Can you believe the holidays–and all the craziness that comes with them–are here already? The decorating, the parties, the endless trips to the mall… Heck, I usually need a holiday after the holidays.

If you’re like me, you could use a break. And I can’t think of a better way to get in the Christmas mood than with one (or all) of the December Blaze books.

Check out the goodies that Santa left a little early…

First up is our Christmas anthology, It Must Have Been the Mistletoe… by Kate Hoffmann, Rhonda Nelson and Tawny Weber. These three lucky sisters get waylaid by seriously sexy men on their way home for Christmas. (They must have been on the nice list!) And don’t miss Tawny’s linked online read, Naughty is Nice, available at eHarlequin.com.

Tori Carrington finishes up their Private Scandals miniseries this month with Private Parts. The hero in this story thinks he’s getting a special gift this year. Only the woman in his arms has something closer to a Trojan horse in mind…

Jennifer LaBrecque winds up her Alaskan Heat miniseries this month too (at least for now – more coming in 2011) with Northern Escape. Check out the holiday pageant, the Chris’moose festival…and the fireworks when it’s discovered that the town darling, chef, Augustina ‘Gus’ Tippens, is living a secret life…

And then Joanne Rock puts the finishing touch on the Lose Yourself… miniseries with Under Wraps. What’s a girl to do when she finds herself a suspect in an embezzlement scam? Why, clear her name, of course! Even if doing so takes her to an erotic resort–with a man who thinks naughty is the way to go…

Heather MacAllister has a delightful holiday treat in store for readers with A Man for All Seasons. Heather’s heroine, Marlie, gets the ultimate gift from her best friend Ty – a date with the 12 Sexy Men of Christmas. Unfortunately, Marlie wants to be nestled all snug in Ty’s bed …

And finally, Samantha Hunter concludes the month—and the year!– with I’ll Be Yours For Christmas. Sam’s heroine, Abby, isn’t waiting for Santa to bring her what she wants—she’s going after it herself. And what she wants is a fling with her longtime friend Reece.
Christmas is wonderful, isn’t it?

That leads right into our craft discussion for this month –seasonal setting.

As an editor, one of the things I’ve tried to do is link the timing of a story to coincide with the time of year the book is being published. So, Christmas stories are published around Christmas, Valentine’s Day stories come out in February and books that happen during long summer days come out in July or August.

However, as an author, the choice you make about timing can really mess with a publishing schedule. Sometimes an author will have to wait as many as two years to get a Christmas book in the schedule. Other times, we’ve asked authors to change the season from Christmas to Valentine’s Day to take advantage of a scheduling opportunity. And it’s not just the holidays to think about but the seasons as well.

For established Blaze authors, this isn’t really an issue. Even before we go to contract, the authors and editors have an idea of when we’d like to see their book out, and then the author sets the timing appropriately. But for somebody new coming into the line, well, it’s not so easy.

The simplest thing to do would be to avoid tying a story to any particular time period. However, by doing that, the author would miss out on the great opportunities for depth settings offer. After all, aren’t we all checking out book stores and TV guides, looking for something that will get us in the Christmas spirit, something that will inspire us to look beyond the commercialism?

Personally, I love seasonal books. Nothing gets me in the holiday mood faster.

So now, I’m asking you. Do you care what time of year a book is set, or if it coincides with the time you’re reading it? Is there any particular time of year you like best?

All comments will go in a draw to win one of two sets of the December Blaze titles. Good luck! And be sure to drop by on December 24 to see how some of the Blaze babes get their furkids ready for Santa!

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays.

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Blaze

Those of you who frequent the Blaze Authors blog regularly know it’s a pretty cool place to hang out. Well this month—actually, this week—Harlequin has a treat in store for you too! We’re launching our first ever Editorial week– aka So You Think You Can Write–on eHarlequin. It starts today and runs through Friday. For those of you who love the books, you’ll find chats, podcasts and blogs from some of your favorite Harlequin authors (and even a few editors ). And if you’re an aspiring author, there will also be a daily writing challenge, as well as a lot of other great opportunities. So be sure to come by and check it out at www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com.

The other exciting news, of course, is that I have 6 more fantastic books for you to enjoy this month.

