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June 15, 2012

Bookreporter.com Newsletter June 15, 2012
Great Reading Escapes

Last weekend, after a rip-roaring week of racing around New York at BEA, it was “Reading Time.” The Monday night of the show, I was at a dinner where Mark Shriver spoke about his book, A GOOD MAN, a memoir about his father, Sargent Shriver, which just came out last week. After his father passed away, people would stop and tell him that his father had been “a good man.” Mark looks at what that means in this book. It looks beyond his dad’s role as founder of the Peace Corps and co-founder with his mother of the Special Olympics, and instead looks at the person he knew as dad. It makes you think about what people will remember about you. And for Mark, it’s a lot of little things that made his dad great, as well as the big things people know him for.

I confess to knowing little about Sarge before I read this book. But as I read it, I thought about what made a person memorable and what makes them truly great. For Sarge, it was the way he treated all people, not just the famous, and the way he encouraged his children with things like daily handwritten notes slipped under the doors. After reading the book, I found myself sending Mark’s publisher some interview questions, something I rarely do, but the stories he told were so interesting I had questions. You can read my interview with him here and our review here. Reviewer Barbara Bamberger Scott describes the book as an “articulate paean to a loving father” and says “[Sargent Shriver] emerges in this personal tribute as ‘a good man’ who strove to pass on virtues of bravery, sensitivity and old-fashioned morality to his children....” You can see the reading group guide for the book here.

By the way, it got me thinking about my own dad, who to me and many others is “a good man” too. Again, it’s for the small things as well as the big ones. And just reflecting on those memories, one of which I will remind my dad of on Father’s Day, was very, very sweet and nice.

On Sunday, my reading turned to TRUST YOUR EYES, a thriller by Linwood Barclay that releases on September 4th. Now I have been a huge fan of Linwood’s for years, but the depth of his talent is shown in a whole new way in this book. It’s fabulous! There were so many aha moments, twists, turns and surprises that even a quarter of the way through I was thinking this is sooooo cleverly done. For humor, as I was reading outside, I did not notice the skies were darkening. My husband came out and said, “There is a severe thunderstorm watch in the next county.” My reply, “I am reading.” I heard thunder, the skies got darker, but I stayed under the umbrella in my lounge chair. My husband came out again and said, “I am watching the radar; a big storm is coming in.” I barely looked up and said, “I am reading.” He put down the umbrella as the wind was now whipping up as oft happens before a storm. When I had a mere 20 pages left, the rain started coming down and I raced to the house with the book wrapped in a towel.

It was close to 6:00, and Tom had the expectant face that I was going to make dinner. Instead, I headed to the couch and did not move until I finished the book. That, my friends, is a true sign of a book completely taking you to another place. By the way, I was not alone feeling like this. Here is what Stephen King has to say about TRUST YOUR EYES: “My idea of a sweet ride is three days of rain, a fridge filled with snacks, and a new Linwood Barclay. I just had all three. TRUST YOUR EYES is the best Barclay so far, a tale Hitchcock would have loved. It has more spins than the Whirl360 computer program Thomas Kilbride is so fascinated with. The book is riveting, frequently scary, occasionally funny, and surprisingly, wonderfully tender. I could believe this might happen to people living two streets over from me. Great entertainment from a suspense master.” Nice trailer here for those who enjoy watching such things. And the book so will get you thinking about the Google Earth software!

Oh, and besides me and Stephen King, the book has a huge fan in my son Greg, who spent Monday night plastered to the couch reading until he was finished. He had started the book on Saturday and was on page 100 when he left to go out on Sunday. When he saw me finished when he got back, he said, “Don’t say a word” and he picked up his own advance reading copy and kept reading. There’s something fun about watching a person read a book that you already have enjoyed. I am known for saying, “What part are you up to?” over and over!

This week, I again have TWO new Bets On selections to share with you. In HEADING OUT TO WONDERFUL by Robert Goolrick, we meet Charlie Beale, who is recently back from the war in Europe. He shows up in the quiet town of Brownsburg, Virginia. His job at the local butcher shop gives him the opportunity to meet all the townsfolk, including a beautiful teenage bride. Ultimately, Charlie’s obsession with this young woman, Sylvan Glass, threatens to destroy everything and everyone in its path. Now I loved Goolrick’s A RELIABLE WIFE, which also was a Bets On selection, and there are many parallels between the books with obsessive behaviors, characters you want to throttle, and lots of introspection and darkness. Written in the voice of a young man named Sam who loved Charlie infuses the writing with just the right measure of innocence to give us a voyeur seat at the action.

