Following her sizzling novel of romantic suspense
Dark of Night by less than six months, New York
Times bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann returns to
Troubleshooters, Inc., and fan favorites Sam and
Alyssa
Troubleshooter Alyssa Locke and her
husband, former Navy SEAL Sam Starrett, were brought to
center stage in Gone Too Far, the sixth book in
Suzanne Brockmann’s sexy, suspenseful New York
Times bestselling series. Now these fan favorites are
back to continue their story!
Alyssa takes on the
extremely public assignment of providing personal
protection for Savannah von Hopf, an old friend who is
running for office. While high-profile, the bodyguard job
seems simple and easy enough—except Alyssa is juggling her
stressful leadership position with a new baby and a
husband who is her subordinate.
When Alyssa
receives several disturbing messages from “the Dentist,” a
serial killer she has relentlessly pursued for years,
Alyssa must take action to protect those closest to her.
No one is safe, even after the FBI—including Sam and
Alyssa’s good friend Jules Cassidy—gets involved. But
Alyssa knows that as the Dentist’s true target she must
use herself as bait to catch the devious killer—before he
strikes again.
My library has been able to keep me reading new releases from popular authors. I haven't been leaning on the library more though because I am just too busy. However, I have heard more stories of author's whose stories have been stopped mid-series by publishers. The economy has been grim but I thought that romance had been selling well. Regardless, it does seem that authors are already having difficulties getting those contracts for the books I love. (G. Bisbjerg 2:15am August 2, 2009)
I don't know if it's usual for many, but my library offers new bestseller for a little fee. this fee allows them to by the next bestseller and so on. If you don't want to spend this money you only have to wait a few months and you can read them for free.
My reading habits haven't changed since the economical crunch. I've used the library before and i trade books with my family and friends.
I hope the publishers won't have to stop many series, because in a time like this people need good stories to forget their problems for a while. (S Irona 7:15am August 2, 2009)
I really think it is a shame that libraries are not being able to afford newer books. Reading is essential to life! (Joanne Reynolds 7:43am August 2, 2009)
I went to the library last week but didn't really find much to read. Our library is very small. My reading habits have changed alot. I really have to budget my book buying. (Dawn Owens 8:30am August 2, 2009)
I live in a small town and so stores to buy books are some distance away. We utlize the library alot. The crunch has been felt by our small town library even though it is a main source for a lot of residents. There has not only been a decline in the books and movies available, but programs such as our childrens summer reading program have been hit hard too. (Natalie Wyant 10:57am August 2, 2009)
My library is pretty good about getting in the best selling authors. I checked Suzanne's book and there are 4 copies with one more on order and 26 requests. I would be 27. As for Black Hills, I have been waiting a few months for this book. There are 71 requests and I am now #7 in line. The library has 14 copies of the book. (Kathleen O'Donnell 11:00am August 2, 2009)
I do not use our library. It is a little distance and I love to keep copies of my book. Maybe I should go see what they have. I was thinking that book sales were going good because the book stores seem to always have lots of people in them. (Julie Harper 11:02am August 2, 2009)
As an employee at a public library, I feel that we are seeing a great deal more new patrons coming in, people that perhaps used to purchase new books, but are unable to afford to do so now. Unfortunately, our current budget doesn't allow for increased funding for new books or more employees. We recently elected a new provincial government here in Nova Scotia, and I'm hopeful that it will recognize the importance of public libraries, especially during tough economic times. BTW, my library loves to get donations of "gently used" books, especially romance. Consider your nearest library when cleaning your bookshelves~ (Cheryl McInnis 11:07am August 2, 2009)
I don't use the library. I'm re-reader so I like to keep my books. I figure since I don't smoke, drink or have kids, books are my one splurge. (Jill Hayden 11:08am August 2, 2009)
Thank you for all the comments. Looks like small towns appear to be harder hit than larger areas which is what I would expect. Perhaps when I was doing my research I should have tried to find a smaller town. Now it does have me curious. I wonder if I should have tried to find a library out of my state, as I'm told Texas is faring better than the rest of the country with the economic situation.
I do agree that it would be horrific to be enjoying a series and suddenly have it pulled from under me because of lack of sales, or whatever other reason the publisher can dream of to pull the plug.
Enjoy your day! (Sandi Shilhanek 11:09am August 2, 2009)
Cheryl, yesterday my son and I were discussing his Manga collection. He wants to redo his room, and no longer wants his bookshelf. I had previously asked him if he really wanted to keep his mangas, and he did. Now he has an e-reader and uses that for his mangas, so I asked again do you really want to keep them.
