The Straight Spouse: A Memoir is a love story about a woman who is married to a man who turns out to be gay—and how she deals with it in unexpected ways. This story takes place in the early 1990s, and she believes she is the only woman in the world to face this unthinkable threat to her marriage. Her journey—sometimes disturbing, sometimes uplifting—is all about the importance of letting go and finding one’s own way through hard times.

Despite what people might expect, this is not a gay-bashing book. In fact, quite the opposite. Author Vivian Fransen shares this painful chapter in her life to create a courageous memoir worth reading. We are proud to make it our Pick of the Month.

Learn more at www.StraightSpouseMemoir.com.

December’s Book Pick is in keeping with the holiday season, a Christmas mystery, The Worst Noel by Amy M. Reade.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, love, and joy, but for Lilly Carlsen, this Christmas is murder. As a single mom, small business owner, and president of the local Chamber of Commerce, the last thing she needs is to find a dead body on the floor of her jewelry shop on the busiest shopping day of the year. And as if that isn’t enough, Lilly has to deal with a deadbeat ex-husband, a mother with declining mental health, and two teenagers. But when a second body turns up, Lilly finds herself squarely in the crosshairs of suspicion. Can she figure out who killed the victims before she becomes one herself? And will her family’s Christmas be merry…or scary?

Book Lovers Dispatch is offering a chance to win one of the three books, winner’s choice. It’s a great way to fill out your summer reading list. The choices includes J.R. Bale’s Phoenix in the Middle of the Road, Selene Castrovilla’s Melt and Michael Stephen Daigle’s The Swamps of New Jersey. Just sign up for a free subscription to Book Lovers Dispatch. Deadline to sign up is July 15, 2019.

The third New Providence Book Festival set for Sunday, September 22, 2019, 9am – 4pm on the grounds of the Salt Box Museum. Over a dozen authors with be there giving presentations, signing books and talking with readers.

This year’s author lineup includes a range of authors and genres, fiction and non-fiction: Bert Abbazia, J.R. Bale, Linda Barth, Mary Carlomagno, Michael Stephen Daigle, Reyna Favis, Vivian Fransen, Kerry Gans, Kristina Garlick, Laura Kaighn, Elissa Matthews, Bob Mayers and Jenn Stroud Rossmann.

For every book purchased, the buyer will receive a raffle ticket for a drawing a Barnes & Noble gift certificate. Additional prizes may be added.

The Salt Box Museum will be open for free tours of their 18th century farmhouse and exhibits. The New Providence Historical Society will also be having a bake sale.

Congratulations to Johanna Sierra, winner of the 2019 Book Lovers Dispatch New Years Giveaway! Johanna chose to receive The Straight Spouse: A Memoir by Vivian Fransen.

Johanna is a member of the Aspiring Authors Club at Middlesex County College and hopes to publish her own book someday.

Her other choices were Melt by by Selene Castrovilla and Soul Search by Reyna Favis.

This was the second book giveaway offered by Book Lovers Dispatch. We’re very pleased with the quality of books in the offerings. Stop by to learn about future book giveaways.

Until then, Happy Reading!

Our January Book Pick is
The Weight of Living, the third book in the Frank Nagler series by Michael Stephen Daigle. The Weight of Living is an intense, involving page-turner, with scenes that will shock the reader and grab at the emotional bond they will have with the characters, all leading to a surprising, yet hopeful end.

The earlier books, The Swamps of New Jersey and A Game Called Dead also follow the investigations of widowed detective Frank Nagler. We are told a fourth Frank Nagler book is on the way.  Can’t wait. To learn more, go to www.MichaelStaphenDaigle.com

Time to make resolutions! Of course as book lovers, we resolve to read more books. And to help you keep that resolution, we giving away another book. Choose from the three shown below. Sign up for a free e-subscription to Book Lovers Dispatch, and you will be entered into a raffle for your choice of a free book, signed by the author. (You must live in North America to qualify for free delivery.) Entries must be entered by January 31, 2019. (Both new and current subscribers are eligible to win.)

We’re getting into the holiday spirit with a free book giveaway. Sign up for a free e-subscription to Book Lovers Dispatch, and you will be entered into a raffle for your choice of a free book, signed by the author. (You must live in North America to qualify for free delivery.) Entries must be entered by December 1, 2018. (All subscribers are eligible.)

The winner will receive their choice of these three books to read while cozying up in front of a holiday fire. (Fireplace not included.)
Sign up here.

Yes, our first issue is out! We are very pleased to feature author and historian Bob Mayers. Bob’s devotion to American Revolutionary War history is well known. His new book, Revolutionary New Jersey:  Forgotten Towns and Crossroads of the American Revolution is also our Pick of the Month for August.

In our Book Temples section, we highlight the New Providence Book Festival, an annual celebration of local authors.

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Welcome to the new home of Book Lovers Dispatch! We are bookworms, who love all things literary. And we want to share. We’re busy putting together our first issue, so please be patient. In the meantime, you can subscribe and be one of the first to receive our newsletter completely devoted to books!