NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR TOSCA LEE OFFERS GLIMPSE OF POST-PANDEMIC U.S.

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4 August 2019

NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR TOSCA LEE OFFERS GLIMPSE OF POST-PANDEMIC U.S. IN THRILLER THAT BLENDS HEADLINES, SCIENCE

A Single Light releases September 17, currently in development for TV

With the breakneck pacing and taut suspense fans have come to expect from New York Times bestselling author Tosca Lee comes A SINGLE LIGHT (Howard Books/Simon & Schuster, 9/17/19), the sequel to her headline-inspired bestseller THE LINE BETWEEN, which New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry (VWars) calls, “the line between science fiction and terrifying real science.”

Set in a U.S. crippled by a pandemic and cyberterrorism, A Single Light catches up with cult escapee Wynter Roth and ex-soldier Chase Miller, who emerge from their bunker to find a country ravaged by disease. Six months after vanishing into an underground silo with sixty others, Wynter and Chase emerge to find the area abandoned. There is no sign of Noah and the rest of the group that was supposed to greet them when they emerged—the same people Wynter was counting on to help her locate the IV antibiotics her gravely ill friend, Julie, needs in order to live.

As the clock ticks down on Julie’s life, Wynter and Chase embark on a desperate search for medicine and answers. But what they find is not a nation on the cusp of recovery thanks to the promising new vaccine Wynter herself had a hand in creating, but one decimated by disease. What happened while they were underground?

With food and water in limited supply and their own survival in question, Chase and Wynter must venture further and further from the silo. Aided by an enigmatic mute named Otto, they come face-to-face with a society radically changed by global pandemic, where communities scrabble to survive under rogue leaders and cities are war zones. As hope fades by the hour and Wynter learns the terrible truth of the last six months, she is called upon once again to help save the nation she no longer recognizes—a place so dark she’s no longer sure it can even survive.

A Single Light is a thriller of nonstop suspense about the risks of living in a world outside the safe confines of our closely-held beliefs and the relationships and lives that inspire us.

A Single Light is available for pre-order now.

Lee’s headline-inspired first installment in the series, The Line Between, is inspired by the real headlines, including a Siberian village that became infected with anthrax from a thawing reindeer carcass in 2016 and scientific worry about infectious— and still viable—microbes in the melting permafrost. It addresses issues of big agriculture, and the potential fallout of an attack on the power grid, should incursions like these recorded by the U.S. government succeed: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA18- 074A

It has been optioned by Radar Pictures (Jumanji) and Ed Burns’ Marlboro Road Gang Productions (Public Morals) and is in development for television as first reported by Deadline Hollywood: https://deadline.com/2019/01/edward-burns-radar-developing-the-line-betweenthriller-novel-for-television-1202538907/

The Line Between releases in paperback August 13, 2019. It is currently on sale in all eBook formats for $1.99 until August 4.

Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of 11 novels including The Progeny, Firstborn, Iscariot, The Legend of Sheba, and The Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker. Her books have been translated into 17 languages and been optioned for TV and film.

Tosca received her B.A. in English from Smith College. A lifelong world adventure traveler, she lives in Nebraska with her husband and three of four children still at home. To learn more about Tosca, please visit ToscaLee.com.

Tosca is available for interviews, media appearances, speaking engagements, and/or book review requests – please contact mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com by email or by phone at 403.464.6925

REVIEW::::: SHADOW WARRIOR by Christine Feehan

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3 August 2019

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SHADOW WARRIOR from bestselling author Christine Feehan

Review by Maureen Gianinio

It was amazing *****

Shadow Warrior, the fourth book in the Shadow Rider Series by Christine Feehan, had my heart beating in all different ways for all different reasons! This book grabs you from the very first page, actually the very first sentence, and it doesn’t let go.

Vittorio Ferraro has spent his life obligated to family and performing his duty of doling out justice while hiding behind a mask. He had two speeds, calm rational peacemaker, trying to control situations peacefully and if that couldn’t be achieved he erupted and made every blow count. He dreamed of finding someone to give him balance, to anchor him between these two extremes. When he finds Grace his heart unlocks, he finds someone who he can open up to, actually needs to open up to, and we begin to see there is so much more to Vittorio Ferraro, his masked personality emerges with her. He pulls out all the stops to win her love and to save her from the man who has tormented her most of her life.

