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New Releases Week of June 28

July is only a few days away, and, as you turn the last pages of your latest read, you'll be looking for a new book! We've rounded up some of the hottest new releases for the last week of June, including new releases from James Patterson and Emily Giffin. Tempted to try out a new romance? Bestselling author L.P. Dover's newest book, Defending Hayden, is the book for you. Interested in a gritty mystery that packs a punch? Check out Iron Goddess, the new, fast-paced thriller by Dharma Kelleher.

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Books to Read if You Like Denise Grover Swank

From romance to urban fantasy to mysteries, Denise Grover Swank can write it all. Of all her series, however, the Rose Gardner Mysteries seem to be a fan-favorite. When books like these combine humor, mystery, and smart female sleuths together, you know the end product is going to be amazing. If you've been a fan of the Rose Gardner series for a while, you'll be happy to learn that the newest book, Thirty-Six and a Half Motives, was just released in May of this year! For those who already finished the new addition to the series, check out these books to read if you like Denise Grover Swank. Looking to read more cozy mysteries? Find them in our posts including Miss Marple, Wannabe Sleuths, Female Sleuths, Culinary Twists, Cozy Mysteries, More Cozy Mysteries, Cozy Beach Reads, and Pool-side Reads.

Books to Read if You Like Denise Grover Swank

 

Trouble Magnet

DelSheree Gladden

Release Date: March 15, 2016

Trouble seems to follow Eliza Carlisle everywhere. She moves into a strange apartment with a lot of strange rules, and the most important, and most troubling, of them all is that NO physical violence is allowed amongst the residents. The manager says they have this rule because of... incidents... that occurred a long time ago, but Eliza begins to question just how "long" ago they happened when a dead body is discovered on the property. The suspect made off with a object that serves as a valuable piece of evidence, so Eliza is determined to hunt him down and figure out what's going on in her new home.

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Books of  Feather

Kate Carlisle

Release Date: June 7, 2016

Brooklyn Wainwright is a book-restoration expert, and her friend Ian is running an exhibit at the Covington Library on an ancient, historical book about birds that was written by James Audubon. At the opening ceremony for the exhibit, the president of the National Birdwatchers Society approaches her and requests that she help him restore another one of Audubon's works. Later that night, the same man is found dead in the library and no one knows who did it. Danger is following Brooklyn wherever she goes, and she needs to figure out what's going on before things get worse.

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Fixin' to Die

Tonya Kappes

Release Date: June 14, 2016

Kenni Lowry is the sheriff of Cottonwood, Kentucky, and she's proud that her town has a zero crime rate. Somehow, she discovers that her grandfather's ghost has been haunting the town and scaring away anyone who attempted to commit crime. But he isn't able to scare away everyone... One day, the town's favorite doctor is found dead on the same day when there was a robbery in a local jewelry store. Kenni is determined to figure out who's behind this so she can lock up the culprits and get justice.

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Murder in Morningside Heights

Victoria Thompson

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Frank Malloy used to be a police sergeant, and now he's working as a private detective in New York. Abigail Northrup, a young girl with a promising future, was recently murdered around Morningside Heights, and her parents are absolutely distraught. The police refuse to investigate the crime, and her parents have no idea what to do. They ask Frank for help, so he starts to look into the case with his wife Sarah. As they get further into the details behind the case, they begin to learn that Abigail had many secrets that she was hinidng form the world.

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A Pattern of Lies

Charles Todd

Release Date: August 18, 2015

After a tragic explosion at the Aston Gunpowder Mill in France, Bess Crawford heads over to see if she can figure out what happened. The Ashton family is hostile towards her from the moment she arrives, and it doesn't stop when Philip Aston is arrested for having possible ties to the explosion. There is only one surviving witness to the tragedy, and Bess must find him before it's too late.

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Blood Orange

Susan Wittig Albert

Release Date: April 5, 2016

China Bayles lives in Pecan Springs, and she's currently renting her guest house to a friend who just got divorced. While in Pecan Springs, her friend discovers malpractice in the local hospice and believes that a nurse murdered one of her patients. Since China has solved crimes before, she jumps in to help figure out what's going on. But when her friend gets in an accident that forces her into a coma, China must discover the criminal before it's too late.

