Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Book Review: Substitute Creature (Lovecraft Middle School) by Charles Gilman

Today we're reviewing Substitute Creature by Charles Gilman.  This is the fourth book in the Tales from Lovecraft Middle School series.  Don't miss our Tales from Lovecraft Middle School Giveaway to win all four books!


Substitute Creature (Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #4) by Charles Gilman.

When a giant nor’easter dumps a blanket of snow on the village of Dunwich, Massachussetts, Robert Arthur and his friends find themselves marooned inside Lovecraft Middle School. The kids have no choice but to spend the night—while snacking on cafeteria food, sleeping on classroom floors, and facing off against a mysterious substitute teacher who may have a sinister secret. The latest adventure in the Lovecraft Middle School series features more adventures, more outrageous monsters, and another terrifying lenticular cover!

Release Date:  September 24, 2013

Add to Goodreads

Book Review:

The first thing I noticed about this book was its cover.  Don't judge, this cover is hard to miss.  Seriously, I opened the package and may have dropped the book in surprise.  I then made a concerted effort to avoid looking at the holographic cover, especially after dark.  It's creepy!

Substitute Creature is an easy, middle grade read with enough spooky, quirky elements to hold the interest of adult readers.  If you've read the original H.P. Lovecraft stories, then you'll have the added treat of recognizing the mentions of Old Ones--though these aren't your typical Lovecraftian horrors.  The Old Ones featured in Substitute Creature reminded me of Star Trek's tribbles, but with very big teeth (and I'm assuming they don't make that grating chirping sound).

In addition to the Old Ones, there's also an evil mastermind, Crawford Tillinghast, and the substitute creature, Miss Carcasse.  I don't want to give anything away, so you'll just have to read the book to learn more about these deliciously creepy characters!

Though there were was a brief dull point early on in the book, this is a quick, easy read that builds momentum as events spin out of control.  Bad things are happening at Lovecraft Middle School and our trio of adventurous students--Robert, Glenn, and Karina (along with Pip and Squeak, Robert's two-headed pet rat)--are back to save the day.

I enjoyed this book and though it's targeted at the middle grade audience, I believe Substitute Creature will appeal to both young and adult readers.  This is a fun, little adventure inside the walls of Lovecraft Middle School.

Recommended to reluctant readers, young readers, and fans of spooky, quirky stories.  Readers who enjoyed the Goosebumps books by R.L. Stine may enjoy this series.

Rating:  3.75 Shadows

Genre:  Middle Grade, Fantasy, Paranormal

Warnings:  Creepy holographic cover

Books in this series:  Professor Gargoyle, The Slither Sisters, Teacher's Pest.

Enter our Substitute Creature giveaway.

Have you read the Tales from Lovecraft Middle School?  Let us know in the comments!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Tales from Lovecraft Middle School Giveaway

It's Lovecraft Middle School week here at From the Shadows and we are having an AMAZING giveaway.  Read on for your chance to win!

***Lovecraft Middle School Giveaway***

We are giving away a set of all four Tales from Lovecraft Middle School books.  

That's right, ALL FOUR BOOKS!  


Professor Gargoyle (Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #1) by Charles Gilman.

Strange things are happening at Lovecraft Middle School. Rats are leaping from lockers. Students are disappearing. The school library is a labyrinth of secret corridors. And the science teacher is acting very, very peculiar. Robert Arthurt knew that seventh grade was going to be weird, but this is ridiculous!
With the help of some unlikely new friends, Robert discovers there's more to Lovecraft Middle School than meets the eye. Can he uncover the secrets of the school before it's too late?

The Slither Sisters (Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #1) by Charles Gilman.

Seventh-grader Robert Arthur has discovered that two of his classmates are actually sinister snake-women in disguise. Even worse, his new middle school is full of “gates” to a terrifying alternate dimension – a haunted mansion full of strange spirits and monstrous beasts.  For Robert to protect his teachers and classmates, he'll need to return to this haunted dimension with his best friends Glenn and Karina.   Can they uncover the secrets of Lovecraft Middle School before it's too late?

Teacher's Pest  (Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #1) by Charles Gilman.

DON'T BE FOOLED by his friendly smile, his perfect manners, or his shiny red apple. Student council president Howard Mergler is actually a sinister bug-monster in disguise—and he's summoning swarms of roaches, wasps, fleas, and head lice into the corridors of Lovecraft Middle School!  Twelve-year-old Robert Arthur is the only student who can stop him--but he'll need help from his best friends: the school bully, the school ghost, and an extremely courageous two-headed rat.

