Sneak Peek: A Very Bad Thing By J.T. Ellison

2 October 2024

From New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison comes a taut thriller about one author at the pinnacle of her career, whose past threatens to destroy everything she has—and everyone she knows.

A great writer knows when to deliver a juicy plot twist. But for one author, the biggest twist of all is her own murder.

With a number of hit titles and a highly anticipated movie tie-in, celebrated novelist Columbia Jones is at the top of her game. Fans around the world adore her. But on the final night of her latest book tour, one face in the crowd makes the author collapse. And by the next morning, she’s lying dead in a pool of blood.

Columbia’s death shocks the world and leaves Darian, her daughter and publicist, reeling. The police have nothing to go on—at first. But then details emerge, pointing to the author’s illicit past. Turns out many people had motive to kill Columbia. And with a hungry reporter and frustrated cop on the trail, her secrets won’t stay buried long. But how many lives will they shatter as the truth comes out?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. She also writes urban fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker.

With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, been optioned for television, and has been published in 28 countries.

J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, where she is hard at work on her next novel.

Behind The Words With Emma Barry

Jocie McKade

1 October 2024

Today, we welcome author Emma Barry to the blog. We’ll be talking about her latest release BAD REPUTATION. Welcome Emma. Let’s begin with what inspired you to start writing novels and what did your journey to publication look like?

My career was an accident. I was in graduate school, studying popular novels and gender, and I realized that while I had read about romantic fiction, I had never read an actual romance novel. That seemed like a hole I needed to fill, and so I went online and searched, “What’s the best romance novel?” I read the book that topped the results—Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase— and the next thing I knew, I’d read hundreds of them. I was on maternity leave, struggling to make progress on my dissertation, and wondering who the heck I was going to be when the dust cleared, and romance novels gave me back to myself.

Then because I was enjoying reading them so much, I decided to write one. Except that plan also went awry because what I wrote was terrible. Because I’m a perfectionist, I was angry that my first book was appallingly bad, and I decided to write a second one. It was better, but it still didn’t knock it out of the park. I was the thief in a movie declaring that I was going to go for one more score—just one more. Except when I finished my third book, I realized that I had a different problem: I had managed to write something good.

I ended up selling that book (and a series) to Carina Press through a pitch event on Twitter. I played around with indie for a while, and then I found an amazing agent and I’ve been publishing with Montlake for the last few years. It’s been total serendipity.

What inspired you to write BAD REPUTATION?

BAD REPUTATION is the “delete everything and totally rewrite with the same dynamic” book I drafted almost a decade ago, a romance between a golden retriever of a movie star and a hardware store owner with a film festival setting. I had wanted to write about the celebrity culture of the early 2000s, which seemed particularly toxic to me. I was interested in what it would look like to get a do-over on your career if everyone thinks they know who you are, but you know that they’re wrong.

For many reasons, that earlier book didn’t quite work, but the characters had been in my head ever since. When my editor, my agent, and myself were talking about my next project, the old book came up, and my editor suggested that it might be interesting if it took place during filming, rather than during promotion. I had read one of Walter Scott’s Waverley novels and had thought it would make a good movie, and as soon as she said it, all the pieces clicked into place.

So many things have happened since I wrote the first version of the book—the Harvey Weinstein story, #MeToo, the rise of Bridgerton and Outlander, and discourse about intimacy coordinators—and being able to integrate all of that into this new version changed everything for the better.

What are some recurring themes in your work?

I always write about characters who are having crises in their professional lives. My own work experiences have been all over the place: I interned at feminist non-profits, I was an aide on Capitol Hill, I went to graduate school, I taught composition as an adjunct instructor, and now I’m a novelist and a lecturer. And while I know intellectually that I can’t be reduced to who signs my paycheck, it’s been hard to absorb that emotionally. I have experienced a lot of professional angst, and even when I don’t mean to project that onto my characters, I can’t seem to stop doing it. It’s my core story.

