February 11th, 2025
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Love, Secrets, and Second Chances—February’s Must-Read Books Await!

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A Stray Pup, A Second Chance, and a Killer on the Loose�Wagtail�s About to Get Wild!


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A Hacker, an Undercover Mission, and a Love Worth Fighting For.


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A Duke by any other name would smell as� dastardly?
Roguish?
Rakish?
� delightful?


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Shaken, Stirred, and Unexpectedly in Love�Can They Mix Business with Pleasure?


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As London's high society watches their every move, can these two brilliant minds find the formula for true love?


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Chocolate, Second Chances, and a Love Too Sweet to Let Go.


Susan Driskill

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73 comments posted.

Re: Hit List (3:09pm May 14, 2011):

Sorry to say I think vampires are overdone. I do love the Meredith Gentry series; it's in my top ten favorites!! Audio books are best, so I can multi-task. ;-D

Re: Drip Dead (7:01pm April 14, 2011):

Wonderful to be able to share with children who actually had intelligent questions to ask.

Re: Operation Forbidden (5:24pm February 26, 2011):

Interesting to have a BJS plot line move to Afganistan. I will definitely have to follow it through the entire trilogy.

Re: The Mysterious Lady Law (10:22pm February 5, 2011):

I grew up on many of the same books and found most female characters to be exactly as you say. Older authors, such as Alexander Dumas, however, make it plain that poor, honest, direct-thinking males are subject to manipulation by all manner of women! Conan Doyle's strongest ever character was forever incomplete without his Irene. Is it possible that the faint away females that perpetually need saving were an early 20th Century phenomenon? I do enjoy your books and am looking forward to the next one(s).

Re: Midnight Caller (10:12pm February 5, 2011):

Strong characters make for excellent plot support. Sounds like an exceptionally good read; I'll look for it!!

Re: Real Wifeys (7:11pm January 16, 2011):

Soul Mates are a rare & valuable find, but well worth the wait.
It takes a complex, many faceted author to craft a complex book built on varied characters and carefully researched situations; so we are very grateful that you are capably writing in such a variety of genres.

Re: Mercy Kill (5:30pm January 9, 2011):

I believe that to solve a problem, one must first understand it. Crimes are, in essence, social A& moral problems that need solving. I was a police officer for years and never stopped asking "Why?" like a toddler. Looking for motive (or motivation) is always the first step. Sadly, many have no reason for their actions. I do believe that if all of us examined ourselves we might get to the bottom of a lot of "whys", both socially and morally. Sadly, I must say there really is evil out there in the big bad world; and it is a growing cancer.
Your books do examine the inner workings of crime & criminals and the effect on others, and are very well written'; which makes me a repeat reader. Thank you for tackling tough subjects.

Re: Master Of Smoke (11:56am January 4, 2011):

Love your stories with a message; and you are right: goody-goody people in saccharine stories are s-o-o-o-o dull,I'd probably sleep through surgery on them. Since time is limited, I have decided to read only things I enjoy; no mental diabetic comas for me! Can't wait for your next book, so please, go have some fun and write!!

Re: Cowboys Never Cry (8:01pm December 29, 2010):

While we may not 'connect' with each setting in books we read (Medieval, anyone?); the personality traits that make the characters real to each of us are present in almost all humans to varying degrees. Of course it is every author's professional duty to create a mix of traits that will appeal to the readers, even as they build 'worlds' whether hospital/doctor, cowboy/ranch, or SF/Trek. Even when Star
Trek was new, it was the characters we watched, not the sets. I think you do a terrific job of 'letting your imagination out to play'. Thank you for the good reads.

Re: Angel in My Arms (8:33pm November 20, 2010):

I'm not usually excited by the Civil War period for books, but it sounds as if it would be perfect for your characters and plot. I will definitely have to add it to my must-read list.

Re: Deadly Intent (7:37pm November 10, 2010):

While I grew up on Sherlock Holmes stories; I have to say I l-u-u-u-u-v-v-v Lori King's interpretation of his character. I think our tastes change as we age. That said, doesn't anyone else remember all the 'uglies' life threw at D'Artagnan? Every time he got the girl, she died on him! Some of the best written characters are the oldest,
Thank you for another great book.

