Release Date: 12/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Jaclyn Wilde is a wedding planner who loves her job - until the bride whose wedding she's organising is brutally killed, with everyone involved pointing fingers at everyone else. Jaclyn, at least, isn't a suspect, but only because she has an alibi. The others, from the cake-maker to the florist to the wedding-gown seller, are practically dancing in the streets because Carrie Edwards, a bridezilla of mythic nastiness, has met her end. Eric Wilder is the detective assigned to the case. There's too much evidence implicating too many people and compounding his problems is Jaclyn Wilde who keeps interfering with him, distracting him and somehow fouling up everything. To top things off, somehow she becomes the focus of the killer, and he finds himself with a completely different problem.
REVIEW:
Whilst a lot of murder stories are hinging more towards the darker edge of the macabre, its always interesting when you get a lighter tale such as the one presented by Linda Howard. This tale centres around a wedding planner who ends up being the focus of a murder investigation when the Bridezilla from Hell (and that’s putting it mildly) is murdered. The plot is not only light but fun, the characters crisp and definitely people that you’d love to hang out with the overall effect, whilst at times comical, give the reader that they can dip into and savour for the story as it wends its merry way. It’s great fun, it has some magical moments although my one piece of advice is never go out for coffee is Linda’s about. LOL
Release Date: 05/08/10
BOOK BLURB:
An explosive debut novel - THE LEVELS is a dark, urban gothic thriller guaranteed to appeal fans of Child and Kernick. On the outskirts of Newport, on the US East Coast, lies an abandoned housing project: the Levels. Inhabited by Newport's homeless population, the Levels are run by the all-powerful Sorrow. As THE LEVELS opens, ex-CIA agent Nate Turner, who is in the Levels to find out who has just tried to kill him, meets a 14-year-old girl Ghost. Ghost is a Fury, one of Sorrow's trained, teenage assassins looking for a way back to her normal life. Also in the Levels is Kate, a suspended cop, who has been told that she has only days to live after being attacked, and infected, by the Beast, a serial killer working the streets. The Beast is out for revenge on Kate's new employer, who he believes created the infection that's killing him, an infection that has also been released into the Levels. Now Ghost is trying to escape Sorrow, Kate is looking for the Beast and Turner is looking for answers. One thing's for sure, some people aren't going to survive the fallout...
REVIEW:
What is truly gripping about this title is the blurb, it feels that it has everything a fan of thrillers would desire. You’ve three great lead characters, you’ve got an underground area where the poor and mad congregate and above all else you’ve got a serial killer lurking in the background that each of the “heroes” has to seek for their own goals.
On paper this seems ideal but to be honest, the tale fell far short of the potential and turned what could have been a five star title to a pretty standard three. The characters felt like standard stereotypical cardboard cut outs, they had no real depth and to make matters worse no real hooks to keep the reader routing for them. Whilst this was a major downside for me, the redeeming feature was the tales pace as the author fully understood about building crescendo’s and adding moments for the reader to catch their breath. Add to the mix a high body count alongside an overall arc that was acceptable but without characters to care for, its always leads to a tale that the reader can pretty much switch off from when you want to hope that each survives their next encounter. A great shame.
Release Date: 03/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
The Theocracy has been dead for twenty years, and the Polity rules on Masada. But the Tidy Squad consists of rebels who cannot accept the new order. Their hate for surviving theocrats is undiminished, and the iconic Jeremiah Tombs is at the top of their hitlist. Escaping his sanatorium Tombs is pushed into painful confrontation with reality he has avoided since the rebellion. His insanity has been left uncured, because the near mythical hooder called the Technician that attacked him all those years ago, did something to his mind even the AIs fail to understand. Tombs might possess information about the suicide of an entire alien race. The war drone Amistad, whose job it is to bring this information to light, recruits Lief Grant, an ex-rebel Commander, to protect Tombs, along with the black AI Penny Royal, who everyone thought was dead. The amphidapt Chanter, who has studied the bone sculptures the Technician makes with the remains of its prey, might be useful too. Meanwhile, in deep space, the mechanism the Atheter used to reduce themselves to animals, stirs from slumber and begins to power-up its weapons.
REVIEW:
Neal Asher is one of those Science Fiction authors that I really enjoy landing. Not that I expect to get the guy himself on my doormat but I know that when a tale from him arrives that I’m going to get a story that I absolutely love. You get some great characters (some old friends return) and the author knows how to weave alongside interweave plots and subplots with great dialogue and some beautiful examples of pace. It’s definitely one of the Neal’s best, it was not only entertaining but one that was hard to put down and if an author can pick you up when you’re feeling down and not in the mood then you know that this story is well worth the cost. A great addition to the series and one that will open future exploration that fans as well as new readers will hopefully enjoy.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
The Victim was a fighter, but strength wasn't enough to save him from a gruesome end. The Missing are two well-paid private investigators who vanish on a confidential job. The Family is formidable, crazy, deadly, and will stop at nothing to make a mark. The Investigator is Frank Behr: tough, reclusive, angry, and close to becoming...The Hunted ...can Behr track down the killers before they add him to their hit list?
REVIEW:
To be honest with this title, I had one hell of a time trying to get into it, the first 100 pages felt like a real drag and its only because I hate to give up with a book that I struggled through. The plot was neglibile, the writing dire and with a main character who was such a pain in the backside that I just couldn’t associate with him in any way. I really wanted this guy wiped from the earth and a secondary character to step up and prove that what was perceived as the weaker member is, at times, just as powerful as the lead. That at least would have made this tale interesting, it would have added a bit more spice and proven that with this author you couldn’t accept or expect any of the usual rules to apply. Instead this tale is one that I’m heavily advising that you steer clear from, it’s not worth your time, it’s certainly not worth your money and above all else it’s a tale that won’t stick with you or improve your love of the genre.
Release Date: 10/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Peter F. Hamilton's startling perspectives on tomorrow's technological and cultural trends span vast tracts of space and time, his stories are as compelling as they are epic in scope, and yet they are always grounded in characters - human, alien and other - who, for all their strangeness, still touch our hearts and fire our imaginations. Now, in The Evolutionary Void , Hamilton concludes the highly acclaimed Commonwealth saga that has unfolded in The Dreaming Void and The Temporal Void .
