#St. Martin's Paperbacks

[okiedreamsreviews]

Spotlight: One Duke Down by Anna Bennett

ONE DUKE DOWN   Today on Okie Dreams, we are sharing a spotlight post for One Duke Down by Anna Bennett. One Duke Down is the second book in the author’s Rogues to Lovers series with St Martin’s Paperbacks.   ONE DUKE DOWN Rogues to Lovers #2 Anna Bennett  Historical Romance 352 Pages, St Martin’s Paperbacks January 24, 2023   Amazon | Goodreads   The next delightful novel in Anna Bennett’s…

[hotguynextdoor2]

Rep Research

Some are one-to-one rep while others I interpret as being an analogies that bear some experiences of those with DID.

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Confirmed:

Movies: Paprika (2006)

TV Series: Moon Knight (2022), Steven Universe (2013)

Podcast: Give Me Away (2021), Kalila Stormfire Economical Magical Services (2017)

Paperback:

Put this House in Order by M. Ruff

A Memory Called Empire by A. Martine

When Rabbit Howls by Troops for Truddi Chase

Current investigation:

Tyrant Baru Cormanant by Dickinson

Uncomfirmed: Sparse

One character is a prince who’s spoken of but only before he gets others in his mind. Then another character has a tulpa which I don’t think it’s my place to project DID rep on, plus it’s more of a plot device.

Overall: loved the book, fun characters, has one that uses they/them pronouns, queer rep too, might have good did rep, didn’t have the patience to keep reading

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A Memory Called Empire by Martine

Confirmed: Sparse

Mahit Dzmare gets the previous ambassador implanted in her head. It’s a tradition. It’s handled in a unique way but not always the major focus compared to uncovering the mystery around the last ambassador’s death.

Queer rep, not the focus but very compelling

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The Luminous Dead by Starling

Disproven

I found this rec on a reddit post. There is someone hearing voices but it isn’t DID-esque. More spooky scary murder cave.

Queer rep, horror story, doesn’t burry the gays

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What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher

Unconfirmed: Disproven- pg43

The main character uses neo-pronouns (kan) due to the MC’s previous employment in the military. This gender non-conforming stuff is all well and good. I could not find anything DID related as I got bored.

Pretty descriptive text, slow moving but not unpleasantly, it may be an issue with my attention span.

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When Rabbit Howls by Troops for Truddi Chase

Confirmed: Focus

The Troops, a system, wrote the book about their experiences with DID but also about going through therapy. Rather than a traditional recounting, it’s told in the format of a story with some people in the Troop’s life combined and changed.

It contains descriptions of inc*st, and r*pe so… be careful. Read the introduction/foreward for perspective and see if its too much. I don’t reccommend reading it in a sitting.

[tomoleary]

Ken Barr “Disembodied” Paperback Novel Cover Painting Original Art (St. Martin's, 1988)

Source

[womenusingwords]

Cleat Cute

The details… Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin’s Griffin Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 19, 2023 Available formats‏ : ‎ ebook, paperback, audiobook ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1250873304 File size ‏ : ‎ 3219 KB Print length ‏ : ‎ 332 pages Audio run time ‏ : ‎ 10 hours and 53 minutes Audio narrator‏ : ‎ Dana Varden, Zim Avaltrades Genre ‏ : ‎ romance Themes ‏ : ‎ soccer, ADHD Tropes ‏ : ‎ ice queen,…

[formerlibrarian]

Back when I was a Librarian, we lived and breathed by the Publisher's Weekly Bestseller List. It was my responsibility to print or photocopy the list every week and update our bestseller's display. (Also to purchase extra copies of particularly popular bestsellers.)

I haven't looked at the list in YEARS. Some of these surprise me:

A new translation of The Iliad made the list?!

Ken Follett is still alive?? (I looked him up, he's only 74.)

Danielle Steel is still alive?? ( I just looked her up, she's only 76 and has been married five(!) times. To be fair, I also looked up Ken Follett, he's only been married twice.)

