Sneak Peek: You Can Die by Rebecca Zanetti

13 July 2023

You Can Die by Rebecca Zanetti

Set against the atmospheric snowy backdrop of rural Pacific Northwest, New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti’s edgy, page-turning thriller will have readers guessing until the very end as rising star FBI profiler Laurel Snow navigates her career as a serial killer hunter with her complicated family life. Now she’s in pursuit of a killer with a chillingly bitter M.O. – one that hits far too close to home…

The Blacklist meets The Profiler in this edgy, gripping thriller that’s perfect for of Laura Griffin and Jayne Ann Krentz!

Men are dying in the Pacific Northwest, their bodies found near churches, charities, and counseling centers—each with valentine candy hearts shoved down their throats. They’re good men with families and community ties—or so they seem until Laurel Snow and her team begin to investigate. Then the case takes a shockingly personal turn when the father she’s never met, a former pastor, turns up among the dead.

Now, besides solving her father’s murder, Laurel is on the hunt to discover the truth of his past. Complicating things is Laurel’s troubled half-sister, Abigail, a brilliant sociopath determined to prove that they’ve both inherited their father’s malignant narcissism.

Assisting Laurel is Washington Fish and Wildlife Captain Huck Rivers, a dangerous loner whose reliance on gut instinct puts him at odds with Laurel’s coolly analytic approach. But the choice may be moot when the killer hones in on Huck’s own dark secrets—putting him and Laurel squarely in the crosshairs.

“Be prepared to stay up all night…Rebecca Zanetti takes you on a thrill-ride, pitting characters you love against impossible odds.” –Christine Feehan, New York Times bestselling author

George Saunders to Receive 2023 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction

Jocie McKade

13 July 2023

George Saunders to Receive 2023 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction
Author of Books ‘Liberation Day,’ ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ and ‘Tenth of December’

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today that the 2023 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction will be awarded to George Saunders.

One of the Library’s most prestigious awards, the annual Prize for American Fiction honors an American literary writer whose body of work is distinguished not only for its mastery of the art but also for its originality of thought and imagination. The award seeks to commend strong, unique, enduring voices that — throughout consistently accomplished careers — have told us something essential about the American experience.

“George Saunders has an uncanny ability to reveal the complexities of life and death in his writing; in doing so, he points to the truth of our shared human condition,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “I am pleased to recognize his literary achievements with this honor.”

Hayden selected Saunders as this year’s winner based on nominations from more than 88 distinguished literary figures, including former winners of the prize, acclaimed authors and literary critics from across the United States.

“I’m honored to join the wonderful list of writers selected in the past by the Library of Congress for this prize,” Saunders said. “I look forward to this year’s National Book Festival and to working with the Library to further the art of fiction; an art form that can do so much to bring us together and deepen our empathy for, and interest in, one another.”

Saunders is the New York Times bestselling author of 12 books, including “A Swim in a Pond in the Rain;” “Lincoln in the Bardo,” which won the Man Booker Prize; “Congratulations, by the Way;” “Tenth of December,” a finalist for the National Book Award and winner of the inaugural Folio Award; “The Braindead Megaphone;” and the story collections “CivilWarLand in Bad Decline,” “Pastoralia,” and “In Persuasion Nation.” He is also the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and Guggenheim Fellowship. Saunders is a professor of creative writing at Syracuse University.

Saunders will be presented with the honor at the National Book Festival on Aug. 12 prior to a conversation about his body of work.

The 2023 Library of Congress National Book Festival will take place on Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees will hear conversations that reflect their lived experiences and stories, with presentations for every type of reader. A selection of programs will be livestreamed, and recordings of all presentations can be viewed online following the festival.

For more information on the prize, including previous winners, visit https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/prizes/fiction-prize/.

Calling All Authors: Turn the Pages Offers a Path to Amplify Book Reach and Connect with a Wider Audience

Jocie McKade

13 July 2023

Turn the Pages, a renowned platform for book reviews and literary recommendations, extends an open invitation to authors looking to enhance the visibility and impact of their books. Recent studies have revealed that a significant number of books struggle to reach their audience, with many selling fewer than 100 copies in their first year, and some as few as 5 or 10 copies in their initial month of publication. Turn the Pages provides an invaluable opportunity for authors to receive visual book reviews, engage their existing fanbase, and cultivate a broader readership.

Navigating the competitive publishing landscape can be daunting, with numerous talented authors facing the challenge of gaining recognition for their work. Turn the Pages aims to address this issue by offering authors a dedicated platform to showcase their books and connect with a wider audience.

