This Rough Magic

Venice had been thrown into chaos by the scheming of Chernobog, who came within a hair of seizing absolute power, but was thwarted by the guardian Lion-spirit, who awoke to protect his city from the power-mad demon. But the power of the Lion does not extend beyond Venice, and Chernobog has a new ally in the King of Hungary, who has laid siege to the island of Corfu as the first step in his plan to seize control of the Adriatic from Venice. Trapped on the island is the small band of heroes who awoke the Lion and blocked Chernobog's power grab before. They are far from the Lion's power to help them, but as Manfred and Erik lead a guerrilla movement to fight the Hungarian invaders, Maria discovers that the ancient magical powers of the island are coming to life again, stirred by the siege. If she can make an alliance with them, she may be able to repel the invaders-but not without paying a bitter personal price. . . .

Mercedes Lackey is the author of the "Bardic Voices" series (Baen), the "Heralds of Valdemar" series (DAW), and many more. She even has her own fan club with over 1,000 members. Her books routinely rise to the top of the genre bestseller lists and become book club selections.

Eric Flint is a gifted new star of military SF. His major alternate-history novel, 1632, sold out its hardcover edition almost immediately. With David Drake he has collaborated on five novels in the popular "Belisarius" series.

Dave Freer, author of The Forlorn (Baen) and of many articles in scientific journals, is an expert on sharks, an accomplished rock-climber, and was an unwilling conscript in the "undeclared" South African-Angolan war.