Monday, January 6, 2020

January 2020 Book Releases in Fantasy, Horror, and Thrillers

Last week I posted all of the upcoming 2020 books I'm most hoping to read this year. Let's take a closer look at all of the January releases I can't wait to read!

Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children #5) by Seanan McGuire

Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children #5) by Seanan McGuire
Expected publication: January 7th 2020 by Tor.com

The fifth installment in Seanan McGuire's award-winning, bestselling Wayward Children series, Come Tumbling Down picks up the threads left dangling by Every Heart a Doorway and Down Among the Sticks and Bones

When Jack left Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children she was carrying the body of her deliciously deranged sister--whom she had recently murdered in a fit of righteous justice--back to their home on the Moors.

But death in their adopted world isn't always as permanent as it is here, and when Jack is herself carried back into the school, it becomes clear that something has happened to her. Something terrible. Something of which only the maddest of scientists could conceive. Something only her friends are equipped to help her overcome.

Eleanor West's "No Quests" rule is about to be broken.

Again.



Long Bright River by Liz Moore

Long Bright River by Liz Moore
Expected publication: January 7th 2020 by Riverhead Books

Two sisters travel the same streets,though their lives couldn't be more different.
Then one of them goes missing.

In a Philadelphia neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis, two once-inseparable sisters find themselves at odds. One, Kacey, lives on the streets in the vise of addiction. The other, Mickey, walks those same blocks on her police beat. They don't speak anymore, but Mickey never stops worrying about her sibling.

Then Kacey disappears, suddenly, at the same time that a mysterious string of murders begins in Mickey's district, and Mickey becomes dangerously obsessed with finding the culprit--and her sister--before it's too late.

Alternating its present-day mystery with the story of the sisters' childhood and adolescence, Long Bright River is at once heart-pounding and heart-wrenching: a gripping suspense novel that is also a moving story of sisters, addiction, and the formidable ties that persist between place, family, and fate.



One of Us Is Next (One of Us is Lying #2) by Karen M. McManus

One of Us Is Next (One of Us is Lying #2) by Karen M. McManus
Expected publication: January 7th 2020 by Delacorte Press for Young Readers

The highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller everyone is talking about, One of Us Is Lying! There's a new mystery to solve at Bayview High, and there's a whole new set of rules.

Come on, Bayview, you know you've missed this.

A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since the Bayview four were cleared of his shocking death, no one's been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts.

Until now.

This time it's not an app, though—it's a game.

Truth or Dare.

Phoebe's the first target. If you choose not to play, it's a truth. And hers is dark.

Then comes Maeve and she should know better—always choose the dare.

But by the time Knox is about to be tagged, things have gotten dangerous. The dares have become deadly, and if Maeve learned anything from Bronwyn last year, it's that they can't count on the police for help. Or protection.

Simon's gone, but someone's determined to keep his legacy at Bayview High alive. And this time, there's a whole new set of rules.



A Nest of Nightmares by Lisa Tuttle

A Nest of Nightmares by Lisa Tuttle
Expected publication: January 7th 2020 by Valancourt Books

In Lisa Tuttle’s stories, the everyday domestic world of her female protagonists is invaded by the bizarre, the uncanny, the horrific. In ‘Bug House’, a woman who goes to visit her aunt is shocked to find she is dying – but even more shocking is what is killing her. The divorcing couple in ‘Community Property’ arrive at a macabre solution for how to divide ownership of a beloved pet. In ‘Flying to Byzantium’, a writer travelling to a science fiction convention finds herself caught in a strange and terrifying hell. The thirteen tales in this collection are highly original and extremely chilling, and they reveal Tuttle to be a master of contemporary horror fiction.

Never before published in the United States and highly sought-after by collectors, A Nest of Nightmares (1986) is a classic of modern horror. This new edition features the original paperback cover art by Nick Bantock and a new introduction by Will Errickson.



Lullabies for Suffering: Tales of Addiction Horror edited by Mark Matthews

Expected publication: January 10th 2020 by Wicked Run Press

Addiction starts like a sweet lullaby sung by a trusted loved one. It washes away the pains of the day and wraps you in the warmness of the womb where nothing hurts and every dream is possible. Yet soon enough, this warm state of bliss becomes a cold shiver, the ecstasy and dreams become nightmares, yet we can't stop listening to the lullaby. We crave to hear the siren song as it rips us apart.

