Pimping out New Authors - Dead To Me

So last night, a writer from the workshop I was in for two years, had his first reading at the Barnes and Noble downtown in the Village. Unfortunately I missed. A) because I was hot and sweaty from my salsa class, B) my hair looked horrible and C) I had a hole in one of my black boots and the rain was soaking in terribly. Plus American Idol was on and I forgot to set my DVR. So I missed it. But I'm here to pimp out Anton's first book to you all.

Here's a brief synopsis:

A new urban fantasy featuring a man working on the right side of law-with talents that come from left field.

Psychometry-the power to touch an object and divine information about its history-has meant a life of petty crime for Simon Canderous, but now he's gone over to the good side. At New York's underfunded and (mostly) secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, he's learning about red tape, office politics, and the basics of paranormal investigation. But it's not the paperwork that has him breathless.

After Simon spills his coffee on (okay, through) the ghost of a beautiful woman-who doesn't know she's dead-he and his mentor plan to find her killers. But Simon's not prepared for the nefarious plot that unfolds before him, involving politically correct cultists, a large wooden fish, a homicidal bookcase, and the forces of Darkness, which kind of have a crush on him.

Doesn't that sound awesome? I had the good fortune to hear a good deal of this book during the two years that I was in the workshop, along with Carolyn Turgeon (author of the awesome Rain Village and the upcoming Fairy Godmother book), as well as the Queen Bee herself, Jennifer Belle, doyenne of the New York Times style page and fantastic author (Little Stalker, out in trade this summer).

And here's what people are saying about it:

"Simon Canderous is a reformed thief and a psychometrist. By turns despondent over his luck with the ladies (not always living) and his struggle with the hierarchy of his mysterious department (not always truthful), Simon's life veers from crisis to crisis. Following Simon's adventures is like being the pinball in an especially antic game, but it's well worth the wear and tear."--Charlaine Harris, author of the Southern Vampire Mysteries.

If you like urban fantasy or paranormal, and you're a little tired of reading about vampires, pick up a copy of Dead To Me. Hopefully I can convince Mr. Strout to guest blog in the next few weeks.