Most of you have probably already seen the cover for Lauren Kate's next novel Teardrop that is being published in the UK in October by Random House but it is so stunning that I have to share it here!
Synopsis: Never, ever cry. . . . Eureka Boudreaux's mother drilled that rule into her daughter years ago. But now her mother is gone, and everywhere Eureka goes he is there: Ander, the tall, pale blond boy who seems to know things he shouldn't, who tells Eureka she is in grave danger, who comes closer to making her cry than anyone has before.
But Ander doesn't know Eureka's darkest secret: ever since her mother drowned in a freak accident, Eureka wishes she were dead, too. She has little left that she cares about, just her oldest friend, Brooks, and a strange inheritance—a locket, a letter, a mysterious stone, and an ancient book no one understands. The book contains a haunting tale about a girl who got her heart broken and cried an entire continent into the sea. Eureka is about to discover that the ancient tale is more than a story, that Ander might be telling the truth . . . and that her life has far darker undercurrents than she ever imagined. From Lauren Kate comes an epic saga of heart-stopping romance, devastating secrets, and dark magic . . . a world where everything you love can be washed away.
(This was taken from Goodreads so I can't guarantee that it is the final version)
So what do you think of the cover? I love it! I think the colouring is fantastic and I love the way Eureka's dress is like a waterfall. I also like the fact that it fits in well with the covers for the Fallen books even though it's the start of a new series. I'm really looking forward to getting hold of a copy to sit on my shelves! I'm also excited about the blurb, it sounds like Teardrop is going to be a little different to anything else I've read and I can't wait to find out more about Eureka and her family.
I wanted to restart posting news posts in 2013, these posts are aimed at bringing you the latest book related news and anything else that I think you might find interesting. The posts will probably appear once or twice a month but I'm not planning on sticking to any kind of regular schedule, they'll always be a bit random but hopefully you'll find out something to interest you in them!
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I wanted to share this announcement from Orion about their new Fierce Fiction Tumblr account:
Indigo (Orion) are delighted to share the exciting news of the launch of their new dedicated YA/ crossover books Tumblr.
Follow: http://fiercefiction.tumblr.com/
The team, headed by Jen McMenemy (Orion Marketing) and Nina Douglas (Orion Publicity) are excited to be able to share new content, competitions, exclusives, news and updates from the brilliant books and authors at Orion (across the Indigo, Orion and Gollancz imprints).
We will be launching with an exciting KETCHUP CLOUDS (Annabel Pitcher, Indigo) photography based campaign featuring photos from YA bloggers and team Fierce Fiction.
While I'm on the subject of Orion make sure you check out the Gollancz website and sign up to be a Gollancz Geek for your chance to receive early copies of some of their upcoming books. Gollancz publish a fantastic range of genre fiction - everything from fantasy to scifi and everything in between so you don't want to miss out!
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I'm sure you've all seen me mention the Spineless Classics range of posters before but I had to share the new additions to their range. I'm sure Beatrix Potter fans will love these new Peter Rabbit and friends posters that contain the full text of all 23 of Beatrix Potter's countryside tales. You can find the full range of posters available at the Spineless Classics website.
Spineless Classics: The Complete Peter Rabbit and Friends Beatrix Potter poster (silhouette)
Spineless Classics: The Complete Peter Rabbit and Friends children's poster (colour)
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I'm a huge fan of Entangled Publishing, they have several different imprints but I haven't come across a book of theirs that I haven't enjoyed. On the 12th of February their Indulgence imprint is celebrating it's first birthday and Entangled have lots of things going on to celebrate. Check out the announcement below from Entangled to find out how you can win some fabulous prizes:
Indulgence turns ONE on February 12th!
...And we're going all out with the celebration!
We have some pretty fun events coming your way so don't miss out! Join the Indulgence Party on Facebook to talk to our authors, answer fun questions and win some pretty awesome prizes!
We also have a party happening on Twitter - a party that lasts the whole month - and this could be your chance to grab all of our books!
Follow the #IndulgeYourself hashtag to join us!
From February 4th - 28th (Weekdays), between 9am to 11am EST, we'll be giving out clues relating to one Indulgence title a day on Twitter.
Figure out which book we're talking about and it's yours!
On February 12th, we'll be hosting a Grand Prize Giveaway Full of Indulgent Goodies at our blog,
and these are stuff that you definitely want to get your hands on so make sure you visit!
We hope you join us!
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Now for a very exciting press release from Random House for all the Lauren Kate fans out there:
Lauren Kate
Random House Children’s Publishers have acquired a new series by Lauren Kate the author of the internationally bestselling series, Fallen. Three books were acquired in the UK by Annie Eaton and Becky Stradwick, the first; TEARDROP will be released in the UK in October 2013.
