Sunday, December 31, 2017

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

Monday, November 27, 2017

A moving review of THE ETERNA SOLUTION

Deepest thanks to Meghan Harker at Criminal Element for this moving review of THE ETERNA SOLUTION, out now from Tor Books.

"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..."

Life-affirming, it is words like these that keep me going and resolute on my mission. I hope you'll join us on the journey. Blessings.
Full review:
https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2017/11/review-the-eterna-solution-by-leanna-renee-Hieber

Order from IndieBound
Order from Barnes and Noble
Order a Signed, Personalized Copy (as well as jewelry and other unique items!) from Leanna's Etsy store
Order from Amazon

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

THE ETERNA SOLUTION IS HERE!

IT HAS ARRIVED! HAPPY RELEASE DAY to THE ETERNA SOLUTION! Now available from Tor Books in digital and hardcover!

Order via Barnes and Noble - IndieBound (Order into your favorite local independent store!) - Amazon - Order Signed Copies via Leanna's Etsy Store!

About the book (Via Tor Books):

Unnatural howls echo across the Atlantic | Lady Liberty’s torch blazes with hellfire | Dead bodies shamble through the grounds of Columbia College.

It’s 1882 and two government divisions of paranormal investigators have completed a most harrowing task―stopping a demonic nobleman from taking over the British Parliament. Now the motley crew of psychics, scientists, scholars, and magicians must race across the ocean to Manhattan to protect it from evil forces they believe Moriel unleashed.
American Clara Templeton’s psychic powers have grown exponentially but she worries that defeating the sinister forces arrayed against them will cost her her life. Londoner Harold Spire, once a Scotland Yard detective, has had just about enough of the occult, though he has seen his team’s supernatural powers at work. Together, the American Eterna Commission and the British Omega Department hope to save New York City without destroying themselves.
In this climactic third installment of The Eterna Files series, Prism award-winning author Leanna Renee Hieber delivers a delightful Gaslamp fantasy set in 19th century New York and Washington D.C., rich with detail and embroidered with a cast of captivating characters.

The Eterna Files series
The Eterna Files
Eterna and Omega
The Eterna Solution
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TONIGHT! Hometown signing! Cincinnati, OH at the West Chester Barnes and Noble - 6:30pm!
Event Page here!

NOV 17TH, An Epic Party co-hosted by the talented Wormwood & Gall at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, Manhattan's Oldest (And Most Haunted) House! 6:30pm! ($15 cover includes wine, soda, food and museum admission!!)
Event Page here!

If you're late to the Eterna Files party, now is a perfect time to start! Both The Eterna Files and Eterna and Omega are on sale across various platforms in several editions!

Here's a free Eterna series Prequel novella to get you started or to deepen your experience in the Eterna world! Read THE SPARK for FREE via Tor now! It's a single post, no download necessary!
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As always, your support is vital! Like what I do? Please tell friends! I'm in a niche genre and I rely on word of mouth to stay published! Also, reviews really help! Please take a second and leave an Amazon review or a review on any retail site you prefer!
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Order via Barnes and Noble - IndieBound (Order into your favorite local independent store!) - Amazon - Signed Copies via Leanna's Etsy Store!

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

The Eterna Solution launch parties & signed pre-orders!

Darlings! Deadlines and work demands have been off the charts. As an author of ghost stories and paranormal adventures and a ghost tour guide in Manhattan, you can imagine that September and October is the 'busy season' and goodness has it been a busy one indeed!

But we've a new book nearly here!! A wonderful celebration as it ties together the Eterna Files trilogy into an exciting conclusion! And we're going to have some GREAT launch parties!

About THE ETERNA SOLUTION (Via Tor Books):

Unnatural howls echo across the Atlantic | Lady Liberty’s torch blazes with hellfire | Dead bodies shamble through the grounds of Columbia College...