How do you approach the research process for your books? Did you learn anything that surprised you when researching BAD REPUTATION?

We’ve established that I am a dork, and so I won’t lose anything by telling you that I give myself homework for every book. Sometimes it’s just reading, other times it involves interviews, and occasionally, I’ve learned how to do something. I’m fascinated by the arcane and specific knowledge that we pick up because of our jobs or our hobbies, and I always want to integrate that into my books.

For BAD REPUTATION, I read sixteen contemporary Hollywood memoirs, mostly by actors but a few by journalists, writers, and directors. I’ve always loved movies, but most of my previous research had been on the golden age Hollywood, and things are different now. I also found a beta reader who had worked on costumes and makeup for films, and she helped me avoid some inaccuracies and flubs.

For obvious reasons, I was interested in how filmmakers approach steamy scenes. I had no idea that strapless thongs are a thing, or that intimacy coordinators frequently employ a Pilates ball so that there isn’t genital-to-genital contact between actors and to help simulate bouncing. My main takeaway is that filming of on-screen sex is anything but sexy. I am honestly completely in awe of the Hollywood magic that transforms the raw footage into something swoony.

Do you use or create a playlist of songs for writing? Did you create a playlist for BAD REPUTATION?

Oh yes, this is a substantial part of my writing process. Nothing enables procrastination quite like making a book playlist! But I also find it helps me recapture the vibe of a book. One thing about traditional publishing that can be difficult to deal with is that you write, revise, and promote the book over a two-year timeline, if you’re lucky. How on earth do you recapture the mood months or even years later? Music helps me transition between projects.

What is the main message you hope readers will gain from this novel?

At the start of BAD REPUTATION, Cole and Maggie are worried about their images. They both feel misunderstood, which causes them anxiety. They’re trying so hard to do the decent thing and to live lives that matter, and they’re willing to deny themselves so much in pursuit of those goals, including love. It’s a book about what it means to do the right thing and how much you should care about what others think about you.

The playlist for BAD REPUTATION is here. Some of the key tracks are “Cinema” by Benny Benassi, “So Nice” by Carly Rae Jepsen, and “Why Am I Like This?” by Orla Gartland.

Would you like to see a film or television adaptation of BAD REPUTATION? And if so, who would you cast as your stars?

Heck yes. My fan-casting is Chris Pine as Cole—picture that moment in Wonder Woman 1984 when he mistakes the trashcan at the museum for a piece of art and tell me that you don’t see it— with Anna Kendrick as Maggie. For the secondary romance, I’d cast Florence Pugh as Tasha with Glen Powell as Ryan. I would also like to request that boygenius record a cover of Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” for the trailer.

Call me, Hollywood. I think this could be massive.

What are you working on now?

I like to shift back and forth between projects with different tones and dynamics. So as a follow- up to BAD REPUTATION, I’m working on a book that’s about nice people trying to make mature and healthy choices, I was craving something angstier. My next book is about chess—no, really. I know that chess doesn’t scream mess, but you’ll have to trust me. Here’s the elevator pitch:

A writer/director options the memoir of the ex who left him shattered, the bad girl of the chess world. As they work together to adapt her book, they get caught in a dangerous game: believing that now, things could work. But will secrets tear them apart a second time?

One thing is for sure, it couldn’t be more different than BAD REPUTATION, but at the same time, these books take place in the same world and they’re both very, very me. I hope everyone is going to love it.

Thank you very much for joining us today!

Reader’s BAD REPUTATION has just released. Here’s a quick look:::

In this whip-smart workplace romance from the author of Chick Magnet, a former teen star and an accidental intimacy coordinator have a plan to fix their images—and falling in love would ruin everything.

Cole James’s reputation as Hollywood’s favorite himbo no longer suits him. His fans can’t separate the real man from the character he played on a soapy teen drama decades ago. But that’s going to change with Waverley, the hit streaming historical romance series.