Grace, who spent time growing up in the foster care system, some horrible, some good. But the most horrible was the Foster brother who latched on to the kindness she gave him, in his demented way protected her from the bad but also removed the good to keep her his. She had to control herself and everything in her life to protect herself and those she came across from him. Her control gave her the skills she needed for her career, but it also kept her from living. Then she meets Vittorio and she realizes how tired she is of being in control. How nice it is to surrender her fears, her care, to someone like him as her trust builds. He brings to her life the same balance, the same anchor, he wants in his life. In turn Grace gives them to him. It’s Ms. Feehan’s amazing storytelling that shows this happening, this bond growing into a beautiful relationship.

Vittorio, the epitome of a dominant alpha Male, is a stark contrast to the psychopath foster brother who torments Grace. Hayden threatens her through his control, terrorizing her, removing any relationship in her life. Vittorio wants to know her likes/ dislikes. Knows that the strength of a relationship, even a dominant submissive one is one of communication and trust, knowing and acting on what makes each other happy. Being brought into the Ferraro family this is more important than anything. The consequences are high if the trust is broken. I was truly amazed at how these two grew as individuals and as a couple.

The villain, Grace’s foster brother, is one of the most diabolical, bone-chilling, I’ve ever read. He is a threat to the entire Ferraro family. And the main reason I had to remind myself this is a romance there’s going to be a happy ending. And yes, with the family structure they gather information and with action packed scenes and special paranormal abilities the Ferraros know how to rise to the occasion!

All while Vittorio and Grace’s story is being shared, I fell more in love with the Ferraro siblings and their bond. Happenings with the family’s rivals, the Saldis, and within their territory let you know something is brewing and the family has threats to be aware of…and the reader to realize this Series has a lot to offer in coming books!

THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF HALLMARK CHANNEL’S ‘COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS’

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2 August 2019

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Original Movie Premieres Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Night

This holiday, original movie premieres will be on Thursday and Friday on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ “Miracles of Christmas” and Saturday and Sunday during Hallmark Channel’s 10th anniversary of “Countdown to Christmas.” Across the networks there will be 40 original movie premieres. On Hallmark Channel, Tony® and Emmy® Award winner Kristin Chenoweth (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, “Pushing Daisies”) and Scott Wolf (“Party of Five”) star in the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of “A Christmas Love Story”; Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls) and Sam Page (“The Bold Type”) find romance in the City of Lights in “Christmas in Rome”; while Candace Cameron Bure (“Fuller House”) and Tim Rozon (“Schitt’s Creek”) find themselves in “Christmas Town.” On Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Nikki Deloach (“Awkward”) and Michael Rady (“Timeless”) team up again for “Two Turtle Doves”; Marc Blucas (“The Fix”), Melissa Claire Egan (“The Young and the Restless”) and Patti Murin (Frozen, “Chicago Med”) star in “Holiday for Heroes”; and Grammy Award winner Amy Grant stars in the all-new movie, “When I Think of Christmas.” The announcement was made today as part of Crown Media Family Networks’ bi-annual Television Critics Summer Press Tour.

“Each year our holiday movie slates get bigger, the movies get better, and the ratings grow stronger and I have no doubt that this will prove to be the most successful season yet,” said Michelle Vicary, EVP, Programming & Network Publicity. “We are so fortunate to work with such incredible talent – from the actors, to the writers, to the director and producers – who bring our signature holiday movies to life and have been instrumental in establishing Crown Media as the leader in compelling, top-quality holiday entertainment.”

Below is all the current news from the home of the best Christmas Ever, Crown Media Family Networks!

THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF HALLMARK CHANNEL’S ‘COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

Hallmark Hall of Fame “A Christmas Love Story” Stars: Tony® and Emmy® Award winner Kristin Chenoweth (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, “Pushing Daisies”) and Scott Wolf (“Party of Five”)

Christmas in Rome Stars: Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls) and Sam Page (“The Bold Type”) Christmas at Dollywood Stars: Danica McKellar (“The Wonder Years”) Christmas Town Stars: Candace Cameron Bure (“Fuller House”), Tim Rozon (“Schitt’s Creek”) and Beth Broderick (“Sharp Objects”)

Write Before Christmas Stars: Torrey DeVitto (“Chicago Med”), Chad Michael Murray (“Riverdale”), Grant Show (“Dynasty”), Lolita Davidovich (“How to Get Away with Murder”) and Drew Seeley (“Glory Daze”) A Christmas Duet Stars: Chaley Rose (“Nashville”) and Rome Flynn (“How to Get Away with Murder”)

Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses Stars: Jill Wagner (“Teen Wolf”), Matthew Davis (“Legacies”) and Donna Mills (“Knots Landing”) Christmas Camp Stars: Lily Anne Harrison (“Two Guys One Truck”) and Bobby Campo (“Scream: The TV Series”)

