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July 27, 2012

Bookreporter.com Newsletter July 27, 2012
California Dreaming…One Last Time

Yes, I am having déjà vu as I am back in Anaheim this week for the Romance Writers of America (RWA) conference. As I walked through the lobby of the Hilton where I am staying, I had flashbacks to my trip here a few weeks ago. I feel like I am in a script where we substituted librarians with romance authors; the rest, including the panels and the parties, stayed the same. As always, I enjoyed "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing on Wednesday night, where over 400 different authors signed books for charity. The proceeds from the event are donated to various literacy charities. Wonder what this night was like? Then read my blog, complete with pictures.

Last weekend, I accomplished some gardening until my husband went inside to catch an update on the British Open. By the time he got back, I was sound asleep on a lounge chair succumbing to jetlag. One nap later, I was ready to get some reading done, which is a lovely way to unwind. Note that I was not ready to pick up a shovel or a spade. I deadheaded some flowers during the moments that I felt like moving, and there were not many of those.

My lovely reading escape began with LOVE ANTHONY by Lisa Genova. Readers may recall that I selected both STILL ALICE and LEFT NEGLECTED by Lisa as Bets On selections in previous years. I am very pleased to share that Lisa will be the first author to grab a slot with a third Bets On selection for LOVE ANTHONY. Lisa is a brainy author --- literally. She has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University and infuses her novels with stories of how the brain works. Along the way, she creates some very vivid and memorable writing. Here at the heart of her story is a young boy who has autism. By the time you are finished reading, you will have read a wonderful novel while also emerging more knowledgeable about the world of autism. Two other books on this subject, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME by Mark Haddon and THE SIEGE: A Family's Journey into the World of an Autistic Child by Clara Claiborne Park, are both referenced in LOVE ANTHONY; I know the former, but not the latter.

Anthony; his mom, Olivia; and Beth, a woman who casually meets him on the beach one day are drawn together in this story that is both beautifully written and informative. And if you did not have empathy for parents whose children have autism before, you will once you read the last heart-tugger page of the book.

Next up I plucked Debbie Macomber’s upcoming novel from my very high "to be read" stack; it's the first in a new series, called THE INN AT ROSE HARBOR. I love the start of a new series as it sets the stage for things to come; I find myself trying to think about where the author plans to take us. Jo Marie, a recent widow, is running a bed and breakfast in the town of Cedar Cove, a place that readers of Debbie’s work will be familiar with from her Cedar Cove series. Named The Inn at Rose Harbor, Jo Marie’s race to get her business up and running, as well as the stories of her first two guests, form strong bones for the future of the series. Debbie has ratcheted her craft to a new high in this work. I love Jo Marie’s voice --- she’s a character with spunk and a “can do” attitude, even when she is questioning and healing herself. And right now I feel like I could use an escape to the Inn!

My husband flew to Kansas this week, and as he packed an advance reading copy of TRUST YOUR EYES by Linwood Barclay (in stores September 4th), he asked if I thought he would need a second book. I gave him a resounding “YES” as I knew he was going to fly through Linwood’s latest. (He didn’t listen to me, and I am wondering what he bought at the airport.) Thinking that the RWA conference here was going to be busy, I only packed one book as well (not heeding the voice in my head that had me sorting through the pile beside my bookcases as they are full) --- Laura Lippman’s AND WHEN SHE WAS GOOD, which is on sale August 14th. Ignoring everything else that I SHOULD have been doing, I read it on the plane, over my dinner for one at my hotel (a few quiet hours that I loved since I knew the next days would be heavily populated with people and events), and as soon as I woke up Wednesday morning I finished it.

In AND WHEN SHE WAS GOOD, Heloise is a suburban madam who lives the life of “every mom” with soccer games and homework in between the hours where she runs her business and has her own customers, who spend time with her for a price. Life seems safe for her until another suburban madam is found dead, and suddenly the life she has built starts to feel a lot less secure. While most madams are known for their little black books chock full of names, Laura’s protagonist has the street smarts to keep herself and “her girls” safe with a brilliant filing system. She also is a character we want to side with --- and see win her freedom from her former pimp and her past. Laura’s writing has a strong voice, and the story’s pace is addicting as Heloise sees her life is in danger because of whistleblowing she engineered years ago. And to save herself and her son, she’s going to have to be very, very clever. It’s Laura’s work at its best.

