New release: ‘Elsewhere’ by Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz’ new book: ‘Elsewhere.’ Photo: amazon

Dean Koontz is the author of fourteen number one The New York Times bestsellers, including “One Door Away from Heaven,” “From the Corner of His Eye,” “Midnight” and many more; making him one of only a dozen writers ever to have achieved that milestone. He has been hailed by Rolling Stone as “America’s most popular suspense novelist” and his books have been published in thirty-eight languages and have sold over five hundred million copies worldwide to date. In his new book “Elsewhere,” released this week, the fate of the world is in the hands of a father and daughter in an epic novel of wonder and terror.

“Elsewhere” is the story of Jeffy Coltrane, whose wife Michelle left seven years ago. Since then, he has worked to maintain a normal life for himself and his eleven-year-old daughter, Amity, in Suavidad Beach. It is a quiet life, until a local eccentric known as Spooky Ed shows up on their doorstep. Ed entrusts Jeffy with hiding a strange and dangerous object, something he calls “the key to everything,” and tells Jeffy that he must never use the device. But after a visit from a group of ominous men, Jeffy and Amity find themselves accidentally activating the key and discovering an extraordinary truth. The device allows them to jump between parallel planes both familiar and bizarre, wondrous and terrifying. Jeffy and Amity cannot help but wonder if Michelle could be just a click away. They are not the only ones interested in the device. A man with a dark purpose is in pursuit, determined to use its grand potential for profound evil. Unless Amity and Jeffy can outwit him, the place they call home may never be safe again.

New release: ‘Near Dark’ by Brad Thor

Brad Thor is an American thriller novelist and The New York Times’ bestselling author of twenty thrillers. These include “Backlash,” one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year, “Spymaster,” “The Last Patriot,” nominated for best thriller of the year by the International Thriller Writers Association and “Blowback,” one of the ‘Top 100 Killer Thrillers of All Time’ by NPR. He graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California where he studied creative writing under author T.C. Boyle. His new novel “Near Dark” will be released on Tuesday July 21, 2020 and features the return of Scot Harvath, one of America’s top spy. An excerpt is available on the author’s page.

In “Near Dark,” the world’s largest bounty has just been placed upon Scot Harvath, America’s top spy. His only hope for survival is to outwit, outrun and outlast his enemies long enough to get to the truth. For him to accomplish his most dangerous mission ever, one that has already claimed the lives of the people closest to him, including his new wife, he is going to need help. Not knowing whom he can trust, Harvath finds an unlikely ally in Norwegian intelligence operative Sølvi Kolstad. Just as smart, just as deadly, and just as determined, she not only has the skills, but also the broken, troubled past to match Harvath’s own.

New release: ‘The Only Good Indians’ by Stephen Graham Jones

Stephen Graham Jones is a Blackfeet Native American author of experimental fiction, horror fiction, crime fiction and science fiction. He is celebrated for applying more “literary” stylings to a variety of speculative genres, and for having published 22 books under the age of 50. He has won the Texas Institute of Letters Award, a National Endowment for the Arts fellow in fiction and the Bram Stoker Award (Long Fiction). His newest novel “The Only Good Indians” is available today and is being called “One of 2020’s buzziest horror novels” by Entertainment Weekly.

According to amazon, “The Only Good Indians” is a tale of revenge, cultural identity, and the cost of breaking from tradition from the Jordan Peele of horror literature, Stephen Graham Jones. Seamlessly blending classic horror and a dramatic narrative with sharp social commentary, the story follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.

Book review: ‘Fire and Vengeance’ by Robert McCaw

Robert McCaw is an American author who graduated from Georgetown University and served as a lieutenant in the US Army before earning his law degree from the University of Virginia. He was a partner in a major international law firm with offices in Washington, DC and New York City and maintained a home on the Big Island of Hawai’i. This allows him to bring a unique authenticity to his Koa Kāne Hawaiian mystery novels in both his law enforcement expertise and his ability to portray the richness of Hawai’i’s history, culture and people. His Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery Series includes “Death of a Messenger” and “Off the Grid.” In “Fire and Vengeance,” the third book in the series, police Detective Koa Kāne new case revolves around an elementary school that was placed atop a volcanic vent, which has now exploded. The ebook was released on Tuesday May 26.