I see some Christmas-themed books on the list!

I see a Disney manga! (“The Battle for Pumpkin King”)

PUBLISHER WEEKLY’S BESTSELLERS LIST: October 5, 2023

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower)

2. “The Running Grave” by Robert Galbraith (Muholland)

3. “The Armor of Light” by Ken Follett (Viking)

4. “Holly” by Stephen King (Scribner)

5. “12 Months to Live” by Patterson/Lupica (Little, Brown)

6. “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett (Harper)

7. “The Fragile Threads of Power” by V.E. Schwab (Tor)

8. “Bright Lights, Big Christmas” by Mary Kay Andrews (St Martin’s Press)

9. “The Iliad” by Homer/Wilson (Norton)

10. “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver (Harper)

11. “Vince Flynn: Code Red” by Kyle Mills (Atria)

12. “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese (Grove)

13. “The Last Devil to Die” by Richard Osman (Viking/Dorman)

14. “Tom Clancy: Weapons Grade” by Don Bentley (G.P. Putnam’s Sons)

15. “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride (Riverhead)

_____

HARDCOVER NON-FICTION

1. “Enough” by Cassidy Hutchinson (Simon &Schuster)

2. “Killing the Witches” by O’Reilly/Dugard (St. Martin’s Press)

3. “The Democrat Party Hates America” by Mark R. Levin (Threshold)

4. “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson (Simon & Schuster)

5. “Democracy Awakening” by Heather Cox Richardson (Viking)

6. “Government Gangsters” by Kash Pramod Patel (Post Hill)

7. “Failure Is Not as Option” by Patrick Hinds (BenBella Books)

8. “Thicker Than Water” by Kerry Washington (Little, Brown Spark)

9. “Astor” by Cooper/Howe (Harper)

10. “Build the Life You Want” by Brooks/Winfrey (Portfolio)

11. “Skinnytaste Simple” by Homolka/Jones (Clarkson Potter)

12. “Counting the Cost” by Jill Duggar (Gallery)

13. “The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin (Penguin Press)

14. “Outlive” by Peter Attia (Harmony)

15. “Fast Like a Girl” by Mindy Pelz (Hay House)

_____

MASS MARKET BESTSELLERS

1. “Undercover Operation” by Maggie K. Black (Love Inspired Suspense)

2. “Bad Luck Vampire” by Lynsay Sands (Avon)

3. “Seeking Justice” by Sharee Stover (Love Inspired Suspense)

4. “The Teacher’s Christmas Secret” by Emma Miller (Love Inspired)

5. “Rescuing the Stolen Child” by Connie Queen (Love Inspired Suspense)

6. “Tracked Through the Woods” by Laura Scott (Love Inspired Suspense)

7. “The Boys from Biloxi” by John Grisham (Vintage)

8. “Christmas Murder Cover-Up” by Shannon Redmon (Love Inspired Suspense)

9. “Pursuit at Panther Point” by Cindi Myers (Harlequin Intrigue)

10. “The Whittiers” by Danielle Steel (Dell)

11. “Trusting Her Amish Rival” by Jackie Stef (Love Inspired)

12. “Texas Scandal” by Barb Han (Harlequin Intrigue)

13. “Marked for Revenge” by Delores Fossen (Harlequin Intrigue)

14. “Hunted at Christmas” by Dana R. Lynn (Love Inspired Suspense)

15. “A Companion for Christmas” by Lee Tobin McClain (Love Inspired)

_____

TRADE PAPERBACK BESTSELLERS

1. “House of Sky and Breath” by Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury)

2. “Things We Left Behind” by Lucy Score (Bloom)

3. “The Shadow Work Journal” by Keila Shaheen (Keila Shaheen)

4. “The Battle for Pumpkin King” by Dan Conner et al. (Disney Manga)

5. “Icebreaker” by Hannah Grace (Atria)

6. “Too Late” by Colleen Hoover (Grand Central Publishing)

7. “23 1/2 Lies” by James Patterson (Grand Central Publishing)

