The Duke of Huntington has no interest in an eccentric redhead who frowns at him over her spectacles…until he realizes that she is the only possible duchess for him. A new enemies-to-lovers romance by New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James.
Bespeckled and freckled, Lady Stella Corsham at least has a dowry that has attracted a crowd of fortune-hunting suitors—which definitely doesn’t include the sinfully handsome Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, who laughingly calls her “Specs” as he chases after elegant rivals.
And then—
The worst happens. Marriage.
To the duke. To a man marrying her for all the wrong reasons.
How can Silvester possibly convince Stella that he’s fallen in love with the quirky woman he married? Especially after she laughingly announces that she’s in love—but not with that duke.
It seems lately that Poppy Lively is invisible to everyone but the IRS.
After her accountant absconded with her life savings, newly bankrupt Poppy is on the verge of losing her home when an old flame, now a hotshot producer, gives her a surprising way out: a job in costumes on a Hollywood film set. It’s a bold move to pack her bags, keep secrets from her daughter, and head to Los Angeles, but Poppy’s a capable person―how hard can a job in wardrobe be? It’s not like she has a choice; her life couldn’t get any worse. Even so, this Midwesterner has a lot to learn about the fast and loose world of movie stars, iconic costumes, and back-lot intrigue.
As a single mom, she’s rarely had time for watching movies, she doesn’t sew, and she doesn’t know a thing about dressing the biggest names in the business. Floundering and overlooked, Poppy has one ally: Allen Carol, an ill-tempered movie star taken with Poppy’s unfiltered candor and general indifference to stardom.
When Poppy stumbles upon corruption, she relies on everyone underestimating her to discover who’s at the center of it, a revelation that shakes her belief in humanity. What she thought was a way to secure a future for her daughter becomes a spotlight illuminating the facts: Poppy is out of her league among the divas of Tinseltown.
Poppy must decide whether to keep her mouth shut, as she’s always done, or with the help of a scruffy dog, show the moviemakers that they need her unglamorous ways, whether the superstars like it or not.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ann Garvin, PhD, is the USA Today bestselling author of five funny and sad novels, including I Thought You Said This Would Work, I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not Around, The Dog Year, and On Maggie’s Watch. Ann teaches creative writing at Drexel University in their Low-Residence Masters of Fine Arts program and lives in Wisconsin with her anxious and overly protective dog Peanut. She is the founder of the multiple award-winning Tall Poppy Writers and is dedicated to helping authors find readers and vis a versa. Learn more about Ann Garvin at: www.anngarvin.net.
Kate: Archie Andrews forever! Checkered hair and all! My first—but not my last!—ginger love. He was just so darn pure and sweet in that bumbling, goofy, totally over the top way of his, and I was always rooting for Betty, aka the most quintessential girl next door, because she gave me hope that true love wasn’t all about the flash. The right love is comfortable and easy, like coming home to your found family.
Danny: I was a big fan of Rogue back in the day. It was my first introduction to a fraught love story. She also kind of reminded me of a member of The Bangles. (Definite plus!) Her superpower, absorbing other peoples’ energy, could potentially harm or kill any suitor just by having any physical contact. Her relationship with Gambit was a constant push and pull of why they could/couldn’t be together. They smooched once, though, and she absorbed all his memories… and then more turmoil to come for them both, of course. I was so emotionally invested, I couldn’t avoid crushing!
Kate: This will have to very squarely be a two-way tie between Prince Harry—my second, but still not last! (of course!!!)—ginger love, and Devon Sawa, exclusively as Casper, because MY GOD there is not a more titillating moment in 90s cinema than “Can I keep you?” That line! I still dream about it! So yep, a prince and a dead boy. Both living rent free in my heart forever.
