New Books - NewInBooks

Interview with Nurit and Rami Harpaz, Authors of Letters From Captivity

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Letters From Captivity : The Israeli Pilot and his Wife?

This book is actually an epistolary novel. Using the authentic letters exchanged between Rami and myself while he was in captivity in Egypt. Throughout the years of Rami's captivity – on both sides of the Sinai Desert – Rami and I went through many upheavals, happy moments vying with dispiriting disasters, hope mingling with despair. The story of our lives during that time – together and separately – is the inspiration behind this book. We decided that publishing our story could give hope to other people.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Letters From Captivity : The Israeli Pilot and his Wife, what would they be?

Let It Be by The Beatles.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Translated Israeli literature.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Several biographies!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Rami's return from captivity.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

The hope this book brings for peace and self-development, the belief that anything is possible.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The ability to keep hope even in the face of darkness and to always see the light at the end of the tunnel, even in the worst of situations.

Nurit and Rami Harpaz are the authors of the new book Letters From Captivity : The Israeli Pilot and his Wife

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Interview with Monica Murphy, Author of A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime?

A variety of little pieces came together to inspire this book. I planned on starting a different book about a different Lancaster but this one came to my mind (Crew) and demanded to be heard.

I knew he'd go to Lancaster Prep (just like my other characters did in Things I Wanted to Say). I knew she would be sweet and innocent and he wouldn't be at all. I read an article about a very wealthy couple who divorced and had to split up their very coveted art collection and how it was sold at auction. That intrigued me so I came up with Wren's parents. I thought it would be fun to make Wren interested in art as well and started looking up pieces and... that's how it really came together. When I found a specific piece that became the thing Wren wanted more than anything else.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love to read contemporary romance, thrillers, and the occasional YA.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I am currently reading Tessa Bailey's Hook, Line and Sinker and Kiss to Belong by Anna B. Doe is next up.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There were so many in this book! Near the end, when Crew starts sending gifts to Wren. Those scenes were fun.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

It's not something I do, but my cat is always trying to hover over my keyboard and watch me write with a judgmental look on his face LOL.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

This sounds so corny but I try to live by, "Ask for it. The worst they could say is no." I'd rather regret it not working out than never asking for it at all...

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

What it felt like to fall in love for the very first time. That's what I was going for between Crew and Wren. Wondrous, all consuming, love.

Monica Murphy is the author of the new book A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime

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Interview with Anna Dahland, Author of Swedish Again

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Swedish Again: a memoir of motherhood and identity?

I had one of those “life is stranger than fiction” experiences, and when it was over, my friends urged me to write it down! Briefly, I ended up back in Sweden, which I had left as a child, trying to parent seven grieving kids. It was intense, emotional, funny, and often ironic.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Swedish Again: a memoir of motherhood and identity, what would they be?

Something from "The Sounds of Music," definitely! Ah, well-meaning Maria... except my kids didn't sing at the end.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read all sorts of things, but I guess my favorite is memoir. I love the adventures people have and how they overcome adversity. People are unique and creative, and life throws unexpected things at them. Two of my favorite memoirs are “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt and “Intended” by Sharon Nesbit-Davis.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Oh, boy - lots of things. There are two memoirs – “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner and “A Constellation of Ghosts” by Laraine Herring. I’m also reading “Modern Love,” a collection of NY Times essays.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Hahaha, that has to be the "horabyxor" scene. My foster children sent me out to the mall asking for a type of pants. Not until after I had gone around asking for them did I discover that the Swedish word they had taught me was a nickname. The word was, well, not something a proper middle-aged woman would want to go around saying!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I don’t like interruptions, so I have a sign on my door indicating when I’ll be back. It looks like one of those clocks you see in a storefront, “Sorry we missed you. We’ll be back at…” Sometimes I tape a large sheet of yellow legal pad to the clock which says, “Writing! Don’t come in!” In case the message is not clear enough. So basically, yeah, I’m obnoxious to my family.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

"Let deeds, not words, be your adorning" from the Baha'i Writings, and above my bed, "Wake up. Kick ass. Be Kind. Repeat."

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

You don't have to be perfect to help someone. You're enough, and your love is enough.

Anna Dahland is the author of the new book Swedish Again: a memoir of motherhood and identity

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Interview with Davina Stone, Author of The Felicity Theory

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Felicity Theory?

I love road trips. I love the grumpy meets sunshine trope, it always lends itself to all kinds of misadventures. And I totally love the shared bed trope. And finally, I love the idea of two wounded souls healing one another. I wanted to bring all these together in my favorite country, Australia, and I reckon it makes for a really fun – and steamy —ride!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Felicity Theory, what would they be?

Oliver and Felicity’s song is definitely “Thinking out Loud” by Ed Sheeran. Something about kissing under those thousand stars... That’s an outback sky for you.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I enjoy everything romance, especially, surprise, steamy rom/coms. But, I also read literary fiction and fantasy. Anything that stretches my imagination.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Spanish Love Deception - I am a sucker for fake dating in all forms, The Night Circus (been meaning to read this one for ages), and Colleen Hoover’s Verity.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Can I have two? It could be the spider in the shower (sorry, arachnophobes) or the rain scene when everything ignites between Oliver and Felicity.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I often work on three stories at the same time. That’s kind of crazy, but I’m never bored.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I want readers to remember that it made them smile!