The story stars a seventeen-year old named Eureka Boudreaux whose tears possess the power to raise the lost continent of Atlantis. The TEARDROP jacket will be exclusively revealed on the Fallen Facebook page on Monday 11th February. (FACEBOOK LINK)
Since the publication of Lauren Kate’s first book, Fallen, in December 2009, the series has become a bona fide smash hit with over half a million copies sold in the UK alone. Her story of star-crossed lovers and fallen angels has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers all over the world, with rights sold in 33 countries and counting. All bestsellers in the United States, the novels of the Fallen series: Fallen, Torment, Passion and Rapture, have become international sensations, hitting No.1 slots in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Annie Eaton, Fiction Publisher comments “We are thrilled to be publishing Lauren’s new series, and we know that her millions of fans will be over the moon to hear that TEARDROP is on its way.”
Lauren Kate is the internationally bestselling author of The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove and the Fallen novels: Fallen, Torment, Passion, and Rapture. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.
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Have you heard about the Books on the Underground campaign? It was started in October 2012 with the aim of handing out free books to commuters. The hope is that people will find books on the underground, read them, enjoy them and then put them back for someone else to discover and I think it sounds like such a fun idea! You can find out all about how it works on the Books on the Underground tumblr page and you can even request stickers if you'd like to send out some of your old books to join the adventure.
To celebrate Valentines Day Mills & Boon have teamed up with Books on the Underground to create the Love on the Underground campaign. Check out the following press release for more information:
Books on the Underground spread a touch of literary romance across the Capital, with Mills & Boon novels
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, never has there been a better time to spread some much needed amore around the capital. With this in mind, Books on the Underground is launching a rather special ‘Love on the Underground’ campaign from 7th February, to ignite commuters’ imaginations with free romance novels, courtesy of Mills & Boon.
Launched in October 2012, Books on the Underground acts as a commuter library, by distributing a collection of literary reads on the tubes for passengers to borrow and enjoy for free, then asking them to put them back to share with others.
Mills & Boon, with over a century’s experience in publishing the very best in romance fiction globally, has long been established as a hallmark for creating mind-blowing love stories. To help romance passengers this Valentine’s Day, Mills & Boon has donated 100 novels for the Love on the Underground campaign, to be distributed on the busiest lines including the Central, Piccadilly and the Northern lines, to get hearts racing.
Mills & Boon will showcase a number of books from its hugely successful contemporary, Modern, Medical and Historical series, as well as 30 exclusive copies of the recently launched ‘The Trouble with Valentine’s’ by Kelly Hunter'. Perfect for fans of Sex and the City, Carmen Reid, Louise Bagshawe and Jo Carnegie, The Trouble with Valentine’s is a fun, edgy, and sexy contemporary novel, filled with cool characters, jet-set lifestyles and sassy romance.
To find Love on the Underground and be kept up-to-date with who’s reading and reviewing them, follow @MillsandBoon and @BooksUndergrnd on Twitter and be sure to tweet a picture of any book you borrow with the hashtag ‘#loveontheunderground’ from 7th until 17th February.
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Well that ended up being a much longer post than I had planned so as a treat for making it to the end of the post here is the latest Simon's Cat video to hopefully make you smile!
For all you Lauren Kate fans out there you don't have too much longer to wait for the release of the 4th book and final book in her Fallen series. Rapture will be published in the UK on the 21st of June! I have to admit I'm a bit behind with the series (I made the mistake of lending my copy of Passion to a friend before I'd read it and I'm still waiting for her to return it!) but I really must catch up soon.
The sky is dark with wings . . . .
Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.
Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.
For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.
In the fight for Luce, who will win?
The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.
Fallen Series: Fallen Torment
Passion
Fallen in Love
Rapture (June 2012)
First let me just quickly say Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Whether you're single or in a relationship and whether you choose to celebrate or not I hope you all have a fab day!
Since today is supposed to be one of the most romantic days of the year I have something different for the blog today. Instead of posting a review or writing something soppy and romantic (I am single after all lol) I have a bit of an exclusive from the lovely Lauren Kate, author of the Fallen series.
Unexpected. Unrequited. Forbidden. Eternal. Everyone has their own love story.
And in a twist of fate, four extraordinary love stories combine over the course of a romantic Valentine's Day in Medieval England. Miles and Shelby find love where they least expect it. Roland learns a painful lesson about finding-and losing love. Arianne pays the price for a love so fierce it burns. And for the first -and last- time, Daniel and Luce will spend a night together like none other.
Lauren Kate's FALLEN IN LOVE is filled with love stories . . . the ones everyone has been waiting for.
To celebrate the release of the latest book in the series Fallen In Love Lauren is here today to share her top 10 most romantic songs:
Love and Happiness by Al Green
Waterloo Sunset by the Kinks
Preherstory by First Baptist Chemical
Born in Time by Bob Dylan
Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
Something by The Beatles
The Book of Love by The Magnetic Fields
Heart of Gold by Neil Young
Just Like Heaven by The Cure
Samson by Regina Spektor
I did want to add a play list with these songs on to the blog post so you could listen to them but I couldn't figure out a way to do it (if anyone knows how it can be done please let me know & I'll update the post!)
What do you think of Lauren's choices? Which songs would be on your list?
Well the exciting news just keeps on coming so I think I'm just going to do a regular roundup with some of the press releases I get sent from various publishers. Some of this I'm sure you'll have already come across but hopefully there will be something new to catch your interest!