Substitute Creature (Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #1) by Charles Gilman.

When a giant nor’easter dumps a blanket of snow on the village of Dunwich, Massachussetts, Robert Arthur and his friends find themselves marooned inside Lovecraft Middle School. The kids have no choice but to spend the night—while snacking on cafeteria food, sleeping on classroom floors, and facing off against a mysterious substitute teacher who may have a sinister secret. The latest adventure in the Lovecraft Middle School series features more adventures, more outrageous monsters, and another terrifying lenticular cover!

Don't miss our review of Substitute Creature later this week!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Talk Like a Pirate Day Giveaway

Ahoy!  Today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day and we be celebratin' with a giveaway.

***Talk Like a Pirate Day Giveaway***

Avast, me hearties!  Take a gander at this pirate treasure.  We be givin' away one The Pirate Curse t-shirt (size XL).

Aye, this be right fine pirate booty.  No pillagin' or hornswagglin' necessary.  To enter, use this 'ere Rafflecopter, but do it smartly.  This giveaway weighs anchor October 6, 2013. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
The Pirate Curse by E.J. Stevens

When Yuki starts smelling salt brine and seaweed, she finds her summer vacation hijacked by pirates...the DEAD kind.

Will the ghost of Black Sam Bellamy, Prince of Pirates, lead Yuki and her friends to treasure or terror?


Want more chances to win The Pirate Curse booty?  Don't miss The Pirate Curse release day party October 8, 2013!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

The Pirate Curse Cover Reveal Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Ana D. winner of The Pirate Curse Cover Reveal Giveaway!  Ana will receive a signed The Pirate Curse postcard, a The Pirate Curse sticky notepad, and The Pirate Curse sticker.


Didn't win?  We're having another great The Pirate Curse giveaway later this week.  Come celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day with us September 19th and enter to win a The Pirate Curse t-shirt!  

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Q+A with D.B. Jackson (Thieves' Quarry)

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author D.B. Jackson!  D.B. is the author of the Thieftaker Chronicles (Thieftaker, A Spell of Vengeance, Thieves' Quarry).

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

DB: 
I wrote my first book when I was six years old.  Seriously.  It wasn’t very good, and I illustrated it myself, which made it worse. But that was my first fiction, and I suppose I’ve wanted to write stories ever since.  But I began writing professionally after finishing my Ph.D. in the spring of 1993.  I had several months before I was going to start applying for university teaching jobs, which were to be listed in the fall.  My wife said to me, “Since the day I met you, you’ve talking about writing a novel.  You have the summer -- why not try writing and see if you love it as much as you think you will?” I did, and when I was offered a contract with Tor, I chose to pursue a writing career and leave academia.  I’ve been writing ever since.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

DB: 
Actually, I first encountered fantasy when I was eleven years old and attended a sleepaway camp.  The camp drama counselor was putting on an abridged production of The Hobbit, and I auditioned for it, not because I knew anything about the play, but because I didn’t have much else to do for that session.  I got the part of Bilbo, and fell in love with the story.

When I got home, I read the book, and loved that, too.  A few years later I read Lord of the Rings.  Then Ursula K. LeGuin’s EarthSea trilogy.  Then Stephen R. Donaldson’s Thomas Covenant books.  And by this time I was pretty much hooked on fantasy.  I read Dune as well, and found that I liked science fiction nearly as much. But it was reading that got me hooked.  And when I started getting serious about writing, late in high school, speculative fiction was the stuff I wanted to write, just as it was the stuff I wanted to read.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

DB: 
Well, I can certainly tell you what powers I wouldn’t want:  I wouldn’t want to be able to discern the future -- I don’t want to know what life is going to bring; I much prefer to be surprised along the way.  And I wouldn’t want to be able to read people’s thoughts -- I just think that it would be a matter of too much information, if you know what I mean.

I think the power I would want most would be the ability to shape-shift, particularly if I could retain at least some level of awareness and personal identity in any form.  I would love to know what it is like to be a hawk, a wolf, a hummingbird, an elk, etc.  I could go on listing creatures I’d like to be, but you get the idea.  I think having that ability would be not only handy, but also very cool.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

DB:
  Thieves’ Quarry, the second book in my Thieftaker Chronicles (the first book, Thieftaker, came out last year, also from Tor books), is a stand-alone murder mystery set in pre-Revolutionary Boston.  My lead character, Ethan Kaille is a thieftaker, which is sort of the 18th century equivalent of a private detective; he recovers stolen items for a fee. He’s also a conjurer.  In this book, which takes place on the eve of the British occupation of Boston in September/October 1768, he is hired by representatives of the Crown to investigate a magical attack on a British naval vessel that kills every man on board.  And in the course of his investigation, he has to grapple with the deepening political struggles between loyalists and the Sons of Liberty; he has to thwart several thieves who are all racing to recover a cache of smuggled pearls; and he has to overcome a conjuring power the likes of which he has never faced before.

