Review: THE ANTI-SOCIAL SEASON by Adele Buck

Aug 142024
 

Publishers Weekly: The Christmas season heats up in Buck’s steamy second First Responders romance (after Fake Flame). After 10 years working as a firefighter in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Thea Martinelli is rattled when a fellow firefighter is seriously injured on the job, and she jumps at the chance to take a breather as the new social media manager for emergency services. To train her, the department brings in the local library’s social media manager: total hunk Simon Osman. Simon is shocked to see Thea, his distant, unattainable crush all through high school, and can tell she doesn’t quite remember him from their teenage years. Sparks fly as these two spend more time together, and Simon discovers the vulnerable side that Thea always used to hide behind humor. But their budding relationship is complicated by Simon’s controlling sister’s demands that he spend more of the upcoming Christmas holiday with her in California. Sex scenes sizzle while the pressures of the holiday season keep the plot moving swiftly. Readers will cheer for Simon to find happiness with the girl he never forgot.

July Translation Deals

Jul 312024
 

Chinese (simplified) rights to New York Times bestselling author Martha Wells’ WITCH KING, to Science Fiction World, by Gray Tan at Grayhawk Agency in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Chinese (complex) rights to New York Times bestselling author Martha Wells’ WITCH KING, to Gaea, by Gray Tan at Grayhawk Agency in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

LJ Andrews’s THE EVER SEAS series, in a three-book deal, to Kossuth (HUNGARY); also to Artline Studios (BULGARIA), by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Spanish rights to Jo Walton’s AMONG OTHERS, to Duermevela, by Amaiur Fernandez at International Editors’, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

Turkish rights to Nnedi Okorafor’s WHO FEARS DEATH and AKATA WOMAN, to Ithaki, by Merve Ongen at Anatolialit Agency, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Donald Maass.

French rights to Robert Jackson Bennett’s novella TO BE READ UPON YOUR WAKING, to Le Belial, by Sarah Dray at Anna Jarota Agency, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

Review: HEIRESS TAKES ALL by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Jul 242024
 

Shelf Awareness: Heiress Takes All is an exciting heist novel filled with “ruthlessness, danger, and indulgence” that has sky-high stakes and captivating family dynamics.

Olivia, whose multimillionaire father cheated on her mom and cut them both off financially, plans a heist to steal from her dad “the way the past few years have [been] stolen from her.” The green-eyed, no-longer-spray-tanned 17-year-old “ex-heiress” meticulously assembles a ragtag crew and crafts “The Plan”: attend her father’s “highest-of-high-society” third wedding, steal the passcode to his offshore accounts, and unload millions into her and her associates’ bank accounts. What Olivia doesn’t plan for is a cheating ex-boyfriend trying to prove he’s trustworthy, a “lapdog-like” guest who wants to be “part of stuff,” and a cunning second wife out for revenge. As Olivia’s house-of-cards plan teeters on the edge of collapse, she must be resourceful to overcome the obstacles and enact her retribution.

This rousing high-stakes revenge plot from Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (If I’m Being Honest) goes beyond the typical heist story to incorporate complex parent-child relationships and discussions of wealth and poverty. Included in this novel are unexpected twists, betrayals, and distractions, but what gives depth to the story is Olivia wrestling with her “daughterly loyalty” to her father. The authors deftly show Olivia’s conflicting feelings about her privilege and how her relationship with her father has affected her relationship with others and herself. This rousing vengeful story about seeking justice will delight and entice.

Starred Review: THE LAST BOYFRIENDS RULES FOR REVENGE by Matthew Hubbard

Jul 172024
 

School Library Journal: Hubbard’s debut is a clever, funny, coming-of-age romance where teens who are being silenced for who they are learn to fight for what they believe in, and in the process revolutionize a whole freedom movement. Ezra and his best friends Finley and Lucas are out for revenge against their ex-boyfriends for the way they were humiliated during their relationships. Their plans for revenge are full of the antics reminiscent of 1990s teen comedies. But these antics are set in today’s Alabama where a school district is enforcing their campaign of “Watch What You Say” to silence LGBTQIA+ students and maintain the old “family traditions.” As each boy enacts his revenge, they learn more about themselves and the idea of forgiveness, but they get the notice of the school board who want them silenced. When Ezra decides to run for Winter Formal King against his ex-boyfriend things begin to get serious as some adults take to harassing him to stop. Witty dialogue abounds; Hubbard’s ability to add humor amidst serious moments is truly a wonderful gift. The friendship between the boys is written so well, readers will want to hang out with them. And Ezra’s dad couldn’t be a more perfect single dad. VERDICT This book is already getting social media buzz, so students are going to gravitate to it. The messages within this lovely, powerful novel will give courage to teens to believe in themselves no matter what path in life they follow.–Maria Ramusevic

