Skip to main content

August 2005

We know no one's looking forward to going back to school, and that's exactly why we're cramming this month's newsletter with so much cool stuff. Interviews, series updates, special features --- this month we have it all. So for the moment, forget about school, teachers and homework and savor the fun stuff!

Read More

What book would you hand someone and say, "You HAVE to read this!"?

August 12, 2005

Interview: Stephen J. Cannell, author of Cold Hit

Aug 12, 2005

August 12, 2005

Bookreporter.com's Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight Team (Carol Fitzgerald, Joe Hartlaub and Wiley Saichek) interviewed bestselling author and award-winning television producer/screenwriter Stephen J. Cannell about his recently released COLD HIT. Cannell discusses his illustrious film and TV career and segue into the literary world, as well as the controversial current political events that fuel his latest Shane Scully novel. He also describes his painstaking research methods, explains the ups and downs of writing with a learning disability, and even shares a recipe for a tasty appetizer.

Interview: Jacqueline Winspear, author of Pardonable Lies: A Maisie Dobbs Novel

Aug 12, 2005

August 12, 2005

Bookreporter.com Co-Founder Carol Fitzgerald and contributing writer Shannon McKenna interviewed Jacqueline Winspear, author of PARDONABLE LIES, the third installment in her Maisie Dobbs mystery series. Winspear talks about her fascination with history and the social, as well as emotional, resonance of setting her novel during the tumultuous period between the two World Wars. She also sheds light on aspects of her writing processes, her "influences," and the future of her literary heroine.

August 12, 2005

This week we bring you three author interviews that I am excited about as each author had something to share that resonated with me personally beyond their words about their books. Stephen J. Cannell writes about his thoughts on succeeding in life. I found myself sharing them with a friend this week since his views so match my own. Jacqueline Winspear talks about what she loved about learning history. It has to do with the stories behind the history. I love reading about history the same way. I thought about this when I watched the tributes to Peter Jennings this week --- he loved presenting the news like this, as good journalists do. Laura Pedersen, our Beach Bag author this week, has some great lines about the joy of love at any age and when she talks about thinking back on her life as "rerunning the movie." I love that line especially since I envision my life with a soundtrack beneath it so often it seems like a movie to me.

Read More

Early August 2005

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the International Christian Retailing Conference in Denver. Colorado is home to some of my favorite places and I was happy to get some read/relax time in the mountains before attending this event.

Read More

Interview: Elizabeth Becka, author of Trace Evidence

Aug 5, 2005

August 5, 2005

Bookreporter.com's Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight Team (Carol Fitzgerald, Joe Hartlaub and Wiley Saichek) interviewed Elizabeth Becka, author of TRACE EVIDENCE. Becka talks about her career as a forensic specialist, its effect on her writing, and the similarities and differences between her day-to-day work and what is glamorized on television. She also explains how she created the characters and settings in her debut novel, and identifies the authors who have impacted her the most.

August 5, 2005

Last Friday night I went to Borders and adapted my favorite role --- book concierge. I was standing next to a woman who was looking at a wall of books and I could not help myself. I said, "THE SUMMER GUEST was one of my favorite books." That started up a half hour of conversation about books. The amusing part was about 5 minutes into talking I realized that I knew her. She used to be one of the obstetricians in the practice that I go to. In fact, she was my labor doctor when my older son was born. So here I am handing out bookish advice to the woman who once gave me an epidural. This time we were in new roles: concierge/reader and oh, she was now recommending books to my fifteen-year-old son, who we were anticipating the arrival of last time we saw each other. Yes, sometimes my life is a sitcom.

Read More

Interview: Philip Gulley, author of A Change of Heart: A Harmony Novel

Aug 1, 2005

August 2005

A funny thing happened to Philip Gulley in 1990 when his church newsletter writings ended up in the hands of Paul Harvey, the popular radio host. Harvey saw the young pastor's potential even though Gulley had gotten a "D" in college English Composition. With Harvey's recommendation in hand, Gulley ended up publishing the first of many delightful books of nonfiction and fiction about small town life, culminating in his most recent, A CHANGE OF HEART. His distinctive writing style and dry sense of humor have led many reviewers to compare Gulley to Garrison Keillor. However, Gulley's theology books, IF GRACE IS TRUE and IF GOD IS LOVED, have made him a controversial figure in evangelical Christian circles.

August 2005

This summer I have vowed to read some books that everyone has been talking about --- and I have missed. Last weekend with this in mind I read THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. I can see why so many readers are talking about this book in their groups. I loved the strong voice of Christopher John Francis Boone and the way the plot unfolded. This month's ReadingGroupGuides.com poll takes a look at some of the most popular book club selections and asks if your group has read them, or plans to read them. Be sure to weigh in. Next up for me this month --- THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY and THE KITE RUNNER.

Read More