Sandra Brown
Bestselling author Sandra Brown has written over 70 fiction, thriller and romance novels, including FAT TUESDAY, THE ALIBI, RICOCHET, SMOKE SCREEN and the newly released work of historical fiction, RAINWATER. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Melanie Smith, Brown describes the real-life event from her family's past that inspired this Depression-era story, and sheds light on some of the social history of that period. She also discusses her research on autism in order to accurately portray this highly misunderstood illness, reveals how she motivates herself to keep writing fresh, authentic and captivating books, and shares details about her next publication, TOUGH CUSTOMER.

» Read the interview and the review.

Joanne Fluke
Joanne Fluke's 12th novel, PLUM PUDDING MURDER, finds baker-turned-amateur detective Hannah Swensen in the middle of yet another murder mystery, this time amidst the chaos of the holiday season. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Amie Taylor, Fluke reveals the inspiration behind her appealing protagonist and secondary characters (both human and feline), and reflects on the direction of Hannah's unpredictable love life throughout the course of the series. She also explains how --- after writing a dozen novels --- she manages to keep track of character and plot details, discusses her upbringing in Minnesota and how she's adjusting to her current life on the west coast, and talks about her next release, APPLE TURNOVER MURDER.

» Read the interview and the review.

Craig Larsen
Craig Larsen's debut novel, MANIA, is a suspense thriller that follows a troubled newspaper photographer who must face his own demons as he tracks the serial killer responsible for his brother's death. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Larsen explains the concept that prompted him to write this novel and elaborates on some of the psychological elements that infuse the story. He also discusses the complex sibling relationship central to the main character's struggles, describes how aspects of the plot were written to challenge readers' fundamental ideas of right and wrong, and shares advice for aspiring writers.

» Read the interview and the review.

NEW IN PAPERBACK

BOOKS INTO MOVIES

We have an abundance of literary-based offerings to share with you this month, as November’s Books into Movies feature spotlights 10 buzzworthy, star-studded films that range in tone and topic --- from the light-hearted whimsy of Fantastic Mr. Fox, the squeal-inducing teen romance of New Moon and the coming-of-age-in-middle-age introspection of The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, to the creepy thrills and chills of The Box, and the heart-warming inspirational drama of The Blind Side. Whether you’re in the mood for head-scratching, offbeat comedies like The Men Who Stare at Goats, thought-provoking Oscar-worthy films like the dark urban drama Precious and the dystopic Cormac McCarthy-based The Road, behind-the-scenes period pieces like Me and Orson Welles, or family-friendly holiday tales like Disney’s A Christmas Carol, moviegoers of all ages are bound to find something that will tickle their funny bones, tug on their heart strings and give them plenty of food for thought.

And be sure to update your Netflix queues and stock up on microwave popcorn, because the Jodi Picoult tear-jerker My Sister’s Keeper, the quirky teen romance I Love You, Beth Cooper and this summer’s blockbuster thriller Angels & Demons are releasing on DVD this month.

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

RAINWATER by Sandra Brown (Historical Fiction)
From acclaimed bestselling author Sandra Brown comes a powerfully moving novel celebrating the gifts, generosity and foresight of a great bygone generation. Centered on an independent woman who runs a Texas boarding house during the Dust Bowl and a mysterious boarder, RAINWATER tells a story that bears witness to a bittersweet truth: that love is worth whatever price one must pay for it. Reviewed by Melanie Smith and excerpted.

- Click here to see the reading group guide for RAINWATER.

PLUM PUDDING MURDER by Joanne Fluke (Mystery)
New York Times bestselling author Joanne Fluke serves up a deliciously deadly holiday treat with her new Hannah Swensen mystery. PLUM PUDDING MURDER includes 12 original dessert recipes, including recipes for a complete Christmas dinner. Reviewed by Amie Taylor and excerpted.

MANIA by Craig Larsen (Psychological Thriller)
Newspaper photographer Nick Wilder has been tracking a deranged killer through the dark streets of Seattle. But when the Street Butcher claims Nick's brother as his latest victim, Nick's world is turned upside down. As he zeroes in on the killer, Nick finds himself led in a dizzying circle back to himself. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub and excerpted.

- Visit Craig Larsen’s official website, www.CraigLarsen.net

FORD COUNTY: Stories, by John Grisham (Fiction/Short Stories)
In his first collection of short stories, John Grisham takes us back to Ford County, Mississippi, the setting of his first novel, A TIME TO KILL. Featuring a cast of characters you'll never forget, these often hilarious, frequently moving and always entertaining stories bring Ford County to vivid and colorful life. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman and excerpted.

