It’s the last day of the month which means it’s time to check out which urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and paranormal YA titles we’re going to be reading next month in:

View all the previous Hot Off The Press posts here
Here is this month’s conversation snippet from My TBR Pile and me about our increasingly dysfunctional relationship.  See all the November titles below the jump: 

 

My TBR Pile: Good afternoon.

Me: I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say those two words together before.

My TBR Pile: It is a good afternoon, isn’t it?

Me: I guess so.  Are you feeling alright?

My TBR Pile: Do I look unwell?

Me: Well, no, but you don’t look like yourself.  At all.  I mean, all your books are lined up, they aren’t stacked in front of other books…wait a minute.  Did you alphabetize them?

My TBR Pile: You don’t have to sound so shocked.  And yes they are alphabetized and even sorted by genre.

Me: [silence]

My TBR Pile: I can see I’ve struck you dumb.  Which I’ll admit is a good look on you.

Me: I don’t understand.

My TBR Pile: Which part is proving too advanced for your intellect? The alphabetization? It’s quite simple really.  Do you remember ‘A’ is for apple?

Me: [eye roll] Why did you do all this?

My TBR Pile: Perhaps I was feeling nostalgic.  Do you remember how we used to organize me together?  I can still recall the feel of your fingers skating over the book spines…the little sounds you’d make when a shelf lined up perfectly…

Me: Stop that.  You’ve been trying to kill me for years, I can’t just forget about all that.  Wait.  Is that what this is?  Are you trying to lull me into a false sense of security so I won’t suspect it when you make your move?

My TBR Pile: You wound me with your suspicions.  Do I have to have a reason to clean up and compliment you?

Me: Yes.

My TBR Pile: Well then, can you think of no other reason for my change of heart?

Me: No.  I haven’t done anything.  In fact I didn’t even do the Hot Off The Press post this time…oh.  You met Kristina.

My TBR Pile: I did have that pleasure. 

Me: I take it you like her.

My TBR Pile: What’s not to like?  She certainly knows her way around a shelf.

Me: Ugh. Do you have to make that sound so…so…

My TBR Pile:  Sound so what? 

Me: You know exactly what I mean and I’m sure Kristina doesn’t appreciate it either.  She does have her own TBR Pile, or did you forget that?

My TBR Pile: My my.  If I didn’t know you better, I might think you were jealous.

Me: I am not jealous.  It was my idea to get some extra help around here.  And Kristina is doing a great job.  We’re getting ready to officially introduce her to everyone and already she’s been a huge help behind the scenes. 

My TBR Pile: And she did do an exception job on this post, didn’t she?  Dare I say better than you?

Me: Oh now I see what you’re doing.  Is this your idea of a psychological attack?  You can’t physically hurt me, so you’re trying to mess with my head, play with my emotions?  Well it’s not working.  I’m sorry you don’t like your job, but you are a TBR pile.  I am going to be adding books to you every month.  Granted there aren’t nearly as many this month, but that’s probably just because the publishers are all gearing up for a massive release rollout next month for Christmas. 

My TBR Pile: Now who’s using psychological attacks, hmmm?

Me: Those are just the facts.  I’m sorry if you don’t like them.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a few Spooky Legends details to take care of before all the giveaways end on Nov. 5th

My TBR Pile: That was subtle.

Me: Shut up.   And stop laughing!

-----------------------------------------
*Release dates are subject to change.  Many of the descriptions have been truncated for space.  Clicking the ‘more’ link will take you to that title’s Goodreads page where the full description may be read.  Please visit our Titles Received For Review page to see which of these titles will be reviewed this month.

