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September 21, 2012

Bookreporter.com Newsletter September 21, 2012
Falling into Some Great Reading

Summer, you were such fun; wish we could have booked you for a few more weeks, especially since in the New York area it’s been sunny with blue skies and no humidity. Yesterday, as I was walking crosstown to an author lunch, I was thinking how really blissful this weather is. The author was Jonas Jonasson, who is from Sweden --- and he is not a thriller author. Imagine that! Instead, he has written an international bestseller (to the tune of 3,000,000 copies sold worldwide) that has just been released here called THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED.

His protagonist is Allan Karlsson, who is living in a nursing home where everyone is preparing to celebrate his 100th birthday. But Allan has had it with nursing home life and has no interest in celebrating, so he climbs out a window, steps into a flower bed, and --- walks away. He heads to the bus station, steals a suitcase and starts his adventure. But Allan has had quite a life before this as readers come to know, and this witty book has all the appeal of a Forrest Gump story. We talked over lunch about why the book has been such a success. It may just be because it’s happy and funny, and right now people want that in their lives. By the way, we went to a Swedish restaurant, and it was fun dining with a native; his choice: Swedish meatballs. They looked NOTHING like the ones they serve at IKEA!

Nursing homes was a theme of my reading this week, as I also enjoyed the manuscript of Jill McCorkle’s LIFE AFTER LIFE, which is set in a nursing home and will be in stores on March 26th. The tight community of those who live at the center, the hospice worker on staff and the free-spirited young woman who does hair and nails there, all have intertwining stories with many, many surprises. I finished reading it, and as I was having my “ah that was wonderful” moment, I also wanted to go back and re-read it knowing what I know now about all the characters. Readers will be in for a treat with this one.


Heads up for those of you in the New York area. Next Saturday, September 29th from 10:30-3:30, I am going to be at a “Meet the Authors” event being sponsored by the Hachette Book Group. While this is billed as a day for book groups, know that ANY of you who are booklovers can attend. There Tickets cost $50 in advance or $75 at the door, which includes morning refreshments and lunch --- and there will be lots of giveaways. Participating authors include Megan Abbott, author of DARE ME; Jami Attenberg, author of THE MIDDLESTEINS; Stacy Schiff, author of CLEOPATRA; and Jill Shalvis, author of AT LAST. You can read complete information about this event, including signup details, here. And if you are going to be there, let me know!

Fall means BIG books --- always --- thus let’s get to our lineup…

This week, Ken Follett released book two of his Century Trilogy. WINTER OF THE WORLD picks up right where FALL OF GIANTS left off, as five interrelated families enter a time of enormous social, political and economic turmoil, beginning with the rise of the Third Reich, through the Spanish Civil War and the great dramas of World War II, up to the explosions of the American and Soviet atomic bombs. Our reviewer, Roz Shea, says, “No one is more uniquely qualified than Follett --- through his gift for dramatic narrative, nuanced character development, and historical accuracy --- to look at the broad picture of the 20th century and its impact on our youthful 21st…. His exhaustive historical research for this and 20 other historical novels covering events from the 12th century through the present enriches our knowledge and experience.”

Sandra Brown’s latest thriller, LOW PRESSURE, introduces readers to Bellamy Lyston, who was 12 years old when her older sister, Susan, was killed. Now, 18 years later, Bellamy has written a bestselling novel based on her sister’s murder, but the book puts a huge target on her back because someone really doesn’t want the truth about the crime to come out. Reviewer Joe Hartlaub says, “There is simply no good place to stop, as Brown’s penchant for frequent changes of scene and character keeps the narrative moving at a breakneck pace that will captivate readers.... LOW PRESSURE is both a classic and groundbreaking work of romantic suspense that also will satisfy readers who are not ordinarily attracted to the genre but who would be willing to widen their reading horizons.” I read this book on vacation, and I heartily agree. I think that Sandra’s books are a great study in plotting as she truly nails building the action and tension.

