https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765393081
AND NOW:
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: We don't usually flog our own book info too hard here at JRW, but we we've been sharing exciting developments between ourselves, and Lucy said - quite insightfully! - that we should do a blog post where we share our good news and interesting tidbits with you.
My first piece of news is that I'm the Guest of Honor at the Malice Domestic Conference in Bethesda next year! I'm very excited because A) my career literally began at Malice, when I won the St. Martin's Press/ Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Award in 2001 and B) the Toastmaster will be my dear friend Jeff Cohen (aka E.J. Copperman.) We're going to have a blast and I hope you'll come, too.You'll have the chance to see me at several other venues from now through the fall, as I begin to pick up the pace of appearances again. I'm teaching and speaking at Maine Crime Wave in Portland at the end of this month, I'll be appearing at Crime Bake and Bouchercon (where two other Reds will be making special appearances, see below...), and I'm part of the fun and intimate Murder by the Book in Bar Harbor in mid-October.
But the best news of all? I have a publication date! HID FROM OUR EYES will be released April 7, 2020! I know it seems like a long time from now, but since I'm going to start writing Clare & Russ number 10 in June, I'm hoping it gives me a chance to finally finish one book before the release of another
"Filled with lighthearted humor and quirky characters, this fun whodunit begins when Key West food critic Hayley Snow gets a phone call from her friend Analise, who says a customer collapsed dead during one of their seafood tasting tours." Woman’s World Magazine
HALLIE EPHRON: Yay, Lucy! WOMAN'S WORLD! And featured alongside that nobody, Janet Evanovich!!My good news is a starred review from Publisher's Weekly for my August book, CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. I'm over the moon, and so is my publisher.
“This outstanding standalone from bestseller Ephron (You’ll Never Know, Dear) may be the first domestic thriller to weave in Marie Kondo’s decluttering theory about discarding things that don’t spark joy. … Appealing characters and some suspenseful detective work help elevate this in-depth look at people’s emotional attachment to things. After being a finalist five times, Ephron may finally win the Mary Higgins Clark Award for this one.”
RHYS BOWEN: I've had several pieces of good news recently. My Lake Union books have sold over a million copies in the past two years. This means I get my portrait hung on the wall of Amazon
HQ. How cool is that? And the latest book, THE VICTORY GARDEN, has just passed 100,000 copies. Who'd have thought it when my first Constable Evans novel had a print run of 2500. Also my book, THE TUSCAN CHILD, has just been nominated for a Fresh Fiction award. I've no idea what that is, but it has to be good. And my next Royal Spyness book , LOVE AND DEATH AMONG THE CHEETAHS, comes out in August. Details of my crazy tour are on my website.HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Whoa. all that great news! You have to admit, it's amazing. Congratulations, dear pals. Let's see--I'm the American Guest of Honor at Bouchercon! And I am still floating over that incredible honor. I'm paired with Lifetime Achiever James Patterson, who I get to interview, how cool is that? (And I'll let Debs tell her own Bouchercon news.) . THE MURDER LIST comes out August 20--and an early reader just tweeted: "All right! If John Grisham and LIsa Scottoline had a book baby, this is it! And I loved the ending!" Yay.
THE MURDER LIST was also named a Most Anticipated Book of Summer 2019 by Crime Reads--so that's amazing, too. (My book tour will soon be on my website--whoa.) And the mass market paperback of TRUST ME is getting an astonishing print run. I cannot even believe it. So. Like I said. Yay.
Forge Books signed me to two more standalone books for 2020 and 2021--YAY! (And kind of hard to believe.) I'm working on THE FIRST TO LIE right now.
JENN McKINLAY: Our collective cup runneth over. Along with Rhys, but in a separate category, my latest library lover's mystery HITTING THE BOOKS has been nominated for best cozy by FRESH FICTION! If you want to vote for us, go here! Also, I recently sold THE GAP YEAR my very first women's fiction book to Penguin Random House in a six figure deal with the publication date slated for July 2020. I am crazy excited for this book to come out!
DEBORAH CROMBIE: I'm so excited that Kincaid/James #18, A BITTER FEAST, will be out on October 8th, 2019! I'll be doing a national tour--although I have no idea where yet--and lots of other fun stuff. The ARCs have now gone out to reviewers, so the next couple of months will be nerve-wracking, as we can all attest.Meanwhile, I'm beginning the next book, Duncan and Gemma #19. I even have a title! Hoping to write this one a little faster, folks!
Oh, and I'm also a guest of honor at Bouchercon, along with Hank! It's in Dallas, my home town, and I think it's going to be fabulous conference. I love my city and can't wait to see lots of you there!
