Fresh Meat: February 15-21st Speculative Fiction Releases

Posted February 17, 2015 by Carmel in Fresh Meat / 50 Comments

Paranormal Romance:

Bear Attraction (Shifters Unbound #6.5)
by Jennifer Ashley
Paranormal Romance
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]As the military liaison between the human Shifter Bureau and Shiftertown, Walker is often stuck trying to appease both sides—and angering both. So when bear-Shifter Rebecca is captured taking a run in a restricted area, Walker comes up with a compromise: if Rebecca helps him find a missing woman—thought to have been abducted by a Shifter—she won’t be charged and executed.




As a bear used to roaming for miles, Rebecca hates being confined, distrusts anything involving humans, and—worst of all—the strong and handsome Walker starts triggering her mating need. They have no choice but to work together but both Walker and Rebecca find it hard not to mix business with pleasure…[/learn_more]


Tattered Loyalties (Talon Pack #1)
by Carrie Ann Ryan
Paranormal Romance
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]When the great war between the Redwoods and the Centrals occurred three decades ago, the Talon Pack risked their lives for the side of good. After tragedy struck, Gideon Brentwood became the Alpha of the Talons. But the Pack’s stability is threatened, and he’s forced to take mate—only the one fate puts in his path is the woman he shouldn’t want.




Though the daughter of the Redwood Pack’s Beta, Brie Jamenson has known peace for most of her life. When she finds the man who could be her mate, she’s shocked to discover Gideon is the Alpha wolf of the Talon Pack. As a submissive, her strength lies in her heart, not her claws. But if her new Pack disagrees or disapproves of fate’s choice, the consequences could be fatal.




As the worlds Brie and Gideon have always known begin to shift, they must face their challenges together in order to help their Pack and seal their bond. But when the Pack is threatened from the inside, Gideon doesn’t know who he can trust and Brie’s life could be forfeit in the crossfire. It will take the strength of an Alpha and the courage of his mate to realize where true loyalties lie.[/learn_more]


Bitten by a Hellcat
Bitten by a Hellcat (Eternal Mates #6)
by Felicity Heaton
Paranormal Romance
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]The sole remaining member of the most famous shifter hunter family in history, Owen Nightingale is a mercenary and a man with a secret held in his closely guarded heart, but when a beautiful rare shifter catches his eye and offers him a job, he has the feeling he’ll be the one paying for helping her—with his heart.




Cait is in a spot of trouble with a capital T. A male hellcat has set his sights on claiming her and she’s one kitty who doesn’t want a collar. When she meets a dark, alluring and mysterious hunter, she sees a chance to rid herself of the male, but the price Owen sets and the fierce passion that burns white-hot between them lures her dangerously under his seductive spell.




Can Owen discover the true intent of the male hellcat and stop Cait from falling into his hands? And can Cait retain control as the heat of desire burns between her and Owen, or will a reckless moment seal both of their fates forever?[/learn_more]


Black Wolf’s Revenge
(Silver Wolf Clan #2)
by Tera Shanley
Paranormal Romance
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]He’ll risk it all to bring her home.
Morgan Carter witnessed her sister’s murder, has been turned into a werewolf and is now raising her young niece. Then her fiance, Greyson Crawford, proves he wants to be with her for the wrong reasons, and she knows her life couldn’t be any stranger. Devastated, she retreats to her cozy house in the city with her sister’s little girl, Lana. There, they’ll have normalcy, and maybe eventually, even happiness.




But Morgan’s the only living silver wolf. Her uniqueness—the ability to produce werewolf offspring—means, without Grey’s protection, she’s unknowingly put herself and Lana in deadly danger. Other werewolves want to claim her for their pack, and she’s the easiest, most tempting prey ever.




When they strike, Grey has to find her and rescue her before it’s too late. Not so simple a task; he has only the uncontrollable beast inside him, Wolf, and an unlikely pack of allies he’s forced to rely on. Can he get to her in time? And if he does, can he convince her he’s there for the right reasons, saving them both?[/learn_more]



Urban Fantasy:

Lucky Break
(Chicagoland Vampires #10.5)
by Chloe Neill
Urban Fantasy
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]In this thrilling new novella from the New York Times bestselling author of Blood Games, vampire Merit bites off more than she bargained for when a romantic trip to a secluded Colorado town turns deadly.




Merit and Ethan are in desperate need of some alone time, far from the worries of Cadogan House, but trouble tends to follow wherever they go. Their attempt at a romantic getaway is quickly interrupted when one of Ethan’s vampire friends shows up at their door–covered in blood and accused of killing her shifter husband.




