Martha Wells's Blog, page 93
December 22, 2015
Audio Story
I have a story on Episode 86 of the podcast Far Fetched Fables! "Remembering the Dragon" by Aidan Doyle, read by Eric Luke; and "The Potter's Daughter" by Martha Wells, read by Diane Sieverson:
http://farfetchedfables.com/far-fetched-fables-no-86-martha-wells-and-aidan-doyle/
This story was originally published in the anthology Elemental in May 2006, and is available in ebook in the collection Between Worlds: the Collected Ile-Rien and Cineth Stories
The potter’s daughter sat in the late afternoon sun outside the stone cottage, making clay figures and setting them out to dry on the flat slate doorstep. A gentle summer breeze stirred the oak and ash leaves and the dirty grey kerchief around her dirty blond hair.
Someone was coming up the path.
She could hear that he was without horse, cart, or company, and as he came toward her through the trees she saw that he was tall, with dark curly hair and a beard, with a pack and a leather case slung over one shoulder. He was unarmed, and dressed in a blue woolen doublet, faded and threadbare, brown breeches and brown top boots. The broad-brimmed hat he wore had seen better days, but the feathers in it were gaily colored. Brief disappointment colored her expression; she could tell already he wasn’t her quarry.
Boots crunched on the pebbles in the yard, then his shadow fell over her and he said, "Good day. Is this the way to Riversee?"
She continued shaping the wet clay, not looking up at him. "Just follow this road to the ford."
"Thank you, my lady Kade."
Now she did look up at him, in astonishment. Part of the astonishment was at herself, that she could still be so taken by surprise. She dropped the clay and stood, drawing a spell from the air.
http://farfetchedfables.com/far-fetched-fables-no-86-martha-wells-and-aidan-doyle/
This story was originally published in the anthology Elemental in May 2006, and is available in ebook in the collection Between Worlds: the Collected Ile-Rien and Cineth Stories
The potter’s daughter sat in the late afternoon sun outside the stone cottage, making clay figures and setting them out to dry on the flat slate doorstep. A gentle summer breeze stirred the oak and ash leaves and the dirty grey kerchief around her dirty blond hair.
Someone was coming up the path.
She could hear that he was without horse, cart, or company, and as he came toward her through the trees she saw that he was tall, with dark curly hair and a beard, with a pack and a leather case slung over one shoulder. He was unarmed, and dressed in a blue woolen doublet, faded and threadbare, brown breeches and brown top boots. The broad-brimmed hat he wore had seen better days, but the feathers in it were gaily colored. Brief disappointment colored her expression; she could tell already he wasn’t her quarry.
Boots crunched on the pebbles in the yard, then his shadow fell over her and he said, "Good day. Is this the way to Riversee?"
She continued shaping the wet clay, not looking up at him. "Just follow this road to the ford."
"Thank you, my lady Kade."
Now she did look up at him, in astonishment. Part of the astonishment was at herself, that she could still be so taken by surprise. She dropped the clay and stood, drawing a spell from the air.
December 21, 2015
Raksura Snippet
For the holidays, I'm leaving the most recent Raksura Patreon post open to everybody:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/4-moon-and-stone-3931298
It's Moon and Stone, set during The Cloud Roads, crossing the great grass sea.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/4-moon-and-stone-3931298
It's Moon and Stone, set during The Cloud Roads, crossing the great grass sea.
December 20, 2015
Sunday
I'm sorry I haven't posted more lately. I was meaning to post more book recs, and do a favorite books of the year post, and more about the holidays, and just none of it happened. I've been trying to keep up a good word count on the sequel to The Edge of Worlds, plus get the next Rasura Patreon snippet ready, as well as give the house its holiday cleaning (shampooing our ancient carpets, etc) and buy presents and wrap them and etc, and I'm just running out of functional time.
I'm also trying to avoid the internet to a large extent until I see Star Wars on Tuesday evening.