A Merry Christmas Match Stars: Ashley Newbrough (“Privileged”), Kyle Dean Massey (“Nashville”)

Nostalgic Christmas Stars: Brooke D’Orsay (“Royal Pains”) and Trevor Donovan (“Sun Records”)

Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen Stars: Erin Krakow (“Army Wives”), Luke Macfarlane (“Killjoys”) and Kimberley Sustad (“Unspeakable”)

A Christmas Scavenger Hunt Stars: Kevin McGarry (“Heartland”) and Kim Shaw (“Saving Hope”)

The Christmas Club Stars: Cameron Mathison (“All My Children”) and Elizabeth Mitchell (“Lost”)

Merry & Bright Stars: Jodie Sweetin (“Fuller House”), Andrew Walker (“Against the Wall”) and Sharon Lawrence (“Shameless”)

Check Inn to Christmas Stars: Rachel Boston (“Witches of East End”) and Wes Brown (“Deception”)

Double Holiday Stars: Kristoffer Polaha (“Condor”) and Carly Pope (“Arrow”)

Picture a Perfect Christmas Stars: Merritt Patterson (“The Royals”) and Jon Cor (“Shadowhunters”)

The Mistletoe Secret Stars: Kellie Pickler (“Christmas at Graceland”), Tyler Hynes (“UnReal”) and Patrick Duffy (“Dallas”)

A Gift to Cherish Stars: Ali Liebert (“Ten Days in the Valley”) and Peter Porte (“Baby Daddy”)

Christmas at Graceland: Home for the Holidays Stars: Adrian Grenier (“Entourage”) and Kaitlin Doubleday (“Nashville”)

Holiday Date Stars: Brittany Bristow (“Rising Suns”) and Matt Cohen (“General Hospital”)

When Calls the Heart Christmas (2019) Stars: Erin Krakow (“Army Wives”), Pascale Hutton (“Royal Pains”), Jack Wagner (“Melrose Place”), Kavan Smith (“Stargate: Atlantis”), Kevin McGarry (“Heartland”), Paul Greene (“Bitten”), Chris McNally (“Altered Carbon”), Martin Cummins (“Riverdale”) and Andrea Brooks (“Supergirl”)

HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES’ ‘MIRACLES OF CHRISTMAS’

When I Think of Christmas from Grammy Award winning Executive Producer Amy Grant

Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas 2 (wt) from Executive Producer Blake Shelton

A Godwink Christmas 2 (wt) from Executive Producers Kathie Lee Gifford, SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt

Christmas in Montana Stars: Kellie Martin (“The Guest Book”) and Colin Ferguson (“You’re the Worst”)

Second Hand Santa Stars: Alicia Witt (“The Exorcist”)

Holiday for Heroes Stars: Marc Blucas (“The Fix”), Melissa Claire Egan (“The Young and the Restless”) and Patti Murin (Frozen, “Chicago Med”)

The Christmas Bride Stars: Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That)

There’s a Book for That: Girls of Summer

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1 August 2019

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As July closes, we are taking stock of trending fiction and the girls have it! Pick up one of these new and popular books whose titles have “girls” in common and be prepared to be provoked, moved and entertained to the hilt!

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert CITY OF GIRLS: A NOVEL by Elizabeth Gilbert

Beloved author Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction with a unique love story set in the New York City theater world during the 1940s. Told from the perspective of an older woman as she looks back on her youth with both pleasure and regret (but mostly pleasure), City of Girls explores themes of female sexuality and promiscuity, as well as the idiosyncrasies of true love. Available in Spanish here.

The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis THE CHELSEA GIRLS: A NOVEL by Fiona Davis

From Fiona Davis, the nationally bestselling author of The Dollhouse and The Address, the bright lights of the theater district, the glamour and danger of 1950s New York, and the wild scene at the iconic Chelsea Hotel come together in a dazzling new novel about the twenty-year friendship that will irrevocably change two women’s lives.

HOME FOR ERRING AND OUTCAST GIRLS: A NOVEL by Julie Kibler

An emotionally raw and resonant story of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship, following the lives of two young women connected by a home for “fallen” girls and inspired by historical events. In turn-of-the-twentieth-century Texas, “fallen” women—those whose birth, circumstances, or personal tragedies have resigned them to the dangerous poverty of the streets—have one hope: the Berachah Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls.