Maggie Niven hates her own notoriety. Fired for directing a divisive play, Maggie takes her fight against censorship public. When Hollywood comes calling, she becomes the new intimacy coordinator for Waverley. But it’s harder than she imagined to focus on the job.

Cole isn’t what she expected—and Maggie is more than he dreamed of. As filming gets underway, the cast’s old traumas lead to real intimacy, and Cole and Maggie struggle with feelings they shouldn’t have. Having an affair on set could destroy his comeback and her new career.

The show must go on. But if Cole and Maggie want a happy ending, they’ll have to start doing things their own way.

Behind The Words with Farah Heron

Jocie McKade

1 October 2024

On today’s blog we are talking with Remember Me Tomorrow author Farah Heron. Welcome Farah, we’re excited to have you on Reader’s Entertainment. First, tell our readers a bit about yourself.Where you’re from, where you live? Is writing your full-time job?

I was born and raised the suburbs of Toronto, Canada. I still live in Toronto with my family and my cats. I am a full-time writer of both Adult and YA romance.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing fiction in January 2016 as a new year’s resolution and sold my first book in late 2017. I did write a lot before that, but not fiction. I was a prolific blogger before switching to fiction, and my previous careers all had a writing component.

What does your typical writing day look like?

I wake up between eight and nine, and after breakfast and catching up on reddit, I go into my home office and start working. Depending on my deadlines, I could be editing, drafting, or working on promotions or interviews for a release. If I am not on a tight deadline, I usually go for a walk for at least an hour in the afternoon. If I am too busy for that, I use my treadmill desk to get my exercise while I write.

Tell us about your latest release? Where the idea came from? Perhaps some fun moments, or not so fun moments?

Remember Me Tomorrow is a time-shift mystery romance about Aleeza, a lonely college student who moves into a new dorm room after a best friend-breakup, but she soon discovers that while in the room she can communicate with Jay, the former resident in the room who went missing five months ago— except Aleeza is talking to him before he disappeared.

The book idea came from me brainstorming new book ideas with my daughter. She told me about a Manga she read where the two characters talked from different time periods. It reminded me of a movie I love, The Lake House. I played with the idea a bit to figure out how to make the story contemporary and set on a Toronto university campus. And then I added the mystery element to make it more compelling.

Who has been the most difficult character for you to write? Why?

In this book, I found it hard to portray Jay’s character growth. The book is only told only from Aleeza’s point of view, and she only communicates with Jay through text messages, so I could not rely on his interior thoughts or his body language to convey his emotional state. I had to rely only on the things he said to her, and the actions that he told her about. It was challenging to portray, but I love Jay’s progression in the book.

If you could spend the day with your character, what would you do? What would that day look like?

I would love to spend a day with both Jay and Aleeza while Jay takes Aleeza to all his favorite sandwich shops in the city. He’d start with shawarma in Scarborough, the part of the city where he is from, and end with a burger downtown, where their school is.

What’s your take on research and how do you do it?

I don’t like doing a ton of research for my books because I get stuck in research rabbit holes, but lately I’ve been writing more research-intensive books than I used to. I usually just research online, but for Remember Me Tomorrow I visited a lot of the settings in the book, like a downtown yacht club, to get an idea of what they feel like.

Do you have a secret talent readers would be surprised by?

I once entered a Tea Dueling tournament and was undefeated. I still have the Keep Calm and Drink Tea teapot that I won that day. I also once took part in a challenge where I would sew a new dress every week, and I lasted longer than I thought I would. A final talent, I can solve a Rubik’s cube in about two minutes.

Your favorite go to drink or food when the world goes crazy!

Always pizza! I love a very well made, stone-fried Neapolitan style pizza with a glass of wine or good beer. Nothing makes me happier.

What is the one question you never get ask at interviews, but wish you did? Ask and answer it.

Question: You write both Adult and YA romance. How do you differentiate between your YA and adult romances, and what to you do to help you transition from writing one to the other?

