Congrats and some book biz
First of all, congratulations to The Knight Agency's own Elaine Spencer who this weekend was married in a beautiful ceremony to the love of her life, Brett. She made an amazingly gorgeous bride, as will surprise no one, and truly thought of everything, including flip-flops for her guests so their heels didn't sink into the grass. WTG, Elaine!
Shifting gears entirely to some book biz, here's some new contest info and news about two fantastical novels releasing next week:
LADY LAZARUS by Michele Lang (Tor Books, trade paperback, August 31)
Blurb:
With the romance of Twilight, the suspense of The Dresden Files, and the delicious thrills of True Blood, the enthralling saga of Magdalena Lazarus unfolds. Descended from the legendary witch of Ein Dor, she alone holds the power to summon the angel Raziel and stop Hitler and his supernatural minions from unleashing total war in Europe. The Nazis have fighters more fearsome than soldiers, weapons more terrifying than missiles, and allies that even they are afraid of SS werewolves; the demon Asmodel who possesses a willing Adolf Hitler, and other supernatural creatures all are literally hell-bent on preventing Magda from possessing the Book of Raziel, a magical text with the power to turn the tide against Hitler’s vast war machine.
Magda, young and rebellious, grew up in the cosmopolitan city of Budapest, unaware of her family’s heritage. When her mother dies, Magda--ready or not--is the Lazarus, who must face the evil that holds Europe in an iron grip. Unready to assume the mantle of her ancient birthright, but knowing that she must fight, she sets out across Europe searching for the Book. Magda is desperate enough to endanger her soul by summoning the avenging angel Raziel. When she sees him in the glory of his celestial presence, her heart is utterly, completely lost…
Praise:
"Lang crafts a creative and tense story as all of Europe awaits the September invasion of Poland. Lang is a writer to watch and is sure to have wide appeal to fansof Jim Butcher, Kat Richardson, and other urban-fantasy A-listers. An outstanding debut." -Booklist, starred review
"An absolutely unique protagonist in an engaging tale set against the backdrop of the greatest clash of good and evil in human history. What's not to love about LADY LAZARUS?" -Jim Butcher, NYT bestselling author of The Dresden Files
"Lyrical, haunting and full of a dark, sublime beauty, Lady Lazarus is simply stunning." -Nalini Singh, NYT bestselling author of Archangel’s Kiss
"With lyrical prose, a fascinating heroine, and a darkly powerful, emotional narrative, LADY LAZARUS is simply magic. Intriguing, beautiful, and impossible to put down." -Meljean Brook
“It's a dark little gem of a book. Strange and stirring and unlike any historical fantasy I've read before. I hope we'll hear a lot more from Ms. Lang.” -Kat Richardson
"Michele Long's Lady Lazarus is a beautifully written tale set in a complex, alternate Nazi Europe. The characters are dark and well developed, and the author is a talented storyteller." -Faith Hunter
“Lady Lazarus is brilliantly original and delicious to read. It's the sort of book that keeps you up all night and leaves you wanting more.” -Diana Pharaoh Francis
_________________
REVAMPED by Lucienne Diver (Flux Books, trade paperback, September 1)
Gina’s Rules for Surviving Super Spy Club Training:
1. First, the dirt and sweat and all are just too horrible to contemplate. Your sanity pretty much depends on finding your own zen kind of happy place, like the Victoria's Secret one-day sale or poolside with your own personal cabana boy.
2. Cargo pants make you look hip-py. Unfortunately, the Feds have no sense of humor when it comes to giving your fatigues a miracle make-over.
Praise for ReVamped:
“This is a witty vampire romance/adventure with plenty of heart and action. Diver has written a supernatural sequel to Vamped (Flux, 2009/VOYA August 2009) that will attract even reluctant readers. It is filled with wry twists, such as the difficulties of trying to apply mascara when, as vampire, you don’t have any reflection in the mirror, as well as the typical agonies of being young and trying to fit in.” -VOYA, reviewed by Ava Ehde
“Gina, the 17-year-old fashionista of the undead, is back and as sassy as ever (Vamped, 2009). Thoroughly enjoyable, this sequel is a light, fizzy read… listening in on Gina’s thoughts and quick-witted dialogue is what makes this such a treat.” -Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Vamped:
“A lighthearted, action-packed vampire romance story following in the vein of Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires series.”-School Library Journal
“A lighthearted, action-packed vampire romance story following in the vein of Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires series.”-School Library Journal
(more)
New contest, open to US residents: post your favorite line from Vamped on your blog, Facebook page or Twitter (or, hey, if you've gotten your hands already on ReVamped, a non-spoilery quote from ReVamped), let me know about it and you'll be entered into a drawing to win an autographed copy of ReVamped. Contest ends September 6th.