Debbi Rawlins gets the month off to a great start with The Real Deal. This second story in the Lose Yourself… miniseries introduces a homebody heroine who decides to take on the Big Apple. She’s armed only with a copy of Erotic New York. And she’s not afraid to use it…

Next up is the second book in Tori Carrington’s Private Scandals miniseries, Private Affairs. This book has it all – sex, betrayal, sex, first love, sex and secrets. Oh, and did I mention sex? Hot and heartwarming, this book will definitely warm you up when the weather turns colder.

Jennifer LaBrecque continues her Alaskan Heat miniseries this month with Northern Encounter. And I have to admit – this is my favorite book in the series. Of course, that could have something to do with the hot, hot, HOT, half-Inuit guy on the cover.

Kathy Lyons has the Forbidden Fantasy title this month with Taking Care of Business. You know how they say that mixing business with pleasure is a bad idea? Well, it’s working out very well for this heroine…

Lori Borrill ushers in the holiday season a little early this year with her Blaze Encounters, One Winter’s Night. If you’ve ever wondered what might happen at an office Christmas party, you’ll want to pick up this book. Let’s just say it’s very inspiring….

Then Michelle Rowen rounds out the month with her second Blaze novel, Touch and Go. When a woman finds herself stranded with the hottest guy ever—the one she’s wanted forever—it’s her chance to indulge, right? Unfortunately, there are…complications. Don’t miss this sizzling, slightly paranormal adventure.

And now on to the Craft segment. This month, we’re going to talk about one of my favorite things—men!

In Blaze, we tend to feature what I affectionately call ‘extraordinary, ordinary guys’. Now, like most romance heroes, these fellows are definitely larger than life. However, they’re still average guys – cops, firefighters, security guards, doctors, etc.—the kind of man a person like me could meet anywhere. These heroes are attainable. And that’s a key to Blaze.

Last month, we learned that we have to identify with the heroine, that we have to become the heroine. So, if we’re the heroine, shouldn’t we end up with a guy we could possibly get? I’ve never heard of anyone shacking up with a sheik, but I do have a lot of friends that tied the knot with cops.

It all comes down to realism. It is much easier for a reader to fall into our stories if we’re not making her suspend disbelief along the way. And when she reaches ‘The End’, we hope she closes the book thinking ‘Hey, maybe I’ll be just as lucky…”

Have you ever noticed that writers tend to give their readers same kind of hero in every book? Now, I’m not saying they that these heroes aren’t different – they probably look different, act and react differently, come from different situations, do different jobs, etc. But underneath all that, there’s something strangely familiar. I once told Vicki Lewis Thompson that all her heroes had the same soul. Regardless of whether he’s a nerd or a cowboy, there’s always something about Vicki’s hero that tells me ‘I know this guy’.

At the RWA conference in Orlando this year, I attended a wonderful workshop on heroes given by Vicki, Rhonda Nelson and Kira Sinclair. And one thing they said really stuck with me – that when a writer comes up with her hero, she’s often thinking about her ideal man. Only she’s not thinking of his looks—it’s about his character.

We were challenged to come up with the three most important character traits our own perfect man would have. And it varied around the room…which is why there are so many wonderful heroes out there! (Who’d have guessed that I value a man’s sense of humor far more than, say, his protective instincts? Then again, I take care of myself pretty well, thank you very much. )

So, now it’s your turn. What three character traits do you look for in a hero? Inquiring minds want to know. Everyone who answers will be entered in a draw to win a set of this month’s books.

And don’t forget check out www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com. On Tuesday, Leslie Kelly, Tori Carrington and I will be discussing what makes a great sex scene. There will also be blogs from Kate Hoffmann and Jill Shalvis, Blaze editor Kathryn Lye has at least one podcast, and our newest Blaze babe, Meg Maguire, will tell us how she got into writing romance. It’ll be a blast!

See you there.

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

Well, it’s October. And where I come from that means one thing—it’s Thanksgiving (and a long weekend!) Of course, October’s great for a lot of other reasons—the fall colors are at their peak, the harvest is still going strong and Indian Summer is bound to show up any time now. It just seems the perfect time to enjoy—and give thanks for– everything nature has to offer.

And on that theme, I’d like to say first that I’m very grateful that I have the chance to work with such warm, wonderful and talented authors. Blaze authors are the best!

And I’m also very thankful for our loyal readers, whose enthusiasm for our books keeps us going. So, as a little ‘thank you’, I’ve got three new Blaze miniseries for you to enjoy this month.