KINDRED IN DEATH by J. D. Robb (Thriller)
Lieutenant Eve Dallas is investigating the brutal murder of the 16-year-old daughter of the newly promoted captain of the NYPSD. When the evidence starts to pile up, Dallas and her team think they are about to arrest their perpetrator. But little do they know yet that someone has gone to great lengths to tease and taunt them by using a variety of identities. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub and excerpted.

KNIT THE SEASON: A Friday Night Knitting Club Novel, by Kate Jacobs (Fiction)
Kate Jacobs’s latest novel begins a year after the end of KNIT TWO, with Dakota Walker's trip to spend the Christmas holidays with her Gran in Scotland --- accompanied by her father, her grandparents, and her mother's best friend, Catherine. Together, they share a trove of happy memories about Christmases past with Dakota's mom, Georgia Walker --- from Georgia's childhood to her blissful time as a doting new mom. Reviewed by Norah Piehl and excerpted.

THE LACUNA by Barbara Kingsolver (Fiction)
In her first novel since 2000, Barbara Kingsolver takes us on an epic journey from the Mexico City of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR and J. Edgar Hoover. This sweeping, well-researched book about history, authorship and national and personal identity was well worth the wait. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

THE HUMBLING by Philip Roth (Fiction)
Simon Axler, one of the leading American stage actors of his generation, has lost his magic, his talent and his assurance. Into this shattering account of inexplicable and terrifying self-evacuation bursts a counterplot of unusual erotic desire, a consolation for a bereft life so risky and aberrant that it points not toward comfort and gratification but to a yet darker and more shocking end. Reviewed by Max Falkowitz.

SUPERFREAKONOMICS: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance, by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (Economics/Popular Culture)
Following up on their entertaining and thought-provoking book on economics for non-economists, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner repeat their successful formula with SUPERFREAKONOMICS. The theme throughout both titles is that people are more likely to follow a lifestyle or activity if there’s a positive “what’s in it for me” outcome. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.

WHERE MEN WIN GLORY: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, by Jon Krakauer (Biography)
In May 2002, Pat Tillman walked away from a $3.6 million NFL contract to enlist in the United States Special Operations Forces. Two years later, he died on a desolate hill in eastern Afghanistan. Only after the truth eventually began to leak out did the Army grudgingly notify his closest relatives that he “probably” had been killed by friendly fire. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

THE TIME OF MY LIFE by Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi (Memoir)
Depending on your perspective, THE TIME OF MY LIFE will read like a biography or a swashbuckling adventure story. We all know Patrick Swayze as a dancer and an actor, but few realize that he was a horseman, pilot and daredevil. In this memoir, his life story is presented with somber pathos juxtaposed with a sense of humor that was true to Swayze himself. Reviewed by Marge Fletcher.

AYN RAND AND THE WORLD SHE MADE by Anne C. Heller (Biography)
Anne C. Heller traces the controversial author’s life from her childhood in Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution to her years as a screenwriter in Hollywood, the publication of her blockbuster novels, and the rise and fall of the cult that formed around her in the 1950s and 1960s. Throughout, Heller reveals previously unknown facts about Ayn Rand’s history and looks at her with new research and a fresh perspective. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.

PILGRIMS: A Wobegon Romance, by Garrison Keillor (Fiction)
PILGRIMS has much in common with everything else that flows from Garrison Keillor’s seemingly inexhaustible and irresistible Midwestern imagination. But this time, in a spirit of reckless literary abandon, he transplants 12 unlikely Wobegonians --- including his semi-fictional self --- to the original hotbed of classical culture: Rome. Reviewed by Pauline Finch.

DAY AFTER NIGHT by Anita Diamant (Fiction)
Anita Diamant’s latest novel is based on an actual event that took place in October 1945, following the end of World War II. Four brave young women --- Holocaust survivors --- are freed along with thousands of others, only to find themselves again behind rolls of razor wire. Reviewed by Roz Shea.

