Juno Books

Lima Nominated

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:14:22 +0000

Congrats to MARIA LIMA (and her protagonist Kiera Kelly)! Blood Sacrifice is nominated for Best Urban Fantasy Novel/Protagonist for 2011 by RT Book Reviews.

Winners will be announced in the May issue of RT.

Yay Maria!

Writing With Tequila Review: HIGHBORN, Yvonne Navarro

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:35:41 +0000

Writing With Tequila Review:

Highborn was a deeper, more developed story than a lot of the urban fantasy coming out today. Brynna had a nice fish-out-of-water thing going for her that helped make her hardened demon personality understandable and humorous at times. Her character was the highlight of the novel, but almost equally enjoyable was the way the story always had a surprising wist just as things were starting to settle down. Every time it seemed like the story was wrapping up, something other, completely plausible, thing happened to continue the tale. Obviously, all those unread pages at the end of the book should have been my first clue, but it was so easy to get wrapped up in the story that I wouldn’t even notice I was no where near the end.

I don’t have much interest in reading about demons living in hell and because of this, Highborn’s prologue made me wary of the story to come. Luckily, the prologue was short and gave just enough information for the reader to get an idea of Brynna’s previous life without giving too much of that information up front. As the story progressed, we learned more about Brynna’s experiences, but in bits and pieces as they related to the current plot progression. This did wonders for keeping me fully interested in the modern, Earth-based story.

I never go out of my way to read books about demons, angels, fallen angels or any of the other Heaven/Hell flavors, but I plan on doing just that with the Dark Redemption series. Brynna is a character that I need to follow, need to know more about and need to see how life works out for her. Highborn is a great book. (4 shots)

Farewell and Onward: Paula Guran will no longer edit Pocket Juno

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 23:39:51 +0000

September 30 is my last day as editor of Juno. Juno remains an active imprint for Pocket. What plans they have for the future of Juno, I am not privy to. That will be between them and co-publisher Wildside Press.

The web site will remain active and I will continue to announce releases (like the upcoming Virtual Virgin by Carole Nelson Douglas) and post reviews of Pocket Juno books and author news on the editorial blog and tweet posts via Twitter. This eddress (editor@juno-books.com) will remain active, but the one for submissions (submissions@juno-books.com) will be dropped. My Facebook account will just be me, and no longer representing Pocket Juno. (So unfriend me if you are only there for Juno. It’s cool!)

I just sent out the last issue of the newsletter. The mailing list will be destroyed. (Subscriptions were specifically for Juno or Pocket Juno News, so it would be unethical to hand the list over to any other entity or use it in any other way.)

I will edit and coordinate Linda Robertson’s Shattered Circle–the sixth in her Circle series, which is due out in December 2012–on a freelance basis.

As most of you know, submissions have been closed since May 2010. Robertson’s fifth (Wicked Circle) and sixth Circle novels were the last I contracted.

I’m very proud of what Pocket Juno’s authors have accomplished. It was a privilege to work with them. We set out to publish great, entertaining contemporary fantasy with female protagonists. And we did. On that basis Pocket Juno has been a huge success.

Yes, I’m saddened that some wonderful series will not be continued. If I hadn’t loved them, I never would have bought them to start with. But publishing is a business and decisions concerning what to publish are made for business reasons, not from emotional attachment.

Juno was my editorial “baby”. First as part of a team that included Sean Wallace and Stephen H. Segal at its inception in 2006 as a small press imprint then as an imprint of Simon & Schuster’s Pocket. It was an often hectic, sometimes frustrating, but usually wonderful and always enlightening experience. I’m very grateful that John Betancourt of Wildside allowed Juno to be born and continued supporting it as co-publisher with Pocket.

Jennifer Heddle who coordinated and supervised Juno (and me) for Pocket was fantastic to work with. Completely coincidently, Jen has recently left Simon & Schuster (and New York) for a dream job editing Star Wars (which she loves) adult books and comics for Lucasfilm in San Francisco. I’m sure Jen will perform brilliantly–as she always has.