REVIEW:
Fan’s of Sci-Fi will no doubt have heard of Peter F Hamilton for his no nonsense hard hitting Science Fiction which looks not only into the future but seeks to delve into the psyche of mankind in this, the third and concluding part of the Void Trilogy. Well written, this no holds barred offering is something that I really couldn’t put down once I started. The prose is ideal for the material, the dialogue is sharpe and above all else it’s the characters that really make this title pop. A real gem of a title and one that will not only fulfil the readers hopes and promise but one that will hopefully establish this as one to set benchmarks by.
Release Date: 09/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
The pickled Martian's tentacles are fraying at the ends and Professor Coffin's Most Meritorious Unnatural Attraction (the remains of the original alien autopsy, performed by Sir Frederick Treves at the London Hospital) is no longer drawing the crowds. It's 1895; nearly a decade since Mars invaded Earth, chronicled by H.G. Wells in THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. Wrecked Martian spaceships, back-engineered by Charles Babbage and Nikola Tesla, have carried the Queen's Own Electric Fusiliers to the red planet, and Mars is now part of the ever-expanding British Empire. The less-than-scrupulous sideshow proprietor likes Off-worlders' cash, so he needs a sensational new attraction. Word has reached him of the Japanese Devil Fish Girl; nothing quite like her has ever existed before. But Professor Coffin's quest to possess the ultimate showman's exhibit is about to cause considerable friction amongst the folk of other planets. Sufficient, in fact, to spark off Worlds War Two.
REVIEW:
There are very few authors who can creatively write humour into their work and pull it off successfully. Perhaps the best known is Terry Pratchett but after him, you have Tom Holt and of course Robert Rankin. Whilst I’m not the biggest fan of his work as he’s been a bit more miss than hit for me, there are moments of pure joy within and in this, his latest offering, I have to say that its perhaps one of his best to date.
Based around the War of the World tale by HG Wells, the author takes this offering one step further, brings characters to life and to be honest pulls it all together in such a mad scientist sort of way that you just have to admit the genius behind it. Add to the great characters, witty as well as appropriate dialogue, some pretty nifty description all binding this offering to the reader and you know that its definitely worth exploring. All hail Rankin, Mad Scientist of fiction.
Release Date: 09/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Dominic of the Dragonseeker lineage - one of the most powerful lines the Carpathian people has - ingests vampire blood laced with parasites in order to infiltrate the heart of the enemy camp and learn their plans. This is a one-way mission. He plans to get in fast, relay the information to the leader of the Carpathians living in the area and go out fighting - an honourable way to end his life. Solange Sangria is one of the last of the jaguar people, a royal pure-blood. Her people, once many, are now nearly extinct. She has long been alone fighting to save the remaining women who are able to shift from the hands of Brodrick the Terrible, her own father who slaughtered everyone she loved. Wounded, weary, she plans one last battle, hoping to stop the man who has made an alliance with the vampires, accepting she will not come out alive. They are two warriors who have lived their lives alone. Now, at the end of their time, they find each other, a complication neither sees coming.
REVIEW:
Having released a few books that had concentrated more on the language than the action, Christine finally returns to the type of tale that won her fans in the first place. There’s action, there’s danger but above all else there is a love story interwoven that makes this a real gem. Whilst it’s the 18th outing for the Carpathian series it can be read with no prior knowledge and will return a lot of the readers faith that sustained them over recent offerings. Great stuff.
Release Date: 07/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Shapeshifter Dev Peltier thought he knew it all. But one night when a Dark-Hunter, who is also an official member of the Dogs of War, sashays into his bar, he realises that he might have met his match. Samia, aka Sam, was one the fiercest Amazon warriors in her tribe. But an act of brutal betrayal made her a Dark-Hunter and she's been angry ever since. Live fast, fight hard and enjoy the night. That's her motto. But as old enemies and new move into New Orleans, she realises that Dev just might be the only hope she and mankind have to save the world.
REVIEW:
It seems like only yesterday that I reviewed the first Infinity story featuring Nick in Sherrilyn’s Young Adult series, so I was a bit surprised when the new Dark Hunter novel landed. Sherrilyn is definitely prolific so it’s always a worry about whther its quantity over quality alongside relying upon the author’s name to sell the title.
What unfurls within this offering is a mystery with classic Urban Fantasy heroes who strive to achieve their goals whilst dealing with their own personal struggles and insecurities. It’s quirky, it’s definitely got great dialogue and an old favourite or two also appear. Great fun and something that will happily occupy your time. On a subsequent side note you can read this without having read the previous titles, however, a lot of the in jokes and sub reference will leave the initiate reader wondering what’s happening alongside trying to figure what they’re missing.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
ZINZI DECEMBER FINDS PEOPLE. Even if they don't want to be found - like missing pop starlet Songweza. Trouble is, when you go turning over stones and digging up secrets it isn't long before the real truth comes to light. A truth the local crime lord, dark magician and beast master, will kill to keep hidden. In Lauren Beukes' shattered city, magic is horribly real and the criminal classes sport symbiotically linked animals. A stunningly original urban fantasy.
REVIEW:
Writing a review of an area of the world that I’m only familiar with from what appears in the news is always tricky, so I had a word with a friend of mine who recently moved back to do some background checks to see if what I was reading was correct. After confirmation of some of the pieces within the context of the story, it helped me to visualise the world and to see the adaptations that Lauren had added to make it a world of her own.
The character, whilst the protagonist, was also partly antihero which made them interesting as well as fascinating to hang around, it meant that most of the rules pertaining to the actions of such characters were completely banned and anything could and does happen. It’s definitely something new and whilst I wasn’t the biggest fan of Moxyland (when I eventually managed to get my hands on it) I could definitely appreciate the work within.
Overall, this title definitely has not only an interesting story but a solid story arc and with a rich background of magic interwoven between the pages it was one that did keep me reading to the final page. Whilst it won’t make my top ten of Urban Fantasy titles this year, I can appreciate the high standards to which the author has held herself alongside the hard work weaving the elements together for an overall satisfactory read.
