Laura Lippman:  A popular author with area readers, I have to admit I’ve yet to read her books.  BUT, it is interesting to know that the national Quill Award awarded her the Mystery/Suspense Author of the year for “What the Dead Know”.

             The Book of the Year Award went to Nora Roberts for her “Angels Fall” beating out many,

             many top authors.

        Love this title (another Quill Award book):  “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”.

        The book is authored by Sherman Alexie.    (Prof. Bill says it’s a Y.A. book!)

        I’ve been reading some of “The Mountain Man” series by William W. Johnstone, and was pleased when a reader brought in “The First Mountain Man:  Preacher’s Fortune”.  It’s a typical western, but with all the elements of a suspense/thriller.  (As with local author Arvid Lloyd Willliams in “Hawk”, Johnstone’s after-word is interesting good reading.)

        We used to keep a data sheet of authors and novels under “Romantic Fantasies”, but because of their popularity, there are now waay too many to list.  Everything from time travel to vampires and shape-shifters were on the list.  Various forms of ESP are now hitting the shelves as (cop) thrillers.

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       CONGRATULATIONS, BRANDI

A member of our Walker Writers Group, Brandi Cole, is being published in Dust & Fire—the Minnesota Women’s publication through Bemidji University.  This is quite an honor, as entries are thoroughly screened and critiqued by a University committee.

        From the Past:  Have you seen the new Jimmy Stewart stamps? 

        Wanda E. Brunstetter:  Never heard of her until an article in Romantic Times Bookreviews.  Barbour (a top star in publishing Inspirational Novels) just signed Brunstetter to a 7 year, 9 book deal.  Wow.  Brunstetter writes popular Amish-themed books.  Guess I’ll have to “Google” her and find out more information.

        During the last couple of years Romantic Suspense novels have rocked the publishing industry.  Reviews now list many of the authors under Suspense/Mystery/Thriller titles.  Sandra Brown, Iris Johansen, Lisa Gardner, Kay Hooper and Tess Gerritsen, to name a few.

        Reed Elsevier is putting its magazine division up for sale.  This includes the Publishers Weekly magazine (PW).  The company says it is shifting priorities.  Well doggone it, I love my PW and sure do hope it isn’t going to blow away all the information I garner from it.

        PW states Kensington bought most of Holloway House Publishing’s 1960s black crime writers (such as Donald Goines.)  It states the sale did not include novels “by Robert Beck, better known as Iceberg Slim, a pimp turned bestselling author”.  Huh?  Good heavens, my “Google it” list is growing!

        John Lescroart’s February release of “Betrayal” has landed him on the bestseller list again.  And—it’s in paperback! 

        James Patterson has 5 – count ‘em – five books coming out:  February, March, April, June & July.  Even co-authored      WOW.

        Robert B. Parker (of “Spenser” fame) has his latest Jesse Stone hardcover novel in print:  “Stranger in Paradise”.  Jesse will ever be Tom Sellick, based on the made-for-TV movies.

        Jodi Picoult:  Her books are in-and-out Mainstream novels.  They come in one day and are out the same day.  But, I did have an “avid” reader who had never heard of Picoult.  (!)  Talked her into a book, though, assuring her that she has found a new author!

        After last year’s grousing by so many independent bookstore owners, I thought things might change in the children’s new book listings.  Nope.  The thing is, we’re still looking at $15.95 to $29.95 prices.  We know there are $4.95 books out, but I guess publishers can’t spend their good money on advertising those.

        Andrew Gross:  Good interview in March 2008 Romantic Times Bookreviews:  Gross, was one of James Patterson’s co-writers, and is now out on his own.  Once Patterson, a former neighbor, asked Gross to co-author his Women’s Murder Club, the rest (as they say) is history.  His books are “The Blue Zone” & “The Dark Tide”.

        Linda Lael Miller:  Her latest paranormal has P.I. Mojo Sheepshank haunted by a mute, murdered 7-year-old helping her find her killer in “Deadly Deceptions”.  This received a 4+star review, which is tops!

        Lisa Scottoline also received a Top Pick for her latest “Lady Killer”, which is a (!) hardcover.

        Those waiting for Kristine Feehan’s latest Ghostwalker will be pleased to note that “Predatory Game” should be on bookstore shelves now.

        There is a new how to raise your kid book out this month:  “Have a New Kid by Friday—How to Change your Child’s Attitude, Behavior & Character in 5 Days” by Dr. Kevin Leman.  Sounds like a miracle book for defiant little attitudes.  Hope he has a better background than Dr. Spock—as we found out in later years! 

        Publishers Weekly longest running Bestseller Trade-size of 2007:  The Kite Runner.

        Had another reader who wanted medical thrillers, “Anything with a needle on the cover.”

        Phillis A. Whitney:  The Queen of American Gothics passed away on February 9, at the age of 104.  She was working on her autobiography when pneumonia took her from us.  Whitney wrote more than 75 books in the past 60 years.  Romantic Times Bookreviews had a quote from her Guide To Fiction Writing:  “Work, wait and learn, and that train will come by.  If you give up, you’ll never have a chance to climb aboard.”

        Just found a new book review website:  www.bookslut.com.  I’ve never heard of a lot of the authors or of the books reviewed, but the reviews are by “normal” people—not paid critics.  When you get to the site, click on “reviews”.

        I just found out that the lady that used to sit behind our counter, Sharon Merritt, also has a story in the 2008 Dust & Fire, as well as quite a few area ladies from the Bards of a Feather writing group.  Sharon was a member of that group before moving to Georgia.  Congrats!

        RT reports that Romance Author, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, was recently named Naperville, Illinois’ most famous resident.

        Little Apple enjoyed our annual visit by a couple from Scotland this month.  I feel rather awful, as I had a gift for them and forgot about it.  Hope they come back before heading home.

        Mr. P had a scary health problem.  (He said it was because I took him shopping again!)  Anyway, he’s doing well, but probably will not go inside an Office Max again.

        Wishing a Happy Easter to our Sherry, to our Illinois Couple and of course, to our Prof. Bill.

And—to each of you!

        Gotta go…bye for now……           …