A SUMMONING OF SOULS pre-order contest & 7/21 Virtual Launch Party via WORD!

Darlings! A SUMMONING OF SOULS (Spectral City # 3) is nearly here via Kensington Books, Now Available for Pre-Order wherever books are sold! We've a VIRTUAL launch party on 7/21 AND we've a pre-order campaign with awesome prizes for US as well as INTERNATIONAL readers! Check out the following details:

Come celebrate release day with us, 7/21 at 7:30pm EST on InstagramLive via WORD BOOKSTORE!

I'll be in conversation with the amazing Brina Starler, who is not only a fiercely talented writer but has been one of my main sensitivity readers for the entire Spectral City series and she has wonderful insights about what that process is like and we'll be discussing the process of quality, inclusive fiction and much more! Theatrical Reading! Ghost Stories! Don't miss it!

Now for our PRE-ORDER CAMPAIGN! With PRIZES! 

As always, if ordering from the wonderful independent books tore WORD, please note to whom you'd like the book signed in the "notes" section of the order!

Everyone who orders a signed, print, trade paperback copy of A SUMMONING OF SOULS via WORD will automatically get a bunch of fun Hieberverse goodies & coupons inside AND will also be entered to win the grand prize: for US readers, that's a hand-made, custom-commissioned accessory order per your delight and preference from the Torch and Arrow Etsy store! International Readers! I don't want to leave you out! International orders will be entered to win a custom commission of digital art and/or illustration from talented artist and writer (and my business partner) Thom Truelove! Winners chosen the evening of 7/22 via Random.org!

Have you already pre-ordered A SUMMONING OF SOULS digitally for your eReader? Have you already pre-ordered the print edition from another retailer / bookseller? Never fear! You can still be entered into the contest for the grand prizes! Just email a sales confirmation # and/or redacted proof of purchase to preorders@leannareneehieber.com and you'll be entered to win! Please note whether yours is an international or US order.

A SUMMONING OF SOULS might be my favorite book I've ever written. It's gotten a lot of wonderful praise from Publisher's Weekly to book bloggers to podcasters and more. It's got a TON of love, heart, spirit, joy, fight and light infused throughout the narrative. It's been a joy to work on the Spectral City trilogy and I can't wait to share this finale with you! As always, word-of-mouth is the BEST thing for any series so please let friends, family and fellow readers know about this exciting Gothic, Gaslamp Fantasy series full of ghosts and a psychic girl-gang here to save the day!

Remember to order your signed, print, trade paperback copies via WORD - please support this series and an amazing independent bookstore (support for indie bookstores has never been more important than now!) all at the same time!

Other Sales Links:
Paperback via IndieBound
General copies in digital or trade paperback via Barnes and Noble
Kindle or trade paperback via Amazon

As always, Cheers and Happy Haunting! - Leanna

On the Many Possibilities of Ghost Stories...

 

As we gear up to A SUMMONING OF SOULS on 7/21, One of my very favorite blogs, THE GOTHIC LIBRARY, hosted me for a discussion on the many possibilities of ghost stories and why I choose to write ghosts in the manner in which I do. I've seen reviewers for this series enthusiastically support my choice to write a different kind of ghost story through the course of THE SPECTRAL CITY series. Here are insights into why... 

Check out the post "On the Many Possibilities of Ghost Stories" via The Gothic Library...

A SUMMONING OF SOULS is available for Pre-Order Wherever Books are Sold! Signed Copies Via WORD Brooklyn!

DARLINGS! A SUMMONING OF SOULS, the final Spectral City installment in this exciting Gothic, Gaslamp Fantasy trilogy about a girl-gang of psychics and their favorite friendly ghosts solving weird crime in 1899 NYC, is now available for Pre-Order in digital and trade paperback wherever books are sold!

Signed trade paperback Pre-Orders are being run exclusively through WORD Brooklyn! Please support this book and a wonderful independent bookstore to help get them through this difficult time! 

FB LIVE EVENT! JOIN US! This Sunday 9pm EST, to celebrate that we'll be 1 MONTH OUT from Release Day, I'll be doing a FBLive theatrical reading of a ghost-filled portion of A Summoning of Souls, announcing all the Pre-Order goodies and coordinated contest that will be open to all who Pre-Order the novel and answering any questions about ghosts, my writing process and NYC history!

