Yesterday, Harlequin released a press release revealing a seven–figure two–book deal with bestselling author Sylvia Day, which will launch a new line of books, ‘Cosmo Red Hot Reads from Harlequin’. The two books are going to be titled, Afterburn (available August 15, 2013) and Aftershock (available November 15, 2013), which will feature two “fun, fearless Cosmopolitan–type heroines as well as delicious, dangerous heroes,” states Sylvia in the press release. About Sylvia Day: Sylvia is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and #1 international bestselling author of more than a dozen award–winning novels sold in 39 countries. Best known for her erotic Crossfire series (featuring BARED TO YOU), a main competitor against 50 Shades of Grey. Author’s website: www.sylviaday.com Link to Press Release About ‘Cosmo Red Hot Reads from Harlequin’: Harlequin will publish two original ‘Cosmo Red Hot Reads from Harlequin’ per month, beginning in August 2013. The novels will feature strong narratives centering on modern young women living the free–spirited and outgoing lifestyle espoused by the international magazine. The ebooks will bear both the Cosmopolitan and Harlequin logos on their covers and will be shorter in length (approximately 30,000 words per title). Available wherever e–books are sold. Click for…

One of my favorite parts of writing my Amish Mysteries is the time I get to spend in Lancaster County, PA, prior to each new book. The tidbits I learn each and every time I visit the area where the largest contingent of Old Order Amish live (followed closely by Holmes County, Ohio) can—and do—fill pages and pages of my research notebook. And, sure enough, somewhere in those notes is the beginning of my plot. Take for instance my newest release, ASSAULTED PRETZEL (book # 2 in the series). That story was birthed around the following facts: * Old Order Amish families average about seven children each, with some homes having as many as twelve. It is because of these large families that the Amish population is doubling every 20 years. * With such rapid growth, the amount of available farm land in Lancaster County is shrinking. It is for this reason that many Amish either a) move to another part of the country to find land or b) find alternate ways to make money. I believe it was shortly after hearing that second fact that the story-generating wheels began to turn inside my head. Within days, I had the…