August 2006

As we all know, the month of July can be hot and dry, but this year has been unusually so around here. Because of this, our AC is running full-blast, and I spend as much time indoors as possible. That means I get lots of reading done, which is a good thing. Here's a sampling of the books and ARCs I devoured, along with tall glasses of iced tea (unsweetened, please).

DON'T LOOK DOWN (St. Martin's hardcover, 4/06) by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer: engaging, lively and fun romantic suspense told from both authors' perspectives. Characters, setting and plot are totally entertaining -- a great book!

SECOND SIGHT (Putnam hardcover, 5/06) by Amanda Quick: historical romance with diverse characters displaying para-psychic abilities. They become involved in a centuries-old secret organization founded by an eccentric alchemist as they hunt for a stolen formula. Interesting premise and plot.

TWELVE SHARP (St. Martin's hardcover, 6/06) by Janet Evanovich: yes, Stephanie Plum is still in a quandary over Joe the cop and Ranger the bounty hunter. This time there's more suspense than usual as we get to know more about Ranger's past life and the effect it's having on everyone's present and future. I didn't guffaw as much while reading it as I usually do, but that's entirely alright. This plot and the character's reactions to circumstances make it one of the best entries in the series. Very clever!

BRETHREN: An Epic Adventure of the Knights Templar (Dutton hardcover, 7/06) by debut author Robyn Young: with Templar novels in abundance, this new author sets her story apart by deftly interweaving richly detailed historical facts with intriguing characters and a cleverly devised fictional plot. Set at the start of the last Crusade, this story is vividly told by combining narratives from both the East and West, giving readers a chance to see both sides of the religious fanaticism that brought them to holy war. A complex and compelling novel with a great human interest feel to it.

THE MEPHISTO CLUB by Tess Gerritsen (hardcover coming from Ballantine in September): Boston medical examiner Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli return in another chilling and most unusual homicide investigation. Its creepy and grisly elements and many twists and turns kept me glued to the pages. Another engrossing installment in this fantastic series!

RICOCHET by Sandra Brown (hardcover release this month from St. Martin's): talk about surprising twists and turns -- this thriller has them abundance along with murder, romance, betrayal, lies and deceit set in the high society, as well as the gritty street life of Savannah. Wow! This one is a sure-winner!

In October 2006, Kensington's Dafina imprint will launch a new YA miniseries. Called Drama High, it's keyed to African-American and multicultural teens. The first title will be DRAMA HIGH: THE FIGHT by former educator L. Divine, followed by more books in December 2006 and February 2007.

Bantam/Dell has jumped on the erotic bandwagon by signing up several erotica authors. However, it will not be creating a whole new and separate imprint line for these books, as most of the other publishers have done recently. Starting in 2007, Dell will offer these books in trade-size paperback format in a variety of genres.

Starting in February 2007, the Silhouette Intimate Moments category line will be sporting a new name -- Silhouette Romantic Suspense -- as well as new look in cover art. Silhouette just didn't feel the old name adequately defined what the line was about. They wanted something that would better convey the content since every story will have romance and suspense, but romance will still be the main, overriding element of each story. And any stories with a paranormal theme will now be released under Silhouette's new Nocturne banner, set to be launched in October 2006.

Speaking of the Nocturne line, Linda Howard has signed to write the first book in the Raintree Trilogy, set to go on sale May 2007, which will include books by Linda Winstead Jones in June 2007 and Beverly Barton in July 2007.

Berkley has pulled Nina Bangs' WICKED PLEASURE that went on sale 6/6/06 from bookshelves. When I contacted Nina, she says Berkley's official statement is: The publisher has recalled the books because of a problem with the cover. It will reissue the book shortly with a new cover design. At the time of writing this column, I've still not heard a response to my query to Berkley as to when they plan on reissuing WICKED PLEASURE, or what the cover will look like, so we can update our database.

July 25, 2006, Mira released DEAD SILENCE, the first book in Brenda Novak's new romantic suspense trilogy of stories set in the small, fictional town of Stillwater, Mississippi. DEAD GIVEAWAY will be out in February 2007, and DEAD RIGHT is slated for August 2007.