First up is Leslie Kelly’s ANOTHER WILD WEDDING NIGHT. For those of you who didn’t know, Leslie was the imagination behind Blaze Encounters. She launched the miniseries with ONE WILD WEDDING NIGHT in January 2008 and it was a huge success. So, she’s doing it again – with another bride, another groom…and a whole lot of other people enjoying wedding night activities…

Now, for the first new miniseries this month–Private Scandals by Tori Carrington. In the first book, PRIVATE SESSIONS you’ll meet the powerful Metaxas family—Ari, Bryna and Troy. When these three find their business—and their lives—on the brink of ruin, how far will they go to fix things? (Hint—it involves a bedroom. ) Don’t miss PRIVATE AFFAIRS in November and PRIVATE PARTS in December.

Nancy Warren has the Forbidden Fantasies title this month with THE EX FACTOR. Most fantasies involving sex with an ex usually end with the poor guy begging his former lover to come back. However, Nancy’s hero is the kind of guy who’ll have the heroine begging for something else entirely!

The second new miniseries this month is Alaskan Heat. In this sizzling trilogy, Jennifer LaBrecque invites Blaze readers to Good Riddance, Alaska—a place where the men are hot, and the women can’t get enough of them. First up is NORTHERN EXPOSURE in October, followed by NORTHERN ENCOUNTER in November and NORTHERN ESCAPE in December. I’ll bet you can’t read these stories without checking out what it costs to take a trip up to the Land of the Midnight Sun.

The final new miniseries this month is called Lose Yourself… This trilogy, written by 3 different authors, is all about running away and finding yourself…in a hot guy’s bed! Jo Leigh starts it all off with SHIVER, a book filled with things that go bump in the night. Of course, that could just be the hero and heroine having fun. It’s the perfect autumn indulgence!

And finally, Jillian Burns rounds out the month with more of her mouthwatering military men in SEDUCE AND RESCUE. When Col. Ethan Grady meets free-spirited Lily, he doesn’t know what to do with her. But he’s definitely got ideas…

Fantastic line-up, isn’t it?

But we’re not done yet. Last month, we started a discussion about the craft of writing and got some fantastic insight into that elusive thing, author voice. This month, I’d like to talk about another crucial element in writing a Blaze – the character development of the heroine.

One key to writing a book for Blaze is to create a heroine that readers will identify with—immediately! We have to see ourselves in her, the first time we’re in her point of view. That way, we BECOME her, which allows us to vicariously experience all the sexual thrills in the story. It also gives us the supreme satisfaction of falling in love with the hero. And we should.

Identification is particularly important in Blaze because of the sexual nature of the stories. If we don’t ‘become’ the heroine as she indulges in an incredible sexual experience, then we become voyeurs, simply watching. And that’s, well…not so good.

So who is a Blaze heroine? She’s somewhere between 25 and 35, at the age where she can handle being on her own, but is still looking to ‘make it’. She doesn’t have children or aging parents so she’s free to be a little selfish, to explore who she is and what she wants. And that’s sexually, as well. She’s got a strong sense of who she is, but she’s still a little unsure, a little vulnerable (hint – it’s that vulnerability that we identify with). But we can see her potential immediately—we see that she’s going to be the woman we’d like to become. And by the end of the book, she is.

So, to get the discussion going, tell us what kind of heroines appeal to you. And what is it about them that helps you identify with them (no deep, dark confessions, please. (H) )? I’ll admit, I have a great weakness for former tomboys…but maybe that’s because I still am one.

And, to celebrate our 3 new miniseries, I’m offering a set of October books to THREE lucky winners. Just add the phrase—I’m thankful for_____ (you fill in the blank)—to win.
Good luck. And happy Autumn!

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor, Harlequin Blaze

I’ve always loved September. It just seems so full of…possibility. The weather (at least, up here) is perfect for outdoor adventures. The leaves are turning into a beautiful mosaic of green, gold and orange. And the kids are gearing up for their next adventure – back to school!

Although I’ve been out of school for more years than I’d like to count, I still feel that same anticipation, that urge to try something new. And I couldn’t think of a better place to start than this blog. Luckily, the Blaze authors agreed with me….

