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I don't usually do "Teaser Tuesday," but I'm in a mood today, so . . . hmm, here's an excerpt from Radiant Shadows (the 4th Wicked Lovely book).

Details: Radiant Shadows releases in the US & Canada April 20, 2010. ARCs (advanced reader/reviewer copies) for my books are typically available by November. Browse Inside (which lets you see the first 7 or so chapters) goes up a bit later, but right now, the text is still pretty much only available from me (cue villainous laugh), so in answer to the "is ---- in it?" and "can you give us any hints?" and various other spoilery questions, here's one answer (or several if you are piecing things together, I suppose).

Teaser note: This is mid-scene, around page 50, at the Crow's Nest. I'm not giving any more context than that :)

--------------------------------

“Stop by for dinner soon, precious one.” Bananach leaned over and cupped Devlin’s cheek with her bloody hand. She straightened. “Hello, my pretty lamb.”

Seth came up to them, glaring at Bananach. “Get out now.”

Devlin stepped in front of Seth, blocking his access to Bananach. He pointed to the mortal on the floor. “That one is injured.”

Seth raised a fist. “Because of her.”

“You can help him or argue with War,” Devlin said. “You cannot do both.”

Seth scowled. “And you won’t do either.”

“That is not my function.” For an unexpected moment, Devlin wondered if the sometimes-mortal-sometimes-fey boy would fight Bananach or save the injured mortal. He hoped that he’d not have to try to wrest Seth from Bananach’s grasp tonight.

Is he logical enough to sacrifice one mortal to strike Bananach or compassionate enough to save the mortal and plan to confront Bananach later?

------------------------

And to those who email or contact me in various ways, a couple quick questions answered--

NO Graveminder is not a WL book. It has no faeries in it. It is something else entirely.

Also, no, it's not a continuation of the Unbound story. This one is not fey folk (which includes court faeries, gancanagh, glaistigs, selchies, or even non-Celtic faery-like creatures like skogsra or kitsune). It is, of course, folkloric in origin though.

And, no, I really don't have release dates ANYWHERE other than US & Canada.  If I did, I promise I'd share.  Right now, the only place we've sold rights is the UK. Until, umm, tomorrow Harper hasn't shopped the rights anywhere else. I expect that the book will go to many of the same overseas publishers as the first 3 have, BUT in most places only WL is out. In some INK is out too; in others WL hasn't even released yet, so there hasn't been the need for them to acquire Radiant Shadows and the 5th/final book yet :)

. . . and with that, I'm back to writing.  Hope the teaser was fun for some of you. 

Comments

( 56 comments — Leave a comment )
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[info]spiritworld25 wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 06:48 pm (UTC)
Yes, it was entertaining and I hope to read more when the book becomes available. :) Happy writing Melissa.
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 12:36 am (UTC)
Thx.
[info]lady_ariani wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 07:01 pm (UTC)
*quivers in excitement* thanks for the wonderful teaser!!
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 12:35 am (UTC)
:)
[info]penultimatepage.blogspot.com wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 07:01 pm (UTC)
Talk about a teaser!
Now to find out who I need to pester for an ARC to review...
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 12:25 am (UTC)
They usu have a click thru ad in PW's weekly kidlit newsletter :)
[info]mairijeaan wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 07:08 pm (UTC)
Oooh that teaser was exciting!!! And now I wanna know what's up with Graveminder. Ahhh, so much to read...
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 12:34 am (UTC)
GM is my "mmmm, I want to write a darker book & it's not YA, so I guess I'm writing an adult book sooner than I planned" project . . . with a dash of influence from a Rolling Stones song :)
(no subject) - [info]mairijeaan - Oct. 14th, 2009 11:31 am (UTC) Expand
[info]authortarakelly wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 07:14 pm (UTC)
Such a tease it was *sigh* April can't come soon enough :)
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 12:32 am (UTC)
Thx, Tara. :)
[info]meghan_rachelle wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 07:15 pm (UTC)
*flails* I just don't know what to think about Devlin. That's a good thing, though. ;) Can't wait for RS!
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 12:32 am (UTC)
Well, I'm obviously biased, but I am very fond of Dev. ;) He's unlike anyone else in the series--which made him very interesting to write.

