Let's face it, this winter has been a
phenomenal season for books. If this is any indication of how 2010 will progress, my personal bank account may end up weeping, while my bookshelf sags with purchases. Since the last month has brought both richly praised debuts and a line-up of new releases from beloved authors, it seemed like a great time to revive our
What's Out, What's Buzzing column. We've listed some of our picks of what's on shelves right now, as well as a peek at what's to come later this month:
WHAT'S OUT
General Fiction:
The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig - This, the sixth book in the beloved Pink Carnation series, brings those devious flowered spies to a new locale: colonial India. Penelope Deveraux, a minor character from previous books, has married under a cloud of scandal and fled with her new (and less than chivalrous) husband to the colony, where he is meant to be special envoy to one of the Indian courts. Unfortunately, there's talk of an uprising and the dashing, morally upright Capt. Alex Reid is assigned to take the new envoy and his infuriating wife to their post. When Penelope tangles with a French spy, the Marigold, and she has no one left to trust - not even her husband - the two must band together to prevent disaster.
A Rather Charming Invitation by C.A. Belmond - In the third installment of Belmond's Rather series, American heiress Penny Nichols is finally planning her wedding to her adorable barrister fiance, Jeremy. But when a family heirloom, a priceless tapestry, is lent to the couple for their wedding and then stolen, the two must once again solve the case of a mystery antiquity...and try to convince their relatives that this isn't a bad omen for their wedding. Like the first two, this promises to be a perfect "bathtub" book, one that will let readers escape to rural France and promises to leave them utterly, well,
charmed.
Mystery:
Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn - Chet, the crime fighting canine, and his private investigator owner, Bernie Little, are back in the follow up to last year's much adored
Dog On It. Their pockets a little bare, Chet and Bernie take a case to investigate threats against a spoiled celebrity dog. But when threats turn to kidnapping of the dog and her wealthy owner, every one's favorite four-legged detective must sniff out the villain before it's too late. This promises to be another quirky, thrill-ride of a mystery, with Bert & Chet getting tangled up with everyone from a corrupt small town sheriff to two Iron Butterfly obsessed hippies.
Nonfiction:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot - In 1951, Henrietta Lacks was a mother of five dying of cervical cancer in a Baltimore hospital, when a doctor took a tissue sample from her for research. Little did anyone know, these cells would change the course of modern medicine. Why? Because even though she passed on, Henrietta's cells never died. For years the donor of the "HeLa" cells was kept a secret, even from her family, but Skloot tells us all the story of the medical miracle and the tragic young mother who gave it to us.
Romance:
The Golden Season by Connie Brockway - The belle of the ton, Lady Lydia Eastlake is in trouble - her fortune has disappeared, leaving her no choice but to marry a wealthy husband. Luckily, Capt. Ned Lockton, a dashing war hero is there to save her. All too late for Lydia's heart, she discovers that Ned's supposed wealth is no greater than her, leaving one question: Which is more important - love or money?
Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale - After entirely too many years away, Laura Kinsale is back with one of her much-loved historical romances. This time, she follows former lovers Lady Callista Taillefaire and her lost love, Trevelyn, who are reunited after a nine year separation. Unfortunately, no sooner are they together again than Trev is convicted of forgery and forced into exile. Will Callie follow him after all this time? Fans of Kinsale's romances have been waiting with baited breath for this one and from reader reviews, it seems that have not been let down.
Promise Me Tonight by Sara Lindsey - Friend of the blog, Sara Lindsey, debuts with this sparkling tale of Isabella Weston, a girl who knows exactly what she wants, or rather
whom: her older brother's best friend, James Sheffield. Unfortunately, James has never believed in love and, despite his attraction to Izzie, it will take every one of her feminine wiles to ensnare his heart. Fans of Julia Quinn will adore Sara's lively style and the seven delightful Weston siblings. Luckily, this is just the beginning of a series that's sure to become a classic!
Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan - Another friend of the blog, Courtney Milan's December debut has been garnering rave reviews from readers and critics alike. It's easy to see why, in this tale of a faux fortune teller and the man out to prove her fraud, Courtney has practically invented her own genre: the
smart historical romance. Jenny Keeble has avoided the streets by using her masquerade as one Madame Esmerelda, but she never counted on one of her client's relatives coming out for revenge - especially not handsome, if charmingly awkward, scientist, Gareth Carhart. Soon, it's not just Jenny's charade that's in danger, but her heart. Trust me, intelligence and charm positively drip from Courtney's prose and, combined with spot-on characterization, this is one romance you won't be able to put down!
Steamed by Katie MacAlister - Steampunk is being lauded as the next big thing in romance (and YA and Mystery and every other genre out there!), so readers are sure to be thrilled that the first author to try this new sub-genre is Katie MacAlister, an institution in paranormal romance already. When an accident in Jack Fletcher's lab sends him into the world of his favorite novel - a Victorian steampunk society - he's bombarded not only by a rogue airship, but also its gorgeous captain, Octavia Pye. MacAlister has always had a deft hand at balancing complicated worlds with satisfying romance, so this is sure to be a good bet for anyone wanting to dip their toes into Steampunk for the first time.