And now to the rest of the update….

This week begins our Romantic Suspense Author Spotlight featuring Beverly Barton’s DON’T SAY A WORD, in which homicide detective Julia Cass is tasked with investigating the most brutal murder she’s ever seen. A judge is dead, and Julia is forced to partner with FBI agent Will Brannock to solve a case that unearths more mutilated bodies left as a souvenir by the angry killer. We’re giving away 25 copies of the book to those who would like to read and comment on it. To be a winner, be sure to enter by Thursday, August 9th at noon ET.

Our One to Watch contest continues for IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN by Vaddey Ratner. The book is set in 1975 after the Cambodian Civil War as Cambodia is overtaken by the Khmer Rouge. Raami and her family, who have a prosperous life, are ousted from their home and held in the clutches of the Khmer Rouge, who move them from camp to camp, where survival under primitive and abusive conditions become the world of Raami’s childhood. The genocide killing that follows kills more than two million people. By using a child as her narrator, Ratner captures a story that is both very unique and raw, and it makes this story an incredible emotional journey. We’re giving 50 readers the opportunity to read and comment on the book. Interested? Then enter by Thursday, August 2nd at noon ET for your chance to win. I love this book and cannot wait to hear what you all think of it!

For the past few weeks, we’ve been featuring Emily Giffin in our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight. This week, we’re pleased to share our review of her latest book, WHERE WE BELONG, which is about a woman whose life seems perfect until a girl shows up on her doorstep with a key to her past. Reviewer Norah Piehl says, “WHERE WE BELONG is a compassionate novel whose main characters constantly consider not only their own well-being but also the thoughts and feelings of others. This generosity of spirit will speak to readers, who will certainly feel similar compassion for Giffin's well-drawn, sympathetically real characters.”

BROKEN HARBOR, the fourth novel in Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series, is now in stores. This highly-anticipated book finds Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy tasked with investigating the death of a man and his children. But Scorcher has his own secrets and only hopes they don’t resurface to interfere with the investigation. Reviewer Joe Hartlaub says, “As with FAITHFUL PLACE, BROKEN HARBOR undoubtedly will be found on countless best-of lists at the end of the year, even those who otherwise would never read genre fiction. French’s multitude of fans will feel compelled to read slowly in order to make it last.” We also have a very insightful interview with Tana, which you can read here.

Brad Thor continues his series featuring counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath with BLACK LIST. In this new political thriller (also reviewed by Joe), Harvath has been framed for terrorism. Now he must evade the teams sent to kill him and find out who framed him before it’s too late. Will he manage to clear his name, or will he be black-listed forever? Joe offers this rave: “Thor has never appeared to be more prescient than he is with BLACK LIST, in which he combines insider knowledge, technological savvy and --- perhaps most importantly of all --- a worldview unfettered by delusional ideology. He and Horvath are the real deal, and you should accept no substitutes.”

We also have a review of Rachel Joyce’s much talked-about debut novel, THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY. After receiving a letter informing him that a woman he hasn’t seen in 20 years is dying, Harold decides to leave his wife and walk the 600 miles to see her; in the process, he starts an incredible emotional and physical journey. Reviewer Roz Shea says, “Harold’s journey into his self resonates in our current society…. [Rachel Joyce’s] flawless narrative and dialogue crackle with authenticity and vitality.” This was a BEA Buzz Book, one of six titles earmarked for special attention for booksellers, librarians and avid readers, and has also been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

Stephen L. Carter, perhaps best known as the author of THE EMPEROR OF OCEAN PARK, introduces an interesting new reality in his latest book, THE IMPEACHMENT OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. What would life have been like if Lincoln survived the assassination attempt? Stephen Hubbard has our review and says, “THE IMPEACHMENT OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN is a gripping thriller and a very satisfying dose of historical fiction…. Carter's story is striking and does an admirable job of pulling the characters through the winding plot.”

Our Summer Reading contests wrap up next week, and we will be sharing GILDED AGE by Claire McMillan and NOWHERE TO RUN by Nancy Bush as our two final prize books.

But get ready. We are finalizing details on our Second Annual Fall Preview feature! On select days in August, we will spotlight a different title and offer a daily contest to win five copies of the book. We also will be sending a special daily newsletter to announce each day's title. You can sign up here to receive the daily newsletter. Please remember that we do not automatically add you for any of these seasonal mailings; you must subscribe. Our first prize book will be announced on Wednesday, August 1st. Click here to see the feature.

