Craig McDonald Rocks!

Craig's latest book, One True Sentence, come out today. This is my favorite review because it really explains what Craig has done:

"Craig McDonald came up with a brilliant premise for a mystery series. McDonald researched the career of the legendary novelist Ernest Hemingway. Then he imagined another writer named Hector Lassiter to be Hemingway's best friend. McDonald sprinkles One True Sentence with cameo appearances by famous novelists, poets and artists who lived in Paris during that period. Then he imagines a cast of characters who force the action. McDonald's ingenious plot has this maelstrom of mystery writers who are writing their own fictional stories while simultaneously being whirled through a lethal tsunami of impending doom."
—Vick Mickunas, Dayton Daily News

So for people who love historical crime novels, and Hemingway (who doesn't?), this is book for you! By the way, not only is he a great writer but he's one of the nicest guys around. :)

Check out his website for more info!

I love Christina Meldrum's writing...

So far I've only read her debut YA book, Madapple (which PW called "intoxicating" and I agree!), but I'm really looking forward to reading her new novel Amaryllis in Blueberry, which came out last week. Christina's writing style (at least in my opinion) is very literary and lovely ... I'm not good at writing reviews myself, but here are a couple favorite lines from blurbs on her website:

"A perfect melding of family saga, murder mystery and a meditation on faith, loyalty and love, this novel will both haunt and entertain you."
—Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author

"...her combination of coming-of-age and culture clash narratives has a seductive intensity."
—Publishers Weekly

"This lovely novel spans continents and cultures in a love story, a family saga, and an exploration of faith that is 'colored by Africa and flavored by the impurity that is love.'"
—bestselling author Meg Waite Clayton

Now I'm just waiting for her to send it to me... (one of the perks of being author-website-designer-to-the-stars). :)

So Shelly is out today!

Young Adult author Ty Roth's debut novel, So Shelly, came out today. Look at this gorgeous cover! One of my favorite fonts, and I love the image. I am a firm believer that a beautiful cover helps sell a book. I'd like to think a beautiful website does too, but the jury may be more out on that one. (And yes I know good writing is most important!)

Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading this book -- sounds so intriguing. Short description: So Shelly plunges the reader into uncharted territory as it transposes romantic poets John Keats, Lord Byron, and Percy Shelley into present-day high school students. Doesn't that sound interesting... and a slight step above Twilight? :)

Kirkus calls it "Lurid yet literary..." Makes me want to read it!

You can check Ty and his book out here.

Cavanaugh Lee's Save as Draft!

Cavanaugh Lee is a new client of mine whose book just came out last week. It's called Save as Draft: a novel written entirely in emails, texts, tweets, etc. Sound like fun? It totally is! And Cavanaugh is a total kick herself too.

The book is loosely based on real life events... She actually wrote the book in the aftermath of a broken engagement. The catalyst was when she went back and re-read all of her old emails to/from her ex-fiance. What she noticed from those emails was that her ex and she had spent the majority of their relationship on-line, not in-person, and that was what caused its demise. Because of work, responsibilities, and life in general, they didn’t spend any “real time” together and instead took the easy route – emailing, texting, twittering, and posting on each other’s Facebook walls. (Incredible!) Worse than that though, what she also noticed from her Gmail folder was how many emails were stuck in her Draft folder – emails that she never had the guts to send him....

You gotta read it!

Eyes of the Innocent by Brad Parks

The very goofy and talented Brad Parks has a new book, Eyes of the Innocent, out today! (click here at your own risk) Loved his first book and this one is sure to be as good. It's gotten some great reviews:

"The novel reads like a bit of investigative journalism: told in reporter's prose, with dollops of humor, suspense, and violence. Like his creator, Ross is aware of the pain in the things he writes about. He's also aware that makes for darned good reporting." —Booklist

"An enjoyable second mystery featuring a street-smart investigative reporter (after 2009's Faces of the Gone)... Once again, Parks, a former Washington Post reporter, deftly brings the personalities and dynamics of a modern-day city newsroom to life." —Publishers Weekly

"Who says white men can't jump? ... Street-smart Carter, appearances notwithstanding, has all the moves he needs to stay one step ahead. Or one jump. A breezy, entertaining sequel to Parks' well-received debut." —Kirkus Reviews

Buy it and enjoy!