I kinda think of RS as my Sid & Nancy/Boonie & Clyde book. It has that sort of influence. It's easily the most FUN of the books in the series.
(no subject) - [info]meghan_rachelle - Oct. 14th, 2009 02:10 am (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]meghan_rachelle - Oct. 14th, 2009 02:12 am (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]melissa_writing - Oct. 14th, 2009 03:21 am (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]meghan_rachelle - Oct. 14th, 2009 03:24 am (UTC) Expand
[info]myteatimeisbooktime.blogspot.com wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 07:16 pm (UTC)
Oh this sounds amazing!!!.Now I wonder...how shall I score an ARC in a month...hmmmm
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 12:32 am (UTC)
They usu have a click thru ad in PW's weekly kidlit newsletter :)
(Anonymous) wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 07:24 pm (UTC)
Okay, so I'm gasping for air now....I read Wicked Lovely (LOVED IT) then started Fragile Enternity only to find out Ink Exchange is technically in between the two. PAUSE. Yep, that's me hitting the pause button on reading more of the third til I get the second....and now I discover a 4th (and then 5th!) one is coming out! *~*happy dance*~*
There goes another one on the Wish List. =0)
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 12:28 am (UTC)
Always glad to encourage a happy dance :)
[info]autumngale wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 09:46 pm (UTC)
I hope you don't mind, but...

"He pointed to mortal on the floor. “That one is injured.” "

There should be a "the" between the "to" and "mortal."

*sheepish*
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 10:17 pm (UTC)
Why would I mind you doing my a favour? :)

CE caught the same error. Unfortunately, I don't have the post-CE copy saved on file, & I don't transfer all of the CE changes to my copy (I get the CE ms later & then save it).
(no subject) - [info]melissa_writing - Oct. 14th, 2009 12:24 am (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]autumngale - Oct. 14th, 2009 04:25 pm (UTC) Expand
[info]tracy_d74 wrote:
Oct. 13th, 2009 11:32 pm (UTC)
I'm excited about Radiant Shadows!! I think someone is tinkering with my calendar . . . moving it backward. Uggh1 come on April!!! And I am also curious about ARC copies. And I see the "the" in between "to" and "mortal." I did wonder if wrest was supposed to be "wrestle."
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 12:27 am (UTC)
Nope. It's to be "wrest." Some of the diction in the Devlin sections is a bit more archaic. I don't do 1st person where I do full out indiv voices, but I tend to have some diction variations btw sections. It's not a conscious thing, but it seems to work that way. "Wrest" is not as in use of a term, but it's the right one here. :)

Curious how re: ARCs? Ask away, & I can try to answer.
(no subject) - [info]tracy_d74 - Oct. 14th, 2009 12:53 am (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - (Anonymous) - Oct. 15th, 2009 06:44 pm (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]melissa_writing - Oct. 15th, 2009 07:09 pm (UTC) Expand
[info]adalia_jean wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 01:39 am (UTC)
Yes! :D Thanks for the teaser. :)
[info]nojokeinhere wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 02:25 am (UTC)
Ahhh! How did I not see this sooner today? Thanks so much for sharing. April will be a lovely month. :)
[info]miameirohara wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 03:53 am (UTC)
Can't...wait...until...April...DEVLIN~!

*squees*
[info]place_to_hide wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 06:28 am (UTC)
Leaving a hello note
Heh. More like a hello comment.:P Same thing.

Exciting teaser.Seth.<3 :P Radiant Shadows. I love the title.
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 15th, 2009 07:10 pm (UTC)
Re: Leaving a hello note
Nice to meet you :)
[info]fallfire wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 12:27 pm (UTC)
I just had to leave a comment because of the wonderful teaser & details. Hmm, looks like I'll have to wait a few months after April for Radiant Shadows to reach my location... I'm (impatiently) waiting! Thanks for the teaser! :D
[info]celebelai wrote:
Oct. 14th, 2009 05:17 pm (UTC)
*squeeee*
I just noticed this now! yay! I've been following you on Twitter for a bit, but somehow missed the fact that you have an LJ, so now I'm gonna go back and read stuff I missed:) I love the little excerpt! *is way more excited for Devlin than is probably healthy*
*glomp*
Happy Writing!
(Anonymous) wrote:
Oct. 16th, 2009 03:53 pm (UTC)
Loved the books! Read all 3, but was wondering how many books are on the series? Does anyone know?
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 19th, 2009 04:14 am (UTC)
There are 5 total. The 4th one comes out in April 2010 in the US & Canada.

M.