Each month, the Blaze authors and I will start up a discussion about one element in the craft of writing. If you’re a romance novelist in the making, this is a great opportunity to learn a few things you might not know. And if you’re happy just reading these wonderful books, well, hopefully, you’ll gain some new insight. It’s always cool to get insider information….

I’ve decided to start with the element I consider the most important–VOICE. Author voice is the reason readers make it a point to get their hands on everything they can by an author they love. Sure, they’re looking for a good story. But more importantly, they’re looking for the way the author tells that story. It comes through in language choice, in dialogue…through the main character’s perspective.

As an editor, voice is the first thing I look for when I’m considering a submission. I’m looking for writing that grabs my attention, that immediately pulls me into the story. This is especially important in the Blaze series. After all, we want our readers to immediately jump into the heroine’s shoes, to join in on the sexual adventure with her, and to experience every sensual thrill along the way. And ultimately, we want our readers to fall as hard for the hero as our heroines do. So, how does an author pull this off? Through fantastic character development…and a voice that encourages you, the reader, to come along for the ride.

I’m going to leave this for now. I’ve asked the Blaze authors to jump in with their views over the next few days, so check often.

In the meantime, let me show you the fantastic books available this month…

First up is Lori Wilde’s first Blaze Encounters–SWEET SURRENDER. In these stories, a group of friends make a bet—a chastity bet! A summer without sex? Luckily, Blaze readers know that a plan like that doesn’t have a hope in, well, you know…

Then Wendy Etherington takes us back to Palmer’s Island, South Carolina, in HER PRIVATE TREASURE. The heroine, an FBI agent, gets more than she bargained for when she starts investigating sexy Carr Hamilton.

Karen Foley launches her new It Takes a Hero miniseries this month with HOT-BLOODED. This book is linked to PACKING HEAT, Karen’s story in the BORN ON THE 4TH OF JULY anthology last July, and features another hot military man. However, in this new miniseries, the true heroes aren’t only the guys…

Then Tawny Weber brings you the Forbidden Fantasies book this month. Her heroine’s fantasy? To run off to Mexico and indulge in an anonymous fling with a hot boy toy. RIDING THE WAVES is fun, wickedly sensual and very, very evocative. Back in February, when I was working on this book, I came very close to booking my own plane ticket!

Next up is Patricia Potter’s Blaze debut with THE LAWMAN, our latest Blaze Historical, set in 1876 Colorado. What’s a girl to do when a U.S Marshal comes looking for her adoptive father? Shoot him, of course! Let’s face it, it’s definitely one way to keep a good looking man in bed….

Sarah Mayberry finishes up the month with HOT ISLAND NIGHTS, a steamy ‘opposites-attract ‘tale set in Australia. And nobody knows just how hot it can get Down Under better than Aussie native Sarah…

So now, you’ve got two things to keep you busy – an incredible month of books…and a challenge. How does an author’s voice influence the books you read? Is voice something you consciously look for? How would you describe the voices of your favorite writers? Inquiring minds want to know…

Good luck. And be sure to let me know what you think of the new approach we’re taking.

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

Well, it’s that time of year again – Blaze’s birthday bash. We’re officially nine years old! (And we’re looking pretty good, if I do say so myself). And to get everybody in the partying mood, let me show you what we’ve got in store for you this month…

Cara Summers gets August off to a strong start with her combined Forbidden Fantasies/Encounters story, TWICE THE TEMPTATION. These two tales link to Cara’s previous books, LED INTO TEMPTATION (May) and TAKEN BEYOND TEMPTATION (June). Though the stories are a little shorter than Cara’s previous two books, they’re just as sexy. So come on, double your reading pleasure…

Next up is CLAIMED, the final book (at least, for this year) in Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Sons of Chance miniseries. This is the story we’ve all been waiting for– where tortured cowboy Jack Chance finally ends up with the woman who’s going to turn his life around. Romantic Times magazine called this book ‘one of the hottest western romances of the year’. And it is!

Rhonda Nelson continues her Men out of Uniform miniseries this month with THE RENEGADE. This one has it all – a hot romance, a slight mystery…and a great secondary character named ‘Dick’. This showcases Rhonda’s work at its most outrageous best!

Jill Shalvis gives us another American Hero in THE HEAT IS ON. Cop Jacob Madden thinks he’s seen it all. But what’s he to do when he falls hard for a free-spirited chef…and then discovers she’s got a trail of dead bodies behind her? Action-packed and hot, hot, hot!

