I’m the sort of Writer Bird that believes any book news is good book news, but I’d have to say that the BEST book news is whenever a publisher announces upcoming book releases in a month. It’s always nice to have something to look forward to, and it’s even sweeter when the blurbs make you salivate in anticipation of books that you just can’t wait to get your hands, paws, or tentacles on! I can tell you that there have certainly been plenty of times that I’ve gone gosh-darn crazy waiting for the release of certain books due to them seeming SO PROMISING.
This July was exceptional for building hype up for some really splendid-sounding furry-focused books that will hopefully please the denizens of the furry fandom and maybe, just maybe, catch the eye of fandom outsiders! And now, allow me to point out the new (soon-to-be released) books of the month!
1. In A Dog’s World by Mary E. Lowd
Official Publisher Synopsis: Katasha Blake is a cat surrounded by cats. She loves her littermates, but she’s tired of having them in every part of her life. She wants to go to Isleywood College, a prestigious school where most of the students are dogs.
Then Katasha meets Howell, a handsome upperclassman and a dog. What will her family think? Is Howell even interested in a high school cat? All Katasha knows is, she can’t wait to leave for college.
My Two Cents: I cannot stress how much I’m looking forward to sinking my talons in this latest novel from Mary E. Lowd (author of the “Otters in Space” series of books). I utterly adored a fair portion of her prior work and I KNOW that “In A Dog’s World” will be another high-quality, excellently written novel on Mary E. Lowd’s Writer Belt.
I mean, I can’t imagine this book going wrong in executing its premise: romance between an anthropomorphic cat and dog! Call me biased, but I’ve always felt that one can’t go wrong with a fictional cat and fictional dog falling in love and winning against the up-tight ‘societal norms’ that say that a cat and a dog have no chance of a happy ending together.
I’m confident that Mary E. Lowd will deliver a truly heartwarming tale with “In A Dog’s World”, and I’m hoping from the bottom of my avian heart that this book will become a best-seller in the fandom! ^v^
2. ROAR: VOLUME 6 (An Anthology)
Official Publisher Synopsis: Lovable scoundrels and scoundrels we love to hate.
From rascals causing harmless mischief to dark lords with evil in their hearts, scoundrels can be found in every world, mundane to fantastical. We fight them, laugh at them, and sometimes root for them.
The twenty-eight stories in ROAR volume 6 explore scoundrels of every stripe, in every walk of life. Read stories from celebrated anthropomorphic authors, award-winning science-fiction and fantasy authors, and talented newcomers to the furry genre!
My Two Cents: I’ll admit that I’m still a bit of a new-comer to reading anthologies, but I’m actually looking forward to this particular volume of ROAR due to its theme focused around scoundrels. A lot of things come to mind when I hear the world ‘scoundrel(s)’ and I’m VERY eager to see how the writers in this anthology tackle the theme.
Plus, I have to state for the record that I’m DEEPLY HONORED to know some of the writers featured in ROAR: Volume 6! (NOTE: Psst. CECIL BIRD <3’s you Ocean Tigrox, Huskyteer, Munchkin, and Rechan!)
3. Windfall by Tempe O’Kun
Official Publisher Synopsis: What do you do when the world gets bigger?
Minor celebrities Max and Kylie have always fit together perfectly, both on the screen and behind the cameras. But it’s not until their show is cancelled and they go their separate ways that they begin to wonder if they might have been more than just friends.
Now, Kylie struggles to adjust to life in Windfall, the little New England town whose weird local legends inspired the show. When Max comes to visit for the summer, she strives to let him know how she feels about him—without exposing him to the chilling secrets she’s begun to uncover in her new home.
My Two Cents: Hype. Pure, unbridled hype is all that I can really say, dear ladies and gentlemen of the furry fandom. I mean, a novel that is tale of romance AND a tome of horror with sugary topping of mystery? Tempe O’Kun has my money.
Granted, reading novels with a few erotic misadventures sprinkled in (as Mr. Tempe O’Kun is very much an adult writer and this novel is indeed going to be QUITE AN ADULT adventure, VIEWER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED) is still largely uncharted territory for me. However, I’ll willing to chalk it up to a learning experience. I’m just too curious about Tempe O’Kun’s “Windfall” at this point, and I look forward to getting my hands on this novel.
Just. Too. Curious.
I can’’t wait. I can’t wait. I can’t wait.
Concluding:
I have to say that this month has been a fruitful month for novels that are looking to be quite the fantastic and intriguing reads. I hope I, by bringing this books to your attention, have piqued your interests into looking into these books and possibly grabbing a copy of one of this novels when they become available.
I’ll be keeping my bird eyes wide open for further announcements of new pieces of furry literature that are set to be released in the coming months.
So, if possible, check back every month for updates! ^v^
Cecil D. Fritz 