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We can hardly believe that January breezed by so quickly, and we're already scurrying to find the perfect Valentine's Day gift for our sweeties. If you're like us, by now some of your New Year's resolutions might be fading fast or were DOA (i.e. the new exercise routine that failed on Day 1 when you jogged/walked/crawled by McDonald's). However, hope is not lost; you can always start over. If one of your resolutions revolved around writing more, better or starting at all -- then this month's online chat hosted by agents Lucienne Diver and Nephele Tempest will put you on the "write" track. There is scarcely a publishing question that these well-respected industry veterans can't answer. Make sure to put this event on your agenda for Thursday, February 11th at 9pm ET.
Also this week, don't forget to check out Lovers Rock, our week-long ode to famous lovers, fictional and real, featuring guest blogs by Jasmine Haynes, Candace Havens, Chris Marie Green, Janet Mullany and Leslie Kelly on The Knight Agency blog. Each day, one of these lovely ladies is giving away an autographed book.
Last, but certainly not least, we're excited to report that two titles have already cracked the New York Times bestseller list and another is making a name for itself on Amazon. |
TWICE AS HOT by Gena Showalter debuted at #20 on the NYT list, and INKED, an anthology including a contribution from Marjorie M. Liu, hit the list at #34. Also, Tommy Newberry, of THE 4:8 PRINCIPLE fame, celebrated a major accomplishment by reaching #9 on Amazon's overall bestseller list with the release of THE WAR ON SUCCESS: HOW THE OBAMA AGENDA IS SHATTERING THE AMERICAN DREAM. With this tremendous start, we can't hardly wait to see what else our talented authors accomplish in the coming year.
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| Want to know what the pulse of the industry is right this moment? Well by all means continue reading! Below, four of our agents, Pamela Harty, Nephele Tempest, Melissa Jeglinski and Elaine Spencer agreed to weigh in on a mini-survey of what genres editors, agents, authors and other industry peers are buzzing about right now. |
Now, before you check out our awesome survey, we must issue a disclaimer. Just because our agents said romantic comedy wasn't at the tip of anyone's tongue these days -- doesn't mean you should send your beloved manuscript, which just so happens to be romantic comedy, to the scrapper. Mon Dieu! For all we know, you could be the next Jane Austen (in that case, you know our email address), and we're certainly not clairvoyants (wouldn't that be handy?). What we're aiming for is to give you an idea of what genres are making the most noise RIGHT NOW - so keep that in mind before shaking your fists at the computer.
Remember, trends are like ascots and big hair -- they fall in and out of fashion. In our book, true talent never gets old. |
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Hot Trend! - Front of Store Placement |
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VIP - In High Demand |
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Respectable Midlister |
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Deep Discount |
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Long Shot |
Paranormal Romance: 4.5
Historical Romance: 3
Inspirational Romance: 2.5
Contemporary Romance: 3
Elaine says: Contemporary romances aren’t the most popular but readers AND editors are still coming to the table in hopes of finding that special new voice!
Romantic Suspense: 4
Romantic Comedy: 1.75
Science Fiction/Speculative Fiction/Futuristic Romance: 5
General Women’s Fiction: 4.5
Nephele says: "This depends much more on the book itself and can vary widely, but great reads in this category are in demand."
Epic Fantasy: 2.75
Historical Fantasy: 3
Urban Fantasy: 4.75
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Erotic Romance: 1.75
Melissa says: Erotica was once as hot as the torrid love scenes between its pages, but it has cooled off somewhat. In my opinion, this is due in part to dilution of the genre from titles crossing over into paranormal and historical arenas.
Literary Fiction: 2.75
YA Paranormal: 5
Melissa says: "With the ongoing rollout of the Twilight movies and new television shows such as The Vampire Diaries, teen demand for paranormal will stay at a fever pitch for quite awhile."
YA Historical: 3.75
YA General Fiction: 4
Cozy Mysteries: 1.5
Thriller/ Suspense: 3.25
Memoirs: 3
Finance: 3.5
Nephele says: "Books that address making financial gains in this difficult economy will definitely be welcomed by readers."