Everyone at Pocket, including publisher Louise Burke and Vice President/Deputy Publisher Anthony Ziccardi, has worked very hard on the behalf of Juno. Those I worked with most directly along with Jen — especially Jen’s assistants [first Emilia Pisani and then (and still) Julia Fincher], publicist Erica Feldon, art director Lisa Litwack, and copy writer Eliza Shallcross — were all super professionals and kind people. Special thanks to them all.

Not to get too personal but, frankly, Juno saved my life. That may sound dramatic, but it is also probably true. I started working as its editor at a time in my life when a great deal was falling apart yet I had to remain a solid rock for others. Both financially and psychologically, editing Juno allowed me to keep it together. My path (starting almost exactly seventeen years ago) to a career in publishing is not just atypical, it is unique. The fork into Pocket Juno was near miraculous.

This is not the only departure for me right now, I’m also no longer editing nonfiction for Weird Tales. I’ve bid farewell to WT on its website (www.weirdtalesmagazine.com).

Not to get too philosophical, but if you have any awareness of the publishing industry you know these are very interesting times. I’m a publishing junkie — especially genre publishing — so I’m aware of its history. Change and upheaval is to be expected and it has always been so.

Although sorry to be leaving Juno, I’m also excited about my next direction. I’ve been working on projects with Prime Books for the last year or so. I will be continuing on as Senior Editor there. (Prime was once part of Wildside and its publisher, Sean Wallace, was part of the original Juno team; so the path also comes full circle.) I’ll also have a YA anthology, Brave New Love, published in the UK by Constable-Robinson and in the U.S. by Running Press early next year.

If you want to keep up with what I’m doing, check out the Prime Books site, I’ll soon be blogging there, so sign up for its mailing list, follow us on Twitter and/or its RSS feed. My eddress there is paula@prime-books.com.

Thank you all for your interest in Juno. Please don’t forget Pocket Juno still has great books available–with more to come–for your reading pleasure.

Paula

* * *

“Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.” — Bertold Brecht (1898 – 1956) German poet, playwright, and theatre director

Jennifer Heddle

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:05:50 +0000

Since she tweeted it on Sept 9 and has already made her cross-country move, I guess it’s okay (I kept waiting for the “official word”) to mention Jennifer Heddle has left Simon & Schuster for a terrific new position with Lucasfilm in San Francisco.She’ll be working on their adult Star Wars books and comics. She’s a major SW fan so this is truly her dream job!

And Jen has been a dream for me to work with these last two and a half+ years. As a senior Editor at Simon & Schuster Gallery/Pocket, she had more than enough responsibilities before taking on overseeing the Juno imprint and having to deal with me. She’s a talented, consummate professional and “made things work.” I can’t express how much I’ve appreciated her guidance, abilities, and patience. I’m sure I tested that virtue of patience far more than she ever indicated to me.

But I’m also thrilled she’s now has this wonderful new opportunity and am sure she will have the Force with her!

Bitten by Books Reviews: HIGHBORN & CONCRETE SAVIOR by Yvonne Navarro

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:33:26 +0000

Bitten by Books:

Intriguing, fresh, exciting, suspenseful, and captivating all describe Highborn. This story held my imagination and my attention as Brynna fights to save the young nephilim, one born of an angel father and a human mother, as well as her own desire for redemption while evading the clutches of those that would pull her back to Hell. Brynna was one strong, kick-ass heroine. Even the burn of Hellfire could not stop her. Eran was the strong, silent type hero. He fought when he had to, but with a demon as a girlfriend who had more than her share of “super” powers, he did not need to be the Alpha of the relationship to make this story work. In fact, I loved that he was more of a Beta. It worked. If you are looking for something with a lot of romance, sex and violence, you will only get a taste of the first two but be more than fulfilled with the quantity of the last. The storyline was pure adrenaline. It, like Brynna, kicked ass. I am hoping that the next book in the series is just as fantastic, and I have a good feeling that I will not be disappointed.(4.5 tombstones)

I was once again fascinated with the lives of Brynna and Eran as their latest brush with the darkness of Hell consumed my attention from cover to cover. Dangerous, deadly and at time distractingly horrific, their path to finding a way to stop the latest attempt to destroy humanity in the streets of Chicago by yet another demon from Brynna’s past held my attention and kept my mind reeling and my stomach churning with each increasingly intense scene of death and destruction. Brynna and Eran’s continued dance around a relationship was more in the forefront in this book, and I found their path to finding romance very appropriate for their story, although I would love to see them step it up a bit more as they find a way to gaining Brynna’s redemption. (5 tombstones)

