Day 9 ( 17 Days to Smugglivus and counting)
Who: Nalini Singh, a NY Times bestseller, writer of romance novels. Her Psy-Changeling series (paranormal romance) is a fan favourite with its fantastic balance of world building and romance. She has a brand new series – The Guild Hunter – coming out later in the year. You can check an interview we did with the author here.
Recent Work: her latest release is a story in the anthology The Magical Christmas Cat (reviewed here) and before that, Hostage to Pleasure the 5th full length novel in the Psy-Changeling series (also reviewed here) .
We give the floor to Nalini Singh with her favourite 2008 reads, what she is looking forward to reading in 2009 and a giveaway!
____________________________
Nalini:
As I write this (at the start of November), I’ve read 83 books this year – and it’s generally been a good experience. These days, I hoard my reading time so vigorously that I tend to be quite ruthless – if something doesn’t catch me within the first chunk, then I move on.
So, from an excellent year, here are some favorites. I could’ve mentioned several more, but I figure Ana and Thea probably didn’t invite me here to take over their blog *g*
Demon Night by Meljean Brook – Drifter made this book for me. I loved the way he talked, the way he made love to the heroine, everything about him. Meljean’s characters are some of my absolute favorites – they’re always so well drawn, so vivid.
Lick of Frost by Laurell K Hamilton – I am addicted to LKH. There’s no other word for it. If she writes it, I will read it. I think Ms Hamilton has an amazing imagination, and it’s impossible to predict where that imagination will take her characters, which I love. I’m now hanging out until I have a few solid hours to read Swallowing Darkness. Must. Have. More.
Tangled Webs by Anne Bishop – anyone who reads my blog knows I’m a fangirl of Ms Bishop’s. Her Black Jewels trilogy is among my all time favorites, and I was absolutely delighted to go back to that world in Tangled Webs. Of course now, I’m hanging out for The Shadow Queen – ooooh, it looks so good!
Duncan’s Bride by Linda Howard – I love LH’s romances. Her heroes are just sigh-worthy. Yum yum.
The Retrieval Artist and Other Stories by Kristine Kathryn Rusch – I’m a huge fan of Ms Rusch’s Retrieval Artist series. If you haven’t read them, they’re sf set in the future where humans work with and alongside alien races. The problem is, humans often break alien laws, with devastating consequences (for example, some alien races require you give up your firstborn to atone). As a result, people Disappear into new lives, new worlds, where the law can’t reach them. Retrieval Artists are the ones who go after the Disappeared – but only if certain conditions are met. It’s a really amazing series, so check it out if you haven’t already. I’m biting my nails waiting for the next book – Duplicate Effort.
The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey – this was a reread for me and it’s one of my favorite books of Ms McCaffrey’s. I love watching Rowan grow from a lost child to the most powerful Prime in the galaxy. And of course, I love watching her meet Jeff Raven, the only man who can take her on. The entire Talent series is brilliant – I would so be first in line at the bookstore if she wrote any more. As it is, I read her Pern books (now co-written with her son, Todd), as soon as they release.
New Blood by Gail Dayton – I read this as an ARC I picked up at the RWA Conference. I’ve enjoyed Gail’s other work, but with this one, she hits it out of the park – a Victorian steampunk novel that integrates magic with technology, and creates a cast of characters I’m going to have to follow as they grow and develop through the books. Keep an eye out for it in March next year.
Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas – I’d never read a LK novel before Blue Eyed Devil. I’m now hooked. That says it all really! As I write this, I have A Wallflower Christmas sitting behind me, saying “read me, read me.”
Foundation by Mercedes Lackey – the Valdemar series is one of my absolute favorites and I loved being able to step back into it. It was at once familiar, and different, given that Foundation comes chronologically before several of the other trilogies. I think it’s a great book to start with if you’re picking up Ms Lackey’s books for the first time. Or try The Last Herald Mage trilogy.
I’ve mentioned several books I’m waiting for from the authors above, but here are some more.
Kay Hooper’s Blood Sins (out in Dec 08) – I love her blend of mystery/thriller/paranormal. If you haven’t read the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit series, check it out.