Release Date: 05/08/10
BOOK BLURB:
Jane True has almost come to terms with her supernatural heritage ...almost. Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and Ryu - Jane's bloodsucking boyfriend - can't let a major holiday go by without getting all gratuitous. An overwhelming dose of boyfriend interference and a last-minute ticket to Boston later, and Jane's life is thrown off course. Ryu's well-intentioned plans create mayhem, and Jane winds up embroiled in an investigation involving a spree of gruesome killings. All the evidence points towards another Halfling, much to Jane's surprise ...
REVIEW:
The second Jane True tale and one that builds on the first. Jane is more magical, she’s got more spirit and above all else she is sassier than ever.
The story arc is complex and more of a mystery than the first outing. However this time she has a stronger role proving that “halflings” are doing it for themselves (and not just through Griz’s gift sets. LOL) Add to the mix, emotional conflict, some film references and a huge posse of supporting cast members (and yep, you can take one or two in more than one way, lol) and it’s a fun journey from start to finish. My only real qualm is the characters use of the word “Baby”, I absolutely hate it when its used in reference to another adult, but that’s just a personal niggle. On the whole, if you want an Urban fantasy that has fun characters, great plot and a lead that isn’t god defyingly powerful with vulnerability, then this is the tale for you.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
The world of the Runelords is drastically changed. It has been magically combined with a parallel world, causing widespread destruction and chaos. Lands have sunk below the sea and elsewhere mountains have risen from it. Thousands have died, and humankind faces extinction. Borenson and Myrrima must journey to save their realm from total devastation, but the landscape is not all that has been altered. In the change, Borenson has merged with a monstrous creature from another world, Aaath Ulber. Not only is he transformed physically, but his behaviour also begins to evolve - he is becoming a berserker warrior. And as the dark rulers of this new world play a byzantine game of politics, this warrior is now the most significant pawn in that game.
REVIEW:
To be honest, my Dad is a huge Farland fan, so it’s to him that I defer a lot of the review work. What he gets from David’s writing is a tale that is beautifully told, characters who jump out from the pages, and in general a story that keeps him glued to the final page. Runelords, has at times, left the reader a little out in the cold but Chaos Bound gets back to what Farland does well, great action sequences, quests and evolution backed up with a seriously huge story arc that keeps you wondering what else can be added to the tale. Definitely a huge hit as far as my Dad was concerned although, to be honest, if you haven’t read the series prior to this offering start at the beginning rather than hoping to jump in at this time.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Wynter Moorehawke has fled the dangers of court for bandit-infested forests, seeking exiled prince Alberon. But more than just thieves lurk in these shadows. Every tyrant and zealot who has ever threatened the kingdom is sending emissaries to meet Alberon, whose motivations seem unclear. Razi and Christopher had also set out to track Alberon, and find Wynter as enemies close in. With a savage wolf clan on their heels, they must seek sanctuary with the nomadic Merron. But this leaves them enmeshed in a net of sinister black magics and forbidden ritual. Their safety and the kingdom's future will depend on a web of alliances and hostilities. And Alberon and his war machine sit at its heart.
REVIEW:
The second offering in Celine’s Moorhawke trilogy and to be honest was one that I’ve been waiting for, firstly to see if Celine was a one hit wonder and secondly to see where the tale would wend its merry way without a lot of the second novel curses afflicting the story within.
What I received from this tale was a story that not only backed the original tale but allowed greater character growth as each faced their troubles and emerged stronger for it. The dialogue was crisp, the story line satisfactory and overall it’s set the series up for a pretty climatic ending. Definitely a series I was pleased to start and one that has taken the more romantic route without becoming too sentimental with enough edge to keep the reader glued as this author demonstrates that she plays for keeps.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Now a slave, Piro finds herself in the Merofynian Palace where, if her real identity is discovered, she will be executed. Meanwhile, Fyn is desperate to help his brother, Bryen, who is now the uncrowned King. Bryen never sought power but now he finds himself at the centre of a dangerous resistance movement as the people of Rolencia flee vicious invaders. How can Byren defeat the invaders, when half his warriors are women and children, and the other half are untrained boys and old men?
REVIEW:
The third and for now final part of the authors King Rollens series. It’s climatic, it’s epic and it was a tale well told. Add to the mix characters that continued to grow and fulfil their predetermined destinies and you get an offering that will more than satisfy the reader. As you’ve come to expect by now, the characters are interesting, they have great dialogue and the overall arc is what the readers have demanded. A great opening series for this author and one that has made her a name to seek out, for guilt free, fantasy escapism. Great stuff.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
As they approach adulthood, Cat Barahal and her cousin Bee think they understand the society they live in and their place within it. At a select academy they study new airship technologies and the dawning Industrial Revolution, but magical forces still rule. And the cousins are about to discover the full ruthlessness of this rule. Drawn into a labyrinth of politics involving blood and old feuds, Cat is betrayed by her family and forced to marry a powerful Cold Mage. As she is carried away to live a new life, fresh dangers threaten her every move and secrets form a language she cannot read. At least, not yet. But both cousins carry their own hidden gifts and these will shape great changes to come. For in the depths of this treacherous world, the Wild Hunt stirs in darkness and dragons are waking from their sleep.
REVIEW:
Whilst I’m not the biggest fan of Kate’s writing, I can appreciate good writing, descent characterisation and above all else plot outline that gives the reader an adventure. Here in this latest offering the principle characters compliment each other and take the reader into a steampunk type of world where magic is abundant. It’s got some great twists, it’s a world where the masses are downtrodden and above all else it’s got feisty heroines who aren’t afraid to do what right. It was a reasonable enough read and whilst I’m still not a huge fan, I will be seeking the other tales in the series out so that I can find out what happens. The major problem was to do with the cover, Dragon’s Dream, Mage’s Scheme, Innocents Die. Why not go for Dragon’s Dream, Mage’s Scheme, Innocents Scream. It’s smoother and perhaps more accurate.
