New Releases May 1-6 and Reader's Choice C*ontest

Another big release week as we head into May…what do YOU want to read?

Blatant self-promotional message: If you’re in the Portland, Oregon, area or in San Diego, California, hope you’ll come and say hello this week. I’m at Powell’s in Beaverton, Ore., on Thursday night, and at Mysterious Galaxy in sunny San Diego on Saturday morning as part of the store’s big birthday bash. Okay, commercial over for now.

Now…what do you want to read? Leave a comment and tell me, and I’ll draw one name to win his or her choice. International, as always. And if the book is in a series you haven’t started, you can always pick the first one in the series instead.

Magic Lantern (a Rogue Angel book), by Alex Archer (May 1, Harlequin)

In late 1700s Paris, a young but promising illusionist dabbles in the arcane art of phantasmagoria. But at his moment of greatest triumph—unveiling a magical lantern said to open a door to the Chinese spirit world—he is violently struck down by a vengeful phantom. On assignment in London, archaeologist Annja Creed is hunting down a man who claims to have discovered the Jekyll and Hyde potion. On the trail of one curiosity, Annja finds herself pulled toward another mystery—the origin of a strange, old-fashioned projector once used by eighteenth-century illusionists. As Annja delves into its rich history, a dark past begins to emerge. And someone wants to harness the power of this cursed artifact, risking everything for the treasures it promises.But Annja has a little magic trick of her own. One that she wields with deadly accuracy.

Demon’s Bride (The Hellraisers, Book 2), by Zoe Archer (May 1, Zebra)

Leo Bailey may have been born to poverty, but ruthless business sense and sparkling intelligence have made money worries a thing of his past. It doesn’t hurt that the Devil himself has granted Leo the ability to read the future.But even infallible predictions are a déclassé commoner’s trick to some members of the ton. They’ll never see Leo as their equal—one good reason to prove himself their better. And a noble marriage is an obvious start. Bookish Anne Hartfield, daughter of a baron, is hardly the flashiest miss on the marriage market. But her thoughtful reserve complements Leo’s brash boldness in an attraction neither can deny.

Embrace of the Damned, by Anya Bast (May 1, Berkley)

Centuries ago Broder Calderson committed murder. As punishment, he was given over to the dominion of Loki, the Trickster God, made part of the Brotherhood of the Damned, and condemned to an immortal life of battle against the Blight, blood-drinkers from Hel.One thousand years to the day he was damned, Loki allows him a woman as reward for his good service and repentance of his crimes. Once Broder sees Jessamine Hamilton, he is overcome with need. But Jessa is no ordinary woman, and the truth of who—and what—she is could have dangerous consequences. First in a new series.

Captivated (Phantom Corps, Book 3), by Lauren Dane (May 1, Berkley)

Vincenz Fardelle, exiled son of the Supreme Leader of the Imperialist Universe, has spent much of the last ten years working to stop the threat his father poses. But he’s not alone in his quest. Julian Marsters has lost his best friend and countless others in the war and has made vengeance his only goal. In each other, Julian and Vincenz find not only like minds, but kindred spirits. However unexpected their relationship, everything changes for Vincenz and Julian when Hannah Black comes into their lives. For the two men, wrestling with their passionate feelings for Hannah is only the beginning. War is about to send all three into harm’s way and an equally dangerous secret could tear them apart.

Warrior Enchanted (Sons of the Zodiac, Book 4), by Addison Fox (May 1, Signet)

Pisces warrior Drake Campbell and his Zodiac brethren have driven themselves to the edge. He’d love to take comfort in the arms of the woman he cares for, if only she would lift her emotional barriers.White witch Emerson Carano has more to worry about than the Pisces warrior. Their affair may be red-hot, but she keeps the sexy man at arm’s length to avoid getting hurt. When her estranged brother, Magnus, suddenly reappears—wielding a dangerous dark magic—Emerson has no choice but to ask Drake and his brothers for help. Long-buried secrets and dangerous alliances will threaten the very foundation of the warriors while striking at the heart of Emerson’s carefully constructed world.

In the Company of Witches (Arcane Shot, Book 2), by Joey W. Hill (May 1, Berkley)

All witch and part succubus, savvy businesswoman Raina has converted a Southern plantation house into an extremely profitable old-fashioned bordello. Because of her abilities as a witch, the demons under Raina’s protection can feed off the sexual energy of their clients without killing them—definitely a good thing for repeat business.But when a rogue incubus shows up on Raina’s doorstep begging for asylum, the witch’s well-run business is put in jeopardy. The incubus has stolen an object of great power from Lucifer, and Underworld Dark Guardian Mikhael will do anything to get it back—even if it means incinerating the incubus on Raina’s porch to get the answers he seeks. Not to be trifled with, Raina enters a dangerous match of wits with Mikhael to achieve their mutual goals—only to discover that the reluctant attraction between them is the most hazardous game of all.