8. “It Starts with Us” by Colleen Hoover (Atria)

9. “Mad Honey” by Picoult/Boylan (Ballantine)

10. “Twisted Love” by Ana Huang (Bloom)

11. “Assistant to the Villain” by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Red Tower)

12. “The Housemaid’s Secret” by Freida McFadden (Mobius)

13. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig (Penguin Books)

14. “The Husky and His White Cat Shizun, Vol. 3” by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou (Seven Seas)

15. “Dreamland” by Nicholas Sparks (Bantam Dell)

[mercerislandbooks]

50 Years of Island Books: Our Sales Reps

In this installment, we’re seeing Island Books through the eyes of our sales reps. Dan Christiaens, Christine Foye, David Glenn and Kurtis Lowe all have decades-long relationships with Island Books, with lots of stories to share.

Miriam: Welcome Dan, Christine, David, and Kurtis! I'm excited to talk to all of you. As key sales reps for the big publishing houses, you've all had long-standing relationships with Island Books, and we wouldn't be the place we are today without your contributions. Tell me some stories! It can be about your first impression of the store, how you came to work with us, a particular title that did well at Island Books, or any other fond memories.

Dan Christiaens (Norton): I’ll start off. It was around 20 years ago that I started covering accounts in the PNW. I was still living in SoCal. Island Books was on my account list so on my first trip I stopped by and met Roger. He was pretty terse, made it clear that he didn’t see reps, but would review my stuff and send me an order for anything that he wanted. The store was lovely, well curated, with the typewriters all over and a small music section featuring CD’s, which caught my attention. I would stop by the store when I was in town, say hello, and always buy a CD or two.

When I moved up here in 2004, I started visiting the store more regularly, chatting with Cindy or Nancy, or even Roger—and would buy a CD or order some music that I wanted that they didn’t carry, and began to suggest music they should be aware of. Then our books became the topic of conversation, and I started recommending various books of ours. Roger slowly came to respect my knowledge of our books—and we became friendly, and then MAGIC HAPPENED! And he started ordering from me!

Christine Foye (Simon & Schuster): Here's one of my favorite photos of all time, a picture of Laurie, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and me on tour for the hardcover of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Which leads me to.... 

A book that did especially well at the store and why—The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo! Laurie and Victor came to the prepub dinner that I had for TJR in Seattle. Laurie immediately embraced the book and shared it and hyped it and talked nonstop about it until finally pub day came and by gum, Island Books was outselling all of my other accounts within a month. This was the perfect storm of great book, passionate reader and responsive customer base. It's wonderful to find a book one can really get behind, and Laurie and the whole staff did that with this marvelous novel. Also, don't we look lovely in green? 

Remembering my first days selling to Island Books—I started selling to Roger in 1993. I knew nothing about anything, I was fresh out of the St. Martin's Press office in New York, selling trade paperbacks and mass markets and children's books and perfectly confident in my ignorance. Roger made short work of my inexperience but was kind about it, and commented on how I tidied up the store shelves and faced out titles. Had I worked in a bookstore, he asked. I sure had, and after that things were always affectionate between us in the Roger way. Which is to say, he let me sit and chatter for probably 10 minutes longer than he would have otherwise. And often I got a laugh out of him, which was wondrous. We did bond over having both been to Newfoundland — did you know he co-edited a book about it titled Outport: Reflections from the Newfoundland Coast? He did. (It's out of print.) I always loved Island Books, it was a pleasure to visit and see what kind of books Roger had decided to buy for the community. What a lucky community. 

