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Next Sookie Stackhouse Book Details!

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Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 11)
So…I know. I’ve been whining about the direction the last two to three books have taken in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Despite my pouting, we all know I’m dying to read the next one, and the details were released last week. Hey! Where was I when all of this was happening? Oh right…I was dreaming about turkey 😉

So here are the details I was able to amass. I’m also adding extra stuff about her novellas that will also be released shortly, and anything else relevant to the progression of the series. Got more info? Let me know and I’ll add it here.

The Synopsis:

With her knack for being in trouble’s way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte’s, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. But Sookie suspects otherwise and she and Sam work together to uncover the culprit – and the twisted motive for the attack. But her attention is divided. Though she can’t ‘read’ vampires, Sookie knows her lover Eric Northman and his ‘child’ Pam well – and she realises that they are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, she is drawn into the plot -which is much more complicated than she knows. Caught up in the politics of the vampire world, Sookie will learn that she is as much of a pawn as any ordinary human – and that there is a new Queen on the board . . .

  • The next Sookie Stackhouse book will be called Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 11) and will be released on May 3, 2011
  • All of the full length Sookie books always come out in May.
  • As per ImmortalDreaming.com there was only one spoiler at the San Diego Comic-Con this year. Eric wants her to become a Vampire (next logical step) but Sookie refuses. Charlaine confirms that Sookie will never become a vampire.
  • During a recent interview with the Philadelphia Examiner, Charlaine stated that she is contracted to write up to book #13. Not sure if she’s wrapping it up then, or if she will continue. Read more from this interview on TrueBloodnet.com. She does however, know how it will end.
  • The Sookie Stackhouse Companion was coming out February 1st 2011 (but Charlaine mentions it has been pushed back to the fall?). It will include a Novella featuring “Quinn”, and this story will be important and relevant to the progression of the series. It will be about his whereabouts after the takeover and his punishment. Charlaine Harris stated on her Facebook page (thanks to Daemonsbooks for pointing that out – how did I miss that?):

The Sookie Companion is for everyone who loves the series. It will have character synapses, book synapses, an interview with Alan Ball, one with me, and an original novella called “Small Town Wedding.”

Then after further research, I found that she also mentions on another Facebook update:

For those of you who mentioned Quinn: THE SOOKIE COMPANION, on the shelves next February, featires an original novella about Sookie and Sam going to Sam’s brother’s wedding. Quinn is also in the story.

Charlaine Harris has a forum (which is really interesting btw – some great details on the past books that we may have overlooked) and thanks to the Sookieverse Blog (and also an Amazon Sookie discussion that I found, which also frequently references the Sookieverse Blog we have a clearer list of some of the more interesting posts regarding the future of the series, such as:

  • Sookie could potentially extend her life magically, but won’t, however Sookie likes her paranormal life and will stay in the supernatural community.
  • She isn’t certain when Sookie will realize who HEA (happily ever after) is, might be on the last book, might be before.
  • There of course will be fairies in the future books (and a half-elf in book #11)
  • The blood bond will eventually be broken between Eric and Sookie, and it has been mentioned a few times that Charlaine Harris appears to regret introducing the blood bond (it has caused her grief). Personally, I LOVE it. They are connected so deeply on all levels, but this intense connections is also causing so much turmoil between them in regards to the veracity of their feelings towards each other. Oh well…
  • Barry (the other pyschic) will be back.

Little “update” – 12/2/10 (the images of the gorgeous Eric that I was telling you about)!

Ok so did I get everything? OH WAIT!!! I want everyone to check out the Sookieverse Blog because she has the finest rendition of Eric that I’ve ever seen (on her main header/banner). The PERFECT example of how I truly see Eric. Alexander Skarsgård as Eric (for sure) but with the longer flowing hair (and not that yucky wig hair either). Oh and that look of pure hot but bad vampire on his face. Perfectly captured. OH YES. This to me, is Eric.

So Tina from Sookieverse gave me some tidbits on the background of her banner. She too, loves the longer-haired Eric, and when she decied to change the look of her site, she made a request for those, artistically inclined to show themselves. One of her very own readers (Kittrose) offered up some of her beautiful artwork. But there was one piece that Kittrose had not yet displayed. This Eric. Long-haired, intoxicatingly gorgeous, Eric. And Tina was floored (as I obviously was when I came across it this week). So here he is, in all of his glory (and the beautiful banner that makes up the Sookieverse look – two combined pieces of art created this magical scene). Cool huh!?