Danny: I must be serious here for a minute. I’ve had a lot of celebrity crushes over the years. Many famous actresses have run laps around my brain. Lots of smooching, montages of our lives together. All the bells and whistles. But only one person’s poster made it to the ceiling above my bed: Shannen Doherty from 90210. That crush spanned a few grades, in fact. Moved from 5th grade through 7th with her phenomenal work as Rene in Mallrats. A woman who wouldn’t take shit from a true Gen X slacker. At first, I was aspiring to be said slacker but—upon further review—I decided that, to get the girl, you have to un-slack. It made me realize at a young age that if you want to keep a significant other, you have to put the effort in. So yeah, I spent a lot of time dreaming about being the perfect boyfriend to Shannen. Kate continues to reap the benefits of my (very one-sided, completely in my head) relationship with Shannen Doherty.
Kate: You know what’s funny? I read books growing up all the time, every day—books were my world, my identity, my oxygen—and for some reason I cannot for the life of me remember??? Presumably someone from a Meg Cabot or Sarah Dessen book, because I was a late 90s/early aughts teen, and those were the rules. Maybe I just fell in love with book characters so easily and so often, it’s impossible to pinpoint any one singular crush. I had many, many great literary loves.
Danny: I would have to say for me it was Ramona Quimby’s older sister Beatrice—but really everyone knows her as Beezus. Neighbor friend to Henry Huggins, fellow ginger. She was smart and sensible. Speaking of smart, totally had a thing for Nancy Drew, too. It was the smart girls for me!
Kate: John Mayer owned my soul during my high school years. I made a bet with my mom once that if I ever met him, he’d fall in love with me and we’d get married, and she’d owe me $100. (Why would I need $100 if I married HIM, I do not know??? Just to sweeten the stakes even more???) If I met him and he didn’t swoon, etc. I’d owe her the money. We never met, so. (That’s okay, I still won the lottery of love, Danny!)
Danny: Learning how to play bass at eleven years old gave me a lot of crushes—because in alternative music, there were a lot of women on the bass. That collided with puberty and birthed a slew of first bassist crushes. D’arcy Wretzky, from Smashing Pumpkins, Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth, Melissa Auf Der Maur from Hole, just to name a few. There was one though, that really hit my soul as a bassist and that was Kim Deal from The Pixies. She made me fall in love with her basslines. I wanted to be as powerful and unique as her phrasing.
Kate: A little boy named Andrew from my daycare; for some reason (or maybe no reason at all, except fashion?) he wore a sailor costume one day, and it was just SO UNBELIEVABLY JAUNTY. I will never forget that sailor suit, not for as long as I live.
Danny: Sarah, from preschool all the way until I moved in 4th grade. She was my best audience member for all the antics I usually pulled. Predictably, I was a class clown on occasion. Sarah also enjoyed outside jungle gyms after school, so we immediately bonded over how fast the rickety, steep, clearly unsafe slide was, especially if you had on sweatpants. I may have brought back a signed photo of Emilio Estevez (post shooting Mighty Ducks) in my quest to make her smitten. Didn’t work. Forever friend zoned.
Danny Tamberelli, 90’s Nickelodeon star from All That and The Adventures of Pete and Pete, teams up with his real-life wife Kate Tamberelli for a zany, big-hearted, and truly laugh-out-loud debut rom-com set in Brooklyn, steeped in 90’s nostalgia, and inspired by their very own love story. Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren & Emily Henry!
“A joyous, nostalgic rom-com romp in which the authors’ love for each other dazzles through.” —Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of The Roughest Draft
Brooklyn-based aspiring writer Lucy Minninger has no trouble putting the comedy in her rom-coms. It’s the romance part of the equation that’s the problem. But even as the rejection slips pile up, and her second dates dwindle, Lucy refuses to give up hope—or her HeartThrobs™ dating profile . . .
Former child star Rudy Riziero made his mark on some of the most popular kids shows of the ՚90s. But that early success has pigeonholed him into a stand-up routine riffing on his past work, while the slick single life he envisioned was clearly a fantasy. He’s actually ready for a relationship, if he could just find someone uninterested in who he used to be . . .
