The coldest, shortest month in many parts of the world means you’re allowed to take a holiday inside a warm blanket, with hot drinks spicing your throat and a probing new audiobook warming your ears.  Here are February’s new releases from Iambik, with something for lovers of science fiction and fantasy, classic literature, young adult, and horror:

Machine by Jennifer Pelland. Narrated by Bev J. Stevens.
Published in print by Apex Book Company.
“Intensely provocative and deeply disturbing, Pelland’s Machine is simply an unforgettable – and potentially nightmare-inducing – read. In a word: twisted.”- Paul Goat Allen

Stealing Home by Hayden Trenholm. Narrated by Mark F. Smith.
Published in print by Bundoran Press.
“Hayden Trenholm doesn’t just steal home — he knocks the ball out of the park with this stunning conclusion to one of the best SF/Crime crossover series ever written. Bravo!” — Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of WAKE

Monstrous Affections by David Nickle. Narrated by Robert Keiper.
Published in print by ChiZine Publications.
“David Nickle writes ’em damned weird and damned good and damned dark. He is bourbon-rough, poetic and vivid. Don’t miss this one.”–Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother

Audiobook reviewers, book bloggers, and Iambik ambassadors: as always, email Miette for review copies of any title.

We’re well into the start of the New Year, which means you might already be falling short on your resolutions. We hope not. We hope you’re exercising every day, eating healthfully, not smoking or drinking as much, and reading a book a week. If you’ve slipped on your literary promises to yourself, we can help you get back on track. Put down your drink and smother your cigarette, and enjoy:

The Pilgrim by Paul Almond. Narrated by Paul Almond.
Published in print by McArthur & Company.
The Pilgrim is the fourth book of The Alford Saga, following The Deserter, The Survivor, and The Pioneer

The Great Lenore by J.M. Tohline. Narrated by John Greenman.
Published in print by Atticus Books.
“The Great Lenore is…beautiful in the same way that J.D. Salinger’s books are beautiful…” –New York Journal of Books.

Spirit Singer by Edward Willett. Narrated by Edward Willett.
“…deserved the Saskatchewan Book Award it won” – Lynn (J.R.) Wytenbroek (Canadian Literature Magazine).

Audiobook reviewers, book bloggers, and Iambik ambassadors: as always, email Miette for review copies of any title.

Iambik is celebrating our second birthday this week – our infant days of spit-up and toothless drooling are behind us now, as we see how terrible we can be in our toddling twos.

Is there any better way to celebrate this milestone than to give away audiobooks?  No, we don’t think there is.  We’re offering any one of Iambik’s audiobook collections to the winner of our random drawing at the end of the month.

Have your pick of any of these collections:

Literary Fiction 1
Literary Fiction 2
Literary Fiction 3
Literary Fiction 4
Literary Fiction 5
Romance Collection 1
Science Fiction and Fantasy Collection 1
Science Fiction and Fantasy Collection 2
Crime Collection 1
Crime Collection 2
Crime Collection 3

Enter via the usual channels:  Tweet about the giveaway or fan us on Facebook for an entry.  To really increase your chances, we want to know what you think of our audiobooks!  Review any of our titles on Amazon, Audible, Goodreads or iTunes.  Leave a link in the comments section on this post, and earn three entries into the giveaway.

Feel free to leave your reviews on all these sites, and review as many Iambik titles you’ve listened to, and earn roughly eleventy hundred entries.  (We’re word people; you do the math!).  Good luck!

You must use the Rafflecopter widget below for your entries to count.  Email Miette with any issues.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Leaves are falling and the evenings are getting chilly, at least in this part of the world. The children are back in school and their grownups are back from escapist trips, plucking the sand from their memories and wiping sunscreen from their daydreams.

