Tanzey Talk
February 2004
Official Notice!
Due to the ever-increasing production costs, as well as the changing nature of the bookstore, it has become apparent that we must discontinue publication of the Old Book Barn Gazette. Our final issue will be April 2004.
We have enjoyed immensely our association with subscribers, customers, authors, publishers, and everyone else we've come to know in the industry over the past 12 years of publication.We deeply regret this decision had to be made.
If you are a current subscriber, please contact Sue at the store (oldbookbarn@insightbb.com or 217-875-0222) concerning any refunds.
Old Book Barn Gazette thanks you for your support and patronage through the years.
Tanzey, Cheryl, Sue and the staff
This was not the way I originally opened my February column in the printed version of Old Book Barn Gazette, but things changed following its publication, so I’ve had to revamp it a bit. The industry is changing and the bookstore is doing likewise. I think the notice says it plainly, but I will address this subject in more length in my March column. Just know that we all regret this decision very much. The good news I can share is that my “Tanzey Talk” column will continue to appear on Writerspace.com each month. I can’t thank Cissy and Sara enough for wanting to keep me around for awhile. Now, to my original column.
It’s once again the month of love, and this year Allen and I celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary on February 8. Wow, where does the time go? Sometimes it seems like only yesterday we met, and yet it also seems as if we’ve known each other forever. Ain’t love grand?
After completing all the bookwork for our business and personal tax returns, I needed to unwind. I was lucky to pick some great books, which I’m recommending you consider for your reading pleasure.
As you know, I’ve loved Dan Brown’s novels - The DaVinci Code, Angels & Demons and Deception Point - so I had to go back and read his first book, Digital Fortress. It’s a detailed and deeply researched story involving code-breaking computers, cryptographers and the government - a great techno-thriller that I could not put down.
Sandra Brown’s newest release, Hello, Darkness, is another fantastic novel from this talented author. It’s a gripping, fast-paced thriller, with lots of sexual tension, about a woman whose haunted past makes her the target of a cunning serial killer.
This month, Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ new hardcover release, Ain’t She Sweet?, goes on sale. You’ll find Suan’s rave review of it on page 5 of this issue, and I have to agree with her opinion. I think this is probably the best book Ms. Phillips has written. The characters are wonderfully flawed, yet very likable and devastatingly witty, and the dialog simply sparkles. Don’t miss this one!
A new author, Mark Bouton, who lives near my hometown of Topeka, Kansas, made his mystery hardcover debut in December 2003 with Max Conquers the Cosmos. I read this book in one sitting and found it to be fast-paced and witty. Mark is a former FBI agent, who worked cases nationwide and played a key role in solving the Oklahoma City bombing. It’s obvious from his intelligent writing that he knows his stuff. To learn more, check out www.markbouton.com.
Catherine Spangler wants to make sure that everyone knows that the first three books in her Shielder series - Shielder, Shadower and Shamara - are all being reprinted this month to coincide with the release of the fourth book - Shadow Fires(see Nichole’s review on page 7). Catherine is very excited about this, as many readers have been asking how they could get all of the books in the series.
Suzanne Brockmann has posted a short excerpt from Flashpointon her web site, along with the cover blurb. And a heads-up on the release date for Flashpoint - it’s now scheduled for March 30, 2004. This is the seventh installment in her ongoing Troubleshooters series from Ballantine, and it’s the first one to feature a hero who’s not a Navy SEAL. But not to worry, Chief Cosmo Richter from Navy SEAL Team Sixteen is finally going to get his story as the hero of book #8, tentatively titled Hot Targetwith a release date of October 2004. As you are well aware, that could always change. Suz also wants readers to know that Ballantine is putting together a promo booklet (also called a sampler) for Flashpointcontaining a letter from her, a short interview, an excerpt from Flashpoint, a rebate coupon, and...(drum roll here!) an original, new short story featuring Sam and Alyssa, the main characters from Gone Too Far. She says it was Ballantine’s idea to revisit them early on in their marriage. This short story is exclusive to the promo booklet and not available anywhere else. So, if you want to read this short story, here’s the three ways you can go about getting a free copy of the Flashpoint sampler (which isn’t available until this month). If you live in the U.S., you can send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: FLASHPOINT sampler, Suz Brockmann, PO Box 5092, Wayland, MA 01778. Or, you can go to your local bookstore where the samplers will be available for free as part of the floor display featuring Heart Throb and Bodyguard. These two books of Suz’s are being reissued with new covers and a special low price on February 3. Or, if you go to your local bookstore after February 3 and they don’t have any Flashpoint samplers, you can ask them to order some. Bookstores can order free 25-packs of the samplers directly from Ballantine by requesting ISBN number 0-345-47282-9. The samplers will also be available in bookstores when Gone Too Faris released in paperback on March 2.