It’s really a fun book -- a ton of stuff is going on, and Ethan is caught in the middle of all of it. And I also believe it’s the best book I’ve written to date, in terms of plotting, pacing, character.  It just all came together so well with this novel.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

DB:
  I would probably want Mark Wahlberg to play Ethan.  To my mind, he is the actor who looks the part, and whose acting best meshes with how I see the role.  In the role of Sephira Pryce, Ethan’s rival in thieftaking, who is cruel, ruthless, shrewd, beautiful, and sexy as hell, I would probably want Olivia Wilde.  She’s not only a fine actress, but she also has the look I’d want -- alluring, but also strong.  And in the role of Ethan’s love interest, Kannice Lester, I would cast  Emma Stone, whose work I love, and who has a softer, somewhat more accessible look -- again, perfect for the role.























Thieves' Quarry (Thieftaker #2) by D.B. Jackson.

Ethan Kaille isn’t the likeliest hero. A former sailor with a troubled past, Ethan is a thieftaker, using conjuring skills to hunt down those who steal from the good citizens of Boston. And while chasing down miscreants in 1768 makes his life a perilous one, the simmering political tensions between loyalists like himself and rabble-rousing revolutionaries like Samuel Adams and others of his ilk are perhaps even more dangerous to his health.

When one hundred sailors of King George III's Royal Navy are mysteriously killed on a ship in Boston Harbor, Ethan is thrust into dire peril. For he—and not Boston’s premier thieftaker, Sephira Pryce—is asked to find the truth behind their deaths. City Sheriff Edmund Greenleaf suspects conjuring was used in the dastardly crime, and even Pryce knows that Ethan is better equipped to contend with matters of what most of Boston considers dark arts. But even Ethan is daunted by magic powerful enough to fell so many in a single stroke. When he starts to investigate, he realizes that the mass murderer will stop at nothing to evade capture. And making his task more difficult is the British fleet's occupation of the city after the colonials' violent protests after the seizure of John Hancock's ship. Kaille will need all his own magic, street smarts, and a bit of luck to keep this Boston massacre from giving the hotheads of Colonial Boston an excuse for inciting a riot—or worse.


Release Date:  July 2, 2013

Add to Goodreads

Don't miss our review of Thieves' Quarry posted earlier this week.  Thieves' Quarry is an intriguing mix of historical fiction, magic realism, and urban fantasy you'll want to check out.

Thank you D.B. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about D.B. Jackson and his books, please visit his website.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Book Review: Thieves' Quarry (Thieftaker Chronicles) by D.B. Jackson

Today we're featuring a review of Thieves' Quarry by D.B. Jackson.  Don't miss our interview with D.B. Jackson later this week!






















Thieves' Quarry (Thieftaker Chronicles #2) by D.B. Jackson

Ethan Kaille isn’t the likeliest hero. A former sailor with a troubled past, Ethan is a thieftaker, using conjuring skills to hunt down those who steal from the good citizens of Boston. And while chasing down miscreants in 1768 makes his life a perilous one, the simmering political tensions between loyalists like himself and rabble-rousing revolutionaries like Samuel Adams and others of his ilk are perhaps even more dangerous to his health.

When one hundred sailors of King George III's Royal Navy are mysteriously killed on a ship in Boston Harbor, Ethan is thrust into dire peril. For he—and not Boston’s premier thieftaker, Sephira Pryce—is asked to find the truth behind their deaths. City Sheriff Edmund Greenleaf suspects conjuring was used in the dastardly crime, and even Pryce knows that Ethan is better equipped to contend with matters of what most of Boston considers dark arts. But even Ethan is daunted by magic powerful enough to fell so many in a single stroke. When he starts to investigate, he realizes that the mass murderer will stop at nothing to evade capture. And making his task more difficult is the British fleet's occupation of the city after the colonials' violent protests after the seizure of John Hancock's ship. Kaille will need all his own magic, street smarts, and a bit of luck to keep this Boston massacre from giving the hotheads of Colonial Boston an excuse for inciting a riot—or worse.


