A Comprehensive Bookseller’s Guide to TopShelf Authors & Books!
™
IN THIS ISSUE
An Exclusive Interview with Award-Winning, Bestselling Thriller Author and TopShelf PRO Insider, Marc Rainer Page 11
ALSO Ask the Expert
Page 19
Inside Scoop: Covers That Sell Best First Lines
Page 15
Page 12
Fall 2019
PLUS
TopShelf Reviews, Marketing Advice, and More!
TOPShelf
A Comprehensive Bookseller’s Guide to TopShelf Authors & Books!
™
table of contents
masthead
interviews
CEO & Publisher
7 9 11
keith@topshelfmagazine.net
Graham Clayton
E.V.P. & Director of Marketing
Marc Rainer
columns 12 15 17 19
Rebecca Katsikas
becky@topshelfmagazine.net
Lead Editor Kyle Magnus
Best First Lines
kris@topshelfmagazine.net
Covers that Sell
Assistant Editor
We Visit Vroman’s Bookstore Ask The Expert
reviews 23 23 23 25 25 25 29 29 29 31 31 31
Keith A. Katsikas Jr.
James Rollins
Beyond Beauport Thirteen Across Our War No Tougher Duty, No Greater Honor Goodbye Paris AU79 Almost Midnight #CHILL Battle Scars Capitol Kill Realm BINGO
editorial policy TopShelf Magazine is a bookseller-focused trade journal packed with the crème de la crème in indie and traditionally published authors and books. There’s no junk here!
subscriptions
TopShelf Magazine is offered to bookstores and public libraries across the United States free of charge, and to any bookseller and library in the English speaking world for a
www.TopShelfMagazine.net
Rosemary Fifield
editor@topshelfmagazine.net
Assistant Editor Sharon Isbell
editor@topshelfmagazine.net
Contributors & Reviewers Mark Adduci Belle Ami Patrice Benard J. H. Bográn Rosemary Fifield Paul Hollis Sharon Isbell Keith Katsikas Rebecca Katsikas Jon Land Eeva Lancaster Jennifer LeBlanc Kyle Magnus Sarah Noffke Debra Parmley Donald Richard Luke Romyn Michael Rowland Sarah Sheffield Timothy Sunderland Robert Walker
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TOPShelf magazine SUMMER2019 3 www.maryclarkdalton.com
featuredspotlights
...books worth a closer look! Laurie is a very active little girl. She loves school, but she has to keep busy all the time or she starts to fidget. She loves playing soccer and she's even the captain of her soccer team. So when Laurie suddenly lacks energy and her cheeks lose their rosy glow, her parents are understandably worried. They take her to see the family doctor and he runs a bunch of tests. The results are not happy news…
Once upon a time in a land not so far away, a man and a woman fell in love. They were very happy. Until one day they weren’t – their happily ever after disappeared.
Genre Children’s Price $11.99 ISBN 978-2924526279
Genre Contemporary Romance Price $2.99 ISBN B076KPCB2V
Kept Me Reading Long Into The Night!!!
A Blazing Gilded Age is the epic story of a volatile nation burning with ambition, yet bleeding with injustice. It was a time of profound change; boldly transforming from an agrarian backwater into an industrial powerhouse.
“Darcy Daniel’s award-winning thriller THE DEVILS' CRADLE reminded me of the first time I read Sandra Brown. From the opening page to the last, the novel is fraught with tension, suspense, and pathos and kept me reading long into the night. Here is a writer destined for great things.” ~James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author
This is their story.
Both powerful and poignant, “A Blazing Gilded Age" serves as an entertaining and enlightening read of how and why America has gone astray, and why it became a world leader.
Genre Suspense Thriller Price $11.99 ISBN 978-0992400408
Genre Action & Adventure Price $34.95 ISBN 978-0981762562
A Masterly-Crafted Cloak And Dagger Spy Novel!
A few short blocks from the safety of the museums and monuments on the National Mall, a ruthless killer prowls the streets of Washington DC. Federal prosecutor Jeff Trask joins a team of FBI agents and police detectives as they try and solve the series of brutal murders. As the body count rises, the investigation leads to a chilling confrontation with the leader of an international drug smuggling ring, and no one is safe, not even the police…
“London, 1942. OSS Agent Conor Thorn is desperate for a second chance. After a botched mission in Tangier, Thorn knows failure is not an option. When confidential directives for Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, go missing, the agent must recover the plans before the Nazis thwart the crucial mission.” ~Michael Rowland, TS Reviews
Genre Thriller Price $15.99 ISBN 978-0999117309
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Genre Legal Thriller Price $12.50 ISBN 978-1468180213
A Comprehensive Bookseller’s Guide to TopShelf Authors & Books
“An invigorating thriller with an engaging protagonist surrounded by equally worthy characters.”
“In this third installment, Rainer has provided another unflinching, engrossing chronicle.”
~Kirkus Reviews
~Palmetto Reviews
Federal prosecutor Jeff Trask is back after a series of drug overdoses places investigators face to face with Los Zetas, the most dangerous of the Mexican drug cartels. Drawing from Mexico’s real-life cartel wars, Death’s White Horses is Rainer’s third book featuring Jeff Trask. While showcasing the challenges faced by law enforcement on both sides of the border, it also highlights the deadly consequences seen on both ends of the US-Mexico drug trade.
www.MarcRainer.com ISBN: 978-1495322334
“Joe Corso hits it right on the mark when he takes us on a winding trip through the underbelly of organized crime.� ~Joe Bruno Sr., Author of Whitey Bulgar - The Biggest Rat
interviews
You've been a member of a critique group for many years. How has that been helpful to your writing career
JAMES ROLLINS is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, translated into more than forty languages. His Sigma series has been lauded as one of the "top crowd pleasers" (New York Times) and one of the "hottest summer reads" (People Magazine). In each novel, acclaimed for its originality, Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets––and he does it all at breakneck speed and with stunning insight. Clearly, a lot of research goes into your books. How do you go about researching and how much time is spent on it? I certainly do love to dig deep into the subject matters I write about. I love it so much I’ve learned over the years that I have to rein myself in a bit. I limit my main block of research on a novel to 90 days. On the 91st day, I have to begin writing. That all said, I’m also a bit of a lazy researcher. I prefer to interview people and pick their brains versus drily reading some history lesson or scientific treatise. Rather than having to earn a degree on a certain subject, I’d rather query people who have already earned those PhDs. Such a method often uncovers tantalizing details that I would’ve never found in a book, magazine article, or Internet search. We're all human, so I imagine you must have periods when you don't feel like writing. With such high demands on your time and incredibly tight release schedules, how do you overcome these periods? It goes back to that schedule. I don’t wait for inspiration to write or even the desire to write. I write because I have a daily goal of pages to
www.TopShelfMagazine.net
As a bestselling author, do you still do any of your own marketing and promotion, and if so, how? Back when I first started writing, author websites were a rarity. Today, all of the many outlets of social media allow an author to directly connect to a reader. It’s one of the greatest marketing tools available to us. I remember decades ago trying to tell my publishing house about this new vehicle for telling people about my books. It was called Facebook. My house said basically “Don’t bother. It’s a fad.” I didn’t take their advice and was an early adopter of the platform. And it continues to this day. I love having that immediacy with my readership, whether it’s sharing something from my day or talking about the genesis of a new book. I test titles via social media. I talk about plots and characters. It’s a great way of involving readers, of making them part of the process. Are their ways that fans can interact with you on social media, and if so, how? I’m very active on Facebook and Twitter, so that’s where you’ll find me spending way too time. As to my website, it’s more of an encyclopedia of my work, where you can discover all about the books, my background, the charities I support, even a section about writing for those future authors out there. Otherwise, for the day to day peek at my life, Facebook is best. I also run contests, quizzes with prizes, and tackle whatever catches my eye that day. Do you have a favorite bookstore? If so, what is it about that store that makes it stand out for you? I’d have to say Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale,
What is the one book that has had the most influence on your life and/or writing career and why?
