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People ask me a lot of questions, but most of them are along the lines of Have you seen my keys? or Where's the cat? so I'll try to stick to questions relevant to current writing work and related items:
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My big new news this week is an official release date for The Mage On The Hill - May 7, 2019 from Dreamspinner. This is the first installment of the new paranormal series The Web of Arcana, which now has its own web page on the site here. (Yay! ) Series blurb and book blurb are over there for now since they're not 100% official yet. Magic users, danger from within and from hidebound guild leaders, and occasional cookies. Cover will be coming soon!   Also, don't forget that the final chapter of Endangered Fae releases next Tuesday! January 15 brings on the final chapter in Diego Sandoval's long, strange journey that started on the Brooklyn Bridge in Finn.
No Fae Is An Island Endangered Fae 4 releasing January 15, 2019 Pride Publishing Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo iBooks Which is now this year, of course, and time for me to tell you what's on the buffet for the coming months. The calendar list on the home page now shows 2019 - and you may notice there's not a lot on it yet. What the heck, Angel? This is partly because I've only included things that have an actual or approximate release date so far, and partly because I'm trying so very hard not to over commit myself this year. We'll see how that goes... Coming up this month:
Other things I'm hoping for this year:
And that's it. That's all I'm saying about this year. Let the words fall where they may!  One of the things I promised myself at the end of 2017 was that I would make time to read. Unless there was a deadline looming, I was going to make time to read. Denying myself that as a writer is a mistake (for me) and just makes me miserable. In 2018, I succeeded in reading many things. Some romance, some not, largely queer - and for the most part, I'd say I enjoyed the reads. There are far too many to list, but I'd like to do a quick rundown of some (emphasis on some) of my favorite reads from this year:  The Bones of Our Fathers by Elin Gregory M/M contemporary, small village, bit of a mystery I love small town stories. Throw in archaeology, a local museum and the preservation of local history, and I'm all in. This is an absolutely charming story with wonderful characters.  Lancaster's Luck by Anna Butler M/M Alternate Universe (Victorian) This is a two book series currently consisting of The Gilded Scarab and The Jackal's House - adventure, mystery, magic and tech entwined. The world building is excellent and the narrative voice superb. Anna can post an unnamed snippet and the reader will know instantly when it's Rafe Lancaster. Brilliant fun.  The Long Past and Other Stories by Ginn Hale M/M and F/F Alternative Universe I've said it before, I'll say it again. I would read a grocery list written by Ginn Hale, I love her work that much. This is a collection of three stories that take place in a shared universe and timeline - and there are dinosaurs in the Old West. I mean...how does it get better than that? Three exciting stories with engaging characters - I adored these. (I could also add the Cadeleonian books here - but I did read most of that series in 2017, so that doesn't seem fair.)  The Parasol Protectorate (series) by Gail Carriger M/F Steampunk Paranormal (though there are both M/M and F/F stories as well) So much fun with an interesting, quirky MC who is that wonderful female protagonist whom the author has granted AGENCY. So much yes for that alone. But there are also werewolves and vampires in high society, an entire paranormal community living right out in the open, and stories that don't take themselves too seriously.  Tyack and Frayne (series) by Harper Fox M/M Paranormal Mystery I'd never read Harper Fox before this year - though she's an oft-recommended to me author. Sometimes that makes me wary, but in this case the recommenders were so right. Gorgeous writing, beautifully portrayed settings and characters who are allowed to grow and reveal as the books progress. Again, small town settings and Cornwall becomes a character unto itself with it's history and it's legends under your feet at all times.  The Farseer Books by Robin Hobb High Fantasy, main non-binary character Characters who live on with you, superb (superb) world-building, complex plots and motives, all the emotions, so much all of them. Prepare to have your heart shredded if you go into this, but it's a gorgeous, amazing ride.  