RESURRECTING MIDNIGHT by Eric Jerome Dickey (Thriller)
After nearly losing his life in Antigua during a mission that went terribly wrong, international assassin Gideon trusts no one. But when a former lover and grifter, Arizona, resurfaces in need of his skills, she reminds him he was indebted to a man who had once saved his life: the son of the legendary con man Scamz. Gideon is forced to take on an assignment that will lead him to Argentina in pursuit of a briefcase containing one part of a larger puzzle. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

THE BIG MACHINE by Victor LaValle (Fiction)
A traumatized suicide cult survivor is summoned to the frozen woods of Vermont, where he is inducted into a band of paranormal investigators comprised of former addicts and petty criminals, all of whom had at some point in their wasted lives heard The Voice, a mysterious murmur on the wind, a disembodied shout, or a whisper in an empty room that may or may not be from God. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.

Sandra Brown

About Sandra Brown Author Interview –– November 6, 2009 Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of RAINWATER About the Book: RAINWATER Read an excerpt from RAINWATER

RAINWATER by Sandra Brown (Historical Fiction)
On Sale Now
From acclaimed bestselling author Sandra Brown comes a powerfully moving novel celebrating the gifts, generosity and foresight of a great bygone generation. Centered around an independent woman who runs a Texas boarding house during the Dust Bowl and a mysterious boarder, RAINWATER tells a story that bears witness to a bittersweet truth: that love is worth whatever price one must pay for it. » Read More

For more on Sandra Brown and past featured authors, see our
Historical Fiction promotion.

Joanne Fluke

About Joanne Fluke Author Interview –– November 6, 2009 MurderSheBaked.com Publisher's Website Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of PLUM PUDDING MURDER About the Book: PLUM PUDDING MURDER Read an excerpt from PLUM PUDDING MURDER

PLUM PUDDING MURDER by Joanne Fluke (Mystery)
On Sale Now
The yuletide season in Lake Eden, Minnesota, guarantees a white Christmas, delectable holiday goodies from Hannah Swensen's bakery, The Cookie Jar --- and murder. As a shadow hangs over her friends' Christmas wedding, Hannah's determined to cook a killer's goose before anyone else gets burned. » Read More

For more on Joanne Fluke and past featured authors, see our
Mystery Mayhem promotion.

Craig Larsen

About Craig Larsen Author Interview –– November 6, 2009 CraigLarsen.net Author Bibliography Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of MANIA About the Book: MANIA Read an excerpt from MANIA

MANIA by Craig Larsen (Psychological Thriller)
On Sale Now
A CITY GRIPPED BY FEAR...

Seattle newspaper photographer Nick Wilder has gained a reputation capturing gruesome homicide scenes on film. His latest assignment: Tracking an unpredictable, deranged serial killer terrorizing the dark, wet streets of Seattle. But when the Street Butcher claims Nick’s brother as his latest casualty, Nick suddenly finds himself on the other side of the hunt...

A KILLER WHO KNOWS NO BOUNDS...

Determined to avenge his brother’s murder, Nick stumbles into a dizzying labyrinth of deceit and danger. The deeper he digs, the more the trail circles back to him --- and to the secrets locked in his disturbing past. As Nick zeroes in on the killer, the more he must risk to unmask the depraved psychopath haunting his every move. As the motives heighten and the suspects narrow, the cold, stark Seattle winter turns ever chillier... » Read More

For more on Craig Larsen and past featured authors, see our
Debut Suspense/Thriller promotion.

Beyond the Pages: Robert Weil, Executive Editor and Vice President, W.W. Norton

In his long career as an editor, Robert Weil has worked with some of the most successful and revered authors in the world. Recently, he served as editor on THE HEMINGSES OF MONTICELLO by Annette Gordon-Reed, which won multiple awards, including the 2008 National Book Award for nonfiction and the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2009, and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Prize for biography. His storied career also includes some graphic works --- two very notable works, in fact. The first is the bestselling STITCHES by David Small, which has been nominated for this year's National Book Award in the Young People's Literature category, and the latest is R. Crumb’s THE BOOK OF GENESIS ILLUSTRATED, which debuted last week at the top of the New York Times Graphic Books Bestseller List.

John Hogan, the Editorial Director for GraphicNovelReporter.com, talked with Weil about how he got started working on graphic books in the first place, how he edits them, and what it was like to work on both GENESIS and STITCHES.

Read the interview and reviews of THE BOOK OF GENESIS ILLUSTRATED and STITCHES.

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 throughout 2009, we will be spotlighting books that immediately struck a chord with us and made us say “just read this.” Our plan is to alert our readers about these titles as soon as they’re released so you can discover them for yourselves and recommend them to your family and friends.

