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…
2 comments posted.
That is really sad about Suzanne Simmons Guntrum, I have read a couple of her books, including her last release.
(Tonya Callihan 5:52pm February 2, 2009)
A very informative piece. Had heard of Suzanne Simmons Guntrum's passing. Have read many of her books under most of her pen names. I was also looking forward to Night Hunter. She will be missed, especially by you, her friends and fellow writers.
(Patricia Barraclough 12:53pm March 26, 2009)