Part Nick Hornby, part Jay McInerney, with a dash of vermouth, In the Rooms is a warm, sharply observed comedy about sex, lies, drinking, and second chances London literary agent Patrick Miller comes to New York dreaming of joining the big league, only to find himself selling celebrity dog books. But when he spots legendary novelist Douglas Kelsey on the street and follows him into an AA meeting, a world of opportunity beckons. Who knew that sobriety...

Jane Stuart and Ivy Benson were once best friends. Ever since Ivy's daughter Marlene was murdered, things have been rocky. To patch up their friendship, Jane invites Ivy to the writer's retreat Jane organized. Off-season Mt. Munsee Lodge is a mountain-top hotel which is perfect for relaxing and having fun. But Ivy brings Johnny, her new man, who turns out to be on the run. To Ivy's displeasure, Johnny swoons over one of Jane's students, Carla, a...

Literary agent Jane Stuart lives a page-turner when a murderer gives new meaning to the phrase buried in books and girls begin to disappear. Jane couldn't turn down her nanny's sister when she needed a place to stay. Crystal Ryerson turns out to be more than a handful. In two short weeks as the new assistant director of the Shady Hills Public Library, Crystal proves herself to be trouble no matter how you spell it. A pain. Yes. Popular. No. SMASHING Still,...

Jo Donovan always manages to come out on top. From the backwoods of Appalachia, she forged a hard path to life among the literati in New York City. At thirty-five, she' s the widow of the renowned author Hugo Donovan and the owner of one of the best literary agencies in town. Jo is living the life she dreamed of but it' s all about to fall apart. When a would-be client turns stalker, Jo is more angry than shaken until her clients come under attack....

An egotistical writer slashes his way through the cutthroat world of book publishing.

The Novel Idea Literary Agency has planned a wedding-themed week for Inspiration Valley, celebrating not only North Carolina's best vendors but also some of the agency's most popular bridal books. The fact that Lila can use the event to plan her own impending nuptials is just the icing on the cake. But wedding bells turn to warning bells when Lila finds a dead man facedown in the frosting. Soon it's discovered that the victim was connected to several...

"When the demo kitchen blows up on the eve of the Taste of the Town festival, taking one of the star cooks with it, Lila will have to scramble to figure out which of her clients is a killer--before someone else gets burned"--