Here are our latest featured titles:

THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE by Heather Gudenkauf (July 28th): As I flew back from San Diego earlier this week, I started reading THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE by Heather Gudenkauf, and from the first page this debut author grabbed me. Why? She dropped me right into the story in the Prologue, and from there the characters drew me through a plot that had me inside their lives and their heads bouncing from one perspective to the next. Though I was jetlagged and worn out when I got home, I could not stop reading and I didn’t until I closed the book at 11:30 that night. So what is the story?

» Click here to read a review of THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE.
» Click here to read an excerpt from THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE.
» Click here to read an interview with Heather Gudenkauf.
» Click here to see the reading group guide for THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE.
» Click here to read Heather Gudenkauf's ReadingGroupGuides.com blog post, "Nature and Novels."

HOW SHALL I TELL THE DOG?: And Other Final Musings, by Miles Kington (July 7th): HOW SHALL I TELL THE DOG?: And Other Final Musings, by Miles Kington, is snappy, witty and thought-provoking. Kington was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and in this memoir writes about the thoughts that come to him along the way as he muses his exit from this world. It's written as letters to his longtime agent, Gill Coleridge, who shared her thoughts on both Miles and his writing the book in a blog post for us here. It's not somber, but rather uplifting. Kington does not cling to false hope, but rather seems ready to exit the world thinking of life with humor, on his own terms. I have long held a theory of making every day matter as I lost a good friend when I was in my 30s who made me look long and hard at what matters in life. This book affirmed my commitment to that with a lot of nods and smiles.

As a side note, Kington had always wanted to write a bestseller, and he got his wish posthumously when this book hit the charts in the UK shortly after publication. Also, Kington never told his employer, The Independent, that he was ill, and in fact turned in a column on the day he died. It's truly inspirational.

» Click here to read a review of HOW SHALL I TELL THE DOG?
» Click here to read a blog post from Gill Coleridge, Miles Kington’s literary agent and friend.

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

John Lutz
URGE TO KILL, John Lutz's fourth novel to feature protagonist Frank Quinn, finds the former NYPD police detective leaving retirement in order to investigate two strings of serial murders that may have been committed by the same killer. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Lutz explains how an observation made during his stint as a civilian employee with the St. Louis PD prompted him to focus this series on older, more experienced members of law enforcement, and why he chose a rather unlikely setting for one of the book's most chilling scenes. He also reflects on the appeal of serial murders for thriller readers, selects his dream cast if the novel were ever to be adapted to film, and shares some of his favorite reads from the last several months.

» Read the interview and the review.

Berkeley Breathed
It’s been 20 years since Berkeley Breathed left the world of Bloom County behind. Since then, he has kept busy with such strips as Outland and Opus and writing prose works, but his defining work remains the one he began on December 8, 1980. After all these years and multiple requests from fans and publishers alike, he has agreed to collect his Bloom County work in five oversized volumes. Each of the Bloom County: The Complete Library editions will feature not only the strips themselves, carefully reproduced, but also running commentary from Breathed himself as he looks back on the characters and settings he once inhabited daily. John Hogan, the Editorial Director for GraphicNovelReporter.com, talked to Breathed about what he thought of his work now that he’s looking back on it from the distance of the 21st century.

» Read the interview and the review.

Nevada Barr
A departure from her bestselling Anna Pigeon series, Nevada Barr's latest novel, 13 ½, is a stand-alone thriller that connects a string of murders by an 11-year-old child in 1971 Minnesota to the marital troubles of a literature professor in present-day Louisiana. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Roz Shea, Barr describes her most recent work as a process 20 years in the making and discusses her reason for setting the book in post-Katrina New Orleans. She also characterizes her famous park ranger protagonist as an idealized alter ego of herself and explains why she chose to let Anna Pigeon sit out this particular adventure.

» Read the interview and the review.

R.J. Ellory
R.J. Ellory is the author of seven novels --- including CANDLEMOTH, GHOSTHEART and CITY OF LIES --- that have been published in Britain and are now being released in the U.S. by Overlook Press. He recently spoke with Bookreporter.com's L. Dean Murphy about his fifth book, A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS, and explains how events from his own life have informed his works of fiction. He also discusses John Steinbeck's influence on his writing, touches upon the racial inequities amongst his characters, and shares details about upcoming projects due out over the next few years.

» Read the interview and the review.

