Welcome to Smugglivus 2009 – Day 2!
Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2009, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2010.
Who: Jackie Kessler, author of Urban Fantasy with two ongoing series: Hell on Earth with three books and three novellas published; and the Icarus Project, a superhero series written in collaboration with Caitlin Kittredge. Plus, a YA novel is in the works, to be released in 2010. She is also one of the Deadline Dames.
Recent Work: Black and White (an awesomely cool and fun book with superheroines!), the first book in the Icarus Project. Reviewed here by Ana.
Ladies and gentlemen: Jackie Kessler with her favorite reads of 2009, information about her 2010 releases and a giveaway:
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Jackie:
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe 2009 is drawing to a close. There were so many terrific books I read this year — both new books and books that came out before 2009 but I finally got around to reading. (I know I’m probably leaving out a bunch of books, and I’ll slap myself upside the head when I remember what I’m leaving out.) In no particular order…
TURN COAT, Jim Butcher. Love, love, love me that Harry Dresden! I’m itching for the next — and pivotal — book in the series, CHANGES. Come on, 2010! Hurry up and get here!
THREE DAYS TO DEAD, Kelly Meding. I was fortunate enough to read this as a manuscript, and I was very proud to blurb it. Terrific urban fantasy debut!
SPEAK, Laurie Halse Anderson. Yes, I know this one’s been out for a while, but I finally read it, and I was blown away. Absolutely stunning, and extremely powerful.
TENTH GRADE BLEEDS, Heather Brewer. Who says that being a teenage boy vampire is all fun and games? Definitely not Vladimir Tod. Full disclosure: Heather is my critique partner. That being said…MAN, terrific book! The best in the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod to date…and I promise you that ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS is going to be even better. 
THE STEPSISTER SCHEME and THE MERMAID’S MADNESS, Jim C. Hines. You don’t know fairy tales. You only think you do. Jim is brilliant.
The entire Cal Leandros series, Rob Thurman. God, I don’t know who I love more — Cal, Niko or Robin Goodfellow. Fabulous dark fantasy series. Bravo, Rob!
THE GATHERING STORM, Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. Major kudos to Brandon for taking up the mantle after James Oliver Rigney, Jr., (the esteemed Robert Jordan) passed away in 2007. This 12th volume in The Wheel of Time series brings some plots to a close and moves the overall story along very, very well.
CAPTAIN TRIPS — PART 1 of THE STAND, graphic novel edition. Normally, graphic novel renditions of novels leave me only lukewarm. But this rendition was as close to perfect as I could imagine it — updated for today’s world, beautifully depicted, artfully told…and freaking terrifying.
And now…coming in 2010, from yours truly:
Writing as Jackie Kessler:
1. “Hell’s Angel,” in the 28 DAYS OF HEART paranormal romance anthology (February 2010). This is a charity anthology from ARe, and all proceeds will go to the American Heart Association. As the novella title may suggest, my story is all about the angel called Angel from the HELL ON EARTH series. She’s horribly lonely, and outside the gates of Paradise she meets the one being who truly understands her pain. Yes, boys and girls…Angel pops her celestial cherry. Any guesses who the lucky lover is?
2. SHADES OF GRAY (coauthored with Caitlin Kittredge), from Ballantine Spectra (June 22, 2010). This is the second book in the ICARUS PROJECT series. It picks up right where BLACK AND WHITE left off: in the midst of chaos. Along with Jet and Iridium’s story, we get to see the previous generation: how their parents all met, and the devastating events that ended with betrayal, death, incarceration, and madness. I write in the POV of Jet, Angelica (Jet’s mom), Night and new character Garth McFarlaine; Caitlin writes in the POV of Iridium, Vixen (Iri’s mom), and Luster/Arclight.