It’s 1882 and two government divisions of paranormal investigators have completed a most harrowing task―stopping a demonic nobleman from taking over the British Parliament. Now the motley crew of psychics, scientists, scholars, and magicians must race across the ocean to Manhattan to protect it from evil forces they believe Moriel unleashed.
American Clara Templeton’s psychic powers have grown exponentially but she worries that defeating the sinister forces arrayed against them will cost her her life. Londoner Harold Spire, once a Scotland Yard detective, has had just about enough of the occult, though he has seen his team’s supernatural powers at work. Together, the American Eterna Commission and the British Omega Department hope to save New York City without destroying themselves.
In this climactic third installment of The Eterna Files series, Prism award-winning author Leanna Renee Hieber delivers a delightful Gaslamp fantasy set in 19th century New York and Washington D.C., rich with detail and embroidered with a cast of captivating characters.

The Eterna Files series
The Eterna Files
Eterna and Omega
The Eterna Solution
--

THE ETERNA SOLUTION is available for pre-order wherever books are sold in digital and hardcover! If your local Barnes and Noble or independent bookstore isn't planning on ordering one in, ask them to! Ask your local library to stock a copy or two! IndieBound is a great way to order into any Independent Bookseller in your zip code or surrounding area, just follow this link! If you'd like a SIGNED and PERSONALIZED copy, check out the Autographed Books section of my Etsy Store, Torch and Arrow! I'll be sending autographed pre-orders out from my shop during release week. You're welcome to get any of my one-of-a-kind jewelry / accessories and a book together, they'll ship out at the same time! Just please let me know in the notes of your order how you would like your book signed, personalized! Thanks! All orders come with swag and goodies.

LAUNCH PARTIES!

NOV 14TH, Release Day, hometown Cincinnati, OH at the West Chester Barnes & Noble - 6:30pm!
Event Page here. Please RSVP so we've got a head count, thanks!

NOV 17TH, An Epic Party co-hosted by the talented Wormwood & Gall at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, Manhattan's Oldest (And Most Haunted) House! 6:30pm! ($15 cover includes wine, soda, food and museum admission!!)
Event Page here. Please RSVP for head count, thanks!

As always, your support keeps me going (literally, people buying my books keeps me in business), so thank you in advance, and thank you to those who I know have already pre-ordered via their favorite retailers!

If you're late to the Eterna Files party, now is a perfect time to start, both The Eterna Files and Eterna and Omega are on sale across various platforms in several editions!

Here's a free Eterna series Prequel novella to get you started or to deepen your experience in the Eterna world! Read THE SPARK for FREE via Tor now! It's a single post, no download necessary!

Please tell your friends! If you like the quirky, ghostly, magical worlds I create, please share, as word of mouth is the single best thing you can do for an author, as well as writing reviews, it helps more than you know, thanks!

Cheers and HAPPY HAUNTING!

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

DRAGONCON 2017 Schedule!

DARLINGS!

I'm so very thrilled to present my 2017 DragonCon schedule! I'll have copies of PERILOUS PROPHECY, a Strangely Beautiful prequel, on hand at all times for sale & signing, I'll also have jewelry, Pandora's Pets, and the rest of my books! (ETERNA & OMEGA is now here in mass market!)

Please note the AMAZING events like the inimitable Sherrilyn Kenyon's launch and the ever-popular Princess Alethea's Traveling Sideshow! At my Sunday Reading Hour, I'll give you a teaser of THE ETERNA SOLUTION coming in November!

Don't hesitate to come say hi at panels, I'll always be happy to sign books for you whenever you catch me! Hope to see you there!!

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Title: InteNsity/Dragonsworn Launch Party!
Description: Celebrate #1 bestseller Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dragonsworn and the launch of InteNsity, the newest Chronicles of Nick novel! Come dressed to party with fellow fans and a few of Sherri’s favorite fantasy authors—costumes will be rewarded! Meet Sherri and get InteNsity before it even hits stores!
Time: Thu 07:00 pm Location: Regency VI-VII - Hyatt (Length: 4 Hours)
(Tentative Panelists: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Alethea Kontis, Leanna Renee Hieber, Mari Mancusi)

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Title: Princess Alethea's Traveling Sideshow
Description: Alethea Kontis and her misfit band of bestselling authors perform their hilarious annual variety show! Collectible gift bags for the first 40 attendees (sponsored by Sherrilyn Kenyon).
Time: Fri 07:00 pm Location: A707 - Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Alethea Kontis, Leanna Renee Hieber, Gray Rinehart, Diana Peterfreund, Zoraida Cordova, Mari Mancusi)