Lisa Renee Jones is up next with HOT TARGET. And you can’t get any hotter a target than Lisa’s hero, Luke Winter. That’s why he’s got a bodyguard…who can’t keep her hands off him!

And finally, Joanne Rock finishes up our birthday month with a 2-in-1 treat. Not only does her story, DOUBLE PLAY, deliver an incredible baseball manager hero…but it’s also a Wrong Bed book! Now that’s worth getting excited about!

So that’s the month’s line-up. Pretty nice, isn’t it?

Now it wouldn’t be a birthday party without loot bags…so I’m offering a complete set of August books to 5 (FIVE!!!!!) lucky readers. All you need to do is add the phrase “Happy Birthday to my favorite series” to the comment field to enter. (Again, you’ll notice that I’ll take a compliment any way I can get it. (H) )

Enjoy! And watch out for a special bonus, starting next month, just in time for that old ‘back to school’ feeling.

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Blaze

Happy July, everyone!

Summer’s finally in full swing up here. Gardens are blooming, the beaches are packed…and Blaze is loaded with super sexy summer reads! You’re definitely going to need the air-conditioning this month. Because July is Blaze bestseller month!!!!

Look what we’ve got in store for you lucky readers…

First up is our Blazing summer read, Born on the 4th of July by USA Today bestseller Jill Shalvis, Rhonda Nelson and Karen Foley. It features super hot guys in uniform. Do you really need any more convincing?

New York Times bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson is up next with Ambushed!, the second book in her Sons of Chance miniseries. Little brother Gabe is about to meet one filly he can’t tame…but he’ll sure enjoy trying! That only leaves Jack – the last Chance. Don’t miss his fantastic story next month.

USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Raye continues her Love at First Bite miniseries this month with The Braddock Boys: Brent. A wonderfully romantic story with the kind of hero only Kim can write—a cowboy vampire!

Bestselling author Hope Tarr will delight readers this month with The Tutor, another exceptional Blaze Historical. It features a world-weary hero and the innocent miss who sends him into a sensual tailspin. For those of you who love historical romance, this is a must read.

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Warren delivers the Forbidden Fantasies title this month with My Fake Fiancée. There’s nothing like a make-believe engagement to give a girl fantasies of indulging in bedded bliss.

And finally, USA Today bestseller Donna Kauffman returns to Blaze with this month’s Wrong Bed book, Simon Says… The lucky heroine in this story never dreams that when she sneaks into the wrong hotel room, she’ll end up having the sexual adventure of a lifetime.

What a great month, eh? Yes, I’m a proud Canadian, and not ashamed to throw an ‘eh’ in now and then. In fact, I’m spending the Canada Day long weekend at the cottage (no computer, no cell phone service—in other words, paradise! (H) ) so I won’t be able to add to the discussion until July 5. But I’ll be back, so be sure to add your comments.

And since it is a time to celebrate – Canada Day for us and The 4th of July for our friends south of the border– I’d like to offer everyone a chance to win ONE OF TWO sets of these great July books. Just add either ‘Happy Canada Day’ or ‘Happy 4th of July’ to the comment field to enter.

Happy hot summer reading,
Brenda Chin
Senior Editor, Harlequin Blaze

Well, summer’s finally here (at least, it will be on the 21st), and it’s time for everyone to stock up on their beach reads. And lucky for all of us, Blaze has 6 fantastic books out again this month.

For those of you planning or attending weddings, you’ll want to pick up Julie Leto’s 3 Seductions and a Wedding, a Blaze Encounters. A couple of newlyweds-to-be who can’t get around to actually tying the knot get some creative help from their friends and family. But the couples arranging the wedding end up finding love (and of course, great sex!) themselves. The perfect book for wedding season. And readers won’t want to miss the prequel, now available on eHarlequin.com.

Next up is the first book in Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Sons of Chance miniseries, Wanted! These books feature cowboys, a Wyoming ranch, a lot of hot sex…and did I mention cowboys! Nobody writes this kind of hero like Vicki. You’re all in for a treat! Watch out for Ambushed! next month and Claimed! in August. You’ll definitely want to take a chance on the Sons of Chance….

