May 7, 2010

I read my horoscope once in a while and rarely take it seriously, but the one thing I do track in astrology is when Mercury is retrograde. It happens three times a year, and we are in one of those periods right now. Thus my life has been spinning out of control in small and big ways for a couple of weeks now. Longtime readers will know what I mean by this; all others, click here. Luckily, things should settle in by Tuesday when it returns to its rightful state.

My rollercoaster week started Friday night shortly after hitting send on this newsletter as I learned that Elinor, my penpal friend since I was 14, had suffered a stroke; she’s now 89. You may recall that I went to visit her for the first time in 39 years in late March during my trip to Portland. I am so glad I did that trip and that we got to spend time together. She’s on the mend, working to recapture her language skills that were affected. As Elinor is one of the most determined people I know, all my bets are on her! This news again reminded me how fragile life is and how we all must make time for the things that matter to us.

On a far brighter note, I learned that it was voted on this week that the library in my hometown is not going to be closed. As reported in the newspaper, the mayor said, “As word spread that the library could be shut down, residents packed into council meetings to denounce the idea. Some council members also opposed it. After the support of the public to keep it open, the council realized it was not something we should consider.” Concessions were made by the librarians and concessions were made by others in the town. I am not Pollyanna thinking no cuts are necessary in the current economy, but I appreciate moments when dialogue leads to thought-through decisions. My mom had a quote about this that was picked up a few times. She said that libraries are a place where education continues after school ends.

Lots of good reading this week. First, I enjoyed FRAGILE by Lisa Unger. In it, a young woman has disappeared, which brings back memories of a woman who went missing and was found dead a few decades before. Most of the same people are still in town, and there are questions swirling about what happened now --- and then. The way Lisa wove her story, and the people and their secrets and heartbreak, is just terrific. She captured so much of what it must be like to stay in the town you grew up in --- where everyone knew you back when.

The timing for my reading this could not have been better. Last Saturday night, we went to dinner for my mom’s birthday in the town where I grew up. We lived there for 14 years before moving to the town where my parents still live, giving me a confusing two hometowns. After dinner we drove past the house I grew up in, the schools I went to and traced the routes I used to walk. As I did, I thought, What if I never had left? What would my life have been like?

While we were at dinner, my parents and my husband all were talking about Jerry Weintraub’s book WHEN I STOP TALKING, YOU'LL KNOW I'M DEAD: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man as they had heard/seen a number of radio and television interviews with him. The stories that they told were so funny that Sunday afternoon I headed onto the deck, dropped into a chair, read it and had a blast. Weintraub has had clients like Frank Sinatra, Elvis, John Denver and The Four Seasons --- and he has stories about all of them. The schemes, the plots, the plans all make for such great storytelling. I missed seeing him at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books due to a conflict, and after reading this I regret it. If you are looking for a book that will get you inside the entertainment business, read this one.

This week we are launching five new author spotlight features. On the Suspense/Thriller front, we’re featuring Robert Dugoni’s BODILY HARM, which will be in stores on May 25th. We have 20 copies to give away to those who would like to comment on it. Enter here by Friday, May 14th. Robert writes a terrific legal thriller, and this is one that I have been talking about for months. It has the best pacing and plotting that I have seen from him. There are no flat spots, and more than that, he really wraps each story thread well. So many authors leave something not completely thought through. Also, click here to read the Mother’s Day blog piece from Robert’s mother, Patty, in case you missed it earlier this week. I love her honesty.

Also under the Suspense/Thriller banner this week is THE KILLING ROOM by John Manning, who is an up-and-comer in the genre. We featured his debut, ALL THE PRETTY DEAD GIRLS, last year around this time. The mystery begins when a private detective is commissioned by a family to investigate the strange happenings and history of its Maine mansion. The book is out now, but we have 20 copies to give away to readers who would like to comment on it. Enter here by Friday, May 14th at noon ET.

Our latest One to Watch author is Elizabeth Bass, whose debut is MISS YOU MOST OF ALL, a story about two very different sisters operating a successful mini-resort on the Texas farm where they grew up. The book is out now, but we have 20 copies to give away to readers who would like to comment on it. Enter here by Friday, May 14th at noon ET.