Cheers and HAPPY HAUNTING!  

A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS on NPR, CRIMINAL ELEMENT and more! High Praise for the latest Spectral City novel!

Darlings! It's been a whirlwind release month full of high-praise for A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS! Come join in the celebration!

It's been featured on NPR! Check out what the wonderful and talented

Maya Rodale has to say: 

"For a spookier romance, look no further than A Sanctuary of Spirits by Leanna Renee Hieber. It's 1899 in New York City and Eve Whitby, fearless leader of the NYPD Ghost Precinct — think lady ghostbusters — is confronted with a gruesome case involving the ghosts of children, a missing mortician and an especially creepy mesmerist. Fortunately she has the help of an assortment of spirits, mediums and the dashing Detective Jacob Horowitz who not a ghost and very much a man. He and Eve are courting — is it for the sake of appearances, or are real feelings developing? Eve fears losing her independence and ability to work if she marries, but her feelings for Jacob are becoming too real to ignore.

Readers may want to start with the first book in the series (this is the second), though starting here doesn't get in the way of enjoying this otherworldly mystery, gorgeous writing and slow burn of a romance with a man who truly understands a woman, ghosts and all." - Maya Rodale, Bestselling author, latest release: Some Like it Scandalous, for NPR - Read the full NPR article here!

-A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS has been featured on Criminal Element! I LOVE this personal and heartfelt review from Megan Schuler that celebrates the atmosphere and immersive nature of the book, read her feature here! 

-See what THE GOTHIC LIBRARY has to say, Julia does an amazing job of examining my work and lifting up meaningful aspects that are so important to me. Hear her thoughts on The Good Death and more here!

-Avalinah's Books has SPECTACULAR feature on the Spectral City series, highlighting the diverse representation, especially in regards to disability and various physical aspects the characters deal with as they fight to be taken seriously. Check out the adorable illustrations created to go with this post, my heart melts!

If you haven't gotten your copy of A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS yet, what are you waiting for?! Please support your local independent or brick and mortar bookstore today! 

IndieBound (Just type in your zipcode to find a local treasure near you! Stores always willing to ship!)

Powell's 

Barnes and Noble

WORD Brooklyn (For signed, personalized copies!) For personalization requests, please note who you would like the book signed to in the Limited number of 5x7 art prints by Kelley Hensing illustrating a scene from the novel will be included as a thank-you gift with purchase!

Amazon  

Cheers and Happy Haunting!

Leanna

http://leannareneehieber.com

THE SPECTRAL CITY is 1.99 across all digital platforms, today only!

Right in time for A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS, releasing in just 2 weeks, THE SPECTRAL CITY is on sale for only 1.99 across all digital platforms thanks to Kensington Books!

About THE SPECTRAL CITY:

“A spooky thrill—lovely and bold, with terrific characters and a glorious gaslamp setting that’s filled to the brim with beauty and peril” (Che

rie Priest, Locus Award–winning author of Boneshaker).
 
In turn-of-the century New York City, the police have an off-the-books spiritual go-to when it comes to solving puzzling corporeal crimes . . .
 
Her name is Eve Whitby, gifted medium and spearhead of the Ghost Precinct. When most women are traveling in a gilded society that promises only well-appointed marriage, the confident nineteen-year-old Eve navigates a social circle that carries a different kind of chill. Working with the diligent but skeptical Detective Horowitz, as well as a group of fellow psychics and wayward ghosts, Eve holds her own against detractors and threats to solve New York’s most disturbing crimes as only a medium of her ability can.
 
But as accustomed as Eve is to ghastly crimes and all matters of the uncanny, even she is unsettled by her department’s latest mystery. Her ghostly conduits are starting to disappear one by one as though snatched away by some evil force determined to upset the balance between two realms, and most important—destroy the Ghost Precinct forever. Now Eve must brave the darkness to find the vanished souls. She has no choice. It’s her job to make sure no one is ever left for dead.
 