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Books to Read if You Like Liliana Hart

Liliana Hart is a New York Times bestselling author, having sold over 3 million copies of her 40 plus books and induced an uncountable number of shudders and chills down the spines of enthralled readers. Her newest book, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, came out in April, but who knows when her next release will be? If you've already been through her considerable backlist, here's a collection of books to read if you like Liliana Hart.

Books to Read if You Like Liliana Hart


Family Honour

Hannah Howe

Release Date: May 1, 2016

Mr Vincent Vanzetti has an offer for Private Investigator Sam Smith. Sure, he's the biggest villain in the states, but he also has a daughter, Vittoria, who's been missing, and he wants Sam to find her. Sam has to investigate through the dark cast of the Vanzettis and their associates while dealing with her own issues at home. Her lover, Dr Alan Storey, is ready to get married, but Sam is unsure if she has fully healed from her past of abuse.

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X

Sue Grafton

Release Date: August 25, 2015

P.I. Kinsey Millhone is after a serial killer, one that leaves no traces of their criminal activity. The 24th installment of the series by New York Times Bestselling author Sue Grafton, sure to send a few chills down the spine and jumps at unexpected sounds.

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The Chase

Janet Evanovich

Release Date: February 25, 2014

Special Agent Kate O’Hare and con artist Nicolas Fox work undercover to dupe the worst in the criminal world. Their most recent assignment? Carter Grove, a previous White House staffer directly responsible for a theft that may result in a third World War, this time with China.

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The Cinderella Murder

Mary Higgins Clark, Alafair Burke

Release Date: November 18, 2014

Laurie Moran is a television producer with a lucky streak. Her new show has taken off, and even helped close a cold case. Her next subject? The Cinderella Murder. The crime leaves many questions and few culprits, but is it ready to be exposed to the public?

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Nemesis

Catherine Coulter

Release Date: July 7, 2015

Stopping a terrorist plot at JFK was only the first of Special Agent Lacey Sherlock's patriotic accomplishments, as another plot in a historic cathedral appears to be going down simultaneously. With the first terrorist refusing to negotiate with anyone but Lacey, she's teams up with Special Agent Cal McLain to get to the bottom of the matter. But is there more to the plot than airport and church bombings?
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Hollywood Blood

M.Z. Kelly

Release Date: April 30, 2014

LAPD cop Kate Sexton may have been recently promoted, but at the worst of times. High profile persons are being targeted and shot in the Hollywood. Not only that, those investigating are being put in the cross hairs as well.

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Interview with Ellie Cahill, Author of Just a Girl

What can you tell us about your new release, Just a Girl?

Just a Girl is my love letter to all the musicians I've known. It's not all glamour and groupies and sold-out stadium tours. For most musicians, it's passion for the music and all the things they'll do to be part of it. Just a Girl is the story of Presley Mason, a 21 year-old singer who was in an up-and-coming hard rock group, but petty jealousies among the band members led them to kick her out. She moves back home to Wisconsin where her parents run a well-known music store. There, feeling like her music career is over (except for dusting the piano and filing sheet music in the store), she meets Paul, a guitar teacher. He's in a band, too, but he suffers from crippling stage fright that keeps the band from moving to the next level. Presley has promised herself she'll never mix music and romance again, but when Paul's band finds themselves suddenly lacking in a lead singer, they beg her to fill in. She's falling hard for Paul, but this feels like a recipe for disaster. Still, how can she turn them down when they need her?

Where is your happy place? Why does it bring you joy?

Can I have more than one? Because when I really want to unplug and relax, there's nothing like the beach. The sound of the ocean and a warm breeze while I lounge on a chair (in the shade, because I am pale like what) and indulge in uninterrupted reading. That's bliss. But since I live in the middle of the country that's not exactly an achievable happy place most of the time. For more practical purposes, I'd say anywhere I can be surrounded by books. The library or a book store. I love everything about places like that. The smell of paper, the visuals of endless shelves covered in stories. Even the quality of the sound. It gets muffled a bit by all the books. I love it. So many possibilities.


Who is your favorite fictional character from literature?

This is where I'm supposed to be all cultured and say something like Elizabeth Bennett, right? Sorry. I'm not that kind of reader. I guess if I had to pick one, I'd pick Fran from Stephen King's The Stand. It's pretty much my favorite book of all time and she is a fantastic character. I like that she's both strong and vulnerable. Resourceful with leadership qualities, but also willing to let others use their strengths.

Your books are often compared to John Hughes movies. Which of his movies is your favorite?

