strange and random happenstance

Funny Girl by Nick Hornby
Published by: Riverhead Hardcover
Publication Date: February 3rd, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 464 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From the bestselling author of High Fidelity, About a Boy, and A Long Way Down comes a highly anticipated new novel.

Set in 1960's London, Funny Girl is a lively account of the adventures of the intrepid young Sophie Straw as she navigates her transformation from provincial ingénue to television starlet amid a constellation of delightful characters. Insightful and humorous, Nick Hornby's latest does what he does best: endears us to a cast of characters who are funny if flawed, and forces us to examine ourselves in the process."

It's been a long five years since Hornby's last book, too busy with screenplays I guess... but we have a new book. At last!

Death of a Liar by M.C. Beaton
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: February 3rd, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 272 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Sergeant Hamish Macbeth is alarmed to receive a report from a woman in the small village of Cronish in the Scottish Highlands. She has been brutally attacked and the criminal is on the loose. But upon further investigation, Hamish discovers that she was lying about the crime. So when the same woman calls him back about an intruder, he simply marvels at her compulsion to lie. This time, though, she is telling the truth. Her body is found in her home and Hamish must sort through all of her lies to solve the crime."

My mom's favorite author, hands down. And this is her favorite series of the two Beaton writes as well.

The Eterna Files by Leanna Renee Hiber
Published by: Tor Books
Publication Date: February 3rd, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
" London, 1882: Queen Victoria appoints Harold Spire of the Metropolitan Police to Special Branch Division Omega. Omega is to secretly investigate paranormal and supernatural events and persons. Spire, a skeptic driven to protect the helpless and see justice done, is the perfect man to lead the department, which employs scholars and scientists, assassins and con men, and a traveling circus. Spire's chief researcher is Rose Everhart, who believes fervently that there is more to the world than can be seen by mortal eyes.

Their first mission: find the Eterna Compound, which grants immortality. Catastrophe destroyed the hidden laboratory in New York City where Eterna was developed, but the Queen is convinced someone escaped—and has a sample of Eterna.

Also searching for Eterna is an American, Clara Templeton, who helped start the project after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln nearly destroyed her nation. Haunted by the ghost of her beloved, she is determined that the Eterna Compound—and the immortality it will convey—will be controlled by the United States, not Great Britain."

If you seriously can read this description and NOT seeing me buying this book, I think we need to have a talk...

Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman
Published by: William Morrow
Publication Date: February 3rd, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From one of the most critically acclaimed and beloved storytellers of our time comes a major new collection of stories and verse.

"We each have our little triggers . . . things that wait for us in the dark corridors of our lives." So says Neil Gaiman in his introduction to Trigger Warning, a remarkable compendium of twenty-five stories and poems that explore the transformative power of imagination.

In "Adventure Story"—a thematic companion to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel The Ocean at the End of the Lane—Gaiman ponders death and the ways in which people take their stories with them when they die. "A Calendar of Tales" is comprised of short pieces about the months of the year—stories of pirates and March winds, an igloo made of books, and a Mother's Day card that portends disturbances in the universe. Gaiman offers his own ingenious spin on Sherlock Holmes in his award-nominated mystery tale "The Case of Death and Honey." Also included is "Nothing O'Clock," a very special Doctor Who story that was written for the beloved series in 2013, as well as the never-before-published "Black Dog," a haunting new tale that revisits the world of American Gods as Shadow Moon stops in at a village pub on his way back to America.

Gaiman, a sophisticated writer whose creative genius is unparalleled, entrances with his literary alchemy and transports us deep into an undiscovered country where the fantastical becomes real and the everyday is incandescent. Replete with wonder and terror, surprises and amusements, Trigger Warning is a treasury of literary delights that engage the mind, stir the heart, and shake the soul."

OK, I am a little tired of the Doctor Who story being everywhere, seriously, it wasn't that memorable. BUT I am uber excited about the story "The Return of the Thin White Duke!" 

