Nicole Peeler TEMPEST RISING (Orbit, Nov. 2009), received 4 1/2 Stars from the Romanic Times Book Review. RT says, "A new star is rising in the urban fantasy world. With her Jane True character, Peeler launches a first-person series that's an exciting journey of self-discovery and murder mystery. The supporting characters are intriguing in their own right. A notable debut." Rachel Cane author of the Weather Warden series says: "Grounded equally in ancient myth and the challenges of modern life, Jane True lives up to her name..true, and truly unique! A fascinating, fast-paced, sexy storm of a book."
Kimberly Frost BARELY BEWITCHED (Berkley, Sept. 2009) the second installment of the Southern Witch series "..amuses with zany adventures of spunky Texas witch." (Carolyn Lessard, AP, Sept. 2009), "....improves her series about Tamara Trask.." (Romantic Times Book Reviews, Sept. 2009). The first installment of the Southern Witch series WOULD BE WITCH (Berkley, Feb. 2009), "...is a delightful day-in-the-life type of story about a quirky witch who gets herself into some crazy trouble....., Frost entertains with an enchanting first-person point of view....Even non-witches will laugh and root for the heroine."(Romantic Times Book Reviews)
Keith McGowan, author of THE WITCH'S GUIDE TO COOKING WITH CHILDREN (Henry Holt, Sept. 2009) illustrations by Yoko Tanaka , is "A semisweet literary treat for the kiddies . . . Keith McGowan's re-telling of Hansel and Gretel's misadventures, "The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children," retains the disturbing vibe of the original, but spices it up with some seriously cerebral humor that will delight and challenge the inquisitive youngster." (The New Yorker, `Book Bench' section, Oct. 2009). "Readers know what's in store for Sol and Connie right from the riveting opening line. . . . Tanaka's occasional full-page views of grim, heavy-lidded figures add a suitably gothic tone. Yum.! (Kirkus Reviews).
Ed Young is the Caldecott award-winning author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children. His recent illustrative work, WABI, SABI (Little Brown, Dec. 2008), written by Mark Reibstein, was a New York Times Bestseller for 11 weeks and was a Best Illustrated New York Times Book of the Year 2008. His illustrations in TSUNAMI! (Penguin, Jan. 2009)by Kimiko Kajikawa earned starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, and HOOK (Roaring Brook, Apr. 2009), which he authored and illustrated, earned starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and The Horn Book.
Jean Plaidy continues to sell on both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, Arrow/Random House has recently bought every Plaidy title. Stateside, Crown continues to sell Plaidy's titles like hotcakes! Upcoming titles include: THE KING'S CONFIDANTE (April 2009), FOR A QUEEN'S LOVE (March 2010), A FAVORITE OF THE QUEEN (March 2010), and THE MURDER IN THE TOWER (July 2010).
St. Martin's Press has inked the deal to publish four of Victoria Holt's wonderful romantic suspense novels, MISTRESS OF MELLYN (January 2009), BRIDE OF PENDORRIC (June 2009), LORD OF THE FAR ISLAND (November 2009), and ON THE NIGHT OF THE SEVENTH MOON (March 2010).
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has chosen John Steinbeck's THE GRAPES OF WRATH as one of the first books to be included in its new program called The Big Read; they are calling it the "largest literary initiative in the history of the NEA...best described as ambitious," both in its "commitment to quality, and commitment to democratic accessibility." Active in 72 cities, this program is bringing new readers to Steinbeck's timeless works every day.
Carrie Jones NEED (Bloomsbury USA, Jan. 2009) "....masterfully blends paranormal fantasy, suspense, and romance to craft a new supernatural tale that is certain to appeal to fans of dark urban fantasy like Marr's Wicked Lovely and paranormal romances like Meyer's Twilight books. A likeable cast of engaging and interesting characters combine with a plot that grabs readers and refuses to let go." (VOYA). CAPTIVATE (Bloomsbury USA, Jan. 2010) is a sequel to the US paranormal smash hit Need, which has teens everywhere thinking about pixies in a very different way.
Recent and up-coming book releases:
BARELY BEWITCHED by Kimberly Frost (Berkley) - September 2009
THE MAGICAL MS. PLUM by Bonny Becker (Knopf BYR) - September 2009
THE WITCH'S GUIDE TO COOKING WITH CHILDREN by Keith McGowan (Henry Holt) - September 2009
THE MITTEN by Jim Aylesworth (Scholastic) - October 2009
THE SHROUD by Harold Robbins, Junius Podrug (TOR) - October 2009
TEMPEST RISING by Nicole Peeler (Orbit) - November 2009
CAPTIVATE by Carrie Jones (Bloomsbury USA) - January 2010
