June 2011 NY: Penguin/Norwood Press

The thrilling new adventure from the number-one New York Times-bestselling author! The husband-and-wife team of Sam and Remi Fargo are used to hunting for treasure, but they aren’t used to hunting for people-until an investigator friend of their goes missing, and they promise to search for him.

What they discover, however, will be beyond anything they could have imagined.

On a journey that will take them to Tibet, Nepal, China, Italy, and Siberia, the Fargos find themselves embroiled with black-market fossils, an ancient Tibetan kingdom, a lost landmass in the North Sea, Stone Age ostrich egg shards inscribed in a cryptic language, a pair of battles separated by thousands of miles and hundreds of years . . . and a skeleton that could just turn the history of human evolution on its head.

John interviews Clive Cussler and Jack DuBrul about their newest (The Jungle) as well as interviews with Grant Blackwood and Kerry Frey from the Adventure Writer’s Competition.

Click to see the fun that was had in Arizona at the 2010 Cusslercon!

I was watching a piece on CBS News Sunday with the title of ‘based on a novel by . . . “

It featured none other than the master spymaker, John LeCarre. Few of us can forget the Cold War and the novelists whose stock-in-trade were those “spies” who applied their craft, and by doing so kept us safe.

LeCarre, in 22 novels, revealed the frailties of the human condition and exploited it, building up tension in the reader with characters that lived in the shadows, dark and mysterious. LeCarre, along with Len Deighton, Frederick Forsyth, and Ken Follett showed us the face of British counter intelligence.

Gradually, US spy novelists came to par in the genre created and dominated by British writers. The Scarlatti Inheritance caused Robert Ludlum to be regarded as the first American spymaster. In the 1970s, former CIA operative Charles McCarry began the Paul Christopher series with The Tears of Autumn. The first American techno-thriller was Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October. It introduced CIA analyst, turned field agent, Jack Ryan.

With the end of the Cold War the genre went on hiatus. Spies lost their luster and relevance. No secrets needed exposure, or so we thought . . .! To survive, the novelists had to re-invent (more…)

Norwood Press today announced that they will release limited lettered and numbered editions of The Silent Sea – hand-signed by authors Clive Cussler and Jack DuBrul.  The Silent Sea is the seventh novel in their co-authored Oregon Files series.  The Oregon, captained by Juan Cabrillo, is a modern-day Trojan horse – a ship that, on the outside, appears broken down but actually holds state of the art equipment and powerful weaponry.

The Silent Sea opens with a prologue set during 1941, when five brothers exploring a shaft on a small island off the coast of Washington state make an exciting discovery, only to be interrupted by news of Pearl Harbor. In the present, Cabrillo, chasing the remnants of a crashed satellite in the Argentine jungle, makes a shocking discovery of his own. His search to untangle the mystery leads him first to that small island in Washington and its secret, and then much further back, to an ancient Chinese expedition, and a curse that seems to have survived for over five hundred years.

“Once again, Cussler and DuBrul demonstrate their unique ability to collaborate and produce amazing adventure novels” said Virginia Lenneville, co-owner of Norwood Press.  “Cussler fans will go wild over this latest Oregon Files novel.”  Limited editions of The Silent Sea can be pre-ordered through VJ Books (http://www.vjbooks.com) or Norwood Press (http://www.norwoodpress.com) websites.

The limited numbered editions are hand-signed by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul, numbered 1-98, have custom 3/4 marbled boards in a matching slip-case, and are stamped in gold.  To celebrate this special event, and for a limited time only, VJ Books is offering a free hardcover trade copy of The Silent Sea with an order of the limited numbered edition. ($150)

Limited lettered editions are hand-signed by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul.  Lettered editions are lettered A-ZZ, come in a fully marbled slip-case with custom boards and end papers, and stamped in platinum.  (Lettered editions are by subscription with future placement guaranteed). ($250)

Clive and Jack have collaborated on six other exciting titles:  Golden Buddha, (more…)

Former ITW (International Thriller Writers) co-presidents, Steve Berry and James Rollins continue to dominate the thriller genre with new releases this month. 

Berry continues his bestselling Cotton Malone series with the release of The Paris Vendetta (Random House), now shipping from VJ Books (www.vjbooks.com; signed $29.99).   When Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile in 1821, he took to the grave a powerful secret. As general and emperor, he had stolen immeasurable riches from palaces, national treasuries, and even the Knights of Malta and the Vatican. In his final days, his British captors hoped to learn where the loot lay hidden. But he told them nothing, and in his will he made no mention of the treasure. Or did he?  “All the Berry hallmarks are here: scale, scope, sweep, history – plus breathless second-by-second suspense. I love this guy.” — Lee Child (Gone Tomorrow; Delacorte).  

On December 29^th James Rollins releases The Altar of Eden (HarperCollins), taking a breather from his Sigma Force adventures (Map of Bones, Black Order, The Judas Strain, et al) bringing us a stand alone novel (signed $29.99 at www.vjbooks.com).  With his latest breathtaking blockbuster, Rollins delivers all the action, surprise, and intensity for which he’s well known—and loved. Combining science, history, and breakneck suspense—and a secret tied to the Book of Genesis—Altar of Eden is sure to satisfy every James Rollins fan while winning over a slew of new converts.  VJ Books is taking reserve orders for what will surely be a chart topping book.

ITW writers continue to be the dominate force in the thriller genre.  In addition to Berry and Rollins many other members of the society have contributed bestsellers in 2009.  Clive Cussler has teamed with Grant Blackwood and Justin Scott with, Spartan Gold and The Wrecker, adding two new authors to his franchise, joining Paul Kemprecos, Jack DuBrul and Dirk Cussler. 

VJ Books has specialized in signed and collectible fiction titles from the mystery, science fiction and horror genres for over 13 years.  Sign up for the weekly newsletter at http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001IQ4Q15knkjNta2lbpVcky1fBzD50BxcT.

A Review from M. Scheulen!

Nick & Nora in the 21st century. What a wondeful read! Action, thrill packed with great attention to detail, as the author clearly did his research …. down to a monument at a lakeside landmark in Europe. Subject matter and  ethical struggles that  make this page turner identify with the quest, further adding to the believable factor. Clearly the beginning of  what one can only hopes to develop into a future series of high adventure novels. Enjoy!

Order your signed copy of Spartan Gold today from www.vjbooks.com!

Want to write a review?  Click here for details!

Adventure writers Clive Cussler (Medusa) and Grant Blackwood (An Echo of War) collaborated to create a new “land-based” Cussler Series. Their efforts produced Spartan Gold (2009 Penguin) the first Fargo Adventure. It is an explosive, adrenaline-charged adventure that Cussler fans will want to get their hands on.

“Spartan Gold is our 19^th Cussler limited edition work,” reports John Hutchinson of Norwood Press.  “We are very appreciative of our relationship with Clive and his co-authors.  It is always exciting to bring a new title to the collector.” 

  (more…)

Who have we met up with? 

The list is long and distinguished: Lee Child, Mark T. Sullivan, Paul Kemprecos (and his lovely wife), Jeffery Deaver, Grant Blackwood, James Rollins – and that was just in the first 5 hours!

I promise to have more pictures – as the day proresses!  We are off for an author’s panel, or two.

The twitter account has pictures – I promise more soon!

Virginia