strange and random happenstance

Ghosts of Harvard by Francesca Serritella
Published by: Random House
Publication Date: May 5th, 2020
Format: Hardcover, 480 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A Harvard freshman becomes obsessed with her schizophrenic brother’s suicide. Then she starts hearing voices.

Cadence Archer arrives on Harvard’s campus desperate to understand why her brother, Eric, a genius who developed paranoid schizophrenia took his own life there the year before. Losing Eric has left a black hole in Cady’s life, and while her decision to follow in her brother’s footsteps threatens to break her family apart, she is haunted by questions of what she might have missed. And there’s only one place to find answers.

As Cady struggles under the enormous pressure at Harvard, she investigates her brother’s final year, armed only with a blue notebook of Eric’s cryptic scribblings. She knew he had been struggling with paranoia, delusions, and illusory enemies - but what tipped him over the edge? Voices fill her head, seemingly belonging to three ghosts who passed through the university in life, or death, and whose voices, dreams, and terrors still echo the halls. Among them is a person whose name has been buried for centuries, and another whose name mankind will never forget.

Does she share Eric’s illness, or is she tapping into something else? Cady doesn’t know how or why these ghosts are contacting her, but as she is drawn deeper into their worlds, she believes they’re moving her closer to the truth about Eric, even as keeping them secret isolates her further. Will listening to these voices lead her to the one voice she craves - her brother’s - or will she follow them down a path to her own destruction?"

The hallowed ivy halls with a ghostly Gothic bent. 

The Ghost of Eden Park by Karen Abbot
Published by: Broadway Books
Publication Date: May 5th, 2020
Format: Paperback, 3448 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"In the early days of Prohibition, long before Al Capone became a household name, a German immigrant named George Remus quits practicing law and starts trafficking whiskey. Within two years he's a multi-millionaire. The press calls him "King of the Bootleggers," writing breathless stories about the Gatsby-esque events he and his glamorous second wife, Imogene, host at their Cincinnati mansion, with party favors ranging from diamond jewelry for the men to brand-new cars for the women. By the summer of 1921, Remus owns 35 percent of all the liquor in the United States.

Pioneering prosecutor Mabel Walker Willebrandt is determined to bring him down. Willebrandt's bosses at the Justice Department hired her right out of law school, assuming she'd pose no real threat to the cozy relationship they maintain with Remus. Eager to prove them wrong, she dispatches her best investigator, Franklin Dodge, to look into his empire. It's a decision with deadly consequences. With the fledgling FBI on the case, Remus is quickly imprisoned for violating the Volstead Act. Her husband behind bars, Imogene begins an affair with Dodge. Together, they plot to ruin Remus, sparking a bitter feud that soon reaches the highest levels of government - and that can only end in murder.

Combining deep historical research with novelistic flair, The Ghosts of Eden Park is the unforgettable, stranger-than-fiction story of a rags-to-riches entrepreneur and a long-forgotten heroine, of the excesses and absurdities of the Jazz Age, and of the infinite human capacity to deceive."

Because right now, for me, I'm ALL about the twenties!

Close Up by Amanda Quick
Published by: Berkley
Publication Date: May 5th, 2020
Format: Hardcover, 304 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Welcome to Burning Cove, California where 1930s Hollywood glamour conceals a ruthless killer...

Vivian Brazier never thought life as an art photographer would include nightly wake-up calls to snap photos of grisly crime scenes or headshots for aspiring male actors. Although she is set on a career of transforming photography into a new art form, she knows her current work is what’s paying the bills.

After shooting crime scene photos of a famous actress, the latest victim of the murderer the press has dubbed the “Dagger Killer,” Vivian notices eerie similarities to the crime scenes of previous victims - details that only another photographer would have noticed - details that put Vivian at the top of the killer’s target list.

Nick Sundridge has always been able to “see” things that others don’t, coping with disturbing dreams and visions. His talent, or as he puts it - his curse - along with his dark past makes him a recluse, but a brilliant investigator. As the only one with the ability to help, Nick is sent to protect Vivian. Together, they discover the Dagger Killer has ties to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood royalty and high society. It is a cutthroat world of allure and deception that Vivian and Nick must traverse - all in order to uncover the killer who will stop at nothing to add them to their gallery of murders."

THIS! This is what I love! Hollywood glamour with murder! 

The Paris Hours by Alex George 
Published by: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: May 5th, 2020
Format: Hardcover, 272 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"One day in the City of Light. One night in search of lost time.

Paris between the wars teems with artists, writers, and musicians, a glittering crucible of genius. But amidst the dazzling creativity of the city’s most famous citizens, four regular people are each searching for something they’ve lost.