By joining Turn the Pages, authors can enjoy a range of benefits designed to amplify their book’s reach and expand their fanbase. One of the primary advantages is the opportunity to receive a visually engaging book review that can be effectively promoted to their existing fanbase. These reviews serve as powerful tools to generate buzz, attract new readers, and ultimately boost sales.

In addition, Turn the Pages is committed to promoting its organization, which provides access to at least one million viewers each month. By leveraging extensive advertising in libraries and bookstores, Turn the Pages ensures that authors gain exposure to a diverse and expansive audience. This strategic promotion helps authors tap into new markets, connect with readers who may have otherwise missed their work, and foster a thriving community of literary enthusiasts.

Turn the Pages is excited to announce its collaboration with CAN TV, a leading television network. As part of this collaboration, CAN TV will air a Turn the Pages public service announcement (PSA) to encourage educators and families to support authors who have been reviewed by the platform. This PSA aims to create awareness about the transformative power of literature and the importance of supporting authors in their creative endeavors.

Furthermore, CAN TV will also air a Turn the Pages PSA specifically designed to recruit more authors of color. This initiative seeks to promote diversity and inclusivity within the literary world by encouraging authors from underrepresented backgrounds to send their books to Turn the Pages for review. By amplifying the voices of authors of color, Turn the Pages aims to foster a rich tapestry of storytelling that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of readers worldwide.

Authors are invited to join Turn the Pages and seize the opportunity to elevate their books, grow their fanbase, and connect with a wider audience. Turn the Pages is committed to celebrating literature, empowering authors, and facilitating meaningful connections between writers and readers.

DARK HORSE COMICS PRESENTS A CITY WORTH SAVING IN “SAINT JOHN”

Jocie McKade

12 July 2023

No city in America is quite like Portland—and no hero is quite like Dan Schkade and Brennan Wagner’s “Saint John”

Dark Horse Comics, in partnership with groundbreaking clothing brand Portland Gear, presents the Rose City’s very own superhero in Saint John. Born and raised in the streets of Portland, Oregon, Saint John is unlike any superhero before him, built for the quirks that make the city unique. Cartoonist Dan Schkade (Will Eisner’s The Spirit) and Portland native creator Brennan Wagner, (Grendel: Devil’s Odyssey), along with letterer Frank Cvetkovic (Count Crowley), bring to life the vivid, sometimes funky world of the Rose City and the hero destined to keep it safe.

“A few years ago, I set out to create a positive storyline for the city and utilize the connections I’ve had in town for many years.” said founder and owner of Portland Gear, Marcus Harvey. “With the assistance of Brennan, Dan, and Mike Richardson, the idea of a superhero for Portland came to life—an individual radiating positivity and dedicated to community building. Portland is a magical place, and I believe that employing the medium of a comic book would provide a unique opportunity to share its wonders with the world.”

When reporter Tori Slate from the Big Apple comes to Portland to investigate an underground superhero named Saint John, she discovers not only a larger mystery at play but also the charm and genuine beauty of the Rose City. Tori starts to see the world, and Portland, through Saint John’s eyes and realizes that some cities may be worth saving after all.

“When Marcus approached me about doing this project, I knew I had to pull in my longtime collaborator and dear friend—Dan Schkade,” said series artist Brennan Wagner. “We were immediately hooked by the concept and wanted to be a part of it. Portland is the perfect stomping ground for an adventure like this. We can’t wait to introduce the world to Saint John.”

This series is for anyone who has ever loved or hated Portland and everyone who has always wondered just what makes the Rose City such a fascinating and powerful place. Produced with—and featuring the fashion of—Portland Gear, lace up your high tops (and don’t forget your PDX carpet socks!) and join in on a 4-issue miniseries that is everything Portland.

Saint John #1 (of 4) launches in comic shops on September 20, 2023.

Praise for Dan Schkade and Brennan Wagner:

“[Dan Schkade’s] Lavender Jack reminds me of the City Watch books in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, a similar level of drama and politics combined with lush and visually interesting action scenes.”—Women Write about Comics

“Paired with colorist Brennan Wagner, the artwork side of this book is really beautiful… His coloring choices keep this issue firmly within the Mignolaverse while still allowing him to stay true to his own style. His palette for the environments feels akin to much of Dave Stewart’s work, while his characters are brighter in tone, stepping outside of the typical look throughout the various series.”—Multiversity Comics

Dark Horse Comics, in partnership with groundbreaking clothing brand Portland Gear, presents the Rose City’s very own superhero in Saint John. Born and raised in the streets of Portland, Oregon, Saint John is unlike any superhero before him, built for the quirks that make the city unique. Cartoonist Dan Schkade (Will Eisner’s…”>

Dark Horse Comics

RESTORE Book 3 of the Reborn Marks Series By Jenna Greene

Jocie McKade

12 July 2023

RESTORE By Jenna Greene

Alone, back in slavery, Lexil must figure out a way to survive…

Lexil is back in Anstetor where it all began. Back to who she once was. Not only has she been separated from everyone she knows, she is imprisoned by a group of rogue Retrievers who want to brutally punish runaway Reborns.