Kiss of the Goblin Prince (Shadowlands, Book 2), by Shona Husk (May 1, Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Trapped for centuries in the bleak Shadowlands, Dai clings to his humanity with a thirst for knowledge. But now he’s free of the goblin curse, and some would say he knows too much—he can make nature bend to his will, influence the minds of others, and command magic. Yet love eludes him. Then he meets Amanda, a single mother with a sick daughter whom he feels compelled to protect. But could she possibly place her trust in the kiss of a goblin prince?

The Shifter, by Jean Johnson (May 1, Berkley)

Years have passed since there was any sighting of Family Mongrel. Yet traces remain in the Correda Mountains. Kenyen Sin Siin tracks down these hints from the past to make sure the curs have not survived. As the trail becomes more tangled he’s trapped in a valley where not everything is as it seems—including the beautiful and mysterious Migela Laun Far.

Where There’s Smoke, by Karen Kelley (May 1, Sourcebooks Casablanca)

When sexy wannabe-demon, Destiny Carter, is kicked out of Hell, she lands in Ft. Worth, Texas with one week to corrupt a soul. Or else. She slips into a slinky red dress, and heads straight for the delicious, corruptible looking cowboy at the bar.But Chance Bellew has his own agenda-saving souls. He’s not your typical angel. He’s a nephilim, to be exact. Centuries ago, angels came down from Heaven and mated with mortal women. When the women bore children, a new race was created. Immortals with powers—demigods, nephilim. But the children don’t live by the same rules as mortals, or that of the typical, robe-wearing, bright light-surrounding-them angels. Hell, most of the time the nephilim are breaking the rules, and making up new ones as they go. As long as they don’t cross over to the dark side, everyone pretty much stays out of their way. But sometimes a demon-in-training, who looks like Destiny, comes along and all Hell breaks loose.

Black Dawn (Morganville Vampires, Book 12), by Rachel Caine (May 1, NAL)

In Last Breath, the rain brought a new and dire threat to Morganville and its vampires... their ancient enemies, the draug. Now, the vampires are fighting a losing war, and it will fall to the residents of the Glass House—Michael, Eve, Shane and Claire—to take the fight to an enemy who threatens to destroy the town, forever. Young Adult.

Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 12), by Charlaine Harris (May 1, Ace)

With Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), in town, it’s the worst possible time for a body to show up in Eric Northman’s front yard—especially the body of a woman whose blood he just drank.Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

Under Suspicion (Underworld Detection Agency, Book 3), byHannah Jayne (May 1, Kensington)

Being a human immune to magic helped Sophie Lawson get promoted. It’s also made her a major, very reluctant player in a game that stretches beyond even the Underworld. Having handsome buttoned-down Englishman Will as her new guardian is one tempting blessing, especially since sexy fallen angel Alex is mysteriously MIA lately. But as a frightening number of demons start disappearing around the city, Sophie suspects that an Armageddon-level prophecy is about to become everyone’s nightmare. And her investigation is testing her bravery — and Will’s unexpected vulnerability — in ways neither could predict. Now Sophie and Will are fast running out of time as an unstoppable evil prepares to lay waste to demons and humans alike.

Life Guards in the Hamptons (A Willow Tate Novel), by Celia Jerome (May 1, DAW)

No description available.

Body and Soul (The Ghost and the Goth, Book 3), by Stacey Kade (May 1, Hyperion)

I’ve been trapped in the body of Lily “Ally” Turner for a month now. Talk about a fashion crisis on an epic scale. What worries me more, though, is sometimes I catch Will looking at me like he thinks I’m Lily—or that he wishes I were. Without the good looks of my former self, I don’t know who I am. I need out of this mess. Now.Will and I have been looking for a solution, one that would separate me from Lily without killing her. But it’s not going well. Then, when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, we run into Misty, my former best friend and boyfriend-stealer extraordinaire, who claims she’s being haunted—by me. Young Adult.

Sparks Fly (Light Dragons, Book 3), by Katie MacAlister (May 1, Signet)

The First Dragon has Ysolde de Bouchier in his sights, demandingshe right past wrongs. So, with the help of some familiar friends, Ysolde sets into motion an elaborate plan that will have repercussions throughout the mortal and immortal worlds. But when a member of her family is held hostage, no one is safe from the fire of her rage.

