Book giveaway: Clyde Edgerton's new novel, "Night Train"

Like many readers, I fell in love with Clyde Edgerton's writing in 1986 when I read his first novel, "Raney," the warm, funny story of a small-town Baptist woman who marries -- gasp -- an Episcopalian from Atlanta. Edgerton, North Carolina born and raised, now teaches at UNC Wilmington.

I'm happy to report that his newest work, "Night Train," is out today. Set in 1963, it features Dwayne Hallston, a 17-year-old white kid in Starke, North Carolina who has recently discovered James Brown.

In a starred review, Publishers Weekly calls it "The work of a generous, restrained writer whose skill and craft allows small scenes to tell a larger, more profound story."

Want to win a copy? Leave a comment here and tell me why. Leave some way for me to identify you -- not just "anonymous." I'll post the winner on Wednesday, July 27.

This week's book giveaway: A beach read

David Baldacci ("Absolute Power," "The Sixth Man"), gained fame for writing thrillers. But now he has a beach book -- "One Summer," a family drama about love, loss, faith and healing that's set partly in South Carolina.

Want to win a copy? Leave a comment here with some way to identify yourself, not just "anonymous." I'll post the winner on Wednesday, so be sure to check back.

Four readers win John Hart's "Iron House"

Four readers have won copies of John Hart's latest thriller, "Iron House":

• Tim44, who says his pay keeps getting cut. Tim, here's a small bonus for you.

• DC2006, who wants to win a book from a fellow Wildcat. Hart, who grew up in Salisbury, graduated from Davidson College.

• Rexxtigger, who says he'll donate the book to his library when he's done.

• Paula Finegan, who's going to share the book with her daughter.

Folks, send me an email (pkelley@charlotteobserver.com) with you mailing address, and I'll get the books to you. And check back next week for another summer book giveaway.

Win "Iron House," John Hart's latest thriller

John Hart, who grew up in Salisbury and graduated from Davidson College, is winning raves for "Iron House," his new thriller. Booklist calls it "an unforgettable novel from a master of popular fiction."

So wouldn't you love a copy?
I've got four to give away. Leave a comment here with some way to identify yourself, not just "anonymous." I'll post the four winners on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, you can pay Hart a visit at his book launch party, 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, at Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road.

Chaine2: You've won the new Warriors book

Chaine2, I love the image of your daughter making cat bookmarks for her Warriors books. Email me your mailing address, and I'll get the book to you so your daughter can put those bookmarks to use.

Be sure to check back in on Monday. I'll post a book giveaway for a new novel from one of North Carolina's biggest authors -- John Hart.

Meanwhile, a second call to last week's winner of Annie Proulx's "Bird Cloud": Veronica MacKinnon, send me your address so I can mail you the book.

Veronica, you've won Annie Proulx's "Bird Cloud"

Veronica, you're this week's winner in my Summer Book Giveaway. Send me your mailing address, and I'll send Annie Proulx's newest book, "Bird Cloud," on its way to you.

Thanks, folks, for entering, and check back next week for my next giveaway. Since Monday's July 4, I'll post the new giveaway on Tuesday, July 5.

The Book Giveaway: This week, let's be literary.

I launched my Summer Book Giveaway with a beach read and a James Bond novel. This week, how about a more literary selection -- "Bird Cloud," the latest by Annie Proulx?

Proulx is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Shipping News" and "Brokeback Mountain." In "Bird Cloud" (Scribner; $26), she writes about her life in rural Wyoming, on a remote 640-acre property she purchased in 2003.

This nonfiction work, described as part memoir, part naturalist's journal, part history and archaeology of place, has won glowing reviews. "With a scientist's exactitude, an artist's attunement to beauty, and a storyteller's enchantment," Booklist writes, "Proulx takes us through the building of a home, intimacy with place, and reclamation of the past."

To enter, leave a comment on this blog with your name or some way to identify you -- not just "anonymous."
I'm giving away a summer read each week through August. I'll post the winner of "Bird Cloud" on Wednesday, June 29.

Peter wins the new James Bond novel

I can't resist a guy who likes vodka martinis. Peter, you've won a copy of Jeffery Deaver's "Carte Blanche," the newest James Bond adventure.

Send me an email with your mailing address, and I'll get the book out to you.

Here's what Peter said in his winning entry:
Sounds like the perfect thing to go with my Vodka Martini (shaken, not stirred) by the pool!!

Check back soon for my next summer book giveaway, then leave a comment to enter. I'll give away another book each week through August.

Beach book winners: Tom R. and Leslie

Tom R. and Leslie, you've both won copies of "Folly Beach."
Email me your addresses and I'll mail you the books.

Thanks to all readers who entered the first week of my Big Summer Book Giveaway. Wish I could send you all copies. But I can't.

What I can do, though, is give away another book. I'll continue this weekly contest through August. Check back here later today, when I'll reveal the next book.

Here's what this week's winners told me:

From Tom R.: I'll be Frank. My life's no Beach, so even if it's Folly, I'm Benton getting this book. And there's no pun for Dorothea.

From Leslie: As an English teacher, I have to read lots of academic "stuff" throughout the school year, but summer is time for brain candy. My best friend just recommended this author to me, so I would love to begin my summer with a North Carolina beach read.

Big Summer Book Giveaway starts now

Today, I'm launching my first Big Summer Book Giveaway.

Each week, from now through August, I'll give my blog readers a chance to win a great summer read. I'm starting this week with Dorothea Benton Frank's new "Folly Beach."

This is the consummate beach read. Also, Frank will be doing a book signing at 6 p.m. Monday, June 20 at Books-A-Million, 14151 Steele Creek Road.

It's easy to enter to win a copy. When I post a new book giveaway contest, leave a comment with your name or some way to identify you -- not just "anonymous."

In past contests, I've chosen winners at random. For these contests, I'll pick my favorite answer. Length doesn't count. Cleverness does.

And if you hate beach books, don't worry. I'll choose different genres for each giveaway.

So leave a comment -- one per person, please. I've got two copies. I'll post the names of two winners on Monday, June 20.

Three readers win "The Watery Part of the World"

Valerie Nieman, Regina and Charles: You've won copies of Michael Parker's "The Watery Part of the World." Email me your mailing addresses, and I'll send your new novels on their way. Thanks for reading.