3. “Hell Bound,” in the THOSE WHO FIGHT MONSTERS urban fantasy/mystery anthology, from Edge SF&F Publishing and edited by the amazing Justin Gustainis (fall 2010). Other confirmed authors include Rachel Caine, Lilith Saintcrow and Laura Anne Gilman. “Hell Bound” is a Jezebel story, which takes place before HELL’S BELLES and after “Hell Is Where the Heart Is” (in A RED HOT VALENTINE’S DAY). It’s not paranormal romance, but it is rather sexy. (Hell, it’s a Jezzie story — it has to be sexy!)
For those who have been asking about HELL TO PAY, the fourth book in the HELL ON EARTH series…please be patient. I promise to announce what’s happening with it ASAP.
Writing as Jackie Morse Kessler:
My debut YA novel, HUNGER, will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Graphia Books (August 11, 2010). This magical realism novel is about an anorexic teenage girl who becomes the new avatar of Famine, the Black Rider of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. It’s a hard-hitting look at eating disorders, and a portion of proceeds will be donated to the National Eating Disorders Association. (I’m currently at work on the second book, RAGE (spring 2011), which is about a teenage girl who self-injures—and is chosen to be the next avatar of War.)
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Thank you, Jackie!
Giveaway details
Jackie Kessler is generously offering one copy of Black and White to one lucky winner. The contest is open to EVERYONE and will run until Saturday, December 5 at 11:59pm (PST). To enter, simply leave a comment here. ONE entry per person, please! Duplicate and/or multiple entries will be disqualified. Good Luck!
Next on Smugglivus: Melissa Marr
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78 Responses to Smugglivus Day 2 – Guest Author (and Giveaway): Jackie Kessler
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Great post! I have never read anything by Jackie Kessler but I see that is a situation that needs to be rectified.
I would love to be entered in to the giveaway!
I’m really intrigued by the concept behind Jackie’s YA series, and am thrilled that the proceeds from the first book are going to the National Eating Disorders Association. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Great post! I’ve been wanting to read this book for a long time now, but I never had the chance to pick it up. Please enter me in the giveaway
Oh, talk about awesome concepts that deal with the four horsemen. I always felt intrigued to write a novel with the horsemen, but Jackie you will rule with such a title.
And yes I would love to be included in this giveaway thank you very much.
I love anything with Jackie Kessler and would love to be included in this amazing book giveaway.
Thanks for holding it
Hell’s Angel sounds good. First time I’ve heard about the charity anthology and now I’m looking forward to it.
Oh my gosh, so many great books! Several of Jackie’s faves AND her own books have been added to my TBR list.
A new-to-me author, Kessler sounds like a lot of fun. Besides, me likes that Harry Dresden too!!
Hmmmm, I’m having a bad feeling that Smugglivus is going to play hell with my TBR pile!!
Thanks for sharing your reads! I’ve added a few to my TBR list.
Would love to read Black and White – please enter me!
Count me in please! Sounds like a great novel from the reviews I’ve read.
Three Days to Dead looks like such an interesting book. it has an eyecatching cover too!
Does it count as a comment if I just ask you to enter me?
I’ve never read any Jackie Kessler, but that’s going to have to change! Her books sound great =)
Please enter me!
Great post and those all look like such interesting books! I would love to be entered in the giveaway!
I’m a long-time fan of superhero comics so I really want to read Black and White.
I’m not actually entering, but what fun picks! I really need to read some Jim Hines one of these days!!
Am not entering to win but just to say: awesome post. As for the Cal Leandros thing…definitely Caliban. He’s my all time favourite.
Awesome give-away! Would love a change to win a copy of the book!
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway, Jackie!
I adore Jim Butcher as well.
Please count me in to the giveaway.
milkavainamo@lyseo.edu.ouka.fi
this book has been on my wish list since it came out
Great post, Jackie! I love how you ran down the list of your favorite books of the year. I’ve already added a handful more to my TBR pile.
I love love love Harry Dresden too. I have a copy of Three Days to Dead but I havent open it yet. Since its one of your favorite reads. I will definitely start reading it now. Thanks for stopping by.