Release Date: 09/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Adam Winters has enough responsibility as the new head of the local ghost hunters' guild without being saddled with the family curse. He's convinced his recent nightmares and hallucinations will lead to him becoming a psychic rogue - unless he can find a stolen relic and a woman who can read dreamlight. Marlowe Jones rides into his life on a motorcycle and, though a descendent of the rival Arcane family, she's just what Adam needs: a psychic private investigator and dreamlight reader extraordinaire. Together, amid the glowing catacombs and steamy underground jungles of Harmony, Adam and Marlowe must break the curse, save the entire underworld - and fight a passion that could destroy them both.
REVIEW:
To be honest I haven’t read any of the titles in the Dreamlight trilogy so I’ve come at this from a bit of a blank slate. That said, I didn’t feel that I’d missed anything as the set up, along with the occasional info dump felt that I’d picked up on most of the back story and as such could get on with reading this tale without having to worry. That said, the characters were interesting and if I’m honest a little bit predictable although fully rounded which helped carry the story to it’s ultimate goal.
Overall a pretty descent read and one that means I will watch for this author. Whilst it didn’t set my world alight, it was reasonable enough to make sure that I watch out for future offerings.
Release Date: 03/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
The war with the Wasp Empire has ended in a bitter stalemate, and Collegium has nothing to show for it but wounded veterans. Cheerwell Maker finds herself crippled in ways no doctor can mend, haunted by ghosts of the past that she cannot appease, seeking for meaning in a city that no longer seems like home.
The Empress Seda is regaining control over those imperial cities who refused to bow the knee to her, but she draws her power from something more sinister than mere armies and war machines. Only her consort, the former spymaster Thalric, knows the truth, and now the assassins are coming and he finds his life and his loyalties under threat yet again.
Out past the desert of the Nem the ancient city of Khanaphes awaits them both, with a terrible secret entombed beneath its stones...
REVIEW:
Fan’s of this series by Adrian, of which I’m one, were shocked with the last title as the author demonstrated his ability to play for keeps and to be honest, it wasn’t pretty. So with past events still firmly in mind I picked up this title with tongs and oven mitts (hey I was taking no chances) and began reading in earnest.
What unfurls is an offering that is similar to the earlier books and with the freshness of new characters to play with, Adrian really did give me an offering that I couldn’t put down. For such a prolific author I’m surprised that not only the quality but also the twists and turns are maintained with each new offering. For such a relatively new author, Adrian is showing a masters hand with his prose, he’s got great twists and above all else an almost sickening talent with characters that make you care to read about their fates. A serious talent and one that deserves more recognition that he currently gets.
BOOK BLURB:
Taut, tense and terrifying - AMERICAN DEVIL marks the thrilling debut of an outstanding new talent. The Progression of Love: his ultimate artistic creation. Now all he needs is seven beautiful women. For the violent killer stalking New York's streets, the trophies he will take from his victims are essential if he is to complete his masterpiece. That he also likes playing games with the police and his prey is a bonus. He can outwit everyone he comes up against. Or can he? Detective Tom Harper is the NYPD's best chance of catching the American Devil. But he's on suspension for punching his superior. With panic gripping the city, Harper wants the challenge even if it means he has to undergo therapy from police psychologist Denise Levene. She believes he can be brought back into the fold, but can the NYPD trust him not to fall apart? A deranged murderer and a volatile cop. Time is running out and there can only be one winner...
REVIEW:
Crime novels are fast becoming a dime a dozen, so an author who is trying to establish themselves needs something different to not only set themselves apart or a gimmick that makes sure people review their work and gets their name known.
What unfurls within this debut is a crime thriller that is not only dark but one that has a killer that you’re never sure which way they’ll go. Back that up with a bitter divorced main character with a chip the size of Manhatten with a temper larger than an NYC cabby and you know it’s going to be explosive.
This offering is definitely different to a lot of books out there and whilst you may think that its over about half way through the author twists things so that you’re back to square one with time becoming a factor. Count down overload will hit the readers mentality and turn what you thought was a short read before bed into one that you’ll still be gripping the pages of as the dawn rises. A great book.
Release Date: 30/07/10
BOOK BLURB:
Ellison...Brooks...Stephenson. These are some of the top fantasy and science fiction authors writing today. Their books reach an audience of tens of thousands and explore imaginative new worlds. Now writers can learn the secret to crafting their own breakout fantasy or sci-fi novel as Philip Athans provides a step-by-step guide to: developing the best plot structure; creating believable, exciting characters; writing compelling combat scenes; presenting technology that sounds as if it ought to work; and, also writing a strong proposal and finding the right publisher. Complete with an introduction by R.A. Salvatore, one of the decade's most prolific fantasy writers, this guide holds the key to success for aspiring authors who want to fly to the stars, find treasure in the dragon's lair, defend Earth from an alien invasion - and publish a bestseller.
REVIEW:
If there’s any genre that’s guaranteed to have readers thinking “I can write that!!!!” it’s the sci-fi/fantasy genre. However the truth is, it’s harder than it looks. Firstly you have to build your world, people it, add flora and fauna and devise your magic/science system not including inventing names, establishing your culture and giving it a history.
However, help is at hand. This title not only helps you work on all of that, but also gives great advice and whilst a certain amount of the advice in the title may seem elementary, its amazing how often certain parts are overlooked leaving the author wondering where the hell their world collapsed. Add to the mix tips from established names in the genre, examples of advice backed up with excerpt examples and its pretty damn useful. A great tool and one that can be adapted for Urban Fantasy just as easily.
Regular readers of the blog know how much I love to bring new authors to thier attention, and whilst David is well established, his latest series is set around Werewolves and takes the man beasts into a new direction.