* I'm going to post the next Raksura Patreon snippet on Dec 22, and since it's Christmas, I'll leave the post open so non-Patreon people can see it. It's a Moon and Stone snippet, set during The Cloud Roads, before they get to Sky Copper.
* I hope everybody had a good time writing their stories for Yuletide!
* ETA: I get to talk about Razor's Edge in the last installment of this great history of the Star Wars expanded universe books: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/building-a-galaxy-far-far-away-endings-and-beginnings-2006-2015-and-beyond/
I had other stuff but of course now I've forgotten what it was.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a good holiday, whatever you're celebrating!
I'm also trying to avoid the internet to a large extent until I see Star Wars on Tuesday evening.
* I'm going to post the next Raksura Patreon snippet on Dec 22, and since it's Christmas, I'll leave the post open so non-Patreon people can see it. It's a Moon and Stone snippet, set during The Cloud Roads, before they get to Sky Copper.
* I hope everybody had a good time writing their stories for Yuletide!
* ETA: I get to talk about Razor's Edge in the last installment of this great history of the Star Wars expanded universe books: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/building-a-galaxy-far-far-away-endings-and-beginnings-2006-2015-and-beyond/
I had other stuff but of course now I've forgotten what it was.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a good holiday, whatever you're celebrating!
December 15, 2015
December 11, 2015
Roof Day and New Story
We should hopefully be getting our roof fixed today to hopefully permanently stop the leak into our bathroom. The shingles and flashing around the chimney will get removed and redone, and it's about $1400.00. We would not be able to afford to do it without the support of the Raksura Patreon people over the past two months, so thanks again to everybody there.
***
This is also a book release day for me:
I have a story in The Gods of Lovecraft which came out today December 11 in hardcover, paperback, and ebook. (Amazon, Barnes & Noble) The other authors are Adam Nevill, Laird Barron, Bentley Little, Jonathan Maberry, Brett J. Talley, Christopher Golden, Joe R. Lansdale, Seanan McGuire, and Rachel Caine.
My story is a detective/mystery story, and may be heavily influenced by years of playing the Call of Cthulhu RPG.
excerpt of "The Dark Gates" by Martha Wells
Reja crept through the knee-high weeds, mud squishing under her sturdy but stylish boots. The day was so overcast it was nearly dark, even though her watch said it was midmorning. She muttered, "Next time, we send the Honorable Tamith to do this part."
Fletcher, moving near silently behind her, snorted.
She had to admit it was unlikely. Ahead, she could catch glimpses of the house through the trees. It was owned by Baron Mille, and had no resident staff, which supported the rumor that it was used for assignations. It had taken Reja a few days and a couple of judicious bribes to discover its location, and she hoped she was right about the current occupant being presently in town. If she wasn’t right, this case might be over abruptly. Nosy Lady Detective and Her Assistant Never Seen Again was not a headline Reja wished to appear in the Society pages.
She slipped through the copse of trees and crouched in the overgrown brush. "Don’t touch that," she cautioned Fletcher in a whisper. "Stinging nettle."
Fletcher avoided it with a hiss of distaste. His ancestry might lead one to expect him to be more competent in the forest than the average human, but he had grown up in the city. So had Reja, but at least she had the benefit of childhood summers in the country.
From this sheltered vantage point, she had a good view of the house. It was small by the standards of the mind-bogglingly rich, three stories of light brown stone with a rather elegant conical turret, framed prettily against the giant oaks behind it. The immense towers of the Mille family mansion were just visible over the tops of those trees. There was no sign of movement in the empty windows or on the lawns.
Reja took a deep breath, touched the pistol in the pocket of her jacket, and stepped through a gap in the brush. Walking across the wet grass of the overgrown lawn toward the house made her feel as if every unfriendly eye in the world was on her. Her only option if caught was to say they were lost; she had dressed conservatively but finely enough to pass as a guest at one of the other wealthy houses nearby, in dark gray pants and a belted jacket of a steely blue to complement the soft brown of her skin. Fletcher wore dark clothes and looked like a house-breaker. There wasn’t anything she could do about that.
