I’m promoting your shelf this week. Your bookshelf, that is. I’m suggesting that it might look a lot better with one of THESE on it…
Yes, it’s time. After three and a half years of writing, after one and a half years of waiting (after the sale), the thing I’ve been hawking has finally arrived.
BOULEVARD hits the shelves September 15. That’s next week, folks. I’m flipping out. My first novel.
Here’s what people are saying about BOULEVARD…
“Schwartz hasn’t missed a trick in this gripping first novel. He begins with a knowing guided tour of LA’s boulevards, i.e., “hooker strolls,” as seen by the cop/customer, and he skillfully develops Hayden’s flawed character, showing him to be decent, haunted, and sometimes loathsome. Most important, he artfully builds tension and suspense into horror and finishes with a stunning Grand Guignol climax. Expect much more from this talented writer.”
–Booklist
Like James Ellroy, Hollywood film developer Schwartz can make the reader squirm, as shown in his debut, a disturbing thriller whose hero is addicted to sex…Schwartz does a fine job of blurring the lines between sexuality and violence, the criminal world and the police world.
–Publisher’s Weekly
A New Golden Age? The modern mystery is advancing into new territory with unusual sleuths and a mix of genres and moods. Stephen Jay Schwartz’s Boulevard introduces a police detective who is also a sex addict. Hayden Glass is the top investigator in the LAPD elite Robbery and Homicide Division. He’s also a sex addict. This debut novel revolves around Glass’s addiction and a series of sadistic murders that are aimed specifically at Glass. The murderer leaves clues that Glass puts together but that others miss mainly because few know about his addiction. Working with Kennedy Reynard, a former FBI profiler, he slowly tracks the killer. VERDICT: Plot twists and turns plus an unusual denouement make Schwartz an author to watch. Mystery fans who enjoy reading about the mean streets of L.A. (à la Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, T. Jefferson Parker) will devour this.
–Library Journal
“Boulevard is raw, twisted, and so hard-boiled it simmers from beginning to end.”
–-Robert Crais, New York Times bestselling author of the Elvis Cole Novels
“Boulevard is terrific. Fast-paced and convincingly told. The streets of L.A. have never been meaner or seamier. Stephen Jay Schwartz’s clear vision and knowing heartmake him a gifted writer to watch.”
–T. Jefferson Parker, New York Times bestselling author of The Renegades
“BOULEVARD is relentless and unflinching, a shocking thriller that dares you to keep reading. Schwartz has created one of the most complex and tortured protagonists I’ve encountered in a long time.A powerful debut.”
–Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Keepsake
“Tightly written and wildly original, you’ll be thinking about this story long after you close the covers. Sex-addict Detective Hayden Glass is an unforgettable anti-hero you’ll love and hate at the same time. Stephen Jay Schwartz is going to give Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch a run for his money. BOULEVARD is just plain excellent.”
–J.T. Ellison, bestselling author of Judas Kiss
“A lurid nightmare tour through dark streets and dark minds. Stephen Jay Schwartz writes with the fevered intensity of early James Ellroy.”
–Marcus Sakey, Strand Critics Award-winning author of Good People
“BOULEVARD is one of the most riveting debuts I have ever read. Stephen Schwartz has written a story that will enthrall you, haunt you, disturb you, and keep you thinking long after you’ve finished reading it. Once you begin this book you won’t be able to look away.”
–Brett Battles, bestselling author of The Cleaner
“Dark and gritty, Schwartz’s dicey debut is seriously twisted.”
–Robert Ellis, bestselling author of City of Fire
“Stephen Jay Schwartz is a brave and gifted author, and Boulevard is an electrifying journey into sinful delights and escalating evil. Morally sound, addictive as a speed-ball, and rich with insight into human frailty-this novel kept me awake and disturbed my dreams in all the right ways. Lock your doors and read it.”
–Christopher Ransom, international bestselling author of The Birthing House
“Boulevard is a mesmerizing read; Schwartz has drawn a swift, brutal, and compelling portrait of a nightmare underworld of Los Angeles and a protagonist tormented by his own sexual addiction as well as by a real human evil. Boulevard is one of the most compelling books on addiction I’ve ever read, wrapped up in a gripping thriller.”
–Alexandra Sokoloff, bestselling author of The Unseen
Thank you Murderati authors for your wonderful blurbs!!!
