CamCat News April 2024
Happy Spring from CamCat Books! Last week, at the IPBA Ben Franklin Awards, our authors won several gold and silver awards. Read the full blog post here.
New Releases:
Without a Shadow by H. J. Reynolds, out 4/9/2024
“Without a Shadow is without a doubt a fast-paced, engaging and compelling debut fantasy novel.” —Maria V. Snyder, New York Times bestselling author of The Study of Poisons
“H. J. Reynolds’s debut novel is a brilliant work that will leave you reeling and thirsting for more.” —E. M. Leander, author of Wren and the Tarnished Tiger
“Adlai uses her shadow to steal—but it’s never occurred to her that someone would try to steal her shadow . . . The mythology and lore of shadow powers are well developed and convincing. The classic magical orphan story gets a refreshing twist.” —Kirkus Reviews
Sanctuary by Valentina Cano Repetto, out 4/16/2024
“Sanctuary combines the sumptuous dread of a gothic horror with the claustrophobic experience of a marriage wracked by suspicions and madness, a mystery that looms over the women right up until the thrilling, shocking end . . .” —Claire McKenna, author of the Deepwater Trilogy
“VERDICT: Fans of Isabel Cañas’s The Hacienda and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic will breathe in this book’s brooding atmosphere, even as its emotional punch of a climax leaves them breathless.” —Library Journal
“[A] solid addition to the gothic horror genre . . .” —Booklist
Grand Tour: The Brass Queen II by Elizabeth Chatsworth, out 4/23/2024
“VERDICT: In the sequel to The Brass Queen, the vivid worldbuilding and delightful characters create an epic setting. Chatsworth pushes the dialogue and banter to extremes, leading to a fast-paced and humorous steampunk tale.” —Library Journal
“Chatsworth concocts a delightful blend of magic and science, creating a world filled with parallel dimensions and alien invasions . . . Series fans and new readers alike will tear through this action-packed, twist-filled romp.” —Publishers Weekly
“A fun, action-packed second installment that will appeal to fans of Gail Carriger, Marie Brennan, or Patricia C. Wrede.” —Booklist
Hidden Rooms by Kate Michaelson, out 4/30/2024
“With a fresh voice and gorgeous writing, Hidden Rooms by Kate Michaelson is a stunning debut mystery that sweeps the reader along until the surprising conclusion.” —Connie Berry, USA Today bestselling author of the Kate Hamilton Mysteries
“This remarkable debut novel expertly combines a compelling mystery with a richly drawn cast of characters and a strong, beautifully portrayed sense of place. An engaging, gripping read.” —Andrew Welsh-Huggins, Shamus, Derringer, and International Thriller Writers award-nominated author
“Hidden Rooms is a suspenseful tale full of interesting characters. This well-told story with its unexpected ending will leave the readers begging for more.” —L. C. Hayden, award-winning author of the Bronson Thriller Series and the Aimee Brent Mystery Series
“Michaelson’s witty eye, sharp portrayal of illness, and twisty case make for a standout debut!” —Erin Flanagan, Edgar-Award winning author of Come with Me
“Michaelson’s suspenseful and intricately plotted debut mystery marks her as an author to watch . . .” —Booklist
Out in Paperback:
Lewis Sinclair and the Gentlemen Cowboys by D. M. S. Fick
“A delightful music festival venue, a whole passel of charming characters, and a corker of a plot that lets Lew Sinclair and each of his Gentlemen Cowboys take a well-deserved solo as they endeavor to solve the crime. Hoping for an encore!” —Erin Hart, author of the Cormac Maguire/Nora Gavin mysteries
“D. M. S. Fick’s fine cast of characters shine in Lewis Sinclair and the Gentlemen Cowboys . . . Suspenseful to the end!” —Christine Husom, author of the Winnebago County Mysteries and the Snow Globe Shop Mysteries
“Lewis Sinclair and the Gentlemen Cowboys is a charming mystery . . .” —Foreword Reviews
“This country music mystery hits all the right notes. Readers will hope to hear more from the cowboy crooner and his band.” —Publishers Weekly
“Patrons looking for thrilling mysteries that include love, jealousy, and betrayal set against a music-festival backdrop will enjoy. Suggest to fans of Dolly Parton and James Patterson’s Run, Rose, Run and Peggy O’Neal Peden’s Your Killin’ Heart.” —Library Journal
The Wayward Target by Susan Ouellette
“[A] gripping debut and series launch . . . Ouellette, a former CIA analyst, brings plenty of authenticity to this fast-paced spy thriller. Readers will look forward to Maggie’s further adventures.” —Publishers Weekly, on The Wayward Spy
“Ouellette, herself a former intelligence analyst for the CIA, imbues the exciting action with authenticity. Readers will want to see more of the wily Maggie . . .” —Publishers Weekly, on The Wayward Assassin
New on the Podcast:
On CamCat Unwrapped we have our newest author interview with Emily C. Whitson, author of Beneath the Marigolds! You can find the episode on your preferred podcast network, as well as numerous author interviews and audiobook excerpts.