The story begins with a brief description of past disasters that have befallen the Big Island of Hawai’i and the surrounding areas: “Ferocious gusts felled century-old trees….Torrential rains pounded the mountains, filling gulches, and gathering into flash floods…..” The latest catastrophe is taking place at the KonaWili School on Hualālai Mountain and the victims this time are children and teachers. As it turns out, the school was built atop a volcanic vent and with the police chief currently in California due to a medical emergency, Chief Detective Koa Kāne is now the senior officer at the horrendous scene. When the school’s contractor and architect are murdered, Koa becomes even more determined to find out the truth. To make matters worse, his estranged brother Ikaika, who is in jail, collapses from a previously undiagnosed brain tumor. This condition might explain his past anti-social behavior and could get him early parole. The investigation into the school explosion uncovers a conspiracy years in the making and it might affect Ikaika’s future when Koa has to decide between justice for the victims and his brother’s freedom.

Robert McCaw is back in full force with his third Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery novel. “Fire and Vengeance” starts off strong with the shocking details of the aftermath of the school explosion and with Koa collapsing after rescuing one of the children. Since the mystery involves greed and power grabs decades in the making, the characters are well-developed. The language is easy to folloow and understand and when he uses Hawaiian terms, the author explains them: “He owed it to his mother…to his family…to his ancestors….and to himself as the hiapo, the oldest Kāne male.” It is a fascinating read, with the action flowing effortlessly through the pages, aided in part by down to earth dialogue. The investigation is sidelined because of family drama that is predictably solved, but it gives the story an added touch of humanity. “Fire and Vengeance” is recommended for fans of mystery/crime novels with a flawed leading man whose past continues to haunt him even while he solves difficult crimes. Learning about Hawai’i’s culture and its people is an added bonus. This page turner is the perfect summer read – pack it in your beach bag.

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

New release: ‘Say Goodbye and Goodnight’ by David Ruggerio

Known worldwide as a celebrity chef, David Ruggerio’s life story is one of redemption, sacrifice and a new lease on life as an award-winning genre fiction writer. By age 25, he rose to the position of top chef at the famous La Caravelle in New York. In 1995, Robert Mondavi, the noted vintner, named him one of the thirteen best young chefs in America. With two acclaimed cookbooks under his belt, David Ruggerio became known as a “Super Chef” and was called for television guest spots that quickly became opportunities. He hosted the iconic TV shows ‘Ruggerio to Go’ on the Food Network and ‘Little Italy with David Ruggerio’ on PBS. Throughout his outstanding career as a chef, Ruggerio cooked for five US Presidents. Today, Ruggerio lives on the East Coast and spends his days writing mostly genre fiction. He is an Amazon bestselling author and the recipient of the Maxy Award for Best Horror 2019 for his debut horror novel, “A Wistful Tale of Gods, Men and Monsters.” Now, David Ruggerio introduces a love story to his readers with “Say Goodbye and Goodnight” which will be released Thursday June 11, 2020. It is available on pre-order on Amazon. (Black Château, 2020)

“Say Goodbye and Goodnight” takes readers to Brooklyn in 1977 where an up-and-coming fighter named Anthony Marino falls for Gia, who becomes the love of his life. But the hatred their affair attracts could be their demise. Set against the backdrop of disco music and the grit of the city, this book takes readers to a time in history that liberated a generation. Ruggerio’s “Say Goodbye and Goodnight” has received advance praise from prestigious reviewers. Reader’s Favorite refers to it as to a “modern-day retelling of a classic Shakespearean tale of love enduring all forms of tragedy” and Sublime Book Review recommends it as “a well-written, unexpected, and unconventional love story.”