JULIA: Joy and riches abound. A reminder to our dear readers - the best way you can support the authors you love is to ask your local library to stock their books or to pre-order the books for yourself! Our publishers love pre-orders. Love them.
Okay, dear readers, now it's your turn to brag. What amazing things are going on with you and yours?
Congratulations, ladies! All of these wonderful pieces of news are so exciting . . . well-deserved honors, lovely reviews, and more books for us to anticipate.
ReplyDeleteAnd Julia, such wonderful news about “Hid From Our Eyes” as we are all looking forward to reading it!
I know Joan, isn’t that the very best news ever??
DeleteIndeed it is . . . .
DeleteYou guys make me blush. Where's the blushing emoji?
DeleteSo much achievement in one group! Yes, including Julia's release date. Can. Not. Wait. Fingers crossed for those nominations, ladies.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any Jungle Reds-scale news, but I am on track to finish writing Draft One of my 22nd novel - all traditionally published - tomorrow! I currently have four more under contract (in three series), so I'll be working for a while, and am hoping for renewal on at least two of those series.
Oh, and Hallie is our guest on the Wicked Authors blog today! https://wickedauthors.com/2019/05/24/guest-hallie-ephron/
DeleteThanks for hosting me, Edith! I'm over there now dishing on balloons and dolls and clowns and the cozy things that give us the creeps.
DeleteEdith your productivity astounds... 22????
DeleteYeah... And thanks!
DeleteThat's what I was thinking, Hallie - 22 books! And Edith, it really doesn't feel as if you've been in the business that long - when was your first novel published?
DeleteFall of 2012, Julia. Not that long! I just don't do anything else but write, hardly. ;^)
DeleteCongrats to you Edith! Edith, we are in all of your productivity and so pleased to have been an early part of your launch as a writer
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lucy/Roberta!
DeleteGlad to read all of the great news for everyone!
ReplyDeleteI don't have anything going on that would be considered newsworthy. Just more of the same ol' situations. Working, going to concerts, writing reviews for the concerts, albums and books, reading, sleeping, TV and movies, eating.
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DeleteJay, it's for descriptions like yours the hashtag "LivingHisBestLife was invented!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteJulia, I wouldn't mind a big lottery win to replace the "working" part though.
DeleteJungle Red is RED HOT!!!! I had to put my shades on to read your news today!! Congratulations to all!! A new Deborah Crombie in Oct? A new Julia S-F in April?? Yippee!! And then there's Lucy's book, and A royal Spyness, and I already read Hallie's, and then Jenn's vying with Edith for the MOST PRODUCTIVE award--hey, can someone tell me how to sneak some more hours into my day so I can read all these??
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'll stop being fangirl for a moment. In a very small way, I am achieving one goal this summer--the first drsft of a novella. It's a story drawn from memory--mine, my mother's, my grandmother's, my great-grandmother's--distilled into the story of one woman. It's been a slippery story to gently guide onto the page and I hope I'm doing it justice. There's a small press locally to which I will submit--and whether it's accepted or not, I know it will get a thorough reading and review.
Flora, that sounds lovely. Let us know how it goes.
DeleteFlora, that sounds wonderful. Kudos to you for the first draft!
DeleteFlora, that's wonderful. I always tell my students that every author, no matter how admired or well-known, started by nervously drafting a first story. Keep up the good work!
DeleteThank you all, so much! And in all the excitement this morning, I didn't mention Hank! Hank, how on earth do you keep so many plates up in the air at once? My facebook page is blowing up with Hank appearances and readings and books and....! ;-)
DeleteCongrats to all! I have a fifties short story accepted for an anthology and am a Daphne unpublished mainstream mystery finalist for my debut traditional mystery.
ReplyDeleteYou all, please put Cincinnati on your upcoming book tours list.
Hurray! Fantastic! Yay!
DeleteHurray, Margaret! And I love Cincinnati!
DeleteCongratulations, Margaret!
DeleteWow! What exciting news from all of you! I can't express how thrilled and grateful I am that you work so hard to provide me with your wonderful books!
ReplyDeleteI buy books when I can and I also patronize the library. Recently I wanted one of yours from a couple years ago and the library didn't have it and couldn't get it! I was shocked; none of the member libraries had that particular book although they had others by her. Luckily the head librarian heard me ask and he said he would order it and let me know when it came. I took that to mean they would buy the book because I requested it. Made me feel powerful. Oh, and I also told him that the author had a new book coming out soon and I hope the library would have that one too.
