SF Book Releases This Week: Nov. 26, 2013

Welcome to another edition of SF Book Releases This Week! A couple observations on this week’s titles. First, William Meikle. I first discovered his name when I slush read for Blue Shift Magazine and his was my first (and only?) story acceptance. He has a real gift with writing a story that you want to read. Since then, it seems I’ve seen him in every anthology put to print, and now he’s got a novel out. Sweet! The second observation is the artist, George C. Cotronis, who did the cover for the D. Alexander Ward collection, “A Feast of Buzzards.” George also created the artwork for Apocalyptic Montessa by Mercedes Yardley. I really like his stuff. While I haven’t read anything by D. Alexander, George’s cover work adds a weight of respect to what lies within.

Dark Regions Press
The Ravine by William Meikle

Cavalry officer Stephens wants to keep his troopers safe, but when he is pulled into the oldest conflict of them all, he must choose – to serve, or to die. Saloon-hand Jacob wants to live a quiet life, play his fiddle, and sink a few beers. But something has come to his town-something old, hungry, and far from quiet. Farmer Joe Clancy wants to keep his herd alive long enough to be able to sell them and save his farm. But first, he has to save his family, as death stalks the corrals. To fight the growing menace, the three men must confront their inner demons and an all too real evil, one that threatens the lives of everyone it touches. “William Meikle’s short stories and novels are shining examples of what is missing in horror fiction today: atmospheric in style, old-school in character, with an intriguing story to be told.” – David Wynn, Mythos Books

Penguin
City of Lost DreamsCity of Lost Dreams by Magnus Flyte

In this action-packed sequel to City of Dark Magic, we find musicologist Sarah Weston in Vienna in search of a cure for her friend Pollina, who is now gravely ill and who may not have much time left. Meanwhile, Nicolas Pertusato, in London in search of an ancient alchemical cure for the girl, discovers an old enemy is one step ahead of him. In Prague, Prince Max tries to unravel the strange reappearance of a long dead saint while being pursued by a seductive red-headed historian with dark motives of her own. In the city of Beethoven, Mozart, and Freud, Sarah becomes the target in a deadly web of intrigue that involves a scientist on the run, stolen art, seductive pastries, a few surprises from long-dead alchemists, a distractingly attractive horseman who’s more than a little bloodthirsty, and a trail of secrets and lies. But nothing will be more dangerous than the brilliant and vindictive villain who seeks to bend time itself. Sarah must travel deep into an ancient mystery to save the people she loves.

Hazardous Press
A Feast of Buzzards by D. Alexander Ward

Take a journey through a twisted version of the American South with these stories by author D. Alexander Ward as he draws back the curtain on a world where isolation, faith and transformation all play a part in the struggle between light and dark—and the battles that rage within us all. • The ghost of a young boy’s father helps him discover the hero within as he strives to rescue his mother, abducted during a drug deal gone bad. • During a trip across Mississippi, a man listens as a voice on the radio inflames his worst fears about his wife and child, and drives him toward the edge of madness and an unthinkable act. • A young man and his father on a hunting expedition are pursued by the spirit of his grandfather, whose cruelty only seems to have worsened in death. It’s the sound of duct tape stretching across a mouth to muffle screams. It’s a rusty pickup truck idling in the dark. It’s a lonely back road through trailer parks and empty fields. This is A Feast of Buzzards…

DarkFuse
Shattered by C.S. Kane

Stacey’s fiance Liam has just landed a new job in the city, and the young couple is forced to move into a low-budget flat in a seedy neighborhood. It’s not the the dream house they imagined, but it’s well within their price range and a short distance from Stacey’s graduate school.

Soon after they move in, however, Stacey begins to experience terrible nightmares, vivid hallucinations, cold spells, and frequent panic attacks. As she spirals deeper and deeper into what appears to be a physical and mental breakdown, putting her university career and relationship in jeopardy, she befriends the reclusive old woman next door who tells her chilling stories of the house’s former occupants.

Is Stacey going mad or is the dark history of 24 Claremont Street something that can’t and won’t be be ignored?

Open Road Media
The Duke of Uranium by John Barnes

Jak Jinnaka plunges into a world of danger and intrigue beyond imagination as he is forced to ask: “Where’s the party?” Jak Jinnaka’s thirty-sixth-century teenage life has been nothing but fun—ignoring school, partying outrageously with his beautiful girlfriend, Sesh, and spending his uncle Sib’s huge fortune. But while they are out for a wild night of postgraduation clubbing, Sesh is kidnapped by the dangerous, enigmatic Duke of Uranium. Bruised and battered, Jak wakes up to a whole new reality: sweet, superficial Sesh is actually Princess Shyf of Greenworld, daughter of the rulers of a powerful faraway spaceport; kind and slightly dotty old Uncle Sib is a legendary spymaster; and Jak’s whole life has been preparation for the world of espionage. Now, his maiden mission is to rescue his girlfriend from one of the most powerful aristocrats in the solar system—or is it? The world Uncle Sib has plunged him into has wheels within every wheel and hidden forces in every shadow, and the only thing that is just what it seems is Jak himself: an amoral party animal looking out for number one!