They reached the service entrance at the back, tucked into a little cubby on the far side of the terrace. Reja had a set of lock picks, drills, and other devices for the opening of locked doors. As she set to work, Fletcher stopped her with a slim, too-pale hand on her sleeve. "There may be traps."
She shook her head. "He has no reason; he believes he’s covered his tracks too well."
"People do things for no reason."
***
This is also a book release day for me:
I have a story in The Gods of Lovecraft which came out today December 11 in hardcover, paperback, and ebook. (Amazon, Barnes & Noble) The other authors are Adam Nevill, Laird Barron, Bentley Little, Jonathan Maberry, Brett J. Talley, Christopher Golden, Joe R. Lansdale, Seanan McGuire, and Rachel Caine.
My story is a detective/mystery story, and may be heavily influenced by years of playing the Call of Cthulhu RPG.
excerpt of "The Dark Gates" by Martha Wells
Reja crept through the knee-high weeds, mud squishing under her sturdy but stylish boots. The day was so overcast it was nearly dark, even though her watch said it was midmorning. She muttered, "Next time, we send the Honorable Tamith to do this part."
Fletcher, moving near silently behind her, snorted.
She had to admit it was unlikely. Ahead, she could catch glimpses of the house through the trees. It was owned by Baron Mille, and had no resident staff, which supported the rumor that it was used for assignations. It had taken Reja a few days and a couple of judicious bribes to discover its location, and she hoped she was right about the current occupant being presently in town. If she wasn’t right, this case might be over abruptly. Nosy Lady Detective and Her Assistant Never Seen Again was not a headline Reja wished to appear in the Society pages.
She slipped through the copse of trees and crouched in the overgrown brush. "Don’t touch that," she cautioned Fletcher in a whisper. "Stinging nettle."
Fletcher avoided it with a hiss of distaste. His ancestry might lead one to expect him to be more competent in the forest than the average human, but he had grown up in the city. So had Reja, but at least she had the benefit of childhood summers in the country.
From this sheltered vantage point, she had a good view of the house. It was small by the standards of the mind-bogglingly rich, three stories of light brown stone with a rather elegant conical turret, framed prettily against the giant oaks behind it. The immense towers of the Mille family mansion were just visible over the tops of those trees. There was no sign of movement in the empty windows or on the lawns.
Reja took a deep breath, touched the pistol in the pocket of her jacket, and stepped through a gap in the brush. Walking across the wet grass of the overgrown lawn toward the house made her feel as if every unfriendly eye in the world was on her. Her only option if caught was to say they were lost; she had dressed conservatively but finely enough to pass as a guest at one of the other wealthy houses nearby, in dark gray pants and a belted jacket of a steely blue to complement the soft brown of her skin. Fletcher wore dark clothes and looked like a house-breaker. There wasn’t anything she could do about that.
They reached the service entrance at the back, tucked into a little cubby on the far side of the terrace. Reja had a set of lock picks, drills, and other devices for the opening of locked doors. As she set to work, Fletcher stopped her with a slim, too-pale hand on her sleeve. "There may be traps."
She shook her head. "He has no reason; he believes he’s covered his tracks too well."
"People do things for no reason."
December 7, 2015
Monday and Book Recs
Time has really been getting away from me. I've been struggling with the new book, and it's finally starting to come together. :knock on wood: I had to keep writing on it, and keep jumping further forward in the plot, before I could figure out what I needed to be setting up in the earlier chapters and where all the characters are going to be. Last week a couple of major things fell into place, which was a huge relief.