Camille was the maid of Marcel Proust, and she has a secret: when she was asked to burn her employer’s notebooks, she saved one for herself. Now she is desperate to find it before her betrayal is revealed. Souren, an Armenian refugee, performs puppet shows for children that are nothing like the fairy tales they expect. Lovesick artist Guillaume is down on his luck and running from a debt he cannot repay - but when Gertrude Stein walks into his studio, he wonders if this is the day everything could change. And Jean-Paul is a journalist who tells other people’s stories, because his own is too painful to tell. When the quartet’s paths finally cross in an unforgettable climax, each discovers if they will find what they are looking for.

Told over the course of a single day in 1927, The Paris Hours takes four ordinary people whose stories, told together, are as extraordinary as the glorious city they inhabit."

Ever since I saw the film Night on Earth in high school I've loved the conceit of following one single night in characters lives.

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 5th, 2020
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A would-be queen. A handsome young king. A perfect match...or is it?

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series comes The Betrothed, a glittering royal romance sure to captivate her legion of loyal readers and lovers of courtly intrigue alike.

When King Jameson declares his love for Lady Hollis Brite, Hollis is shocked - and thrilled. After all, she’s grown up at Keresken Castle, vying for the king’s attention alongside other daughters of the nobility. Capturing his heart is a dream come true.

But Hollis soon realizes that falling in love with a king and being crowned queen may not be the happily ever after she thought it would be. And when she meets a commoner with the mysterious power to see right into her heart, she finds that the future she really wants is one that she never thought to imagine."

I'd so choose a commoner over a king!

Death of a Cheerleader by Micol Ostow
Published by: Scholastic Inc
Publication Date: May 5th, 2020
Format: Paperback, 304 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Betty and Veronica's cheerleading retreat with the River Vixens was supposed to be fun - not deadly.

Betty, Veronica, Cheryl, and the rest of the River Vixens are heading out of town for the weekend on a cheerleading retreat. So Archie, Jughead, and the rest of the guys decide to have a poker night at La Bonne Nuit. But a storm causes the power to go out, and the speakeasy goes into lockdown. When the lights come back on, all of the cash is gone. The thief has to be someone the guys know - but who?

A few hours away, the River Vixens are ready to enjoy a few days of nature and team bonding. But when they arrive at the cheerleading camp, there are two other feuding squads already there. The team from Stonewall Prep claims that the Greendale girls are the reason one of their teammates went missing two years ago.

Betty and Veronica volunteer to investigate after creepy things start happening all over camp. And when one of the cheerleaders nearly drowns in the lake, B and V know they have to find out the truth before anyone else gets hurt - or worse.

This original Riverdale novel features a story not seen on the show!"

Because this week's finale is sure to leave everything up in the air, so to hold you over until we finally see the gang graduate and the possible five year time jump, this will have to tide you over. 

Path of Night by Sarah Rees Brennan
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
Publication Date: May 5th, 2020
Format: Paperback, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Half-witch, half-mortal 16-year-old Sabrina Spellman has made her choice: She's embraced her witchy roots, and her power is growing daily. But will it come at too high a price?

It's not easy being half-mortal, half-witch. At least, not for Sabrina Spellman. She just discovered that her dad is Satan... and that it's her destiny to rule Hell.

As usual, Sabrina's got other plans for her future. She's figured out a way to trap her father...but he's caged in the body of her boyfriend, Nick Scratch. Now the love of her life is stuck in Hell... with Satan stuck inside him.

Sabrina knows there's a way to get Nick back while also keeping dear old dad out of commission. She just has to figure out what it is. Unfortunately, her loyal cousin Ambrose is unavailable because he's off hunting Father Blackwood, the evil former head of the Church of Night.

Fortunately, Sabrina's still got her mortal friends, Roz, Harvey, and Theo. So when her aunt Zelda, now the church's high priestess, mentions an ancient quest that might help open the gates of Hell, Sabrina and her friends are all in. But Zelda failed to mention that the quest has some perils of its own..."

And once you've finish all of Rivderdale and caught up on Sabrina's adventures, now you have this new book!

Network Effect by Martha Wells
Published by: Tor.com
Publication Date: May 5th, 2020
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Martha Wells' New York Times and USA Today bestselling Murderbot series exploded onto the scene in 2017, and the world has not been the same, since.

Murderbot returns in its highly-anticipated, first, full-length standalone novel, Network Effect.

You know that feeling when you’re at work, and you’ve had enough of people, and then the boss walks in with yet another job that needs to be done right this second or the world will end, but all you want to do is go home and binge your favorite shows? And you're a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction? Congratulations, you're Murderbot.

Come for the pew-pew space battles, stay for the most relatable A.I. you’ll read this century."