The Girls by Emma Cline THE GIRLS: A NOVEL by Emma Cline

“Spellbinding . . . A seductive and arresting coming-of-age story hinged on Charles Manson, told in sentences at times so finely wrought they could almost be worn as jewelry . . . [Emma] Cline gorgeously maps the topography of one loneliness-ravaged adolescent heart. She gives us the fictional truth of a girl chasing danger beyond her comprehension, in a summer of longing and loss.”—The New York Times Book Review

Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger GIRLS LIKE US by Cristina Alger

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Banker’s Wife, worlds collide when an FBI agent investigates a string of grisly murders on Long Island that raises the impossible question: What happens when the primary suspect is your father?

The Girl in Red by Christina Henry THE GIRL IN RED by Christina Henry

From the national bestselling author of Alice comes a post-apocalyptic take on the perennial classic “Little Red Riding Hood”…about a woman who isn’t as defenseless as she seems. It’s not safe for anyone alone in the woods. There are predators that come out at night: critters and coyotes, snakes and wolves. But the woman in the red jacket has no choice. Not since the Crisis came, decimated the population, and sent those who survived fleeing into quarantine camps that serve as breeding grounds for death, destruction, and disease. She is just a woman trying not to get killed in a world that doesn’t look anything like the one she grew up in, the one that was perfectly sane and normal and boring until three months ago.

FOR YOUNGER READERS

Wilder Girls by Rory Power WILDER GIRLS by Rory Power

A feminist Lord of the Flies about three best friends living in quarantine at their island boarding school, and the lengths they go to uncover the truth of their confinement when one disappears. This fresh, new debut is a mind-bending that NPR calls “Fresh and horrible and beautiful….readers will be consumed and altered by Wilder Girls.”

Girl Gone Viral by Arvin Ahmadi GIRL GONE VIRAL by Arvin Ahmadi

Perfect for fans of Warcross and Black Mirror, Girl Gone Viral is the inventive and timely story of a seventeen-year-old coder’s catapult to stardom when what begins as a small data hack to win a contest spirals out of control.

We Are the Perfect Girl by Ariel Kaplan WE ARE THE PERFECT GIRL by Ariel Kaplan

This witty, warm-hearted retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac is a love letter to female friendship. Perfect for Stephanie Perkins fans, and anyone who’s ever thought of trying on a new identity to impress a guy.

Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson UNDEAD GIRL GANG by Lily Anderson

“Veronica Mars” meets “The Craft” when a teen girl investigates the suspicious deaths of three classmates and accidentally ends up bringing them back to life to form a hilariously unlikely—and unwilling—vigilante girl gang.

The Girls by Lauren Ace THE GIRLS by Lauren Ace; Illustrated by Jenny Løvlie

A timeless picture book for friends of all ages, The Girls celebrates kindness, supportiveness, and the power of true friendship. Four best friends spend their days playing beneath the branches of their favorite apple tree.

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan HOT DOG GIRL by Jennifer Dugan

A fresh and funny contemporary YA rom-com about teens working as costumed characters in a local amusement part. Jennifer Dugan’s sparkling debut coming-of-age queer romance stars a princess, a pirate, a hot dog, and a carousel operator who find love—and themselves—in unexpected people and unforgettable places.

COMING IN AUGUST

The Birthday Girl by Melissa de la Cruz THE BIRTHDAY GIRL: A NOVEL by Melissa de la Cruz

At forty, it appears Ellie has everything she ever wanted: a handsome husband; an accomplished college-age stepdaughter; two adorable six-year-old twin boys; lush, homes in the city, desert and beach; a thriving career as a well-known fashion designer and a glamorous circle of friends. Except everything is not quite as perfect as it looks. All of Ellie’s secrets come to light on the night of her fabulous birthday party in the desert—where everyone who matters in her life shows up invited or not, old and new, and the beautiful facade of her life crumbles.

For more on these and other “girl in the title” books visit the collection: Girls of Summer

REVIEW::: Adam Frankenstein: Search for a Soul: A Collection of Short Stories (Adam Frankenstein Short Stories Book 2)

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31 July 2019

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Adam Frankenstein: Search for a Soul: A Collection of Short Stories (Adam Frankenstein Short Stories Book 2) – by Sheila English

Review by HOLLY

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful story of Adam Frankenstein

Adam’s story just keeps getting better! I love how this one went back in time and told us how he got his magical tattoo. I’ve always wondered about it and it has been hinted at in other books. However, this book dives in to the story. The other short stories are amazing too! I love Freak Show! It shows just how far Adam has gone to not become the monster everyone thinks he’s is. The bonus book will send chills up your spine. All together this is a magnificent book of short stories!

