My Book Haul/In My Mailbox

The Story Siren hosts a weekly meme where bloggers can share what goodies they've purchased/received this week. If you get a chance head over to The Story Siren and check out what everyone is up to! I've had a great week with a few books I really wanted finally arriving after pre-ordering them so long ago as well as a few I saw in the shops and couldn't resist!

Through Stone and Sea - Barb & JC Hendee

Publisher: ROC

Wynn journeys to the mountain stronghold of the dwarves in search of the "Stonewalkers," an unknown sect supposedly in possession of important ancient texts. But in her obsession to understand these writings, she will find more puzzles and questions buried in secrets old and new-along with an enemy she thought destroyed...  

I already have the first, In Shade and Shadow, the first in this sequel series to the Noble Dead on TBR pile but haven't read it yet. However, seeing as I really enjoyed The Noble Dead so much I know I'm going to want to read this as soon as I've finished the Shade & Shadow! :)

Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver

Publisher: UK - Hodder Paperbacks

They say 'live every day as if it's your last' - but you never actually think it's going to be. At least I didn't.

The thing is, you don't get to know when it happens. You don't remember to tell your family that you love them or - in my case - remember to say goodbye to them at all. But what if, like me, you could live your last day over and over again? Could you make it perfect? If your whole life flashed before your eyes, would you have no regrets? Or are there some things you'd want to change...?

This is one I've wanted ever since I heard about it so I finally got round to picking up a copy this week!

Deadline (Newsflesh 2) - Mira Grant

Publisher: UK - Orbit

Shaun Mason is a man without a mission. Not even running the news organisation he built with his sister has the same urgency as it used to. Playing with dead things just doesn't seem as fun when you've lost as much as he has. But when a researcher from the Centre for Disease Control fakes her own death and appears on his doorstep with a ravenous pack of zombies in tow, Shaun's relieved to find a new purpose in life. Because this researcher comes bearing news: the monster who attacked them may be destroyed, but the conspiracy is far from dead. Now, Shaun hits the road to find what truth can be found at the end of a shotgun.

I LOVED Feed last year so have been biting at the bit to get my grubby little hands on this - I want to start reading it straight away...but there's so many other books I promised to read first!

Shady Lady - Ann Aguirre

Publisher: UK - Gollancz

 Whenever Corine Solomon touches an object, she immediately knows its history. But her own future concerns her more and more. Now back in Mexico, she's running her pawnshop and trying to get a handle on her strange new powers, for she might need them. And soon. Then former ally Kel Ferguson walks through her door. Heavily muscled and tattooed, Kel looks like a convict but calls himself a holy warrior. This time, he carries a warning for Corine: the Montoya cartel is coming for her - but they don't just pack automatic weapons. The Montoyas use warlocks, shamans, voodoo priests - anything to terminate trouble. And Corine has become enemy number one . .

Another book I want to start reading straight away - so many choices this week! I'm in a tizzy with book reading delight! :-)

Magic Slays - Ilona Andrews

Publisher: Ace Books

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job. Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate. So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .

Another book I want to start reading straight away from one of my favourite series! So many choices this week!

Dragon Haven - Robin Hobb

Publisher: UK - Harper Voyager

The dragon keepers and the fledgling dragons are forging a passage up the treacherous Rain Wild River. They are in search of the mythical Elderling city of Kelsingra, and are accompanied by the liveship Tarman, its captain, Leftrin, and a group of hunters who must search the forests for game with which to keep the dragons fed. With them are Alise, who has escaped her cold marriage to the cruel libertine Hest Finbok in order to continue her study of dragons, and Hest's amanuensis, Bingtown dandy, Sedric. Rivalries and romances are already threatening to disrupt the band of explorers: but external forces may prove to be even more dangerous. Chalcedean merchants are keen to lay hands on dragon blood and organs to turn them to medicines and profit. Their traitor has infiltrated the expedition and will stop at nothing to obtain the coveted body parts. And then there are the Rain Wilds themselves: mysterious, unstable and ever perilous, its mighty river running with acid, its jungle impenetrable and its waterways uncharted. Will the expedition reach their destination unscathed? Does the city of Kelsingra even exist? Only one thing is certain: the journey will leave none of the dragons nor their human companions unchanged by the experience.

Robin Hobb is one of my favourite fantasy writers - the Liveship Trilogy is one of my favourites and this is the second book in the follow up duology, so  I just had to get it, didn't I? :-)

Sandman Slim - Richard Kadrey

Publisher: Eos

Life sucks, and then you die. Or, if you're James Stark, you spend eleven years in Hell as a hitman before finally escaping, only to land back in the hell-on-earth that is Los Angeles.

Now Stark's back, and ready for revenge. And absolution, and maybe even love. But when his first stop saddles him with an abusive talking head, Stark discovers that the road to absolution and revenge is much longer than you'd expect, and both Heaven and Hell have their own ideas for his future.

Resurrection sucks. Saving the world is worse.

I came across this while reading through others wishlists and it looks like my kind of read. I really love a lot of UF that is written by men - Mike Carey, Jim Butcher so hopefully this will be at least half as good as them!

So what have you picked up this week? :)