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Title: The Foiled Fable: Adult Themes in Victorian Classics
Description: The fairy tales we fondly remember from youth were darker and scarier before they were "cleaned" for the sake of the children. Our panel of authors and experts will talk about the origins of those stories, and the adult themes that the censors want you to forget.
Time: Fri 10:00 pm Location: Augusta - Sheraton (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Leanna Renee Hieber)

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Title: Across the Veil: Ghosts, Spirits and Souls in UF
Description: Protagonists in urban fantasy deal with the gamut of supernatural beings, and not all of them have physical form, posing additional challenges.
Time: Sat 02:30 pm Location: Chastain 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Leanna Renee Hieber, E.J. Stevens, R.R. Virdi, Myke Cole, David B. Coe, Cherie Priest)

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Title: Author Roundtable: The Magic and Technology of Building Alternate Worlds
Description: Be it alchemical spells or industrial revolution, many alternate history and steampunk worlds feature magic, fantastic technological marvels, or even both. But each choice shapes the worlds these authors build. This roundtable discuss worldbuilding and the balance between fantasy and science.
Time: Sat 05:30 pm Location: Augusta - Sheraton (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Leanna Renee Hieber, Anthony Francis, A. J. Hartley, David B. Coe, Jack Campbell, S.M. Stirling)

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Title: Plotting or Plodding?
Description: Tired of the same, old plots? Discover creative ways to liven up your plotting.
Time: Sat 07:00 pm Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Debbie Viguié, Leanna Renee Hieber, David B. Coe, Jake Bible, Ed Masessa)

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Title: Reading: Leanna Renee Hieber
Time: Sun 01:00 pm Location: Techwood - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Leanna Renee Hieber)

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Title: Series or Single Title?
Description: Writers wrangle with this question all the time. How do you decide whether to write single titles or expand into a series. Okay...Series. So how many books in a series?
Time: Sun 04:00 pm Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Leanna Renee Hieber, Kathryn Hinds, James Minz, James A. Moore, Gail Z. Martin)

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Title: Spiritualism and the Occult in Victorian Times
Description: While the Victorian era was a time of great technological advancement, many prominent citizens including Queen Victoria had a fascination with the occult. Come hear our panelists discuss spiritualism, seances, and the beginnings of serious scientific investigation into otherworldly phenomena.
Time: Sun 07:00 pm Location: Athens - Sheraton (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Leanna Renee Hieber, Gail Z. Martin)

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Barnes & Noble glowingly reviews PERILOUS PROPHECY, a Strangely Beautiful novel

Hello Darlings!

Barnes and Noble has always been a brilliant supporter of me and my work, and I couldn't be more honored by this glowing review from The Barnes and Noble Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog's review of PERILOUS PROPHECY, a Strangely Beautiful prequel.

This is a very cross-genre work that will appeal to fans of YA, Romance, Fantasy, Historical, Suspense, Gothic, and light Horror. As with all my work, it would be rated "PG-13" in content.

If you're interested in this series and haven't begun it yet, this reviewer started right here with this first edition and found it a fantastic place to start. I hope you'll join her in reading (and reviewing) this book, a testament to hope and love in dark times.

From The Barnes and Noble Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog:

"Perilous Prophecy Is a Magical Journey into a World of Power and Light.
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.

Here is the story of the goddess Persephone, imprisoned within the darkness of the Whisper-world, a place born of the misery of humankind, only able to travel to the mortal world for brief restorative periods. To maintain the Balance, a Guard chosen to fend off the dark tendrils of that other place, to prevent them taking too strong a hold on the earthly realm.

Again and again, Persephone’s murdered love, Phoenix, along with five loyal muses—Heart, Intuition, Memory, Art, and a Healer—possess six mortals who will fight as the Guard. Every cycle, the Guard takes up the fight in a different time and city. This round falls on Cairo in the 1860s.
Beatrice Smith, chosen by Phoenix, and thus the Guard leader, must cast aside self-doubt and become someone her newfound companions can depend upon. Her second-in-command, Ibrahim, Intuition’s chosen vessel, is a source of compelling strength for them all. Now able to see the ghosts infesting Cairo, the Guard must work quickly to master their gifts and prepare for the coming darkness, for an ancient prophecy has been set in motion.

