New York Times Best Selling author Janet Evanovich is making a splash on the
big screen with her much loved Stephanie Plum series. One for the Money is the
beginning of a fantastic series filled with humor and thrills. The eighteenth
book in this fun-filled series hit stores recently and more books are
expected.
If you haven't had the chance to read the Plum series
yet then now is the time.
What is One For the Money about?
Welcome to Trenton, New
Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a
big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a
lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash--fast--but
times are tough, and soon she's forced to turn to the last resort of the
truly desperate: family.
Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy
cousin Vinnie's bail bonding company. She's got no experience. But that
doesn't matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question
is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her
dress to the time he first got into her pants to the time Steph hit him
with her father's Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And
now the hot guy is in hot water--wanted for murder.
Abject
poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained
in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito
Ramirez isn't. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she'll
make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty
hunter overnight--and keep herself from getting killed before she gets
her man.
Stephanie Plum Series(in reading order)
• One for the Money
• Two for the Dough
• Three to Get Deadly
• Four to Score
• High Five
• Hot Six
• Seven Up
• Hard Eight
• To the Nines
• Ten Big Ones
• Eleven on Top
• Twelve Sharp
• Lean Mean Thirteen
• Fearless Fourteen
• Finger Lickin’ Fifteen
• Sizzling Sixteen
• Smokin’ Seventeen
• Explosive Eighteen
Claire Ashgrove, author of Immortal Hope: The Curse of the Templars,
and Anne MacPherson, the heroine are here to shed some light
on the world of the Templars. I absolutely love this novel and Claire
does a fabulous job blending historical fiction, the paranormal, and a
seductive romantic angle you simply can’t resist. After reading Immortal Hope, I have a new author to add to my must-stalk-forever list.
Welcome to the world of the Templar knights with a twist!
CENTURIES AGO,
Templar knights defied the archangels and unearthed the copper
scroll, revealing the gates to hell. Cursed for their forbidden act,
they forever roam the earth protecting mankind from evil. But darkness
stalks them, and battles they fight bring them ever-closer to eternal
damnation. One promise remains to give them salvation – the return of
the seraphs.
Embittered by his purpose, Merrick du Loire must honor an ancient
pact and bring peace to his cousin’s soul. When he stumbles upon history
professor Anne MacPherson, he discovers she possesses a sacred artifact
that marks her as a seraph. Duty demands he set aside his personal
quest and locate the knight she’s fated to heal. As he struggles with
conflicting oaths, Anne arouses buried hope and sparks forbidden desire
that challenges everything he’s sworn to uphold.
Anne has six weeks to complete her thesis on the Knights Templar.
When Merrick takes her to the Templar stronghold, he presents her with
all she needs—and awakens a soul-deep ache, he alone can soothe. Yet
loving Merrick comes with a price. If she admits she’s destined for him,
her gift of foresight predicts his death.
Name: Anne MacPherson Profession: Professor of History, Benedictine College Age: 32 Height: 5’2” Weight: 105lbs
Hi, Anne. I tell you, it’s been a chore to try and get in touch with you. I think those knights have you cloistered.
Anne: (laughing) In a way, yes. The temple is
secure enough, but there are concerns about the grounds, and I can’t
seem to convince Merrick that he doesn’t need to be at my side every
hour of the day.
So tell us, what was it like meeting these Templar knights and entering their world? With your background were you fascinated?
Anne: Of course! My fascination got me in a lot of
trouble early on. But I mean really, what could Merrick expect – I’ve
spent my entire life studying the Templar and trying to prove why the
Church forced the Order apart.
You mention trouble, is there anything you care to share?
Anne: Let’s just say that while the men are knights, not all of them are chivalrous. Even Merrick is firmly rooted in the 12th century – in belief and action. There’s a few I wouldn’t want to run into alone, even now.
Let me get this straight then, all the stories we’ve heard about
knights in shining armor throwing cloaks on the ground for women to walk
over puddles – not so much?
Anne: No, absolutely not. That’s fiction. The
real world of knights and chivalry is harsh and brutal. They fight.
They are warriors. Sure, they have their tender moments – Merrick hates
to let his show – but they live by oaths. If someone interferes with
those oaths, blood is apt to spill.
You interfered with oaths, didn’t you?
Anne: (her voice quiets and her smile fades) I interfered with several. Several more Merrick believed I interfered with.