Re: The Devil She Knows (12:59pm November 7, 2010):

I never cared which grandparents house we went to; both had great libraries and both were great cooks who didn't want a lot of help in the kitchen. Best of all, I never had to wash the 'good dishes'! I miss them, of course, but I miss their libraries more! Fortunately, they were all voracious readers who demanded that we follow in their footsteps!! Excellent parenting!

Re: Secrets Volume 29 Indulge Your Fantasies (6:50pm September 21, 2010):

I have a strong family background in Scotland; I envy you your trip. I believe Scotland has much to write about, so there's lots of room for authors to place good books there.

Re: A Highland Duchess (4:32pm August 10, 2010):

My mother used to tell me that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing well...the first time!! Obviously, she knew it would be extremely difficult for creative people like you to produce quality 'reads' for the rest of us. thank you for making the effort.

Re: Such A Pretty Face (9:39pm August 5, 2010):

There are so many reasons we gain weight, and so many less reasons we can lose it safely. Sadly, life is what happens when we are busy making other plans. This book sounds like it addresses a large number of 'hidden' issues for a lot of us.

Re: Love and Scandal (8:29pm July 22, 2010):

Plus ca change....I still remember the utter humiliation when I was about 13 and the minister in church was asking parents what, if anything, they knew about drugs....and, you guessed it: Mom openly admitted to experiencing all kinds of drugs in the Air Force (WWII). So no, nothing new under the sun. Forty years later, I can laugh about it.

Re: Silent Truth (5:53pm May 22, 2010):

I suspect WitSec was easier before all our electronic connections bloomed like red algae. Even if one followed most of the rules; how many would really give up facebook, etc? Too easy to slip up and make mistakes that could have deadly consequences. I don't know if I could leave; it would unquestionably be financially disastrous. My spouse & I are too close to retirement to start over in an entirely different profession and work our way up. Choices, choices, choices.

Re: Lover's Knot (5:46pm May 22, 2010):

Wow! I'm impressed; not that you had a great story from a dream, but that you put in an additional two years of careful crafting and turned it into a book. Well done.

Re: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening (5:38pm May 22, 2010):

Angelus! Angelus! Angelus!!!

Re: Silent Truth (3:58pm May 12, 2010):

Difficult choices all around. Where do they draw the lines about family? Most of us need to feel connected to others for our mental health. It isn't just about walking away from family & friends...you'll have to abandon your career and all your plans or dreams of the future. If you had spent the time and energy to become a doctor, could you walk away and never practice again? How do you cut the caring connections and start over cold turkey? Rules cannot supply emotional support.

Re: Haunting Warrior (3:37pm May 12, 2010):

There are so many historical places & times that we all want to visit; but seriously....do without indoor plumbing or Toilet paper??? I have become a total wuss in middle age. All my time traveling will be between the covers of books, from the comfort of home. Easy access chocolate, guaranteed!!

Re: Sex Drive (10:22pm May 10, 2010):

I prefer magazines that are anthologies or collections of short stories (Ellery Queen, Analog, Isaac Asimov, etc); but the 'slicks' have way too much aimed at the young and empty-headed for my taste. I must be too comfortably middle-aged; but I'm honestly bored by Cosmo and its ilk. Still, congrats are in order. You books certainly sound fun and interesting.

Re: Think Twice (9:52pm May 2, 2010):

Linnea Sinclair's Dock Five Universe series is awesome! Book four, Rebels & Lovers, Came out the end of March and I read it two or three times in April! (I reread each book in preparation for the release of the next; so can go a couple of weeks on nothing else) Also, I enjoyed "What Do You Say To A Naked Elf?". After that, definitely JAK/Jayne Castle's series.