For the most part, my YA books are in first person, while my adult books are in third person. The different POV helps me get into the different mindset of writing about teens to writing about adults. Also, from a cultural perspective, my adult characters are like me, as in they are the children of immigrants, while my YA characters are more like my own children— the grandchildren of immigrants. I find it easier to write with an adult voice, (because I am an adult), but I love teenagers (and used to be a youth counsellor in a prior career) and I find it fun to think like them when writing YA.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Farah.

Readers, here’s a look at Remember Me Tomorrow which releases today.

A missing student. A singular investigation. A new romance. Every bit of it is a mystery in a delightful novel of cosmic twists by the author of How to Win a Breakup.

East House is the oldest and least desirable dorm on campus, but it has a draw for lonely university freshman Aleeza Kassam: Jay Hoque, the hot and broody student who vanished from East House five months ago without a trace. It’s irresistible to an aspiring investigative journalist like Aleeza.

But when she starts receiving texts from Jay, the mystery takes an unexpected turn. To put it mildly. His messages are coming not only from Aleeza’s own dorm room but from the past—only weeks before he disappeared. Sharing space, if not time, Aleeza and Jay are living the impossible, and they start working together to prevent his inevitable disappearance. Causing a temporal paradox that could blow up the universe is a risk they’re going to have to take.

Aleeza digs through Jay’s suspicious friends, enemies, and exes, determined to find out what happened to him. Or what will happen to him. But it’s becoming more than a mystery. Aleeza is catching feelings for her charming new roommate. Wherever, and whenever, he may be.

The Science Behind Precognition and Intuition

Jocie McKade

30 September 2024

In his book, Contact with the Future: The Astonishing Power of Intuition and Precognition, Jon Taylor examines the latest scientific research suggesting that precognition is real and can be explained through currently understood principles in physics and neuroscience.

Precognition—the ability to foresee future events—has long been a subject of debate. While many parapsychologists argue that it challenges scientific materialism requiring consciousness to carry the information across space and time, mainstream scientists remain skeptical, asserting that precognition contradicts the conventional understandings of causation.

Taylor addresses these controversies by demonstrating that precognition occurs when individuals connect with their future knowledge of an event, and information is transferred from the brain in the future to the brain in the present. Drawing inspiration from David Bohm’s interpretation of quantum mechanics, Taylor proposes that precognition arises from a correlation between present and future brain states. “In precognition, we retrieve a memory that will be formed in the future, much like recalling a memory formed in the past, in ordinary memory,” he explains.

Key points from Taylor’s research include:

Precognition often manifests in dreams or sudden intuitive feelings, explaining déjà vu moments and flashes of inspiration.
Telepathic experiences may be better understood as instances of precognition, where individuals access their own future knowledge of the event.
Taylor argues that intuition allows us to unconsciously tap into our future and access information that guides decision-making and serves as an aid to survival. Intuition explains phenomena such as the homing instinct in animals, dowsing for water and minerals, and the remote viewing techniques used in STAR GATE—the covert US government program in psychic espionage.
Bohm’s theory, which underpins Taylor’s work, was long ignored by physicists but is now gaining renewed interest, with several laboratories successfully testing its predictions.

A fully revised edition of Contact with the Future: The Astonishing Power of Intuition and Precognition, featuring a foreword by Stanley Krippner, PhD, is now available on Amazon.

Jon Taylor, an interdisciplinary scientist with a Cambridge MA in Natural Sciences, has spent over 25 years investigating anomalous phenomena related to cognition. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and lectured extensively in Britain and Europe. Taylor’s interest in precognition was sparked by a friend’s series of accurate premonitions, which he found difficult to dismiss as mere coincidence. He is a professional member of the Parapsychological Association and resides in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain.

A Look at Some Book Club Must-Reads

Jocie McKade

30 September 2024

Choosing the perfect book for your book club transforms an ordinary gathering into an extraordinary experience. The right story can inspire, challenge, and bring together readers in a unique way. In this list, we’ve handpicked a selection of novels with rich narratives, complex characters, and themes ripe for discussion. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle into your favorite reading nook, and explore our top picks!