And that became problematic, right?
Anne nods.
Is there anything you’d like to say about those problems, or how they were resolved?
Anne: No, not really. They’re better experienced first-hand.
So we should read IMMORTAL HOPE then?
Anne: Absolutely. There’s danger surrounding all
of us, evil plots that threaten mankind. With our limited time, there’s
no way I could sum it all up in a few sentences.
All right then. One last question – Merrick.
Anne’s eyes twinkle with mischief. “What about Merrick?”
Is he everything we expect?
Anne: I think he’ll surprise you. I know he did me. Most pleasantly.
Okay, on that note, we’ll let you get back to Temple business. Thanks again, Anne, for taking the time to talk with us today.
Anne: Of course. The next time you’re around, holler. I’ll see if I can convince the big guy to let me out of his sight.
On that note then, let’s take a peek into Anne and Merrick’s life.
Here’s a glimpse of them in IMMORTAL HOPE, the first book in The Curse of the Templars.
EXCERPT:
He took a deep fortifying breath at Anne’s door. A small portion of
his soul demanded he let himself inside and take the liberties he would
have enjoyed had she wandered into his life nine hundred years ago.
Whilst he shared the residence with many others, the simple fact
remained, she resided in his house. Once he had dreamed of such a
circumstance. Now the fantasy only created a bitter taste in his mouth.
Resigning himself to reality, he knocked twice upon her door.
She answered as he lifted his hand for the third, concurrent rap.
Briefly, she stared, bewildered. Then, her gaze fell to his armload of
supplies, and her porcelain features lit with such delight a fist
clamped around Merrick’s heart.
“My things,” she murmured as he moved past her. “Oh, Merrick, you brought my radio.”
The whimsical quality of her voice, the gratitude that turned her
words into music, swelled his chest. Damnation. She had turned him as
soft as butter. This trial of loyalty would surely be the death of him.
He set the bags down, unwilling to look at her for fear she would see
how deeply she affected him. “I brought what I thought you might
desire. Should you find something missing, we shall discuss it in the
morn.”
“Oh. You’re leaving again?”
His back to her, he closed his eyes. The touch of disappointment that
fringed her question disturbed the accursed hollowness in his gut.
“Aye.”
Before he could fully shrug off the thick straps digging into his
shoulder, her hand settled against the small of his back. “I’d hoped you
might stay with me for a while,” she murmured.
Her fingertips slid up his back, warming his skin. As he righted
himself, she ducked under his elbow and looped her arms around his neck.
Stepping in close, Anne pressed her body to his.
Everything inside Merrick coiled tight. Her warmth, the feel of her
breath upon his neck, the perfume in her hair, she overwhelmed him in a
heartbeat. He battled with the urge to slide his arms around her waist
and draw her even closer. The longing to capture her mouth and drink
from her honeyed lips assailed his senses with the force of a battering
ram. Like a strangled man desperate for one gulp of fresh air, he
disentangled himself from her embrace and took a step away.
He knew only one way to combat the fierce desire she awakened. “I must fight tonight.”
~Claire
Check out the book trailer forImmortal Hope: The Curse of the Templars below.
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon
Awesome Man can
shoot positronic rays out of his eyeballs, fly as straight as an arrow,
and hug mutant Jell-O! Even villains like Professor Von Evil and the
Flaming Eyeball are no match for this caped crusader.
But Awesome Man also has a secret. . . . Can you guess what it is?
The first picture book from Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael
Chabon perfectly captures the fantasy life of young superhero fans.
Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj
I'm sorry—this book is not for you. This book is for CATS ONLY.
What's that you say?
You are a cat?
Okay . . . get ready to prove it!
The Cazuela the the Farm Maiden Stripped by Samantha R. Vamos
PAs a farm girl
prepares a cazuela (pot) of rice pudding, the animals on the farm
eagerly help. Key English words change to Spanish as the cumulative
verse builds to a delicious ending.
Includes a glossary and a recipe for
arroz con leche.
Dog in Boots by Greg Gormley
Inspired by his favorite
story about a cat with fantastic boots, Dog heads to the local shoe
store and emerges with some splendid footwear. But Dog soon discovers
that his fancy shoes won't let him do doggy things. He tries flippers,
high heels, even skis, but can't find anything that is just right.
Could
the perfect solution be right under his nose?