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If you're anything like me you'll have had a collection of the Ladybird Classics when you were a child (I'm pretty sure I've still got most of mine in a box in the loft somewhere!). I loved these books and read them over and over again, a particular favourite was Mick the Disobedient Puppy and there was another one about a carousel horse that came to life but I can't remember the title of it. Anyway, kids today don't have to settle for just the books, they can now have a fully interactive reading experience with the Ladybird Classic Me Books App. Here is the press release to give you all the details:
Sir David Jason joins Adam Buxton and Josie Lawrence for an exciting new update to the award-winning Ladybird Classic Me Books App
London, UK – 26th January 2012 - Due to popular demand Penguin Children’s Books is delighted to announce additional titles in its No1 hit, Ladybird Classic Me Books App, along with an exciting new SAVE feature! Me Books is an innovative picture book app that allows parents and children to interact with and personalize picture books in an entirely new way. The Ladybird Classic Me Books App is available from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch for £0.69.
Sir David Jason joins the voice talents of Adam Buxton and Josie Lawrence; the well-known personalities that made the initial launch so popular. New titles include Puss in Boots, Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella ‘Well Loved Tales’, Tootles the Taxi and Nursery Rhymes. These tales will join the existing 13 titles that are available as In-App purchases through the App Store, at £0.69 each.
Sir David Jason explains:
"The first time I clapped eyes on Me Books I was blown away. I knew these beautiful little Ladybird books very well, as we all do, but this new technology really brings something special to the table. It's storytelling with super powers. I thoroughly enjoyed narrating these stories and was so impressed by Me Books I've just bought an iPad for my family."
The additional titles follow on from the critically acclaimed launch of the app in August. Accolades include:
- The Telegraph’s ‘Top 10 kid’s apps, 2011’
- Winner of the Lovie Award 2011
- Apps Magazine - Best Entertainment App 2011 Award
- Shortlisted for the FutureBook Awards – Best Children’s App
The app includes a range of innovative features that create unique and engaging reading experiences, including:
• READ. Me Books brings the picture book app experience back to reading and telling stories. We’ve added nothing to the books themselves, just a new way to bottle the creativity and imagination they inspire.
• LISTEN. Classic stories are brought to life with charming narration from well known voices along with enchanting sound effects. Simply touch the words and pictures to hear them.
• RECORD. We all know you tell the best stories and do the best voices so Me Books lets you do just that. Add your very own narration and sound effects by drawing audio ‘hotspots’ anywhere on the page.
• PLAY. Playing with books is a brilliant way for children to develop their creativity, language and literacy. Me Books allows them to express themselves which isn’t just important, it's a downright hoot.
• SAVE. You can now save up to three versions of each book making it possible to cherish your favourite stories time and time again.
Me Books comes with the beloved Ladybird Classics title “The Zoo” and is available for £0.69 from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
Eric Huang, Publishing Director Media & Entertainment Penguin Children’s Books, said: “When we launched the Me Books App in August it was an instant success, topping the UK iPad Book App charts in September. Parents who read the same story over and over again to their children naturally start to personalize the story – or focus on details in the illustrations that aren’t in the text. Me Books offer interactive tools to enhance this family reading experience.”
“The response to Me Books has been incredible and the enduring popularity of these classic Ladybird books has been at the heart of it. We're excited to be building on a great start with this update as well as lots more Me Books apps for 2012!" James Huggins, co-Founder of Me Books.
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I have been looking forward to reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio ever since I first heard about it, I think this is going to be one of those books that will make me cry my eyes out but hopefully it will leave me feeling good by the end. This book is being published for both the YA and the adult markets with two very different covers. I thought I'd share both covers here & see which one you all prefer. Personally I love the YA cover and am not a big fan of the adult one but do you agree?
YA Cover
Adult Cover
Just in case you've not heard of Wonder before here is the blurb:
The most poignant, moving and heart-warming tale you will read this year; a book to devour in one sitting and press urgently into the hands of your friends and family. A true wonder of a book.
WONDER is the funny, sweet and incredibly moving story of Auggie Pullman. Born with a terrible facial deformity, this shy, bright ten-year-old has been home-schooled by his parents for his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the stares and cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, Auggie is being sent to a real school - and he's dreading it. The thing is, Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, underneath it all?
The YA edition is being published in the UK on the 1st of March and the adult edition will be available on the 7th of June. You can visit the Wonder Facebook page for more information.
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I had an exciting email from Faber and Faber about their new project aimed at 13-16 year olds. Check out the press release below for more information:
FABER AND FABER LAUNCHES THE SPARK - A PLACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHOWCASE THEIR CREATIVE SKILLS
Faber and Faber has launched THE SPARK www.facebook.com/thesparkpage, a place for 13 - 16 year olds who have an interest in creativity and reading. During 2012 THE SPARK, hosted on Facebook, will invite young people to take part in some exciting projects around acting, film-making, writing and music, each linked to and inspired by a Faber Young Adult title. Whilst students aren’t obliged to read the books to take part, we hope that they will not only be inspired to produce some creative work, but will also be encouraged to engage with the related books, and develop a greater interest in reading generally. Our aim is that THE SPARK will become a vibrant community where young people who love reading and creating can meet, talk and share. We have been extremely impressed by the entries for our recent project, run in association with the GUARDIAN, to find a talented young artist to create a new, iconic cover image for William Golding’s LORD OF THE FLIES and we hope that we can discover a similar level of creativity in each of the new projects to be launched this year.
