Sneak Peek: The Beast Takes a Bride: The Palace of Rogues by Julie Anne Long

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31 August 2024

The Beast Takes a Bride: The Palace of Rogues by Julie Anne Long

In USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long’s latest installment in the Palace of Rogues series, an estranged couple decide to fake their way through the London season to repair their good name… but neither are prepared for the genuine sparks that begin flying between them.

A blue-blooded beauty bartered to a Beast…

He would pay any price to possess her. But even though Alexandra Bellamy sacrifices herself to save her family’s fortunes, a shocking betrayal sunders her marriage to a taciturn brute of a war hero, Colonel Magnus Brightwall, before it even begins. Five years of icy separation later, a scandal—with Alexandra at the middle—reunites them, and Magnus issues an edict: they will confront the ton, rescue their reputations, then Magnus will banish her to another continent—forever.

But alone in a suite at the Grand Palace on the Thames, a new battle begins—between pride and the unexpected volcanic passion stirring between them. The danger is real: Magnus rediscovers why Alexandra is the only woman who could ever break him. And even as she lays bare the beautiful heart beating beneath the battered hide of the near-stranger she married, Alexandra knows she may have already lost him—even as she finally falls fatally, irrevocably in love.

Bitter Blood by Karen E. Taylor Book Trailer

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Jocie McKade

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31 August 2024

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Never say never.
Two years ago, Deirdre Griffin swore she would never return to New York City, swore she would never again see the love of her life, Mitch Greer. But never is a long time, especially to a vampire. As her self-imposed exile in London grows ever more complicated and debased by the haunting influence of the dead vampire who turned her, she’s almost relieved when Christopher Greer shows up to enlist her help in saving his father’s sanity.
When she returns, Deirdre learns of the Cadre, an international organization of vampires. They’re the ones responsible for driving Mitch into insanity, as punishment for his murder of one of their own. Deirdre knows he is innocent since she herself drove the stake deep into her maker’s heart. There is no choice — she must save Mitch, but at what cost – love, liberty, or the end of her eternal life?

Find out more at http://www.tinyurl.com/bitterblood Cover art by Jeffrey Kosh – https://jeffreykosh.wixsite.com/jeffr…

PODCAST:: Mysteries with a paranormal twist with Author Lauren Thoman on Book Lights

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Jocie McKade

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30 August 2024

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Mysteries with a paranormal twist with Author Lauren Thoman on Book Lights

LISTEN HERE!

Lauren Thoman writes speculative fiction for teens and adults. Her debut novel, I’ll Stop the World, was selected for publication in 2023 by six-time Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling through her eponymous imprint, Mindy’s Book Studio. Lauren’s pop culture writing has also appeared in numerous online outlets including Parade and Vulture. Lauren lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children in a house full of dogs and fish. When she’s not writing, she’s probably on the hunt for tacos or coffee, poking around her flowerbeds, or buried underneath a pile of dogs. You can find out more at: https://www.laurenthomanwrites.com/

And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com

Book Lights – shining a light on good books!

Here’s a quick look at Lauren’s latest release YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE:

Two strangers search for the truth behind bizarre occurrences no one else dares to discuss—only to discover that they’re connected by secrets that could destroy them both. A thrilling and twisty novel by the acclaimed author of the Mindy’s Book Studio pick I’ll Stop the World.

When sixteen-year-old Angie Stewart starts hearing a mysterious voice in her house, she’s thrilled at the possibility of a ghost. Finally, something interesting is happening in her boring hometown of East Henderson, Pennsylvania. But why is she the only one who can hear it? And what does it want from her?

Meanwhile, first-year teacher Madelyn Zhao just got the keys to her new home, which is located close to her job, within walking distance of a dog park—and, most importantly, in the town where her cousin went missing several years ago. No one in East Henderson wants to talk about what happened, but Madelyn is determined to find answers.

As the two strangers search for clues, their investigations begin to point toward the same dark place. But by the time they realize that the truth could be deadly, it’s too late to turn back. And someone out there will stop at nothing to make sure their secrets stay buried.

Sneak Peek: Six Stunning Sirens by Lynn Cahoon

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Jocie McKade

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30 August 2024

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Six Stunning Sirens by Lynn Cahoon

In the latest in the enchanting series by New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon, Mia Malone is looking forward to catering the Miss Magic Springs Harvest Pageant, part of the local coven’s big autumn celebration—until death puts a chill in the air . . .

