Ready for a Summertime Release

This last Sunday, June 20, brought us not only Father’s Day, but also 2021’s summer solstice—the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This has been a rough year, though nowhere near so difficult (and lonely) as 2020, and everybody could use a break from pandemic restrictions. While the United States has impressed the rest of the world with its aggressive campaign to curtail the disastrous spread of COVID-19, led by President Joe Biden and his still-new administration, the country has still not eradicated that contagion. So we must all still exercise some care when gathering amongst other people, many of whom may not be vaccinated against the virus. Nonetheless, the longer days of this brighter season give us all hope that better times are in the offing.

Over the last dozen years, Killer Covers has built up a rather impressive collection of summertime paperback fronts. You can enjoy those here. Meanwhile, I have embedded yet another example of the breed above. It comes from the 1962 Beacon Signal edition of Sun, Sex and Frenzy, by Francis Loren. The tale sounds like one ideal for beach reading. Here’s the backside synopsis: “Carol and Walt Mahon came to Fort Lauderdale on business—or so they thought! They learned—too late—that this torrid town can tear any marriage apart—with raw temptation! Nobody could teach these kids anything—and nobody could stop them from their own wild brand of love-making!” Credit for the cover artwork has been given to Al Rossi.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to make a gin-and-tonic and retire to my front porch for some late-afternoon summer reading.