What a great list of books! SPEAK, especially. It’s one of those immersive reads that just sticks with you. (And along that line, HUNGER sounds like it’ll be a really good, tough read. I’ll keep my eye out for it next summer!)
I really love the Hell on Earth series and am hoping for more from it soon. Have heard great things about Black and White so I’m really hoping I win!
Thanks for stopping by, Jackie. I have to agree with you on your list of books and can’t wait for your new releases!! Happy Holidays!
[...] I am today’s guest blogger at The Book Smugglers! Find out what some of my favorite reads were for 2009, what’s coming out from me in 2010, [...]
Thanks for all the comments!
One clarification: It’s a portion of HUNGER’S proceeds, not all proceeds, that I am donating. (If I were independently wealthy, I would donate everything.)
There’s also the Sekrit Project that I’m dying to announce and absolutely under-pain-of-Bad-Things cannot announce yet. But as soon as I can, I will.
By the way, UK readers…
1. The three HELL books are being reissued by Piatkus UK in January, February and March 2011!
2. BLACK & WHITE hits the UK in January, also from Piatkus! Kapow!
Great post. I’ve been wanting to read ‘Black and White’ since I first found out about it from the Deadline Dames site – looking forward to the UK release. It sounds like such a great idea!
I’ve been hearing alot about this one, count me in!
Great list,I still need to read Speak.
please enter me for the giveaway
thanks
And this just in: HOTTER THAN HELL will be reissued in the US as a mass-market paperback in September 2010. (Gotta love B&N.com…)
Hi, Jackie
Your upcoming YA books sound awesome! I can’t wait to order it
I’m one of the many who was grateful for Jackie’s stints of analysis about the recent selfpub/vanitypress/bignamepublisher kerfuffle. Was all very educational, and I feel less vulnerable and ignorant, now.
I also took her advice on query letters (at Deadline Dames) to heart! Thanks!
Great post! Looking forward to reading ‘Black and White’; what could be better than some kick-a** heroines!
I’ve really been meaning to check this out for a while. Please enter me!
I will definitely have to go to the library and get Chronicles of Vladimir Tod and Three Days to Dead. I just got an extra two days off work at Christmas, and that should fill the time well.
Also, can’t wait for the new YA series. Sounds terrific!
Heard great things about Black&White, please enter me.
Eek! I’m scared to even think about my Fave Book List for 2009. I’ve got soooooo many. *sigh* It’s so not fair. lol
DUDES, I LOVE THE CAL LEANDROS SERIES! If Cal was a boyband, I would be throwing my panties at his face. I would.
Anyway, please enter me!
One thing that I really love is being able to find what authors read! They are usually such voracious readers and their reading lists tend to be eclectic. Love the list!
Hi Jackie
Thank you very much for sharing here today. I enjoyed reading your post and thanks for introducing me to Rob Thurman. I searched after your recommendation and her books sound great. I’m looking forward to more amazing fun reads by you next year.
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
I’d love to enter the giveaway. I don’t normally read books about superheroes, but this one sound like fun!
I can’t wait for Jackie’s new books!!! I had a chance to see her at a convention and she is way cool. That YA book sounds like it’ll be good — just a long time to wait….
Looks like I have a new author to start reading. God, I’ve got so many new books on my wishlist! (I blame you smugglers! You review far too many books that just sound so bloody good!)
I’m also a huge Dresden Files fan, though I haven’t quite reached Turn Coat yet.
this sounds fabulous thanks
Don’t think I said before, but please enter me for the giveaway! Thanks.
Thank you for all these great recommendations. I swear, I wish I could read at super speed! I’ve read some of them, but you’ve given me some more good ones.
2009 has just flown by; I can’t believe it’s nearly over either!
I’ve had my eye on this book ever since it was reviewed here and would love to be entered to win a copy.
Thanks for sharing your reads, my TBB list will be never ending!
Black and White sounds great too!
Dottie