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New Releases: 3/8/16

Here’s what went on sale today!

The Guardian by Jack Whyte

The Guardian by Jake WhyteSome men strive for greatness. And some men find themselves thrust into the role of their nation’s saviors. Such are the two heroes who reshaped and reconfigured the entire destiny of the kingdom of Scotland. Wallace the Braveheart would become the only legendary, heroic, commoner in medieval British history; the undying champion of the common man. The other, Robert Bruce, earl of Carrick, would perfect the techniques of guerrilla warfare developed by Wallace and use them to create his own place in history as the greatest king of Scots.

Jack Whyte is a master of the sweeping historical epic and The Guardian is the latest in his evocative chronicle of the formation of his beloved Scotland.

The Lyre Thief by Jennifer Fallon

The Lyre Thief (Volume 7) by Jennifer Fallon These two sisters embark on a Shakespearian tale of switched identities, complicated love triangles…and meddlesome gods. Rakaia is rescued on the road by none other than the Demon Child, R’shiel, still searching for a way to force Death to release her near immortal Brak. Charisee tries to act like the princess she was never meant to be and manages to draw the attention of the God of Liars who applauds her deception and only wants to help.

Then there is the little matter of the God of Music’s magical totem that has been stolen…and how this theft may undo the universe.

Takedown by Jeff Buck with Jon Land and Lindsay Preston 

Takedown by Jeff Buck, Jon Land, and Lindsay PrestonJeff Buck thought he’d seen it all. Twenty years working undercover in the netherworld of drugs had left him burned out and grateful to assume the quiet job of police chief in the small town of Reminderville, Ohio. That is, until a simple domestic assault case turns out to have links to the murder of a drug runner in upstate New York and a syndicate smuggling billions of dollars in drugs across the U.S.-Canada border.

NEW FROM TOR.COM:

Forest of Memory by Mary Robinette Kowal

Forest of Memory by Mary Robinette KowalKatya deals in Authenticities and Captures, trading on nostalgia for a past long gone. Her clients are rich and they demand items and experiences with only the finest verifiable provenance. Other people’s lives have value, after all.

But when her A.I. suddenly stops whispering in her ear she finds herself cut off from the grid and loses communication with the rest of the world.

The man who stepped out of the trees while hunting deer cut her off from the cloud, took her A.I. and made her his unwilling guest.

There are no Authenticities or Captures to prove Katya’s story of what happened in the forest. You’ll just have to believe her.

NOW IN PAPERBACK:

Of Noble Family by Mary Robinette Kowal

Of Noble Family by Mary Robinette Kowal Jane and Vincent have finally gotten some much-needed rest after their adventures in Italy when Vincent receives word that his estranged father has passed away on one of his properties in the West Indies. His brother, who manages the estate, is overwhelmed, and no one else in his family can go. Grudgingly, out of filial duty the couple decide to go.

NEW IN MANGA:

Dance in the Vampire Bund II: Scarlet Order Vol. 4, story and art by Nozomu Tamaki

Dance in the Vampire Bund II: Scarlet Order Vol. 4 by Nozomu Tamaki After millennia in hiding, Mina Tepes, the Princess of the ancient covenant and ruler of all vampires wants change. Using the vast wealth of the Tepes line, she has paid off the entire gross national debt of Japan and in so doing, gained the authority to create a special district off the coast of Japan that is to become the haven to vampires the world over!

Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto. Vol. 3 by Nami Sano

First impressions are everything, especially for high school freshman Sakamoto. Model student, beacon of inspiration, gentle spirit of guidance, and friend among friends-you name it, he can do it. He’s your go-to-guy for any problem, even if he is a bit intimidating. But not everyone takes kindly to Sakamoto’s larger-than-life persona, because, let’s face it, no one can truly be his match. Right?

See upcoming releases.