Be sure to answer our new poll, where we ask how many books you usually pack for a week-long vacation. As longtime readers know, I am a “book a day” kind of girl, with three backups in case of an emergency!

We’re offering three new prizes in our Word of Mouth contest. Tell us what you’re reading by Friday, August 10th at noon ET, and you could win the aforementioned AND WHEN SHE WAS GOOD and THE INN AT ROSE HARBOR, along with A HUNDRED FLOWERS by Gail Tsukiyama.

This will be the FIRST time that I will miss watching the Olympics opening ceremony with the family, which is a tradition. Often I sit and think where we all will be in future years as I watch. I never thought I would be in Anaheim when we were watching two and four years ago! I am an Olympics junkie…and if you too are in an Olympics frame of mind, be sure to look at our Olympics bookshelf if you have not done so already.

As I write this, I am on the final day of my summer of “California Dreaming” conference travel; I fly home Saturday at the crack of dawn. There are five more panels and four more parties to enjoy! It’s been a wonderful last few weeks, despite the jetlag and the long, long days. Looking forward to sharing much more about my adventures here with you in the months to come. Oh, one more thing: Speaking of California, we have a wonderful blog from Kathy Jund, one of our readers who attended a Karin Slaughter reading last week here in Southern California. I had the pleasure of spending time with Kathy and her daughter, Amber-Starr, here. For next week, I am going to ask her to capture her thoughts about the literacy signing and the RWA events that she attended.

I am going to have to find another book for what I call “tarmac time” on the plane before I can turn on my iPad and read some manuscripts for upcoming books!

More to come about this week when I next write….read on…..

Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

Now in Stores: WHERE WE BELONG by Emily Giffin

WHERE WE BELONG by Emily Giffin (Fiction)
Marian Caldwell, a 36-year-old television producer, is living her dream in New York City. With a fulfilling career and a satisfying relationship, Marian has everyone convinced that her life is going just the way she wants it to be. But when Kirby Rose, an 18-year-old with a key to Marian’s past, shows up on her doorstep, everything Marian has worked so hard to keep secret pours out. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-
Click here to read an excerpt.
-
Click here to read Emily Giffin’s bio.
-
Click here to visit Emily Giffin’s official website.
-Click here to see the 25 winners selected to read and comment on the book.

-Click here to read more in our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight.

Click here to read a review.
An Interview with Tana French, Author of BROKEN HARBOR

In BROKEN HARBOR, the fourth novel in Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series, Detective Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy explores a murder mystery in an abandoned mansion outside Dublin, with clues that point in all directions. As the case becomes more and more tangled, his personal and professional lives become increasingly endangered. In this interview, French discusses her feelings about the problems facing Ireland, how difficult childhoods affect people later in life, and the ways in which mental illness permeates all of her characters.

BROKEN HARBOR by Tana French (Psychological Thriller)
Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy plays by the book and plays hard, which is what puts the biggest case of the year into his hands. On one of the half-built, half-abandoned “luxury” developments that litter Ireland, Patrick Spain and his two young children are dead. But Broken Harbor holds memories for Scorcher, and working this case could resurrect something he thought he had tightly under control. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-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.
Now in Stores: BLACK LIST by Brad Thor
BLACK LIST by Brad Thor (Thriller)
Somewhere, deep inside the United States government, is a deadly list, and only the president has the final say over it. Once your name is on the list, it doesn’t come off…until you’re dead. Someone has just added counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath’s name to the list. Scot races to evade the teams sent to kill him and find out who has framed him for terrorism. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY by Rachel Joyce

THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY by Rachel Joyce (Fiction)
Harold Fry lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does. But one day, a letter comes for him from a women who he hasn't seen in 20 years. Queenie Hennessy is dying and writing to say goodbye. Harold decides to walk 600 miles to see her, believing that if he walks, Queenie will live. Thus Harold begins an incredible emotional and physical journey. Reviewed by Roz Shea.

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

Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: THE IMPEACHMENT OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN by Stephen L. Carter

THE IMPEACHMENT OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN by Stephen L. Carter (Historical Thriller)
Stephen L. Carter’s new novel takes as its starting point an alternate history: President Abraham Lincoln survives the assassination attempt at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865. Two years later, he is charged with overstepping his constitutional authority, both during and after the Civil War, and faces an impeachment trial. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard.

