To Love A Stranger, Kris Faatz,

The Summer Guest, Alison Anderson, Harper Collins – In her novel, The Summer Guest, Alison Anderson offers readers a look at a unique friendship between Anton Chekhov and Zinaida Mikhailovna, an ailing doctor, through the pages of Zinaida’s diary.

The Second Mrs. Hockaday, Susan Rivers, Algonquin Books – When Susan Rivers’ agent told her she wouldn’t debut with her first novel, Rivers was disappointed. These words are spoken to many writers, but they came at a particularly difficult time for her.

Surprise Me, Deena Goldstone, Knopf – In the novel Surprise Me a young writer, Isabelle Rothman, meets her mentor, novelist and Professor Daniel Jablonski, and they form a unique bond that influences them personally and professionally.

Landfall, Julie Hensley, Ohio State University Press – Julie Hensley credits the start of her writing career to her mother, a librarian who would bring home grocery bags full of books for her to read.

Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty, Ramona Ausubel, – In her latest novel Ramona Ausubel drew on her family history as an imaginative springboard to explore the lives of a once wealthy family who find themselves dispossessed.

The Honeymoon, Dinitia Smith, – What makes a writer effective? What equips them to address the important issues of their day? What makes their work of lasting value?

The Hopefuls, Jennifer Close – As Election Day draws closer, readers might be tempted to escape the drama with a good book. But, those who love the sport of politics and reading about the intricacies of marriage will find both in Jennifer Close’s novel The Hopefuls.

Californium, R. Dean Johnson, Penguin Publishing – R. Dean Johnson was working at an ad agency when he decided to apply for a Master of Fine Arts degree and pursue his love of writing.

A Fireproof Home for the Bride, Amy Scheibe, St Martins Press – The plot is elaborate, involving a rich family history, compelling subplots and competing motivations.