January 16, 2017

Top 10 Anticipated Adult Books of 2017

So the big news is that I am now doing a Top 10 Anticipated books for Adult and Young Adult! Yeah! Toss confetti. Two separate lists!

I know not everyone likes both all the time, and I've gotten a few "Shera you're lists have too many YA titles!" So I decided to let them both have equal space to spread their wings. Plus, I technically get to choose 20 top 10s. He-he. (Not to mention that means more honorable mentions!) Yeah!

Though it's true I get super excited over YA titles more, but they're normally the ones that disappoint me the most.

This year was really tough for finding adult titles that really interested me. Oh, there's the usual suspects that are on my auto buy (which I will be popping to the bottom of the list so I don't get questioning emails about why I didn't put Briggs, or some other author on here.) The truth is the Urban Fantasy genre is slowing down, so is steampunk and paranormal in general. The odd thing is High/Epic Fantasies and Science Fiction adult titles are just not grabbing my attention. It also doesn't help that hunting and pecking doesn't work like it use to. The recommends features for both Goodreads and Amazon suck, especially considering a lot of the authors are moving to self pub.

There is no particular order to the list. All books are to be released in 2017 or expected to be. 


The Cold Light of Day by Kelly Gay

The Cold Light of Day  (Charlie Madigan #5)Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Charlie Madigan, book 5

Nothing Yet!! Ah!!!!!

Yeah, the Goodreads page still said 2016 when I grabbed the cover. Then poof! No more date. The reality is this may not even come out this year. The author posted that it would in 2016, but then a publisher actually "ordered" another series. So . . . it's a beig whenever for when this book will actually come out.

I'm keeping the faith.

This is still one of my favorite series!!! Yeah! I will wait, and pray to the book gods, FOREVER. So until this book releases for real I will forever put this bad boy on my list. (But really let's hope she self pubs it soon so that I don't have to wait for it year after year.)

Borrowed Souls by Chelsea Mueller

Borrowed Souls  (Soul Charmer #1) by Chelsea MuellerGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Soul Charmer, book 1

Release date: May 2nd 2017

Callie Delgado always puts family first, and unfortunately her brother knows it. She’s emptied her savings, lost work, and spilled countless tears trying to keep him out of trouble, but now he’s in deeper than ever, and his debt is on Callie’s head. She’s given a choice: do some dirty work for the mob, or have her brother returned to her in tiny pieces.

Renting souls is big business for the religious population of Gem City. Those looking to take part in immoral—or even illegal—activity can borrow someone else’s soul, for a price, and sin without consequence.

To save her brother, Callie needs a borrowed soul, but she doesn’t have anywhere near the money to pay for it. The slimy Soul Charmer is willing to barter, but accepting his offer will force Callie into a dangerous world of magic she isn’t ready for.

With the help of the guarded but undeniably attractive Derek—whose allegiance to the Charmer wavers as his connection to Callie grows—she’ll have to walk a tight line, avoid pissing off the bad guys, all while struggling to determine what her loyalty to her family’s really worth.

Losing her brother isn’t an option. Losing her soul? Maybe.

This was one of the few new series that I could find starting up in Urban Fantasy. Well, one of the few that captured my full attention. This sounds unique and exciting! I actually want to start it up not because I'm a Urban Fantasy junky who can't say no, but because it sounds TOTALLY FREAKING AWESOME.

I mean renting souls? What's the magic and the world going to be like? Will it take it's theme from mythology of some kind? What? WHAT!? I haven't been this curious about a series in so long.

Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop

Etched in Bone  (The Others #5)Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy  
Series: The Others, book 5

Release Date: March 7th 2017

New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop returns to her world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of shapeshifters and vampires far more powerful than themselves…

After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness…

As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.

With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave

Holy bookworms! This is the final book in one of my favorite series. The pain! I NEED it and yet it will mean it's over. At least Bishop will be writing in a new series in this universe. Because I totally want more of this world!

Even my fear of bad series enders can't stop me from obsessing about the release. (Hee-hee. I have a ARC!! Really exercising self control.) One more read of The Meg. ;_;

Graveyard Shift by Michael F. Haspil

Graveyard Shift Michael F. HaspilGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy  
Series: ?

Release Date: July 18th 2017

Police procedurals go supernatural in this gritty urban fantasy debut

Alex Menkaure, former pharaoh and mummy, and his vampire partner, Marcus, who was born in ancient Rome, once hunted evil vampires for UMBRA, a super-secret unit of the NSA. That was before the discovery of a blood substitute and a Supreme Court ruling allowed thousands of vampires to integrate into society.

Now, Alex and Marcus are vice cops in a special police unit. They fight to keep the streets safe from criminal vampires, shape-shifters, blood-dealers, and anti-vampire vigilantes.

When someone starts poisoning the artificial blood, race relations between vampires and humans deteriorate to the brink of anarchy. While the city threatens to tear itself apart, Alex and Marcus must form an unnatural alliance with a vigilante gang and a shape-shifter woman in a desperate battle against an ancient vampire conspiracy.

If they succeed, they'll be pariahs, hunted by everyone. If they fail, the result will be a race-war bloodierthan any the world has ever seen.

