The Warden is in the house this month as JR Ward releases a new Black Dagger Brotherhood title among the twenty-two new paranormal romance titles hitting the shelves in March. In addition to Ward, look for series additions from, among others, Shannon K. Butcher (Sentinels Wars), Sara Humphreys (Dead in the City), Molly Harper (Half Moon Hollow), Jacquelyn Frank (Immortal Brothers), Christine Warren (Gargoyles), Donna Grant (Dark Kings), Dani Harper (Grim), and Rebecca Zanetti (Sin Brothers).
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
Binding Ties (Sentinel Wars #9)—Shannon K. Butcher (March 3, Signet)
Lyka Phelan is a Slayer, sent to live among her enemy to guarantee lasting peace with the Theronai. She has a secret, and it could make her a slave to their power. When a pack of Synestryn destroys her home and captures her packmates, Lyka realizes her freedom is a small price to pay for the safety of her people. She strikes a bargain with the leader of the Theronai, one that reveals her true identity and binds her to him forever. Joseph thought he knew better than to tangle with the beautiful Lyka. One misstep could send their races back to war. Now he has no choice other than to help her. Forced to protect her with his life, Joseph finds himself increasingly drawn to Lyka. As they risk everything in their fight against the demons, he realizes he must convince her to surrender to him completely, otherwise she will never truly be his.
Chaos Station (Chaos Station #1)—Kelly Jensen and Jenn Burke (March 2, Carina)
The war with the alien stin is over, but Felix Ingesson has given up on seeing his lover, Zander Anatolius, ever again. Zander’s military file is sealed tighter than an airlock. Felix is attempting a much quieter life keeping his ship, the Chaos, aloft. He almost succeeds, until Zander walks on board and insists that Felix isn’t real. Zander is reeling from the aftereffects of his experimental training and wants nothing more than to disappear and wait for insanity to claim him. Then he sees footage of a friend and ally murdering an entire security squad with her bare hands and a cold, dead look in her eyes. He never expected to find Felix, the man he’d thought dead for years, on the ship he hired to track her down. Zander has no exit strategy that will leave Felix unscathed, or his own heart unbroken. (Digital)
Death Marked (Death Sworn #2)—Leah Cypess (March 3, Greenwillow)
Young Adult. At seventeen, Ileni lost her magical power and was exiled to the hidden caves of the assassins. She never thought she would survive long. But she discovered she was always meant to end up, powerless, in the caves as part of an elder sorcerer’s plan to destroy the evil Empire they’d battled so long. Except that Ileni is not an assassin, and she doesn’t want to be a weapon. And, after everything, she’s not even sure she knows the truth. Now, at the very heart of the Empire, its academy for sorcerers, the truth is what she seeks. What she finds challenges every belief she holds dear, and it threatens her fledgling romance with the young master of assassins.
Deviate (The Light Key Trilogy #2)—Tracy Clark (March 3, Entangled Teen)
Young Adult. Tormented after a daring escape, Cora Sandoval must find a way to stop the Arrazi from murdering innocent people and from violating, using, and killing the Scintilla for their powers. She must also accept one bitter betrayal: Finn Doyle, the Irish boy who has both a piece of Cora’s heart and soul, is Arrazi. On the verge of extinction and sought by those who would either consume or destroy them, Cora and the remaining Scintilla survivors must solve the mystery of The Light Key. If they fail, the truth will stay buried forever and mankind will pay the ultimate price. No longer will she hide. No longer will her loved ones be hunted. And she will have her vengeance, even if she shatters her heart in the process.