Launch Project
ACTING – THE GLIMPSE by Claire Merle publishing June 2012
Launching in January 2012, we’re looking to find a young actor to play one of the characters in Claire Merle’s debut YA novel, THE GLIMPSE, in a series of web films. Entrants are invited to film themselves performing one of two audition scripts available at www.facebook.com/theglimpse and all entries will be showcased on THE GLIMPSE You Tube Channel.
The competition is open to anyone aged 13-18 years old (see terms and conditions) and the winner will be announced in March 2012
Coming soon…
Over the next few months we’ll be launching further projects for musicians/composers, film-makers and writers.
Music – THE CREWEL by Gennifer Albin publishing October 2012
We’re calling on musicans, band-members and singer-songwriters to produce an original music track inspired by Gennifer Albin’s novel CREWEL, to feature in the official book trailer. Launches February
2012
Writers – THE THINGS WE DID FOR LOVE by Natasha Farrant
To coincide with publication of Natasha Farrant’sTHE THINGS WE DID FOR LOVE, we are looking for aspiring writers to submit stories, poems or articles inspired by the themes of love or war. Launches March 2012
Filmmaking – THE FURY by Alexander Gordon Smith publishing April 2012
Alexander Gordon Smith's terrifying new book THE FURY is sure to keep readers awake at night. We’re looking for a young filmmaker to make a trailer for it. Launches April 2012
We hope THE SPARK will inspire creativity and conversation around books and plan to continue with further book-related creative projects in the future.
I'm a massive fan of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (you can read my review here) so I've been waiting to find out more about the next book in the series. I was very excited that Laini has announced the title of book 2 along with a teaser that you can read on her blog here. Obviously this isn't the finished cover but it is a nice way to announce the title:
So what do you think? I absolutely love it and Days of Blood and Starlight is at the top of my wish list! Have you read Daughter of Smoke and Bone yet? If you haven't you really should get to it ASAP because it's a fantastic read.
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I'm loving the trend of using modern technology to add extra features to books and think this is something we're just going to see more and more of now that smartphones are so popular. Have a look at this press release from RHCB to see what they have done with the cover for Lauren Kate's new book Fallen In Love.
RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS AND TRANSWORLD PUBLISHERS BRING LAUREN KATE AND SOPHIE KINSELLA BOOK JACKETS TO LIFE WITH AURASMA
Random House Children’s Books (RHCB) and Transworld Publishers (TWP) have teamed up with Aurasma, the world’s leading augmented reality platform, to bring bestselling authors Lauren Kate and Sophie Kinsella’s book jackets to life.
When fans download a free app on their Smartphone then hold their device over the front cover of the book, the jacket images will come to life. Special video messages from the author can also be viewed by ‘scanning’ the author photos on the book jackets. The app, which works on iPhone and Android Smartphones, as well as iPad 2 and iPod touch, uses Aurasma’s ‘virtual browser’ to recognise trigger images through the phone’s camera, which then generate video content directly onto the device’s screen.
Fans of Lauren Kate can download the FALLEN BOOKS app and bring the front cover of Fallen In Love to life. The SOPHIE KINSELLA app will activate Sophie Kinsella’s new novel I’ve Got Your Number.
Please click here to see the Aurasma-enabled Fallen In Love cover in action:
Gavin Hilzbrich, Head of Digital Marketing at RHCB and TWP comments: “Increasingly our readers are looking for new ways to interact with authors and we’re always looking for innovative ways to market and enhance our publications. Innovation and development is at the heart of what we do and this project is an example of how we can use cutting edge mobile technology to engage our readers. We’re delighted with the outcome and have had a very positive reaction from retailers and have already set the wheels in motion for incorporating AR into future publications.”
Martina King, Managing Director of Aurasma said; “We are delighted to be working with two of the biggest publishing houses, Random House and Transworld Publishers, in the world’s first use of Aurasma on a book. Both Lauren Kate and Sophie Kinsella have millions of loyal followers around the world who we know will love to use their mobile devices to get closer to the story and their favourite authors. Aurasma offers readers the best of both worlds, bringing together the joy of owning a new book with the excitement of watching it come to life with digital content.”
FALLEN IN LOVE, publishing 2nd February 2012 is a riveting collection of four intertwined love stories featuring the Fallen characters. Since the publication of the first book, Fallen, in December 2009, Kate’s series has become a bona fide smash hit with close to half a million copies sold in the UK alone. All bestsellers in the United States, the novels of the Fallen series: Fallen, Torment, and Passion, have become international sensations, hitting No.1 slots in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, rights have sold in 33 countries and counting. The final novel in the series, Rapture, will be released in the UK in June 2012 taking readers on a journey that will close the chapter on Luce & Daniel’s love forever. Hilzbrich comments ‘With almost 50% of teenagers in the UK owning a Smartphone (and an even greater number having access to an iPod touch) we knew that a large percentage of Lauren Kate’s fans would have one of these devices close at hand, and mobile phones play a very central role’
Random House Children’s books will also be creating augmented reality covers for two further titles this year; broadcaster Simon Mayo’s debut ITCH in March and Starters, a futuristic thriller by Lissa Price in April.