T. C. Boyle returns to the Channel Islands for SAN MIGUEL, his newest work consisting of two short novels. In the first story, set in 1888, Marantha Waters moves to the island with her husband and daughter to run a sheep farm, with the hope that the climate will cure her consumption. In the second story, set in the 1930s, Elise Lester and her husband, shell-shocked from the effects of World War I, take over the farm. Reviewer Michael Magras calls the first 200 pages “wonderful. Boyle’s depiction of the Waters clan is as compelling as anything he’s ever written. His prose is, as always, economical and precise.” Click here to read an interview with Boyle, who offers much insight into the writing of SAN MIGUEL and what he has in the works.

The fourth installment in Eric Van Lustbader’s Jack McClure series is now in stores. In FATHER NIGHT, a tidal wave of reform is sweeping across the Middle East. Major seats of political power are up for grabs, and at the center of it all are two men, giants of the vast criminal underworld. Hiding in the shadows is a man history might have forgotten, but whose evil is still very much alive: Father Night. Reviewer Ray Palen says, “Eric Van Lustbader has already breathed new life into the Jason Bourne series, and proves with his latest McClure/Carson novel that the intelligent espionage genre is not dead and that there are still great stories to be told beyond the Cold War.”

In THE REVISED FUNDAMENTALS OF CAREGIVING by Jonathan Evison, Benjamin Benjamin has lost virtually everything and enrolls in a class called The Fundamentals of Caregiving. He is assigned to care for 19-year-old Trevor, who is in the advanced stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As the two embark on a wild road trip, a new companionship replaces the traditional boundary between patient and caregiver. Reviewer Eileen Zimmerman Nicol says, “I have driven these roads through Washington, Idaho and Montana many times, and savored Ben’s descriptions of the scenery.... this road trip is one I would not want to miss.” I read this on vacation as well, and there is an aha moment in it that literally made me pause.

THE CUTTING SEASON is the second novel by Attica Locke, who impressed many with her debut, BLACK WATER RISING. Here, Caren walks the grounds of Belle Vie just after dawn, the historic plantation house in Louisiana that she manages. She sees nothing out of order except for a small plot of land that’s been dug up, which she assumes an animal has done. However, when she asks the gardener to tidy it up, they discover a dead body. Reviewer Kate Ayers says, “Attica Locke writes with passion and grace, and her prose sparkles through every sentence. She takes a look back at racial issues with a delicate hand as she examines the frailties of relationships.” We are featuring this title on ReadingGroupGuides.com this month --- and it’s already made its way to my reading list.

We’re also pleased to feature our review of A FINE AND DANGEROUS SEASON, an eBook Original by Keith Raffel. It is October 24, 1962, and Nate Michaels gets an early morning call from former classmate and now president, John F. Kennedy. JFK needs Nate's help to diffuse several extremely tense situations that have the ability to destroy America. Is Nate up to the challenge? Joe Hartlaub calls the book “impressive from beginning to end. Raffel paints a relatively fair and even-handed portrait of Kennedy, warts and all, which is refreshing, to say the least.” My son Greg, who knew little about the Cuban Missile Crisis, said the book gave him a lot more of an understanding of the play-by-play in those days. As I was reading, I saw that.

I am happy to announce that THE DEVOTED is my latest Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. Nine years is a long time to wait for a book from a favorite author. And that’s just what happened to me with Jonathan Hull. After loving LOSING JULIA (2000) and THE DISTANCE FROM NORMANDY (2003), there was no new book from Jonathan until a few weeks ago. When THE DEVOTED crossed my desk, I made a quick visit to his website and saw a note that he has been suffering from the long-term effects of a bout with Lyme disease, which has affected his writing stamina. But THE DEVOTED is a treat worth waiting for as Jonathan proves the story writing chops he had with his prior work are still in evidence. Click here to read more of my thoughts about this unforgettable read.

As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, I read an article noting that as many as 55% of Young Adult books are being bought by adults. This does not surprise us, but it also makes me realize that we’ve sensed this for a while, which is why we created our Young Adult Books You Want to Read feature that runs each month. We have our update of it this week, which includes THE DIVINERS by Libba Bray, SECONDS AWAY: A Mickey Bolitar Novel by Harlan Coben, THE EDGE OF NOWHERE by Elizabeth George, and TWO OR THREE THINGS I FORGOT TO TELL YOU by Joyce Carol Oates. Yes, three of those authors are adult writers now writing for young adults.