David Glenn (Penguin Random House): Durn, my first visit to the store was so long ago I’m not sure I can even dredge it up from my addled brain. If I had to guess, I’d say it was probably way back in the mid-90s? Of course that was back in the “Roger Days,” and I think it’s fair to say that, within our tightly-knit rep community, Roger was known as kind of a tough buyer. He relied a lot on jobbers and didn’t particularly like being “sold,” especially if it was by someone he felt perhaps didn’t necessarily measure up, or wasn’t sufficiently prepared to defend a title if questioned about it. Roger did not, as they say, suffer fools gladly and, quite honestly, I was pretty intimidated by him at first. He gave me a bit of a rough few seasons there at the beginning—always good-naturedly, for sure, but also making sure I understood who the buyer/owner was. Early on, though, I decided that I was going to do whatever it took to win Roger over. I was gonna get a belly laugh outta that guy one way or the other. So every season I made sure to bring my A-game, and began my campaign to be “welcomed” by Roger. It took me a lot longer than I thought it would—at least a couple years—but eventually, the respect I had for Roger as an owner and businessperson, was replaced by just the simple goodness of the man. I loved his dry sense of humor, and if you could coax it out of him, he had a truly impish grin. So Island Books at that point became one of my favorite stores to visit.

When Roger decided he’d had enough and it was time to sell, I was pretty bummed. And in what was an odd quirk of fate, the fellow that helped Laurie come to a decision about buying the store was an old fraternity brother of mine who lives on the island. Happily, Laurie and Victor have been the ideal stewards to move Island Books along, post-Roger. The store has always had a wonderful vibe, a superb staff, a great location, and a tremendously supportive community.

As far as books go, I have to mention a title I feel is perhaps the finest novel any of my imprints have published during my 34-odd years with Penguin Random House: The Heart’s Invisible Furies, by John Boyne. Full disclosure: Island Books has sold a solid, if unspectacular 40-plus copies of it since it came out in August of 2017. So, not a real barn-burner. But more than the “zero” it would have sold had Laurie not been willing to take a chance, and an example of the fruits of the give-and-take between a rep and a buyer. It may not have set the world afire, but my fervent hope is that it will remain a staple at the store for years to come.

In January of 2018, I hosted a dinner for three PRH authors: veteran Amy Bloom, and newcomers Tara Westover and Karen Cleveland. Both Laurie and Victor attended that dinner and, at one point, Victor noticed that while nearly everyone was chatting away left and right, Karen Cleveland was looking a little lost and forlorn (whoever the rep host was that night should have been paying more attention). So he marched right over and began chatting her up. Well, cutting to the chase, Victor read her debut thriller Need To Know (based on the author’s own experiences as a former CIA counterterrorism analyst) and made it his own personal crusade to make it an IB bestseller. In short order, IB sold over 70 hardcovers, and another 100+ more in paperback, which is just an outstanding result for a debut novel. Tara Westover’s singular memoir, Educated, also struck a chord with Laurie and Victor that night. And while it’s true the book was a massive bestseller for nearly every bookstore in America (spending over two years on the NYT hardcover bestseller list in hardcover no less), IB more than held their own and, in fact, really punched above their weight, selling nearly 600 copies in hardcover alone. This is the power of the independent bookstore in general, and the superpower of a store like Island Books. Every community in America should be so lucky to have such a store, and I can’t help but believe that if this were actually the case, the country would be a far less frightening and chaotic place.

Kurtis Lowe (Imprint Group): When I started as a commission rep back in 1997, I did not work with publishers that ranked for a meeting with Roger Page. However, in early 2001, I joined Book Travelers West, so Roger was ready to meet with me to scrutinize the lists of Workman, Ten Speed Press, Running Press, Watson-Guptill, and more. As I pitched book after book (only the best), Roger would pause before a title, pen hovering over the printed catalog page… sometimes he would he would score a one, for one copy... saved! It would have a chance. Two copies. Looking good! Three copies… just about as high as he would go with me. That is because local wholesalers had no better indie partner than Island Books when it came to restocking a title if it worked, and the high shelves were too full displaying vintage typewriters to make room for overstock.  Roger’s team could be on the phone minutes before the deadline and receive a shipment by the end of the day. An initial order of one, two or three copies of could become 20, 50, or 100s sold over time.