I hope you're like me and have downloaded all the previous stories from the Tor newsletter over the last week in anticipation of today!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: 1920s, Alex George, Amanda Quick, Francesca Serritella, Ghosts of Harvard, Karen Abbot, Kiera Cass, Martha Wells, Murderbot, Riverdale, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Sarah Rees Brennan, The Ghosts of Eden Park

Night Shift by Charlaine Harris
Published by: Ace
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels - “the Mark Twain of things that live under your bed” - comes a new novel of Midnight, Texas, the town where some secrets will never see the light of day...

At Midnight’s local pawnshop, weapons are flying off the shelves - only to be used in sudden and dramatic suicides right at the main crossroads in town.

Who better to figure out why blood is being spilled than the vampire Lemuel, who, while translating mysterious texts, discovers what makes Midnight the town it is. There’s a reason why witches and werewolves, killers and psychics, have been drawn to this place.

And now they must come together to stop the bloodshed in the heart of Midnight. For if all hell breaks loose - which just might happen - it will put the secretive town on the map, where no one wants it to be..."

I have kind of fallen for Midnight, Texas and don't want this to be the last volume! 

Doctor Who: A Matter of Life and Death by George Mann
Published by: Titan Comics
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016
Format: Hardcover, 128 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Collects the complete Eighth Doctor Mini-Series.

Eerie Victorian magic shows, living paintings, mysterious lost books, crystalline life-forms, space-barges crammed with the undead... Embrace all the Gothic Romance and interstellar terror of the Eighth Doctor in this new series starring the most-requested past incarnation!"

Of course I've been buying the individual issues of my friend George's foray into Doctor Who Comics, but now I can have them all in a pretty book too!

The Crown by Kiera Cass
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016
Format: Hardcover, 288 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Kiera Cass’s #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series has captured the hearts of readers from its very first page. Now the end of the journey is here. Prepare to be swept off your feet by The Crown—the eagerly awaited, wonderfully romantic fifth and final book in the Selection series.

In The Heir, a new era dawned in the world of The Selection. Twenty years have passed since America Singer and Prince Maxon fell in love, and their daughter is the first princess to hold a Selection of her own.

Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and now Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected."

Yeah, another year and I still haven't started this series. Shame on me.

A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock
Published by: Crown
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016
Format: Hardcover, 304 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Set in the glamorous 1920s, A Fine Imitation is an intoxicating debut that sweeps readers into a privileged Manhattan socialite's restless life and the affair with a mysterious painter that upends her world, flashing back to her years at Vassar and the friendship that brought her to the brink of ruin.

Vera Bellington has beauty, pedigree, and a penthouse at The Angelus--the most coveted address on Park Avenue. But behind the sparkling social whirl, Vera is living a life of quiet desperation. Her days are an unbroken loop of empty, champagne-soaked socializing, while her nights are silent and cold, spent waiting alone in her cavernous apartment for a husband who seldom comes home.

Then Emil Hallan arrives at The Angelus to paint a mural above its glittering subterranean pool. The handsome French artist moves into the building, shrouds his work in secrecy, and piques Vera's curiosity, especially when the painter keeps dodging questions about his past. Is he the man he claims to be? Even as she finds herself increasingly drawn to Hallan's warmth and passion, Vera can't suppress her suspicions. After all, she has plenty of secrets, too--and some of them involve art forgers like her bold, artistically talented former friend, Bea, who years ago, at Vassar, brought Vera to the brink of catastrophe and social exile.

When the dangerous mysteries of Emil's past are revealed, Vera faces an impossible choice--whether to cling to her familiar world of privilege and propriety or to risk her future with the enigmatic man who has taken her heart. A Fine Imitation explores what happens when we realize that the life we've always led is not the life we want to have."

Not only did this intrigue me, but a friend I trust read an ARC and recommends it as well! Also 1920s!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: 1920s, A Fine Imitation, Amber Brock, ARCs, Charlaine Harris, Comics, Doctor Who, George Mann, Kiera Cass, Midnight Texas, Night Shift, The 8th Doctor, The Crown, The Selection, Tuesday Tomorrow

Day Shift by Charlaine Harris
Published by: Ace
Publication Date: May 5th, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"In Midnight Crossroad, Charlaine Harris “capture[d] the same magic as the world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, and [took] it to another level" (Houston Press). Now the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels returns to the one-traffic-light town you see only when you’re on the way to someplace else…

There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, Texas, where the residents like to keep to themselves. Even in a town full of secretive people, Olivia Charity is an enigma. She lives with the vampire Lemuel, but no one knows what she does; they only know that she’s beautiful and dangerous.

Psychic Manfred Bernardo finds out just how dangerous when he goes on a working weekend to Dallas and sees Olivia there with a couple who are both found dead the next day. To make matters worse, one of Manfred’s regular—and very wealthy—clients dies during a reading.

