What's Out, What's Buzzing

This is really a fabulous summer for books. Some of publishing's hottest authors are releasing books, while debuts are getting rave reviews from every corner. In this week's What's Out, What's Buzzing, we have updates on the exciting reads on shelves right now, as well as what's just around the corner.

WHAT'S OUT

General Fiction:

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells - The author of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood has returned to the South in her newest novel, the story of Calla Lilly Ponder a rural Louisiana girl who dreams of moving to New Orleans and attending a prestigious beauty school. Like Wells' previous books, Crowning Glory promises to be heavy on the Southern charm, as well as emotional resonance, as readers follow the adventures of a spunky young beautician in The Big Easy.

The Family Man by Elinor Lipman - In this, her 10th novel, Lipman returns with her trademark wit and characters so real they could be your most beloved friends or own crazy siblings. The Family Man opens with Henry Archer talking to his ex-wife, giving his condolences on the death of her last husband. This conversation proves fortuitous - his ex-stepdaughter reenters his life, he grows closer to his ex, and finds a second chance a love and family. I'm in the middle of The Family Man right now and have only good things to say about it - Lipman, an author I already adore, is at the top her game here.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe - Slowly creeping up the bestseller lists is this, the story of a 1992 Harvard Grad student whose dissertation is gathering dust as she is enlisted into helping get her grandmother's house ready for sale. But when sifting through the attic of the ancient house, she unearths a scroll with the name Deliverance Dane. From there unravels a story-with-a-story of witches, betrayal, and secrets as old as Boston itself.


Romance:

Black Hills by Nora Roberts - LaNora is back in the romantic suspense genre with this, the story of a South Dakota biologist and the private investigator who wins her heart. Childhood sweethearts the pair haven't seen each other in a dozen years, they are thrown together once more when a vandal threatens their small town and an unsolved murder resurfaces to threaten them both. What dangers lurk in the Black Hills?



Loving A Lost Lord by Mary Jo Putney - One of the grande dames of historical romance, Putney returns with this first novel in the Lost Lords series. When Mariah Clarke inherits a beautiful mansion, she's thrilled - until the former owner attempts to regain control of her home by seducing Mariah. Luckily, a amnesiac man washes up on her shore, the answer to her prayers - by pretending the man is her husband, Mariah can not only save herself, but her home. But, of course, no secret stays buried forever and in the end Mariah must make a choice between the home she loves and the man who has captured her heart.

Surrender to the Devil by Lorraine Heath - In the world of historical heroines, it's not often you run across a woman working in a London gaming hell. Yet, that's exactly who Frannie Darling is, a beautiful woman who grew up on the streets of London and can take care of herself. Until, of course, a duke enters her life, promising her all the temptations of the flesh and the heart. But for a woman who wants nothing to do with men, it's hard to give herself up to a man, especially one who promises her nothing more than a spot in his bed. In the end, one must surrender, but will it be Frannie or her very devilish duke?


Young Adult/Children's:

Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian - Ariana Osgood is finally back on the social scene, enrolled in a new boarding school, and friends with the most popular girls, all thanks to a new look and new name. But just how far will Ariana go to keep her new life? I must say, I enjoyed the first book in this series, Privilege, quite a bit. It's a feat to turn the villainess of one series into the heroine of another...and Ariana is indeed a villain. But there are people more evil than Ariana out there, whom she'll have to take down to keep her old life where it should be - in the past.

Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog - Morgan Sparks and her boyfriend Cam are soul mates, they've always known it. But when Cam discovers he's an actual fairy and - even worse - heir to a fairy throne. As Cam changes and becomes more miserable each day, he and Morgan plan to stick together and fool the fairies. But when faced with an uncertain future, where nothing is right or wrong, can Morgan save not only their love, but Cam's life as well?


Gorgeous by Rachel Vail - The sequel to Lucky, this book tells the story of the plain middle Avery sister, Allison. Allison would do anything to be gorgeous like the rest of her family - including making a deal with the devil. Luckily, the devil just wants her cell phone. But when her new looks make her question every relationship she has, her family's financial crisis breaks, and she finds herself courted by a modeling agency, Allison starts to lose control. Just how far will she go to be gorgeous?

Killer by Sara Shepard - Number six in the Pretty Little Liars series, Shepard returns to seemingly perfect Rosewood, Pennsylvania, where friendships are deep, but secrets even deeper. The four girls of Rosewood have finally put a murderer behind bars, but there's a new villain on the block, threatening to unveil secrets and turning up the heat on Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily. Fans of the first five high drama, but well written books will be lining up for this book which promises to be the best of the series.


