Also by Brenda Novak:

The Night Before Christmas: On A Snowy Christmas\the Christmas Baby\the Christmas Eve Promise, November 2009
Mass Market Paperback
The Perfect Murder, September 2009
Mass Market Paperback
The Perfect Liar, September 2009
Mass Market Paperback
The Perfect Couple, August 2009
Mass Market Paperback
Watch Me, August 2008
Mass Market Paperback
Stop Me, July 2008
Mass Market Paperback
Trust Me, June 2008
Mass Market Paperback
Dead Right, August 2007
Mass Market Paperback
Coulda Been a Cowboy, June 2007
Paperback
Dead Giveaway, February 2007
Paperback
Once upon a Christmas, November 2006
Paperback
Dead Silence, August 2006
Paperback
The Other Woman, May 2006
Paperback
Big Girls Don't Cry, September 2005
Paperback
Every Waking Moment, July 2005
Paperback
Stranger In Town, June 2005
Paperback

The Perfect Couple
Brenda Novak

A mother faces her greatest fear.

Last Stand #4

August 2009
On Sale: August 1, 2009
Featuring: Jonathan Stivers; Zoe Duncan
448 pages
ISBN: 0778326675
EAN: 9780778326670
Mass Market Paperback
$7.99

Romance Suspense

One afternoon in May, Zoe Duncan's thirteen-year-old daughter goes missing from her own backyard. The police think Samantha ran away because she's unhappy about her mother's upcoming marriage—but Zoe doesn't believe it. In fact, she's willing to do anything to bring Sam home, even if it means losing her job, her beautiful home, her fiancé. Even if it means divulging all her secrets to a private investigator. Jonathan Stivers is a P.I. who donates his time to The Last Stand, a victims' charity in Sacramento. He's good at what he does, the best. But never has he had fewer leads to work with—or been more attracted to a client. Jonathan's sure of only one thing: Sam was taken by someone close to the family. He doesn't know how close until he realizes that the "perfect" couple next door is anything but….

Comments

39 comments posted.

Re: The Perfect Couple

Hi sandy I have loads of favorite authors but I haven't heard of that happening to any of them.
Yes I have some that I read over again one favorite of mine is Janet Daily Touch the wind, I have read it many times.
Penney
(Penney Wilfort 10:37am August 9)

Hi. I'm behind on reading Novak and Anderson, I'll have to catch-up. I was enjoying Laurien Berenson's dog show mysteries and was sad to see she won't be writing any more.
Maria
(Maria Munoz 11:40am August 9)

I don't know that I have heard about any authors that I read being removed from contract, but I do have the depression of
not knowing when or if favorite series will be writing the next. PJ Tracy for one, I keep hearing rumors about their next
release however I see nothing about it on their site.
(Meredith Link 11:47am August 9)

Hi Sandy, I love Brenda as you know and loved loved THE PERFECT COUPLE. I hate you for reading THE PERFECT LIAR, you tease!!!ROFL.

Actually I do know of a couple of authors who lost contracts, Gennita Low lost hers but is now publishing with and ebook publisher and will release book 2 in her series...there was another one but for the life of me can't think who it was. many are pushing hard to keep there books moving off shelves. I think it's really sad, especially with as many books as they say are selling.

I wonder if there's things we as readers can do that we aren't doing?
Great contest tooo and you know I do so love Sherrilyn and Dianna!!!

hugs,
WendyK
(Wilma Keel 11:49am August 9)

This is the first I've heard about the economy effecting writers. I'd love to hear more about the specifics of authors loosing a contract. Is this authors who had a multiple book contract and the last book is not being printed or is it authors who had the last book optioned and the company is declining the option?

I always thought of publishing like Hollywood not truely effected by economy, but have heard from a number of people that have switched from buying to the library.

I thought these days most published authors had multiple book contracts, given the time to write the book are they being released from the contract after the book is written or before the publisher has seen it?

I'll be looking for more information on this topis.
(Katie H 12:20pm August 9)

It's not so much that my faves have retired or looking for new publishers. I have found that now they are all switching from paper back to hard cover which makes purchasing my faves pushing the monthly book budget. I have also found that the books are coming longer in between now, where we'd have to wait three to six months for a new book it's now nine months to a year.

As much as I'd like to blame the economy for my lack of purchases, I think the changes our faves have taken (most likely due to publishers say so)in changing book format and releases contribute a great deal.

I am such a book wh**e that I am always on the look out for new authors to read that even if my faves all decided to up and quit at once I'm sure I could find others to fill in the empty space my faves have left in my heart.

gerrim
(Geraldine Marchewka 12:21pm August 9)

I'm with Geraldine mostly, although one of my favourites got the third in her trilogy canned because the publisher didn't think it was necessary to tell the third girl's story. Aaarrgh!! OF COURSE it's necessary! How do we get closure if we don't know what happens to her?!?!?