Ardulum (series) by J.S. Fields Space opera, F/F, non-binary characters I believe I started these in 2017, but finished in 2018, so they count. The Ardulum universe contains humanoid and decidedly non-humanoid aliens, only two humans appear throughout the books (and are not the MC's) and non-binary identities are the norm. I love the sheer variety and imaginative nature of all the aliens, and while there are characters/species who make better choices than others, no one's evil here. Everyone thinks they're doing the right thing. Also, sentient fungi. :)  Ammonite by Nicola Griffith Science Fiction, F/F No idea why I put off reading Nicola Griffith for so long. This book is superb in its world-building and storytelling. The author takes two well-trodden tropes - the scientist/anthropologist going native and the planet without men - and creates something astounding both from a societal point of view and a narrative one. Too often, single gender societies want to show that women would either be not whole without men or more compassionate and kind without them. This book emphasizes that women are not a monolith - that left to create societies of their own, those societies would contain all the possible human traits and perhaps some new ones.  Aisling Trilogy by Carole Cummings High Fantasy, M/M I've loved every world of Carole's that I've read. They feel real, solid - tangible. Her characters are complex, often difficult characters, ones who often come with as much internal conflict as external and their journeys of self-discovery are breathtaking. Aisling is no exception. Lost people coming into their own is a favorite of mine, especially when those people doubt themselves right up to (and often beyond) the ending.  Mask of Shadows/ Ruin of Stars by Linsey Miller High Fantasy, Non-binary main character This is the story of a thief turned assassin whose sole ambition is to avenge their murdered family. If you think you can't read a sympathetic story about an assassin, you would be wrong. Sal is a marvelous character - so brave and reckless, so unsure, and so very flawed - and again, the world-building is superb. So many others I enjoyed this year, but these are at the top of the list and represent the kind of variety I'd like to keep reading with a mix of romance and non-romance genre fiction.
*deep breath in - deep breath out* OK, if you haven't seen yet, the release for Yule Planet was moved up to 12/22 - this Saturday. (!!!!) So, yay, early release! Pre-order is up in all the pre-order places. Join me and Sofia as she goes on the perfect holiday for the holidays - and, naturally, things go horribly wrong. :D  Yule Planet
Escape From The Holidays release date 12/22/2018 Also coming in Paperback! Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo iBooks Sofia Cancino is tired of her mundane life, her artificial environment and her large, boisterous family descending every holiday season. She's promised herself this year will be different and books a stay on the exclusive—and expensive--holiday-themed resort, Yule Planet. She looks forward to being pampered while reconnecting with Old Earth traditions steeped in the magic and mysticism of nature. Everything will be perfect and she'll leave as a more authentic human, better connected to her roots. Naturally, things go horribly wrong. Sofia's landing pod goes off course and instead of stepping out on the landing pad at the resort, she finds herself in the snow-swept perpetual winter of the planet's hinterlands. If that wasn't bad enough, she's "rescued" by a band of criminals on work release who run deliveries to the resort from far-flung shuttle delivery sites. They refuse to take her, a paying customer, to the resort and insist on dragging her along on their parcel run. Riding giant monsters. In frigid weather. Not to mention, Marta, who handles the monsters, obviously hates her. If Sofia survives her vacation, she's definitely yelling at someone's supervisor until she gets a refund. I'm in that space now where nothing's really due, everything coming up is in edits, and I have room to work on all the things. You know that means I've been baking and doing everything but starting something new, right? To be fair, it is the holidays and I do have family obligations, but I can't let this go on too long. There are things to get back to. So where am I now?
