Cover Reveal: The Plague Carrier + WoW: Tarnished by Karina Cooper

Today I'm combining two posts in one—the cover reveal for my new young adult post-apocalyptic story, THE PLAGUE CARRIER, plus a Waiting on Wednesday post about Karina Cooper's amazing new book, TARNISHED.

First up, THE PLAGUE CARRIER:

SYNOPSIS:
THE PLAGUE CARRIER tells the story of a teenage girl who runs away from home and the high price she has to pay—for in her post-apocalyptic world this is a crime against the state. She's sold into a labor camp, where she must search for valuables in a field of dead warriors. Her problems go from bad to worse, however, when she stumbles upon a plague carrier, a boy her age who could kill her entire camp with a single drop from the flask he carries around his neck.

This novelette of 26 pages is the first in a series of stories set in this post-apocalyptic world and it will release on Amazon Kindle within the next week.

Check back here for more information on the release of THE PLAGUE CARRIER!

Next, my Waiting on Wednesday selection for this week: TARNISHED, by Karina Cooper:

AMAZON SYNOPSIS:
My name is Cherry St. Croix. Society would claim that I am a well-heeled miss with an unfortunate familial reputation. They've no idea of the truth of it. In my secret world, I hunt down vagrants, thieves . . . and now, a murderer. For a monster stalks London's streets, leaving a trail of mystery and murder below the fog.

Eager for coin to fuel my infatuations, I must decide where my attentions will turn: to my daylight world, where my scientific mind sets me apart from respectable Society, or to the compelling domain of London below. Each has a man who has claimed my time as his—for good or for ill. Though as the corpses pile, and the treacherous waters of Society gossip churn, I am learning that each also has its dangers. One choice will see me cast from polite company . . . the other might just see me dead.

Link to purchase this book.

I started reading sample chapters of TARNISHED last night and I love it! Once again, Karina has created a unique world where reader feels completely immersed from page one. I've been waiting for this book for very long time, ever since I first found out she was working on a steampunk series. And I'm so excited that it's finally available for purchase.

A hearty thank you

Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent free giveaway of WAITING FOR MIDNIGHT! Many of you either downloaded the e-book or shared a link online. Because of you, my collection of short stories was #3 in the Free Kindle Fantasy Best Sellers list.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT!!



I heart you.

Waiting for Midnight available for FREE download

I wanted to share some cool news today.

It’s been awhile since my most recent book—Feast: Harvest of Dreams—released, so I put together a compilation of science fiction and fantasy short stories. Titled WAITING FOR MIDNIGHT, the anthology is approximately 70 pages long, contains 16 speculative fiction short stories and normally costs $2.99 on Amazon.



Here comes the really good part:

For the next two days, WAITING FOR MIDNIGHT, is available for FREE KINDLE DOWNLOAD.

[YAY!]

If you stop by and check out the Amazon page, I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider Liking the book, and possibly sharing it on Facebook, Twitter,or Pinterest, as well. There's a section for social media sharing on the right side of the page, just below where you purchase the book. And, of course, if you download the book, I’d love it if you would post an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.

PLEASE NOTE: The book is only available for free download for two days: Monday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 19.

MEANWHILE, HAPPY SUMMER READING!!!

Some cool reviews that I heart

Both FEAST and WAITING FOR MIDNIGHT have gotten some cool reviews recently. (Yay! And a big thanks to all you folks out there who take the time to review the books you read. You rock!)



Feast: Harvest of Dreams received a lovely review by So I Read This Book.

Here are a few snippets from that review:

This is a typical urban fantasy cover but this is not an urban fantasy.  Instead it's a lyrical, darkly magical tale that feels almost like a fairytale...Merrie Destefano has created a mythology that is fresh yet feels like some distant story you've heard long ago. There is a spooky quality to this book that is quite effective and the writing is evocative and at times, even lovely...

Destefano's Darklings are a bit creepy and, yet, enticing. I wouldn't call them sexy but there is something seductive about them all the same. They can change shape and wield magic plus they feed on the dreams of humans.  

What makes this tale stand out is the tone. There is a dreamy quality to this story that the best fairytales often have...Feast is an eerie, enchanting tale that is also a quick read.  It's a good book to snuggle up to on a crisp fall night.

And then I have some reviews of WAITING FOR MIDNIGHT, as well.



There's a very nice review of my ebook collection of short stories over at Mel's Random Reads.

Here's a snippet:

This is an intriguing collection of stories. There are some flash fictions which are very short but do tend to raise a question or two and leave you wondering. The longer stories though are more satisfying. My favourite is In The Garden which is a very different look at what happens in a garden and is a story I’ve been thinking about ever since. In fact I felt like that was a real strength of these stories – looking at something that was familiar but giving it a twist – like looking at the world in a mirror: everything is the same but reversed.