I like to write books in order, learning the story the same way the reader would read it, finding things out when the main characters do. But sometimes it just doesn't work out like this. The Edge of Worlds was a PITA in same way. Both it and this book are going to have multiple perspectives, so that's an extra pain in that you have different things going on at the same time and basically have to make sure they are occurring in the same space-time continuum. This seems obvious but I've seen stories and badly written TV episodes (*cough* last couple seasons of Buffy *cough*) where there are two storylines and one is taking hours and the other takes days and they're supposed to be happening at the same time.
Plus I'm trying to get ready for the holidays. This is what I'm making for Christmas dinner again: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/paprika-roast-leg-of-lamb-with-mint-sauce.html The mint sauce is delicious and you can also make a gravy to go with it. And it's actually not that hard to do. :again, knock on wood:
Worldbuilders Fundraiser
I have a bunch of books in the Worldbuilders Fundraiser for Heifer International. If you contribute you can be entered in a lottery for tons of prizes (books, games, etc) or bid on auctions and other stuff. http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2015/12/so-so-many-signed-books-from-authors/ It's an incredible fundraiser.
***
Recommend books
Does anybody have any books to recommend in comments? We used to do this here every December but lately I've been so busy and stressed I haven't thought of it. So if you've read anything this year you really liked and think other people should read, feel free to mention it in comments.
I like to write books in order, learning the story the same way the reader would read it, finding things out when the main characters do. But sometimes it just doesn't work out like this. The Edge of Worlds was a PITA in same way. Both it and this book are going to have multiple perspectives, so that's an extra pain in that you have different things going on at the same time and basically have to make sure they are occurring in the same space-time continuum. This seems obvious but I've seen stories and badly written TV episodes (*cough* last couple seasons of Buffy *cough*) where there are two storylines and one is taking hours and the other takes days and they're supposed to be happening at the same time.
Plus I'm trying to get ready for the holidays. This is what I'm making for Christmas dinner again: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/paprika-roast-leg-of-lamb-with-mint-sauce.html The mint sauce is delicious and you can also make a gravy to go with it. And it's actually not that hard to do. :again, knock on wood:
Worldbuilders Fundraiser
I have a bunch of books in the Worldbuilders Fundraiser for Heifer International. If you contribute you can be entered in a lottery for tons of prizes (books, games, etc) or bid on auctions and other stuff. http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2015/12/so-so-many-signed-books-from-authors/ It's an incredible fundraiser.
***
Recommend books
Does anybody have any books to recommend in comments? We used to do this here every December but lately I've been so busy and stressed I haven't thought of it. So if you've read anything this year you really liked and think other people should read, feel free to mention it in comments.
December 3, 2015
Books
I slept last night in Anxiety Dream City. My anxiety dreams have always been bad, but they seem to be uping their game. Probably because I feel like I'm behind on everything I should be doing. (I feel that way because I am behind on everything I need to do.)
Books!
* Ash and Silver by Carol Berg
Ever since the Order of the Equites Cinere stole his memory, his name, and his heart, thinking about the past makes Greenshank's head ache. After two years of rigorous training, he is almost ready to embrace the mission of the Order—to use selfless magic to heal the troubles of Navronne. But on his first assignment alone, the past comes racing back, threatening to drown him in conspiracy, grief, and murder. Book 2 of the Sanctuary Duet
* The Strange Crimes of Little Africa by Chesya Burke
The Strange Crimes of Little Africa is a historical mystery and follows Jaz Idawell on the vibrant, culturally fertile streets of art and literature in the 1920's Harlem Renaissance. Idawell, an anthropology student, stumbles upon the realization that she may have to sacrifice her cousin's freedom when she discovers evidence that her father, the first black traffic cop on the force, may be guilty of murder. Best friends with the indelible Zora Neal Hurston, the two women set out to find the truth about their wonderful world of Little Africa--Harlem, New York. I love mysteries set in the 20s and this sounds awesome.