Gritty urban fantasy and hard-boiled noir packed into a hand grenade of awesome! Mario Acevedo, author of Werewolf Smackdown

Um, hello! With "former pharaoh and mummy" in the synopsis describing the lead I was all over it. Firstly have we ever had a former mummy as a lead? Does this mean an adult UF might have Egyptian Mythology as a bigger role?

Either way this sounds awesome!

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

Silver Silence  (Psy-Changeling Trinity #1)Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity, book 1

Release Date: June 13th 2017

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh introduces a bold new chapter in her extraordinary paranormal romance saga with the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. Wild passion will encounter the darkest of betrayal...

Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, brings with him.

Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence—her mind clear of all emotion—Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That’s what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious…and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan.

Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed...

Wow, it just hit me as I was adding Silver Silence to the list. First, yes I'm predictable! Another Psy-Changeling book made it—of course—onto my top 10 list. Hit the breaks though! This isn't a Psy-Changeling book. This is a Psy-Changeling TRINITY book. Singh described it as the Second Season of the series.

However, if you think about it the original series is over—beautifully done. This is technically a new series! Which means we probably won't be seeing much of the old characters from season 1. Or at least to the extant we're used to.

Or who knows! Singh said new characters would be explored outside of our comfort zone. (I'm paraphrasing here.)

It's scary as the characters are something that has totally driven the books, but the world and politics are a big factor. I'm super excited by the endless possibilities and the sheer awesomeness that can happen.

Souljacker by Yasmine Galenorn

Souljacker  (Lily Bound #1) by Yasmine GalenornGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance 
Series: Lily Bound, book 1

Release Date: March 7th 2017

Lily O'Connell, a succubus, has put her unique talents to work. She owns Lily Bound, an elite sex salon in the Blood Night District of Seattle. When a client turns up dead in her club, and she hears the news that the Souljacker--an old tattoo-artist friend-turned-vampire, who was institutionalized years before--has escaped to reclaim his "artwork," Lily knows she's next on his list. With one of his tattoos on her thigh and nowhere else to turn, Lily hires Archer Desmond, a chaos demon and PI, to track the vampire down before he tracks her. But she didn't expect to fall for Archer-and they say a succubus who falls in love will destroy the heart of the one she seeks to claim...

I'm super proud, and grateful, to all the authors who have been bravely making the jump to self pub. The reality is big publishers end or drop series before their time. Especially now with a lot of said big publishers merging and absorbing other publishers. A lot of midrange authors—who have won the title of multiple best sellers—are being dropped.

Galenorn is not one of the first to do so, but I think currently she's one of the best at it. Which is funny as 2016 was the first time she went self pub officially. But she does it right. Solid covers, STICKS TO HER RELEASE SCHEDULE, and still has solid editing/writing.

I get her newsletters and tend to stalk her else where and the instant I heard of this book I was all over it. A succubus lead seems like such an obvious lead for a Galenorn book, but she hasn't done it yet! I am so curious to meet Galenorn's succubus lead and this new world. Oh, and guys she has more books releasing this year continued favorites and new series. Keep your eyes peeled.

The Guns Above by Robyn Bennis

The Guns Above  (Signal Airship #1)Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Steampunk
Series: Signal Airship, book 1

Release Date: May 7th 2017

The nation of Garnia has been at war for as long as Auxiliary Lieutenant Josette Dupris can remember – this time against neighboring Vinzhalia. Garnia’s Air Signal Corp stands out as the favored martial child of the King. But though it’s co-ed, women on-board are only allowed “auxiliary” crew positions and are banned from combat. In extenuating circumstances, Josette saves her airship in the heat of battle. She is rewarded with the Mistral, becoming Garnia’s first female captain.

She wants the job – just not the political flak attached. On top of patrolling the front lines, she must also contend with a crew who doubts her expertise, a new airship that is an untested deathtrap, and the foppish aristocrat Lord Bernat – a gambler and shameless flirt with the military know-how of a thimble. He’s also been assigned to her ship to catalog her every moment of weakness and indecision. When the Vins make an unprecedented military move that could turn the tide of the war, can Josette deal with Bernat, rally her crew, and survive long enough to prove herself to the top brass?

Heck yes! I want her to show all those idiots how women do it! Mahwah-ha! Okay, kidding. Kidding. (Kind of.) Really looking forward to this one. I hope that this means the door will be open for other women in her crew! Even better to inspire other women!

Show top brass that woman are more than auxiliary. Boom.

Bitten by Amanda Pillar

Bitten  (The Graced Series #2)Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy  
Series:  The Graced Series, book 2

Release Date: January 2017

The city of Pinton has never been safe…and now a serial killer is on the loose.

Doctor Alice Reive is the city’s coroner, and she’s determined to help find the murderer. Enlisting the assistance of the Honorable Dante Kipling and city guard Elle Brown, they race to track down the killer, before another victim dies.

Hannah Romanov – Dante’s missing twin sister – has spent hundreds of years living on an isolated mountain. But her quiet life is thrown into chaos after she discovers a baby left in the wilds to die. Hannah will do anything to ensure the infant’s survival, even if it means travelling to the worst place in the world for her – Pinton.