“Say Goodbye and Goodnight is a novel that I lived. I have laced this tale with real people and real places, and most of all, real romance. It was truly a labor of love that at times I had trouble putting down my feelings on paper.” – author David Ruggerio

New release: ‘If It Bleeds’ by Stephen King

Stephen King is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, science fiction and fantasy. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and many of them have been adapted into feature films, miniseries, television shows and comic books. He is best known for “Carrie,” “It,” “The Green Mile” and the Dark Tower series. His new book “If It Bleeds,” a collection of novellas, was released yesterday and is available everywhere books are sold. Watch him read the first chapter on his site.

According to Amazon, from #1 New York Times bestselling author, legendary storyteller, and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary collection of four new and compelling novellas: Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, The Life of Chuck, Rat and the title story If It Bleeds; each pulling you into intriguing and frightening places.

The novella is a form King has returned to over and over again in the course of his amazing career. Several have been adapted into iconic films, including “The Body” (Stand By Me) and “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” (Shawshank Redemption). Like “Four Past Midnight,” “Different Seasons,” and most recently “Full Dark, No Stars,” “If It Bleeds” is a uniquely satisfying collection of longer short fiction by an incomparably gifted writer.

Renowned geneticist makes her debut as novelist with ‘Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders’

Sara Winokur is a Ph.D. molecular geneticist and the author of the Icelandic mystery, “Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders.” In the past, she has worked on DNA analysis of human genetic diseases and she was part of the team that discovered the genes associated with Muscular Dystrophy, Huntington’s Disease, and Dwarfism. Dozens of her articles have been published in scientific journals. Her research has appeared in Human Molecular Genetics, Nature Genetics and Cell Stem Cell. Sara remains a well-respected figure in the scientific community. (Black Château, 2020)

Twenty years after a young boy disappears in the chill of North Iceland, a mysterious poem lands on the desk of his twin sister Brynja, a forensic geneticist, and rekindles her hopes that her brother might be alive. As Brynja unravels the clues, more poems arrive, each bearing dire consequences for those who receive them: the guard of the medieval manuscript of Icelandic sagas that possibly has the answer to her burning question, the prime minister’s secretary and the local pastor. Fighting the visual auras that have plagued her since childhood and now threaten everything she holds dear, Brynja must summon the strength to navigate the twisted labyrinth of the poet’s mind and confront the dark secret buried in her family’s past. Dubbed “a riveting mystery tale with a compelling lead character” by Kirkus Reviews, “Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders” immerses the reader in the surreal landscapes and rich culture of Iceland. It is a wild ride from rural farmsteads to icy fjords to the high-tech world of DNA forensics lead by a strong female character.

“Because I’m so passionate about travel, culture, and landscapes, it can’t help but be a big part of my writing. When I wrote Double Blind, I tried to integrate the science of genetics and Icelandic culture with the story,” – Sara Winokur.

“Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders” is available on pre-order in digital version on Amazon and will be officially released on March 31, 2020.

New release: ‘The Legacy Series: Book One’ by Brandyn Cross

Brandyn Cross, accomplished TV filmmaker, actor and writer and award-winning singer/songwriter, makes his debut as a novelist. “The Legacy Series: Book One,” the first novel in the epic book series, will be released February 18, 2020. Based on real events, writings, and correspondences, it tells the story of a terminally ill young boy who is also enduring a life of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. It will be available in paperback and digital version on Amazon and all other major retailers and bookstores. (Black Château, 2020)

“The Legacy Series: Book One” offers a unique, unparalleled glimpse into the mind of abused children amid the hysteria surrounding the Satanic Ritual Abuse Panic of the early 1990s. It provides an unprecedented opportunity to experience a real world of childhood desperation and painful secrets, through first-hand, day-to-day accounts as they occur; it is a world known by millions of children, but never openly shared with adults. In the early days of the Internet, Brandyn (Brandy) Harris builds his private virtual world outside the knowledge of his strict and abusive parents. He finds solace in the messages he exchanges with a close group of virtual teen friends. Written in the message board format specific to the infant days of the Internet, “The Legacy Series: Book One” reveals the truths kids only tell their friends when they are away from adult supervision. It also proves that no matter how dreary the circumstances of our lives, we can always choose happiness, a philosophy by which Brandyn Cross himself lives.