The Wednesday night of BEA, I found myself at a party talking to Goolrick about it. He said the little boy in the story is the boy he was --- watching, not knowing quite what he was seeing, and knowing something was awry. He got the idea for the plot of the book when he was in a small town in Greece where someone told a story of something that happened in a town that got him thinking about how small towns are the same pretty much everywhere, and he could set that same story in Virginia, a place he knew well. You can read more about why this is a Bets On here and see what reviewer Norah Piehl said about the book here. Here’s a brief excerpt from Norah’s review: “HEADING OUT TO WONDERFUL reads like one of those old Southern ballads of heartbreak and revenge... Haunting and unsettling, like a melody in minor tune, [it] will linger in readers' memories long after its final notes fade away.”

Also, to celebrate the release of HEADING OUT TO WONDERFUL on ReadingGroupGuides.com, we have a special opportunity for book groups to attend a special reception to meet Goolrick. This opportunity is only available to book groups in select cities where Goolrick is touring and is limited to book groups. You can read more about this opportunity here, and groups must RSVP in order to attend. He also has a very extensive tour schedule that you can see here.

My other new Bets On selection is GILDED AGE by Claire McMillan. In it, Ellie Hart made a brilliant marriage in New York, but it ended in a scandalous divorce and 30 days in Sierra Tucson rehab. Now, returning home to Cleveland, she finds that, despite feminist lip service, she will still need a husband to be socially complete. Cleveland is one stylish Rust Belt city in this book, and watching the action there truly makes a reader feel like a voyeur. This book is based on THE HOUSE OF MIRTH by Edith Wharton. We will have our review soon. As I shared last week, when I gave a Bets On rave to THE INNOCENTS, that book was based on Wharton’s THE AGE OF INNOCENCE. Thus on ReadingGroupGuides.com, we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Edith Wharton’s birthday and the release of these two new novels inspired by her writing with a special contest. 20 book group members each will receive a copy of THE INNOCENTS and THE AGE OF INNOCENCE, while 20 other readers each will be awarded a copy of GILDED AGE and THE HOUSE OF MIRTH. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, June 28th at 11:59PM ET.

By the way, I love when we offer special opportunities like these pairings and the Goolrick events, something a bit beyond what you can just read on the page. Oh, and if you are in a book group, we also just posted a Fall Preview that publishers shared at the Book Group Speed Dating Session at BookExpo America --- more than 80 titles that book groups are going to want to read! You can see that here.

Back on the site, we also have a review of THE RED HOUSE by Mark Haddon, a book that I read and enjoyed. You remember Haddon from his bestselling novel THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. This book is very different, but also so engaging in looking at the human psyche. Richard, a wealthy doctor, invites his estranged sister Angela and her family to join his for a week at a vacation home in the English countryside. The stage is set for seven days of resentment and guilt, a staple of family gatherings the world over. The way these characters interact --- and don’t interact --- provides a voyeuristic view of a vacation, which I read on our Spring Break. Reviewer Michael Magras says, “No one who has read THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME will be surprised to learn that Haddon’s gift for well-chosen detail turns what might have been an unexceptional tale of familial discord into a thrilling experience.”

Meanwhile, we are wrapping up our Historical Fiction Author Spotlight for GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS by Lisa T. Bergren. It’s the summer of 1913, and Cora Kensington’s life on the family farm has taken a dark turn. Not only are the crops failing, but someone dear to Cora is failing as well. In one fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discovers a terrible secret about her past. Reviewer Melanie Smith says, “GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS is an outstanding first installment of an intriguing, cleverly written series for readers of all ages who enjoy inspirationals, historical fiction, or romance.” We also have an interview with Bergren, which you can see here, where she talks about her research process and gives a glimpse into what the rest of the series will bring.