The second full-length novel in the stunning Graced series is perfect for fans of Nalini Singh, Richelle Mead, and Anne Bishop.

So I haven't released my review of the first book—Graced—but I loved it. So much so that I really debated about putting it on my Shera's Top 10 Books of 2016!

The thing is the characters have been teasing the back of my mind. Especially Dante! I need more!

To Catch a Stolen Soul by R.L. Naquin

To Catch a Stolen Soul (Djinn Haven, #1) by R.L. NaquinGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy  
Series: Djinn Haven, book 1

Release Date: January 9th 2017

Fans of the Monster Haven series by R.L. Naquin will love this beguiling spin-off, featuring a trapped djinn caught in a hot mess of lost souls, fast food and otherwordly murder.

Kam is a soul chaser for the Hidden Government, a much harder job now that the Hidden look like everyone else. Broke, out of magic and sick of playing waitress in a pirate-themed dive bar, Kam jumps at a chance for an out-of-town mission.

A reaper—and his loaded soul stone—have gone missing. The stone contains souls that might get permanently stuck if Kam doesn't find it, like, yesterday. She tracks the reaper down to a food truck outside Kansas City, only to find a dead reaper and no soul stone in sight. Which means that someone who should be dead killed the reaper and is running around with a powerful magic item. Not good.

And apparently the killer is targeting food-truck owners that also happen to be Hidden. So the only thing to do is open her own truck and go undercover—goodbye Kam the Djinn, hello Mobile Food Entrepreneur—and hope that she and her new runaway friend won't be the next targets…

Okay, I am way behind on the Monster Haven series! But I LOVE the series so much! The idea of a spinoff just feeds my inner bookworm.

Not to mention Naquin writing a djinn for a lead. Must. Read. That!

White Hot | Wildfire by Ilona Andrews

White Hot  (Hidden Legacy #2) by Ilona AndrewsGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: New Adult High Fantasy
Series: Hidden Legacy, books 2 & 3

Release Dates: May 30th 2017
July 25th 2017

The Hidden Legacy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews continues as Nevada and Rogan navigate a world where magic is the norm…and their relationship burns hot

Nevada Baylor has a unique and secret skill—she knows when people are lying—and she's used that magic (along with plain, hard work) to keep her colorful and close-knit family's detective agency afloat. But her new case pits her against the shadowy forces that almost destroyed the city of Houston once before, bringing Nevada back into contact with Connor "Mad" Rogan.

Rogan is a billionaire Prime—the highest rank of magic user—and as unreadable as ever, despite Nevada’s “talent.” But there’s no hiding the sparks between them. Now that the stakes are even higher, both professionally and personally, and their foes are unimaginably powerful, Rogan and Nevada will find that nothing burns like ice …

*     *     *

Book 3:
Just when Nevada Baylor has finallyWildfire  (Hidden Legacy #3) by Ilona Andrews 25th come to accept the depths of her magical powers, she also realizes she’s fallen in love. Connor “Mad” Rogan is in many ways her equal when it comes to magic, but she’s completely out of her elements when it comes to her feelings for him. To make matters more complicated, an old flame comes back into Rogan’s life…

Rogan knows there’s nothing between him and his ex-fiance, Rynda Sherwood. But as Nevada begins to learn more about her past, her power, and her potential future, he knows she will be faced with choices she never dreamed of and the promise of a life spent without him.

As Nevada and Rogan race to discover the whereabouts of Rynda’s kidnapped husband and are forced to confront Nevada’s grandmother, who may or may not have evil motives, these two people must decide if they can trust in each other or allow everything to go up in smoke.

Finally! The much awaited sequels to Burn For Me! Yeah! The wait has been long, but the best part is that book 2 comes out in May and then 3 is released in July. Reminds me of the magical time the first 3 books in the Iron Druid series were released one month after another! Yeah!

However, the publisher promised a cover makeover/better covers. Tacky font doesn't make tacky covers better. It makes it worst. Dang are they lucky Andrew's sales no matter the horrible covers that they are cursed with.


So these ones are the honorable mentions! Yes, some are auto buy authors, however I didn't put all of my auto buys. (The list is scary long guys!) These are the ones that get my heart racing just a bit more.

Dawn Study
by Maria V. Snyder
Dawn Study  (Soulfinders #3) by Maria V. Snyder
Empire Games
by Charles Stross
Empire Games  (Empire Games #1)
Red Sister
by Mark Lawrence
Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor, #1) by Mark Lawrence
Elevneth Grave
by Darynda Jones
Eleventh Grave in Moonlight  (Charley Davidson #11)
Cold Reign
by Faith Hunter
Cold Reign  (Jane Yellowrock #11)
Ride the Storm
by Karen Chance
Ride the Storm  (Cassandra Palmer #8) by Karen Chance
Silence Fallen
by Patricia Briggs
Silence Fallen  (Mercy Thompson #10) by Patricia Briggs
Snared
by Jennifer Estep
Snared  (Elemental Assassin #16)
Who's Afraid Too?
by Maria Lewis
Who's Afraid Too (Tommi Grayson #2) by Maria Lewis
     

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