• Giveaway: The Ranting Dragon is giving away six copies of James Maxey‘s Greatshadow fantasy novel, book 1 in the Dragon Apocalypse series. The deadline is May 15, 2012.
• Waiting for the new Assassin’s Creed III game? How about a teaser — here’s a link to the official gameplay trailer. The game will be out October 30, 2012.
• Here’s a combo of the Incredible Hulk and steampunk. Check out the pic of this steampunk Hulk action figure.
• For all you Harry Potter fans, Amazon is adding all seven Harry Potter books to its Kindle Owners’ Lending Library on June 19, 2012. The only catch is you have to have a paid Prime membership. If you want to check it out, here’s a link.
• Dim Horizon Studio has posted on its Facebook page a series of Wheel of Time pictures for the JordanCon Promotion 2012. These are probably the best photographs I’ve seen related to WOT. Nice job guys!
• For all of you who are wondering what the Wheel of Time series is about, here’s a link to a video of the best spoiler-free introduction to the books that I’ve seen.
• Wolfenstein 3D. You video game fans know exactly what I’m talking about with just that one word. Can you believe it’s been 20 years since the game was introduced? In celebration of this milestone, you can play an online version for free here.
• Giveaway: You can enter to win a copy of Walter Mosley‘s speculative fiction books A Gift of Fire and On the Head of a Pin. The link can be found on this Facebook page. Deadline is May 22, 2012.
• Here’s a movie I really want to see: Argo, the true story of how a fake science fiction movie was instrumental in saving six people from the hostage crisis in Tehran in 1979. Here’s the first trailer for the movie.
• Looking for new geek-wear? I found a t-shirt over at Fanboy Fashion labeled “Doctor Who Van Gogh Exploding TARDIS T-Shirt.” I’d wear this. He he…
• For all you fellow geek girls out there, this eye makeup would be a lot of fun to wear to a Comic Con. Here’s a pic of R2-D2 eye makeup and Nightmare Before Christmas eye makeup. Amazing.
• Giveaway: Tor is giving away 5 copies of The Coldest War by Ian Tregillis. The deadline is June 8, 2012.
• Giveaway: Want a copy of Orson Scott Card‘s Earth Unaware? Tor is giving away 10 copies on Goodreads. Deadline is June 8, 2012.
• Giveaway: Tor is also giving away 10 copies of Dan Wells‘ The Hollow City. Deadline is June 8, 2012.
• Giveaway: Tor is giving away 10 copies of Beth Bernobich‘s fantasy Queens Hunt, (River of Souls Series, #2). Deadline is June 8, 2012.
• Giveaway: One more Tor giveaway — the Thieftaker historical fantasy by D.B. Jackson. Deadline is June 8, 2012.

Since I there seems to be quite a bit of press this week about the upcoming Wheel of Time book, I thought I’d go ahead and post a music video of “Wheel of Time” by Blind Guardian, including lyrics and some art of the series by Robert Jordan.

Click here to view the embedded video.

That about does it. Y’all have a good weekend and I’ll see you next week.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

On his 17th birthday, Troy wakes up in a bizarre Corridor, where he has to face one test after another in a series of rooms in which the physical challenges get increasingly harder. Figuring out the reason he is there is as much of a mystery to the reader as it is to Troy. Without giving any spoilers, the end gives the reader some but not all the answers to the mystery, thus setting the scene for a sequel–which I assume will be coming since Corridor is subtitled A MythWorks Novel.

One unique thing about Robin Parrish is that while he is an author of Christian fiction, references to faith in his books are quite subliminal and implied rather than directly portrayed. If you’d like to explore more of this author, his other books include: Vigilante, Nightmare, Offworld, Merciless, Fearless, and Relentless.

(I have read Offworld and Relentless and the latter was definitely my favorite. It started with a bang and drug me along at a breakneck speed clear to the end–which I love. I couldn’t put it down until I finished. For purposes of this blog, I will specify that it’s not SFF, but regardless, I highly recommend it for lovers of suspense.)