Oh gosh, that's a great question. I think I'd have to go with Ferris Bueller's Day Off. It's just such a wish-fulfillment movie. Who doesn't want to lead a street full of people in Twist and Shout? I think we'd all like to be a little more like Ferris. Plus, Jennifer Grey is so unbelievably great in that movie.

What's rocking your world this month?

Game of Thrones! I am a total junkie for that show and I am so happy it's on right now! But I'm also really sad it's almost over already. How am I supposed to wait another year for more?! Other things that I'm digging right now: Sebastian York narrating Lauren Blakely's audio books because the man could make a grocery list sound like erotic poetry, iced raspberry lattes, and any excuse to eat kimchi.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

I have a glassed in front porch and there is nothing better than sitting on the porch, totally dry, while a big thunderstorm rages outside. In the summer time, I live for those first few moments when it starts raining and you get that smell of the earth getting wet. I even love the word for it—petrichor. But if it's going to be just a drizzly, rainy day, I love to curl up on the couch and watch movies.

What scene in Just a Girl was your favorite to write?

I had so much fun writing the scene where Presley and Paul are hanging out at the store after close. I've always loved the idea of being in places after everyone else is gone. The freedom and the sort of illicit thrill of it. And in a music store, you'd have free rein to play all the instruments, make as much noise as you want. Plus it was such fun thinking about what kind of songs they'd use to seduce each other.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

In writing, the best advice I've ever gotten was to let go and write. Don't try to get it perfect the first time. You can fix mistakes, but you can't fix words that never make it to the page.

But the best advice I've ever gotten in life might be to start wearing underwear in bigger sizes. Whatever size you're supposed to be based on your pants size, go up at least one. Maybe two. Your butt will thank you.

Ellie Cahill is the author of the new book Just a Girl.

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Interview with Rhett C. Bruno, Author of Titanborn

What can you tell us about your new release, Titanborn?

Other than that it’s finally coming out? I think the most interesting thing about the background of the novel is that I originally wrote it as a short story. It was a fairly long one I’ll admit, but as I read through it I knew something was missing. It was a fairly straightforward bounty hunter tale, but I fell in love with writing in the world and the mind of the main character Malcolm Graves. So I scrapped everything I had and started over, taking the premise and the characters and turning it into a rather gray story about family, coming to terms with mortality and the dangers of colonization. The most important aspect of Titanborn is that there are no outright good guys or villains. It’s everyone fighting for survival.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

That’s a tough one. I’ve always written, going back to middle school. I used to craft epic fantasy short stories which are probably garbage now! I’d say the first time I really thought, “hey, maybe I’ll try to actually be an author,” must have been when a high school English Teacher checked out a rough manuscript I said and thought it was better than what she usually gets from students. That, and maybe when a reader critiqued another unpublished manuscript and absolutely tore it apart. I think that was the final push to pursue writing as a craft and get better at it.

What books are currently on your night stand?

I hate to say it, but I actually only really read from the kindle app on my phone these days. I just like having it on the go. Currently, I’m reading a first draft of a space opera novella for a friend. My fiancée, however, has a copy of one of my books on her nightstand that she’s pushing through!

What's your favorite thing about Science Fiction?

I think it’s the way it relates to our own world. Even without meaning to, I often draw so many parallels to things I see or read in real life. It’s like putting on glasses that can see a millions different possibilities of a future and writing about it. It’s why I tend to keep my scifi close to Earth so that it’s more believable and relatable. I want readers to read my work and think, “What if that really happened?” There’s just so much freedom to explore the nature of humanity when it comes to scifi. Plus, who doesn’t love spaceships?

BAM. You're a superhero. What's your superpower?

Hmm, tough call. I think telekinesis. I’m a huge Star Wars fan, so it’d basically be like having the force. Imagine being able to type without moving my fingers? Or build a house while just sitting on a bench?

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Keep writing, but also READ! I didn’t really start reading other genre writers consistently until reaching college. High School kind of forced me to read genres I didn’t like and knocked me out of the groove. But one I got into all of the golden age classics I realized that you can’t write without reading.

What scene in Titanborn was your favorite to write?

In every book there’s always a scene that I can’t wait to get to. There’s one in Titanborn that exists just as it did when it was only a short story. I couldn’t bear to change it. An offworld terrorist is laying alone out on Earth, dying and staring at the mountains. Malcolm arrives to take him in, but things couldn’t go more wrong. I don’t think any scene in both the Titanborn books I’ve written so far captures the mindset of the offworlders like that one.

