Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Macmillan Children's Books

Macmillan have published some of my favourite books this year, including the amazing 'Dark Inside' by Jeyn Roberts which definitely makes my top ten. They're also home to Alyson Noel and Meg Cabot, both of whom are among my favourite authors.  Alyson Noel's new series Soul Seekers, is going to be published by Macmillan in 2012 which is also very exciting. 

I'm really pleased to welcome to the blog today, Sally and Lauren, who are both Publicity Managers for Macmillan Children's Books and who are going to talk about some of the books they're especially excited to be publishing in the first half of next year. 

All links go to Goodreads where you can add these books to your wishlist too!

Final cover artwork isn't available yet for all these titles but will be added as soon as I have it.


Tempest by Julie Cross, published on 5th January 2012

Sally says "a great combination of action and romance from an exciting debut author Julie Cross. I can't say too much without giving things away but I loved the characters, Jackson's a narrator I really connected with and hearing things from the male point of view, I felt, made a refreshing change."

Jackson Meyer is hiding a secret. He can time-travel. But he doesn't know how he does it, how to control it or what it means. When Jackson, and his girlfriend Holly, find themselves in fatal danger, Jackson panics and catapaults himself two years into his past, further than he's ever managed before, and this time he can't find a way back to the future. All the rules of time-travel he's experienced so far have been broken and Jackson has no choice but to pretend to be his younger self whilst he figures out a solution. Jackson is tearing himself apart with guilt and frustration, wondering if Holly survived. He's also become the target of an unknown enemy force and it seems even his dad is lying to him. Jackson is racing against time to save the girl he loves, but to do that he must first discover the truth about his family and himself. And stay alive.

After the Snow by S.D. Crockett, published February 2012

Lauren says "Sophie Crockett is an astounding new voice in YA fiction. Although it would be easy to refer to this novel as 'dystopian', Sophie has created a world not so very far-removed from our own. It is a future as plausible as it is disturbing, which will ignite lively debate amongst its readership."

Separated from his family, ‘straggler’ kid Willo is lost and alone in the barren landscape of the new ice age. Now, with only the dog-spirit inside his head to guide him, Willo must embark on an icy journey of survival, adventure and friendship.

Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend by Cora Harrison, published February 2012

A little mystery is so becoming in a hero, don't you think?

Jane wants to meet a hero worthy of her extraordinary imagination: a gentleman who is dashing and daring and handsome and brave; who can dance like a viscount and duel like a king. Jane and Jenny are whiling away the season in Bath and there are plenty of dances, rumours and scandals to entertain them. But a good reputation, once lost, is gone forever; and Jane is in danger of becoming the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

Mice by Gordon Reece, published February 2012

Shelley and her mother are ‘mice:’ timid, nervous and obliging. The fragile peace of their remote countryside existence is shattered when someone breaks into their cottage. In the shocking event that follow, Shelley begins to wonder if she and her mother are mice after all. And if not mice, then what are they?

The Demon Trappers: Forgiven by Jana Oliver, published on 3rd February 2012

Wanted by both the forces of Heaven and Hell,17-year-old demon trapper Riley Blackthorne is on the run. Armageddon might be closer than anyone thinks, but with an angelic bargain on one side and a deal with the devil on the other, it’s all Riley can do to stay alive, let alone save the world…

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin, published April 2012

Lauren says "This is the book Zevin fans have been waiting for and she does not let us down. It is gripping and brilliantly written. She is a writer head and shoulders above her contemporaries."

Anya is a member of a notorious New York crime family, so when her violent ex-boyfriend is poisoned, suspicion naturally falls on her. Only the District Attorney believes she is innocent, but her freedom has a price: stay away from his son Win. Anya is finding Win hard to resist, but by getting involved with him she risks the wrath of the law on one side, and the mafia on the other…

Jasmine Skies by Sita Brahmachari, published April 2012

Sally says "follow up to the amazing Artichoke Hearts, I couldn't wait hear more of Mira. Sita Brahmachari vividly brings India to life and her characters draw you in convincingly to their emotional journeys, I became so caught up this breathtaking and beautiful story."

Fourteen year-old Mira Levenson travels to India to meet her family and is quickly swept into a sweltering, chaotic world – full of new sights, smells and deeply buried secrets. Nothing is as she imagined it. Mira faithfully writes to her boyfriend, Jidé, but there’s one person she doesn’t mention. From the moment Mira meets Janu she feels a potent connection and he becomes her guide through the vibrant and often dangerous streets of Kolkata. As her time in India draws to an end, Mira is determined to uncover the truth about her family and she must also make a decision that will break someone's heart . .

