Putnam's other new bestseller, Visions in Death, is the 19th J.D. Robb In Death title penned by Nora Roberts. Putnam printed 287,000 copies. The prolific author was at the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut August 7 as part of its "Winning Authors" series. Roberts will continue to promote her alter ego J.D. Robb when she tours in October for her new thriller, Northern Lights.
Meanwhile, Berkley's Dorothea Benton Frank is touring the hot and humid South again this summer for her second hardcover bestseller,
Shem Creek, launched with a 170,000 printing. In the first week, bookstore and event crowds were huge, averaging 250—400 people and an equal number of books sold per event. Media coverage has been strong, with local TV, radio and print features focusing on Dottie and her popular LowcountryTales. In her home town, Mt. Pleasant, S.C., her book event drew more than 600 people, who purchased more than 400 books. Frank will be on the road through the end of August, making stops in Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala., Charlotte and Winston-Salem, N.C., Richmond, Va., and more.