Look for Yule Planet next - coming later this month!  It's that time of year - and once again, Mischief Corner Books has a lovely holiday collection of stories for you. :D Contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, science fiction with queer characters all along the rainbow and holidays that aren't just about Christmas - MCB brings you stories of people trying, in some way, to get away from the holiday grind.  Many of the stories have pre-order links - listed below! Releases begin November 28. :)
Almost there! Trysts and Burning Embers: Lijun 2 launches on Tuesday! I'll be in Barbados visiting family, but I'll try to keep on top of release stuff (and send pics :D ) Tally and Haru should have some peace now to work out their relationship, right? Yeah... the world has other ideas. Also, because I forget to mention it and the November edition just went out - if you'd like to sign up for my newsletter with all the comprehensive updates and things to come, you can find that on the home page or here: Angel Martinez - Writing News  Fire. Water. Burn.
In the two months since the All Hallows’ Eve party, Tally has courted Haru, buying expensive gifts, taking the two of them to upscale restaurants and trying to find a balance in earning Haru’s fragile trust while being new parents to the Cohen joeys. Tally sees hope in the new domesticity the family has settled into, despite having some bumps along the way. Gifts and treats have satisfied Haru’s otter, but the human half remembers the brutal lessons of giving their trust away. How can two lijun who barely know each other anticipate what will happen when times get tough? There are circumstances Tally doesn’t understand yet, and Haru struggles to find their feet with an Urusar who doesn’t know the rules. A revelation not only throws the tentative relationship between them askew, but also starts Tally and Haru down a path the two of them can’t escape, one so heart-wrenching Haru’s not sure their heart will survive. Traditionalist concerns that have always nipped at the Bastille clan’s heels come roaring to the forefront with demands and ultimatums. Tally needs to fall in line or face further threats to his otter, his family and his clan. Haru needs to find the strength to believe in the good despite the bad. In an environment where it’s vital to know ally from foe, Tally and Haru need to stand united or watch the community Tally’s family has built fall under the thumb of heartless, greedy autocrats. Ebook: Pride Publishing Amazon Kobo Barnes and Noble iBooks On Friday, my co-author Freddy MacKay and I return to the WROTE podcast with the wonderful Vance Bastian. We're talking all things Lijun, from insights to world creation to not-quite-spoilers for book 2, Trysts and Burning Embers. Freddy talks own voices non-binary character writing. And we both extol the virtues of transman fox, Gerhard Klug. :D Come for the Lijun, stay for the fun questions at the end! The episode will be available on Friday at: http://www.wrotepodcast.com/ Or you can find the WROTE podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. In conjunction with the interview, please look for a reading of a Trysts excerpt right here tomorrow!  Thank goodness for scheduled posts since I'm at GRL when this goes live :D Semper Fae: Endangered Fae 3 goes LIVE this Tuesday, October 23! (As one reader said, "Finally!" LOL) In Semper Fae, we follow Zack Morrison in his adventures as the new assistant/bodyguard to a prince of the fae. Magical diseases, meddling kids, and hints of a menacing and powerful mage bent on destruction. If you haven't started at the beginning, I can only urge you to do so. Reading Endangered Fae out of order is terribly confusing.  Semper Fae Endangered Fae 3 Pride Publishing Kobo Barnes and Noble Amazon Zack thought he had a strange job before. Working as a Marine medic in a secret government installation was odd, but working as a human liaison to the fae and as the personal assistant to a sidhe prince is downright bizarre. Throw in the fact that he's pretty damn sure he's fallen in love with his boss, and things are close to unmanageable. Of course, around the fae, one never says 'things can't possibly get any worse'. Unexplained events plague the human world. Strange sightings, spontaneous magical explosions, and odd bends in reality crop up. When Finn falls ill and a monstrous creature attacks Zack, things quickly slide into disaster. Lycanthropy, loose-cannon mages, and Lugh conspire to make a hellish mess of things—but the real peril begins when Diego loses an important piece of his mind.
Endangered Fae 1 & 2 in case you need those first! :D
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About Angel
Angel writes (mostly) Science Fiction and Fantasy centered around queer heroes. Currently living part time in the hectic sprawl of northern Delaware and full time inside her head, she has one husband, one son, two cats, a love of all things beautiful and a terrible addiction to the consumption of both knowledge and chocolate. |
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