Check out more of Kittrose’s True Blood work on DeviantArt

Check out the full reading order guide for this series: Charlaine Harris – Southern Vampire Mysteries Reading Order:

 

Today’s Paranormal Book Releases – Nov 30th 2010

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Today’s book releases! Just noticed this list includes “Hungry for You” by Lynsay Sands. Already?? I just finished one by her. Here’s hoping “Hungry” is better than the last one. Oh YES!! I just read the cover copy. I remember the preview sample. The last human “Willan” sister finally meets her match. I love those girls!

Book Review – Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

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Halo (Halo Trilogy Book 1)
A traditional spin on God and his angels, good and evil, this YA novel captured and kept my attention throughout. Paranormal (or should I say “supernatural”) in genre, I wondered how an a book about an angel (who is NOT fallen) could possibly be romantic?

Bethany is a pure, innocent and very young angel selected by God and His council to live temporarily on earth with His Archangel Gabriel and one of His most important angels, Ivy as her guardians. Together, in a small town that is experiencing some disquietude, they appear human and integrate with society with the intention to spread hope, love, faith and perhaps even help locate and dispell the source of disruption.

We hoped that in time our subtle influence in the town might result in people reconnecting with their spirtuality.

Ivy and Gabriel are ancient, and powerful. They are familiar with the challenges of “being human”, and handle the change well enough (although Gabriel suffers from a somewhat unemotional and detached demeanor). Bethany, however struggles with her new form, but once she adapts to her body, the elder angels quickly realize how in touch with humanity she actually is.

I suppose this was the first sign of my weakness – my human curiosity drew me forward. We were supposed to interact with humans but never befriend them or welcome them into our lives. Already, I was disregarding the rules of our mission.

Basically, she’s acting like a teenager. A good girl, but a teen nonetheless. In fact, they fear that her very human responses to life and her surroundings will affect the outcome of their assignment.

“In time she will come to understand what she seeks is impossible.”

“I hope you’re right,” Gabriel said. “Do you see now why her part in this mission concerned me?”

“She does not defy us deliberately,” Ivy said.

“No but the depth of her emotion is unnatural for one of us,” Gabriel said. “Our love for humankind is supposed to be impersonal – we love humanity, we do not form individual attachments. Bethany seems to love deeply, unconditionally – like a human.”

“So I’ve noticed,” said my sister. “Which means her love is much more powerful than ours, but also more dangerous.”

“Exactly,” said Gabriel. “Such emotion often cannot be contained – if we allow it to develop, it may soon be beyond our control.”

As Bethany learns to fit in at school, she is quickly accepted by the popular crowd, and even manages to get the attention of the ever-elusive highschool hunk, Xavier (I’ll admit, the highschool part is a bit “Twilight-y” in feel, but it was fine). I enjoy the transition from new girl to “it” girl, from “oh you’ll never get him” to “how did you get him?”.

Xavier recognizes her genuine and pure nature. Being raised in a large and religious Christian family, he’s not pretentious, and has never been drawn to the popular girls. Due to Bethany’s insistence on keeping her distance from him (her assignment is to integrate but not form personal relationships), Xavier is curious about her and delicately pursues her. They eventually forge a meaningful friendship (despite keeping  her secret about her true self from him). The closer they get to each other, the more intense her love for him becomes.

“I want us to be together,” I said. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more.”

Xavier stroked my palm and entwined our fingers. His face was so close the tips of our noses were touching. He leaned in to whisper in my ear. “If you want me…you’ve got me.”

The extent of their bond has much surpassed the acceptable human/angel connection, but once that first kiss is shared, there is no turning back for Beth. To the point that she questions and challenges her very existence. Oh oh!

So yes, there were a  few “Twighlight-y” moments, and a few what was she thinking??!! moments that had me slightly annoyed, but overall I enjoyed it. It’s chaste, sweet, innocent and somewhat introspective. The turmoil of keeping her secret from Xavier, and keeping Xavier a secret from Gabriel and Ivy, the angst of their tentative relationship, and the intensity of their connection had me reading straight through. And of course, there is the prerequisite evil that they were actually there to fight. A little action, a little angst, a lot of trouble (in many different forms) and a lot of love. This book was sent to me by the publisher, and I have a feeling this will be a series, as it was somewhat open-ended, and I’m anxious to read more!

3.5 stars

Want more? Alexandra Adornetto – Halo Trilogy Reading Order

I’m Blog Stalking – Author News – 11-28-10

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 Lots of new updates from our favorite paranormal authors!!

