April 2007

For the past several months, I've given you my recommendations for some great books. One I forgot to mention is the romantic thriller VANISHED (Putnam hardcover, 4/25/06) by Karen Robards. This is a fantastic story with suspense as thick as the heat of its South Carolina setting. Last month, I told you about Karen's new hardcover release (OBSESSION, Putnam) going on sale 4/10/07, so I'm a bit behind in my reading. But, if you're one of those who only reads paperback editions, then I'm pleased to tell you that you only have to wait a few months for VANISHED to be released in mass market by Signet on June 5, 2007.

March 4, 2007, was a beautiful day in Kansas when Fresh Fiction staff members Sara Reyes, Mindy Ewing, Gwen Reyes and I met with 11 of my local reviewers for a nice luncheon and several fun-filled hours of getting to know each other better. Reviewers in attendance were (back row) Suan Wilson, Sabrina Marino, Morgan Chilson, Shayne Sawyer, Tammie Ard, Paula Myers, Jory Reedy and (front row) Mandy Burns, Lynne Dillon, Margaret Ohmes, Stacey Herman.

Sara, Mindy and Gwen had been in Kansas City attending Celebrate Romance and made a stop in Lawrence on their way home to Texas. Everyone had a great time and we can't wait for the opportunity to do it again!

A recent press release from HarperCollins Publishers announced the re-launch of its trade paperback line. Formerly called Avon Trade Paperbacks, the imprint will now be known as Avon A. It will feature fiction writers such as Isabel Sharpe, Mameve Medwed, Marian Keyes, Leslie Carroll, Meg Cabot, as well as non-fiction titles by Dale V. Atkins and Emma Forrest.

And more changes are coming in the publishing world. Watch for a new line of books, called Shomi, coming this summer from Dorchester. Editor Leah Hultenschmidt has informed me that: "Shomi is a fabulous new line conceived by Senior Editor Chris Keeslar. Our goal was to showcase some of the most innovative romances being written today with cutting-edge packaging and manga-style covers. We're looking to reach a target demographic of 18- to 35-year-old readers, skewing slightly younger perhaps than the traditional romance reader. The books are action-packed with really strong women and feature storylines completely different from anything that's on the market today. WIRED by Liz Maverick launches the line in July 2007, then we have Marianne Mancusi's MOONGAZER in August 2007 and DRIVEN by Eve Kenin (a pseudonym for historical romance writer Eve Silver) in September 2007."

In the April 2007 edition e-newsletter from Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine, publisher Carol Stacy announced that the location and dates have been set for their 2008 convention -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 15-20, 2008. Carol goes on to say, "...mark your calendars. It's never too early to start planning. And be sure to pass the word on to fellow booklovers." So that's exactly what I'm doing!

For the past year, Jill Marie Landis has been looking to expand into a second writing niche. She's excited to announce that her next two books will be western historicals published as single-title paperbacks for Steeple Hill, an imprint of Harlequin. Set in the old West, in a small town called Glory, Texas, Jill Marie promises "the same kind of unforgettable characters, memorable settings and heartwarming stories that my readers have come to expect, but these new books are Inspirational in content and also appeal to a Christian audience." She goes on to say, "As with any new endeavor, this one is both challenging and exciting, but at this point I feel the first of the two books I've written is definitely 'inspired.'" Publication of her first book won't be until summer 2008, but she'll keep us informed as things progress.

Over three consecutive months, Robyn Carr will take readers to the scenic rivers and redwoods around >Virgin River, a town of 600, for her new series by that same name. The first novel, aptly titled VIRGIN RIVER (Mira), went on sale March 27, 2007. The second book, SHELTER MOUNTAIN (Mira), will be available April 24, 2007; and the third, WHISPERING ROCK (Mira), goes on sale May 29, 2007. Robyn tells me, "If you've watched the new TV sensation, 'Men in Trees,' you know the kind of rugged no-nonsense men who drive the women deliciously mad in Virgin River. And if you were a fan of my earlier series set in Grace Valley, or if you're one of the many people who wrote and asked me for more, you'll be happy to see some of those characters again."

Cauley MacKinnon returns May 1, 2007, in Kit Frazier's DEAD COPY (Midnight Ink), the latest novel featuring the obituary writer/wannabe reporter. In this sequel to SCOOP (Midnight Ink, 9/06), Cauley is asked by sexy FBI agent Tom Logan to fake an obit for a key trial witness. However, when she sees the guy's actual murder on the courthouse steps, Cauley finds herself a target (again!) as she's up to her eyelashes in dead bodies.

