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high school, but, now that she works for an endearing story of love and discovery trafficking ring he was part of was much
him, she assumes he disdains her and accord- set in late-19th-century rural Kansas. larger than anyone suspected. Though a
ingly treats him rudely. In fact, TJ’s fallen After her father’s criminal activities tendency to deploy plot twists in bursts
for her. At first, the way that TJ decides to diminish her social standing, Abigail of dialogue can make following the
finally act on his feelings is sweet and patient, Grant loses her fiancé and decides to turn action difficult, readers of soap-style
and if he’s a little overbearing, he means to Bingham’s Bevy of Brides in Newton, drama will be pleased. (BookLife)
well. Slowly, though, that attitude shifts Mass., for a lifeline. After several failed
into near-violent jealousy, possessiveness, attempts at marriage she finds herself
and controlling behavior, turning what moved from potential bride to Helena Comics
should be a love story into a surprise horror Bingham’s assistant. When 16 scrawled,
novel for readers who recognize the hall- ungrammatical requests for brides are Terminal Lance Ultimate Omnibus
marks of abuse. With weak plot resolutions received from men in the same small Maximilian Uriarte. Little, Brown, $30 (320p)
and explicit but lukewarm sex scenes, this Kansas town, Abigail and Helena travel ISBN 978-0-316-41224-7
novel is an easy pass. Agent: Sarah Younger, to Spiveyville, Kans., to teach the per- In this hefty and frequently hilarious
Nancy Yost Literary. (Mar.) spective grooms manners. Mack compilation of strips about “the often
Cleveland, owner of the hardware store, absurd experience” of being a U.S. Marine,
Bad Bachelor is one of the few men in town who did Uriarte (The White Donkey) satirizes
Stefanie London. Sourcebooks Casablanca, not request a mail-order bride. Mack is everything from the endlessly prolifer-
$7.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 978-1-4926- initially suspicious of the ladies, unsure ating and sadistically enforced dress code
5517-6 they mean to go through with the deal of rules to the fury of “Angry Facebook
London (Trouble Next Door) launches her bringing the 16 brides. But Helena is a Veterans” bemoaning gays and women
Bad Bachelors contemporary series with a forceful manners instructor and begins to in today’s corps. Uriarte, who created the
heartfelt novel that’s surprisingly deep warm to the town. Abigail begins to strip in 2010 after multiple deployments
despite the whimsical premise. New York settle in and, through Helena’s guidance, to Iraq and currently publishes it in The
PR whiz Reed McMahon loves the ladies realizes she must rediscover her faith in Marine Corps Times, aims his humor
but is allergic to commitment. When the God in order to get over the hurt of her squarely at his fellow Marines. The
dating app Bad Bachelors anoints him their tumble down the ranks of society. As acronym-dense three-panel strips are
number-one bachelor to avoid, chiding him Abigail becomes accustomed to the peppered with politically incorrect bar-
for his love-’em-and-leave-’em ways, the dusty town and Mack’s wholesome racks humor, swearing, and references
label soon goes from a minor annoyance to a goodness, both take a leap of faith to that will send most POGs (“person other
potential career-killer. His assistant, Kerrie, open up to new possibilities. Sawyer’s than grunt”) to Google. Sidebar com-
suggests he rehabilitate his image by pro- fans will appreciate this tale of love, faith, mentary and a character glossary from
viding pro bono PR to a library in need—even and new beginnings. (Mar.) Uriarte provide context. A winking self-
though he hates libraries. Gutsy Brooklyn awareness and compassion for the daily
librarian Darcy Greer has been wary of men Restored drudgery of the grunt’s life makes this
since catching her fiancé cheating on her Kimberly Rae. Narrow Way, $14.99 trade paper collection more than a mere peek into a
just days before their wedding. When Darcy (342p) ISBN 978-1-5440-7154-1 troop’s insider experience—he’s poised
and Reed meet, the chemistry is immediate This enjoyable third book in the to become a Bill Mauldin for the social
and explosive. But can two polar opposites Broken Series from Rae (Shredded) is full media generation. Agent: Katherine Boyle,
attract long-term? London tosses in lots of intense emotions, quick scene changes, Veritas Literary Agency (Apr.)
of delicious plot curves—including the and elaborate plotting. Slash—the former
identity of the Bad Bachelors founder and sex trafficker who shot Grant Henderson Yellow Negroes and Other
the real reason Reed hates libraries—along at the end of the previous book—is about Imaginary Creatures
with achingly flawed characters who’ll to be released from prison. Each main Yvan Alagbé, trans. from the French by Donald
have readers rooting for their romantic suc- character is still coping with the fallout Nicholson-Smith. New York Review Comics,
cess. Though on the surface this is a quirky of the shooting and fear about Slash’s $22.95 trade paper (112p) ISBN 978-1-68137-
match, London’s skillful writing and expert release: Grant refuses to accept he might 176-4
characterization carry the day. Agent: Jill not walk again; his fiancée, Jean, is France’s colonial history and current
Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Mar.) fearful that Grant will never overcome racial tensions underpin this dynamically
his anger; Candy, a reformed prostitute, drawn collection. Expanding on the
Inspirational metes out tough love to Grant and characters in The School of Misery (2013),
hopes to get through to Slash (her former
Alagbé explores themes of disconnection
boss and tormentor) by giving him a among Africans living in France and the
Beneath a Prairie Moon Bible; Champagne, another former pros- uneasiness the native French feel in their
Kim Vogel Sawyer. Waterbrook, $14.99 trade titute, intends to take Slash down. As presence. Some pieces provide sharp
paper (352p) ISBN 978-0-7352-9005-1 Champagne begins to investigate Slash’s commentary on the enduring existence
Sawyer (Grace and the Preacher) weaves criminal past, she realizes that the sex of colonial attitudes. “Postcard from

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