Dragons at Crumbling Castle by Terry Pratchett
Published by: Clarion Books
Publication Date: February 3rd, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"This never-before-published collection of fourteen funny and inventive tales by acclaimed author Sir Terry Pratchett features a memorable cast of inept wizards, sensible heroes, and unusually adventuresome tortoises.

Including more than one hundred black-and-white illustrations, the appealingly designed book celebrates Pratchett’s inimitable wordplay and irreverent approach to the conventions of storytelling.

These accessible and mischievous tales are an ideal introduction for young readers to this beloved author. Established fans of Pratchett’s work will savor the playful presentation of the themes and ideas that inform his best-selling novels."

Anybody else feel they're trying to make Terry Pratchett Roald Dahl?

The Accidental Dragon by Dakota Cassidy
Published by: Berkley Trade
Publication Date: February 3rd, 2015
Format: Paperback, 304 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Firefighter McAllister "Mick" Malone knows he has a protective streak, especially when it comes to his deceased best friend's sister, Tessa. But after twenty-five years of verbal sparring, Mick can't help but notice that their recent arguments have started to feel a lot like foreplay. And while Tessa knows exactly what to say to get him going, Mick is thrown for a loop when he actually starts breathing fire.

Antique-store owner Tessa Preston has loved Mick Malone since she was ten years old—not that she'd ever admit it. Fighting with Mick is the only thing keeping her from an embarrassing romantic confession, but when the sexy firefighter accidentally ingests some ancient dragon scales masquerading as powdered aspirin, Tessa finds herself handling something much hotter than long-simmering sexual tension."

From dragons to dragons... I hope I'm never accused of not having a flow to my posts.

Casually Cursed by Kimberly Frost
Published by: Berkley
Publication Date: February 3rd, 2015
Format: Paperback, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From the national bestselling author of Slightly Spellbound comes the latest Southern Witch novel featuring Tammy Jo Trask.

Tammy Jo rarely sets a toe outside Texas, but when she learns her mother is in trouble, Tammy is determined to save her—even if it means going to hell and back…

Fresh off her engagement to wizard Bryn Lyons, Tammy Jo is surprised to make another new family connection when she meets the twin sister she never knew she had. After being spirited away to the fae kingdom of Never as an infant, Kismet has finally escaped, and arrived in Duvall, Texas, with some terrible news: their mother, Marlee, is a prisoner of the Seelie fae.

Crossing the ocean to battle the fae isn’t Tammy Jo’s idea of a romantic getaway, but Bryn refuses to let her go alone—as do her aunt Edie and her ex-husband Zach. Unfortunately, their plot to free Marlee is foiled when they are caught by the fae queen. And the only chance the queen gives them to save Marlee’s life may be an impossible quest…"

Have I mentioned lately how much I love this new look and format?

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Dakota Cassidy, David Bowie, Doctor Who, Dragons, Funny Girl, Kimberly Frost, Leanna Renee Hieber, M.C. Beaton, Neil Gaiman, Nick Hornby, Southern Witch Series, Terry Pratchett, The Eterna Files, Trigger Warning

The Spook Lights Affair by Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini
Published by: Forge Books
Publication Date: December 3rd, 2013
Format: Hardcover, 256 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"In 1895 San Francisco young debutantes don’t commit suicide at festive parties, particularly not under the eye of Sabina Carpenter. But Virginia St. Ives evidently did, leaping from a foggy parapet in a shimmer of ghostly light. The seemingly impossible disappearance of her body creates an even more serious problem for the firm of Carpenter and Quincannon, Professional Detective Services.

Sabina hadn’t wanted to take the assignment, but her partner John Quincannon insisted it would serve as entrée to the city’s ultra rich and powerful. That means money, and Quincannon loves the almighty dollar. Which is why he is hunting the bandit who robbed the Wells, Fargo office of $35,000.