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A TOPSHELF EXCLUSIVE WITH JAMES ROLLINS
I joined my group long before I was ever published, and I’m still with the same circle of writers and readers today. They critique every page before it ever sees my editor. I’ve learned to value and appreciate their viewpoints, as each member brings their own eyes and background to the table. The group contains members with military backgrounds, PhDs, teachers, and housewives. They not only bring a critical eye, but also offer encouragement and support on the long road to composing a novel. They are my secret weapon.
Arizona. Over the years, I’ve come to know the owner and staff very well. They’ve been supportive of my career from the very beginning, so how could I not love them? But I also love Murder by the Book in Houston, and of course, the megalopolis that is Powell’s Books in Portland. If there’s one detail that stands out about all three of them, it’s their knowledgeable staff. Those people love books, and as a writer, there’s not much more a person can ask than that.
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complete. It’s sort of a carrot-and-stick method. If I procrastinate, then I’m writing until the wee hours of the morning. If I get cracking early, then I might finish those pages early and be able to catch a late matinee. So maybe the incentive here is less “carrot” and more “movie popcorn.”
TOPShelf
INTERVIEWS
I’m going to pick two books. First, The Shipping New by E. Annie Proulx. I try to read the big award winners every year, so I picked up a copy—and it changed me a writer. Even my critique group noted the change. E. Annie Proulx does something with language, sentence structure, and storytelling that I’d never experienced before. It unlocked something in my brain and freed my writing, making me a better storyteller. I don’t think I’d be published today if I hadn’t read that book. Second, I’d pick Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. That novel also greatly influenced my writing, so much so that I had a copy above my desk when I was working on my first novel (Subterranean). I used that book as my coda on how to construct and plot a thriller. Again, I don’t know if my first book would have ever sold if not for the lessons found within the pages of Crichton’s thriller. What was the pivotal point in your career when you realized that this was going to work—that you were going to be a successful author? You know, I had stumbled across a rule of thumb on when an author might start considering “giving up the day job” to write full time. The answer was when an author has five books out on a shelf. I forgot that I had read this until I sold my veterinary practice and transitioned to a full-time writer. Only then did I realize this was indeed when my fifth novel had hit the shelves. So I guess that rule of thumb held true, at least in my case. That all said, I still do charitable work as a veterinarian, basically performing free spays and neuters for the local shelter. I enjoy doing this, but also deep down I know it’s best to keep my scalpel sharpened…in case, this writing business ever comes crashing down. Read more of this and other interviews at
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If you like futuristic technology, alien political intrigue, and high-octane, paranormal action, you will love this thrilling, interstellar adventure! An alien revolution centuries in the making will change mankind’s future forever‌
www.ClaytonGraham.com.au ISBN: 978-0994495624
interviews
Would you say that the bulk of your book sales come from traditional print editions or ebooks?
Clayton loves animals, including wellbehaved pets, and all the natural world, and is a member of Australian Geographic. Combining future science with the paranormal is his passion. Milijun, his first novel, was published in 2016. His second novel, Saving Paludis, was published in 2018. They are light-years from each other but share the future adventures of mankind in an expansive universe as a common theme. The sequel to Milijun, entitled Amidst Alien Stars is currently at the editing stage, with release scheduled for late 2019. In between novels Clayton has published 'Silently in the Night,' a collection of short stories where, among many other adventures, you can sympathize with a doomed husband, connect with an altruistic robot, explore an isolated Scottish isle and touch down on a far-flung asteroid. He hopes you can share the journeys.
www.TopShelfMagazine.net
I think there will be fewer of them, and they will have to diversify the way they sell books and advertise accordingly. They have to compete with the giant online enterprises or suffer the consequences. Like a lot of things, it will depend on their turnover. It depends on how they get the word out—these days, fewer people will just stroll through the door and browse. They can do that at home. The lamp is still shining, but the wind of change is blowing strongly.
Have you ever been part of a writer's workshop or group? Was it helpful? Or a waste of time? Any advice for writers looking to start or join one? I am a member of several writers groups, and would always recommend joining a group particular to your genre if you can find one. They can often lead you to new advertising techniques and new markets that may be useful. And they may run author collaboration processes, for example, newsletter swaps that will help spread the word.
What is the most challenging part by far about your craft? What's the one thing about being an author you wish you did not have to do? That's an easy one. Being an indie author involves marketing your books—after all, you are the only one who will do it. While there are a plethora of entities that will offer help
Self-publishing is the only way to go for me. It leaves me free to write when I want, which is often, and means I have control over my own scripts. Unless you are an established author, searching for an agent and pursuing traditional publication is an extremely time-consuming activity. Unless you happen to know one, of course!
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As a youngster growing up in the cobbled streets of Stockport, UK, Clayton Graham read a lot of science fiction. He loved the 'oldschool' masters such as HG Wells, Jules Verne, Isaac Asimov, and John Wyndham. As he left those formative years behind, he penned short stories when he could find a rare quiet moment amidst life's usual distractions. He settled in Victoria, Australia, in 1982. A retired aerospace engineer who worked in structural design and research, Clayton has always had an interest in science fiction, and where it places humankind within a universe, we are only just starting to understand.
Do you believe there is still a bright future for independent bookstores?
How do you feel about selfpublishing in today's market? Is it a good idea? Or should authors still be trying to find an agent and get traditionally published?
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A TOPSHELF EXCLUSIVE WITH AUTHOR AND TOPSHELF PRO INSIDER, CLAYTON GRAHAM
There is no doubt that eBooks are the main source of revenue from my book sales. It is not planned that way, it just happens to be so. One primary reason for this is the ease with which eBooks can be harvested online, and the thirst of the general public for them. Also, eBooks immediately land on your chosen device and can be read instantly. Many online advertisers [of which there are many] run low-cost eBook promotions, which the reading public loves. If a reader wants a print edition, I think it is generally ordered as a Print on Demand, rather than off the shelf [or from the back room]of a book store. Thus, there is a waiting period.
to find you, readers, there are very few who are genuinely useful. Unfortunately, you have to slog through and find the ones which work best for you and your genre. It's never-ending, and things are always changing.
TOPShelf
INTERVIEWS
What steps should an author take to build their platform? Firstly, make sure you have a good cover, and your work is edited professionally. Then invest in an author website, or maybe just an Author Facebook page. Primarily, and this is not revolutionary advice, try and build up your reader numbers. The best way to do this is by having a newsletter, which you can build up over time. There are various enterprises out there that can help you do this correctly, keeping in mind the new privacy laws. Don't expect overnight miracles. Building a platform takes time, measured in years.
Do you edit and proofread your own work at all or do you just write it and hand it off to an editor? I always check and re-check my work before sending it out for editing. My method is to use the computer first, then I print the result to date, find a comfortable chair and a cup of tea, and check it over with a red or blue pen, marking changes as I go. Then it's back to the computer. I would usually work with two or three chapters at a time. Sometimes, but not often, this procedure may need repeating. Then it's a full Copy Edit, revision, and later a final Proof Edit. Read more of this and other interviews at
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featuredspotlights
...books worth a closer look!
“The bad guys in this tale are just as enthralling as the virtuous players. The story thrives on the attorney's legal fisticuffs. This persistently entertaining lawyer leads a superb batch of characters and subplots.”
“Engrossing and educational, all at once...a satisfying tension to the story line that keeps readers not just involved, but on their toes...readers will be delighted with Trask's many challenges.”
