...including for a couple of the Deadline Dames and some good friends of mine.

*ahem* First of all, I give you:
(click all pictures for Amazon links)


Black and White
Jackie Kessler & Caitlin Kittredge

It's the ultimate battle of good versus good.

They were best friends at an elite academy for superheroes in training, but now Callie Bradford, code name Iridium, and Joannie Greene, code name Jet, are mortal enemies. Jet is a by-the-book hero, using her Shadow power to protect the citizens of New Chicago. Iridium, with her mastery of light, runs the city’s underworld. For the past five years the two have played an elaborate, and frustrating, game of cat and mouse. But now playtime’s over...

Srsly (tm), I know I am friends with both of these talented authors, but I absolutely LOVED this book. I love superheroes; I have done since I was 6 years old and watched Wonder Woman on TV & started buying the comics with my pocket money the following year. Superheroes are really difficult to do well in novels. Jackie and Caitlin have absolutely got it RIGHT here. I have no doubts about recommending this, and I can't wait for the next book in the series!! :) Also, Jackie will be posting today at the Dames to celebrate the launch of her and Caitlin's new project, so don't forget to visit her there.

And speaking of Ms. Kittredge, she has a SECOND book out today:


Street Magic
Caitlin Kittredge

Her name is Pete Caldecott. She was just sixteen when she met Jack Winter, a gorgeous, larger-than-life mage who thrilled her with his witchcraft. Then a spirit Jack summoned killed him before Pete’s eyes — or so she thought.

Now a detective, Pete is investigating the case of a young girl kidnapped from the streets of London. A tipster’s chilling prediction has led police directly to the child... but when Pete meets the informant, she’s shocked to learn he is none other than Jack. Strung out on heroin, Jack a shadow of his former self. But he’s able to tell Pete exactly where Bridget’s kidnappers are hiding: in the supernatural shadow-world of the fey. Even though she’s spent years disavowing the supernatural, Pete follows Jack into the invisible fey underworld, where she hopes to discover the truth about what happened to Bridget—and what happened to Jack on that dark day so long ago...

I still can't believe I actually read this one so early (an earlier draft) and I ADORED it. I don't know whether Caitlin will mind me saying this, but imho it's her best individual work so far. Jack and Pete honestly feel like old friends to me already. The world is dark and delicious, London just comes beautifully alive, and the chemistry between the two main characters is fabulous. Do yourself and favour and pick up STREET MAGIC this week.


The Demon's Lexicon
Sarah Rees Brennan

Check out this review by the fabulous Book Smugglers to learn more about this stunning YA debut. I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of this by a friend earlier this year, and I can't recommend it enough. Whenever people ask me to suggest a new book/author to try, this is the one I talk about - I have a major author-crush on Sarah Rees Brennan and fully intend stalking her when she comes to London next week. ;) This book made me laugh, had me on the edge of my seat with honest-to-god tension & fear, and even made me shed a couple of tears. Highly, highly recommended.


Scarlet
Jordan Summers

Welcome to the near-future where prejudice is no longer tied to the color of your skin, but the purity of your blood. To be accused of taint is tantamount to a death sentence.

Thrust into a world of creatures Gina `Red' Santiago never knew existed, she does her best to come to grips with the fact that she's a werewolf. Sheriff Morgan Hunter tries to ease Red into her new life. She's only beginning to understand the `Others' and the power they yield. That's why Morgan hasn't mentioned he's claimed her as his mate. Well, that and the fact he's not exactly sure how Red will take the news. There are some things even an alpha werewolf fears.

Their newfound happiness is about to be shattered by a past Morgan thought was long buried. Someone doesn't want them to succeed at recruiting `Others' for a rival tactical team. They will do whatever it takes to prevent a team from forming, even if that means killing off the new recruits and tearing the couple apart...

This is Book 2 of the Dead World trilogy and, just as I enjoyed RED last year, I can't say enough good things about SCARLET. Whereas I liked RED and thought it set up an excellent world, this second book takes things to a whole new level - and the reader on a rollercoaster of excitement and emotion. I genuinely couldn't put it down, and had to email Jordan to tell her that she'd kept me up 'til something like 3am. *g* It's one of those (rare?) occasions when the second book is - so far - the best, rather than just a bridge to set up the final explosive chapter. Now I have to wait for CRIMSON, the last book of the trilogy, and am really glad I discovered this original world with its fascinating characters. Loved it!

Oh, and Jordan Summers is our Dame for a Day over at the Deadline Dames this Saturday. She will be giving away a signed copy of the first book in the series, in case anyone wants to catch up before buying SCARLET. ;)

Phew! And last, but by no means least, I can't sign off without reminding people that this book came out yesterday:


Cry Mercy
Toni Andrews

I just want a normal life…even if I'm not entirely sure I'm human.

My name is Mercy Hollings and I'm a successful hypnotherapist in Balboa, California. The problem is, my good fortune is dependent on a dark secret. I can make people do whatever I want using telepathy, a power I call "the press." And that ability has hurt some people I never wanted to hurt, so I try to keep it under wraps...

This is the third book in the Mercy Hollings series. I've read Book 1, BEG FOR MERCY, and this really is a different sort of urban fantasy world and setting. I have the second on my TBR shelf and will be getting my hands on this new one as soon as possible! Check out Toni's fun new take on the author tour: her virtual book tour is now well under way.