Six stories: three novellas, three novelettes, written by a powerful list of talent, all featuring the insidious nature of addiction--damaged humans craving for highs and wholeness but finding something more tragic and horrific on the other side.

FEATURING:
Caroline Kepnes author of You and Hidden Bodies
Kealan Patrick Burke, author of Sour Candy and Kin
Mercedes M. Yardley, author of Pretty Little Dead Girls
John F.D. Taff, author of The Fearing
Mark Matthews, author of Milk-Blood
Gabino Iglesias, author of Coyote Songs



True Crime by Samantha Kolesnik

True Crime by Samantha Kolesnik
Expected publication: January 15th 2020 by Grindhouse Press

Suzy and her brother, Lim, live with their abusive mother in a town where the stars don’t shine at night. Once the abuse becomes too much to handle, the two siblings embark on a sordid cross-country murder spree beginning with their mom. As the murder tally rises, Suzy’s mental state spirals into irredeemable madness.



Bitter Falls (Stillhouse Lake #4) by Rachel Caine

Bitter Falls (Stillhouse Lake #4) by Rachel Caine
Expected publication: January 21st 2020 by Thomas & Mercer

She’s investigating a cold case no one else could—by going places no else would dare.

In spite of a harrowing past still haunting her, Gwen Proctor is trying to move forward. Until a new assignment gives her purpose: the cold-case disappearance of a young man in Tennessee. Three years missing, no clues. Just Ruth Landry, a tortured mother in limbo. Gwen understands what it’s like to worry about your children.

Gwen’s investigation unearths new suspects…and victims. As she follows each sinister lead, the implications of the mystery grow more disturbing. Because the closer Gwen gets, the closer she is to a threat that looms back home.

In a town that’s closed its ranks against Gwen; her partner, Sam; and her kids, there’s no bolder enemy than the Belldene family—paramilitary, criminal, powerful, and vengeful. As personal vendettas collide with Gwen’s investigation, she’s prepared to fight both battles. But is she prepared for the toll it could take on everyone she loves?



A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende

A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
Expected publication: January 21st 2020 by Ballantine Books

From the New York Times bestselling author of The House of the Spirits comes an epic novel spanning decades and crossing continents, following two young people as they flee the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War in search of a new place to call home.

In the late 1930s, civil war gripped Spain. When General Franco and his Fascists succeed in overthrowing the government, hundreds of thousands are forced to flee in a treacherous journey over the mountains to the French border. Among them is Roser, a pregnant young widow, who finds her life irreversibly intertwined with that of Victor Dalmau, an army doctor and the brother of her deceased love. In order to survive, the two must unite in a marriage neither of them wants, and together are sponsored by poet Pablo Neruda to embark on the SS Winnipeg along with 2,200 other refugees in search of a new life. As unlikely partners, they embrace exile and emigrate to Chile as the rest of Europe erupts in World War.

Starting over on a new continent, their trials are just beginning. Over the course of their lives, they will face test after test. But they will also find joy as they wait patiently for a day when they are exiles no more, and will find friends in the most unlikely of places. Through it all, it is that hope of being reunited with their home that keeps them going. And in the end, they will find that home might have been closer than they thought all along.



Prosper's Demon by K.J. Parker

Prosper's Demon by K.J. Parker
Expected publication: January 28th 2020 by Tor.com

In the pitch dark, witty fantasy novella Prosper's Demon, K. J. Parker deftly creates a world with vivid, unbending rules, seething with demons, broken faith, and worse men.

In a botched demonic extraction, they say the demon feels it ten times worse than the man. But they don’t die, and we do. Equilibrium.

The unnamed and morally questionable narrator is an exorcist with great follow-through and few doubts. His methods aren’t delicate but they’re undeniably effective: he’ll get the demon out—he just doesn’t particularly care what happens to the person.

Prosper of Schanz is a man of science, determined to raise the world’s first philosopher-king, reared according to the purest principles. Too bad he’s demonically possessed.



What January releases are you most looking forward to reading this year?

Jennifer

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Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Upcoming 2020 New Releases in Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Thrillers

I sure love a new reading year! I feel ambitious and swear I can read at least 500 books in the new year. These are the upcoming 2020 speculative fiction book releases I'm most hoping to read in the coming year. I will continue to update this page with new horror, fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers as the year goes on.

Jennifer

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Monday, December 30, 2019

My Favorite Books of 2019

2019 was such an amazing reading year. These are my favorite books that I read this year:

Favorite Horror Novel


Violet by Scott Thomas

Character driven horror is my favorite horror. Violet by Scott Thomas is a beautifully written, slow burn of a novel, and I just loved it.