Purple Sun Press
Silevethiel by Andi O’Connor

Following her father’s murder, Princess Irewen Donríel is betrayed and left for dead in the forests of Mistwood. Rescued by the elf prince, Laegon Elendell, Irewen awakes an exile with no home, no country, and no people. But as the horrific memories of murder and betrayal return, she realizes the nightmare is only beginning. The world of Vaelinel is failing—its fate bound to her in ways no one fully understands. A mysterious elven prophecy may provide her with some answers, but continuously hunted and fighting for her life, Irewen quickly learns that unearthing the truth will be more difficult than she ever imagined. Can she accept Laegon’s love and the friendship of the Wood Elves, or will she stand alone against the terrifying evil now threatening to destroy the entire world?

 

Orbit
Last to Rise (A Rojan Dizon Novel) by Francis Knight

The towering vertical city of Mahala is on the brink of war with its neighboring countries. It might be his worst nightmare, but Rojan and the few remaining pain mages have been drafted in to help. The city needs power in whatever form they can get it — and fast. With alchemists readying a prototype electricity generator, and factories producing guns faster than ever, the city’s best advantage is still the mages. Tapping their power is a risky plan, but with food in the city running out, and a battle brimming that no one is ready for, risky is the best they’ve got… The spectacular conclusion to the adventures of Rojan Dizon, which began with the thrilling fantasy debut Fade to Black.

 

Subterranean; Deluxe Hardcover edition
The Ape’s Wife and Other Stories by Caitlin R. Kiernan

Caitlin R. Kiernan has been described as one of ‘the most original and audacious weird writers of her generation’ (Jeff and Ann VanderMeer, The Weird), ‘one of our essential writers of dark fiction’ (New York Times), and S. T. Joshi has proclaimed, ‘hers is now the voice of weird fiction.’ In The Ape’s Wife and Other Stories–Kiernan’s twelfth collection of short fiction since 2001–she displays the impressive range that characterizes her work. With her usual disregard for genre boundaries, she masterfully navigates the territories that have traditionally been labeled dark fantasy, sword and sorcery, science fiction, steampunk, and neo-noir. From the subtle horror of ‘One Tree Hill (The World as Cataclysm)’ and ‘Tall Bodies’ to a demon-haunted, alternate reality Manhattan, from Mars to a near-future Philadelphia, and from ghoulish urban legends of New England to a feminist-queer retelling of Beowulf, these thirteen stories keep reader always on their toes, ever uncertain of the next twist or turn.

L2 Books
Into The Fire (The Ending Series, #2) by Lindsey Fairleigh

The highly anticipated sequel to After The Ending (The Ending Series, #1). For a limited time, After The Ending, the first book in the emotionally charged post-apocalyptic series, is on sale for only $. 99! The Virus changed them, but that was only the beginning…death…mutation…insanity…corruption…terror… …all that remains is hope. In the wake of destruction left behind by the Virus, it took Dani and Zoe months to find each other. But their reunion was short-lived. Dani has been taken, and though little distance separates them, they might as well be worlds apart. From the moment she hears Dani’s scream, Zoe’s only goal is to save her best friend. She and her companions scramble to come up with a rescue plan, but when a ghost from Jake’s past reappears, lines are blurred, decisions become harder, and secrets are revealed…and some secrets are best left buried. To keep heartache and fear from consuming her, Zoe must cling to her determination. She will see Dani again. Dani awakens inside the final hold-out of civilization: the Colony. Remnants of the former world surround her–electricity, safety, social order–but all is not what it seems. As she faces her most manipulative adversary yet, she loses sight of who she is and who she can trust. Friends become enemies, enemies become allies, and allies will betray her. Dani will have to decide what she’s willing to do and whose lives she’s willing to risk if she is to have any chance of breaking free.

Kickstarters

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Timothy C. Ward
Executive Producer

Timothy C. Ward has been podcasting since 2010, first as AudioTim, and now with AISFP. His first publication, Cornhusker: Demon Gene (A Short Story), is available on Kindle for $.99. He just turned in his novel to his editor, Joshua Essoe. Kaimerus is described as “Firefly crashes on Avatar and wakes up 28 Days Later.”

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About Timothy C. Ward

Timothy C. Ward is a former Executive Producer for AISFP. His debut novel, Scavenger: Evolution, blends Dune with Alien in a thriller where sand divers uncover death and evolution within America's buried fortresses. Sign up to his author newsletter for updates on new releases.

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Comments

  1. Hi, Tim. As discussed, it would be great if you could include my new release in next week’s post.

    Title: Hope and the Clever Man
    Available from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GWRPJVA/

    Thanks!

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