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

Do or do not, there is no try. Like Yoda? I don’t know, there isn’t really. I just try to do my best at everything I try and prefer not to give up. I can be stubborn that way.

Rhett C. Bruno is the author of the new book Titanborn.

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 Twitter

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Books to Read if You Like Jim Butcher

If you dare to venture into the literary worlds of fantasy and the supernatural, you'll probably find the works of Jim Butcher. He is best known for The Dresden Files Series, which features a private investigator/wizard who patrols the streets of modern-day Chicago. If you've already finished his latest release, The Cinder Spires, then you may be looking for something new to read. Lucky for you, we made a list of books to read if you like Jim Butcher so you can easily find the best new fantasy release!

Books to Read if You Like Jim Butcher

 

Raven's Peak

Lincoln Cole

Release Date: July 5, 2016

The people of Raven's Peak are beginning to act strange, and Abigail Dressler is determined to find out why. When she steps in to rescue Haatim Arison from his untimely demise, she discovers that he has a hidden supernatural family history that could destroy everyone in Raven's Peak. Since Abigail grew up surrounded by danger, she has a hard time trusting people. Nevertheless, she'll have to learn how to trust if she wants to put a stop to the force threatening her home.

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Staked: The Iron Druid Chronicles

Kevin Hearne

Release Date: January 26, 2016

In his two thousand years of life, Atticus has encountered many vampires. Everywhere he turns, it seems like a vampire is waiting in the darkness to take him down. The time to destroy them has arrived, and Atticus is in need of assistance. Unfortunately, his friends are dealing with trolls and Norse gods, so they may not be able to come to his side to help. How will Atticus put a stop to his arch nemesis before it's too late?

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The Bands of Mourning

Brandon Sanderson

Release Date: January 26, 2016

The Bands of Mourning are powerful metalminds controlled by the Lord Ruler, and most people don't believe that they exist. When a kandra comes back to Elendel with evidence of the existence of the Bands, Waxillium Ladrian goes south to get more information. During his journey, he learns more information about the aspirations of his uncle and the organization called The Set. The Bands of Mourning is a continuation of Sanderson's popular Mistborn series.

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The Wheel of Osheim

Mark Lawrence

Release Date: June 7, 2016

The Wheel of Osheim is the epic conclusion to The Red Queen's War series. If he wants to save his family from the afterlife, Snorri Ver Snagason must faces the horrors of Hell. As for Jalan Kendeth, he's just happy to get out with Loki's key, which can open anything he wants. Jalan has hopes of returning to his former life, but fate has bigger plans for him. As the Wheel of Osheim gets faster, the end get closer. If they want any hope at saving the world, Jalan and Snorri must fight many dangerous beings.

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The Last Mortal Bond

Brian Staveley

Release Date: March 15, 2016

In this exhilarating conclusion to an epic trilogy, the ancient csestriim have returned to finish massacring humanity. Even though the imperial siblings, Valyn, Adare, and Kaden, have different visions for the new world, they must work together if they want any chance at defeating the csestriim. If they are able to save the world from destruction, can they reconcile their conflicting opinions?

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Burned

Benedict Jacka

Release Date: April 5, 2016

Burned is the seventh book in the Alex Verus Series. Alex is a diviner, and the Council of Mages aren't his biggest fan. After Alex pushed their buttons one too many times, one of the Mages wants him dead. But that's not the worst of his worries... Now that his neck is on the line, his dependents, Luna, Anne, and Vari, are next on the hit list. In hopes of protecting his friends, Alex distances himself from them and tries to find some allies within the council.

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The Buzziest Summer Reads of 2016

The summer is always full of hot new releases to enjoy in the hot summer sun. This summer, there are some particularly buzzy reads already out and on their way to bookshelves everywhere. We are stoked to get our hands on them and find out what all the fuss is about! Check out this list of the buzziest new releases for summer 2016. Some will make you laugh, other will make you cry, and all will be great additions to your "To Be Read" list!

The Buzziest Summer Reads of 2016

 

The Children

Ann Leary

Release Date: May 24, 2016

Summer is the perfect time to read witty and captivating women's fiction like The Children. The story is centered around a quirky and wealthy family from New England, and it's narrated by the reclusive and (strangely) internet-famous Charlotte Maynard. Charlotte and her sister have lived in the Connecticut Lakeside house for their whole life, but their younger stepbrothers now own the estate. Spin, one of the stepbrothers, is about to get married and brings his fiancé to stay with them over the summer. As the wedding slowly approaches, hidden resentments emerge that may pit the family members against each other.