Here we chatted to him about writing for a living, who he just can't wait to pick up from his local bookshop and the erradication of Platoons...Falcata Times: Writing is said to be something that people are afflicted with rather than gifted and that it's something you have to do rather than want. What is your opinion of this statement and how true is it to you?David Wellington: I don’t consider it an affliction so much as a quirk of neurochemistry. I was never able to do anything but write. I’ve never been particularly good at any other job. As to whether it’s something that has to be done, that is definitely true. Writing is an activity, not a state of being. The only good definition of what a writer is, is someone who is currently writing.FT: When did you realise that you wanted to be a writer?DW: I was six years old, and had just learned to read, and bored with the books that were available to me. So I decided I had to write my own. I haven’t looked back since.FT: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?DW: Oh, short stories are hard. Miserably hard, sometimes. But they don’t prepare you at all for writing a novel. Novels are still hard, but not quite as maddening. But it’s a completely different skill set. I’m not a great short story writer, though I dabble in them—the way an oil painter will occasionally try his hand at watercolors. One doesn’t necessarily train you to be any good at the other.FT: If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your novel over someone else's and how would you define it?DW: I would probably leave them alone and just hope they picked up my book. I live in mortal terror that anyone ever thinks I’m pushy or forward. Cursed is a good book, there, I’ve said it, now I feel like my skin is crawling. No, seriously, it’s a gripping story of loss, betrayal, and the desperate kind of love that comes from utter loneliness. It’s about werewolves who act like real wolves, based on intense research into wolf behavior. And it’s a ripping yarn. Okay, that’s done. Now I feel soiled.FT: How would you "sell" your book in 20 words or less?DW: A young woman is lost in a forest, five hundred kilometres from any human habitation. But she is not alone.FT: Who is a must have on your bookshelf and whose latest release will find you on the bookshops doorstep waiting for it to open?DW: I love fantasy and science fiction novels. Iain Banks is the one who gets me every time. Richard K. Morgan. Terry Pratchett. Funny, those are all Brits. I’m really letting my countrymen down. Cormac McCarthy. Yes, he’s an American. Very good.FT: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? ie Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your idea's develop as you write?DW: I usually start knowing exactly how the book will end, but nothing else. Then I try to imagine how the characters got to such a dismal turn of events. The characters often present themselves for duty, fully formed and ready to be put into dire peril. If not, I try to imagine who is the best person to throw into that situation, and who is the one person that should just never be exposed to that kind of danger. Then I decide which of those will give me a more interesting story.FT: What do you do to relax and what have you read recently?DW: This must be one of those words we don’t have in America, this “relax”. No, I write books. I don’t ever stop writing books. I read books to inspire me to write more books. Right now I’m reading “The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart” by Jessie Bullington. It’s interesting.FT: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?DW: I play video games when no one is looking. Really nasty, violent, gore-filled video games. Don’t tell me friends or family. They know me as the mild mannered, well-adjusted horror writer. If they knew I spent my off hours wiping out platoon after platoon of space marines with an assault rifle, they might think there was something off about me.FT: Lots of writers tend to have pets. What do you have and what are their key traits (and do they appear in your novel in certain character attributes?)DW: Cursed would not have happened without my dog, Mary. I was just starting to do research for the book at the same time I was training her. I kept trying to communicate with her like a human being, but she clearly wanted something else—she wanted me to be an alpha male wolf and put her in her place. Learning about the ironclad social structure of wolf packs, and how dogs relate to their universe, took Cursed to a new level. It’s one of my most realistic books, because of her help.FT: Which character within your latest book was the most fun to write and why?DW: Dzo, the muskrat spirit, was great fun. He is completely immortal and inhuman, but he tries to be helpful and friendly. He’s just a truly decent sort of person, except that he has no idea what pain or death are like, so he sometimes fails to empathize properly. Ahem. You’ll have to read the book to see what I mean.FT: How similar to your principle protagonist are you?DW: She’s a twenty-something athletically fit young woman who does things like get lost in the Canadian wilderness and try not to be killed by werewolves. I’m a thirty-something not-as-fit middle aged man who spends most of his time indoors because the sun is just a little too bright for my taste. So, on the whole, we’re pretty much identical twins separated at birth.FT: What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?DW: These… hobbies, was it? And… relaxation? I’ll have to look into them when I have time. Which will be when I stop writing books. Which I can’t seem to do.FT: Where do you get your idea's from?DW: There’s a great new website that offers free delivery if you order your ideas in bulk. Oh, gosh, this is the question every writer hates being asked, but not for the reason people think. It’s because we don’t have a good answer. It’s an utter mystery where ideas and inspiration come from, and most writers I know would like it to remain that way—we worry if we ever found out the real, concrete answer the ideas would stop coming.FT: Do you ever encounter writers block and if so how do you overcome it?DW: Every day. Sometimes every fifteen minutes. I get up and pace for a while and sit back down and write something. That seems to help.FT: Certain authors are renowned for writing at what many would call uncivilised times. When do you write and how do the others in your household feel about it?DW: I can write any time, any place. It’s one of my favorite things about my process—I don’t need any special mood lighting or burning incense, nothing like that. At the moment I live alone, so I can pretty much write whenever I want.FT: Sometimes pieces of music seem to influence certain scenes within novels, do you have a soundtrack for your tale or is it a case of writing in silence with perhaps the odd musical break in-between scenes?DW: Oh, no. That’s the one thing I need—quiet. I have to concentrate to write. Which is not to say I don’t use music for inspiration, or to relax when I’m done.FT: What misconceptions, if any, did you have about the writing and publishing field when you were first getting started?DW: Mostly that it couldn’t be done. I’d been working for nearly thirty years, toiling in obscurity, with nothing whatsoever published, before I got my first book deal. It seemed impossible that this would ever change. When it did happen everything just sort of fell into place at once. It’s amazing what comes to one who waits for it.FT: If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is and please explain your answer?DW: Writing is the fuel of the intellect. The coal in the furnace of the mind. Music stirs the emotions, but books make the wheels of thought turn. It’s always seemed to me like a very industrial process, a kind of applied technology of the imagination. Well, you asked.FT: What can you tell us about the next novel?DW: It will be approximately the same physical