Merit and her Master soon discover their vacation spot is far less idyllic than it appears. A centuries old quarrel between local vampires and shifters has made the town a perpetual supernatural battle zone, and this fresh blood has stirred the already volatile pot. Now, Merit and Ethan must put their passion on pause to figure out who’s really responsible for the murder before all hell breaks loose…[/learn_more]


Unseen (Unborn #2)
by Amber Lynn Natusch
Urban Fantasy
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]Welcome to the Kingdom of Hades, where even its prodigal princess sleeps lightly.




After fighting Soul Stealers in Detroit, Khara hoped to return home to find answers in her father’s realm. But the land of the dead offers little information, and far too much tragedy. Now cut off from her brothers, and left only with her dark and unreliable companion Oz, Khara must navigate the centuries-old webs of deceit and betrayal, all while eluding the Underworld’s most depraved inhabitant. But she soon finds an unexpected ally in her adopted sister Persephone. Together, they endeavor to right a terrible wrong. And as Khara soon discovers, there’s more riding on her success than she ever thought possible.[/learn_more]


Housewitch
by Katie Schickel
Urban Fantasy
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]Allison Darling, former foster child, now a stay-at-home mom of three, desperately wants to fit in with the organic latte drinking, hundred-dollar-yoga-pants-wearing moms who run Monrovia, her charming seaside village. Constantly feeling like an outsider, Allison dreams of more for her children.




When the Glamour Girls, a soap-selling company run by the most charismatic and powerful women in town, recruits Allison, she jumps at the invitation. The Glamor Girls have a hand in everything in Monrovia, from bake sales to business deals. This is what Allison’s wanted her whole life—to be liked. To be popular. To belong.




After Allison’s estranged mother passes away, she learns her family’s heartbreaking legacy and the secret Allison’s been fighting to suppress all her life emerges: she’s a witch. What’s more, she’s not the only one in town. There’s more to the Glamour Girls then it seems… and once you’re a Glamour Girl, there’s no going back.




Allison must use her rediscovered magic to defend Monrovia, protect her marriage and her children, and reclaim her legacy. Fighting tooth and nail for her family is easy, but what about for herself? Is it too late to confront her own demons and become the woman she dreams of being? Housewitch is a fantastic, clever women’s fiction debut with a lot of heart and a touch of magic. [/learn_more]



Science Fiction / Fantasy:

Fortune’s Blight
(Shattered Kingdoms #2)
by Evie Manieri
Fantasy
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]Fortune’s Blight by Evie Manieri continues the conflict begun in Blood’s Pride. Victory for the Shadari rebels has come at a terrible price. Hardship, superstition, and petty feuds poison King Daryan’s young reign, and entire families are vanishing without a trace. Help is nowhere to be found, for their Nomas allies have troubles of their own and the Mongrel, plagued by the sins of her violent past, has disappeared.




While Daryan struggles to maintain the peace, Eofar and Rho are racing to their northern homeland to plead—or fight—for the Shadar’s independence. But Norland has changed, and they soon find themselves embroiled in the court politics of an empire about to implode.




Meanwhile, the Mongrel’s path carries her deep into Norland’s frozen wastes to redeem a promise—one that forces her into the heart of the growing conflict.




As the foundations of the two far-flung countries begin to crack, an enigmatic figure watches from a tower room in Ravindal Castle. She is old, and a prisoner, but her reach is long, and her patience is about to be rewarded….[/learn_more]


Enchanter’s Echo (Mayflower Mages #2)
by Anise Rae
Fantasy Romance
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]Aurora Firenze lives a quiet life hiding in a junkyard. Her repair shop is the last hope for gadgets and gizmos before they get tossed onto the trash towers. Fortunately, Aurora can fix almost anything, including mages, though repairing people with metal enchantments is highly illegal.




Edmund Rallis, heir to the Rallis senate seat, has spent months hunting down his errant enchantress. He’ll play every game he knows to win her back and entice her to share the secrets she hides. But he’s inadvertently put her on the frontlines of a new game, one with an opponent who’s determined to destroy Rallis Territory and drive the Republic toward war. If the new enemy isn’t stopped in time, Edmund will lose his enchantress again—and this time there won’t be another chance.[/learn_more]



Young / New Adult:

Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy
(Tales from Shadowhunter Academy #1)
by Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan
Young Adult / Fantasy
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]Simon Lewis never thought he’d become a Shadowhunter…and now he has the chance. One of ten adventures in Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy.




After living as a Mundane and a Vampire, Simon never thought he would become a Shadowhunter, but today he begins his training at Shadowhunter Academy.




