Springtime turns to love… and vampires. Lynsay Sands’ Argeneau Vampire series retains its fanghold on the genre, with its sixteenth book coming out this month. There are additions to other popular series as well, from Jessica Andersen (Nightkeepers), Gerry Bartlett (Glory St. Clair), Kate Douglas (Demonslayers), Elisabeth Naughton (Eternal Guardians), Kristina Douglas (Warrior), Caris Roane (The World of Ascension), and Christine Warren (Others).
Fiction Affliction details releases in science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and “genre-benders.” Keep track of them all here.
a [Read about April paranormal romance releases.]
WEEK ONE
Magic Unchained (Nightkeepers, Book 7), by Jessica Andersen (April 3, Signet)
Cara Liu is determined to unite the forces under her leadership but when Nightkeeper Sven enters the scene, Cara has trouble separating her duty to her people from hser desire for her ex-lover. Their secret affair will not only jeopardize a tenuous alliance among the Nightkeepers, but it also distracts them from a danger within their own ranks.
Real Vampires Hate Skinny Jeans (Glory St. Clair, Book 8), by Gerry Bartlett (April 3, Berkley)
Someone is eating for two. Full-figured vampire Glory St. Clair thinks things are finally going her way. She’s no longer possessed by a demon, the legions of hell aren’t on her tail, and her love life is heating up since she managed to reconnect with her maker and longtime lover, Jeremy Blade. But when a pregnant demon shows up on her doorstep, Glory knows everything is about to go to hell. Alesa is claiming the baby is Rafe’s, conceived while she was inhabiting Glory’s body. A clever trap? Or could it be true?
Lessons After Dark, by Isabel Cooper (April 3, Sourcebooks Casablanca)
For years, Gareth St. John put his supernatural talent for healing in service to the British Army. Now he’s the doctor at a very unusual new school that helps people with special “talents” learn how to hone their abilities. Olivia Brightmore became a fake medium to support herself after her husband died, but she never expected to discover real magic as the school’s newest teacher. Olivia tries to keep the handsome doctor at arm’s length, but she can’t resist the urge to get under his skin.
Crystalfire (Demonslayers, Book 4), by Kate Douglas (April 3, Zebra)
The Demon King still lives, stronger than ever, devouring souls in search of immortality. Against him stands the scholar Taron, a newly minted warrior of Lemuria, and Willow, a woman of unearthly loveliness, born of mist Taron must pass through the waterfall of molten gold that shields the secret portal to his land. His brilliant mind and the speaking sword called CrystalFire are his weapons against evil. But nothing can protect him from the power of love.
Untouched, by Sara Humphreys (April 3, Sourcebooks Casablanca)
The Amoveo are shape-shifting animal clans who live secretly among humans and must find their predestined soul mate while avoiding the enemy that seeks to destroy them all. Beautiful plus-size model Kerry Smithson appears to have it all, but inside she harbors a crippling secret and avoids all physical contact. Until she encounters Dante Coltari, an Amoveo shifter. In her, he believes he has finally found his life mate. But how does he convince her…and keep her safe?
Enraptured (Eternal Guardians, Book 4), by Elisabeth Naughton (April 3, Sourcebooks Casablanca)
Orpheus may have joined the elite protectors known as Eternal Guardians, but they’ve never trusted whose side he’s really on. And the half-daemon couldn’t care less. Orpheus has only one goal: rescue his brother from the Underworld. He’s not expecting a woman to get in the way, especially not one sent by Zeus to seduce, entrap, and then ultimately destroy him. A woman who will dredge up a past he doesn’t remember, a love that once condemned him, and a dark and deadly secret as old as the Eternal Guardians themselves.
The Shape of Desire, by Sharon Shinn (April 3, Ace)
For fifteen years Maria Devane has been desperately, passionately in love with Dante Romano. But despite loving him with all of her heart and soul, Maria knows Dante can never give all of himself back—at least not all the time. Every month, Dante shifts shape, becoming a wild animal. During those times, he wanders far and wide, leaving Maria alone. He can’t choose when he shifts, the transition is often abrupt and, as he gets older, the time he spends in human form is gradually decreasing. Since the beginning, Maria has kept his secret. But when a string of brutal attacks occur in local parks during the times when Dante is in animal form, Maria is forced to consider whether the lies she’s been telling about her life have turned into lies she’s telling herself.
Immortal City, by Scott Speer (April 3, Razorbill)
Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He’s days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone’s obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect—everyone except for Madison Montgomery, who ends up with the power needed to save the Angels, and Jackson, from a dangerous serial killer. Young Adult.
Bloodright (Blood Moon Trilogy, Book 2), by Karin Tabke (April 3, Berkley)
After years of waiting, Lycan Alpha Lucien Mondragon is poised to take revenge on his brother, Rafael, by killing Rafael’s life mate, the Lycan/Slayer half-breed Falon—but he cannot complete the kill. Instead of ending her life, Lucien defiantly marks Falon as his own. Though terrified by the savage Lucien, Falon finds herself drawn to him. Torn between the love she has for Rafael and the hunger she holds for Lucien, the will of Falon’s heart will lead her to her destined life matebut it may also doom the brothers and the Lycan race to extinction.