Favorite Horror Novella


Of Foster Homes and Flies by Chad Lutzke

If you love coming of age horror, I highly recommend Chad Lutzke's Of Foster Homes and Flies. I hope to discover more of Lutzke's works in 2020.

Favorite YA Horror


Wilder Girls by Rory Power

I would love more books set in the world of Wilder Girls, but I'm looking forward to anything Rory Wilder writes in the future. This was an amazing debut.

Favorite Fantasy Novel


Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton

Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton is a fantasy, scifi, horror mashup that follows a crow and a dog through a zombie apocalypse. There is so much to love here!!

Favorite Fantasy Novella


Ormeshadow by Priya Sharma

Ormeshadow by Priya Sharma is a beautiful and heartbreaking coming of age fantasy novella. Priya Sharma is another author I will need to read more of in 2020.

Favorite YA Fantasy


In An Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire

In An Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire is my favorite Wayward Children book so far. I can't wait for book 5 next week!

Favorite MG Fantasy


Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

I loved the entire Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull this year.

Favorite Science Fiction Novel


Recursion by Blake Crouch

I seriously hope Blake Crouch keeps writing the style of science fiction he gave us in Dark Matter and Recursion. I am here for the fun science fiction that breaks my brain a little!

Favorite Science Fiction Novella


To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Blake Crouch

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers felt like it was written just for me.

Favorite YA Science Fiction


Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson. How does he do it?! The Skyward series is so much fun.

Favorite Mystery/Thriller Novel


Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly

If you love both horror and thrillers, I highly recommend Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly. It's brutal, and it's fun.

Favorite Historical Fiction Novel


The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag (translated by Ebba Segerberg)

I'm so glad I took a chance on The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag (translated by Ebba Segerberg). It was a very dark, compelling read.

Favorite Fiction Collection


A Primer to Kaaron Warren

I really love the Exploring Dark Short Fiction series, and A Primer to Kaaron Warren was so good.

Favorite Poetry Collection


\Choking Back the Devil by Donna Lynch

Choking Back the Devil is a collection of horror poetry by Donna Lynch, and I loved it!

Favorite Nonfiction


Monster, She Wrote by Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson

My favorite nonfiction this year was Monster, She Wrote by Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson. I loved reading this, and I have so many books I need to hunt down now and read due to recommendations in Monster, She Wrote.

Honorable Mentions


These books were also five star reads and could easily be placed in my list of favorites.



The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling
The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons
The Institute by Stephen King

Have you read any of the books that made my favorites list this year? If you've posted your favorites list for the year, I would love for you to leave me a link!

Jennifer

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Friday, December 27, 2019

Lullabies for Suffering Preorder Promo

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas (if you were celebrating). If you are looking to fill up that new Kindle or spend some of that Christmas gift card on books (what else would you buy?!), Wicked Run Press is having a preorder promo on Lullabies for Suffering: Tales of Addiction Horror. You may remember me raving on Garden of Fiends quite a few times in the past. This is the follow up anthology, and I can't wait to read it! Lullabies for Suffering contains novellas and novelettes from Kealan Patrick Burke, Caroline Kepnes, Gabino Iglesias, John FD Taff, Mercedes M Yardley, and Mark Matthews.

I offered Wicked Run Press some space to promote Lullabies for Suffering and here are the details they provided (a chance to win a signed book from one of the authors!)

Lullabies for Suffering - Kindle and Paperback

It’s happening! 
is now available for presale for Kindle on amazon.



I’m incredibly excited to unleash this work onto the world. I can’t wait for readers to feast their eyes on these Novellas & Novelettes. The table of contents includes:

                    Kealan Patrick Burke                   Caroline Kepnes
                    Gabino Iglesias                              John FD Taff
                    Mercedes M Yardley                     Mark Matthews



“Why preorder?” You ask. Two reasons:

A:  Save off the publication price. Just $4.99 to preorder for Kindle. 

B: Win a signed paperback copy from one of the writers on the table of contents. Yep! Signed copies from randomly raffled off.
Here’s what’s waiting: 
Signed Paperbacks

“How to win?” You ask. Two ways:  

A:  Email a receipt of proof of a presale purchase of Lullabies for Suffering (either paperback or Kindle version) to WickedRunPress@gmail.com with “contest” in the subject line.
(For best results, list your order of paperback preference, and 1st winner will receive top pick, 2nd winner will receive top available pick, etc..)

