Seduction and Intrigue await readers in March!

The shortest month of the year (February) found me writing one of my shorter columns, especially when you take into account a week's vacation. Here's just a sampling of the many great books to look forward to in March.

On March 1, 2008, look for THE DEVIL'S FOOTPRINTS (Mira), the latest chilling, thrilling suspense novel by Amanda Stevens. "The footprints were etched in the snow for miles, passing through walls and crossing rivers...appearing on the other side as though no barrier could stop them. In 1922, a farmer in Adamant, Arkansas, awakes to a noise on his roof and finds his snow-blanketed yard marked with thousands of cloven footprints. The prints vanish with the melting snow...only to reappear 70 years later near the gruesome killing of Rachel DeLaune."

A second beautiful female agent of the Crown is put to the test in Andrea Pickens' SEDUCED BY A SPY (Forever) on sale March 1, 2008. Shannon, the most daring agent of Merlin's Maidens, finds that her hot temper has gotten her in trouble with her superiors again. Fearing her days at the Academy are numbered, she accepts the risky mission of thwarting a vicious French assassin. However, Shannon is not happy when she learns she'll be working with the sexy Russian spy Orlov, whom she's crossed paths with before.

Also on sale March 1, 2008, is WILD JINX (Grand Central), the next book in Sandra Hill's treasure hunting novels. This one stars an undercover cop, who's also the baddest boy in the bayou, working at a sex club where he meets a sexy New Orleans reporter who's also working undercover as a client of the club to get a story for her paper. Throw into this volatile mix the Cajun matchmaker Tante Lulu, along with some lively zydeco music and hot Cajun cookin' - then sit back and watch the good times roll.

Ed Gaffney has a new legal thriller coming March 4, 2008. This stand-alone novel, titled ENEMY COMBATANT (Dell), tells the story of Arizona attorney Tom Carpenter, who's just a spectator at a trial until he objects to a ruling. He then finds himself appointed the defendant's new lawyer, which puts him in the national spotlight in a big way. You see, his client is on trial for plotting a terrorist attack against the U.S.A.

Stephanie Tyler and Larissa Ione, writing in tandem as Sydney Croft, will have a new book March 4, 2008. UNLEASHING THE STORM (Delta) is the second adventurous, suspenseful installment in the erotic paranormal series featuring the agents of ACRO (Agency for Covert Rare Operatives). Tom Knight has been sent to retrieve animal psychic Kira Donovan and bring her to ARCO, so they can control her extraordinary gift. Their meeting awakens a fierce desire that soon produces terrifying results.

A REASON TO SIN (Berkley Sensation) by Maureen McKade goes on sale March 4, 2008. It's the final story in the Western romance series featuring the Forrester brothers. A well-to-do young woman finds herself homeless and alone -- and willing to do anything in her desperation to get her son back. When she meets Slater Forrester, she's in for even more changes -- and surprises -- in her life.

Anne Bishop returns to the fierce world ruled by the Blood (a race of witches and warlocks whose power is transmitted through magical jewels) with the release March 4, 2008, of TANGLED WEBS: A Black Jewels Novel (Roc hardcover). Jaenelle Angelline, both witch and queen, has summoned her family to a special type of entertainment. The only problem -- she's not the one who issued the invitation. It seems someone is intent on eliminating members of her family by entrapping them in an evil place.

Also on sale March 4, 2008, is the latest Blackbird Sisters novel, MURDER MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH (NAL hardcover), by Nancy Martin, the seventh entry in this delightful cozy mystery series set in Philadelphia. As the annual Chocolate Festival gets underway during the city's latest heat wave, a local philanthropist dies from a fall from an office balcony. The burning question is -- did he jump or was he pushed? Then society reporter Nora Blackbird starts putting her nose where it doesn't belong, and all the sisters are troubled by the untimely return of their conniving parents.

