Preorders In

I just rang my lovely, local, specialty bookstore, Barbara’s Books, and made my first set of preorders for the year. These are the books that I know I want for my keeper shelf, even if I’d also like ecopies for ease of reading. It’s going to be an expensive year I think, with four of them being hardcovers (and there’s also Lois McMaster Bujold’s new Miles book in hardcover to come later in the year).

Shadows Past
Lorna Freeman
Borderlands, Book 3
2 February, 2010
Paperback

The bestselling Borderlands saga continues…
Rabbit is struggling to make sense of his new powers and his new position as King Jusson's heir when a man once scorned by his mother comes seeking retribution-and demands that Rabbit marry his daughter...

The previous two books in this series came out in 2004 and 2006, and this one kept disappearing off publishing schedules, so it was wonderful to see it showing up at last. The big question – will I decide to reread the first two before reading this one?

Archangel’s Kiss
Nalini Singh
Guild Hunter, Book 2
2 February, 2010
Paperback

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find that she has become an angel-and that her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, likes having her under his control. But almost immediately, Raphael must ready Elena for a flight to Beijing, to attend a ball thrown by the archangel Lijuan. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan's power lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena...

I’m very wary of books featuring angels – I think it’s my Catholic upbringing – but I loved Nalini’s first Guild Hunter book and I’m looking forward to this one.

Shalador’s Lady
Anne Bishop
Black Jewels, Book 8
2 March, 2010
Hardcover

For years the Shalador people suffered the cruelties of the corrupt Queens who ruled them, forbidding their traditions, punishing those who dared show defiance, and forcing many more into hiding. Now that their land has been cleansed of tainted Blood, the Rose-Jeweled Queen, Lady Cassidy, makes it her duty to restore it and prove her ability to rule.

But even if Lady Cassidy succeeds, other dangers await. For the Black Widows see visions within their tangled webs that something is coming that will change the land-and Lady Cassidy-forever...

Really, all I can say to this one, is YAY, more Black Jewels. Bring it on!

Silver Borne
Patricia Briggs
Mercy Thompson, Book 5
30 March, 2010
Hardcover

Being a mechanic is hard work. Mercy Thompson, for instance, just spent the last couple of months trying to evade the murderous queen of the local vampire seethe, and now the leader of the werewolf pack - who's maybe-more-than-just-a-friend - has asked for her help. A book of fae secrets has come to  light and they're all about to find out how implacable - and dangerous - the fae can be. OK, so maybe her troubles have nothing to do with the job. But she sure could use a holiday ...

I understand Sam has a lot of the focus in this book. I admit, I prefer Mercy and Adam, but I can happily enjoy myself some Sam.

Saltation
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Liaden Universe, Book 10
6 April, 2010
Hardcover

Thrust mid-year into a school for pilots far from the safe haven of her birth home on scholarly Delgado, young Theo Waitley excels in hands-on flying while finding that she's behind the curve in social intricacies as well as in math.

After surviving a mid-air emergency with a spectacular mountain-top landing in her training soar plane Theo's notoriety brings her attention from local thugs as well as a gift from Win Ton, a scout pilot she enjoyed a flirtation with on her first space voyage. When Win Ton appears on campus Theo throws herself into a relationship even as he's on his way to a Liaden marriage-bed.

Meanwhile her mentors try to guide her studies and training into the channels best suited to her special abilities and inclinations, including suggesting that she should join in the off-world studenty association, a plan resulting in mixed success. After a series of confrontations, fights, and ultimately a riot after which she is thanked for not killing anyone, Theo is named a "nexus of violence" by the school's administration.

Facing suspension and carrying little more than hastily procured guild card, a pistol taken from an attacker, and the contents of her pants pockets, Theo must quickly decide if she's ready to return to Delgado in disgrace, or launch herself into the universe as a freelance pilot with credentials she's already earned.

Okay, so I admit I haven’t actually read Fledgling yet, the book before this one. But my goal is to do that in January or February as part of Carl’s Sci Fi Experience and then be all ready for this one, come April.

Mouse and Dragon
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Liaden Universe, Book 11
1 June, 2010
Hardcover

Aelliana Caylon has endured much, and finally, she appears to have won all: a spaceship, comrades, friends -- and the love of a pilot she adores.

Even better that her lover - the man who was destined for her, a man as much a loner as she - is also the Delm of Korval, arguably the most powerful person on all of Liad. He has the power to remove her and protect her from the toxic environment of her home Clan. Best of all, he agrees to sit as her co-pilot and her partner in a courier business.

Even happy endings sometimes show a few flaws. Such as Aelliana's home clan being not as agreeable to letting her go as it had first seemed. And the fact that someone is stealing pilots in the Port, which falls within the Delm of Korval's honor. Oh, and the revelation that the man she loves - the man who is destined for her - isn't entirely the man she thought he was. And finally, she discovers that even the lift from Liad she'd so fervently desired, is part of a larger plan, a plan requiring her to be someone she never thought she was, or could be.

I really loved Aelliana and Daav in Scout’s Honor, so I’m delighted that there will be more of their story this year. I’m going to have to get on with that Liaden Universe reread I’m planning, aren’t I?