Book Summary:
Adam Frankenstein believes he is immortal because he has no soul. As life gives him opportunities to prove his worth he finds that doing what’s right isn’t always made clear and that being a monster is sometimes the only way to survive.

Marked – A woman, her face half covered by a golden mask, offers herself in exchange for Adam’s help. A mob has mistaken a child with special powers as a witch and look to kill her. Adam may have taken on more than he bargained for as the child marks him in ways that will change him forever.

Last Man Standing – Adam is accused of murder and a group of men hunt him down until Adam is forced to become the monster he’s accused of being. But, sometimes the worst thing that can happen is to find yourself the last man standing.

Freak Show – Adam looks to fulfill the dying wish of his business partner and goes to America to find Jericho Nivens, the man’s estranged son. The house where Jericho lives is made of magic and offers to make every dream come true. However, once the bargain is made, you can never leave. The house wants Adam and will give him everything his heart desires. As the cost becomes clear Adam tries to convince Jericho to leave with him… if they can.

The Madame and the Madman – No one loves revenge like Victor Dracula. When Adam asks his vampire friend to help stop a brothel that abuses children Victor’s wrath extends to Adam. Adam is left with a terrible choice; take revenge or let revenge take him.

Fun, Poignant, Summer Releases from Harlequin

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30 July 2019

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Dear Mother: Poems on the hot mess of motherhood by Bunmi Laditan

In the tradition of Instagram poets like Atticus or Neil Hilborn, Bunmi Laditan introduces her first collection of poetry, pitched as a Milk and Honey about motherhood. With the compassion and wit that made her a social media sensation among mothers around the world, Laditan puts into evocative and relatable words what so many of us feel but can’t quite express, capturing the honesty, rawness, sheer joy and total chaos of motherhood.

Twentysomething Allie Simon is used to playing by the rules—until Chicago’s most sought-after, up-and-coming culinary genius, Benji Zane, walks into her world and pulls her into his. The only thing more renowned than Benji’s mouthwatering masterpieces and equally luscious good looks? His struggle with addiction and his reckless tendency to live life on the edge, no matter the havoc he wreaks along the way. But loving someone means supporting him no matter what, or so Allie tells herself. That’s why, when Benji’s offered the chance to light up foodie hot spot Randolph Street with a high-profile new restaurant, Allie takes the ultimate risk and invests her life savings in his dream.

Then one day Benji disappears, relapsing to a place where Allie can’t reach him. Left with nothing but a massive withdrawal slip and a restaurant that absolutely must open in a matter of weeks, Allie finds herself thrust into a world of luxury and greed, cutthroat business and sensory delight. Lost in the mess of it all, she can either crumble completely or fight like hell for the life she wants and the love she deserves.

With razor-sharp wit and searing insight, Emily Belden serves up a deliciously dishy look behind the kitchen doors of a hot foodie town, perfect for fans of Sweetbitter and The Devil Wears Prada.

BUNMI LADITAN is an award-winning, Webby-nominated writer from California who lives in Quebec, Canada, with her family. She’s contributed to the New York Times, Parenting magazine and the Huffington Post, and is best known for the satirical Twitter account The Honest Toddler, as well as her bestselling books Toddlers Are A**holes: It’s Not Your Fault and Confessions of a Domestic Failure, which immediately became must-reads for her thousands of fans and moms everywhere.

Purchase Dear Mother at:
Harlequin Books

The Yankee Widow by Linda Lael Miller

“Moving and memorable, this novel reveals the impossible choices women face in wartime.” —James Patterson

A richly layered, emotional novel about one woman’s courage and the choices she must make in the face of a dangerous war.

Caroline is the young wife of Jacob, who together live on a farm raising their daughter just outside of Gettysburg. When Jacob joins the Northern army, no one anticipates he will not return. Then Caroline gets word that her husband is wounded, and she must find her way alone to Washington City and search among the thousands of casualties to find him.

When Jacob succumbs to his injuries, she brings his body home on the eve of the deadliest battle of the war. With troops and looters roaming the countryside, it is impossible to know who is friend and who is foe. Caroline fights to protect those she holds most dear while remaining compassionate to the neediest around her, including two strangers from opposite sides of the fight. Each is wounded… Each is drawn to her beauty, her kindness. Both offer comfort, but only one secretly captures her heart. Still, she must resist exposing her vulnerability in these uncertain times when so much is at risk.

In The Yankee Widow, gifted storyteller Linda Lael Miller explores the complexities and heartbreak that women experienced as their men took up arms to preserve the nation and defend their way of life.

Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New YorkTimes and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than one hundred novels. Long passionate about the Civil War buff, she has studied theera avidly and has made many visits to Gettysburg, where she has witnessed reenactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda exploresthat turbulent time in The Yankee Widow.

Purchase The Yankee Widow at
Harlequin Books

Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked It All Up by Tom Phillips

AN EXHILARATING JOURNEY THROUGH THE MOST CREATIVE AND CATASTROPHIC F*CK-UPS OF HUMAN HISTORY

Modern humans have come a long way in the seventy thousand years they’ve walked the earth. Art, science, culture, trade—on the evolutionary food chain, we’re true winners. But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, and sometimes—just occasionally—we’ve managed to truly f*ck things up.

Weaving together history, science, politics and pop culture, Humans offers a panoramic exploration of humankind in all its glory, or lack thereof. From Lucy, our first ancestor, who fell out of a tree and died, to General Zhou Shou of China, who stored gunpowder in his palace before a lantern festival, to the Austrian army attacking itself one drunken night, to the most spectacular fails of the present day, Humans reveals how even the most mundane mistakes can shift the course of civilization as we know it. Lively, wry and brimming with brilliant insight, this unique compendium offers a fresh take on world history and is one of the most entertaining reads of the year.

Tom Phillips is a journalist based in London. He was the editorial director of BuzzFeed UK and studied archaeology, anthropology and the history and philosophy of science at Cambridge University.

The Little Teashop on Main by Jodi Thomas

A rainy-day ritual—a tea party between three little girls—becomes the framework of not only their friendship, but their lives.

Redheaded, curly-haired Zoe is openhearted, kind and free-spirited, and dreams of becoming a famous actor in New York City. Shy Emily struggles with mental health but has the heart and soul of a writer. And Shannon—tall, athletic, strong—has a deep sense of loyalty that will serve her well when she heads off to military college.

As Zoe, Emily and Shannon grow into women—forging careers, following dreams and finding love—they’ll learn that life doesn’t always unfold the way they want it to, but through it all, the one constant is each other, and their regular tea parties. And when the unthinkable happens, the girls must come together to face the greatest test of all.

Purchase The Little Teashop on Main at:
Harlequin Books

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas is a fifth-generation Texan who sets many of her stories in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon. She is a certified marriage and family counselor, a Texas Tech graduate and writer-in-residence at West Texas A&M University. She lives with her husband in Amarillo, Texas.

How We Disappeared by Jine-Jing Lee

A Library Journal “Emerging Stars” Pick*

A mesmerizing novel of World War II Singapore, “a story about memory, trauma, and ultimately love” (New York Times)—for fans of Pachinko and We Were the Lucky Ones

Singapore, 1942. As Japanese troops sweep down Malaysia and into Singapore, a village is ransacked, leaving only two survivors and one tiny child.

In a neighboring village, seventeen-year-old Wang Di is strapped into the back of a troop carrier and shipped off to a Japanese military brothel where she is forced into sexual slavery as a “comfort woman.” After sixty years of silence, what she saw and experienced still haunts her.

In the year 2000, twelve-year-old Kevin is sitting beside his ailing grandmother when he overhears a mumbled confession. He sets out to discover the truth, wherever it might lead, setting in motion a chain of events he never could have foreseen.

Weaving together two time lines and two very big secrets, this stunning debut opens a window on a little-known period of history, revealing the strength and bravery shown by numerous women in the face of terrible cruelty. Drawing in part on her family’s experiences, Jing-Jing Lee has crafted a profoundly moving, unforgettable novel about human resilience, the bonds of family and the courage it takes to confront the past.

Purchase How We Disappeared at:
Harlequin Books

Jing-Jing Lee was born and raised in Singapore. She earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Oxford in 2011 and has since seen her poetry and short stories published in various journals and anthologies. How We Disappeared is her first novel. She currently lives in Amsterdam.

The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar

“Rich historical detail…this saga has it all.”—Woman’s World

Shining a light on a little-known piece of history, the Women Airforce Service Pilots, The Flight Girls is a sweeping portrayal of women’s fearlessness, love, and the power of friendship to make us soar.

1941. Audrey Coltrane has always wanted to fly. It’s why she implored her father to teach her at the little airfield back home in Texas. It’s why she signed up to train military pilots in Hawaii when the war in Europe began. And it’s why she insists she is not interested in any dream-derailing romantic involvements, even with the disarming Lieutenant James Hart, who fast becomes a friend as treasured as the women she flies with. Then one fateful day, she gets caught in the air over Pearl Harbor just as the bombs begin to fall, and suddenly, nowhere feels safe.