Phoenix Inheritance (The Phoenix Institute #4)—Corrina Lawson (March 3, Samhain)
Ex-Navy SEAL Daz Montoya and rescue dog handler Renee Black have made a career out of saving people. When their affair resulted in pregnancy, Daz’s verbal fumble tore their relationship apart. It’s been a tough eight years for Renee, raising Charlie alone with his autism-fueled impulsiveness. When she has to chase him to the edge of a cliff in a snowstorm, seeing the face of their rescuer is just the rotten cherry on top of a rough day. Renee and Daz rediscover the heat simmering between them. Renee welcomes Daz’s determination to help Charlie however he can, she’s reluctant to trust him with her heart. With the Phoenix Institute’s help, Renee and Daz discover their son’s gift for animal telepathy is real. To save him from enemies that would kill to control him, they must join forces, and risk losing everything they’ve ever loved. (Digital)
Rising Fire (Stone Circles #1)—Terri Brisbin (March 3, Signet)
Brienne of Yester has always been able to manipulate fire, but when her powers suddenly surge, the simple life she once knew explodes. Handsome, fearless, and commanding, William de Brus has been summoned by the king to investigate a nobleman rumored to have powers linked to the fabled fire goddess. When he chances upon Brienne, his desire for her is immediate. But as his mystical quest unfolds, William realizes that she is at the center of it, for Brienne possesses the very power he has been sent to vanquish. As their attraction deepens, William attempts to free Brienne from the dark force beginning to control her, even when his duty demands that he treat her as an enemy. With emotions flaring, fire rising, and evil threatening at every turn, can the two lovers survive the coming battle and save all of humanity?
Shifter Mates (Shifters Unbound)—Jennifer Ashley (March 3, Berkley)
A Shifters Unbound Anthology, including the novellasLone Wolf and Feral Heat. InLone Wolf, Ellison Rowe is a wolf Shifter and a self-proclaimed cowboy, but he’s still searching for someone to ease his loneliness. Maria is a human taking refuge among the Shifters, trying to move on from her haunted past. When Ellison and Maria team up, the passion between them is undeniable, as is the hope that their love is just what they both need to start anew. InFeral Heat, Jace Warden finds himself in close quarters with beautiful and courageous shifter Deni Rowe when he travels to Austin to find a way to free all Shifters from their Collars. As Deni and Jace work together, they feel the mate bond begin. But Deni has troubles of her own, and even Jace’s fierce devotion might not be enough to help her.
Vampires Never Cry Wolf (Dead in the City #3)—Sara Humphreys (March 3, Sourcebooks Casablanca)
Sadie Pemberton is the DJ at the hottest vampire club in New York City, and she loves her freedom almost as much as she hates werewolves. She has no desire to tie herself to anyone for eternity, even the deliciously sexy Killian Bane, werewolf prince and heir apparent who has been sent to patrol the city. But Sadie bears the mark of the moon, the mark that Killian has been looking for, the mark that’s meant to reveal his perfect mate. How can the fates be so cruel? Even more importantly, how is he ever going to change her mind?
Wicked Dark Dragon (Dragon Heat #3)—Lolita Lopez (March 3, Forever Yours)
Adopted at birth, Ivy Morales always suspected she was more than human. Still, she keeps the outlandish thought to herself, even though she can’t ignore her powerful dreams of an ancient blood feud, or the darkly erotic turn of those hallucinations. Kidnapped in Mexico for her visions, Ivy has only one chance to escape: find the wickedly sexy man in her dreams. Welsh dragon shifter Ian Madoc doesn’t understand the strange dream connection he shares with an unknown, beautiful woman. Yet after the seductive images turn into pleas for help, Ian rushes off in the middle of the night, hell-bent on rescuing her. But will she turn out to be the soul mate he’s always longed for, or the downfall of his entire clan? (Digital)
WEEKS TWO AND THREE
No new titles.
WEEK FOUR
Angel (Manhattan Ten #4)—Lola Dodge (March 24, Samhain)
Angelina Márquez’s perfect memory recall makes her ideally suited to manage the Manhattan Ten superhero crew. A recruiting trip to UCLA does nothing to cure her insomnia. Intel indicates someone in the L.A. Pack may be harboring anti-super sentiment. She’s sent to retrieve a panther shifter being detained at LAX. Tequani was looking forward to visiting his hero brother, but when civilization unexpectedly brings out his claws, he’s court-ordered to stick with Angel while his paws are on U.S. soil. Angel’s talents and beauty fill the vacant places in his soul. Angel can’t seem to stop Quan from burning himself into her mind, right down to the exact dimensions of his abdominals. But when they fall into a trap, survival means pooling every one of their talents. A move that could balance their souls, or throw their hearts into dangerous chaos. (Digital)
Claimed (Servants of Fate #2)—Sarah Fine (March 24, 47North)
Galena Margolis, a scientist with a tragic past, is determined to develop the vaccine that could save millions. When Galena’s test subjects meet with foul play, it’s clear that someone is still determined to stop her, and that Galena herself is a target. As the Ferry empire forges a plan to keep her safe, Declan Ferry, the politics-hating black sheep of the family, steps forward to protect her. It becomes terrifyingly clear that someone threatens to destroy not only Galena’s lifesaving work but also the very fabric of fate. Galena and Declan work to uncover the traitor. They also forge a special bond that could save both Galena and those she’s sworn to help. Can Galena find room for a passion that could make her stronger than ever? Even if she and Declan can find their way together, will it be enough to keep the future from coming apart at the seams?