Spooky Legends 2011 is ending today!  We though it fitting that since she opened this event, and since she has two amazing paranormal series with new releases this season, that we’d invite Jennifer Estep back to wrap up Spooky Legends.  I made a bold statement regarding Jennifer’s newest series, Mythos Academy, when I reviewed the debut TOUCH OF FROST earlier this year.  I said it was the best thing she’d written yet.  Of course I may have to revise my statement with the sequel KISS OF FROST is published by Kensington on November 29, 2011.  Jennifer’s protagonist, Gwen Frost is taking on the Hitchhiker urban legend for us today, and if you fall have in love with her as I have, you’ll be thrilled to know that Jennifer is giving away a copy of KISS OF FROST! See details below.

Click to see the Spooky Legends Master List with links to all the previous posts and giveaways

Gwen Frost on Hitchhikers
by
Jennifer Estep

Greetings and salutations! First of all, I want to say thanks to Abigail for having me on the blog again today. Thanks so much, Abigail!

So I’m here to close out the Spooky Legends event, which I am really honored to do. Today, I thought I would let my heroine Gwen Frost give you her view on some stories involving hitchhikers. Take it away, Gwen:

*This title will be released on November 1, 2011*

Title: Under Attack Author: Hannah Jayne Series: Underworld Detection Agency #2 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Urban Fantasy Excerpt: Yes Source: Author Reviewed by: Julia Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Kensington; November 1, 2011 ISBN-10: 0758258933 ISBN-13: 978-0758258939 Sexual Content: Sexual daydreams, references to sex. Rating: Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

---

One of my favorite authors is joining Spooky Legends today: Jess Haines, author of the fantastic H & W Investigations urban fantasy series.  If you haven’t met and fallen for her characters yet, just wait until you hear them discussing Butt Spiders.  Jess has a new story in THE REAL WEREWIVES OF VAMPIRE COUNTY anthology along with Alexandra Ivy, Angie Fox, and Tami Dane (available now from Kensington Books), and thanks to her publisher, you can win a copy.  See details below.

Click to see the Spooky Legends Master List with links to all the previous posts and giveaways

Shiarra Waynest Talks About Butt Spiders 
by
Jess Haines

 

Hello there!  Jess Haines here.  I’m the author of the urban fantasy H&W Investigations series (HUNTED BY THE OTHERS, TAKEN BY THE OTHERS, and DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS).  Shiarra Waynest, the lead character, and some of her friends are here to tell you a little bit about butt spiders.  Over to you, Shia!

____________________

Shiarra: ...uhh. What?

Arnold:  I’ve heard of these!  They hide under your toilet seat and jump out to bite you on the ass when you sit down.

*This title will be released on November 1, 2011*

Title: Body Thief Author: C.J. Barry Series: The Body #2 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction Excerpt: Yes Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Abigail Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (November 1, 2011) ISBN-10: 0425243311 ISBN-13: 978-0425243312 Sexual Content: Two graphic sex scenes Rating: Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

---

As if toys stores aren’t hectic enough around the holidays, adding a few ghosts to the mix won’t help matters any.  The afterlife doesn’t mean rest for the Lightbringer and her friends, and two of these friends are hunting down a rogue spirit in K.D. McEntire’s story today.  After enjoying Elle and Lily’s antics at Toys ‘R Us, you can read more in LIGHTBRINGER by K.D. McEntire, available this November 15 from Pyr.  If you can’t wait that long, Abigail’s review of the same will be here on November 8, to tide you over for that last week.

Click to see the Spooky Legends Master List with links to all the previous posts and giveaways

Lily and Elle on Haunted Toys R Us
by
K.D. McEntire

“I got a major beef with you, Pocahontas,” Elle said, poking Lily in the shoulder. “Level with me. First you’ve got us ankling down the 101 as if we ain’t got more important crap to do, like a couple of saps. Two, we’re on this wild ghost hunt because the Lightbringer don’t have the time to make said ghost beat it herself. Thirdly – and don’t think I don’t have a dozen more gripes tucked back here all nice and neat – you just agree and go? Not a bit of negotiation? What’s the matter, Pocahontas, you scared of the glowy-girl now? Or you like the taste of that glowing behind?”

