New Releases March 27-April 2 & Reader's Choice Contest

Strap on your seat belts and hold on! We’re in for a wild couple of weeks with 34 new releases this week in urban fantasy, paranormal romance, epic fantasy and science fiction. Yow. And easily as many next week. I’m going to divide the new releases over two days, today and tomorrow, and will sponsor a Reader’s Choice giveaway both days. So….what do you want to read? Contest details at the end.

The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf, 
by Molly Harper (March 29, Pocket)

Generations of werewolves have been secretly residing in a secluded valley a stone’s throw from Grundy, Alaska. So when a snooping Outsider comes to Grundy to investigate rumors of lycanthropic shenanigans, the valley’s pack alpha, Maggie Graham, resolves to chase him away, even if doing so takes a quick bite on the butt. What a pity that researcher Nick Thatcher turns out to be so drool-worthy, and that his kisses make Maggie want to sit up and beg. Maggie just can’t seem to convince Nick to leave . . . and even worse, she can’t convince herself to stay away from him. Second in the Naked Werewolf series.

Born at Midnight, by C.C. Hunter 
(March 29, St. Martin’s Griffin)

Kylie Galen has had a lot of crap tossed in her lap. Her parents are getting a divorce. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn't put out. Her grandmother died and now Kylie's acquired a stalker. Unfortunately, she's the only one who seems to be able to see the stalker. And that gets her sent to a psychologist's sofa. The kooky psychologist gets Kylie sent to Shadow Falls Camp. Kylie and her parents think it's a camp for troubled teens. They thought wrong. It's a camp of supernaturals: vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches and shape shifters. And if she believes the camp leader, Kylie is one of them, too. First in a new series.

Children of Scarabaeus, by Sara Creasy 
(March 29, Harper Voyager)

The crib is everywhere . . . Edie Sha'nim believes she and her bodyguard lover, Finn, could find refuge from the tyranny of the Crib empire by fleeing to the Fringe worlds. But Edie's extraordinary cypherteck ability to manipulate the ecology of evolving planets makes her far too valuable for the empire to lose. Recaptured and forced to cooperate—or else she will watch Finn die—Edie is shocked to discover the Crib's new breed of cypherteck: children.  Second in the Scarabaeus series.

City of Hope & Despair, by Ian Whates 
(March 29, Angry Robot)

Dark forces are gathering in the shadowy depths of Thaiburley, and the whole city is under threat. The former street-nick, Tom, embarks on a journey to discover the source of the great river Thair, said to be the ultimate power behind all of Thaiburley. Accompanying him are the assassin Dewar and the young Thaistess Mildra. It soon becomes evident that their journey has more significance than any of them realize. Second in the City of a Hundred Rows series.

Con & Conjure, by Lisa Shearin 
(March 29, Ace)

Raine Benares is a seeker who finds lost things and people. Ever since the Saghred, a soul-stealing stone that's given her unlimited power, has bonded to her, the goblin king and the elves have wanted to possess its magic themselves. Which means a goblin thief and her ex-fiancé—an elven assassin—are after her. To survive, she'll need the help of her notorious criminal family. Fifth in the Raine Benares series.

Dark Jenny, by Alex Bledsoe (March 29, Tor)

Freelance Sword Jockey Eddie LaCrosse is in the wrong place at the wrong time while conducting a undercover investigation on the island kingdom of Grand Bruan. When a poisoned apple kills a member of the Queens personal guard, Eddie becomes the prime suspect in the murder. He must do do some fast talking to keep his head attached to his shoulders. Trying to clear his name and find the real killer, Eddie becomes embroiled in a nasty political scandal. Someone is trying to ruin Queen Jennifer, and they don't care who they kill on the way. Third in the Eddie LaCrosse series.

The Darkest Secret, by Gena Showalter 
(March 29, Harlequin)

Keeper of the demon of Secrets, Amun can manipulate the darkest thoughts of anyone nearby. But when new demons possess him, the immortal warrior must be chained and isolated to protect those he loves. Death is his only hope of release—until he meets Haidee, a fellow prisoner whose beauty and hidden vulnerability draw him into a reckless test of his loyalty… Haidee is an infamous demon assassin, raised to despise Amun’s kind. Yet how can she hate the man whose touch sets her aflame? But to save him, she must give herself body and soul…and face the wrath of a powerful adversary sworn to destroy her

Deathless, by Catherynne M. Valente 
(March 29, Tor)

Koschei the Deathless is to Russian folklore what devils or wicked witches are to European culture: a menacing, evil figure; the villain of countless stories which have been passed on through story and text for generations. But Koschei has never before been seen through the eyes of Catherynne Valente, whose modernized and transformed take on the legend brings the action to modern times, spanning many of the great developments of Russian history in the twentieth century as the young Marya Morevna transforms from a clever child of the revolution, to Koschei’s beautiful bride, to his eventual undoing.