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Modern Lovers

Emma Straub

Release Date: May 31, 2016

Fans of The Vacationers will love Emma Straub's newest release! It follows three close friends who met in college and are now living in gentrified Brooklyn with their families. All of them are in their 50's, and they are struggling to come to terms with growing older and what that means for their life and their ambitions. Modern Lovers is a great read for both young adults who are trying to find their way in the world and older adults who want to reminisce about their college days.

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Homegoing

Yaa Gyasi

Release Date: June 7, 2016

In her debut novel, Yaa Gyasi paints an exquisite picture of how generations of people are impacted by decisions and events of the past. The story follows Effia and Esi, two half-sisters from Ghana whose lives divert on extremely different paths. Throughout the story, Gyasi takes you through the generations of descendants who follow the two sisters and shows how their lives are impacted by the things that go on around them.

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Rich and Pretty

Rumaan Alam

Release Date: June 7, 2016

Let's be honest: we've all struggled to navigate the adult world at some point in our lives. Rich and Pretty focuses on the challenges of adult life and how the power of friendship can help us get through these rough patches. The two main characters, Sarah and Lauren, have been best friends for almost their entire life. Now that they are in their thirties, they are having trouble maintaining the strong bond that they once had. This highly relatable story explores what it's like when our paths diverge from the people who were once close to us, and how the power of a strong friendship can carry you through the difficult parts of life.

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The Girls

Emma Cline

Release Date: June 14, 2016

Set in the 1960's, The Girls follows young Evie as she becomes entranced and pulled into a cult that is reminiscent of the Manson Family. Evie first sees these girls in a park, and she is enamored by their reckless abandon and seemingly carefree spirits. She is taken to their ranch and is slowly drawn into the strange, hippie-like life of the cult. The longer she's away from her normal life, the closer she gets to committing unthinkable acts of violence. This novel is mesmerizing, and it's a must read for 2016.

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Vinegar Girl

Anne Tyler

Release Date: June 21, 2016

We've mentioned Vinegar Girl before in our Librarian's Picks post, but it's worth talking about again. Starting in October 2015, well-known authors started writing modern adaptations of some of Shakespeare's most notable works for the Hogarth Shakespeare project. Vinegar Girl is the third book of the project that's been released, and it puts a new spin on The Taming of the Shrew.

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Truly Madly Guilty

Liane Moriarty

Release Date: July 26, 2016

Hailed by Entertainment Weekly as the "Best Beach Bet" for Summer 2016, Truly Madly Guilty explores what happens when things go wrong in the lives of three normal, happy families. Before they go to their neighbor's barbecue, Sam and Clementine lead a happy and exciting life. They have great jobs, two children, and a healthy marriage. Things go haywire after Clementine's best friend, Erika, convinces them to go to Tiffany and Vid's upcoming barbecue. What seemed like a normal weekend event turned into something that changed their lives forever.

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The Regulars

Georgia Clark

Release Date: August 2, 2016

If you're recently graduated twenty-something who is trying to make it in the working world, you might want to pick up The Regulars. The story follows three best friends as they move to New York and attempt to survive their tumultuous quarter-life crises. They consider themselves average-looking, "regular" girls until they come across a magical medicine that makes them absolutely gorgeous. If they want the medicine to become pretty, however, they may have to sacrifice something else in their life.

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The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo

Amy Schumer

Release Date: August 16, 2016

Amy Schumer has been making us laugh out loud since she started her show Inside Amy Schumer, and soon you'll be able to experience her comedic prowess in book form. Her new memoir tells many of the stories that shaped her into the confident and hilarious woman she is today. Reading these personal and heartfelt essays will make you feel like you're grabbing a drink with your best friend.

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Interview with T.E. Woods, Author of Dead End Fix

What can you tell us about your new release, Dead End Fix?