To make everything she’s lost count for something, Audrey joins the Women Airforce Service Pilots program. The bonds she forms with her fellow pilots reignite a spark of hope in the face war, and—when James goes missing in action—give Audrey the strength to cross the front lines and fight not only for her country, but for the love she holds so dear.

Purchase The Flight Girls at
Harlequin Books

Noelle Salazar was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, where she’s been a Navy recruit, a medical assistant, an NFL cheerleader and always a storyteller. When she’s not writing, she can be found dodging raindrops and daydreaming of her next book. Noelle lives in Bothell, Washington, with her husband and two children. The Flight Girls is her first novel.

GO, DOG. GO! to be Adapted for Netflix Original Series by DreamWorks

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29 July 2019

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DreamWorks is producing a new Netflix Original series based on Random House Children’s Books’ GO, DOG. GO! by P.D. Eastman, edited by Dr. Seuss. The CG-animated series is being created with DHX Media and will premiere in 2020. Executive produced by Adam Peltzman (Odd Squad, WallyKazam), who is also serving as showrunner, the series follows a young pup and her adventures in Pawtson.

Reading goes to the dogs in GO, DOG. GO! a timeless Beginner Book. From big dogs and little dogs to red, green, and blue dogs, dogs going up and dogs going fast . . . who knew dogs could be so busy? Like Eastman’s classic Are You My Mother? GO, DOG GO! has been a go-to favorite for over fifty years, leaving audiences of all breeds wagging their tails with delight. Now a whole new audience of young readers will be drawn to the book. GO, DOG. GO! is one of seven new Netflix Original preschool titles being produced for the 2- to 6-year-old-set.

Those Bastard Pirates – An editorial by Sheila English

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Readers Entertainment

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26 July 2019

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The dictionary defines “pirating” as the use or reproduction of another’s work for profit without permission, usually in contravention of patent or copyright.

Pirating an author’s book is both unethical and illegal. There’s no legitimate argument for pirating a book. It is stealing.

Piracy is not a victimless crime. Whatever story someone tells themselves so they can feel okay about stealing doesn’t make it right. It’s still stealing. And if you do it, you are indeed an unethical person; a thief.
How do you know if it’s pirating?
This is tough for some people.

For example, if you buy a book second hand at a yard sale you know the author won’t get a royalty for it and the publisher won’t know there was a sale. But, there is a calculated acknowledgment that physical books get shared and re-sold. And it’s not against the law to sell a book you lawfully purchased.

Think of your book purchase as a contract. You purchase an item knowing the copyright to it isn’t yours, but the book itself is. You are, in essence, leasing the story for the life of the book. If the book falls apart because you read it so often, you don’t get a replacement unless you buy another book. You’ve used it for the life of that book.

You may purchase the book, but you can’t make photocopies of it and sell it out of your garage. Most people realize this is illegal to do. You can’t copy it because the book is yours, but the story is not. See the difference?

When it comes to electronic books people tend to feel more free to steal them. Who is it hurting? It’s not like someone paid for the paper to print it on.

First, as an aside, it costs money to format a book and turn it into the variety of formats needed for the variety of e-readers out there. There are other associated costs. And I realize there are self-published authors who do it all themselves so perhaps it appears to be easy, but there are additional costs to traditionally published books that have to do with liability, legal issues, etc. that no one really thinks about. The point being, it’s not LESS of a crime to pirate the book just because you feel an ebook is easier to reproduce.

When you purchase an ebook, like a physical book, there’s a contract, or an agreement to it. If you don’t believe that take a look at the inside of the book where the copyright lives and it tells you that you can’t reproduce it. By buying it you agree to the terms within the book. Or, you can always use common sense and common courtesy as your guide as I like to think most of us do.
You have licensed the ebook and it belongs to you. Some licenses allow you to lend the book. But, you can’t reproduce it. That single download, that one ebook, is yours, but the story is not. See the difference? If you really want to give that book to someone so bad that it’s worth compromising ethics and stealing, give them your ereader. Why shouldn’t it cost YOU money instead of the publisher and author? Do you need to share that story so bad? Probably not. So, don’t reproduce it and give it away or sell it.

And, giving it away for free doesn’t make you less of a thief.
Your reason for doing it doesn’t make you less of a thief.
Now, let’s look at what happens when a book is pirated.

Consider that your purchase equals a vote.

When you legally purchase a book you have voted for that author or that story. However, you want to look at it.