For Dara Joy fans the wait is over. Her web master invites you to head over to www.OfficialDaraJoy.com and immerse yourself in Dara’s beautiful Castle. She says there’s a huge announcement on the web site you won’t want to miss. And be sure to say Hi in Fanspeak!
Regency romance and award-winning Regency mystery author Rosemary Stevens is again branching out and coming forward in time. She’s inked a deal with NAL to write a series of mysteries set in the 1960s. Using the pseudonym Rosemary Martin, the books (titled Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod, Murder; Murder of a Mod Model and Murder on a Mod Morning) won’t start being released until 2005. I’ll make sure to keep you informed. I hope we get some ARCs to review.
After a number of reissues, Jo Beverley will have a brand-new novel coming in May. Titled Skylark, it’s a Company of Rogues story about Stephen and takes place near the location setting of The Dragon’s Bride. And in June, Jo’s publisher is combining her three Georges books (The Demon’s Mistress, The Dragon’s Bride and The Devil’s Heiress) into one trade-size paperback edition called Three Heroes.
Ruth Ryan Langan has another busy year coming up. In March, a single-title historical, Paradise Falls, will go on sale. Then in April, May, June and July, her newest series (called Devil’s Cove) for Silhouette Intimate Moments will be released. The series involves four men who bring danger and excitement to the lives of four sisters, who live in Devil’s Cove, a town with a dark and deadly past. Sequential titles in this series are Coverup, Wanted, Vendetta and Retribution. And, of course, Ruth will have a novella in the annual Once Upon A.... anthology that also includes Nora Roberts, Jill Gregory and Marianne Willman and comes out each fall.
The contest is over and it’s official - the title of Janet Evanovich’s 10th Stephanie Plum novel will be Ten Big Ones. No word yet on the release date for it, but I’ll keep you informed.
Tina St. John is delighted to announce that the first book in her new Dragon Chalice medieval/paranormal series - Heart of the Hunter - is set to go on sale June 2004. Fans of this author (me included!) have been anxiously awaiting a new book. For excerpts and special “behind the story” notes, visit www.TinaStJohn.com. Tina is also proud that Thorndike Press (a major supplier for public libraries) has picked up her last two books, Black Lion’s Bride and White Lion’s Lady, for large-print hardcover publication.
Guess that’s it for this month, but
Stay tuned . . .
Tanzey Cutter
Editor of the Old Book Barn Gazette
Readers Comments:
Author Gayle Lynds: Tanzey! What a treat to see your column on Writerspace.com, and then that you’d mentioned my new book, The Coil, that will be out in April. You’re a living, breathing, writing treasure for those of us who love books!
Johanna Graff, Illinois: I’m sending a check for my subscription to the Gazette. Since I depend/rely on the Gazette’s reviews, I would not mind paying more for a subscription and getting more reviews. It’s a pleasure to read the Gazette. I look forward to receiving it every month and reading Tanzey’s column. Keep up the good work!
Antoinette Thorne, Ohio:I have done business with the Old Book Barn since 1991. You all have always been very courteous and prompt in your shipment of books to me, and I have always been pleased. I look forward to many more great years with you.
|