On the Road: Tor/Forge Author Events in May

Benefit of the Doubt by Neal GriffinVoyage of the Basilisk by Marie BrennanOf Noble Family by Mary Robinette Kowal

Tor/Forge authors are on the road in May! Once a month, we’re collecting info about all of our upcoming author events. Check and see who’ll be coming to a city near you:

James O. Born, Scent of Murder

Friday, May 1
Murder on the Beach
Delray Beach, FL
7:00 PM

Saturday, May 16
South Carolina Book Festival
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Columbia, SC
9:30 AM

Marie Brennan, Voyage of the Basilisk
Mary Robinette Kowal, Of Noble Family

Tuesday, May 5
DePaul University Bookstore
Chicago, IL
6:00 PM

Wednesday, May 6
Mysterious Galaxy
San Diego, CA
7:30 PM

Thursday, May 7
Copperfield’s Books
Petaluma, CA
7:00 PM

Tuesday, May 12
Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
Beaverton, OR
7:00 PM

Thursday, May 14
Weller Book Works
Salt Lake City, UT
6:00 PM

Saturday, May 16
Poisoned Pen
Scottsdale, AZ
2:00 PM

Sunday, May 17
Murder by the Book
Houston, TX
2:00 PM

Monday, May 18
Quail Ridge Books & Music
Raleigh, NC
7:00 PM

Tuesday, May 19
Flyleaf Books
Chapel Hill, NC
7:00 PM

Wednesday, May 20
Malaprops
Asheville, NC
7:00 PM

Thursday, May 21
Borderlands Books
San Francisco, CA
7:00 PM

Tina Connolly, Seriously Wicked

Tuesday, May 5
Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
Beaverton, OR
7:00 PM

Saturday, May 9
Mysterious Galaxy
San Diego, CA
1:00 PM

Saturday, May 16
Redmond Library
With Jennifer Brozek, Cat Rambo, and Raven Oak
Hosted by Cascade Writers, books provided by University Bookstore
Redmond, WA
12:30 PM

Saturday, May 23
Seattle Mystery Bookshop
Seattle, WA
12:00 PM

P.N. Elrod, The Hanged Man

Friday, May 22
Barnes & Noble at Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX
4:00 PM

Neal Griffin, Benefit of the Doubt

Saturday, May 9
Mysterious Galaxy
San Diego, CA
3:00 PM

Wednesday, May 13
Warwick’s Books
San Diego, CA
7:30 PM

Thursday, May 14
Book Carnival
Orange, CA
7:00 PM

Friday, May 15
Poisoned Pen
Scottsdale, AZ
7:00 PM

Sunday, May 17
Norman P. Murray Community Center
Mission Viejo, CA
9:30 AM

Monday, May 18
Murder by the Book
Houston, TX
6:30 PM

Dave Gross, Pathfinder Tales: The Lord of Runes

Thursday, May 21
University Bookstore
Seattle, WA
7:00 PM

May 22—May 25
PaizoCon
Seattle, WA

Rachel Howzell Hall, Skies of Ash

Tuesday, May 19
Book Carnival
Launch party!
Orange, CA
7:00 PM

Wednesday, May 20
The Last Bookstore
Los Angeles, CA
7:00 PM

Thursday, May 21
Eso Won Books
Los Angeles, CA
7:00 PM

Wednesday, May 27
Mysterious Galaxy
San Diego, CA
7:30 PM

Saturday, May 30
Poisoned Pen
Scottsdale, AZ
2:00 PM

Sunday, May 31
A Great Good Place for Books
Oakland, CA
6:30 PM

Peter Orullian, Trial of Intentions

Tuesday, May 26
University Bookstore
Seattle, WA
7:00 PM

Thursday, May 28
Mysterious Galaxy
San Diego, CA
7:30 PM

Saturday, May 30
Borderlands Bookstore
San Francisco, CA
3:00 PM

Sunday, May 31
Copperfield’s Books
Petaluma, CA
1:00 PM

Kit Reed, Where

Thursday, May 14
Skylight Books
Also with Scott O’Connor
Los Angeles, CA
7:30 PM

Tuesday, May 26
R.J. Julia Booksellers
Madison, CT
7:00 PM

Where to Find Tor at C2E2

C2E2

C2E2, Chicago’s premier comic and entertainment expo, celebrates its 5th year and once again Tor Books has a great line up of programming! Find our authors at the following panels and events:

Friday, April 24

Get Regency with Mary Robinette Kowal!
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Signing: 5:15PM – 6:15PM | Table 16
Room: S403
Celebrate all things regency with Author/Puppeteer, Mary Robinette Kowal! This month the fifth and final book in the Glamourist Histories, Of Noble Family, goes on sale and we want you to celebrate with us! Come dressed in your best regency attire for a fashion show and costume contest; authentic costume, steampunk, anime or Darth Vader in waist coat and ruffles, we want to see you strut your stuff! Attendees will receive an invitation for two at the off-site publication party, hosted by Tor.