The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire (Half Moon Hollow #3)—Molly Harper (March 24, Pocket)
Gigi starts her first job (at Vampire Headquarters), gets over her first love, and may even fall for her first vampire. Gigi is no longer an innocent teen. All grown up and looking for love, her family and friends worry she’ll go for the sexy, alluring vampire instead of a nice, safe human. But sexy and alluring, with a penchant for biting, could be just what Gigi wants.
The Moon Tells Secrets—Savanna Welles (March 24, St. Martin’s Griffin)
Raine is at her wits’ end. Her eleven-year-old son, Davey, whom she has raised by herself, has the power to shapeshift into any animal, a “gift” from his dead father. As Raine struggles to control his abilities that are so clearly out of her realm, a darker threat moves closer, a skinwalker bent on killing Raine and Davey. But even if the skinwalker doesn’t succeed, someone closer to Raine will become just as vicious. Cade, still grieving the brutal murder of his wife, finds solace in Raine’s companionship. But as the savage details of her death mirror the powers Davey is soon to have, Raine will have to fight to protect her son.
Being Emerald (New Atlanta #3)—Sylvia Ryan (March 31, Kensington)
Laila Lewis has finally attained the prestige of an Emerald designation. Now only one thing is keeping her from her life’s goal of retrieving the Declaration of Independence and other priceless artifacts from the wild unknown of the Onyx Zone: the six weeks of training necessary to ensure her survival outside the city walls. After a year as a designated Emerald, rugged, sensual ex-cop Rock Rodgers is finally prepared to leave New Atlanta for good. Six weeks of training is the only thing standing between him and his next mission: to disappear into the freedom of the Onyx Zone where the long-armed rule of the Gov can’t reach him. But when the chemistry between him and Laila reaches a boiling point, with captivity just one false move away, will he have to escape on his own, or risk everything for a woman more tempting than freedom. (Digital)
Cursed by Ice (Immortal Brothers #2)—Jacquelyn Frank (March 31, Ballantine)
As punishment for plotting with his brothers to steal immortality, Garreth is suffering a freezing torment until the end of time. His fierce fighter’s physique is frozen into a chiseled ice sculpture, his heart hardening like a diamond in his chest, only to thaw and resume the chilling torture. He is offered a reprieve from a goddess, in exchange for his allegiance in a celestial civil war. Garreth lives to fight and fights to live. While laying siege to an embattled city, he finds another reason to go on, a beautiful warrior woman named Sarielle, who commands a mythic beast through a mysterious and powerful bond. The city rulers have kept her captive, and now she refuses to submit to a new master. As Garreth seeks to unleash her passion and melt the icy resistance of her heart, will he become her salvation, or lead them both to greater destruction?
Hard as a Rock (Gargoyles #3)—Christine Warren (March 31, St. Martin’s)
Her name is Wynn Powe. Wynn has returned to Chicago to do what she does best: Locate Guardian statues. The Order of Eternal Darkness has beat her to the punch, and the statue she’s come to investigate has been blown to smithereens. An elusive enemy is on her trail, and this time, she’s on her own. Until a mysterious package falls into Wynn’s hands that contains a chunk of old stone, along with instructions for the spell required to summon a new Guardian. Enter Knox. He’s a Guardian magically embued with the skills and memories of his race. Bound to Wynn as his Warden, Knox vows to learn the truth about the destroyed Guardian. Is his desire for Wynn worth the risk of being destroyed by the Order? The only thing he knows for sure is that he won’t go down without a fight. Nor will he pass up a night of pure blind passion.
Night’s Blaze (Dark Kings #5)—Donna Grant (March 31, St. Martin’s)
The Rhys who has existed for centuries is gone. Stripped of his ability to shift forms, Rhys can no longer embody the majestic, powerful dragon he was at birth. This Dragon King must remain a man, haunted by demons who torment his every waking moment. The darkness would swallow him whole, except a woman so beautiful and haunted becomes the one beam of light in his world. Lily Ross is taking the first step in building a new life for herself. Still reeling from a relationship that nearly broke her spirit, Lily is wary of her attraction to brawny, brooding Rhys. The passion burning so brightly between them is a potent temptation, but any entanglement is destined to end in disaster. When a spectre from Lily’s past threatens their growing bond, Rhys is forced to choose with his heart, or lose this woman who has become his one chance at salvation.