Michael Walsh
Michael Walsh is the bestselling author of four novels: EXCHANGE ALLEY, AS TIME GOES BY, AND ALL THE SAINTS, and the newly released HOSTILE INTENT. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Walsh discusses the origins of Devlin --- his government-op protagonist --- and elaborates on his writing process, including his unusual work hours and choice of background music. He also gives his two cents on the probability of the U.S. being attacked by terrorists again in the future, explains how --- if given the opportunity --- he would restructure the country's intelligence operations, and gives advice to readers considering careers in writing.

» Read the interview and the review.

Beverly Barton
SILENT KILLER, the latest novel by award-winning romance and romantic suspense author Beverly Barton, centers on a serial killer with a rather unlikely group of targets --- members of the clergy. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Donna Volkenannt, Barton discusses what inspired this unique and rather timely plot, and gives readers insight into her instinctive method of writing, in which she completely immerses herself in the characters she creates. She also comments on the authenticity of non-Southern writers who attempt to portray the region's distinct feel, touts the benefits of being an active member of the Romance Writers of America, and talks about her current projects to be published over the next few years.

» Read the interview and the review.

Alan Jacobson
Alan Jacobson is the author of four novels: FALSE ACCUSATIONS, THE HUNTED, THE 7th VICTIM and the newly released CRUSH. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Jacobson discusses the research he conducted in order to portray the mind and actions of a serial killer as accurately as possible, and explains why he chose to set his latest thriller in the unlikely location of Napa Valley. He also describes how one of his ideas prompted the production of a tool now used by a branch of the European Crime Division, shares his thoughts on the appeal of California's wine country, and reveals the real-life counterparts to his FBI-agent protagonist, Karen Vail.

» Read the interview and the review.

David Small
Having made a name for himself writing and illustrating children's books for nearly three decades, award-winning author David Small recently turned his attention to more serious and personal matters, penning STITCHES, a memoir in graphic novel form that chronicles his childhood in an abusive and emotionally absent household. In this interview with John Hogan, the Editorial Director for GraphicNovelReporter.com, Small talks about what prompted this departure from his usual fare, and recalls both the traumatic and thrilling experiences of reliving such a painful period in his life. He also explains what he has since learned about his family that perhaps provides some insight into their behavior, and shares how his upbringing helped shape him into the artist he is today.

» Read the interview and the review.

Michelle Moran
Michelle Moran is the bestselling author of three works of historical fiction --- NEFERTITI, THE HERETIC'S QUEEN and the newly released CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER --- each of which is centered on legendary princesses of ancient Egypt. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Melanie Smith, Moran recalls the college experience that sparked her interest in this particular time and setting, and recounts the moments of inspiration that prompted her to write each of her books. She also provides some background information on her characters, shares what she hopes readers will take away from her work, and reveals which historical era she will focus on in her next novel.

» Read the interview and the review.

A. J. Jacobs
Always in search of a new challenge, A.J. Jacobs --- author of the New York Times bestsellers THE KNOW-IT-ALL and THE YEAR OF LIVING BIBLICALLY --- looked to "understand the mysteries of modern life" in his newest work of nonfiction, THE GUINEA PIG DIARIES. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Ron Kaplan, Jacobs talks about what inspired this latest endeavor and explains how such activities as posing in the nude, pretending to be a celebrity while crashing the Academy Awards, practicing radical honesty and outsourcing his everyday tasks to a team in India changed his outlook on life. He also likens his experiences of returning to his normal self to cult deprogramming, gives insight into how his wife deals with his extreme behavior, and shares details about his next project, a quest to become the healthiest person alive.

» Read the interview and the review.

Shandi Mitchell
Shandi Mitchell's debut novel, UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY, is the result of a project decades in the making, inspired by a tragic event in her family's history. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Bronwyn Miller, Mitchell --- an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter --- discusses the book's origins as a screenplay and explains how it eventually evolved into a work of prose. She also sheds light on some of the complexities of her characters, describes how her childhood surroundings in the Canadian prairies have impacted her both personally and professionally, and muses on how her story might continue after the book concludes.

» Read the interview and the review.

Anne Rice
Anne Rice's latest release, ANGEL TIME, is the first book in a new series of metaphysical thrillers called Songs for the Seraphim. In this interview, Rice describes her aim for these novels and explains what inspired the concept behind "Angel Time." She also reflects on the appeal of these heavenly beings, discusses some of the fun settings featured in the book, and shares details about the series' next installment, WORLD ENOUGH AND TIME.