I’m doing a short little book tour, which you can find by visiting
http://booktour.com/author/23736
I hope to see everyone at Bouchercon in Indianapolis, October 15-18.
Thanks for allowing me my moment of shameless self-promotion. I promise it won’t happen again until I’m out in paperback.
Congratulations, Steve! It’s finally here!! May this be the first of dozens of successful novels to follow.
Looking forward to your launch signing next week.
Happy times, Stephen! Congratulations–it looks like a great read!
Excellent reviews, great blurbs! Best of luck, and much success!
Congratulations, you’ve arrived! (Now you just have to keep doing it over and over again…no pressure….)
😀
Big congrats and many sales – sounds like that’s not going to be a problem at all! I’m looking forward to a great read.
And, not having been in your shoes yet, but hoping I’ll remember this when I am, don’t forget to take time to stop and enjoy the moments of celebration after a lot of hard, solitary work!
Thanks, guys! I’m trying to "stop and smell the roses," but this other little thing called Book Two is forcing me to smell the keypad instead. It smells like metal, and sweat. Still, it’s a great way to keep me from having delusions of grandeur.
That is fabulous, Stephen! Congrats on your debut and I wish you all the success you’ve ever dreamed of. I’m looking forward to reading it!
wow Stephen,
wtg!!! now all you need is a tattoo and a motorcycle, or a tattoo OF a motorcycle……
Take some time to bask in all the glory…..then go back to work and bring out a new book, rinse, repeat……… infinity….. ah, the life of a writer…..
Karen :0)
Karen…tattoo….TONIGHT!
What did you decide to get as that tattoo???
I’m so thrilled for you, Stephen! You deserve all the praise – BOULEVARD really is excellent. Enjoy the next few days, man, because after Tuesday, it all changes.
Hurray, Stephen! Can’t wait to see you in San Francisco.
Congrats, man! Live it up.
For all you readers out there, let me underline my blurb–BOULEVARD is terrific.
Stephen,
Congratulations!
May the ride be wonderful, satisfying, and far better than even you can imagine.
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by to give me the lovin’.
Marcus – really nice to see you here. For those of you who haven’t read Marcus Sakey – read him. He’s phenomenal.
JT – you’ll be surprised by the tattoo – a Polynesian armband – but with an homage to the Tor-Forge logos and an old Underwood typewriter. You’d never know unless you knew…I’ve had them made to look like traditional Polynesian symbols.
Louise – can’t wait to be in SF with you!
Brett – man, you’ve been so wonderful, so supportive. It means a lot that you’ll be sharing the big launch with me.
Pari – thanks – I wish I could see you in NM when I get there. I’ll be making a stop in Santa Fe.
JD – thanks for the kudos!
Carla, Jake, Billie, Alli, Karen…you guys have been so supportive all these months! You really make my day when I read your comments. I can’t wait to meet you at upcoming events. Your words have been a blessing!
Sounds great! I look forward to seeing it at Bouchercon. Follow the care instructions to the letter – and buy a BIG jar of Vaseline.
JT – you agreed to NEVER bring up the Vaseline again…
Oh, whoops! Did I make that comment publicly????
(Seriously, Vaseline AND Neosporin are your friends…)
Geez, I didn’t realize Vaseline was involved.
Now I’m not sure I want my first publishing deal…
Actually, the Vaseline is needed for the Hollywood deal.
Awesome! Grats Stephen. Sounds like a great read. I love the tortured protags. It’s what I like to write as well. Hopefully I get as wonderful praise that you’ve received when my debut comes out in a year or so. The feeling is hard to beat, that’s for sure.
I didn’t realize you were a fellow New Mexican, Stephen! Woo hoo! Congratulations! Now you’re gonna have to find your way up to Seattle! We’d love to have you in for a formal signing!
Yay! Very, very exciting. Molto congrats. Can’t wait to read it.
Jim – please keep me updated on the publication of your novel. Tortured protags are the best!
Fran – Seattle for the paperback! One of my very favorite cities. But I can’t wait to get my hands on some of that New Mexican food again!
Thanks, Pammy!
Yay, Stephen! Congrats and looking forward to reading it.
Wow, Stephen, what terrific reviews and blurbs! Congrats on the debut and may it sell like crazy. So much fun to read all the excitement and support over here. Well done!
Congrats! It looks great – can’t wait to buy it 🙂
If anyone’s still out there….ugh…I just got my armband tattoo….it looks beautiful…but it hurt like hell….