My problem has been with a lot of authors I'd like to read being ONLY available as e-book formats. I'm one of those people that operates on a CASH basis ONLY. I don't have a credit or debit card. I don't have a paypal account. I don't have a Kindle, Sony e-Reader or any gadget like that other than my computer. In other words, for a lot of authors, I'm screwed.

Is it the fault of the economy or something else? I don't know, but given Amazon's actions recently with Orwell's "1984", I wouldn't want to be a Kindle reader, if it's so easy for them to come into my private space and delete something. Same goes for any other e-reader, if their parent company has that same power.

My two cents, for what they're worth nowadays!

Later,

Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 12:30pm August 9)

I haven't really noticed if any of my favorite authors have been affected by this. However, I have noticed that some of the cozy mystery series I read haven't had new books in awhile. This might be the reason.
(Yvonne Hering 12:48pm August 9)

This is my first time here so hello everyone
(Karen Ransom 1:11pm August 9)

Susan Anderson is one of the authors that affects me. And I also know other authors that haven't had a publisher for a while. Publishing does seem to be a cut-throat business and that saddens me.

However, for me, the fact that some favorite authors aren't presently publishing new books gives me time to catch up a little on my TBR pile. That's the bright side for me since I can save some money--though I still seem to find interesting new authors as well. lol

As for authors' graduating to hardcover, that's been a whole other story
(Sigrun Schulz 1:20pm August 9)

My reading week was a big rollercoaster. Started out with a big book I didn't think I'd like being a favorite for the year and a tried and true author disappointing the heck out of me. So, once again, I'm reminded to continue to try new authors as sometimes the old standbys disappoint and the new authors open up a whole new vista....
(Cindy Ferrell 1:36pm August 9)

I have quite a few favorites that have seemed to disappear for years at a time but then finally reappear but I can't think of any at this moment! I reread favorites often
(Robin Greene 1:50pm August 9)

My book group mainly does paperbacks. I'm sorry when the authors in the trenches don't have their contract renewed. Like anything in the artistic field, even when you thought you paid your dues, it's what's hot and fresh that the market is after.
(Alyson Widen 2:04pm August 9)

Susan Anderson? Heck, I just finished Bending the Rules. If there's no Ava's story, the third in the trilogy, that'll be disappointing. I just hate when an author I like disappears.
(Jill Hayden 2:37pm August 9)

I have to catch up with Brenda- I haven't read the last couple of hers.

Being someone who gets daily emails on the goings and comings of publishers, I have seen a lot of authors, new and old, willing to try out new formats like an e-reader or online, because it is getting harder for them to the same deals they got last year. With my favorite authors going into hardcover, it's more a cost basis thing with me that is keeping me behind the times.
(Sara Edmonds 2:46pm August 9)

Hi There!

Yeah, while the third book of Susan's Sisterhood trilogies will not continue, she is still under contract for other books, so not to worry!

Carrie
(Carrie Hinkel-Gill 2:49pm August 9)

Due to the blogs I visit I am aware that the publishing business is being affected by the economy. My book budget is very tiny right now but I do buy when I can. Thank heavens for libraries. Some of my favorite authors are struggling for contracts which I hope ends soon. Many people are switching to ebooks but I want a book in my hands and can't afford those new high tech gadgets. The whole world is being changed by the down turn in the economy.
On the brighter side, several of my favorite authors have new books out or coming out soon. As things pick up maybe new contracts will be signed.
(Donna McClure 3:12pm August 9)

Some of them I can't find but I keep looking. Also there are some new authors out there that are very good. And somethime when I'm looking for one of my authors I reread their books or because I just loved that book.
(Jeanette Bowman 3:34pm August 9)

I haven't tried Brenda Novak but I'm really disappointed to hear that Marianne Stillings has been let go, I've enjoyed her books
(Diane Sadler 3:49pm August 9)

I have a lot of favorite authors and I would hate to lose any of them .I am hoping the economy will have a turn around soon but it is not looking good for anyone.
(Debby Creager 4:02pm August 9)

I had not noticed but I am so far
behind on reading will take a long
time for me to catch up. Sad this is
happening.
(Marilyn Warner 4:23pm August 9)

I have not read any of these authors but is sad that their contracts will not be renewed. I hope they can a new publisher, so their fans can keep getting new books by them.
(Lissa Oehlberg 4:25pm August 9)

I really don't care for e- books. Hope the economy improves soon so my favorite authors will not disappear.
(Teresa Ward 4:42pm August 9)

This happened with Delilah Marvelle. Despite the success of Mistress of Pleasure, the publisher stopped her series after the second book came out, Lord of Pleasure.
(Margay Roberge 5:55pm August 9)

WOW! I'd really hate for my favorite's to no longer be there! How they decide whose worthy to keep I don't have a clue...but I'd really be upset if I wasn't able to find some of my author's in print anymore!
(Jo White 6:12pm August 9)

I hope that none of my authors lose their contracts. I love reading my books!!! I have tons in my TBR piles. I don't have an e-reader as I like having a book in my hands. I hope things get better for the authors.
(Julie Harper 6:51pm August 9)