PS Glad you liked them :)
(Anonymous) wrote:
Oct. 16th, 2009 08:01 pm (UTC)
ah! that was exhilarating. thank you, oh wonderous writer. :DD
(Anonymous) wrote:
Oct. 17th, 2009 03:17 am (UTC)
i have a question: how is an ARC different from a regular copy other than the fact that ARCs are released earlier?
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 19th, 2009 04:18 am (UTC)
ARCs are printed from the pre-copyedit text (so there are still line errors we haven't caught yet). They are intended for reviewers, & are given for free--which is why they are not to be posted for sale anywhere (a rule ppl break) bc neither the publisher nor the author make anything from them.

What else? They sometimes lack a cover. They aren't bound as well or printed on as nice of a paper. The come out anywhere from a year to 4 months before release. Not all books have ARCs. My editor & marketing folks are fans of doing ARCs, so for now, mine do :)

[info]jadedmetaphor wrote:
Oct. 17th, 2009 06:43 am (UTC)
Six earrings
Hey, Melissa-

These rhinestone 6 earrings randomly popped up as an ad for me (from overstock.com) and I thought of you:
http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Silverplated-The-Number-6-Rhinestone-Stud-Earrings/3174740/product.html?cid=143837&fp=F

Liz
[info]marisarepin wrote:
Oct. 17th, 2009 10:25 am (UTC)
Now I really am excited about Radiant Shadows! (As if I wasn't before... haha)

I'm glad that Graveminder will not be YA, even though I prefer reading YA. This is because at the bookstore I work, I'm in charge of "adult" SF/F/H... so I'm glad that there'd be a Melissa Marr in my section at last!
(Anonymous) wrote:
Oct. 17th, 2009 10:37 pm (UTC)
It has been a very long time that I have picked up a book and couldn't put it down. Your books have done that for me from the first page to the last. You have a rare talent. Thanks so much. I can't wait till your next book comes out
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 19th, 2009 04:18 am (UTC)
Thank you :)
(Anonymous) wrote:
Oct. 17th, 2009 11:25 pm (UTC)
thanks so much for writing more of the series!!! I absolutely LOOVVEE the WL series and cant wait until April to read RS!!! the titl is amazing (actually, I think all of the book titles of this series... :D) I read WL abt half a year ago (I think so anyway; time is passing very quickly for me right now at age 13!! Although I don't really think it's a good thing......haha... *smile*)and only found out about Ink Exchange from a friend... LOVED THEM BOTH!!! So, two days ago I was at Borders looking for a book we had to read for Hummanities when I stumbled across Fragile Eternity. I was so excited that I convinced my mom to buy it since I didn't have any money with me {...:(...}. I also couldn't believe I hadn't found out about it before! I had thought that IE was the last of the series, and, sadly, hadn't reasearched the topic more. I was so excited that I stayed up untill 11:30 that night reading it! last night I was so tired i fell asleep with it in my hands *blush* around 10 or 11... and like 10 minutes ago i finished!! I was so frustrated because I wanted to read more, then I figured, if I didn't know about FE, why should I know wether or not there's another book coming out from the series?! so I searched it up on 'bing' and found this website and now here I am posting a 'short little comment' *laughs* on the website!

*wipes hand over forhead* whew, got that over with! *laughs again* I don't write a lot but I have short spurts of 'frantic writing moments,' *smiles* as I call them :), every now and then!

Thanks again, I love curling up with a good book on cold rainy days (*unenthusiasticly says* like today!...) and reading a good book; you have cer tainly provided me with many, and some still to come! I look forward eagerly to April *happy place, happy place, happy place* (hahahaha) and hearing more about Seth, Devlin, Sorcha, and Aislinn and hope that I will be able to entertain my self in this stormy weather *hears thunder* *sighs sadly* the rain just started pounding harder and I better submit this comment befre i loose power.
thx again! bye! ttyl!
[info]melissa_writing wrote:
Oct. 19th, 2009 04:20 am (UTC)
This was an absolutely lovely comment to read. Thank you :)
(Anonymous) wrote:
Oct. 18th, 2009 06:51 pm (UTC)
Can I just say how thankful I am to you that you're providing everyone with amazing books that have nothing to do with vampires?
I'm SO excited for Radiant Shadows (:
(Anonymous) wrote:
Oct. 18th, 2009 09:58 pm (UTC)
I just finished Fragile Eternity...
... and I can't WAIT for the new one to come out!! I recently got the first three books, and have found myself hopelessly riveted. As a fellow writer of fiction, I tip my hat to you, and wish you all the luck the Gods will give you!

You keep writing, and I promise to keep reading!

-F.W.Tattersall, IV
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