~ Kirkus Reviews
~ Midwest Book Review
Federal Prosecutor Jeff Trask moves to Kansas City to combat the Mafia and a nationwide drug-smuggling ring that is trafficking in the deadly concoction of fentanyl-laced heroin. Joining forces with a team of police detectives and FBI agents, Trask enters a deadly world where crime businesses operate with their own sets of merciless rules. For members of the Kansas City Mob, those rules are violated only by those willing to risk—or to inflict—death. In the meantime, Trask has to balance the extreme demands of his caseload with an impending tragedy on his home front. Matching wits with a criminal mastermind who is willing to violate the laws of both the civilized world and the ruthless Mafia, Jeff Trask is forced to call upon all of his genius and the assistance of his team to bring this Mafia kingpin to the fate he deserves.
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www.marcrainer.com
A Comprehensive Bookseller’s Guide to TopShelf Authors & Books ISBN: 978-1642375824
interviews
Marc Rainer is my pen name; my real name is Charles ("Chuck") Ambrose, Jr. My pen name is a tribute to my little brother Marc, and my mother, Betty Rainer Ambrose. We lost them both to cancer far too soon. I am a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and am a former Air Force JAG Circuit Prosecutor and former federal prosecutor (Assistant United States Attorney) in Washington, D.C., and in Kansas City, MO. In more than thirty years of experience, I have tried hundreds of both military and federal (civilian) major cases, including prosecutions of homicide cases, federal conspiracy trials, and mafia and other organized crime prosecutions. That experience allows me to weave scenes from my investigative and trial experiences into the plot lines of my novels, which have been hailed by those in the criminal justice fields for their realism. I have also co-authored a manual on how to try murder cases, which was published by the American Bar Association's Criminal Law Section. I live in a suburb of a major northwestern city with my wife, a retired Special Agent of the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations (OSI), and our rescue mutts. My web page may be found at www.marcrainer.com. Please explain to aspiring authors and booksellers how much work is required to maintain your level of success. www.TopShelfMagazine.net
Do you believe there is still a bright future for independent bookstores? I think there is always going to be a niche for independent bookstores. The second-hand market seems to still be going strong, and the independent stores may actually outlast their “big-box” competitors. They usually don’t have the overhead, and if they’re intelligently managed, they have additional revenue streams. If all the physical stores disappear, I think they’ll be the last to go.
Why do you think your books are so successful? The success I have had comes from realism. I use real case events and scenarios, and I try to write authentic characters in my books. Real can be painful and depressing, but when real good wins out over real bad, it’s really satisfying, too.
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A TOPSHELF EXCLUSIVE WITH BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND PRO INSIDER, MARC RAINER
What's the biggest mistake you've seen bookstores make? And how would you suggest fixing it? The biggest mistake, in my view, is the same one that traditional agents and publishers are currently making. I worked for 25 years in Kansas City and watched their smallmarket baseball franchise suffer and scrap until they hired some smart managers and scouts. Those guys pulled back the bushes in places like rural Venezuela until they found gold talent and signed those players to longterm deals. Then they went to back-to-back World Series and won one of them. The traditional crowd now has available to them what is—in essence—a free minor league that they could tap. Just like a reader, an agent or editor could scan Amazon for selfpublished talent, read their finished products, check their reviews, check their sales, and sign up some proven talent. Instead, they’re stuck in a 19th Century game of pitches and query letters, all in the name of protectionism. I had this conversation with an agent at a writer’s conference a couple of years ago and got the usual response: “There’s just too much crap out there.” There is, of course, but a lot of it is traditionally published, too.
In a bookstore or library what do you think makes a patron pick up a book and want to take a closer look? The cover quality and the synopsis text have to be the hooks. An amateurish cover can burn a book faster than a torch. Even a great cover won’t convince a reader to buy a book if the story “trailer” isn’t also pulling the reader inside.
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Writing is work, and for a self-published author, it’s even more work than it is for the “A-listers.” We don’t have publishers or big publicity firms carrying the ball for us in the marketing game, so we have to shoulder that load as well. When I’m in the process of writing another book, it takes about two hours a day to produce a quality chapter. I usually spend at least an hour a day on some form of marketing as well, and that includes the days between writing books. I’ve published six crime dramas so far, and I’m not nearly as retired as I thought I’d be. I do like my boss better than I used to when I had a day job.
TOPShelf
INTERVIEWS
How do you work with an editor without pride making a guest appearance like Jack Nicholson in The Shining? I have two professional editors in the family. We love and hate each other very much. How should an author divide their time between writing and marketing? The writing has to come first. Marketing can sell some lousy merchandise, but the word will eventually get out, and a lemon won’t survive. On the other hand, even the best product will remain a secret unless you get it “out there.” When I’m actually writing a book, it’s 75% author, 25% ad-man. What steps should an author take to build their platform? Whatever works for you. Some have done very well with email lists. I don’t have one. Some like to blog. I don’t have one (unless you count my political rants from time to time on social media). I prefer to write and to try and put out the most productive ads that I can on Bookbub, Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads. Those sites have millions of more potential readers than any email list or blog subscription list that I could ever put together! Read more of this and other interviews at
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BEST FIRST LINES
“An exquisite exercise in psychological suspense... cut from the cloth woven by the likes of Lisa Gardner and Harlan Coben.” ~Jon Land, USA Today bestselling author of the Murder, She Wrote series
“Chilled me to the bone.” ~Julie Gray, Just Effing Entertain Me
“Amazingly well written.” ~Dr. Olivia Dsouza, Readers’ Favorite
On Australia’s island state, more than one species of Tasmanian Devil exists... Beneath the surface of Nina Holt’s perfect marriage lurks a life of terror inflicted upon her by her politically powerful husband Michael and his brother Greg, a sadistic detective. For over a decade they have managed to keep Nina imprisoned, using her to satisfy their every whim. Worse still, the only light in her life—her 9-year-old son, Sam—considers Michael a hero. When Sam imitates Michael’s violence by lashing out at her, Nina knows it is time for both of them to escape before Sam truly turns into the monster Michael is grooming him to become. After crashing her car in her haste to escape, kind motorist Case Herder offers her help. Unaware that he has his own plans for her, Nina accepts, igniting a deadly game of cat and mouse as they flee across Tasmania with Sam. As Michael and Greg relentlessly hunt them down to Cradle Mountain, Nina finds herself with nowhere left to run. Cornered, she has no choice but to face evil head-on.
Thriller & Suspense 978-0992400408 Available Now!
www.DarcyDaniel.com
featuredspotlights
...books worth a closer look!
Inspired by actual events from Mexico’s cartel wars, Death’s White Horses is Marc Rainer’s third book featuring federal prosecutor Jeff Trask. While showcasing the challenges faced by law enforcement on both sides of the border, it also highlights the deadly consequences seen on either end of the US-Mexico drug trade.
The MoMmY-Go-RoUnD is a heartwarming and humorous book which breaks the Motherhood Code of Silence with A Tell ALL series of essays on Motherhood, Childhood and EVERYTHING in between. It brings humor and love together while honestly sharing the often UNSPOKEN experiences in raising children and the CrAzY balancing act and understanding heart it requires!
Genre Thriller & Suspense Price $11.99 ISBN 978-1495322334
Genre Motherhood Price $9.99 ISBN 978-1499632279
At just 4 years old, Evelyn’s happy world is turned upside down. Abandoned by her mother, she is shipped to an orphanage run by the terrifying Sister Honora.
Mysterious words written over two hundred years ago connect two generations of one family through shared names, traditions and the causes they still hold dear.
Evelyn grows up amidst hardship and heartbreak, plagued by unresolved emotions that follow her into adulthood as she seeks answers in a sea of questions. Will her uncertain path to selfdiscovery lead to happiness?
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The journals were small, dusty and delicate. "These tell the stories of our heroes," my grandfather said, placing them reverently in my hands. "Find out who wrote these and what the stories tell us about how they kept our family alive.. Make sure we know their names. I want to know about them before I die."
That is how my journey began.