At the heart of Perilous Prophecy is one of the deepest love stories I’ve encountered in fantasy in some time. Actually, there are love stories woven throughout this exquisite novel—the bond between Persephone and Phoenix is more powerful and deeper than mere mortals could ever experience, but the love we see forming between Beatrice and Ibrahim, and the fraternal love growing within the Guard itself—these are loves we mortals can only dream of experiencing. Hieber deftly wields the power of words to create a world and a calling you’ll long to experience first-hand.

Ahmed, Heart’s chosen mortal, had visions of a great war on the horizon, even before becoming a member of the Guard. Yet the joy he feels in his heart is infectious, to both his companions and the reader. Despite battling menacing ghosts and watching Persephone’s painful time in the Whisper-world, this novel is overflowing with hope and light. A prequel to Hieber’s Strangely Beautiful, it’s laced with ominous threads of a prophecy still to come. But the encroaching darkness does not weigh down the beauty of this story.
I fell in love with the cast of characters. The strength of this story is bolstered by the strength of the bonds they form. Yes, there are ghosts, but this is more a story of living people, and the choices we all must make as we navigate our lives and responsibilities. Meanwhile, Hieber captures what feels like the purest essence of 1860s Cairo through the small details that brush the senses, but also through the acknowledgement by the characters of the harsh realities a motley Guard comprised of members from European and Egyptian backgrounds might face during the 1860s.

I am delighted to admit I have not yet read Strangely Beautiful, because it means I get to read it now, and spend more time in this world.
Perilous Prophecy is available now." - Shana DuBois, Barnes and Noble

Sunday, July 2, 2017

PERILOUS PROPHECY is here! And so is ETERNA AND OMEGA in paperback!

Perilous Prophecy is here! So is Eterna and Omega in paperback and reduced price digital!
 

Overview: Winner of the Prism Award for Best Fantasy Novel

“Tells a love story with exquisite detail.”—TrueBlood.net

Cairo in the 1860s is a bustling metropolis where people from all walks of life mix and mingle, mostly in complex harmony. When evil ghosts and unquiet spirits stalk the city’s streets, the Guard are summoned—six young men and women of different cultures, backgrounds, and faiths, gifted by their Goddess with great powers.  While others of the Guard embrace their duties, their leader, British-born Beatrice, is gripped by doubt. What right has she, a bookish, sheltered, eighteen-year-old, to lead others into battle? Why isn’t dark-eyed, compelling Ibrahim, who is stronger of will than Beatrice, the one in charge? Ghosts maraud through Cairo’s streets, heralding a terrible darkness. Beatrice and her Guard have little time to master their powers; a great battle looms as an ancient prophecy roars toward its final, deadly conclusion.
This enchanting prequel to Leanna Renee Hieber's gaslamp fantasy, Strangely Beautiful, returns to print after many years, edited and revised for Tor's publication

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If you enjoyed Strangely Beautiful, be sure not to miss this prequel, filled with love and tenderness, amidst difficulties and darkness. This book is my father's favorite of mine (and he's a distinct critic so this means something), and it has a special place in my heart as something lyrical and transcendent. I hope you'll find it moving. It gives a sense of why and how to the origin of the series. This edition was barely out in print before its original publisher closed, so please take a moment and order a copy, digital or in paperback, and please help support it as while it was critically acclaimed, it never was able to gain any audience traction or sales when first released. Order a signed copy from WORD in Brooklyn (put personalization requests in the notes of the order), Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, Amazon, or wherever books are sold. If your local library doesn't have it, request that they buy a copy for their collection! If you can post a review on Amazon or any retailer sites, it helps a lot!

ALSO out this week is the mass-market paperback edition of ETERNA AND OMEGA! The digital price is lowered to match the mass-market so be sure not to miss this thrilling sequel to the Eterna Files, where love trumps hate in a battle between epic, dark forces and localized magic on the haunted streets of New York and London in 1882. Order from Barnes and Noble or your favorite book outlet!

While you're at it, you can PRE-ORDER the finale in the ETERNA series, THE ETERNA SOLUTION, coming November 14th from Tor Books!

Thanks, feel free to share with others, and as always, happy haunting!