I don’t do a lot of cover reveals at Smexy but this cover and series holds a very special place in my reading heart. Back in August 2009, when Smexy Books was still a wee babe, I read and reviewed The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. I fell in love with Percy and Alexi and their friends. One of the reasons I read this book in the first place is that Leanna related Alexi, the hero, to Alan Rickman who I adore. The romance is swoon-worthy and adorable and the story itself is so rich. The first two books are permanently on my keeper-shelf.
Leanna went on to write three books in this series including The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker and a prequel, The Perilous Prophecy of Guard and Goddess. After book three released, her original publisher went bankrupt causing some concerns for the future of this series. But I’m happy to announce that Tor has bought not only these three books, but a fourth as well. Books one and two will come out in one trade paperback edition this coming April with books three and four to follow.
Leanna has written a special note to her readers:
Dear Readers, in 2009, so many of you were The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker’s champions. Bloggers and readers like you helped my debut novel reach thousands, go into multiple print runs and foreign editions, hit retailer bestseller lists, and you continued to brilliantly and enthusiastically support the series sequel; the books of my heart.
Then, after the publication of the prequel in the series, before the fourth and final book, every author’s worst nightmare happened. Dorchester publishing went bankrupt, the books went out of print and the rights were tied up, thousands of dollars were owed me and I thought my career was truly done for. It was a financial and emotional disaster for me. But, years later, the amazing Melissa Singer at Tor picked up my new series (Eterna Files) and bought the whole Strangely Beautiful saga (including the never released fourth installment, Miss Violet and the Great War) for this revised re-issue and re-launch. Percy is rising again next April like the phoenix of these stories, living freshly with new content, extras, new edits, combining books 1 and 2 together in this omnibus edition. (For my fans, I’m so excited for you to read some new scenes with the villainess Lucille Linden!)
It’s natural for authors to get attached and emotional over their characters. But to say these are the books of my heart is an understatement. They’re the books of my soul. They’re my calling and my greatest joy. They are more special to me than I can possibly express. (And yes, Strangely Beautiful characters appear in The Eterna Files too! All my worlds contain cross-over characters) I am so very thrilled for to rejoin this magical journey with me. In some ways this series was ahead of its time. The Gothic Victorian vein is more on point and trending these days, with the success of shows like Penny Dreadful and the upcoming incredible offerings from Guillermo del Toro (Crimson Peak) and more. It’s a dark and stormy night, darlings, and there’s an incredible cast of characters waiting for you to fall in love with them again or for the first time. My author’s nightmare has turned into an incredible second chance your participation in this glorious resurrection will be the greatest of gifts, thank you and every blessing – Leanna
The new cover is just gorgeous and gets me all excited to read these books again.
Pre-Order Links:
That’s awesome that a favorite series is finally going to be completed.
Alan Rickman – Truly, Madly, Deeply. I remember sobbing, sobbing, sobbing the first time I saw this movie ….