Follow the Stars Home by Diane C. McPhail

Read this if you like: Fact-based historical fiction, southern fiction, alternate history, female adventurers, survival stories, beating the odds

The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander by Denny S. Bryce

Read this if you like: The Roaring Twenties, courtroom drama, little-known eras of Black history, the Harlem Renaissance, dual POVs, explorations of race and class

The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl by Bart Yates

Read this if you like: Sweeping sagas, cinematic storytelling, queer representation, feeling all the feels, time-spanning narratives

The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle by Annie Rains

Read this if you like: Uplifting stories of female friendship a la The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, feel-good fiction, romance subplots, small coastal towns, comfort reading

The Medicine Woman of Galveston by Amanda Skenandore

Read this if you like: Found family, women in STEM, natural disaster stories, disability representation, historical fiction with hints of mystery

Becoming Ted by Matt Cain

Read this if you like: Feel-good fiction, “Ru Paul’s Drag Race,” A Man Called Ove, second chances, human connection and community

Best, First, and Last by Amy T. Matthews

Read this if you like: Journeys of self-discovery, emotional women’s fiction a la Rebecca Serle, armchair travel, breaking generational cycles, witty dialogue

In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan

Read this if you like: Gothic horror, haunted castles, remote Scottish isles, lonely ghosts, mother-daughter dynamics, debut novels

Where I End by Sophie White

Releases September 24th

Read this if you like: Twisted tales of isolation, feminist horror, moody gothic fiction, literary horror involving mothers and daughters, creeping senses of dread, haunted houses, psychological suspense

After the Ocean by Lauren E. Rico

Releases December 24th

Read this if you like: Emotional stories about women finding their way, Puerto Rican culture, alternating timelines and POVs, family sagas with an underlying mystery, the bond between mothers and daughters.

Reprinted with permission from Kensington Books.

SNEAK PEEK: Something About Nobility By Jonni Jordyn

Jocie McKade

30 September 2024

Something About Nobility By Jonni Jordyn

Hector Reynaldo Castillo de la Roca, the gardener’s son, was the closest thing that Lady Elizabeth Leatherby had ever had to a brother. He was yet one year her junior, but possessed within him an exceptionally keen mind, and while she excelled at getting them into trouble, his cleverness was often called upon to get them out.

They, along with the young viscount Walter Chamberlain were inseparable growing up, and even the feud between the families couldn’t drive them apart. Like any young undisciplined children, they remained friends and continued to meet secretly.

Lady Elizabeth grew to love the viscount Walter dearly and when he proposed marriage to her, she eagerly accepted, but fearing her father’s wrath over her betrothal to the feuded Chamberlains, she went to Hector who advised her to claim a commoner as her betrothed; so she told her father that she had promised to marry Hector, fully expecting him to reject the proposal, thus putting Walter in a much more respectable light as an acceptable suitor for her hand, however, instead of raging against the proposal, her father was inexplicably thrilled and wanted to start celebrations immediately.

AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jonni Jordyn was born in Oakland, California in 1957. She started writing at an early age, writing music, poetry, short stories, radio, film, and stage scripts. She didn’t start writing novels until later in life, after she retired from playing music, and found herself travelling away from home for extended periods.

She currently lives in Denver, Colorado.

GET READY FOR A BLOODY COMPETITION IN “THOSE NOT AFRAID” FROM KYLE STARKS AND PATRICK PIAZZALUNGA

Jocie McKade

29 September 2024

The latest creator-owned comic series from Kyle Starks!