In a triumph for Mia’s catering business and cooking school, Mia’s Morsels is chosen to host a fall festival event in their Idaho mountain town—which means managing a bunch of stage moms and their social-media obsessed daughters as they get ready for the big beauty contest. There’s a lot riding on the results of the Harvest Moon Festival—it’s where the winning family receives an inside track to coven power.

But after one stage mom is found dead, and another winds up in the hospital, the coven suspects magical meddling. With a week to go before the coronation of the new queen, Mia must draw on her sleuthing powers to find out what’s going on—and whether this competition has gotten a little too cutthroat . . .

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A STAR WARS WEDDING

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Jocie McKade

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29 August 2024

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Dark Horse Comics cordially invites you to the biggest—and most secretive—wedding of the year! Writer and one of the original architects of the Star Wars: The High Republic initiative Daniel José Older is joined by artists Harvey Tolibao, Toni Bruno, Nick Brokenshire, and more! They, along with colorist Michael Atiyeh, and lettering studio Comicraft, put on a celebration that guests from across the galaxy have waited for, as Lula and Zeen celebrate their nuptials while the battle of Eriadu looms! Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Phase III – The Wedding Spectacular One Shot is one party you won’t want to miss this December.

Featuring main cover art from Cherriielle, this one shot boasts two incredible variant covers that fans will need to collect to see every inch of the beauty this wedding has to offer. 5healthMONO showcases their energetic style in one variant, while Priscilla Bampoh’s iconic artistry completes the variant set.

In Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Phase III – The Wedding Spectacular One Shot:

The time has finally come to gather the resistance forces on Eriadu to witness Lula Talisola and Zeen Mrala, the young freedom fighters championing the fight against the Nihil, join hands in marriage. Friends and family throughout the galaxy will be joining in the celebration of light, life and love. But just in case, the dress code does include holstered weapons, as war could break out at any moment!

Send your RSVP by making sure Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Phase III – The Wedding Spectacular One Shot is on your comics pull list when it arrives in stores December 18, 2024. Secure your copy today through your local comic shop for $5.99.

Be sure to follow DarkHorseComics on social media and check our website, www.darkhorse.com for more news, announcements, and updates.

Penguin Young Readers to Publish New Children’s Picture Book by Amanda Gorman, #1 Bestselling Author, Poet & Activist

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Jocie McKade

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29 August 2024

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On Thursday, August 22, 2024, Time Magazine exclusively announced that Viking Children’s Books will publish GIRLS ON THE RISE, a children’s picture book by Amanda Gorman. The exciting news followed Gorman’s appearance at the Democratic National Convention.

GIRLS ON THE RISE, slated for publication on January 7, 2025, is an adapted version of Gorman’s 2021 poem: “We Rise.” With illustrations by Loveis Wise, this electrifying original poem celebrates the strength of girls in their many forms – all beautiful, not for how they look but for how they look into the face of fear and reminds us how girls have shaped our history while marching boldly into the future. The book will release on January 7, 2025, four years after Gorman delivered her legendary poem, “The Hill We Climb” and captivated the nation at Joseph Biden’s presidential inauguration.

Amanda Gorman speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 21, 2024. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds—AFP/Getty Images

Gorman, a #1 New York Times bestselling author, poet and activist, said in her interview with Time Magazine, “I’m so excited about this book because it really leans into a poem that I wrote a few years ago when I was a bit of a younger woman, and I was thinking about the importance of elevating female voices and listening to them, but also in a way that’s gender inclusive, because there’s so many ways to be and identify as a woman. So when I was thinking about my next children’s book, I really was like, in none of my children’s books has my femininity shown up in a vibrant way. Loveis Wise contributes so much in terms of the art and having this really expansive, visual definition of womanhood. I didn’t realize Kamala was going to be running when I wrote that book, but I couldn’t have chosen a more perfect time to indulge in the fantasy of having it out in the world.”

Tamar Brazis, Vice President and Publisher, Viking Children’s Books, said, “Dynamic and fierce, GIRLS ON THE RISE is a rousing rallying cry that will inspire girls of every age to uplift one another and proudly be themselves.”