  • MaryJanice Davidson updates us on her upcoming book Undead and Undermined (Undead/Queen Betsy) (coming out July 5th 2011), and includes a little chapter for our enjoyment (careful for spoilers!!)
  • Alyssa Day releases her latest book cover for Vampire in Atlantis (release date June 7th 2011). I love her blog, because we get tidbits of her new life in Japan (where she now lives). I get a feeling she is both fascinated by her surroundings, and yet, feeling homesick…
  • Oh here’s some news!! A little bit “old” but I had no clue, so news to me! Looks like Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” will be made into a movie. Rumor is “Katherine Heigl” might be cast as Claire. Whatdya think?
  • Stacia Kane updates us on her Downside book#4 progress. YAY Terrible!! (Sidenote: My mom is officially afflicted with Terrible Fever!):

We’re well over 100k on the fourth Downside book, and the end is in sight, finally. As I said on Twitter yesterday, I think my first draft will end up around 125-130k, and I know I’ll be cutting at least 15 out of that. CITY OF GHOSTS was 110k, so this one will probably end up right around there, maybe a bit longer. I am fairly pleased with it, I am, and wrote a scene I absolutely love the other day, in addition to, I think, one of my favorite lines I’ve ever written, and one of my favorite lines of dialogue I’ve ever written (which came, surprisingly, from Lex, but then he’s surprised me a few times in this one). So I’m chugging along, and I’m nervous about whether you’ll all like it but I’m feeling fairly confident that at the very least you’ll enjoy one particular scene.

Stacia also mentions a plot twist in another post:

I’d actually expected to have it done already, but a plot twist came out of nowhere and necessitated some more words and some changes. This is a really twisty one, which is fun; I’m hoping everyone thinks it’s fun, at least.

  • Rachel Vincent provides a link to the latest in her Soul Screamers series “Reaper” (a novella – short story). You can read it free in PDF format here. She says:

Here’s a quick rundown of things you might want to know about “Reaper.”

  • It is narrated by Tod
  • It takes place (mostly) after “Fearless” (the Sabine novella in Kiss Me Deadly) and (mostly) before “My Soul to Lose.”

…it’s the first book in a brand new series, with brand new characters and brand new world-building. And I don’t really know the characters or their world like I should yet. I’m getting to know them. But that means I’ll have to go back during the revisions and rewrite the entire beginning of the book to adjust for the stuff I didn’t know back when I wrote it.

  • Caridad Pineiro gives us a tidbit of her upcoming book “The Lost” (first in her paranormal “The Sin Hunter” series – shapeshifters and all sorts of yummy things!!) – release date August 1st 2011. Three of her novellas will also be featured in Nocturne’s “Bite” series, including a novella that features feature Diana Reyes and Ryder Latimer. YES!! (from her “The Calling” series – love this series!)
  • Nalini Singh updates us with a little FAQ on her Psy/Changeling & Guild Hunter Series (more books to come for both!!) and here’s the cover for Kiss of Snow (Psy/Changeling) (and the backcover blurb) – release date May 31st 2011 
  • Michelle Rowen is currently writing “That Old Black Magic” (the 3rd book in the Eden and Darrak series, featuring Lucas). She will also be working on a new series (guess it’s sort of a “spinoff”), that will involve old characters that she didn’t quite intend on continuing after the original series ended. But Michelle has been inspired, and in 2013, a new series will be released. She says:

This is not Immortality Bites nor will it be promoted as such, BUT it will star Sarah and Thierry as they embark on their eternal lives together, therefore there will definitely still be romantic elements threaded into the mystery plots.

She goes on to say:

… I’m thrilled for the opportunity and hope that fans of the Immortality Bites books will follow Sarah Dearly to the mystery aisles, and that new readers will enjoy reading about my vampire couple in their fresh series starter. Reading the original books will not be necessary, but will certainly enhance a reader’s experience with the new books to know the back story.

     

 

Book Review – Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

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Outlander
Frequently recommended to me (especially by my sister and niece), I decided to give this series a try, when book #1 was given away as a free e-book. What a perfect opportunity! I’ll admit, the first quarter of the book didn’t floor me, but it didn’t take much longer than that, and I was swept away into the 1700’s and didn’t want to come back 😉 No vampires, no Weres, no mystical gods in this one, however the time travel mystery that takes Claire Randall away from her home and husband to another time (and another man’s arms *gasp*) was good enough for me!

The book begins, in the 1940’s, where the war has ended, and Claire and her husband, Frank Randall, are finally reunited again. Having been married for seven? years, they have spent most of it apart (she was a nurse in the army, and her husband, a soldier) and are now taking the time to get acquainted and start a family. Having relocated to Scotland (they are both originally from England), they are enjoying their time together, in love, and exploring their new home. Frank’s spare time is also spent discovering his heritage, while Claire tries her hand at local botany. Meh…nice. Cute. But big deal, right? We see they are fond of each other (and yes, probably in love). Frank, the polite and scholarly type seems to truly love Claire, and there appears to be passion, but this is not something that I actually “felt”, as their story was recounted.

