Novel Number Nine

Many of you have heard I'm working on a new fantasy series.  It's actually due to my editor on March 1st and I really, really should be writing....  ;>

For a few months now, the novel hasn't had a title.  I've been referring to it as the Healer fantasy or novel number nine (N to the 3rd power or cubed if you're a math geek...er...lover).  Finding the perfect title for a book is sometimes hard for an author and then when you add in the opinions of an editor, her boss, the imprint manager, the sales staff, the PR department, foreign offices, etc....  It makes it even harder.  Titles are important - many readers have told me the title caught their eye (same with book covers) and I appreciate the expertise my editor and all those others bring to the table.

After a month of debate......drum roll please......novel number nine is now TOUCH OF POWER.

Here's the cover blurb:  Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life....

The book is coming out January 2012 - just in time to spend your holiday gift cards on :)  I don't have cover art - it's too soon, but probably will in a few months.

So, I'm dying to know...what do you think of the title?


PS: I just posted about a contest I'm running over at Facebook.  If you're a Facebook friend (or want to be ;) go over and look for my regular page - not the "fan" page and just post a comment for a chance to win :)

Comments

  1. I like it... a lot!
    Now, i can't wait to read this new book. :)

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  2. I love the title! The blurb has me wanting to read it already! Yay!!!!

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  3. Excellent title...were there others in the running? Care to share them? :)

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  4. I like it, too! It can have several meanings, but definitely fits...and intrigues.

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  5. Strong title! And now just a year to whinge and moan about the wait. ;D

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  6. I am SO excited for a new series!! Love the title, and especially love the premise of the novel. Can't wait!

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  7. OMG Maria!! I sooooo can't wait to read it!! Been excited for your new series since the Glass one ended!! Feel like skipping 2011 now! ;)

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  8. Awesome title!! Love it and can't wait to read it!

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  9. Love the title. intriguing blurb. Love that the N enters in with the Nine Mountains.

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  10. Sounds like a great book and I give the title a thumbs up! Can't wait to read it!

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  11. Touch of Power....I really like it. When combined with the premise and reading your other series I see how you can really do a lot even beyond the healing.

    Thoughts on premise. At first it reminded me of Yelena the first time she assumed Opal's injuries. However, as the rest came together I quickly forgot. I also like how you don't know who her love interest could be. The capture/protector or the prince.

    Having Yelena and Valek end up together is one of my all time fave stories.

    Congrats

    Bri

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  12. I love the title - it's very catchy!

    Could you post a link somewhere to your official Facebook page so I can be sure I got the right one? Thanks!

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  13. I like the title. :) I think it will suit this book very well and I can't wait to read it.

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  14. I'm glad everyone likes the title!

    Here are some other titles we were considering:
    DEATH’S TOUCH, MAGIC’S TOUCH, HEALER’S TOUCH
    DYING FOR YOU, ON THE EDGE OF DYING, THE HEALER'S MARK, THE HEALER'S CHOICE, and THE HEALER

    Bri - You're right - the healing is very similar to Yelena's - I always liked that aspect of suffering for another (I think it's a mom thing - I don't like to see my kids hurt and would rather have the broken bone, etc..), but poor Avry's recovery isn't instant like Yelena's - she just heals 4 times faster than a normal person and she'll have scars while Yelena's magic, just makes it all go away - Avry has to suffer a couple days or hours depending on the injury.

    As for my facebook url - I think this is it:
    http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000682276952

    MySpace and Goodreads makes it easy to tell - but I'm not sure if this link gives you access to my settings or not. Anyone know??

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  15. Holy smokes! This sounds so great and the title sounds like a great fit too. I can't wait for this. Keep up the awesome work Maria! :D

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  16. "Here are some other titles we were considering:
    DEATH’S TOUCH, MAGIC’S TOUCH, HEALER’S TOUCH
    DYING FOR YOU, ON THE EDGE OF DYING, THE HEALER'S MARK, THE HEALER'S CHOICE, and THE HEALER"

    I like Death's Touch and On the Edge of Dying-- combined: The Edge of Death, would also be so cool!

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  17. Maria--the link above did take me to your facebook profile, from which I could go to your wall. Is that what you mean by it giving access to your settings?

    And just in case you don't know--to see how various people (friends, non-friends, etc) see your profile, go to your account pull-down menu and choose "privacy settings," click "customize settings," and then click on "preview my profile" in the upper right hand corner.

    PS - I definitely like Touch of Power more than the other possibilities!

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  18. Maria--I know the feeling. It becomes prominent I think with mother hood but as women in general I think we are just born with empathy.

    Love the way you took a great idea and then made it Avry's own. I also love how you completely did not address the love interest statement i through out there leaving me to stew in agony. LOL. Whether involuntary or voluntary it's still effective.

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  19. I'm so excited about this new series! I am waiting for friend request approval to comment and enter the contest :)

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  20. I was over at Facebook and my goodness there were so many posts I decided to expand the prizes to 4 winners :) I did approve a bunch of friend requests. The contest ends at noon facebook time on Monday Feb 14th.

    Kirten - I really like The Edge of Death! It's close to some of the others - one thing the publishers didn't like was the book sounding too much like a suspense or thriller - they wanted the readers to know this is a fantasy novel. Ideas for the next two books are TASTE OF DEATH and SCENT OF MAGIC - got the whole senses thing going there :)

    Bri - I didn't address the love interest comment? Hmm...doesn't sound like me....very odd.... ;> (Just adding a little salt to your stew *cue evil laughter*) ;>

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  21. Maria,

    Girl you go ahead and flavor it up all you want. I know what it's like to delight in your fan's excitement. I'd do the same thing. ...cue diabolical laughter.;)

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  22. Maria,

    Love the title. Leaves more of a mystery than the other titles you mentioned. Definitely reminds me of Yelena when I first read it. So excited. But it sucks that you're using Facebook, as i'm not longer using it. Just Twitter. If you have time, start up a twitter page too. It's also an easier way to get fans (and followers). I'm sure you don't have time for it but you could always get someone to do it for you ;)

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  23. Congratulations on releasing Outside In!!! Can't wait to read it :D

    Touch of Power sounds great too!

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  24. I love the concept of the new book. I have high expectations though, because you so far have written great books. I am sure I will love it just as much as the others.
    The title is great, love the whole number nine thing to, to bad that didn't tie in with the book, lol. Where do you get all of your idea's from? I would love to pick your brain!

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  25. Wow. Touch of Power sounds amazing! I can't wait to get my hands on it... do I really have to wait almost a year??

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  26. That is not really fair, posting an interesting read but saying that it will not be available until Jan 2o12! I'll try to forget about it, so that the time goes by faster and then it will be here! My childhood logic continues into adulthood. =)

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  27. Sounds really good - I'm putting money away for it now ^_^

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