*This title will be released on November 1, 2011*

Title: The Hunter Author: Theresa Meyers Meyers Series: Legend Chronicles #1 Cover Art: Santiago Cornejo  Genre: Steampunk Excerpt: No Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Julia Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Zebra; November 1, 2011 ISBN-10: 1420121243 ISBN-13: 978-1420121247 Sexual Content: Sex scenes, references to prostitution. Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.

---

THE HUNTER (available on November 1, 2011 from Zebra) was my first book by Theresa Meyers, but it will definitely not be my last.  The action was vivid, the romance was playful, and as I say in my review up later today, the “blend of Wild, Wild West steampunk and demonic forces was everything I could have hoped for and more.”  I really enjoyed that Meyers wasn’t afraid to put her own spin on both romance and genre tropes, and look forward to picking up book two in The Legend Chronicles, THE SLAYER, when it comes out this April.  One person will get a chance to read a signed copy of THE HUNTER, courtesy of the author herself, but we all get to enjoy a little taste of the book’s leading man, Colt Jackson, and his take on Skinwalkers.  See details below.

Click to see the Spooky Legends Master List with links to all the previous posts and giveaways

Colt Jackson on Skinwalkers
by
Theresa Meyers

There’s many things out there that can spook a man. Make him think he’s lost his ever lovin’ marbles. But as a Hunter I’ve seen more than most. You good folk, don’t worry yourselves any. See we Hunters have been doin’ our jobs since the earliest times, making sure that supernaturals don’t get the upper hand on humanity. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

*This title will be released on November 1, 2011*

Title: Last Breath Author: Rachel Caine Series: The Morganville Vampires Cover Art: N/A Genre: Paranormal YA Excerpt: No Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Abigail Reading level: Young Adult Hardcover: 352 pages Publisher: NAL Hardcover (November 1, 2011) ISBN-10: 0451234871 ISBN-13: 978-0451234872 Sexual Content: Kissing. References to sex. Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.

---

We’ve got something special for today’s Spooky Legend.  It’s not a retelling of a well known urban legend, instead Kersten Hamiliton, author of IN THE FORESTS OF THE NIGHT, the second book in The Goblin Wars series (available on November 22, 2011 from Clarion Books), is sharing her original story LOVELEAVES AND WOODENDER which she eventually expanded into TYGER TYGER.  Be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a pre-ordered copy of IN THE FORESTS OF THE NIGHT.  See details below

Click to see the Spooky Legends Master List with links to all the previous posts and giveaways

Loveleaves and Woodwender  
by
Kersten Hamilton

Are you too old for faerie tales? Then you are lost—for Samhain is upon us. The light is fading, and the ancient Guardian Trees sleep. Their slumber allows the walls between the worlds to grow thin. Those twice-blessed—for what is sight but a blessing?—can see the shadows seeping through, feel the frost in their cloaks. We smell the mold of the grave on their breath.

Now, hope and truth must be bound up in words and held like a candle against the dark. Listen: if your heart is young enough to hear the truth in faerie tales, I’ll weave you one to keep you until the sun returns. Until the trees wake and whisper their prayers once again.

This week is a fascinating example of how changing a few details can sometimes make all the difference on a cover, or no difference at all.  Just a few minor changes to J. R. Ward’s LOVER REBORN tightened up the whole composition to make a good cover great, but changing the entire cover model wasn’t enough to get TANGLE OF NEED a thumbs up in my book.  

Black Heart by Holly Black 

Description: Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy. But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love. No Author Comment Available.

Series: Curse Workers #3 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Release Date: April 3, 2012 Source: Tez Says
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This run of covers is much less cinematic than the ones with real models, a much more fantasy feel.  Given the edgy feel of the series, I think the live action covers fit the series better.  This one is rather generically YA.	This has to be the UK cover…it looks nothing like the US versions, but I still think the purple almost disco vibe is a wrong fit for this series in any country.

Previous Covers in This Series