L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad - Yes, that Lauren Conrad, of Laguna Beach & The Hills fame. L.C.'s first book - a YA tale of two Los Angelenos picked to star in their own reality series- just hit shelves this past month. Yes, the plot sounds eerily familiar, but L.A. Candy is, at its heart, a sweet story about a girl coming into her own, while discovering what really matters. And, okay, there's a lot of the L.A. social scene, VIP parties, and fabulous clothes involved. If you count reality TV as your guilty pleasure, or just like fluffy YA romcom, pick this one up.


Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard - In this high concept romantic comedy, Callie, a very modern heroine on a school trip to London, tries to impress the popular crowd by trying on real Prada heels, but disaster strikes - she trips, hits her head, and wakes up in the year 1815! Luckily, Callie's soon mistaken for a long lost friend of Emily, a real regency girl, and moves in with her family. But between saving Emily from an unwanted engagement and fending off her own attraction to Emily's hot - and arrogant - cousin, Callie learns that finding love and friendship is complicated in any time period.

WHAT'S BUZZING

July 14, 2009:

The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich - (Nonfiction) Most of use Facebook every day. If we don't, our friends, sons, daughters, and grandparents probably do. But how did two Harvard undergrads start the internet site that has defined their generation? The tale is one that could surely be fiction: filled with betrayal, lust, and more money than Croesus. This book is a sure fire hit for anyone addicted to the web, the ins and outs of modern capitalism, or the pure digital drama that only the 21st century could supply.


Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner - (General Fiction) Addie and Valerie will be best friends forever, but when their friendship is rocked by teenage betrayal, Val abandons Addie for the popular crowd. Fifteen years later, Valerie is the local weather girl and Addie lives alone in her her hometown, trying to meet a good man, while taking care of her troubled brother. Addie has just returned from her umpteenth bad date, when she finds Val on her front porch, covered in blood and turning to her old friend. Like Weiner's previous novels, this promises to be a hilarious yet-touching portrayal of love, life, and the friendships that define a lifetime.

Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold - (General Fiction) Arnold's debut is a fictionalized recount of the marriage of Charles and Catherine Dickens. Channeling the Dickens and their tumultuous relationship are Alfred and Dorothy Gibson. This quiet novel explores the morals and customs of Victorian era London and the love life of that time's greatest wordsmith.




When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead - (Middle Grade) Garnering starred reviews from every review organization under the sun, Stead's sophomore novel follows two friends, Miranda and Sal, who've been inseparable since birth. But when sixth grade rolls around and Sal is punched by the new kid, he shuts Miranda out of his life. Grappling with the loss of her best friend, Miranda is soon surrounded by strange happenings - the key to her apartment is stolen, the neighborhood wierdo gets weirder, and, most worrying of all, she starts receiving mysterious notes. The notes contain secrets no one else knows and start to hint that things are about to get worse for Miranda - can she understand the noted and the world around her before it's too late? This coming-of-age story in 1970s New York City promises delightful characters and masterful storytelling that will fascinate all ages.

July 21, 2009:

Sleepless in Scotland by Karen Hawkins - (Historical Romance) Book four in the Maclean Curse Series centers around Catriona Hurst who sets off in pursuit of her impulsive twin sister, whose plan to trap Laird Maclean will surely lead to disaster. What Catriona doesn't expect, however, is to be caught by her own Maclean - Hugh, the laird's younger brother. After Hugh mistakes Catriona for someone else - and kisses her soundly - the pair are forced to marry. But can Catriona keep her sister - and her heart - safe, while Hugh and his own secrets prove tempting indeed?

Three Witches by Paula Jolin - (Young Adult) Trevor Saunders is dead, but his story doesn't end there. He left behind a mystery and a, of course, a girl - Aliya, the girl he was secretly dating. When Aliya gets a cryptic e-mail the day after his death, she bands together with her two friends to find out what really happened to Trevor. With their three very different backgrounds, the girls think they can use their powers to bring him back one more time...but should they?


Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella - (General Fiction) As I've said numerous times, I love the 1920s - almost as much as I love ghost stories. Which is why Sophie Kinsella's newest offering, about a Lara Lington, a twenty-something with an overactive imagination, is one of my most anticipated books this season. Lara's life is a disaster - her best friend has run of to Goa, her start-up company is floundering, and she's just been dumped by her soulmate - but it gets a whole lot more complicated when she starts seeing a ghost. The ghost of her great-aunt Sadie, to be more specific - a flapper straight out of the 1920s with a mission for her niece: find a missing necklace and Sadie's chance for eternal rest.

July 27, 2009:

The Eternal Kiss edited by Trisha Telep - (Young Adult) Vampires are still the reigning paranormal rulers of the YA world, so it's no wonder some of the hottest authors wanted to tackle the bloodsucking fiends. This anthology of fang-heavy short stories includes offers from Holly Black, Libba Bray, Rachel Caine, and Sarah Rees Brennan. There sure to be something her to delight every fan of YA paranormal, even the fans with a taste for something a little, well, undead.


