Tart News
To paraphrase our homegirl Hillary, the Tarts have been doing more than baking cookies this holiday season. (Though we've been doing plenty of that, too -- yum!) Here's some fun news to celebrate as we begin an otherwise awfully serious new year:
Cover-Up is out in paperback! Michele's series featuring Manhattan federal prosecutor Melanie Vargas has been descibed as Law & Order meets Sex and the City. In this third installment, Melanie investigates the brutal murder of scandal-mongering celebrity journalist Suzanne Shepard. Melanie suspects that what first looks like a random sex crime probably isn't, given that half of New York City wanted Suzanne dead. Untangling the ugly scandals that fueled the dead reporter's career stops Melanie from obsessing over her troubled love affair with sexy FBI Agent Dan O'Reilly. Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review! Read the first two chapters here.
As we mentioned yesterday, but can't stop jumping for happiness about, our very own Miss Nancy has been nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the Female Sleuth category. If you want to understand just how significant this is, and what an honor, take a look at the other nominees -- Marcia Muller, Edna Buchanan and Carolyn Hart. Nancy is up there with the stars of our genre where she belongs. Speech please! And what will she wear?
Nancy, I think that ballgown is quite nice, actually! Yes, I know there are those out there that think this is a photo of Reese Witherspoon, but I think it's you. And--is that Edna Buchanan's back we're looking at?
Posted by: Harley | December 29, 2007 at 11:19 AM
Lots of sequins, Nancy. They go will with the champagne.
Best wishes for the paperback launch, Michele. I read this book (and your others) and really enjoyed it.
Posted by: Elaine Viets | December 29, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Love the paperback cover, Michele!
and Nancy: CONGRATS!
Posted by: Karen Olson | December 29, 2007 at 11:25 AM
Thanks, Karen, I love it, too. V. sexy!
And Nancy, we are so so proud of you.
Posted by: michele | December 29, 2007 at 11:41 AM
WOW Nancy, Congratulations!
You rock girl.
Posted by: Annette | December 29, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Yay for Nancy and Nora! Always knew you two were a winning team.
Posted by: ramona | December 29, 2007 at 12:49 PM
P.S. Michele, the cover looks great! I need a copy because my hardcover burst into flames after that office scene. You know the one.
Posted by: ramona | December 29, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Michele - great cover. Hope the paperbook release breaks all kinds of sales records.
Nancy is so deserving of this nomination, not to mention the win. This definitely calls for a new dress. RT in Daytona is where I first met Nancy and the rest of the tarts. RT is a wild wild party! Get your bail bondsman lined up early for Pittsburgh! Are you taking Margie to the awards dinner?
Posted by: ArkansasCyndi | December 29, 2007 at 01:02 PM
Yes, gorgeous cover Michele -- and so great it got a starred review!
Nancy, it couldn't happen to a more talented, funnier or kinder person. It is a terrific honor. And you are so well-deserving it's ridiculous. Congratulations, lady!
Posted by: AlisonGaylin | December 29, 2007 at 01:33 PM
Congratulations, Nancy! This is so thrilling, and a much deserved honor!
Love the book, Michele (and the cover!)
Posted by: SusanS | December 29, 2007 at 02:11 PM
I've just discovered Michele's Melanie Vargas series. I can't wait to get to Cover-Up since I loved Most Wanted.
Congratulations on the nomination, Nancy. It's a great way to start the New Year.
Posted by: Shelley Munro | December 29, 2007 at 05:25 PM
Hmm....so others experienced the book-bursting-into-flame phenomenon during that office scene? Nice to know my copy wasn't rigged!
Thanks for the congrats, all. You are all very kind. But taking Margie to the banquet??? Are you INSANE??? She'd be up on stage before the appetizer. RT is definitely her kinda party.
Posted by: Nancy Martin | December 29, 2007 at 08:44 PM
I heard that.
Just saying.
And congrats to Michele on the paperback - and no, the office scene was not based on something that happened here at TLC - I don't even have my own office. Which I totally should.
Nancy - Mazeltov! I think if you wear something that does *not* include flashing lights, or one of those rolling electronic buttons that says "Got Sex?", you'll stand out in that crowd. Seriously.
Posted by: Me, Margie | December 30, 2007 at 09:38 AM
"They go will with the champagne."
I meant, sequins go WELL with champagne. I need to hang out with Mr. Webster more. Mr. Typepad and I are not getting along.
Michele, the starred review was much deserved, but too many good writers do not get proper recognition.
Posted by: Elaine Viets | December 30, 2007 at 10:34 AM
Congratulations and best wishes to Michele and Nancy!
Condolences to You, Margie about the office thing . . . although the two UPS guys think you manage pretty well, and they say the rug burns don't really hurt that much.
Posted by: Tom | December 30, 2007 at 10:54 AM
I think we should all go to Nancy's banquet wearing flashing "Got Sex?" buttons. or "Got Nancy?" buttons. Or "Had Nancy?" -- no, no, i meant "Read Nancy?" buttons. (Dear God, I've been alone in the office with Margie all day, cleaning out the office supply closet.)
And Michele, we are all so proud of you. I want to know what's next.
Posted by: Harley | December 30, 2007 at 11:00 AM
I'm working on a standalone but it's a secret till it's done. Something new and different. Shhh!
Posted by: michele | December 30, 2007 at 11:26 AM
I know the secret, and I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS BOOK! Get into The Hole, Michele.
Posted by: Nancy Martin | December 30, 2007 at 11:48 AM
'Flashing Nancy' buttons? Lotsa potential for mayhem and misunderstanding there. And a trans-Atlantic mistranslation, too.
It's not as good as "The Vampires And The Cowboys Should Be Friends," but I just noticed "Someone's in the closet with Margie" scans exactly like "Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah."
Fee-Fye-Diddly-Eye-Ohh!
Posted by: Tom | December 30, 2007 at 12:07 PM