New Scifi & Fantasy Releases: Week of September 5

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If you are a big reader of urban fantasy and paranormal romance than you should be quite pleased with this week's offerings which includes new titles from Alyssa Day, Christina Dodd, Rob Thurman, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Shiloh Walker and Seanan McGuire, along with some debuts from new authors to the PNR/UF genres.

The one book here that I am really anticipating is Cold Magic by Kate Elliott. I've been a fan of Kate Elliott's since I read her Crown of Stars series, as a teenager, and I'm really looking forward to her newest novel which sounds pretty different from anything else that I've read of hers so far.

Dust by Joan Frances Turner has also captured my interest despite that fact that it features zombies, which I find completely repulsive. If I read enough good reviews of this book I might just put my distaste of zombie books aside and give this one a try.

So what do you think? Are there any titles here that you are particularly excited about?

Hope you have a great reading week!




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Ragnarok
Patrick A. Vanner
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Baen
Release Date: September 7

Captain Alexandra "Alex" McLaughlin is not a woman to be underestimated. Under her petite exterior is a spine of solid steel and a disposition to laugh in the face of impending death. A former member of the Terran Navy's elite force, the Dead Jokers, electronic-warfare pilots with a mortality rate to match that of old Japan's Kamikazes, Alex is a born survivor. But sometimes survival can be a curse.

Humanity is locked in a war of survival with the Xan-Sskarn, an alien race that refuses to acknowledge the rights of "weaker" creatures to live. It is a war that will not end with a peace treaty, but only the complete subjugation of one species to the other. And right now, the alien side is winning.

However, the enemy on the outside is not the only one to be faced. As the battles take on an eerily familiar pattern of no-win scenarios, Alex realized the horrifying truth; humanity has a traitor, and it's somebody close. As each battle brings more death, Alex's ghosts grow and so does her desire for vengeance. There is only one way for this to end, and Alex is just the human to take it there—to Ragnarok.





How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe
Charles Yu
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing
Release Date: September 7

Minor Universe 31 is a vast story-space on the outskirts of fiction, where paradox fluctuates like the stock market, lonely sexbots beckon failed protagonists, and time travel is serious business. Every day, people get into time machines and try to do the one thing they should never do: change the past. That’s where Charles Yu, time travel technician—part counselor, part gadget repair man—steps in. He helps save people from themselves. Literally. When he’s not taking client calls or consoling his boss, Phil, who could really use an upgrade, Yu visits his mother (stuck in a one-hour cycle of time, she makes dinner over and over and over) and searches for his father, who invented time travel and then vanished. Accompanied by TAMMY, an operating system with low self-esteem, and Ed, a nonexistent but ontologically valid dog, Yu sets out, and back, and beyond, in order to find the one day where he and his father can meet in memory. He learns that the key may be found in a book he got from his future self. It’s called How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe, and he’s the author. And somewhere inside it is the information that could help him—in fact it may even save his life.

Wildly new and adventurous, Yu’s debut is certain to send shock waves of wonder through literary space–time.


The High King of Montival (Emberverse Series #7)
S. M. Stirling
Genre: Science Fiction -post- apocalyptic
Publisher: Penguin Group
Release Date: September 7

The New York Times bestselling author continues his post- apocalyptic series chronicling a modern world without technology.

With The Sword of the Lady, Rudi Mackenzie's destiny was determined. Now he returns to Montival in the Pacific Northwest, where he will face the legions of the Prophet. To achieve victory, Rudi must assemble a coalition of those who had been his enemies a few months before and forge them into an army that will rescue his homeland.

Only then will Rudi be able to come to terms with how the Sword has changed him, as well as the world, and assume his place as Artos, High King of Montival...


Cold Magic
Kate Elliott
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Tor
Release Date: September 9

From one of the genre's finest writers comes a bold new epic fantasy in which science and magic are locked in a deadly struggle.

It is the dawn of a new age... The Industrial Revolution has begun, factories are springing up across the country, and new technologies are transforming in the cities. But the old ways do not die easy.

Cat and Bee are part of this revolution. Young women at college, learning of the science that will shape their future and ignorant of the magics that rule their families. But all of that will change when the Cold Mages come for Cat. New dangers lurk around every corner and hidden threats menace her every move. If blood can't be trusted, who can you trust?



Animal Attraction (Halle Pumas, Bk 5)
Dana Marie Bell
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: September 7

Patience is a virtue. Good thing these men aren''t virtuous. Coping with a devastating injury is hard enough for Belinda "Belle" Campbell. Forced separation from her destined mate while she heals is almost more than she can endure. Until she is strong enough to take up her duties as Luna of the Poconos Wolf Pack, however, the safest place for her is Halle. Now, after months of being alone, she is more than ready to be claimed. But is the pack ready for a Puma Luna?