Silence, by Michelle Sagara (May 1, Daw)

Emma Hall is a high school student whose first (and only) boyfriend died in the summer in a car accident—before the book starts. Nathan was almost her entire world, and she’s now left with the bits and pieces of life that weren’t Nathan—her friends, school, her mother. She spends far too much time in the cemetery at Nathan’s grave, because it’s quiet there and she doesn’t have to make excuses for how she feels, or how she doesn’t feel. She doesn’t expect to meet people in the cemetery, but one night she does, and as a result of that disturbing meeting, she begins to see things she’s never seen, and to hear things that no one else hears. Young Adult.

Shine, by Jeri Smith-Ready (May 1, Simon Pulse)

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past. As the first in a generation to see ghosts, Aura is convinced she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart. Young Adult.

Powers, by James A. Burton (May 2, Prime)

Albert Johannson lives off the grid. He’s forgotten more than he remembers about his past, but those snippets he’s retained tell him two things: he’s lived a long, looong time and he doesn’t trust anyone, particularly gods. He’s not any too fond of demons either, particularly the one that materializes in his kitchen wanting to hire him for a special mission. It’s as deadly to cross a demon as to deal with him, so Albert reluctantly agrees to investigate, putting him in the path of a prickly arson detective named Melissa el Hajj with trust issues of her own. 

Brownies and Broomsticks, by Bailey Cates (May 1, Signet)

Katie Lightfoot’s tired of loafing around as the assistant manager of an Ohio bakery. So when her aunt Lucy and uncle Ben open a bakery in Savannah’s quaint downtown district and ask Katie to join them, she enthusiastically agrees.While working at the Honeybee Bakery — named after Lucy’s cat — Katie notices that her aunt is adding mysterious herbs to her recipes. Turns out these herbal enhancements aren’t just tasty — Aunt Lucy is a witch and her recipes are actually spells. A cozy mystery, first in a new series, with a paranormal twist.

Heart of Brass, by Kate Cross (May 1, Signet)

Arden Grey enjoys a life most women in 1898 London can’t even dream of: she has the social status, wealth, and independence of a countess. She also has the ability to witness the final moments of a murder victim’s life. But since the disappearance of her husband, Lucas, none of this means anything. Until one night, when Arden spies a man watching her — her missing husband.Luke remembers nothing of his life before The Company, a corrupt agency that has erased his memory. Even so, something prevents him from completing his assignment to kill Arden. There is something familiar about his lovely target, something that attracts him and fills him with dread. First in a new series.

Best Horror of the Year, Volume 4, edited by Ellen Datlow (May 1, Night Shade)

An annual collection of horror, including stories by Stephen King, Leah Bobet, Simon Bestwick, Laird Barron, David Nickle, Priya Sharma, Margo Lanagan, Brian Hodge, A.C. Wise, Livia Llewellyn, Alison J. Littlewood, Chet Williamson, Terry Lamsley, Glen Hirshberg, John Langan, Anna Taborska, and Peter Straub.

The Impossible Cube (Clockwork Empire, Book 2), by Steven Harper (May 1, Roc)

Once, Gavin Ennock sailed the skies on airships and enchanted listeners with his fiddle music. Now, the clockwork plague consumes his intellect, enabling him to conceive and construct scientific wonders — while driving him mad. Distressed by her beloved’s unfortunate condition, Alice Michaels sought a cure rumored to be inside the Doomsday Vault — and brought the wrath of the British Empire down on them. Declared enemies of the Crown, Alice and Gavin have little choice but to flee to China in search of a cure.

By the Blood of Heroes, by Joseph Nassise (May 1, Harper Voyager)

An alternate history zombie novel set during World War I…At the end of 1917, the increasingly desperate Germans introduce a new gas to the battlefield: T-Leiche — “corpse gas” — that radically alters the face of the war. Unlike other chemical weapons that attack the living, T-Leiche resurrects the bodies of the dead, giving the enemy an almost unlimited, if not quite fresh, source of troops.When legendary Allied pilot and war poster-boy Major Jack Freeman is shot down and taken captive by the Germans, veteran Captain Michael “Madman” Burke is the only man fearless and wild enough to try to rescue the American Ace. With a small squad of heroes, Burke must traverse the putrid ground of no man’s land to infiltrate the enemy’s lines. Using an experimental dirigible, the team faces incredible danger and finds risk and peril at every turn, including ruthless traitor smugglers and marauding bands of the Kaiser’s undead.

