Tanzey Talk

May 2004

Spring has officially arrived in full force in Kansas, which means I spend a lot of time outside in the yard and garden. I love being outdoors, but it sure cuts into my personal reading. I still devote time to the ARCs I read for reviewing, and I’ve read some really great ones that are coming in the next few months. Be sure to check www.TheBestReviews.com for reviews of some wonderful spring and summer books.

I am making plans to attend the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Dallas the final week of July. I’ll be traveling and rooming with my good friend and reviewer, Suan Wilson, who’s also a bookseller. We got notification the other day that bestselling author James Patterson has recently joined RWA. He’ll be attending this conference and participating in a “Chat With…” session. We can’t wait to meet him!

One book I’ve been saving to read until the next book in the series was due for release is Kathryn Shay’s AFTER THE FIRE, the first novel in a new firefighter trilogy from this talented author. Wow! What a fantastic story! I could not put it down until I’d read it all. The second book, ON THE LINE, is scheduled for July, and the ARC arrived last week. I am now reading it to review and find it just as gripping as the first one. Good thing it’s been raining here the past few days. If you haven’t read this author’s work, you should do so immediately. I love her intense and moving portrayals of complex characters, their weaknesses and strengths, and how they deal with and overcome adversity. Her firefighter novels are some of the best novels ever written.

ImaJinn Books is publishing its first paranormal erotica collection, SILK AND MAGIC, BOOK ONE, featuring three novellas by Rebecca York, Rickey Mallory and Brandy Lee. This launch title of ImaJinn’s new Silk and Magic line represents the range of “heat” this publisher will be offering readers. You can order this collection directly from ImaJinn’s web site at www.imajinnbooks.com.  

This month, Brenda K. Jernigan has a new book out, titled WHISPERS ON THE WIND. Even though she’ll be taking off the year of 2005, she wants readers to know she’ll be back in 2006 with three new books.

Fern Michaels is starting a new series. At this time, she’s planned seven books, but there could possibly be more. She says this series deals with a group of women who feel they’ve been denied justice by the legal system and decide to take matters into their own hands. Readers should be aware that these books are much more graphic and to the point than the novels you’re used to reading by Fern. The first in the series, titled WEEKEND WARRIORS, is set to go on sale in July as a mass market release. Then in December the second book will be released as a hardcover. To learn more about this series and how to win a $500 savings bond associated with it, log on to www.fernmichaels.com.

I’ve received notification that Tami Hoag’s next hardcover, KILL THE MESSENGER, is scheduled for release on July 6. It’s been two years since we’ve had a new book from Tami, and many readers are hoping she’ll be providing the type of high caliber, gripping thriller they’ve come to expect from her.

Another long-awaited publication is Julie Garwood’s newest hardcover contemporary suspense, MURDER LIST. From what I’ve heard, it’s now set to go on sale August 31, so mark your calendars and check your local bookstore regularly for its release.

Several other favorite authors of mine will also be having new hardcover releases coming up this summer. July 13 is the date when Linda Howard’s newest suspense novel, KISS ME WHILE I SLEEP, goes on sale. The latest installment in J.D. Robb’s Eve Dallas and Roarke saga, VISIONS IN DEATH, arrives in bookstores August 9. Tess Gerritsen returns with a new medical thriller, BODY DOUBLE, on sale August 17. Also available that same day will be Sandra Brown’s newest suspense novel, WHITE HOT. Wow! I’m looking forward to some really wonderful summer reading!     

And, of course, next month we finally get another installment in the life of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum and all her cohorts with TEN BIG ONES by Janet Evanovich. This book will be available June 22.

In June, look for Anne Frasier (who used to write deeply moving romance novels as Theresa Weir) to have a new, powerfully intense murder mystery on store shelves. Titled PLAY DEAD, it takes place in steamy Savannah. This is an author I highly recommend you read if you’re looking for a grab-you-by-the-throat reading experience. I can’t wait for this new mass market release from such a talented writer.

Susan Squires is writing a three-book series of vampire books for St. Martin’s Press. She’s just finished the first one, THE COMPANION, which is a follow-up to SACRAMENT. She says this intense, kinky read is set to come out in February 2005.

Roxanne St. Claire has announced that in December 2004, she will debut a Chick Lit novel under the pseudonym of Rocki St. Claire. The trade-size paperback, titled HIT REPLY, is about three women friends and told entirely through e-mails and instant messages as readers peak into the lives and e-mail boxes of modern women facing timeless challenges. Roxanne assures us she’ll continue to write romantic suspense and short contemporary romance as Roxanne St. Claire.