Blood on Silk (Awakened by Blood Novel, Bk 1)
Marie Treanor
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: NAL Trade
Release Date: September 7


The debut of a seductive new contemporary series of vampires, lust, and revenge.
While in Romania researching historical superstitions, Scottish academic Elizabeth Silk comes upon the folk tale of Saloman, a seductive prince staked centuries ago, legend's most powerful vampire. Now, in the ruins of a castle crypt, Elizabeth discovers supernatural legends that have come alive. Her blood has awakened him. Her innocence has aroused him. But Elizabeth unleashes more than Saloman's hunger, and it's going to unite them in ways neither could have imagined.



Atlantis Betrayed
Alyssa Day
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: September 7

Another Warriors of Poseidon novel for romance lovers to dive into...
What could Christophe, powerful Warrior of Poseidon, have in common with Fiona Campbell, the notorious jewel thief known as the Scarlet Ninja? Answer: The Siren, a legendary Crown Jewel that Fiona has targeted for her next heist. It's said to be worth millions, but to Christophe it's invaluable. For the Siren also happens to be one of the missing jewels from Poseidon's trident. But breaking into the Tower of London is a two-person job, and Christophe and Fiona must team up to commit the crime of the century.


Chains of Fire
Chrstina Dodd
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Signet Select
Release Date: September 7

Samuel Faa is a Gypsy lawyer with the power to control minds. Isabelle Mason is wealthy, privileged, and refined, and has the gift for healing. Two of the Chosen Ones, they share a past filled with love and betrayal, and a future denied by fate-until the day they're trapped underground. No way out. No way to deny the passion that still burns beneath the surface. And when danger threatens, Isabelle has only one choice: to place her trust in the power of the one man she could never forgive...or forget.



Cross Your Heart: A Broken Heart Novel
Michele Bardsley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Signet
Release Date: September 7

Even vampires can be afraid of ghosts...
After the death of her husband-and her dreams of motherhood-Elizabeth Bretton returned to the family estate in Broken Heart, Oklahoma. Little did she know she would also give up her life as the Silverstone heiress.

But escaping the past isn't that easy-especially with a vengeful ghost trying to kill her, a 150-year-old mystery to solve, and an outrageously hot were-jaguar named "Tez" trying to get into her boudoir...



Dust
Joan Frances Turner
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Publisher: Ace
Release date: September 7

What happens between death and life can change a girl. Jessie is a zombie. And this is her story...

Nine years ago, Jessie was in a car crash and died. After she was buried, she awoke and tore through the earth to arise, reborn, as a zombie. Now Jessie's part of a gang. They fight, hunt, and dance together as one-something humans can never understand. There are darkplaces humans have learned to avoid, lest they run into zombie gangs. But when a mysterious illness threatens the existence of both zombies and humans, Jessie must choose between looking away or staring down the madness-and hanging on to everything she now knows as life...


The Grimrose Path (Trickster, Bk 2)
Rob Thurman
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Roc
Release Date: September 7

Bar owner Triva Iktomi knows that inhuman creatures of light and darkness roam Las Vegas-especially since she's a bit more than human herself. She's just been approached with an unusual proposition. Something has slaughtered almost one thousand demons in six months. And the killing isn't going to stop unless Trixa and her friends step into the fight..



No Mercy
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: September 7

Live fast, fight hard and if you have to die then take as many of your enemies with you as you can. That is the Amazon credo and it was one Samia lived and died by. Now in contemporary New Orleans, the immortal Amazon warrior is about to learn that there’s a worse evil coming to slaughter mankind than she’s ever faced before.


Veil of Shadows
Shiloh Walker
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: September 7

A rebel army has been established to win back the land from demons-and a ne soldier named Xan has appeared out of nowhere to join them. Beautiful army captain Laisyn Caar is shocked by the powerful, all- consuming desire she feels in his presence, but when she discovers the dark secrets of Xan's agenda, she'll have to determine whether the man she's starting to love is a friend of her people-or a dreaded enemy.

Shapeshifter Dev Peltier has stood guard at the front of Sanctuary for almost two hundred years and in that time, he’s seen it all. Or so he thought. Now their enemies have discovered a new source of power- one that makes a mockery of anything faced to date.
The war is on and Dev and Sam are guarding ground zero. But in order to win, they will have to break the most cardinal of all rules and pray it doesn’t unravel the universe as we know it.




