Sadness on Author Passing and Books to Follow

It is with a sad heart that I tell you of the death December 28, 2008, of author Suzanne Simmons Guntrum, a veteran in the industry whose career started in 1979. Her writing career included writing category romances for Silhouette Desire as Suzanne Simms; for Harlequin Temptation as Suzanne Simmons Guntrum; for McFadden, Dell Ecstasy and Harlequin American as Suzanne Simmons. She also wrote single-title historical romances for Topaz and Avon as Suzanne Simmons, as well as single-title contemporary romances for St. Martin’s and Berkley under that name. Her last book, NIGHT LIFE (Berkley Sensation), was released in April 2007 under the pseudonym Elizabeth Guest. It was the first book in a new vampire series called Pharaohs Rising. Reviewer Sue Burke loved this innovative vampire tale and was looking forward to the next book in the series, NIGHT HUNTER. The last time I checked the Elizabeth Guest website, it said the manuscript was complete and she was doing final edits.

I first met Suzanne in 2000 at the RWA conference in Washington, D.C., and I found her to be a fun, exuberant and enthusiastic person. Her dear friend and fellow author Stella Cameron had this to share, “Sue had a massive heart attack on December 17, 2008, and never regained consciousness. When she died on December 28, 2008, those of us who were fortunate enough to count her as a close friend had been on watch and praying for her to recover throughout every one of the intervening days. In Sue, I've lost a sister. If I had to give just one wonderful quality of Sue's it would be optimism. She absolutely believed in hope and having a positive attitude. I'm glad we have her books to remind us of her wit and sensitivity, but most of all I'm grateful she will always be a little voice reminding many of us not to take ourselves too seriously.” A fitting tribute for a wonderful lady.

The cold month of January found me indoors reading. Here are a few of my faves:

SALVATION IN DEATH (Putnam hardcover, 11/08) by J.D. Robb is the latest in her futuristic police drama series featuring New York Detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her sinfully rich and handsome husband Roarke. This time a Catholic priest dies at the altar seconds after sipping from the chalice while conducting a funeral mass. As the investigation transpires, quite a few unique surprises about the priest and his acquaintances are uncovered. Answers to questions lead to more questions – and a very convoluted case for Dallas and her stalwart crew of investigators. This is another fantastic installment to an ever evolving and improving cadre of novels. The next book in this excellent crime series is titled PROMISES IN DEATH and is slated to go on sale February 24, 2009. This time Dallas is hunting down a cop killer – and I can’t wait to read it!

FIRE AND ICE (Ballantine hardcover, 12/08) is the newest contemporary romantic suspense by Julie Garwood. Since her first appearance in MURDER LIST (Ballantine, 3/05), Sophie Rose, newspaper reporter and daughter of a notorious thief, works for a small Chicago periodical since quitting her job with a major Chicago daily paper after they insisted she write an exposé about her father. When the quirky 5K runner she recently interviewed for a local story turns up dead in Alaska with Sophie’s business card tucked into his trademark red socks, the authorities contact Sophie. Smelling a more in-depth story in this incident, she heads for the frozen tundra of Prudhoe Bay. After an attempt on her life, the FBI assigns a bodyguard in the form of sexy Jack MacAlister. As things go from bad to worse, an uneasy alliance is forged between Sophie and Jack, which leads to a growing sensual attraction. Influential forces have already shown they will do whatever it takes to protect their mysterious evil plan. What’s a few more murders? This is an exciting, gripping romantic suspense – and one of this author’s best.

Patricia Cornwell is finally back on track with the new SCARPETTA (Putnam hardcover, 12/08) featuring Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta. The last few books in this forensic science thriller series have been a bit convoluted and weirdly twisted. I am delighted to say this one grabbed me from the start and glued me to the pages with its fascinating cast of characters and intricately drawn plot. Kay Scarpetta has taken an assignment in New York City, where the NYPD asked her to examine an injured man on Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatric prison ward. Her forensic psychologist husband, Benton Wesley, as well as her niece Lucy and ex-partner Pete Marino, are all involved in the outcome of this unusual case, which spirals in many directions and is loaded with surprises. This series started 20 years ago, and SCARPETTA is a fitting tribute to its longevity.

Now for some hot, new releases to watch for in February. This month, Linda Lael Miller launches a new contemporary trilogy that takes fans of her popular McKettick series into another branch of the family – the hell-raising former rodeo cowboy Creeds of Stillwater Springs, Montana, three estranged brothers who come home to find family. First up is MONTANA CREEDS: LOGAN (HQN), followed in March 2009 by MONTANA CREEDS: DYLAN (HQN) then in April 2009 look for MONTANA CREEDS: TYLER (HQN).