Dark Horse Comics presents Those Not Afraid, a new series perfect for fans of true crime. This four-issue miniseries written by Eisner Award nominee Kyle Starks (Where Monsters Lie, From the World of Minor Threats: Barfly, Peacemaker Tries Hard), illustrated by Patrick Piazzalunga (Monsters Are My Business), colored by Marco Brakko, and lettered by Jim Campbell arrives January 2025. Issue #1 will feature covers by Glenn Fabry (Preacher, Hellblazer) and Piazzalunga.

“The title for THOSE NOT AFRAID draws from a chilling quote from pure evil, serial killer Richard ‘The Night Stalker’ Ramirez: ‘We’ve all got the power in our hands to kill, but most people are afraid to use it. The ones who aren’t afraid control life itself,’” said Starks. “If you know me and my work know I love horror but I also love true crime stuff, especially when it’s serial killers. I wanted to dip my foot narratively into that world – to step away from humor at all, to lean hard into the terrifying depths of that world and the terrifying creatures who inhabit it. With THOSE NOT AFRAID I ask the question, ‘What if two serial killers enter into a terrible competition to break the record for murders?’ If you are a fan of – or know a fan of – true crime and serial killers THOSE NOT AFRAID is going to be the book for you.”

Piazzalunga added, “I’m excited about this comic book. I tried something new in my art—it will be much darker, with a lot of black! Like this fantastic thriller by Kyle! Kyle has done a great job and the story it will keep you in suspense.”

About Those Not Afraid:

Two serial killers discover they are within reach of the state record for kills and enter a terrible competition to see who gets there first. Learn more about our awful killers, Mark Andrew Smith and Daniel Dodson, and their grotesque activities as we enter a frightening game of cat-and-mouse between killers and police.

Those Not Afraid #1 (of 4) will be available in comic shops on January 8, 2025. It is now available to pre-order at your your local comic shop for $3.99.

Be sure to follow DarkHorseComics on social media and check our website, www.darkhorse.com for more news, announcements, and updates.

Praise for Where Monsters Lie and From the World of Minor Threats: Barfly:

“A high-concept blast of mirth and mayhem that will leave readers desperate for a sequel.”—Library Journal, starred review for Where Monsters Lie

“Where Monsters Lie #1 is the kind of comic you’ll be fully invested in by the end, wishing to learn more about its colorful characters. A unique approach to horror and killers, it’s funny, weird, and wholly original.”–AIPT Comics

“Barfly #1 is a delightful addition to the world of Minor Threats. With its outstanding writing, stunning visuals, and memorable characters, this comic is a true work of art. If the next three issues are anything like the premiere issue, we are in for one hell of a ride and is in serious contention for our comic book of the year!”–Capes and Tights

“An absolute page-turner with a lead character it’s impossible not to love. Partnered with some home-run character designs and a plot that perfectly toes the line between humor and heartbreak, Barfly #1 is easily one of the greatest single issues of any comic I’ve read this year. Go get yourself a copy and bask in its glory. “–Comicbook.com

Build-A-Bear Unveils New Board Book, “Friends Forever,” Inspiring Young Readers

Jocie McKade

29 September 2024

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW), renowned for offering a personalized experience where guests of all ages can create their own special furry friends, is excited to announce the release of a new board book titled “Friends Forever.” The new book, illustrated by Anna Jones and created in collaboration with Odd Dot, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, invites readers on an adventure inside Build-A-Bear Workshop. Through the story, children experience the joy of creating a special friend that will last “fur-ever.”

The cover features a spinning wheel that allows readers to create a bear, bunny or frog, among other loveable animals, then open the book to journey through the Workshop. Guests can purchase the book at a participating Build-A-Bear Workshop or online at “Friends Forever” Board Book | Build-A-Bear® (buildabear.com).

“We are thrilled to partner with Odd Dot to bring ‘Friends Forever’ to our guests,” said Sharon Price John, President & CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop. “This book captures the heart of a Build-A-Bear Workshop adventure, and we believe this story will inspire young hearts and bring the special bond of friendship to life in a way only Build-A-Bear can.”