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

-Click here to visit Stephen L. Carter’s official website.

Click here to read a review.
New Featured Romantic Suspense Author: Beverly Barton, Author of DON’T SAY A WORD

We have 25 copies of DON'T SAY A WORD by Beverly Barton, which will be in stores July 31st, to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, August 9th at noon ET.

DON'T SAY A WORD by Beverly Barton (Romantic Suspense)
One by one, they will die. He has waited patiently, planning their final moments. Their tortured screams, their pleas for mercy --- all will be in vain...

Homicide detective Julia Cass has witnessed plenty of crime scenes. But the murder of a Chattanooga judge is shocking in its brutality. Teamed with FBI agent Will Brannock, Julia delves into an investigation that soon unearths more bodies --- all mutilated in the same way, all left with a gruesome souvenir of a killer’s ruthless rage…

The only way to stop the slaughter is to predict the next victim. But when you’re dealing with vengeance at its most ruthless, one wrong move can make you a target…and the next word you utter could be your last…

-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Beverly Barton’s bio.

Click here to read more in our Romantic Suspense Author Spotlight.
Featured One to Watch Author: Vaddey Ratner, Author of IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN

We have 50 copies of IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN by Vaddey Ratner, which will be in stores August 7th, to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, August 2nd at noon ET.

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN by Vaddey Ratner (Historical Fiction)

For seven-year-old Raami, the shattering end of childhood begins with the footsteps of her father returning home in the early dawn hours bringing details of the civil war that has overwhelmed the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. Soon the family’s world of carefully guarded royal privilege is swept up in the chaos of revolution and forced exodus.

Over the next four years, as she endures the deaths of family members, starvation, and brutal forced labor, Raami clings to the only remaining vestige of childhood --- the mythical legends and poems told to her by her father. In a climate of systematic violence where memory is sickness and justification for execution, Raami fights for her improbable survival.

Displaying the author’s extraordinary gift for language, IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN is testament to the transcendent power of narrative and a brilliantly wrought tale of human resilience.

-Click here to read an excerpt.

-Click here to read Vaddey Ratner’s bio.

-Click here to visit Vaddey Ratner’s official website.

-Click here to read a Q&A with Vaddey Ratner.

-Click here to watch Vaddey Ratner discuss the book.
 
Click here to read more in our One to Watch Author Spotlight.
 
Announcing Bookreporter.com’s Fall Preview Contests and Feature

Fall is almost upon us, which is known as the biggest season of the year for books! The titles that come out in fall often become holiday gifts, and many are blockbusters. Here are some publisher picks that we know people will be talking about. On select days we will spotlight a different title and offer a contest to win one of five copies of the book. You will need to check the site each day to see the featured book and enter to win. We also will be sending a special daily newsletter to announce each day's title, which you can sign up for here.

Our first prize book will be announced on Wednesday, August 1st at noon ET.

Click here to see our featured titles.
Bookreporter.com's Summer Reading Contests and Feature

Summer is here! 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 are spotlighting a different title on select days through July 31st, so you have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter. We also are 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, July 30th at noon ET. GILDED AGE by Claire McMillan and NOWHERE TO RUN by Nancy Bush will be our final featured titles.

Click here to read all the contest details and see our featured titles.
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


LAURA LAMONT’S LIFE IN PICTURES by Emma Straub
We are celebrating the forthcoming release of LAURA LAMONT’S LIFE IN PICTURES by Emma Straub --- the enchanting story of a midwestern girl who escapes a family tragedy and is remade as a movie star during Hollywood’s golden age --- with a special contest. 50 readers will have the opportunity to each win an advance copy of the book, which will be in stores on September 4th, for their group. The deadline for entries is Monday, August 6th at noon ET.

TIGER HILLS by Sarita Mandanna
We are celebrating the forthcoming paperback release of TIGER HILLS by Sarita Mandanna --- an emotional saga about a young woman forced to make difficult choices following a gut-wrenching tragedy that change the course of her life forever --- with a special contest. 50 readers will have the opportunity to each win an advance copy of the paperback edition, which will be in stores on August 28th, for their group. The deadline for entries is Monday, August 6th at noon ET.