Re: Blood Of The Demon (8:43pm May 1, 2010):

We are all in charge of what we read. That said; yes, there are many trite books flooding the market now but nothing stops me from reading the first couple of pages in the store. If it grabs me there, it's a sure bet it will go home with me. Sometimes an author will do two (or more) completely different book styles. Example: L.K. Hamilton writes both Meredith Gentry (I love!) and Anita Blake (not one I care for) so pick and choose; and yes, keep exploring new authors. I also like to look for anthologies with an author I like and the rest of the stories by new (to me) authors. That way I have at least one story I know I'll enjoy and the opportunity to explore the writing of several new authors.

Re: The Mage In Black (4:15pm April 13, 2010):

My father always laughed at me for wanting to drop out of the first grade because they had not taught me to read in the first two weeks! I was convinced they were keeping secrets from me and I could NOT wait for everyone else in the first grade to learn to practice the magic of reading.

Re: Dead Head (4:09pm April 13, 2010):

I live in an ethnically mixed neighborhood where English is NOT the most commonly heard language; so I agree wholeheartedly that it can be difficult to "make friends" (long-term) with our neighbors. On the other hand, my non-English speaking neighbors would be the first to help if I ever needed it, even if I had to mangle their language(s) asking for it. I think that at some point in our lives we have fantasized about abandoning everything and just starting over with a clean slate. Fortunately, most of us have better coping mechanisms and can sort things out without running away for more than a 'mental health day'.

Re: An Earl to Enchant (8:43pm March 30, 2010):

Edgar Allen Poe: "Once upon a midnight dark and dreary..." "quothe the raven: Nevermore". but yes, original Star Trek had some great ones. "Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor; not a ...

Re: The Secret Of Joy (7:23pm January 28, 2010):

Sounds like a very effective way of working through what must have been an emotional minefield. Good for you and your half sister.

Re: Rogue Stallion (8:37pm January 23, 2010):

Have you tried to google any of the names? I have found that you can usually link from any pen names to a web page for the author's legal name and find book lists under several names, publishing houses, etc. Sometimes the web pages will come right out and tell readers that certain lines are out of print and they are contractually forbidden to take their previously published works to a new publishing company. (Sometimes they cannot even keep the name they used with that publisher!!) google is free and easy to use as a 'whatever happened to....' quick answer.

Re: Forbidden Falls (9:59pm January 17, 2010):

I am ashamed to admit I am the Anti-Techi. I can be trained, like a monkey, to perform simple, repetitive tasks; but that is pretty much my limit. I do like books on tape, but I am very picky about who does the reading. When my husband gets into the 'its the latest, its the greatest' moods, I tend to run & hide. We have never been the first on the block to have something new without also having all the 'new' and 'improved' problems. I just prefer to wait until someone else de-bugs the programming. There is also a great deal to be said for the sheer comfort of holding a book and turning the pages.

Re: The Keepers Of Sulbreth (4:00pm January 15, 2010):

While I like distinctive names for characters, there comes a time when authors can really stretch the bounds of belief and are so carried away by their own cutesy/coy word plays that they actually detract from the reader's enjoyment of their work. On the other hand, there are authors who are very careful with their character naming and it really works well. (i.e.: Linnea Sinclair's Dock Five series). It helps when an author takes the time to explain why they chose those particular character names.

Re: Twenties Girl (11:58am December 28, 2009):

Diana Gabaldon's Scotland...love Jamie Frasier!! After that, anyplace 'spacey' from Linnea Sinclair. I discovered a long time ago, that I prefer sparsely settled places to those teeming with people. Who needs to make reservations for their lounge chair on an overcrowded beach?

Re: Kitty's House Of Horrors (11:41am December 28, 2009):

All sins are forgiven in the name of A Great Book. Will definitely look for them (in order)!

Re: Searching For Pemberley (8:27pm December 22, 2009):

There is an amazing clarity to JA's books that would be sanitized to death in the name of political/social correctness in today's world. Lets all face facts; the world is not a nice, neat, sanitary place to be. Austen's books were a scathing denunciation of the blinders the social elite expected from society as a whole. So, yes, they need to be reread as adults, and then we can relax and read another author's works on the subject. Thanks for tackling a tough time period.