Young Adult:
Albatross by Josie Bloss - New to school, Tess is thrilled to find comfort in the form of brooding, brilliant Micah, even if everyone else warns her that he's trouble. Unfortunately, Tess' interest lands her right in the middle of a love triangle, a problem which soon spins out of control as she loses not only her heart, but herself. Meg Cabot has already blurbed this book and, personally, I've never disagreed with one of Meg's recommendations. A timely subject and solid writing are sure to make this one of the best unsung YAs of the year.
Captivate by Carrie Jones - The sequel to last year's stunning
Need, Zara and Nick are back with more troubles than ever - the pixi king my be in captivity, but his dark needs are growing, while a new king is in town and claiming he is destined to be with Zara. Now Zara finds herself torn between her love for Nick and her growing trust of the new king. But it's not just love that's at stake, their very lives may be in danger this time around.
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain - First off, I'm halfway through The Dark Divine right now and can already recommend it wholeheartedly. The story follows Grace Divine, who has always known something awful happened the night her longtime crush and older brother's best friend, Daniel, disappeared. Her family won't talk about it, but when Daniel reappears in her life, Grace knows she has to get to the bottom of the truth...even if it puts those she loves most at jeopardy. It's a lush, surprisingly romantic story that readers won't be able to put down.
The Poison Eaters by Holly Black - The two stories in Black's newest work return readers to the faerie world of her bestselling
Tithe series. One of the best writers in the YA genre and the founder of YA Urban Fantasy as we know it today, Holly Black's tales of two girls with deadly gifts is sure to be a cross-over favorite of both teens and older readers.
Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson - A lighter entry on the YA side is the sequel to the uproariously funny and adorable, Suite Scarlett - the story of one girl, her crazy family, and the Art Deco hotel they live in. Scarlett Martin is once again working for eccentric socialite/talent agent Mrs Amberson, this time trying to woo a teenage Broadway sensation into accepting representation. Scarlett braves her boss' antics, while also getting over her first failed romanced and dealing with her own brother new semi-famous status. Maureen Johnson is one of those never fail YA authors and this sequel is sure to be just as entertaining as the original!
WHAT'S BUZZING
February 4, 2010:
A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker (
Young Adult) - When Fiona is forced to "wed" Todd, a male cheerleader of all things, for a course on marriage at her high school, she's flabbergasted - was there ever a worse match in all of history? But when her own faults leave her on the outs with her best friend and her love life becomes a disaster, Fiona may start rethinking the was she judges other and herself. Walker's YA debut is being billed as a romance with depth, teaching all readers that joy can be found in very unexpected places.
The Naughty List by Suzanne Young (
Young Adult) - When their cheerleading captain is publicly humiliated by her boyfriend (and her boyfriend's
other girlfriend), they - led by Tessa Crimson - turn themselves into the Society of Smitten Kittens, a covert group that launches investigations against suspected cheaters. But when Tessa's own relationship becomes increasingly troubled and a pair of newcomers swirls up trouble for the kittens, Tessa has to discover who she trusts - the boy she loves or The Naughty List tipsters.
February 9, 2010:
After by Kristin Harmel (
Young Adult) - As an adult author, Kristin Harmel is a favorite of our dear Stephanie, combining chick lit themes with surprising depth for some of the best twenty-something heroines of the past few years. Now, with her second YA novel, Harmel tackles the story of Lacey, a girl whose beloved father died in a car accident and who is left dealing with the consequences. Trying to make it better for her now-dysfunctional family, Lacey jumps a every chance to make a difference in the world around them, but she never counted on actually enjoying herself or falling in love. Does life really go on after the unthinkable happens?
Gone by Lisa McMann (
Young Adult) - The third and final installment in McMann's phenomenal
Wake series brings some heavy issues for dreamwalker Janie and her boyfriend, Cabel. At the end of Fade, Janie discovered a life-changing secret about her abilities, something that may ruin her life
and Cabel's, if he stands by her. But when a stranger enters their world and threatens the future, Janie must choose between the lesser of two evils...even if she has to sacrifice everything to eventually save the day.
Heist Society by Ally Carter (
Young Adult) - Katarina Bishop has left her life of high-stakes theft behind for good. Or so she thinks. When a former co-conspirator appears, he brings bad news: Kat's dad has been framed for a theft and the mobster victim is out for revenge. With only two weeks and a teenaged crew, Kat has to pull off the heist of the century to clear her dad's name. Ally Carter's Ghallager Girls are a hit for a reason, so her new series about teen thieves promises to be a another girl-centric thrill ride for the YA set.
February 18, 2010:
Aunt Dimity Down Under by Nancy Atherton (
Mystery) - Lori Shepherd and the ghost of her indomitable Aunt Dimity are back in the 15th installment of Atherton's beloved series. This time Lori, armed with Dimity's otherworldly journal, find themselves in New Zealand tracking down the long lost brother of the charming Pym sisters from previous books. But when Lori finds the brother dead and his son soon follows, she's entrusted with a vital message for the Pyms, an orphaned 18 y/o, and yet another mystery on her hands.