Release Date: July 2, 2013

Add to Goodreads

Review:

Thieves' Quarry is the second book in the Thieftaker Chronicles, but it reads well as a stand alone novel.  I didn't feel at a disadvantage having not read Thieftaker.  The author does a good job of filling in the gaps for readers new to the series, though don't plan to miss anymore books in this series--they're too good to miss.

Ethan Kaille is a thieftaker, a hired private detective of sorts who helps people find their lost or stolen goods for money.  Ethan's great strength is his conjuring ability, though his blood magic is also a liability.  This book takes place in an urban fantasy version of colonial Boston where conjurers are rare and viewed with suspicion.  A dozen men and women have recently been put to death in nearby Salem and the fear of those who wield magic has not abated.  With Ethan's conjuring magic and troubled past, he must be cautious of the law.

Too bad the thieftaker must also watch out for the vicious scheming of Boston's most notorious and powerful crime lord and top ranking thieftaker, Sephira Pryce.  Hired by the crown and with strong magic afoot, Ethan must walk a dangerous knife edge as he works to solve his most recent case. 

Thieves' Quarry immediately transported me to a dark, gritty fantasy version of historical Boston filled with murderers and thieves.  Ethan Kaille is an interesting, well developed character with an unfortunate knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  His methods of detective work are well thought out and lend a sense of realism.  The supporting characters are also well written and the antagonism between Ethan and his rival Sephira add to suspense of wondering what's going to happen next.

This was an intriguing book that will appeal to readers of both urban and historical fantasy.  With well developed characters and a dark, gritty alternate history peppered with magic, this is a series I'll be reading more of in the future.

Recommended to fans of urban fantasy, historical fiction, and magic realism.  Readers who liked The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard) by Scott Lynch may enjoy this book.

Rating:  4.25 Shadows

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Books in this series:  Thieftaker (Thieftaker Chronicles #1), A Spell of Vengeance (Thieftaker Chronicles #0.5), Thieves' Quarry (Thieftaker Chronicles #2).

Have you read the Thieftaker Chronicles?  Let us know in the comments!

Friday, September 6, 2013

Book Review: Elysian Fields (Sentinels of New Orleans) by Suzanne Johnson

Today we're reviewing Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson.  To learn more about the series, don't miss this interview with Suzanne from our archives and our character interview this week with Drusilla "D.J." Jaco.






















Elysian Fields (Sentinels of New Orleans #3) by Suzanne Johnson.

An undead serial killer comes for DJ in this thrilling third installment of Suzanne Johnson’s Sentinels of New Orleans series

The mer feud has been settled, but life in South Louisiana still has more twists and turns than the muddy Mississippi.


New Orleanians are under attack from a copycat killer mimicking the crimes of a 1918 serial murderer known as the Axeman of New Orleans. Thanks to a tip from the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, DJ Jaco knows the attacks aren’t random—an unknown necromancer has resurrected the original Axeman of New Orleans, and his ultimate target is a certain blonde wizard. Namely, DJ.


Combatting an undead serial killer as troubles pile up around her isn’t easy. Jake Warin’s loup-garou nature is spiraling downward, enigmatic neighbor Quince Randolph is acting weirder than ever, the Elders are insisting on lessons in elven magic from the world’s most annoying wizard, and former partner Alex Warin just turned up on DJ’s to-do list. Not to mention big maneuvers are afoot in the halls of preternatural power.


Suddenly, moving to the Beyond as Jean Lafitte’s pirate wench could be DJ’s best option.


Release Date:  August 13, 2013.

Add to Goodreads

Book Review:

This review contains SPOILERS for books 1 and 2.  If you haven't read Royal Street and River Road, what are you waiting for?

Elysian Fields is the third book in the Sentinels of New Orleans series.  After reading the first two novels, Royal Street and River Road, I had high expectations and Elysian Fields didn't disappoint.

Suzanne Johnson has created a modern-day, post-Katrina New Orleans filled with supernatural creatures.  Drusilla "DJ" Jaco, newly appointed sentinel of New Orleans, is a Green Congress wizard of limited ability who continues to struggle with her recently revealed elvish powers.  Unfortunately, the council has decided that DJ could use some pointers from their resident elf-lore expert, Adrian--the same Adrian who failed her on her last big mission.  As if that wasn't bad enough, there's a psycho serial killer on the loose the press have dubbed The Axeman.  Bodies are piling up and tensions are rising.  Add to that four guys with the hots for DJ--a loup garou, a shapeshifter, a historical undead, and an elf--and you have a fast-paced, edge of your seat, omg can't sleep until I've finished, book.