Speaking of Historical Fiction, this week we have a review of C. W. Gortner’s THE QUEEN’S VOW, which is about one of history’s most famous and controversial queens --- the warrior who united a fractured country, the champion of the faith whose reign gave rise to the Inquisition, and the visionary who sent Columbus to discover a New World. Reviewer Melanie Smith says, “This is a truthful, unusual, well-researched, intriguing historical that should appeal highly to those who appreciate truth in history and unembellished excitement.” Get the scoop behind the book in an interview with Gortner here. Now I want you to get a look at the cake above that was served at the Bookshop West Portal in San Francisco, CA on C.W’s book tour. Gorgeous, isn’t i? In case you are wondering, besides being beautiful, I was told it has strawberry filling.

Dottie Frank, AKA Dorothea Benton Frank, has been ripping up the South this week on her book tour. We have a review of PORCH LIGHTS where she conjures the magic and mystery in the wild shores, misty dunes, gentle salt breezes, and rainbow sunsets of the enchanted Sullivans Island, where three generations of a family will discover the indelible power of love. Reviewer Amie Taylor says, “PORCH LIGHTS is the perfect title for Dorothea Benton Frank’s lovely novel.... There's something unexplainably appealing about the warm nights and gentle breezes that can be experienced only in South Carolina.”

Robert Dugoni --- a Bookreporter.com author favorite --- had his latest, THE CONVICTION, just come out this week. It follows lawyer David Sloane, who is desperate to get through to his troubled teenage son Jake. Still reeling from the devastating loss of his mother in a brutal murder, Jake has spiraled out of control and Sloane has barely been able to keep him out of jail. So when his old friend, Detective Tom Molia, suggests that Sloane and Jake join him and his son TJ on a camping trip, Sloane gratefully accepts. What Sloane imagines will be the perfect excursion turns into a horrifying nightmare. Reviewer Joe Hartlaub says, “THE CONVICTION is a frightening story, made more so by the fact that all of us know of incidents that are similar to those described in this hair-raising novel.... This is one book that parents and their adolescent children need to read together.”

In FATHER’S DAY by Buzz Bissinger, the author of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS journeys across the country and into the psyche of his son and traveling companion, where he finds not only the remarkable skills and debilities known as savantism, but a host of admirable qualities. Reviewer Carole Turner says, “FATHER'S DAY is brutally honest, extremely well written, at times amusing, occasionally spirit-lifting, and always a page-turner. This reviewer is glad the author chose to open his heart and share his love, concern, pain and joy with readers.”

We also have a review of DAN GETS A MINIVAN, by Dan Zevin. Acclimating to the adult-oriented lifestyle has never been Dan’s strong suit, and this slice-of-midlife story chronicles the whole hilarious journey --- from instituting date night to joining Costco; from touring Disneyland to recovering from knee surgery; from losing ambition to gaining perspective. Where it’s all heading is anyone’s guess, but, for Dan, suburbia’s calling --- and his minivan has GPS. Reviewer Curtis Edmonds says, “DAN GETS A MINIVAN is consistently funny, insightful, and even occasionally wise regarding the perks and perils of modern parenting.” This is one very funny book!

Summer is almost here! Our Summer Reading Contest and Feature continues with Daily Contests that you can sign up for here. Next week’s featured titles are THE GIRL IN THE GARDEN by Kamala Nair, the aforementioned THE INNOCENTS, and TUMBLEWEEDS by Leila Meacham. We are having a lot of fun with these. Each time a contest is posted, we feel we are getting an extra connection to our readers.

Do you have your Father’s Day presents bought yet? Well, we have book suggestions as we are spotlighting 10 "Dad-worthy" books that are perfect gift-giving suggestions: THE COLDEST NIGHT by Robert Olmstead, DAMAGE CONTROL by John Gilstrap, THE FAMILY CORLEONE by Ed Falco, IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS by Erik Larson, LEHRTER STATION by David Downing, MAN MADE by Joel Stein, ON PAR: The Everyday Golfer's Survival Guide by Bill Pennington, ONE SHOT AT FOREVER by Chris Ballard, OPERATION NAPOLEON by Arnaldur Indridason, and TO THE LAST BREATH by Francis Slakey. Also, I just dropped off prizes for the Father’s Day contest winners at the UPS store. Winners can be found here. We had great fun reading about all the books you remember your dads reading to you.

