HelenKay Dimon

My new Intrigue miniseries is about to start.* The first book, GUNS AND THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, comes out January 2011. The second, GUNNING FOR TROUBLE, comes out in February 2011. The other two come out later in August and September. Thought it might be a good time to highlight Romantic Times’ thoughts on the books:

On leave from his Undercover Recovery Project job, agent Holden Price is stunned when Mia Landers drives right through his front door. Mia’s on the run and bewildered as to why her boss, a high-powered congressman, just tried to kill her. When armed gunmen storm his destroyed house, Holden grabs Mia and runs for cover. In an intriguing and cunning story, Holden battles to keep Mia safe and find out why her boss has targeted the Undercover Recovery Project. -Pat Cooper

Involuntary retirement doesn’t sit well with Recovery Project agent Caleb Mattern, and when his ex-girlfriend (and ex-boss) invades his apartment, followed closely by gunfire, he grabs his pants and gun and flees into the night. Avery Walker needs Caleb’s help to find their mutual friend, and Caleb’s boss, who’s been investigating missing women in the Witness Security Program. As usual, this Recovery Project series story is rife with suspects, dangers, gunfire, explosions, old nemeses, new adversaries and crosses and double crosses — and readers can only be grateful. -Pat Cooper

*Technically it already started since UNDER THE GUN introduced these heroes, but the miniseries is new.

It’s spotlight time again. This is where I highlight a book that releases this month. A book I’ve been waiting (impatiently) to read. For those who follow along here, you know I’ve been waiting for this book for a long time. Small admission: I’ve read it. The author was nice enough to send me a copy. I’m thinking she got tired of my whining. Can’t blame her.

The book? PRECIOUS AND FRAGILE THINGS by Megan Hart.

Gilly Soloman has been reduced to a mothering machine, taking care of everyone and everything except herself. But the machine has broken down. Burnt out by the endless days of crying children and menial tasks, and exhausted from always putting herself last, Gilly doesn’t immediately consider the consequences when she’s carjacked. With a knife to her throat, her first thought is that she’ll finally get some rest. Someone can save her for a change.

But salvation isn’t so forthcoming. Stranded in a remote, snowbound cabin with this stranger, hours turn to days, days into weeks. As time forges a fragile bond between them, she learns her captor is not the lunatic she first believed, but a human being whose wasted life has been shaped by secrets and tragedy. Yet even as their connection begins to foster trust, Gilly knows she must never forget he’s still a man teetering on the edge. One who just might take her with him.

I really enjoy Megan’s voice and writing style. I admire the way she takes chances and pushes boundaries. Here she leaves erotica and erotic romance for a darker mainstream book – ie, this is NOT a romance. The writing was haunting and very compelling. I read along wondering where Megan was going to take the book and then was surprised (and impressed) with her choices. I finished this book in a very short time but the ending stayed with me, which is a good thing. I’m excited to see what she’ll do next.

For those who have read this far: I’m a big believer in spreading the reading love around, so I’m giving a copy away. If you’re interested in getting a copy of this book leave a comment here about Megan Hart, her books or anything related and I’ll pick someone to win a copy. Check back on Wednesday Thursday (since I had so many entries late Wednesday) for the winner.

I am a huge reader. I’m one of those author folks who believes you MUST read if you want to write. Then there’s the part where I love to read (thank you, mom). So, I was pretty happy when this turned out to be a good reading year. Some years I read a lot of books that don’t work for me. That didn’t really happen this year. Oh, I had some clunkers. I even had some books that others loved and I didn’t feel any spark at all. Some of the contemporaries I read this year fell flat for me. Not sure why. Maybe it has something to do with me writing contemporary romance, so I read along thinking how I would write it differently? Dunno. But here are some of my 2010 reading highlights:

Favorite historical romance: MARRY ME by Jo Goodman. Goodman wrote one of my favorite historical romances, NEVER LOVE A LAWMAN. I don’t read much historical romance but I love Goodman. She took rape, disease and a whole host of other tragedies and delivered them in a way that was fresh and compelling in MARRY ME. Despite how it sounds, the book is not dark. There’s something light and hopeful about it. Great hero. Great heroine. Happy reader.

Favorite contemporary romance (also favorite romantic suspense): NO PLACE TO RUN by Maya Banks. I love this series. It has a Band of Brothers feeling…and the guys actually are brothers. I started this one, #2 in the series, and couldn’t stop reading. But a little admission: my favorite brother hasn’t gotten his story yet. I am ridiculously excited to see what Banks does with Garrett, and I think his book is next.

Favorite erotic romance: LIBERATING LACEY by Anne Calhoun. I found Calhoun this year through Dear Author (I think). Writing erotic romance well is really hard. It’s about emotion and plot, not just sex. Calhoun gets it and her books are a joy to read. We’re in an anthology together at the end of this year, and I am so excited to read her contribution.

Favorite non-romance: STILL MISSING by Chevy Stevens. This was one of those books I saw and then tracked until it came out. It’s dark and sad and, well, I wish I’d wrote it.

Favorite nonfiction: I had a bit of an alpine climbing obsession this year that started with a re-read of INTO THIN AIR by Jon Krakauer. It’s one of those books I’ve read more than once. It grabs me from page one, even though I know the horrible end that’s coming. This year I found more books on the subject, these by Ed Veisturs. He is an American climbing legend. I’d go so far as to call him a hero, and I don’t throw that word around. His K2: LIFE AND DEATH ON THE WORLD”S MOST DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN kept me spellbound for days. I liked it so much, I went and found other books by Veisturs.

There you have it, some of the highlights. Fingers are crossed for a terrific 2011 reading year!