While not always a fan of love triangles, and this folks is a love pentagon, each of these potential suitors lends their own tension and personality to the book.  Jake's struggles to tame his wolf, Alex's protective devotion, Jean Lafitte's charisma and Quince Randolph's single-mindedness all lend something to the story.  I love Alex and can't help but drool over Jean Lafitte, but if you're not a fan of love triangles (or pentagons), then this one may not be for you. 

Elysian Fields is my favorite book in this series and I can't wait to read more about DJ, Alex, and Jean Lafitte.  The world building continues to impress, the characters are beginning to grow, and the relationships are becoming much more complex and intriguing.  Plus, this book is chock full of witty banter, something I absolutely adore.

Overall, Elysian Fields is a fabulous addition to the Sentinels of New Orleans series that leaves you wanting more.  I highly recommend to readers who enjoy urban fantasy with well developed characters, quirky dialogue, and a modern-day world populated with a wide variety of paranormal creatures.

Recommended to readers of urban fantasy.  Fans of the Dresden Files, Arcadia Bell, Ivy Granger, October Daye, Jane Yellowrock, Alex Craft, Charlie Madigan, and The Hollows should give this series a try!

Rating:  5 Shadows

Warning:  Moderate Violence

Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Books in this series:  Royal Street, River Road, and Elysian Fields.

Have you read the Sentinels of New Orleans books?  Let us know in the comments!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Birthday Bash Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Amber H. winner of E.J.'s Birthday Bash Giveaway at From the Shadows!  Amber will receive an ebook copy of GHOST LIGHT the second novel in the Ivy Granger urban fantasy series.


Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes.  I had a fabulous time! xx

Didn't win?  Goodreads is giving away a signed trade paperback copy of GHOST LIGHT (US/GB/CA, ending 9/19/13).

**Giveaway winners selected using Rafflecopter**

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Q+A with Drusilla "DJ" Jaco (Elysian Fields: Sentinels of New Orleans)

Please welcome today's special guest, Drusilla Jaco from the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series by Suzanne Johnson!

Drusilla Jaco took a break from chasing down pretes (preternaturals) who’ve crossed the borders from the Beyond into modern New Orleans to chat about how her life has changed in the three years since she became a Sentinel.

What’s the hardest part of your job? Has it gotten any easier?

Well, since Hurricane Katrina tore down the borders between New Orleans and the Beyond, all the rules have changed. The physical part of the job has gotten easier…except, wait. Let me rethink that. I have been drowned, shot, burned, had my hair yanked out by the roots…Hell no, it hasn’t gotten easier.

Sounds kind of hazardous? You’re one of only a few female wizards to ever hold the job of sentinel.

Not really. I mean, most days I’m just trying to stay alive—or out of the wizards’ Elders’ doghouse. Although after recent events, I’m pretty far down on their list of priorities. I mean, do you know what the First Elder did?

Uh, I don’t think you can talk about that yet. It’s not until the next book.

Oh. Well, okay. Let’s just say the Elders have much bigger wizards to fry than me.

What are you most afraid of? It used to be zombies—is that still true?

I’m still most afraid of losing someone else I care about. But I’ve changed my mind about zombies. Not that I LIKE zombies, but you have to like a prete who can just be set on fire or blown up with a grenade. You know, they’re all mindless and shambling and stuff. Now elves. Elves, I fear. Maybe fear is the wrong word. Loathe. That’s the word. Fear and Loathing in New Orleans.

What about elves scares you? Aren’t they nice, peaceful, beautiful creatures?

*Stares at me in disgust.* Hey, I like Tolkien as well as the next wizard on the block, and Gandalf—the wizard, not the dog—was cool. But, seriously, he had elves wrong.

Would you say elves are evil?

No, it would be easier if they were evil. They just have their own ways, and happen to think their ways are the right ways. And the only ways. And that everyone else is stupid.

Sort of sounds like wizards?

I have the staff with me. I’m not above zapping someone with it. Ask my neighbor Quince Randolph.

What’s ahead for you and Quince Randolph? Admit it, you think he’s hot.

So is a coat made of leopard fur, but I can think of all kinds of reasons not to have one. But just in case those rumors are getting started: I do not like Quince Randolph. I do not trust Quince Randolph farther than I can throw him, and he’d be too heavy to try—and besides that throwing him would require touching him, and I don’t plan to do that either. Not happening. So just put that out of your mind.