* Rhythm of the Imperium by Jody Lynn Nye
Book Three in the View from the Imperium series from humorous SF master Jody Lynn Nye. Lieutenant Lord Thomas Kinago and his trusty constant companion, the unflappable Parsons, are back. And this time they've got a planet to save.
* Code of Conduct by Kristine Smith
Captain Jani Kilian's life should have ended in front of a firing squad. Instead, she evaded battlefield justice by dying in a transport crash. End of story, according to official Commonwealth Service records. But doctors repaired her in secret, using the most advanced Service Medical technologies available, or so they assured her. In the last days of the idomeni civil war, she escaped their homeworld of Shera, and spent the next 18 years on the run. But someone like Jani leaves a trail no matter how hard they try to hide it, and she soon learns the Service hunt for her never ended. When Interior Minister Evan van Reuter, her former lover, tracks her down and begs her help in finding his wife's killer, she has no choice but to agree.
* Nocturnall by Beth Bernobich - a River of Souls short story
* and The Ghost Dragon's Daughter by Beth Bernobich - a Seventy Kingdoms short story
Books!
* Ash and Silver by Carol Berg
Ever since the Order of the Equites Cinere stole his memory, his name, and his heart, thinking about the past makes Greenshank's head ache. After two years of rigorous training, he is almost ready to embrace the mission of the Order—to use selfless magic to heal the troubles of Navronne. But on his first assignment alone, the past comes racing back, threatening to drown him in conspiracy, grief, and murder. Book 2 of the Sanctuary Duet
* The Strange Crimes of Little Africa by Chesya Burke
The Strange Crimes of Little Africa is a historical mystery and follows Jaz Idawell on the vibrant, culturally fertile streets of art and literature in the 1920's Harlem Renaissance. Idawell, an anthropology student, stumbles upon the realization that she may have to sacrifice her cousin's freedom when she discovers evidence that her father, the first black traffic cop on the force, may be guilty of murder. Best friends with the indelible Zora Neal Hurston, the two women set out to find the truth about their wonderful world of Little Africa--Harlem, New York. I love mysteries set in the 20s and this sounds awesome.
* Rhythm of the Imperium by Jody Lynn Nye
Book Three in the View from the Imperium series from humorous SF master Jody Lynn Nye. Lieutenant Lord Thomas Kinago and his trusty constant companion, the unflappable Parsons, are back. And this time they've got a planet to save.
* Code of Conduct by Kristine Smith
Captain Jani Kilian's life should have ended in front of a firing squad. Instead, she evaded battlefield justice by dying in a transport crash. End of story, according to official Commonwealth Service records. But doctors repaired her in secret, using the most advanced Service Medical technologies available, or so they assured her. In the last days of the idomeni civil war, she escaped their homeworld of Shera, and spent the next 18 years on the run. But someone like Jani leaves a trail no matter how hard they try to hide it, and she soon learns the Service hunt for her never ended. When Interior Minister Evan van Reuter, her former lover, tracks her down and begs her help in finding his wife's killer, she has no choice but to agree.
* Nocturnall by Beth Bernobich - a River of Souls short story
* and The Ghost Dragon's Daughter by Beth Bernobich - a Seventy Kingdoms short story
December 2, 2015
Various Things Quickly
Today (December 2) I'm doing a Reddit Fantasy AMA in support of the Worldbuilders Fundraiser: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/3v5bga/day_3_group_ama_in_support_of_worldbuilders/ with Scott Lynch, Graham Austin-King, Bradley P Beaulieu, Jim C Hines, Elizabeth Bear, and Robert Jackson Bennett. So come by and ask questions or read answers.
There is a StoryBundle with The Other Half of the Sky anthology in it, which has a ton of great stories, including "Mimesis" by me. (It's a Raksura story with Jade, that was reprinted in Stories of the Raksura vol. 2) If you never got the anthology, now is a great time to get it with a bunch of other awesome books.
