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The Night Bird

Enter into an exhilarating world of magic, beauty and political unrest with the tale of a battle between duty—and desire …The Night Bird is the next book in Catherine Asaro’s Lost Continent series.

Allegra’s beauty made her a captive...her power would set her free.

For centuries, the women of Aronsdale have lived freely among the green and misted valleys. In a society where women typically own most property and businesses, Allegra is preparing to take over the family dairy farm because she doesn't think her skills with magic will be strong enough to earn her a place in the Aronsdale court. But her life—and Aronsdale’s independence—is threatened when Jazid nomads invade, carrying Allegra into the desert as a prized trophy…or worse.

Her brave defiance earns her an unexpected ally. From the moment feared Jazid warrior Markus Onyx sees the alluring beauty, he knows he has found his queen.

But even the promise of love cannot quell Allegra’s determination to save her homeland. Summoning her powers, she casts herself north—out of passion’s grip—and into the dark heart of conflict….

from Luna Books, July 2008
ISBN-10: 0-373-80268-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-80268-5

"this rousing adventure of forbidden love, daredevil exploits
and magic will captivate readers..."
--Publisher's Weekly

"a story marked with difficult choices, where the humanity
of the protagonists shines through"
Jill M. Smith, Romantic Times

The Fire Opal

Deep in the Taka Mal desert, priestess Ginger-Sun carries the power of the shape mages. Whispers abound: is she descended from the beloved Sunset Goddess? Or are her nighttime rituals filled with evil? Ginger herself is uncertain, until an exotic stranger is left for dead at her feet.

Then her magic begins to burn.

By choosing to help the stranger, Ginger entwines herself in events beyond her control. Or so she believes. When pushed to the  brink, she learns that her magic can summon unfathomable powers. But unless Ginger masters her dark powers, violence will reign in Taka Mal… and in her soul.

from Luna Books, July 2007

"Once again, Asaro skillfully blends romance with a solid fantasy scenario." --Publishers Weekly

"Fans of the Aronsdale books and new readers alike will not be disappointed with Asaro's latest. Even with no prior knowledge of the series, this is one heck of a page- turner! Ginger is tough yet innocent, and the reader can't help but root for her to succeed. The writing is crisp, the plot and action are compelling and the sweet ending will completely satisfy everyone. This is an excellent read!"--Romantic Times

 

"The Topaz Desert"

Tanzi is a mage - but a mage in hiding. To use her magic - no matter the reason - would earn her severe punishment. When she uses that magic to comfort a child, she is accused of sorcery by the town jeweler.  Her magic helps her to escape, but then she realizes that she has nowhere to go and nothing but the ragged clothing on her back .  She doesn’t even have her shoes.

Battered and half frozen to death, she is “rescued” by an oily trade merchant. Unfortunately, his goal is to sell her back to jeweler from whom she had so desperately sought to escape.  But when the merchant stops to sell goods to Zebb, a miner, Tanzi begs him to let her stay rather than allow the merchant to sell her back to her tormentor.

For Zebb, life in the topaz desert consists of little more than back-breaking work and excruciating loneliness.  Why would a woman who looks like a goddess - perhaps is a goddess - choose to stay with the likes of him?  And Tanzi herself wonders if she might find herself in even worse danger at the hands of this unknown giant of a miner. 

Lace and Blade, an anthology of sexy, elegant, swashbuckling romantic fantasy, launches the Leda imprint of Norilana Books.  Catherine Asaro’s story is set in the same magical world as The Fire Opal and other stories in the "Lost Continent" series created for Luna Books.

To see what the publisher has to say, click here.

The Dawn Star

High in the Misted Cliffs lives a magic unlike any other.

With no teacher to guide her, no mentor to discourage her from the impossible, Mel Dawnfield pushed her magic to its limits—and surpassed them. Only to find that her powers aren't enough to halt burgeoning rebellion within her husband's fledgling realm—or a plot devised to strike at the very heart of Mel’s family.

The lines have been drawn.

Mel’s mage strength has become greater than any power ever known, but dare she forge her spells into weapons to protect her people, her husband? For her magic might transform the brutality of war into the birth pangs of a peaceful empire...unless it proves the death blow to her world.

Luna Books
ISBN: 0-373-80238-2
July 2006

"Nebula award winner Catherine Asaro writes a spellbinding romantic fantasy as well as she does hard science fiction. Fans of her Skollan empire series will find THE DAWN STAR a softer, more people driven tale with characters well suited for this sword and sorcery tale. Although there are plenty of action scenes, the plot is more about political chicanery and the political intrigue scenes are fascinating."--Harriet Klausner, booksnbytes.com

"In classic Asaro fashion, armies, plots, magic, twists, turns, secrets and characters must grow in spirit to meet these various challenges."--Bunny Callahan, Romantic TImes

The Misted Cliffs

One generation after war had nearly destroyed three nations, evil was returning. And only Mel Dawnfield’s daring sacrifice could stop it.

The promise of peace rested on this young woman’s noble vow: to marry Cobalt the Dark—heir to a family of legendary cruelty. With only her uncontrolled spells to guide her, isolated in Cobalt’s solitary home in the Misted Cliffs, knowing poisoned blood ran through her husband’s veins, Mel struggled to embrace her unexplored mage powers and unveil the light in her shadowy new world—including the radiance hidden in her husband’s soul. For her enemies were gathering strength and they would soon unleash the darkest of evils in the name of war.

