Coming Soon(ish): The House Guests
Coming soon(ish)? Or is that later(ish)?
The way we choose to view the timing for the debut of The House Guests, my latest book from Mira, depends on many factors. Until recently June 29th seemed years away to me. After all, time’s been moving slowly this past year, one day fading into the next with remarkable similarity. I finished the book many months ago, and the edits have been finished nearly as long. There’s been plenty of time to sit back and think of other things.
Only, now there’s not. Not really. Because suddenly the book’s publicist is lining up possible events and other projects for me to be part of. And reviews are coming in. Good ones, I’m happy to say. Like this one, on Monday, from Publisher’s Weekly:
Emilie Richards. Mira, $16.99 trade paper (432p) ISBN 978-0-7783-3186-5
In this serpentine thriller from Richards (the Ministry Is Murder series), Cassie Costas moves from Manhattan to Tarpon Springs, Fla., her hometown, with her 15-year-old stepdaughter, Savannah Westmore, after her husband’s death. Savannah detests the place and manifests her unhappiness by making friends with the wrong crowd. When the girl finds a handmade purse containing $800 in a parking lot, she lets her friends persuade her that the money should be spent on a party to be held at her house while Cassie is out of town. On returning to her now trashed home, Cassie discovers the distinctive purse among the rubble and determines its true owner: Amber Blair, the single mother of a 16-year-old son. As a result of losing the money, the pair have been evicted from their humble apartment. Deciding to right Savannah’s wrong, Cassie invites them to live with her until Amber can get on her feet. Both women are hiding dangerous secrets that will alter their lives. The carefully constructed entwining of Cassie and Amber’s stories offers some genuine surprises. This is pure soap opera of the best sort.
What’s not to love about “serpentine thriller,” “carefully constructed entwining,” “genuine surprises” and “pure soap opera of the best sort?”
For the author the review is completely lovable, of course, although I was surprised to see the book positioned as a thriller. Yes, there are hidden secrets, some of them laden with danger. But in my mind, The House Guests falls into the category my editor once titled “suspenseful women’s fiction” because the relationships among characters seem most important to me. Cassie and Amber. Cassie and Savannah. Amber and Will–her son–and Savannah and Will. Of course relationships create lots of suspense, don’t they? Not to mention everything we learn along the way.
And pure soap opera? In the sense that a lot happens, there are emotional moments, surprises, and a need to turn the page–or tune in for the next TV episode. Yep, I agree.
For a deeper dive and preview of The House Guests, visit my website. I want you to see the new home page, which I am so impressed with–I have a great webmaster. Then click on the book cover and enjoy a little more about why I set the book in Tarpon Springs, FL and what you have to look forward to.
Finally, don’t forget to view the excerpt to read the first chapter.
Coming Soon(ish). Enjoy!
I thought of this book as suspenseful women’s fiction also—a bit of a change from your past works. The relationships are the key to the story, which keeps it in women’s fiction for me. I thoroughly enjoyed delving into a bit more suspense and the realistic portrayal of the Greek family/community from a knowledgeable standpoint. I always see and appreciate the research you do for your books.
Thank you, Delores. The research is a big part of the fun. Especially eating all that Greek food!
I can’t wait to read this book. I have it requested at the library.
Thank you, Kathleen. That’s a surefire way to make sure the library knows to order copies. I hope you enjoy.