» Read the interview and the review.

Keith Raffel
Silicon Valley software entrepreneur turned thriller writer Keith Raffel once again explores the ruthlessness of corporate life in his second novel, SMASHER. In this interview, Raffel discusses how he transitioned between his two careers, and shares some of the imaginary and real-life influences behind the characters in his latest book. He also compares publishing a book to starting a company, sheds light on some of the less-than-glamorous aspects of life as an author, and reflects on how his hometown of Palo Alto, CA has evolved over the years.

» Read the interview and the review.

Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly's latest Harry Bosch novel, NINE DRAGONS, finds the series' homicide detective protagonist out of his element on many levels, as he travels to Hong Kong in search of his kidnapped daughter, which he believes may be related to a murder case he is investigating in L.A. In this interview, Connelly discusses what prompted him to delve into the character's personal life in this installment, and elaborates on what he has at stake in solving these cases. He also explains the origins of the book's title and shares what initially captivated him about the exotic setting.

» Read the interview and the review.

Philippa Gregory
Having made a name for herself writing historical fiction about strong and often misrepresented women, Philippa Gregory turns her attention to Elizabeth Woodville in her latest novel, THE WHITE QUEEN. In this interview, Gregory explains what initially drew her to the enigmatic wife of King Edward IV and why she chose to focus her work on a royal family already heavily documented in military history. She also discusses her own forays into studying the various battles of the period, speculates on the mysterious fates of Elizabeth's two sons who were locked in the Tower of London, and shares what readers can look forward to in future installments of the series.

» Read the interview and the review.

Heather Gudenkauf
In this interview, Heather Gudenkauf explains how her years teaching elementary school inspired her to write her debut novel, THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE, and shares what she hoped to convey in this profound story about two children who mysteriously disappear from their small Iowa town. She also describes her unique writing process, lists some of her favorite writers, and shares details about her current project, tentatively called THE FOUNDLING WHEEL.

» Read the interview and the review.

Penny Vincenzi

About Penny Vincenzi PennyVincenzi.com Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of WINDFALL About the Book: WINDFALL Read an excerpt from WINDFALL Reader Comments about WINDFALL

WINDFALL by Penny Vincenzi (Women’s Fiction)
On Sale Now
Cassia Tallow has been married to the town doctor for seven years when she mysteriously inherits an enormous fortune from her godmother, whom was believed to have died penniless. A responsible housewife and mother, Cassia is at first determined to be sensible, to stay happy and in control --- but suddenly, for the first time in her life, she is able to do exactly as she likes. The money gives her confidence, and her husband can only look on resentfully as she resumes her medical career, sheds some of her domestic burdens, wings with the jet set, and re-forms old relationships --- one of them of a most dangerous kind. Along the way, Cassia realizes that something seems not quite right about the money left to her and she seeks answers, both about the money and the rest of her life. Too soon the windfall, part benign influence, part brutal force, is an absolutely powerful entity all of its own --- one that Cassia cannot resist. » Read More

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

Beverly Barton

About Beverly Barton Author Interview –– September 25, 2009 BeverlyBarton.com Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of SILENT KILLER About the Book: SILENT KILLER Read an excerpt from SILENT KILLER Watch a video about SILENT KILLER Beverly Barton Answers Readers' Questions Reader Comments about SILENT KILLER

SILENT KILLER by Beverly Barton (Romantic Suspense)
On Sale Now
To most people, men like Mark Cantrell are fine, upstanding pillars of the community, completely beyond reproach…but their killer knows better. They are sinners of the worst kind, and they must burn on earth before they burn in hell. » Read More

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

Shandi Mitchell

About Shandi Mitchell Author Interview –– September 11, 2009 Publisher's Website Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY About the Book: UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY Read an excerpt from UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY Watch a video about UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY Reader Comments about UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY

UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY by Shandi Mitchell (Fiction)
On Sale Now
Building to an unforgettable climax, this is the story of a 1930’s immigrant family trying to survive the harsh Canadian prairies, where small and innocent acts have enormous and catastrophic consequences. From a passionate new voice in the world of literary fiction, UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY is a tribute to the resiliency of the human spirit told with great sensitivity and cinematic aplomb. » Read More

For more on Shandi Mitchell and past featured authors, see our
One To Watch promotion.