Also coming May 1, 2007, is Tate Hallaway's next novel, DEAD SEXY (Berkley) about bookstore manager/witch Garnet Lacey, who was first introduced in last year's TALL, DARK & DEAD (Berkley, 5/06). This time Garnet is having to deal with frat boy zombies, love spells going wrong, a sexy FBI agent on her tail and her current vampire boy-friend, as well as her vampire ex. As the book cover blurb says, "There's no rest for the Wiccan..."

Linwood Barclay's next mystery/detective novel, titled STONE RAIN (Bantam), goes on sale May 1, 2007. It's the fourth novel about the adventures of paranoid sci-fi author, newspaper writer, family man and reluctant hero Zack Walker, who has a knack for stumbling onto deadly stories. Not only is this mystery series full of suspense, it's quite humorous, as well. Barclay currently is working on a new stand-alone novel of suspense scheduled to be published as a hardcover in October 2007 by Bantam.

British author Stephen Booth will see the sixth book in his popular Cooper & Fry series, THE DEAD PLACE, released in the USA in hardcover on May 1, 2007, by Bantam. His novels of suspense are set in England's Peak District featuring Detective Constable Ben Cooper and his partner Detective Sargeant Diane Fry. Bantam is set to publish the 7^th Cooper & Fry novel, SCARED TO LIVE, in summer 2008.

In Charlaine Harris' ALL TOGETHER DEAD (Ace hardcover), Louisiana cocktail waitress/vampire queen Sookie Stackhouse is learning to handle a new man in her life, a shape-shifter named Quinn, while preparing for a vampire summit. As the seventh installment to this fantasy/mystery series, it's set for release May 1, 2007.

Minneapolis detective Lucas Davenport returns May 15, 2007, in John Sandford's INVISIBLE PREY (Putnam, hardcover), the 17^th book in this police procedural mystery series. This time Lucas is investigating two cases -- a state senator suspected of having sex with a minor, and the beating death of a wealthy widow and her maid -- that just might have an unusual connection.

Coming May 29, 2007, is Brian M. Wiprud's TAILED (Dell). Everybody's favorite taxidermy dealer Garth Carson is back and caught up in ritualistic serial killings of big game hunters -- by their own trophies! Angie, Otto and Nicholas are along for a bumpy ride that takes them through America's heartland, a journey punctuated by the importance of cheese curds.

Also on sale May 29, 2007, is the first book, LAST LOOK (Ballantine), in a new romantic suspense series from Mariah Stewart that will be published in successive months. LAST WORDS is scheduled for release June 26, 2007, with LAST BREATH to follow July 31, 2007. Following in their father's footsteps, Andrew, Mia and Connor Shields are Special Agents with the FBI. Mariah has this to say about the books, "...beside the fact that each book has a unique plot, each tells the story of how one member of the Shields family is dealing with the tragedy that changed all their lives -- and how they each finally come to peace with it."

This month, the award-winning futuristic romance author C. J. Barry brings her unique brand of writing to the romantic suspense genre with a new pseudonym, Samantha Graves. Samantha's new book, titled SIGHT UNSEEN (Warner Forever), introduces readers to Raven Callahan, whose extraordinary psychic power lets her read emotions locked inside ancient objects. This is the first in a two-book series.

Another author changing names for a new series of books is Jennifer Ashley. Writing under the pseudonym of Allyson James, she has this to say about her new Dragon series, "DRAGON HEAT is the first of a series...published by Berkley Sensation starting July 2007. The books are paranormal 'urban fantasy' romance featuring dragon shapeshifters with witches and magic and a sprinkling of Japanese and Chinese mythology. The books are set in San Francisco, one of my favorite cities." DRAGON HEAT tells the story of Lisa, who comes from a long line of special women with special powers. Her roommate, a sexy warrior sent to earth to protect her, is also a golden dragon. Witches, demons and a Black Dragon will do anything to get their hands on Lisa's magic and the secret the women of her family have protected for centuries. The second book, titled THE BLACK DRAGON (scheduled for release in November 2007), features Saba, who's finally put the black dragon Malcolm out of her life. An assault by an evil white dragon forces Saba to use the magic Dragon's Tears Malcolm left behind to call him for help. But Malcolm is in need of Saba's special witch magic to help restore his draining powers.

Every month, more new pseudonyms are cropping up for established authors. I've heard from several readers who are confused as to why this is happening. Yes, they know publishers and authors say it's because the authors are changing genres, or changing publishers, or using different writing techniques and don't want readers to associate the new books with the previous ones. But those I've talked to are multi-genre readers and tell me the reason they're reading new genres is because a favorite author made the change, but kept the same name. I know how reluctant these readers are to pick up books by "new" authors, especially with the high cost of books. Are the publishers requesting it or do the authors want to make the change? If you'd like to comment, please do so by clicking on my name below.

And stay tuned 'til next month...
Tanzey