Inspirational Non-Fiction: 3.5
Historical Fiction: 2.25 |
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Do you have questions about our take on current genre trends? Concerned your writing resolutions for the new year fallen to the wayside? Well have no fear, agents Lucienne Diver and Nephele Tempest are hosting our February online chat, and they are ready and waiting to guide you to success. From the best writing habits to keep yourself on track, the number one qualities in a query that truly impress an agent, how to stand out at writers' conferences, and beyond -- they've got ALL the answers to your publishing questions.
Additionally, to celebrate the upcoming Valentine's holiday, we will be giving away TONS of books by some of our most beloved romance authors.
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Loving A Love Scene
I was the middle school girl who used to blush in sex ed class when the teacher said “penis.”
No joke. I thought I was going to flunk that class, although I’m not sure it’s even possible to do that. If you had told me in sixth grade that, not only would I be typing that word on my keyboard quite frequently, but I’d actually be using several more adventurous ways of describing this portion of the male anatomy in published books, I would’ve denied it with every mortified breath in my body.
But here I am today, writing super fun, hot erotica for Blaze, paranormal nookie in urban fantasies, and warm-hearted love scenes for Special Edition. |
So if I can do it, anyone can. But what are some ways to dive into a love scene and not just “get through it?” How can these scenes be some of the best-flowing and most rewarding writing you’ll ever do?
Here are just a few little tips to consider:
Making It Memorable
Even if you’re not writing erotic romance, think of your wildest fantasies and just put them to paper. Don’t be afraid to push that envelope. As the wonderful Brenda Chin, the senior editor of Blaze, would tell you, it’s easier for an editor to tame what you’ve already written than to push you forward. If you’re going for sexy, be a wild woman. Go for it, even if you decide to erase what you’ve just written. (You probably won’t.) If you’re writing a less intense book, you can tone down the graphic words and situations and still make it memorable.
But, as we know, it’s not just the situation that makes for a truly affecting love scene, and that brings us to…
Transformation
This second point is pretty obvious, but I look at love scenes as a most intense opportunity to develop the characters. A love scene is never a throwaway scene—it’s never just about how body parts are reacting from point A to point B. It’s about what’s going on inside the characters, too.
The characters’ interaction is transformative—and if it’s not, that’s something to explore, as well. Why wasn’t the hero or heroine touched by the experience? And if they were emotionally overwhelmed (and, let’s face it, that’s usually the case), this is a springboard for more character development. Does it make your characters more vulnerable in some way? Does it make them stronger? How can what just happened between them affect the push/pull of their developing relationship?
The List
On the practical side, I keep a list of words for my love scenes. Provocative, vivid words that not only inspire action, but provide sensuous images. For example, synonyms like “brush,” “skim,” “trace,” “coax,” for when I want to describe a hero caressing the heroine’s face.
I can’t tell you how many times one of these words has propelled a scene. We can get stuck on technical stuff like word choice, and this way, I just look at my list and off I go. If you’re an organized personality like I am, you might want to write down every “love scene” word that comes to mind right now. Keep it at your side during the next love scene and see if this gives things any extra oomph.
I hope these sparked something, either for your love scenes or a very special Valentine’s Day in real life.
Have fun with both! |
**This article has been abridged for the newsletter. The original full-length version will be available at knightagency.blogspot.com on Monday, February 15th.**
Chris writes urban fantasy as Chris Marie Green and romance as Crystal Green.
BREAK OF DAWN, Book Three in her Vampire Babylon series, has just been reissued in mass market format and book six, DEEP IN THE WOODS, is hitting shelves March 2. To learn more, you can go a number of places—www.crystal-green.com, www.vampirebabylon.com, Chris’s blog, Facebook or Twitter (twitter.com/ChrisMarieGreen).