There are a couple of short stories set in the worlds Merrie has created in full length books which are interesting little insights into both world, but it’s not necessary to read the full length books to enjoy them. I was really intrigued by Letter For Home where in a short space of time Merrie has created an interesting science-fictional world in the vein of Blade Runner or the Culture novels and gave it some real emotional depth.

Merrie’s writing style is very lyrical and rich. It’s descriptive without labouring the point and full of detail. This anthology is a great sorbet between courses – refreshing, flavourful and palate cleaning!

Recommended for fans of Rachel Caine and Kelly Meding. 8 out of 10

And there was another cool review posted on Amazon by Becca. Here's a snippet of that one:

Waiting for Midnight by Merrie Destefano is my favorite collection of short stories that I've read. Each story was unique, was told well, and had a satisfying ending. The collection consists of six short stories, two stories told in three acts, and eight flash fiction stories.

"In the Garden" is probably my favorite story in Waiting for Midnight. It's told from an unusual point of view, but Merrie does an excellent job of getting the reader to identify with the main character. I was impressed with all the small details she thought of and the beauty and emotions she was able to evoke through her words. "In the Garden" explores life, death, and love from a new perspective, and it will really stick with you.

"Afterlife: Chasing Spring-Heeled Jack" is about Chaz from Merrie's book Afterlife: The Resurrection Chronicles. It takes place in a future world where people can download into new bodies when they die. The world is well developed, with its own slang, laws, and technology. Despite all the new concepts and terms, it's easy to follow what's happening and get sucked into this fascinating, dangerous world.

"Feast: Learning to Hunt" is about the character Ash from Merrie's book Feast: Harvest of Dreams. This story was another favorite of mine. I've found the Darklings from the book fascinating, so it was fun to be able to see more of their lives and how they work. In this story, Ash learns from his father how to hunt in seventeenth-century Amsterdam. The writing is beautiful and feels like the magic inherent in this story.

"Letters from Home" contains some of the most imaginative settings, characters, and situations in this collection. I loved all the unique ideas Merrie came up with for this story and she did a great job of describing everything and painting a clear picture in my mind. It's a touching story of how far a mother's love will go for her errant child.

"Waiting for Midnight" is a ghost story but not in the creepy sense. It has more of a wild, magical feel to it. It explores themes like passion and obsession and what comes of them. The imagery Merrie used in this story is lovely and vivid.

"Charlie Brown Doesn't Live Here Anymore" is the first of the stories told in three acts. It's a light-hearted, funny tale of a dog and a coyote shown from the animals' perspective.

Each of these stories is strong and draws the reader into its world and characters. They're filled with beauty, magic, and emotion, and they all feature relatable characters, intricate settings, and satisfying—or intriguing—endings. If you're looking for something that will immerse you in stories that capture your imagination, I recommend Waiting for Midnight.

Waiting on Wednesday: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Today I'm featuring a book that I can't wait to read. And I've been waiting. For. A. Very. Long. Time.

Mind Games
By Kiersten White
Publication Date: February 19, 2013

TEASER COPY FROM INSIDE COVER FLAP:

Two sisters, bound by impossible choices, are determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

James's frozen face melts into a smile. “You want to know the trick to getting in trouble under the watchful eye of a psychic?”

I think of the nailed–shut windows. I think of Clarice. I think of the two, the two, the two who are now zero. Tap tap. “Yes, I absolutely do.”

“Don't plan it. Don't even think about it. The second you get an inkling of what you could do, do it then. Never plan anything ahead of time. Always go on pure instinct.”

I smile.







And here's a blurb from Laini Taylor:

“You might think you know Kiersten White, but here is a darker, more dangerous Kiersten White. A sharp, heart-wrenching, lightning-fast, and fabulously fun read in which twining narratives weave a trap around two extraordinary sisters. Fia may be the angriest narrator I’ve ever loved. I bet you will too.”

—Laini Taylor, author of Daughter of Smoke & Bone and National Book Award finalist Lips Touch, Three Times

Gorgeous covers: Heather Burch's Halfling series continues

When I first saw the cover for Heather Burch's debut novel, Halflings, I thought WOW. What a gorgeous cover and what an awesome concept.

Here's some info about the first book in the series:

Hunted by men and demons ...

Seventeen-year-old Nikki must entrust her life to three half human, half angel young men; the Halflings are sworn to protect her at all costs, but when two fall for Nikki, it puts more than their lives in danger; their very eternal souls hang in the balance.

Cool, right?

And here's the cover:



Now I must confess, when I first saw that Halfling cover I thought, no way are they going to be able to top that. But apparently I was wrong… Here are the covers for Book 2 and Book 3 in the series:


Book 2: Guardian, coming October 2012


Book 3: Avenger, coming April 2013

Can't wait for either of the sequels to Halflings? There's a free e-book coming out later this month, called A Halfling’s Rescue:



For more info on Heather’s books check out this site.

I've been waiting for this for a year!

I attended a panel at Comic Con last year that had all of the main actors from this movie in it. Ever since then, I've been waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

And now I can finally go see Snow White and The Huntsman. YAY!