Insurgent (Divergent, Book 2), by Veronica Roth (May 1, Katherine Tegen)

As unrest surges around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves — and herself — while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable — and even more powerful. Young Adult.

The Drowned Cities, by Paolo Bacigalupi (May 1, Little, Brown)

In a dark future America where violence, terror, and grief touch everyone, young refugees Mahlia and Mouse have managed to leave behind the war-torn lands of the Drowned Cities by escaping into the jungle outskirts. But when they discover a wounded half-man—a bioengineered war beast named Tool who is being hunted by a vengeful band of soldiers—their fragile existence quickly collapses. One is taken prisoner by merciless soldier boys, and the other is faced with an impossible decision: Risk everything to save a friend, or flee to a place where freedom might finally be possible. A companion to Bacigalupi’s Ship Breaker. Young Adult.

The Lost Fleet: Invincible (Beyond the Frontier, Book 2), by Jack Campbell (May 1, Ace)

Invincible continues the story from Dreadnaught as the Alliance fleet commanded by Admiral Geary tries to escape threats outside human space and return before danger can strike humanity again.

War and Space: Recent Combat, edited by Sean Wallace and Rich Horton (May 2, Prime)

War and Space offers the ultimate speculation on the future of warfare—stories of insectoid anguish, genetically-engineered diplomats who cannot fail, aliens plundering humanity, a weaponized black hole. Authors include Ken MacLeod, Suzanne Palmer, Alastair Reynolds, Catherynne M. Valente, Adam-Troy Castro, Beth Bernobich, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Nancy Kress, and many others.

Bitterblue (Graceling Realm, Book 3), by Kristin Cashore (May 1, Dial)

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the 35-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past. Young Adult.

The Invaders (Brotherband Chronicles, Book 2), by John Flanagan (May 1, Philomel)

The adventure continues in the Ranger’s Apprentice companion trilogy. Hal and the Herons have done the impossible—beaten out the strongest, most skilled young warriors in all of Skandia to win the Brotherband competition. But their celebration comes to an abrupt end when the Skandians’ most sacred artifact is stolen—and the Herons are to blame. To find redemption they must traverse stormy seas, survive a bitter winter, and battle a group of deadly pirates willing to protect their prize at all costs. Middle Grade/Young Adult.

The Killing Moon, by N.K. Jemisin (May 1, Orbit)

In the ancient city-state of Gujaareh, peace is the only law. Upon its rooftops and amongst the shadows of its cobbled streets wait the Gatherers, the keepers of this peace. Priests of the dream-goddess, their duty is to harvest the magic of the sleeping mind and use it to heal, soothe—and kill those judged corrupt. But when a conspiracy blooms within Gujaareh’s great temple, Ehiru, the most famous of the city’s Gatherers, must question everything he knows.

Chicory Up, by Irene Radford (May 1, Daw)

The leader of her tribe had exiled Thistle Down from Pixie. Trapped in a human body and deprived of almost all her Pixie magic, Thistle had made a life for herself with the help of her human friends—Desdemona “Dusty” Carrick and her brother Dick. But trouble was brewing among all the Pixie tribes, fueled by Haywood Wheatland, a half-Pixie/half-Faery, who was determined to seize control of The Ten Acre Wood for the Faeries. Thistle, Dick, Dusty, and her fiance, Police Sergeant Chase Norton, thought the threat to the town of Skene Falls and The Ten Acre Wood had ended with Haywood’s arrest and imprisonment, but they were wrong. For even as they turned their attention to romance and weddings, the Pixie tribes were preparing for war.

The Serpent’s Shadow (Kane Chronicles, Book 3), by Rick Riordan (May 1, Hyperion)

Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sade Kane can’t seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos. To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent’s shadow... or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld. Young Adult.

Shadow Raiders: The Dragon Brigade, by Margaret Weis and Robert Krammes (May 3, Daw)

The known world floats upon the Breath of God, a thick gas similar to Earth’s oceans, with land masses accessible by airship. The largest of these land masses are ruled by the rival empires of Freya and Rosia. Magic is intrinsic to the functioning of these societies, and is even incorporated into their technological devices. But now a crucial scientific discovery has occurred that could destroy the balance of power-and change the empires forever. First in a new series.

As always, four entries possible: +1 for comment to tell me what book (any book) you want, +1 for blog follow, +1 for Twitter follow @Suzanne_Johnson, and +1 for a Tweet or RT about the contest. This contest is international. Contests end at midnight CDT U.S., and winners are announced on Sunday’s blog. It’s the responsibility of the winner to contact me with their mailing info. Books unclaimed after a month will go into a general giveaway pile.

Now….go!