A.C. Wise has a round-up posts with different authors' lists of award-eligible work for this year: http://www.acwise.net/?p=1924
There is a StoryBundle with The Other Half of the Sky anthology in it, which has a ton of great stories, including "Mimesis" by me. (It's a Raksura story with Jade, that was reprinted in Stories of the Raksura vol. 2) If you never got the anthology, now is a great time to get it with a bunch of other awesome books.
A.C. Wise has a round-up posts with different authors' lists of award-eligible work for this year: http://www.acwise.net/?p=1924
November 30, 2015
Book-Buying Monday
I'm not buying anything today, I'm finishing up reading the proof copy of The Edge of Worlds, and I'm behind on practically everything.
On December 11 we should be getting our chimney flashing fixed, so the roof will stop leaking. Cross your fingers for us. We still won't be able to use the fireplace, which is a bummer because it's been cold and rainy here. (The firebox needs to be repaired and it's a lower priority compared to everything else.)
For Patreon people, the next Raksura snippet/scene will be going up December 8. It's going to be a missing scene from The Siren Depths with Jade and Balm.
If you aren't following me on Facebook, I posted: Two bad things happened during the holiday. While we were out at the Galleria, a friend with a recurring eye problem had it recur badly so she had to make an emergency appointment with the eye doctor. Then right after that happened, we saw a young guy take a bad fall. He was walking past one of the kiosks that sit around in the open areas of the mall, tripped on something, and hit the stone tile and metal ledge supporting the glass partition face-first. It was about the worst place he could have hit without actually going over or through the glass partition and falling down to the next floor. Everyone just sort of stopped and stared, and everything went quiet. He was out cold for a minute or so. An older man helped him up and sat him down in the chair for the kiosk, spoke to him for a moment, then got on the phone hopefully calling the ambulance. I really hope he's okay and got an MRI at the hospital. I'm surprised his jaw wasn't broken.
Then we came home and one of the cats (Tasha) had a bad digestive upset again, a repeat of the one a couple of weeks ago. Our vet isn't open on the weekend, but I'm waiting to see if she keeps a little food down before panicking. I can take her to the emergency clinic at the Vet School, but I'd rather not if I can avoid it. Update: Tasha seems to be all right now, and didn't have any problems over the weekend. I'm hoping that's it for kitty gastrointestinal distress for a while.
***
If you're thinking of buying books for holiday gifts, all my available books are listed here on my website: http://www.marthawells.com/buy.htm in paper, ebook, and audiobook.
Also, John Scalzi has a holiday shopping guide post for traditionally published books today: http://whatever.scalzi.com/2015/11/30/whatever-holiday-shopping-guide-2015-day-one-traditionally-published-books/
On December 11 we should be getting our chimney flashing fixed, so the roof will stop leaking. Cross your fingers for us. We still won't be able to use the fireplace, which is a bummer because it's been cold and rainy here. (The firebox needs to be repaired and it's a lower priority compared to everything else.)
For Patreon people, the next Raksura snippet/scene will be going up December 8. It's going to be a missing scene from The Siren Depths with Jade and Balm.
If you aren't following me on Facebook, I posted: Two bad things happened during the holiday. While we were out at the Galleria, a friend with a recurring eye problem had it recur badly so she had to make an emergency appointment with the eye doctor. Then right after that happened, we saw a young guy take a bad fall. He was walking past one of the kiosks that sit around in the open areas of the mall, tripped on something, and hit the stone tile and metal ledge supporting the glass partition face-first. It was about the worst place he could have hit without actually going over or through the glass partition and falling down to the next floor. Everyone just sort of stopped and stared, and everything went quiet. He was out cold for a minute or so. An older man helped him up and sat him down in the chair for the kiosk, spoke to him for a moment, then got on the phone hopefully calling the ambulance. I really hope he's okay and got an MRI at the hospital. I'm surprised his jaw wasn't broken.
