Cool new look for a terrific book: EVIDENCE OF LIFE by Barbara Taylor Sissel

A great book - Evidence of Life by Barbara Taylor Sissel - gets a brand new look from the publisher. (Looks like they're branding it with her forthcoming release: Safe Keeping.)

My original review of EOL...

Barbara Taylor Sissel's THE NINTH STEP

Moving, emotional novel from a beautiful writer

Barbara Taylor Sissel crafts a sure-handed, beautiful garden of a novel on ground tilled by Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve. Firmly confronting issues of human frailty, redemption, and letting go, The Ninth Step is a story about what is, but it aches with the stories of what might have been as one man's quest for forgiveness leads him to the impossible task of forgiving himself, and the lives of the people he's wronged are drawn into a shattering spiral of events. Sissel's vibrant voice, rich characters, and deft plotting draw the reader in and keep pages turning to the gripping, unexpected end.

Originally posted on Amazon.com as Joni L. Rodgers.

Barbara Taylor Sissel's THE VOLUNTEER

If you love Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve, read Barbara Taylor Sissel

Another richly told story from a wonderfully talented author. Barbara Taylor Sissel weaves beautiful novels from fine, unexpected threads. Characters are complex and thoughtful. Places are fragrant and real. Conversations ring true and meaningful. Plots unfold with startling but graceful turns. This is a terrific author I want everyone to discover. She does an amazing job of first making us care about these people, pinging curiosity just enough with the mystery surrounding the codex, then pretty much tearing our hearts out with the beautifully written final chapters.

THE VOLUNTEER is a satisfying read, and that's enough in itself, but I think book clubs will find a whole additional dimension for discussion. Beyond the big questions that gray the core topic of capital punishment, there's the complicated realm of family relationships, the definition of "the honorable thing" and whether or not it's even possible to redeem oneself by living or dying for a private cause.

This is the kind of indie fiction I'm thrilled to see: a beautifully crafted book by a creative, accomplished author.

Originally posted on Amazon.com as Joni L. Rodgers.

Congratulations to BtO's Own Barbara Taylor Sissel!

Raising my head from the deadline cave to bid a very hearty congratulations to BtO blogster Barbara Taylor Sissel, who just signed with Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman Agency!

For those of you who don't yet know her, Barbara Sissel writes beautifully-crafted, issue-oriented women's fiction. She's also one of the best critique partners on the planet, with a keen editorial eye and finely-tuned sense of what works and what doesn't in a story.

You can check out her latest novel, The Volunteer, on Amazon.

Best wishes for a long and fruitful partner with your new agent, Bobbi!