I don’t want to give away too much. Where’s the fun in that? I can tell you there are two main story lines working. One line starts right where Fixed In Fear left off. Hadley’s been kidnapped by Allie. Mort’s left with no delusions as to what his daughter has become. Allie, now the head of a global crime syndicate, has grown more powerful than even she, in her twisted mind, could have conceived. Lydia is determined to bring Hadley home. Do I need to say bedlam and havoc result when the two women cross paths? Meanwhile, gang warfare erupts in Seattle, and Mort, despite his soul-wrenching issues at home, must work with his team to put an end to the rapidly-growing body count.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Are you telling me the sky’s the limit? That any guest I ask would be certain to accept? If so, my mind begs me to invite two illuminati: Stephen King and Toni Morrison. While at first glance the two may seem miles apart, it’s my opinion they share the mantle of greatest living story teller. Each, with very different styles and genres, has a way of grabbing the reader, holding tight, and daring them to remember to breathe as their stories unfold. Each, again, very disparately, gives the reader the exact word, the most perfect sentence, and the fully-fleshed riveting characters which lay bare eternal truths and fears that linger with us for decades. If forced to do something other than sit in their glow and listen to these two giants speak their crafts, I’d ask Stephen King if he ever feels his enormous commercial success has undermined his rightful place in the pantheon of literary genius. I’d ask Toni Morrison how she protects herself from overwhelm each time she dives into the depths and heights of all it means to be human. I’d tell her that I, too, was raised in Lorain, Ohio. Then I’d ask her if she’s yet to find a hamburger as good as Bob’s Big Boy.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

I work two full-time jobs. I’m a clinical psychologist with an oh-so active practice and I’m a mystery writer trying to make it in a market more competitive than I ever imagined. I don’t do well with mediocrity. I demand the best of myself in both careers. In addition to my jobs I’m in a marriage that, after all these years, is the cornerstone of my life. I am blessed with friends far more wonderful than I deserve. My family is healthy, active, and strong. I hike, I kayak, I bike, and I’m companion to two nutty dogs. If I had an extra hour? I’d sleep. Sleep in, sleep late, take a nap, grab a snooze…in my jammies, in the theater, in a taxi or a plane...I don’t care. Give me an hour with nobody’s name on it and I’m shutting my eyes, tuning out the world, and falling into the arms of Morpheus before anyone comes to steal those sixty minutes away.

If you could invent anything, what would it be?

My invention is a pocket-sized device called the “IKnow” (patent pending). Its sleek design and ease-of use makes it a must-have for any homo sapien over the age of fifteen. Got an issue? Lost something? Confused about the intricacies of twenty-first century life? Just speak your dilemma into the built-in microphone, press the mother-of-pearl entry key, et voila! IKnow immediately gives you your answer in any of nineteen pre-programmed languages. “Where are my car keys?” IKnow knows! “Does a royal blue shirt go in the medium or dark laundry pile?” IKnow will tell you in an instant. “Is my lover cheating on me?” Let IKnow give it to you straight. “How do I represent the struggle for happiness within the context of existential brevity in such a way that my cartoon giraffe character won’t scare away the pre-school crowd?” IKnow will outline your plot in one hundred words or less. For three easy payments of $49.95, your life becomes that bowl of cherries your grandmother used to sing about. Order now. Operators are standing by. Don’t know the number? Betcha wish you had your IKnow right about now!

Have your books taken any inspiration from your career as a clinical psychologist?

I don’t think I’d have any books if it wasn’t for my day job. People come to see me because something in their life isn’t working. Something’s in the way of them living their best life ever. It could be depression, anxiety, psychosis, addiction, grief…you name it. Sometimes it’s simply a lack of knowing a more effective way of attaining their goals. With each patient, I get to play detective. I get to be Mort or Micki or Jimmy. I see the corpse of their unfulfilled expectations lying in front of me. I hear their story. I question and probe. I gather evidence, form hypotheses, and test my theories against their experience. Together, we discover the culprit. We corner it, corral it, and ship it off to a place it where it can’t kill again. People often ask me if the characters in my book are based on patients I’ve worked with over the years. The answer is a very definitive probably. While certainly the cast of characters in my books in no way is a verbatim representation of any one particular patient, how can I erase the memory of any person I’ve had the honor of meeting and working with? My patients have introduced me to depravity that even my own twisted mind would have never dreamed possible. They’ve related tales of unspeakable agonies. They’ve shown me courage and grace far greater than I would have ever imagined if I hadn’t seen it reflected in their ability to overcome and persevere.

What scene in Dead End Fix was your favorite to write?