For more on Corridor, check out this link to Amazon. (I didn’t find a link on the Barnes & Noble web site.)

You can find the author here: Robin Parrish

Have you read Corridor? I love to hear your thoughts. Just leave a comment and let’s talk.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The law “specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers…even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state.”

Just thought I’d let ya’ll know. For now, maybe a venti latte is what I need. If only I could get an affiliate agreement with Starbucks. Now that would be something!

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Here’s the link to the giveaway:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9373706-map-across-time

For my review of this book, click here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

To Darkness Fled, Book 2 in the “Blood of Kings” trilogy by Jill Williamson, is a masterfully written inspirational, adult fantasy novel. I don’t say that lightly. After reading Book 1 (By Darkness Hid), I eagerly looked forward to reading the sequel. Life being what it is, it took a while to get to it, but once I met my other commitments, I grabbed the book and happily settled in for a good read. I wasn’t disappointed.

The book picks up right where Book 1 left off, however, it continues the story primarily from another character’s point of view. In this book we get to explore the mind and experiences of Lady Averella, known to her current companions as Vrell Sparrow. In Book 1, we see Vrell flee the wicked prince in the guise of a young lad, who is then sucked into the world of men for the adventure of her life.

Once again, author Jill Williamson had done a great job of creating a believable character and placed her in certain situations that kept me turning page after page. Here’s the official blurb:

Enter Darkness…

They had no choice. Chased by an evil prince, Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights flee into Darkness. They head north, for Tsaftown and Ice Island, where they must free an army that can help them fight for Er’Rets.

Darkness sickens Vrell. How long can she keep her secret without being caught? Achan already suspects her of lying. If she is not careful, he will suspect her of treason, as well. She hopes he will let his suspicions go until they reach her home. Though he would not be very wise if he did.

Achan wanted freedom, but this new journey has bound him more than ever. Sir Gavin’s claim is so far fetched. First, that there might only be one god, and second, that this God chose Achan to push back Darkness, the magnificent curse of Er’Rets. Him. Achan. Barely a man himself.

Each setback Darkness brings seems minor compared to the one choice only Achan can make. What will he choose?

To read sample chapters of To Darkness Fled on Scribed.com, click here.

To Darkness Fled is appropriate for readers 13 and older, but will likely appeal to most adult readers interested in Christian fantasy. I highly recommend the book.

Author Jill Williamson can be found all over the web, including: www.jillwilliamson.com,  Facebook,  MySpace,  Shoutlife,  Shelfari,  GoodReads,  Twitter,  Amazon (author page)

To Darkness Fled, by Jill Williamson
Publisher: Marcher Lord Press
Publication Date: April 1, 2010
696 pages

To read the recommendations of the other CSFF bloggers, see the sidebar.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rooms

Here’s the official blurb:

On a rainy spring day in Seattle, young software tycoon Micah Taylor receives a cryptic, twenty-five-year-old letter from a great uncle he never knew. It claims a home awaits him on the Oregon coast that will turn his world inside out. Suspecting a prank, Micah arrives at Cannon Beach to discover a stunning brand new nine-thousand square foot house. And after meeting Sarah Sabin at a nearby ice cream shop, he has two reasons to visit the beach every weekend.

When bizarre things start happening in the rooms of the home, Micah suspects they have some connection to his enigmatic new friend, Rick, the town mechanic. But Rick will only say the house is spiritual. This unnerves Micah because his faith slipped away like the tide years ago, and he wants to keep it that way. But as he slowly discovers, the home isn’t just spiritual, it’s a physical manifestation of his soul, which God uses to heal Micah’s darkest wounds and lead him into an astonishing new destiny.

Publisher: B&H Books, April 1, 2010
Trade Paperback, 400 pages
Amazon link: Rooms

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Shadow Prowler was first published in Russia in 2002 as Stealth in the Shadows. Apparently it was a huge hit in that country, with international book rights being subsequently snapped up by Tor Books for six figures (U.S. rights), Simon & Schuster (U.K. rights, pre-empting the trilogy with a six-figure deal), and Piper (Germany). Shadow Prowler is Book 1 in “The Chronicles of Siala” series. Here’s the official blurb:

After centuries of calm, the Nameless One is stirring.