In our new poll, we’re curious about which September and October books you’re most looking forward to reading. Check out our choices to add new books to your “Must-Read” lists. And in our Word of Mouth contest, we’re giving away LOVE ANTHONY by Lisa Genova, ROGUE by Mark Sullivan and SUTTON by J.R. Moehringer. Enter by Friday, October 5th at noon ET for your chance to win all three books.

Debra, one of our readers, shared that The Next Chapter Bookshop in the Milwaukee suburb of Mequon, Wisconsin, closed permanently on September 11th. I hate seeing any bookstores close! Please remember to support your local stores; you will miss them when they are gone!

Out this week is Paul Simon: Live in New York City, which was taped at Webster Hall earlier this year. I had wanted to be at that show since it was such a small setting, but alas I did not get tickets. Watching the DVD that accompanies the 2-CD set the other night, I realized again that Simon is a brilliant artist/songwriter --- and that his band is so very, very tight. Truly a treat to watch something like that. If I crank up the sound, I can pretend I was there.


We are celebrating my dad’s birthday tomorrow on the “really really” day, which is nice. I will not share his age since I know he reads this newsletter, but let’s just say he looks and acts 10-15 years younger than he is, which bodes well for me!

Beyond that, I am reading --- and loving --- Z by Therese Anne Fowler, which is publishing next year. It’s a wonderful novel about Zelda Fitzgerald that promises to be a huge sensation. And I would love to get the garage cleaned out while the weather is still good. Not sure if I can rally the troops for this. Wondering if brownies would help on that front. And there will be some serious swimming to savor the last days of the pool. Leaves are falling into it every time the trees shake, which means my breaststrokes now include grabbing and flinging handfuls of leaves!

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

PS. When you use the links below to purchase books, you also support Bookreporter.com as we have affiliate arrangements with each of them. Please consider this when purchasing books!

Now in Stores: WINTER OF THE WORLD by Ken Follett

WINTER OF THE WORLD: Book Two of the Century Trilogy by Ken Follett (Historical Fiction)
WINTER OF THE WORLD picks up right where FALL OF GIANTS left off, as its five interrelated families --- American, German, Russian, English and Welsh --- enter a time of enormous social, political and economic turmoil, beginning with the rise of the Third Reich, through the Spanish Civil War and the great dramas of World War II, up to the explosions of the American and Soviet atomic bombs. Reviewed by Roz Shea.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.

Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: LOW PRESSURE by Sandra Brown

LOW PRESSURE by Sandra Brown (Romantic Suspense)
Bellamy Lyston was only 12 years old when her older sister, Susan, was killed on a stormy Memorial Day. Now, 18 years later, Bellamy has written a sensational, bestselling novel based on Susan's murder. She becomes the target of an unnamed assailant who either wants the truth about Susan's murder to remain unknown or, even more threatening, is determined to get vengeance for a man wrongfully accused and punished. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read more about the book.

Click here to read a review.
An Interview with T. C. Boyle, Author of SAN MIGUEL

T. C. Boyle’s latest novel, SAN MIGUEL, revolves around the stories of two women --- one in the 1880s and the other in the 1930s --- who inhabited the beautiful and isolated San Miguel Island off the coast of California. In this interview, Boyle talks about the history of the island, the art of writing historical fiction, and his upcoming collection of short stories.

SAN MIGUEL by T. C. Boyle (Historical Fiction)
T. C. Boyle returns to the Channel Islands for his latest work of historical fiction, which is comprised of two short novels. In the first, set in 1888, Marantha Waters moves to the island with her husband and daughter to run a sheep farm, with the hope that the climate will cure her consumption. In the second, set in the 1930s, Elise Lester and her husband, the latter shell-shocked during World War I, take over the land. Reviewed by Michael Magras.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.

Click here to read the interview.
Now in Stores: SEVERE CLEAR by Stuart Woods

SEVERE CLEAR: A Stone Barrington Novel by Stuart Woods (Mystery)
When the Presidents of Mexico and the United States decide to meet in Los Angeles to sign an important new treaty, terrorists take advantage of the event to plan the deadliest strike ever to take place on American soil. It's up to Stone Barrington and Holly Barker to avert this tragedy. Reviewed by Amie Taylor.

-Click here to read more about the book.

Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: FATHER NIGHT by Eric Van Lustbader

FATHER NIGHT: A McClure/Carson Novel by Eric Van Lustbader (Thriller)
A tidal wave of reform is sweeping across the Middle East. Up for grabs are major seats of political power, and at the center of it all are two men, giants of the vast criminal underworld. One is known as Dadya Gourdiev, the other is an underworld mystery, known only as the Syrian. But hiding in the shadows is a man history might have forsaken, but whose evil is still very much alive: Father Night. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to visit Eric Van Lustbader’s official website.

Click here to read a review.
eBook Original Now Available: A FINE AND DANGEROUS SEASON by Keith Raffel

A FINE AND DANGEROUS SEASON by Keith Raffel (Historical Thriller)
In October 1962, JFK needs businessman Nate Michaels’ help opening a back channel to defuse the threat posed by Soviet missiles in Cuba. In both the Pentagon and the Kremlin, pro-war generals want a showdown, not a humiliating compromise. As the world races toward nuclear holocaust during a fine and dangerous autumn, Michaels finds himself spinning in a maelstrom of statecraft, espionage, love and betrayal. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to visit Keith Raffel’s official website.

Click here to read a review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On: THE DEVOTED by Jonathan Hull

THE DEVOTED: A Love Story by Jonathan Hull (Fiction)
Nine years is a long time to wait for a book from a favorite author. And that’s just what happened to me with Jonathan Hull. After loving LOSING JULIA (2000) and THE DISTANCE FROM NORMANDY (2003), there was no new book from Jonathan until a few weeks ago. When THE DEVOTED crossed my desk, I made a quick visit to his website and saw a note that he has been suffering from the long-term effects of a bout with Lyme disease, which has affected his writing stamina. But ah, THE DEVOTED is a treat worth waiting for as Jonathan proves the story writing chops he had with his prior work is still in evidence.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to see all the books we’re betting you’ll love.

Click here to read more of Carol’s thoughts about the book.
Paperback Spotlight: THE HOUSE I LOVED by Tatiana de Rosnay

THE HOUSE I LOVED by Tatiana de Rosnay (Historical Fiction)
Paris, France: 1860s. Hundreds of houses are being razed, whole neighborhoods reduced to ashes. By order of Emperor Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann has set into motion a series of large-scale renovations that will permanently alter the face of old Paris, molding it into a “modern city.” The reforms will erase generations of history --- and in the midst of the tumult, one woman will take a stand.

Rose Bazelet is determined to fight against the destruction of her family home until the very end. As others flee, she stakes her claim in the basement of the old house on rue Childebert, ignoring the sounds of change that come closer and closer each day. Attempting to overcome the loneliness of her daily life, she begins to write letters to Armand, her beloved late husband. And as she delves into the ritual of remembering, Rose is forced to come to terms with a secret that has been buried deep in her heart for 30 years.

THE HOUSE I LOVED will be available in paperback on October 2nd.

-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Tatiana de Rosnay’s bio.
-Click here to visit Tatiana de Rosnay’s official website.
-Connect with Tatiana de Rosnay on Facebook and Twitter.

Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight.
Featured Women’s Fiction Author: Rebecca Coleman, Author of HEAVEN SHOULD FALL
HEAVEN SHOULD FALL by Rebecca Coleman (Fiction)
Alone since her mother’s death, Jill Wagner wants to eat, sleep and breathe Cade Olmstead when he bursts upon her life --- golden, handsome and ambitious. Even putting college on hold feels like a minor sacrifice when she discovers she’s pregnant with Cade’s baby. But it won’t be the last one she’ll have to make.

Retreating to the Olmstead’s New England farm seems sensible, if not ideal: they’ll regroup and welcome the baby, surrounded by Cade’s family. But the remote, ramshackle place already feels crowded. Cade’s mother tends to his ailing father, while Cade’s pious sister, her bigoted husband and their rowdy sons overrun the house. Only Cade’s brother, Elias, a combat veteran with a damaged spirit, gives Jill an ally amidst the chaos, along with a glimpse into his disturbing childhood. But his burden is heavy, and she alone cannot kindle his will to live.

