Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY

by Audrey Niffenegger

Literary Fiction
Scribner
www.AudreyNiffenegger.com

5 Signed Copies will be given away on Friday, October 2, 2009

Audrey Niffenegger talks about her long-awaited follow up to The Time Traveler's Wife and her approach to writing novels. Listen to the exclusive interview with Audrey Niffenegger here!


**FBF First Look!
This book releases on September 29. Win one of the first released copies...autographed by the author!

**FBF All-Star Author!

About the Book:

Six years after the phenomenal success of The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger has returned with a spectacularly compelling and haunting second novel set in and around Highgate Cemetery in London.

When Elspeth Noblin dies of cancer, she leaves her London apartment to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina. These two American girls never met their English aunt, only knew that their mother, too, was a twin, and Elspeth her sister. Julia and Valentina are semi-normal American teenagers--with seemingly little interest in college, finding jobs, or anything outside their cozy home in the suburbs of Chicago, and with an abnormally intense attachment to one another.

The girls move to Elspeth's flat, which borders Highgate Cemetery in London. They come to know the building's other residents. There is Martin, a brilliant and charming crossword puzzle setter suffering from crippling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Marjike, Martin's devoted but trapped wife; and Robert, Elspeth's elusive lover, a scholar of the cemetery. As the girls become embroiled in the fraying lives of their aunt's neighbors, they also discover that much is still alive in Highgate, including--perhaps--their aunt, who can't seem to leave her old apartment and life behind.

Niffenegger weaves a captivating story in Her Fearful Symmetry about love and identity, about secrets and sisterhood, and about the tenacity of life--even after death.


And don't miss Audrey's first novel, THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, now a major motion picture starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana!

About the Author:

Audrey Niffenegger is a visual artist and a guide at Highgate Cemetery. In addition to her bestselling debut novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, she is the author of two illustrated novels, The Three Incestuous Sisters and The Adventuress. She lives in Chicago. Visit her website at: www.AudreyNiffenegger.com

**Please enter to win using the form on the left side bar of our website. Comments left on the post are not used as entry.

Watch Your Back - Winners

Two lucky winners will be receiving free autographed copies of Watch Your Back by Lisa Watson!

And those winners are...


1) Mandy Conlon
2) Nancye Davis




If you didn't win, but still want to own a copy of Watch Your Back, be sure to order it from Amazon by clicking here!

You can also find both books in our official FBF Amazon Book Store!

Tomorrow on the site we have the fabulous Audrey Niffenegger, author of the bestselling The Time Traveler's Wife! She'll be talking about her anticipated new novel and giving away some free autographed copies. You don't want to miss it!

Watch Your Back by Lisa L. Watson

WATCH YOUR BACK

by Lisa L. Watson

Urban Fiction
Urban Soul
www.LisaWatson.com

2 Signed Copies will be given away on Friday, September, 2009


On Free Book Friday we like to offer up a variety of different kinds of books for our readers. This week we're featuring our very first Urban Fiction book, by debut author, Lisa L. Watson. We hope you enjoy it!

About the Book:

Devon Mitchell's past is tormenting him and his future is uncertain.
Plagued with the thought that he was responsible for his girlfriend's death, Devon finds solitude at his uncle's farm in rural Illinois. When he hears that his beloved grandmother’s art gallery is in financial trouble, he returns to Washington, D.C. He commissions himself as the gallery's new art director to investigate.

Enraged doesn’t begin to describe Jayde Seaton when an outsider shows up and takes the coveted promotion she thought was rightfully hers. Refusing to make his transition a smooth one, she sets out to make Devon's work life miserable.

Tensions between them spark intense heat. As the two grow closer, Devon learns of hostile takeovers and hidden agendas—all revealing the truth about his girlfriend's death. Could Jayde be next on the hit list because of him? Devon will do whatever it takes to ensure she’s not.

Exclusive Interview with the Author!

1) What was the inspiration behind Watch Your Back?

Since this was my debut novel I wanted to write a story that would have universal appeal. I knew I didn’t want a predictable novel and I definitely didn’t want the readers skipping pages trying to look for the interesting parts. I wanted it to keep them engaged from start to finish.