I haven't heard of any of my favorite authors "retiring". It's sad, especially if they have more books they want to write. Have to add my 2
cents and say I love reading on my Kindle. I still read and buy books (as well as use my public library). Also, I rarely by a hard cover book
anymore.
(Mary Hundley 7:20pm August 9)

Two or my favorite authors have disappeared--Penelope Williamson (dropped by publisher) and Theresa Michaels (for unknown reasons.) This happened before the economy downturn and I do have some of their backlist to read. None of the authors I am currently reading have been affected yet. As Donna said thank goodness for the libraries.
(Mary Perry 7:51pm August 9)

Hi! I really hate that Marianne Stillings lost her contract - I've been a fan from day one!! At least I can keep reading Susan A. Authors going to hardcover doesn't really bother me, I just pick them up at the library!! I have been disappointed this week in a fav author this week, not going to mention a name tho, I'm going to give the book another chance before I give up on it!
(Martha Lawson 9:12pm August 9)

I haven't lost any that I've noticed. But I'm always reading new people.

Linda Henderson
(Linda Henderson 10:51pm August 9)

I find this all very sad. My book buying habits haven't changed and most of the readers I've talked to still continue to buy books. It's too bad the publishers don't see that.
(LuAnn Morgan 11:09pm August 9)

I think I'm doing pretty good on my favorite authors. There are a few that I've wondered when their going to have their new book out but none that I've missed too terribly bad.

I've been incredibly lucky that most of my favorite authors are still publishing awesome stuff!
(Rachael Grime 12:04pm August 10)

I am very thankful that none
of my favorites have lost
their contracts. But I am
very careful to only buy their
books the first week of the
release date. That helps
ensure their sales say up and
they stay of the bestseller
lists, which keeps their
contracts safe. I have been
very lucky that I have also
been discovering lots of new
authors in e-books. :) Good
luck with your new author
search, I know you will successful, and I pray the
ones that lost their contracts
will soon get new ones.
Melissa
(Melissa Tackett 3:05am August 10)

A coulple authors I loved have just dissapeared, Sandi!! Elizabeth Elliot is one, and she left her last book hanging as a set up for the next book. Wow, that's been about 7 yrs ago, and have never heard anything since. And what the heck happened to Judith McNaught? It took two years for her last book, and the one that was due out here recently show on Amazon as not currently available. Hmm...She is one of my keepers, so I'll be SO sad to see her not writing anymore. Some of my all time favorites came from her. As far as hardcovers, I hate that SO many are going with them, as it really cuts my book buying budget down. : < (
The only one I can think of that I KNOW who doesn't have a contract and who's writing I miss is Dara Joy. And it's been so many years now, sigh.
(Melissa Bradley 10:41am August 10)

I'm in with quite a few of you in the book buying department. With Lynn -- I'm a cash-only person. I do have a debit card, and a paypal account, but not for books. With Donna M -- my book buying budget is very small. Which pretty much leaves out hard-cover books, e-books, and audio books.

I think publishers should be honor-bound to finish a miniseries before they cancel an author's contract. How would they like it if someone suddenly took away their favorite book when they were half done reading it? And then there's authors who have books published simply because they've made a name for themselves. I won't mention any names, but I read a book not that long ago by someone who used to be my all-time favorite. It was junk. I could have done better. Publishers would be better off making those people re-write their junk than cutting a miniseries in the middle.

In this part of the country the economy is already back on it's way up, so I don't think the depression is going to last too much longer. Hopefully that will result in some contracts being re-instated.

Good topic as usual, Sandi. Keep up the good work. I had to go searching in my junk box again to find your column. How some of these people find your email address is beyond me. "Does your bed-partner have trouble finding your little friend?" "Turn your mouse into a monster." It's enough to make your eyes roll back in your head. Out of the 50 - 60 messages in my spam box today, there were three that I moved to my inbox. All the rest got garbaged. Do people really answer that junk?

Anyhow, that's my 2-cents worth for this week. Or has inflation booted it up to a dime? ;-)
(Donna Breitkreuz 12:25pm August 10)

I DID have a favorite author disapear - Dee Henderson. I've been told by another author than knows her that she's a bit of a recluse, but I always check to see if she's put anything new out there. I love to read so I'm always looking for new authors, but I still miss her!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 1:57pm August 10)

ps - I can't wait to read Brenda's new trilogy! I have the first book! And I read the Last Stand trilogy.
(Kelli Jo Calvert 2:00pm August 10)

I am looking for The rest of Brenda's
books this week to fill in our library's
collection. I think it is a shame when
an author has done well for a company
that they are dropped. I understand
the economic forces involved, but a
successful track record should count
for something.
(Patricia Barraclough 11:07pm August 11)

Nope. Nobody retired or lost a contract. But I don't think I have been reading romance long enough to hit that point or even know I've hit it.

Leanne
(Leanne Ihmels 1:52pm August 16)