Genre Biography Price $11.99 ISBN 978-1096390602
Genre Historical Fiction Price $15.00 ISBN 978-1494788629
The author shares her most personal thoughts, fears and triumphs over the most challenging year of her life. The voices of friends and family members ring true and move the reader to a powerfully emotional and honest reflection of one’s own beliefs and life’s purpose. It is Lynn’s hope that by travelling with her and her family through their experiences and reflections, you will be empowered to advocate for yourselves and others. regardless of life challenges.
Their hearts were strong, and their courage endless.
Genre Biography Price $4.51 ISBN B07TZM83M1
Genre Military History Pictorial Price $9.99 ISBN 978-1540447395
Pearl Harbor survivor, Black Cat radioman, and decorated WW 2 veteran. ARM H. P. Lawrence, tells the true story of the fight against the Japanese in this compilation of his memoirs.
A Comprehensive Bookseller’s Guide to TopShelf Authors & Books
columns
THE INSIDE SCOOP COVERS THAT SELL Twitter @RealSarahNoffke | SarahNoffke.com
Whether setting up a display to entice readers or creating a cover from scratch, there are a few things booksellers should know about book covers. We are all aware that readers judge books by their covers, but that doesn’t mean just any ole book cover will sell. When I created my covers for my first series I’ll admit, I had no idea what I was doing. I wanted something eye-catching, that branded my series and evoked the feels. That’s all good, and I might have accidentally followed some rules for cover designing by genre, but it’s much better if we know what sells from the beginning. I’ve learned now that readers are attracted to particular types of covers, and it depends on what they like to read. There are three necessary things for any cover, no matter the genre. The first is the title. Now, before you think I’m babbling the obvious, please give me your listening ears. I can’t tell you how many books I’ve seen where the title takes a backstage to the graphics on the cover. It needs to be bold, jumping out to entice readers. It’s essential as booksellers for us to remember that most readers see books as thumbnails on a screen or from a far distance through the store or library. Titles are lost if they aren’t the overwhelming focus of the book. Readers shouldn’t have to squint or try to decipher a title lost in a beautiful graphic. Secondly, the same idea goes for an author’s name. Prominent placement, in bold is favorable for books that want to sell based on author branding, which I can’t stress enough. And therefore, that leads me to the third point, which is that successful covers, in any genre, www.TopShelfMagazine.net
How does a reader scanning shelf after shelf discern books in a display as either fantasy or a mystery? Well, I picked the brains of experts in the field and found there are a few distinctions between genre covers. And most importantly, a book that tells its would-be reader what genre it belongs to without even leaving the shelf is going to sell better over time. Bright colors and a broad array of them are one way that fantasy/science fiction novels can flag down a hardcore fantasy reader. For each of the subgenres within this category, there are specific rules, but one seemed to stay consistent, and that is a figure or object needs to be central on the cover. For space operas, a ship needs to be right in the middle, and it will no doubt grab the attention of every fan in that genre before they are through the door. A figure poised for action was something consistently reported as a winner for fantasy books. The key here is the reader needs to know right away that this book isn’t about this world. It’s fantasy. Romance Covers that are keeping voracious romance readers coming back are evoking two emotions: love and sex. More times than not, the top-ranked romance books have a central figure and a preponderance of skin showing. But in all cases, I found the covers were cute. They made me feel pretty looking at them. They reminded me that we are humans and our desires for attraction and companionship are real. Women in big
Mystery/Thriller Although this isn’t a genre that I read or write, browsing through the top-sellers on Amazon gave me a clear idea of what covers attract this audience’s eye most. It’s relatively simple, actually. One to three colors seems to be what makes these covers instantly stand out as mystery thrillers. Secondly, a single central figure, immersed in an action scene is important. The minimal environment around the character provides just enough context to grab a reader’s attention.
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by Sarah Noffke (TopShelf Columnist)
Fantasy/ Science Fiction
dresses sell historical romance, whereas shirtless men seemed to sell better in the contemporary genre. And those writing romantic suspense were sporting covers that were edgier overall, with a slight dark component to the total feel.
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benefit and sell when proper attention is given to branding. Covers that span a series that are represented by a color scheme and share distinctive text have been shown to have higher read-through rates. Now all these points apply well for any genre, but fortunately for those of us who enjoy niche books, some specifics apply to those covers.
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Conclusion Are these guidelines hard and fast for cover designing? No, there are always exceptions. I’m sure I’ll get a billion emails from readers who have examples of covers that broke the rules and made a zillion dollars. However, I did the homework for you. I found that the covers, which in most cases, tell a reader what genre the book belongs to, and more importantly, follow guidelines that have helped sell books for many best-sellers. It’s essential to consider these ideas because when we know how readers think, we can better serve them, and that benefits everyone. More Articles at: TopShelfMagazine.net
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...books worth a closer look! Mercy hovered in the back of the cage at the shelter. She knew people were coming through the shelter looking for the perfect dog! Why put herself through more pain? Mercy had accepted the fact that no one was going to choose her long ago. All of the other dogs made fun of her homely face and wide-set-apart eyes. She didn't have any friends. The keeper of the shelter tried to encourage Mercy, telling her that one day just the right family would come and take her home. Aidan was born blind. Today was his eighth birthday...
A tangled web of alien intrigue traps a mother and son in its deadly embrace …
Genre Children’s Price $13.50 ISBN 978-1795415927
Genre Science Fiction Price $2.99 ISBN B01A4XY0UI
Stop stressing and learn to chill with this mindfulness and meditation guidebook that can help workaholics and others let go of anxiety and achieve and maintain the healthy work/life balance they need.
The year is 2075 and the human race is dying. Decades of war, famine, and bio-engineering have finally taken their toll, and birth rates have declined to near zero. The leaders of two of the solar system's largest corporations believe they can save humanity, but they will have to break the law to do it.
Genre Self-Help, Motivational Price $22.99 ISBN 978-0062896018
The Amazon #1 bestselling author of THE GIRL WHO KNEW DA VINCI is back with another page-turning thriller.
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When aliens capture Laura’s son, it's going to take a lot more than a mother's love to get him back. After infiltrating a military research base, Laura discovers a terrifying secret: their plans to engineer humans for galactic exploration…
Genre Science Fiction Price $15.99 ISBN 978-1983204906
Someone is experimenting with…Death!
Angela and her fiancé, Alex Caine—a former Navy Seal turned private detective—recover precious works of art. When they’re enlisted to solve the mysterious theft of Caravaggio’s Nativity—one of the greatest art heists in history—Angela realizes that her visions about the tortured artist go far beyond the missing masterpiece.
Rookie detective Frank Nagler has barely had time to arrange his desk, when a new homicide case is assigned to him. Could a serial killer be stalking his hometown of Ironton, N.J.? One by one the bodies pile up. Nine victims are killed over several months, all from different walks of life….
Genre Romance Price $14.95 ISBN 978-1732207134
Genre Thriller Price $11.79 ISBN 978-1944653194
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AMERICAN BOOKSELLER VROMAN’S BOOKSTORE by Timothy Sunderland (TopShelf Columnist) Twitter @timthewriter | tim@rulesforgiving.com
"He was everything they say he is," said Hill, "charming, witty, and extremely well-read." Afterward, the Secret Service asked Hill if she could temporarily close the store so that the former president could shop. "Then they asked me to shop with him. So, it was me, and President Clinton, and a Secret Service agent sucking on a lollipop. "I keep thinking it was a dream," said Hill, "but my managers remind me that it really happened." "I'm so appreciative when anyone comes to our bookstore," she added. "But something like that makes our month, maybe even makes our year." Special events and author readings are a big part of what makes Vroman's one of the oldest and largest independent bookstores in Southern California. They host 800 events a year across three locations. Hill's second-best memory was Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. "There wasn't a dry eye in the house," she said. "Her story is amazing." Hill also reveals that they have put out feelers for the Obamas. "A bookstore has to have a stellar reputation —and experience working with the Secret Service––to hold this kind of event," said Hill. "We had previously hosted President Carter, so that is a plus." The other element of Vroman's success––the old real estate adage: Location, location, location. "Pasadena has Cal Tech, Art Center School of Design, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory," she said. "The people that are drawn to those places also translates into a population that would support an independent book store." Vroman's opened in Pasadena in 1894, the brainchild of Adam Clark Vroman, an Illinois
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Another Adam Vroman legacy was the concept of always diversifying. Vroman was also an avid photographer, and the first bookstore carried photographic supplies, augmenting sales in the early years. Later came office supplies. There were also stationary, computer, and data supplies. Today 28% of sales are other than books, mostly gift items from unique sources. Vroman's also partners with Jones Coffee. The in-store coffee shop is called The Last Chapter. Hill is considering opening a wine bar.