Davina Stone is the author of the new book The Felicity Theory

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Interview with Emma V. R. Noyes, Author of The Sunken City

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Sunken City?

I’ve always had an obsession with the water; I grew up in Chicago, next to Lake Michigan, and I was a competitive springboard diver for a long time. The idea for this novel was born over twenty years ago, when I wrote my first-ever novel, called The Sea Girl. I was just six years old. The book was terrible, of course, but it followed a young girl who could breathe underwater and went for adventures on the ocean floor. One year ago, I decided to revive that childhood story, but turn it into something real (rather than stick figures on lined paper).

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Sunken City, what would they be?

Easy. I wrote this book with the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack on repeat. "Jack Sparrow" is my personal favorite. That would be their theme song.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genres are contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and select literary fiction. And, coincidentally - yes! Those are also my favorite genres to write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Gosh, the pile is always massive, isn't it? Right now, I'd say The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, Book Lovers by Emily Henry (I adore all of her books), Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert, , and about 1 million others.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Ohhh, great question! For this book, my favorite scenes to write were the nightclub scenes. There was so much fun world-building to be done in every aspect of the Sunken City, but the nightclubs were where I got to get creative and colorful. I watched my characters truly let loose in those scenes, and it was a joy to see.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I'm not too high-maintenance in most aspects of life, but I am a complete TERROR when it comes to writing requirements. I need a big screen (big enough where moving large pieces of text is easy), a mug of coffee by my side, and - most important of all - a big, cushy chair.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I've been in therapy for ages, and there's plenty of tidbits of wisdom that I've come to live by. One of those kernels is actually said by the character Lukas toward the end of the book: You deserve someone who will love every part of you - the good, the dark, the angry, the broken. Who sees your shadow self and loves that self all the more."

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The way the magic system works in this story is that, in order to access your powers, you have to face down your inner demons. To accept the shadow self that lives within you. I have long struggled with OCD and eating disorders, and one of the core tenants of my work in therapy was accepting the scarier, “less acceptable” parts of myself. It’s something I’ve been very vocal about in my writing, and a message I want to spread widely.

It’s better to accept yourself for who you are, rather than fighting it.

Emma V. R. Noyes is the author of the new book The Sunken City

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Interview with Jesse Slade, Author of The SEAL and the Singer

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The SEAL and the Singer (No Easy Day Book 1)?

I always wanted to be a writer, but life got in the way. I figured if I was going to do it, I better do it before it was too late!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The SEAL and the Singer (No Easy Day Book 1), what would they be?

Yours by Russel Dickerson.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Steamy Romance, Military Romance, Romantic Comedy, and Romance Romance!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Brutal Vows, Pen Pal, Last Eligible Billionaire, Imperfect, The Brawl, Canuck, and Rescuing Annie.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

That steamy shower scene!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I tend to write the main story and dialog first and add the steamy parts last. I do discuss what goes right and what goes wrong with my dogs.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Life is hard, so find the laughter

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

There are five more in the series! Honestly, I just hope they liked it.

Jesse Slade is the author of the new book The SEAL and the Singer (No Easy Day Book 1)

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Interview with Mark Graves, Author of Children of the Eighth Day

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Children of the Eighth Day?

I was thinking about the idea of vampires and what the world would be like if they actually did exist. That led me to think about how vampires wold be created in this world.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Children of the Eighth Day, what would they be?

My main, mortal, character is a teenager growing up in the 1970's. He's a fan of Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, and AC/DC.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genre is mystery/thriller and these sensibilities have been infused into my writing. While my vampires might be immortal, the tension comes not from magic or supernatural events, but from the struggle between good and evil.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I am currently reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. I recently finished the Cruel Prince series by Holly Black, and The Chain by Adrian McKinty.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The sequence where my hero, Alexander McGill, first encounters The Graf and learns the depravity of other vampires.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Other than needing to have music playing and not being able to write with anyone else in the room, I don't think I have too many writing quirks.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

We make time for the things we love.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

We all have a choice for how we live. Even in dark circumstances, we can choose to be good.

Mark Graves is the author of the new book Children of the Eighth Day

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New Mystery and Thriller Books to Read | March 15

Hold on to the edge of your seat as we hunt for clues and solve the case with these exciting new mystery and thriller books for the week! There are so many bestselling authors with new novels for you to dive into this week including Sylvie Grayson, Harlan Coben, Simone St. James, and many more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!

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New Romance Books to Read | March 15

Looking to fall in love with some new romance reads? You’ll adore these exciting new novels! This week you can get your hands on books by bestselling authors Monica Murphy, Davina Stone, Jesse Slade, and more. Enjoy your new romance books and happy reading!

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New Books to Read in Literary Fiction | March 15

Literary fiction readers are in for a treat. This week’s latest releases list is full of intriguing reads you won’t want to miss! The new releases list includes so many bestselling authors like Peng Shepherd, Ayanna Lloyd Banwo, Melissa Fu, and many more. Enjoy your new literary fiction books. Happy reading!