Underworld by Meg Cabot, published May 2012

To escape the clutches of the vengeful Furies, Pierce Oliveria has gone to live with John Hayden in the dark Underworld between Heaven and Hell. But when she discovers that her family is in danger, she knows she must get out. Pierce has escaped from John once before. This time, she may not be so lucky…

The Prince Who Walked With Lions by Elizabeth Laird, published May 2012

Sally says "Liz Laird truly brings the unique and fascinating story true story of Alamayu, the Abyssinian prince, to life - a captivating and emotional read"

The British Army is circling the stronghold of the King of Abyssinia. Under orders from Queen Victoria, its mission is to rescue the British Envoy, held prisoner.  Watching with terror and awe is the king's young son, Alamayu. He knows that his father is as brave as a lion, but how on earth can he and his warriors stand against the well-equipped foreigners? As battle rages, everything that Alamayu fears comes to pass. The fighting is cruel and efficient. By the time it is over, Alamayu is left without parents, throne or friends.

In a misguided attempt to care for him, the British take Alamayu to England. There he is befriended by the queen herself and enrolled in Rugby College to become a 'proper' English gentleman. What the English see as an honour is, to this lonely Ethiopian prince, a horror.

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini, published May 2012

This is the US cover of Dreamless.

As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos.

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more

What's Up With Jody Barton by Hayley Long, published June 2012

Lauren says "Hayley Long is Judy Blume for the Glee generation. More than any other writer in this genre, she pitches her teen references absolutely right; one minute she will have you laughing, the next weeping. The twist in this story will leave readers reeling and desperate for more".

Me and my sister are twins. She's Jolene and I'm Jody. We've both got brown hair, we're both left-handed and we both have these weirdly long little toes which make us look like long-toed mutants. But apart from that, I'd say we're fairly different. Well, actually, we're a lot different ...It's hard enough being one half of the world's least identical twins, without both of you falling for the same guy. Jolene's turned flirting into a fine art, but Jody? Not so much. And as if a twinny love triangle wasn't messy enough ...there's something nobody knows about Jody Barton. Something BIG.

Soul Seekers: Fated by Alyson Noel, published June 2012

Strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, glowing people appear from nowhere. Worried that Daire's having a breakdown, her mother sends her to stay with the grandmother she's never met, who lives on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico.There Daire crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes.

Her grandmother recognizes Daire's episodes for what they are - a call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, a person who can navigate between the living and the dead. Guided by her grandmother, Daire must be quick to learn how to harness her powers, because Dace's brother is an evil shape-shifter, out to steal them.

Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and discover whether Dace is the guy she's meant to be with . . . or if he's allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Egmont

Egmont published my absolute favourite book of 2011, 'Forgotten' by Cat Patrick.  They have some stellar titles lined up for 2012 so here's a small selection of titles which I am eagerly anticipating for next year.

All links go to Goodreads where you can add all of these books to your wishlist too!

Final cover art for all these titles is not yet available but I will add it as soon as I have it.

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand, published in January 2012

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

The Haunting of Tabitha Grey by Vanessa Curtis, published in March 2012

I've just moved into a creepy old manor house with my family. And it feels like the house is waiting for something. I can't explain all the things that are happening here. The maids I hear sobbing...The old ladies that stand in the hall. The cold breath of...Life? Death? I don't know. I can't tell Dad or Mum. But least I've got my little brother Ben to talk to. This is a ghost story unlike any other...It will leave you chilled to the very last page.

1.4 by Mike Lancaster, published in May 2012

It's a brave new world. In the far future, people no longer know what to believe...Did Kyle Straker ever exist? Or were his prophecies of human upgrades nothing more than a hoax? Peter Vincent is nearly 16, and has never thought about the things that Strakerites believe. His father - David Vincent, creator of the artificial bees that saved the world's crops - made sure of that. When the Strakerites pronounce that another upgrade is imminent, Peter starts to uncover a conspiracy amongst the leaders of the establishment, a conspiracy that puts him into direct conflict with his father. But it's not a good idea to pick a fight with someone who controls all the artificial bees in the world.

