Month: January 2023

Spotlight: The Second You’re Single

Mary Cara Tanamachi, Spotlight, St. Martin's Griffin

Happy publication day to Cara Tanamachi!

 

The Second You’re Single by Cara Tanamachi

Published: January 31, 2023 – St. Martin’s Griffin

Content provided by the publisher

Description:

Most Anticipated Romance by Buzzfeed

Freelance writer Sora Reid has an intense dislike for Valentine’s Day. What is it with the commercial love machine? Why do we pin our hopes on one romantic day, when staying home with a package of bacon and a bottle of tequila would be better? Sora’s been betrayed and disappointed more than once, and her heart is starting to feel like her Grandma Mitsuye’s antique Japanese ceramic bowl, with its many gold-filled cracks.

When Sora decides to protest Valentine’s Day with a viral pledge to stay single (aka #GoSolo) for February, she inspires readers to do just that. Relationships aren’t built to last, so it shouldn’t be that hard. Right? 

But her timing proves terrible when her childhood classmate-turned-super sexy baker, Jack Mann, re-enters her life and sparks fly. Throw in a jealous ex-fiancé and Sora’s reluctance to give up her hashtag, and it all makes for a “humorous” read that offers “plenty of food for thought” (Publisher’s Weekly)

About the author:

Cara Tanamachi lives near Chicago with her husband and five children (two by
biology and three by marriage), and their 85-pound Goldendoodle, Theodore. Raised near Dallas, Texas by her Japanese-American dad and her English-Scottish American mom, she was the oldest of two children (the debate still rages whether she or her brother are currently the family favorite). The University of Pennsylvania (Go Quakers!) grad worked as a newspaper reporter, and then published many novels under the name, Cara Lockwood.  A former single mom, she spent eight years dating (hilariously and awkwardly) before finding the love of her life on Bumble (yes, Bumble!). She believes we all could use a little more happily ever after.

Praise for The Second You’re Single

“Charming and smart, The Second You’re Single is a hilarious romp through the tangled and thorn-covered tendrils of romance. I read this in one sitting, laughed, sighed, and loved every word. This is a heartwarming tale you won’t want to miss!” – New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones

“The perfect Valentine! Cara Tanamachi will charm even the most reluctant heart with this treat of a story. Sora’s attempts to stay single, then her courage to follow her heart, had me cheering. Readers will fall in love!” – USA Today bestselling author Megan Crane

 

Spotlight: Georgie, All Along

Mary Contemporary Romance, Kate Clayborn, Kensington, NetGalley

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Published:  Jan. 24, 2023 – Kensington

Description:

Longtime personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy has made a career out of putting others before herself. When an unexpected upheaval sends her away from her hectic job in L.A. and back to her hometown, Georgie must confront an uncomfortable truth: her own wants and needs have always been a disconcertingly blank page.  
 
But then Georgie comes across a forgotten artifact—a “friendfic” diary she wrote as a teenager, filled with possibilities she once imagined. To an overwhelmed Georgie, the diary’s simple, small-scale ideas are a lifeline—a guidebook for getting started on a new path.  
 
Georgie’s plans hit a snag when she comes face to face with an unexpected roommate—Levi Fanning, onetime town troublemaker and current town hermit. But this quiet, grouchy man is more than just his reputation, and he offers to help Georgie with her quest. As the two make their way through her wishlist, Georgie begins to realize that what she truly wants might not be in the pages of her diary after all, but right by her side—if only they can both find a way to let go of the pasts that hold them back. (publisher)

About the author:

Kate Clayborn is the critically acclaimed author of six novels. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Bookpage, and more. By day she works in education, and by night (and sometimes, by very early morning) she writes contemporary romances about smart, strong, modern heroines who face the world alongside true friends and complicated families. She resides in Virginia with her husband and their dog.

Praise for Kate Clayborn:

“A novel of lush complexity, one bursting with humor, a tender melancholy, and meditations on love, friendship, and life.”
—Entertainment Weekly, A+ for Love Lettering

“Luminously beautiful . . . heartbreaking, wise, and wonderful.”
—Ruby Lang, author of Playing House

 

Spotlight: Do I Know You?

Mary Austin Siegemund-Broka, Berkley, Emily Wibberley, Spotlight

Do I Know You? by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Publication date:  January 24, 2023 – Berkley

Description:

When a couple starts to feel like they’re married to a stranger, a flirtatious game of pretend becomes the spark they need to reignite their relationship.

Eliza and Graham are anticipating an anything-but-sexy, weeklong getaway to celebrate their five-year anniversary. Nestled on the Northern California coastline, the resort prides itself on being a destination for those in love and those looking to find it. For Eliza and Graham, it might as well be a vacation with a roommate.
 
When a well-meaning guest mistakes Eliza and Graham for being single and introduces them at the hotel bar, they don’t correct him. Suddenly, they’re pretending to be perfect strangers and it’s unexpectedly…fun? Eliza and Graham find themselves flirting like it’s their first date, and waiting with butterflies in their stomach for the other to text back. 

Everyone at the retreat can sense the electric chemistry between Eliza and Graham’s alter egos. But when their scintillating game of roleplaying ends, will they still feel the heat? (publisher)

About the authors:

Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka met and fell in love in high school. Austin went on to graduate from Harvard, while Emily graduated from Princeton. Together, they are the authors of several novels about romance for teens and adults. Now married, they live in Los Angeles, where they continue to take daily inspiration from their own love story.

