Incoming Books ~ October 1, 2011

It’s time once again for our incoming books feature ~ with more than the usual share of very scary books “squashed” into this seasonal selection. I have included books by publishers Tor (horror, fantasy, non-fiction, science fiction) and Uninvited Books (literary horror); as well as a couple of Books for Young and Old and an Indie Sci Fi.    

Now for the “best-est” question of the day:  Which of these books would you read first?                 

Scary Reads, Fantasy, Sci Fi ~ Tor /Macmillan

Blood and Other Cravings ~ edited by Ellen Datlow.   This anthology will “redefine the terror of vampires and vampirism” with seventeen original stories of vampirism – tales of traditional fanged vampires, but also of a leeching of emotion, draining of the soul, of predation and exploitation, infestation, and evisceration…From award-winning authors and more. 320 pages; (September 13, 2011) (Horror Short Stories)

The Haunting of Twentieth-Century America ~ by William J. Birnes and Joel Martin.  The Haunting of Twentieth-Century America is an evidence-based exploration of the unexpected influences of the paranormal on science, medicine, law, the government, the military, psychology, theology, death and dying, spirituality, and pop culture. A sequel to The Haunting of America, the authors present the story of how paranormal events influenced and sometimes even drove political events. 464 pages; Forge Books; (September 13, 2011) (Non-Fiction)

The Darkest Part of the Woods ~ by Ramsey Campbell.  The Price family has a fate that is entangled with the ancient forest of Goodmanswood. Dr. Lennox Price discovered a hallucinogenic moss that became the focus of a cult. After Lennox’s death, his entire family appears to be loosing themselves in the depth of the trees. 368 pages; Tor Books; (August 30, 2011) (Horror)

The Hum and The Shiver ~ by Alex Bledsoe; US|UK|Canada; See our a guest post from the author for more about this newly released book.  352 pages; First Edition edition (September 27, 2011) UK edition in November. (Urban Fantasy)

Prospero Regained ~ by L. Jagi Lamplighter.  Book three in this trilogy - Prospero, the sorcerer on whose island of exile William Shakespeare set his play,The Tempest, has endured many centuries. His daughter Miranda runs the family business, Prospero, Inc. that has protected Earth from numerous disasters. But Prospero himself has been kidnapped by demons from Hell, and Miranda has followed her father to save him from a certain doom at the hands of vengeful demons. 480 pages; (September 13, 2011) (Fantasy Series)

Prospero Lost (book 1) and Prospero in Hell (book 2) – links to the preview of both books from last year.

Spellbound (book 2) ~ by Blake Charlton.  See our release day post which has links for an author guest post and “an interview for the girls”.  416 pages;  (September 13, 2011) US|UK|Canada. (Young Adult Fantasy Series)  For information on the earlier Spellwright (book 1) ~  see our incoming post for the book.  US|UK|Canada;  Book Depository AUD|Euro; 352 pages; (March 2, 2010)

All Men of Genius ~ by Lev AC Rosen.  Inspired by Twelfth Night and The Importance of Being Earnest and set in an alternate Steampunk Victorian London where science makes the impossible possible, Violet Adams wants to attend a school for the most brilliant up-and-coming scientific minds; but it has a male-only policy. So Violet disguises herself as her twin brother, Ashton, and gains entry.  Keeping her secret until the end of the year is not all she has to worry about: it’s surviving that long.  464 pages; (September 27, 2011) (Steampunk Science Fiction)

The Highest Frontier ~ Joan Slonczewski.   A girl from a politically influential family is about to enter her freshman year at Frontera College, a college that is set in orbit The school is dedicated to educating the best and brightest of this future world. Jenny encounters surprises and wonders and some unpleasant problems - as the Earth is altered by global warming and an invasive alien species called ultraphytes threatens the surviving ecosystem. The problems Jenny faces will involve every reader, young and old.  448 pages; (September 13, 2011) (Science Fiction)

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 Literary Horror ~ Uninvited Books

Descent ~ Sandy DeLuca.   A beautiful young painter falls in love with a dangerously sexy man who may be in league with the Devil ... Can she retain her soul despite the things he does to her, forces her to witness, forces her to do?  When you dance with the Devil, can you ever make it stop?  308 pages Uninvited Books (June 13, 2011)

Martyrs and Monsters ~ by Robert Dunbar.  Horror for intelligent adults - Martyrs & Monsters runs the gamut, embracing vampires and sea serpents, werewolves and swamp creatures . . . as well as a host of nightmares for which no names exist. Whether set on an orbiting space station or within a haunted tenement, these terrifying tales are steeped in a passionate intensity that renders them all but unique.  288 pages; Uninvited Books (July 25, 2011)

Books for Young and Old

How I Stole Johnny Depp’s Alien Girlfriend ~ by Gary Ghislain.  David Gershwin's summer is about to take a turn for the weird. When his dad's new patient Zelda tells him she’s from outer space and on a quest to take Johnny Depp back to her planet, he knows he should run away screaming. But with one look from her mean, green eyes, David's hooked. He might not be a typical hero, but David's going to get the girl even if it takes him to the ends of the earth or beyond. Young Adult; 208 pages; Chronicle Books (June 8, 2011) (Sci Fi Action Romance for Young Men)

The Orphan of Awkward Falls ~ by Keith Graves.  When thirteen-year-old Josephine moves to Awkward Falls she can't help but snoop around the dilapidated mansion next door. She finds more than she bargained for - an ancient automaton who serves as a butler, a cat patched together with a few odd parts, and most surprising of all, a boy named Thaddeus Hibble. Meanwhile, the most feared patient in the Asylum for the Dangerously Insane is on the loose. Fetid Stenchley has escaped in the most dramatic fashion, and there is only one thing on his mind...revenge.  Ages 9-12; 256 pages; Chronicle Books (October 19, 2011) (Young Adult/Tween Horror)

Indie Sci Fi

The Metalmark Contract ~ by David Batchelor.  The alien Metalmark offered mankind a starship and its advanced technology in a trade for the rights to planet Mercury and moon Triton. What could go wrong? But his appearance sent the nations of Earth into turmoil as many people suspected danger and a trick.  250 pages; Black Rose Writing (March 3, 2011) (Science Fiction)

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So friends and readers, which of these intriguing books would be your first choice to read? or second? of third? ad infinitum……  Happy first of October!

(photo credit by chefranden)