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Monday, March 14, 2011

Great Books & Scene Stealers

Monday morning already! That was one fast weekend... I'm at Austen Authors today talking about characters who are scene stealers. Tomorrow, I've got author Kelly Moran visiting! And, coming up on Friday, I'll be at Magical Musings. (Wish I got to travel so much in real life, LOL.)

I also wanted to give a shout out to three fabulous new novels I've been reading that I think the world should know about:

My GBC sister, Ellen Meister, has a wonderful new book out called The Other Life , which asks the question: What if you could return to the road not taken? Happily married with a young son and another child on the way, Quinn Braverman has the perfect life. She also has an ominous secret. Every time she makes a major life decision, she knows an alternative reality exists in which she made the opposite choice-not only that, she knows how to cross over. But even in her darkest moments-like her mother's suicide-Quinn hasn't been tempted to visit . . . until she receives shattering news about the baby she's carrying. Desperate to escape her grief, Quinn slips through the portal that leads to her other life: the life in which she stayed with her exciting but neurotic ex- boyfriend, and is childless. The life in which-as she is amazed to discover-her mother is still very much alive. Quinn is soon forced to make an impossible choice. Will she stay with the family she loves and face the painful challenges that lie ahead? Or will a more carefree life-and the primal lure of being with her mother-pull her into her other life for good? (And Ellen just did a great interview on NPR yesterday! You can listen to it here.)

My friend Lainey Bancroft has a brand new ebook release, too, called Mixed Blessings! Love the premise for this novel, as well as Lainey's engaging writing style: Daniela Blessing’s ability to see crimes through the eyes of victims is a mixed blessing. She thinks she’s a handmaiden of Fate, but when Vincent Gabriele accosts her one sunny morning he calls it eye for an eye justice. He’s willing to keep her secrets—if she helps him. Despite his blackmail tactics, Danni would help, except her psychic abilities evaporate whenever Vincent is around. As truths emerge unlocking Vincent’s past, some of Danni’s history is also revealed. They’ve been intrinsically tied in the past, and their future is about to become a Destiny neither of them expected.

And, thanks to an exciting win on Edie Ramer's blog, I just got ahold of Karen Cantwell's comedic murder mystery, Take the Monkeys and Run, which was a 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel semi-finalist. So delightful! Film lover Barbara Marr is a typical suburban mom living the typical suburban life in her sleepy little town of Rustic Woods, Virginia. Typical, that is until she sets out to find the missing link between a bizarre monkey sighting in her yard and the bone chilling middle-of-the-night fright fest at the strangely vacant house next door. When Barb talks her two friends into some seemingly innocent Charlie's Angels-like sleuthing, they stumble upon way more than they bargained for and uncover a piece of neighborhood history that certain people would kill to keep on the cutting room floor. Enter sexy PI Colt Baron, Barb's ex-boyfriend who would love to be cast as new leading man, filling the role just vacated by her recently estranged husband, Howard. When Colt flies in from out of town to help Barb, events careen out of control and suddenly this mini-van driving mother of three becomes a major player in a treacherous and potentially deadly FBI undercover operation. It's up to her now. With little time to spare, she and she alone, must summon the inner strength necessary to become a true action heroine and save the lives of those she loves. The question is can she get them out alive before the credits roll?

What have you all been reading lately? Debut authors? Long-time favorites? Ebooks, paperbacks, hardcovers?? Would love to hear about some of your newest novel discoveries ;).

16 comments:

Maria Geraci said...

All those books sound fabulous, Marilyn. Ellen's book The Other Life is on my TBR pile and now I'll have to add the others as well.

I just finished reading "A lot like Love" by Julie James. Very cute romance! Then I went on to "Simply Forbidden" by Kate Pearce (very hot romance!)

And now I'm reading "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" which is simply outstanding in its fabulous writing and wonderful characterization.

Ellen said...

Thanks so much for the shout-out, Marilyn. Appreciate it TONS!