Working their separate cases (while Sabina holds John off with one light hand), the detectives give readers a tour of The City the way it was. From the infamous Barbary Coast to the expensive Tenderloin gaming houses and brothels frequented by wealthy men, Quincannon follows a danger-laden trail to unmask the murderous perpetrators of the Wells, Fargo robbery. Meanwhile, Sabina works her wiles on friends and relatives of the vanished debutante until the pieces of her puzzle start falling into place. But it’s an oddly disguised gent appearing out of nowhere who provides the final clue to both cases—the shrewd “crackbrain” who believes himself to be Sherlock Holmes.

Fans of Marcia’s Muller’s bestselling Sharon McCone novels and Bill Pronzini’s Nameless Detective series will applaud The Spook Lights Affair and future exploits from the annals of Carpenter and Quincannon, Professional Detective Services."

Just reading the description I get goosebumps!

Billionaire Blend by Cleo Coyle
Published by: Berkley Hardcover
Publication Date: December 3rd, 2013
Format: Hardcover, ? Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The New York Times bestselling author of Holiday Buzz serves readers a fresh new Coffeehouse Mystery.

Includes a wealth of delicious recipes!

Landmark coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi has served her share of New York's rich and famous, but even she is surprised by her explosive introduction to a mysterious Internet billionaire….

When a car bomb nearly kills the charming young tech whiz Eric Thorner, Clare comes to his aid and receives a priceless thank you. Not only does the billionaire buy her a barista's dream espresso machine, he hires her for an extraordinary project: creating the world's most expensive coffee blend. The police arrest Eric's alleged attacker, yet death continues to surround the unlucky mogul, leading Clare to question whether the lethal events are premeditated or merely freak accidents. Clare's boyfriend, NYPD detective Mike Quinn, has a theory of his own--one Clare refuses to believe. Meanwhile, Eric jets Clare around the world on a head-spinning search for the very best coffee, and Clare gets to know his world--a mesmerizing circle of money with rivalries that could easily have turned deadly. But is this mysterious young CEO truly marked for termination? Or is he the one making a killing?"

This one's for Paul, who I know is addicted to this series, which led me to finally order the first book, and I don't even drink any coffee beverage!

Something About Harry by Dakota Cassidy
Published by: Berkley Trade
Publication Date: December 3rd, 2013
Format: Paperback, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From national bestselling author Dakota Cassidy comes the latest in the series that "gets better and better with each book." (Bitten by Books)

He’s in a furry situation.

Accountant Harry Ralph Emerson has always been a by-the-numbers kind of guy. But when he finds himself trapped at work sprouting an obscene amount of hair, he knows his odds for maintaining normalcy are zero to none. After a frantic internet search, Harry goes through the OOPS—Out in the Open Paranormal Support—checklist and comes to a disheartening conclusion: He’s turning into a werewolf and he needs help ASAP.

She might be the only solution.

Werewolf Mara Flaherty has long carried a torch for Pack Cosmetics’s sexy single accountant, even after her attempt to seduce him went down in flames. When her sister-in-law, Marty, shows up to handle Harry’s OOPS emergency, she tasks Mara with showing the hirsute hottie the ropes. But Mara knows Harry’s condition is a result of her lab experiment gone wrong—and the previously mild-mannered object of her affection is about to give her a piece of his mind…"

Pure supernatural fun!

Barely Bewitched by Kimberly Frost
Published by: Berkley
Publication Date: December 3rd, 2013
Format: Paperback, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Welcome to Duvall, Texas, where Tammy Jo Trask has just unleashed an accidental Armageddon.

When Tammy Jo's misfiring magic attracts the attention of the World Association of Magic, a wand-wielding wizard and a menacing fire warlock show up to train her for a dangerous—and mandatory—challenge. But is there more to their arrival than they claim?

