International best-selling author and publicity expert M.J. Rose is offering a $50 discount to Backspace members who would like to take her once-a-year BUZZ YOUR BOOK online marketing class. The class runs 6 weeks, from January 7 to February 8, with one-on-one instruction and a special lecture by Matt Baldacci (Vice President and Director of Marketing and Publishing Operations at St. Martin’s Press). Matt will also spend a week online answering students' questions.

Authors who wish to take advantage of this special offer should be sure to tell M.J. they are Backspace members BEFORE they sign up. 

When Nordic ski jumper Maureen "Mo" Clark set foot in Finland, she breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, escape from her famous skier father's shadow and a chance to jump in the renowned Lahti Ski Games. But Mo quickly realizes that balancing practice and classes is more challenging than she expected. So when a gorgeous bad boy teammate offers coaching assistance—for a little publicity in return—how can she refuse? Surely she can work in a few extra practices somewhere between studying for calculus and sightseeing in Finland? Amid snowmobiling and dog-sledding, ice hotels and Northern lights, Mo begins to discover what strength and perseverance—the Finnish sisu—is all about. Now it's up to her to take that final jump and cross the finish line in style.

Marcus Sakey – THE BLADE ITSELF (Mass Market Paperback)

On the South Side of Chicago, you’re only as strong as your reputation. Danny Carter and his best friend Evan earned theirs knocking over pawnshops and liquor stores, living from score to score, never thinking of tomorrow. Then a job went desperately wrong, and in the roar of a gun blast, everything changed.

Years later, Danny doesn't think about his past. He's built a new world for himself: a legitimate career, a long-term girlfriend, and a clean conscience. He's just like anyone else. Normal. Successful. Happy. Until he spots his old partner staring him down in a smoky barroom mirror.

"Sakey’s brilliant debut is a must-read." – Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The Blade Itself is a terrifically good debutstreetwise, heartfelt, and exciting. I loved this book." – T. Jefferson Parker, author of THE FALLEN

"Taut, involving, and memorable. Marcus Sakey is an authentic, original new voice in crime fiction." – George Pelecanos, author of THE NIGHT GARDENER

"A truly excellent debutlike vintage Elmore Leonard crossed with classic Dennis Lehane." – Lee Child, author of THE HARD WAY

"Simply put, Marcus Sakey has penned one of the most stunning and appealing works of fiction I’ve ever read. It’s quite possible that The Blade Itself will be recognized as the crime debut of the decade." – Victor Gischler, author of GUN MONKEYS

 

Jackie Kessler - THE ROAD TO HELL (Zebra Books/Kensington)

Hell hath no fury like a succubus scorned

Jesse may no longer be a succubus, but she’s got a Hell of a past. She wants to come clean about her infernal history with Paul Hamilton, her white-knight-in-training lover, except he’d never believe her. Just like some people are worth being (shudder) monogamous for, some secrets are worth keeping. So Jesse keeps mum—until three of her former associates strong-arm her into returning to the Pit. Now, unless Jesse faces off against the King of Hell, she’ll lose Paul’s immortal soul. If she’d known love was this tough, she never would have turned her back on Lust...

"Fun, sexy and utterly original! Kessler will seduce you." – Gena Showalter, THE NYMPH KING

"This is writing of blistering splendor: Kessler's acid wit and wry style make for damn fine reading. Trust me, the seven deadly sins have never had it so good!" — Cornelia Read, A FIELD OF DARKNESS

"A demonic thrill ride with heart and soul. Kessler is one of a kind!" — Jaci Burton, SURVIVING DEMON ISLAND

"THE ROAD TO HELL is a wicked, deliciously inventive treat. This book thoroughly seduced me. It'd be a sin to miss it!" — Rachel Caine, THIN AIR

 

Jordan Rosenfeld - MAKE A SCENE (Writer's Digest Books)

Practical, usable information for writers of all skill levels. With precise instruction, examples from bestsellers, unique exercises, and scene-writing tips from successful authors such as Elizabeth Cox and Sheila Kohler, this book shows readers how to craft each scene so that it renders a vivid emotional punch, establishes and maintains tension, and propels the reader forward.

Unique angle for fiction writing book. The majority of fiction writing books focus on the generalities of writing dialogue, developing characters, creating tension, etc. This book shows readers how to apply those skills on the crucial scene level.

Accessibility and applicability. This book's short, focused chapters provide readers with quick entry points into the text and lead straight to easy-to understand tips readers can use to apply the techniques to their own work.

Scenes are essential fictional units, and if a single unit falters, then an entire novel or short story can be weakened. While there is no paint-by-numbers formula for writing powerful scenes, writers can drastically improve their entire manuscripts by understanding the primary components of a given scene and how to manipulate those components to create the desired amount of drama, emotion, tension, energy, and intrigue. Make a Scene explains the fundamentals of strong scene construction and how other essential fiction-writing techniques, such as character development, pacing, description, and transitions must function within the framework of individual scenes in order to provide substance and structure to the overall story.

Alexandra Sokofoff – THE HARROWING (paperback – St. Martin’s Press)

Baird College’s Mendenhall echoes with the footsteps of students heading home for Thanksgiving break, and Robin Stone, who won’t be going home, swears she can feel the creepy, hundred-year-old residence hall breathe a sigh of relief for its long-awaited solitude. As a massive storm approaches, four other lonely students reveal themselves to Robin: Patrick, a handsome jock; Lisa, a manipulative tease; Cain, a brooding musician; and Martin, a scholarly eccentric. Each has forsaken a long weekend at home for their own secret reasons.

The five unlikely companions establish a tentative rapport, but they soon become aware of another presence disturbing the building’s ominous silence. Are they the victims of an elaborate prank, or is the energy evidence of something genuine—something intent on using them for its own terrifying ends? Together, they’ll face three long days and dark nights before the world returns to find out what’s become of five students nobody wants and no one will miss…

"The Harrowing is a real page-turner. Alexandra Sokoloff raises a fine crop of goosebumps and shivers. A first novel of unusual promise. " - Ira Levin, author of ROSEMARY'S BABY and THE STEPFORD WIVES

"The Harrowing is a find: fast, original and genuinely creepy." - F. Paul Wilson, author of THE KEEP and MIDNIGHT MASS

"Alexandra Sokoloff conjures up a demon older than time and humanity and yet rooted in modern psychology. She brings all her skills as a screenwriter to a tale of supernatural terror as swift as a film." - Ramsey Campbell, author of THE DARKEST PART OF THE WOODS and THE OVERNIGHT

Theo Gangi – BANG BANG (Kensington)

Stickup kid (n.): an urban gunslinger who preys on other criminals, often stealing already stolen property, using violence and intimidation.

Izzy picks a bad time to have a conscience crisis. As a stick up kid in New York's underworld, he has a good thing going-robbing the worst drug lords in the city and leaving no witnesses behind. It is a game of high risk and high reward. There is just one problem: Izzy is in his thirties now, and for good reason, there is no such thing as a stickup man.

When a job gets botched, leaving Izzy's psychotic partner guilty of yet another homicide, Izzy knows what he is supposed to do-kill the remaining witness or be killed himself. But a bystander named Eva seems different from others he has done before. Is she the exception to Izzy's number one rule?

Izzy has never jacked himself into a problem he could not jack himself out of. But that was before. Now, on the unforgiving streets of New York City-where the skyline stretches out like a graveyard-there is a war on and there is no room for mistakes. His ex-partner is hellbent on revenge and is no longer acting alone. And as bodies start to fall around Izzy, he is left to take on both his enemies and his inner demons face first in a battle that has no questions, no conversation. Just bang bang.

In this explosive debut, Theo Gangi redefines the crime thriller, delivering a pulse-pounding, white-knuckle ride through gritty back rooms, where justice is sealed with gunfire, no one can be trusted, and being innocent can get you killed.

"The hip-hop Elmore Leonard." – Mystery Scene Magazine

"Vivid . . . life felt at the extreme." – David Plante, author of AGE OF TERROR

C.J. Parker FUGUE MACABRE: GHOST DANCE (Light Sword Publishing LLC.)

Dr. Tabatha Gray doesn't have a particular fondness for the dead, but the dead have a desperate affinity for her. Tabatha has always considered her ability a curse, but soon discovers it may be the only thing that can save her and her friends' lives.

Detective Derek Bainbridge tries to ignore the connection he feels for this possibly dangerous necromancer, but he instinctively knows she is the one person who can solve a string of brutal child killings.

Family secrets, lies and treachery combine to make Tabatha's efforts harder as she fights to save the Voodoo Killer's latest victim.