An army is gathering; thousands of giants, ogres, and other creatures are joining forces from all across the Desolate Lands, united, for the first time in history, under one black banner. By the spring, or perhaps sooner, the Nameless One and his forces will be at the walls of the great city of Avendoom.

Unless Shadow Harold, master thief, can find some way to stop them.

Shadow Prowler is the first in a trilogy that follows Shadow Harold on his quest for a magic Horn that will restore peace to the Kingdom of Siala. Harold will be accompanied on his quest by an Elfin princess, Miralissa, her elfin escort, and ten Wild Hearts, the most experienced and dangerous fighters in their world…and by the king’s court jester (who may be more than he seems…or less).

Reminiscent of Moorcock’s Elric series, Shadow Prowler is the first work to be published in English by the bestselling Russian fantasy author Alexey Pehov. The book was translated by Andrew Bromfield, best known for his work on the highly successful Night Watch series.

Hardcover published in the U.S. by Tor Books
Release date: February 2010, 400 pages

Alexey Pehov’s website: http://www.alexeypehov.com

For more info, here’s my affiliate link to Amazon. (If you place an order through this link, I do get a small commission.)

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Desert Spear

(One interesting fact about The Warded Man: the book was typed by the author on his Blackberry while riding New York’s subways. Wow. Now that is determination!)

Here’s the official blurb:

The sun is setting on humanity. The night now belongs to voracious demons that arise as the sun sets, preying upon a dwindling population forced to cower behind ancient and half-forgotten symbols of power. These wards alone can keep the demons at bay, but legends tell of a Deliverer: a general—some would say prophet—who once bound all mankind into a single force that defeated the demons. Those times, if they ever existed, are long past. The demons are back, and the return of the Deliverer is just another myth… or is it?

Out of the desert rides Ahmann Jardir, who has forged the warlike desert tribes of Krasia into a demon-killing army. He has proclaimed himself Shar’Dama Ka, the Deliverer, and he carries ancient weapons—a spear and a crown—that give credence to his claim. Sworn to follow the path of the first Deliverer, he has come north to bring the scattered city-states of the green lands together in a war against demonkind—whether they like it or not.

You can read an excerpt here.
Here’s a link to the author’s website: http://www.petervbrett.com/

For more info on Amazon, click here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For the author’s thoughts on having a Michael Whelan cover for his new book, click on over to a post on the Tor.com website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Now, to give you the details promised in the headline above. Pat is offering on his website a huge prize pack being offered by Tor Books. To enter, visit Pat’s blog to get the details:
http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2009/12/tis-season-giveaway-tor-books.html

Here are the books in the pack:

- Signed copy of Brandon Sanderson’s Warbreaker
- Signed copy of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn: The Final Empire
- Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson’s The Gathering Storm
- Three The Wheel of Time comics (Dabel Brothers)
- Steven Erikson’s Gardens of the Moon
- ARC of Steven Erikson’s Dust of Dreams
- Richard Matheson’s The Box
- Cherie Priest’s Boneshaker
- R. Scott Bakker’s Neuropath
- R.A. Salvatore’s The Ancient
- Glen Cook’s Chronicles of Black Company
- Glen Cook’s The Return of Black Company
- Glen Cook’s The Books of the South
- Charles de Lint’s Muse and Reverie
- John Brown’s Servant of a Dark God
- Ian Cameron Esslemont’s Night of Knives
- Kate Elliott’s Spirit Gate and Shadow Gate
- Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman’s Bones of the Dragon
- L. E. Modesitt, jr.’s Imager
- L. E. Modesitt, jr.’s Imager’s Challenge

I recommend you stop by Pat’s blog and register for this prize pack. You may never see another one this big.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”