Pop! by Catherine Bruton, published in June 2012

Billy Elliot meets the X-Factor meets Shameless!  I reckon we need a plan that's so massive it'll change our lives forever...The first round of auditions was a bit mad. All these wannabe popstars sitting around trying to look wacky/soulful/tragic (delete as appropriate) to catch the attention of the TV cameras. At least we had a cracking back story. The story of me, Agnes, Jimmy and baby Alfie too; the tears, the tragedy, the broken homes and feuding families, the star-crossed lovers. And only some of it was made up. If I say so myself, it was genius: a sure-fire golden ticket to stratospheric stardom. Or at least that was the plan...

Revived by Cat Patrick, published in July 2012

As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life.

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger — and more sinister — than she ever imagined.

This is US version of the cover, as the UK cover art hasn't been revealed yet.

2012 also sees the launch of Egmont's new imprint Electric Monkey which will be publishing some amazing books in the new year, including 'BZRK' by Michael Grant, 'Oliver Twisted' by JD Sharpe and 'Code Name Verity' by Elizabeth Wein.  Keep an eye out for all of those plus many more too!

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Simon & Schuster

Simon & Schuster are publishing some of my most hotly anticipated books for 2012.  They always offer such a brilliant range of titles by some really fantastic authors which made it incredibly difficult to pick just a small selection for this feature.  I wanted to include them all!  I'm going to be stalking my local bookshop for all of these.

All links go to Goodreads where you can add them to your wishlist too!

Fated by Sarah Alderson, published on 5th January 2012

What happens when you discover you aren't who you thought you were? And that the person you love is the person who will betray you? If your fate is already determined, can you fight it?

When Evie Tremain discovers that she’s the last in a long line of Demon slayers and that she’s being hunted by an elite band of assassins –Shapeshifters, Vampires and Mixen demons amongst them – she knows she can’t run. They’ll find her wherever she goes. Instead she must learn to stand and fight.

But when the half-human, half-Shadow Warrior Lucas Gray - is sent to spy on Evie and then ordered to kill her before she can fulfil a dangerous prophecy, their fates become inextricably linked. The war that has raged for one thousand years between humans and demons is about to reach a devastating and inevitable conclusion. Either one or both of them will die before this war ends.

If your life becomes bound to another’s, what will it take to sever it?

Smoulder by Brenna, published on 5th January 2012

Being the youngest daughter of the Devil has never been easy. Daphne's father has no time for her, her mother no interest, and her status in the upper echelon separates her from the working-class demons that populate Lucifer's metropolis. When her brother and only confidante goes missing, life in the restrictive city of Pandemonium becomes intolerable. Now, in an attempt to find him, Daphne sets out for Earth - and finds it larger and more chaotic than she imagined: a dazzling expanse of noise, dirt and random violence. Despite her bewilderment, she navigates the mortal world with growing fascination, gaining an ally when she saves a dying boy from her father's minions.

For Truman Flynn, the last year has been one long downward spiral, but when Daphne arrives just in time to save his life, he finds himself unexpectedly glad to have another chance. Together, Daphne and Truman go in search of her brother, braving the hazards of Las Vegas and the perils of first love, even as it becomes increasingly clear that her brother might have had a secret and compelling reason for leaving. Lucifer's agents aren't the only creatures on the prowl, and Daphne soon finds herself the target of a plan to rid the world of demons for good. Now she must evade a demon-eating monster, rescue her brother from an angelic zealot, and save the boy she loves from his greatest enemy - himself.

The Medusa Project: Hit Squad by Sophie McKenzie, published on 5th January 2012

Fourteen years ago, scientist William Fox implanted four babies with the Medusa gene - a gene for psychic aibilities. Fox's experiment left a legacy: four teenagers, each with their own distinct and special skill. These four teens were originally brought together to form crime-fighting force, The Medusa Project.

Now the team is due to be disbanded and the teenagers sent to separate locations. But Nico, Ketty, Ed and Dylan are determined to investigate claims that a drug conveying the same powers as the Medusa gene has been developed.

Joined by new friends Cal and Amy, who also have the gene, the four set off on their most dangerous mission yet... 

Everneath by Brodi Ashton, published on 2nd February 2012

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton, published on 21st February 2012

When Ari first arrived in the dilapidated city of New 2, all she wanted was to figure out who she was. But what she discovered was beyond her worst nightmare. Ari can already sense the evil growing inside her—a power the goddess Athena will stop at nothing to possess.

Desperate to hold on to her humanity and protect her loved ones, Ari must fight back. But Athena’s playing mind games, not just with Ari but with those she cares about most. And Athena has a very special plan for the brooding and sexy Sebastian.