Re: Paraworld Zero (9:32pm December 21, 2009):

I hope this holiday season is an opportunity for you and your family to heal. As a survivor of Ike; I was deeply disturbed by what a lifechanging event such things turn out to be. There is literally no way for anyone else to even comprehend such shocks. At least with a hurricane, we had some advance warning; there are no warnings or predictions that can prepare anyone for the devastation of a house fire. I was grateful to read that your family was safe. When you can get back to writing again, know that your loyal readers are waiting.

Re: Gentlemen Prefer Succubi (8:28pm December 19, 2009):

I'll have to have the Vampire bark, since dark chocolate has anti-oxidants and is good for you! lol

Re: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (8:23pm December 19, 2009):

I, too, am unfamiliar with the details of either Gandolf or Dumbledore, so I will vote for the only wizard of my childhood and say Merlin.

Re: Mennonite Community Cookbook (8:13pm December 19, 2009):

When I was first married, I thought I would establish new/old family traditions, especially when I discovered my husband had never decorated a christmas cookie in his whole life. I spent an entire day baking sugar cookies and gingerbread boys and girls for him to decorate and told him we would send them to his sisters in another state. OHM!! He decorated them like Chippendale dancers and pole dancers! My sister-in-law later assured me that when the could stop laughing, the cookies tasted great; I admit I chickened out and never again tried anything so monumental as establishing new "family" traditions. Its so much funnier looking back.

Re: The Beautiful Being (9:06pm December 17, 2009):

There has to be a certain amount of practicality involved in all our endeavors. Some of us enjoy cooking fabulous meals for our families, but are we restaurant quality chefs? Probably not. Could we make a one-hit wonder dish/recipe and retire rich? Laughable! So, fellow readers, let us applaud our favorite writers, and keep our fantasies out of the public venue. EEEK (they may not be about writing the perfect novel and I SURELY wouldn't want to know!!) Coffee, I need coffee, lest I babble pointlessly.

Re: Wild Heart (10:40pm December 14, 2009):

I appreciate the information because I, too, have been annoyed at how pathetically little is done to match cover art to actual content. Would it help at all, I wonder, if readers world wide began protesting discrepancies to publishers? I accept higher prices; they should be willing to be a little more accommodating when facing legitimate concerns of the author or readers.

Re: The Killing Hands (11:10am December 12, 2009):

Wow, what an innovative way to silence the critics. After all, their votes shape the story, so the can't complain at the outcome. I love it!!

Re: The Gift (9:56pm December 8, 2009):

Many, many years ago, money was tight, so...I got the most beautiful (to me) 'silk' scarf (store-bought) from my grandmother. I was an adult before I found many similar nylon scarves for about $5. in every store imaginable. It was a most frivolous, fanciful gift, and I loved i!

Re: Sex Drive (11:20pm December 2, 2009):

Owww! Nobody has mentioned Suzanne Brockmann's seal teams. Steamy, torrid, hot, hot, hot (and clean). I love series, but no one does it better (yet). I have found that I may like one series from an author but not another. i.e.: Love Sherrilyn Kenyon's Meredith Gentry, but was bored to tears with her Anita Blake character. I think authors must dodge the fickleness of readers with each book/character/series.

Re: The Sweethearts' Knitting Club (1:26am December 1, 2009):

"Savomg Allegheny Green" plotted mentally while driving. Amazing!!

Re: Scorched (1:14am December 1, 2009):

Yes! series, please...I have certainly read lots of series by other authors. (Brockmann, Kenyon, Ward, Hamilton). I am looking forward to your series with great anticipation.

Re: Dark Lover (6:14pm November 29, 2009):

I'm not sure if Sherlock Holmes counts or if I should say Georgette Heyer. I was 10 when my grandmother gave me an unabridged copy of Alexander Dumas' The Three Musketeers. It took me three months to get through it, and I know I missed all the politics and most of the history. Now I read fairly widely: Science Fiction/Romance, Diana Gabaladon's history based series, lots of mysteries. I don't usually choose by genres, only authors.

