Anne Fortier
Writing for the first time in English, Danish author Anne Fortier brings Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy to life in her debut novel, JULIET, which follows a young American as she journeys to Siena, only to discover that she’s a direct descendent of the woman who inspired ROMEO AND JULIET. In this interview, Fortier discusses the challenge of taking on Shakespeare and the difficulty of writing a historical novel, elaborating on the differences between the past and the present and how she managed to weave the two together. She also sheds light on how she was able to write about Siena from the other side of the Atlantic and reflects on the childhood experiences that moved her to master the English language and submit her first manuscript at the age of 13.

» Read the interview and the review.

Suzanne Collins
Suzanne Collins’s newly released MOCKINGJAY is the third and final installment in the hit series The Hunger Games, and follows reluctant revolutionary Katniss Everdeen in her fight against the ruthless Capitol. In this updated interview, Collins talks about how easy it was to return to the dystopian setting of Panem and describes her involvement with the screenplay for an upcoming big-screen adaptation of the first book in the series. She also explains what prompted her to take on weighty topics in the books, like poverty and oppression, speculates on the current fascination with reality TV, and muses on what’s next for her now that the trilogy has come to a close.

» Read the interview and a review.

BEACH BAG OF BOOKS
Whether your "beach" is on sand, your backyard deck, or a grassy meadow in the country, the summer months mean it's time for "beach reading." Bookreporter.com is celebrating the lazy days of summer reading with our Sixth Annual Bookreporter.com feature and contests.

During select weeks from May 28th through September 3rd, we will highlight a different book or collection of books from these featured titles with a contest prize --- a beach bag stocked with the featured book(s) and summertime essentials. Five FABULOUS beach bags will be given away each week, as well as five copies of the featured book(s) to additional winners.

We are currently spotlighting five works of literary fiction:

CHEF by Jaspreet Singh (Fiction)
Mesmeric, mournful and intensely lyrical, CHEF is a brave and compassionate debut about hope, love and memory set against the devastatingly beautiful, war-scarred backdrop of occupied Kashmir.

THE FAMILY MAN by Elinor Lipman (Fiction)
In this warm-hearted comedy, Henry Archer reunites with Thalia, the stepdaughter he adopted and then lost 25 years before during his divorce. Henry is delighted to assist his newfound, highly cherished daughter as she negotiates love interests --- both genuine and false, complete with tabloid appearances and paparazzi.

THE GO-BETWEEN: A Novel of the Kennedy Years, by Frederick Turner (Fiction)
One day, a faded newspaperman finds the scoop of a lifetime in a Chicago basement: diaries belonging to the infamous Judith Campbell Exner. As our Narrator pieces the notebooks into a coherent story, he finds mob connections, rigged primaries, assassination plots and trysts.

THE LIES WE TOLD by Diane Chamberlain (Fiction)
When they were teenagers, Rebecca and Maya’s parents were murdered. That incident --- and the lies each of them told about what happened --- will always haunt them. Now, while working as part of a medical aide team after a hurricane destroys part of Wilmington, North Carolina, Maya is in a helicopter crash. Rebecca and Maya’s husband, Adam, believe she is dead, but Maya is actually trapped in an area with a few people who, for some reason, seem intent on keeping her there.

OUTSIDE THE ORDINARY WORLD by Dori Ostermiller (Fiction)
OUTSIDE THE ORDINARY WORLD reveals what lies beneath the surface of infidelity. But at its heart, it is the story of the powerful, sometimes disturbing bond between mothers and daughters, and the shimmering line between self-revelation and self-destruction.

» Click here to read all the contest details.

Jennifer Crusie

About Jennifer Crusie Author Bibliography Critical Praise About the Book: MAYBE THIS TIME Read an excerpt from MAYBE THIS TIME

We have 20 advance reading copies of MAYBE THIS TIME by Jennifer Crusie to give away to readers who would like to preview the book and comment about it. A description can be found by clicking the link below. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, September 10th at noon ET.

MAYBE THIS TIME by Jennifer Crusie (Romance)
On Sale August 31, 2010
Andie Miller is ready to move on in life. She wants to marry her fiancé and leave behind everything in her past, especially her ex-husband, North Archer. But when Andie tries to gain closure with him, he asks one final favor of her before they go their separate ways forever. A very distant cousin of his has died and left North as the guardian of two orphans who have driven out three nannies already, and things are getting worse. He needs a very special person to take care of the situation and he knows Andie can handle anything. » Read More

For more on Jennifer Crusie and past featured authors, see our
Women's Fiction promotion.