Another series of releases to start in February 2009 takes us to the rustic Virgin River area of California. The first four books in this series have been so popular that Robyn Carr has contracts for three more books this year and three in 2010. SECOND CHANCE PASS (Mira) is available this month, TEMPTATION RIDGE (Mira) comes in March 2009 and PARADISE VALLEY (Mira) arrives in April 2009. Be sure to look for the four earlier titles: VIRGIN RIVER (Mira, 4/07), SHELTER MOUNTAIN (Mira, 5/07), WHISPERING ROCK (Mira, 6/07) and A VIRGIN RIVER CHRISTMAS (Mira, 11/08).

February 3, 2009, offers up

THE WARLORD’S DAUGHTER (Mira) by Susan Grant is the second book in her futuristic Tale of the Borderlands series. As the only living offspring of the evil and disreputable Drakken Warlord, Wren’s life is in danger. The Coalition is fearful she could start a new realm of terror, since Wren holds the key to finding a renowned treasure. However, Wren is intent on locating the treasurer – and then destroying it – before anyone else can find it. This puts her in direct contact with Aral, a ruthless warrior for the Drakken who turned to the Coalition forces years before. Will this unlikely couple be able to take the risk of trusting each other with their secrets and embrace a future together? This follow-up to MOONSTRUCK (5/08) promises to be just as exciting and excellent as its predecessor.

THE RUNAWAY McBRIDE (Berkley Sensation) by Elizabeth Thornton is a Victorian-set romance with the perfect blend of mystery, old family secrets and a resurrected romance from the past.

SHATTERED (Signet Eclipse) by JoAnn Ross is her third exciting, suspenseful High Risk novel. It features Army pilot Shane Garrett and Army doctor Kirby Campbell who are working to repair their fractured relationship more than a year after their hot affair in Baghdad. They are reunited when she contacts Phoenix Team to help save a friend who’s being held hostage in Central America.

In a departure from her sensual paranormal novels, Cheyenne McCray starts a hot new romantic suspense series with THE FIRST SIN (St. Martin’s). It stars Lexi Steele, a top agent in the NSA’s clandestine Recovery Enforcement Division, specializing in human trafficking and sex crimes. Her recent case puts her in very close contact with a man who pushes all her hot buttons.

MORTAL SINS (Berkley Sensation) by Eileen Wilks is the fifth in her World of the Lupi series featuring the Moon Children.

KISS OF FATE (Signet Eclipse) by Deborah Cooke continues the Dragonfire series with this third novel featuring the shape-shifting dragon warriors known as the Pyr, who command the four elements and guard earth’s treasures. But now the final reckoning between the Pyr, who count humans among the earth’s treasures, and the Slayers, who strive to eliminate both humans and the Pyr who protect them, is about to start. This time, it’s Pyr leader Erik Sorensson who experiences the firestorm – which forces him to confront a world-altering decision.

SCATTERED GRAVES (Obsidian) by Beverly Connor is the sixth thrilling novel to feature forensic anthropologist/investigator Diane Fallon. The good citizens of Rosewood, Georgia, recently elected a new mayor, who (for devious and insidious reasons) immediately replaced Diane with one of his incompetent cronies as head of the local crime lab. Just as she’s making the adjustment in her new job status, bones are discovered in a vacant field, and a heated clash ensues over who has jurisdiction over them. During mounting tension over the matter, the mayor is found murdered. Then less than 24 hours later, the newly appointed chief of police is also shot to death. With no one else competent enough to handle the forensic evidence of the three cases, Diane is restored to her former job and looking for answers. I just read this book and am now looking for the first books in this series. It’s spellbinding reading!

GRAVE SINS (St. Martin’s) is the second book in Jenna Maclaine’s Cin Craven paranormal series featuring witch Dulcinea (Cin) Craven as she deals with her newly acquired immortality. Spanning from historical England to modern-day America and beyond, Cin, a member of The Righteous and with her lover Michael at her side, hunt down evil vampires. This time, they are after a beautiful, half-mad vampire queen accused of slaughtering humans.

COYOTE’S MATE (Berkley Sensation) by Lora Leigh is the second Coyote Breeds story. After being betrayed, Anya isn’t sure she can trust again.