When a title did not make the grade, Roger was not cruel, as he slashed a diagonal across the page, but at least he was definitive: “Not quite,” he would state, and often add a helpful comment of feedback for the publisher.  Perhaps the greatest feeling of triumph as a rep was to throw a Hail Mary, one more point to get that book on the shelf, and Roger would page back, look again, squiggle out the slash and enter a number and circle it for order entry.

The times that Roger really went for a book were beautiful, and he was ready to do something a little special. Back in 2014, Island Books picked The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry for their April store pick. I committed to touring Gabrielle Zevin to 27 Pacific Northwest bookstores in three days to celebrate this gift to the bookselling (and rep) community. Roger loved the idea; he set up a display in front and gave a little speech to the the late morning gathering. 

(Photo Credit: Kurtis Lowe / Roger Page introducing Gabrielle Zevin /The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill) / April 2014 Book of the Month Pick for Island Books / April 7th, 2014)

I’ve observed many bookstore succession stories. Laurie Raisys taking over, respecting traditions, and creating new ones, while bringing her own experience and energy to the store has clearly been a great success. Lillian Welch is my buyer now, and she eerily brings some of that challenging scrutiny that reminds me of Roger, but also a new and vibrant commitment to the best books for all readers in challenging times. Thank you to the many booksellers at Island Books who carry on your great tradition and congratulations to Island Books for 50 years as a shining literary light on Mercer Island!

Thank you to Dan, Christine, David and Kurtis, for giving us a glimpse into how those books get on the shelves at Island Books!

To our Island Books community: In the next 50 Years of Island Books installment, I’ll be talking to Cindy Corujo, who has been a bookseller for 36 years and has the longest tenure of any Island Books employee.

—Miriam

[literaticat]

Given you are a romance fan, what are your thoughts on the romance publishers such as Harlequin, Carina, Entangled, SoureBooks, and more I have mentioned (and you can name if you want to as I don't know other ones)? Asking your opinion from both standpoints - as a romance fan/reader, if they are the publishers you look for? And also separately as an agent for authors, on their deals, payments, how they treat writers, etc.

(This makes it sound a bit like I read romance novels all day long, which honestly is NOT true -- Sadly, I haven't had time to read a book for pleasure in probably six months, I have only listened to a few audio books while driving (none of which were romances), and don't even know what is new in the world of romance!)

From a reader perspective, I don't tend to shop by imprint/publisher, I'm going by Fave Authors. But most of my faves are probably big 5 -- Avon (an imprint of HarperCollins), Berkley (an imprint of PRH), maybe St Martin's Paperback (an imprint of Macmillan), etc. There's nothing wrong with the romance imprints you mention, and I'm sure I've read something from all of them, it's just that I have a bunch of fave authors, and I tend to see if THEY have new books first, I'm not really actively seeking out random new work, I just don't have time! :-)

I don't represent adult romance novels, so I really have no clue from an agent perspective.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3.5/5

Book Blurb: In Olivia Matthews's Against the Currant, the first Spice Isle Bakery Mystery, investigating a murder was never supposed to be on the menu… Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, New York: Lyndsay Murray is opening Spice Isle Bakery with her family, and it’s everything she’s ever wanted. The West Indian bakery is her way to give back to the community she loves, stay connected to her Grenadian roots, and work side-by-side with her family. The only thing getting a rise out of Lyndsay is Claudio Fabrizi, a disgruntled fellow bakery owner who does not want any competition. On opening day, he comes into the bakery threatening to shut them down. Fed up, Lyndsay takes him to task in front of what seems to be the whole neighborhood. So when Claudio turns up dead a day later—murdered—Lyndsay is unfortunately the prime suspect. To get the scent of suspicion off her and her bakery, Lyndsay has to prove she’s innocent—under the watchful eyes of her overprotective brother, anxious parents, and meddlesome extended family—what could go wrong?