Gallows Humor: Authors on Making Light During the Darkest Scenes
Time: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
Signing: 6:15 – 7:15PM | Table 18
Room: S401
Authors: Tim Lees, Wesley Chu, Daryl Gregory
It’s the end of the world as you know it. You are racing towards that last battle, heart in your throat, and someone cracks a joke. (“Get the Cheese to sickbay!”). You stop to laugh, breathe, relax, and breathe for a moment before the tension rachets up and throws you off the literary (not literal!) cliff. Join some of today’s top genre fiction as they discuss the art of integrating humor into horrific scenarios, and how this device elevates a good book into a great read.

Saturday, April 25

WTF is going on?
Time: 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Signing: 3-4PM | Table 18
Room: Room S402
Join Nils Johnson-Shelton (End Game: The Calling), Kristen Simmons (The Glass Arrow), T.M. Goeglein (Cold Fury series), Ian Doescher (William Shakespeare’s Star Wars) and Rachel Hartman (Seraphina), Arwen Elys Dayton (Seeker) and Melissa Grey (The Girl at Midnight) as they discuss the art of plotting and creating your world. Whether it be conspiracy theories, intricate mob plots or re-imagining a sci-fi classic, these authors draw the reader in and keep them riveted page after page. Moderated by Daniel Kraus (Booklist).

Ghosts and Grim Tidings: the Latest Trends in Horror Fiction
Time: 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Signing: 5:30 – 6:30PM | Table 18
Room: S405b
We’ve all had the experience of staying up all night to read a bone-chilling book…simply because we’re afraid to turn off the light and have the words play against the dark screen of their nocturnal imagination. Join celebrated psychological thriller and horror novelists Alex Gordon, Daniel Kraus, and Daryl Gregory as they discuss the most chilling trends in horror fiction. What truly scares jaded readers? What makes the authors themselves wake up in a cold sweat? Moderated by Ali T. Kokmen.

Sunday, April 26

Out of This World! Science Fiction Authors in Conversation
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Signing: 1:15 – 2:15PM | Table 18
Room: 2405a
Science fiction is mainstream once again and deep space, time travel, galactic cataclysms, continue to draw readers in. Join authors Wesley Chu (The Lives of Tao, Time Salvager), and Mike Shepherd (Jump Universe, Kris Longknife) discuss their inspirations, research, thoughts on future themes and the never-ending race against time! Moderated by Gary K. Wolfe of Locus Magazine.

Highlights from Three ConFusion Reddit AMAs

Of Noble Family by Mary Robinette Kowal Fiddlehead by Cherie Priest American Craftsmen by Tom Doyle

In case you missed it, ConFusion was last weekend! Reddit took advantage of having so many authors gathered in one place to conduct some fun, possibly alcohol-fueled AMAs.

Here are the highlights from three of those AMAs, featuring authors Cherie Priest, Mary Robinette Kowal, and Tom Doyle.

Mary Robinette Kowal: I’m here at ConFusion doing panels on fiction, costuming, and carrying two flasks of scotch with me. Ask me anything. No. Really. I might lie to you, but I will answer.

Howard Taylor said to me at the San Antonio World Con that your presence on Writing Excuses made the podcast worthy of a Hugo win, and them muttered something about herding cats being your super power. What’s the biggest challenge you face as a cat herder on Writing Excuses?

Realizing that I just need to let the cats sit wherever they want.

What kind of pie would best accompany The Glamourist Histories?

This is tricky, since the pie as we know it is a conspicuously American invention. I think we’d have to go with a pie relation, the tart.

Apricot and chocolate seems most appropriate as it combines tart sweetness with a dark, bitter underlayer.

You did a tour with Marie Brennan for your books recently, if I recall correctly. What was that like? You guys are my two favourite authors that do Austen-esque fantasy novels.

It was SO MUCH FUN. We both wear costume and have a bit of additional stuff that we do, in addition to reading. Tor actually put together a video that shows sort of what it’s like. AND we’re touring together this year.

Cherie Priest: They’ve given me rum. Let’s do this.

Clockwork Century—Done for good or something you could go back to someday?

Done with Jacaranda, which comes out in a week or so. Jacaranda is sort of an epilogue to that series…and I’m very fond of it, but—barring fat sacks of unforeseen cash American—this is where it stops.

I’ve got needy pets (and a new needy baby), and it’s really hard to get stuff done. How do you structure your writing day around your pretty beasts?

Wake up and walk the dog. Come back and get dressed. Spend the hour or two before lunch answering business emails and doing Writer Business Stuff. Lunch. Write until supper. Husband goes and walks the dog for the afternoon/evening. Play video games and/or watch TV and have a drink and tweet.

That’s more or less how it goes, most days. My pets are kind of low-maintenance; the dog is big and lazy, the cat is elderly and sleeps about 20 hours a day. So I’m lucky, there.

I was wondering about working in the Wilds Cards universe. If you use another writer’s character do you need to get permission from the writer or do you just need to run the story idea by the editor(s)? Also do you plan on revisiting the Wild Cards universe and or Kilgore Jones?

It’s a little hard to explain—you can use other writers’ characters, but you talk to them first, and get their permission for anything major (killing them off, marrying them off, etc. etc. etc.)…it depends on the project, really. In the end, the editor is always GRRM. He’s the only one whose approval you really need. It’s nice, really—it’s not like working in oh, say, video games—where everything happens by committee. There’s just one person ultimately in charge, and if he’s cool with it, you’re good.

I hope to keep writing in WC, but lately I’ve been pretty busy. I have four books coming out this year, if that tells you anything—thought I did do a novelette on Tor.com last year called “The Button Man and The Murder Tree.” And Kilgore Jones turns up in the Rogues anthology (coincidentally, also via GRRM)—in a story called “Heavy Metal.”

I love KJ and will probably continue to tell stories about him 🙂 (He’s based loosely on an old friend of mine, who finds the whole thing hilarious.)

Tom Doyle: I’m the author of American Craftsmen (Tor 2014) and its sequel, The Left-Hand Way (August 2015)—contemporary fantasies of military intrigue that imagine Poe and Hawthorne wrote thinly veiled nonfiction.

What are you working on now that you would like to share?

Finishing the galley proofs for my 2nd book, The Left-Hand Way, and working hard on book 3, tentatively titled War and Craft.

Modern military fantasy is something I hadn’t even known existed, and was something I had no idea I’d love, until I read Myke Cole’s trilogy. I know that his trilogy was highly informed by his time in the service. Do you have a similar background in the military? What inspired you to join this (thus far) incredibly niche genre?

I haven’t had the honor to serve, but I spoke at length with a friend from grade school who served in Special Forces in the First Gulf War for sensory and technical details. My initial thought was that I wanted to write a fantasy with a distinctly American mythos grounded in American literature, history, and folklore. I wrote the military scene first, and my first reader (Stephanie Dray) said that should be my focus for telling the rest of the story.

What more can you tell us about your novels? Style of writing and what readers can expect? What process did you go through to get published and what advice could you provide? What are your go-to book recommendations and why?

The style is a combination of fantasy and technothriller, with lots of allusions to American classics and history. Getting published was one of the most difficult things in my life—years of hunting for a good agent, and then getting a publisher. I recommend attending the SFWA industry reception in NYC whenever possible to contact agents and editors. Lately, I’ve been recommending Leviathan Wakes just so friends can get ahead of the new TV series. I recommend China Mieville and Paolo Bacigalupi frequently.

What does success mean to you?

Writing is the pie eating contest where the prize is more pie. If I get to keep doing this, that’s success.

If you were forced to sing karaoke, what song would you choose?

Force isn’t necessary. I have a weekly rock jam at my house. My go to karaoke song in Japan was “Jumping Jack Flash.”

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