That is so fabulous… We all thank you, because libraries buying our books is incredibly important. And see? Readers have the power! Hooray!
DeleteHank's absolutely right. We've all had readers apologize for "just borrowing the books from a library," but libraries are a HUGE component of our careers. They introduce new readers to our work, provide copies for book clubs to run, and are a steady, reliable source of orders to our publishers.
DeleteSo much good news for all of the Jungle Reds. You all never cease to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteAs a member of the Malice Domestic Board, I can tell you how thrilled we are to have Julia as our Guest of Honor next year. It's sure to be a great event, so I hope everyone will plan to join us.
I was sproggled to be asked, Kristopher! I think I actually said, "Me? Are you sure?" Doubly pleased when I found out Jeff was the Toastmaster. Excellent choice!
DeleteIt's really going to be a great convention, Julia. And a wonderful celebration of the new book around the same time.
DeleteThis is why I start my day with the Reds! Such joy and enthusiasm about one of the most fundamental expressions of humanity, WORDS on a PAGE! I'm delighted for you all and I'm marking my calendar with all the pub dates. A special 'thank you" to you, Julia. April 7th is my birthday and I'll hit the pre-order button on Amazon the moment they'll let me.
ReplyDeleteSo, my own little, itty-bitty bit of news...as part of the upcoming Calif. Crime Writers Conf here in June I submitted a "first five pages" for review. I was notified that Terri Bischoff will be meeting with me to go over the submission. This is the first time anything I've written will be seen by anyone outside of family.
When I attended the 2017 CCWC, Hallie, you were the guest speaker. That was the first ever writer's conference I attended. I left the week-end thinking that just maybe I could claim what has been called the right to write. So, fingers crossed.
Congratulations, Lyda!! It's SO scary putting your work out there. Terri is a terrific editor and a thoroughly nice person. You're in good hands.
DeleteCongratulations, Lyda! That's a huge step!
DeleteThat IS a big step, Lyda, and a scary one! But don't worry, as Hallie says, Terri knows mystery writing backwards and forwards and is literally everybody's friend. You're going to have a great experience and learn a lot.
DeleteApplause to all the Reds, and I agree- what a happy way to start the day. Looking forward to reading the new books, and looking forward to Bouchercon in Dallas. I'll be there clapping for you. My own good news is that next Brooklyn book, Brooklyn Legacies, is scheduled for Dec 3! Theoretically there will be copies in time for B'con. :-)
ReplyDeleteTriss, see you in Dallas! Both of my kids are in Brooklyn (Sunset Park) and my husband grew up there (Flatbush) so sounds like a series I need to read. Thanks for the heads-up.
DeleteOh, Triss, is there anything sweeter than the magic phrase, "You books will be ready in time for Bouchercon?"
DeleteThanks, Hallie and Julia. Hallie, everyone I meet seems to have a kid or two in Brooklyn these days. ( How times have changed) I keep thinking I will see you on the street sometime - I live in Park Slope, not far. The books are about different neighborhoods - the first was Park Slope. The new one is #5, Brooklyn Heights.
DeleteSo excited!! Congratulations to some of my favorite ladies! I woke up to some bad news but this has made my day. I just love having books to look forward to reading and all of your honors. Jungle Reds are leading the way! I am off to Amazon to see what I can preorder.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Atlanta, and we're happy to provide your daily cheering up!
DeleteYAY! Thank you.. that is so fabulous of you! xoo
DeleteJulia, I'm doing a happy dance about your release date! FINALLY! Also excited to see you, Hank, and Deborah at Bouchercon! And next year's Malice will be amazing!
ReplyDeleteSo much good news on all your books, Reds! Congrats! I need to make room on my TBR mountain for all of them!
I know, right? When I contemplate my TBR pile just for Reds books and those of our guests... I won't be surprised if my obituary reads, "Crushed by toppling tower of books, she died with a smile on her face."
DeleteCongratulations Reds! Has anyone ever counted all the books you have written and all the ones sold? I'm thinking that those alone would stock a neighborhood library And what if someone owned them all! I'd need an addition to house them.
ReplyDeleteSpecial congratulations to Julia who has got back on her bicycle AND pedaling after some difficult years. Kudos to you. I'm looking forward to meeting you at Bouchercon. Are you staying with Debs in McKinney too? Like all the rest of us?
Earlier this month I read CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, and it was not only a great read but it inspired me to clean out my closet. Well, at least to think about cleaning out my closet. I've got one pair of jean on the bed, all clean and folded and ready to go to Good Will. Hey. It's a start.