The lusty Elemental Witches are back for a second time in Anya Bast's WITCH BLOOD (Berkley Sensation) on March 4, 2008. Reeling from the death of her sister at the hands of a powerful demon, water witch Isabelle turns her back on the Coven. Then she forms a shaky alliance with earth witch Thomas to destroy the demon, even though Thomas has a different agenda than Isabelle.

A STRANGER'S GAME (Pocket hardcover), Joan Johnston's newest Bitter Creek novel in over two years (which is #7 in the series), will hit bookshelves March 11, 2008. FBI Special Agent Breed Grayhawk can't believe that the beautiful stranger he just shared a steamy sexual encounter with is really a convicted murderer on the run after skipping parole a year ago. Adding to his misery is the fact that she's also a prime suspect in a terrorist threat against the President. Breed has his work cut out for him with this case! Fans will be delighted to know that Joan plans to add three more books to this series. However, at this time, she's hard at work developing a new series -- The Benedicts of Richmond, with the first book set for publication by Mira in January 2009.

On March 16, 2008, Andrew Gross will have a new thriller, DARK TIDE (Wm. Morrow hardcover). It's an intriguing story with lots of surprising twists and turns. After her husband, a hedge fund manager, is killed in an explosion in New York City's Grand Central Station, Karen is devastated. On the same day, a man is killed by a hit-and-run driver in Karen's hometown. When the investigation uncovers a clue that both events are somehow connected, and then her husband's business dealings are called into question, Karen doesn't know what to believe anymore.

March 25, 2008, promises to be an exciting day when a plethora of new books hit the shelves. Here are just a few to watch for:

• A STRANGER'S TOUCH (Avon) by Cait London is the second installment in her romantic suspense series about triplet sisters, each with an extrasensory ability. Tempest has to wear gloves to protect her psychic hands, and someone wants to use them for himself. But another person lurks in the shadows with other plans in mind for her.

• COMPULSION (Ballantine hardcover) by Jonathan Kellerman is the 22nd entry in his popular Alex Delaware series. This time Alex and his partner, Milo, are investigating murders that seem to have only one thing in common -- the killer uses luxurious black cars while executing the crimes.

• TEMPTATION OF THE WARRIOR (Avon) by Margo Maguire continues the series about time-traveling warriors with crucial missions to accomplish. To protect his people from evil, new clan chieftain Merrick must find a unique magic from a thousand years in the future.

• TO WED A WICKED PRINCE (Pocket Star) by Jane Feather brings the Cavendish Square series to an exciting finale as secrets and betrayals abound in this delightful Regency romance.

• SEDUCED BY SIN (Avon) by Kimberly Logan completes the Daventry trilogy about sisters dealing with a complex murder mystery. With equal parts mystery and romance, each book has revealed more clues. Now the final layer of subterfuge is peeled away to reveal the culprit.

• MIDNIGHT RISING (Dell) by Lara Adrian is the fourth book in the Midnight Breed vampire series. Even though he's survived a terrible betrayal, Rio has resigned himself to living in darkness. Then he meets a tabloid reporter who fires his blood, but she's pursuing a story that could expose the entire vampire race. Could she really be his redemption, or will his world coming crashing down?

• SET SAIL FOR MURDER (Avon) by Carolyn Hart is the seventh installment in the much-loved Henrie O cozy mystery series. This time retired newswoman Henrie O Collins gets involved with murder during a two-week Baltic cruise that's anything but relaxing. It was originally released in hardcover format in April 2007, but is now available in paperback.

• DEATH WALKED IN (Wm. Morrow hardcover) by Carolyn Hart continues the delightful Death on Demand mystery series featuring Max and Annie. Missing gold coins and a murder are linked to the antebellum home Annie and Max are restoring. Annie discovers the secret of Franklin house and death walks in.

On March 27, 2008, watch for HER EVERY PLEASURE (Ballantine), the final book in Gaelen Foley's Spice trilogy, to hit bookshelves. Gabriel Knight's story goes from grand Regency England ballrooms to warm Mediterranean waters, telling "the passionate tale of a rebel princess and the powerful warrior destined to become her champion."

Stayed tuned for more great books next month...Tanzey