Twenty-one new paranormals hit the romance aisles in May. Who says paranormal is dead? Look for additions to long-running series this month from Terry Spear (Heart of the Wolf 11); Laura Wright (Mark of the Vampire 5); Joey W. Hill (Vampire Queen 9); Nancy Gideon (Moonlight 8); Cynthia Eden (Fallen 4); Alexandra Ivy (Guardians of Eternity 10); and Christine Feehan (Leopard People 6).
Fiction Affliction details releases in science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and “genre-benders.” Keep track of them all here.
Note: All title summaries are taken and/or summarized from copy provided by the publisher.
WEEK ONE
A Highland Werewolf Wedding (Heart of the Wolf #11), by Terry Spear, (May 7, Sourcebooks Casablanca)
Elaine Hawthorn is a gray American werewolf, currently out of work, and on a mission to share in a family treasure. When she arrives in Scotland, she nearly has a head-on collision with one hot, kilt-garbed Highlander, and runs him off the road. Werewolf laird Cearnach MacNeill isn’t happy Elaine ruined his car, but he quickly becomes her protector after a misunderstanding lands her right in the middle of two feuding clans. Now he’s out to ensure that this sexy female wolf gets her fair share of her clan’s treasure. He knows he should leave well enough alone, but it’s too late to leave his heart out of it.
Cynful (Halle Shifers #2), by Dana Marie Bell (May 7, Samhain)
Julian DuCharme, a rare Spirit Bear with legendary healing powers, is finally free from the threat of death. While his Bear screams it’s time to mate, the love of his life wants to date. Holding his Bear in check while convincing her he’s not out to control her won’t be easy. She’s stubborn and a closeted geek. Cynthia “Cyn” Reyes, owner of Living Art Tattoos, thinks Julian is the hottest thing on two legs. She watched her mother flounder when her father passed away. She’s determined to never lose herself to someone else. When the women of Living Art are targeted by a killer, Julian doesn’t think twice about pouring out his last drop of power to keep Cyn safe. But it’s Cyn who’ll give up everything to keep a terrifying vision from coming true. One of his death.
Eternal Demon (Mark of the Vampire #5), by Laura Wright, (May 7, Signet)
When Erion’s son is kidnapped by the evil vampire Cruen, Erion vows to stop at nothing to find his hideaway, including intercepting the traveling party of Cruen’s beautiful bride-to-be. But instead of a vulnerable caravan, Erion is met by a feral band of female demons that includes Hellen, the bride, a creature of dark magic and darker passion. Though the safety of his son is foremost, Erion can’t deny his unexpected connection to Hellen, inflaming a manic desire as primal as it is irresistible. As their bond intensifies, they move toward an inevitable and terrifying battle. With time running out, Erion realizes he must not only find and rescue his son, but protect Hellen from Cruen and the underworld forces waiting to destroy her for her betrayal.
Heart of Iron (London Steampunk #2), by Bec McMaster, (May 7, Sourcebooks Casablanca)
Lena Todd makes the perfect spy. Nobody suspects the flirtatious debutante could be a sympathizer for the humanist movement haunting London’s vicious blue blood elite. Not even Will Carver, the one man she can’t twist around her little finger. Stricken with the loupe and considered little more than a slave to the blue bloods, Will wants nothing to do with the Echelon or Lena. When he finds a coded letter on Lena, a code that matches one he saw on a fire-bombing suspect, he realizes she’s in trouble. With the humanists looking to start a war with the Echelon, Lena and Will must race against time, and an automaton army, to stop the humanist plot before it’s too late. As they fight to save a city on the brink of revolution, the greatest danger might just be to their hearts.
Hearts of Shadow (Deadglass #2), by Kira Brady, (May 7, Zebra)
Grace Mercer’s unmatched wraith-killing ability made her the unofficial defender of a city shattered by supernatural catastrophe. So there’s no way she’ll allow the new regent of Seattle’s most powerful dragon shifter clan to “protect” her from a vicious evil stalking the ruined streets, and keep her from the freedom she’s risked everything to earn. Leif’s science-honed instincts tell him Grace is the key to keeping shifters and humans safe. But helping this wary fighter channel her untapped power is burning away the dragon’s sensual self-control and putting a crucial alliance at risk. Soon the only chance Leif and Grace will have to save their world will be a dangerously fragile link that could forever unite their souls, or consume all in a storm of destruction.
His Broken Angel (The Glorious Victorious Darcys #1.5), by Beth Ciotta, (May 7, Signet)
Doc Blue has never had it easy. Born a Freak, the offspring of a Vic, a native Victorian, and a Mod, a time traveler from the future, he’s lived on the fringes of society, hiding his true identity and preternatural healing abilities. His brief support of the Freak rebellion has only left him with even more problems, losing him both his job and one of his greatest allies, Tucker Gentry. When Tuck’s kid sister, Lily, ends up blinded in an air skirmish on her way from America to England, Doc jumps at the opportunity to be the one to rescue her and use his powers to mend her wounds. Doc realizes that to restore her sight he will have to spill his biggest secret. With Lily’s help, Doc may be able to reach the full potential of his abilities, heal Lily’s broken heart, and learn how to open his. (Digital only.)