And speaking of Father’s Day, we’re also continuing our Father's Day blog series with some of our favorite author friends. We’re sharing a variety of pieces --- both entertaining and emotional ---- from a diverse list of authors through Father’s Day. So far, we’ve featured Dan Zevin on making his kids proud; Francis Slakey on sharing stories with his dad; Lisa Brackmann on the inspiration her father gave her; Anthony Swofford on how to "make a short story long" with his dad; Chris Cleave on the "perks of fatherhood" (you MUST see the drawing that accompanies this piece); Anita Amirrezvani on her father’s love of poetry; C. W. Gortner on how his father has supported his writing throughout his life; Joshua Henkin on his father’s love of words; J. R. Angelella, who talks to his dad about all things zombie; and Claire McMillan, who talks about one of her father’s lifelong passions. The blog wraps up this weekend with Alma Katsu and Charles Martin.

Our month-long Audiobook blog series continues with pieces from authors who recorded their own audiobooks in celebration of Audiobook Month. So far, we have featured Richard Miniter, Anna Quindlen, Jack Gantos, Janis Ian, David Maraniss, Jim Bouton, Jenny Lawson, Meg Jay, AJ Jacobs, Rachel Simon, Ayad Akhtar, RoseMarie Terenzio, Shorty Rossi, Mary Pope Osborne and Tupelo Hassman. This weekend, we will “hear” from Anthony Swofford and Lesley Kagen.

And speaking of audiobooks, last week’s poll about them continues, so be sure to weigh in! We want to know how you feel about listening to books. Put in your vote here.

This week, we have a brand new Word of Mouth contest for you! Let us know what you’re reading for a chance to win CRIMINAL by Karin Slaughter, GOLD by Chris Cleave and HEARTBROKEN by Lisa Unger.

The nominees for this year's Anthony Awards were announced this week. The Anthonys are presented at each annual Bouchercon World Mystery Convention with the winners selected by attendees. The award is named for the late Anthony Boucher (William Anthony Parker White), writer and critic from the New York Times, who helped found the Mystery Writers of America. This year, the awards will be presented in October at Bouchercon in Cleveland. Congratulations to all the nominees!

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. My husband is celebrating with golf. He always plays golf, but this weekend, he is caddying at the USGA Women’s National Public Links Tournament. I never knew that carrying someone else’s bag for 18 holes --- and some days for 36 holes --- was a fun thing, but what do I know? He needs to be available for practice sessions this weekend and then throughout the tournament through Thursday next week. His biggest instruction from the tournament coordinator was “NEVER touch the ball unless it’s handed to you and then only clean it.” Today he took one of Cory’s friends Stephen (Son 2B), who also will be caddying, to play the course the tournament will be on as Stephen had not played it before. He is so altruistic to have sacrificed his day to show Stephen the course.

I am flying to California on Thursday to attend the American Library Association Conference in Anaheim. Since I am not a huge Disney fan, this is not my favorite location for a conference, but I love meeting librarians and they have a stellar lineup of programming. I am scheduled to head back there again at the end of July for the Romance Writers of America Convention. And there is a trip to San Diego for San Diego Comic-Con in between. And yes, you have that right. THREE trips to California between June 21st and July 28th, none continuous enough to stay on especially as we have soooo much going on in the office. United Airlines will love me! Fingers crossed for at least a few upgrades, which are a traveler’s dream.

Books are lined up for the weekend as Tom hits the links, Greg is off camping, and Cory is zipping around town with friends. I will head to the beach at some point this weekend to visit my dad…and remind him why he is “a good man” while I can.

Here’s to great books, great reading…and let’s toss great weather in there too!

Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

Now in Stores: THE RED HOUSE by Mark Haddon
THE RED HOUSE by Mark Haddon (Fiction)
Six weeks after their mother’s death, Richard, a wealthy radiologist, invites his sister Angela, her husband and their children to a vacation rental near Wales to spend the week with him, his second wife, and his teenage stepdaughter. Through rapidly shifting points of view, Mark Haddon creates a rich portrait of characters dealing with animosities and personal crises, from job anxiety to confusion over one’s sexuality. Reviewed by Michael Magras.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here for the reading group guide.

 
Click here to read a review.
 