“The Spectral City is The Alienist with Ghost Detectives . . . There is texture on every page and it’s a delight to read.” —Jason Henderson, author of the Alex Van Helsing series
 
“[A] personable cast, snappy prose, and intriguing premise.” —Publishers Weekly 

After picking up or continuing to enjoy THE SPECTRAL CITY, please hop over to our fantastic and unique PREORDER CAMPAIGN for A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS , (Spectral City 2) with this amazing free Gothic art by Kelley Hensing included with purchase! If you're in NYC, be sure to join us at WORD, BROOKLYN Nov. 12 at 7pm for our launch party in conversation with Zoraida Córdova! Please RSVP so we know how much wine and snacks to have for you all!

For paperback pre-orders, signed and personalized via WORD: Click here! Or, after pre-ordering from any other retailer, digital or paperback, put in your order confirmation and mailing info here (mailing addresses will be discarded after the campaign) and you'll get this exclusive 5x7 art, signed bookmarks and more! 

Happy Haunting!

Take advantage of THE SPECTRAL CITY sale, today only, thanks to Kensington Books!

A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS Pre-Order Campaign with Original Gothic, Ghostly Art by Kelley Hensing

THE SPECTRAL CITY series continues!

DARLINGS!

Spectral City continues in a fantastic pre-order campaign! Join us for more ghosts, magic, mayhem, mysticism, slow-burn romance and a fierce, psychic girl-gang fighting weird crime in 1899 NYC! Get a signed, personalized copy of A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS and this beautiful Gothic illustration from renowned dark fantasy artist Kelley Hensing, all while supporting WORD, a fantastic independent bookstore! 

Kensington Publishing Corp. and I are partnering with WORD Brooklyn for pre-orders and our launch party in NYC on Nov. 12 at 7pm, co-hosted by the amazing Zoraida Córdova! We'll talk Supernatural NYC, celebrating Spectral City and Brooklyn Brujas! Can’t make the launch in person? Pre-order a personalized SANCTUARY copy now and Kelley's ghostly, beautiful illustration of Maggie Hathorn, a star ghost of the series, will be included in your purchase! 

Click here for details, party RSVPs and more!

Have you already pre-ordered? Are you ordering digitally and still want a print of Kelley’s beautiful, phantasmagorical work? Send an email stating the following: Your mailing address (addresses will be discarded after campaign), Retailer and Sales Confirmation # to this email: preorders at leannareneehieber dot com.

Cheers and Happy Haunting! PLEASE, RSVP for the NYC party and/orPre-Order now! 

Thanks in advance for your support! 
If you want this series to continue, we need your support now!

About the book:
In turn-of-the-century New York City, the police have an off-the-books spiritual go-to when it comes to solving puzzling corporeal crimes... Her name is Eve Whitby, the 19-year-old gifted medium and leader of The Ghost Precinct. Working with the diligent but skeptical Detective Horowitz, as well as a group of fellow psychics and wayward ghosts, Eve solves New York’s most disturbing crimes as only a medium of her ability can. But even Eve is unsettled by the backlash that threatens the department—and the discovery that souls are vanishing into the ether. While searching for clues about a mortician’s disappearance, Eve encounters a charismatic magician and mesmerist whose abilities are unlike any she’s seen. Is he a link to the mysterious deaths around the city, or to the Ghost Sanctuary? Torn between the bonds of her team and her growing relationship with the dashing Horowitz, Eve must discern truth from illusion and friend from foe, before another soul vanishes into the ether . . .

Coming from Kensington, Rebel Base Books, Nov. 12 in trade paperback and digital!

Leanna's 2017 Round Up! New Books, Announcements, TV Appearance and more!

2017 was a difficult year in so many ways, it was a trying time for me, my loved ones and many artists and figures I admire, but I don’t want to shortchange accomplishments of the year and provide an in-case-you-missed-it round up of my publications, features, essays and acclaim that provided many bright spots and affirmations of creativity, hope and spirit. All posts and books I mention are linked in blue for further reading and engagement.

1. I turned in the draft of MISS VIOLET AND THE GREAT WAR (Strangely Beautiful # 4) to my editor at Tor Books in February, its publication date isn’t yet set, but drawing Strangely Beautiful to a close was a heartbreaking and soulful process. I simply cannot wait to share this spirit-filled family legacy with you.

