between the Changed dead and the Murder alive. Collateral damage is an acceptable norm by the two enemies as each believes innocent civilians is an oxymoron. However, as both extremist sects focus on a zombie sympathizer who’s dearly father the scientist seeks a cure for Lax, the heated dispute changes for the worst when a zombie with a new strain of the virus emerges.
The key to this great futuristic urban fantasy is Habel World as the author makes her vision seem vividly real through an insightful historiographical premise and a racist profiling. Action-packed, readers will relish the second Dearly thriller as the heroine and her allies push for equal rights for all, her endeavor enables the Changed and the Murder to agree on one thing: Nora’s permanent demise. Harriet Klausner
Melissa Darnell
Harlequin Teen, $9.99
ISBN: 9780373210565
In Jacksonville, Texas until recently Savannah Colbert never comprehended why the Clann overtly loathed her. At school Tristan Coleman refused to acknowledge she existed as he was warned to keep his distance. That ended when she came back from a week of absenteeism totally changed as Sav and Tristan became an entry (see Crave).
After a warning from the Vampire Council to never see Tristan or else, Sav ends their relationship to protect her beloved from what she is tuning into. Tristan refuses to accept her assertion that it is over as he knows there is more to this. Vowing to find a way for them to be together, neither is ready for what awaits them.
The second Clann teen urban romantic fantasy is an engaging coming of age thriller. Both protagonists mature out of necessity as much as due to their love, while the support cast enhances the insight into the Darnell vampire mythos. Leisurely paced for the most part, readers will enjoy this fresh vampire romance. Harriet Klausner
Alice in Zombieland
Gena Showalter
Harlequin Teen, $18.99
ISBN: 9780373210589
On what should have been her sweet sixteenth birthday, Alice Bell tasted tragedy. Zombies killed her mom, dad and younger sister, and Alice’s innocence. Besides numbing grief and bone marrow deep need for revenge, Alice regrets that she believed her late father was a lunatic when he insisted monsters lived.
Alice believes she is targeted by these evil beasts for death too. She knows she cannot confront the malevolents by herself, but never expected Cole Holland, the student at school with the worst reputation, to become her defender and mentor. With him and his friends accompanying her, Alice prepares for war against the zombies; unaware that her new ally has secrets that make zombies look like preschoolers.
The first White Rabbit Chronicles is an exciting teen urban fantasy starring a terrific protagonist whose entire life changes in a nanosecond. The key cast is fully developed while enhancing Alice’s coming out party. Although references from the Carroll’s classic starts as fun, these citations eventually distract from what overall is an entertaining zombification of Alice. Harriet Klausner
Darkest Desire
Tawny Taylor
Kensington Aphrodisia, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758265661
The three Alexandre Brothers (Drako, Talen and Malek) have been the leaders of the Black Gryffon for a decade since their father retired at fifty; as expected. Although Drako as the oldest is top griffin, his siblings understand the mission is to protect humanity and keep secret the sources of humanity's power safe from the covetous Chimera. Proud of his offspring, their father reminds them it is time for wives and children so that they too can retire at fifty like he did.
Drako has found his woman Rin (see Darkest Fire). As the second Malek believes he has selected his mate in former sex slave Lei. However, though she is attracted to him, they have a problem with their relationship since both are doms. Adding further complications are Male is in a relationship with Brent and the Chimera targets Lei.
The second Black Gryffon erotic Celtic fantasy romance is an action-packed thriller with an intriguing love between two doms arguing who’s on top. However, neither protagonist feels three dimensional though sub-genre fans, especially those who read Darkest Fire, will enjoy the heated courtship. Harriet Klausner
Dearly, Beloved
Lia Habel
Del Rey, $16.99
ISBN: 9780345523341
By the end of the twenty-second century, much of the planet was devastated; the United States nuked itself into a united wasteland. Central and South America consolidated as New Victoria with the capital in New London, Nicaragua. The society is based on the historians' interpretation of life in Britain during the reign of the late nineteenth century monarch.
Not all is idyllic as the Laz virus has created sentient and feral zombies. Most humans refuse to distinguish between the two classes of zombies as a majority of the humans believe a truly dead zombie is a good zombie. However, some individuals like teenager Nora Dearly knows otherwise ever since she met Punk undead Bram Griswold who saved her life (see Dearly, Departed). The civil rights issue explodes into hostilities especially between the Changed dead and the Murder alive. Collateral damage is an acceptable norm by the two enemies as each believes innocent civilians is an oxymoron. However, as both extremist sects focus on a zombie sympathizer who’s dearly father the scientist seeks a cure for Lax, the heated dispute changes for the worst when a zombie with a new strain of the virus emerges.
The key to this great futuristic urban fantasy is Habel World as the author makes her vision seem vividly real through an insightful historiographical premise and a racist profiling. Action-packed, readers will relish the second Dearly thriller as the heroine and her allies push for equal rights for all, her endeavor enables the Changed and the Murder to agree on one thing: Nora’s permanent demise. Harriet Klausner
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