Bookreporter.com Talks to Mark K. Shriver, Author of A GOOD MAN

A GOOD MAN is a reflection on the life and accomplishments of Mark K. Shriver’s legendary father, Sargent “Sarge” Shriver --- the founder of the Peace Corps and architect of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty --- as well as the principles that guided him. In this interview, conducted by Bookreporter.com’s co-Founder and President, Carol Fitzgerald, Shriver discusses the incredible undertaking in writing such an intimate portrait, the importance of handwritten letters, and his father’s unconditional love.

A GOOD MAN: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver by Mark K. Shriver (Memoir)
When Sargent "Sarge" Shriver died in 2011 after a valiant fight with Alzheimer's, thousands of tributes poured in from friends and strangers worldwide. After a lifetime searching for the path to his father's success in the public arena, Mark instead turns to a search for the secret of his father's joy, his devotion to others, and his sense of purpose. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here for the reading group guide.

Click here to read our interview.
 
Bookreporter.com Talks to Lisa T. Bergren, Author of GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS

Lisa T. Bergren’s latest novel, GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS, tells the story of Cora Kensington, whose life is permanently altered when she finds out that she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king. In this interview, conducted by Bookreporter.com’s Melanie Smith, Bergren discusses her and her family’s passion for travel. She also touches on some of the book’s quirks, talks about her research process, and gives a glimpse into what the rest of the series will bring.

GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS by Lisa T. Bergren (Historical Romance)
It’s the summer of 1913, and Cora Kensington’s life on the family farm has taken a dark turn. Not only are the crops failing, but someone dear to Cora is failing as well. In one fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discovers a terrible secret about her past…a secret that will radically change her future. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to see the book trailer.
-Click here to read Lisa T. Bergren’s bio.
-Click here to visit Lisa T. Bergren’s official website.
-Click here to connect with Lisa T. Bergren on Facebook.
-Click here to read more in our Historical Fiction Author Spotlight.

Click here to read our interview.
 
Bookreporter.com Bets On: HEADING OUT TO WONDERFUL by Robert Goolrick and GILDED AGE by Claire McMillan

HEADING OUT TO WONDERFUL by Robert Goolrick (Fiction)
As many of you recall, I was just crazy about A RELIABLE WIFE by Robert Goolrick, which was a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. In his latest book, HEADING OUT TO WONDERFUL, Goolrick again grabbed my attention with a bold story and a group of flawed characters.

Charlie Beale rolls into the quiet town of Brownsburg, Virginia. He brings with him two things --- a suitcase of knives and a suitcase of money. He finds work at the butcher shop in town where his skill with creating beautiful steaks and chops gives him a wide audience amongst the townspeople. He also befriends the butcher’s family, and his young son, Sam, clearly loves spending time with Charlie. Before we all get caught up in an idyllic world, along comes two other characters --- a rich man named Boaty Glass and his beautiful wife, Sylvan, who catches Charlie’s eye. And well, more than his eye. What Sam sees over the next months between Charlie and Sylvan will change his world forever. The novel is told in the voice of Sam, and the scars he has will never heal.

From the start, readers know something will not go well. And I was page-turning to figure out just WHEN that was going to happen. There are many parallels between these two books of Goolrick’s, including the lonely characters who have lots churning inside. This WILL be a big book for book clubs as there is a lot to discuss about the characters, the writing, the structure and the plot. I see it as attracting just as big an audience as A RELIABLE WIFE.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here for the reading group guide.
-Click here to read Robert Goolrick’s bio.


GILDED AGE by Claire McMillan (Fiction)

GILDED AGE, a debut novel by Claire McMillan, is set in Cleveland, “the Rust Belt,” and shows a stylish side to that city that I never expected. Readers meet Ellie Harr, who makes her return to her native city after a divorce in New York and stint in rehab. But she learns that what while her beauty is dazzling, her sexual reputation matters as much as her family heritage and bankbook. Her more grounded childhood friend is living a respectable Cleveland life, and the divide between their worlds exacerbates Ellie’s troubles all the more.