This standalone e-only short story follows the adventures of Simon Lewis, star of the #1 New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments, as he trains to become a Shadowhunter. Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy features characters from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments, Infernal Devices, and the upcoming Dark Artifices and Last Hours series. Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy is written by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.[/learn_more]


Half the World (Shattered Sea #2)
by Joe Abercrombie
Young Adult / Fantasy
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]Sometimes a girl is touched by Mother War.




Thorn is such a girl. Desperate to avenge her dead father, she lives to fight. But she has been named a murderer by the very man who trained her to kill.




Sometimes a woman becomes a warrior.




She finds herself caught up in the schemes of Father Yarvi, Gettland’s deeply cunning minister. Crossing half the world to find allies against the ruthless High King, she learns harsh lessons of blood and deceit.




Sometimes a warrior becomes a weapon.




Beside her on the journey is Brand, a young warrior who hates to kill, a failure in his eyes and hers, but with one chance at redemption.




And weapons are made for one purpose.




Will Thorn forever be a pawn in the hands of the powerful, or can she carve her own path?[/learn_more]


The Bargaining
by Carly Anne West
Young Adult / Horror
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]The fact that neither of her parents wants to deal with her is nothing new to Penny. She’s used to being discussed like a problem, a problem her mother has finally passed on to her father. What she hasn’t gotten used to is her stepmother…especially when she finds out what she’ll have to spend the summer with April in the remote woods of Washington to restore a broken-down old house.




Set deep in a dense forest, the old Carver House is filled with abandoned antique furniture, rich architectural details, and its own chilling past. The only respite Penny can find away from April’s renovations is in Miller, the young guy who runs the local general store. He’s her only chance at a normal, and enjoyable, summer.




But Miller has his own connection to the Carver house, and it’s one that goes beyond the mysterious tapping Penny hears at her window, the handprints she finds smudging the glass panes, and the visions of children who beckon Penny to follow them into the dark woods. Miller’s past just might threaten to become the terror of Penny’s future…[/learn_more]


Love, Lattes and Mutants
by Sandra Cox
Young Adult
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]Finding love is hard, even when you aren’t a mutant.




Like most seventeen-year-olds, Piper Dunn wants to blend in with the crowd. Having a blowhole is a definite handicap. A product of a lab-engineered mother with dolphin DNA, Piper spends her school days hiding her brilliant ocean-colored eyes and sea siren voice behind baggy clothing and ugly glasses. When Tyler, the new boy in school, zeroes in on her, ignoring every other girl vying for his attention, no one, including Piper, understands why…




Then Piper is captured on one of her secret missions rescuing endangered sea creatures and ends up in the same test center where her mother was engineered. There she discovers she isn’t the only one of her kind. Joel is someone she doesn’t have to hide from, and she finds herself drawn to the dolph-boy who shares her secrets. Talking to him is almost as easy as escaping from the lab. Deciding which boy has captured her heart is another story…[/learn_more]


The Return (Titan #1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
New Adult
[learn_more caption=”Book Description”]The Fates are cackling their bony asses off…




It’s been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they’ve given him have been violent and bloody–which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He’s got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet.




Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy’s deal might be, but it’s a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her.




But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.




Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.[/learn_more]



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Carmel Signature

Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!

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50 responses to “Fresh Meat: February 15-21st Speculative Fiction Releases”

  3. E.J. Stevens  

    Wait, what? ->Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy<- How did I not know of this? *goes to Goodreads for research* It looks like these are short stories similar to the Bane Chronicles. I think I'll wait until they're available in one anthology, but I'm excited. I always loved Simon.

    Also excited about Bitten by a Hellcat. I have the first book, so it's nice to know that there are plenty of books in this series.
    E.J. Stevens recently posted…Paranormal Road Trip: Destination Rapid City with Elizabeth Bear + Giveaway

  5. Jenny from Supernatural Snark  

    I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about The Eternal Mates series Carmel, so I really need to get on those! Shifter paranormal romances are definitely my thing and I’m in the mood for one (I’ve had a string of disappointing reads lately, I need to go back to my tried and true genre!), so off I go to Amazon.

    • Carmel  

      Bitten by a Hellcat was actually my least favourite installment in the Eternal Mates series. My review posts on Friday. I’m reading book 7 now, it’s about dragons. 🙂

  11. Braine

    Read Unborn last week, didn’t like it. Willing to try Unseen though but my expectations are super low. The heroine is as bland as cardboard

    • Carmel  

      Good to know! I don’t see naked torsos very often on your blog, but there’s nothing wrong with window shopping. Hehe! I agree about the lack of heads though. Maybe it’s cuz the authors want us to form out own opinion of the heroes’ rugged looks?

    • Carmel  

      I don’t blame you. I struggle with that series for a bit after Hard Bitten, but refused to give up. Neill’s vampires are finally back in a good place again.