Tana French

About Tana French Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of THE LIKENESS About the Book: THE LIKENESS Read an excerpt from THE LIKENESS Listen to a podcast Reader Comments about THE LIKENESS

THE LIKENESS by Tana French (Mystery)
On Sale Now
Six months after the events of IN THE WOODS, Detective Cassie Maddox is still trying to recover. She’s transferred out of the Murder squad and started a relationship with Detective Sam O’Neill, but she’s too badly shaken to make any commitment either to him or to her career. Then Sam calls her to the scene of his new case: a young woman found stabbed to death in a small town outside Dublin.

The dead girl’s ID says her name is Lexie Madison --- the identity Cassie used, years ago, as an undercover detective. And she looks exactly like Cassie. » Read More

For more on Tana French and past featured authors, see our
Mystery Mayhem promotion.

John Lutz

About John Lutz Author Interview –– October 30, 2009 JohnLutzOnline.com Publisher's Website Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of URGE TO KILL About the Book: URGE TO KILL Read an excerpt from URGE TO KILL

URGE TO KILL by John Lutz (Thriller)
On Sale Now
Homicide detective Frank Quinn can’t stay retired when there’s a new breed of murdering madman on the prowl. In a city terrorized by bloody brutality, Det. Quinn and his team hunt a psychopath who lures beautiful women into a night of unbridled passion, then wakes them to a vicious, drawn-out death. Stumbling over a trail of horribly defiled bodies, Quinn can’t catch the killer --- because the killer’s about to catch him.

The terrifying new thriller URGE TO KILL from New York Times bestselling author John Lutz is a gruesome, page-turning psychological serial killer crime novel that’s both frightening and fascinating. For a killer, once is never enough. » Read More

For more on John Lutz and past featured authors, see our
Suspense/Thriller promotion.

Nevada Barr

About Nevada Barr Author Interview –– October 2, 2009 NevadaBarr.com Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of 13 ½ About the Book: 13 ½ Read an excerpt from 13 ½ Nevada Barr Answers Readers' Questions Reader Comments about 13 ½

13 ½ by Nevada Barr (Thriller)
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With 13 ½, Nevada Barr, New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning Anna Pigeon novels, has written a taut and terrifying psychological thriller. It carries the reader from the horrifying 1970s murder spree of a child --- dubbed “Butcher Boy” by a shocked public --- in Rochester, Minnesota, to Polly, the abused daughter of Mississippi “trailer trash,” to post-Katrina New Orleans. » Read More

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R.J. Ellory

About R.J. Ellory Author Interview –– October 2, 2009 Publisher's Website Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS About the Book: A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS Read an excerpt from A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS Watch a video about A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS R.J. Ellory Answers Readers' Questions Reader Comments about A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS

A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS by R.J. Ellory (Thriller)
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Growing up in rural Georgia during the 1940s, Joseph Vaughan finds himself at the center of series of mutilations and killings of young girls. Just a teenager, Joseph becomes determined to protect his community from the killer, but is powerless to prevent more murders --- and no one is ever caught. Ten years later one of his neighbors is found hanging from a rope, surrounded by articles from the dead girls; the killings cease, and the nightmare appears to be over. Desperate and plagued everything he has witnessed, Joseph sets out forge a new life in New York. But even there the past won't leave him alone --- for it seems that the murderer still lives and is killing again, and that the secret to his identity lies in Joseph's own history. » Read More

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Michael Walsh

About Michael Walsh Author Interview –– October 2, 2009 Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of HOSTILE INTENT About the Book: HOSTILE INTENT Read an excerpt from HOSTILE INTENT Reader Comments about HOSTILE INTENT

HOSTILE INTENT by Michael Walsh (Thriller)
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It starts with the unthinkable --- the most horrific act of violence ever committed on American soil --- and only one man can stop them. » Read More

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Alan Jacobson

About Alan Jacobson Author Interview –– September 25, 2009 AlanJacobson.com Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of CRUSH About the Book: CRUSH Read an excerpt from CRUSH Alan Jacobson Answers Readers' Questions Reader Comments about CRUSH

CRUSH by Alan Jacobson (Thriller)
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Hoping to find solace from the demons that haunt her, THE 7th VICTIM heroine and renowned FBI profiler Karen Vail makes her first trip to the Napa Valley. But shortly after arriving, a victim is found in the deepest reaches of an exclusive wine cave, the work of an extraordinarily unpredictable serial killer. From the outset, Vail is frustrated by her inability to profile the offender --- until she realizes why: the Behavioral Analysis Unit has not previously encountered a killer like him. » Read More

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