Modern Extra redux...

As the US contingent for the Modern Extra line (now redubbed Modern Heat in the UK, FYI) I often get asked when the books will be in the US. Well...the invasion has begun. The first four books are out this month, though some of them have different titles than their UK and Oz releases.

The fast pace and uncluttered story of Kelly Hunter's Wife For a Week grabs your attention and never lets go. This book stayed with me all day, so I could catch snippets while waiting in line or sneaking a moment to myself. It passed the ultimate test of any Harlequin romance for me - I finished it in one day because I couldn't put it down.

I fell in love with the endearing heroine as she tried to fight her overprotective brothers, growing feelings for the hero, and the Asian mafia. From London to Hong Kong, shoe boutiques to high end department stores to a shopping ceneter where you can get fried noodles and contract a murder in the same trip, this book never stops. Not a word is wasted, and I smiled throughout.

I loved traveling to London and Hong Kong, seeing the sights of the Chinese New Year, smelling the perfumes, tasting the food, hearing the burst of midnight fireworks, and feeling the fear of making mistakes as the hero and heroine danced around one another. I'm sorry it's over, but not too sorry. Kelly is hard at work on a follow-up starring the heroine's brooding big brother.

DELICIOUS - Julie Cohen's Modern Extra title was redubbed, Macallister's Baby...because...no idea...

When English teacher Elisabeth Read finds celebrity chef Angus MacAllister standing in the middle of a group of students, holding a chicken of all things, she's not sure about anything - except her instant attraction. Terrified of showing her reaction to the man, she retreats, only to learn that she'll be working very closely with him to prepare two students for an upcoming cooking competition.

Angus volunteered to help the kids for the publicity, but the school and Elisabeth aren't interested in allowing the kids to be used as props. He agrees to help anyway because of a commraderie he feels with the two students, and his curiosity about Elisabeth's seeming disdain for him. Unable to settle for someone not liking him, especially someone he's attracted to, Angus does all he can for the kids, knowing it is the only way to get Elisabeth to see his as more than his playboy public personna, carefully crafted by his publicist.

With every cooking lesson she attends as the children's chaperone, Elisabeth feels Angus chip away at the wall she's built up. Though she warms to him, she still refuses to go out with him, until he makes he an offer she can't refuse - taking the kids to the best restaurant in London.Deciding to enjoy the moment, Elisabeth goes home with Angus and enjoys a magical weekend. Can she let down her guard completely and let him into her heart? Julie Cohen has told another sensual pairing of complicated characters, caught in a heart-tugging set of circumstances. A wonderfully witty, pleasure drenched story.

Anyone remember that firefighter hero cover where the eyes followed you no matter where you went in a room? That is this book - WHITE HOT morphed into The Firefighter's Chosen Bride.

Finn McNeill has terrible luck. No one else could set their house on fire...with their underwear! Without a place to live, she camps out with her brother and his best friend, Shane. Until her brother decides to move in with his girl, leaving Finn alone in a house with the man she's been crushing on for years. Now that Shane's set his sights on her, being together is inevitible, but for how long can she keep her fears of his job as a firefighter from getting in the way?

The banter in this book is hilarious. Since nothing was salvagable from the fire, Finn has to shop for EVERYTHING. Including underwear. Go ahead and read where Shane takes her shopping twice. It's too fun to pass up. Don't let it fool you, this book packs such an emotional punch I wondered how it could possibly work for this couple. But of course, it does, in the most satisfying way possible.

Mistress on Trial is the new moniker of STRICTLY LEGAL, which is what the editors renamed Kate Hardy's SECOND HAND ROSE. You can't be married to a title.

Barrister Leo Ballantyne thinks his sister’s best friend is a complete flake and a rotten influence, encouraging her to live such a bohemian lifestyle. Rose Carter thinks Leo is a pompous, pretentious, judgmental…you get the point. They never expect to agree on anything, until 4-year old Daisy shows them how much they have in common, and how wrong first impressions can be.

Rose is content to watch her goddaughter Daisy for the weekend while her mother is away, but Leo wants to make sure Daisy is well looked after, and he worries Rose isn’t up to the task. As he spends time with his niece, and with Rose, he realizes how much he’s misjudged the confident, successful, organized vintage clothes dealer.

Mistress on Trial winds its way through misunderstandings, undeniable attraction, and deep yearnings. An emotional story that doesn’t stretch to the extreme for the heart tugging moments, instead this book relies on nothing but great writing and spot-on characterization. A fast read that speeds towards the end as tensions mount and more is at stake. The stunning details and sassy tone bring the characters to life. Absolutely fantastic!