I’VE GOT YOUR NUMBER is published in hardback on 16th February (priced £18.99) and is the eagerly-awaited new standalone novel by Sophie Kinsella. It is the hilarious story of a young woman who loses her mobile phone and stumbles across another discarded phone. Through emails, text messages and mysterious phone calls, she becomes mixed up in the life of the owner in a way she could never have expected. With a mobile phone at the heart of the storyline, augmented reality is the perfect method to allow readers to connect with the author and the plot. Sophie Kinsella is the author of 11 number one bestselling novels including the fabulously popular Shopaholic series; her novels have sold over 6 million copies in the UK and Ireland.
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Last but not least if you're looking for a little pre-apocalypse fun make sure you check out the new 13th Horseman blog. I'm really looking forward to reading Barry Hutchison's next book - I'm sure it's going to be a really fun read! It releases in the UK on the 1st of March so look out for my review towards the end of February and in the meantime here is a bit more information about the book and the new website:
The apocalypse is coming. There’s no way out of I’m afraid. Nope, not even through that sneaky door labelled “exit” – it’s fire and brimstone for us all.
But hey! Let’s not be downbeat about it! Why not laugh your way to the end of the world with some commentary from one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse himself? Ok so he might not be the most mysterious or powerful of the four, but he’s probably not the ugliest anyway. Pestilence has set up his very own blog to document the lead up to the end – which you can read at http://www.the13thhorseman.com/
Conveniently the countdown to the end of the world coincides with the publication of the hilarious new book from Barry Hutchison, The 13th Horseman on the 1st of March. Barry has created this innovative blog to feature all sorts of extra information on the lives of the horseman. You can now learn why exactly Toxie the Hellhound owes them one, where Pest got that nasty rash and watch Death descend into madness (well, waiting for an apocalypse for thousands of years can be pretty boring). The end of the world has never been so entertaining.
You can find out more about Barry and his books here:
Drake is surprised to find three horsemen of the apocalypse playing snakes and ladders in his garden shed. He's even more surprised when they insist that he is one of them. They're missing a Horseman, having gone through several Deaths and they think that Drake is the boy for the job. At first he's reluctant to usher in Armageddon but does being in charge of Armageddon have to spell the end of the world?
An apocalyptic blend of riotous comedy, heart-stopping action and a richly imagined fantasy adventure.
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So that's all the news I have to share with you today, hopefully you found it interesting!
I thought it would be fun to start spotlighting new releases that different publishers have coming up over the next few months for us to look forward to. I'm constantly looking for new books to add to my wish list and thought it would be a nice way of spreading the bookish love with other bloggers. I'm not sure how regular the posts will be yet but I have quite a few lined up already and we'll see how things go over the next few months. So in the spotlight today we have . . .
RHCB always manage to impress me with the variety of titles they print, they have a fantastic range of paranormal & fantasy novels (which everyone should know by now are my favourite kind of reads!) but they are also the publisher most likely to tempt me out of my comfort zone. I'm really excited about the books the have coming in 2012 and can't wait to start reading them all! You can find out more at the RHCB website.
2nd of February 2012:
The first book I'm going to mention is one that I've been looking forward to since January this year so I can't tell you how desperate I am to get my hands on it! I loved Karen Mahoney's debut novel The Iron Witch (read my review here) so The Wood Queen is at the top of my wish list. I can't wait to catch up with Donna, Nav and Xan *swoons at the hottness that is Xan* Check out Karen Mahoney's website for more information.
To keep her best friend, Navin, from being killed at the hands of vicious wood elves, Donna Underwood stole the elixir of life. Now she’s facing an alchemist tribunal while her mother lies dying, succumbing to the elven curse that shattered her mind. In desperation, Donna seeks an audience with Aliette, the fierce and manipulative Wood Queen, who offers a deal: if Donna can use her strange and burgeoning powers to help the wood elves, Aliette will free her mother from the curse.
Along with Navin and Xan, the half-fey guy she’s falling for, Donna struggles to unlock the secrets of her iron tattoos in time to save her mother’s life. But some secrets are better left untold…
Next we have the fourth book in Lauren Kate's Fallen series Fallen In Love. I really liked the first two books in this series Fallen & Torment (click on the links to read my reviews) but have to confess I haven't had time to read the third book Passion yet. This book will actually contain 4 different stories, each focusing on different characters from the series and I'm looking forward to finding out more about some of the side characters. I really must bump Passion up the to read pile so I can read Fallen In Love when it comes out! Visit Lauren Kate's website for more information on the series.
Get ready to Fall . . . One acclaimed series; four extraordinary new stories - from the international bestselling author of Fallen
Unexpected. Unrequited. Forbidden. Eternal. Everyone has their own love story.
