May 2006

I enjoyed a lot of diverse reading this past month both in my personal choices and in ARCs for reviewing. I’ve been a fan of Laura Levine since her first Jaine Austin mystery was released by Kensington, THIS PEN FOR HIRE (mass market, 6/03), followed by LAST WRITES (mass market, 5/04). In my to-be-read stack of books were the two latest installments, KILLER BLONDE (mass market, 5/05) and SHOES TO DIE FOR (hardcover, 6/05). I devoured both of them in one day. I can’t wait to read the fifth installment, THE PMS MURDER, due to go on sale in hardcover June 6, 2006. This is a really fun mystery series with a quirky female sleuth and a delightful supporting cast of characters.

In that huge pile of books, I also found TO LOVE A THIEF (Silhouette Intimate Moments #1225, 6/03) by Merline Lovelace. Since I’d just gotten her DIAMONDS CAN BE DEADLY (#1411, 4/06) and both of these books are installments in her exciting Code Name: Danger series, I devoted myself to reading both of them in one day, too. This entire series of books is on my keeper shelf. I love the international intrigue and the undercover operatives, as well as the romantic relationships.

My other choice for personal reading was A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER (Pocket Star, 4/06) by Kresley Cole. Wow, this was one hot and compelling paranormal romance with some very diverse characters and unusual world-building by this talented author. At first, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to endure the fierce storyline, but the longer I read, the more involved I became and the harder it was to put down. It took a lot of concentration on my part, and the experience was well worth it. Now, I can’t wait for the sequel, NO REST FOR THE WICKED, coming October 2006.

The first of April, I was told a bit of sad news for us long-time readers. Talented suspense author Christiane Heggan informed her publicist that after her next book, she’s going to retire. She says she wants to spend more time with her young grandsons and help her son with their activities. MIRA has told her the door is open whenever she wants to return to writing. And the gifted Millie Criswell is also going to retire and enjoy life after her next book. I know these two popular authors are going to be greatly missed in the industry.

The first week of April, I received a large shipment of advance galleys from Penguin Putnam and one of them was a June release under the Berkley Jam banner. Assuming this was their new YA line, but wanting to make sure I had the correct info about this imprint, I contacted Editor Cindy Hwang. Here’s her response, "You’re right, Berkley Jam is our new young adult imprint, and NAL is also publishing teen titles under NAL Jam. Basically, most of our teen titles are geared to girls 13+, and they’ll range from edgier books (like Gossip Girls) to light and funny. Some of our already established adult writers are writing these books -- for instance, MaryJanice Davidson and Marianne Mancusi." This month’s release is BRACED 2 BITE by debut author Serena Robar and will be the first in a series about teenager Colby Blanchard -- cheerleader, smart student, fashionista, vampire.

Patti O’Shea has a new book, titled ETERNAL NIGHTS, coming in August 2006 from Love Spell. This new novel is a loosely linked sequel to her award-winning debut futuristic romance RAVYN’S FLIGHT, which Love Spell is going to reissue in August 2006 with the same cover and the same ISBN to coincide with the release of the new book. After contributing slam-bang installments in two best-selling paranormal action series -- 2176 (THE POWER OF TWO) and Crimson City (THROUGH A CRIMSON VEIL) -- Patti is a hot commodity and a great author to read.

Romance Writers of America has announced their 2006 RITA Finalists. The 1,000 romance novels entered in this year’s contest were narrowed down to 94 finalists in 13 categories. Winners will be revealed in a special gala on Saturday evening, July 29, 2006, at RWA’s 26^th Annual National Conference in Atlanta. (See list at https://www.rwanational.org)

In July 2006, Marjorie M. Liu’s third book in her paranormal Dirk & Steele series -- THE RED HEART OF JADE -- will be released by Love Spell. Then in September 2006, the fourth installment will be the novella A Dream of Stone and Shadows in the DARK DREAMERS anthology with Christine Feehan. Dirk & Steele #5 -- EYE OF HEAVEN -- is slated for release in December 2006. We have some great reading to look forward in the last half of this year from this talented author. I can’t wait!

Tara Janzen’s Crazy series continues June 27, 2006, with CRAZY LOVE (Dell), which tells the story of Dylan and Skeeter. This is the one I’ve been waiting for! Then CRAZY SWEET is set to arrive in bookstores October 31, 2006.

July 18, 2006, the next installment in Kay Hooper’s eerily chilling series featuring FBI Special Agent Noah Bishop and his Special Crimes Unit is set for release. Titled SLEEPING WITH FEAR (Bantam hardcover), it introduces a new member of the team -- a clairvoyant woman Bishop has hand-picked to investigate a brutal, sacrificial murder in a remote North Carolina town. I’ve already read the ARC, and I don’t think anyone is more expert at combining suspense with the supernatural than Hooper.

Another favorite author of mine is Karin Slaughter, and she has a new novel coming August 15, 2006, that will not be a part of her Grant County series. This stand-alone book, titled TRIPTYCH (Delacorte hardcover), centers on the murder of a small-town woman and the two men involved in solving the sadistic crime.

Sofie Metropolis returns this month in DIRTY LAUNDRY (Forge hardcover) by Tori Carrington. And fans of this series, which began with SOPHIE METROPOLIS, will be delighted to know that books three and four have recently been contracted to Forge/Tor.

The final book in Kathryn Caskie’s Featherton sisters’ quartet -- LOVE IS IN THE HEIR -- will be in stores the end of this month. Then in October 2006, watch for the beginning of her new romantic comedy Regency-set trilogy with HOW TO SEDUCE A DUKE.

Cherry Adair starts a new summer trilogy in June featuring the Edge brothers -- unique men with a Scottish heritage and supernatural abilities who share an ancient family curse. They are part of a new super-secret unit of T-FLAC. The first book is EDGE OF DANGER, then in July EDGE OF FEAR, followed in August by EDGE OF DARKNESS. Sounds exciting and intriguing, doesn’t it?

Debbie Macomber, who is celebrating her 24^th year as a published author, has a new hardcover this month from MIRA titled SUSANNAH’S GARDEN. She says this book is especially close to her heart as it deals with emotions and issues she experienced losing her parents during the past two years. In September, MIRA will release the next book in her Cedar Cove series -- 6 RAINIER DRIVE -- in mass market paperback.

As always, check back next month...
Tanzey Cutter