In celebration of the recent release of “The Reckoning (Book Two of The Taker Trilogy)” author Alma Katsu is offering a SIGNED print book giveaway of the first two books in her haunting paranormal trilogy, to one lucky commenter! The Reckoning was a semifinalist in Goodreads’ Reader Choice Awards – Paranormal Fantasy and is a nominee for RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award in Paranormal Romance.
About the series:
“… stunning tale of a mysterious young woman, Lanore, and an unwitting Maine doctor who falls into her world, a hidden world that exists outside the boundaries of time. In this magical realm, where the predatory use pleasure to corrupt the innocent, Lanore’s incredible devotion to Jonathan, her first, true love, captures the attention of Adair, the dangerous man who rules this world, and ignites within him an all-consuming desire to possess her.”
(Learn even more about the series, plus an excerpt from book #2 AND a Q&A with the author herself, below!)
Reading Order:
- The Taker (Book One of The Taker Trilogy)
- The Reckoning (Book Two of The Taker Trilogy) <— (check out the excerpt below!!)
- The Descent – expected release date August 13th 2013
How to enter for a chance to win this signed set? Just leave a comment below, and Sunday night (Sunday February 10th, 2013) by 10pm EST, I will randomly select one winner.
The winner will be contacted and will have 48hrs to respond with a mailing address, so if you are picked, do not delay or you will lose your chance. The books will be sent directly from the author. Sorry for my international readers, this is a open to U.S. residents only (but you’re welcome to comment and join in any time!!).
Now for the fun series info!
The Taker opens on the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, where Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her . . . despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated.
Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century in the same small town of St. Andrew, Maine, back when it was a settlement in the wilderness. Consumed as a child by her love for Jonathan, son of the town’s founder, Lanny will do anything to be with him forever. But when Jonathan fails her in her time of need and she’s exiled from town, Lanny is taken in by a man with mysterious, otherworldly powers named Adair. He uses his powers to give her eternal life, but Lanore learns too late that there is a price for this gift: to spend eternity with him. And though he is handsome and charming, behind Adair’s seductive facade is the stuff of nightmares. He is a monster in the flesh, and he wants Lanore to love him for all of time. And all she wants is Jonathan. She steals Adair’s magic to bind Jonathan to her so they can spend eternity together, learning too late that she’s doomed them both to a terrible fate for all eternity. It’s up to Lanny to figure out how to stop Adair and save them both—though she seems condemned to pay for her betrayal of Jonathan for the rest of her life.
In the second book in the trilogy, The Reckoning, Lanny believes she’s finally free of both Adair and her hopeless love for Jonathan. She’s trying to atone for her sins by giving away the treasures she’s collected over her many lifetimes in order, purging her past and clearing the way for a future with her new lover, Luke Findley. But, while viewing these items at an exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Lanore suddenly is aware that the thing she’s been dreading for two hundred years has caught up to her: Adair has escaped from his prison. He’s free— and he will come looking for her. And she has no idea how she will save herself a second time from a man who is truly unstoppable.
With the stunningly imaginative storytelling and rich characterizations that fascinated readers worldwide and made The Taker a singular and memorable literary debut and an international sensation, Alma Katsu once again delivers “a powerful evocation of the dark side of romantic love” (Publishers Weekly) in her breathtaking new novel.
THE RECKONING is a nominee for RT Book Reviews 2012 Reviewers Choice Award for Best Paranormal Romance and was a semifinalist in Goodreads 2012 Readers Choice Award for Best Paranormal Fantasy.
Q&A:
What’s been the most rewarding part of writing THE TAKER books?
For me, the most fun has been the freedom to write a series that is not locked into an established mythos. I wanted to create the kind of book that I love to read: dark, twisty tales filled with characters you can’t forget and a story that haunts you for days after you’ve finished the last page. It has magic—because deep down, everyone wants to believe in magic—and danger, and men you want to fall in love with but who are tragically flawed. Unfortunately, the uniqueness of The Taker books has also been the biggest challenge: the fact that it’s doesn’t fit neatly into one genre or another sometimes makes it tough to convince readers to give it a try. I hope I don’t sound immodest if I repeat what countless readers have told me: “Why did I wait so long to read this book? It was amazing.”
With your background in intelligence and the spy business, how did you end up writing fantasy?