We are finally going to get the next installment in Lisa Wingate’s TEXAS COOKING trilogy. The next book, LONE STAR CAFÉ, is supposed to be released in September. My reviewer who read the first book has been quite anxious for this series to continue.

Madeline Hunter wants all of her readers to know that she’ll be continuing her highly popular Seducer series. She’s completed writing the manuscript featuring quiet, compelling Julian Hampton as hero, and she’s just started one that features the dangerous Scot, Ewan McLean.  

And Gaelen Foley is continuing her Knight Miscellany series with Alec’s story, which she’s writing now. After that will be Jack’s story, and last to come will be one about the Knight brothers’ good friend, Ian, the Marquess of Griffith.

Andrea Kane wrote to happily report that she has a new publisher, HarperCollins. She says they are working together feverishly getting ready to release her next romantic thriller, I’LL BE WATCHING YOU, in early 2005. Andrea’s new novel will be a hardcover published under the Morrow imprint. She invites readers to check out this new book at www.andreakane.com.

Look for SKYLARK this month, Jo Beverley’s newest addition to her Company of Rogues series. Even though she’s nearly done writing Fitz and Damaris’ story, which is scheduled for release in February 2005, Jo says a title still hasn’t been agreed upon. And NAL is putting out a number of reissues of her earlier works, so pay attention to titles. In June 2005, THREE HEROES will include The Demon’s Mistress, The Dragon’s Bride and The Devil’s Heiress. WINTER FIRE is to be reissued in November 2004, DANGEROUS JOY in December 2004, SOMETHING WICKED in January 2005 and FORBIDDEN MAGIC in August 2005. To keep up-to-date on her new and reissued publications, visit Jo’s recently overhauled web site at www.jobev.com/menu/html.

In July, NAL will release a book by Bertrice Small that she says began originally as a novella. PRIVATE PLEASURES is also Bertrice’s first contemporary novel. And here’s what she has to say about it: “I want to warn you way in advance that this is a novel of revenge, and passion. It is very erotic. Very, very erotic. Graphic. It is not for the faint of heart. There is no violence, however, for I do not believe in violent sex. The novel came about because more often then not a longtime wife dumped for the new trophy wife gets the short end of the stick. What would happen, I wondered, if that beleaguered wife managed to turn the tables on her rotten spouse? And if she could, how would she do it? And more important, what would the price for her victory be? It’s an interesting conundrum, but remember that old saying. Be careful what you wish for.” For those of you who love Bertrice’s passionate historical romances, have no fear, she swears she’s not forsaking them.

Dee Davis will have three new suspense novels slated for March, June and September 2005. The books are titled ENDGAME, ENIGMA and EXPOSURE. She says she’s been hard at work revising and plotting them, as well as working on her holiday novella, Still of the Night, for the SILENT NIGHT anthology set for release this October.

Sandra Hill has done it again with unique cover art for her newest Viking romance. This month, A TALE OF TWO VIKINGS features two different cover looks. Both covers will be available wherever books are sold (with the same ISBN), so readers can choose their favorite twin. Or buy both!

Sandra Chastain has informed me that her debut children’s book, KASEYBELLE, THE TINIEST FAIRY IN THE KINGDOM, is a picture book, fairy tale and the first in her Everyone’s Special series from BelleBooks. Check out her updated web site at www.BelleBooks.com.

Harlequin Superromance author Lori Handeland has signed to write a series of paranormal mainstream novels for St. Martin’s Press, in addition to her Supers. Lori states, “I think of the Full Moon books as ‘Buffy’ with werewolves. The heroines are all members of a special forces monster hunting unit. Each book has a different hero and heroine, and they are all written in first-person from the heroine’s point of view. Sort of a combination of Laurell K. Hamilton, J.D. Robb and Janet Evanovich - scary, sexy, funny.” Titles are: BLUE MOON (October 2004), HUNTER’S MOON (February 2005) and DARK MOON (2005). These sound very intriguing.

This fall, Katie MacAlister will be starting a new series of sexy, romantic paranormal thrillers featuring Aisling Gray, a Guardian (someone who guards the portals of hell, which basically makes her a demon wrangler) and Drake Vireo, who’s the wyvern of the Green Dragons. Yes, Katie has made her hero a dragon, “…in human form, of course, because otherwise the love scenes would be just way too off-the-wall to describe.”

And even more paranormal/fantasy novels are on the way as Kerrelyn Sparks announces that she’s sold two books - paranormal comedies - to Avon. She tells me the first one is titled HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE VAMPIRE, but don’t look for it before late 2005.

Well, I’ve filled another long column. Since last month was devoted to the final issue of Old Book Barn Gazette and its history, I’d saved all my newsy tidbits for this month. I hope to have more of the same for June, so please stay tuned…

Tanzey

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