I found a few books on MySpace this week that I should have found earlier. See, in both of these cases, I read a more recent book and then realized there was another one (or more) out there by the author that I somehow missed.

First up is A Secret World by Jennifer Paddock. I read Point Clear, and was really impressed with the writing. I’m betting I’ll be impressed with her debut, A Secret World , as well. Here’s the information from Publisher’s Weekly:

Paddock’s striking debut is an intricately balanced story of three girls from Fort Smith, Ark., linked for life by a high school tragedy. In 1986, tennis and country club pals Sarah and Chandler hitch a ride to lunch from the less privileged Leigh; they’re pursued by footballer Trey, who crashes his car and dies. Flash forward to 1990: Chandler and Sarah have gone to college; Leigh stays behind to work at a dry cleaner’s. But their paths continue to intersect, and Paddock follows her characters through 15 years as they peel apart and reunite, capturing each of the young women in separate first-person chapters. Chandler-introspective, loyal and passionate-moves to New York to go to law school, but loses her way after the death of her financially troubled father. Leigh is still in Fort Smith, her drunken, promiscuous mother a source of embarrassment. She goes on to work at the local grocery store and marries a local boy, though she’s never quite content with the smallness of her life. Rich, stunning Sarah moves to New York in Chandler’s wake to make it as an actress (though, as her acting coach tells her, she’s a better tennis player than thespian). Supported by her father’s money, she develops a mild cocaine habit and leans on Chandler for friendship and constancy. Paddock dances between characters and years, tracing her protagonists’ tortured and happy relationships, their anguish and confusion and eventually the strength that comes to each. This is a subtle, surprising first novel, with unforgettable characters, a quiet sense of place and a nuanced exploration of the secrets, loves, despairs, friends and relatives that shape our lives.

The second is A Breath Away by Rita Herron. Herron is one of those folks I kept thinking “gee, I should read her books” and didn’t. Then I read her Harlequin Intrigue, Anything For His Son and decided to pay more attention to this author. So, I’m checking out her backlist. Here is one title:

Their worst nightmare has returned . . .

Facing the judgmental town as a murderer’s daughter is difficult enough, but with the scalding tension between her and Sheriff Grady Monroe, Darlene’s half brother, is worse. As the two of them race to unravel the mystery, it quickly becomes clear that Violet is in grave danger . . . and Grady suddenly knows that he’ll do anything to protect her, no matter what the cost . . .

Has anyone read either book or either author?

This entry was posted on Monday, October 8th, 2007 at 10:31 am and is filed under About Authors, About Books, About MySpace Discoveries. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.