Who Is THE OTHER WOMAN?

SO exciting! THE OTHER WOMAN launches today! It’s the first in my new series, in hardcover from Forge—and I am thrilled with the response. Oline Cogdill called it a“... highly entertaining hardcover debut.  Ryan combines both a timely tale and a multi-layered plot with gripping suspense.  Ryan uses her trademark effortlessly wry touch...a well-designed, brisk plot that is high on restraint and without gratuitous violence."

And it has a starred review from Library Journal:“Readers who crave mystery and political intrigue will be mesmerized by this…” and a starred review from Booklist! (See below for the rave.)

 One of the marvelous things about having so many pals in writing world is that everyone is interested in how everyone else works—how we think and how we make decisions and yes, even where ideas come from. I’ve answered a lot of new and insightful questions over the past week—and they’ve really made me think! And at the end of today’s post—THE OTHER WOMAN video. And a very very easy contest!

 ***From The Paper Store in Beverly, where I’m meeting readers on September 7: http://www.thepaperstore.com/index.php?src=news&srctype=detail&category=Special%20Events&refno=1162

 Tell us about THE OTHER WOMAN!

 I love that Julia Spencer-Fleming called it The Candidate meets Basic Instinct. I’ve called it The Good Wife meets Law & Order. A Booklist starred review (!) calls it “The perfect thriller for the election season.” It’s a fast-paced page-turner about a reporter on the trail of a candidate’s secret mistress. Who is the other woman? And if a candidate is having an affair—should the reporter make that public?  And its the first in a new series, so readers are starting at the beginning. Fans of Lisa Scottoline and Harlan Coben will love it, I hope!

 ***From Edith Maxwell, who (as Tace Baker) is author of the brand new SPEAKING OF MURDER http://www.tacebaker.com 

 What’s new and different in this book from your previous publications (which are many!)?

 Yes, THE OTHER WOMAN is very different! When I got the idea for the story, I realized it was too big and juicy and complicated to be in first person present tense. My thought was—there are too many elements that need to be going on at the same time. And the main characters, Jane Ryland and Jake Brogan, each needed their own point of view. That allowed me to reveal, separately, what each person knows and what they believe to be true—and also allows me to let the reader know thing that the character doesn’t. It seemed so ripe for dramatic irony—and it was an amazing and rewarding challenge to write it. Incredibly fun.

 And the TIME books are funny, THE OTHER WOMAN really isn’t. But Oline Cogdill’s rave review, commented on my “effortlessly wry humor”–so I guess it’s not all drama and suspense!

***From Linda Rodriguez, http://lindarodriguezwrites.blogspot.com/p/about.html  Author of EVERY LAST SECRET:

Who were your literary influences growing up? Are there any authors (living or dead) that you would name as influences?  

 Growing up? After I finished all those little blue biographies (Dorothea Dix--Girl of the Streets, Mark Twain--Boy of the Mississippi) I read all the horse books, Black Beauty and King of the Wind and Misty of Chincoteague. Then the magic books, E. Nesbit and Edward Eager and Jane Langton. Of course, Nancy Drew and Donna Parker and Vicki Barr, girl stewardess.  (Remember?)

 All the Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories. When our library had a who-can-read-the-most-books contest, you know me. I was in it to win it.  Then one day I sneaked MARJORIE MORNINGSTAR from my parent’s shelves, and then TEN NORTH FREDERICK, and then—FAILSAFE. Whoa. Thrillers! Then ALAS BABYLON.  ON THE BEACH. SEVEN DAYS IN MAY. And my life was never the same.

 Influences now?  I’m a huge fan of Tom Wolfe, from The Right Stuff to Bonfire of the Vanities. I adore Stephen King, and consider The Stand as a life-changing book for me. Edith Wharton’s  Custom of the Country and House of Mirth.  Dennis Lehane. Lisa Scottoline.  Tess Gerritsen. Harlan Coben.

 ****From Crime Fiction Examiner Terry Ambrose, http://terryambrose.com/ author of PHOTO FINISH

 Some authors like to make an argument or address an issue when they write. Is there an issue that you're addressing with THE OTHER WOMAN? If so, what is it?

 Well. That’s interesting. You know, there is an “issue”—but it’s not what you might expect. It’s consequences. How everything we do, even if we think we’re doing a good thing or the right thing or an important thing—has consequences. And some of those turn out to be consequences we never could have predicted.  People talk about “doing he right thing for the wrong reason”—or the concept of “unintended consequences.” I wanted to let people think about that-- how one decision we make reverberates and resonates—and topples dominoes in people’s lives.

To examine secrets and desire and the need for power—how those things can change you. And how far people will go to get what they want.

 One character says: You can choose your sin, but you cannot choose your consequences.” And that’s what’s on the cover.

 I also say:  “Seduction, betrayal and murder—it’ll take more than votes to win this election.”

 ***From Julia Spencer Fleming http://www.JuliaSpencer-Fleming.com  New York Times Bestselling author on The Maine Writers blog:

 How has your career as an investigative journalist provided insight into writing crime novels such as The Other Woman?

When people ask me about research—I have to smile. I have been researching these books every day since I started on the air in 1975! I just didn’t realize it.  I’ve wired myself with hidden cameras, confronted corrupt politicians, chased down criminals—I know how someone looks when they’re lying, I’ve watched politicians close-up on the campaign trail, I know what bad guys think they can get away with—and how they try to fool the public. Is it power, is it entitlement, is it denial? Why do they think they can get away with anything? Why does the public believe so much of what they’re told?  Or—do they?

I wanted to show how the tension with politicians and reporters and police plays out..and how fragile reputations can be. 

******Here’s the video—we took kind of a risk with it—see what you think!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdH02wV_O3M

Just leave a comment saying hi—and you’ll be entered for a free copy of THE OTHER WOMAN--your choice of a hardcover book, an ebook, or an audiobook. And thank you, Femmes and friends of Femmes, for your wonderful friendship!

Comments

[Lynn in Texas]

Congrats, Hank! I'm a huge fan of the TIME series, and from everything I've read online so far I'm sure I'll enjoy THE OTHER WOMAN.

Thanks for all the entertainment you've given us!

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Thank you, Lynn! Crossing fingers you love it...It's very exciting! ANd I am so pleased to hear your kind words..a lovely way to start this very rainy day...

[Storyteller Mary]

Up early for no reason, nice sunrise, and now a bonus visit with Hank! Such a wonderful surprise -- such a wonderful book! I am impressed with your ability to weave together so many threads, and have all the twists come together in a perfectly clear pattern. Thanks!

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Thank you, dear Mary! and you were one of the very first to read it! xo

[krisneri]

Sounds great, Hank. I can't wait to read it. Mucho congrats!

[PlumGaga]

Vicky Barr! I loved those books. And I look forward to your new one.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Yes, Plum, they are a little dated now, I bet But it'd fun to think about!

And thank you,Kris!! xoo

[Mary]

So proud of you, Hank, and what a tremendous job you've done getting the word out about the book. Don't know how you do it all! My wish for you - so many sales you need more bank accounts and that every book event brings you its own special joy.

[Deb Romano]

I've been thinking about you and your book launch all day, and hope you go home tonight pleasantly exhausted! And of course,I cannot wait to read The Other Woman!

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

MAry, thank you! You are right about every book event--each one is special! (As for the bank accounts...ah....we shall see!)

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

DebRo--you are wonderful. Thank you! It was SRO, more than 90 people! So I am happy! And crossing fingers, more than anything, that you love it.

oxo Hank

[Donna Andrews]

Congratulations, Hank! Sounds like another winner!