Tanzey Talk
October 2003
If you want to contact me directly through this column's site, please be sure to click on my personal link - Contact Tanzey - and not the store's link. For those of you who don't know, I do not work from the store. In fact, I live in Kansas and the store is located in Illinois. Thanks for your interest!
In an effort to control costs and not raise the subscription rate, Cheryl has deemed it necessary to keep our printed newsletters to no more than 8 pages. For those reasons, you’ll see shorter reviews and less cover art accompanying them. If I have more to say in this column than space allows for here, you can find a longer version at writerspace.com/tanzey.
Now, for some of my personal reading recommendations. One of the neatest books I’ve read lately is Got a Hold on You by Pat White. The premise and setting are so unique - the world of professional wrestling. Not only is it funny, but also enlightening as we get a behind-the-scenes look into this business and the people who work in it. I’ve been recommending this book to everyone, and the feedback has been more than positive. The cartoon cover is an eye-catcher, too. Pat tells me that she has her fingers crossed that Dorchester will consider a second wrestling book.
Of course, the latest edition of J.D. Robb’s Eve Dallas and Roarke mystery series is another masterpiece. I’m never disappointed with these stories and can’t wait for the next one. I’m now set to read the double book by Nora Roberts and her alter-ego Robb, Remember When, that I told you about last month.
Kay Hooper’s newest psycho-thriller - Sense of Evil - is truly gripping. This author really knows how to grab readers’ interest and never let go. I couldn’t put it down until the last page was turned, and then I couldn’t get it out of my head. Earmarks of a great story!
A really good historical romance is Teresa Medeiros’ One Night of Scandal. This excellent, well-written sequel to A Kiss to Remember also has a touch of Gothic, which I really loved.
The long-awaited addition to the Kendall family saga - Some Men’s Dreams (SIM 1237, 8/03) - by Kathleen Korbel is another keeper from this talented author. I loved Dr. Gen Kendall and Dr. Jack O’Neill’s story, as well as the handling of the issue of teenage anorexia. And I enjoyed catching up with the rest of the Kendall family.
Lynn Kerstan is pleased to let us know that she’s contracted with Onyx for two more books, the first stories in a trilogy (or perhaps a series) featuring a mysterious organization known as Black Phoenix and the enigmatic duke who’s its secret mastermind. Sarne and his duchess are introduced in The Marriage Scheme, a novella in the Wedding Belles anthology, which comes out in May 2004 - the very same time as the first full-length book in the series, Summer of Scandal.
Following the success that Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins and Mia Ryan had with their anthology The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown, these authors have teamed up to write another collection of Lady W novellas. Julia jokingly suggested the title of Lady Whistledown Strikes Back, and everyone loved it. Look for this book to be released in May 2004.
Recently Suzanne Brockmann was interviewed for Ladies’ Home Journal. The magazine is doing a feature article on Suz’s in its November issue, so watch for it to hit the stands the end of this month. The photo shoot for the article was done on her 20th wedding anniversary, so that made it pretty special for her. She also wants everyone to know that she’ll be bringing her Navy SEAL friend, Chris, with her to Kansas City for the Romantic Times Convention. They are scheduled to be in the Readers’ Hospitality Suite on Friday, 10:30 am - noon, then 2:30 - 5:00 pm, as well as the big Book Fair on Saturday, 11 am - 3 pm. She’ll also be at the Cover Model Pageant on Saturday night, where one of the contestants is going to be dressed as Lt. Sam Starrett.
I just read an advance excerpt from Jennifer Crusie’s next hardcover from St. Martin’s - Bet Me - that’s coming in February 2004. If what I read is any indication, this book will be just as quirky and fun as her other titles have been. I was so hooked, it will be very hard to wait.
Emma Holly has signed a contract with Berkley/Jove to write three more of her very sexy vampire stories. Good news for those of us who loved Catching Midnight. And next month will see the release of its sequel, Hunting Midnight. Vampires are becoming quite popular!
"Reading with Ripa" star Vicki Lewis Thompson is excited to have signed a very nice deal with St. Martin’s to write three more Nerd books. If you haven’t yet read her bestselling A Nerd in Shining Armor, be sure to do so as soon as possible. It’s great!