Ari is determined to defeat Athena, but time is running out. With no other options, Ari must unleash the very thing she’s afraid of: herself.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, published on 1st March 2012

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

 

It can.

 

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

 

There is.

 

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

 

She's wrong.

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready, published on 7th June 2012

No other love has burned so bright.

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced that she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Penguin Razorbill

I'm always incredibly excited about all the titles published by the Penguin Razorbill imprint and 2012 is definitely no exception.  Here's a sneak peek at just a few of my highlights for next year.  I've added all of these to my wishlist as every single one sounds like it's going to be a brilliant read!

All links go to Goodreads where you can add all of these to your wishlist too!

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg, published February 2012

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

Legend by Marie Lu, published February 2012

Born into the slums of Los Angeles, fifteen-year old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. A mysterious boy with no recorded image or fingerprints. A boy who should no longer exist. A boy who watches over his family until one evening, when the plague patrols mark his family's door with an X--the sign of plague infection. A death sentence for any family too poor to afford the antidote. Desperate, Day has no choice; he must steal it.

Born to an elite family in Los Angeles' wealthy Ruby sector, fifteen-year old June is the Republic's most promising prodigy. A superintelligent girl destined for great things in the country's highest military circles. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country--until the day her brother Metias is murdered while on patrol during a break-in at the plague hospital.

Only one person could be responsible. Day.

And now it's June's mission to hunt him down.

The truth they'll uncover will become legend.

Fever by Dee Shulman, published April 2012

A fearless Roman gladiator. A reckless 21st century girl. A mysterious virus unites them . . .

152 AD. Sethos Leontis, a skilled and mesmerising fighter, is unexpectedly wounded and lies dangerously close to death.

2012 AD. Eva is brilliant - but troubled. Starting her new life at a school for the gifted, a single moment in the lab has terrifying results.

An extraordinary link brings Sethos and Eva together, but it could force them apart - because the fever that grips them cannot be cured and falling in love could be lethal . . . Can love survive when worlds collide and threaten time itself?

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead, published June 2012

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students—children of the wealthy and powerful—carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder, published July 2012

Sixteen-year-old Campbell doesn't believe in miracles. She's spent the last seven years in and out of hospitals, so she can be forgiven if she's a little sceptical.

But Campbell's mum and sister won't give up on her, and they've heard rumours of a place in Maine where magical things happen: fish raining from the sky, purple dandelions, everlasting sunsets. A place named Promise. Yes, really.

Campbell may be cynical, but she still has hope. And so they head to Promise for a summer by the sea, where Cam finally learns to believe in true love, in herself, and maybe even in miracles.

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Puffin

Puffin have released some awesome books this year!  I always like to keep a close eye on what they're publishing next and 2012 looks set to be another bumper year with lots of exciting titles in store.   

All links go to Goodreads so that you can add these to your wishlist too!

Saving Daisy by Phil Earle, published on 5th January 2012

Daisy's mum is gone. Her dad refuses to talk about it. As far as Daisy's concerned, it's all her fault. As her life starts to spiral out of control, panic leads to tragedy and Daisy's left alone.

But sometimes the kindness of a stranger can turn things around. A stranger who desperately wants to save Daisy - if she'll only let herself be saved . . .

Wereworld: Shadow of the Hawk by Curtis Jobling, published on 5th January 2012

Enslaved by the Goatlord Kesslar, young werewolf Drew finds himself on the volcanic isle of Scoria, forced to fight in the arena for the Lizardlords. With the help of an unlikely ally, he must find a way to break free - but who has ever managed to escape?

Meanwhile, Hector the Wereboar flees the forces of the Catlords. Now on board the pirate ship Maelstrom, the enemy's net is closing in. Haunted by the spirits of the dead, Hector is soon left wondering who the true enemy is . . .

The Lunar Chronicles: Cinder by Marissa Meyer, published on 5th January 2012

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

The Intern by Dillon Khan, published on 5th April 2012

Jay Merchant has landed an internship for the best job in music television. He has access-all-areas to the biggest VIP parties and the hottest celebrities all over the world. The velvet rope has been lifted - now he's got to capture it on camera.


But behind the scenes, Jay is thrown into a life of early starts, late nights, blood, sweat and tears. He has nine months to turn his intern dream into a real job - but at what price?
It's time for Jay to face the music . . .