THE HOMECOMING OF SAMUEL LAKE by Jenny Wingfield
We are celebrating the paperback release of THE HOMECOMING OF SAMUEL LAKE by Jenny Wingfield --- an unforgettable story about love and sacrifice, our responsibility to one another, and the profound meaning of family --- with a special contest. 25 readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of the book, which is now available in paperback, for their group. The deadline for entries is Monday, August 6th at noon ET.

RETURN TO WILLOW LAKE by Susan Wiggs
We are celebrating the forthcoming release of RETURN TO WILLOW LAKE by Susan Wiggs --- in which one woman will rediscover her family and her dreams, and find a surprising new love, in the idyllic town of Avalon --- with a special contest. 10 readers will have the opportunity to each win 10 copies of the book, which will be in stores on August 28th, for their group. The deadline for entries is Monday, August 6th at noon ET.

Newsletter Contest
Win copies of SHINE SHINE SHINE by Lydia Netzer for your group! To be a group to
win 20 copies of this book, all you have to do is sign up for the ReadingGroupGuides.com newsletter by August 1st. If you receive the newsletter in your mailbox, you already are signed up!


20SomethingReads.com

Beach Bag of Books

In our First Annual Beach Bag of Books contest, five readers each will receive a beach bag filled with some of this summer's hottest reads: GHOST CROWN: The Tracks, Book Two by J. Gabriel Gates and Charlene Keel, RULES OF CIVILITY by Amor Towles, SPRING FEVER by Mary Kay Andrews, TO BE SUNG UNDERWATER by Tom McNeal, and WHERE WE BELONG by Emily Giffin. 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 to keep your drink cool. The deadline for entries is Monday, July 30th at noon ET.


Teenreads.com

BEFORE YOU GO by James Preller
We are celebrating the release of BEFORE YOU GO --- the story of a teen boy whose life keeps spinning out of control --- with a special contest. Five readers will have the opportunity to win a copy of James Preller's first young adult novel. The deadline for entries is Friday, August 17th at noon ET.

Fierce Reads

To celebrate the release of four books that are being featured in Macmillan's Fierce Reads campaign, we're giving five readers the opportunity to win them all! Enter by Tuesday, August 7th at noon ET for your chance to be awarded MONUMENT 14 by Emmy Laybourne, OF POSEIDON by Anna Banks, SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo, and STRUCK by Jennifer Bosworth.

Grab Bag of Books

Winners of our latest Grab Bag of Books contest will each receive a copy of 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER by Jessica Brody, DRAIN YOU by M. Beth Bloom, THE FORSAKEN by Lisa M. Stasse, A LONG WAY FROM YOU by Gwendolyn Heasley, and SO CLOSE TO YOU by Rachel Carter. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, August 15th at noon ET.

FaithfulReader.com

THE AMISH BRIDE: The Women of Lancaster County, Book 3 by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould
We are celebrating the August 1st release of THE AMISH BRIDE with a special contest that will give 75 readers the opportunity to win a copy of this third installment in Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould’s Women of Lancaster County series. The deadline for entries is Monday, August 13th at noon ET.

LIVING IN HARMONY: The New Beginnings Series, Book 1 by Mary Ellis
We are celebrating the August 1st release of LIVING IN HARMONY with a special contest that will give 75 readers the opportunity to win a copy of this opening installment in Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series. The deadline for entries is Monday, August 13th at noon ET.

FaithfulReader.com’s Monthly Contest
In our latest monthly contest, 10 readers each will be awarded a copy of ABDUCTED, the second installment of Janice Cantore's Pacific Coast Justice Series, and BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN: A Gilded Legacy Novel by Maureen Lang. The deadline for entries is Monday, August 13th at noon ET.

New Guides Now Available on ReadingGroupGuides.com
BIG GIRL SMALL by Rachel DeWoskin
THE HOMECOMING OF SAMUEL LAKE by Jenny Wingfield
LAURA LAMONT'S LIFE IN PICTURES by Emma Straub
MY AMERICAN UNHAPPINESS by Dean Bakopoulos
THE NIGHTMARE by Lars Kepler
THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS by Chris Bohjalian
SHINE SHINE SHINE by Lydia Netzer
SPRING FEVER by Mary Kay Andrews
TIGER HILLS by Sarita Mandanna
THE UNDERWATER WINDOW by Dan Stephenson
WHERE WE BELONG by Emily Giffin
WIDOW'S MIGHT: A Liv Bergen Mystery by Sandra Brannan
THE WORLD WITHOUT YOU by Joshua Henkin