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from Suzanne Simmons, but I’m happy to report that she’ll have two new books coming from Berkley. The first is titled Sweetheart, Indiana, a contemporary romance about a small town in Indiana that ends up being inherited by a wealthy New York socialite. No date yet on publication, but I’ll keep you informed.
Robin D. Owens tells me this about her new contract with Harlequin, as well as a short blurb about the series. "My agent contacted me last November (while I was in England!) and asked me to put together a three-book proposal for a new imprint by Harlequin. The series was originally targeted for Luna and I knew a little about what they wanted. They definitely want Women’s Fantasy with romantic subplot. I’m hoping to work through several female archetypes in the series. Here’s the short blurb: Average American women are Summoned into an alternate universe to save the main culture from an encroaching evil. Each confronts her deepest fears and finds true fulfillment in the new world. Book 1: Joan of Arc meets Han Solo. A contemporary earth-woman, who’s Summoned to be the Joan of Arc of another world, must decide whether to pay the price to become a respected powerful leader. Book 2: A woman, who hungers for knowledge, is used as a weapon of vengeance and learns the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Book 3: A physically and emotionally wounded woman seeks love but must find the inner belief that she is worthy of love before she can truly accept that others love her. Right now they’re called: The Summoning: Alexa (out spring of 2005), The Summoning: Brandy and The Summoning: Calli."
Speaking of Harlequin’s new Luna line, they’ve signed several more authors to their group. Susan Krinard will write Shadow of the Stone series, the first three books in a fantasy epic. Laura Anne Gilman has signed to write a contemporary fantasy/mystery titled Retrievers. And P.C. Cast will author a fantasy called Elphame’s Choice. Promo for this new line is "Luna Books delivers a compelling, female-focused fantasy with vivid characters, rich worlds, strong, sympathetic women and romantic subplots." I can hardly wait!
It’s countdown time for the big Romantic Times convention being held in Kansas City. I am really excited about this big event!
And again be sure to scroll down for some of our readers’ comments.
Stay tuned . . .
Tanzey
And again be sure to scroll down for some of our readers’ comments.
Tanzey Cutter
Editor of the Old Book Barn Gazette
Author Jessica Hall: Tanzey, some of my romance readers mentioned your column as the reason they found my books, so I thought I’d send a personal note of thanks for the terrific reviews you’ve written. To clear up some of the mystery about me, I write romance for NAL as Jessica Hall (formerly as Gena Hale); science fiction for Roc SF/F as S.L. Viehl; and Christian adult fiction for Guideposts as Rebecca Kelly. It gets a bit confusing with all the pseudonyms - in August alone I had new novels in three different genres released simultaneously - and it’s probably going to get even more complicated as I’m moving into writing fantasy and possibly a mystery series. Again, thanks!
Marjorie Diamond, Louisiana: I just finished Mary Jo Putney’s Twist of Fate. The theme is very controversial, but I found I couldn’t put it down. There wasn’t as much action as in her other books, and it probably won’t appeal to as many readers. I did find it interesting to compare the two reviews from the Gazette and Romantic Times, as they show two different views of the book. For me, Ms. Putney’s books are always keepers, and although I like her contemporaries, I really like her historicals more. And she’s one of the few authors I purchase in hardcover.
·Author Jennifer Ashley: Tanzey, thanks again for mentioning my books (The Pirate Next Door and The Hanover Square Affair) in your August issue. You do a lot for author promotion and it’s much appreciated!
· Author Roxanne Rustand: I always enjoy your newsletter so much each month...it’s fun being able to keep up with the news from other authors, and the book reviews often steer me toward wonderful authors I haven’t read yet.
Author Eileen Dreyer: Hey, Tanzey, you’re everywhere! Since I just got my daughter married off, I haven’t done a lot of promotion for my new SIM - Some Men’s Dreams - but I hope you have a chance to read it. And now, I’m back to suspense. I spent a week in New Orleans researching my new book (which has no title yet, except New Orleans Book). Keep up the good work, gal!
Author Tina St. John: Tanzey! I just got the September OBBG and saw your mention of WriteWay. Wow! A wonderful write-up! My husband and I appreciate all your support!
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