Anything by JD Robb – more Roarke, more Eve! Want, want!!
Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs – Must see what happens to Mercy. I love Ms. Briggs’ voice.
The next books in Ilona Andrews’ and Meljean Brooks’ awesome series. Also, I hear Ms. Meljean has a new steampunk series coming out…
Paris’s book from Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld. He so deserves a happy ending after what happened in the previous books.
Bengal’s Heart from Lora Leigh – I’ve been a fan of Cabal’s since I met him, so I can’t wait to see where Lora takes his story.
I’m sure I’m forgetting so many books – and will probably remember them right after this is posted, but I think I need to stop now. As you can probably tell, I love books, and I love to read. My tbr pile has not only taken over the floor, it’s spawned limbs and begun to climb up the walls. I probably need help, but I’m quite happy as I am 
Ana and Thea also asked me talk about what books I have releasing next year, so here goes.
March – ANGELS’ BLOOD kicks of the Guild Hunter series. If you like your angels deliciously dark and dangerous, this might be the book for you. You can check out an excerpt on my website.
July – BRANDED BY FIRE is book 6 in the Psy/Changeling series, and it lives up to the title. Promise. Don’t believe me? Go read the excerpt. *g*
September – “Angels’ Judgment” in MUST LOVE HELLHOUNDS. This will be a stand-alone Guild Hunter novella, focusing on one of the secondary characters introduced in ANGELS’ BLOOD. I’m so delighted to be in this anthology – my fellow authors are going to be Charlaine Harris, Ilona Andrews & Meljean Brook! Does that rock or what?!
In the spirit of Smugglivus and the holidays’ season, Nalini is generously offering two seasonal anthologies – first winner gets The Magical Christmas Cat and the second An Enchanted Season. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by Saturday 11pm (Pacific time) . We will post the winners on Sunday.
Next on Smugglivus: John Marco
sharing is caring
44 Responses to Countdown to Smugglivus – Nalini Singh
Leave a Reply
Subscribe
I’d love to win a little Christmas readin’!!
Thanks
fist jab of triumph for Anne McCaffrey’s The Rowan and ALL the Talent books! WELL worth the effort of finsding for fans of science fiction with romantic elements! Oh man, it’s been soooo long since I’ve read those. Getting little blissful reading memories, which are kind of like hugs from long-lost friends lol. Awwww…
I love your list of books, Nalini. Looking very forward to all the upcoming Psy/Changling books as well as Angel’s Blood!
I can’t wait for Branded by Fire! Looks so good! I love the In Death series, too. We need more Eve and Roarke.
I have to say that I literally count down to the release of your books Nalini =)
I love the psy/changeling world, but I’m definitely excited to see where you take us with the Guild Hunter series. I read the excerpt, and Raphael is just plain yummy! I also like how Elena is such a strong heroine..the cover is also gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing some of your favorite books from this year, Nalini. I keep hearing great things about Meljean Brook’s books, but I have not tried her yet.
I am really looking forward to the releases of Branded by Fire and Angels’ Blood next year.
Hi Nalini. I love your books.
Awe, Nalini! Two of my favorite books this year were in your Psy-Changeling series! I love these books, and thanks for the list! Branded by Fire looks awesome!
I can’t wait for Angels’ Blood! It is so on my TBR list!
Thanks
Natasha A.
Yay, a giveaway! And some of your favorites sound like they need to be added to my TBR pile.
I am salavating over Nalini’s next book.
Sorry, yet again I must say that Roarke is mine, all mines.
I’m an avid fan of Nilini’s since book 1! Would love the opportunity to win one of those books!
Gah, I’m dying for the upcoming books. Dying. Or…I’m reviving as the release dates gets closer?
Oh Ms. Nalini, do stop teasing us. I need those books. Need them. Need them nnooowwwwwww. Mercy’s calling me. Calling!!!
Duncan’s Bride by Linda Howard is an older one, but I loved it too.
