Runaway Brides #2 April 2010On Sale: March 30, 2010Featuring: Colin Lambert; Prudence Filby352 pages ISBN: 0312943091EAN: 9780312943097Paperback$7.99 Romance Historical Buy at Amazon.com Rogue In My Armsby Celeste Bradley When Sir Colin Lambert learns that the little girl left on the steps of his gentleman’s club belongs to one of its members, he’s filled with hope. Could Melody be the daughter of the beautiful, impulsive actress who broke his heart? Colin is determined to find out with the help of his lost love’s former seamstress, Miss Prudence Filby. But soon, Pru’s disarming manner and seductive voice are stirring all manner of doubts in his mind—as well as some delicious fantasies… Pru’s only motivation in helping Colin is to reclaim the wages she’s owed. Or at least, it was, before days and nights traveling together draw them into a heated, thrilling intimacy. But as soon as Pru discovers his noble status, she suspects she’s been a fool. To a man of his standing, she can hardly be more than a dalliance, even if their scorching passion makes her long to take center stage in his life—and in his arms… Previous Picks Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.

Wow, finishing that sentence is going to take some thought. Many years ago I would have simply ended that sentence with “art,” because I’ve been a portrait artist since birth. I still love art, but now I love writing and fishing and motorcycle riding and golf and…my husband. Isn’t it funny how our passions sometimes change over a lifetime? I’ve always put my all into everything I ever attempted because I don’t know how to do anything half measure, but that doesn’t mean everything I tried became a true passion. At one time, I played competitive racquetball 4-6 nights a week. Before that I was around a group who rode motocross bikes. Both of these activities I jumped on, pursued, and loved. But I don’t actively pursue those now. Other things have stayed as part of my life in some form and become true life passions – art and now writing, motorcycles, fishing, and my husband. I’m passionate about practically everything I do, or I don’t do it for long, but recently I’ve found a new passion. Meeting readers. Up until 2001 when I started writing for the first time, I never expected to meet a reader except in a…

Rakehells of Rochester #2 April 2010On Sale: April 1, 2010Featuring: Victor Rayborne; Lily Winthrop352 pages ISBN: 0758238169EAN: 9780758238160Paperback$14.00 Romance Erotica Sensual, Romance Historical Buy at Amazon.com Victorby Julia Templeton Irresitible desire is his vice… Three brothers—each as wickedly handsome and scandalous as the next—must wed or surrender their fortunes. They’re the Rayborne men, and their quest for the perfect woman will send them on an unforgettable excursion of pleasure and excitement… Her Thirst For Passion… Lily Winthrop’s marriage to her recently deceased husband was a loveless one. She wishes to never wed again. But when she meets the devilishly charming Victor Rayborne, he stirs a scorching hunger deep within her. She yearns to be taken by him, to feel the heat of his body entwined with hers… His Irresistible Desire… The fact that Lily is older than him does not deter Victor from seeking out her lovely company. Instead, he finds the alluring woman a welcome breath of fresh air amid the insufferably dull prospects paraded before him in the ton. And when he kisses Lily, an overwhelming lust is ignited—one that begs to consume them beyond all control. Excerpt Chapter One Victor Rayborne looked out over the grounds of…

April 2010On Sale: April 1, 2010Featuring: Arabella St. Claire; Darius Wynter288 pages ISBN: 0373295871EAN: 9780373295876Paperback$5.99 Romance Historical Buy at Amazon.com Lady Arabella’s Scandalous Marriageby Carole Mortimer You are cordially invited to the marriage of Darius Wynter, Duke of Carlyne Dark and dangerous, Darius has a reputation riddled with unsavory rumor… to Lady Arabella St. Claire Headstrong and feisty, yet more innocent than she’ll ever admit… What is Lady Arabella letting herself in for? Sinister whispers surround the death of Darius’s first wife—could Arabella be in jeopardy? Or will the infamous duke prove all of society wrong? One thing’s for sure—after the compromising situation that led to this marriage, Arabella will soon discover the exquisite pleasures of the marriage bed…. Excerpt How I have come to hate weddings!’ Lady Arabella St Claire muttered inelegantly as her partner in the waltz—a dance still considered slightly risqué by the older members of the ton—swept her assuredly amongst the two hundred or so other wedding guests milling about the candlelit ballroom of St Claire House in London. ‘Could that be because in the past year you have been three times the sister of the groom rather than being the bride?’ drawled Darius Wynter, the…

Last week I asked the question when is enough enough? It took me from the days before I asked that question until this past Thursday to finish the print book I was reading when I asked that question. I decided to keep reading it, because I was still dealing with some personal things, and what would happen if those issues interfered with enjoyment of a book by a favorite author? My friends kept asking why are you still reading that book if you don’t like it, and I kept thinking well, I have to see if it gets better, or if it isn’t better how much worse can it be? Well, unfortunately I found out that it didn’t get better…but I guess that’s life. Perhaps with the stresses of the last week I would have been better off if I had given up reading and found another way to relax. I did play more than my fair share of online games, and even escaped life with a couple of naps. Yes, we should discuss what books help us to relax, but let’s be realistic and admit that sometimes a book isn’t quite helping. What other things do you do to…