In the Women’s Fiction spotlight is LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS by Katie MacAlister, whose fantasy/romance novels have a strong following. One of the women in our office saw this one on the schedule and got quite excited, and so a lot of us got to know about Katie and her work. The book is out now, but we have 20 copies to give away to readers who would like to comment on it. Enter here by Friday, May 14th at noon ET.

In our new Historical Romance section, we’re featuring NEVER LESS THAN A LADY by Mary Jo Putney about a widow who finds herself fending off proposals from nobles and commoners alike. The book is out now, but we have 20 copies to give away to readers who like to comment on it. Enter here by Friday, May 14th at noon ET.

This week we share reviews of two books I am crazy about that are finally in stores: INNOCENTA> by Scott Turow and THE LONELY POLYGAMIST by Brady Udall. Wednesday night I am looking forward to seeing Emily Giffin as she visits New York City to promote HEART OF THE MATTER. You can read the Mother’s Day blog piece where her mom shares thoughts on Emily as a reader and a writer here.

We've updated our New in Paperback feature for May. Among the notable fiction titles releasing in paperback this month are THE ANGEL’S GAME by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, SOUTH OF BROAD by Pat Conroy, A CHANGE IN ALTITUDE by Anita Shreve and BEST FRIENDS FOREVER by Jennifer Weiner. Among our nonfiction highlights are CRAZY FOR THE STORM: A Memoir of Survival by Norman Ollestad, PERFECTION: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal by Julie Metz and ANNIE’S GHOSTS: A Journey into a Family Secret by Steve Luxenberg. Click here to see our complete list.

My goal to make it Mother’s Day Month is still going strong, as our blog pieces will continue to run through May 21st. Tomorrow we have a piece from Janet Evanovich, who is collaborating on a graphic novel with her daughter, Alex. Sunday we have Emmy Award-winning journalist and broadcast personality Cokie Roberts, who talks about her journey through libraries and books as a toddler, mother and now grandmother. On Monday, Sandra Dallas shares a fond tribute to her mother. This series has been so much fun for everyone involved. When you read through these, you can just sense a lot of the memories and love coming from these authors. I couldn’t be prouder to present this series and thank everyone who shared --- or will share --- contributions. You can also keep up with the blogs on our Facebook page.

To the moms, if your family needs hints on what you might like to celebrate, peruse the Mother’s Day feature that we have on Bookreporter.com with 36 terrific mom-friendly titles and leave some notes!

Before I close this newsletter, I wanted to acknowledge any of our readers in the Nashville area and extend my concern to you with the recent flooding in that area. The media has been woefully remiss in covering this tragedy, but from comments from my friends on Facebook and other social media, I know the destruction has been horrific. Our thoughts are with you. The Book Report Network, the parent company of Bookreporter.com, has its own longstanding ties with the Nashville area. Hatch Showprint actually designed the company logo way back in 1995 when we first launched.

This weekend I am looking forward to reading Nelson DeMille’s upcoming book, THE LION, which will be in stores on June 8th. Also on tap, 61 HOURS by Lee Child (out May 18th), the latest Jack Reacher adventure.

Here’s to a great week….read on….

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
 

Though having written nearly a dozen books, Scott Turow is best known for his 1987 debut novel, PRESUMED INNOCENT, which climbed bestseller lists, spawned a hit movie starring Harrison Ford, and paved the way for legal thriller authors like John Grisham. Twenty-three years later, Turow continues Rusty Sabich’s story in the long-awaited follow-up, INNOCENT. In this feature article, which originally appeared on HeadButler.com, author Elizabeth Benedict sheds light on the impact of the release of PRESUMED INNOCENT years ago and interviews Turow on the lengthy gap between the novels, as well as the challenges he faced in writing such a highly anticipated sequel.

INNOCENT by Scott Turow (Legal Thriller)
The sequel to the genre-defining, landmark bestseller PRESUMED INNOCENT, INNOCENT continues the story of Rusty Sabich and Tommy Molto, who are --- once again, 20 years later --- pitted against each other in a riveting psychological match after the mysterious death of Rusty's wife. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.

-Click here to read a review of INNOCENT.
-Click here to read an excerpt from INNOCENT.
 

