New Releases, Reader's Choice, & Jewelry!

It’s a pretty quiet week for new releases—second week of the month always is—and we’re heavy on YA titles. But read on to see what’s out in the spec fiction world this second week of May. Also coming up later this week: on  Wednesday, a Q&A and giveaway with YA author Andrew Fukuda re: his new book, The Hunt. On Thursday, some new Royal Street Easter Eggs, for Chapter 3. And on Friday, author Kendall Grey Q&A, plus a giveaway of her awesome paranormal Inhale—and all the proceeds on that book go toward a terrific charity, so stay tuned!

Now, for today’s blatant self-promotional message: I’m over at Literary Escapism today, with a fun post on how to talk “New Orleans.” It’s in advance of Authors After Dark NOLA 2012, but even if you aren’t going to AAD, drop by and have a look. As a little bit of lagniappe, two people who comment over there and say you came from this blog will win one of the handmade gemstone bracelets I’ve been giving out at book signings!

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.

Until I Die (Revenants, Book 2), by Amy Plum (May 8, HarperTeen)

I wish there was only today, just right now, and no forever. It seems fitting that I fell in love in Paris. Peel back a thin layer of reality and under the city’s glamorous surface is a battleground for immortal enemies.Because with Vincent, reality is an illusion. Handsome, chivalrous, and witty, he’s got everything I’ve ever wanted in a boyfriend...except mortality. But when I chose Vincent, I chose love over reason and safety. Young Adult.

Immortal Hearts (Vampire Kisses, Book 9), by Ellen Schreiber (May 15, Katherine Tegen)

Athena “Stormy” Sterling is coming to Dullsville, and Raven is both excited and panicked in anticipation of Alexander’s little sister’s visit. Alexander tells Raven that she and his sister have a lot in common, but can the mini-Raven be everything she hopes for? Alexander calls her Stormy for a reason. Stormy’s visit stirs up the perfect immortal whirlwind. Raven is forced to take a good look at what it would really mean to be a vampire in the Sterling family, aside from some of the things she already loves, like shunning the sun and sleeping in a coffin with Alexander. The final chapter of Vampire Kisses’ nocturnal romance. Young Adult.

Underworld (Abandon, Book 2), by Meg Cabot (May 8, Point)

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead.Not this time. But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey. Her captor, John Hayden, claims it’s for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they’ve come back as Furies, intent on vengeance—on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves. Young Adult.

Last Rite (Personal Demons, Book 3), by Lisa Desrochers (May 8, Tor Teen)

In this final installment of Personal Demons series, the battle between Heaven and Hell has become critical, and Frannie Cavanaugh is right at the center of it. With the help of the powerful angel Gabe and demon-turned-mortal Luc, Frannie has been able to stay one step ahead of the forces of Hell. But when the demons killed Frannie’s best friend and destroyed her brother, they raised the stakes. If Frannie wants to keep her family and friends safe, she knows she has no choice but to go on the run.But what happens when you can’t outrun Hell...or trust the ones you love? Young Adult.

As Dead As It Gets (Bad Girls Don’t Die, Book 3), by Katie Alender (May 15, Hy

perion)

It’s been three months since Alexis helplessly witnessed Lydia Small’s violent death, and all she wants is for her life to return to normal.But normal people don’t see decaying bodies haunting photographs. Normal people don’t have to deal with regular intrusions from Lydia’s angry ghost, sometimes escalating to terrifying attacks.At first, it seems that Lydia wants revenge on Alexis alone. But a girl from school disappears one night, and Alexis spots one of Lydia’s signature yellow roses lying on the girl’s dresser the next day. Soon, it becomes clear that several of Alexis’s friends are in danger, and that she’s the only person who can save them. Young Adult.

Railsea, by China Miéville (May 15, Del Rey)

On board the moletrain Medes, Sham Yes ap Soorap watches in awe as he witnesses his first moldywarpe hunt: the giant mole bursting from the earth, the harpoonists targeting their prey, the battle resulting in one’s death and the other’s glory. But no matter how spectacular it is, Sham can’t shake the sense that there is more to life than traveling the endless rails of the railsea–even if his captain can think only of the hunt for the ivory-coloured mole she’s been chasing since it took her arm all those years ago. When they come across a wrecked train, at first it’s a welcome distraction. But what Sham finds in the derelict — a series of pictures hinting at something, somewhere, that should be impossible — leads to considerably more than he’d bargained for. Soon he’s hunted on all sides, by pirates, trainsfolk, monsters and salvage-scrabblers. And it might not be just Sham’s life that’s about to change. It could be the whole of the railsea. 

A Confusion of Princes, by Garth Nix (May 15, HarperCollins)

You’d think being a privileged Prince in a vast intergalactic Empire would be about as good as it gets. But it isn’t as great as it sounds. For one thing, Princes are always in danger. Their greatest threat? Other Princes. Khemri discovers that the moment he is proclaimed a Prince. He also discovers mysteries within the hidden workings of the Empire. Dispatched on a secret mission, Khemri comes across the ruins of a space battle. In the midst of it all he meets a young woman named Raine, who will challenge his view of the Empire, of Princes, and of himself. Young Adult.

Endure, by Carrie Jones (May 8, Bloomsbury)

Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king. Young Adult.

Enchanted, by Alethea Kontis (May 8, Harcourt Children’s)

It isn’t easy being the overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog good-bye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises. Young Adult.

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 Saturday, May 12, 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!