This month, Christina Dodd will start a new contemporary series for Avon with the release of TROUBLE IN HIGH HEELS, a romantic suspense about a crazy family, a wild affair of sinful sex…and the jewel heist of the century. She'll also be concluding her historical Lost Princess series in December with THE PRINCE KIDNAPS A BRIDE (Avon).

Linda Lael Miller loves living back home in Washington state. Even though she's had to stable her horses off-property, she plans to eventually build a barn and corral on the 30 acres she now has, and the back of her house overlooks a draw. She certainly misses her friends in Arizona, so is considering buying a small place there someday. In February, March and April 2007, HQN is publishing a three-book contemporary follow-up to her McKettrick series. The first book is titled McKETTRICK'S LUCK. Before that happens, Linda will have a category romance out in December from Silhouette Special Edition titled SIERRA'S HOMECOMING about a McKettrick woman.

After a two-year absence, Thea Devine returns in October 2006 with a new contemporary erotica novel titled HIS LITTLE BLACK BOOK (Pocket). Just where does a man keep all his dark, sexy secrets?

Geralyn Dawson starts a new series in October 2006 with the release of GIVE HIM THE SLIP. Dubbed the Holy Terrors of Texas, the Callahan brothers - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- are mad, bad and dangerous. The first book, released by NAL, is Luke's story.

Pat White returns her characters to the pro-wrestling ring with the October 2006 Love Spell release of LOVE ON THE ROPES, a follow-up to her delightfully amusing RING AROUND MY HEART. Pat will also have her first category romance published by Harlequin Intrigue in September 2006, titled SILENT MEMORIES.

In September 2006, HQN will release the third book in Leanne Banks' popular Bellagio Shoe series, FOOTLOOSE, with a tropical setting. The first two books in this fun series are titled FEET FIRST and UNDERFOOT.

Lucy Monroe will complete her historical Langley Family trilogy in October 2006 with the Berkley Sensation release of TAKE ME, following TOUCH ME and TEMPT ME.

August 29, 2006, is the on-sale date for NO MAN'S BRIDE (Avon) by Shana Galen. This book is the start of Shana's new historical series, Misadventures in Matrimony, about four young women who vow never to marry -- only to find they have no choice when they find true love.

Jennifer St. Giles begins a new paranormal series with Pocket in September 2006 with TOUCH A DARK WOLF. Jennifer builds a world of shape shifters and mystical beings as she tells the stories of a band of heroic warriors known as The Shadowmen.

Category romance author Nalini Singh makes her single-title debut in September 2006 with Berkley Sensation's release of SLAVE TO SENSATION. With this book, she starts a series of futuristic-paranormal romances with darkly sensual undertones. The unusual premise includes a new race of beings called Psy, as well as the animal/human Changlings. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it?

Also in September 2006, new author Sunny (she doesn't use a last name) makes her debut with MONA LISA AWAKENING from Berkley. This unique paranormal romance features the Monère, children of the moon, and starts a series that will continue with a novella in the January 2007 anthology, OVER THE MOON (with MaryJanice Davidson and Angela Knight) and the single-title release in February 2007 of MONA LISA BLOSSOMING.

This month, Avon will publish the start of Sara Mackenzie's new Gothic trilogy with RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDER, with subsequent releases being SECRETS OF THE HIGHWAYMAN in October 2006 and PASSIONS OF THE GHOST in December 2006. These dark, sexy stories feature tarnished warriors who come back to life in modern times to redeem themselves as they fulfill their destinies. (Sara Mackenzie also writes as Sara Bennett.)

At last, we're going to get the sequel to Teresa Medeiros' paranormal romance AFTER MIDNIGHT. Look for the enticing story of vampire Julian Kane in THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME from Avon, set to go on sale September 26, 2006. Will Portia Cabot, now that she's grown into a headstrong woman, be able to save this man's tortured soul? I can't wait to find out!

Connie Brockway has finished her first contemporary novel -- HOT DISH. Set in the idyllic fictional northern Minnesota tourist town of Fawn Creek while a horrible blizzard interrupts the town's sesquicentennial festivities, it involves inept would-be kidnappers, ransom demands for a giant butter sculpture, snowmobile chases, a con-man turned blackmailer and a poker tournament. Sounds like we are in for a fun winter treat. HOT DISH is set for release November 7, 2006.

Keep cool and see you back here next month...Tanzey