"It's a safe place for a first date," said Hill. "You can really get to know someone in a bookstore. For Valentine's Day, we asked for stories from people who met their spouse here. We've even had a couple of proposals."
"We also have an employee whose grandmother worked here," she said. "Another whose great grandmother was part of our staff. Several sets of siblings work here, and a few parents and children." Vroman's has also been the location for movies and television shows, including Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Parks & Recreation, Modern Family, and Naked Trucker. One of Hill's stipulations for filming is that the store remains open during production. Hill also admits to a few flops in the ongoing effort to increase sales.
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Allison Hill's most memorable moments as CEO of Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, CA, include the many authors who have done readings and book signings at the establishment, which opened its doors more than 120 years ago. Her favorite, however, is when Bill Clinton made an appearance after the publication of one of his books.
Vroman died in 1916, but by that time his bookstore had gained a toehold in the growing city. He left the operation to a group of his employees, one of whom was the great grandfather of the current owner. Vroman's continued growth, partnering with the Pasadena Library over the years, and even delivering books to Japanese internees at the nearby Santa Anita Racetrack during WWII.
hangout to find mutual interests.
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transplant who came to California hoping the weather would improve his wife's health. She nevertheless died two years later. Vroman decided to transform the energy he would have spent mourning her loss into a bookstore. He sold his private book collection as capital for opening the store.
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COLUMNS "Kids clothing will haunt me," she said.
"People query the staff as to where they can buy a glass of wine all the time," said Hill. "I began to ask myself, 'Why am I sending them away?'" Hill came to Vroman's in 2009. Before that she'd been on the staff of Book Soup, an eclectic bookstore in West Hollywood. The owner was ill and looking for a responsible transition of ownership. "Buying Book Soup was a big initiative," said Hill, pointing to a recession, the rise of Kindle books and Amazon, to say nothing of the presence of a Barnes & Noble a little over a half-mile away from Vroman's on Colorado Boulevard. "Vroman's doubled down on the book business at a time when it was risky, but it has paid off." The 3,000 square-foot Book Soup remains open. The main Vroman's store occupies two stories in Pasadena, encompassing 30,000 square feet, and another store in the Hastings Ranch area of Pasadena covers 6,000 square feet. Counting all three locations, Vroman's employs 215 people. Another niche that Vroman's has filled, not intentionally, is as a prime meet-up location for that crucial first encounter of on-line daters. Dating websites often cite Vroman's as a local
"We found some vendors that we're doing things differently. We built it, but they did not come. You have to take those risks, though. One thing Vroman's has done well is, take risks." If you visit Pasadena, and you can handle the crowds, you might try New Year's Eve and New Years Day. The city swells to more than a million people, lining Colorado Boulevard for the annual Rose Parade. Vroman's closes the night before, and for the duration of the parade, but they open as soon as the crowds disperse. And if you care to take a walk a few blocks west to Oldtown Pasadena, you'll pass by the storefront that used to house that Barnes & Noble we mentioned earlier. The store closed in early 2014. "Yep," said Hill, not attempting to hide the pride in her voice. "Vroman's is the last man standing."
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& MARKETING EXPERIENCE WITH READERS by Keith Katsikas (TopShelf CEO)
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"Would you like fries with that?" was my first job, at 14-years-old. I was so proud, so excited to be working at McDonald's for $3.15 an hour. I rode my bike five miles, to and from work, every day. It was around the same time, I started mowing lawns for a couple neighbors. I couldn't believe it... I made more money in one-hour mowing laws than in five hours at McDonald's. That was my first taste of entrepreneurialism, but it would be several years before I started my first real business. In 1992, I got a job doing floors at a department store. It was a fun job (if you believe cleaning can be fun), it was by far the best paying job I ever had. Then something strange happened. At first, it frightened me, but it would soon light my entrepreneurial fire. Six months after I started cleaning floors, the company restructured itself and, without notice, laid everyone off. I was devastated. I found out the guy who had been my supervisor was now a contractor. This intrigued me, so I inquired about it. The company explained all that was involved in running a cleaning business and offered me the opportunity to take on a contract. Too afraid, I turned him down and ran home with my tail between my legs. I discussed the situation with my father and my Uncle, Bob (who has since passed away), and it was Bob who said, "What is it your old supervisor can do, that you can't?" I pondered the question a long time and couldn't come up with anything other than "nothing." It was true. I knew how to do the job. Running the business was paperwork. I could figure that out (okay, so it's more than paperwork, but I was nineteen, give me a break). The following 25 years, I owe to my Uncle. Without Bob, I would have never gone back and taken that business opportunity. I ran the cleaning company for nearly ten
During my time with Northeast Games, I developed excellent writing and editing skills and had started my first novel. When the company folded, due to intense competition and lack of funding (Hasbro spends over $1,000,000 in 3 days at one trade show) the president of Northeast Games was relaunching his own business (Medical Education Resources, LLC) and asked me to be the designer for his magazine. I have helped start-up and sell several businesses along the way; however, TopShelf is my passion. I have found a place where all of my skills can be put to use, helping others as well as my family. I help authors achieve their dreams. I use my knowledge of design, editing, marketing, networking, sales, web
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ASK THE EXPERT TOPSHELF FOUNDER SHARES DECADES OF BUSINESS
years and made an excellent living for myself and dozens of employees in the process. I got out of the business because the market became saturated with contractors, willing to work for minimum wage. I could no longer grow the business. So in 2001, I let my last contract expire, and I started something new... Hobby Games! Well, a hobby store, to be exact. I teamed up with a friend who already owned a store, and together we made that business soar. I learned more in one year in the hobby store business than I did in ten, cleaning floors (go figure). That was my first taste of retail, customer relations, marketing, and hobby games, which leads me to my next business... While working at the hobby shop, I started developing a collectible card game, I called Mystical Empire. It was a play on the crazypopular, Magic: the Gathering CCG, only I thought it was superior, others did, too. But, I never intended to start a business out of the collectible card game, until... It was 2004, I was no longer involved with the hobby store (one of the many invaluable lessons I learned in that venture, was, never trust a person who promises a contract for your share of the business, but continually seems to forget), I was out of work due to a slip and fall accident that had me unable to perform physical duties. It was torture for me; however, I kept myself busy, working on the card game. I was somewhat depressed. My wife and I (and our six-month-old son) had started attending church, and I quickly became friends with our Bishop. One day he came to our apartment and noticed the card game I was working on. He was instantly drawn to it––thought it was the coolest thing. He scooped up my son in his arms and said, "Your father is going to be a millionaire!" Talk about a morale booster. Six months later, I founded Northeast Games, Inc., had a large board of directors, raised over a half-million-dollars, and got my first small taste of a very BIG business. I traveled the country, demonstrating, training, selling, marketing, designing, developing, attending board & shareholder meetings...
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development, writing, etc. to build this exciting new business and get the word out about our fantastic authors. Today I am taking it a step further by introducing a brand new column in TopShelf, ASK THE EXPERT. Now you can ask any question at all regarding the bookseller market, writing, editing, publishing, marketing, design, etc., and I or someone else we trust will answer your questions in an upcoming issue. I believe this new column will help authors, booksellers, and libraries flourish more than ever before. Send questions to ASK@TopShelfMagazine.net More Articles at: TopShelfMagazine.net
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...books worth a closer look!