Savage Awakening, by J.D. Tyler (April 3, Signet)
A group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers combating the greatest dangers in the world. But sometimes those dangers are more intimate than they bargained for. After a mission goes wrong, Aric Savage is taken prisoner. Half-dead and despairing, he makes a stunning discovery: his Pack mate Micah Chase, who was reported dead, is a fellow captive. LAPD officer and Psy Dreamwalker Rowan Chase has one priority: her brother Micah’s recovery. But when Aric’s life is endangered, Rowan must ask herself what she’s willing to sacrifice in the name of love, for the man fated to be her Bondmate.
WEEKS TWO AND THREE
No new releases.
WEEK FOUR
Warrior (The Fallen, Book 3), by Kristina Douglas (April 24, Pocket)
Michael, the warrior angel, is the fiercest of the Fallen, their staunchest defender. Never has he met a foe he could not defeat in combat until the love of a mortal woman threatens to sway him from his greatest duty.
Kiss of Pride, by Sandra Hill (April 24, Avon)
Is he really a Viking with a vampire’s bite? An angel with the body of a thunder god? A lone wolf with love on his mind? Alexandra Kelly, his prey, thinks Vikar Sigurdsson is either flat-out crazy or he’s trying to maneuver her into his bed—which is hardly where a professional reporter should conduct an interview, tempting as that prospect might be. Until Vikar does something a teensy bit unexpected, and Alex begins to wonder whether her mystery man could really be everything he says he is: a Viking Vampire Angel on a thousand-year-long mission with his pack of sinful brothers—and a man who’s finally found the woman of his dreams. First in a new series.
All for You, by Lynn Kurland (April 24, Jove)
Peaches Alexander is thrilled to receive an unexpected invitation to a weekend party given by the handsome, eligible Duke of Kenneworth. The only problem: Stephen de Piaget, a stuffy medieval studies scholar who seems determined to get in the way. Peaches has no desire to get involved with Stephen until a quirk of Fate sends her hurtling through time. Stephen de Piaget has been leading a double life: respectable professor by day, knight-in-training during holidays and summer terms. When Peaches goes missing, Stephen knows he’s the only one that can rescue her from medieval peril.
Obsidian Flame (The World of Ascension, Book 5), by Caris Roane (April 24, St. Martin’s)
For a hundred years, Marguerite has been imprisoned and used for her powerful psychic abilities. Her only relief comes from her regular visits with Thorne, her vampire lover. His every touch leaves her hungry for more, and aching for their next encounter. When Marguerite is finally set free, she returns to Mortal Earth to begin a new life for herself. She dyes her hair white-blonde, paints her nails blood-red, and seduces a sexy-hot stranger. Now that Marguerite is gone, Thorne craves her more than ever—and follows her to Mortal Earth. Unfortunately, he is not the only vampire who wants her.
Under a Vampire Moon (Argeneau, Book 16), by Lynsay Sands (April 24, Avon)
After a bad relationship and an even worse divorce, Carolyn decides to go on a long overdue and much needed vacation with the girls. Only the rest of the vacationers didn’t get the memo. Around every corner there seems to be another couple celebrating their honeymoon or anniversary and the few single men she does see are far too young to even consider, including an attractive rock violinist, Christian Notte. It’s really too bad he’s so young but in the end it doesn’t matter because according to his cousin, women in general aren’t Christian’s type. But he needs Carolyn’s help. He needs her to play his fake girlfriend for the week to appease his machismo family, and Carolyn just can’t seem to say no.
Wicked Road to Hell, by Juliana Stone (April 24, Avon)
With the legions of the underworld gathering and chaos close at hand, Sorcerer Declan O’Hara’s deadly skills will be tested. But nothing will sway him from his duty, not even her. Rescued from eternal darkness, vampire Ana DeLacrux owes her life to a mysterious stranger who asks for only one thing—her absolute allegiance. She serves this master without question until Declan, the one man who can make her forget her vow, returns. His magic is stronger, darker more compelling than ever. His blood awakens a hunger she must resist, or risk deadly consequences. First in a new series.
On the Prowl (The Others, Book 3), by Christine Warren (April 24, St. Martin’s)
Most girls would throw a fit if their parents tried to set up an arranged marriage for them. It’s so outrageously old-fashioned—even for a Tiguri family, members of a fierce race of shapeshifting weretigers. But Saskia isn’t getting her claws out just yet. She’ll go through with this marriage to help unite two powerful families—and because her husband-to-be Nicolas Preda is the sexiest, hunkiest, and only man she’s ever wanted. Of course, marrying an alpha male like Nic comes with its share of danger. As leader of his Streak and head of a global corporation, Nic and his new fiancée must take their places in the jungles of Manhattan—and the local Others seem to have a strict “no pets” policy.
Author Suzanne Johnson is a book geek with a fondness for a good dystopia. Her new urban fantasy series, scheduled to begin with the release of Royal Street on April 10 by Tor Books, is set in New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina. Find Suzanne on Twitter and Facebook.