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| Lydia Dare's A CERTAIN WOLFISH CHARM received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which stated, "Tough, resourceful, charming women battle roguish, secretive, aristocratic men under the watchful eye of society in Dare’s delightful Victorian paranormal romance debut." |
| Tommy Newberry's THE WAR ON SUCCESS: HOW THE OBAMA AGENDA IS SHATTERING THE AMERICAN DREAM reached #9 on Amazon's bestseller list. |
| Gena Showalter's latest release, TWICE AS HOT, debuted at #20 on the New York Times bestseller list. |
| The INKED anthology, featuring a story from Marjorie M. Liu, premiered at #34 on the New York Times bestseller list. |
| Rosemary Clement-Moore's HIGHWAY TO HELL was named one of ALA's best books of 2009. |
| David Cristofano, THE GIRL SHE USED TO BE, was nominated for an Edgar for "Best First Novel." |
| Marilyn Brant's ACCORDING TO JANE was reviewed by the Chicago Tribune and also featured by the newspaper in an article regarding the Chicagoland book club. |
| Patti O'Shea won the 2009 Fiction Writer of the Year award from Midwest Fiction Writers. |
| THE KNIGHT by Steven James was named the top novel of 2009 by The Christian Manifesto and a top ten book of 2009 by Suspense Magazine. |
| N.K. Jemisin's debut, THE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINGDOMS was reviewed by io9. The reviewer declared the book "...an impressive debut, which revitalizes the trope of empires whose rulers have gods at their fingertips. It feels suitably big, and yet incredibly intimate as well. And we can't wait to read the other two volumes of the Inheritance Trilogy." |
| Nephele Tempest is holding a week-long submissions festival, I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE on her blog. Click here to find out how to pitch. |
We are always thrilled to welcome new clients to the Knight Agency family. Below we've include the names of several recent additions, as well as links to their websites. We hope you'll visit them and give a proper welcome!
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DEIDRE KNIGHT - EPICon, New Orleans, March 4 - 7; Romantic Times Convention, Columbus, Ohio, April 28 - May 2; RomCon, Denver, Co., July 9 - 11; Romance Writers of America, Nashville, July 28 - 31; DragonCon, Atlanta, Ga., September 3 - 6
PAMELA HARTY - Romance Writers of America, Nashville, July 28 - 31
LUCIENNE DIVER - Lake County Festival of Reading, Leesburg, Fla., March 19 - 20; DFW Writers Conference, Dallas, April 10 & 11; Romantic Times Convention, Columbus, Ohio, April 28 - May 2; Nebula Awards, Cocoa Beach, Fla., May 13 - 16; Oklahoma RWA Conference, June 4 - 6; Romance Writers of America, Nashville, July 28 - 31; Moonlight & Magnolias Conference, Decatur, Ga., September 30 - October 3.; World Fantasy Convention, Columbus, Ohio, October 28 - 31
NEPHELE TEMPEST - Tampa RWA Workshop Day, Tampa, Fla., February 13; 7th Annual LDStorymakers Writers Conference, Provo, Utah, April 23 - 24; Romance Writers of America, Nashville, July 28 - 31; Surrey International Writers Conference, Surrey, B.C., Canada, October 22 - 24
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ELAINE SPENCER - Silken Sands Conference, Pensacola, Fla., March 19 - 20; Romance Writers of America, Nashville, July 28 - 31
MELISSA JEGLINSKI - NOLA Stars Conference, Shreveport, La., March 5 - 7; Romance Writers of America, Nashville, July 28 -31
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| In the new "Off the Record" feature, you'll get to know the TKA agents behind the wheeling and dealing in Publishers Marketplace. Personal news, hobbies or even little known factoids about our team will be included monthly. This section will not replace Agents of the Roundtable, which will return next month. |
| Wedding bells are ringing for agent and sub-rights manager, Elaine Spencer, who's planning a beautiful fall wedding for August 21st of this year. |
| Melissa Jeglinski celebrated her 40th birthday in style during a recent trip to Las Vegas. Here's what she has to say about embracing the new decade: "Well, I turned the big 4-0 on January 11th. And I made a vow not to worry about my age any longer, so I might as well announce it to everyone. But I do thank my genes and a lot of expensive skin care products that I'm still getting mistaken for being in my mid 30's." |
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| Nephele Tempest is planning a tropical getaway for this spring. "I’m going to Maui for a few days the middle of March," she says. "I’ve wanted to go to Hawaii since I first saw the Brady Bunch go (in their special three-part episode). No plans to surf, but I do intend to go see the whales migrating down from Alaska, try pineapple wine, and spend some quality time by the pool (under a heavy coat of sun-block)." |
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UNKNOWN: OUTCAST SEASON 2
Rachel Caine | Roc
Living among mortals, the djinn Cassiel has developed a reluctant affection for them-especially for Warden Luis Rocha. As the mystery deepens around the kidnapping of innocent Warden children, Cassiel and Luis are the only ones who can investigate both the human and djinn realms. But the trail will lead them to a traitor who may be more powerful than they can handle...
