Welcome to this week’s news post! With the news of Microsoft entering the tablet market and more book news and publishing development!

The biggest news this week was the announcement by Microsoft who launched their own tablet device called the Surface, which will be released with the upcoming Windows 8 OS. The Surface also comes with an attached light keyboard and stand and the specs are pretty impressive and it looks like its entry is going to make a splash in the crowded tablet and ultrabook market. For more information although details pretty sketchy in terms of price  click here.

Penguin has allowed their e-books for online digital library downloads for a pilot scheme in New York. It is only for two city branches and each ebook is licensed for only one year which will then have to be renewed for the following year. I really hope they expand this scheme because I think online borrowing for ebooks will actually lead to more sales.

YA author Libba Bray has sold the rights for her upcoming new series, The Diviners to Paramount in a deal for the series to be adapted for the big screen. Libba Bray is slated for the writing the script as well and the story focuses on a young girl sent to live in New York with her uncle who is a curator for a strange museum which focuses on the Occult. She is then thrust into a heart of a mystery, whilst discovering she has magical powers and danger. The first book is released this September.

News in Brief:

More legal wrangling with the DoJ and the publishers/Apple with the ongoing lawsuits over Agency Pricing. It looks like this will probably run for a few years before it gets settled.

Janet Evanovich, the author of the Stephanie Plum novels has renewed her contract with Random House for more books. She has signed up for 4 more Plum books as well 4 books for a new series which will be co-written with Lee Goldberg. This new series will focus on an FBI agent and a fugitive and is slated for next year.

Karent Marie Moning has posted the excerpt for her long awaited spinnoff book, Iced which is released later this year. You can read the exclusive excerpt at her Facebook page and she also has a graphic novel out this summer which is set in the Fever world.

Now for books to watch out for!

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson is a retelling of Bluebeard and this looks like a great take and I love the ethereal cover!

A sweeping Gothic thriller based on the spine-chilling “Bluebeard” fairytale.

17-year-old Sophia Petheram has been sheltered by her doting family all her life, until the day her father dies. It’s 1855, and with no money and few options, she goes to live with her guardian, the mysterious Bernard de Cressac, at the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey in Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if thread by thread, a silken net is woven around her. And when she begins glimpsing the ghosts of his former wives (all with hair as red as her own) in the forgotten corners and dark hallways of the Abbey, Sophie knows she’s in de Cressac’s trap.

With enchanting romance, chilling suspense, and dashes of the supernatural, Strands of Bronze and Gold is a compulsively-readable debut

 

 

 

Scorched by Laura Griffin, is the 6th  Tracers book.

 

The sixth gripping novel in the series that is “the perfect mix of suspense and romance” (Booklist). Kelsey Quinn has traveled the world unearthing heartbreaking secrets, but nothing prepares her for the trauma of her latest discovery. While on a human rights dig in the Philippines, the forensic anthropologist uncovers a set of human remains, touching off a chain of deadly events back on American soil. After a terrifying attack, Kelsey goes into hiding while she tries to unravel the mystery of two seemingly unconnected murders. The odds are stacked against her, but Kelsey has the help of her colleagues at the Delphi Center crime lab…and the unexpected protection of the only man she ever loved.Navy SEAL Gage Brewer knows his relationship with Kelsey is over and done. But when he learns she’s being targeted by a killer, he risks everything—including his career as a spec ops warrior—to keep her safe. Gage tracks down Kelsey and believes he’s accomplished his goal. But as the threats against her escalate, it becomes clear that the enemy they’re fighting is more lethal than anyone ever imagined. And their most dangerous mission is only beginning.

Trapped by Kevin Hearne – I think this is my favourite cover yet!

After twelve years of secret training, Atticus O’Sullivan is finally ready to bind his apprentice, Granuaile, to the earth and double the number of Druids in the world. But on the eve of the ritual, the world that thought he was dead abruptly discovers that he’s still alive, and they would much rather he return to the grave.
Having no other choice, Atticus, his trusted Irish wolfhound, Oberon, and Granuaile travel to the base of Mount Olympus, where the Roman god Bacchus is anxious to take his sworn revenge–but he’ll have to get in line behind an ancient vampire, a band of dark elves, and an old god of mischief, who all seem to have KILL THE DRUID at the top of their to-do lists.

 

 

 

 

 

So what do you think of the Surface? Do you think its a gamechanger for the tablet market? And are you a fan of Janet Evanovich? Are you happy the series will continue or do you think it has gone on for too long? And what do you think of the new series being planned?

I  am going to leave you with this fantastic video of the 3 Golden Sisters and their commentary on 50 Shades of Grey!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkHIAIEZDC4&w=560&h=315]

About Has

Has is a bookaholic and feeds her addiction whenever she can. She usually can be found lost in a Romance or an Urban Fantasy novel. Her favourite sub genres are Paranormal, Fantasy and some Scifi. Her most treasured authors are, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Ann Aguirre, Lisa Kleypas and Tamora Pierce. She loves that discovery of finding a brand new author and falling in love with their books. Has also blogs a The Book Pushers - Book chatter and reviews

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