dimensions as the last one. And the two covers will look quite attractive when placed side by side. Other than that I will provide no spoilers.FT: What are the last five internet sites that you've visited?DW: Hmm, let’s see… i09.com, http://goldenagecomicbookstories.blogspot.com/, http://arbroath.blogspot.com/, http://bigthink.com/blogs/strange-maps, and Fail Blog. Which I won’t dignify with a URL. That’s about as honest an answer as I’m willing to provide, lest I incriminate myself.FT: Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft? If so please let us know which ones.DW: Quite a few, none of which were particularly useful. I actually have an MFA in Creative Writing, which is a degree that forces you to write short stories and novels by way of preparing you to teach Creative Writing. It’s really a wonderful recursive system. Workshops are really just exercises in group validation, as far as I can tell—or an excuse to be nasty to your fellow writers. Which of course is something most writers treasure.FT: How did you get past the initial barriers of criticism and rejection?DW: By being too stupid to listen to them. A smarter person might have ended up with a real job. Instead I kept doing this. Oh, alright, I’m being facetious. But it was most stubborn bull-headedness. I’ve never been interested in hearing people tell me I couldn’t do something. I spent most of my youth convinced I had all the answers already, and didn’t need advice. I was wrong, of course, but the important thing was to always believe it. It’s crucial for a developing writer to cultivate a massive ego early on in his or her career. The rest of their life will be one long process of chipping away at that confidence, with one demoralizing event after another, so that by the time one has any real success, one will be down to a nice healthy level of modesty and be able to use self-deprecating humor in interviews.FT: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?DW: It’s the same thing for both, worst and best—the total lack of structure. It means I can sleep in every day and still be productive. But it also means that I succeed or fail completely on my own discipline. That makes it pretty terrifying. But it also means I get plenty of healthful rest.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Revenge in the face of bloodlust is seldom sweet…
There’s one sound a woman doesn’t want to hear when she’s lost and alone in the Arctic wilderness: a howl. For Cheyenne Clark, there’s a bad moon on the rise. When a strange wolf’s teeth slash her ankle to the bone, her old life ends, and she becomes the very monster that has haunted her nightmares for years. Worse, the only one who can understand what Chey has become is the man - and wolf - who’s doomed her to this fate. He also wants her dead.
Yet, as the line between human and beast blurs, so too does the distinction between hunter and hunted…for Chey is more than just the victim she appears to be. But once she’s within killing range, she may find that - even for a werewolf - it’s not always easy to go for the jugular.
REVIEW:
With many of the Werewolf titles now moving more into Urban territory here David Wellington, takes the reader to the wilds on an adventure that is not all that it seems. Definitely a different take on the Werewolf myth as our principle protagonist is about to discover when the world she thought of as black and white is more shades of grey than she could imagine.
It is well written, the character reachable by the reader and above all else it’s the backstory that really makes this offering. It’s got action, its got adventure but perhaps most of all its got humanity about it. Whilst this won’t please very supernatural reader out there its different enough to find a firm base with a large number of readers out there that want something a little different to the norm.
Release Date: 03/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
God is a slick god. Temple knows. She knows because of all the crackerjack miracles still to be seen on this ruined globe...
Older than her years and completely alone, Temple is just trying to live one day at a time in a post-apocalyptic world, where the undead roam endlessly, and the remnant of mankind who have survived, at times, seem to retain little humanity themselves.
This is the world she was born into. Temple has known nothing else. Her journey takes her to far-flung places, to people struggling to maintain some semblance of civilization – and to those who have created a new world order for themselves.
When she comes across the helpless Maury, she attempts to set one thing right, if she can just get him back to his family in Texas then maybe it will bring redemption for some of the terrible things she's done in her past. Because Temple has had to fight to survive, has done things that she's not proud of and, along the road, she’s made enemies.
Now one vengeful man is determined that, in a world gone mad, killing her is the one thing that makes sense…
REVIEW:
With the Zombie Invasions on the rise in literature its always good when an author brings an offering that really a homage to the films of apocalypse that made many a fan of the undead hordes. Here within this offering by Alden Bell you get something that hits not only the need to see the splatteration of the undead but also a journey of survival against the masses and odds.
Beautifully written with a stark realism of emotional context backed up with some real thought provoking questions where the reader ends up questioning the characters sanity as they seek to survive its really a gem of a title that will appeal to a great many fans. This is a zombie book that many have been crying out for with its near Romeroesque story arc. A real gem and one that will have many a reader shouting “BBBBRRRAAAIIIINNNNSSS…..”
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Marco Polo's journey from Venice, through Europe and most of Asia, to the court of Kublai Khan in China is one of the most audacious in history. His account of his experiences, known simply as The Travels , uncovered an entirely new world of emperors and concubines, great buildings - 'stately pleasure domes' in Coleridge's dreaming - huge armies and imperial riches. His book shaped the West's understanding of China for hundreds of years. John Man travelled in Marco's footsteps to Xanadu, in search of the truth behind Marco's stories; to separate legend from fact. Drawing on his own journey, archaeology and archival study, John Man paints a vivid picture of the man behind the myth and the true story of the great court of Kublai Khan.
REVIEW:
If you want to learn the truth behind historical events in an entertaining and factual ways then you really can’t do better than John Man. A character within the historical world who believes in practical archaeology over guesswork. Entertaining, beautifully written and described in such a way that you can just remember a lot of the information quite easily, it was a real joy to experience the world of Marco Polo in the 21st Century. Definitely a book that will keep your own historians happy and perhaps one that could lead to your own holiday expedition.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
The Imperium of Man has many enemies among the stars, but none are reviled so much as the alien. Dangerous races seek to destroy humanity wherever they turn - the brutish orks, the ravening hordes of the tyranid, the unrelenting necrons and the mysterious forces of the tau and the eldar. Across the universe, humanity and their defenders, the Space Marines, seek to eradicate these xenos threats. Yet all they can hope for is another day of survival - for to stand against the alien is to enter an unending war...Featuring stories by Dan Abnett, Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Nick Kyme, Juliet McKenna, C.L. Werner and many more, Fear the Alien is an unmissable collection for fans of Warhammer 40,000 and military science-fiction.