Sea of Stars (Kricket #2)—Amy A. Bartol (March 31, 47North)
Kricket Hollowell was looking for her place in the world when she discovered that the universe was bigger, and more dangerous, than she had ever dreamed. Whisked across space to the planet Ethar, Kricket learns that her genetic ability to see the future makes her a sought-after commodity, and the catalyst for war between her star-crossed parents’ clans. According to Alameedan prophecy, one house will rise to power and the other will be completely wiped out, and Kricket’s precognition is believed to be the weapon that will tip the scales. Kricket finds protection, and a home, in the arms of Trey, her Etharian bodyguard-turned-boyfriend. Her visions of what’s to come disturb her deeply, especially since she must discover whether the gift of foresight will allow her to rewrite the future, or if her fate is as immovable as the stars.
Storm Warned (Grim #3)—Dani Harper (March 31, Montlake Romance)
When Caris’s unearthly musical talent attracts the attention of the Wild Hunt, the Welsh farm girl is stolen away to serve as a faery grim, a herald of death. Two centuries later, she’s finally escaped back to the human world, and into the present-day life of a reclusive and heartbroken American musician. Music was Liam’s whole life, until a crushing betrayal left him desperate to flee the public eye. Yet long-dormant passions awaken after a powerful storm strands a beautiful, strong-willed woman on his isolated farm. When a Fae prince bent on ruling both human and Faery realms threatens Caris’s life, Liam must decide if he can finally believe in love again, not just for her sake, but for the sake of two worlds.
The Shadows (Black Dagger Brotherhood #13)—J.R. Ward (March 31, NAL)
Sold by his parents to the Queen of the S’Hsibe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer in Caldwell, NY for years, all the while on the run from a destiny of sexual servitude. He’s never had anyone he could totally rely on except for his brother, iAm. It’s not until the Chosen Serena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due and there is nowhere to run. Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others, or forever leave behind the female he’s in love with. But then an unimaginable tragedy strikes and changes everything. Staring out over an emotional abyss, Trez must find a reason to go on or risk losing himself and his soul forever. And iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice.
The Unleashing (Call of Crows #1)—Shelly Laurenston (March 31, Kensington)
Kera Watson never expected to face death behind a Los Angeles coffee shop. Not after surviving two tours lugging an M16 around the Middle East. If it wasn’t for her hot Viking customer showing up too late to help, nobody would even see her die. In uncountable years of service to the Allfather Odin, Ludvig “Vig” Rundstrom has never seen anyone kick ass with quite as much style as Kera. He knows one way to save her life, but she might not like it. Signing up with the Crows will get Kera a new set of battle buddies: cackling, gossiping, squabbling, party-hearty women. Vig can’t give up on someone as special as Kera. With a storm of oh-crap magic speeding straight for L.A., survival will depend on combining their strengths: Kera’s discipline, Vig’s loyalty, and the Crows’ sheer love of battle. Boy, are they in trouble.
Total Surrender (Sin Brothers #4)—Rebecca Zanetti (March 31, Forever)
Piper Oliver knows she can’t trust him. They warned her that the tall, sexy black-ops soldier Jory Dean would try to win her over with his steel-gray eyes and charm, but she won’t be conned by this man they call a traitor. All she has to do is figure out the science necessary to save his life, and she’s done. Something isn’t adding up, and she won’t rest until she uncovers the truth, even if it’s buried in his deep, dangerous kiss. Jory will do anything to reunite with and save his brothers, even kidnap the gorgeous woman who’s working to deactivate the deadly chip in their spines. The forces determined to destroy his family won’t let them go so easily. Keeping Piper alive is more than he bargained for, and so is his burning desire for her. With every second bringing him closer to certain death, can he afford to lose himself in her hot and willing embrace?
Suzanne Johnson is the author of the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series and, as Susannah Sandlin, author of the Penton Legacy paranormal romance series and The Collectors romantic thriller series. You can find Suzanne on Facebook and on her website.