2) I read on your bio that you’re also an “Asset Management Specialist.” That sounds WAY different from writing. How do you balance the two?

Actually, I’m on the computer all day working with customers. I’m writing all day long. When I get home I’m all talked and written out. The challenge comes in forcing myself to turn my laptop back on and get back to my story. That’s where my critique group comes in. I affectionately dubbed them “The Critique Boutique.” They don’t let me slack off and keep me focused.

3) Which authors/books are you most influenced by?

Pat Simmons, Leslie Esdaile Banks, Christina Skye, Brenda Jackson, Heather Graham and Linnea Sinclair to name a few. They are amazing in person and I find myself just sitting there soaking up all their wisdom and advice.

4) This novel sounds like it has some great moments between the two main characters. What is your favorite scene?

Okay, this may sound lame, but I truly enjoyed working with all the characters in this book. One of my favorite scenes is when Jayde returns from visiting Paolo in Italy. She and Devon parted under tense circumstances and she’s convinced herself she’s going to give him the benefit of the doubt and let him apologize. When they meet, she isn’t prepared for his animosity towards her. The two get into a knockdown, drag out fight that had me chuckling the whole time I was writing it.

5) What’s next on your writing agenda? Are you working on a new book?

I’m finishing up my next book, Interview with Love. Its due out September 2010. Next in line will be the sequel, Interview with Danger. After that I’ll be writing a story that has more intrigue entitled Brace for Impact.


About the Author:

Being a native of Washington D.C. fed Lisa Watson’s romantic imagination. Creating interesting, realistic characters that challenge personal and spiritual growth are her forte. When she's not writing or working, she's hanging out with other authors and readers as co-publicist for the annual RT BookReview Magazine's BOOKLovers Convention. Watch for Lisa's next novel, Interview with Love, with Urban Soul in 2010. Visit her website at: www.LisaWatson.com

**Please enter to win using the form on the left side bar of our website. Comments left on the post are not used as entry.

Children of the Waters - Winners!

Three lucky winners will be receiving free autographed copies of Children of the Waters by Carleen Brice!

And those winners are...



1) Meaghan Koci
2) Lauren Goodfellow
3) Peggy Batig



If you didn't win, but still want to own a copy of Children of the Waters, be sure to order it from Amazon by clicking here!

You can also find both books in our official FBF Amazon Book Store!


If you haven't already checked out the Free Ugg Boots Giveaway over at Whoogaboots, be sure to check it out by clicking here!

Another free book giveaway is coming up in less than 24 hours so be sure to check back!

Children of the Waters by Carleen Brice

CHILDREN OF THE WATERS

by Carleen Brice

Commercial Fiction
Ballantine
www.CarleenBrice.com

3 Signed Copies will be given away on Friday, September, 18 2009


About the Book:

Still reeling from divorce and feeling estranged from her teenage son, Trish Taylor is in the midst of salvaging the remnants of her life when she uncovers a shocking secret: her sister is alive. For years Trish believed that her mother and infant sister had died in a car accident. But the truth is that her mother fatally overdosed and that Trish’s grandparents put the baby girl up for adoption because her father was black.

After years of drawing on the strength of her black ancestors, Billie Cousins is shocked to discover that she was adopted. Just as surprising, after finally overcoming a series of health struggles, she is pregnant–a dream come true for Billie but a nightmare for her sweetie, Nick, and for her mother, both determined to protect Billie from anything that may disrupt her well-being.

Exclusive Interview with the Author!

1) How do you come up with the names for your characters?

I often use family names or names of friends to start and then see if the name changes as I go along.

2) When you got that first phone call announcing your had sold a novel, how did you react? How did you celebrate? If you've sold more than one novel, do you have a celebration ritual for subsequent sales?

I yelled and cried and beat on the steering wheel (my agent called just as I was leaving for work). I bought myself a pair of diamond earrings and got hubby a guitar, and there's been lots and lots of champagne. This is my 2nd novel and it was part of a 2-book deal, so I celebrated the deals for both at once, but I also partied when each book was released.

3) If your book were to be made into a movie, who could you see playing the lead role?