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ACCIDENTALLY DEMONIC
Dakota Cassidy | Berkley Trade
When mild-mannered Casey Schwartz wakes up in jail, she has no memory of how she got there. But after her sister, Wanda, bails her out, Casey has more to deal with than a foggy memory-like abrupt mood swings and fireballs shooting from her fingertips. But things really head south when a vampire shows up on her doorstep...
Vampire Clayton Gunnersson is seriously hot. And seriously taken-by a demon. In a ritual gone wrong, Clayton tried to get rid of his unwanted bond, but spilled some demonic blood on Casey, getting her possessed in the process. Now, Casey has to share her body and manage to keep her growing attraction to Clayton in check, because falling for her demon's boyfriend just might get Casey killed-from the inside out. |
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VENUS GUY TRAP
Shannon McKelden | Tor Books
A misbehaving goddess must tear herself away from her passion for shopping to appease Zeus by serving as a fairy godmother in this amusing sequel to 2008's Venus Envy. In the Oregon town of Bender, Venus finds new godchild Haydee Miller, owner of the appropriately named Mount Olympus Books. Haydee's true love turns out to be her loathed ex-boyfriend Derek Reed, a globe-trotting photographer back in town 10 years after abandoning her, but she's snared a mild-mannered veterinarian in the meantime and is dead set on tying the knot by her next birthday. Meanwhile, men keep falling for the exasperated love goddess. McKelden writes in breezy chick lit style, and while Venus is far more interesting than bland Haydee and her chemistryless interactions with Derek, that will just encourage readers to stick around for future volumes. -- Publishers Weekly
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THE DARK-EYES WAR: Book Three of the Blood of the Southlands
David B. Coe | Tor Books
A bitter old woman’s curse has set in motion events that have felled innocent lives across an already war-weary land. She has paid the ultimate price, and an end to the curse is at hand, but her evil has created chaos and destruction.
Qirsi all across the Southlands are dying from a plague that turns their own magic against them, allowing an Eandi army from Stelpana to boldly march into their territory. But magic has many faces, and the Qirsi aren’t the only ones cursed; even as Stelpana’s force wins battles, an insidious magic has corrupted the spells of their sorcerers, and what began as a military triumph is suddenly jeopardized. The future of the Southlands hangs in the balance, as the deeds of previous generations wreak terrible consequences on both sides in this misbegotten war.
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SUPERNATURAL: HEART OF THE DRAGON
Keith R.A. DeCandido | Titan Books
A Supernatural novel that reveals a previously unseen adventure for the Winchester brothers, from the hit CW series!
When renegade angel Castiel alerts Sam and Dean to a series of particularly brutal killings in San Francisco's Chinantown, they realise the Heart of the Dragon, an ancient evil of unspeakable power, is back! John Winchester faced the terrifying spirit 20 years ago, and the Campbell family fought it 20 years before that - can the boys succeed where their parents and grandparents failed?
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THE RECKONERS
Doranna Durgin | Tor Books
Ghost hunter Lisa McGarrity can’t understand what’s gotten into the undead recently. Ectoplasm-flinging spirits and ghouls with grudges seem to be coming out of the woodwork, and she’s been run ragged trying to calm the unusually outraged spirits. Tired of dealing with the disgruntled dead, Lisa is determined to take a break from all things metaphysical.
