Tanzey Talk
July 2003
If you want to contact me directly through this column's site, please be sure to click on my personal link - Contact Tanzey - and not the store's link. Unfortunately, they thought I was getting copies of everything they were getting, so they didn't forward messages meant for me. That means I missed a lot of your messages. For those of you who don't know, I do not work from the store. In fact, I live in Kansas and the store is located in Illinois. So for all of you who wondered why I didn't answer your e-mails, that's the explanation. But, thanks for your interest!
It seems that since Cheryl has been recognized as RomanticTimes Bookseller of the Year, more publishers are sending ARCs to the store. And I've been getting more mysteries. Thanks, too, to readers who send us comments. It seems everyone loves to read them, but doesn't take the time to send some of their own. Come on, let us know your thoughts about your reading habits, recommendations, likes and dislikes. We're here for you!
From my personal reading, I have some recommendations. The first is The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Wow!This story really makes you think as it speeds along at a breakneck pace. The suspense, research and attention to detail is outstanding in this unique take on the quest for the Holy Grail (and what it actually is). I'm now planning to read Brown’s earlier book, Angels & Demons, which first introduced us to Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon.
In my review of Roy Johansen’s newest release, I mention wanting to read his early book, Beyond Belief. I got that done just this morning, and I can tell you I enjoyed it just as much as the sequel. I'm always looking for something out of the ordinary, and the main character in these two books is certainly that.
Since Donna Kauffman asked if I'd “loan” her my name (even though it’s spelled differently - Tanzy) for her heroine in The Big Bad Wolf Tells All, I had to read it. And even though Donna was nice enough to send me a personally signed copy, that really did not influence my total enjoyment of this story. I loved it! I can tell you, I do have one of those “wolves in sheep's clothing” similar to Riley, as I'm sure lots of you do. But I'm not saying if I'm anything like Tanzy.<grin>
Since historical romances are hardly ever optioned for movies, especially if they're not set in America, Mary Jo Putney was delighted when The China Bride was optioned by Hollywood. Who knows what will come of this, as many books are optioned and never come about, but it’s a positive step for this wonderful book.
Next month, look for the eagerly anticipated newest release from New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen. Titled The Sinner, it’s the third novel featuring detective Jane Rizzoli, who appeared in The Surgeon and The Apprentice.
Speaking of follow-ups, I am very pleased that Rebecca York will continue the paranormal suspense trilogy she started last month with Killing Moon.Watch for Edge of the Moon in August and Witching Moon in October. Love those werewolves!
August will also be the month Linda Fallon’s final book in her Shades trilogy, Shades of Scarlet, goes on sale. Previous titles were Shades of Midnight(1/03) and Shades of Winter (4/03) and feature the 1880s ghost-chasing couple of Eve Abernathy and Lucien Thorpe. This time around, they are finally married and find more than even they could imagine when they investigate a haunted house.
Deborah Hale is the first in-house author to write for Harlequin’s new fantasy imprint line, Luna, coming in April 2004. She will start her new other-world quest series with The Wizard’s Ward, which involves a heroine who must locate a legendary hero to help save a kingdom on the brink of disaster.
For those of you who've been asking, the final Miss Bright book from Susan Kay Law is slated for an October release. Titled A Wedding Story, it tells Kate’s story and will actually go on sale the last week of September.
Carly Phillips wants to remind everyone that there are only a few months until her first hardcover (and the last of the Chandler Brothers trilogy), The Heartbreaker, hits the shelves. She also wants those of you concerned over hardcover pricing to know that she and Warner have taken your wallets into consideration. The book is priced at $16.95. Here are a few other newsy tidbits from Carly: “The entire Chandler brothers series will be available in hardcover edition when The Heartbreaker joins The Bachelor and The Playboy as a Featured Alternate in book club editions (Doubleday, Rhapsody, Venus and Literary Guild). Would you like to listen to your stories on long commutes to work? All three Chandler brothers will be available via BBC Audio, The Heartbreaker in August, The Bachelor in September and The Playboy in time for the holidays in December! Many of you have asked if the books on tape will be available in regular bookstores and the answer is YES! The Bachelor will also be available in trade paperback format (mostly via the clubs, i.e. Costco and Sam’s etc.) in July. Last but not least, all three books will be available in large print editions via Thorndike Press.”
In the Novel Notes section of the spring Midwest Fiction Writers publication, Kathleen Eagle wrote that Betina Krahn has found romance in Florida. To quote Betina from the article, “There’s romance in my life...a wonderful new love that surprised me as much as it delights me.” Betina moved from Minnesota to Florida a couple years ago, and it sounds like things are going great for her. We wish her much happiness.
Stay tuned . . .
Tanzey
And again be sure to scroll down for some of our readers’ comments.
Tanzey Cutter
Editor of the Old Book Barn Gazette
Theresa Hrebik, Wisconsin:I always try to stop in when I visit my family in Decatur, but I don't get down there as much as I'd like to (I live near Oshkosh now). You guys always have the greatest selection!
Anne Grieveson, England: Loved Slightly Married by Mary Balogh, but then I love all her books. Final Exit by Laurie Breton was goo d,too, but obviously the star of the month was the hardback of Birthright byNora Roberts. I think this is one her best books to date (maybe even the best), and I couldn't put it down.
Patricia Williams, New York: Tanzey, I loved the list of readers’ pet peeves you ran in May and agree with every one of them. Proofreading seems to be the worst of my complaints, but here are just a few others... 1) Sentences written in dialog without a reference to who’s speaking. You have to count the sentences to see who said what - she said, he said, she said, he said, etc... 2)When a writer feels they have to fill hundreds of pages with descriptions - the hero asks the heroine a question and four pages later she answers him after we've read about the furniture, clothes, scenery from the window, on and on. By that time, I've forgotten the question and really don't care anymore. 4)The lack of originality with the same overused, overworked, overdone storylines and clichés. I've seen a lot of change over the years in the romance genre - some good and some not. I have to say I'm not a fan of“ chick-lit” but I really enjoy romantic suspense. I have an extensive library and have been collecting for years. Yet I will still go back and pick up an old “keeper” to read rather than some of the tired tales published today. Now, I want to congratulate Cheryl on being named Bookseller of the Year! I'm a devoted reader of the OBB Gazette.
Christine Marcy: I became a customer of yours through Amazon.com and you sent me your wonderful newsletter. I was excited to hear that Laura Kinsale would have something to offer her fans next year as I consider all of her books keepers!
Georgia McDougal, Idaho: I'd like to thank reviewer Suan Wilson for recommending Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. Even though it’s on the bestseller lists everywhere, I don't know if I'd have picked it up without knowing her comments about it. This book is fantastic! I could not put it down and am telling all my friends about it. Your newsletter does a great service to readers. Keep up the great work!
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