Shifting gears entirely to some book biz, here's some new contest info and news about two fantastical novels releasing next week:
LADY LAZARUS by Michele Lang (Tor Books, trade paperback, August 31)
Blurb:
With the romance of Twilight, the suspense of The Dresden Files, and the delicious thrills of True Blood, the enthralling saga of Magdalena Lazarus unfolds. Descended from the legendary witch of Ein Dor, she alone holds the power to summon the angel Raziel and stop Hitler and his supernatural minions from unleashing total war in Europe. The Nazis have fighters more fearsome than soldiers, weapons more terrifying than missiles, and allies that even they are afraid of SS werewolves; the demon Asmodel who possesses a willing Adolf Hitler, and other supernatural creatures all are literally hell-bent on preventing Magda from possessing the Book of Raziel, a magical text with the power to turn the tide against Hitler’s vast war machine.
Magda, young and rebellious, grew up in the cosmopolitan city of Budapest, unaware of her family’s heritage. When her mother dies, Magda--ready or not--is the Lazarus, who must face the evil that holds Europe in an iron grip. Unready to assume the mantle of her ancient birthright, but knowing that she must fight, she sets out across Europe searching for the Book. Magda is desperate enough to endanger her soul by summoning the avenging angel Raziel. When she sees him in the glory of his celestial presence, her heart is utterly, completely lost…
Praise:
"Lang crafts a creative and tense story as all of Europe awaits the September invasion of Poland. Lang is a writer to watch and is sure to have wide appeal to fansof Jim Butcher, Kat Richardson, and other urban-fantasy A-listers. An outstanding debut." -Booklist, starred review
"An absolutely unique protagonist in an engaging tale set against the backdrop of the greatest clash of good and evil in human history. What's not to love about LADY LAZARUS?" -Jim Butcher, NYT bestselling author of The Dresden Files
"Lyrical, haunting and full of a dark, sublime beauty, Lady Lazarus is simply stunning." -Nalini Singh, NYT bestselling author of Archangel’s Kiss
"With lyrical prose, a fascinating heroine, and a darkly powerful, emotional narrative, LADY LAZARUS is simply magic. Intriguing, beautiful, and impossible to put down." -Meljean Brook
“It's a dark little gem of a book. Strange and stirring and unlike any historical fantasy I've read before. I hope we'll hear a lot more from Ms. Lang.” -Kat Richardson
"Michele Long's Lady Lazarus is a beautifully written tale set in a complex, alternate Nazi Europe. The characters are dark and well developed, and the author is a talented storyteller." -Faith Hunter
“Lady Lazarus is brilliantly original and delicious to read. It's the sort of book that keeps you up all night and leaves you wanting more.” -Diana Pharaoh Francis
_________________
REVAMPED by Lucienne Diver (Flux Books, trade paperback, September 1)
Gina’s Rules for Surviving Super Spy Club Training:
1. First, the dirt and sweat and all are just too horrible to contemplate. Your sanity pretty much depends on finding your own zen kind of happy place, like the Victoria's Secret one-day sale or poolside with your own personal cabana boy.
2. Cargo pants make you look hip-py. Unfortunately, the Feds have no sense of humor when it comes to giving your fatigues a miracle make-over.
- Making out on missions, unless its part of your cover, is totally grounds for extra push-ups. Great for your bod, but tough on your love life.
- When going undercover as a goth-and I mean hello, can I get a color palette here, please?-you've totally got to strike words like awesome, phat and fresh from your vocabulary. Whatever, however, is a total keeper.
- Who’s running this spy school, you ask? I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. And trust me, no one would ever find the body. 'Course that might be because you'd become one of us-the few, the proud, the fangtabulous.
Praise for ReVamped:
“This is a witty vampire romance/adventure with plenty of heart and action. Diver has written a supernatural sequel to Vamped (Flux, 2009/VOYA August 2009) that will attract even reluctant readers. It is filled with wry twists, such as the difficulties of trying to apply mascara when, as vampire, you don’t have any reflection in the mirror, as well as the typical agonies of being young and trying to fit in.” -VOYA, reviewed by Ava Ehde
“Gina, the 17-year-old fashionista of the undead, is back and as sassy as ever (Vamped, 2009). Thoroughly enjoyable, this sequel is a light, fizzy read… listening in on Gina’s thoughts and quick-witted dialogue is what makes this such a treat.” -Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Vamped:
“A lighthearted, action-packed vampire romance story following in the vein of Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires series.”-School Library Journal
“A lighthearted, action-packed vampire romance story following in the vein of Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires series.”-School Library Journal
(more)
New contest, open to US residents: post your favorite line from Vamped on your blog, Facebook page or Twitter (or, hey, if you've gotten your hands already on ReVamped, a non-spoilery quote from ReVamped), let me know about it and you'll be entered into a drawing to win an autographed copy of ReVamped. Contest ends September 6th.