The tragedy of Elias is like a killing frost, withering Cade in particular, transforming his idealism into bitterness and paranoia. Taking solace in caring for her newborn son, Jill looks up to find her golden boy is gone. In Cade’s place is a desperate man willing to endanger them all in the name of vengeance…unless Jill can find a way out.

-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Rebecca Coleman’s bio.
-Click here to visit Rebecca Coleman’s official website.
-Click here to see the 25 winners selected to read and comment on the book.

 
Click here to read more in our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight.
Young Adult Books You Want to Read

As you may or may not know, our company, The Book Report Network, has a number of websites about books and authors in addition to Bookreporter.com. Throughout the year, Bookreporter.com features adult books on Teenreads.com, our site for young adult readers, that we think will have definite appeal to a teen audience. In the spirit of sharing, we are now spotlighting a selection of titles each month from Teenreads.com that we believe are great reads that you might enjoy.

Here are our latest featured titles:


THE DIVINERS by Libba Bray (Historical Fantasy)
Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City, where she lives with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult. When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer --- if he doesn't catch her first.


SECONDS AWAY: A Mickey Bolitar Novel by Harlan Coben (Mystery)
When tragedy strikes close to home, Mickey Bolitar and his loyal new friends find themselves at the center of a terrifying mystery involving the shooting of their friend Rachel. Now, not only does Mickey have to continue his quest to uncover the truth about the Abeona Shelter, the Butcher of Lodz and the mysterious death of his father, he needs to figure out who shot Rachel --- no matter what it takes.


THE EDGE OF NOWHERE by Elizabeth George (Paranormal Romance/Mystery)
Put at risk by her ability to hear "whispers" --- the thoughts of others --- Becca is on the run from her stepfather, whose criminal activities she has discovered. Stranded and alone at Whidbey Island, Becca is soon befriended by a Ugandon orphan adopted by a local family; a kindhearted musician and high school dropout; a recovering alcoholic who takes her in; and Diana, with whom Becca shares a mysterious psychic connection.


TWO OR THREE THINGS I FORGOT TO TELL YOU by Joyce Carol Oates (Fiction)
Now in their senior year, Merissa and Nadia need Tink more than they ever did before. They each have secrets they could share with no one but her, secrets that have become toxic and that threaten to unravel their friendship --- and themselves. Tink also had a secret, a big one, but no one knows what it was. And now she's gone. But sometimes the girls feel Tink, trying to tell them something.

Click here to see all the young adult books we recommend you read.
This Week’s Reviews
ROBERT B. PARKER'S FOOL ME TWICE: A Jesse Stone Novel by Michael Brandman (Mystery)
A Hollywood movie company has come to Paradise, Massachusetts, and brought with it a huge cast, crew, and a troubled star. Marisol Hinton is scared out of her wits that her estranged husband's jealousy might take a dangerous turn. When she becomes the subject of a death threat, Jesse and the rest of the Paradise police department go on high alert. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.

-Click here to read an excerpt.

THE REVISED FUNDAMENTALS OF CAREGIVING by Jonathan Evison (Fiction)
Having lost virtually everything, Benjamin Benjamin enrolls in a night class called The Fundamentals of Caregiving. He is assigned to 19-year-old Trevor, who is in the advanced stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As the two embark on a wild road trip across the American West, a new camaraderie replaces the traditional boundary between patient and caregiver. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.

THE CUTTING SEASON by Attica Locke (Mystery)
Caren Gray manages Belle Vie, a sprawling antebellum plantation that has turned into an eerie tourist attraction. Outside the gates, a corporation has been snapping up land from struggling families who have been growing sugar cane for generations and replacing local employees with illegal laborers. Tensions mount when the body of a female migrant worker is found in a shallow grave on the edge of the property, her throat cut clean. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.

-Click here for the reading group guide.

HISS AND HERS: An Agatha Raisin Mystery by M. C. Beaton (Mystery)
Agatha has her eye on the local gardener, George Marston, and will do anything to get her man --- including footing the bill for a charity ball just for the chance to dance with him. And then George doesn't even show up. Only partly deterred, Agatha goes looking for him, and finds his dead body in a compost heap. Murder is definitely afoot, but this killer chose no ordinary weapon: A poisonous snake delivered the fatal strike. Reviewed by Amie Taylor.