So when the mysterious and sexy Trevarr appears on her doorstep requesting her assistance in an urgent matter, Lisa is less than thrilled. Who is this man, and why is he so interested in her “kooky” hobby? What does he have to gain by visiting paranormal hot spots with her? Whatever he wants, Lisa can’t help being drawn to Trevarr, and as they start working together they stumble upon a house filled to the brim with ghosts driven to the edge of madness. Now Lisa and Trevarr must figure out what’s behind this ghost population explosion, before their mutual attraction causes explosions of its own.
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THE COMEBACK
Abby Gaines | Harlequin
Giving up professional racing was the toughest decision Zack Matheson had ever made. But now he's back—with a vengeance—and driving his family team to victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a high-profile publicity campaign…or the beautiful, ambitious Gaby Colson.
Gaby needs Zack to win…the sponsor-backed Bachelor of the Year contest. Hired to promote his sexy single-guy image, the PR rep vows to keep her professional distance. But the heat sizzling between them is hard to ignore. Gaby knows how much victory means to Zack. She also knows he'll always put racing first.
Unless she can make him see that his comeback won't be complete without her. |
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TAKE ME IF YOU DARE
Candace Havens | Harlequin
For Mariska Stonegate, the gorgeous guy she's now met is everything she's looking for in a man—hot, hot and…oh, right. Hot. And just because every pore of his body screams danger and sex doesn't mean she's getting herself into too much trouble....
But Mr. Thomas isn't who he says he is. In fact, his real name is Jackson—no last names, please—and he's a burned CIA agent on the run. And he'll do just about anything to stay alive…including seducing Mariska one hot, steamy night at a time!
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LACED WITH DESIRE
Jasmine Haynes and Joey W. Hill, et al. | Berkley Trade
What a hot foursome! The authors of Unlaced returns in an all-new anthology of stories about corsets, and un-corseted desires.
Rough hands rounding the curves of a soft warm body-caressing, stroking, edging her toward exquisite pleasure. Seduction is a cinch in these four sizzling stories from the hot authors of Unlaced. And that's not just talk. These women deliver...
Jaci Burton breaks the rule about mixing business with pleasure...Jasmine Haynes explores the lust of a former supermodel who needs to finally fulfill a no-holds-barred sexual fantasy...Joey W. Hill reveals the erotic bond between a master and the beautiful submissive who stole his heart...And Denise Rossetti goes beyond the limits of desire when she pairs a battle-scarred veteran of love and war with a woman who's just as fearless and twice as dangerous.
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BRANDED SANCTUARY: Nature of Desire Series Book VII
Joey W. Hill | Ellora's Cave
Chloe has always been a creature of joy and laughter. However, since a brutal attack nearly a year ago, the trauma she experienced from the event has gotten worse. Much worse, such that she has started hiding from her life, even putting up walls between herself and those she cares about most. However, during a panic attack one night, she impulsively calls a number that’s been hiding under her lamp all these months. She met Brendan at her boss’s wedding. With confidence and seduction, he easily steps into the role of helping her manage her fear. By the end of the long call, they’ve indulged in some serious flirtation and mindblowing phone sex – and she’s feeling emotions and needs she’s buried for too long.
However, the problem is that Brendan is the perfect male submissive – and Chloe isn’t wired for the D/s lifestyle. While their attraction is undeniable, Chloe doesn’t know if she can be everything Brendan needs. Whereas Brendan believes that, once he helps her overcome her fears, he must let her go. As a submissive, he’d never ask her to be something she’s not – even if it will break both of their hearts to turn away from how they feel about each other.
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THE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINGDOMS
N.K. Jemisin | Orbit
Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky. There, to her shock, Yeine is named an heiress to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle with cousins she never knew she had. As she fights for her life, she draws ever closer to the secrets of her mother's death and her family's bloody history.
With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Yeine will learn how perilous it can be when love and hate - and gods and mortals - are bound inseparably together.