Chapter by chapter, Ellie unravels as she becomes more and more outrageous as her contemporaries settle in, and thus tongues start wagging. Couple this with a series of faux pas that are wildly public, and Ellie suddenly finds herself very much in the cold. Visually rich, atmospherically well-conceived and chock full of characters who are memorable, GILDED AGE is a hands-down great summer read. Do note that it is referenced as a contemporary re-telling of THE HOUSE OF MIRTH by Edith Wharton. While classics rarely charm me, I find myself wanting to get my hands on THE HOUSE OF MIRTH for a comparison. Great choice for book clubs!

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here for the reading group guide.
-Click here to read Claire McMillan’s bio.

Click here to see all the books we're betting you'll love.
 
Now in Stores: XO by Jeffery Deaver

XO: A Kathryn Dance Novel by Jeffery Deaver (Thriller)
Kayleigh Towne is gorgeous with a voice that is taking her to the heights of the country pop charts. Her hit single “Your Shadow” puts her happily in the spotlight, until an innocent exchange with one of her fans leads Kayleigh into a dark and terrifying realm. Special Agent Kathryn Dance must use her considerable skills at investigation and body language analysis to stop the stalker. But before long, she learns that Kayleigh has more than just one fan with a mission. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read more about the book.

Click here to read a review.
 
Now in Stores: PORCH LIGHTS by Dorothea Benton Frank
PORCH LIGHTS by Dorothea Benton Frank (Fiction)
In an attempt to pick up the pieces of her shattered life after the untimely death of her husband, Jackie McMullen returns to her childhood home on Sullivans Island, a place where home cooking fills tables and bellies, iced tea flows freely, and the loving warmth of family abounds. Reviewed by Amie Taylor.

-Click here to read more about the book.

 
Click here to read a review.
 
Now in Stores: FATHER’S DAY by Buzz Bissinger
FATHER’S DAY: A Journey into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son by Buzz Bissinger (Memoir)
FATHER’S DAY is the true story of a road trip unlike any road trip ever described in print. On this cross-country excursion are two travelers: a middle-aged, successful author who does all the driving, and his mentally-challenged son who does some of the navigating. This trip of self-discovery across miles upon miles of concrete has its twists and turns for both men. The final destination for the reader, it is hoped, will be a place of understanding and an appreciation of the importance of love and acceptance in every person's life. Reviewed by Carole Turner.

-Click here to read more about the book.

 
Click here to read a review.
 
Now in Stores: THE CONVICTION by Robert Dugoni

THE CONVICTION by Robert Dugoni (Thriller)
Lawyer David Sloane’s teenage son, Jake, and his friend find themselves in a wilderness detention camp after being convicted of vandalizing a general store. As Sloane fights the conviction against the boys, he discovers that the local judge’s authority seems to extend far beyond the confines of his courtroom. Meanwhile, Jake is learning the hard way that this detention center has a very different purpose than rehabilitating troubled youths. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read more about the book.

Click here to read a review.
 
An Interview with C. W. Gortner, Author of THE QUEEN’S VOW

C. W. Gortner’s newest novel, THE QUEEN’S VOW, follows Isabella of Castile through her complex tumultuous rise to power and her subsequent reign. In this interview, Gortner talks about his extensive research process and the surprising and unexpected things he learned. He also discusses how he approaches writing historical fiction and reveals what he’s working on next.

THE QUEEN’S VOW: A Novel of Isabella of Castile by C.W. Gortner (Historical Fiction)
“No one believed I was destined for greatness.” So begins Isabella’s story, in C. W. Gortner’s novel about one of history’s most famous and controversial queens --- the warrior who united a fractured country, the champion of the faith whose reign gave rise to the Inquisition, and the visionary who sent Columbus to discover a New World. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.

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

Click here to read the interview.
 
Bookreporter.com's Summer Reading Contests and Feature
Summer is just around the corner! At Bookreporter.com, this means it's time for us to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contest and Feature. We will be spotlighting a different title on select days through July 31st, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter. We also will be sending a special daily newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.

Our next prize book will be announced on Monday, June 18th at noon ET. Next week's featured titles are THE GIRL IN THE GARDEN by Kamala Nair, THE INNOCENTS by Francesca Segal and TUMBLEWEEDS by Leila Meacham.

 
Click here to read all the contest details and see our featured titles.
 