A couple of days ago A BITTER FEAST ARRIVED in the mail. You probably heard my squeals of glee, right? Debs, the anticipation created by the long wait between this book and the last made me feel as if Christmas came in May this year. I'm almost halfway into it, and, seriously, I've come downstairs at midnight looking for something to eat for the past two nights. God help us all if the next book is about wine. I'll have to take the bottle to bed with me. Safety first and all that.
Hope you all have a great weekend. Summer has arrived on the tundra, and Zweigle's Hots are ready for the grill. Happy Memorial Day
Ha ha ha!! WRITING "Careful..." inspired me to straighten my sock drawer. Then I needed a nap.
DeleteAnn, there is a LOT of food in A BITTER FEAST, I must admit. I had so much fun writing the food parts, but would you believe I lost ten pounds?
DeleteGood for you. I am finding them, those pounds you lost.
DeleteDebs, if it works like that, my next work will be a cookbook!
DeleteJulia, congratulations! I hope to attend the Malice Domestic next year. And congratulations to all of the Jungle Reds!
ReplyDeleteIt may not sound like a big deal to others, though it feels like a big accomplishment to me! I was clearing out space and found some of my favorite novels by Julie Kaewert. Unfortunately, they are now out of print and only one or two of the books are eBooks. They are the Alex Plumtree series and I loved the books. I had to move around furniture to make room for the chimney sweep and I found things that I thought I had given away to goodwill.
Another piece of good news is that I will be able to read a book for the read-along in June. I looked everywhere - at bookstores and libraries. They did not have the book so I sent a request to my library. Happy that the library found a copy of the book - Anne of the Island (Anne of Green Gables #3).
Look forward to reading all of your books, Jungle Reds!
Diana
Mary Maude Montgomery was SO PROLIFIC. I never read past Anne of Avonlea.
DeleteDiana, I loved Julie Kaewert's books, too. No idea what happened to mine.
DeleteDiana, there's no greater joy than finding your copy of a beloved book that's gone out of print.
DeleteHallie, I loved the Anne of Green Gables series in high school. I had a collection and I have no idea what happened to my collection.
DeleteDeborah, your copies may be in one of your boxes. I thought mine were lost until I cleared out spaces!
Julia, it is such a joy to find a beloved copy. I am so glad I kept them.
Diana
Hallie and Hank - can't wait for your new books.
ReplyDeleteJulia, Debs, and Hank - I'll see you all in October at Bouchercon! And Julia, I'm already registered for Malice next spring. :)
My news pales in comparison, but I'm super-excited for HEAVEN HAS NO RAGE, the second in The Laurel Highlands Mysteries series, which releases this August.
We are excited for you, too, Liz!!
DeleteNobody's book release pales in comparison with any other book release, Liz. It's all part and parcel of the same wonderful ecosystem.
DeleteYAY liz--that's wonderful! And we can celebrate here, right? WIth a guest blog from you? xox
DeleteSo much good news from the Reds! Brava, darling ones.
ReplyDeleteWe signed a contract with a real estate agent the other day, and there is now a sign out front "Coming Soon"! No pressure there. Within an hour, our agent had a phone call. Please keep your fingers crossed for us.
And our final inspections for the new house should all be completed by the time the house does list, next Friday. Moving day soon. IF I can find boxes for all the books left to pack.
Good thoughts and wishes headed your way, Karen! Remember, we'll want to hear all of your moving stories, too - it makes those of us staying put feel better about our life choices...:-)
DeleteI going have eye strain trying to catch up with all this great news. But at least this eye strain will be doing pleasant activities instead of just staring at my computer screen at work. Can't wait, searching bookstore shelves is one of favorite activities. That and looking for new yarn.
ReplyDeleteJust I just tried to think of new, exciting news for me. Nope, don't have any at this time but I look forward to finding all your books, eye strain and all. That reminds me, I need to make my annual appointment with my ophthalmologist.
The ophthalmologist is every reader's best friend!
DeleteWow! Congratulations all! As for me, nothing, nada, zilch. My granddaughter graduated from H.S. last night in Ohio. Hooray! She may be coming here to Houston to culinary school. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteA granddaughter graduating! Mazel! That's great news. Does "maybe coming to Houston" involve living with you? Or just being happy there's family around for support?
DeleteThanks for all the good books! Yesterday I ran into a recent graduate of the high school at which I taught. She was in kindergarten when I retired in '06. During the longest "summer vacation" ever, I've found I can read all I want, and thanks to your hard work, never fear running out. <3
ReplyDeleteMary, I know one of the things that always tickled Ross pink was when he'd be approached by some hulking, hairy football or soccer player who'd say, "Hi, Mr. H-V!" and it turned out to be Kyle or Aiden or Josh, whom he had taught when the boy was in kindergarten - third grade.