Manfred returns from Dallas embroiled in scandal and hounded by the press. He turns to Olivia for help; somehow he knows that the mysterious Olivia can get things back to normal. As normal as things get in Midnight…"

I was intrigued enough by the first book in the series, despite it's unevenness, to look forward to this next installment.

Unseemly Science by Rod Duncan
Published by: Angry Robot
Publication Date: May 5th, 2015
Format: Paperback
To Buy

The official patter:
"In the divided land of England, Elizabeth Barnabus has been living a double life - as both herself and as her brother, the private detective. Witnessing the hanging of Alice Carter, the false duchess, Elizabeth resolves to throw the Bullet Catcher's Handbook into the fire, and forget her past. If only it were that easy!

There is a new charitable organisation in town, run by some highly respectable women. But something doesn't feel right to Elizabeth. Perhaps it is time for her fictional brother to come out of retirement for one last case...? Her unstoppable curiosity leads her to a dark world of body-snatching, unseemly experimentation, politics and scandal. Never was it harder for a woman in a man's world..."

I am interested, but, just realized it's the second book in the series... sigh, why can't I be more on top of things.

Tiffany Girl by Deanna Gist
Published by: Howard Books
Publication Date: May 5th, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 544 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From the bestselling author of It Happened at the Fair and Fair Play comes a compelling historical novel about a progressive “New Woman”—the girl behind Tiffany’s chapel—and the love that threatens it all.

As preparations for the 1893 World’s Fair set Chicago and the nation on fire, Louis Tiffany—heir to the exclusive Fifth Avenue jewelry empire—seizes the opportunity to unveil his state-of-the-art, stained glass, mosaic chapel, the likes of which the world has never seen.

But when Louis’s dream is threatened by a glassworkers’ strike months before the Fair opens, he turns to an unforeseen source for help: the female students at the Art Students League of New York. Eager for adventure, the young women pick up their skirts, move to boarding houses, take up steel cutters, and assume new identities as the “Tiffany Girls.”

Tiffany Girl is the heartwarming story of the impetuous Flossie Jayne, a beautiful, budding artist who is handpicked by Louis to help complete the Tiffany chapel. Though excited to live in a boarding house when most women stayed home, she quickly finds the world is less welcoming than anticipated. From a Casanova male, to an unconventional married couple, and a condescending singing master, she takes on a colorful cast of characters to transform the boarding house into a home while racing to complete the Tiffany chapel and make a name for herself in the art world.

As challenges mount, her ambitions become threatened from an unexpected quarter: her own heart. Who will claim victory? Her dreams or the captivating boarder next door?"

Design tip, the authors name, especially if you haven't heard of them, shouldn't be bigger then your book's title, FYI.

The Heir by Kiera Cass
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 5th, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 368 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series has enchanted readers from the very first page. In this fourth romantic novel, follow Illéa's royal family into a whole new Selection—and find out what happens after happily ever after.

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon's heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn't expect her Selection to be anything like her parents' fairy-tale love story...but as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

A new generation of swoonworthy characters and captivating romance awaits in the fourth book of the Selection series!"

Just for my friend and fellow book clubber Flavia!

Life Among the Savages by Shirley Jackson
Published by: Penguin
Publication Date: May 5th, 2015
Format: Paperback, 250 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"In a hilariously charming domestic memoir, America’s celebrated master of terror turns to a different kind of fright: raising children.

In her celebrated fiction, Shirley Jackson explored the darkness lurking beneath the surface of small-town America. But in Life Among the Savages, she takes on the lighter side of small-town life. In this witty and warm memoir of her family’s life in rural Vermont, she delightfully exposes a domestic side in cheerful contrast to her quietly terrifying fiction. With a novelist’s gift for character, an unfailing maternal instinct, and her signature humor, Jackson turns everyday family experiences into brilliant adventures."

I adore that Penguin has been re-releasing all Shirley Jackson's old books. Love the new, slightly Charles Addams esque cover.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Charlaine Harris, Day Shift, Deanne Gist, Kiera Cass, Life Among the Savages, Midnight Crossroad, Midnight Texas, Penguin, Rod Duncan, Shirley Jackson, The Heir, The Selection, Tiffany Girl, Unseemly Science

The Battle for Wondla by Tony DiTerlizzi
Published by: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 6th, 2014
Format: Hardcover, 496 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Eva Nine is at her bravest in the final book in the New York Times bestselling trilogy from the fantastical mind of Tony DiTerlizzi.

All hope for a peaceful coexistence between humankind and aliens seems lost in the third installment of the WondLa trilogy. Eva Nine has gone into hiding for fear of luring the wicked Loroc to her companions.