If I Should Die (Revenants #3), by Amy Plum, (May 7, Harper Teen)
Young Adult. I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself. Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want. It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him. After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying, to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others, so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?
Nightbound (Lords of the Darkyn #3), by Lynn Viehl, (May 7, Signet)
Beaumaris of York has many secrets. No human can know that he’s an immortal Darkyn assigned to Knight’s Realm, the Kyn stronghold disguised as a medieval theme park. None of his brethren can discover that he’s a half-breed, rescued from slavery as a child. Beau has been yearning for action, and he’s about to find it with his new mission. Archaeologist Dr. Alys Stuart is infamous for her extraordinary theories, especially those concerning the mysterious Knights Templar. She is unaware that her research is funded by the Kyn coffers. When a powerful Templar artifact surfaces, Alys and Beau must trust each other enough to stop mankind’s greed for immortality from sparking a war between mortals and Kyn that will destroy the world.
Taken by a Vampire (Vampire Queen #9), by Joey W. Hill, (May 7, Berkley Trade)
Groomed from birth to be an Inherited Servant and serve the most powerful vampire Masters, Alanna never resented her destiny. Then she betrayed her Master to the Vampire Council. Death is her future. Until her Master is captured, she must be protected. The Vampire Council assigns her to Evan, a vampire whose lifestyle makes him the perfect guardian. Alanna’s training was for a vampire of power and ambition, not for someone like Evan who lives in mountainside shacks and caves. His servant, Niall, is rough mannered. These two men are about to teach Alanna something her training never did. The Council captures her Master. Alanna must accept her destiny. Evan and Niall are no strangers to defying fate. They will stop at nothing to make Alanna theirs forever.
Time Thief (Traveller #1), by Katie MacAlister, (May 7, Signet)
Peter Faa is a member of the Watch, tracking down a murderer. All clues seem to point toward his own estranged family of Travellers. They’re all experts in the art of stealing time. After surviving a lightning strike, Kiya Mortenson is determined to get just one thing in her life right. If that means taking a job as nanny to five pugs on a campsite in the Oregon wilderness, then so be it. If only she didn’t keep having this strange sense of deja vu. When Peter discovers his own family is stealing time from Kiya, all bets are off. It’s not just lightning that’s creating some serious sparks between them. He’s not going to let secrets, lies, or a devious murderer keep Kiya from where she belongs: at his side.
Undone (The Amoveo Legend #4), by Sara Humphreys, (May 7, Sourcebooks Casablanca)
Party girl Marianna Coltari is an unmated pureblood Amoveo who wants nothing to do with the ongoing war that took her father’s life and continues to consume her brother, Dante’s. But when she is targeted by one of the clans, she has little choice but to run and hide in a cabin with Pete Castro, a retired cop from her brother’s security firm. There, Pete and Marianna explore an intensifying attraction between them until danger is at the door and there’s no escape.
WEEK TWO
Midnight’s Kiss: Part 1, by Donna Grant, (May 14, St. Martin’s)
The Dark Warriors, men who have been bound by gods, fighting a deadly war that normal humans know nothing about. It is a brutal, unforgiving battle that may cost them their souls, unless they can find the one woman whose love can set them free. Dr. Veronica “Ronnie” Reid is not just another pretty face. She is a world-renowned archaeologist who has a “knack” for finding unexpected treasures. She gets more than the unexpected when she meets a tall, dark and mysteriously powerful man named Arran. Arran is a man with a dark secret, a Highlander whose barely controlled power lurks just beneath the surface. He is a Warrior, one of an elite few who are bound with the power of a god. He is searching for answers and Ronnie could be the key. (Digital only.)
Parallel, by Lauren Miller, (May 14, HarperTeen)
Young Adult. Abby Barnes had a plan. She’d go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper. But one tiny choice, taking a drama class her senior year of high school, changed all that. On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set. The next morning, she’s in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. With the help of her friend Caitlin, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby’s senior year of high school. Abby must learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that’s finally within reach.
WEEK THREE
Dark Flight (The Shadow Slayers #3), by Cassi Carver, (May 21, Samhain)
Kara has been training for months to help take down Brakken, the merciless black-wing who is making life hell for the Demiare. When Julian discovers a scout has been tracking Kara, he wants her out of the fight. Gavin isn’t much better. He’s already lost so much to Brakken and has no intention of allowing the woman he loves to be the next sacrifice. He and Julian have their hands full trying to fight Brakken’s army and keep Kara safe, especially after her recent visit to the white-wings. Since her return, she’s been acting strange. Kara doesn’t have time to think about her conflicted feelings for Gavin and Julian. If she thought it was complicated evading scouts and fending off black-wings, she’s learning that’s nothing compared to loving two strong-willed men. (Digital only.)
