Susan Mann

I write novels about a librarian and a spy.

[mysharona1987]

Funny library signs.

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We need more of these signs.

[kensingtonbooks]

Teaser Tuesday: A COVERT AFFAIR

The following is a special sneak peek at A COVERT AFFAIR, selected by author Susan Mann:

In A Covert Affair, Quinn’s best friend, Nicole Park is planning her wedding. Here’s a sneak peek at Quinn and Nicole’s video chat about that very subject:

Keep reading

[kensingtonbooks]

Teaser Tuesday: A COVERT AFFAIR

Keep on reading for a special sneak peak at A COVERT AFFAIR, selected by author Susan Mann:

A Covert Affair isn’t only about a lost library. Quinn and James have some alone time, too.

Keep reading

[kensingtonbooks]

The Golden Temple

The following is a guest post from Susan Mann, author of A COVERT AFFAIR:

The Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, is the holiest shrine in Sikhism. Located in Amritsar, Punjab, India, to me it’s one of the most stunning buildings in the world.

(Image Source: http://bit.ly/2uy13Ml)

(Image Source: http://bit.ly/2vGmQSp)

It sits by itself at the center of a huge rectangular pool of water called a sarovar. To reach the temple, one must travel a causeway that links it to the rest of the Golden Temple complex.

(Image Source: http://bit.ly/2v5HSwK)

In A Covert Affair, Quinn’s visit there is an incredibly moving experience.

Preorder/buy A COVERT AFFAIR → http://bit.ly/2eLAfVd

[kensingtonbooks]

A Short Visual History of Operation Blue Star

The following is a guest post from A COVERT AFFAIR author Susan Mann:

In June of 1984, the Indian Army invaded the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab, India. That incursion is known as Operation Blue Star. The Indian government’s goal was to remove Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the Sikh firebrand who had taken refuge there. He and his armed posse had turned part of the complex into a bunker.

(Image Source: http://bit.ly/2eLkcH6)

It didn’t go well for them. This is what the Akal Takht looked like when the shelling was over.

(Image Source: http://bit.ly/2h00tEi) 

The Sikh Reference Library, part of the Golden Temple complex burned.

(Image Source: http://bit.ly/2tX69QB)

A saroop of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s scripture, took a bullet.

(Image Source: http://bit.ly/2v59r9z)

Operation Blue Star was a controversial event that resonates within the Sikh community even today, three decades later.

Preorder/buy A COVERT AFFAIR → http://bit.ly/2eLAfVd

[thesusanmann]

#Operation Blue Star #Sikh Reference Library

[kensingtonbooks]

Teaser Tuesday: Susan Mann Takeover

We’re only a week away from the second book in Susan Mann’s #TheLibrarianAndTheSpy series! 

To celebrate we’re handing the blog over to the A COVERT AFFAIR author for the day. Stay tuned for special sneak peeks and more.

Preorder/Buy A COVERT AFFAIR now→ http://bit.ly/2u1diPY 

[kensingtonbooks]

Susan Mann, History Nerd

From A COVER AFFAIR author Susan Mann:

I admit it. I’m a history nerd. I love it so much I have a bachelor’s degree in it. And as it happens, I was in college when Operation Blue Star, an important element in A Covert Affair, took place. Less than a year after the Indian Army invaded Golden Temple complex in 1984, I took a history of India class. (Go ahead. Do the math. Figure out how old I am. I’ll wait. Got it? Good.) Now India has a long, rich history, so there was a lot to cover. As a result, we didn’t spend a lot of time on current events or Operation Blue Star. Even so, those significant events in modern Indian history always stuck with me.

Fast-forward thirty years to when I stumble across the fact the Golden Temple complex houses a reference library. Intrigued, I investigate further. I learn the original library had burned during Operation Blue Star. Not only that, I find out that to this day many believe it was taken away by the Indian army and kept hidden by the Indian central government.

In that moment, my love of history, libraries, and writing fused. I had to write a novel about the lost Sikh Reference library. That’s where my main characters Quinn and James come in. In order to save the life of a kidnapped ambassador, they must find the library that has been missing for three decades.

To be clear, what happened to the original library remains a mystery. We may never know. Nevertheless, A Covert Affair is my imagination running free in answer to that question.

So who are Quinn and James, anyway?

We first meet Quinn Ellington in The Librarian and the Spy. A reference librarian at a public library, Quinn is drawn into the world of espionage when she assists a patron seeking information on various pieces of art. Unbeknownst to her, that patron is actually CIA covert operative James Anderson. I don’t want to give too much away in case you haven’t read it. (Seriously, do yourself a favor and read it. Go on. You’ll thank me.) I will say, though, Quinn has to use her skills as a librarian to keep nasty weapons from falling into the hands of an international arms dealer.

You know, exactly the kind of thing public librarians do every day.

Preorder/buy A COVERT AFFAIR → http://bit.ly/2eLAfVd

[kensingtonbooks]

How do you organize your personal library? We’re hoping to learn a thing or two from @thesusanmann’s #TheLibrarianandTheSpy series! Book 2, A COVERT AFFAIR, will be out on 8/29. A Librarian-CIA-Agent-In-Training teaming up with a handsome super-spy? Sign. Us. Up. #FridayReads

[thesusanmann]

Hey, look!!! It’s me! #I’mBack 

[mkudron]

The guys from Top Gear are here to wish @quistie64 a Happy Birthday

[mkudron]

Lunch time @Quistie64 Here is some In ‘N’ Out spam for your birthday

[thesusanmann]

Drool.