When Lucy and Rudy match online, they’re eager to meet. But after their first date ends in a psychic’s prophecy that is equal parts great fortune and certain doom, their flirty quips end and their search for answers to some of life’s big questions begins: Is there really one person for everyone? Do destinies really intertwine? Where can you find the best tacos in Brooklyn?
And when it matters most, will they throw caution—and fate—to the wind, trust their instincts—and write their own futures?
Costumes, Dancing, and Prizes and the Theme was to mix and match, any theme costumes. There were prizes for individuals, couples, groups, and door prizes.
In January 2022, bestselling author Lynette Eason introduced the Extreme Measure series. Each book in the series delivered intense, fast-paced action that focused on four friends who met in a juvenile delinquency center as teens and banded together in order to survive. Now Eason ramps up the adrenaline once again for the riveting finale in Countdown.
Raina Price is living life incognito. In order to protect herself from a dangerous stalker, she had to change her name, her identity, and her home. With the help of her friend from juvie, Raina is able to begin life anew. She has a new job as a flight paramedic that she loves. It feels great to put her energies into saving lives. But it is hard to put aside the fact that her own life may still be in danger.
US Marshal Vincent Corelli’s job is to hunt down fugitives and protect those who are assigned to him. When Raina is almost killed in front of him, he is more determined than ever to save her and to find out who is behind the nefarious act.
Together they must work to solve the mystery of Raina’s past. But someone is determined to make sure that she doesn’t live long enough to uncover the truth. Can she trust Vincent with her past as well as her future?
X-Men meets Attack on Titan in a new graphic novel from YouNeek Studios
Dark Horse and YouNeek Studios are back with an all new epic science fantasy adventure in The Asiri Volume 1. This brand-new space saga is by the talented team of Nigerian creators at YouNeek Studios. The 128-page graphic novel features writing by YouNeek founder Roye Okupe, interior art by Samuel Iwunze, colors by Toyin Ajetunmobi, letters by Spoof Animation, and cover art by Sunkanmi Akinboye and Etubi Onucheyo.
The Asiri Volume 1 begins an epic science fantasy about an ancient, advanced West African civilization of space explorers that once colonized Mars and strove for galactic stability. Enhanced by an inner power called “Inkra,” the Asiri can manipulate technology in ways never seen. However, their golden age comes to a devastating halt after a mysterious enemy invades from deep space. Now, a once-thriving civilization is thrust into chaos as loyalty quickly becomes a liability. A story that’s X-Men meets Attack on Titan (infused with a heavy dose of West African mythology) from the creators at YouNeek Studios (Iyanu: Child of Wonder, Malika: Warrior Queen)!
“I’ve always been a huge fan of sci-fi stories with expansive worlds that still manage to tell a very character-driven story. My goal with The Asiri is no different. The Asiriverse is a massive world with larger-than-life (sometimes quite literally) heroes, villains and people yet to decide. However, at the heart of this behemoth of a universe is a character-driven story centered around two best friends—a pacifist king and his warmongering general.” – Roye Okupe
The Asiri Volume 1 trade paperback will be available in bookstores March 5, 2024 and in comic shops March 6, 2024. The 128-page graphic novel measures 6.625×10.1875″. It is available for pre-order now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and at your local comic shop and bookstore and will retail for $19.99.
Praise for YouNeek Studios:
“E.X.O: The Legend of Wale Williams, Vol. 1 brings an Afrofuturist spin to the superhero genre and is a recommended read for comic fans of all stripes. I cannot wait to see the other books that YouNeek and Dark Horse have in store for this initiative, and I hope to see more of Wale Williams’ exploits in the future.”—But Why Tho?