However, news of the city Solas being captured by the human leader, Cadmus Pryde, forces Eva into action once again. With help from an unlikely ally, Eva tries to thwart Loroc’s ultimate plan for both mankind and the alien life on Orbona.

Complete with lavish two-color illustrations and spot art throughout, and starring a host of unforgettable characters that reinforce the importance of friendship, The Battle for WondLa has all the hallmarks of a classic book—of the future."

I am SO EXCITED for this book, mainly for the fact that me and my friend Janice are going to one of Tony DiTerlizzi's events for the release of this book. Sqwee!

The One by Kiera Cass
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 6th, 2014
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The highly anticipated third book in Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series, The One will captivate readers who love dystopian YA fiction and fairy tales. The One is perfect for the fans who have followed America's whirlwind romance since it began—and a swoon-worthy read for teens who have devoured Veronica Roth's Divergent, Ally Condie's Matched, or Lauren Oliver's Delirium.

The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen—and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series!"

New Kiera Cass, rejoice all you non haters!

Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris
Published by: Ace Hardcover
Publication Date: May 6th, 2014
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From Charlaine Harris, the bestselling author who created Sookie Stackhouse and her world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, comes a darker locale—populated by more strangers than friends. But then, that’s how the locals prefer it…

Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.

There’s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).

Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth..."

I am really excited for Charlaine's new trilogy, mainly because it's going to be so nice to see her write something other then Sookie, and I adore her Harper Connelly series!

Slight Spellbound by Kimberly Frost
Published by: Berkley
Publication Date: May 6th, 2014
Format: Paperback, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"With two kinds of magick at odds inside her and two gorgeous men vying for her attention, Tammy Jo Trask is used to being pulled in opposite directions. But in the latest Southern Witch novel she’ll have to make some serious decisions—like how she intends to stay alive.

Tammy Jo’s romance with the wizard Bryn Lyons is on hold while her ex-husband is in town trying to remind her of the good old days. Choosing between them isn’t easy, and it doesn’t help that a skeletal creature is spying on her, a faery knight is hunting her, and she just made friends with Evangeline Rhodes—a rich witch who thinks her own family is trying to kill her.

When Evangeline disappears under suspicious circumstances, Tammy Jo is determined to find out what happened. As she uncovers a secret more dangerous—and personal—than she could have imagined, she also discovers that, in both love and magic, you can’t stay neutral forever."

What with the rebranding of this series I was hoping for a new book, and viola!

Magic City Recent Spells edited by Paul Guran
Published by: Prime Books
Publication Date: May 6th, 2014
Format: Hardcover, 480 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Bright lights, big city... magic spells, witchcraft, wizardry, fairies, devilry, and more. Urban living, at least in fantasy fiction, is full of both magical wonder and dark enchantment. Street kids may have supernatural beings to protect them or have such powers themselves. Brujeria may be part of your way of life. Crimes can be caused (and solved) with occult arts and even a losing sports team's "curse" can be lifted with wizardry. And be careful of what cab you call - it might take you on a journey beyond belief! Some of the best stories of urban enchantment from the last few years is gathered in one volume full of hex appeal and arcane arts."

New story from Patricia Briggs? All the rest of the awesome authors are like icing on a cake!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Charlaine Harris, Kiera Cass, Kimberly Frost, Magic City, Midnight Crossroad, Patricia Briggs, Slightly Spellbound, Southern Witch Series, The Battle for Wondla, The Selection, Tony DiTerlizzi, Wondla

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
Published by: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date:  April 23rd, 2013
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose during lunch at one of London’s fanciest restaurants. But when his big question involves a trip abroad, not a trip down the aisle, she’s completely crushed. So when Ben, an old flame, calls her out of the blue and reminds Lottie of their pact to get married if they were both still single at thirty, she jumps at the chance. No formal dates—just a quick march to the altar and a honeymoon on Ikonos, the sun-drenched Greek island where they first met years ago.

Their family and friends are horrified. Fliss, Lottie’s older sister, knows that Lottie can be impulsive—but surely this is her worst decision yet. And Ben’s colleague Lorcan fears that this hasty marriage will ruin his friend’s career. To keep Lottie and Ben from making a terrible mistake, Fliss concocts an elaborate scheme to sabotage their wedding night. As she and Lorcan jet off to Ikonos in pursuit, Lottie and Ben are in for a honeymoon to remember, for better . . . or worse."

I really don't know why I keep reading Sophie Kinsella... she really has a knack for pissing me off.