Fantasy Literature Review: BLOOD SACRIFICE, Maria Lima

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:42:37 +0000

Fantasy Literature:

The end of Blood Heat was a doozy: Keira’s power-hungry ex, Gideon, had just crashed Keira and Adam’s royal bash and challenged their right to their lands. With him were two women: Gideon’s pregnant bride — the Seelie queen’s daughter — and Keira’s own mother.

Gideon’s claim is that the land does not recognize Keira and Adam as its rightful rulers. The Texas heat wave introduced in Blood Heat is used as evidence. As Faery magic is traditionally associated with life and fertility, there’s even a chilling possibility that Gideon is right, and that the land would prefer Gideon and his pregnant wife over Keira and her vampire mate. The terms of the challenge dictate that Keira and her entourage must leave Rio Seco and stay elsewhere until the holiday of Lughnasa. But when all hell starts breaking loose, Keira wonders whether they’ve made the right choice in leaving town.

The middle of the book can get a little frustrating to the reader for the same reason it’s frustrating to the characters. They can’t take action yet, and haven’t yet decided on the best action to take. This means a lot of inconclusive discussions about strategy. Lima’s dialogue writing is stronger here than in previous books, though, and the spooky Rose Inn adds intrigue. Keira learns some creepy secrets there and meets several interesting characters, one of whom becomes deeply important later.

Once Keira and her gang start taking action, the book becomes more compelling. I didn’t realize how attached I was to Rio Seco until Keira set foot there again, and Gideon’s dastardly plans could spell the end for the little town. Keira comes into her own as a leader, one person must make a terrible choice, and then it all ties up in an emotional finale.

Blood Sacrifice is a satisfying stopping point for BLOOD LINES. Lima resolves all the loose ends while leaving room to revisit these characters, should she choose to do so. Thanks, Ms. Lima, for an enjoyable series and a fitting ending. (4.5 stars)

My New Intern

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:25:06 +0000

This is Nala. She’s a little over five months old (we think) and she’s a new addition to my family. Haven’t had a playful kitten around for some years, the remaining two older cats are not enthralled yet with her presence. She seems to think she is a very fierce, independent huntress and thus was named for the lioness queen in The Lion King. She wants to go outside and be a Big Cat and this week has been darting out the door at every opportunity. Not yet.

Although she can’t get the older cats to romp with her, she does have a buddy in Doc. Doc (one of my grandpups) actually picked her out. She was a rescue cat at the pet store, the last of a litter and getting older and thus less adoptable. Doc was visiting the store and she-who-became-Nala was trying to play with her tail through the Plexiglass. Doc liked her and had her parents call me. Next thing I knew I had a kitten…or maybe I just take care of her for Doc. Doc visited the other evening (everyone else went to the Indians game–16 innings, but they won). Nala and Doc had a good chase about and much sniffing and playing.

Official Release Day! BLOOD SACRIFICE by Maria Lima!

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:21:10 +0000

Read more about BLOOD SACRIFICE by Maria Lima
Fifth in the Blood Lines Series

Already posted reviews:
Urban Fantasy Investigations
RT Book Reviews

RT Book Reviews: SHADOW FALL, Seressia Glass

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:59:24 +0000

RT Book Reviews:

The third in the Shadow Chasers series is easy for new readers to follow, but they would benefit from starting with the previous books. The Egyptian myths Glass writes about are unique to the paranormal genre and provide an exotic setting. The adventures are fast paced and the plot is compelling from the first chapter. (4/5 stars)

Bookaholics Romance Review: SHADOW FALL, Seressia Glass

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:51:12 +0000

Bookaholics Romance Book Club:

Those who have invested in this series will be glad to know that Kira finally has solid information about her mysterious mother and her relation to Balm. The relationship between Kira and Khefar is satisfying to read. The powerful (and studly) Khefar believes in Kira and is her touchstone. However, I did have one big problem with this story. Kira has asked Balm over and over about her mother and Balm had denied her. When Balm finally gives her the big clue, what does she do? She waits! She doesn’t open the chest immediately. It is not until page 141 that she finally gets the nerve to open it! Kira received the chest very early in the story and I was really frustrated with Kira for waiting so long…. Except that section, this was a thrilling and exciting read as Kira must battle unbelievable powers to claim her birthright. (4/5 stars)

Alternative Worlds Review: SHADOW FALL, Seressia Glass

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:45:52 +0000

Alternative Worlds:

…The third Shadow Chasers urban fantasy is a strong entry that series fans will fully relish as more of the Egyptian mythos comes to the light. Loaded with action throughout, Shadow Fall is an intriguing story line as Balm adjusts her dreams for her daughter to the reality of who Kira is. Although newcomers will be lost within the Egyptian mythology as it behooves tyros to read first Shadow Chase and Shadow Blade, Seressia Glass writes a fresh tale.

Urban Fantasy Investigations Review: BLOOD SACRIFICE, Maria Lima

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:53:52 +0000

Urban Fantasy Investigations:

Wow when it rains it pours, everything that could go wrong seems to go wrong in book number 5 of the Blood Lines series. BLOOD SACRIFICE picks up right where BLOOD HEAT ended (within seconds really). I was shocked by the ending of BLOOD HEAT and I pretty much stayed shocked throughout the entire reading experience that was BLOOD SACRIFICE.

Disaster after disaster, family loyalty, magic, dark magic, shocking revelations, and some great action are all things that you will experience. I have enjoyed following Keira while she went through her change and finding herself the heir to the Kelly family. I have enjoyed getting to know Adam and watching their connection grow. I LOVE Keira’s brother Tucker he is by far one of my favorite secondary characters of the series. I think all the characters in the book add something great to the story. I’m not sure if Maria is planning a book 6 but every single last tie or side plot is finished or resolved by the end of the book and it leaves the characters free to live happily ever after (If there is any such thing for a vampire and a Kelly). If I had a say though I would definitely say that the series could go on and I would read more.

I gave it 4/5 stars

Shadow Blade Wins!

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:10:34 +0000

SHADOW BLADE by Seressia Glass has won best Urban Fantasy honors in the 2011 Affaire de Coeur reader/writer poll! Congratulations to Seressia!

Night Owl Reviews: EMBERS, Laura Bickle (5 Stars/Top Pick)

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:59:50 +0000

Night Owl Reviews:

Have you ever read a novel and discovered that you were in the middle of a series and immediately had to find the 1st book? This is what happened with me when I read Sparks by Laura Bickle, the 2nd book in the series. I was so in love with the characters that I immediately had to read Embers!

I was attracted to this series because I crave new twists on paranormal stories and the main character’s ability to be a “lantern” seemed interesting. Ghosts are attracted to her like a moth to a flame and she struggles with the moral responsibility of deciding which ghosts to let haunt in peace and which ones she will force on their way. However, I was thrilled to discover that one of the real gems of this story is the tidbits of information I learned about being an arson investigator. Laura really did her research and readers will feel like part of the team when Anya is investigating a scene.

There seems to be a current trend to shove many characters into one novel, even to the point that a family tree is often in the appendix. This drives me crazy. Imagine my surprise when I finished the book and I still felt connected to all the quirky characters introduced in this series. The librarian who refuses to move on until the world stops creating books she wants to read, the security guard studying on the job and even the first ghost that she vanquishes will linger with you, long past the last page.

I truly love this series and it will be a great shame if there are no more books in this compelling series. (5/5 Stars-Reviewer Top Pick)

RT Book Reviews: BLOOD SACRIFICE, Maria Lima (4.5 Stars!)

Juno Editor/Paula Guran — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:51:32 +0000

RT Book Reviews:

A family feud turns fairly apocalyptic in this high-energy offering by rising star Lima. The fifth in the Bloodlines saga takes a dramatic and game-changing turn as Kelly clan heir Keira Kelly faces a dire and obscurely ritualized challenge. Lima’s impressive storytelling skills have ensured that each new chapter in this riveting saga is better than the last. (4.5 Stars)