BONES OF BETRAYAL (Wm. Morrow hardcover) is the newest Body Farm novel by Jefferson Bass. It’s the fourth forensic thriller featuring Dr. Bill Brockton. When a frozen corpse found in a lake by a nuclear research facility turns out to be Dr. Leonard Novak, who worked on the infamous Manhattan Project to build the first atomic bomb, Bill probes to see if there’s a link between this murder and events from long ago.

February 10, 2009 is the on-sale date for THE RENEGADES (Dutton hardcover) by T. Jefferson Parker. This is the second crime thriller to feature Deputy Sheriff Charlie Hood. Comfortable with patrolling the back roads of the American West in his cruiser, Charlie prefers to be alone. He doesn’t need a partner, but gets one anyway – Terry Laws, a county veteran everyone calls Mr. Wonderful. But when Laws is shot dead in the cruiser’s passenger seat and Charlie is left alive, it doesn’t take long for Charlie to start looking for the cop killer. Clues reveal that Laws wasn’t really so wonderful, but who hated him enough to kill him? Reviewer Morgan Chilson enjoyed this book, so be sure to check out her review.

Mark your calendar for these releases coming February 24, 2009:

BLOOD MAGIC (Ballantine) is the first book in the new paranormal Wing Slayer Hunters series by Jennifer Lyon. Darcy MacAlister doesn’t know she’s a witch until she’s drawn into a world of magic, danger and a powerful attraction to the very man who is cursed to kill her. Jennifer Lyon is the new pseudonym for the author also known as Jennifer Apodaca.

Nicole Jordan gives us the fourth novel in her seductive and exciting Courtship Wars series with TO ROMANCE A CHARMING ROGUE (Ballantine). This time, a lively heiress sets her sights on winning the heart of her former betrothed, a charmingly wicked nobleman she once spurned because of his rakish ways. Will she be able to tame the rogue before she succumbs to his wicked desires?

TROUBLE IN HIGH HEELS (Forever) by Leanne Banks is the humorous, emotional and long-awaited finale to the trilogy about sisters whose dead mother continues to give them advice from the grave. The first two titles were SOME GIRLS DO (Forever, 5/03) and WHEN SHE’S BAD (Forever, 11/03). Heiress Lori Granger is quickly depleting her trust fund. When handsome CPA Jackson James is enlisted to help control her spending and find her a wealthy husband to save her finances, sparks start to fly between Lori and Jackson. Could this be the man to make all her dreams come true?

LOVE WITH THE PERFECT SCOUNDREL (Avon) by Sophia Nash continues the Widows Club series started with A DANGEROUS BEAUTY (Avon, 6/07) and THE KISS (Avon, 3/08). Twice jilted in the last two years, Countess of Sheffield, Grace Sheffey, has given up on love. No longer able to maintain her elegant, serene facade with the members of the Duchess of Helston's secret circle of friends, she flees…only to encounter miserable disaster during a blizzard. Will the rugged, handsome scoundrel who saved her life also be her perfect love match?

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE (Love Spell) by Natale Stenzel is the third book in her humorous series of fantasy romances. If you read her previous books, PANDORA’S BOX (Love Spell, 2/08) and THE DRUID MADE ME DO IT (Love Spell, 8/08), then you’ll be delighted with Daphne and Tremayne’s story. CPA Daphne Forbes grew up the daughter of a druid, however, she shunned the supernatural. But magic is coming to trip her up in the form of an enchanted cornerstone. As magic envelops Daphne, empowers her and changes everything about her, along comes Tremayne. Whether this hunky tormentor is really her guardian or something else altogether, what he wants is very clear.

Detective Nan Vining has a lot to deal with in THE DEEPEST CUT (Ballantine hardcover), the third and final book in this series of police procedural thrillers by Dianne Emley. Detective Nan Vining is confronting the ghosts left behind from her recent brush with death. Nan and her partner have the usual array of cases to investigate, as they also look into a series of similar murders of women who killed men in the line of duty.

At the end of February 2009, the second exciting Safekeepers book by Linda Conrad, SAFE BY HIS SIDE (Silhouette Romantic Suspense #1553) will be go on sale. The Delgado/Ryan family of Texas is living with an ancient witch’s curse. Middle son Ethan Ryan is a charmer and doesn’t care about the curse. He’s too busy chasing the carefree life. But this former secret service agent-turned-bodyguard makes it his mission to protect children. When a beloved child star receives threatening notes, her guardian Blythe Cooper is desperate to protect her. Blythe is grateful for the tall, strong bodyguard, until Ethan awakens feelings she just can’t acknowledge. Will Ryan be able keep beautiful Blythe and the little girl safe before they capture his heart?

There’s more to come next month, so stay tuned…