BUFFALO BILL'S DEAD NOW: A Wind River Mystery by Margaret Coel (Mystery)
After more than 120 years, the regalia worn by Arapaho Chief Black Heart in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show were supposed to be returned to his people. But the cartons containing the relics were empty when they arrived at the Arapaho museum. Vicki and Father John suspect rancher and Indian artifact collector Trevor Pratt knows more about the theft than he’s telling --- a suspicion that’s confirmed when they witness a car speeding from his home and he’s found murdered inside. Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt.

MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND by Matthew Dicks (Fiction)
Budo is the imaginary friend of eight-year-old Max Delaney. He loves Max and is charged with protecting him from the class bully, from awkward situations in the cafeteria, and even in the bathroom stalls. But he can’t protect Max from Mrs. Patterson, who kidnaps him. It is up to Budo and a team of imaginary friends to save him --- and Budo must ultimately decide which is more important: Max’s happiness or Budo's very existence. Reviewed by Carole Turner.

YOU ARE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE by Susan Richards Shreve (Fiction)
It is 1973, and Lucy Painter is a children's book illustrator and a single mother of two. She leaves New York and the married father of her children to live in a tightly knit Washington neighborhood in the house where she grew up and where she discovered her father’s suicide. Lucy hopes for a fresh start, but her life is full of secrets. As the new neighbors enter their lives, her family’s safety and stability become threatened. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.

-Click here for the reading group guide.

BLACK FRIDAYS by Michael Sears (Thriller)
An investment firm asks former Wall Street hotshot Jason Stafford to look into possible problems left by a junior trader who died recently in an accident. What he discovers are the kinds of problems that can get you killed. But Stafford has another quest as well: to reclaim his five-year-old son, “the Kid,” from his unstable ex-wife. When the two threads of his life come together, the results are unforgettable. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

THE COCKTAIL WAITRESS by James M. Cain (Hard-boiled Mystery)
Lost since the author’s death in 1977, THE COCKTAIL WAITRESS is the last book by the legendary James. M. Cain. Written during his final years, it shows that he had lost none of the sheer pulp power that marked his earlier classic novels. An innocent young woman navigates her path through a perilous life. But is she so innocent? Reviewed by Tom Callahan.

HARD TARGET by Alan Jacobson (Thriller)
An explosion pulverizes the president-elect's helicopter on Election Night. It soon becomes clear that the group behind the assassination possesses far greater reach than anything the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force has yet encountered --- and a plot so deeply interwoven in the country’s fabric that it threatens to upend America's political system. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

VANISHING GIRLS by Katia Lief (Mystery)
Girls are vanishing off the streets of New York City, and young women are being murdered. When the violence descends on Karin Schaeffer and Mac MacLeary's comfortable Brooklyn neighborhood, and their best friend becomes the lead investigator, they are drawn into the bewildering series of crimes. As the mystery deepens, what looks like the work of a garden-variety serial killer turns out to be an evil darker than anyone imagined. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
Contests Running on Other Sites in TheBookReportNetwork.com
We have a number of contests currently running on our other sites in TheBookReportNetwork.com. Please take a look at them below, and enter for your chance to win some fabulous books!

ReadingGroupGuides.com

THE UNFINISHED GARDEN by Barbara Claypole White
We are celebrating the release of THE UNFINISHED GARDEN by Barbara Claypole White --- a love story about grief, OCD and dirt --- with a special contest. 60 readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of the book, which is now in stores, for their group. The deadline for entries is Friday, October 5th at noon ET.

THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller
We are celebrating the release of THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller --- a tale of gods and goddesses, kings and queens, immortal fame and the human heart --- with a special contest. 30 readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of the book, which is now in stores, for their group. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, September 25th at noon ET.

“What Are You Reading?” Monthly Contest Feature: MEMOIR OF THE SUNDAY BRUNCH by Julia Pandl
Let us know what your group is reading this month (September), and you’ll be entered in a giveaway to win multiple copies of a book for your group! Our latest prize book is MEMOIR OF THE SUNDAY BRUNCH, Julia Pandl’s irreverent and open-hearted memoir that provides tender wisdom about the bonds between fathers and daughters and the simple pleasures that lie in the daily ritual of breaking bread. We have 12 advance copies of the book, which will be in stores on November 13th, to give away to five groups. The deadline for entries is Friday, October 5th at noon ET.

