Sunday, December 30, 2012

Top Ten Books of 2012

As you may know, I read a lot. I read texts for work, submissions, and the occasional blog posting or Twitter feed, and I am at my local library and book store on a weekly basis.

Still, I wasn't going to do a Top 10 post, until my forthcoming novel, Copper Girl, was featured on Top 10 posts here. And here. And here.

So, with out further ado, here are my Top 10 Books of 2012.

1. Palimpsest by Catherynne Valente

Palimpsest

In a word, amazing. This is the story of four people who each find their way to a dreamland, via a tattooed map they acquire in a most interesting way. The prose is lush, the imagery vivid, and I just wanted to sink into this world and stay a while.

2. Fire/Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Fire (Graceling Realm, #2)  Bitterblue (Graceling Realm, #3)

Ok, so this is two. It's my list, and I can put whatever I want on it.

Anyway, these  are the prequel and sequel, respectively, to one of my all time faves, Graceling. In Fire, we are introduced to a land filled with monsters so beautiful you almost don't mind when they rip you to pieces. In Bitterblue, we watch a young girl grow into her birthright as Queen. And, we get bonus Katsa and Po scenes.


3. The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany

The King of Elfland's Daughter

By far the oldest title on this list, this should be required reading for anyone who enjoys fantasy; even Tolkien counted Lord Dunsany as an influence. This is the tale of a fairy princess, loved and lost by a mortal man, and his quest to get her back.

4. War for The Oaks by Emma Bull

War for the Oaks

Some say that this was one of the first urban fantasy novels, back before it was a genre. It tells the story of Eddi, a guitarist in a rock band who falls in with the fey. And, a phouka!

5. Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels World, #1)

Let's take a moment to discuss this awesome cover - what we don't have is a bimbo contorting herself to show off her boobs and butt. What we do have is a beautiful woman dressed for fighting, which is what Andrea does best. I worried that this would be one of those sidekick novels, but Andrea Nash has proved to be every bit as badass as Kate Daniels.

6. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races

The author has described this book as the one she was meant to write, and I cannot disagree. It has racing, water horses that might eat or drown their riders, and the requisite kissing.

7. Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr

Faery Tales and Nightmares

A collection of short stories set in and around her Wicked Lovely series. A must read for fans of Aisling and Seth, not to mention Keenan and Donia.

8. Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien

It's no secret that I love all things Tolkien, and this collection of his letters gives one an invaluable peek at the man responsible for so many beautiful stories.

9. Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

Fair Game (Alpha & Omega, #3)

Patricia Briggs does it again, with Charles, werewolf assassin, and his Omega mate Anna, tracing serial killers in Boston.

10. Changing Planes by Ursula K. LeGuin

Changing Planes

Interesting concept - when one is waiting at the airport to change planes, if the right conditions are met one can change planes - as in take a trip to another dimension. These dimensions include one full of holidays, another where royalty obsessively reads about the lower class in gossip magazines, and many others. All in all, great fun.

Honorable Mention - Inanimate Objects by Kendra Saunders

Inanimate Objects

This gets an Honorable Mention because I personally know the author, so I suppose I could be accused of bias. But, take my word for it, this book rocks. We've got Leo, a glitter covered London artist, his much more rational sister Helen, and a muse that wants to make Leo a star. And, there's Elisha, beautifully broken Elisha, whom I just adored.

Well, there you have it. What were your favorite books of 2012?

Monday, December 3, 2012

Spencer Hill Press Holiday Cheer Giveaway!


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
We (authors, editors, publicists - all of us) of the Spencer Hill Press/Spence City/ Spencer Hill Contemporary family decided to spread our own version of holiday cheer! Of course, it involves books, swag, chocolate, jewelry, you know, the good stuff.

Check out the prizes you can win:

GRAND PRIZE Holiday Cheer Away Holiday Giveaway Bag

Books:
TOUCH OF DEATH
One Spencer Hill Press book (winner's choice--can include soon to be release selections)

Jewelery:
Bracelet
TOUCH OF DEATH Handcrafted Pendant- www.stainedglasscreationsandbeyond.com
Handcrafted Necklace and Earrings
So Many Books, So Little Time Necklace

Giftcards:
$20 Amazon or Barnes and Nobel (Winner's Choice)
$15 Starbucks
Two $10 Amazon

Critiques:
First Chapter Critique-Mary Gray
First Chapter Critique-Rhys A Jones
Query Letter Critique-Trisha Wolfe

Cool Stuff:
GUARDIAN T-shirt
BETRAYED Fridge Magnet
Flashlight
Ornaments
Holiday Towel and Potholder
Candy

Swag:
BREAKING GLASS Handcrafted Bookmark
FINN FINNEGAN Handcrafted Charmed Bookmark- www.stainedglasscreationsandbeyond.com
PERFECTION
TOUCH OF DEATH
FINN FINNEGAN
BETRAYED
ANGELINA'S SECRET
COPPER GIRL
OTHER TREE
PODs

 

 


SECOND Prize Holiday Cheer Away Holiday Giveaway Bag

Books:
ANGELINA'S SECRET - 1st edition signed copy

Jewelery:
Bracelet
TOUCH OF DEATH Handcrafted Pendant- www.stainedglasscreationsandbeyond.com
Earrings

Giftcards:
$10 Amazon or Barnes and Nobel (Winner's Choice)
$15 Starbucks
$10 Amazon

Critiques:
First Chapter Critique-Trisha Wolfe
First Chapter Critique (2500 Words Max)-Elizabeth Langston
Query Letter Critique-Kimberly Ann Miller

Cool Stuff:
BETRAYED Fridge Magnet
Flashlight
Ornaments
Holiday Towel and Potholder
Candy

Swag:
FINN FINNEGAN Handcrafted Charmed Bookmark- www.stainedglasscreationsandbeyond.com
PERFECTION
TOUCH OF DEATH
FINN FINNEGAN
BETRAYED
ANGELINA'S SECRET
COPPER GIRL
OTHER TREE
PODs

 

 

 

THIRD PRIZE Holiday Cheer Away Holiday Giveaway

Critiques:
First five pages--Sarah Guillory
First 250 word-DK Mok
Either query or first 250 word critique (your choice)--Michelle Pickett

 

 
I know, it's pretty awesome. Here are the rules:

Contest is opened to entries from Dec. 3rd to Dec. 16th
Contest is open to all ages from 13 to any adult age. ( I love to promote reading and writing with young readers.)
Contest is opened to US and Canada residents only. Sorry :(
I am not responsible for anything unless it is fun.

This is a Rafflecopter giveaway, so - go for it! Good luck!

***Update*** My thingamajig wouldn't work (must be an id 10 t error) so follow this link to enter:

 

 

 

 

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Cover Reveal: COPPER GIRL

 
 
Finally, I can show everyone the amazingly gorgeous cover for my upcoming novel, Copper Girl!

 

 
 
Here's the jacket copy:
Sara had always been careful.
She never spoke of magic, never associated with those suspected of handling magic, never thought of magic, and never, ever, let anyone see her mark.  After all, the last thing she wanted was to end up missing, like her father and brother.
Then, a silver elf pushed his way into Sara's dream, and her life became anything but ordinary.
Available in print and e-book June, 2013 from Spence City
ISBN: 978-1-939392-02-2
***
What's that, you want to see the back too? Well, here it is: