The “Fab-Abs” club loves its way toward summer with 18 new paranormal romance titles for May, including the kickoff of new series by Anya Bast, Donna Grant, and Pamela Palmer, and sophomore titles from Zoe Archer, Joey Hill, and Shona Husk. Then there’s the three-dozenth (really!) title in Harlequin’s Rogue Angel series by the “House” name of Alex Archer.
Fiction Affliction details releases in science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and “genre-benders.” Keep track of them all here.
WEEK ONE
Magic Lantern (a Rogue Angel book), by Alex Archer (May 1, Harlequin)
In late 1700s Paris, a young but promising illusionist dabbles in the arcane art of phantasmagoria. But at his moment of greatest triumph—unveiling a magical lantern said to open a door to the Chinese spirit world—he is violently struck down by a vengeful phantom. On assignment in London, archaeologist Annja Creed is hunting down a man who claims to have discovered the Jekyll and Hyde potion. On the trail of one curiosity, Annja finds herself pulled toward another mystery—the origin of a strange, old-fashioned projector once used by eighteenth-century illusionists. As Annja delves into its rich history, a dark past begins to emerge. And someone wants to harness the power of this cursed artifact, risking everything for the treasures it promises.But Annja has a little magic trick of her own. One that she wields with deadly accuracy.
Demon’s Bride (The Hellraisers, Book 2), by Zoe Archer (May 1, Zebra)
Leo Bailey may have been born to poverty, but ruthless business sense and sparkling intelligence have made money worries a thing of his past. It doesn’t hurt that the Devil himself has granted Leo the ability to read the future.But even infallible predictions are a déclassé commoner’s trick to some members of the ton. They’ll never see Leo as their equal—one good reason to prove himself their better. And a noble marriage is an obvious start. Bookish Anne Hartfield, daughter of a baron, is hardly the flashiest miss on the marriage market. But her thoughtful reserve complements Leo’s brash boldness in an attraction neither can deny.
Embrace of the Damned, by Anya Bast (May 1, Berkley)
Centuries ago Broder Calderson committed murder. As punishment, he was given over to the dominion of Loki, the Trickster God, made part of the Brotherhood of the Damned, and condemned to an immortal life of battle against the Blight, blood-drinkers from Hel.One thousand years to the day he was damned, Loki allows him a woman as reward for his good service and repentance of his crimes. Once Broder sees Jessamine Hamilton, he is overcome with need. But Jessa is no ordinary woman, and the truth of who—and what—she is could have dangerous consequences. First in a new series.
Captivated (Phantom Corps, Book 3), by Lauren Dane (May 1, Berkley)
Vincenz Fardelle, exiled son of the Supreme Leader of the Imperialist Universe, has spent much of the last ten years working to stop the threat his father poses. But he’s not alone in his quest. Julian Marsters has lost his best friend and countless others in the war and has made vengeance his only goal. In each other, Julian and Vincenz find not only like minds, but kindred spirits. However unexpected their relationship, everything changes for Vincenz and Julian when Hannah Black comes into their lives. For the two men, wrestling with their passionate feelings for Hannah is only the beginning. War is about to send all three into harm’s way and an equally dangerous secret could tear them apart.
Warrior Enchanted (Sons of the Zodiac, Book 4), by Addison Fox (May 1, Signet)
Pisces warrior Drake Campbell and his Zodiac brethren have driven themselves to the edge. He’d love to take comfort in the arms of the woman he cares for, if only she would lift her emotional barriers.White witch Emerson Carano has more to worry about than the Pisces warrior. Their affair may be red-hot, but she keeps the sexy man at arm’s length to avoid getting hurt. When her estranged brother, Magnus, suddenly reappears—wielding a dangerous dark magic—Emerson has no choice but to ask Drake and his brothers for help. Long-buried secrets and dangerous alliances will threaten the very foundation of the warriors while striking at the heart of Emerson’s carefully constructed world.
In the Company of Witches (Arcane Shot, Book 2), by Joey W. Hill (May 1, Berkley)
All witch and part succubus, savvy businesswoman Raina has converted a Southern plantation house into an extremely profitable old-fashioned bordello. Because of her abilities as a witch, the demons under Raina’s protection can feed off the sexual energy of their clients without killing them—definitely a good thing for repeat business.But when a rogue incubus shows up on Raina’s doorstep begging for asylum, the witch’s well-run business is put in jeopardy. The incubus has stolen an object of great power from Lucifer, and Underworld Dark Guardian Mikhael will do anything to get it back—even if it means incinerating the incubus on Raina’s porch to get the answers he seeks. Not to be trifled with, Raina enters a dangerous match of wits with Mikhael to achieve their mutual goals—only to discover that the reluctant attraction between them is the most hazardous game of all.
Kiss of the Goblin Prince (Shadowlands, Book 2), by Shona Husk (May 1, Sourcebooks Casablanca)
Trapped for centuries in the bleak Shadowlands, Dai clings to his humanity with a thirst for knowledge. But now he’s free of the goblin curse, and some would say he knows too much—he can make nature bend to his will, influence the minds of others, and command magic. Yet love eludes him. Then he meets Amanda, a single mother with a sick daughter whom he feels compelled to protect. But could she possibly place her trust in the kiss of a goblin prince?
The Shifter, by Jean Johnson (May 1, Berkley)
Years have passed since there was any sighting of Family Mongrel. Yet traces remain in the Correda Mountains. Kenyen Sin Siin tracks down these hints from the past to make sure the curs have not survived. As the trail becomes more tangled he’s trapped in a valley where not everything is as it seems—including the beautiful and mysterious Migela Laun Far.
Where There’s Smoke, by Karen Kelley (May 1, Sourcebooks Casablanca)
When sexy wannabe-demon, Destiny Carter, is kicked out of Hell, she lands in Ft. Worth, Texas with one week to corrupt a soul. Or else. She slips into a slinky red dress, and heads straight for the delicious, corruptible looking cowboy at the bar.But Chance Bellew has his own agenda-saving souls. He’s not your typical angel. He’s a nephilim, to be exact. Centuries ago, angels came down from Heaven and mated with mortal women. When the women bore children, a new race was created. Immortals with powers—demigods, nephilim. But the children don’t live by the same rules as mortals, or that of the typical, robe-wearing, bright light-surrounding-them angels. Hell, most of the time the nephilim are breaking the rules, and making up new ones as they go. As long as they don’t cross over to the dark side, everyone pretty much stays out of their way. But sometimes a demon-in-training, who looks like Destiny, comes along and all Hell breaks loose.
WEEK TWO
Until I Die (Revenants, Book 2), by Amy Plum (May 8, HarperTeen)
I wish there was only today, just right now, and no forever. It seems fitting that I fell in love in Paris. Peel back a thin layer of reality and under the city’s glamorous surface is a battleground for immortal enemies.Because with Vincent, reality is an illusion. Handsome, chivalrous, and witty, he’s got everything I’ve ever wanted in a boyfriend…except mortality. But when I chose Vincent, I chose love over reason and safety. Young Adult.
Immortal Hearts (Vampire Kisses, Book 9), by Ellen Schreiber (May 15, Katherine Tegen)
Athena “Stormy” Sterling is coming to Dullsville, and Raven is both excited and panicked in anticipation of Alexander’s little sister’s visit. Alexander tells Raven that she and his sister have a lot in common, but can the mini-Raven be everything she hopes for? Alexander calls her Stormy for a reason. Stormy’s visit stirs up the perfect immortal whirlwind. Raven is forced to take a good look at what it would really mean to be a vampire in the Sterling family, aside from some of the things she already loves, like shunning the sun and sleeping in a coffin with Alexander. The final chapter of Vampire Kisses’ nocturnal romance. Young Adult.
WEEK THREE
Midnight’s Master, by Donna Grant (May 22, St. Martin’s)
Gwynn Austin has no idea why her father has disappeared on a mysterious trip to Scotland. When she goes on a desperate mission to search for him she finds more than she bargains for in a ruggedly handsome, wickedly exciting Highlander who exudes danger and mystery. And when she discovers her own link to Scotland, she’ll have to trust her heart to help lead her…Propelled through time by powerful Druid Magic, Logan Hamilton uses his immortality and powers of the god inside him to help prevent the awakening of an ancient evil in the modern world. He never expects to find help in the form of a beautiful, alluring, and all too tempting woman whose passion and strength matches his own. Together, Logan and Gywnn must fight for their love—before a demon from the past destroys them both. First in a new series.
The Enemy’s Kiss, by Zandria Munson (May 22, Harlequin)
The curse he’d edured for centuries had finally been lifted. And although Nicholas Drakon no longer turned to stone at daybreak, his priority was still to protect his family. So when expert thief Daniela Ferreria stole an ancient Drakon artifact, he vowed to get back what belonged to his clan…and eliminate the threat. Upon capturing the intoxicating cat burglar, he discovered she was desperate to save her own sister’s life. The unexpected pull he felt for the lovely Daniela had Nicholas rethinking his next move. Family honor was at the core of his very being. But to turn his back on Daniela’s predicament could mean losing the heart he’d just rediscovered.
Shadow Bound (An Unbound Novel), by Rachel Vincent (May 22, Mira)
Kori Daniels is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she’s ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if that means taking it from someone else. The job? Recruit Ian Holt—or kill him.Ian’s ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he’s on a mission of his own. Ian has come to kill Tower’s top Binder: Kori’s little sister.
WEEK FOUR
When Passion Lies (Shadow Keepers, Book 4), by J.K. Beck (May 29, Bantam)
FBI agent Alexis Martin knows that vampires exist—because one of them killed her sister. Assigned to investigate a series of bizarre homicides in Los Angeles, Alexis believes the murders are the work of rogue vampires—perhaps even the monster responsible for her sister’s death. Now she finally has a chance for retribution. Even better, Alexis receives unexpected help from a sexy stranger as hungry for rogue blood as she is.Serge is a centuries-old bad boy who stays off the grid—keeping his secrets, his hunger, and his heart safe from exposure. But the truth about what he is, and what he’s done, may banish him to the dark confines of his own private hell—and destroy the beginnings of their love.
Seeker of Shadows (Moonlight, Book 6), by Nancy Gideon (May 29, Pocket)
No description available.
A Blood Seduction, by Pamela Palmer (May 29, Avon)
Quinn Lennox is searching for a missing friend when she stumbles into a dark otherworld that only she can see—and finds herself at the mercy of Arturo Mazza, a dangerously handsome vampire whose wicked kiss will save her, enslave her, bewitch her, and betray her. What Arturo can’t do is forget about her—any more than Quinn can control her own feelings for him. Neither one can let desire get in the way of their mission—his to save his people, hers to save herself. But there is no escape from desire in a city built for seduction, where passion flows hot and blood-red.
Darkness Becomes Her (Offspring, Book 6), by Jaime Rush (May 29, Avon)
Lachlan and Jessie are two people who don’t play well with others. But they’re going to have to learn to, and quickly. Because they are the only two people in the world who can save each other.
Author Suzanne Johnson is a book geek with a fondness for a good dystopia. Her new urban fantasy series, which began with the release of Royal Street on April 10, is set in New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina. Find Suzanne on Twitter.