We have agreed that he will donate them to our local library. I told him they would either decide to put them into circulation or sell them at the upcoming library sale, and use the money to buy new books. I'm glad to know that if he doesn't want them they'll go to a good cause! (Sandi Shilhanek 11:12am August 2, 2009)
I don't use the library, I buy my books. But, our local library has had to close 2 branches, and put on a hiring freeze. Money is short. (Anne Harris 11:14am August 2, 2009)
Our library is pretty good my kids like the book sale they have so they get their own kids books there. Sounds like a good books thanks Sandi I like all your books reviews. Penney (Penney Wilfort 11:19am August 2, 2009)
I buy all my books. I plan on reading Hot Puruit, but I am now having to limit my purchase of hard cover books. It isn't that my personal finances have changed, but that I have so many new authors to try that I have had to neglect those I have read for years. I may wait for the paperback editions for authors I have read for years.
Ray (Ray Getzinger 11:28am August 2, 2009)
Great topic!
I love my library. They have what books are available on the internet. I was able to check and see that they have 1 copy of Hot Pursuit and I am first in line to get it. They have one copy of Black Hills with 4 holds on it(I am #2 of the 4). I found this all out just by checking on the internet. (Joyce Mandle 11:48am August 2, 2009)
Joyce, when I was doing this article I got all my info from the internet. I love being able to get online and see if they have a book, and then being able to put a request in for it.
As someone (sorry forgot who) mentioned, I think that renting a book for a small fee would be a good way to help the libraries boost funds. I used to know a person whose library did that. (Sandi Shilhanek 12:02pm August 2, 2009)
Yes, I'm definitely using the library more. I actually just got Brockmann's book from the library and wasn't on the wait list very long at all. The only problem is, our libraries don't have a lot of what I'm looking for. So I end up trading or buying a few books. (Jody Faltys 12:27pm August 2, 2009)
I don't use the library, but I have found that my buying is changing a little bit. I have gotten involved in reviews and am getting my books that way. I love it!! And doing this by ebook means I can read it on my kindle and then read it at night at work. I have found some nice new authors that way. :) (Melissa Tackett 12:34pm August 2, 2009)
Just checked my library. No HOT PURSUIT, but a copy of DARK OF NIGHT is available. I live in a remote part of Wyoming that is completely gung ho on the arts--and that includes library funding. How lucky is that as I am a bona fide library junkie. The only change I've seen is it takes a little longer for new releases to hit the shelves....possibly they are not being ordered until a certain number of requests are received.
And maybe the Kindle is rearranging the way anyone orders books--bookshops, libraries, etc. (Cindy Ferrell 1:26pm August 2, 2009)
I wonder if the Kindle is causing part of this problem?? Not for me ... I want to hold a book and turn the pages :o) (Sandy Miresse 1:42pm August 2, 2009)
A couple of years ago I started getting hardcover books at my library simply because I don't like to read or keep the larger h/c.
Sandi - I live in Houston, and I'm not impressed with our library system. It seems that they do not get new books right when they come out. I am #29 of 40 on the list for Hot Pursuit. I thought that was very few people for a author like SB, but that is at my small local branch. Also, it came out July 28 according to Amazon, and it hasn't started to be checked out yet. I have Finger Lickin' Fifteen on hold and I'm next up for it. It's been "in transit" for a week and a half. *sigh* (Janet Lewis 1:47pm August 2, 2009)
I LOVE my library system my new years resolution was to buy no more than 10 brand new books. However, I have far surpassed that goal because the books that I gave myself the okay to buy I have gotten from my library instead. I just can't see spending $25.00 on a book that i won't ever re-read. B & N now has a free ereader, that can be used for Iphones and Ipods so you don't have to buy a kindle. It'll be interesting to see what happens that is for sure. (Meredith Link 3:02pm August 2, 2009)
I very rarely use my library as I like to keep my books and read over and over again. Also, I don't really read the "bestsellers" so my choices sometimes are more limited at my little local library. Though I'm lucky I live in an area with a wonderful library system I have heard recently on the news that they are having budget problems. (Shauna George 3:09pm August 2, 2009)
I live in France when libraries only got the "classics" in english. So I'm ALWAYS buying my books though I tend to buy less books than I used to. Especially hard covers. I'm always thinking twice 'at least) before buyng one ;-( (Joeelle Jappissont 3:44pm August 2, 2009)
Sandi, this is a very interesting subject.