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012 + Giveaway: Oxford University Press

Amongst my favourite books of 2011 have been 'Firelight' by Sophie Jordan and 'Stealing Phoenix' by Joss Stirling, both published by Oxford University Press.  OUP have some very exciting books out next year and I'm extremely lucky to have a wonderful guest post by Jennie Younger, who's Publicity Executive at Oxford University Press Children’s Books, to tell you all about them.

I love reading. I love children’s books. I love working in the wonderful world of children’s publishing. I think it’s fair to say that publicising books that I thoroughly enjoy reading has to be one of the best things about my job – it’s just so much fun.

With that in mind, when I was approached to write a guest blog post for A Dream of Books covering which Oxford University Press YA titles I was most looking forward to in 2012, my initial thought was something along the lines of . . . ‘Yay!’. Then I looked at just how many exciting YA titles we are publishing on our 2012 list, and the task suddenly became a bit more difficult. With over 15 YA titles publishing next year, I had to set myself some parameters – either that, or risk a never-ending blog post!

So, with the help of A Dream of Books, I scaled back and decided to look at our most hotly anticipated new YA titles for spring 2012 . . .

15 Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins, published on 5 January 2012, £6.99.

15 days to change your life. 15 days to lose it all.

This debut novel by Dave Cousins is superb. Honest, compelling, and at times hilarious, it tells the story of fifteen-year-old Laurence Roach, and his single-handed attempt to keep his family together following the disappearance of his mum. Keith Gray is a fan, and so am I!

The dream of living a ‘normal’ life is exactly that for Laurence. With his Dad dead, his Mum a depressed alcoholic, and his six-year-old brother believing that he is a dog (Scooby-Doo, to be exact), Laurence doesn’t exactly have it easy.

When his mum suddenly disappears, Laurence is left without a head of the family, and the next fifteen days see him spinning an increasingly complicated web of lies. Calling his local radio station impersonating his dead father in an attempt to win an all-expenses-paid luxury holiday, dressing up as his mum in an elaborate act of deception – these are just a few of the things Laurence does to try to keep it all together!

After two weeks on their own, running out of food and money, and with suspicious adults closing in, Laurence finally discovers where his mum has been. And that’s when the trouble really starts . . .

Mortal Chaos by Matt Dickinson, published on 2 February 2012, £6.99.

Some will live. Many will die. All are connected.
A serious page turner. The short, sharp chapters flash between multiple characters all over the world, all involved in heart-stopping scenarios. It is impossible to find an appropriate moment to put this book down. Be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat and devour in one sitting.

The Butterfly Effect: the scientific theory that a single occurrence, no matter how small, can change the course of the universe forever. One beat of a butterfly’s wings is all it takes to set in motion a global chain of events that build to a nerve-jangling climax of mayhem and destruction.

Jamie and Will have bunked off school to go hunting; Kuni, an eighteen-year-old Japanese climber is approaching the summit of Mount Everest; Tina is piloting a troublesome flight from Heathrow to Moscow; Six-year-old Bakili is desperately guarding his family’s crops from bloodthirsty baboons in Malawi; Shelton, an unhinged father in Washington DC, is hooked on revenge and building a bomb . . .

The Girl in the Mask by Marie-Louise Jensen, published on 1 March 2012, £6.99.

Lady by day . . . Thief by night!

Lose yourself in an enchanting world of balls, masquerades and . . . highway robbery! This novel is pure escapism, and I challenge you not to wish for the gift of time travel in order to transport yourself back to Georgian Bath!

Fifteen-year-old Sophia is forced by her father to give up everything she loves, and move to Georgian Bath for ‘the season’ in search of a suitable husband.

Trapped in the social whirl of balls and masquerades, Sophia feels suffocated. To escape the limitations of this man’s world she so despises, at night Sophia swaps ball gowns for breeches and turns to highway robbery to get her revenge!

When one man begins to take a particular interest in her, Sophia must keep her distance, or risk unmasking her secret life . . .

Of course, this is but a snippet of the YA titles we have coming up next year, so do keep an eye out for many more to come!

To celebrate the upcoming releases of all these wonderful books, Jennie is very kindly offering the chance for one lucky person to win a prize pack consisting of copies of all of the titles featured above. This giveaway is only open to entrants within the UK at the request of the publisher and books can obviously only be posted as and when they're published. To enter just fill out the form below.  Good luck!

Giveaway rules.