Spirit's Chosen by Esther Friesner
Published by: Random House
Publication Date: April 23rd, 2013
Format: Hardcover, 496 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Himiko's world is falling apart. An attack by the Ookami clan has left many from her tribe dead or enslaved. And those who remain in the ransacked Matsu village are certain they've angered the gods. Amid the chaos and fear, Himiko hatches a plan to save her beloved tribe. Traveling through the treacherous wilderness with her best friend Kaya, their only goal is to free her clanfolk from the Ookami. At every turn she encounters other tribes and unforeseen challenges. But just when it seems that she will outwit Ryu, the cruel Ookami leader, she is captured. Held agains her will, Himiko starts to realize that not all of the Ookami are her enemies and every step of her unconventional journey has prepared her for something greater than life as a princess. Though she may not see her path as clearly as the spirits seem to, there's more adventure (and even unexpected love) for this young shamaness and warrior."

Seeing as I think Esther takes glee in breaking young girls hearts... will she do it again?

The Elite by Kiera Cass
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 23rd, 2013
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The selection began with 35 girls. Now, with the group narrowed down to the Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's love is fiercer than ever. The closer America gets to the crown, the more she struggles to figure out where her heart truly lies. Each moment she spends with Maxon is like a fairy tale, filled with breathless, glittering romance. But whenever she sees her first love, Aspen, standing guard, she's swept up in longing for the life they'd planned to share.

America is desperate for more time. But while she's torn between her two futures, the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away."

The first book in this series was the book last year I was so excited for... and guess what? I still haven't. Oh, bad me. Maybe I should get on that!

The Silver Dream by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 23rd, 2013
Format: Hardcover, 256 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"New York Times bestselling authors Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves deliver a thrilling sequel to the science fiction novel InterWorld, full of riveting interdimensional battles and alternate realities.

After mastering the ability to walk between dimensions, Joey Harker and his fellow InterWorld freedom fighters are now on a mission to maintain peace between the rival powers of magic and science who seek to control all worlds.

When a stranger named Acacia somehow follows Joey back to InterWorld's base, things get complicated. No one knows who she is or where she's from—or how she knows so much about InterWorld.

Dangerous times lie ahead for Joey and the mission. There's a traitor hidden among them, and if Joey has any hope of saving InterWorld, the multiverse, and the mission, he's going to have to rely on his wits—and, just possibly, on the mysterious Acacia Jones.

With a story conceived by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves and written by Michael and Mallory Reaves, this mind-bending follow-up to the exciting science fiction novel InterWorld is a compelling fantasy adventure through time and space, in which the future depends on a young man who is more powerful than he realizes."

The question is, will it be as good as the first with Neil not writing it?

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 2 comments  

Labels: Esther Friesner, Interworld, Kiera Cass, Michael Reeves, Neil Gaiman, Sophie Kinsella, Spirit's Chosen, The Elite, The Silver Dream

1) Steampunk Sourcebook - Because I really wanted some Steampunk clipart from Dover to make my "Steampunk Summer" logo... and I did (nods head to the side so you'll look at the lovely new logo). Bought at Amazon.com

2)* Wild by Cheryl Strayed - I have a book club! FINALLY! And one that meets in person. It's been a long held dream and is finally coming true! YEAH! This is our first selection. While, it doesn't really look like a book I would normally pick up (not really a non-fiction reader, and it's about a hiker's "personal journey"), I am excited to have book people to talk to. Bought at Barnes and Noble.

* Means it's already been read

3) Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris - Because I'm a weird weird person and need my Sookie books in hardcover and paperback... because paperbacks are easier to read and all my hardcovers and signed 1sts, so once I read them, they have their own sacred space on the shelf. Bought at Barnes and Noble.

4)* Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal - Because I've been DESPERATE to read this book since I read the first book in the series earlier this year. DESPERATE I TELL YOU (like checking ebay and amazon and bn.com to see if there was any chance they had copies that where shipping early desperate.) Bought at Barnes and Noble.

5) A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont - It's like Lost in Austen but with Jane Eyre! Bought at Barnes and Noble.

Now comes the section of books I thought was going to be insanely long because I went to the RT Convention! It's a room, the size of a football field filled with authors and books, how could I get out of there without dropping a serious amount of cash... oddly enough because I had brought so many books (last unofficial count, some 60+ where signed) I only bought five! I know! I'm as shocked as you are... only five! Also, of those, I only really remember picking up four of them, more deatils to come below. In fact, I almost spent more on t-shirts that on books... I could pass up the t-shirt with Jane Austen wearing the David Bowie Aladin Sane lightning bolt or a cute one with birds.