 

2 Extremely Short Reviews

Mary Mini Review, Paul Pringle, Peter Swanson

 

 

Covers link to Goodreads

 

The story of a cover up involving an esteemed dean of a high profile medical school, his nefarious habits, a city wanting to gloss over the details and a reporter running into roadblocks and pushback from all involved – including his own newspaper. A non-fiction book that reads like a novel. A good choice on audio.

Peter Swanson’s nod to Agatha Christie – an addictive read/listen!

 

Spotlight/Review: City Under One Roof

Image Mary Berkley, Blog Tour, Iris Yamashita, Mystery, Spotlight, Thriller

City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita

Published: January 10, 2023 – Berkley

Description:

When a local teenager discovers a severed hand and foot washed up on the shore of the small town of Point Mettier, Alaska, Cara Kennedy is on the case. A detective from Anchorage, she has her own motives for investigating the possible murder in this isolated place, which can be accessed only by a tunnel.
 
After a blizzard causes the tunnel to close indefinitely, Cara is stuck among the odd and suspicious residents of the town—all 205 of whom live in the same high-rise building and are as icy as the weather. Cara teams up with Point Mettier police officer Joe Barkowski, but before long the investigation is upended by fearsome gang members from a nearby native village.
 
Haunted by her past, Cara soon discovers that everyone in this town has something to hide. Will she be able to unravel their secrets before she unravels?” (publisher)

About the author:

Iris Yamashita is an Academy Award–nominated screenwriter for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima. She has been working in Hollywood for fifteen years developing material for both film and streaming, has taught screenwriting at UCLA, and is an advocate of women and diversity in the entertainment industry. She has also been a judge and mentor for various film and writing programs, and lives in California.

My take:

This was my first book of 2023 and what an intriguing story to start the year. Thanks to Berkley for the finished copy.  Author Iris Yamashita’s debut novel had a slow start but the short chapters kept me reading and I ended up finishing City Under One Roof in three days. Point Mettier made for a unique and mysterious setting. I did a search and came up with a lot of info on the town of Whittier, AK, including this youtube short, that is the actual town in this book.

Detective Cara Kennedy is on leave from the Anchorage PD but is drawn to the town and hopes to help solve the mystery of the body parts that have turned up on shore. When an avalanche strands her for the unknown future she becomes more determined. In this enclosed city the quirkiness of the residents comes to the forefront and take the story in different directions all leading to an exciting denouement. So, if interesting characters, a gruesome crime, and a different kind of setting sounds appealing to you, I say give City Under One Roof a try.

Praise for CITY UNDER ONE ROOF:

“Heralds the arrival of a major new talent.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

 

“An offbeat, sharply written thriller.”—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review

 

“The claustrophobic atmosphere in this unique one-building town, isolated by tunnels, weather, and secrets, builds a memorable debut crime novel.”—Library Journal, STARRED review

 

“Northern Exposure meets Dexter in this clever thriller in which an isolated community is rocked by a twisted murder, increasingly dark secrets and the terrifying knowledge that the people they always thought they knew are now the ones they should fear the most.”

—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Step Too Far

 

“Iris Yamashita blasts into the world of crime fiction by doing something spectacular: introducing us to a totally unique location and sub-culture.  A compulsive page-turner that’s both atmospheric and claustrophobic at the same time.”

—C.J. Box, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shadows Reel  

 

“CITY UNDER ONE ROOF is a gripping, unsettling and oppressive thriller that welcomes a wonderful new talent to the genre. Prepare to be quickly immersed in this dark and moody murder mystery.”

—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Local Woman Missing

 

“Electric and fast-paced, this debut thriller is a testament to Yamashita’s skills as a storyteller. There’s no escape from the isolated Alaska setting for either the murder investigator or the reader. I fell down the rabbit hole and couldn’t come out until I read the final page.”

—Naomi Hirahara, Edgar Award-winning author of Clark and Division

 

“Iris Yamashita delivers! Compelling characters, clever plot twists, and a story that will chill you to your bones. CITY UNDER ONE ROOF is a must-read thriller.”

–New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin

 

“A well-crafted novel, told through the eyes of three very different women, with a wonderfully claustrophobic and atmospheric background.”

—Ann Cleeves, New York Times bestselling author of The Long Call and Vera Stanhope novels

First Book of 2023

Mary First Book

My first book of 2023 is

City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita

Thanks to Sheila at BookJourney for hosting!

Publisher’s description:

A stranded detective tries to solve a murder in a tiny Alaskan town where everyone lives in a single high-rise building, in this gripping debut by an Academy Award–nominated screenwriter.

When a local teenager discovers a severed hand and foot washed up on the shore of the small town of Point Mettier, Alaska, Cara Kennedy is on the case. A detective from Anchorage, she has her own motives for investigating the possible murder in this isolated place, which can be accessed only by a tunnel.
 
After a blizzard causes the tunnel to close indefinitely, Cara is stuck among the odd and suspicious residents of the town—all 205 of whom live in the same high-rise building and are as icy as the weather. Cara teams up with Point Mettier police officer Joe Barkowski, but before long the investigation is upended by fearsome gang members from a nearby native village.
 
Haunted by her past, Cara soon discovers that everyone in this town has something to hide. Will she be able to unravel their secrets before she unravels?”