“What could be more magical than making a new, cuddly best friend? ‘Friends Forever’ invites our readers to embark on that journey of imagination, friendship, and play – the same journey at the heart of the Build-A-Bear Workshop experience,” said Nathalie Le Du, Publisher of Odd Dot. “We are overjoyed to bring this enchanting experience to the page with one-of-a-kind novelty and a universal tale of friendship. This book holds a special place in our hearts, and we can’t wait to share it with children and their families to spark joy across all generations.”

Build-A-Bear Workshop is excited to celebrate the launch of the “Friends Forever” book with special story time events on October 2 and 9 at participating Workshops. During these events, a Bear Builder will read the “Friends Forever” story, introducing its characters and themes through engaging readings. Children will enjoy interactive games and activities and have the chance to create their very own forever friend to take home. Guests of all ages are invited to join us for a fun-filled experience that makes the joy of “Friends Forever” truly unforgettable.

In addition to “Friends Forever,” the two companies are expected to release another book later this year, “A Wish from the Heart.”

Since 1997, Build-A-Bear has been adding a little more heart to life for children and families around the world. The brand has a core focus of advancing childhood literacy through its non-profit organization, Build-A-Bear Foundation, and has a goal of donating 100,000 books in 2024.

About Build-A-Bear
Since its beginning in 1997, Build-A-Bear has evolved to become a beloved multi-generational brand focused on its mission to “add a little more heart to life” where guests of all ages make their own “furry friends” in celebration and commemoration of life moments. Guests create their own stuffed animals by participating in the stuffing, dressing, accessorizing, and naming of their own teddy bears and other plush toys based on the Company’s own intellectual property and in conjunction with a variety of best-in-class licenses. The hands-on and interactive nature of our more than 500 company-owned, partner-operated and franchise experience locations around the world, combined with Build-A-Bear’s pop-culture appeal, often fosters a lasting and emotional brand connection with consumers, and has enabled the Company to expand beyond its retail stores to include e-commerce sales on www.buildabear.com and non-plush branded consumer categories via out-bound licensing agreements with leading manufacturers, as well as the creation of engaging content via Build-A-Bear Entertainment (a subsidiary of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.). The brand’s newest communications campaign, “The Stuff You Love,” commemorates more than a quarter-century of creating cherished memories worldwide. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) posted consolidated total revenues of $486.1 million for fiscal 2023. For more information, visit the Investor Relations section of buildabear.com.

About Macmillan Publishers
Macmillan Publishers is the U.S. trade company that is part of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a large family-owned group of media companies headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Holtzbrinck Publishing Group’s publishing companies include prominent imprints around the world that publish a broad range of award-winning books for children and adults in all categories and formats.

U.S. publishers include Celadon Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Flatiron Books, Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, The St. Martin’s Publishing Group, and Tor Publishing Group. In the UK, Australia, India, and South Africa, companies in the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group publish under the Pan Macmillan name. The German publishing company, Holtzbrinck Deutsche Buchverlage, includes among its imprints S. Fischer, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Rowohlt, and Droemer Knaur.

us.macmillan.com

About Odd Dot
Odd Dot is a publisher of innovative books in formats of all kinds, for kids of all ages. From toy-like board books, to trend-setting sticker collections, to pop-culture picture books, and beyond, Odd Dot’s mission is to create joyful books for curious minds—and have fun

To Be a Fae Rogue By Tricia Copeland

Jocie McKade

29 September 2024

To be a Fae Rogue (Realm Chronicles Book 4)
By Tricia Copeland
Realm Chronicles Book 4

The epic series continues by Award-winning and critically acclaimed author, Tricia Copeland

“I am dead, and I need not abide by any law but my own.” – Titania

Unknown to most fae, their biggest threat lies beneath them, watching, waiting perhaps, but for what? Or whom?

Queen Titania gave up everything, her kingdom, her family, her friends, and her home, to end Sonia. Alas, Sonia’s soul lives and grows more powerful, threatening annihilation of the human realm.