My habits have changed due to retirement and a much smaller income. I am using the library a lot but not for some of my favorite authors. Those books I want for my own! I rarely buy a hardcover, I wait for the paperback to come out. Recently I bought Suzanne Brockmanns Dark of Night. Our library is the whole county system, it is online, easy to use, make requests, check status, etc., I am loving it!. Suzanne Brockmann's Hot Pursuit has 20 requests but no copies in our system. They have one CD (audio) copy and 1 request. For Suzanne Brockmann there were 27 results. Nora Roberts, 260 results! Black Hills 155 requests, no copy. Vision in White, 65 requests, no copy. Just out of curiosity I checked out Debbie Macomber, 92 results. Summer on Blossom Street, 1 copy 59 requests. I'm #57 in line. It might come out in paperback before my turn or I may just wait. When I have requested something very popular before I was surprised at how soon it was my turn! California is in a terrible financial bind which I am sure is affecting funding for libraries state wide. It is a shame because with the economy so bad more of us are using the library. Hopefully this is starting to turn around. (Donna McClure 4:29pm August 2, 2009)
The only hard cover my dh and I buy is a new Nora Roberts. Most of the other books we read we get from 1/2 Price or friends. I was well-known in the Plano libraries, but haven't even been to the one here in Rockwall. (Ilene Pedersen 4:36pm August 2, 2009)
The economy has hurt my book buying. My library is a life saver in my reading. I don't mind the short waiting times. Each time I borrow a book I cringe knowing it does reflect back to the author. Times are tough. (Margie Whitten 5:17pm August 2, 2009)
I still prefer to buy my own copy, but I always buy the cheaper mass market paperback. My library does benefit from my book addiction, though, because I donate my used books to them. Some of the donated books are saved for book sales, but a lot of them go on the library's shelves. (Cheryl Castings 5:26pm August 2, 2009)
You have certainly had a blogfull day! Thanks! Marjorie (Marjorie Carmony 5:40pm August 2, 2009)
I rarely go to the library. I like to buy my books so I can reread them if I really enjoyed them. (Patsy Hagen 5:41pm August 2, 2009)
I'm not much of a library person. I found that I do not purchase as many new books as I used to because of my pinched wallet. I do go to the thrift shops more now and find some good not-to-out-of-date books. (DeeAnn Szymanski 6:06pm August 2, 2009)
The economy hasn't changed my book habits at all. I figure I'm worth a new book now and then. (LuAnn Morgan 6:44pm August 2, 2009)
Haven't noticed a change...other than I use it more. My library system has a catalog online. We have 112 holds on 36 copies of Hot Pursuit. Before (while working) I requested books online and just picked them up on the way home. Now that I'm not working I find myself browsing the library. What I've found is a lot of book I thought the library didn't have are simply paperbacks and the catalog does not record paperback titles. The problem I run into with new releases is they don't always appear in the catalog until they are received. (Katie H 7:11pm August 2, 2009)
More people are using our local library, but at the same time the library is cutting hours - again! (Karin Tillotson 7:32pm August 2, 2009)
I've tried to use the library but when it came to Twilight I was 257th on the waiting list and when I try for audio books they have to be transferred from another branch since mine doesn't carry them (Diane Sadler 8:14pm August 2, 2009)
Great topic Sandi!
Okay, here's the skinny in my area. One of our libraries just moved into a bigger and better building with more check yourself out systems and help yourself on hold shelves (which I find very weird).
My federated library system also has a place where you can "find an author" and automatically have yourself signed up for a book by that author the first time it comes in.
That being said, there are 10 entries and they're all checked out, in transit or on hold. It says that there are 16 holds on the first of 23 copies returned.
For the audiobooks, there are 9 holds on 3 copies (roughly 3 holds on each copy).
Following your lead, I specifically searched out Black Hills.
For the book (regular print) - 122 holds on 66 copies
For the audio book - 21 holds on 19 copies
Large Print - 34 holds on 6 total copies
If you make this comparison, yes, Nora Roberts would be more popular than Suzanne Brockmann.
However, here's what I think the issue really is: Nora Roberts is just more well known than Suzanne Brockmann is. Nora has movies made, see commercials advertise her books and who knows what else. She gets the sales because her publisher forks out cash to get her seen.
Does that sound about right?
There are authors out there that are lucky if their book appears in a library because no one really knows about them.
I am definitely a library user, however, I have also purchased new books from authors I have discovered I truly love. The books I borrow from the library I may not have bought otherwise.
If you want your library to purchase more books, find out who to talk to and find out what influences their current buying trends.
Carrie (Carrie Hinkel-Gill 8:40pm August 2, 2009)
I just checked for Hot Pursuit in my library system and there are 52 copies there with a waiting list of 139.