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum (
Nonfiction) - Okay, I'm a bit picky about my nonfiction, because I demand that it be both education and entertaining, but you can't go wrong with this pick. The byline says it all: "Murder and the birth of forensic medicine in Jazz Age New York." Mix neat medical facts, the 1920s, grisly crimes, and an storyteller like narration and - voila! - a guaranteed thrill ride of a nonfiction book. Yes, my copy is already pre-ordered.
February 23, 2010:
Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb (
Mystery) - Lt. Eve Dallas is back in the 31st "In Death" novel, but the tough homicide cop may be facing one of the most challenging cases of her career. When a gaming tycoon is found dead in his apartment, with no evidence of visitors or intruders, and while playing his revolutionary not-yet-released game, it's up to Eve and her husband, Roarke, to track down the killer. But since Roarke is a potential business rival of the victim, more than just Eve's career is on the line this time.
The Marriage Ring by Cathy Maxwell (
Historical Romance) - Richard Lynsted's perfect wife would be genteel, dainty, and a perfect lady. Namely, everything Grace MacEachin is not, especially considering she's currently blackmailing Richard's father! But when Grace's plan of revenge puts her in Richard's path, the two may find out true love can happen even between two delightfully opposite people.
Provocative in Pearls by Madeline Hunter (
Historical Romance) - After two years, Grayson Bridlington, The Earl of Hawkeswell, has located his missing bride Verity Thompson. Coerced into marrying Hawkeswell by her duplicitous cousin, Verity fled London for the countryside. Now, the couple must make the most of an arranged marriage-even if it means surrendering to their shared desire. A favorite of our dear Kelly, Madeline Hunter always writes emotionally powerful romances, so her newest is sure to leave readers reaching for a tissue or two.
Secrets of a Scandalous Bride by Sophia Nash (
Historical Romance) - Elizabeth Ashburton lives a lie and she's much happier that way - after all, life is easier for a "widow" than a fallen woman. But when a devil from her past threatens her new life, she must turn to Rowland Manning, a self-made man with secrets of his own, who's empire of wealth means more to him than anything...except, perhaps, Elizabeth.
Like always, I'm sure I've missed some great reads. Are there any books you've adored this winter or that you're highly anticipating later this month? We'll include any recommendations in our next What's Buzzing section!
Originally, this was going to be a blog about conflict. It's been on my mind lately, as I revise The Suspicions of Cairo Jones, because there's no element more intrinsic to a story's success. At least, that's what I would've said earlier this weekend. Since then, I've had some news which has changed my mind.
So I went on hiatus...for a long, long , long , long time and I wish I could say it was relaxing and fun but my life doesn’t belong anywhere near such descriptions anymore. I suppose I should get the really hard part out of the way and then go on from there. My mother and very best friend on the planet was diagnosed with brain cancer Dec.11th . Since then she’s had rigorous chemo and radiation treatments and has had to put up with me being her full time care taker. I intend to write a longer post about that one day but I wanted my return blog to veer away from my personal struggles.
Today, I had an embarrassing writer moment. You know the kind: when some publishing tidbit or deal news sends you into a tizzy of self-loathing. When you start bemoaning your lack of a talent and cursing humanity for ever inventing the written word in the first place. About an hour ago, I had one of those.
Which is precisely the problem. My little lizardly writer brain looked at my own 1920s WIP, which I'll probably query in late March, and said: Noooo! You'll never be as good as anything Libba Bray can write, WIP! I might as well just burn my computer now, so the world doesn't think I tried to imitate her brilliance! Because, just like The Highlander, there can only be ONE YA 1920s book!
So, just in case you've recently had a moment like mine, remember: your book is different. 
When it comes to historical detail, I love to read about fashion. It alludes to the time, to the personality of the character, and it draws me into the historical world. I would go so far as to say fashion description was part of what first drew me into romance and kept me coming back for more. For a middle school girl just starting to figure out that turtle necks tucked into sweat pants didn't equate to stylish, the dresses and the hats were part of the escape into a world far more elegant than my own.
And simple descriptions can be effective for placing the setting of a novel:
As you can probably tell from my last post, I've been thinking a lot about heroines. What makes some memorable, while others fade from my mind like last Tuesday's dinner menu. How some narrators are so likable that they can hold their own over a series - like Mia Thermopolis from the - count 'em - sixteen Princess Diaries books. For me, a great narrator or heroine is someone interesting. Rocket science, right?
Uh, well, yeah. It can be! Left unchecked, I think all writers have the tendency to write the same kind of characters. They're either a product of our natural voices or they're who we're drawn to in our favorite books. Personally, my narrators tend to be made of snark and neuroses. If I'm not careful with characterization, every single heroine I write ends up sounding like Willow Rosenberg.
Writing these heroines is be a challenge, however. Take beginnings - automatically, my first impulse to start a story involves the heroine being nervous, whether about going to a new school or picking up her class rank. Her heart is in her throat, her nerves are spiraling out of control. Because, well, that would be my reaction to any of these inciting incidents! To get around this in my newest story, about a very capable and head-strong 1920s girl, I've started asking a question: What's the most surprising thing she can do?
