February 2008 - The Month for Love

As those of you who read my column on a regular basis know, February is the month of love for me – and not just because of Valentine’s Day. It’s also when Allen and I celebrate our wedding anniversary. Here’s wishing you lots of hugs and kisses this month (and not just the chocolate kind!).

On January 29, 2008, the fourth installment in Susan Wiggs’ Lakeshore Chronicles, SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE (Mira), went on sale. It tells the story of the healing power of love for a brave woman who returns to her small home town after surviving a horrifying ordeal while helping people in a war-torn country. She finds a new chance at happiness in the most unexpected way, with a man who’s never had any luck with women. It’s another heartwarming story we’ve all come to expect from this author and answers the venerable question: Can a single moment change your entire life?

Also set to go on sale January 29, 2008, is a new three-in-one volume, THREE IN DEATH (Berkley), of previously published novellas by J. D. Robb. It will contain Midnight in Death from the November 1998 anthology SILENT NIGHT (Jove), Interlude in Death from the August 2001 anthology OUT OF THIS WORLD (Jove) and Haunted in Death from the April 2006 collection BUMP IN THE NIGHT (Jove). For those of you who missed these novellas in their original form, this will be a nice way to read them. Of course, you’ll have to figure out exactly where they fit in between the full-length novels, since they are linked in chronological order. Then, February 19, 2008, look for the release of the next addition to this series, (Putnam hardcover). It’s 2060 New York and Eve Dallas is investigating the murder of an important businessman, found in his Park Avenue apartment, strangled and tied to his bed with black velvet cords. All the likely suspects have alibis, making the investigation a tough one.

Pamela Britton has some not-so-good news to share with readers and fans. She will NOT have a February 2008 NASCAR release, as was first thought. HQN has decided to shift ON THE MOVE (book #6) to September 2008, which means it will be a whole year between NASCAR novels. Late in 2008, Pamela’s first historical romance release in almost two years will hit stores. It will be the start of her Lords of Silverton series, followed in consecutive months by books two and three. More info on them as the time gets closer.

On February 1, 2008, Jennifer Blake continues her Maîtries d’Armes series with GUARDED HEART (Mira), master swordsman Gavin Blackford’s story. When a mysterious young widow comes to Gavin with a proposition, it’s not the sort he usually receives from lovely ladies. It seems that Ariadne is seeking private lessons from the handsome sword master, so that she’ll be able to challenge an adversary to a duel. More than sparks from their clashing swords fly between these two as the lessons begin.

Hope Tarr concludes her Victorian-set Men of Roxbury House trilogy with UNTAMED (Medallion) on sale February 1, 2008. Patrick O’Rourke is a rough-and-ready Scotsman, as well as a successful businessman. Lady Katherine Lindsey is a beautiful and gentle English spinster. When she’s blackmailed into marrying the handsome Scot, another side of her emerges. Following the hasty wedding, a livid Katherine is swept from the elegant drawing rooms of London to Rourke’s crumbling castle in the Highlands. The only guide he has to wooing and bedding his reluctant, spitfire bride is a copy of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. As passion sparks hotly between them, which one will be tamed?

On February 5, 2008, James Patterson again collaborates with Maxine Paetro to continue the Women’s Murder Club with the next installment, titled 7TH HEAVEN. The teenage son of a former California governor disappears, and detective Lindsay Boxer is under a lot of pressure to locate him. What she finds will lead to the biggest trial of DA Yuki Castellano’s career. At the same time, there’s a rash of arsons on houses with the owners still in them. These two intense cases work the members of the Women’s Murder Club to the limit.

Chris Marie Green continues her Vampire Babylon series with MIDNIGHT REIGN (Ace) on February 5, 2008. This sequel to NIGHT RISING finds stuntwoman Dawn Madison being drawn deeper into the vampire underground and the lives of the undead who inhabit it. This trilogy will conclude in September 2008 with BREAK OF DAWN. You can then start watching for a second Vampire Babylon trilogy to come later.

Tina Wainscott offers up more of her superb psychological suspense on February 5, 2008, with WHAT LIES IN SHADOW (St. Martin’s). A lonely wife, who thinks her husband is cheating on her, writes her most intimate thoughts in her online diary. When she changes her mind about having an affair with the online stranger who promises to fulfill her deepest desires, he then becomes her stalker. As the situation escalates out of control, she finds that everyone has secrets – and no one is who they seem.

Also set for a February 5, 2008, release is Karna Small Bodman’s GAMBIT (Forge hardcover), the sequel to her debut political thriller, CHECKMATE (Forge, 1/07). A beautiful young scientist, who’s an expert on missile defense systems, believes some new stealth technology is being used when American planes are shot out of the sky, and no one knows how or why. The White House is counting on her to find some way to protect U.S. airways from the unknown threat. But the assignment puts her in jeopardy as she becomes the target of nameless assassins.

JoAnn Ross was excited to tell me more about her new sexy romantic suspense trilogy, called High Risk, that’s set to kick off February 5, 2008, with the release of FREEFALL (Signet). She says it’s set in the Deep South and features three very hot former Special Ops heroes. Successive titles and release dates are: CROSSFIRE (9/08) and SHATTERED (2/09).