REVIEW:
Readers are often asking where to not only start with the Warhammer 40k Universe but also which authors that they should try in order to keep to a story arc that they will not only enjoy but be worth their financial outlay. At times I ask what type of tale they’re interested in, at others I ask them to name authors that they enjoy. Both as viable methods but both also have the flaw of the reader missing something that may not be their original choice but generates a tale that they get more from. This is why I love it when publisher put together titles that collect short stories from established authors.
Within this offering are tales from Fantasy/Sci-Fi Heavyweights which make this title something pretty special (even more so when you get a tale from the Ork’s Point of View) for a great cover price. Back that up with stories of heroism, of bloodshed, of great sacrifice and ones where the heroes don’t always win and its something that will surprise and perhaps enthuse people who may well have ignored this publisher before.
With his second novel hitting the bookshelves today, we wanted to have a word in the ear of the new British Urban Fantasy author who has grabbed the Fey world by the unmentionables, squeezed and added a vicious twist at the end to create something almost totally unseen within the genre.
Here we chatted to him about writing, shooting targets with lots of arrows and just how good a sausage roll can be (apart from your figure. LOL)...
Falcata Times: Writing is said to be something that people are afflicted with rather than gifted and that it's something you have to do rather than want. What is your opinion of this statement and how true is it to you?
Mike Shevdon: I wouldn't regard writing as an affliction, since I chose to write. I could have stayed a reader, albeit a more critical one, but I decided that it was wrong to criticise people for doing something I hadn't tried for myself. I know what people mean, though, when they say they feel compelled to write. Having started writing I could not set it aside now. It is part of me. I still regard it as a gift - to be able to create stories and have other people read them for enjoyment. In fact, I'd go further than that; it's a privilege.
FT: When did you realise that you wanted to be a writer?
MS: Not until I was in my forties - it crept up on me. I had been a critical reader for a good friend who had been a published author for some years, reading her drafts and commenting. I think it was through the critiquing process that I came to believe I had my own stories to tell. I had seen the process in action. Even then, I was terribly naive when I came to write for myself.
FT: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?
MS: My first work of fiction was over 150,000 words and I really struggle to write anything under 5,000 words. I don't know whether an accomplished short story writes can write everything, but I suspect not - the two forms are quite different. It's a bit like saying a good pastry chef can cook anything, which is fine until you have to eat their mushroom and banana risotto.
FT: If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your novel over someone else's and how would you define it?
MS: I would tell them that it was fantasy for grown-ups. I would describe the eight hundred year-old Quit Rents Ceremony and ask them a simple question - If you wanted to hide a magical ritual in the real world, what better place to hide it than in the Royal Courts of Justice in the heart of the realm?
A definition? It's a contemporary urban fantasy containing dark, comedic and romantic elements, based on a real historical mystery, or to be more succinct: Urban fantasy for the 21st century.
FT: How would you "sell" your book in 20 words or less?
MS: Ordinary guy inherits ancient magical bloodlines but the Seventh Court of the Feyre want him dead. How will he survive?
FT: Who is a must have on your bookshelf and whose latest release will find you on the bookshops doorstep waiting for it to open?
MS: I have multiple favourite authors. I adore Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels - they always make me laugh. A new Robert Crais will get my attention - I've read all the Elvis Cole and Joe Pike novels. In my own genre, Neil Gaiman is always high on my want-list. I'm not allowed any more hardbacks, though, until I have made some space on my bookshelves.
FT: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? i.e. Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your idea's develop as you write?
MS: I have an outline for the main plot of my stories before I start writing, but I don't necessarily stick to it. I think there's a danger in outlining too deeply because it takes all the fun out of discovering the story. Being flexible allows things to emerge as the characters interact in the context of the plot. As long as I know broadly where I'm going, that's enough.
Characters, on the other hand, emerge organically for me, though I have been known to write some prequel scenes to get a feel for a character before they enter the story - it sometimes helps in establishing voice and temperament. There's also quite a lot of factual research that goes into the background and setting - history, folk-lore, rituals and events. I like to ground the fantasy in reality, allowing me to visualise it.
FT: What do you do to relax and what have you read recently?
MS: To relax I spend time shooting arrows at targets with various bows. I have an American compound bow, a Magyar (Hungarian) short bow and an Olympic style recurve. Archery is a great discipline and practising can be a meditation.
I read for enjoyment and mostly manage to switch off my inner editor when I'm reading for pleasure. I just finished Snake Agent by Liz Williams - an oriental urban fantasy with great style and panache and I am starting Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, which is surprisingly funny and beautifully crafted - It begins, "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again." - one of those iconic opening lines.
FT: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?
MS: Warm sausage rolls fresh from the bakery on the High Street. Not good for my waistline, though.
FT: Lots of writers tend to have pets. What do you have and what are their key traits (and do they appear in your novel in certain character attributes?)
MS: I used to keep fish, but the water in Bedford is very hard and they kept dying. After the second lot, I couldn't bring myself to buy any more. As you will appreciate, it's very hard to put fish in a novel, but I almost managed it in The Road to Bedlam.
FT: Which character within your latest book was the most fun to write and why?
MS: I think Raffmir of the Seventh Court is the most fun to write. Some reviewers have said that he's not evil enough as a baddy, but he was never meant to be evil. The monochrome distinctions between good and evil are too simplistic for the real world. Raffmir simply operates under a different morality, a different world-view, and that makes him unpredictable and interesting to write. He will tear apart the human world, not because he's bad, but because he doesn't believe it's worth saving.
FT: How similar to your principle protagonist are you?
MS: When you write a story in first person it is tempting to place yourself in the protagonists role and because of that Niall and I share some traits, but Niall's life has been very different to mine and he has been shaped by events, some of which will become more evident in book three. As the books have progressed he has changed - I'm not sure we'd get on now, if we were to meet.
FT: What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?
MS: I've already talked about archery, and I studied Aikido for about twenty years, though for a variety of reasons I'm not actively practising at the moment. Martial arts gives you a knowledge of conflict that others don't have, in particular of hand-held weapons such as knives and swords, and I think that influences my writing.