But don’t despair the shortening days!  Long, cool nights are best spent with a warm drink and an even warmer story, delivered straight to your ears.  Our new releases include an intergalactic adventure for young adults, an absurdist glimpse into a world ruled by  madness (not so unlike our own) , and two classic pearls from the public domain.  Enjoy:

Andy Nebula: Interstellar Rock Star by Edward Willett. Narrated by Justin S. Barrett.
“The action in Andy Nebula moves along at a cracking pace and the characters are well-drawn…Andy Nebula is fast and furious enough to keep even reluctant readers turning the pages, and young teen fans of fantasy and science fiction will not be disappointed.” – John Wilson, Quill & Quire

The Lamentations of Julius Marantz by Marc Estrin. Narrated by Anthony St. Pierre.  Published in print by Unbridled Books.
“Clubfooted, 60-something Cal Tech grad Julius Marantz is pursued by both the Central Intelligence Corporation and a corporate coalition known as GEKO in this Kafkaesque near-future mashup from Estrin (Insect Dreams: The Half-Life of Gregor Samsa). Julius’s crimes include having perfected a mechanism known as the Doodad, which, among other things, polarizes the water molecules in living beings and is used to create rapture-like experiences among the multitudes of India. ” – Publisher’s Weekly

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit. Narrated by Cori Samuel.
In this classic children’s book by E. Nesbit, three children are suddenly uprooted from their happy suburban life to move to the country with their mother. Their new house, “Three Chimneys”, is near a railway line, and Roberta (Bobbie), Peter and Phyllis (Phil), find amusement in watching the trains and waving to the passengers. They become friendly with Albert Perks, the station porter, and with the Old Gentleman who regularly takes the 9:15 down train. The children get involved in all kinds of good deeds, while their mother is busy writing children books.

Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy. Narrated by Tadhg Hynes.
Under the Greenwood Tree or The Mellstock Quire: A Rural Painting of the Dutch School is a novel by Thomas Hardy, published anonymously in 1872. It was Hardy’s second published novel, the last to be printed without his name, and the first of his great series of Wessex novels.

Audiobook reviewers, book bloggers, and Iambik ambassadors: as always, email Miette for review copies of any title.

Love audiobooks? Want a chance to feed your addiction for free? Iambik is looking for new proof-listeners. If you enjoy listening to audiobooks and would like the ‘job’ (don’t expect to get rich; most books are proof-listened on a volunteering basis. We do show our appreciation with all the free Iambik audiobooks you can stand). Please write to production@iambik.com. We prefer people with proof-listening experience but we’re happy to train novices if you’re interested. Spread the word!

If you’re like me (and heaven help you if you are), a muggy August haze often makes you want to leave the planet for a spell, disappear into fantasy, or retreat into noir.  Between these four gripping titles, we’ve got your ticket for the escapist fantasy you need, and we’re putting you in first class.  Enjoy:

Steel Whispers by Hayden Trenholm. Narrated by Mark F. Smith.  Published in print by Bundoran Press.
“Steel Whispers is an edge-of-your seat amalgam of police procedural and razor-sharp science fiction. The streets of Calgary never seemed so mean! Fans of Dashiell Hammett and William Gibson both will love this; a great novel from one of Canada’s fastest-rising SF stars. ” – Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Wake

Outer Diverse by Nina Munteanu. Narrated by Dawn Harvey.  Published in print by Starfire World Syndicate.
“A master of metaphor, Munteanu turns an adventure story into a wonderland of alien rabbit holes… a fascinating and enthralling read. ” – Craig Bowlsby, author of Commander’s Log

Last Dragon by JM McDermott. Narrated by Cori Samuel.  Published in print by Apex Book Company.
“Its call for our participation in assembling a story from the novel’s brief fragments and long silences reminds us why we read, makes plain the interactivity that is at the heart of reading’s entertainment. Last Dragon literalizes our impulse to Story, to construct narratives out of our memories and circumstances. ” – BSC Book Reviews, Matt Denault

Playing Solitaire and Other Stories by Mark Shainblum. Narrated by John Greenman and Elizabeth Klett.
“People have argued that it will be impossible to imagine what life would be like on the other side of a Singularity because humanity will be so fundamentally altered as to not even be human anymore. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Especially if it gives us excellent tales like ‘The Art of Solitude’. ” – James Palmer, Tangent Online

Audiobook reviewers, book bloggers, and Iambik ambassadors: as always, email Miette for review copies of any title.

It’s your friends at Iambik here, with some summer listening selections that can be taken to the beach, shared on a crowded airplane, enjoyed on a trek through a foreign city, or indulged on the lawn of your own city’s nearest park.  Enjoy!