Also loved reading about Lainey and Karen's books. They sound great.

Off to see what you have to say at Austen Authors!!!

Tonya Kappes said...

Take the Monkey and Run sounds amazing!! Going to download it now!! I'm re-reading Heather Webber's Nina Quinn series since it's on Kindle. I know!!! I have the paperbacks...but I LOVE MY KINDLE!

Marilyn Brant said...

Good morning, everyone!

Maria, I've heard wonderful things about Major Pettigrew, and I love Julie and Kate's writing, so these are all books I want to read! (I need your address! I have a prize to mail to you. ;)

Ellen, you're very welcome! You did an awesome job on NPR -- I was so excited for you and for the attention this book is getting. HUGE congrats, my friend!

Tonya, I think you'll love Karen's story ;). As for the Kindle...ohhh, I am getting SO tempted to finally buy an eReader! The big hold up is trying to decide between a Kindle and a Nook. But I've been reading all these great ebooks (like Edie's Dragon Blues!) on my desktop because I don't have a reader yet... Soon, very soon!

Karen Cantwell said...

Thank you for the wonderful mention, Marilyn! I feel honored to be listed with two other books that sound so amazing. I think I'll be spending a few bucks at Amazon in a couple of minutes! :-)

L.C. Evans said...

Looks like you've chosen some great books to post, Marilyn. I've read Take The Monkeys and Run and I highly recommend it. It's such a funny book.

Barbara Silkstone said...

Take the Monkeys and Run is such a fun read. I can't wait for the sequel. I'm reading Karen Cantwell's Foxy's Tale right now. A reluctant vampire... oh my!

The Reading Frenzy said...

Good morning everyone, great article and wow the book looks fabulous, I think my tbr pile just tipped over.
I'm currently re-reading two novels one for my in person book club The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson and for my virtual book club at B&N I'm re-reading Friday Mornings at Nine, Hi Marilyn. :) Marilyn has been so great visiting us and filling us all in on all kinds of great stuff from the book.
Deb

Marilyn Brant said...

Karen, it's a pleasure! As for Amazon -- I know, I know!! I keep expecting them to issue me my own credit card or something, considering how much time/money I spend there ;).

L.C., thank you! I've been on such a lucky streak with great books, and my writing friends all just keep on releasing new and wonderful ones. I'm pretty sure I need to take a month or two off to do nothing but read ;).

Barbara, ooooh! Thanks for telling me about Karen's book with the reluctant vampire -- that one sounds fabulous, too!!

Deb!!! It's wonderful to see you here ;). Thank you for visiting and for doing SUCH an awesome job as our B&N book club mod! You make everything run so smoothly -- I've been loving being a part of the discussion! xo

Pamala Knight said...

Thank you for adding to my TBR pile, Marilyn. I'm always on the lookout for recommendations and all these sound delectable.

And secondary characters can be fun, right? Even though Lady Catherine is a despicable old harpy, she is very delicious too. We all appreciate her usefullness (Lady Catherine LOVES to be of use) in bringing our dear D & E together in the end.

Marilyn Brant said...

LOL, Pamala! You've expressed my feelings on Lady Catherine perfectly ;). She *does* like to be of use, doesn't she?! Thanks, as always, for your visit and your kind words. Wishing you a great week!

Edie Ramer said...

Marilyn, I have Karen's book. It's in my TBR Kindle file. I'm making that my next book up. I'm buying Lainey's book tonight. Thanks for reminding me!

I want to buy that in print, and the next time I'm shopping, I'll look for it.

Thanks for the recommends!

Marilyn Brant said...

Edie, thank YOU for being the one to introduce me to Karen and her writing ;). xo

Caryn said...

Great suggestions, Marilyn! Thanks for posting them.

Marilyn Brant said...

Oooh! Just saw your comment, Caryn! Thank you ;-). Hope you had a great St. Patrick's Day!!

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