In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Norilana Books released Lace and Blade 2, edited by Deborah J. Ross. Released under their Leda imprint, the book is the second in Norilana’s annual series of swashbuckling romantic fantasy anthologies (they expect to continue releasing future volumes on Valentine’s Day).
Originally announced in this article, Ross’s anthology is “In the spirit of classic period swashbucklers, Zorro, the Scarlet Pimpernel, and D’Artagnan, brimming with romantic courtly intrigue and dangerous liaisons, with cloak and dagger and perfumed handkerchiefs, the language of the fan and stolen glances, with the manners of Jane Austen and the sparkling rapier wit of Oscar Wilde, here are nine fantastic stories of adventure, derring-do, love, and glamorous yet subtle magic.”
Contents of the $12.95 trade paperback are:
“Introduction” by Deborah J. Ross
“More in Sorrow” by Rosemary Hawley Jarman
“Dragon Wind” by Mary Rosenblum
“The Crow” by Diana L. Paxson
“The Biwa and the Water Koto” by Francesca Forrest
“Trial by Moonlight” by Robin Wayne Bailey
“The Pillow Boy of General Chu” by Daniel Fox
“Miss Austen’s Castle Tour” by Sherwood Smith
“Rent Girl” by Traci N. Castleberry
“The Baroness’ Ball” by Pauline Zed
“The Sixth String” by Elisabeth Waters
“Comfort and Despair” by Tanith Lee
“Writ of Exception” by Madeleine E. Robins