Review:

Lyndsay Murray has opened up a bakery with her family and it’s all she’s ever wanted... except for the small problem is that another bakery threatens to shut her business down... gets into a fight with her.... and then winds up dead and the police think she’s the main suspect. Lyndsay has finally opened up a bakery with her family in Brooklyn, New York. The West Indian Bakery is her way of giving back to a community she loves and connecting with her Grenadian roots. However, Claudio Fabrizi, a fellow bakery owner does not want any competition and threatens Lyndsay’s bakery. They get into a fight at her soft opening and the next day he turns up murdered, and now that she is the prime suspect she’s going to have to solve this one herself if she wants to clear her name. Throw in a lawyer brother, a hilarious grandma, and so many more amazing family members and you get a pretty cute mystery! The story was a cozy read and definitely makes you want to stop by a bakery and pick up some snacks.

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Paperbacks for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[dollycas]

Cozy Wednesday featuring Fondue or Die: A Cheese Shop Mystery by Korina Moss #Review / #Giveaway @KorinaLMoss @StMartinsPress @MinotaurBooks

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! Today I am delighted to share my thoughts about Fondue or Die: A Cheese Shop Mystery by Korina Moss! Fondue or Die: A Cheese Shop Mystery Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Setting - California Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Paperbacks (October 22, 2024) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250893917 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250893918 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CPWRNP9B In Korina Moss's Fondue or Die, the lazy, hazy, dairy days of summer are coming to a close in the Sonoma Valley. . . and so is someone’s life. The small town of Yarrow Glen’s neighbor, Lockwood, hosts an annual Labor Day weekend bash: Dairy Days. And Willa Bauer and her cheese shop, Curds & Whey, refuse to miss out on the fun. Willa is thrilled to celebrate her favorite thing―she is a cheesemonger after all―and this festival goes all out: butter sculptures, goat races, cheese wheel relays, even a Miss Dairy pageant. Too bad the pageant runner, Nadine, is treating Dairy Days prep like it’s fondue or die and is putting everyone around her on edge. When Willa finds Nadine’s dead body under years’ worth of ceramic milk jugs, the police aren’t sure whether the death was an accident. But fingers are pointing at Willa’s employee, Mrs. Schultz, who steps in to help the pageant after Nadine’s death. Someone wanted Nadine out of the whey, and Willa is going to find out who. Dollycas's Thoughts The annual district-wide Dairy Days Festival takes place up the road from Yarrow Glen in Lockwood with thousands expected to attend. It will be Willa Bauer's Curds & Whey's first year at the event. Willa is excited to share her themed cheese grazing boxes with the masses. The three-day festival includes goat races, cheese wheel relays, butter sculptures and a Miss Dairy Pageant. Willa's employee and friend Mrs. Schultz will be assisting with the pageant while Archie and Baz help Willa with the Curds & Whey booth. Pageant director Nadine Hockenbaum has an injury and she is stressed out so she needs Mrs. Schultz and her cousin Mary Ann's help dealing with the contestants and their mothers. Later Willa and Archie visit the Lockwood Historical Society Museum and find Nadine's dead body under a toppled shelving unit, books, and broken pottery. The chief of police quickly deems the death an accident but Willa points out why she thinks it was murder. When Mrs. Schultz agrees to take on directing the pageant she paints a target on her back and becomes a suspect in the murder. Team Cheese, plus one are on the case and will separate the curds and whey and fondue the real killer or die trying. ______ I love #TeamCheese. Ms. Moss has created a group of wonderful characters. Willa, Baz, Archie, and Mrs. Schultz are unique and genuine characters who feel true to life. A multigenerational group of friends who work together to serve up everything cheesy and solve a murder or two in their spare time. They are joined this time by Detective Heath as the case is out of his jurisdiction. Officer Shepherd (Shep) lent a hand too as he was working security at the festival. I love how much the characters have grown since the series started and how they continue to evolve throughout this story. The author gives them all places to shine. Dairy Days was a fun theme for this story. Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth I participated in a pageant in my hometown and was thrilled to be crowned 2nd runner-up. For me, it meant a summer full of parades and dinners. For the girls in this pageant, it meant the chance to win scholarship money. Sadly, someone has it in for this pageant and its director. The mystery Ms. Moss has put forth is a twisty one with a surprising motive. An old mystery is mixed in with a new one and I fell from every twist, turn, and misdirection the author penned so brilliantly. I was right there with Willa when she thought all her clues fell into place but we were both shocked by the dangerous and suspenseful showdown when the truth was revealed. I enjoyed all the detailed descriptions the author provided. I could visualize everything so clearly and my other senses were activated as well. Fondue or Die is a splendid addition to this cozy cheese-filled series. The story was very well plotted with a mystery that kept me guessing. The characters kept me entertained and the ending left me with a huge smile on my face. I am excited that the next book Bait and Swiss will be released on April 29, 2025. I have saved a spot on my reading calendar.  Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About the Author KORINA MOSS is the author of the Cheese Shop cozy mystery series set in Sonoma Valley. She loves creating quirky characters who live in idyllic small towns. Moss grew up on a healthy dose of Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie novels, which developed her passion for solving mysteries and eventually writing her own. She lives in a small New England town with its own share of quirky characters. Website – Facebook – Twitter – Writer’s Who Kill Blog – Instagram   Thanks to the publisher I have 1 copy of Fondue or Die to give away! The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old with a US mailing address. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited. You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find something you like here and become a follower. Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow. Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page. Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries. Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries. If you share the giveaway on Threads, X, or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link. The  Contest Will End November 6, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org The Winner Will Be Notified By Email and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar. Click Here For Entry Form Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” Read the full article