Re: Take Me For A Ride (2:38pm November 26, 2009):

When I was young bride (ages ago, now ex-husband), I spent the entire day cooking: duck a l'orange fancy potatoes and veggies. When I brought the last of my culinary triumphs to the table, I discovered hubby had eaten ALL the duck and nothing else. He chose that time to tell me he really didn't care for vegetables and I shouldn't have cooked them if I was not going to be happy eating them all myself. Last time I cooked him a nice meal!!

Re: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening (7:14pm November 24, 2009):

Angelus all the way!

Re: Captive of Sin (7:10pm November 24, 2009):

Tortured Heros??? What about Christine Feehan's series? She seems to specialize in TH. I have never read anything as tortured as Acheron, and, fortunately no one has yet made a cinematic mess of her books. Good promos for your book, though; can't wait to read it.

Re: Mackenzie's Legacy (10:53pm November 23, 2009):

No one has mentioned Rebecca York's Light Street Series. She has crafted a number of loosely connected characters, but sometimes there are specific people the reader just isn't ready to let go of even with a HEA. Maybe an occasional anthology of short stories just to keep a devoted reader up to date on the developments in pet characters' lives. Most of my other favorite characters are from deceased authors and I would definitely not want someone else to try to write sequels. (Can you imagine anyone else trying to follow up on Louis L'Amour's Sacketts?) Interesting debate.....

Re: Prime Evil (6:57pm November 22, 2009):

Puppies need lots of training. Is it possible to "train" your thought puppies to wait their turn by spending five or ten minutes with each? It might make 'long down stays' easier for you and them. Good training makes good dogs, and the more time you spend with the mental and emotional discipline of training, the better behaved the dogs are. If you can train your thought puppies to cooperate, it might make it easier to continue producing great books for the rest of us. Gotta laugh at the imagery, thanks.

Re: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening (6:30pm November 22, 2009):

Angelus! Everyone else, even Spike were merely neophytes.

Re: Dark Legacy (9:47pm November 18, 2009):

Sounds fabulous! How nice that we are beginning to explore inner space and can accept psychic gifts as just another aspect of ourselves that we need to examine and use to the benefit of all.

Re: Over My Dead Body (11:56pm November 16, 2009):

I truly wish my grandmother had been able to "translate" her pinches & dabs into written recipes so that we could continue her marvelous baking traditions. Her homemade rolls were so light we used to joke about keeping a napkin over the bread basket to keep the rolls from floating away. She couldn't record her recipes because it was always a matter of how the dough "feels" that determined whether or not it was ready to bake. I do miss the amazing smells from the kitchen(s) at holiday families. I really do miss all those huge family gatherings--food, drink, family members all over the house; we used to be a large, close clan before everyone grew up and moved away.

Re: Love You To Death (9:21pm November 12, 2009):

Sounds good. My tbr pile is growing daily. (and yes, hunky heros find their way to the top)

Re: Wild Blue Under (10:52pm November 9, 2009):

What a delightful change from all the vampire angst currently available. Life is serious---Reading is fun!!! Sounds like your characters put the fun in disfunction. I should be right at home. Thanks for a light-hearted approach.

Re: Rainwater (6:04pm November 7, 2009):

Like books, book trailers depend on the author and how much control & input she has. I watch Linnea Sinclair's book trailers regularly just for the enjoyment; but others....ugh, don't waste my time!! Yours is very well done. Compliments to your Producer/husband.

Re: One Lucky Cowboy (12:31pm November 6, 2009):

Sounds like the female character has a firm grip on the important things in life. Any story told with humor is sure to be a winner! And yes, I think we Texans have big hearts and are truly blessed with a generous dose of humor.

Re: Final Approach (1:17am October 31, 2009):

I thought I was bad---buying dark chocolate because that is what I prefer, until my husband came home with a huge bag of snack pack pretzels. ICK! We have never had trick or treaters out here in our very rural area, so I usually buy small amounts for us to have as "leftovers" "just-in-case", but I never, ever eat pretzels, so now I have to think of something else to do with them. Are the terribly bad for my dog??