CRIME FICTION

Bound for Eternity by Sarah Wisseman. Narrated by Priscilla Holbrook.
“Highly authentic, written by an archaeologist, BOUND FOR ETERNITY is a great read. The museum setting was both eerie and fascinating. I hope to see Lisa Donahue in many books to come.” — Barbara D’Amato, Chicago author of the Cat Marsala series

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY

The Land at the End of the Working Day by Peter Crowther. Narrated by Robert Keiper.  Published in print by PS Publishing.
“Peter Crowther with this excellent collection reminds us that, first of all he’s a terrific writer moving effortlessly across the various subgenres of dark fantasy, always providing evidence that what makes good fiction is the ability to tell in the right words what we feel about the mysteries of human life ,a fleeting light in the dark of an immense universe. ” – Trashotron.com

LITERARY FICTION

Skulk by Marc Estrin. Narrated by Anthony St. Pierre. Published in print by Progressive Press.
“Marc Estrin has his finger on the pulse of American madnesses. Contemplating 9/11 conspiracies would be no laughing matter except in the hands of a writer who once (INSECT DREAMS) resurrected and apotheosized Gregor Samsa’s discarded insect carcass. Now in SKULK, this master satririst raises questions of our national (ir)realities to breathless heights. As they used to say, “Right on!”  — Peter Glassgold – author of Angel Max, Anarchy!

YOUNG ADULT FICTION

The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain. Narrated by Tadhg Hynes.
“I read this one because my sixth grader is studying it in her English class.  At first I was a bit skeptical – the language is pretty archaic sometimes, but the more I read the more I could see that there is a lot of good things to discuss in this story.  About appreciating what we have.  About how we handle disappointment and misunderstanding.  About how being rich or poor does not determine whether or not we are good, honorable people.  About how our visible circumstances can dictate SO MANY of the assumptions people make about us. “  — The Book Nest

Audiobook reviewers, book bloggers, and Iambik ambassadors: as always, email Miette for review copies of any title.

The air’s heating up in our part of the world, so to cool ourselves down, we’ve decided to revisit our popular first Romance Collection.

I was doing a little Wikipedia surfing the other day, and ran into this post on Sexy Primes.  And I thought it remarkable that maths types have come up with some romantic language for themselves.  So, in the interest of mashing up sexy numbers with some of our conventional and unconventional romance offerings, we have a great June is Audiobook month discount for you:

Enter sexy-prime at checkout for  the entire collection at a sexy-primed $7.13 discount, or a total of $17.86!  (Okay, $17.86 isn’t a sexy number, but it’s an unbeatable price for 5 steamy audiobooks).  Here’s what it gets you:

Around the World in Stilettos by Natalie-Jane Revell. Narrated by Cori Samuel.  Published in print by HandE Publishers.
“Cori Samuel beautifully brings Sophie to life in the most engaging and entertaining way; the personal tone flawlessly conveys Sophie’s point of view, in a way that makes you care about her decisions as one her best friend would do. — If you enjoy books like The Bridget Jones’s diary, and you love the Shopaholic books than you would find Sophie’s story very entertaining, or if you just want a light romantic listen with well developed – charming, characters, a beautifully descriptive and amusing narrative you’ll find Sophie’s drama hard to put down or in this case, hard to stop listening to.” — Hot Listens Romance Audiobooks

The Lady Soldier by Michelle Styles and Kate Allan. Narrated by Emma Newman.  Published in print by Salt Publishing.
“I have a weakness for loving “Chick-in-Pants” stories and Lindsey fed that need wonderfully with her rich descriptions and historical texturing. Her prose is beautiful and the historic research she obviously did proves that she is a writer with potential.” — Cybil Solyn, Rakehell

Daughter of Darkness by Janet Woods. Published in print by Belgrave House.  Narrated by Tadhg Hynes.
Major prize winner. Australian Woman’s Day Romantic Fiction award. (From judge’s report) “Highly entertaining story, skilful writing. interesting characters and good dialogue. Romance well developed, clever plotting generating suspense and reader involvement.” – Winner. 2002 Australian 2002 Romantic book of the year award 2002 (mainstream section) Awarded by: Romance Writers of Australia.
BONUS: Listen to a lusty excerpt at our Tumblr.