Is this the part where I’m supposed to be diplomatic (or a good marketer) and say each and every scene was special to me? That I’m eager to hear from the readers which scenes meant the most to them? Okay, then. I’ve said it. And with that, I’ll say Chapter Sixteen was a real favorite of mine. Kashawn, a young kid pulled into the grip of gangster life as a means of survival, is rolling with his leader, D’Loco, looking at an option to launder the gang’s ill-gotten gains. He’s feeling full of himself, living large, rolling with the toughest man on the streets. Folks would surely give him some respect if they saw whose Escalade he had his butt in. His world changes in a heartbeat when their driver spots the colors of a rival gang just a few car lengths ahead. There’s going to be trouble. And from his position, seated directly behind D’Loco’s driver, Kashawn’s the man who’s got to protect the team. A gun gets shoved into his hand. This isn’t about posing anymore. This is real.

T.E. Woods is the author of the new book Dead End Fix.

Connect with T.E.
Author Website
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Books to Read if You Like Tess Gerritsen

Kidnapping. Homicide. Cold Cases. Tess Gerritsen is a master of the thriller novel. Growing up on Nancy Drew and working as a doctor no doubt both come in handy when she sits down to plot out her next spine tingler. When will that be? We can't say for sure. But if you've already gone through her extensive catalogue, then have a look through this list of books to read if you like Tess Gerritsen.

Books to Read if You Like Tess Gerritsen


Dead End Fix

T.E. Woods

Release Date: June 21, 2016

In the midst of a gang war, Detective Mort Grant must rescue his granddaughter from his own child, and her aunt. With time running out and his hands tied, Mort turns to a vigilante known as "The Fixer" for help.

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Find Her

Lisa Gardner

Release Date: February 9, 2016

Flora Dane is a beacon for all those whose loved ones have been kidnapped, a symbol for those who wish for their return. So when Flora is found tied up, and suspect number one, at a crime scene, Detective D.D. Warren suspects Flora is changing from victim to vigilante. Warren also thinks she could be an asset as a string of kidnappings in the Boston area cause rising concern. But when Flora goes missing, Warren knows there is someone much more dangerous on the loose.

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Speaking In Bones

Kathy Reichs

Release Date: July 21, 2015

Temperance Brennan is an expert in the forensic field. In her own life she feels clueless, but, when Hazel "Lucky" Strike brings her a cold case, she's uncertain. Hazel's whip smart, but could the remains of a girl missing for 3 years already be in her lab? When the evidence points that way, she finds herself in the midst of a gruesome investigation, and close on the killer's trail.

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Depraved Heart

Patricia Cornwell

Release Date: October 27, 2015

Investigating a murder scene, Dr. Scarpetta is surprised to receive a message on her phone, a decades old video of her niece, Lucy. Shock gives way to fear as she begins to learn things about Lucy that she dare not share with her husband, her partner, or even her niece. What can she do but find the truth behind the mystery herself?

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Pretty Girls

Karin Slaughter

Release Date: September 29, 2015

After their sister was kidnapped, Claire and Lydia drifted apart. 20 years later, they couldn't be more different; Lydia a single mother barely making ends meet, and Claire the trophy wife of a millionaire. But when Claire's husband is murdered and another teenager goes missing, the sisters find it too close to be coincidental. To get to the bottom of the crime that has haunted them for twenty years, they must work together to find the truth.

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Breakdown

Jonathan Kellerman

Release Date: February 2, 2016

Psychologist Alex Delaware has had experience with stars. Having treated TV star Zelda Chase's son at five, Dr. Delaware was surprised to find her at his practice years later, following a psychotic fit. Her death, shortly following her release, comes as a great shock to Dr. Delaware, but even more shocking is the disappearance of her son. As more people go missing, Dr. Delaware pieces together what clues he can to find the truth and catch the killer.

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Your Favorite Celebrities' Summer Reads 2016

The sun is shining and summer has officially begun! Some of our favorite celebrities have been snapping pics of their current reads and sharing their summer read picks on social media. To help you find a celebrity-approved beach read, we did some research and found out what the bookish stars are reading this summer!

Your Favorite Celebrities' Summer Reads 2016

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Sweetbitter

Stephanie Danler

Recommended by: Emma Roberts

Emma Roberts, star of Scream Queens and the upcoming film Nerve, recently recommended Sweetbitter on her Instagram. If you've ever been a twenty-something trying to find yourself in a big city, then you might relate to this new novel. It's set in New York City, and it follows a young woman named Tess as she navigates her way through Manhattan's restaurant scene. She gets a job at a fancy restaurant downtown and is quickly pulled into the alluring life of "The City That Never Sleeps."