Titania’s supposed death may be the only thing deterring Sonia from unleashing her wrath on the Fae Realm as well, but Titania has a sworn duty to protect the humans. Does she dare risking detection by aiding the witches in stopping Sonia from unleashing Hell on Earth?

All Titania has left is the one fae who’s pledged his love for her. Can she risk losing him, too?

To Be a Fae Rogue, the fourth book of the Realm Chronicles series, is an adventure in discovering whether the disparate beings of the human realm can set aside their differences to stop impending doom.

Read To Be a Fae Rogue to find out if Titania can outwit a powerful dark angel today!Look for To Be a Fae Legend to spiral into a magical world today!

Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tricia Copeland believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, a beautiful sunset, or a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles from contemporary romance, fantasy, to dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.

Espionage Thriller: Jeffrey Jay Levin’s “Deep Cover, The Unknowing Agent” Explores Cold War Legacy

Jocie McKade

28 September 2024

Jeffrey Jay Levin, a commercial real estate attorney turned author, is set to captivate readers with his second novel, “Deep Cover, The Unknowing Agent.” This action-packed thriller delves into the chilling possibility of Russian deep-cover spies still operating within the United States, blending Cold War intrigue with modern-day political manipulation.

From Real Estate Law to Spy Thrillers: Sedona’s Newest Literary Voice

Jeffrey Jay Levin’s transition from real estate law to bestseller lists exemplifies Sedona’s diverse creative landscape. His analytical skills honed in his legal career contribute to crafting a narrative that keeps readers guessing until the final page.

“‘Deep Cover, The Unknowing Agent’ isn’t just a spy novel; it’s an exploration of trust, identity, and the long shadow of Cold War espionage,” Levin explains. “I wanted to challenge readers to question the world around them and consider the hidden influences that shape our society.”

A Thrilling Journey Through Espionage and Deception

“Deep Cover, The Unknowing Agent” follows scientists Lisa Jones and Jennifer Turner as they become entangled in a decades-old web of Soviet espionage. When Army Intelligence analyst Sgt. Stephan Beck uncovers a hidden message linked to his loved ones, the story races towards a climax that could alter the course of a U.S. presidential election.

Sedona’s Landscape: Inspiration for Global Intrigue

While the novel spans international locales, Levin’s connection to Sedona infuses the story with a unique perspective. “Sedona’s breathtaking vistas and diverse community have broadened my storytelling horizons,” Levin shares. “This environment encourages you to think big and explore the extraordinary.”

Bridging Real Estate Law and Literature in Arizona’s Cultural Hub

Levin’s career in real estate law provides the analytical foundation for his intricate plots and character development. “My experience in commercial real estate law has honed my ability to construct complex narratives and dive deep into character motivations,” he notes.

Past Successes and Upcoming Events

Levin’s previous book events have been met with enthusiasm from Arizona readers. Notable successes include:

A packed signing at Barnes & Noble in Tempe Marketplace, where fans lined up to meet the author and discuss his unique blend of analytical thinking and thriller writing.
An intimate reading and Q&A session at the former Hole in the Wall Books in Camp Verde, which showcased Levin’s connection to local communities and his ability to engage readers in small-town settings.

Building on this momentum, Levin has an exciting lineup of events being finalized for fall/winter 2024.

“I’m thrilled to connect with Arizona’s readers and discuss the inspirations behind ‘Deep Cover, The Unknowing Agent,'” Levin says. “The support from our local communities has been incredible, and I can’t wait to share this new story with both familiar faces and new readers.”

About Jeffrey Jay Levin

Jeffrey Jay Levin is a Cottonwood-based commercial real estate attorney and rising star in the thriller genre. His latest novel, “Deep Cover, The Unknowing Agent,” showcases his ability to weave complex narratives with pulse-pounding espionage plots.

For more information about Jeffrey Jay Levin and “Deep Cover, The Unknowing Agent,” visit jeffreyjaylevinauthor.com

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