In the final battle, Mel’s ability to harness her magic would mean the difference between a harmonious world...and annihilation.

Finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award

A magical story with complex characters and a love that can heal wounds, THE MISTED CLIFFS by Catherine Asaro is a rare gem from an author who always delivers. — Courtney Michelle, Romance Reviews Today

The Misted Cliffs is Ms. Asaro at her writing best. A tried and true formula of a haunted hero and a warm-hearted heroine, combined with the magic of a kingdom you'll want to visit again and again, make this book a true winner. — Romance Junkies

[L]overs of fantasy will find The Misted Cliffs a charming tale that defies the usual stereotypes. — Fresh Fiction

 

The Charmed Sphere

What was the use of being a powerful mage if you couldn’t learn the spells?

Once Chime had been the most promising mage in the land, feted and celebrated for her potential and future role in the kingdom. Then Iris, her young competitor, made a stunning leap in skill and turned Chime’s world upside down.

Now no longer the most powerful, no longer promised to a prince - and still unable to harness her magic properly - Chime was set adrift. As was the new king’s cousin - and former heir - Lord Muller. Yet when the neighboring kingdom threatened war, Muller and Chime were tasked with uncovering the plot. Both were flawed, yet unwilling to accept a lesser destiny than they had once known.

Could this quest be the opportunity for redemption - or would it lead them to their deaths?

"Simply put, The Charmed Sphere is a novel of superlatives. If a reader were to choose only one new romantic fantasy to read, it should be Catherine Asaro’s unforgettable gem."--Barnes and Noble Editors Review

 

“Moonglow”
(in Charmed Destinies)

In the land of Aronsdale, magic focused through shapes and colors, light and healing can transform people’s lives, even heal their emotions. Most of the mages are women, some of whom are extremely powerful. But the king will have magical powers above all others — and he must marry the most powerful female mage.

Over fifteen years ago, the late king’s son, daughter-in-law and grandson were killed by bandits, and now the king’s nephew, Muller, is scheduled to take the throne. But Iris, the second-most powerful mage in the country, has begun to focus her abilities and discovers that Jarid, the missing prince, is alive. She leads the searchers to him and they discover that the prince seems to be blind, deaf and dumb. Unbeknownst to them, he is also beset with guilt — guilt that he took another’s life — and that his mother gave up her life for him... That and a shattering spell imposed upon him when he was six years old are what traps him in a silent world of darkness...

Despite Jarid’s ailments, he is chosen to be king, and Iris is discovered to be his equal in power. On their wedding night, she makes a breakthrough in her own abilities and helps Jarid break the spell he was under, coming into his full powers and regaining his senses.

Edited by Catherine Asaro, Irresistible Forces features six award-winning and bestselling authors of romance, science fiction, and fantasy.

Jo Beverly’s offering is set on a planet far away, where childhood friends band together to face a formless menace in “The Trouble with Heroes.”

“Winterfair Gifts,” from Lois McMaster Bujold, is the long-awaited story of the tumultuous wedding of Miles Vorkosigan.

In Mary Jo Putney’s “The Alchemical Marriage,” the Spanish Aramada will invade England — unless a Scottish mage and his improbable partner can wreak havoc from the heavens.

Catherine Asaro’s “The Stained Glass Heart,” a Ruby Dynasty story about the youth of the hero, Havyrl Valdoria, from the Nebula Award winning novel, The Quantum Rose.

Shapeshifting, angelic mission, divine intervention, or insanity could be the focus of Deb Stover’s “Skin Deep.”

“Shadows in the Wood,” by Jennifer Roberson, will let readers find out what happens “When Robin meets Merlin.”

"Irresistible Forces is a must read for all romance fans...Each offering is elegantly crafted...This anthology has been much anticipated for good reason — it delivers great writing and wonderful, vibrant characters on every page. "
— Romantic Times Bookclub, 4½ stars, Top Pick, Gold Medal

"The Shadowed Heart"
in
Best New Paranormal Romance

Twelve tales of love and wonder...
Nymphs, starfighters, magical women, mystical men, ordinary mortals, and extraordinary beings populate stories that range from engagingly whimsical to profoundly moving. Highly imaginative short fiction and novellas from outstanding fantasy romance writers -- both bestselling authors and new talent.

"Guran's pioneering "best of" anthology, the first in a projected series, offers twelve enthralling tales of romance that incorporate supernatural, fantasy or SF elements. A few of these "stories of love and wonder" end with a standard HEA (romance-speak for "happily ever after"), but all avoid cliche. Among the best are Catherine Asaro's "The Shadowed Heart," about a battle-fatigued starfighter pilot."--Publishers Weekly

------------also in-----------

The Journey Home

The Journey Home is a collection of ten paranormal romance short stories about soldiers coming home. Each of these tales features a hero with deep emotional wounds that only love can heal.

In addition to Catherine Asaro, contributors include Mary Jo Putney, Patricia Rice, Rebecca York, Linda Madl, Mallory Kane, Lucy Grijalva, CB Scott, Candice Kohl, and Diane Chamberlain.

Fifty percent of authors’ royalties will be donated to Support Our Soliders America, Inc. (SOS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support for American troops stationed overseas and recovering in military hospitals across the U.S.

"This celebration of wounded warriors and those who love them is emotionally wrenching yet tremendously uplifting."— Romantic Times

"Readers will thoroughly enjoy this book as the strength of the human spirit shines through."— Enchanted in Romance