[darlenefblog]

If I Stopped Haunting You 

by Colby Wilkens

2 star review

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2024 - St. Martin's Griffin

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin, and Colby Wilkens for providing this advance reader copy (ARC) of the book. My honest review is below.

Cute name, cute descriptive blurb, lots of potential, so I took a chance on the story. It didn't live up to my expectations. The lead female character, Pen, is an awful unlikeable mess. She's a bit violent, snarky, and anti-social and I'm left wondering if she's a decent writer. The lead male character, Neil who's a published successful author, is a glutton for punishment that keeps coming back for more. Their "love" affair is too quick to be anything more than lust, they hate each other and then bam they're having sex & have become a couple. The plot of the haunted castle and solving the ghostly mystery was interesting but everything else was rushed or not fleshed out. The secondary characters are left hanging and you can't like or root for someone you don't know at all. The ghostly characters complete story would have interested me more. I'm giving 2 stars for the haunted castle/ghost part of the tale.

[gregkauffmanstarkeybooks]

"Dick Martin wasn’t your typical guy next door. He looked like somebody’s dad or grandfather, but he had a secret life he never shared with the people who thought they knew him well. Dick had never worked a regular job in his entire life. Instead, starting when he was sixteen, he sold his body to whoever offered him the most money. Be it sex by the hour or a porno movie, even a life study art model at the local community college, Dick never missed a chance to take off his clothes and perform for his next meal.

One art student, Lou St. John, took a shine to the older man who posed nude for his drawing class. An offer of free coffee at a local diner after art class one day started Dick and Lou on a journey neither expected. Dick began to see what having someone really care him felt like and how he’d wasted so much of his life being a piece of meat for others’ pleasures.

Could Lou’s affections be enough to help Dick leave behind the sordid world of sex for pay?"

As the book deals with someone in the sex worker trade, there is graphic sexuality here. Additionally, there is an instance of sexual assault depicted which might disturb some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

This book is available on Amazon in paperback.

[bucolicbook]

How to Fall for a Scoundrel (Her Majesty’s Rebels, #2) by Kate Bateman 

US pub date - 8/20/24

He’s a reformed thief, she co-runs a detective agency. They meet due to him kissing her, and it just gets better from there. 

I absolutely adored Harry, and together he and Eleanor “Ellie” were terrific. 

It was lovely to read them coming together, Ellie letting go of her preconceived notions, as the two fall for each other. Swoon and sigh. 

I loved How to Fall for a Scoundrel and tried my best to not read it too quickly because I wanted to savor the storyline. 