Re: Beast Warrior (12:10pm October 27, 2009):

Wolves & dogs; my favorites. Speaking as an alpha female,you definitely expand one of my favorite subjects, without drenching it in sugar coating. Your titles have been added to my Must Read stack. Thank you for the informative article.

Re: Silver Silence (11:59am October 27, 2009):

A marvelous continuation of your brilliantly crafted saga. Thanks for the teaser; it surely whets my appetite for more!!

Re: The Pelican Brief (10:22am October 27, 2009):

95% of the time I would agree about blind casting, and 100% about Denzel Washington being utterly superb, but occasionally it just won't fit. Would anyone have found him believable in Highlander? What about as the Russian commander in The Hunt for Red October? So, when it comes to casting movies from your books, we can go Greek, Roman, Hispanic without difficulty, but Denzel Washington as Arthur or Merlin or even Lancelot might be difficult to accept, mentally. Thanks for your incredibly well-crafted books.

Re: My Wicked Vampire (8:15pm October 20, 2009):

I have to agree that even the darkest writing needs a leavening of humor and the opposite is also true. One of my favorite authors, Linnea Sinclair, has a very deft touch when it comes to weaving humor throughout the darkest story line. (the parrot flock on the space station in ACCIDENTAL GODDESS, the furzels & fidgets ((cats & kittens, to us)) in GAMES OF COMMAND)for example. Your books are right up there and climbing steadily towards Spike's snark-alicious humor.

Re: Loot the Moon (3:36pm October 19, 2009):

Motivation for me is entwined with the satisfaction of a job well done. I want to get the job done right - and right away! Only after the job is completed satisfactorily can I relax and reward myself.

Re: A Marquis To Marry (2:17am October 14, 2009):

At first I wasn't too sure about a plot based on pearls (I thought it might be he said/she said chasing each other around the room; but this sounds much more interesting. Thanks so much for the snippet.

Re: The Hunt (2:04am October 12, 2009):

My father used to tell me that 'life is what happens while you are making other plans.' I think you have successfully navigated the curves thrown by life and done something exciting for all of us.

Re: A Hollywood Ending (3:27am October 11, 2009):


Re: A Hollywood Ending (3:26am October 11, 2009):

Interesting...first, Suzanne Brockmann, starting way-y-y back with her early days with Harlequin. Amazing how much she has grown as a writer! Second, Tami Hoag. Again, I first read her books when she was with H., but she switched genres and blew me out of the ballpark! I love her well-developed characters and complex plot lines. Anyone else read Linnea Sinclair and J. D. Ward? I also love Laurell K. Hamilton's series about the Fey (Meredith Gentry); but I do not care for her more popular line: Anita Blake. No accounting for taste, I suppose. Thanks for being so open to discussion.

Re: The Promise (3:03am October 11, 2009):

How about being eccentric and alternating one back-list book with a new one? I do agree that gently used books should be donated for a second chance at life.

Re: A Dark Love (1:04am October 2, 2009):

spidey sense is the real deal. If girls were taught to trust their intuition from the beginning, rather than being encouraged to be the "peace-makers" and take second, third or fourth place in importance; I believe we could see a reduction in spousal abuse. Can't please everyone & maybe we shouldn't always try. Thanks for helping a character grow.

Re: Lucky Break (6:53pm September 29, 2009):

My lucky break?? Being hired by the Police Department where I met my soon-to-be-husband. Yum!! That might make a good plot line for a contemporary romance. 2 officers, 1 department, potentially screwy policies, etc.
Looking forward to reading your new book.

Re: Furies Of Calderon (11:19pm September 13, 2009):

David Feintuch had a terrific series out a few years ago. It starts with Midshipman's Hope and ends with Patriarch's Hope. They have been hard to find since he died suddenly a couple of years back. I sure miss his writing! Best of luck on your search.

Re: The Scot And I (2:33pm June 25, 2009):

Kudos on learning and writing multiple genres. Certainly, readers should be relatively flexible about their authors; although I agree wholeheartedly about Georgette Heyer's writings. One size fits all is probably the #1 lie ever told; so why do we expect that all one authors writings will "fit"? Just keep reading.....

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