Though obstacles are placed in her path, she continues her quest to rid the land of prejudice and slavery. Will she achieve her goal? Will she change beyond recognition by the choices she is forced to make?

Aided by unlikely sources, Lexil forges deeper into Anstetor, revisiting familiar places and haunting memories. New truths are presented to her. Relationships are challenged. Her body, mind, and emotions are pushed to the limit.

Amazon.com: Restore: A Young Adult Dystopian Novel (The Reborn Marks Book 3) eBook : Greene, Jenna: Kindle Store

Restore: A Young Adult Dystopian Novel (The Reborn Marks Book 3) eBook : Greene, Jenna: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jenna Greene is a writer and teacher, as well as a clumsy dancer, enthusiastic dragonboat paddler, and a semi-professional napper.

Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll Jr. to Release Debut True-Life NCIS Story

Jocie McKade

12 July 2023

The NCIS star Mark Harmon and co-author Leon Carroll Jr., bring forth a true-life story of deception, discovery, and danger.

Today Harper Select announced they will publish Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, A Japanese American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor, the first narrative non-fiction title from Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll Jr., on November 14, 2023. This is the first book from Harmon and Carroll Jr., who worked together on the hit CBS drama series NCIS for many years. Harmon famously played the role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs for 18 seasons, and Carroll Jr. is a former NCIS Special Agent and the show’s technical advisor.

“Even through all of the fascinating storylines of NCIS over the last 20 years, Mark Harmon always knew that the most amazing stories in naval intelligence were the true accounts in decades past. He had long desired to tell those stories, and we are honored to help take this first book to the world. Together with his longtime collaborator, Leon Carroll Jr., they have brought the past alive in a true story that reads like a novel but shows the great debt we owe to so many who paved the way for our freedom,” said Matt Baugher, publisher of Harper Select.

Scrutinizing long-buried historical documents, co-authors Harmon and Carroll Jr. have brought forth a true-life NCIS operation that depicts the incredible high-stakes game of naval intelligence encompassing cultural complexities, life-threatening dangers, and unrelenting patriotism in this riveting historical narrative about the defining moment of a generation. The book tells the story of Douglas Wada, the only Japanese American agent in naval intelligence, and Takeo Yoshikawa, a Japanese spy sent to Pearl Harbor to gather information on the US fleet. In his native Honolulu, Wada’s poses undercover as a newspaper reporter, translates wiretaps on the Japanese Consulate, and interrogates America’s first captured POW of World War II. In contrast, Yoshikawa works with the consulate as a junior diplomat and collects vital information, sending it straight to Admiral Yamamoto. Their dueling stories anchor Ghosts of Honolulu‘s gripping depiction of the world-changing cat-and-mouse games played between Japanese and US military intelligence agents (and a mercenary Nazi) in Hawaii before the outbreak of the Second World War.

Also trapped in the upheaval are Honolulu’s innocent residents—including Wada’s father—and the thousands of ordinary people caught in crosshairs of a world at war.

“I feel compelled to take part in opening up the history and real story of what became NCIS. When I first started this show, there was not much information to be found by research,” stated Harmon. “NCIS agents are public servants at the highest level and many have come and gone through this life with no one knowing anything about who they are or what they do. And now that story gets told. All because of a TV show.”

“I hope this book will give readers a different look at NCIS as an agency and that we are much more than the homicide of the week. The name NCIS was chartered in 1992, 90 years after the establishment of ONI to emphasize the criminal mission of the agency. Counterintelligence investigations and operations are an integral part of that criminal mission and play a very important role in our nation’s security. This book is intended to be the first in a series that will give an inside look into the inner workings of accomplishing that mission,” added Carroll Jr.

Ghosts of Honolulu will be available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. You can pre-order today at https://www.harpercollinsfocus.com/harper-horizon/ghostsofhonolulu/

ABOUT AUTHOR MARK HARMON:
Star of screen, television, and stage, Mark Harmon is now taking on the publishing world with Ghosts of Honolulu. Probably most recognized for his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the hit drama NCIS, which he led for 18 seasons, Harmon is also an executive producer on the show. In his other TV work, Harmon received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the critically acclaimed The West Wing. Previously he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Special for Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years. He received two consecutive Golden Globe nominations for his work on Reasonable Doubts, and received two additional Golden Globe nominations for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Made for TV; one for After the Promise, and another for his role as notorious serial killer Ted Bundy in The Deliberate Stranger. Along with his costars on Chicago Hope, he received two Best Ensemble SAG Award nominations. Further credits include HBO’s From Earth to the Moon, St. Elsewhere, Moonlighting, and Tennessee Williams’ Sweet Bird of Youth.