This was my fourth time reading the author’s work and I’m definitely a fan ❤️ Kate Bateman writes engaging stories that are both highly enjoyable and fun to read. 

You could read this as a stand-alone, but you’d be missing out. Recommended series (and author)!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Paperbacks and NetGalley for the DRC 

[jolieeason]

Shock and Paw (Cat Cafe Mystery: Book 8) by Cate Conte

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Paperbacks Date of publication: August 20th, 2024 Genre: Mystery, Cozy Mystery Series: Cat Cafe Mystery Cat About Town—Book 1 Purrder She Wrote—Book 2 Tell Tail Heart—Book 3 A Whisker of a Doubt—Book 4 Claws for Alarm—Book 5 Gone But Not Furgotten—Book 6 Nine Lives and Alibis—Book 7 Shock and Paw—Book 8 Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N |…

[womenusingwords]

Late Bloomer

The details… Title: Late Bloomer Author: Mazey Eddings Available formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook Print publisher: ‎St. Martin’s Griffin, a division of Macmillan Publishers Print publication date: April 16, 2024 Print length‏:‎ 400 pages Audio publisher: Macmillan Audio Audio publication date: April 16, 2024 Audio narrator: Ellie Gossage Audio listening length: 9 Hours, 30…

[instantebookmart]

Reflect & Relate 6th Edition by Kelly Morrison and Steven McCornack ‎ 978-1319247584 ebook pdf   Current, inclusive, and authoritative, Reflect & Relate, Sixth Edition, has set the new standard for interpersonal communication texts. Steve McCornack and Kelly Morrison, both distinguished scholars and award-winning teachers, draw on their twenty-five years of classroom experience to connect classic and current communication theory and research to the actual lives of todays students. For the sixth edition, the authors built on their leading gender coverage by partnering with an advisory board of culturally responsive-sustaining pedagogy leaders to create an even more inclusive text that models for and guides students in culturally self-aware and inclusive communication. The revision features over 300 new scholarly citations, and responds to the real and growing interpersonal challenges students currently face: how to form positive relationships to support health and wellness, within increasingly online contexts, and with people who have a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and experiences. Additionally, coverage of mediated communication—its advantages, as well as its challenges—has been thoroughly updated to support students in todays digital world. Achieve for Reflect & Relate includes the full e-book along with powerful assessments, a full video library, LearningCurve adaptive quizzing, and Making Relationship Choices video activities to support you and your students—whether you are teaching face-to-face or online, synchronously or asynchronously.

[ombwarrior47]

The Night Swim - Megan Goldin (Rachel Krall #1)

Title: The Night Swim Author: Megan Goldin Series: Rachel Krall #1 Number of Pages:  344 Genre:  Murder Thrillers Publisher: St. Martins Paperbacks Date of Original Publication: May 24, 2022 ISBN:   978-1250848130

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin is the first book in her Rachel Krall series. It is about a woman who runs a podcast about court cases and attempts to give an unbiased view of the case that’s being presented. In the first book the main character receives communication from a woman whose sister was murdered in the same town as the current court case she’s working on will be in. The girl believes that she can help solve the murder and she does.

I relatively enjoyed this story. The author writes smoothly and there wasn’t many slow period. The author did a good job of separating each chapter and showing different views, including the actual podcast as a chapter which I thought was interesting. The case was well rounded and the ending made sense and wrapped up nicely.

The only thing that I didn’t really care for in this book was actually the main character. Rachel may be narrating the storyline but there’s not much about her. Her parents are briefly mentioned….her ex is briefly mentioned. But she has no other family, no friends, or love interests. She has an editor that is mentioned but it doesn’t seem like they have any relationship besides the work relationship. She just seems very dull. Book two is out and I will give it a shot but I hope that Goldin works on Rachel’s character development.

★★★★ 

~

Up Next:  

-Dark World by Zak Bagans

-A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair (Hades x Persophone #1)

Yearly Goal Markers:

Book Goal: 38/75  = 50.7%

Page Goal:  13.6/15k = 90.6%

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