The following new guides are now available for Christian book groups:

THE GIFTED
by Ann H. Gabhart
THE RIDE OF HER LIFE: Lake Manawa Summers, Book 3 by Lorna Seilstad

 
Click here to visit ReadingGroupGuides.com.
This Week’s Reviews

TIGERS IN RED WEATHER by Liza Klaussmann (Historical Fiction)
Nick and her cousin, Helena, have grown up sharing sultry summer heat, sun-bleached boat docks, and midnight gin parties on Martha's Vineyard in a glorious old family estate known as Tiger House. However, after the Second World War, their lives start to crack. When Helena's children discover the victim of a brutal murder, it causes everyone's lives to unravel. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.

-Click here to see why the book is a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection.

THRILLER 3: LOVE IS MURDER edited by Sandra Brown (Romantic Suspense/Short Stories)
Prepare for heart-racing suspense in this original collection by 30 of the hottest bestselling authors and new voices writing romantic suspense today. Bodyguards, vigilantes, stalkers, serial killers, women (and men!) in jeopardy, cops, thieves, P.I.s, killers --- these all-new stories will keep you thrilled and chilled late into the night. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.

DIE A STRANGER: An Alex McKnight Novel by Steve Hamilton (Mystery)
A plane lands in a deserted Upper Peninsula with five dead bodies. Alex McKnight must investigate, but there is a huge possibility that Alex’s best friend, Vinnie LeBlanc, Ojibwa tribal member and blackjack dealer, is involved. Alex will soon find out that the stakes are higher than he ever could have imagined. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

BURIED ON AVENUE B by Peter de Jonge (Mystery/Thriller)
In hopes of finding the body of a lowlife who fell off the grid 17 years ago, the NYPD instead finds the skeleton of a 10-year-old boy, buried ceremoniously with a comic book, a CD, some pot and booze. NYPD Detective Darlene O’Hara is tasked with a case that takes her from New York’s Lower East Side to the more sordid corners of Sarasota, Florida, where she must solve the murder of this child. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

SOME KIND OF FAIRY TALE by Graham Joyce (Psychological Suspense/Fantasy)
For 20 years after Tara Martin disappeared from her small English town, her parents and her brother, Peter, have lived in denial of the grim fact that she was gone for good. And then suddenly, on Christmas Day, a disheveled and slightly peculiar-looking Tara stands on her parents’ doorstep. It's a miracle, but Tara's story just does not add up. And, incredibly, she barely looks a day older than when she vanished. Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy.

FLIGHT FROM BERLIN by David John (Historical Thriller)
During the 1936 Berlin Olympics, cynical British journalist Richard Denham and American Olympic hopeful Eleanor Emerson are determined to report the brutality behind the carefully staged imagery of the Third Reich. They soon become entangled in a treacherous game involving the Gestapo and the British Secret Intelligence Service. At stake: a mysterious dossier that threatens to destroy the leadership of the Third Reich. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.

ADVENT by James Treadwell (Fantasy/Adventure)
The first in James Treadwell’s fantasy trilogy, ADVENT describes how magic was lost to humanity, and how a 15-year-old boy discovers that its return is his inheritance. It begins in a world recognizably our own, and ends an extraordinarily long way from where it started --- somewhere much bigger, stranger and richer. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.

THE CRAVING: A Novel of the Pack by Jason Starr (Thriller)
After some personal troubles, Simon Burns turned things around with the help of a new group of friends. They were stay-at-home dads like himself --- but there was something “off” about them, and he found himself slowly changing. Simon isn't the man he once was. He's a member of the pack. And once you're in, it's impossible to get out... Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

This Week’s Poll

How many books do you typically pack for a week-long vacation?

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
More than 10
None
None, I buy books on vacation.
None, I have an eReader.

Click here to answer the poll.
Word of Mouth: Tell Us What You're Reading --- and You Could Win THREE Books!

Tell us your current reading recommendations with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from July 27th to August 10th, FIVE lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of AND WHEN SHE WAS GOOD by Laura Lippman, A HUNDRED FLOWERS by Gail Tsukiyama and THE INN AT ROSE HARBOR by Debbie Macomber.

To make sure other readers will be able to find the books you write about, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For complete rules and guidelines, click here.

-Click here to enter the contest.
-To see reader comments from previous contest periods,
click here.


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