William Kent Krueger

About William Kent Krueger Author Bibliography Critical Praise About the Book: VERMILION DRIFT Read an excerpt from VERMILION DRIFT

VERMILION DRIFT by William Kent Krueger (Mystery)
On Sale September 7, 2010
William Kent Krueger’s gripping tale of suspense begins with a recurring nightmare, a gun, and a wound in the earth so deep and horrific that it has a name: Vermilion Drift. When the Department of Energy puts an underground iron mine on its short list of potential sites for storage of nuclear waste, a barrage of protest erupts in Tamarack County, Minnesota, and Cork is hired as a security consultant. Deep in the mine during his first day on the job, Cork stumbles across a secret room that contains the remains of six murder victims. » Read More

For more on William Kent Krueger and past featured authors, see our
Mystery Mayhem promotion.

Beverly Barton

About Beverly Barton Author Bibliography Critical Praise About the Book: DON'T CRY Read an excerpt from DON'T CRY Watch a book trailer for DON'T CRY Watch an interview

We have 20 advance reading copies of DON'T CRY by Beverly Barton to give away to readers who would like to preview the book and comment about it. A description can be found by clicking the link below. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, September 10th.

DON'T CRY by Beverly Barton (Romantic Suspense)
On Sale Now
The crime scenes are horrifying: the victims arranged with deliberate care, posed to appear alive despite their agonized last moments and the shocking nature of their deaths. Chattanooga grief counselor Audrey Sherrod moonlights for the local police. It’s clear to her, and to Special Agent J.D. Cass, that the murders are the work of a deranged serial killer. At first, the only link is the victims’ similar physical appearance. But then another connection emerges, tying them to a long-ago series of horrifying crimes Audrey hoped would never resurface --- crimes that hit all too close to home. Each grisly new discovery proves the past has not been forgotten, and the worst is yet to come. Audrey went looking for the truth and she’s about to find it…and it will be more twisted and more terrifying than she ever imagined. » Read More

For more on Beverly Barton and past featured authors, see our
Romantic Suspense promotion.

NIGHT ROAD by Kristin Hannah
At Bookreporter.com, we have the opportunity to read many great books well in advance of their release dates. Now, with our Sneak Peek Feature/Contest, we are offering our readers the chance to preview select early picks --- and share feedback on them. We know that readers champion books that they love, and we want you to be part of the excitement of upcoming releases as early as possible.

Our latest Sneak Peek Feature spotlights NIGHT ROAD by Kristin Hannah, a novel that raises profound questions about motherhood, loss, identity and forgiveness, which releases in March 2011. We have 100 specially formatted early reader editions to give away to readers who would like to preview the book and share their comments about it. We really want to hear what you have to say about NIGHT ROAD, so if you will have time to read and comment on the book by Tuesday, October 12th, please enter this contest. If not, we plan to have more opportunities like this in the future.

NIGHT ROAD by Kristin Hannah (Fiction)
On Sale March 29, 2011
Jude Farraday is a happily married, stay-at-home mom who puts everyone’s needs above her own. Her twins, Mia and Zach, are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill enters their lives, no one is more supportive than Jude. A former foster child with a dark past, Lexi quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable. But senior year of high school brings unexpected dangers, and one night Jude’s worst fears are confirmed: there is an accident. In an instant, her idyllic life is shattered and her close-knit community is torn apart. People --- and Jude --- demand justice, and when the finger of blame is pointed, it lands solely on 18-year-old Lexi Baill.

Click here to read all the contest details.

Francine Rivers

About Francine Rivers FrancineRivers.com Author Bibliography Winners of the ARC Mailing About the Book: HER DAUGHTER'S DREAM Read an excerpt from HER DAUGHTER'S DREAM

HER DAUGHTER'S DREAM by Francine Rivers (Historical Fiction)
On Sale September 14, 2010
Growing up isn't easy for little Carolyn Arundel. With her mother, Hildemara, quarantined to her room with tuberculosis, Carolyn forms a special bond with her momma, Marta, who moves in to care for the household. But as tensions between Hildie and Marta escalate, Carolyn believes she is to blame. When Hildie returns to work and Marta leaves, Carolyn and her brother grow up as latchkey kids in a world gripped by the fear of the Cold War. » Read More

For more on Francine Rivers and past featured authors, see our
Historical Fiction promotion.