“Malika Fire & Frost combines futuristic technology, magic powers, and ancient artifacts in a unique, fast-paced story. The in-depth world building and stunning art make Malika Fire & Frost a standout book.”—Youdontreadcomics
“Iyanu is a great looking book steeped in the magic of African mythology.”—Comic Crusaders
Knowing as a boy that I was gay while growing up in a conservative religious environment left me confused, depressed, and eventually suicidal. Quite early, I came to terms with the fact that I was gay. But as a spiritual person, I assumed that my sexual orientation meant that I was fundamentally flawed and would have to live without love.
That terrifying revelation directed me toward an unprecedented journey that opened my life and elevated my destiny. My determination to live—and love—lit my path on the journey that redefined my life, showed me what mettle I was made of, and revealed to me my soul.
The rewards for recognizing my value and committing my energy to thriving rather than just surviving in secret have resulted in my becoming a prolific, award-winning author and renowned international speaker.
Dr. Roger Leslie is a scholar in the fields of success and education. Through major literary houses, medium and small presses, and his own publishing house, Leslie has published fiction and nonfiction books in multiple genres: historical fiction, inspirational self-help, spirituality, writing and publishing, movie reference, teaching and librarianship, biography, history, and memoir.
Leslie has won numerous national awards including ForeWord Book of the Year, The Ben Franklin Award, and Writer’s Digest’s #1 Inspirational Book of the Year. At its inaugural event, Leslie received the Houston Literary Award for his body of work.
Leslie is in demand as a teacher, coach, and keynote speaker. He leads FLY (First Last Year) courses based on his blockbuster memoir, My First Last Year. He draws from decades as an author, editor, and publisher to coach writers in groups and individually. He is also a sought-after speaker for his lively, entertaining keynotes relating award-winning movies to any topic or group.
In every book and presentation, Leslie entertains, inspires, and empowers people to live the life they dream and soar toward their own ideal of success. For more, visit RogerLeslie.com.
Sheila English lives in California, USA where she is a producer, director and screen writer for COS Productions, the top producer of book trailers in America, a company she owns.
She has worked with authors such as George R. R. Martin, Christine Feehan, Karen Rose, Cory Doctorow, James Rollins and many other amazing authors.
When she isn’t writing supernatural suspense she is an animal rights activist, loves dogs (and cats) and has is a huge Doctor Who fan.
After Mary Shelley died, Adam Frankenstein left her League of Supernatural Hunters. But when asked to work under contract, he was happy to take their money. Someone was experimenting on New Orleans’ homeless, and Adam’s mission was to find them. An easy job until he discovered the League’s star scientist, Dr. Laura Wells’ hidden lab and inhumane experiments.
When Wells escaped, Adam tracked her to Houston. Undercover as a U.S. Marshal he would capture the elusive doctor and recover the stolen works of Dr. Moreau. Hellhounds and werewolves weren’t something Adam feared. There was little the immortal creature found shocking after over 200 years. But he knew trouble when he saw it.
U.S. Marshal Rebecca Hughes was determined, brave and dangerous in ways Adam hadn’t expected. She knew only the world of men. He knew the secret world of monsters, and would do anything to keep her safe from it. When their worlds merge, each will need the other to be their greatest weapon.
The 17th Annual National Indie Excellence® Awards (NIEA) are proud to recognize all awardees from this year’s impressive competition.
An established leader in publishing award contests, The National Indie Excellence® Awards are open to recent English language books in print from independent authors and small to medium sized publishers across many genres. Judging is now completed for this round of competition and the results encompass a range of truly exceptional titles with a single Winner for each category and selected Finalists. Contestants may also receive monetary or sponsorship awards.
The National Indie Excellence® Awards celebrate the analog book form as a vital sector of our industry. Recognizing Excellence in all aspects of the final presentation, NIEA champions self-publishers and independent publishers who produce the highest quality books. Established in 2005, NIEA’s entrants are meticulously judged by experts from various disciplines of the industry including publishers, editors, authors, and book designers.
Winning and Finalist titles are determined on the basis of superior written content coupled with the various elements that comprise all the information in a published product. Jurors analyze titles across a spectrum of standards and metrics reaching a final consensus after their review.
