Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly book meme that’s hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. The purpose is to spotlight releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

I know there’s a similar-ish spotlight of sorts in the “Monday Madness” posts I have, but those only spotlight books that are already out or that are releasing within the next two weeks. Waiting on Wednesday will spotlight books that are releasing months from now.

For the record, I did try to add some non-debut author books as well =P

And simply to repeat what I said on Twitter: 2010 – my official shapeshifter + werewolves/animals year, looking at my shelf + wishlist, I have lots to read!

I stand by that, because, as you may have noticed, I have a whole lot of shapeshifting/werewolves/skinwalkers/etc books that I want (you should see the full wishlist!), and a small (okay, large) part of my mind wants to do a shapeshifters/werewolves month. We’re still arguing on that though.

But, for now, to the books!

There’s this one:

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Releases: July 1st, 2010.
Pre-order: Amazon, The Book Depository
Summary (from Amazon):

Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I’m on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We’re hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We’ll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we’d left behind and take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope.

And this:

13 to Life by Shannon Delany

Releases: June 22nd, 2010.
Pre-order: Amazon
Summary (from Shannon Delany’s site):

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide–secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

And this:

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Releases: May 18th, 2010.
Pre-order: Amazon, The Book Depository
Summary (form Christine Johnson’s site):

Hanover Falls hasn’t had a werewolf problem in over one hundred years. Seattle, Copenhagen, Osaka–they’ve had plenty of attacks. But when humans begin dying in Claire Benoit’s town, the panic spreads faster than a rumor at a pep rally. At Claire’s sixteenth birthday party, the gruesome killings are all anyone can talk about. But the big news in Claire’s mind is the fact that Matthew Engle–high-school soccer god and son of a world-renowned lycanthropy expert–notices her. And flirts with her. A lot.

That night, Claire learns that she is the latest in a long line of Benoit werewolves, and that contrary to popular belief, all werewolves are female. Killing humans is forbidden by the code of the pack, but a rogue werewolf has been breaking that law, threatening the existence of Claire’s new pack. As the pack struggles to find and fight the rogue werewolf and Claire struggles with her lupine identity, her heart and her loyalties are torn in two. Claire must keep her new life a secret from even her best friend–and especially from Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt…and with whom Claire is impossibly and undeniably falling head-over-paws in love.

And finally, this:

Other by Karen Kincy

Releases: May 1st, 2010.
Pre-order: Not yet.
Summary (from Karen Kincy’s site):

I can’t last much longer. It’s been one week, three days, and I forget how many hours.

My belly cramps, and I curl on my bed, staring out at the stars. A delicious breeze glides through my window and cools my sweaty forehead. The air smells of summer–mowed grass, recent rain, lingering barbecue–and tempts me more than I want to admit. Shards of moonlight and shadow shift on the wall. I clench my teeth and toes and try to ride out the pain. My bedroom drifts counterclockwise, and I shut my eyes.

It can’t be good for me, not shapeshifting.

Seventeen-year-old Gwen hides a dangerous secret: she’s Other. Half-pooka, to be exact, thanks to the father she never met. Most Americans don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for Others, especially not the small-town folks of Klikamuks, Washington. As if this isn’t bad enough, Gwen’s on the brink of revealing her true identity to her long-time boyfriend, Zack, but she’s scared he’ll lump her with the likes of bloodthirsty vampires and feral werewolves.

When a pack of werewolves chooses the national forest behind Gwen’s home as their new territory, the tensions in Klikamuks escalate-into murder. It soon becomes clear a serial killer is methodically slaying Others. The police turn a blind eye, leaving Gwen to find the killer before the killer finds her. As she hunts for clues, she uncovers more Others living nearby than she ever expected. Like Tavian, a sexy Japanese fox-spirit who rivals Zack and challenges her to embrace her Otherness. Gwen must struggle with her own conflicted identity, learn who she can trust, and-most importantly-stay alive.

Maybe next week I’ll manage to keep it to two? I doubt it, but I can try!