You’d think that with 30 years in the intelligence business, writing spy novels would be a no-brainer. Maybe that means I don’t have a brain . . . But really, the truth is that the last thing I wanted to do after a long day at work was come home and wrestle with an espionage caper. It was simultaneously both too much like work and crazily unlike work: what you see in a James Bond movie or in the pages of a spy thriller is not like real intelligence work, but you probably guessed that already. Whereas with fantasy, you have carte blanche to escape from reality, to mark everything larger-than-life in order to reveal truths about life. I felt constrained trying to write spy fiction, whereas I feel totally free writing fantasy.
What’s been the most surprising part of being published?
Connecting with readers and other writers. It is mind-blowing to see the range of books being written these days. There are books for every taste, and there are an amazing number of readers who read widely and can turn you on to a new author or new favorite book you might otherwise have never heard of. And without fail, the authors I’ve met have been friendly, open, and so supportive, ready to share their experience or even lend a shoulder for you to cry on. Everyone is in it for the love of story. It’s a pretty wonderful community to be part of.
Excerpt from
THE RECKONING
By Alma Katsu
Book Two in The Taker Trilogy
By the summer of 1830, Jonathan and I had ended up in Fez, taking a suite at a hotel frequented by Europeans and Americans doing what was known at the time as the Grand Tour, the trip taken by young adults from moneyed families to give them some knowledge of the world. The hotel was fancy enough to please wealthy clients but practical enough to maintain a row of rooms and suites along the back of the property for another class of travelers. These rooms were meant for the lost and the drifters, and that was where we found ourselves after wandering for seven years, little wiser and much poorer, still ill prepared for what lay ahead for us.
It was here that I awoke in a double bed with sheets that hadn’t been changed in a week (we scrimped on maid service to save money) to find Jonathan’s note telling me he’d gone. Forgive me. This is for the best. Promise me you won’t come looking for me. If I change my mind, I will find you. Please honor my wish. Your dearest, J. I reread the note twenty, thirty times, the words making less sense with each reading, and remained in bed for another hour, uncomprehending. He’s mad at me for something, I told myself. He’s upset over something I said or did, something I don’t even remember, and has stormed out. He’ll be back. If I wait here patiently, he’ll be back.
When I finally got to my feet, I found that his clothing was gone, along with his suitcase and the journal he’d gotten into the habit of keeping. He hadn’t taken any of our money and could have no cash but whatever small amount he had on him. He’d also left behind the small pistol he carried, a sign that I was now responsible for my own protection.
He’ll be back after sunset—that was the next thing I told myself, mostly in an attempt to remain calm. I sat in the shaded rooms, smoking cigarette after cigarette, wondering what had caused him to leave. Things had deteriorated between us, certainly, but every couple went through bad times, periods when they argued more and found less pleasure in each other’s company. Arguments, sullen evenings . . . these things would pass. Jonathan had no choice but to return to me. In our peculiar situation, there was no one else he could trust. I started to wonder if there wasn’t an outsider to blame, if perhaps Jonathan had been persuaded by one of the adventurers who trekked through Morocco seemingly on weekly basis—a strong-willed woman, one with a fortune and an independent streak—to join her on the road. Maybe my worse fear had come to pass and he had finally fallen in love with someone else.
OOOhhhh, this series sounds good. I’ve never heard of it, thank for pointing it out Maryse and thanks for the giveaway Alma and Maryse. 🙂
Please pick me! These are some of my favorite books!
This series looks great, adding to my Tbr!
Ooh this looks good!!!! Thanks
Oooh this looks good. Thanks
Thanks for the giveaway! This series looks really good!
I haven’t heard about this series and it looks great! Thanks for pointing it out to us!!! And thanks for another amazing giveaway Maryse and Alma!
The covers are so pretty. Looks good. Definitely want to read these!
Looks good. Thanks
Me please!!!
I had the first book in hand at one point but something else came up. I’ve been meaning to get back to it.
Please pick me! Haven’t read yet but so loving the look.
Pick me please!!!
I’ve been meaning to read these for a while now! I won the second book off GR, but haven’t gotten the first yet. =(
Thank you for the interview & chance to win, these books are great!
Thanks for the giveaway!!! 🙂
Even if I dont win I am DEFINITELY putting this on my reading list!!!
I haven’t heard about this series and it looks great! Thanks for pointing it out to us!!! And thanks for another amazing giveaway Maryse and Alma!
Would be nice to get both the books:)
Fingers crossed,hope to win!!
Sydney W
Sounds great!!!
I would love to win .looks like a great series !
Sounds interesting!!!
Sounds like a great series! I would love to win the books!
WoW! This series really looks good!
