Em Barrett
By Cindy Elavsky
Q: I entered your summer book contest awhile back, and I was wondering if you had announced the winners yet. — Tina R., via email
A: All right — I think it’s time to announce the winners of the “Green Island” summer-reading contest, wherein five lucky readers were randomly chosen (using the random-number generator at random.org) to win an e-book set of Em Barrett’s “Leaving Green Island” and “The Almosts.” The winners are: Joan L., Peggy A., Maureen H., Philomena S. and Colleen J.
For those of you unfamiliar with the new author’s work, her writing has been compared to that of Emily Giffin — who’s best known for “Something Borrowed,” “Heart of the Matter” and “The One and Only” — a comparison that thrills Em. “I was very excited when I read that. Obviously, I take it as a huge compliment. I like her books a lot, and she’s been hugely successful. While I hope my voice is unique as well, I’m beyond flattered to be compared to Emily Giffin.”
To read my entire interview with Em, and to keep up with all the latest entertainment news and contests, head over to www.celebrityextraonline.com.
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Q: Last season I was really into “Hemlock Grove.” Please tell me that it will return for another season! — Jerry R. in Montana
A: The second season of the Emmy-nominated Netflix original series, “Hemlock Grove,” will premiere on Friday, July 11 at 3:01 a.m. ET/12:01 a.m. PT. The supernatural-thriller series is based on Brian McGreevy’s novel of the same name. All 10 episodes of the one-hour series starring Famke Janssen, Bill Skarsgard, Landon Liboiron and Dougray Scott will be available at that time for streaming. Joining the cast are Madeline Brewer of “Orange is the New Black,” and Madeleine Martin of “Californication.”
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Q: There was a TV show on last year about two LAPD cops who didn’t get along, so their captain sent them to couples’ counseling. My wife and I really enjoyed the show, and we were wondering if it’s coming back. — Tom W., Palm Desert, Calif.
A: The show you are thinking of is USA’s “Common Law,” which starred Michael Ealy and Warren Kole. It was canceled by the network in fall 2012. Michael has since co-starred in “Almost Human” (which recently was canceled), and Warren played a juicy role in “The Following,” although his character died last season.
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READERS: It’s time to announce the fate of your favorite (or not-so-favorite) NBC shows from the 2013-14 season. Good news first — the renewed shows are: “Hannibal,” “Parks and Rec,” “Parenthood,” “Grimm,” Chicago PD,” “Law and Order: SVU,” “Chicago Fire,” “About a Boy” and “The Blacklist.”
Canceled shows are: “Welcome to the Family,” “The Michael J. Fox Show,” “Ironside,” “Sean Saves the World,” “Dracula,” “Community,” “Believe,” “Crisis,” “Revolution” and “Growing Up Fisher.”
Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; or e-mail her at [email protected].
© 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.