Urban Fantasy…April takes you to celebrity-mad London, to the boarding school where the students aren’t quite just “normal” and roommates are hard-to-handle. Or take a trip to Georgia, it’s different than expected. All this and more in April Urban Fantasy… Richelle Mead, SUCCUBUS SHADOWS (Kensington, 3/30/2010, $15.00) Georgina Kincaid’s already complicated life just got a whole lot messier. Her new roommate is stirring all kinds of sexual tension. Adding to her angst, she’s being recruited to help plan the wedding of her ex, Seth–and she keeps getting visited by a shadowy force trying to draw her into the dream world. When she finally succumbs, Georgina is captured by dream demons intent on sapping her power. But when Seth turns out to be the only one who can find Georgina and bring her back, all kinds of new questions arise. And the answers will change her world forever. Patricia Briggs, SILVER BORNE (Ace, 3/30/2010, $24.95) (A Mercy Thompson Novel #5) When mechanic and shape-shifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she’d previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down. It seems the book contains secret knowledge–and the Fae will do…

The showers of April will probably be required when you take a look at some of the HOT books on sale now. From feral beasts to dangerous rakehells you’ll find a little special treat. Kate Douglas, Kathleen Dante, Devyn Quinn, SEXY BEAST VIII (Aphrodisia, 3/30/2010, $14.00) Kate Douglas headlines a brand-new collection in which fierce, feral men aim to fulfill every woman’s most carnal desires. In “Chanku Spirit,” Anton travels to Florida with Stefan, his lover, and Matt, one of the newest Chanku in a quest to learn more about their sensual shapeshifter history. There they find the goddess who gives their erotic birthright meaning, but only Matt is powerful enough to discover the amazing secrets this mystical woman possesses. Julia Templeton, VICTOR (Aphrodisia, 3/30/2010, $14.00) Rakehells of Rochester In the second book in Julia Templeton Rakehells of Rochester trilogy, a rake without a conscience sets out to seduce a virtuous widow, but realizes it is he who has been seduced, heart and soul. Jean Johnson, BEDTIME STORIES (Berkley Heat, 4/6/2010, $15.00) Jean Johnson doesn’t disappoint with her re-tellings of classics such as Beauty and the Beast, The Frog Prince, Puss n’ Boots, and Sleeping Beauty. Jean Johnson reinvents classic…

Charlotte McNally Mystery #4 February 2010On Sale: February 1, 2010Featuring: Charlotte McNally400 pages ISBN: 0778327973EAN: 9780778327974Mass Market Paperback$7.99 Romance Suspense, Mystery Amateur Sleuth Buy at Amazon.com Drive Timeby Hank Phillippi Ryan Investigative reporter Charlotte McNally is an expert at keeping things confidential, but suddenly everyone has a secret—and it turns out it is possible to know too much. Her latest scoop—an expose of a counterfeit car scam, complete with stakeouts, high-speed chases and hidden-camera footage—is ratings gold. But soon that leads her to a brand-new and diabolical scheme. Charlie’s personal and professional lives are on a collision course, too. Her fiancé is privy to information about threats at an elite private school that have turned deadly. Charlie has never counted on happy endings. But now, just as she’s finally starting to believe in second chances, she realizes revenge, extortion and murder may leave her alone again—or even dead . . . . An exciting and complex plot makes this thrilling mystery a must-read. Excerpt I can’t wait to tell our secret. And I’ll get to do it if we’re not all killed first. We’re ten minutes away from Channel 3 when suddenly the Boston skyline disappears. Murky slush splatters across…

Reading…it’s something I’ve had to do every day since before I can really remember. Reading is so fundamental, to quote a literacy ad campaign, I can’t imagine life without it. In fact when my eyes shut down for a week I remember not the physical pain but the agony of not being able to read. I felt isolated, depressed, and very uneasy with life. So when I got a groaning sensation in my head because I had “mandatory reading” to do this week, it was time to reflect. And also time to think about books…in general I always read at least one fiction book a day. It helps me settle down so I can go to sleep. This is my shut down period and I’m seldom so tired I can’t read a good part of a book. Even if I’m up till 3am to finish some work. So. like so many addicted readers, I have a stash of books in most rooms I use in my house: kitchen, living room, family room, dining room, bedroom, bathrooms, and hall. You never know when you’ll have a moment to read so better be prepared is my motto. And I take advantage of…

Sharon’s Cozy CornerAll about the cozy mysteries: interviews, reviews, books When women have a common interest, it is a delight to gather and discuss elements of that interest with each other. Book clubs, knitting groups, and sewing circles are just a few examples of these types of groups that encourage friendship and companionship. Elizabeth Lynn Casey is the author of a delightful new series of cozy mysteries , the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries, that features a close-knit of vivacious ladies who stitch and solve crimes when they put their heads together! Elizabeth’s first book, SEW DEADLY, came out in August, 2009 to rave reviews. Her second novel, DEATH THREADS, is due to be released in May, 2010. Elizabeth Lynn graciously agreed to be interview for this humble column as she was hurrying to the Southern Kentucky Book Festival in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and we talked about her books, her writing, and her influences. Sharon: At what age did you know that you wanted to be a writer? Elizabeth: I was just ten-years-old when I got bitten by the writing bug. And by bitten, I mean BITTEN. I was playing at a friend’s house on a rainy day. We’d run out…