Then we came home and one of the cats (Tasha) had a bad digestive upset again, a repeat of the one a couple of weeks ago. Our vet isn't open on the weekend, but I'm waiting to see if she keeps a little food down before panicking. I can take her to the emergency clinic at the Vet School, but I'd rather not if I can avoid it. Update: Tasha seems to be all right now, and didn't have any problems over the weekend. I'm hoping that's it for kitty gastrointestinal distress for a while.
***
If you're thinking of buying books for holiday gifts, all my available books are listed here on my website: http://www.marthawells.com/buy.htm in paper, ebook, and audiobook.
Also, John Scalzi has a holiday shopping guide post for traditionally published books today: http://whatever.scalzi.com/2015/11/30/whatever-holiday-shopping-guide-2015-day-one-traditionally-published-books/
November 24, 2015
More Books
Books!
* I can't afford much in the way of new books at the moment, and am very dependent on the public library, but The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson was so good it blew my mind, and it's only $2.99 in ebook. Highly, highly recommended.
Upcoming books:
* Seven Wonders of the Once and Future World by Caroline M. Yoachim
* The Labyrinth of Flame by Courtney Schafer
The epic conclusion to the Shattered Sigil Trilogy--a tale of blood magic, spies, and wilderness adventure.
* A Daughter of No Nation by A.M. Dellamonica
As soon as Sophie Hansa returned to our world, she is anxious to once again go back to Stormwrack. Unable to discuss the wondrous sights she has seen, and unable to tell anyone what happened to her in her time away, Sophie is in a holding pattern, focused entirely on her eventual chance to return. Plus The Glass Galago short story.
* Dreaming Death: A Palace of Dreams Novel by J. Kathleen Cheney
Shironne Anjir's status as a sensitive is both a gift and a curse. Her augmented senses allow her to discover and feel things others can’t, but her talents come with a price: a constant assault of emotions and sensations has left her blind. Determined to use her abilities as best she can, Shironne works tirelessly as an investigator for the Larossan army. A member of the royal family's guard, Mikael Lee also possesses an overwhelming power—he dreams of the deaths of others, sometimes in vivid, shocking detail, and sometimes in cryptic fragments and half-remembered images. But then a killer brings a reign of terror to the city, snuffing out his victims with an arcane and deadly blood magic. Only Shironne can sense and interpret Mikael’s dim, dark dreams of the murders. And what they find together will lead them into a nightmare...
* I can't afford much in the way of new books at the moment, and am very dependent on the public library, but The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson was so good it blew my mind, and it's only $2.99 in ebook. Highly, highly recommended.
Upcoming books:
* Seven Wonders of the Once and Future World by Caroline M. Yoachim
* The Labyrinth of Flame by Courtney Schafer
The epic conclusion to the Shattered Sigil Trilogy--a tale of blood magic, spies, and wilderness adventure.
* A Daughter of No Nation by A.M. Dellamonica
As soon as Sophie Hansa returned to our world, she is anxious to once again go back to Stormwrack. Unable to discuss the wondrous sights she has seen, and unable to tell anyone what happened to her in her time away, Sophie is in a holding pattern, focused entirely on her eventual chance to return. Plus The Glass Galago short story.
* Dreaming Death: A Palace of Dreams Novel by J. Kathleen Cheney
Shironne Anjir's status as a sensitive is both a gift and a curse. Her augmented senses allow her to discover and feel things others can’t, but her talents come with a price: a constant assault of emotions and sensations has left her blind. Determined to use her abilities as best she can, Shironne works tirelessly as an investigator for the Larossan army. A member of the royal family's guard, Mikael Lee also possesses an overwhelming power—he dreams of the deaths of others, sometimes in vivid, shocking detail, and sometimes in cryptic fragments and half-remembered images. But then a killer brings a reign of terror to the city, snuffing out his victims with an arcane and deadly blood magic. Only Shironne can sense and interpret Mikael’s dim, dark dreams of the murders. And what they find together will lead them into a nightmare...