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A Bassett Hound running

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Tom Brady out for a walk. [via]

[thesusanmann]

Reblogged for catrogue

[thesusanmann]

The Super Serious Get to Know me Meme

Rules: repost this & tag people you want to get to know better.

Thanks to catrogue, mkudron and katsumara for tagging me!

FAVORITE…

Fictional Character: Sarah Walker.

Books: Sue Grafton's Alphabet series with Kinsey Millhone (who is also in the running for favorite fictional character). C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.

Anime: Bugs Bunny. (I know. I've never watched anime, so this is as close as you're gonna get.)

TV show: All time: Friends. Currently: Orphan Black.

Favorite Beverage: Peach Snapple.

Favorite Food: In-N-Out Double Double.

Last movie I’ve seen in cinemas: Guardians of the Galaxy.

Dream Holiday: Visit all the places I wrote about in Sound of Music II.

Dream Wedding: Ceremony in a beautiful church in Redondo Beach with a long center aisle and stained glass windows, filled with family and friends. After the reception, have pictures taken of just the two of us on the beach at sunset. Wedding night at the Century Plaza Hotel. Honeymoon in Maui. (Hey! Look at that. I had my dream wedding.)

Dream Job: Librarian for the CIA.

Tagging: roxcellaj, mrsnerdherd73, agentinwaiting, freshoutofluck bdaddydl, resaw6, and anyone else who would like to participate.

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Friends rewatch - 2x14 – The One With The Prom Video

The Best of Jack Gellar

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Animals with Fabulous Hair [boredpanda] Previously: Animals in Complete Astonishment

[lexiedunne]

I’LL SAVE MYSELF, THANKS (GIVEAWAY)

Hello, Carol Corps and fans of awesome women!

 So I’m super-excited because my new book SUPERHEROES ANONYMOUS comes out in less than a month. It’s the story of a woman at the center of every kidnapping by every supervillain, and how she discovers her own sense of power. It stems directly from my love of superheroes and sarcasm (in case the title didn’t give it away: there are superheroes in this book, and they are anonymous). It’s my first book, it’s available in ebook starting on November 18th through Harper Voyager Impulse, and I can’t wait to see what the world thinks of Gail Godwin, my very own superhero.

But first, before the book comes out, I wanted to share the love for some of my favorite women in comics, which means: GIVEAWAY! That’s right. I have traveled far and wide (just to New York, really) to gather the goods for this giveaway. You can see it in the pictures above, but I have:

One first edition CAPTAIN MARVEL 1 (2014) signed by kellysue herself.

One postcard of the fabulous Wonder Woman from jl8comic, signed by Yale Stewart.

One trade paperback of Sif’s JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY run that I adore. Sadly not signed, but well-loved! There’s a dragon. You cannot beat that.

One digital download (some restrictions may apply) of my new book, SUPERHEROES ANONYMOUS.

(Dog is not included. You’ll thank me. She broke into the trash yesterday.)

All of this can be yours for the low, low price of a ‘like’ or a reblog either here or on Facebook. You don’t have to follow me (though I’d love it if you were! I like friends!), but all I ask is that you tell your friends and maybe go have a look at my blog here to see if you might like the book? I’ve made the first two chapters available online!

Please, no giveaway blogs and have your ask box open so I can get your address for shipping purposes. You can reblog as many times as you like, but I beg you not to annoy your dash on my behalf. I will do the drawing on November 3 by picking a random number.

(Also, I’m giving away this really cool mug you see pictured here! How can you get your hands on that glorious sucker? Sign up for my newsletter and follow the directions here. That giveaway also ends on November 3)

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These are some of them, most were golden retrivers and labradors, but also included german shepherds and other breeds. Sadly most are dead now, while many people forget them and don’t spare them a thought. 

As people lay dying, trapped and hurt, a team of nearly 100 loyal and courageous search dogs put their lives on the line to help humans. Without them, many more would not have survived, yet few people consider them. 

In such a chaotic, terrifying, hot, acrid-smelling, smokey and loud environment, countless human lives depended on their ability to focus, listen, respond to their handlers, and work tirelessly. Stepping over cracked glass, hot tarmac, through flames and thick smoke, being winched over deep ravines, they battled on to seek out survivors and bring them aid. 

They worked around the clock, day and night, searching, sniffing, over and over. Not only did they search, but they comforted - many eyewitnesses speak of how the dogs would stop and sit by newly-recovered victims, giving them a sense of hope and relief, before moving on to look for the next. As the situation became desperate, and the rescue workers and fire teams became utterly distraught at the amount of people who were recovered dead, these dogs brought them comfort, sitting with them on breaks, letting them grieve.

Many of these dogs are old, and have passed away. Let us remember the courage and loyalty they showed at such a horrendous event. They didn’t have a choice, but nonetheless they did what was asked of them and helped save countless lives. Don’t let their bravery be forgotten today either, or their determination to be a ‘good dog’ despite the scary and dangerous environment around them.

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And let’s not forget that these dogs actually became depressed when they kept finding dead bodies; they thought they were failing to save people. The workers helping had to hide in the ruble just to let the dogs find a living person and lift their spirits.