Brandyn Cross was born a high functioning autistic with a love of music, books and film, but he did not begin exploring his creative gifts until a severe industrial accident left him a wheelchair-bound amputee. Determined to show the world that even severe obstacles can be overcome, he began studying and honing his craft, until ultimately turning his ambitions into a professional reality. He is a multi-media artist with credits ranging from accomplished writer to recording artist, songwriter, filmmaker and actor. As a singer/songwriter, Brandyn scored the international top 10 hits and won BEST SONG at the prestigious Utah Film Festival & Awards. As an actor and filmmaker, Brandyn has worked on numerous projects such as Unicorn City and The Wayshower and is presently in post-production on his feature directorial debut with the dark Emo drama, The Legacy.

New release: ‘Labyrinth’ by Catherine Coulter

Catherine Coulter is The New York Times’ bestselling American author of eighty-four novels, including the FBI Thriller series and The Brit in the FBI international thriller series, co-written with J.T. Ellison. She is mostly known for writing romantic suspense thrillers and historical romances but she also writes suspense thrillers. The FBI Thriller series begins with “The Cove” in 1996 and includes “Double Take,” “Bombshell” and “Paradox.” In “Labyrinth,” the 23^rd book in the series, agents Savich and Sherlock stumble into a bizarre case that is more complicated and twisted than any they have ever encountered. It will be released on Tuesday July 30, 2019.

According to Amazon, “Labyrinth” begins when agent Sherlock is driving in downtown Washington and her Volvo is suddenly T-boned at an intersection. As her car spins out of control, a man’s body slams against her windshield and she passes out. When she regains consciousness in the hospital, she is told about the accident and the man she struck. No one knows yet who he is or where he is because he ran away. The recovered DNA identifies him as Justice Cummings, a CIA analyst at Langley and he is still missing.

Meanwhile, in the small town of Gaffer’s Ridge, Virginia, Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith rescues a kidnapped woman who claims her captor murdered three missing teenage girls. The man she accuses is the local sheriff’s nephew and a member of a very powerful family and is reputed to have psychic powers. When the sheriff arrests Griffin and the rescued woman, Carson DaSilva, he calls Savich for help. Together they have to weave their way through a labyrinth of lies to find the truth of a terrible secret.

New release: ‘The Escape Artist’ by Brad Meltzer

Brad Meltzer is The New York Times’ bestselling author of thrillers including ‘The Inner Circle’ and ‘The Book of Fate.’ He is also the host of Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on the History Channel and Brad Meltzer’s Lost History on H2. ‘The Escape Artist’ is his latest novel and it tells the story of Nola Brown, a woman whose body is found on a plane that mysteriously fell from the sky as it left a secret military base in the Alaskan wilderness.

According to Amazon, in ‘The Escape Artist,’ Jim “Zig” Zigarowski works at Dover Air Force Base helping to put to rest the bodies of those who die on top-secret missions. He has just discovered the truth about Nola Brown. Even though her commanding officer verifies that she is dead, and the US government confirms it, Jim knows she is still alive and on the run. She was a childhood friend of Zig’s daughter and once saved her life, so he is determined to find her no matter what. As he digs into Nola’s past, he discovers that trouble follows her everywhere she goes. On her last mission she saw something she was not supposed to see. Together, she and Zig try to uncover the US Army’s most mysterious secret, a conspiracy that goes back to Harry Houdini, the greatest escape artist of all time.

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