2. As many of you know, the publication journey of the Strangely Beautiful saga has been long and fraught, so the return of The Perilous Prophecy of Guard and Goddess, reissued this spring by Tor Books as PERILOUS PROPHECY was pure joy. To have it again available in print is such a blessing. This book, a prequel to the also freshly revised and reissued Strangely Beautiful, delves deeper into the myth, the magic, the tragedy and the passionate, redemptive love that I want to wrap my readers up in; bundling them with lyrical, lush prose.   

3. One of the most wonderful reviews of my work I’ve yet received, written by Shana DuBois for Barnes and Noble’s Blog, really captures what I hope readers will take from this book, penned with every ounce of my heart and soul. "There is something truly magical about Leanna Renee Hieber’s writing. Every page of Perilous Prophecy is infused with it, and it will seep into you, changing you as you read."

4. The wonderful Fantasy Café, after graciously hosting my Penny Dreadful rant last year in which I excoriated the show for its character failings and for its senselessly regressive endings, had me back for their Women in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Feature to discuss The Gothic as a sort of Canary in Fear’s Coal Mine; a discussion of psychological aspects that make the genre so important.

5. Tor.Com had me on to discuss the one book that, if I were to pick one, most changed my life. The Collected works of Edgar Allan Poe. A writer and historical figure that most profoundly made me who I am today, Poe remains an inspiration that has always helped me navigate my own rough waters…

6. In July I guest starred on The Travel Channel's Mysteries at the Museum! I was in what was called the "Kennedy Wedding Disaster" episode (I speak about the Eddy Brothers and 19th Century Spiritualism, one of my favorite subjects). The episode is available via YouTube or on Hulu. This was so exciting! It was such a treat to speak, for a TV audience, on a subject I know and love so well!

7. In celebration of my ETERNA FILES finale, I stopped by Terrible Minds, Chuck Wendig’s fabulous site, to talk about the Five things I learned (and relearned) writing THE ETERNA SOLUTION.

8. I stopped by the inimitable and generous John Scalzi's domain. For his WHATEVER blog I talked about The Big Idea behind the Eterna Files series as a whole.

9. This November saw the close of my Eterna Files series with THE ETERNA SOLUTION, an exciting conclusion to this Gaslamp Fantasy trilogy, showcasing the importance of localized magic and personal power to fight the last stand of a horrific, violent cabal.

I had wonderful launch parties for this book, just like I did for PERILOUS PROPHECY at Barnes and Noble West Chester, OH and the incredible Morris-Jumel Mansion in New York. Writing this book my inclusive cast of quirky characters endeared themselves to me so deeply, I was sorry to see them draw this part of their narrative to its close but I know I will see many of these fine folks again in future novels, as many of the cast will appear in upcoming books, my extant series all dovetailing in parallel worlds.

Meghan Harker wrote the loveliest review of THE ETERNA SOLUTION for Criminal Element and she put into sharp focus why I do what I do, helping fill my well to continue. "The sheer joy of reading Hieber’s work reminded me of what I strive for as an artist and the power that love and friendship have in fighting against the darkness—which, incidentally, is the culmination of her Eterna Files series."

10. I signed on for a new trilogy with Kensington Books! THE SPECTRAL CITY will release late 2018 from the new Rebel Base imprint. THE SPECTRAL CITY is a bit like if the show Medium were to meet The Alienist. The year is 1899. Eve Whitby, a talented nineteen year old Medium, daughter of Lord Denbury and Natalie Stewart of my Magic Most Foul saga, leads The Ghost Precinct; a small team of Mediums and Ghosts who help solve crimes and in some cases prevent them as Gilded Age New York City, and all its dark undercurrents, are about to tumble into a new century. Spiritualists, Escape Artists, Charlatans, Spectres and High Society all mix in heady, deadly brew. The Ghost Precinct loses its most vital spectral assets and the hunt is on for what in the world could have killed the already dead...   

As always I do many conventions and events throughout the year, check in with my Appearances page on my website and follow my Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for regular updates! Feel free to ask any questions on any of my platforms and I'll try to respond as soon as I can to any reasonable query.

Please Note: signed books, jewelry and art can all be procured on my Etsy shop, Torch and Arrow, so feel free to pick up anything you’d like personalized! I make my living entirely as a freelance writer and artist so your direct support helps keep me afloat! Thank you!

Cheers, Happy Haunting and Happy New Year! May the spirits guide you beautifully into 2018!