The publisher or author sees the book has been voted on when money is received. We see the book is popular. We know people like it because they voted for it. That must mean people want more! So the publisher contracts with the author for more books, or a self-published author realizes that kind of story is what readers want so they write more.

When a book is pirated and stolen the votes don’t count. No one knows the story is loved because the votes aren’t where they should be. So why would a publisher ask an author to write more books if it appears not enough people like the story? The book could be the most beloved book of all time, but if the votes went to pirates and the publisher has no idea it’s popular, the author doesn’t get a contract and the reader doesn’t get a new book.

Maybe that’s okay with people? There are so many authors and so many books. If one stops writing, just read a different one. Think about that. You are destroying the career of someone who brought you joy. What kind of jerk are you?
Now, don’t get your panties in a twist over the use of the word “jerk”. How dare I?!! That’s so mean. “You don’t know my story!” “You don’t know me!” “Who are you to judge?” Yeah, I’ve heard it all before. Your story doesn’t change the fact that stealing is a crime. Steal some food and you could catch my sympathy. But a book? No. You’re a jerk if you steal a book. It’s someone’s livelihood and taking that away can affect an entire family. Your unwillingness to pay for entertainment isn’t worth that.

A site selling ebooks that is not a known bookseller site should cause you to take caution. If they are selling a PDF, likely they are a pirate site. If you’re unsure, email the author. Those of you who are steadfast and patient, who take the time and energy to care and report these sites, you’re awesome! Instead of taking the easy way (cheap way) you stood for something. You stood for what’s right. You didn’t let yourself be seduced by quick, easy and cheap because you have ethics, morals, and principles. Report the bastards and celebrate yourself. You’re a hero.

This editorial is by Sheila English

The views and opinions are my own and don’t necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Reader’s Entertainment Magazine.

NYC Installs Book Vending Machines

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Readers Entertainment

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26 July 2019

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New vending machines have been installed in several areas of NYC, especially in those areas that are considered under-served communities. Part of the Soar With Reading Program the books are free and focus on kids from toddlers to teens. JetBlue has partnered with the program and says; “They can take as many as they want, they are free. One hundred percent, and you don’t have to return them. Book ownership does help raise levels of intelligence in kids. It raises curiosity, it raises their ability to feel conscious, aware and motivated to keep on learning.”

JetBlue – “This summer, JetBlue is placing six thoughtfully designed vending machines that dispense brand-new, free books for kids aged 0 – 14 in New York City. Kids are allowed to take as many books as they are interested in – no strings attached — in hopes that providing free access to books in a fun and convenient way will encourage reading.”

To date, over $3-million in books have been donated by JetBlue and other sponsors.

Book vending machines are also in Washington, D.C., Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale, and San Francisco. Plans are in the works for additional machines in other cities.

The vending machines will be replenished every two weeks so kids can keep coming back for a whole new selection of books.

Soar With Reading 2019 Vending Machine Locations

Brooklyn: Brownsville Recreation Center, 1555 Linden Blvd., Brooklyn, NY 11212
Bronx: PAL, Inc. New South Bronx Center, 991 Longwood Ave., Bronx, NY 10459
Manhattan: Riverbank State Park, 679 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10031
Queens: Queens Public Library – Main Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11432
Queens: Ocean Bay Community Cornerstone, 67-10 Beach Channel Drive, Arverne, NY 11692
Staten Island: Faber Park, Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10302

Christine Feehan’s Torpedo Ink- Book Trailers

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Readers Entertainment

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25 July 2019

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Judgment Road, the first official novel in Christine Feehan’s new Torpedo Ink series.

Reaper is the enforcer for the motorcycle club and his past is catching up with him. Trained as an assassin. Abused as a child. He’s quiet, reserved and deadly as hell. So when he can’t get Anya, the new bartender, out of his mind he wants her fired. He can’t have that kind of distraction. Reaper is his own brand of danger and Anya knows it. But, the danger she’s hiding from keeps her at the Torpedo Ink owned bar. And the longer she’s around him, the harder it is to resist him.

Next up is Vengeance Road!

They survived abuse. They became assassins. They escaped. Now Torpedo Ink has found a home and they will do anything to protect it and each other. When the VP of Torpedo Ink, Steele, sees the woman he’s never gotten out of his system he’ll do anything to keep her. But, her secret will change his life forever and it will make him a very dangerous man. Sometimes the only way to find redemption is down Vengeance Road.

Next is Ice’s story and the novel is titled Vendetta Road. Currently, Feehan is writing Absinthe’s story and the title is not yet confirmed.