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What's a time traveling Texas Ranger supposed to do? Garrett Houston is being harassed by a ghost. Trouble is brewing and her name is Margarite. She's an unrelenting force determined to get his attention. It may be too late for her, but if she could get him to listen, she may be able to save some lives.A story of unrequited love, the power of healing, and the embracing need to never give up. Unforgettable moments and unforgettable characters will tug at the heartstrings with a myriad of emotions. Genre Romance Price $9.99 ISBN 978-1096019138
The murder of one of Cab Station’s own rocked the residents of the town, but the case soon goes cold and is apparently forgotten for decades. That is, until Nicholas Tucker Tyson—NT, for short— and his friend Daisy learn the identity of the victim. They start their own investigation, adamant that justice must be served. They track clues and interview people who knew the victim well, only to end up with more questions than answers…
A break-through experimental treatment developed by emergency physician and medical researcher Drake Cody places he and his family in deadly peril. A brilliant but deranged agent of the trilliondollar pharmaceutical industry will stop at nothing - including murder - to get possession of the invaluable drug. Murder, greed, intrigue, violence, and life or death challenges force Drake and his wife to battle for their children, their love, and their lives…
An Unforgettable Time Travel Adventure
Genre Thriller Price $14.99 ISBN 978-0990336006
Genre Romance Price $14.99 ISBN 978-1543024968
Genre Mystery Price $12.95 ISBN 978-0999414309
Upstate New York, 2012. Emily Stanton, a sociology major, graduates from college and is obligated to work for the mysterious company that funded her education. But a job with Evergreen Research Corporation is not what she expected. From fancy balls and operas to corsets and kid gloves, Emily learns to be a specialist in 1910 society…
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Fiction
Paperback
$17.95
PACKED WITH ADVENTURE AND OCEANIC THRILLS … A FANTASTIC READ. If you like adventure, and sailing the wild blue seas, Beyond Beauport is the perfect read for you. Throw in a feisty heroine who is searching for a second chance in life, and her seafaring uncle who is determined to help her find it, and you have the makings of a truly entertaining book. The two chart a course in search for a treasure that their ancestors, the fearless, redheaded, pirate Anne Bonny and her pirate lover Calico Jack Rackham purportedly buried on Marco Island off the coast of Florida. Shannon’s dream is to become a sailing master and to do that she must first master Paddy’s sailing brigantine the Second Wind. They set out from the old port of Gloucester with two intentions, to make a sailor of Shannon and to find a treasure worth millions. The adventure begins with beautifully descriptive historical locations from Gloucester Massachusetts, to Charleston South Carolina, to Florida, and island hops all over the Caribbean. Packed with adventure and oceanic thrills Beyond Beauport is a fantastic read. ~Belle Ami, TopShelf Reviews
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Thriller
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$19.95
Fiction
Hardcover
$26.00
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR INTRIGUE, ACTION, AND THRILLS!
BOTH PROFOUND AND SHOCKING FROM THE OPENING PAGE
Dan Grant has written a novel that will forever change the way you look at the New York Times crossword section. FBI forensic agent Kate Morgan is on a Washington DC transit train, bound for a Capitol Hill hearing for which she has been subpoenaed, when an IUD goes off, derailing the train, and killing numerous early morning commuters. A briefcase bearing Kate's name is found at the station. Inside are the beginning clues of a crossword puzzle that will lead to a deranged killer's next target and even more clues that will culminate in a deadly crossword game of epic proportions. Kate must fight a desperate battle against the clock, deciphering clues and racing to save innocent victims along the way, in a deadly, sadistic game that will uncover a secret government conspiracy to create genetically supreme soldiers, that goes all the way up to the vice the chain to the Vice President of the United States and will culminate in a heart-stopping climactic confrontation that will leave readers too adrenalinecharged to sleep until the wee small hours. Highly recommended for intrigue, action, and thrills!
Our War, by Craig DeLouie, is both profound and shocking from the opening page. Our War looks at human nature through the microscope of a new ‘Civil War’ in the USA. A war in which no one can win. You get to see the War from the perspective of the conservatives, the liberals, and the centrists, and you soon come to realize that everyone is wrong. Our War is a harrowing look at family and values, and it is shone to us through the eyes of both children and adults, thrown into a war that was not theirs in starting but has become their only reality. Craig DeLouie has written a provocative thriller that hits very close to home when we consider our political landscape. Craig pulls at the heartstrings and calls us all to act while being both entertained and enlightened. ~Mark Adduci, TopShelf Reviews
~Donald Richard, TopShelf Reviews
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Memoir
Paperback
$22.99
Thriller
Paperback
$15.95
PUTS ONE’S LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE WILL LEAVE YOU IN A STATE OF Reading something so profound and thoughtEXHILARATING EXHAUSTION THAT provoking as No Tougher Duty certainly puts YOU WILL NOT SOON FORGET one's life in perspective. There were times when I had to put the book down, the feelings and sadness were overwhelming. No Tougher Duty is an autobiography by Christian Bussler who served in the Mortuary Affairs Unit, where his primary job was to recover the bodies of fallen service members and prepare them for transportation back to the United States, after the aftermath of the heaviest fighting during the occupation. It's hard to comprehend what these men and women went through and suffered. As a civilian, I respect and honor the service of veterans all around the world who freely gave of themselves to protect my freedom. I also know that I cannot completely understand what a veteran has experienced. No Tougher Duty is touching, revealing, informative, and very well written. ~Michael Rowland, TopShelf Reviews
This novel's lead character lives up to the reputation of the author's last name, and like Ian Fleming's penultimate super-spy, Pono Hawkins is a man who loves the ladies, but his Bond persona is much like that of Sean Connery's portrayal. Very rough and ready for mixing it up with Jihadi terrorists who have turned the city of love into a battleground that is stained by the blood of innocents. Unlike 007, this hero is an ex-Special Forces war veteran with a dark history. After nearly dying side by side with his old comrade Mack while taken hostage by the psychotic terrorist Mustafa el Boudienne in the Iraq war, and, after narrowly escaping their fate with the Jihadi, Pono learns that Mustafa has supposedly been killed. He soon learns, however, not only is Mustafa alive, he is in Paris with plans to level the city. Taut, and brimming with action and suspense, Goodbye Paris escalates to a heartstopping conclusion high above the streets, cafes, and cathedrals of Paris atop the Eiffel Tower that will leave you in a state of exhilarating exhaustion that you will not soon forget!
Thriller
Paperback
$9.99
A MASTERFULLY WRITTEN SUSPENSE THRILLER
As one reads Au79, you wonder how much of the plot and characters came from actual events while author, Anita Dickason, was a patrol officer with the Dallas PD? Great chase scenes and edge-ofthe-seat situations, along with surprising twists and turns, thrown in for good measure make this book a real keeper. The plot is tight, exciting, and fast. If you are a fan of detective stories, you will thoroughly enjoy this novel. The characters are relatable and the events, plausible, as the characters work to unravel why people are ending up dead, while at the same time trying to find out what has happened to a missing detective. Strong female characters portrayed in a genre that tends towards male protagonists is an excellent addition to an already fantastic book. As mentioned in the back of the book, the author's infatuation with ancient myths and legends of Native American Indians, and Scottish and Irish folklore adds a touch of paranormal for the backdrop of the characters. My only criticism is the number of characters, which are listed at the beginning of the book. Apart from that, a masterfully written suspense thriller! ~Michael Rowland, TopShelf Reviews
~Donald Richard, TopShelf Reviews
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...books worth a closer look!
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Tequila Rose may have met the man of her dreams. Unfortunately, she wakes up suffering from alcoholic amnesia and doesn’t remember anything about the night before. Tall, dark, and Jack may be the cure her jaded heart desperately needs, but Tequila’s wary as friends warn her that Jack hangs out with the local drug dealer. Thrust together at a Speed Dating event, their chemistry sizzles, but is Jack after a different kind of fix?