Department 19, by Will Hill 
(March 31, Razorbill)

In a secret supernatural battle that's been raging for over a century, the stakes have just been raised—and they're not wooden anymore. When Jamie Carpenter's mother is kidnapped by strange creatures, he finds himself dragged into Department 19, the government's most secret agency. Fortunately for Jamie, Department 19 can provide the tools he needs to find his mother, and to kill the vampires who want him dead. But unfortunately for everyone, something much older is stirring, something even Department 19 can't stand up against.

Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend, by Linda Wisdom

(April 1, Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Feisty witch Maggie enjoys her work as a paranormal law enforcement officer—that is, until she’s assigned to protect a teenager with major attitude and a sleazy boyfriend. A group of satanic Mayans priests has decided Courtney has a drop of divine blood in her—making her just the virgin sacrifice they need to release their God and rule the world. To prevent this catastrophe, Maggie must team up with half fire demon Declan, the proprietor of Damnation Alley, an underground club and busy demon portal. Declan will be damned if he’ll allow his demon race to be blamed for the malicious acts of some evil Mayans. So he decides to seduce the sexy witch in an effort to discover what the law enforcement agency knows about the Mayan’s plans, but then things get more than a little hot, and Declan finds himself seriously entangled with the sexiest woman he’s ever met.

Embedded, by Dan Abnett 
(March 29, Angry Robot)

When journalist Lex Falk gets himself chipped into the brain of a combat soldier, he thinks he has the ultimate scoop—a report from the forbidden front line of a distant planetary war, live to the living rooms of Earth. When the soldier is killed, however, Lex has to take over the body and somehow get himself back to safety once more... broadcasting all the way.

Entwined, by Heather Dixon 
(March 29, Greenwillow)

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.  The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation. Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest. But there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

Equations of Life, by Simon Morden 
(March 29, Orbit)

Samuil Petrovitch is a survivor. He survived the bombs falling on St. Petersburg and made it to the London Metrozone—one of the last free cities. He's lived this long because he's a man of rules and logic. For example, getting involved—a bad idea. But when he stumbles into a kidnapping in progress, he acts without even thinking about it. Before he can stop himself, he's saved the daughter of the richest man in London. And clearly saving the girl—getting involved. Now, the equation of Petrovitch's life is looking increasingly complex. Russian mobsters + Yakuza + something called the New Machine Jihad = one dead Petrovitch. First in a new series.

Eternal Rider, by Larissa Ione 
(March 29, Grand Central)

They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.  His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.  Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can't—or won't—understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman's safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara's life. First in a new Lords of Deliverance series.

Fury of the Phoenix, by Cindy Pon 
(March 29, Greenwillow)

The Gods have abandoned Ai Ling. Her mysterious power haunts her day and night, and she leaves home—with just the moon as her guide—overwhelmed by her memories and visions and an unbearable sense of dread. For Ai Ling knows that Chen Yong is vulnerable to corrupt enchantments from the under-world. How can she do nothing when she has the skill and power to fight at his side? A dream has told her where he is, the name of the ship he is traveling on, his destination. So she steals off and stows away on board. The ocean voyage brings with it brutal danger, haunting revelations, and new friendships, but also the premonition of a very real and terrifying threat. Second in the Kingdom of Xia series.

Haunted: Dark Delicacies III: anthology 
(March 29, Ace)

These twenty-one short works will examine and lay bare all the ways in which we are haunted—both literally and figuratively. With a new novella from David Morrell and a short story Chuck Palahniuk is writing as a teaching class on his blog. Also includes stories from Kevin J. Anderson, Clive Barker, Michael Boatman, Heather Graham, Richard Christian Matheson, Victor Salva and more.

Highlander’s Curse, by Melissa Mayhue 
(March 29, Pocket Star)

When Colin Macalister is cursed by the Faerie Queen and ends up in the bed of a 21st-century woman—who also happens to be the most beautiful creature he’s ever laid eyes on—he’s torn between anger and lust. Colin is determined to see Scotland free of English control and must return to the 14th century, yet he cannot forget the woman who haunts his dreams and stirs him with scorching desire. Abigail Porter can’t believe her luck. After making a wish to find her soul mate, she wakes up to find a gorgeous man in her bed! Can he really be a medieval Highlander summoned by her Faerie Magic, however? 

Are you dizzy yet? Which one appeals to you most in today's group? You know the drill: four entries possible: +1 for comment, +1 for blog follow, +1 for Twitter follow @Suzanne_Johnson, and +1 for a Tweet or RT. Please include your email...and come back tomorrow for part two. Because you know tomorrow's giveaway will include the new Black Dagger Brotherhood book, Lover Unleashed...RAWR!