Harmon made his feature film debut in Alan Pakula’s Comes a Horseman. Additional credits include Lawrence Kasdan’s Wyatt Earp, Stealing Home with Jodie Foster, The Presidio, and Carl Reiner’s smash hit, Summer School. On stage, Harmon has appeared in Kevin Wade’s Key Exchange, Bill C. Davis’s Wrestlers, and Mark Medoff’s The Wager. In addition, he has done several successful productions of A. R. Gurney’s hit play Love Letters with his wife, actress Pam Dawber.

Born and raised in Southern California, Harmon excelled in sports. He quarterbacked UCLA to multiple winning football seasons and was presented the National Collegiate Football Foundation Award for All Around Excellence. The National Football Foundation recently bestowed Harmon with their highest honor, the Gold Medal, making him the first recipient in their organization to receive both the Scholar Athlete Award and the Gold Medal. He is a cum laude graduate with a degree in communications.

ABOUT AUTHOR LEON CARROLL Jr.:
Leon Carroll Jr. is the technical advisor on the hit drama NCIS. A native of Chicago, Illinois, he attended Lindblom Technical High School and went on to earn a BS degree in business economics from North Dakota State University. He was a member of two College Division national championship teams in the late 60s. Leon was a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, serving on active duty for 6 years and 3 years in the Marine Corps Reserves, attaining the rank of Major. His duty assignments included serving in the Fleet Marine Forces and Sea Duty onboard the USS Ogden (LPD-5). Following his stint in the Marine Corps, Leon began a 20-year career as a Special Agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). He served in 7 different locations, including tours as a Special Agent Afloat on the USS Ranger (CV-61) and as the Special Agent in Charge of NCIS offices in the Republic of Panama and the Pacific Northwest. Upon retirement from NCIS, Leon was selected to be the technical advisor for the top-rated drama of the same name, holding that position for 20 seasons. His experience in Foreign Counterintelligence gives him unique insight into the world in which Doug Wada operated.

ABOUT HARPER SELECT:
Harper Select is a boutique-style imprint, based in Nashville, TN, publishing an exclusive number of hand-selected memoirs and narrative nonfiction focused on stories of hope and determination.

Sneak Peek: Murder at a London Finishing School by Jessica Ellicott

Jocie McKade

11 July 2023

Murder at a London Finishing School by Jessica Ellicott

Long before American adventuress Beryl Helliwell and prim and proper Brit Edwina Davenport teamed up as enquiry agents to solve mysteries, they attempted to unravel the mysteries of deportment and elocution. Now it’s back to school for the sleuths when murder strikes at their alma mater . . .

Neither Beryl nor Edwina are the least bit interested in attending events at their alma mater, Miss Dupont’s Finishing School for Young Ladies. Their lives are very full indeed in the village of Walmsley Parva. However, when a letter arrives from Miss Dupont herself requesting their help in a professional capacity, they reluctantly pack their bags for London.

Upon arrival, they learn from Miss Dupont that her business has seen a steep decline since the days before World War I and that now she is concerned a saboteur is attempting to damage the school’s reputation. Students have reported items missing, damaged possessions, and strange noises in the night. Some of the girls even insist ghostly forces are at play.

Then a former classmate of theirs and mother of a prospective student is found dead on the school grounds. The roll call of suspects is long, and if Beryl and Edwina are to have a ghost of a chance of solving the murder, they can’t rule out the possibility that Miss Dupont herself may have finished off the victim . . .

Meth Murder & Amazon By G.S. Gerry

Jocie McKade

11 July 2023

Meth Murder & Amazon By G.S. Gerry

The hilarity ensues when the body of an unidentified child is found under the bed during an open house. Alive or dead? Murder or myth?

Derald Grake destroys his life the moment he decides to sell the family home. After capturing the American dream, this father of 4 hopes to solve the complex formula of buying low and selling high. Witness one ‘normal’ family embark on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey involving, among other surprises, assassins, meth, murder, and the end of Amazon.

Wrapped inside this intriguing mystery are eye witness accounts and compelling evidence to separate truth from fantasy. Follow the clues, sort through the lies, and put the pieces together of this twisted reality.

