LORI'S READING CORNER

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.

We sharewhat books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

Here's what I got ~

Worst Case by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (ARC) ~ Best case: survival The son of one of New York's wealthiest families is snatched off the street and held hostage. His parents can't save him, because this kidnapper isn't demanding money. Instead, he quizzes his prisoner on the price others pay for his life of luxury. In this exam, wrong answers are fatal. Worst case: death Detective Michael Bennett leads the investigation. With ten kids of his own, he can't begin to understand what could lead someone to target anyone's children. As another student disappears, one powerful family after another uses their leverage and connections to turn the heat up on the mayor, the press--anyone who will listen--to stop this killer. Their reach extends all the way to the FBI, who send their top Abduction Specialist, A gent Emily Parker. Bennett's life--and love life--suddenly get even more complicated. This case: Detective Michael Bennett is on it Before Bennett has a chance to protest the FBI's intrusion on his case, the mastermind changes his routine. His plan leads up to the most devastating demonstration yet--one that could bring cataclysmic devastation to every inch of New York. From the shocking first page to the last exhilarating scene, Worst Case is a non-stop thriller from "America's #1 storyteller" Release date ~ Feb 1, 2010.

Air Time (Charlotte McNally Mysteries) by Hank Phillippi Ryan ~ When savvy TV reporter Charlotte McNally enters the glamorous world of high fashion, she soon discovers that when the purses are fake—the danger is real. And no one can be trusted! Now Charlotte can't tell the real from the fake as she goes undercover to bring the couture counterfeiters to justice—and in her struggle to answer an all-important, life-changing question from a certain handsome professor… The one thing Charlotte knows for sure is that the wrong choice could be the last decision she ever makes!

Dying Scream by Mary Burton (ARC) ~ An aspiring artist. A high-school senior. A stripper. Three missing women with only one thing in common - wealthy Craig Thornton knew them all. For that, they paid the ultimate price. When Craig's widow, Adrianna, begins to receive cards and flowers from her late husband, she assumes it's someone's cruel joke. The grisly remains are found on the Thornton estate. Detective Gage Hudson believes the bodies are linked to Craig. But the biggest shocks are yet to come. A psychopath has resumed his work, each death a prelude to his most cherished target. The only way to stop him is to uncover a family's dark past - and a twisted love someone will kill for, again and again..... Release date ~ December 1st.

Ghost a la Mode: A Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery (A Granny Apples Mystery) by Sue Ann Jaffarian ~ Granny was famous for her award-winning apple pies-and notorious for murdering her husband Jacob at their homestead in Julian, California. The only trouble is, Granny was framed, then murdered. For more than one hundred years, Granny's spirit has been searching for someone to help her see that justice is served—and she hits pay dirt when she pops in to a séance attended by her great-great-great-granddaughter, modern-day divorced mom Emma Whitecastle. Together, Emma and Granny Apples solve mysteries of the past—starting with Granny's own unjust murder rap in the final days of the California Gold Rush. Along with a sprinkling of history, this spirited new mystery series features the amateur sleuth team of Emma Whitecastle and the spirit of her pie-baking great-great-great-grandmother, Granny Apples.

Happy Hour by Michele Scott ~ The weekdays may be for real life, but Sundays are for friendship, good food, and great wine. Meet the women of Napa... Kat is a sommelier and co-owner of a restaurant with her chef husband Christian. Although deeply in love, their relationship is facing a series of challenges, including ex-spouses, teenage children, and a surprise visitor who turns Kat's life upside down... Danielle is a vinter who finds herself entrenched in a family crisis when her daughter returns home from college with bombshell news... Jamie is a single mother and editor-in-chief at Wine Lover's Magazine. Her husband's death a few years prior has left her in financial ruins and having to care for a senile but endearing mother-in-law... Alyssa is an artist and gallery owner. When a tragic event from her past catches up with her, she must face the skeleton in her closet and rearrange her future. With each woman's life in transition, they'll rely on tight friendships more than ever to get through the difficult times. While surrounding each other with love, support, humor, and strength, the four women will pull together each week for their own happy hour. But will friendship be enough to get each woman through her crisis? And what about the secrets that are being kept....? Email me on how to get your own copy of this book. And make sure to check back for a giveaway!!