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Author News & Interviews

Author Talk: Jesse Kornbluth, author of Married Sex: A Love Story

Aug 25, 2015

Not only is Jesse Kornbluth the founder of HeadButler.com, a cultural concierge site, he also co-founded The Book Report Network. His debut novel, MARRIED SEX, is more interesting than its title would suggest: It’s the story of divorce lawyer David Greenfield, who --- when propositioned by a seductive photographer to be her lover for six weeks --- reasons that “it’s not cheating if your wife’s there,” and invites his wife to join. What harm could come of fulfilling his longtime sexual fantasy? In this frank interview, Jesse addresses speculation that MARRIED SEX is autobiographical, why writing (accurately) about sex is not as easy as it seems, and whether or not he’s ever actually been in a threesome.

Interview: Jonathan Kellerman, author of The Murderer's Daughter

Aug 21, 2015

Jonathan Kellerman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than three dozen crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, as well as a frequent collaborator with his wife Faye and son Jesse. His latest, THE MURDERER’S DAUGHTER, is a stand-alone thriller about Grace Blades, who overcame early trauma to become a brilliant psychologist. When her past and present converge, Grace’s harrowing childhood returns with a vengeance. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Joe Hartlaub, Kellerman reveals the reason he was compelled to give Grace --- who originally appeared in the Alex Delaware universe --- her own story. He also talks about the roles that nature and nurture play in personality development, how he would reform the foster care system if given the opportunity, and the secret to successfully collaborating with family members (hint: lots of emails!).

Interview: Charles Todd, author of A Pattern of Lies: A Bess Crawford Mystery

Aug 21, 2015

The mother-son writing team of Caroline and Charles Todd, collectively known as Charles Todd, is back with another thrilling entry in their Bess Crawford mystery series. In A PATTERN OF LIES, a horrific explosion at a gunpowder mill sends the sleuthing nurse to war-torn France to keep a deadly pattern of lies from leading to more deaths. In this interview, the Todds discuss with The Book Report Network’s Ray Palen why they began telling Bess’ story in the first place, as well as what makes her so popular among readers. They also explain why they feel comfortable writing from the perspectives of both male and female protagonists (“human nature is human nature”) and where they see Bess going next.

Author Talk: Ruth Ware, author of In a Dark, Dark Wood

Aug 7, 2015

Ruth Ware’s bachelorette weekend was very tasteful, unlike the one in her thrilling debut, IN A DARK, DARK WOOD. When a friend she hasn’t seen or spoken to in years invites reclusive crime writer Nora to a weekend away in an eerie glass house deep in the English countryside, she reluctantly agrees to make the trip. Forty-eight hours later, she wakes up in a hospital bed injured but alive, with the knowledge that someone is dead. In this interview, Ware discusses drawing on memories of middle school to create the social dynamic of her characters, her fascination with unreliable narrators, and why we need to stop calling stories featuring violent women a “trend.” She also assures us that no one was murdered at her own bachelorette party, despite the startling vividness of the events described in her book.

Interview: Paula McLain, author of Circling the Sun

Aug 6, 2015

Paula McLain’s 2011 foray into historical fiction, THE PARIS WIFE, went exceedingly well. Now she follows up that success with the highly anticipated CIRCLING THE SUN. Set in colonial Kenya in the 1920s, it tells the story of Beryl Markham, a record-setting aviator with a fierce and fearless heart, who finds herself in a passionate love triangle with Denys Finch Hatton and Karen Blixen, author of OUT OF AFRICA. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Katherine B. Weissman, McLain explains why she felt instantly compelled to write Beryl’s story --- “fated,” even --- and how she thinks her protagonist’s resolute independence will inspire today’s women. She also talks about sharing Beryl’s passion (for horses, not flying!) and why we can expect plenty more historical fiction from her.