And in a twist of fate, four extraordinary love stories combine over the course of a romantic Valentine's Day in Medieval England. Miles and Shelby find love where they least expect it. Roland learns a painful lesson about finding-and losing love. Arianne pays the price for a love so fierce it burns. And for the first -and last- time, Daniel and Luce will spend a night together like none other.
Lauren Kate's FALLEN IN LOVE is filled with love stories . . . the ones everyone has been waiting for.
True love never says goodbye . . .
Next we have a new novel from Margo Lanagan called The Brides of Rollrock Island (this was going to be released with the title Sea Hearts but has had a last minute name change). I haven't read anything by this author before but I'm really curious about this one - it obviously has a paranormal angle which appeals to be immediately but I'm curious to find out what kind of supernatural creatures the wives actually are! Find out more at Margo Lanagan's website.
A mesmerizing tale of sea magic from the author of Tender Morsels.
Rollrock island is a lonely rock of gulls and waves, blunt fishermen and their homely wives. Life is hard for the families who must wring a poor living from the stormy seas. But Rollrock is also a place of magic - the scary, salty-real sort of magic that changes lives forever. Down on the windswept beach, where the seals lie in herds, the outcast sea witch Misskaella casts her spells - and brings forth girls from the sea - girls with long, pale limbs and faces of haunting innocence and loveliness - the most enchantingly lovely girls the fishermen of Rollrock have ever seen.
But magic always has its price. A fisherman may have and hold a sea bride, and tell himself that he is her master. But from his first look into those wide, questioning, liquid eyes, he will be just as transformed as she is. He will be equally ensnared. And in the end the witch will always have her payment.
Margo Lanagan has written an extraordinary tale of desire, despair and transformation. In devastatingly beautiful prose, she reveals unforgettable characters capable of unspeakable cruelty - and deep unspoken love. After reading about the Rollrock fishermen and their sea brides, the world will not seem the same.
Also released in February is the second book in the Wyrmeweald trilogy - Bloodhoney by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. I actually bought a copy of the first book, Returner's Wealth at Foyles when I went to an event with Chris Riddell and Tony DiTerlizzi in September, I Love fantasy and I love dragons so this sounds like just my kind of read. You can find out more about the series at Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell's website.
The second of a critically-acclaimed three-part fantasy by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell set in Wyrmeweald, where awesome dragon-like beasts roam supreme. Think TRUE GRIT meets AVATAR - with dragons.
Fullwinter in the weald - a season of almost unsurvivable cold for anyone foolish enough to venture outside. Even wyrmes die, frozen in the icy wasteland, or falling lifeless from the skies as the host heads west to escape the advance of the two-hides: man...
Huddled in a winter den, Micah is thankful to cragclimber Eli Halfwinter for providing him and kingirl Thrace with shelter, while Thrace aches to leave and fly through the skies on her whitewyrme once more. But sniffing out their whereabouts, fuelled by the invigorating liquor known as bloodhoney, is a brutal assassin, seeking vengeance. And worse is to come when they stumble upon a bizarre community headed by a charismatic stone prophet - Deephome...
1st of March 2012:
I first found out about the next book at the RHCB Blogger's Brunch in July and have been looking forward to reading it ever since then. I've not come across any other YA books set in the 1920's and think Vixen (the first book in the Flappers trilogy) by Jillian Larkin sounds fantastic. You can find out more about Jillian Larkin at her Goodreads author page.
The roaring twenties where anything goes . . . The first in a sparkling new trilogy full of romance, dancing and secrecy.
Three girls. One city. Who will be the last flapper standing?
It's Chicago 1924. Born into American high society, Gloria is the girl who has it all. Living the debutante dream along with her best friend Lorraine, Gloria is just a trip down the aisle away from her future life as Mrs Sebastian Grey. But surely there's time for a little partying before she settles down?
This next book is one that I think is going to break my heart, in fact I've been warned to keep a box of tissues to hand when I read it! Wonder is a debut novel by R.J. Palacio and it looks like it will be an amazing book (this is what I meant about RHCB making me want to step outside my comfort zone!). You can find out more at R.J. Palacio's website.
The most poignant, moving and heart-warming tale you will read this year; a book to devour in one sitting and press urgently into the hands of your friends and family. A true wonder of a book.
WONDER is the funny, sweet and incredibly moving story of Auggie Pullman. Born with a terrible facial deformity, this shy, bright ten-year-old has been home-schooled by his parents for his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the stares and cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, Auggie is being sent to a real school - and he's dreading it. The thing is, Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, underneath it all?
April 2012
Another book we heard about at the RHCB bloggers brunch was Starters by Lissa Price, we had seen a sneak preview of the cover but had all been sworn to secrecy and asked not to mention the book in our write ups. This debut novel is the first book in a new dystopian trilogy and will be available on the 1st of April. This is one I'm really looking forward to reading and don't you just love this cover?! For more information visit Lissa Price's website.
Matched meets The Hunger Games - with a touch of Total Recall! A gripping dystopian thriller by debut author, Lissa Price.
Screenwriter Lissa Price's STARTERS is the first in a futuristic thriller series featuring a society where youth is coveted at an impossible price, and one girls' ability to bring it all crumbling down.