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Innocents and Others

Dana Spiotta

Recommended by: Lena Duhnam

You can count on ardent feminist Lena Duhnam, who is on the popular HBO show Girls, to recommend a great read about women in film. Innocents and Others follows the lives of two female filmmakers who are best friends but don't share the same views on life. While one is reserved and keeps to herself, the other is sensual and uses her listening skills to seduce men. This book is a great reminder of how meaningful female friendships are, especially when we come from different walks of life.

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The Argonauts

Maggie Nelson

Recommended by: Emma Watson

As the actress who portrayed our favorite book-loving witch for nearly a decade, Emma Watson is one of our favorite bookish icons in Hollywood. Just like Hermione, she is an avid reader and recently started a feminist book club called "Our Shared Shelf." Her pick for May was The Argonauts, which is a memoir that discusses the intersections of sexuality, gender, and child-rearing. The author takes us through her pregnancy experience and shows what it's like to start a family as a queer couple.

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The Vital Question

Nick Lane

Recommended by: Bill Gates

If there's anyone who can recommend a good book, it's Bill Gates. He often writes about his book recommendations on his website, and he recently suggested five books that people should read this summer. One of these suggestions is The Vital Question, which aims to uncover the truth behind how life developed on Earth. Nick Lane, the author of the book, emphasizes the importance of energy in the creation of life and describes how it can help us thrive in the future.

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Between the World and Me

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Recommended by: Olivia Wilde

As actress Olivia Wilde stated in her Instagram post, "the world will be a more evolved place once we all read this book." In his award winning memoir, Ta-Nehisi Coates discusses issues of race and his experience as a black man in America. The book is framed as a letter to his son, and it touches on his concerns about growing up in a world that's working against him just because of the color of his skin. If life had a required reading list, Between the World and Me would definitely be on the top of it.

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Where the Light Gets In

Kimberly Williams-Paisley

Recommended by: Reese Witherspoon

If you've ever had to take care of an aging family member, then you'll be able to relate to Kimberly Williams-Paisley's story in Where the Light Gets In. Actress Reese Witherspoon recently featured this memoir in her monthly book club, calling it "a moving exploration of the love between a mother and daughter." Williams-Paisley's mother was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia in her early 60's, which affected both her memories and her ability to talk. In this powerful tale of family bonds, Williams-Paisley will remind you of the importance of unconditional love and acceptance.

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All About Love

bell hooks

Recommended by: Kate Hudson

All throughout life, we struggle with trying to figure out what love is and how to find it. Actress Kate Hudson recently picked up All About Love, which is an older book that looks deeply into the complexities of love. Bell Hooks is a cultural critic and feminist who used her experiences to analyze how people seek and crave emotional connections with the others around them. Many people have referred to Hooks as a visionary, and this books is a vivid example of her impressive cultural insight.

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It's All Easy

Gwyneth Paltrow

Recommended by: Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson is best known for his role in Modern Family and his broadway play Fully Committed. He recently shared his excitement about Gwyneth Paltrow's newest cookbook, It's All Easy,  on his Instagram account. When you're feeling lazy and don't want to get off the couch after a long day at work, cooking can sometimes be a daunting task. Luckily, the recipes in her book are easy AND tasty. What more could you ask for?

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My Life on the Road

Gloria Steinem

Recommended by: Karlie Kloss

Along with many other notable women, American model Karlie Kloss joined in on the excitement surrounding Emma Watson's feminist book club. She started by reading the first selection for the club, which was Gloria Steinem's new memoir My Life on the Road. Steinem has been an active voice in the feminist movement for a long time, and her life has been significantly impacted by her time spent moving around and traveling. In this memoir, she discusses how her experiences on "the road" have shaped her into the person she is today.

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Reclaiming Conversation

Sherry Turkle

Recommended by: Matt McGorry

In today's digital age, it's important to think about how the technology we use affects us and our relationships with the people around us. Matt McGorry, who has roles in popular shows such as Orange is the New Black and How to Get Away with Murder, hailed Sherry Turkle's newest book as a "wonderful, thought-provoking read" about living in the social media era. Even though we feel more connected through digital forms of communication and connection, Turkle suggests that we may not be spending enough time alone with our own thoughts.

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