Tatiana de Rosnay

About Tatiana de Rosnay Author Bibliography Winners of the ARC Mailing About the Book: A SECRET KEPT Read an excerpt from A SECRET KEPT

A SECRET KEPT by Tatiana de Rosnay (Fiction)
On Sale September 14, 2010
It all began with a simple seaside vacation, a brother and sister recapturing their childhood. Antoine Rey thought he had the perfect surprise for his sister Mélanie’s birthday: a weekend by the sea at Noirmoutier Island, where the pair spent many happy childhood summers playing on the beach. It had been too long, Antoine thought, since they’d returned to the island - over 30 years, since their mother died and the family holidays ceased. But the island’s haunting beauty triggers more than happy memories; it reminds Mélanie of something unexpected and deeply disturbing about their last island summer. When, on the drive home to Paris, she finally summons the courage to reveal what she knows to Antoine, her emotions overcome her and she loses control of the car. » Read More

For more on Tatiana de Rosnay and past featured authors, see our
One To Watch promotion.

Michael Walsh

About Michael Walsh Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing About the Book: EARLY WARNING Read an excerpt from EARLY WARNING Watch a video about EARLY WARNING

EARLY WARNING by Michael Walsh (Political Thriller)
On Sale Now
The NSA’s most lethal weapon is back. Code-named Devlin, he operates in the darkest recesses of the US government. When international cyber-terrorists allow a deadly and cunning band of radical insurgents to breach the highest levels of national security, Devlin must take down an enemy bent on destroying America --- an enemy more violent and ruthless than the world has ever known. » Read More

For more on Michael Walsh and past featured authors, see our
Suspense/Thriller promotion.

NEW IN PAPERBACK

BOOKS INTO MOVIES

With an onslaught of sleepy sequels and tired remakes these past few months, August’s Books into Movies feature is spotlighting a handful of films that provide the perfect antidote to this lackluster season of summer blockbusters. Whether you’re looking to escape the scorching temps with fun popcorn flicks like the over-the-top comic adaptation Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and the unconventional comedy The Switch, or in need of inspiration and perhaps a good cry with the redemptive Eat Pray Love and the poignant biopic Mao’s Last Dancer, moviegoers a bit disheartened by the summer’s earlier offerings will surely find a little something to suit their cinematic cravings --- from edgy teen drama in Twelve, to sweet, nostalgic romance in Flipped, and fantastical family-friendly adventures in Nanny McPhee Returns.

Don’t forget that there’s plenty more where that came from, so check out our Books into Movies on DVD feature, where we’re spotlighting the endearing and hilarious Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the sentimental tearjerker The Last Song.

» Click here for more details about August's films.

JULIET by Anne Fortier (Fiction)
When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a winding and perilous journey into the history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo rocked the foundations of medieval Siena. Reviewed by Norah Piehl and excerpted.

SPIDER BONES by Kathy Reichs (Thriller)
Kathy Reichs’s 13th novel in her Temperance Brennan series finds the forensic anthropologist traveling between Canada, North Carolina and Hawaii in an effort to uncover the intriguing mystery linking three different corpses found at each respective location. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

HOLLYWOOD: A Third Memoir, by Larry McMurtry (Memoir)
This final installment of the memoir trilogy that includes BOOKS and LITERARY LIFE is Larry McMurtry’s account of the foibles and eccentricities of the movie industry as seen through the eyes of a man who enjoyed the work and the paychecks but never allowed himself to be overcome by the glitz and glamour of the industry. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.

THE GOOD DAUGHTERS by Joyce Maynard (Fiction)
On the strength of novels like LABOR DAY, Joyce Maynard has earned a well-deserved reputation as a keen observer of the intimate spaces of family life. In her new novel, Maynard sticks to that turf to tell a story of two women whose lives intertwine in unanticipated ways over the course of the 20th century’s second half. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.