6) The Selection by Kiera Cass - This was a major coup! The RT Convention was two weeks before the drop date of this book, so I didn't think there was a chance of getting it. My friend Marie and I desperately wanted to get this book, so the first thing we did after we where released into the room was run the whole length of the ballroom, with luggage, to YA Alley... it SO paid off. Kiera Cass was there with only ten copies of her new book. Only ten! There where hundreds, maybe thousands, of people in this room, and Marie and I where two of the ten. Sqwee! Hunger Games meets beauty pageant, with some serious cover lust. Bought at Romantic Times Convention.

7) White Witch by Trish Milburn - This was a book I didn't have a copy of and couldn't find a copy of before the convention so I was so happy that the author had the book I was looking for, seeing as sometimes the authors peoples send an odd assortment of their books, like only later books, not earlier books, or sometimes even only one book. Bought at Romantic Times Convention.

8) Definitely Not Mr. Dary by Karen Doornebos - I had been recommended this book by my friend Jess and as it turned out, my friend Marie wanted to pick up a copy to, so this was a must stop author. Not only was I uber excited to get a mint signed copy, but Karen was so nice! Turns out she went to the UW-Madison just like me! We talked for awhile about the ever increasing expansion of the UW and I told her about all the new buildings and plans for the future. So nice! Can't wait to read this book, espcially because she's working on the sequel! Bought at Romantic Times Convention.

9) The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong - This is the book I don't remember picking up. It was the last five minutes of the convention and I was trying to hit about twenty authors at once (in the last 15 minutes I met Kelley Armstrong, Stephanie Perkins, saw Rosemary Clement-Moore out of the corner of my eye, Rachel Caine, Leanna Renee Hieber, Mari Mancusi, Melissa Marr, Richelle Mead, Saundra Mitchell, Alyson Noel, Carrie Ryan, Ilona Andrews, J.A. Konrath, who was drunk, Kimberly Derting, and Bree Despain, if I am correct, that means, I saw a new author a minute!) So I was getting my books signed by Kelley Armstrong and my friend Marie was trying to make Melissa Marr not run off, so as soon as Kelley was done, I grabbed my books and ran to Marr... not realizing I grabbed a copy of The Gathering at the same time. Funnily enough, I had wanted to buy a copy but thought I hadn't... sometimes being a little spacing pays off! Bought at Romantic Times Convention.

10) Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber - I was hoping she'd have some of her adult series, but no, in fact she had only this one book left, so I had the honor of being the official last person to get a book from her! Bought at Romantic Times Convention.

11) City of Ravens by Boria Sax - It has an awesome cover and ever since I read the first book by Deanna Raybourn, I have been interested in the history of The Tower of London's ravens and this book looks to cure that need in me. Bought at Frugal Muse.

12) Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers - Because I needed a hardcover of one of the best books I read last year! I have the wonderful ARC that Robin sent me and I devoured, but I always need the "final" book as it where, and this was in mint condition and calling to me. Might have to re-read it soon.... Bought at Barnes and Noble.

13) Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore - It's about impressionists and Van Gogh. That's all I needed to buy this book... the pretty color pictures and a goregous map of Paris as the endpapers made it a even greater need. Bought at Barnes and Noble.

14) The Unseen Guest (The Incorigible Children of Ashton Place Book 3) by Maryrose Wood - Newest installment in this series, plus, she was doing a signing in Houston at my favorite bookstore, so signed copy, woot woot! Bought at Murder by the Book.

15) Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson, aka The Blogess - Signed copy! Yeah! I was sad to see that the Midwest was getting no love from The Blogess on her book tour, but luckily, my favorite bookstore pulled through for me. Bought at Murder by the Book.

16-19)   Tales of the Jazz Age, This Side of Paradise, The Beautiful and Damned, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Because I had to have the complete set! When I was at Barnes and Noble picking up Sacre Bleu, I finally saw these books in person and realized that I had to have them. Goregous deco designs and foils. Adore! Bought at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

20) The Diary of a Dr. Who Addict by Paul Magrs - Because Paul was having a sale of all his extra author copies and I couldn't miss the chance to pick up a few of his books I needed, plus get them signed to boot! Bought from Paul Magrs.
21) Aisles by Paul Magrs - Ditto.

22) Twelve Stories by Paul Magrs - Ditto ditto.

23) The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman - So many of my blogger friends have be raving about this book, and then I found it new half price at Frugal Muse. FATE I SAY! Bought at Frugal Muse.

24) The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones - This has been on my "to-get" list for some time. Birthday party at a rural estate in ruins, yes please! Bought at Barnes and Noble.
Note on the bookstores:

Amazon.com - because sometimes, more often that not, your local Barnes and Noble didn't stock that ONE book you where looking for, and having prime means everything shows up so fast!


Barnes and Noble - the last big chain in the Midwest that everyone knows and loves or loathes accordingly.

