If I were able to turn back the clock and revisit any period of time in my life, I would have to choose my college days. Words just can’t describe that feeling of exhilaration experienced when I first tasted the sweetness of freedom. Sure, I made mistakes (many of them); however, they were of my own doing. And somehow, that made them seem less painful and perhaps even okay. This month’s Jen’s Jewels Cecily von Ziegesar explores this very topic in her latest release, CUM LAUDE. Known as the mastermind behind the Gossip Girl series, she has written a hip, yet edgy look at life through the eyes of college-aged young adults. With a juicy storyline and salacious characters, she creates the perfect read for a hot July day. As part of this interview, Hyperion Books has generously donated five copies of CUM LAUDE for you, my favorite readers, to try to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. And, thanks for stopping by and making Jen’s Jewels a part of your summer reading. Jen: Most readers would associate your name with your highly popular Gossip Girl series upon which the television show is…

This summer, I’m indulging in some of the FAB books I’ve been dying to read all winter and spring. Join me, then check out my blog in July where we’ll be talking about what we love about each of these jewels. There will be a special contest just for fans who comment on my summer reading challenge!!! Don’t miss out ;o) Anna’s Challenge Here’s the list: THE OCEAN BETWEEN US by Susan Wiggs BLUE-EYED DEVIL by Lisa Kleypas BEACH MUSIC by Pat Conroy STEAMED by Katie MacAlister TRIBUTE by Nora Roberts AIN’T SHE SWEET by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (I reread it EVERY summer) WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte (another summer tradition)

I just love having a new book on the shelves. Especially when it’s also the beginning of a brand new series. This series is a bit different for me. When I was young, I had a thing for stories that might have come straight out of the Arabian Nights. I watched all the Sinbad and Ali Baba movies and loved the adventure stories where a warrior hero rode in on a white horse to rescue the independent heroine from an evil sultan. But then, I also watched I Dream of Jennie on television and loved their blending of modern with the old fantasy. Wasn’t that series fun? I gave in to my old love of sheiks this year. My new series for Silhouette Romantic Suspense is called Desert Sons. HER SHEIK PROTECTOR(July 2010) is the first book in the series. It’s a little unconventional as far as sheik stories go. I think it’s more of an international romantic thriller. The series revolves around a modern family of Bedouins who find themselves embroiled in a bitter war of revenge with an ancient enemy. With an old-timey Hollywood noir feeling, HER SHEIK PROTECTOR is the story of an independent woman who ends…