BAD BOY: An Inspector Banks Novel, by Peter Robinson (Mystery)
When the Eastvale police break into a house to confiscate a weapon, a routine procedure turns into Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks’s most terrifying case yet. The house belongs to his daughter’s roommate, and Banks has reason to believe that she’s run off with a psychopath. This time, it’s not just his career that’s at stake --- it’s also his daughter’s life. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

THE MURDER ROOM: The Heirs of Sherlock Holmes Gather to Solve the World's Most Perplexing Cold Cases, by Michael Capuzzo (True Crime)
The Vidocq Society has been billed as Crime and Cuisine: “The menu was chicken, steamed vegetables, and a corpse with a small and unforgettable face.” The world’s greatest legal minds gather once a month to eat lunch and solve murders. Presented here, on the Society’s 20th anniversary, are some of the toughest and oddest cases history has ever seen. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.

SHE’S GONE COUNTRY by Jane Porter (Fiction)
Shey Darcy had a good life in New York with her husband, three sons, and plenty of modeling work. After her husband leaves her for a man, she moves back to the family ranch where she grieves not only for her marriage but also for her brother, who has recently died. Her life is further complicated by worries for a vulnerable son --- and the reappearance of a lost love. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

- Click here to see the reading group guide for SHE’S GONE COUNTRY.

CURE by Robin Cook (Medical Thriller)
With her young son's potentially fatal neuroblastoma in complete remission, New York City medical examiner Laurie Montgomery returns to work, only to face the case of her career. The investigation into the death of CIA agent Kevin Markham is a professional challenge --- and has Laurie's colleagues wondering if she still has what it takes after so much time away. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.

SCARLET NIGHTS by Jude Deveraux (Romance)
Sara Shaw is just weeks away from her wedding when her fiancé, Greg Anders, suddenly leaves town without explanation, leaving her to wonder about the intentions of the man who swept her off her feet but who she actually knows very little about. Reviewed by Amie Taylor.

DOG TAGS by David Rosenfelt (Mystery)
Andy Carpenter is as crazy about dogs as he is not crazy about working. An inheritance has put him in the enviable position of being able to pick and choose the cases he will accept. Defending a German Shepherd against being put down is just the kind of case he can't refuse. Thus begins David Rosenfelt’s latest adventure, DOG TAGS. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.

AGENTS OF TREACHERY edited by Otto Penzler (Spy Fiction/Short Stories)
For the first time ever, legendary editor Otto Penzler has handpicked some of the most respected and bestselling thriller writers working today for a riveting collection of spy fiction. From first to last, this stellar collection signals mission accomplished. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

DANCING BACKWARDS by Salley Vickers (Fiction)
In this quietly compelling novel, a recent widow takes a sea journey into a different time zone, literally and figuratively --- diving into memories of a complicated past while fox-trotting her way (courtesy of a shipboard dance instructor) into the future. Reviewed by Kathy Weissman.

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:

DANIEL X: DEMONS AND DRUIDS by James Patterson and Adam Sadler
THE THIN EXECUTIONER by Darren Shan
GLIMPSE by Carol Lynch Williams
THE FOOL’S GIRL by Celia Rees
FAT VAMPIRE: A Never Coming of Age Story by Adam Rex

Click here to see all the young adult books you won't want to miss.

With thousands of books published each year and much attention paid to the works of bestselling and well-known authors, it is inevitable that some titles worthy of praise and discussion may not get the attention we think they deserve. Thus we continue to spotlight books that immediately struck a chord with us and made us say “just read this.” By alerting our readers to these titles as soon as they’re released, our hope is that you can discover them for yourselves and recommend them to your family and friends.

Here are our latest featured titles:

RICH BOY by Sharon Pomerantz (August 2nd): I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of Sharon Pomerantz’s debut novel last spring. RICH BOY reminded me a lot of Herman Wouk’s classic MARJORIE MORNINGSTAR, a book I’ve always loved. Like Herman did with Marjorie, Sharon just dropped me into the world of Robert Vishniak, a middle-class young man who finds himself in New York’s high society. Sharon spent 10 years writing RICH BOY, and it shows, as all the details, dialogue and plot turns are just perfect.

One more note about RICH BOY. I have been looking for a book that envelops readers into setting and period like “Mad Men,” and this is the closest I have come. There are very vivid descriptions of setting and location in each decade beginning in the ’60s and moving up to modern times, and Robert is as detached emotionally as Don Draper.

» Click here to read a review of RICH BOY.
» Visit the publisher’s official website, www.TwelveBooks.com.

