Latest Books: February 2010 Archives

In Laura Bynum's debut thriller Veracity, Harper Adams was six years old in 2012 when an act of viral terrorism wiped out one-half of the country's population. Out of the ashes rose a new government that maintains order through whatever means necessary, including the restriction of language that might inspire a longing for truth, freedom, and authenticity.

Harper joins the resistance driven by memories of a daughter lost, a daughter whose very name was erased by the Red List. Guided by the fabled Book of Noah, this underground army is determined to shake the people from their apathy and ignorance, and start a war in the name of freedom.

In the tradition of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Laura Bynum has written an astonishing debut novel about a chilling, all-too-plausible future in which speech is a weapon and security comes at the highest price of all.

"Ms. Bynum has a beautiful, distinctly poetic style that makes Veracity a lush, eminently readable book...The narrative style, reminiscent of Margaret Atwood as mentioned above, is stunningly effective... There's a sense of intimacy and empathy with Harper as she struggles to save her daughter. In fact, the most touching, believable, human thing about Harper was her emotional devotion to her child; the fact that all of this, the danger she faces each day is for her little girl - a girl whose very name the government took away..." --The Book Smugglers

"Bynum deftly paints the drab, fear-filled existence led by Confederation citizens. Harper is a compelling protagonist...as doubtful as anyone that she has the strength to succeed at her self-appointed task, and this tension propels the narrative....this bleak vision of the future feels real and truly chilling." --Kirkus Review

Laura Bynum was born in Springfield, Illinois in 1968. She completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Communications at the University of Illinois at Springfield and Eastern Illinois University respectively. In 2006, Laura won the Rupert Hughes Literary Writing Award at the Maui Writer's Conference. As a result, Laura's first novel, Veracity, was published in January of 2010. The day Laura signed the contract with Simon and Schuster, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and has since been successfully treated. She lives in the Piedmont area of Virginia with her husband and three daughters.

"Help me . . ."

In Kayla Perrin's newest thriller, Spring Break, these are the last words Chanetelle hears from her friend Ashley, in a static-filled phone call that soon goes dead. Their trip to the island paradise of Artula started the way any trip should, and soon Chanetelle and her friends find themselves in sun-drenched days and party-hopping nights. The vacation is not without its conflicts, however, and old rivalries and new jealousies come to light as the week passes. But no one expects things to turn as ugly as they do. No one expects that they won't all return. And no one expects that murder might be the ultimate souvenir.

"Perrin succeeds in building a mood of nail-biting suspense..." --Publisher's Weekly

"This is a superb romantic suspense that looks deeply into human sexual trafficking..." --Harriet Klausner, Genre Go Round Reviews

Kayla Perrin is a multi-published USA Today and Essence ® bestselling author with thirty-six books in print. She is published in a variety of genres, including mystery/suspense, romance and mainstream fiction. She has been featured on television shows such as Entertainment Tonight Canada, Who's Afraid of Happy Endings (Bravo documentary about the romance genre), and A.M. Buffalo (among others). She has been featured in Ebony magazine, Romantic Times magazine, The South Florida Business Journal, The Toronto Star and other Canadian and U.S. publications. Her works have been translated into Italian, German, Spanish and Portuguese. Please visit her website at www.kaylaperrin.com.

In Tom Lowe's The 24th Letter, Father John Callahan hears the confession of a frightened prison inmate, and learns that a man facing lethal injection is innocent. The lead investigator on the case, his friend Sean O'Brien, is still haunted by the case. The 24th letter in the Greek alphabet--Omega--may provide the key to uncovering the killer's identity.

"Lowe's heated follow-up to 2009's A False Dawn catapults former Miami homicide detective Sean O'Brien into a desperate race to save the life of a man he helped send to death row. The near-death confession of prison inmate Sam Spelling comes just 84 hours before Charlie Williams is scheduled to die for the murder of his girlfriend, Alexandria Cole" - Publishers Weekly

Tom Lowe is an award-winning documentary writer/director whose films air nationwide on PBS. As he writes his novels, Tom draws from his travels around the world and his background as a print and broadcast journalist. He worked fifteen years in television news and did freelance stories for CNN. Tom is a sailor and SCUBA diver. He lives in Florida.

In B.J. Kibble's newest novel, Legion, secrets cost lives, and the next 72 hours will hammer that point home for ex-British MI6 agent Alex Jordan. Jordan wants to find out who murdered his mentor while he tries to prevent a nuclear war with North Korea.

"As the camera captures an image, so a skilled writer can bring a scene to life. B. J. Kibble's unique style breathes instant life into his characters while his stories explode with emotion and action." -- Dick Ross, Writing Well

"Kibble's latest book is an excellent read from start to final page. The book was hard to put down as it is rare for a story to be so satisfying. Highly recommended to those who enjoy a great crime thriller." -- J. F. Ward, Amazon Review

From a family background steeped in law enforcement and military history, Barrie Kibble followed the tradition and served as a British soldier and police officer. During the course of his duty, he survived three near death experiences--the last occasion was prior to leaving the Police Force when he walked unscathed from a devastating IRA bomb. Joining the business sector, he became a marketing manager for a well-known computer firm, and then a buyer for American, Swiss and British companies.  

In Judith Cutler's Silver Guilt, Lina Townend is making a name for herself as an antiques dealer, the junior partner of her beloved old friend, Griff Tripp. On work experience with another dealer, she is accused of stealing an item she is selling for her father, the disreputable Lord Elham.

Her plight attracts the attention of Piers, a handsome fellow dealer, who falls in love with her and presents her with a wonderful ring. But are he - and the ring - genuine? Can she trust the kindly policeman who comes into her life? When violence threatens the only person she can really trust, Griff, Lina has to make a difficult decision...

"A very readable story" - Bernard Knight

"In Cutler... we are undoubtedly dealing with the creme de la creme" - The Times

Cotswolds-based Judith Cutler began her working life as a lecturer, first at a tough inner-city college and later at Birmingham University. A former CWA Secretary, she has won and been shortlisted for a number of short story awards. Primarily known for her contemporary crime novels usually featuring feisty females, Judith recently embarked on an acclaimed historical series featuring a Regency clergyman. Now she has returned to the adventures of the young antiques dealer, Lina Townend, who originally appeared in Drawing the Line.

Judith is married to fellow mystery-writer, Edward Marston.

In Chuck Barrett's debut novel, The Savannah Project, an NTSB investigator is called to Savannah to investigate what appears to be a routine aircraft accident during the St. Patrick's Day celebration. Ensuing suspicions of sabotage launch a deadly chain of events. He must elude an assassin if he is to expose the cause of
the crash. Secrets surface that could bring down governments and the search for the truth draws him to Ireland and a race against the clock before the killer strikes again.

"The Savannah Project signals the arrival of a new member to the thriller genre. Chuck Barrett. The tale contains all of the danger, treachery, and action a reader could wish for. The intrigue comes from all directions, slicing and stitching with precision. A worthy debut from an exciting talent." -- Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author

After growing up in Panama City, Florida, Chuck Barrett received a degree in Aviation Management from Auburn University. Five years spent flying charter, air ambulance, and flight instructing in Mississippi was followed by 25 years as an air traffic controller in Northeast Florida. The Savannah Project, Barrett's first novel, interweaves his aviation expertise, a long-held passion for writing and a keen sense of suspense.