Semi-fictional biography of Khan a real Maine Coon, shown through the eyes of his stoic heart. Learn in these pages why everyone who knew him loved him so very much!
Genre Short Stories Price $9.99 ISBN 978-0473237028
Genre Biography Price $15.99 ISBN 978-1502582515
Can love heal a wounded army officer who doesn’t believe it exists?
The Amazon #1 bestselling author of THE GIRL WHO KNEW DA VINCI is back with another page-turning thriller.
Lady Rachel St. Clair has witnessed how powerful love can be, thanks to the example her brother and wife set, and she won’t settle for anything less. At a house party, Rachel meets an officer returning from the Peninsular War and believes she may have found love, thanks to their clandestine midnight lessons in kissing…
Angela and her fiancé, Alex Caine—a former Navy Seal turned private detective—recover precious works of art. When they’re enlisted to solve the mysterious theft of Caravaggio’s Nativity—one of the greatest art heists in history—Angela realizes that her visions about the tortured artist go far beyond the missing masterpiece.
Genre Romance Price $11.99 ISBN 978-1093255515
Genre Romance Price $14.95 ISBN 978-1732207134
Daily Writing Resilience provides advice, inspiration, and techniques to help you turn roadblocks into steppingstones. You'll find tips and support through exercises such as meditation, breath work, yoga, stress management, gratitude, de-cluttering, sleep, exercise, mindful eating, and more. These 365 meditations will help you navigate the ups-and-downs of your writing practice, creating positive habits that will guide you toward the success and fulfillment that you've been seeking.
What if God's most closely guarded secret fell into the wrong hands?
Genre Motivational Self-Help Price $19.99 ISBN 978-0738753430
Genre Thriller, Suspense Price $28.99 ISBN 978-1946865007
The Prophet crucified in a sacred grove… A millennia-old secret about to be exposed… A holy relic capable of destroying the world with a single touch…
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“This vivid story embraces hoaxes, dreams, legal processes, scientific revelations, and a buried treasure that changed the lives of all who touched it. Very, very highly recommended…” ~Midwest Book Review
“A creative, engaging, and informative read.” ~Carol Hoyer, BLOGcritics.org
“A gripping read… replete with insights into special interests and social, scientific and political subterfuge… a stellar example of what happens when reality runs head-on into special interests on all sides.” ~Donovan’s Bookshelf
978-0983355168
A true story about two backwoods treasure hunters who discover and excavate a world class dinosaur skeleton and become mired in controversy and conflict. Arkansas hillbilly Cephis Hall and partner Sid Love, a Choctaw Indian, battle an international corporation, two major universities, world-renowned scientists, the Oklahoma State Legislature, prominent politicians, a wealthy tycoon, and scores of other antagonists, all determined to sweep them out of the picture and confiscate their prize. At the crossroads of science, politics, and religion, and grossly outgunned by the rich and powerful, Cephis and Sid miraculously hold their own in a bitter struggle over ownership and possession of one of the greatest scientific specimens in history.
www.independentauthornetwork.com/russell-ferrell
From running half marathons to being the sickest person in the hospital, Maria Papalia-Meier fought the river of death, and won. This is her story.
ISBN: 978-1075802553
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Mystery
Hardcover
$27.99
Self-Help
Hardcover
$22.99
A REAL POTBOILER, CHOCK FULL OF HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR INTRIGUE AND GOOD OLD FASHIONED ANYONE SUFFERING FROM THE STRESS OF LETTING THEIR JOB SALTY NEW ENGLAND ATTITUDE CONTROL THEIR LIFE AND Tenth in the long-running Mike Bowdich series of DESTROY THEIR HOME thrillers, Almost Midnight follows the exploits of Mike Bowdich, a battle-hardened Maine State game warden who is loyal to his good friend, Billy Cronk, a veteran of Afghanistan who is imprisoned for a crime that Mike personally witnessed. Feeling responsible for his friend's incarceration, Mike is still reticent to follow through on a desperate request from Billy to investigate the background of a female prison guard with a mysterious past. He inadvertently gets swept in though, after an instance of extreme violence at the prison leaves one prison guard dead and both Billy and the aforementioned female guard injured. In the middle of this Mike receives a phone call from a distant mountain valley where a wolf hybrid named Shadow, an animal he once cared for, has been shot with a crossbow and is clinging to life. While it looks like Billy may gain a pardon for his heroic actions in the prison attack, Mike goes north to investigate who attacked his wolf-dog, the lives of Billy's family suddenly comes under threat as members of the prison's own staff are shown to be under suspicion in the attack that injured Billy. This all leads to a thrilling climax that will leave you breathless and satisfied with this well-seasoned New England dish of a crime thriller!
While I have never really been the exact definition of a workaholic, I would recommend this book, on a practical level for anyone who suffers from the stresses of letting their job control their life and letting their work destroy their home and family life. This book contains many straightforward techniques to utilize in helping the workaholic to better balance the work/life equation and to restore natural balance to the dis-functioning lives of workaholics everywhere. Highly recommended!
~Donald Richard, TopShelf Reviews
Fiction
Paperback
$8.99
DO NOT MISS THIS GRATIFYING WARTIME MASTERPIECE! Rarely is a book so moving and heartfelt as Battle Scars—a short yet powerful homage to our soldiers that had me both breathless and in tears. When Sean Nichols and his close-knit platoon of Marines run across an IED while Humveeing along a dusty Afghan road, his life as an injured combat veteran begins. Struggling as an amputee stricken with PTSD and survivors guilt, Nichols sets out to fulfill a solemn promise he made to one of his fallen friends with a little help from his Commanding Sergeant "Deke" Deacon Tilman. And as Nichols visits the families of his fallen friends, sharing in their grief, he discovers that there is still a purpose to life. There are many excellent books written in tribute to our fallen heroes, and while Battle Scars maybe just a novella, it is actually so much more. Do not miss this gratifying wartime masterpiece!
~Donald Richard, TopShelf Reviews  
~Donald Richard, TopShelf Reviews
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“A Masterfully Written Legal Thriller!” ~TopShelf Reviews
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Don’t forget to buy a copy for Ale xis’s birthday n ext month.
“A rousing, standout series…” - Kirkus Reviews
With an evenly divided Senate, the stakes could not be higher for America’s political power-brokers. To change the scales of power, the leader of one party decides to eliminate a fellow senator. As authorities struggle to solve the murder, witnesses start falling to the same fate––a day in the life in the political swamp of Washington, D.C.
www.MarcRainer.com
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Thriller
Audio
Pre-Order
WILL HAVE YOU DEVOURING PAGES AT BREAKNECK SPEED
YA Fiction
Paperback
$19.95
A REMARKABLY GOOD READ!
Donnie Briscoe, a retired FBI agent with a wife and kids, has been out of the agency for five years when he gets the news that his former mentor and friend, Assistant Director Paul Weinman, has died. Despite a promise to his wife, Donnie is drawn back to the agency when two agents approach him at Weinman's funeral, insisting that his "heart attack" was a ruse––the Assistant Director of the FBI was murdered. Donnie's instincts lead him to uncover a series of clues left by his former boss and mentor. Alone and retired, with limited credentials, unsure who to trust, Donnie hones his semi-rusty skills and with nothing more than a few old contacts and the faint trail left behind by a dead man, pieces together a drug syndicate bigger than he's ever known. But as he searches for the killers, they do their own set up targeting his family. How could they have known where he lived or that he was investigating? How high up the food chain do these criminals go? And how much power do they possess? Donnie must work fast. But are his skills still good enough to beat the criminals at their own game or will he lose someone else he loves? Capitol White will have you riveted to your seat devouring pages at breakneck speed to uncover clues left by a dead man, the skills of the ensuing kingpin, and the mysteries that surround the untimely deaths of three federal agents. You'll be left wondering, is this fact, or indeed fiction?
Realm tells the story of Alexander the Great through the eyes of his bride Roxana. Brimming with passion, political intrigue, backstabbing, malicious power grabs, and devious plots, Realm manages to keep most readers guessing the motivations and intentions of these highly intriguing ancient characters. Roxana is the 16-year-old daughter of Persian chieftain Baron Oxyartes, who is commanding his army at the battle of Sogdiana Rock, the historical last stand of the Persian army against King Alexander of Macedon. It is after Alexander's army conquers this territory that the great conqueror first notices the beautiful and spirited Roxana. Alexander chooses Roxana to be his bride. Discovering the joys of profound happiness and the astonishing depths of desire to be found in the arms of the conqueror king, Roxana learns that being the king's wife comes with a hefty price. The constant battles of war, jealous rivals, deadly plots that threaten both her and the life and rule of Alexander's heir. While there may be some issues with pacing, the historical elements are within the ballpark of accuracy, while the richly detailed narrative of these intriguing characters generate an all-encompassing fascination with Greek history.
~Sharon Isbell, TopShelf Reviews
~Donald Richard, TopShelf Reviews
www.TopShelfMagazine.net
Thriller
Hardcover
$26.00
IF YOU LIKE TO SOLVE MYSTERIES YOU'LL LOVE THIS APPROACH Bingo: A Jonas Kirk Mystery is both well written and quite unusual. I’ve never heard of this author, but I understand he has many followers, and I am not at all surprised. In BINGO, Jonas Kirk leaves it to his friend, police officer Lieutenant Chester Devlin, to maintain order in their community of Woodland Park, a small suburb of the Twin Cities. But the peace and tranquillity of this little community are soon shattered by several robberies and most distressing of all, the murder of a homeless man, whose body is found buried in the snow. At the same time, the fearful community has to absorb the arrival of Muslims and Sikhs in the area, which causes tension within the small town. This isn’t my usual genre, but I enjoyed it. If you like to solve mysteries you’ll love this author’s approach to the predicaments he constructs as he peppers the well-written text with clues and unfavorable characters you wouldn’t want to come across. I liked the way the main character, Jonas, comes across in the story, likable, and down to earth. This was a very different experience for me, and I enjoyed it. ~Michael Rowland, TopShelf Reviews
TOPShelf magazine
FALL2019
31
featuredspotlights
TOPShelf magazine
...books worth a closer look!
A playground for the rich and famous, a murdered Jane Doe, and a beloved celebrity. Journalist Bexley Squires might be out of her league when she’s asked to solve one of the nation’s most infamous unsolved mysteries. But she’s broke and desperate for the means to find her sister after her disappearance, and the world’s sexiest actor will pay generously to save his reputation…
Federal Prosecutor Jeff Trask moves to Kansas City to combat the Mafia and a nationwide drug-smuggling ring that is trafficking in the deadly concoction of fentanyllaced heroin. Joining forces with a team of police detectives and FBI agents, Trask enters a deadly world where crime businesses operate with their own sets of merciless rules. For members of the Kansas City Mob, those rules are violated only by those willing to risk—or to inflict— death…
Genre Women Sleuth Price $15.00 ISBN 978-1797878775
Genre Thriller Price $14.95 ISBN 978-1642375824
Set in the thirteenth century––long before Europeans reached the Southwest––Soyala is a vividly convincing drama, depicting the lives of a small clan of Puebloans of northern New Mexico. The narrative is fresh, alive, and fast-paced, with prose that's highly polished and readable. Strong, finely-drawn characters come to life, showing how the Puebloans faced the challenges of climate, landscape, and survival. It's as though the hundreds of years separating their experience from ours, vanish.
ISBN:
32
978-15
43962
642
www.cindymaynard.net A Comprehensive Bookseller’s Guide to TopShelf Authors & Books
"One family's quest to save each   other and maybe even the human race takes you on a thrilling ride from Earth to our solar system, and beyond. I eagerly await a sequel!"
"An insightful dystopian tale with dynamic characters and a surfeit of surprises." ~Kirkus Reviews
~Amazon Review
Dr. Evan Feldman has been dead for fifty-two years. Today, he's back. But to what? The year is 2075. Cloning and genetic manipulation on a mass scale have resulted in global famine, a third world war, and the deaths of billions. Worse yet, a mysterious plague has affected those that remain. Humanity is on the verge of extinction. The world's most powerful CEOs have a plan to save the human race, but they are going to have to break the law to do it. Evan's granddaughter, Aubrey, is one of those CEOs, and she believes Evan is the key to humanity's survival. With the weight of the world hanging in the balance, can one man truly make a difference?
If you are looking for an actionpacked page-turner, all I can say is, BUY THIS BOOK!" ~Amazon Review
www.danmcwhorter.com ISBN 978-1983204906
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34
Alice’s stories of Wonderland did more than raise a few eyebrows —it landed her in an asylum. Now at 15 years of age, she’s willing to do anything to leave, which includes agreeing to an experimental procedure. When Alice decides at the last minute not to go through with it, she escapes with the White Rabbit to Wonderland and trades one mad house for another: the court of the Queen of Hearts. Only this time, she is under orders to take out the Queen…
Battle Scars celebrates the resiliency and strength of the human spirit, the power of love and friendship, and the ability to overcome even our darkest moments. Gritty realism and original storytelling breathe life into Battle Scars as it inspires us with a surprising tale of heroism and the great sacrifice made by our modern war fighters. A Novella you can read in a few hours, but will think about for days.
Genre Teen & YA Fantasy Price $14.95 ISBN 978-0996923941
Genre War Fiction Price $8.99 ISBN 978-1545141830
Sarah Ryan’s hope for a new life in the Arizona Territory is shattered in an instant by gunfire. Suddenly, she has to rebuild an uncertain future with her orphaned nephew, Will, and take on the challenges of a cattle ranch.
As he works to introduce Pumpkin Fest to Woodland Park, Jonas Kirk stirs a nest of hidden enmities and memories of wretched misbehaviors. Four childhood friends, community leaders now, help organize the event . . . and then they begin to die—accidents it would appear. At the same time, Kirk finds himself increasingly lethargic, distracted from his commitments, and singularly focused on growing a pumpkin…
Genre Romance, Western Price $16.99 ISBN 978-1633557550
Genre Amateur Sleuth Price $13.99 ISBN 978-1728313351
A Comprehensive Bookseller’s Guide to TopShelf Authors & Books
"A fast-paced, well-written crime fiction novel... fresh, compelling and original."
"A good thriller with a twist of romance...can't wait to read the next installment."
~Readers' Favorite Book Reviews
ISBN 978-1948749015
~Manhattan Book Review
Tropical Doubts is the third legal thriller from David Myles Robinson featuring the colorful, fast-thinking Pancho McMartin. Medical hijinks merge with murder as surprise twists build in this unpredictable courtroom drama.
www.davidmylesrobinson.com ISBN 978-1948749015
“The streets of Washington, D.C. come alive; those who have lived or worked in the nation's capital will recognize Rainer's cunning use of seedy locales to give the action in the book a realistic tone.”
“Marc Rainer introduces us to what may be the most diabolically inventive method of homicide ... a BLOCKBUSTER ... as good as anything I've read in courtroom fiction.”
~Kirkus Reviews
~The Reporter
A few blocks from the safety of museums and monuments on the National Mall, a ruthless murderer stalks his prey. As the death-toll rises, a chilling confrontation between investigators and the leader of an international drug-smuggling ring has the authorities on edge. No one is safe––not even police. Written by former Washington prosecutor Marc Rainer, Capital Kill is a swirling thrill-ride through the labyrinth of a major federal investigation and trial.
www.MarcRainer.com ISBN: 978-1468180213