Virginia Soenksen's debut novel “The Titan Strain” tops Milford House Press bestsellers for May

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released the bestsellers list for May for its Milford House Press fiction imprint. Debut author Virginia Soenksen was in the top spot with the first novel in her Genetics Chronicles series entitled The Titan Strain. Jess Steven Hughes took the second spot with his historical novel set in Ancient Rome. The Sign of the Eagle, the first book of the Britannia Romanus series. Robert Miller's Pennsylvania murder mystery from the 19th century The Cogan Legend returned to the rankings in 3rd place. Donald Dewey's novels in the Paul Finley Mysteries series took 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, and 9th with The Bolivian Sailor, Wake Up and Smell the Bees, Green Triangles, The Fantasy League Murders, and Who's Killing the Brooklyn Dodgers?. John Cressler’s recently-released Fortune’s Lament slipped to 9th. Cressler took one other spot with his first book of the Anthems of al-Andalus Series, Emeralds of the Alhambra at 6th place. Marie Sontag charted with her YA novels Rising Hope in 12th, The Silver Coin in 14th, The Bronze Dagger in 17th, and The Alabaster Jar in 20th. Bridget Smith slipped in the rankings to #18 with Where Elephants Fought. Joan West’s third book in the Carlisle Crime Cases series, Darkness at First Light was 19th. Wade Fowler also had two entries in the top 20 with Rising Sun Descending and The Compass Island Incident.

MILFORD HOUSE PRESS - Bestsellers for May 2018 (by Revenue)
Rank Prior Title Author Category
1 NEW The Titan Strain Virginia Soenksen Dystopian Thriller
2 12 The Sign of the Eagle Jess Steven Hughes Historical
3 -- The Cogan Legend Robert Miller Historical
4 20 The Bolivian Sailor Donald Dewey Detective Thriller
5 NEW Wake Up and Smell the Bees Donald Dewey Detective Thriller
6 16 Emeralds of the Alhambra John Cressler Historical
7 NEW Green Triangles Donald Dewey Detective Thriller
8 NEW The Fantasy League Murders Donald Dewey Detective Thriller
9 1 Fortune's Lament John Cressler Historical
10 NEW Who's Killing the Brooklyn Dodgers? Donald Dewey Detective Thriller
11 -- Taking Lady Gibraltar Dick Schwirian Historical
12 4 Rising Hope Marie Sontag YA – Historical
13 -- Plain and Deadly Barbara Workinger Murder Mystery
14 -- The Silver Coin Marie Sontag YA – Historical
15 -- Rising Sun Descending Wade Fowler Historical Thriller
16 -- The Compass Island Incident Wade Fowler Historical Thriller
17 -- The Bronze Dagger Marie Sontag YA – Historical
18 5 Where Elephants Fought Bridget Smith Historical
19 14 Darkness at First Light Joan West Detective Thriller
20 -- The Alabaster Jar Marie Sontag YA – Historical
Soenksen's novel was boosted by release activity and its sensational cover. Hughes’ books continue to sell well through bookstore events in the Pacific Northwest. Dewey was helped by interest in his native New York City. West’s books were helped by author activities, as were most of the others.