What about Alex?

*Narrows eyes* What about him? What kind of question is that?

What about Jean Lafitte? The pirate has proven to be a valuable ally, wouldn’t you say?

(Sighs.) Yes, you just don’t even want to know how much I owe that man .. pirate .. privateer … whatever. God only knows what he’ll want in payback.

It’s been said you have too many men in your life, so what about Jake?

Jake and I tried but it wasn’t meant to happen, and it’s better for both of us that it didn’t. That’s over. I still care about him. I still feel responsible for what’s happened to him; well, Alex and me both. I’ll always help him if I can. But friends is it.

And Rene?

(Laughs.) I love that guy. He’s the only person I know who’s more impulsive than me. We’re too much alike to be more than friends. Besides, why in the world would I get mixed up with a guy who spends all his free time in the water? I can’t even swim.  He’s a good backup guy, though, and I think Alex is gonna offer him a job with the DDT prete squad. Don’t know if he’ll take it or not.

Last question: what’s your take on the vampires and the local vampire Regent, Etienne?

I think Etienne Boulard better watch his fangs. I know a certain French pirate who wants to have a few words with him. It won’t be pretty. … I hope I get to watch. But now, I gotta go and have a word with the Greater Mississippi River Nymphs. Their escort and massage service still has a few satyrs on staff, and I’m sorry, but those creepy little horns are freaking people out. And the cloven hooves (shakes head). You don’t even want to know.


Thank you DJ for joining us here today at From the Shadows!  Read on to learn more about Elysian Fields, the newest release in the Sentinels of New Orleans series.






















Elysian Fields (Sentinels of New Orleans #3) by Suzanne Johnson.

An undead serial killer comes for DJ in this thrilling third installment of Suzanne Johnson’s Sentinels of New Orleans series

The mer feud has been settled, but life in South Louisiana still has more twists and turns than the muddy Mississippi.


New Orleanians are under attack from a copycat killer mimicking the crimes of a 1918 serial murderer known as the Axeman of New Orleans. Thanks to a tip from the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, DJ Jaco knows the attacks aren’t random—an unknown necromancer has resurrected the original Axeman of New Orleans, and his ultimate target is a certain blonde wizard. Namely, DJ.


Combatting an undead serial killer as troubles pile up around her isn’t easy. Jake Warin’s loup-garou nature is spiraling downward, enigmatic neighbor Quince Randolph is acting weirder than ever, the Elders are insisting on lessons in elven magic from the world’s most annoying wizard, and former partner Alex Warin just turned up on DJ’s to-do list. Not to mention big maneuvers are afoot in the halls of preternatural power.


Suddenly, moving to the Beyond as Jean Lafitte’s pirate wench could be DJ’s best option.


Release Date:  August 13, 2013.

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Add to Goodreads

Books in this series:  Royal Street, River Road, and Elysian Fields.

Book Review:  Don't miss our 5-Shadows review of Elysian Fields coming September 6, 2013.  I absolutely LOVED it.

To learn more about this series check out Suzanne Johnson's website and don't miss this fun interview with Suzanne from our archives.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

The Pirate Curse Cover Reveal + Giveaway

Time for a cover reveal!  Feast your eyes on the cover for THE PIRATE CURSE by E.J. Stevens.


The Pirate Curse (Spirit Guide #5) by E.J. Stevens.

When Yuki starts smelling salt brine and seaweed, she finds her summer vacation hijacked by pirates...the DEAD kind.

Will the ghost of Black Sam Bellamy, Prince of Pirates, lead Yuki and her friends to treasure or terror?


The Pirate Curse is the final novel in the Spirit Guide young adult paranormal series.

Genre:  Young Adult (YA), Paranormal Romance, Mystery

Release Date:  October 8, 2013

Add to Goodreads

Books in this series:  She Smells the Dead, Spirit Storm, Legend of Witchtrot Road, Brush with Death.

About the Author:  E.J. Stevens is the author of the Spirit Guide young adult series and the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series. When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.

Follow E.J.'s Blog, Newsletter, Goodreads, and Twitter

***The Pirate Curse Swag Giveaway***


We are celebrating The Pirate Curse Cover Reveal with a giveaway.  Enter to win a signed The Pirate Curse postcard, a The Pirate Curse sticky notepad, and The Pirate Curse sticker.


Use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form to enter.  This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  Giveaway ends September 17, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway