Description: Local author Tresser Henderson will be at the Gainsboro Library presenting her newest urban romance “My Man’s Best Friend II: Damaged Relations.”

When: Thursday, May 09, 2013 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm

Where: Gainsboro Library

Contact: 540-853-2540

I’m very excited, on this rainy Monday, to have in my possession a copy of “The Six-Gun Tarot” to give away.

The author, R. S. “Rod” Belcher, is from Roanoke. He grew up near Salem and went to Glenvar High School.

“The Six-Gun Tarot,” his debut novel, was published by Tor in January. It’s been described as a mash-up between, horror, Western, romance, and steampunk.

“Publisher’s Weekly” gave a good description.  “Against the backdrop of Chinese and Mormon mythology and the Civil War, with a bit of Frankenstein for color, the mix of theology, frontier justice, and zombies is merely cover for an intense and irreverent exploration of good, evil, and free will.”

Our review that ran in Sunday’s paper called it, “a well-written first novel, and the start of a promising career.”

Rod was here recently for a Q&A. During the Q&A we talked about his audience and what the book was about. He said, “It’s a little bit of Western. It’s a little bit of romance. I’d say it’s pretty heavy horror, but then there’s also a lot of fantastic elements. I think it’s also very optimistic. A lot of horror is really dark. There’s a lot of influence of H.P. Lovecraft in the story and my book. And Lovecraft is very, very; don’t read Lovecraft when you’re down cause you’ll be even more down after you read. I have some Lovecraft influences in there, but I also think I have a lot of humanist, positive, affirming sort of characters and messages. I tried to make the book not be quite so darkety dark, dark.” Read more »

Description: Kiera Cass’s new book,”The Elite,” is the sequel to her wildly popular title “The Selection.” This new book is a must read for fans of dystopian fiction, fairy tales and reality TV. The sequel will enchant teens who love “Divergent” and “The Bachelor.”

In America Singer’s world, a bride is chosen for the prince through an elaborate televised competition. America is one of only 6 girls left in the running. But is it Prince Maxon and life as the queen she wants? Or is it Aspen, her first love?

Kiera lives in Blacksburg, VA.

When: Saturday, April 27 2013 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Where: Christiansburg Barnes & Noble, 110 Conston Ave, Christiansburg, VA, 24073

Contact: (540) 381-4923

Description: The New River Historical Society and the Fine Arts Center of New River Valley will hold a dinner event at Rockwood Manor in Dublin featuring period music and food. After dinner, guests will be treated with a presentation and book signing by award-winning author Sharyn McCrumb.

McCrumb will talk about her book “Ghost Riders” which chronicles the Civil War in the Southern Mountains.

McCrumb will be in character for the dinner. Costumes are optional.

When: Saturday April 27, 2013 from 6:00 pm to ? Doors will open at 5:30.

Cost: $50

Tickets can be obtained at the Wilderness Road Regional Museum on Wilderness Road in Newbern (Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 – 4:30) or at the Fine Arts Center on Main Street in Pulaski (Monday – Friday, 9:30 -4:30).  Tickets are $50 each or $75 at the head table with Sharyn McCrumb.  Tickets can also be ordered by phone with a credit card from the Fine Arts Center by calling 540-980-7363.

Where: Rockwood Manor, 5189 Rockwood Rd, Dublin, VA 24084

Author Signing with Joanne Anderson, Young Readers, Children’s Event
Author Joanne Anderson signs her book “A Noble Spirit,” the heart-warming story of a girl and her horse. Since the book is based on the real horse, Noble, the author will be giving away a free trail ride with him and other special prizes!

Readers, Children’s EventLife of a Funky Bunny: Bad Day.” Join us to celebrate this remarkable young artists!

Saturday April 20, 2013 1:00 PM

Tanglewood
4478 Electric Road Southwest, Roanoke, VA 24018, 540-776-2960

Welcome to Monday’s book thread. I’ll post this periodically so we can keep up with what everyone is reading.

Please tell me what you’ve recently read or what you just started. Once you’ve finished the book, please come back and let us know how it turned out and whether or not you suggest we read it too.

And for this week, also let me know your favorite place to read. Since the weather is warming up, do any of you have a special place under a shade tree somewhere?

This week I’m reading a western/urban fantasy mash-up by local author R.S. Belcher called “The Six-Gun Tarot.” I’ll be doing an interview with him on Wednesday, so look for a Q&A coming soon.

When it’s warm out, I like to sit in the rocking chair on my front porch and read. Unfortunately though, I don’t have that much free time during the day so I usually do my reading in the bed right before I go to sleep. That’s probably one of the reasons I have such strange dreams.

Your turn. What are you reading?

Also, don’t forget to check out this week’s books & talk schedule.

Janet Strugill was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011. She passed away in January 2012 before her son C.R. “Cliff” Sturgill could fulfill his dream of publishing a collection of short stories and giving it to her as a Christmas gift.

“At the heart of her selflessness was pure love. She was the most loving and caring person you could ever meet,” Sturgill describes her on his FirstGiving fundraiser page.

After his mother’s death Sturgill was inspired to finish his book and publish it in her honor.

“My mother was always such a positive force in my life and encouraged me to pursue my dream of writing over the years. I regret that she will never be able to see my first book, but hopefully I can at least honor her memory through my writing and share some of the love and hope that she embodied. I also hope to raise at least $1,000 for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and help them achieve their goal of doubling the survival rate of pancreatic cancer by 2020. If my donations can help someone else survive, or at least live a little longer with, pancreatic cancer, then maybe my mother’s death won’t have been in vain,” said Sturgill.

“Dreams from the Heart” is a collection of ten stories falling under the categories ‘Dreams of Love & Romance,’ ‘Dreams of Hope & Family,’ ‘Dreams of Other Things,’ and ‘End of Dreams.’ The stories were written over several years and include positive and inspiring messages with an overall theme of love can conquer all.

Sturgill graduated from Virginia Tech and lives in Smyth County, Va.

So far he has raised $550 for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Description:  As the national debate on gun control continues, consider this author’s perspective on a deeper, underlying issue than that of gun control—GOD control!

An incredible story of tragedy and faith is now documented in this book tied to 04-16-07 – the most wide sweeping event to impact the world since 09-11-01.

Charles R. Pugh former campus minister and messenger at Virginia Tech from 1995 to 2007 will be at the Valley View Barnes & Noble signing his book “The Virginia Tech Tragedy and My Personal Tragedy: Lessons to Learn from and Insider and from Scripture.”

When: April 13, 2013 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Valley View Barnes & Noble

And on May 4, 2013 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Tanglewood Barnes & Noble

Website: www.vtlessonstolearn.com

Nannie Figgat Chronicles Mid-19th Century Southwest Virginia through her Diary, Recipes, and Correspondence

Co-Authors Gail McMillan & Jean Robbins will present a preview of their new book.

Executive Chef Billie Raper will discuss the menu and offer tastings of 1800s recipes.

When: Friday, April 26, 2013 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Where: Hotel Roanoke

Cost: $30 per person

** Preregistration is required by April 22, 2013. To register, please fill out this form and mail it in with payment.

Menu:

Rice Chicken Casserole
Peas with Mint
To Dress a Salad (Green Salad and Dressing)
French Rolls
Molasses Pudding with Rum Sauce
*Tastings from other 1800s recipes will be available

Local author Gina Holmes will be at Books-A-Million on Hershberger Rd. Saturday, March 23rd from 2:00 to 4:00 pm signing her latest novel, “Wings of Glass.”

Wings of Glass tells the story of Penny Taylor, a young wife who feels trapped in an abusive marriage until two friends from two very different worlds help open her eyes to the truth and lend her their backbone until she can find her own.

Wings of Glass earned a starred review from Library Journal, 4 1/2 stars Top Pick from Romantic Times and was handpicked as an Okra pick from the Southern Indie Bookseller’s Alliance.

Books-A-Million is closing and currently all books are discounted starting at 20%.