At some point, Claire discovers a “mini” Stonehenge while collecting flowers, and later shares her discovery with Frank. As the two of them return to investigate it, they see a group of jovial elderly women performing a ritual at that very location. Hiding, they quietly spy on them, trying to understand what the women are doing. Could it be a spell of sorts?. Later, Claire goes back, yet again, gets a little too close…and WOOPS!! Bye bye Claire!

Thrown back in time, exactly two hundred years, Claire finds herself amongst a mini scuttle between a group of Scottish Highlanders and English soldiers. One of the soldiers (a key character in this book), Jonathan Randall, who looks astonishingly like her own husband, tries to manhandle her (she quickly discovers that he is the very ancestor that has Frank fascinated with his lineage). As things are about to get ugly, she is “saved” by one of the Highlanders and taken away to their clan. Well, more like kidnapped. They are curious about her strange and sudden appearance (without a man, no less). Her odd accent and way of speaking, and of course, that she’s English on Scottish land (and was found with the English that they were scuttling with), and there could be no good in that! She must be a spy!

A funny moment when she was first captured, Claire used a few “choice” words in her frustration:

There was  a moment of shocked silence. “Christ,” said the fat man named Rupert. “I’ve ne’er heard a woman use such language in me life.”

Poor Claire… beyond confused and scared (although she handles herself remarkably well considering the dire circumstances). In a new time, without her husband, and now kidnapped with no way to try and return home, and on top of all that, under suspicion by the very “barbaric” men that have her in their clutches. No friends, no family, no medicine, no way back.

As Claire “finds” herself amongst the Scottish clan, she realizes that those around her are not overly hostile. Curious and mostly accepting of her presence, she befriends some of the women, helping them in their tasks, eventually becoming the clan nurse. The Laird and his closest men keep a constant watch over her and question her, but they too, seem to believe that she is not what they first suspected, and attempt to keep her safe. And throughout this, she forges a close, and confiding friendship with Jamie (one of her original,  but friendlier, captors).

Involuntarily, I reached out, as though I might heal him with a touch and erase the marks with my fingers. He sighed deeply, but didn’t move as I traced the deep scars, one by one, as though to show him the extent of the damage he couldn’t see. I rested my hands on his shoulders in silence, groping for words.

He placed his hand over mine, and squeezed lightly in acknowledgment of the things I couldn’t find to say.

The clan bachelor (and rumored stud), every women and young girl has hoped to catch his eye, and a few jealous lassies are suddenly giving Claire the “stink-eye”. Watch your back, Claire!

All of this, and I was only a quarter of the way through!! But now, the fun begins.

So one last thing before I let you loose on this book, because the adventure to be had from here on out, is non-stop. The Laird sends Claire, and his men (including Jamie) off to meet with certain higher-ups from France to determine if her “back-story” is the truth (of course, it’s not…well, not really). I mean, how can she explain, during the time of the witch hunts, that she comes from another time? Who’s gonna believe her? She had to come up with something, and while it is her personal history and heritage, it won’t match THEIR history.

I loved this book. I mean…it was one thing happening after another (and not just to her). Jamie will surprise you.

Jamie. Jamie was real all right, more real than anything had ever been to me, even Frank and my life in 1945.

You’ll feel everything (and many of those things, you won’t want to feel). I found my jaw dropping over and over again. Sighing in emotional delight…

He wrapped the quilts comfortable around us and lay back beside me. A moment later, he reached again to touch my face.

“Is it me?” he asked quietly. “Can you not bear me?”

…and then turning right around and internally screaming OH NO HE DIDN’T!!! Claire isn’t always the smartest cookie, either though. I get where she’s coming from, and where she’s trying to go (and yes, she is still trying to get home), but sometimes Claire….I just don’t get your thought process. It’s a different time, and believe me readers, you will both love and hate the 1700’s.

The quotes are minimal in this review…but not because I haven’t highlighted a TON of ’em. I just realize, I want you to discover this one as I did. Without a clue as to what would happen. It’s so much more fun that way 😉

I’ll just say, the book is truly exciting, scary, passionate, heart wrenching, WONDERFULLY tumultuous, and just plain…wonderful! I want to go back! And guess what? I get to!

4.5 stars!!

Check out the entire series reading order here: Diana Gabaldon – Outlander Series Reading Order: (6 more books to go! YAY me!!)

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