• There will be one winner.
• Open to entrants with UK addresses only. International entrants may enter, provided they have a UK address to send the books to.
• Please fill out the form completely - including email address 
• You do not have to be a follower to enter but it's always appreciated
• Deadline for entries will be on 31st December 2011
• Winner(s) will be drawn by random.org
• Winner(s) will be contacted via e-mail, and will be given 48 hours to response. Otherwise, a new winner will be drawn.
• Any details will be deleted after use and will not be passed on to any third party.

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Indigo

Indigo are my favourite new YA imprint of the year.  They've already published some amazing titles such as 'Soul Beach' by Kate Harrison, 'The Double Shadow' by Sally Gardner and 'Darkness Falls' by Mia James.

Here's some of the most exciting titles which will be coming your way in 2012!

All links go to Goodreads where you can add any or all of these to your wishlist too.

Full cover art for some of these titles is not yet available but I'll add it as soon as I can.

The Double-Edged Sword by Sarah Silverwood, published January 2012

Finmere Tingewick Smith was abandoned on the steps of the Old Bailey. Under the guardianship of the austere Judge Harlequin Brown and the elderly gentlemen of Orrery House, Fin has grown up under a very strange set of rules. He spends alternate years at two very different schools and now he's tired of the constant lies to even his best friends, to hide the insanity of his double life. Neither would believe the truth! But on his sixteenth birthday, everything changes. The Judge is killed, stabbed in the chest with a double-edged sword that's disturbingly familiar, and from that moment on, Fin is catapulted into an extraordinary adventure.

An Act of Love by Alan Gibbons, published February 2012

Childhood friends Chris and Imran celebrate the Millenium as inseparable blood brothers, they are both seven years old. But by 2011 their lives have taken very different paths. One has joined the Army and served in Afghanistan, the other is a potential jihad recruit. They are no longer friends, and there are bitter wounds between them which remain unhealed. Will their childhood bond be strong enough to overcome an extremist plot?

Hollow Pike by James Dawson, published February 2012

Something wicked this way comes... She thought she'd be safe in the country, but you can't escape your own nightmares, and Lis London dreams repeatedly that someone is trying to kill her. Lis thinks she's being paranoid - after all who would want to murder her? She doesn't believe in the local legends of witchcraft. She doesn't believe that anything bad will really happen to her. You never do, do you? Not until you're alone in the woods, after dark - and a twig snaps... Hollow Pike - where witchcraft never sleeps.

Charmfall by Chloe Neill, published February 2012

High school can be a battlefield, but for Lily Parker, surviving at St. Sophia’s School for Girls is a matter of life and death...

Protecting Chicago from the dark side can be an exhausting job, especially when you’re a junior. So when the girls of St. Sophia’s start gearing up for Sneak, their fall formal, Lily decides to join in on some good, old-fashioned party prep—even if it means not giving demons, vampires and the twisted magic users known as Reapers her undivided attention.

But when a Reaper infiltrates the school, Lily doesn’t forget what she’s sworn to protect. She reaches deep into herself to draw out her magic—and finds that it’s gone. And it turns out she’s not alone. A magical blackout has slammed through paranormal Chicago, and no one knows what—or who—caused it. But Lily knows getting back her magic is worth the risk of going behind enemy lines.

Hexbound by Chloe Neill, published May 2012

They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Turns out, even a little magic can turn you to the dark side. That’s why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities, on top of avoiding the snobs who think they run her school, nursing a crush on a cute sophomore with a big, werewolf-y secret, and fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago’s nastiest nightlife—including the tainted magic users known as Reapers.

Then Lily’s invited to a private meeting with Sebastian. He’s hot, powerful, and offering to help her harness the magic flowing in her veins in a way no one else can. He’s also a Reaper. Lily can’t hide her suspicions. But she’ll soon find out that the line between good and evil isn’t always clear.

Soul Beach 2 by Kate Harrison, published July 2012

As yet untitled this is the sequel to 'Soul Beach'.

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Atom

Atom publish some absolutely amazing books!  I'm a huge fan of the paranormal romance genre which they do so well and always look forward to seeing what new offerings they have.  Here's some of their hottest releases for 2012.

All links go to Goodreads where you can add them to your wishlist too!

Night School by C.J. Daugherty, published January 2012

Allie Sheridan's world is falling apart. She hates her school. Her brother has run away from home. And she's just been arrested. Again.

This time her parents have finally had enough. They cut her off from her friends and send her away to a boarding school for problem teenagers.