Now in Stores: THE LONELY POLYGAMIST by Brady Udall

THE LONELY POLYGAMIST by Brady Udall (Fiction)
Brady Udall explores marriage times four in THE LONELY POLYGAMIST, this year’s first candidate for entry into the Great American Novel pantheon. Beautifully written, keenly observed and ultimately redemptive, Udall’s second novel is an unforgettable story of an American family --- with its inevitable dysfunctionality, heartbreak and comedy --- pushed to its outer limits. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

-Click here to read an excerpt from THE LONELY POLYGAMIST.
 

Now in Stores: EVANGELINE by Ben Farmer

EVANGELINE by Ben Farmer (Historical Fiction)
Inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem of the same name, EVANGELINE is a brilliant debut novel by Ben Farmer. As the British drive the French out of mid-18th-century Acadia (present-day Nova Scotia), two lovers are separated on the eve of their wedding. They desperately search for each other during the course of 10 years across the landscape of pre-Revolutionary America. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.

-Click here to read an excerpt from EVANGELINE.
-Click here to read Ben Farmer's bio.
-Click here to read critical praise for EVANGELINE.
-Click here to see our advance copy winners.
 

Bookreporter.com’s Joe Hartlaub recently spoke with Kristen Heitzmann --- bestselling author of such novels as SECRETS, A RUSH OF WINGS, FREEFALL and the Rocky Mountain Legacy series. In this interview, Heitzmann discusses the character-driven elements of her latest thriller, INDIVISIBLE, and explains what constantly draws her to create “broken” characters. She also elaborates on the recurring theme of forgiveness found in much of her work, describes how she makes time to write despite her bustling family life, and talks a bit about INDIVISIBLE’s follow-up novel, INDELIBLE.

INDIVISIBLE by Kristen Heitzmann (Psychological Suspense)
Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a formidable childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history, Jonah fights for answers --- and his fragile sobriety. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read a review of INDIVISIBLE.
-Click here/A> to read an excerpt from INDIVISIBLE.
-Click here to read Kristen Heitzmann's bio.
-Visit Kristen Heitzmann's official website, www.KristenHeitzmann.com.
-Click here for more information about INDIVISIBLE.
-Click here to see our advance copy winners.
 

New Featured Suspense/Thriller Author: Robert Dugoni, Author of BODILY HARM

In BODILY HARM, his latest David Sloane novel, bestselling legal thriller author Robert Dugoni delivers a pulse-pounding story of corporate greed, espionage, and the lengths to which one man is willing to go for justice. BODILY HARM will be in stores on May 25th.

We have 20 copies of BODILY HARM to give away to readers who would like to preview the book and comment about it. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, May 14th at noon ET.

-Click here to read an excerpt from BODILY HARM.
-Click here to read Robert Dugoni's bio.
-Click here to see Robert Dugoni's backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for BODILY HARM.
-Visit Robert Dugoni's official website, www.RobertDugoni.com.
-Click here to read a Bookreporter.com blog post from Robert Dugoni's mother, Patty.

More about BODILY HARM:
In his return as “the lawyer who does not lose,” David Sloane is on the verge of another victory, but something about the malpractice case has bothered him from the start. His uneasiness grows when toy designer Kyle Horgan confronts him on the way to the verdict to claim responsibility not only for the child’s death, but also for the fate of a second young boy in central Washington.
 

New Featured Suspense/Thriller Author: John Manning, Author of THE KILLING ROOM

John Manning's new thriller, THE KILLING ROOM, follows private detective Carolyn Cartwright's investigation of an old Maine mansion where secrets reveal deadly truths. One by one, members of the Young family meet their grisly deaths, and it's up to Cartwright to uncover the truth behind the murders.

We have 20 copies of THE KILLING ROOM to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment about it. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, May 14th at noon ET.

-Click here to read an excerpt from THE KILLING ROOM.
-Click here to read John Manning's bio.
-Click here to see John Manning's backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for THE KILLING ROOM.