Bookreporter.com's Father’s Day Feature and Author Blogs

Father’s Day Feature and Contest Winners
Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the men in our lives who have raised and loved us. Why not show him your appreciation by inspiring him with a great book? We have 10 titles that are perfect gift-giving suggestions for Dad, keeping him busy through the rest of the year.

Our Father's Day contest has ended, and we're pleased to announce the winners, along with their responses to our question, "Name your favorite book that your dad read to you." Five readers will receive all the books we’re featuring, along with a cooler that is touted to keep contents cold for two days, a striped beach towel, sunblock and Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Congratulations to all!

-Click here to see our featured titles and the contest winners.


Father’s Day Author Blogs
And speaking of Father’s Day, we’re also continuing our Father's Day blog series with some of our favorite author friends. We’re sharing a variety of pieces --- both entertaining and emotional ---- from a diverse list of authors through Father’s Day. So far, we’ve featured Dan Zevin on making his kids proud; Francis Slakey on sharing stories with his dad; Lisa Brackmann on the inspiration her father gave her; Anthony Swofford on how to "make a short story long" with his dad; Chris Cleave on the "perks of fatherhood" (you MUST see the drawing that accompanies this piece); Anita Amirrezvani on her father’s love of poetry; C. W. Gortner on how his father has supported his writing throughout his life; Joshua Henkin on his father’s love of words; J. R. Angelella, who talks to his dad about all things zombie; and Claire McMillan, who describes one of her father’s lifelong passions. The blog wraps up with Alma Katsu and Charles Martin.

-Click here to read our Father's Day Author blogs.

Paperback Spotlight: TO BE SUNG UNDERWATER by Tom McNeal
TO BE SUNG UNDERWATER by Tom McNeal (Fiction)
As the veneer of her happy life in California is beginning to crack, Judith Whitman recalls the serenity she felt decades earlier, when she was 17 and living in her father’s house in Nebraska. There --- before her marriage to a banker, before the birth of her daughter, before her career as a film editor --- Judith met Willy Blunt, a carpenter whose pale blue eyes and easy smile awakened in Judith the reckless girl he alone imagined her to be. If she were to encounter Willy again, could Judith reconnect with her purer, better self? Tom McNeal points us toward the answer in this heartwrenching, captivating story about who we are with the ones we love, and who we are without them.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Tom McNeal’s bio.
-Click here to visit Tom McNeal’s official website.

 
Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight.
 
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

A Celebration of Edith Wharton’s 150th Birthday
We are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Edith Wharton’s birthday and the release of two new novels inspired by her writing with a special contest. 20 readers each will receive a copy of THE INNOCENTS by Francesca Segal and THE AGE OF INNOCENCE by Edith Wharton, while 20 other readers each will be awarded a copy of GILDED AGE by Claire McMillan and THE HOUSE OF MIRTH by Edith Wharton. The deadline for entries is Thursday, June 28th at 11:59PM ET. Note: To win, entrants must agree to share their feedback on the two novels between now and August 10th!

Enter Your Group for a Chance to Meet Bestselling Author Robert Goolrick...And More!
We have a special opportunity for book groups to attend a special reception to meet Robert Goolrick, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A RELIABLE WIFE, whose latest book HEADING OUT TO WONDERFUL is on sale now. This opportunity is available to book groups in select cities, but all readers are invited to enter to win additional prizes.


CITY OF WOMEN by David R. Gillham
We are celebrating the forthcoming release of CITY OF WOMEN by David R. Gillham --- a steamy page-turner about a seemingly perfect Nazi soldier’s wife and her clandestine life --- with a special contest. 50 readers will have the opportunity to each win an advance copy of the book, which will be in stores August 7th, for their group. The deadline for entries is Friday, July 6th at noon ET.

THE BOOK OF SUMMERS by Emylia Hall
We are celebrating the release of THE BOOK OF SUMMERS by Emylia Hall --- the story of a woman who is forced to confront the betrayal that destroyed her years earlier --- with a special contest. 25 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, July 6th at noon ET.

Newsletter Contest
To be a group to win 20 free copies of THE RED HOUSE by Mark Haddon, all you have to do is sign up for the ReadingGroupGuides.com newsletter by July 1st. If you are receiving the ReadingGroupGuides.com newsletter in your mailbox, you already are signed up!