RT Convetion - The Romantic Times Convention is the biggest book convention of romance authors. They hold it in different locations every year, but often in Chicago. It's very pricey to go, and for years I'd been hoping they'd open up their authors signing to everyone, and apparrently last year was the first time. For $5 I had so much author access, the three house zoomed by. As always, I think seeing Lauren Willig was a major highlight.


Frugal Muse - local Madison, Wisconsin chain with two stores in town which sells both old and new books at wonderful prices (at a really steep discount for new books too) and is easily my favorite bookstore.


Murder by the Book - the best bookstore in the world! They're in Houston, Texas and have tons of amazing events and for every book you buy they'll let you send in three books to get signed. Love you all!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 3 comments  

Labels: Bibliophilic Spree, Charlaine Harris, Cheryl Strayed, Dr. Who, Fitzgerald, Karen Doornebos, Kelley Armstrong, Kiera Cass, Paul Magrs, Robin LaFevers, Romantic Times Convention, The Blogess

The Selection by Kiera Case
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 24th, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined."
I'm a sucker for that cover. If the book is anywhere near as good I'll be a happy camper.

Spirit's Princess by Esther Friesner
Published by: Random House
Publication Date: April 24th, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 464 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Himiko the beloved daughter of a chieftain in third century Japan has always been special. The day she was born there was a devastating earthquake, and the tribe's shamaness had an amazing vision revealing the young girl's future—one day this privledged child will be the spiritual and tribal leader over all of the tribes. Book One revolves around the events of Himiko's early teen years—her shaman lessons, friendships, contact with other tribes, and journey to save her family after a series of tragic events. Once again, Esther Friesner masterfully weaves together history, myth, and mysticism in a tale of a princess whose path is far from traditional."

The next in Friesner's Princesses series. When I met her last year she said "Wait till the next one, I'm going to make all the young girls cry." Let's see how she does shall we?

The Secret of the Ginger Mice by Frances Watts
Published by: Runnin Press Kids
Publication Date: April 24th, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 304 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Alistair, Alex, and Alice have always been an inseparable (though not necessarily harmonious) triplet of mice…that is until Alistair is kidnapped one summer’s night. While Alistair tries to make heads or tails of falling from the sky onto another young ginger-colored mouse named Tibby Rose (a most unusual incident on all accounts), Alex and Alice set off to find their missing brother. But in a world where spies abound and an elusive underground organization called FIG is only heard about in shushed bits and pieces, figuring out whom to trust is no small task for this intrepid trio. The key to the mystery seems to be within their grasp, but it only hints at another hair-raising adventure and creates more questions that seemed destined to remain unanswered.

Full of warm, clean humor and whippet-quick wit, Frances Watts’ new trilogy will effortlessly charm readers and adventurers alike."

Charm, blah blah blah. They're mice and they're Gingers! The Doctor is jealous!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Published by: Penguin Classics
Publication Date: April 24th, 2012
Format: Paperback, 528 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Little Women is recognized as one of the best-loved classic children's stories, transcending the boundaries of time and age, making it as popular with adults as it is with young readers. The beloved story of the March girls is a classic American feminist novel, reflecting the tension between cultural obligation and artistic and personal freedom. But which of the four March sisters to love best? For every reader must have their favorite. Independent, tomboyish Jo; delicate, loving Beth; pretty, kind Meg; or precocious and beautiful Amy, the baby of the family? The charming story of these four "little women" and their wise and patient mother Marmee enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England was an instant success when first published in 1868 and has been adored for generations."

Is it a shock that this beauitiful new edition is by Penguin? Nope, none at all.

Heat Rises by Richard Castle
Published by: Hyperion
Publication Date: April 24th, 2012
Format: Paperback, 432 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Fast-paced and full of intrigue, Heat Rises pairs the tough and sexy NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat with hotshot reporter Jameson Rook in New York Times bestselling author Richard Castle's most thrilling mystery yet.

The bizarre murder of a parish priest at a New York bondage club opens Nikki Heat's most thrilling and dangerous case so far, pitting her against New York's most vicious drug lord, an arrogant CIA contractor, and a shadowy death squad out to gun her down. And that is just the tip of an iceberg that leads to a dark conspiracy reaching all the way to the highest level of the NYPD.

But when she gets too close to the truth, Nikki finds herself disgraced, stripped of her badge, and out on her own as a target for killers with nobody she can trust. Except maybe the one man in her life who's not a cop. Reporter Jameson Rook.

In the midst of New York's coldest winter in a hundred years, there's one thing Nikki is determined to prove: Heat Rises."

Castle in paperback, oh yeah!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Esther Friesner, Frances Watts, Heat Rises, Kiera Cass, Little Women, Louisa May Alcott, Richard Castle, Spirit's Princess, The Secret of the Ginger Mice, The Selection