Amanda Gorman is the youngest presidential inaugural poet in US history. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE HILL WE CLIMB, CALL US WHAT WE CARRY, and the children’s picture books CHANGE SINGS and SOMETHING, SOMEDAY. She has been nominated for a Grammy Award and was honored with the Chairman’s Award at the 55th NAACP Image Awards. In a groundbreaking collaboration with the Estée Lauder Companies as a Global Changemaker, she established the “Writing Change” initiative to support grassroots organizations dedicated to advancing literacy as a pathway to social change. She graduated cum laude from Harvard University and now lives in her hometown of Los
Angeles.

Loveis Wise is an artist, designer, creative director, and illustrator who wears many hats. They have collaborated with several companies like Google, Disney, and Adobe, and brands like Coach, Dr. Martens, L’Oréal, and Target. Their work has also been featured in publications like The New Yorker, TIME, and The New York Times. They’ve illustrated several picture books that have garnered critical acclaim, including MAGNOLIA FLOWER by Zora Neale Hurston and Ibram X. Kendi, ABLAZE WITH COLOR: A STORY OF PAINTER ALMA THOMAS by Jeanne Walker Harvey, and THE PEOPLE REMEMBER: A KWANZAA HOLIDAY BOOK FOR KIDS by Ibi Zoboi, which won the Coretta Scott King Honor Award. They currently live in Los Angeles.

Penguin Random House

Book Review: Emergence by Kim Harrison

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Jocie McKade

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29 August 2024

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Book Review: Emergence by Kim Harrison

Addicting SciFi Fantasy
Serialized Story Eclipsed Evolution by Kim Harrison
First Contact, Totality, and Emergence… 1 book 3 Phases.

I was engrossed in all 3 parts of Eclipsed Evolution! These are reads that have you wanting to take your time to absorb the world building, spend time getting to know and figure out characters and enjoy their interactions, and storyline…at the same time the plotline and hints and teases have you on the edge of your seat, so you want to hurry and get to the end to figure it all out!

Twist and turns that have you on the edge of your seat, wondering where to place trust and mistrust, guessing and second guessing…yelling at characters to figure it out! Characters, protagonists, and antagonists are so 3-dimensional that you can sense the white black and shades of gray in them…however, it doesn’t stop you from cheering when karma arrives.

Hopefully, there will be more Phases of the Earth and NextDoor shared. This Fantastic SciFi Fantasy with Humans, Aliens based on Fantasy lore…what either side will do to save themselves, test trust and friendship, have me hooked.

Sneak Peek: Warlords of Wyrdwood by R.J. Barker

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Jocie McKade

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29 August 2024

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Warlords of Wyrdwood by R.J. Barker

“You fear the forest.. It is not foolish.” His words rang like bells in the clearing, each face reacting to their din. “But the forest does not hate you, it does not hunt you. It simply does not care about you.”

From British Fantasy Award-winning author RJ Barker comes the second installment in a new epic fantasy trilogy set in a forest straight out of darkest folklore with outlaws fighting an evil empire and warring deities.

The Forester known as Cahan led the village of Harn in rebellion against the all-powerful, oppressive forces of the Rai. A great victory was won, but to avoid retaliation he must lead the people of Harn into the Wyrdwood.

Cahan never wanted this responsibility, but fate has its eye on him, and without him the people will be helpless against the terrors of the forest.

But in the ground of Crua, a dark god is growing in power using the strength of decay. It is something new, something worse than the magics of the Rai, and it has its claws in Cahan. The people of Harn need him, and they will need new allies if they are to have any hope of surviving in the depths of the Wyrdwood.

Especially if the man they consider a hero, the Forester, Cahan Du-Nahere, is as lost to them as he believes.

Praise for Gods of the Wyrdwood
“An experienced novelist at the top of his game—this is Avatar meets Dune, on shrooms.” —SFX

“A sweeping story of destiny and redemption. Weighty, deliberate, tender and brutal, this is a big, wonderful book and an utterly involving read.” —Daily Mail

Sneak Peek: The Scarlet Throne by Amy Leow

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Jocie McKade

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28 August 2024

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The Scarlet Throne by Amy Leow

A dark, heart-thumping political epic fantasy by debut author Amy Leow—full of scheming demons, morally grey heroines, talking cats, and cut-throat priests, this delicious tale of power and corruption will captivate from beginning to end.

Binsa is a “living goddess,” chosen by the gods to dispense both mercy and punishment from her place on the Scarlet Throne. But her reign hides a deadly secret. Rather than channeling the wisdom of an immortal deity, she harbors a demon.