We also have new special episodes! Watch the finale of Into the Margins: CamCat D&D Special with Jordan H. Bartlett (The Frean Chronicles), Elijah Menchaca (Glintchasers), and Alexander James (The Woodkin). Join us on CamCat Unwrapped as these three authors play the protagonists of their books in a world inspired by their stories!
CamCat Trade Reviews
Publishers Weekly gave a starred review to Dust Spells by Andrea Lynn: “Lynn weaves historical fiction, fairy tale lore, and simmering romance to craft an electric and harrowing Dust Bowl–era debut . . . With one foot entrenched in the brutal reality of the Great Depression and the other in a fantastical utopia, the novel never sacrifices the urgency of human need while establishing its supernatural charm.”
Booklist reviewed The Shabti by Megaera C. Lorenz: “With a well-researched, irresistible premise and well-drawn characters . . . this is a delightful debut.”
Library Journal reviewed When I Was Alice by Jennifer Murgia: “[A] genre-bending time-travel tale that melds mystery and romance in glittering Old Hollywood . . . VERDICT: At once frothy and dark, this book will appeal to mystery and thriller fans who loved TV’s Quantum Leap, the “Outlander” series, or the works of Susanna Kearsley.”
School Library Journal reviewed The Stricken by Morgan Shamy: “VERDICT: The novel adds parallel worlds to the magic and love story of this romantasy. Readers will adore the strong female protagonist and her mission to save her world and those she loves.”
Booklist reviewed by audiobook for Sanctuary by Valentina Cano Repetto: “[A] solid addition to the gothic horror genre . . .”
Library Journal reviewed the audiobook for Sanctuary by Valentina Cano Repetto: “Fans of Isabel Cañas’s The Hacienda and Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House will savor this solidly scary yarn.”
Booklist reviewed the audiobook for Hidden Rooms by Kate Michaelson: “Michaelson’s suspenseful and intricately plotted debut mystery marks her as an author to watch . . .”
Booklist reviewed the audiobook for Dust Spells by Andrea Lynn: “A cautionary ‘Be careful what you wish for’ tale that melds 20th-century history with fantasy elements . . . perfect for fans of fairy tales like ‘The Twelve Dancing Princesses’ or the atmospheric allure of Libba Bray’s Diviners series.”
Booklist reviewed the audiobook for Grand Tour: The Brass Queen II by Elizabeth Chatsworth: “A fun, action-packed second installment that will appeal to fans of Gail Carriger, Marie Brennan, or Patricia C. Wrede.”
CamCat Publicity News
- Hunterlore by Dana Claire had a cover reveal with Storygram Tours.
- Grand Tour: The Brass Queen II by Elizabeth Chatsworth was featured on Reactor's list for All the New Fantasy Books Arriving in April.
- Sanctuary by Valentina Cano Repetto was featured on Reactor's list for All the New Horror, Romantasy, and Other SFF-Crossover Books Arriving in April.
- Without a Shadow by H. J. Reynolds was featured on Reactor's list for All the New Young Adult SFF Books Arriving in April.
- Without a Shadow by H. J. Reynolds is on tour with Storygram Tours.
- Sanctuary by Valentina Cano Repetto is on tour with Suzy Approved Tours.
- Grand Tour: The Brass Queen II by Elizabeth Chatsworth is on tour with Suzy Approved Tours.
- Hidden Rooms by Kate Michaelson is on tour with Partners in Crime Tours.