Edwin Speaks Up by April Stevens
Here's a book that will
get the whole family laughing. When a large family of ferrets and their
precocious baby take a chaotic trip to the supermarket, mom can't keep
track of the groceries, the shopping cart . . . or even the kids! Baby
Edwin tries to help, but everyone thinks he's just babbling. Little do
they know that he really has all the answers.
Full of fun-to-say nonsense words this is a perfect storytime book and a great read-aloud.
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
As the sun sets behind
the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say
goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer,
and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they'll be
ready for another day of rough and tough construction play!
As the sun sets behind
the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say
goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer,
and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they'll be
ready for another day of rough and tough construction play!
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
The bear’s hat is gone,
and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he
comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says
no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to
despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the
bear’s memory and renews his search with a vengeance.
Told completely in
dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out
in sly illustrations laced with visual humor— and winks at the reader
with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in
on the joke.
Mine! by Shutta Crum
Have you ever had a toy you really really liked? Have you ever had a lot of toys you really really liked?
Have you ever said "MINE!"? If so, this book is for you!
Enjoy
this adorable, playful, picture-based book about two very young
children and an adorable dog navigating the troubles and triumphs of
sharing.
No Dogs Allowed! by Linda Ashman
Welcome to Alberto's restaurant…unless you're a dog, a cat, a bunny, or ANYTHING with fur, feathers, or scales!
The
entertainment escalates in this nearly wordless picture book as more
and more people arrive with a surprising selection of pets. Alberto
turns them all away—only to see the crowd discover a friendlier
alternative in the festive street. Will Alberto find a way to win them
back?
No Sleep For the Sheep! by Karen Beaumont
One tired sheep wants
nothing more than a good night's sleep. All is peaceful until—QUACK! Is
that a duck at the barn door? And now a goat? A pig? A cow? A horse?
Each new unexpected guest is bigger and louder than the last!
How will
the sheep ever get this barnyard crowd to quiet down
before—COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!
Perfect Square by Michael Hall
A perfect square is
transformed in this adventure story that will transport you far beyond
the four equal sides of this square book.
Red Sled by Lita Judge
In this almost wordless
picture book, a host of woodland creatures take a child's sled for a
nighttime joy ride.
Their whimsical ride is gorgeously depicted in bold
watercolor, complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound
effects.
RRRalph by Lois Ehlert
Would you believe that Ralph the dog can talk? Yip, yip, yip--it's true!
With
bestselling author Lois Ehlert's simple, funny, call-and-response text
and bold, playful collage illustrations, this fresh, young book is sure
to get little ones laughing (and talking to their dogs!)
Same, Same but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Elliot lives in
America, and Kailash lives in India. They are pen pals. By exchanging
letters and pictures, they learn that they both love to climb trees,
have pets, and go to school. Their worlds might look different, but they
are actually similar. Same, same. But different!
Through an
inviting point-of-view and colorful, vivid illustrations, this story
shows how two boys living oceans apart can be the best of friends.
Stars by Mary Lyn Ray
A star is how you know it’s almost night.
As soon as you see one, there’s another, and another.
And the dark that comes doesn’t feel so dark.
What if you could have a star?
From
acclaimed author Mary Lyn Ray and two-time Caldecott Honor winner Marla
Frazee comes this tender, evocative—and profound—exploration of stars
both near and far.
That's How! by Christopher Niemann
How do things work?
Hmmm.
Let me think.
That's How!
Christoph
Niemann invites you to look below the surface in this visual
exploration of the way things work. Turns out there is more to it than
meets the eye!
Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby
Weiner Dog's life of
leisure has lost its bite. So when he hears the call of the wild one
day, he answers! Thus Weiner Dog becomes...
Weiner Wolf.
A sweet, funny picture book in the spirit of Good Dog, Carl! and Martha Speaks!, Weiner Wolf is sure to appeal to the adventurous side of pets and their owners.
The Woods by Paul Hoppe
Being afraid of the
dark doesn't mean being afraid alone. When a boy can't find his favorite
stuffed bunny, he bravely heads into the woods to look for it. Instead,
he finds a big, scary brown bear! But the bear is just lonely, so the
boy shares his night light and forges ahead with his new companion,
until...they run into two frightening giants!
As the boy continues on,
he comes across other seemingly menacing creatures, but finds that—like
him—they're just looking for some comfort and security before bedtime.