Though, one cannot remain a living goddess forever. When her temple’s priests decide that Binsa’s time in power has come to an end, a new girl, Medha, is selected to take over her position as goddess. But Binsa refuses to be discarded into a life of uncertainty as a young woman, and she strikes a deal with her demon: She will sacrifice her people’s lives in order to magnify his power, and in return, he will help her seize control from the priests once and for all.

But how much of her humanity is she willing to trade for the sake of ambition? Deals with demons are rarely so simple.

Fact-Based Historical Fiction

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Jocie McKade

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28 August 2024

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History comes alive through the pages of these fact-based historical fiction novels, where authentic events and characters are woven into engaging and memorable stories. For readers who love both the thrill of a good story and the depth of historical accuracy, this genre offers the best of both worlds. We’ve compiled a list of standout novels that not only entertain, but also enlighten, offering a deeper understanding of the past. So, step back in time and enjoy these masterfully crafted stories!

Follow the Stars Home by Diane C. McPhail

A captivating reimagining of Lydia Latrobe Roosevelt, the intrepid expeditionist who, with her husband Nicholas Roosevelt, designed and co-captained the first steamboat to travel the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Eight months pregnant and with a toddler in tow – Lydia braved violent earthquakes and treacherous waters on the first steamboat voyage to conquer the Mississippi River and redefine America.

The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander by Denny S. Bryce

Inspired by a real-life scandal that was shocking even for the tumultuous Roaring Twenties, this captivating novel tells the story of a pioneering Black journalist, a secret interracial marriage among the New York elite, and the sensational divorce case that ignited an explosive battle over race and class—and brought together three very different women fighting for justice, legitimacy, and the futures they risked everything to shape.

The Diamond of London by Andrea Penrose

This dazzling historical novel is based on the real life of Lady Hester Stanhope, a British aristocrat born into an illustrious family of swashbuckling war heroes and brilliant political leaders. Lady Hester was a Regency-era adventuress who lived on her own terms and defied all conventional strictures of what a woman could and couldn’t do during the Regency era.

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber

USA Today bestselling author Anna Lee Huber expertly weaves real historical figures and events into this vivid, surprising, emotionally powerful novel. The story centers on the Fortune sisters, three young women at a crossroads who boarded the RMS Titanic in the spring of 1912 –and how that maiden voyage would transform their lives in profound and unexpected ways.

If the Tide Turns by Rachel Rueckert

Set during the Golden Age of Pirates and the shadowy aftermath of the Salem witch trials, this vivid literary debut is inspired by the captivating true story of real-life pirate Samuel Bellamy, combining high seas adventure, star-crossed longing, surprisingly timely questions about social justice and freedom, and the emotionally satisfying tale of one strong-willed young woman determined to choose her own path.

To Slip the Bonds of Earth by Amanda Flower

While not as famous as her older siblings Wilbur and Orville, the celebrated inventors of flight, Katharine Wright is equally inventive – especially when it comes to solving crimes – in USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower’s radiant new historical mystery series inspired by the real sister of the Wright Brothers.

The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson

Drawing on the little-known true story of one tragic night at an Ozarks dance hall in the author’s Missouri hometown, this beautifully written, endearingly nostalgic novel picks up 50 years later for afolksy, character-driven portrayal of small-town life, split second decisions, and the ways family secrets reverberate through generations.

A Jewel in the Crown by David Lewis

This riveting new historical caper series features a gifted young socialist turned counter-espionage spy on a World War II mission orchestrated by Winston Churchill himself. Propulsive, well-researched, and incorporating real historical events, David Lewis’s series is perfect for readers of Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series.

Fleeing France by Alan Hlad

Driving an ambulance in France after the fall of Dunkirk, an American nightclub singer races to evacuate a British pilot and a Jewish orphan across more than 4,000 miles towards a precarious freedom in this emotional, action-packed story of sacrifice, hope, and devotion inspired by real wartime events.

A Time for Defiance by James D. Shipman

Releases November 26th

In a gripping tale of sisterhood, survival, and resistance for readers of Kate Quinn and Pam Jenoff, a young woman in Nazi-occupied Holland joins a unique taskforce within the Dutch Resistance, wielding her youthful innocence and beauty to lure Nazis to their death.

Reprinted with permission from Kensington Books.