We are huge fans of (and friends with) author Melanie Benjamin and want you to know, dear readers, that her new book has arrived online and in stores today.  We also want you to know that Melanie and Edward have a secret…  which will be revealed very soon!
Melanie’s new book, Mistress of the Ritz, is the much-anticipated story of an extraordinary real-life American woman who secretly worked for the French Resistance during World War II—all the while playing hostess to the invading Germans at the iconic Hôtel Ritz in Paris!

Here are more details for Ms. Benjamin’s new novel:  
From Melanie Benjamin, the New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator’s Wife
Nothing unfortunate can happen at the Ritz; inside its gilded walls every woman looks beautiful, every man appears debonair and witty. Favored guests like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Coco Chanel, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor walk through its famous doors, where they’re welcomed and pampered by Blanche Auzello and her husband, Claude, the hotel’s director. The Auzellos are the mistress and master of the Ritz, where the daily glamor and glitz busies their minds away from a troubled marriage, and from the secrets that they keep from their guests—and each other.

Then in June 1940, the German army sweeps into Paris, commandeering the Ritz for their headquarters. Suddenly, with the likes of Hermann Goëring moving into suites once occupied by royalty, Blanche and Claude must navigate a terrifying new reality—one that entails even more deceptions. A reality which could bring an end to the tempestuous marriage between this beautiful, reckless American and her very proper Frenchman. For the falsehoods they tell to survive, and to strike a blow against their Nazi “guests,” will spin a web of deceit that ensnares everything and everyone they cherish.

One secret that is shared between Blanche and Claude alone—is the secret which, in the end, imperils both of their lives and threatens to bring down the legendary Hôtel Ritz itself.

Based on true events, Mistress of the Ritz is a taut tale of suspense surrounded by a love story for the ages, the inspiring saga of a woman and a man who discover the best in each other amid the upheaval and sacrifice of war.

Praise
"Benjamin, who has made a career out of fashioning compulsively readable historical fiction starring real-life women..., does it again here.... The novel improbably but effectively combines a delectable, upstairs-downstairs look at the operation of a luxury hotel; a many-textured and deeply romantic love story; and a compelling drama of the French Resistance.... Readers of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale are the natural audience for this book-club-ready historical novel."
   —Booklist

 "This impeccably researched, lyrically told historical about a brash American woman and her French husband during WWII is a remarkable achievement.... Benjamin (The Aviator’s Wife) skillfully weaves in a host of historical figures—including Coco Chanel, alleged to be a Nazi sympathizer, and Ernest Hemingway—whose vibrant presences make Benjamin’s protagonists and engaging group of supporting characters shine all the more."
   —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin.  Available now in Hardcover and E-book.  Also available as an Audiobook on CD, or by instant download.

Every month, and all across the U.S., we find a book club or two who are discussing The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, or its recent sequel, The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues.  This month there are more gatherings than usual (thanks particularly to the Elmhurst Public Library) where discussions of one or the other novel will take place.  You might enjoy skimming the descriptions below to see what the groups are up to.  You might even live near one of them and drop by to describe your experiences of reading the books with other Edward Kelsey Moore readers.  Tell your friends that live nearby, too!  Some events require registration, but all are free of charge.  Click on each link below to go directly to the event details.
Please note the author will not be present at these discussions.  (He’s rehearsing, performing and recording classical music this month -- and also busy working on a new book!) 

Wednesday, March 7th  Noontime Pageturners Book Club
Allen Public Library ~ Allen, Texas  (near Dallas)
March's selection is "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" 
Bring a lunch and a friend and join us for a lively discussion! We offer a relaxed environment where you can share the joy of reading. New members always welcome. Ages 18+; no registration.  

Tuesday, March 20th  Coffee and Conversation Book Club 
Fountaindale Public Library ~ Bolingbrook, Illinois  (near Chicago)
“The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues” by Edward Kelsey Moore
Looking for something to wake you up in the morning? Join us for a stimulating morning book discussion on the third Tuesday of the month. New members are always welcome and no registration is required.

Tuesday, March 20th  The Evening Book Club
Stillwater Public Library ~ Stillwater, New York  (north of Albany)
“The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat”
A traditional book club with titles we select as a group – all you have to do is read the book and join us for the discussion. There’s usually a snack related to the tale. New readers are always welcome! We are an easy going group and look forward to new ideas and interpretations, so join us!

The Elmhurst Public Library in Illinois selected E.K.M. as a focus author for the month of March — they will host three discussions of his work!  Not directly related to the March library programs, but true nonetheless: during the 1990s and early 2000s Edward Kelsey Moore was a professor of music at nearby Elmhurst College! 

Wednesday, March 21st  Adult Book Discussion
Elmhurst Public Library ~ Elmhurst, Illinois  (near Chicago)
Join us to discuss “The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat” 
Three high school friends support each other through the joys and difficult times of the next four decades. They meet each Sunday at Earl’s diner for conversation, great food, laughter, and sometimes tears. This debut novel focuses on strong women facing challenges together. This discussion does require registration. Click the link above for details. Space is limited.

Thursday, March 22nd  Adult Book Discussion 1pm to 2:15pm 
Elmhurst Public Library ~ Elmhurst, Illinois  (near Chicago)
Join us to discuss “The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat”
(Description as shown above.) This discussion does require registration. Click the link for details. Space is limited.

Thursday, March 22nd  Adult Book Discussion 7 PM - 8:15 PM
Elmhurst Public Library ~ Elmhurst, Illinois  (near Chicago)
Join us to discuss “The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat”
(Description as shown above.) This discussion does require registration. Click the link for details. Space is limited.

​It might also interest you to know that the Elmhurst Public Library received Five-Star Status in annual rankings for the first time in 2017.  The Library placed in the top ten percent nationwide and 1st in Illinois in their annual budget category.  Click to read more. 

Tuesday, March 27th  African American Authors Book Group
Southeast Branch ~ Cuyahoga County Public Library ~ Bedford, Ohio (near Cleveland)
March title: “The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues” 
Join us to explore all genres of African American writing. We will read African American classics, historical fiction, science fiction, mysteries, autobiographies, nonfiction and urban fiction. All adults are welcome, no registration required. 

For two counties in central Indiana the Autumn 2017 “One Great Read” book selection is Edward Kelsey Moore’s first Supremes novel, The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat!  One Great Read is an annual program of Tippecanoe County and White County in Indiana, a one-city-one-book type of program to expand community and promote literacy using a mix of book discussion sessions, scholarly lectures on the book or related topics, a visit by the author, exhibits, and other related arts programming.  The Supremes at Earl’s has previously been chosen for similar community programs in the suburbs of Chicago (ComingTogether) and in seven counties of NW Indiana (Books To Bridge the Region).  One Great Read in September and October 2017 will include more than a dozen events inspired by, or discussing the themes in The Supremes at Earl’s.  Most of the activities will be in Monticello, IN, and Lafayette, or West Lafayette, IN, the home of Purdue University.  Edward Kelsey Moore will present a reading of his work at the Tippecanoe County Library’s Downtown branch on Saturday, October 21st at 2pm.  Participants in One Great Read will be pleased to discover that they can enjoy more adventures of Odette, Clarice and Barbara Jean in the recently published follow-up novel, The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues, available in hardcover, e-book and audiobook.

Click here -- for more One Great Read program details and additional information about each event.
Stop by Wikipedia to learn about Community Read programs like “One Great Read” and find resources to start a similar program where you live -- click here!

OGR schedule grid courtesy of the Wabash Area Lifetime Learning Association.