Midnight’s Kiss: Part 2, by Donna Grant, (May 21, St. Martin’s)
Thrown together by fate, Arran, a Dark Warrior, and Dr. Veronica “Ronnie” Reid find themselves caught up in a passion that neither of them expected—one that neither of them can control. Ronnie is unsure if she can trust this man who keeps dangerous secrets. Arran knows that his insatiable desire is the worst thing that could have happened and yet he cannot turn away from her, not when he could be so close to the answers he needs. And now danger is hot on their heels after Ronnie discovers something that would have been better left buried. Arran finds that he must protect her, not only from the rising threat, but perhaps from himself as well, especially when she uncovers his true identity. (Digital only.)
WEEK FOUR
Prince of Shadows (Moonlight #8), by Nancy Gideon, (May 27, Pocket Star)
A gentle lady held hostage in a deadly play for power, Kendra Terriot’s only means of survival for herself and her family is to play to a careful courtship game. The one she chooses from the dangerous Terriot heirs will inherit the coveted crown. The only calm in Cale Terriot’s necessarily violent life is his childhood love for his delicate distant cousin whom he’s pledged to make his queen. With Kendra at his side, he knows he can become the kind of ruler his clan needs, but first he must learn how to become the kind of mate she desires. In a treacherous race for control, where weakness means death, the only way to win her respect could mean surrendering his throne. The only way to win her heart could mean letting her go. (Digital only.)
Avenging Angel (The Fallen #4), by Cynthia Eden, (May 28, Brava)
With a messed up family background and a tendency to grow claws and fangs, Tanner Chance isn’t exactly the boy next door. But he’s a decent cop, and he keeps himself on the side of the good guys. Convenient, because when he rescues a survivor of a horrific shifter attack he finds himself instantly smitten, with an honest-to-goodness angel, as innocent as she is irresistible. Marna may be angelic, but she’s not stupid or weak. She can take care of herself. Tanner is more temptation than protection anyway. Someone wearing her face starts taking out some of New Orleans’ more unsavory paranormals. With police and predators both gunning for her blood, Marna has no choice but to trust Tanner, even though what’s sparking between them is hotter than anything holy.
Darkness Avenged (Guardians of Eternity #10), by Alexandra Ivy, (May 28, Zebra)
As the demon world celebrates the defeat of the Dark Lord, the vampire Santiago’s mood remains bleak. He still yearns for the sensual, raven-haired Nefri, who has inexplicably disappeared. But brooding for Nefri is a luxury that Santiago does not have. His traitorous sire, Gaius, is unleashing a violent scourge upon the mortal world, and Santiago must stop him before it’s too late. To her dismay, the all-powerful Oracles have sent Nefri on her own mission to find Gaius, and failure is not an option. Nefri’s search leads her to the vampire’s abandoned lair, and straight into Santiago’s path. It’s clear Santiago intends to seduce her, but then an ancient, banished evil reappears, threatening to thrust the world into a madness it cannot survive.
Leopard’s Prey (Leopard People #6), by Christine Feehan, (May 28, Jove)
From a tough stint in the armed forces to stalking the unknown as a bayou cop, leopard-shifter Remy Boudreux has been served well by his uncanny gifts. New Orleans could use a homicide detective like Remy. A serial killer is loose, snatching victims from the French Quarter with pitiless rage and unnatural efficiency. Something else is drawing Remy into the twilight, a beautiful jazz singer bathed night after night in a flood of blood-red neon. Sultry, mysterious, and as seductive as her songs, she’s luring Remy deeper into the shadows than he ever imagined. And as their passions swell, his keen instinct for survival will be challenged like never before. By a killer, and by a woman. (U.S. Release)
Midnight’s Kiss: Part 3, by Donna Grant, (May 28, St. Martin’s)
They have surrendered to passion, the unrelenting yearning for the other, and Ronnie knows her life has been forever altered. Arran is more than she ever could have expected and she finds herself pulled into a world that she never imagined existed. To add to the growing list of surprises, she discovers something shocking about herself that will change her life forever. Arran has no intentions of letting Ronnie go. She is the answer to everything and he is determined to keep her by his side forever. Unaware of the dark threat that closes in, both Ronnie and Arran stand to lose everything. (Digital only.)
Tangible (Dreamwalker #1), by Jody Wallace, (May 28, Samhain)
When Zeke Garrett is reactivated to mentor the next dreamer that pops up on the Somnium’s radar, he’s sure it’s a mistake. he realizes this neonati, whose nightmares manifest vampires straight from the pages of pop-culture, is more than he bargained for, a potential dreamwalker. He has to convince the stubborn, mouthy woman she’s not dreaming. Maggie Mackey hasn’t slept well in a month, but that doesn’t explain how the monsters from her nightmares suddenly seem so real. Or why, when a team of intimidating, sword-wielding toughs rescue her, their leader captures her mouth in a kiss. Their embrace has confirmed they have a rare tangible bond. he must tutor the woman of his dreams without getting attached. Otherwise her nightmares could become his own. (Digital only.)
Author Suzanne Johnson is a book geek with a fondness for a good dystopia. Her Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series is published by Tor Books. You can find Suzanne on Facebook and on her daily book blog, Preternatura.