Nanny Behaving Badly by Judy Jarvie. Published in print by Salt Publishing. Narrated by Lee Ann Howlett.
If you like the characters you are reading about to grab you by the throat and pull you into their world, then this is a book to pick up and enjoy. Be warned, that once you open the first page, you may be reluctant to put it down until you turn the last one, so be prepared to give yourself plenty of time when you start reading. Some books you enjoy, and say ‘ahh’ when you put it down, some books you enjoy and pass on, and some.. like this one you add to your ‘keeper’ list. – Jay Essay, The Romance Studio – Five Hearts Rating
BONUS:  Read a saucy excerpt at our Tumblr.

Reversing Over Liberace by Jane Lovering. Narrated by Cori Samuel.  Published in print by Samhain Publishing.
“One of the funniest books I’ve read in ages! It is smart and witty and the romantic oozes from every direction in this story… the chaos is hysterical!… A whole host of laugh-out-loud bits make this book one I won’t forget.” — Marlene, Fallen Angels Reviews
Here’s what to do:

• Visit our collection’s page and add it to your cart.
• When checking out, you’ll be prompted for a discount code.  Enter sexy-prime.
• Continue your purchase and enjoy with toes curled and a glass of something inhibition-relaxing.

We’re big fans of June around here, and not just because it means bikinis and ice cream. It also means books on the beach, particularly fed directly to your brain by way of your ears. Look for a month of audiobook discounts and other goodies in celebration of June is Audiobook Month (#jiam2012 if you’re following in hashtag land).

To get us started, for the next week (or longer, if I develop a case of June fever), get a special collection of these recent Sci-Fi/Fantasy titles at 50% off by entering the code jiam2012-scifi at checkout. You shouldn’t miss this. Add these books to your cart, enter the code jiam2012-scifi and dig out your sunscreen. Enjoy!

A Book of Tongues by Gemma Files. Narrated by Gordon Mackenzie.  Published in print by ChiZine.
“(A) boundary-busting horror-fantasy debut . . . Files smoothly weaves an unusual magic system, Aztec mythology, and a raunchily explicit gay love story into a classic western tale of outlaws and revenge . . . this promising debut fully delivers both sizzling passions and dark chills.” — Publishers Weekly

A Rope of Thorns by Gemma Files. Narrated by Gordon Mackenzie.  Published in print by ChiZine.
“This sequel to A Book of Tongues paints a stark, vivid, and gory picture of the ‘wild west’ in the years following the Civil War. . . . Filled with antiheroes, sacrificial victims, and supernatural beings, Files’s latest is not for the squeamish but should delight fans of gothic Western fantasy and Central American myths.” — Library Journal

The Other by Matthew Hughes. Narrated by Edward Willett.  Published in print by Underland Press.
“Hughes serves up equal measures of wit, intrigue, and seat-of-the-pants action and even dabbles a little in Jungian psychology.” — Booklist

The Silence of Trees by Valya Dudycz Lupescu. Narrated by Xe Sands.  Published in print by Wolfsword Press.
“Few book reviews start with a foot rub but, really, more should. In one of the most thrilling scenes in Valya Dudycz Lupescu’s first novel—exciting for its unabashed passion and feminism, and most important for the new story it promises to start even thirty pages from the book’s end…” — Kristin Thiel, The Nervous Breakdown

Paul Almond’s The Alford Saga Continues with the audiobook release of The Survivor and The Pioneer joining our earlier release of Book 1 of the series, The Deserter. Narrated by the author, the series chronicles 200 years of Canadian history through the wide lens of one family of settlers. A listener of The Deserter remarks “These adventure stories are a little piece of pure Canada, like chunks of frozen maple syrup containing part of our country’s DNA in the way a fly is preserved in amber. This first audio book is a gem.”

Books 2 and 3 undoubtedly live up to the bejeweled status of The Deserter. To get all three of the Alford saga releases (so far! There will be others) at a special discount, check out this package. Otherwise, here are additional details on books 2 and 3:

The Survivor by Paul Almond. Narrated by Paul Almond. Published in print by McArthur and Company.
“With The Survivor now on the shelves, the Alford saga is well on its way to completion, and may well go on to become one of our more important literary oeuvres. This is not much of a stretch, considering both the epic and historical nature of the subject matter, as well as the easily accessible prose style employed by its nationally prominent author.” — Westmount Examiner

The Pioneer by Paul Almond. Narrated by Paul Almond. Published in print by McArthur and Company.
“The Pioneer has been described as enthralling and adventurous. It is certainly all that and more.” — The Gaspé Spec