These look good! Def adding to my TBR list! 🙂
I love it when publishers and authors use masquerade masks on the covers. It always sucks me in and I’ve never been disappointed.
Adding to my list!
cant wait to read thxs for the sugguestion
I would love this! I’ve had this series in my wish list forever.
Added to the TBR list!!! This looks great. I hope I win.
Sounds so good! I want to win!!
On my TBR , keep waitin for this list to blow my IPhone up!! Love to win though-I love real books 🙂
This series sounds sooo good!!! I am SUPER excited!!!!
Sounds like a great series! Would live to win!
Looks like a good series! Thanks for the giveaway:)
I would LOVE to win these books! I’ve had them on my watchers list since I had entered another giveaway months ago for the first book and didn’t win it 🙁
Awesome, they look great.
I’ve had these on my TBR list for so long! Would love to win a copy! Thanks for the great giveaways 🙂
since Sunday is my birthday, these would make an excellent present!
Would love to read! Thanks Maryse!! Your the best!!! 😉
I really enjoyed both books. Thanks for the opportunity.
Would love to read these!!
Hope I win!
Would love to add these to my bookshelf 🙂
love the covers. Thanks for the giveaway
Thanks the for giveaway.
Sounds like a great paranormal series. I will have to add these books to my TBR list. 🙂
Looks good! Can’t wait to read!!!!
This series looks great, I hope you pick me this time!!!! 🙂
Would love to read this series… And a signed copy would be a dream!!! Pick me, pick me!!!
I read the sample for The Taker yesterday and I am already hooked!
I would LOVE to read this!
Ok adding another series to my list! This sounds really good. Can’t wait to read it!
I am always up for a new author. Thanks for pointing this series out.
Would love this series, please pick me:)
Love the covers just makes you want to open them.
I’m intrigued. The story sounds unique and imaginative and I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover but those covers are gorgeous!
Thanks for the giveaway! Hope I win 🙂
Hope I Win!! Would Love to have these 😀 sounds like a great series 😀
Looks like a great book!
Sounds like a good read!
Wow! These sound really good! Would LOVE to have these! Please pick me! 🙂
Sounds like a good read!
I haven’t read this series yet, but it.sounds fantastic….thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve been eyeing this series for awhile, waiting for a sale, and would love to get the chance to read the first two!
Yaay! Looks great!
I love the books! I can’t wait for the 3rd! I have to say, I’m becoming a fan of Adair!
Pick me please!
Love this series! Love to have a signed copy!!
the taker is terrific. almost finished and have the reckoning ready to go! sorry to hear the third book has been pushed to 2014.
wow I was surprised to see that the first book has 450 pages,so I am glad being the ending is supposedly a cliffhanger that book 2 has come out ,of course having to wait for book 3 will be agonizing as its not till August,but with a book that long it would take a while to write and iits nice to get a book that if a full long novel,specially since so many authors nowadays that write trilogys or series write maybe 15 pages for $2.99 which is ridiculous.And what makes this even better is its an actual book,although I love my kindle with a real book you don’t have to stop in the middle of a chapter and charge up your kindle for an hour or two lol I have a feeling though that I am going to need a box of kleenex handy when I read these books!!
I love this series. This series is different than you typical paranormal series.
Cannot wait to see what happens between Luke, Lanore, and Adair.
I would love to win these books. I love the series.
I would love to have a signed copy.
Sounds interesting…adding to TBR
This series was recommended to me by a friend and I’ve fallen in love with it and can’t wait for the third book to come out. Alma does such a great job bringing this story to life and keeping the reader engrossed in the novels. I love the little short stories she releases as well to explain things that happened in between or during the novels that need more insight. Love love love.
I have both these books in my TBR list but haven’t gotten the chance. They sound really good! Thanks for the giveaway!
I loved the first book and have yet to read the second. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve been wanting these a while just because of the stunning covers! What a great interview.
Great interview! Excerpt sounds great! Definitely want to read this series and its on my TBR list. Id love to Win!! Thanks for another giveaway opportunity Maryse…as usual…YOU ROCK!!
Super giveaway!! Yet more books I will have to add to my list to read!!! SWEET!! 🙂
Hook me up….I’m always open for new books!
Sounds really good.
These books looks so good! Would love to have them 🙂
Thank you!
Looking forward to checking out this series!
Fantastic! Hope I win…
I can’t wait to read the whole series! Very Intriguing!
I love “the taker”! Can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy 🙂 Alma Katsu – you’re a true genius! x
Nice excerpt.
Sounds good!