*runs away to hibernate to make the year go faster*
I have Angel’s Blood on my Amazon WishList. If its half as good as Nalini’s Psy series, its going to be wonderful.
I keep trying to picture Roarke, but other than picturing him as mine…I have no face for him.
I can’t wait to get my hands on both Branded by Fire and Angels’ Blood. Next year is looking really good book wise.
Just recently read Slave to Sensation, looking forward to the rest of the series!
Not meant to be typing – sore wrists
– but thank you Nalini! Great list and some interesting books to read!
Love your taste in fantasy, paranormal and urban fantasy!
Nalini, you listed some fabulous books. I love that you are looking forward to Paris’s story in the Lords of the Underworld series. He definitely deserves a happy ending after everything he’s been through and I’m anxious for both his and Aeron’s books. *happy sigh*
I’ve never read any Nalini Singh but both anthologies look interesting to me. Thanks for stopping in and for the giveaway!
i want the cat one please!!!!!
I would love to win one of them!!!
Love your books!
would love to win a copy great for the holday season
kh
I’d love to be entered for The Magical Christmas cat. Cute cover, I must say.
-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
Hi Nalini, anxiously awaiting the next PSY book and that new series. Meljean did a great short story in First Blood Anthology related to the series.
I have both of these anthologies, good luck ladies.
I am also a huge fan of Mercedes Lackey and just finished Foundation as well. I really liked it a lot!
Oh, more Nalini books! I’d love to be entered into this contest. Great list, btw — You’ve perked my interest in some that I’d normally bypass.
I love the Psy/Changeling series and I am very excited about the Guild Hunter one. I’m sure it will be great too!
Nalini, I love many of your favorites too, and if you are discovering Lisa Kleypas now, you have some great reads there. I’ll recommend you look for her backlist titles like Then Came You/Dreaming of You (they are wonderful!, Suddenly You, and the wallflowers series.
I am also eagerly waiting for Meljean Brooks’ and Kay Hooper’s next books. They are both awesome writers.
Thanks Nalini! I need to be more diverse in my reading so it’s always great to hear what my fav authors like to read themselves. And I would love to win the copy of MCC – it’s the latest of yours I haven’t picked up yet but really want to.
OOOOOOOh I would love to win one of these. Thanks for the great post. I really enjoy your books.
Nalini is a new author to me. I’m definitely gonna check her out though.
Hi Nalini! I’m so excited about your new series and its great being into your Psy-Changeling series! I’m so savoring them!! Nalini, I didn’t write down my reads this year, but its one of my goals now for 2009 (among a few other reading goals, like reading at least one new to me author each month, completing a series that I started to read, etc). I’m so bad at remembering titles so it will be great to reflect back on all those reads. Loved reading about this from your list!
I’d love to play for the MAGICAL CHRISTMAS CAT. I loved An Enchanted Season last year. Its on my keepers shelf!
perfect choices, and i would love to be lucky and get a Nalini Singh book!!!
Wow, some of those books look good. I can see my TBR pile getting bigger after Christmas!
Oh boy, I have discovered a new author to explore. I love finding books I haven’t read yet.
traymona[at]aol.com
Thanks for posting. What a great list of books. I love Anne Bishop and JD Robb’s books and saw some more I havent read that I now need to check out.
An Enchanted Season was a great anthology, cant wait to get ahold of a copy of the Magical Christmas Cat.
Thanks for sharing some of your favorite books, Nalini! I’m really looking forward to reading many of those too, particularly New Blood by Gail Dayton.
Happy Holidays/ Smugglivus!
I also love The Retrieval Series by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes science fiction!
I love love this contest. Love the books too. Please enter me into the contest.
Nalini will you be writing any anothogy books soon? I just love love love the recent one.
Please enter me into the contest too.
zmtc21 at yahoo dot com
Thanks for sharing and posting. Please enter me into the contest.
phlp_chan at yahoo dot com
I agree with Cindy W!
I love reading Christmas anthologies, so please enter me in the drawing!
I am really looking forward to both Branded by Fire and Angel’s Blood.
I would love to be entered in the contest.
Contest is now closed! Thanks for all the comments!