July 28, 2009:

A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James - (Historical Romance) Readers have fallen in love with Eloisa James' Desperate Duchesses series - the characters are charming, the books are both lush and sophisticated takes on Historical Romance, and then of course there's the Duke Villiers. In this final book of the series, Villers, that chess-loving rogue, finds himself betrothed to one exquisite woman, while being drawn to another, entirely unavailable hoyden. When Villiers is torn between logic and love, which will he choose? Eloisa James is a master of keeping her readers in suspense, so the answer could be anyone's guess, but it's sure to be an enchanting journey to the answer.

Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare - (Historical Romance) The long-awaited debut of Avon Fanlit winner Tessa Dare follows Lucy Waltham, a Regency tomboy who has embarked on a new kind of hunt - for a husband! As every good huntress knows, it's best to practice your aim a bit, so she practices her first kiss with her brother's best friend and the man least likely to gain her heart- Jeremy Trescott. But when passion heats between the pair and Jeremy takes it upon himself to distract Lucy from her schemes, a battle of wills - and hearts- ensues. Will Lucy land her quarry, or be brought down by her own trap? I was lucky enough to read an ARC of GOTH last week and agree with all the rave reviews Dare is receiving - Goddess of the Hunt is in a class of its own and Tessa Dare is sure to land on auto-buy lists around the world after this fantastic debut!

The Lost Sister by Megan Kelly Hall - (Young Adult) The sequel to last year's thrilling The Sisters of Misery, Hall's newest follows Maddie Crane as she grapples with the events of the last book - most specifically, a friend's disappearance. Now attending boarding school far away from Hawthorne, Maddie thinks the worst is over, but some secrets won't stay buried and the revenge of The Sisters of Misery is far reaching, indeed...


My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent - (Young Adult) Harlequin steps into the world of Young Adult publishing with My Soul to Take, the first of the new Harlequin Teen line and Vincent's Soul Screamers series. Kaylee, the heroine, doesn't see dead people, but she can sense when someone's about to die. And when she does? Reach for the earplugs, because a force beyond her control compels her to "scream bloody murder." This gift makes it hard to get through a day, much less be a normal teen, so Kaylee is thrilled when the hottest guy in school becomes interested in her. But when he seems to know more about her gift than she does and her classmates start dying around her, Kaylee knows normal just isn't in her future...

Since the Surrender by Julie Ann Long - (Historical Romance) Third in the Pennyroyal Green series centering on two feuding families, Long returns to the Eversea siblings in this latest, featuring Captain Chase Eversea, a ruthless war hero. Chase has broken hearts in his past, but only one woman ever captured his - Rosalind March, a formerly reckless girl who has turned into a formidable, self-possessed woman. But when Rosaline needs his help to tracking down her wayward sister, their passion re-ignited...but which one will surrender first?


Written on Your Skin by Meredith Duran - (Historical Romance) Duran's second offering this summer, Written on Your Skin parallels the events of last month's Bound by Your Touch, this time following Mina Masters, an American heiress, and the spy who loves her, Phin Granville. Four years earlier, Mina saved Phin's life, so when he learns the American woman needs his help, honor forces him back into the world of espionage he'd thought long forgotten. Like Duran's previous books, this promises to be an action-packed, emotionally resonant historical romance - with special emphasis on the history.

August 1, 2009:

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink - (Young Adult) They sisters are like best friends you can't get rid of - unless you're Lia or Alice Milthorpe, then your sister might be your worst enemy. The Milthorpe twins, never very close and now orphans, have just learned they are at the subjects of a dark prophecy - one that sets them against each other and at the center an an age-old mystery. Lia and Alice don't whom they can trust - they just know they can't trust each other.


Ruined by Paula Morris - (Young Adult) In the YA genre, books featuring characters attending new schools are fairly thick on the ground, but how many times is that set-up intertwined with a ghost story? Enter Paula Morris and her story of Rebecca, a girl spending the year at snooty New Orleans prep school while her father is traveling. At first glance this is a classic boarding school story, complete with mean girls and the mysteriously nice guy, but when Rebecca meets a ghost with a score to settle and the nice guy turns out to have shadowy secrets of his own, it's obvious nothing in this chilling tale is as it seems.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - (Young Adult) With her debut, last year's Lament, Stiefvater cemented herself as a lyrical new voice in YA fiction. That high praise looks to be repeated with her newest, the story of a girl and the boy she loves - who just so happens to turn into a wolf for half the year. If you're looking for a darkly romantic book, one that will haunt you long afterward, you really can't go wrong with a Stiefvater story. For a taste of what to expect, check out Shiver's book trailer - a stop-motion masterpiece animated and composed by the author herself.

Are any of these reads on your to-buy lists? Did we miss any books that you're loving or looking forward to?