Next we have a book that will definitely appeal to the boys (but there is no reason that us girls won't love it too!), Reloaded is the second book in Chris Ryan's Agent 21 series and will be published on the 5th of April. Chris spent 10 years serving in the SAS so has plenty of real life experiences to draw from in his writing. You can find out more about Chris Ryan at his website.
Some authors just write about it. Chris Ryan has been there, done it and lived to tell the tale. This is the second in the new action-thriller Agent 21 series by the real-life SAS hero.
In the year since Zak Darke was approached by a shadowy government agency to become Agent 21, his world has changed completely. But there is no time to reflect on this - the undercover operations go on.
May 2012:
The 5th of May sees the release of the second book in the Mortal Kiss series - Fool's Silver by Alice Moss. This is a series I've been wanting to start reading for ages so I must pick up Mortal Kiss before this comes out. You can find out more at Alice Moss' author page on Goodreads.
This sensational story - first serialised on international hit teen website Stardoll - is now a novel that is set to take the world by storm!
Could you choose between the ones you love . . . ?
A gorgeous boyfriend and a long summer in Winter Mill to look forward to - things are good for Faye McCarron.
Then her friend Lucas disappears without a trace. But nobody seems to care - until two strangers arrive in town . . .
The last book I'm going to mention today is Seraphina by Rachel Hartman that will be published on the 10th of May. This looks like a brilliant fantasy and it's one I'm really excited about. You can find out more at Rachel Hartman's website.
A gripping new fantasy adventure - Eragon meets Game of Thrones - by an exciting debut author.
The kingdom of Goredd is populated by humans and by dragons who fold themselves into a human form. Though they live alongside each other, the peace between them is uneasy.
But when a member of the royal family is murdered, and the crime appears to have been committed by a dragon the peace and treaty between both worlds is seriously threatened . . .
Into this comes Seraphina, a gifted musician who joins the royal court as the assistant to the court composer. She is soon drawn into the murder investigation and, as she uncovers hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace in Goredd for good, finds herself caught desperately in the middle of the tension.
For Seraphina hides a secret - the secret behind her musical gift - and if she is found out, her life is in serious danger . . .
So what do you think of the books that RHCB have coming out early next year? Which ones are you most excited about?
Fallen in Love will be released in the UK on the 2nd of February 2012
Rapture will be released in the UK on the 21st of June 2012
I just received a very exciting email from RHCB revealing the covers for the next two books in Lauren Kate's Fallen series. The covers for this series are some of my favourites so I couldn't wait to share them with you all. So what do you think? Do you love them as much as I do?
Here are the covers for the earlier books in the series:
Which cover in the series is your favourite? It's hard to pick isn't it but I think mine is probably the new cover for Rapture!
(picture taken at the Passion launch party last night with 2 of the angel waiters, how gutted am I that I couldn't make it to the event!)
You probably already know that I'm a fan of Lauren Kate's Fallen series so I was very excited when I received the following press release from RHCB! I'm sure when you've read it you'll understand why so here it is:
RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF A NEW NOVEL SET IN THE WORLD OF LAUREN KATE’S GLOBAL BESTSELLING FALLEN SERIES
Fallen in Love to be Published on 2nd February 2012
Random House Children’s Books will publish an original novel by Lauren Kate that is connected to her internationally bestselling series, Fallen. The novel, FALLEN IN LOVE, acquired in the UK by Annie Eaton and Becky Stradwick, will be released in the UK on 2nd February 2012, before the fourth and final title in the series, Rapture, is published. FALLEN IN LOVE is a riveting collection of four intertwined love stories featuring the Fallen characters that fans have grown to know and love: Miles, Shelby, Roland, Arriane, and Luce & Daniel.
Since the publication of the first book, Fallen, in December 2009, Kate’s series has become a bona fide smash hit with close to half a million copies sold in the UK alone. Her story of star-crossed lovers and fallen angels has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers all over the world, with rights sold in 33 countries and counting. All bestsellers in the United States, the novels of the Fallen series: Fallen, Torment, and Passion, have become international sensations, hitting No.1 slots in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The final novel in the series, Rapture, will be released in the UK in June 2012 taking readers on a journey that will close the chapter on Luce & Daniel’s love forever.
Annie Eaton, Fiction Publisher comments "It's incredibly exciting for us - and all Lauren Kate's legion of fans- to have this extra-special Fallen book coming for Valentine's Day. What a treat to start 2012 with!"
The release coincides with Lauren Kate’s current UK tour to promote the third book in the Fallen series, Passion. Last night guests attended a drinks reception at Proud Camden which featured a reading from Lauren. The tour includes a visit to Ireland, and an appearance at the Bath Children’s Lit Festival this weekend.
Lauren Kate is the internationally bestselling author of The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove and the Fallen novels: Fallen, Torment, Passion, and the forthcoming Rapture. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.
********************
So what do you think? Have you added Fallen in Love to your wish list? I know it's going on mine :o)
After announcing the winners of my blogoversary giveaway last week I was surprised that I haven't heard back from everyone to claim their prizes! The winners of Entangled by Cat Clarke, A Summer Fling by Milly Johnson, Shiver and Linger by Maggie Stiefvater and Random by Craig Robertson have all claimed their prizes but I've had to pick new winners for the other signed books.