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PLAY WITH ME
Leslie Kelly | Harlequin
Pilot Amanda Bauer has always craved a life of adventure…sexual adventure, that is. Lucky for her, she's currently getting her thrills by indulging in naughty games with hunky Reese Campbell! After their first explosive encounter, they arrange to get together every couple of months for days filled with fantasy and wild, no-strings sex.
And the best part of it? Nobody else knows about it. Nobody!
It's the perfect private indulgence…until they find themselves on YouTube! |
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THE BLAZE COLLECTION
Leslie Kelly, et al.| Harlequin
Great sex isn't everything. But it's not a bad way to start…
Her Sexy Valentine by Stephanie Bond
Carol Snow is no Scrooge…but she'd rather get her heart racing by reading a sexy book than indulging in a messy, real-life romance. Until playboy coworker Luke Chancellor shows her what she's been missing….
Play with Me by Leslie Kelly
Amanda Bauer has always craved a life of adventure…sexual adventure, that is. And that's why she and Reese Campbell get together every few months for days of fantasy and wild, no-strings sex. It's the perfect private indulgence…until they find themselves on YouTube!
The Charmer by Kate Hoffmann
When Tenley Marshall meets ultra-yummy Alex Stamos, she knows he's a player—but she doesn't care. He's the ideal candidate to show her a sexy good time. Until Alex does the unthinkable…and falls for her!
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BUTTERFLY TATTOO
Deidre Knight | Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Michael Warner has been drifting in a numb haze since his lover was killed by a drunk driver. As the anniversary of the wreck approaches, Michael’s grief grows more suffocating. Yet he must find a way through the maze of pain and secrets to live for their troubled young daughter who struggles with guilt that she survived the crash.
Out of the darkness comes a voice, a lifeline he never expected to find—Rebecca O’Neill, a development executive in the studio where Michael works as an electrician.
Rebecca, a former sitcom celebrity left scarred from a crazed fan’s attack, has retreated from the limelight and from life in general, certain no man can ever get past her disfigurement. The instant sparks between her and Michael, who arrives to help her during a power outage, come as a complete surprise—and so does her uncanny bond with his daughter.
For the first time, all three feel compelled to examine their inner and outer scars in the light of love. But trust is hard to come by, especially when you’re not sure what to believe when you look in the mirror. The scars? Or the truth?
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IMPROPER RELATIONS
Janet Mullany | Little Black Dress
Compromising liaisons, crossed wires and conflicting loyalties -- it's another gem from Regency star Janet Mullany After losing best friend and distant cousin Ann Weller in marriage to the Earl of Beresford, sharp-witted Charlotte Hayden feels inclined to be even ruder than usual to potential suitors. But after a compromising liaison with Beresford's wicked, wayward cousin, Shad, she's suddenly propelled into a reluctant marriage, and finds herself missing Ann more than ever. But when Ann returns from her honeymoon, she drops a bombshell -- not only is she not sure she loves Beresford, she's also had a child out of wedlock, and is planning to betray her husband with her former lover. Charlotte's realisation that she's falling in love with Shad only serves to make her dilemma even worse: should she keep Ann's secret, or tell her husband the truth?
Click here to purchase from The Book Depository. |
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TWICE AS HOT
Gena Showalter | Harlequin
Belle Jamison is finally starting to feel like a normal girl again. Her job as a paranormal investigator is going well, she's learned to control her supernatural abilities (mostly) and she's just gotten engaged to Rome Masters, the ultra-sexy operative who once tried to neutralize her!
But planning a wedding is never easy, especially when the bride keeps accidentally torching her dress, the groom returns from a dangerous mission with selective memory loss and the man responsible now wants Belle for himself. With Rome's ex determined to win him back and a new band of supervillains on the horizon, it will take all Belle's powers—plus a little help from her trusty empath sidekick—to save the day, salvage the wedding and prove that true love really does conquer all.
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ARCHANGEL'S KISS
Nalini Singh | Berkley
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find that she has become an angel-and that her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, likes having her under his control. But almost immediately, Raphael must ready Elena for a flight to Beijing, to attend a ball thrown by the archangel Lijuan. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan's power lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena...
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