Among other things, I'm a keen cook. I love food from South East Asia, Thai, Indonesian and Malaysian and have been trying to make the perfect peanut sauce for satay for more than twenty years. I also cook things from closer to home; spit-roasted chicken with lemon, garlic and rosemary, a delicate saffron risotto or light fluffy yorkshire puddings. I'm making myself hungry.
And reading - what you read influences what you write and how you write. Then there's history and folk-lore, science and technology, all of which fascinate me. If I had more time I'd do more things.
FT: Where do you get your ideas from?
MS: People I meet, places I go, things I've forgotten or remembered, conversations on trains overheard or half-heard. The half-seen reflections in shop windows at twilight. The problem is not the rationing of ideas but making sense of them - bringing them into a cohesive whole to create a story.
FT: Do you ever encounter writer's block and if so how do you overcome it?
MS: No, I don't get writer's block as I understand it. I do get times when I'm not ready to write something, where I need to dwell on it before the right words will come.
FT: Certain authors are renowned for writing at what many would call uncivilised times. When do you write and how do the others in your household feel about it?
MS: I write when it's quiet, or when I'm on trains. I'm not really an anti-social writer. You'd probably have to ask my wife to get a true answer to that question.
FT: Sometimes pieces of music seem to influence certain scenes within novels, do you have a soundtrack for your tale or is it a case of writing in silence with perhaps the odd musical break in-between scenes?
MS: I don't write to music. I prefer quiet, though I don't mind background noise - I can block out everything and just be immersed in the story. I have been writing on the train before now and completely missed my station when there have been announcements and people has disembarked around me. The train has stopped and started again and I've not noticed until about twenty minutes later.
Music does influence me, though. Waking the Witch by Kate Bush was one of the inspirations for Sixty-One Nails, not so much in the scenes, but in the atmosphere. It held something of what I wanted to create, and it inspired Blackbird's name, though not her nature.
FT: What misconceptions, if any, did you have about the writing and publishing field when you were first getting started?
MS: Having worked in the music business I don't think I was too surprised by the business aspects. I think I'm probably more commercially-minded than many writers. On the plus side, I am continually surprised by how kind and generous people can be to someone they only know through their writing. It restores my faith in human nature.
FT: If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is and please explain your answer?
MS: If music is the food of love, then writing is the wine of truth. If you write the truth, you can become drunk on it, and then you'll make a fool of yourself.
FT: What can you tell us about the next novel?
MS: The Road to Bedlam follows on from Sixty-One Nails, but like the first book it is a story in itself. It's about what happens when Niall's daughter comes into her power in an unexpected and catastrophic way. It's about coming to terms with the loss of a child, but also about hope and faith and a search for closure. It explores how the hidden world of the Courts of the Feyre interfaces with the human world and what that means for humanity. Its about magic versus technology, science versus power. And it's about someone's quest for revenge.
FT: What are the last five internet sites that you've visited?
MS: xkcd.com - my regular dose of off-the-wall humour
sffworld.com - one of my favorite forums
twitter.com - keeping up with the twitterati
britishfantasysociety.org - planning for FantasyCon in September
landmarktrust.org.uk - looking at interesting historic buildings
FT: Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft? If so please let us know which ones.
MS: I went to Robert McKee's Story seminar on screenwriting, which I recommend to anyone interested in the art of constructing stories. He irascible and cranky, but he knows his stuff. It's three intense days of story-craft and well worth it.
FT: How did you get past the initial barriers of criticism and rejection?
MS: I try not to see criticism as a personal attack but as an opportunity to improve my writing; it helps to view it that way. Like anyone else, I don't like being rejected or unfairly criticised, but if you're going to be a writer it comes with the territory and you have to be pragmatic about it. Luckily, most people seem to like my work.
FT: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?
MS: I think most authors would agree that the worst part of writing for publication is receiving unfair reviews when the comments made seem to be more about the individual doing the reviewing than your work. It's an odd thing that you can suffer because someone else is having a bad day, and yet you have no right of reply. All you can do is move on.
The best part of being a fantasy writer is that you get to create worlds for a living. How cool is that?
Release Date: 01/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
There’s been an accident. It’s your daughter. These are the words no parent ever wants to hear.
Learning to cope with the loss of a child is only the beginning of the new challenges facing Niall Petersen. An old enemy has returned and Niall already knows it’s not a social call. As the new Warder of the Seven Courts he will be forced to choose between love and honour, duty and responsibility. Those choices will lead him to discover dark secrets at the core of the realm, where the people in power have their own designs.
REVIEW:
There are moments of real joy in the twilight of book reading when an author really cannot do anything wrong for the reader. One of these breaks in the storm of Urban Fantasy is author Mike Shevdon, who in this, his second novel in the Courts of the Feyre series, The Road to Bedlam has been an absolute joy.
What makes this series so engrossing is the fact that its just so different from the numerous Urban Fantasy titles out there as whilst most are concentrating on exotic locations (well exotic to the UK) Mike writes it based here in Britain, whilst most write about Vamps and Werekin, Mike writes about the Fey and magic in the modern world. It is the Neverwhere for Generation X and as such when backed up with great dialogue, an emotional roller coaster alongside kick ass plot outline, you know that you have something special. If the third picks up the ball as much as the second, then Mike is going to be a name to set the benchmark by, quality is assured and as such, thank god we’ve got another author to wave the flag against team US.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
After a series of failures, Grey Seer Thanquol is offered a chance to redeem himself by going to the island of Lustria to kill the Prophet of Sotek. Dogged by assassins and stranded in a foreign land of giant lizards, temple cities and endless jungle, Thanquol must use all of his cunning and magic if he is to come out alive.
REVIEW:
Fan’s of Werner know what to expect from this author, if you’re not, I’ll help tip you the nod. You’ll get great action, hard hitting and pretty fast paced backed up with characters that step from the Warhammer world into the readers imagination. You also get descent dialogue and to be honest some top notch characters. Within this title you get an old fan favourite Grey Seer Thanquol and of course the obligatory Rat Ogre Boneripper. It is fast paced, it has got a whole quirkiness as it’s a Skaven offering and of course you get the duplicity of the infamous Ratmen to contend with. All in well rounded and great fun.
Release Date: 12/09/10