With the help of random.org I can now announce the NEW winners of my 1st blogoversary giveaways! Congratulations to all of the new winners!
Giveaway 1 - Fallen & Torment by Lauren Kate:
I had left it up to you to decide if there would be 1 winner receiving both books or 2 winners receiving 1 book each. I took the following screen shot of the poll results after the giveaway closed and as you can see the result was 1 winner
So I can confirm that the winner who will receive signed ARC copies of both Fallen and Torment by Lauren Kate is:
Raimy(email address starting raimyrawr@...)
Giveaway 4 - Girl Missing by Sophie McKenzie:
Winning a signed copy of A Girl Missing by Sophie McKenzie is:
This giveaway was UK only unless international entrants were prepared to pay postage costs because of the weight of these books. If you are an international winner of one of these books I will let you know how much postage will cost when I know your address, I will pay the postage cost if you are a UK winner. (The winner of Random has already claimed their prize)
Winning a large paperback of Hellhole by Brian Herbert & Kevin J Anderson (signed by Kevin J Anderson) is:
Kulsuma(email address starting k_anon@)
Congratulations to you all! If you can email me at sarahsreviews at ymail dot com with your full address I will get your books posted to you. If I don't hear from you within 48 hours then new winners will be chosen so please don't miss out on your prizes like the original winners did!
With the help of random.org I can now announce the winners of by 1st blogoversary giveaways! There was such an amazing response to the giveaways so thank you all for entering and helping to spread the word. Congratulations to all of the winners!
Giveaway 1 - Fallen & Torment by Lauren Kate:
I had left it up to you to decide if there would be 1 winner receiving both books or 2 winners receiving 1 book each. I took the following screen shot of the poll results after the giveaway closed and as you can see the result was 1 winner
So I can confirm that the winner who will receive signed ARC copies of both Fallen and Torment by Lauren Kate is:
Laura Soucek(email address starting noevus32@...)
Giveaway 2 - Entangled by Cat Clarke:
Winning a signed ARC of Entangled by Cat Clarke along with a cover flat is:
Winning a signed copy of A Summer Fling by Milly Johnson is:
.Ambur.(email address starting ambiepie_6@)
Giveaway 4 - Girl Missing by Sophie McKenzie:
Winning a signed copy of A Girl Missing by Sophie McKenzie is:
Alice Reed(email address starting ccs_bm@)
Giveaway 5 - Randon & Hellhole:
This giveaway was UK only unless international entrants were prepared to pay postage costs because of the weight of these books. If you are an international winner of one of these books I will let you know how much postage will cost when I know your address, I will pay the postage cost if you are a UK winner.
Winning a signed hardback copy of Randon by Craig Robinson is:
NatD23(email address starting natlovestoread@)
Winning a large paperback of Hellhole by Brian Herbert & Kevin J Anderson (signed by Kevin J Anderson) is:
Melodie(email address starting ashlinn_riddle@)
Giveaway 6 - Shiver & Linger by Maggie Stiefvater:
Again I left it up to you to vote on how many winners there would be and as you can see from the screenshot below you voted for 1 winner
So winning signed UK copies of Shiver & Linger by Maggie Stiefvater we have:
Nina(email address starting nina.happyendings@)
Congratulations to you all! If you can email me at sarahsreviews at ymail dot com with your full address I will get your books posted to you. If I don't hear from you within 48 hours then new winners will be chosen.
* UPDATE - THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED - Winner announced here *
I still can't believe I made it past my 1st blogoversary on 1st January 2011! When I started my blog last year I had no idea the book blogging community even existed and never dreamed of all the wonderful new friends I'd make through blogging - both on and offline. It's been such a fantastic year that although I'm late with the celebrations I can't let it pass without doing something special. This week is going to be a celebration week here on the blog and there will be lots of fantastic giveaways for you to enter - in fact I'll be giving away 10 signed books from all kinds of genres so I'm hoping that there will be something here for everyone!
First up I have signed ARC copies of Fallen and Torment by Lauren Kate to give away. I couldn't decide if I should have 1 or 2 winners for this one so I've created a poll to let you decide for yourselves. We can either have 1 winner who will receive both books or if you'd like a higher chance of winning you can vote for 2 winners who will win one book each. Whichever result has the most votes at the end of the giveaway is the one I'll go with so get voting now.
This giveaway is international so anyone can enter no matter where you live.
Depending on the results of the above poll there will either be 1 winner who will receive both signed books or 2 winners who will receive 1 book each.
The winner/s will be chosen at random from all entries received. If you vote to have 2 winners the first winner picked will win Fallen and the second winner will receive Torment
To enter the giveaway all you need to do is fill in your name and email address in the form below (please have permission from your parents if you are under 16). Extra entries are available but they are entirely optional.
Only one entry per person please, any duplicate entries will be deleted
You have until the 28th of February to enter the giveaway and I'll announce the winner/s soon afterwards on my blog. The winner/s will have 48 hours to contact me with their postal address or another winner will be chosen.
Winners addresses will only be used by me to send out the prizes and will be deleted afterwards.