STILTSVILLE by Susanna Daniel (August 3rd): My friend, Virginia Stanley, was raving about STILTSVILLE at library conferences I attended in both January and March. As I value her opinion, I gave it a shot and fell in love with it! Susanna Daniel’s debut novel takes place in the Miami area, which I’ve come to love after some visits over the years. I was familiar with a lot of the locations mentioned in the book, like the pool at the Biltmore Hotel (my favorite pool anywhere!) and the Cape Florida Lighthouse near Key Biscayne. I saw the remains of the actual Stiltsville --- a collection of houses built high on stilts in Biscayne Bay, which is the inspiration for the title and story --- from the top of the lighthouse. The love story that unfolds in STILTSVILLE was very touching, and I felt a real connection to the characters, like I had known them already. The personal touch of having visited many of the landmarks was a special treat. And I love the cover, too.

» Click here to read a review of STILTSVILLE.

Click here to see all the titles we're betting you'll love.

Henry Perez
Henry Perez follows up last year’s acclaimed thriller, KILLING RED, with MOURN THE LIVING, which finds reporter Alex Chapa investigating a serial killer with an unusual calling card who is responsible for the murder of a friend and colleague. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Joe Hartlaub, Perez discusses the different elements he had woven together to create the plot of this story and speculates on the appeal of journalists in mystery fiction. He also mentions a few current favorite reads, shares his thoughts on the future of the newspaper industry, and recounts some of his own colorful experiences as a journalist chasing stories.

» Read the interview and the review.

Stephen White
Psychologist turned author Stephen White brings the protagonist of his bestselling Alan Gregory series back to center stage in his latest novel, THE LAST LIE, which finds his main character probing into the assault of a woman under his own roof. In this interview, White discusses some of the recent media events that inspired the plot of the book, and explains why he chose to risk altering the relationship between his main characters in such a long-running series. He also describes how he recharges his creative batteries, and reflects on what may be in store for Alan and company in future installments.

» Read the interview and the review.

Philippa Gregory
Philippa Gregory’s second installment in The Cousins’ War series, THE RED QUEEN, centers on Lady Margaret Beaufort --- matriarch of the House of Tudor, mother to King Henry VII, and political rival of Elizabeth Woodville, the protagonist of last year’s THE WHITE QUEEN. In this interview, Gregory compares the two influential monarchs in their roles as dynastic pawns and political figures alike, and elaborates on what their positions in a male-dominated society reveal about women in the 15th century. She also reflects on Margaret’s lasting historical legacy while speculating on how her life would have differed had she been born a man, and describes one of the biggest challenges she has encountered as a writer so far.

» Read the interview and the review.

Elizabeth Brundage
Elizabeth Brundage’s third novel, A STRANGER LIKE YOU, is a psychological thriller that centers on a Hollywood executive who is abducted by a spurned screenwriter bent on proving the plausibility of his rejected script. In this interview, Brundage elaborates on the various themes and elements explored in this latest work --- including religion, sexism and war --- and discusses her instinctual writing process that relies on choices made by the characters she creates. She also responds to the “feminist” label placed upon her work by critics, describes how her roots as a screenwriter have enriched her fiction, and reflects on the somewhat unresolved ending to main character Hedda Chase’s story.

» Read the interview and the review.

Carl Hiaasen
Carl Hiaasen has made a name for himself publishing timely, biting satires like NATURE GIRL, FLUSH and SKINNY DIP. His latest work of fiction, STAR ISLAND, takes jabs at celebrity and media culture through the story of a 22-year-old celebutante whose “undercover stunt double” is kidnapped by an obsessive paparazzo. In this interview, Hiaasen explains what inspired this quirky plot and reflects on the importance of sympathizing with even the sleaziest characters he’s created. He also gives his two cents on the rabid popularity of tabloid news and shares a humorous personal experience on the red carpet.

» Read the interview and the review.

Henry Perez

About Henry Perez Author Interview –– August 6, 2010 Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of MOURN THE LIVING About the Book: MOURN THE LIVING Read an excerpt from MOURN THE LIVING

MOURN THE LIVING by Henry Perez (Thriller)
On Sale Now
From city to city, one man walks the streets, carefully choosing his victims. Mercilessly, he cuts their throats. And with each kill, he leaves his chilling trademark, honed to razor-sharp perfection over decades of practice… » Read More

For more on Henry Perez and past featured authors, see our
Suspense/Thriller promotion.