B: For an additional entry, send a screenshot of a Tweet, Facebook or Instagram post featuring this amazon link:  https://www.amazon.com/Lullabies-Suffering-Tales-Addiction-Horror-ebook/dp/B07Z5FXFJB/ with some variation of the phrase: “Come, listen to these Lullabies for Suffering” (or anything similar) (for a no-purchase necessary entry, simply email option B) 

Two ways to enter. Do one, or do both. 

Winners will be chosen at random on January 1st, 2020. Deadline is midnight on December 31st, 2019. Winning copies shipped shortly after.


There will be Six Paperback winners! 
Once again, Here’s what the treasure that awaits.

1. YOU, signed by author Caroline Kepnes
“Hypnotic and scary,” Stephen king said of YOU, now available as must-binge TV on Netflix. 
YOU, signed by author Caroline Kepnes

2. We Live Inside Your Eyes, signed by author Kealan Patrick Burke
His mastery of the short story is on display here, and this collection weaves the stories together with fantastic creativity. 
We Live Inside Your Eyes, signed by author Kealan Patrick Burke

3. Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love, 
signed by author Mercedes M. Yardley
The whimsical, dark fantasist writes love stories like none other, and her Lullabies for Suffering story takes place within this same universe and includes a cameo by Montessa and Lulu.
Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu: A Tale of Atomic Love,   signed by author Mercedes M. Yardley

4. Little Black Spots, signed by author John FD Taff (plus Book one of The Fearing)
Includes the Bram Stoker nominated story, “A Winter’s Tale.” You also get a copy of Book One of The Fearing (unsigned, but a must read) if you win this copy. 
Little Black Spots, signed by author John FD Taff (plus Book one of The Fearing)

5. Garden of Fiends AND All Smoke Rises, signed by author Mark Matthews (one copy of both)  
“Tense, imaginative, and empathic, Matthews is a damn good writer, and make no mistake, he will hurt you. ”–Jack Ketchum
Garden of Fiends AND All Smoke Rises, signed by author Mark Matthews

6. Coyote Songs AND Zero Saints, signed by Gabino Iglesias
Win a signed copy of both Zero Saints and the ground-breaking, mind-blowing, beautifully lyrical, Bram Stoker nominated, Coyote Songs. Enter now! 
Coyote Songs AND Zero Saints, signed by Gabino Iglesias
Two options to win. 
1. A presale purchase receipt, of either paperback or kindle.

2. A screenshot of a social media post which includes amazon presale link  https://www.amazon.com/Lullabies-Suffering-Tales-Addiction-Horror-ebook/dp/B07Z5FXFJB/

Put “contest” in the subject line and email to: WickedRunPress@gmail.com

Do one or do both. (For best results, list your order of paperback preference, and 1st winner will receive top pick, 2nd winner will receive top available pick, etc.. )

Deadline is December 31st, 2019, when the clock strikes midnight and the decade ends. 

Sorry, continental US only.

That’s it! Thanks for listening, and may the odds be in your favor.



If you've already preordered or plan to order Lullabies for Suffering, be sure to send in your proof by December 31st and good luck!!

Jennifer

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Monday, December 16, 2019

Book Review | Ormeshadow by Priya Sharma

Ormeshadow is a fantasy novella by Priya Sharma.

Ormeshadow by Priya Sharma

Acclaimed author Priya Sharma transports readers back in time with Ormeshadow, a coming-of-age story as dark and rich as good soil.

Burning with resentment and intrigue, this fantastical family drama invites readers to dig up the secrets of the Belman family, and wonder whether myths and legends are real enough to answer for a history of sin.

Uprooted from Bath by his father's failures, Gideon Belman finds himself stranded on Ormeshadow farm, an ancient place of chalk and ash and shadow. The land crests the Orme, a buried, sleeping dragon that dreams resentment, jealousy, estrangement, death. Or so the folklore says. Growing up in a house that hates him, Gideon finds his only comforts in the land. Gideon will live or die by the Orme, as all his family has.

I'm so happy I took a chance on this novella. After seeing Tammy's praise for it and finding out it was a coming of age story with dragons, I had to have it.

The dragon elements are light in Ormeshadow, but they are so beautifully done. Ormeshadow is a dark, folklore kind of fantasy story, but also beautiful and heartbreaking. There was the perfect amount of darkness balanced by the perfect amount of imagination.

Priya Sharma is now an autobuy author for me. I must have more of her stories.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jennifer

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