NIEA Sponsorship Awards offer professional development, resources, consultations, marketing, and distribution assistance, etc.; monetary prizes awarded by the Juror’s Choice Award are selected from the overall groups of Winners and Finalists. The 17th Annual Juror’s Choice was awarded by celebrated Author and educator Peter Hsu. All awardees become eligible for listing in the NIEA Speaker’s Bureau as well.
“It is always a treat to facilitate NIEA and witness the process of quite literally delving into the granular depth of printed matter we receive. Our jurors submerged into each individual title throughout every distinct category or genre, analyzing entries against their peers and the genre itself ultimately resulting in those now featured on our website. The recent pandemic years seem to have been a boon for authors as NIEA continues to remain incredibly competitive“. –Doug Fogelson President – NIEA
Centerboro Productions Adapting Soho Teen Author’s YA Novel for TV Series
Centerboro Productions, a leading entertainment media company, and producer of high-quality feature films and episodic television, announced today that it has optioned the rights to the best-selling young adult novel Your Robot Dog Will Die. The novel was written by Arin Greenwood and published by Soho Teen in 2018.
Centerboro Productions, with offices in New York City, New York, and Hollywood, California, is planning to adapt the book into a futuristic animated young adult (YA) TV series. Your Robot Dog Will Die centers on the aftermath of a global genetic experiment gone awry, when canines stop wagging their tails, and mass hysteria ensues.
Patricia A. Beninati, producer, writer, and president of Centerboro Productions said, “I’m thrilled that we optioned the rights to this riveting young adult novel with the idea of making it into an animated YA TV series project. After seeing Arin’s inspirational and imaginative writing style, we knew Your Robot Dog Will Die would be a must-see TV series for any dog lover—an exhilarating, binge-worthy, and quirky TV series experience that will tap an international audience with a powerful message, and a mind-bending sci-fi twist.”
Bronwen Hruska, Publisher of Soho Press, is delighted that Greenwood’s book has been optioned. “This excellent young adult novel mines the unique relationship between human and canine. In Centerboro’s hands, this funny, sad, moving adventure will reach yet more dog lovers who cherish their furry friends as they do family,” said Hruska.
“I could not be more thrilled to have Robot Dog in the hands of Patti Beninati and her team at Centerboro Productions,” said author Arin Greenwood. “I am honestly pinching myself over their vision and enthusiasm for bringing this story about the choices we make, fighting for the things that matter most. I can’t wait for people to see it!”
Arin Greenwood is a former lawyer and animal writer. She was the animal welfare editor for The Huffington Post, and her stories about cats, dogs, and other critters have appeared in The Washington Post, Slate, The Dodo, Today.com, the American Bar Association Journal, Creative Loafing, and many other publications. She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband and their pets.
The series is produced by Centerboro Productions, with Patricia A. Beninati, (NASA Hubble: 20 Years of Discovery), and Marilyn G. Haft, attorney (Odd Man Rush) and the deal was negotiated by Nicholas Parker, Gotham Group and Marilyn G. Haft, P.C. production attorney for Centerboro Productions. The project is now in talks with several showrunners and executive producers. According to the producers, the TV series will be set in the near future, and more details will be disclosed soon.
Beninati is represented by Marilyn G. Haft, P.C., and Greenwood by Emily Sylvan Kim, Prospect Agency, Soho Teen, and Julie Kane-Ritsch, Gotham Group.
Danny Tamberelli, 90’s Nickelodeon star from 
After Mary Shelley died, Adam Frankenstein left her League of Supernatural Hunters. But when asked to work under contract, he was happy to take their money. Someone was experimenting on New Orleans’ homeless, and Adam’s mission was to find them. An easy job until he discovered the League’s star scientist, Dr. Laura Wells’ hidden lab and inhumane experiments.
Arin Greenwood