My book buying has been affected by the economy. I buy fewer unknown authors now and I'm using my library a LOT more. I do have a few auto buys but even while I am still buying those books, I'm grumpy about having to get hard covers (especially if a series started in mm and changed mid way through.) (Erin Suitor 8:55pm August 2, 2009)
My library has slowed down in ordering guaranteed bestsellers and getting fewer copies. I've already gotten my library copy of Black Hills. I've started buying more ebook copies of the bestseller hardcovers since my ebook store (fictionwise.com) now offers them for $9.99 or less in competition with Amazon. (Robin Greene 9:09pm August 2, 2009)
Could never give up my books! My Library is too far away from me, but I buy online alot and at used book stores!. May not be new but I usually find the ones I want. (JoAnn White 9:20pm August 2, 2009)
I've been reading new releases from my local library for awhile, so it isn't the recent economic downturn that has affected me.
I love my library and sometimes I am down aways on the list, but I don't mind. They usually order 8-10 copies of very popular books (we're a small county)
I also love my library to browse around and find new authors. That is one of my favorite things to do! (Crystal Fulcher 9:30pm August 2, 2009)
Well you know what I said in the group. Since I was in the group.LOL I don't use my library as much as I once did. Mostly because the closest one with books I'd want is about 20miles away....and it's just a pain to visit them. So I probably spend less time there now......
hugs, WendyK (Wilma Keel 10:00pm August 2, 2009)
The economy hasn't affected my book buying. I do get most all the hardcovers I read from the library. By the way, I work in our county library system, and yes the economy is hitting us hard. We do get all the best sellers, just not many copies, and they have to serve the main library and 6 branches! It can be quite frustrating. We can order or borrow books from other libraries if we don't have them so that helps alot. Everyone please donate your unwanted books - it's for a good cause!! (Martha Lawson 10:08pm August 2, 2009)
I've been unable to buy Suz's hardcover books for quite a while now because of illness and not being able to work, and hers were the only hc I got. I usually end up reading a library copy and then getting the pb. editions when they come out.
Our city has just one library system with 16 branches. In general, they get at least 1 copy for each branch and for authors like Brockmann, Roberts, and other popular authors, they get up to 20 Quick-pick copies that you can keep for only 7 days (others 3 weeks.) They haven't changed that yet because of the recession. I'm just wondering when they will.
And yes, sometimes we have waiting lists in the 100s as well; with one book I'm at 280 something. (Sigrun Schulz 12:37pm August 3, 2009)
Carrie, I picked Hot Pursuit because it was being discussed in one of my groups. I checked Black Hills because it was a newer release, and I had just finished reading it personally. (I read my own copy which was a gift from a friend), and I checked Burn by Linda Howard because again it was a newer book by someone I think is popular. I didn't include those stats or the stats from the other systems I checked because I didn't want to bog the post down in stats. I also checked a 4th book that unfortunately I don't remember the title of....guess it made a big impact on me! I didn't check any paperback releases.
I've found all the comments to be interesting and appreciate them all. (Sandi Shilhanek 5:52am August 3, 2009)
I read quite a few books from our library, the only problem is they don't get very many paranormal books in but they have plenty of the newer Romance and Mystery. I did just get an alert to go pick up the new Janet Evanovich Finger Lickin Fifteen, so I'm off to the library. (Paige Hollenbaugh 5:29pm August 3, 2009)
I don't frequent my library as much as I used to, but my daughter is a library fanatic. I find that many of the paperback romance authors that I enjoy aren't carried by the library - I donate all of my books to the library after reading so they can either put them in the paperback section or sell them at the annual Friends of the Library sale. Hopefully someone with tastes similar to mine will be able to read them for free.
Our library has always had a voluntary fine jar for late books - I can see that changing very soon, given the cuts that are being made.
I did recently write to my state reps to encourage their support of libraries. (Laurie Damron 4:06pm August 4, 2009)
I very seldom use the library as I am a keeper. I re-read more than half of my books. I've never put my name on a reserved list at the library, but they have gotten in a couple of books for me over the years. We are a small library, affiliated with a large regional one, so they move the books around from one to the other.
I've seen Nora's Black Hills on the Walmart shelves, but I won't spend that much on one book, so I'll have to wait either until my daughter picks it up or until it comes out in soft-cover. (Donna Breitkreuz 4:10pm August 4, 2009)
Our small town library can check with other libraries to get books that ours doesn't carry. I'm not real sure about new releases tho. The ones I want to read they usually have. Of course, my sister-in-law is the librarian and listens to my recommendations!! (Carol Norton 3:15pm August 5, 2009)
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