Immortal Sea (Children of the Sea)
Virginia Kantra
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: September 7

From a chance encounter...Morgan of the finfolk does not normally waste his attention on humankind, but while in Copenhagen, he meets a young woman who captures his interest, if only for a night. On sojourn in Europe before starting medical school, Elizabeth is intelligent, attractive...and eager for a little adventure...A memory kept... Sizteen years later, Dr. Elizabeth Rodruigez is called to the island of World's End to become its only doctor. There, she hopes to reconnect with her troubled son Zack, who has become withdrawn since her husband's death. She has no idea that World's End will also reconnect her with Morgan... And a future about to be born... From the moment Morgan lays his eyes on young Zack, he suspects the boy is finfolk-and his own son. As he and Liz clash over Zack's fate, they discover their desire is as strong as ever. But proud Morgan's loyalty has always been to the sea, while Liz's responsibilities lie on land. Will their reignited passion be enough to bring them together? Or will their secrets force them apart?


Healer's Choice
Jory Strong
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Release Date: September 7

The author of "Spider-Touched" and "Ghostland" continues her tale of a postapocalyptic world where the afterlife has come to life...

Born into a world of violence and paid-for sex, Rebekka longs for a family of her own and dreams of freeing those trapped in the shapeshifter brothels of the red zone. A witch's prophecy claims she'll one day use her gift to heal the Weres made outcast by their mixed human-animal forms.

But Rebekka knows that everything comes at a cost. A plea to save five children sends her into the arms of Aryck, a Jaguar enforcer-and into territory controlled by pure Weres. It's a place where humans and outcasts aren't welcomed, where plague threatens and the fate of the Weres hangs in the balance. And where the choices Rebekka and Aryck make are paid for with their hearts...if not their souls.


The Truth of Valor
Tanya Huff
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: September 7

The "rousing military adventure"(Locus) continues with a brand-new Valor novel.

Former Marine Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr is attempting to build a new life with salvage operator Craig Ryder on his ship, the Promise. Turns out civilian life is a lot rougher than she'd imagined-salvage operators are losing both cargo and lives to pirates. And when they attack the Promise, Craig is taken prisoner and Torin is left for dead.

When Torin finds out why the pirates needed Craig, she calls in the Marines to get him back-and to stop the pirates from changing the balance of power in known space.


An Artificial Night
An October Daye Novel
Seanan McGuire
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: September 7

October "Toby" Daye is a changeling-half human and half fae-and the only one who has earned knighthood. Now she must take on a nightmarish new challenge. Someone is stealing the children of the fae as well as mortal children, and all signs point to Blind Michael. Toby has no choice but to track the villain down-even when there are only three magical roads by which to reach Blind Michael's realm, home of the Wild Hunt-and no road may be taken more than once. If Toby cannot escape with the children, she will fall prey to the Wild Hunt and Blind Michael's inescapable power.


Coronets and Steel
Sherwood Smith
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: September 7

n this new fantasy series, a young woman takes her own destiny by the hand-and the hilt.

California girl Kim Murray is unsatisfied with grad school and restless in life. Modern men disappoint her, and she studies ballet and fencing because they remind her of older, more romantic times.

She lives with her parents and her beloved but secretive aristocratic grandmother, who speaks only French and refuses to share stories about the mysterious family she left behind in Europe, inspiring Kim to travel there and find her roots.

Kim soon finds herself swept up in an adventure of fantastic deceptions and passionate intrigue-and a shocking realization about her own bloodline that leaves her reeling.



The Storm Witch (A Novel of Dhulyn and Parno)
Violette Malan
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: September 7

The third novel in Violette Malan's bold fantasy series.

Mercenary Partners Dhulyn and Parno have returned to their Mercenary House to clear themselves of accusations of kidnapping and murder. But before they can resolve these charges, old friends are taken hostage by the Long Ocean Nomads, and they are forced to come to the rescue, agreeing to trade their services for the release of their friends.


Married with Zombies
Jesse Petersen
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: September 1

A heartwarming tale of terror in the middle of the zombie apocalypse.

Meet Sarah and David.

Once upon a time they met and fell in love. But now they’re on the verge of divorce and going to couples’ counseling. On a routine trip to their counselor, they notice a few odd things – the lack of cars on the highway, the missing security guard, and the fact that their counselor, Dr. Kelly, is ripping out her previous client’s throat.

Meet the Zombies.

Now, Sarah and David are fighting for survival in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. But, just because there are zombies, doesn’t mean your other problems go away. If the zombies don’t eat their brains, they might just kill each other.



Firelight
Sophie Jprdan
Genre:Young Adult
Publisher:HarperCollins
Release Date: September 7


Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.