June Translation Deals

Jun 302024
 

German rights to Ronald Malfi’s SMALL TOWN HORROR, for a limited special edition, to Buchheim Verlag, by Sarah Knofius at Thomas Schlueck Agency, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

Polish rights to LJ Andrews’s THE EVER KING and THE EVER QUEEN, to Artbooks, in a two-book deal, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Ukrainian rights to Robert Jackson Bennett’s THE DIVINE CITIES SERIES, to Apriori, in a three-book deal, by Nada Popovic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

Ukrainian rights to Nommo Award finalist Kerstin Hall’s ASUNDER, to Zhorzh, by Milena Kaplarević at Prava i Prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Review: THE EVER KING audiobook by LJ Andrews

Jun 122024
 

AudioFile: Lucy Rivers and Will Thorne energize each other as dual narrators of this steamy fantasy-romance blending pirates, fae, and Vikings. Erik rules Ever Kingdom, but that rule is compromised by the man who murdered his father and trapped Erik in the underwater world called the Ever Realm. When Livia, the daughter of the man responsible for trapping Erik, accidentally breaks the Ever Realm open, Erik rages out to avenge his father’s death–but not if Livia can capture his heart first. Rivers provides a captivating portrayal of headstrong, passionate Livia. The sensual encounters crackle with erotic tension as Livia’s voice catches and becomes increasingly breathy. This engaging dark fantasy-romance is best listened to with headphones. J.M.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2024]

HEIRESS TAKES ALL by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Jun 042024
 

The Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s 11 in this thrilling adventure about a teenager determined to pull off the perfect heist in the middle of her father’s wedding.

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Owens isn’t thrilled that her dad’s getting remarried…again. She’s especially not thrilled that he cheated on her mom, kicked them out of their Rhode Island home, and cut Olivia out of her rightful inheritance.

But this former heiress has a plan for revenge. While hundreds of guests gather on the grounds of the gorgeous estate where she grew up, everyone will be thinking romance—not robbery. She’ll play the part of dutiful daughter, but in reality she’ll be redistributing millions from her father’s online accounts. She only needs the handwritten pass code he keeps in the estate’s safe.

With the help of an eclectic crew of high school students and one former teacher, Olivia has plotted her mid-nuptial heist down to the second. But she didn’t plan for an obnoxiously nosy wedding guest, an interfering ex-boyfriend intent on winning her back, greedy European cousins with their own agenda, or a vengeful second wife. When everything seems like it’s going wrong, Olivia has to keep her eyes on what really matters: getting rich. And when she’s done, “something borrowed” will be the understatement of the year.

Review: HEIRESS TAKES ALL by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

May 062024
 

Booklist: Two years ago: after her father was caught cheating, Olivia Owens was forced to move out of the mansion she’d grown up in. Five hours ago: she dressed to the nines to attend her famous father’s third wedding—and rob him of all the money his prenup kept from her ailing mother. Her revenge will hit him hard, if she and her team of misfits, including an old teacher and a dramatic new flame, can get in and out of the huge wedding event with his account passwords. Unpredictable guests and her (also cheating) ex-boyfriend get in the way of Olivia’s careful planning, but she and her coconspirators are determined to make her dad pay—with his millions and with his reputation. Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka, well known for cocreating mainstream romance novels, take an unexpected turn with this heist novel, but it’s a welcome one. There is romance here but also a solid underlying plot and a thrilling heist. Recommended for all libraries.

April Translation Deals

Apr 302024
 

Czech rights to LJ Andrews’s THE EVER KING, to Albatros Media, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

French rights to Nebula Award winner Premee Mohamed’s NO ONE WILL COME BACK FOR US and WE SPEAK THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN, to L’Atalante, by Sarah Dray at Anna Jarota Agency in association with Michael Curry.

Hebrew rights to New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop’s VISION IN SILVER, MARKED IN FLESH, and ETCHED IN BONE, books 3-5 in the Others series, to Alma Books, by Beverley Levit at The Israeli Association Of Book Publishers Ltd in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Italian rights to Annika Martin’s THE GRUMPY BILLIONAIRE to Triskell, by Stefania Fietta at Donzelli Fietta, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

Polish rights to Robert Jackson Bennett’s THE FOUNDERS TRILOGY, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, in a three-book deal, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

Polish rights to Hugo Award finalist Vajra Chandrasekera’s THE SAINT OF BRIGHT DOORS and RAKESFALL, to Czarna Owca, by Milena Kaplarević at Prava i prevodi in association with Michael Curry.

Ukrainian rights to Nebula Award winner Premee Mohamed’s THE BUTCHER OF THE FOREST and BENEATH THE RISING, to Zhorzh, by Milena Kaplarević at Prava i prevodi in association with Michael Curry.

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