A humorous, suspense filled roller coaster that goes downhill as quickly as a methamphetamine rush. This plot twisting symphony of laughter, absurdity, & betrayal will leave you speechless. Wondering how far one father will go to rescue his family from the unthinkable.

Author G. S. Gerry presents a witty, gripping read that will keep you guessing and pulls you to the edge of your seat until the very end. Quirky and utterly unique, Buying and Selling will never be the same again!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

G. S. Gerry is the award-winning author of Meth Murder & Amazon. He is a father of 5, Navy veteran, cybersecurity expert, and tattoo enthusiast that is reinventing the art of storytelling and writing wrongs along the way. Gerry’s original writing style has been compared to the likes of Hunter S. Thompson, Chuck Palahniuk and Lemony Snicket. His books are quirky and utterly unique, jam-packed with humor, suspense, and satire. Gerry grew up in the world of books working for his father’s book bindery business when he was just a child. Little did he know the literary universe had something more in store for his life.

G. S. Gerry’s creations offer an escape from life’s harsh realities by providing a hilarious perspective in turning lemons into lemonade. Constructing a world where the unbelievable seems made up and yet, oddly relatable. Gerry’s visionary approach towards life, laughter and entertainment bridges comedy and originality with memorable creations, leaving no stone unturned to help others laugh their way to a better today.

Check out G. S. Gerry and exclusive Meth Murer & Amazon content on https://grakeden.com

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Celebrates 200 Millionth Book Milestone

Jocie McKade

11 July 2023

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is turning over a new chapter in The Imagination Library legacy – celebrating 200 million books gifted globally since inception in 1995. The early childhood book-gifting program mails a high-quality, free book each month to children from birth to age five and is now excited to celebrate with every child/family enrolled in the program and its Local Program Partners.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9180851-dolly-partons-imagination-library/

To celebrate this global 200 million book milestone, seven enchanting Dolly bookmarks will be randomly hidden inside Imagination Library books gifted during International Literacy Month (September) to children/families currently enrolled in the program. (Children must be enrolled by July 31, 2023 to receive Imagination Library books in September).

Seven random children/families in five countries who find the Dolly bookmarks in their Imagination Library books will receive, if they choose, a video chat with Dolly, a personalized signed letter from Dolly, an autographed photo from Dolly, and four Dollywood Theme Park tickets. The Dollywood Foundation will also donate $2,000 USD/CAD/AUD or £2,000 GBP on behalf of the child to their Local Imagination Library Partner in their community as a thank you to who Dolly calls the true heroes of her program.

Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly started the Imagination Library in 1995 to serve the children of her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts over 2.4 million free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children around the world. There is never a charge to families who participate in the program and it is open to all children under the age of five in geographic areas with operating programs.

“I know there are children in communities around the world with big dreams and the seeds of these dreams are often found in books,” said Dolly. “It’s been one of my greatest gifts in life to help instill a love of reading through my Imagination Library. Reaching 200 million books worldwide is a major milestone that I’m so very proud of, and I want to thank all of our local program partners, funders and supporters from the bottom of my heart. But we’re just getting warmed up, we have so much more to do! Together, we can inspire even more children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more.”

Participating in 200 Million Reasons to Celebrate is voluntary and does not affect enrollment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. All children under five years of age who are actively enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library by July 31, 2023, can participate. To learn more, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/200-million-books.

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library:

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the premier early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation has mailed well over 200 million free books in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than two million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading, inspiring children to dream. The impact of the program has been widely researched and results suggest positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.

Sneak Peek: Death of a Clam Digger by Lee Hollis

Jocie McKade

10 July 2023

Death of a Clam Digger by Lee Hollis

As the tide rolls out in the coastal touristy town of Bar Harbor Maine, the tasty clams are plentiful–and so is murder in the latest Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails mystery from bestselling author Lee Hollis.

Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell usually reserves judgement for local cuisine, not the people who serve it. But staying neutral isn’t so easy when caught between the biggest seafood rivals in town—her BFF Mona Barnes and the successful Leighton clan. Adding to a bitter decades-old surf-turf war between family businesses, a modern Romeo and Juliet story unfolds as Mona’s son gets engaged to the daughter of her sworn enemy . . .

Spiteful patriarch Lonnie Leighton is also steamed about the arrangement—enough to go to dangerous lengths to break it up. At least, until he’s discovered face down and dead in the clam flats. With unanswered questions swirling, accusations flying in both directions, and a young couple stuck in the middle, Hayley has bigger fish to fry than determining who sources the best shellfish in Bar Harbor. Because someone wants to get away with murder . . . and send whoever else gets in their way to a muddy grave.

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