More about THE KILLING ROOM:
Old houses have their secrets. The Young residence --- a beautiful Maine mansion overlooking the Atlantic --- is no exception. But the secrets here are different. Carolyn Cartwright, private detective and ex-FBI agent, has been hired by Howard Young to investigate a string of gruesome family deaths. The crimes are horrific, brutal and senseless. One by one, members of the Young family are chosen to die. Old and young, weak and strong, no one is safe from a killer with a limitless thirst for revenge. And the only way for Carolyn to uncover the shocking truth is to enter the room no one has ever left alive.
 

New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney returns with NEVER LESS THAN A LADY, a stirring, sensual story of a rebellious nobleman drawn to a lovely widow with a shocking past. Julia Bancroft is a lonely woman with a dark secret that suddenly makes her the object of many men's desires.

We have 20 copies of NEVER LESS THAN A LADY to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment about it. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, May 14th at noon ET.

-Click here to read an excerpt from NEVER LESS THAN A LADY.
-Click here to read Mary Jo Putney's bio.
-Click here to see Mary Jo Putney's backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for NEVER LESS THAN A LADY.

More about NEVER LESS THAN A LADY:
As the sole remaining heir to the Earl of Daventry, Alexander Randall knows his duty: find a wife and sire a son of his own. The perfect bride for a man in his position would be a biddable young girl of good breeding. But the woman who haunts his imagination is Julia Bancroft --- a village midwife with a dark secret that thrusts her into Randall's protection.
 

New Featured One to Watch Author: Elizabeth Bass, Author of MISS YOU MOST OF ALL

Elizabeth Bass's sparkling debut, MISS YOU MOST OF ALL, will inspire laughs and tears as she tells the story of very different sisters who turn their childhood farm into a popular vacation spot. Their problems only grow when an estranged stepsister shows up with trouble not far behind.

We have 20 copies of MISS YOU MOST OF ALL to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment about it. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, May 14th at noon ET.

-Click here to read an excerpt from MISS YOU MOST OF ALL.
-Click here to read Elizabeth Bass's bio.
-Click here to read critical praise for MISS YOU MOST OF ALL.

More about MISS YOU MOST OF ALL:
Sassy Spinster Farm is a place to find solace. At least, that's what it's become since Rue Anderson and her sister Laura transformed their childhood Texas homestead into a successful tourist destination. It's where guests flock to get their hands dirty and taste food fresh from the garden. And it's where Rue is raising her preteen daughter on her own --- while trying to keep her outspoken sister in check. It's not easy, but together, it seems there's nothing the two can't handle --- until an unexpected, and not entirely welcome, guest shows up in the middle of one warm summer night.
 

Katie MacAlister launches the Light Dragons series with LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS, about an ordinary, everyday mom who finds herself with a case of mistaken identity. What's worse is that her identity is now that of a famous hero from dragon lore.

We have 20 copies of LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment about it. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, May 14th at noon ET.

-Click here to read an excerpt from LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS.
-Click here to read Katie MacAlister's bio.
-Click here to see Katie MacAlister's backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS.

More about LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS:
Tully Sullivan is just like any other suburban mom --- unless you count the days every year that she zones out and turns base metals into gold. Those are weird. And now she’s woken up in a strange place surrounded by strange people who keep insisting that they’re dragons --- and that she’s one, too. But not just any dragon. She’s Ysolde de Bouchier, a famed figure from dragon history.
 

Featured Historical Romance Author: Lynn Kurland, Author of ONE ENCHANTED EVENING

In the not-too-distant future of Sigmund Brouwer's FLIGHT OF SHADOWS, society has been sharply divided into classes of the haves and have-nots. Caitlyn, the result of a genetic experiment gone wrong, finds herself pursued by all the battling classes and at the center of a crisis in this dystopian future.

-Click here to read a second excerpt from FLIGHT OF SHADOWS.
-Click here to read Sigmund Brouwer's bio.
-Click here to read critical praise for FLIGHT OF SHADOWS.
-Click here to see our advance copy winners.

More about FLIGHT OF SHADOWS:
She escaped the religious enclave of Appalachia. But peace and freedom are even further out of reach for Caitlyn as the myriad dangers pursuing her threaten to crush her last shred of hope. Will she ever discover the truth of her origin? A lightning-fast chase through an all-too-plausible future, bestselling author Sigmund Brouwer is at his best in this terrifying ride into the heart of compelling moral questions about science and society.