DeleteWow, so much reading goodness headed our way! Wonderful, and congratulations to all of you. Julia: that's a long wait, but I've calendared it and will be counting the days. Hank: can hardly wait. Rhys: time to catch up on Spyness, I think.
ReplyDeleteWe're practically a Book of the Month club here at Reds!
DeleteThank you, Rick! So lovely of you.... It's very exciting..xoxoo
DeleteSuch great news for all! I just subscribed to Publishers Lunch and saw the deal for Jenn - Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteWe're super excited for Jenn's deal - and to read the finished book!
DeleteOkay, that settles it. I MUST plan on attending Malice Domestic next year! Julia’s series is on a *very* short list of books I’ve read more than once.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And if you haven't attended Malice before - it's great fun. Three days of hanging around with people who eat, drink and sleep books.
DeleteO frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' I chortled in my joy. I'll have to see how soon these come up on my library's "Coming Soon" list where I can put them on hold. You've just made my day!!
ReplyDeletejanet
We
Deletere happy to oblige, Janet!
I am in a great happy place with the reading I have to look forward to this summer. I have three of the Reds' new novels waiting on top of my TBR list. I have a couple of books I need to get in for pressing reviews first, and then, oh what fun I'm going to have reading the Reds. Something I'd love to do, but just can't, is go on the mystery river cruise Martin Edwards is doing in July. He's already done one. Reds, have you all thought about doing one of these? Of course, I know how busy you are with everything else, and, Hallie has the Tuscany workshop, which would be hard to beat in a gorgeous surroundings gig.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get through some dental work, had a root canal on a tooth and got three temporary crowns this week. Permanent crowns in two weeks, but then I have more after that. I'll probably put those off until July, as at the very least, I want to take a trip to my hometown in June and to see my son either on the way there or back. A friend, who is in England now (jealous, so jealous) might join me for part of the trip and share an Airbnb in Lexington, KY for a few days. He's my friend from childhood who grew up next door to me. He's also got a husband, so no impropriety there. I'm going to my granddaughter's high school graduation tonight, so that will be a happy occasion. And, I'm starting to firm up a month to visit England next year. I just have to confirm who will go with me.
Julia, you're the reason I might attend my first Malice Domestic next year. So exciting that you will be the Guest of Honor. And, a publication date for your book? That is cause to celebrate for sure! Debs and Hank, Dallas will be awesome with you all as Bouchercon Guests of Honor! With both of your books out before Bouchercon, it will be especially great for you two and your fans. Hallie, congratulations on the starred review from Publisher's Weekly, and how awesome your book will be out in time for Bouchercon signings, too. Add in Lucy and Jenn having books out for signings at Bouchercon, and you all have made so many readers happy about that. Lucy, being featured in the best books of the week in Woman's World was sweet, and fans are already drooling over The Key Lime Crime, for which you shared your research with us. Jenn, I voted for your book in the Fresh Fiction contest, and I'm thrilled for your deal with Penguin Randomhouse. Rhys, congratulations on your million books mark and portrait hanging at Amazon. I enjoyed your piece you wrote about touring Amazon headquarters. And, I voted for your book in the Fresh Fiction contest, too. Of course, I can hardly wait to read the new Lady Georgie, and I loved its title so much. Yet another Reds' book available for Bouchercon signings, so woohee.
Kathy, if I can get you to come to Malice, I'm glad. It's a terrific conference in a nice setting, and I guarantee you'll have fun.
DeleteI love to see all of this fabulous news! Congratulations to all of you! And you know what? You should toot your own horns more often. You are an amazing group of talented women who are always generous with your time and advice. Yay all of you.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed men generally don't have a problem with tooting their own horns... ;-)
DeleteCongrats on all the wonderful news!
ReplyDeleteI just got hired at the job I've been temping at for 9 months. My first official day is Tuesday. I'm very happy.
YAAAAAAYYYYYY!
DeleteWell done, Mark! That's great news!
DeleteI really love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you develop this site yourself?
ReplyDeletePlease reply back as I’m planning to create my own site and would
like to know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called.
Kudos! I truly love your website.. Very nice colors & theme.
Did you develop this site yourself? Please reply back
as I’m attempting to create my very own site and would love to know where you got this from or exactly what the
theme is named. Kudos! I love it whenever
people get together and share views. Great
website, keep it up