But Cimmeria Academy is no ordinary school. Its rules are strangely archaic. It allows no computers or phones. Its students are an odd mixture of the gifted, the tough and the privileged. And then there's the secretive Night School, whose activities other students are forbidden even to watch.

When Allie is attacked one night the incident sets off a chain of events leading to the violent death of a girl at the summer ball. As the school begins to seem like a very dangerous place, Allie must learn who she can trust. And what's really going on at Cimmeria Academy.

The Book of Blood and Shadows by Robin Wasserman, published January 2012

It was like a nightmare, but there was no waking up.  When the night began, Nora had two best friends and an embarrassingly storybook one true love.  When it ended, she had nothing but blood on her hands and an echoing scream that stopped only when the tranquilizers pierced her veins and left her in the merciful dark.

But the next morning, it was all still true: Chris was dead.  His girlfriend Adriane, Nora's best friend, was catatonic. And Max, Nora's sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, was gone. He was also—according to the police, according to her parents, according to everyone—a murderer.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the trail of blood, no matter where it leads. It ultimately brings her to the ancient streets of Prague, where she is drawn into a dark web of secret societies and shadowy conspirators, all driven by a mad desire to possess something that might not even exist. For buried in a centuries-old manuscript is the secret to ultimate knowledge and communion with the divine; it is said that he who controls the Lumen Dei controls the world. Unbeknownst to her, Nora now holds the crucial key to unlocking its secrets. Her night of blood is just one piece in a puzzle that spans continents and centuries. Solving it may be the only way she can save her own life.

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer, published February 2012

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, published February 2012

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers abarbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Bunheads by Sophie Flack, published March 2012

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong, published April 2012

Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is—a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly anyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they’re kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad, published April 2012

Three teenagers are going on the trip of a lifetime. Only one is coming back. It's been more than forty years since NASA sent the first men to the moon, and to grab some much-needed funding and attention, they decide to launch an historic international lottery in which three lucky teenagers can win a week-long trip to moon base DARLAH 2 - a place that no one but top government officials even knew existed until now. The three winners, Antoine, Midori, and Mia, come from all over the world. But just before the scheduled launch, the teenagers each experience strange, inexplicable events. Little do they know that there was a reason NASA never sent anyone back there until now - a sinister reason. But the countdown has already begun...

Ghost Flower by Michele Jaffe, published May 2012

Eve, a runaway, finds a new job at a coffee shop on the outskirts of Tuscon. When she's approached by two wealthy teens who claim she bears an uncanny resemblance to their missing cousin Aurora, her life takes a turn for the dark and mysterious. Drawn into a scheme to win Aurora's inheritance, Eve finds herself impersonating the girl, who disappeared three years ago on the night her best friend Elizabeth died. But when Liza's ghost begins to haunt Eve, doing harm to the people close to her under the guise of "protecting" her, Eve finds herself in a nightmare maze of lies and deception that leads her to question even her own identity. She realizes her only chance is to uncover the truth about what happened the night Liza died, and to find Liza's killer - before she's next.

Adorkable by Sarra Manning, published May 2012

Jeane Smith is seventeen and has turned her self-styled dorkiness into an art form, a lifestyle choice and a profitable website and consultancy business. She writes a style column for a Japanese teen magazine and came number seven in The Guardian's 30 People Under 30 Who Are Changing The World. And yet, in spite of the accolades, hundreds of Internet friendships and a cool boyfriend, she feels inexplicably lonely, a situation made infinitely worse when Michael Lee, the most mass-market, popular and predictably all-rounded boy at school tells Jeane of his suspicion that Jeane's boyfriend is secretly seeing his girlfriend. Michael and Jeane have NOTHING in common - she is cool and individual; he is the golden boy in an Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt. So why can't she stop talking to him?

Until I Die by Amy Plum, published May 2012

Kate may have defeated her boyfriend's nemesis, showing off her sword skills in the process, but Vincent is sure that she will be at risk as long as they stay together. What's more, it's becoming clear that their relationship might prevent him from fulfilling his true purpose: saving the lives of others.

They might have the romance of the century, but will that be enough?

Destined by P.C and Kristin Cast, published May 2012

In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa's House of Night. Zoey is home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side and preparing to face off against Neferet. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, he and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together if Rephaim can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.

But is Zoey really safe? Does she truly know those who are closest to her? And will love win when it is tested by the very soul of Darkness?