Registered Book Club Contest
For June, we have a very special opportunity for Registered Book Groups. 25 groups will receive a paperback copy of JOY FOR BEGINNERS by Erica Bauermeister. Groups that have registered with us by Tuesday, June 19th have the chance to win. If your group is not registered, click here to register.


Teenreads.com

Beach Bag of Books
In our Sixth Annual Beach Bag of Books contest, five winners each will receive a beach bag filled with a number of outstanding books. We'll be adding more titles in the days to come, so please be on the lookout for that! Along with the books, winners will find their striped beach bag stocked with a polka-dot beach towel, Coppertone Sport Sunblock, and a plastic sports bottle. The deadline for entries is Monday, July 16th at noon ET.

Kidsreads.com

JUSTIN CASE: SHELLS, SMELLS, AND THE HORRIBLE FLIP-FLOPS OF DOOM written by Rachel Vail, illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Justin is going to start fourth grade --- but first, he has to survive the summer. We are giving 5 readers the chance to win a copy of JUSTIN CASE: SHELLS, SMELLS, AND THE HORRIBLE FLIP-FLOPS OF DOOM. The deadline for entries is Monday, June 18th at noon ET.

ALEX AND THE AMAZING TIME MACHINE written by Rich Cohen, illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Alex Trumble is a pretty ordinary kid --- except for the fact that his IQ borders on genius, and he loves to read books on vortexes and time travel. But when two angry hit men kidnap his big brother, Alex’s life changes fast. We are giving 5 readers the chance to win a copy of ALEX AND THE AMAZING TIME MACHINE. The deadline for entries is Monday, June 18th at noon ET.

This Week’s Reviews

CRONKITE by Douglas Brinkley (Biography)
For decades Walter Cronkite was heralded as “the most trusted man in America,” from his first reports on the frontlines of World War II to anchoring the "CBS Evening News" until his retirement in 1981. Yet, for the most part, he was a remarkably private man. Brinkley, through analysis of Cronkite’s private papers and interviews with family and friends, now brings the American icon into a focus like never before. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.

THE DARK MONK: A Hangman’s Daughter Tale by Oliver Pötzsch (Historical Mystery)
On a snowy night in the Bavarian village of Schongau, Father Andreas Koppmeyer is poisoned. The town’s physician assistant, Simon Fronwieser, examines the body and realizes the priest has been murdered. To solve the crime, Simon enlists the help of the Schongau hangman, Jakob Kuisl, and his vivacious daughter, Magdalena. Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt.


DAN GETS A MINIVAN: Life at the Intersection of Dude and Dad by Dan Zevin (Humor)
A coming-of-middle-age tale told with warmth and wit, DAN GETS A MINIVAN provides the one thing every parent really needs: comic relief. Whether you’re a dude, a dad, or someone who’s married to either, fasten your seat belt and prepare to crack up. Reviewed by Curtis Edmonds.

IN THE KINGDOM OF MEN by Kim Barnes (Historical Fiction)
In this intriguing mystery saturated with atmosphere set in the 1960s, Gin finds herself a very long way from her girlhood in Virginia. When her husband Mason goes to work on a Houston oil rig in Saudi Arabia, she is plunged into a surreal enclosed community of bored oil rig wives --- but the door opened to a much wider world beckons to her. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.


NICEVILLE by Carsten Stroud (Thriller)
A boy literally disappears from Main Street, while an audacious bank robbery goes seriously wrong, triggering a disastrous cascade of events that ricochet across 20 different lives over the course of just 36 hours. Nick Kavanaugh and his wife, Kate, find themselves struggling to make sense not only of the disappearance and the robbery but also of a shadow world, where time has a different rhythm and justice is elusive. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.

THE UNFINISHED WORK OF ELIZABETH D. by Nichole Bernier (Fiction)
Summer vacation on Great Rock Island was supposed to be a restorative time for Kate, who had lost her close friend Elizabeth in a sudden accident. But when she inherits a trunk of Elizabeth's journals, they reveal a woman far different from the cheerful wife and mother Kate thought she knew. The complicated portrait of Elizabeth makes Kate question not just their friendship, but her own deepest beliefs about loyalty and honesty at a period of uncertainty in her own marriage. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.


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