The third book in Colleen Gleason’s Regency-era Gardella Vampire Chronicles, titled THE BLEEDING DUSK (Signet Eclipse), goes on sale February 5, 2008. Vampire hunter Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth’s current adventure takes her to Rome where she’s in a race with the undead to learn the secrets of a renowned alchemist that are kept hidden behind his mysterious Magic Door.

The fourth installment in Sabrina Jeffries’ School for Heiresses series continues February 19, 2008, with LET SLEEPING ROGUES LIE (Pocket Star). When a sinfully handsome aristocrat agrees to teach “rake lessons” to the pupils at Mrs. Harris’ School for Young Ladies, the female teacher assigned to oversee his classes has a hard time denying her instant attraction to the tempting gentleman. And, hard though it is, he’s doing everything he can to be on his very best behavior around her.

Coming February 26, 2008, from Kathryn Caskie is the last story in her Royle Sisters trilogy, HOW TO PROPOSE TO A PRINCE (Avon). Kathryn is pleased to announce that she has a brand new series on the horizon for Avon, called The Seven Deadly Sins. It centers on the sexy Sinclairs, who were forced from Scotland for their wicked ways, only to then take London by storm and give an all new meaning to the word “sin.”

Smart and sexy federal prosecutor Melanie Vargas returns February 26, 2008, in NOTORIOUS (Wm. Morrow hardcover), the fourth book in Michele Martinez’s outstanding suspense series. This time Melanie is involved in prosecuting a famous rap star for murder. When his lawyer is killed by a car bomb, Melanie becomes a witness to the crime. Soon her safety, as well as her career, is in jeopardy, for she had more than just a professional relationship with the dead defense attorney. As she personally investigates his killing, she becomes involved in a dangerous world of deception where nothing is as it seems – and no one can be trusted.

Showing up on bookshelves February 26, 2008, is KNOCK ’EM DEAD (Kensington hardcover), the second installment in Rhonda Pollero’s hilarious Finley Anderson Tanner mystery series. This time paralegal Finley has to help out her pal Jane, who awoke next to a corpse following her blind date with a hunky (and alive then!) guy. Also on sale this month (February 6, 2008, to be exact) is the mass market release of the first book in this fun series, KNOCK OFF (originally released March 2007 in hardcover by Kensington). And Rhonda is “over the moon excited” to have signed a new three-book deal with Scribner/Pocket for more of her Finley Anderson Tanner mystery series, Hardcovers will be released by Scribner, followed by mass market editions from Pocket.

Ghost-whispering P.I. Mojo Sheepshanks returns February 26, 2008, in DEADLY DECEPTIONS (HQN), Linda Lael Miller’s exciting follow-up to DEADLY GAMBLE (HQN mass market reissue 1/08). Mojo feels she’s gotten in way over her head helping her wealthy sister, who’s being blackmailed about a past she won’t reveal to Mojo. When the volatile situation turns into murder, Mojo discovers some family truths best left alone.

Another book set to go on sale February 26, 2008, is ALIBI IN HIGH HEELS (Dorchester’s Making It), the fourth installment in Gemma Halliday ’s High Heels mystery series starring L.A. shoe designer Maddie Springer. When fashion designer Jean Luc LeCroix requests Maddie’s shoes for his Paris show, she’s on a flight before you can say “Merci beaucoup!” Excited beyond belief, the last thing Maddie needs is for the top runway model to be found dead, stabbed with a stiletto heel – from her collection of shoes, of course. Recruiting her usual list of friends to assist her, Maddie sets out to find the killer. Will this be the case that finally has sexy detective Ramirez throwing his hands up in despair of ever resolving their relationship?

Also on bookshelves February 26, 2008, is MAKING OVER MR. RIGHT (Avon), the third book in Judi McCoy’s delightful fantasy series featuring three goddesses (Chloe, the Muse of Happiness; Kyra, the Muse of Good Fortune and Zoë, the Muse of Beauty) who failed their 100-year performance reviews and are banished from Mount Olympus to Earth for a year to prove themselves worthy of reinstatement. Zoë has been assigned the task of transforming businessman (and nerd) Theo into a hunk for his upcoming feature spread in a well-known magazine. She just has to make sure she doesn’t fall in love with the sexy new Theo.

TIE DYED AND DEAD (Avon), on sale February 26, 2008, is the sixth installment in Sharon Short’s quirky Stain-Busting mystery series starring small- town Laundromat owner (and amateur sleuth) Josie Toadfern. An added bonus to these fun mysteries is Josie’s “Stain Buster” column that appears at the end of each novel. She provides, in comical detail, stain-busting tips for the messes gotten into by the story’s characters.

Set for release on February 27, 2008, is MYSTIC HORSEMAN (Mira) by Kathleen Eagle. This novel, the sequel to RIDE A PAINTED PONY (Mira mass market reissue 10/07), takes readers back to the South Dakota plains and tells Dillon Black’s story. Dillon runs Mystic Warriors Horse Camp, devoting his life to his community and providing a place where Lakota youth can connect with their spiritual legacy. Help with his dream comes from two sources, which could be more than he can handle.

Lots more good titles to come next month, so stay tuned…...Tanzey