The town comes unglued when a curse leads to a toxic spill of pixie dust and the doors between the human and faery worlds begin to open. To rescue the town and to face the challenge, Tammy needs help from the incredibly handsome Bryn Lyons, but the association known as WAM has declared him totally off-limits…"

Have I mentioned lately how much better these new covers are? Because damn! They are so much better!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Barely Bewitched, Carpenter and Quincannon, Cleo Coyle, Coffeehouse Mystery, Dakota Cassidy, Kimberly Frost, Something About Harry, The Spook Lights Affair

The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress
Published by: Dial
Publication Date: December 4th, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 448 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns--and the heroines who use them all

Set in Edwardian London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder--and the crimes they believe may be connected to it--without calling too much attention to themselves.

Told with Adrienne Kress's sharp wit and a great deal of irreverence, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike--well, relatively ladylike--heroines poised for more dangerous adventures."

Edwardian Steampunk! Downton meets H.G. Wells, bring it!

Touch of Steel by Kate Cross
Published by: Signet
Publication Date: December 4th, 2012
Format: Paperback, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The Wardens of the Realm are a group with extraordinary abilities, dedicated to protecting England from any threat. But in this steam-powered world, there’s a fine line between enemy and ally…

Reeling from her brother’s death, beautiful American spy Claire Brooks has vowed revenge on the member of The Company who she believes to be responsible: Stanton Howard. But when she chases the man to London, Claire is captured by the Wardens of the Realm and placed in the custody of the Earl of Wolfred, the dashing Alistair Payne.

Seeing the prospect of retribution slipping away, Claire convinces Alistair that she has defected and will help him take down The Company. As they travel via steam liner, Claire and Alistair must pretend to be engaged. Claire can’t deny the growing attraction she feels for her pretend husband, but when Howard is finally within her reach, she will have to decide whether her true loyalties lie with The Company or with her heart…

More steampunk fun, yes!

The Accidental Genie by Dakota Cassidy
Published by: Berkley
Publication Date: December 4th, 2012
Format: Paperback, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"She’s all bottled up.

Jeannie Carlyle is a caterer extraordinaire, more than ready to handle any challenge thrown at her. But when her client asks her to open up a rare bottle of gin for a party, Jeannie is shocked when a guy in poofy pants pops out and she gets sucked inside. Trapped in the bottle, Jeannie does the only thing she can think of and uses her cell phone to search the term “paranormal” and finds the number for OOPS—Out in the Open Paranormal Support.

Until he sets her free.

Werewolf Sloan Flaherty isn’t keen on dealing with distraught women, especially since his sister-in-law Marty basically forced him to man the OOPS phones. But when Jeannie calls in a panic, Sloan is the only one available to find Jeannie’s bottle. After giving it a good rub, Jeannie emerges dressed like a character from Arabian Nights and starts calling Sloan “Master.” Now, they need to figure out how to break their unwanted bond, before the wishes Jeannie can’t stop granting get them into more trouble than even the OOPS girls can handle…"

Another cute little entry in Dakota Cassidy's Accidental series. 

Recipe for Treason by Andrea Penrose
Published by: Signet
Publication Date: December 4th, 2012
Format: Paperback, 336 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A diabolical traitor who's always out of reach...

England, 1814. Lady Arianna Hadley and her husband, the Earl of Saybrook, want nothing more than to savor a quiet life embellished by the occasional cup of the finest chocolate. However, when they receive orders to travel to Scotland and capture an elusive traitor, they feel their duty to the Crown must come first.

In a laboratory in Scotland, they discover the coprse of a chemistry professor--and cryptic papers hinting at a dangerous new discovery now in enemy hands. Racing against time, Arianna and Saybrook pursue their most cunning and dangerous adversary yet through a complex network of intrigue involving exotic chocolates, daredevil aviators, a missing inventor, and a secret recipe that must be recovered at any cost...

INCLUDES CHOCOLATE RECIPES AND TRIVIA!"

The first book in this series was fun and I've already picked up the second to read once my semester is over, so one more won't hurt!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 2 comments  

Labels: Adrienne Kress, Andrea Penrose, Dakota Cassidy, Kate Cross, Recipe for Treason, Steampunk, The Accidental Genie, The Friday Society, Touch of Steel