Halle Berry could play Billie. Jennifer Aniston as Trish. Or Alicia Keys as Billie and Reese Witherspoon as Trish.

4) Since becoming a writer, what's the most glamorous thing you've ever done?

Attended awards ceremonies and actually received 2 awards! Almost like the Oscars! (not really, but you know what I mean)

5) If you could be a superhero, what would you superpower be?

Invisibility. (She said after months of doing self-promotion.)


About the Author:

Carleen Brice was recently named 2008 “Breakout Author of the Year” by The African American Literary Awards Show for her debut novel Orange Mint and Honey, which was also a selection of the Essence Book Club. She is also the author of Walk Tall:Affirmations for People of Color, and Lead Me Home: An African American’s Guide Through the Grief Journey and edited the anthology Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number: Black Women Explore Midlife. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and two cats. Visit her website at: www.CarleenBrice.com

**Please enter to win using the form on the left side bar of our website. Comments left on the post are not used as entry.

Crossing Washington Square - Winners!

Five lucky winners will be receiving free autographed copies of Crossing Washington Square by Joanne Rendell!

And those winners are...


1) Jennifer Brady
2) Amber Stamper
3) Brenda Pavlov
4) Brandy Colbert
5) Kristy Mitchell



If you didn't win, but still want to own a copy of Crossing Washington Square, be sure to order it from Amazon by clicking here!

You can also find both books in our official FBF Amazon Book Store!


If you haven't already checked out the Free Ugg Boots Giveaway over at Whoogaboots, be sure to check it out by clicking here!

Another free book giveaway is coming up in less than 24 hours so be sure to check back!

Crossing Washington Square by Joanne Rendell

CROSSING WASHINGTON SQUARE

by Joanne Rendell

Commercial Fiction
New American Library
www.JoanneRendell.com

5 Signed Copies will be given away on Friday, September 11, 2009

Joanne Rendell discusses the popular debate of commercial vs. literary fiction and which of her main characters she'd most like to "have around for tea." Listen to the exclusive interview with Joanne Rendell here!

About the Book:

A story of two strong-willed and passionate women who are compelled to unite their senses and sensibilities, from the author of The Professors' Wives' Club.

Professor Diana Monroe is a highly respected scholar of Sylvia Plath. Serious and aloof, she steadfastly keeps her mind on track. Professor Rachel Grey is young and impulsive, with a penchant for teaching relevant contemporary women's stories like Bridget Jones' Diary and The Devil Wears Prada, and for wearing her heart on her sleeve.

The two conflicting personalities meet head-to-heart when Carson McEvoy, a handsome and brilliant professor visiting from Harvard, sets his eyes on both women and creates even more tension between them. Now Diana and Rachel are slated to accompany an undergraduate trip to London, where an almost life-threatening experience with a student celebrity will force them to change their minds and heal their hearts...together.


And don't miss Joanne's first novel, THE PROFESSORS' WIVES' CLUB or our first podcast interview with Joanne last year!

About the Author:

Joanne Rendell was born and raised in the UK. She has a Ph.D. in literature and is married to an NYU professor. Visit her website at: www.JoanneRendell.com

**Please enter to win using the form on the left side bar of our website. Comments left on the post are not used as entry.

The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker - Winners!

Three lucky winners will be receiving free autographed copies of The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber!

And those winners are...


1) Gina Francis
2) Lexee Toste
3) Lucinda Rajaselvan




If you didn't win, but still want to own a copy of The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, be sure to order it from Amazon by clicking here!

You can also find both books in our official FBF Amazon Book Store!

Special Announcements!

Every so often, something fantastic crosses our paths and we feel the need to share it with all of you! Here are two special opportunities that we thought we'd pass along.

1) Free Ugg Boots Giveaway!

Our friends over at Whoogaboots are giving away a free pair of Ugg boots every month! Click here to get all the details! This opportunity is open to residents of all countries!

2) Attention Central Iowa Book Lovers!

The famous, bestselling author Rachel Caine will be visiting libraries throughout Central Iowa this month. Click here for a list of locations and dates!

***

Another free book giveaway is coming up in less than 24 hours so be sure to check back!