Teenreads.com

THE CRIMSON SHARD by Teresa Flavin
We are celebrating the release of THE CRIMSON SHARD --- in which two children step through a doorway into 18th-century England during a seemingly normal museum visit --- with a special contest. Fifteen readers will have the opportunity to win a copy of Teresa Flavin's follow-up to THE BLACKHOPE ENIGMA. The deadline for entries is Friday, October 19th at noon ET.

Grab Bag of Books
Winners of our latest Grab Bag of Books contest will each receive a copy of THE DEAD GIRLS DETECTIVE AGENCY by Suzy Cox, FANG GIRL by Helen Keeble and SAFEKEEPING by Karen Hesse. The deadline for entries is Thursday, November 1st at noon ET.

Kidsreads.com

SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS by Laura Amy Schlitz
To celebrate the release of SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS, a Victorian gothic thriller from Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz, Kidsreads.com is giving 15 readers the chance to win a copy of the book. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

FaithfulReader.com

Secrets of the Cross Trilogy by Elizabeth Musser
We are celebrating the release of TWO DESTINIES, the conclusion to Elizabeth Musser's Secrets of the Cross Trilogy, with a special contest that will give 25 readers the opportunity to win all three books in the series (which also includes TWO CROSSES and TWO TESTAMENTS). In addition, one of these winners will be awarded a Huguenot cross that Elizabeth herself is providing. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

THE BREAKTHROUGH: A Precinct 11 Novel by Jerry B. Jenkins
We are celebrating the release of THE BREAKTHROUGH with a special contest that will give 10 readers the opportunity to win a copy of this conclusion to Jerry B. Jenkins' Precinct 11 trilogy. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

A PLAIN AND SIMPLE HEART: The Amish of Apple Grove, Book 1 by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
We are celebrating the release of A PLAIN AND SIMPLE HEART with a special contest that will give 75 readers the opportunity to win a copy of this first installment in Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith's The Amish of Apple Grove series. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

MAN IN THE BLUE MOON by Michael Morris
We are celebrating the release of MAN IN THE BLUE MOON by Michael Morris --- in which hypocrisy and murder shake the coastal town of Apalachicola --- with a special contest that will give 10 readers the opportunity to win a copy of the book. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

FaithfulReader.com's Monthly Contest: TAMING THE WIND: Land of the Lone Star, Book 3 by Tracie Peterson
In our latest monthly contest, 30 readers each will be awarded a copy of TAMING THE WIND, the third installment of Tracie Peterson's Land of the Lone Star series. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.
This Week’s Poll
Which of the following books releasing in September and October are you most looking forward to reading? Please check as many as apply.

THE BONE BED: A Scarpetta Novel, by Patricia Cornwell
THE CASUAL VACANCY by J. K. Rowling
DELUSION IN DEATH by J.D. Robb
FATHER NIGHT: A McClure/Carson Novel, by Eric Van Lustbader
LIVE BY NIGHT by Dennis Lehane
LOVE ANTHONY by Lisa Genova
LOW PRESSURE by Sandra Brown
MAD RIVER: A Virgil Flowers Novel, by John Sandford
NW by Zadie Smith
NYPD RED by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
THE PANTHER by Nelson DeMille
PHANTOM by Jo Nesbø
THE RACKETEER by John Grisham
RED RAIN by R.L. Stine
ROGUE by Mark Sullivan
SAN MIGUEL by T.C. Boyle
SEVERE CLEAR: A Stone Barrington Novel, by Stuart Woods
SLEEP NO MORE: An Eve Duncan Novel, by Iris Johansen
SUTTON by J.R. Moehringer
TELEGRAPH AVENUE by Michael Chabon
THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE HER by Junot Diaz
THE TIME KEEPER by Mitch Albom
THE TWELVE by Justin Cronin
A WANTED MAN: A Jack Reacher Novel, by Lee Child
WICKED PLEASURES by Penny Vincenzi
WINTER OF THE WORLD: Book Two of the Century Trilogy, by Ken Follett
None of the above

 
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