The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella

I picked up The Wedding Officer from a table of  "summer reading" at Barnes and Noble. From the cover you would think this is a lighthearted romance set during WWII. I was also intrigued because it was written by a man. The story was actually much darker than I expected. It's 1944 and Captain James Gould is stationed in Naples Italy. He is the wedding officer, tasked with investigating young Italian women engaged to G.I.s and discouraging marriages between them. James is bitten by the love bug himself when he falls for a beautiful widow, Livia Pertini. Livia is the cook for the Allied officers and her culinary skills seduce the inexperienced soldier. 

Many tragic occurrences conspire to separate the two lovers. The reality of war is brought home in graphic detail. Capella does a great job of making you believe that Livia and James can make it even with all the brutality they've experienced. It's not all hearts and flowers but he will definitely make you believe in the enduring power of love. 

The Wedding Officerincludes a sneak peek at Anthony Capella's next book, The Various Flavors of Coffee (fall 2008). Beautiful cover, eh?

Free Books!

Emma Holly is giving away two signed copies of THE DEMON'S DAUGHTER, PRINCE OF ICE, and BEYOND THE DARK (also featuring Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, and Diane Whiteside). You'll have until the end of June to enter, which you can do at: www.emmaholly.com/CONTESTS.htm

ALSO....

In anticipation of the release of ACHERON, St. Martin's Press is doing a giveaway of all 12 of the Dark Hunter books by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Enter to win at Yearof Acheron.com.

The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu

First of all, how gorgeous is this cover? I love the cover trend in urban fantasy to feature a beautiful woman who looks like she could kick your ass. Marjorie M. Liu, best-selling author of the Dirk & Steele paranormal series, is back with a brand new series about a demon hunter called The Iron Hunt. Here's the back cover blurb:

"By day, her tattoos are her armor. By night, they unwind from her body to take on forms of their own--demons of the flesh, turned into flesh. This is the only family demon hunter Maxine Kiss has ever known. It's the only way to live, and the very way she'll die. For one day her demons will abandon her for her daughter to assure their own survival--leaving Maxine helpless against her enemies. But such is the way of Earth's last protector--the only one standing between humanity and the demons breaking out from behind the prison veil. It is a life lacking in love, reveling in death, until one moment--and one man--changes everything..."

The Iron Hunt is a fantastic book. The demons that live on Maxine's skin are fascinatingly child-like. This story is nothing like I've ever read before but my husband tells me it's similar to a comic called The Darkness. Ms. Liu weaves language in a way that is evocative and dreamlike. The juxtaposition of strength with fragility makes Maxine Kiss a very compelling character. I definitely want to read more about her. The release date is June 24, 2008.

David Sedaris

David Sedaris is one of the funniest non-fiction writers around. He is the best-selling author of great books like Me Talk Pretty One Day, Naked, and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. Sedaris has a new book out called When You Are Engulfed in Flames which I'm dying to read. Time Magazine posted an interview online with David that is part of their Ten Questions for... series. Check it out.

Rain Boots are the New Shoes for Chick-Lit

Publisher's Weekly reports that publishers have run out of every variation of shoes and handbags for chick-lit covers. The new trend may be rain boots. I have to say I was confused by two of the books below and thought they were the same book on two separate occasions. I've definitely been noticing the surplus of rain boots on covers.

Book Covers

Ever been embarrassed of a book cover or just wished you could have something pretty to dress up your books? Well, the wait is over! These are my new Hide-a-Book book covers. The decorative vinyl slip-on book covers are water resistant and can be reused again and again – the perfect stylish book-covering solution! Great for protecting paperback books and your privacy. The cover easily adjusts to fit paperback books of nearly any width. A built in ribbon bookmark ensures you won't lose your place. Click on a cover for more information and how to buy.

Etsy Buy Handmade HideABook

Book in a Bag Giveaway

Bag some truly stylish fiction! Now, when you sign up for the "From the Heart" newsletter, you're entered for a chance to win new books from HarperCollins Publishers and a bag from The Sak! During the next 4 weeks, they’re giving away 15 colorful Silverlake Canvas Convertible Satchels to 15 randomly selected entrants. Click here to enter.