And once you’ve had your cowboy fix, be prepared to fall in love with another incredible hero in Rhonda Nelson’s The Ranger, another book in her popular Men Out of Uniform miniseries. These guys are all ex-military and totally hot! This book links to Rhonda’s short story, The Prodigal, in next month’s Born on the 4th of July collection and The Renegade in August.

Kate Hoffmann finishes up her Smooth Operators series this month with The Sexy Devil. The heroine, who came up with the SmoothOperators.com website as some sort of personal therapy, finds herself face to face the one man she’s never gotten over, the one who inspired the whole thing. A great conclusion to a wonderful series.

Cara Summers will delight readers with her second Forbidden Fantasies this month. Taken Beyond Temptation introduces us to a woman who desperately needs a fantasy…but ends up with a little more than she bargained for! This book is linked to last month’s Led into Temptation and August’s Twice the Temptation. And tempted you should be…

And finally, Lori Borrill rounds out the month with Indiscretions. When a wealthy socialite finds herself doing enforced community service as a maid, she never dreams that turning down the covers will become her favorite chore…

It’s a great month, isn’t it? For your chance to win a complete set of the June books, please add “Beaching it with a Blaze” in the comment field. And if you do happen to take a Blaze to the beach, and finish it there, please pass it on. It’s a great way to introduce the uninformed about the wonderful books Harlequin publishes.

Thanks and have a great summer,

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

Every now and then I glance back at my Celtic roots and realize, hey, we should be celebrating! And today’s one of those days. May Day, or Beltaine, marks the Celtic first day of summer. And considering how far north I live, I’m all for summer starting as early as possible.

Another great thing about Beltaine? It’s a time when everybody should be thinking about sex! According to Mara Freeman’s Celtic Website (chalicecentre.net)…

“Beltaine was a time of fertility and unbridled merrymaking, when young and old would spend the night making love in the Greenwood.”

So what better way to start off the sexy month of May than by picking up all 6 sizzling Blaze books? Here’s what we’ve got to get you started…

Leslie Kelly and Jennifer LaBrecque start the month off strong with BLAZING BEDTIME STORIES, VOLUME V. Leslie’s average everyday hero in A Prince of a Guy discovers ‘it’s good to be the Prince’—especially when he’s protected by a very sexy bodyguard in this Prince and the Pauper themed story. And Jennifer’s heroine soon discovers which guy fits her just right in Goldie and the Three Brothers. These tales are a delightful way to finish up our Bedtime Stories miniseries.

Next up is New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson’s debut book for Blaze, SPONTANEOUS. This book has it all – a wedding (complete with a sizzling wedding night), a set-up, a case to be solved…and a hot, HOT hero! SPONTANEOUS is the first full-length African-American story we’ve done in Blaze…and we couldn’t have chosen a better author to introduce this genre to our readers.

Isabel Sharpe finishes up her Wrong Bed duo with SURPRISE ME! I’ve always heard that sisters tend to share everything. But how many sister do you know who both wind up in the Wrong Bed? It’s good when it works. And in this case, it works out very satisfactorily for both women.

Cara Summers has the Forbidden Fantasy this month…and is it ever forbidden! If you loved The Thorn Birds, LED INTO TEMPTATION is the book for you. You see, the heroine has a little thing for…men of the cloth! Cara does a wonderful job with this story (it’s probably my favorite of hers so far), and it’s followed by two other Forbidden Fantasies – TAKEN BEYOND TEMPTATION in June and TWICE THE TEMPTATION in August. It looks like it’s going to be a good summer to be bad…

Kathleen O’Reilly comes next with LONG SUMMER NIGHTS, another story in her Where You Least Expect It miniseries. The journalist heroine isn’t thrilled when she gets stuck at an isolated cabin in the woods for a week to cover a story. But things start picking up when she discovers she’s got a neighbor, who likes to shower outside…naked! That must be why they call it ‘the great outdoors’.

And finally, Samantha Hunter finishes up this fantastic month with MAKE YOUR MOVE. This delightful ‘friends with benefits’ story is guaranteed to make you look at all your male friends in a very different way…

So that’s the month! If you’d like a chance to win all 6 May books, please add the phrase ‘It’s going to be a sexy summer’ into the comment field. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for those scavenger hunt clues – we’ve got some great prizes lined up.

Enjoy your summer! (H)

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Blaze

Can you believe it? The Blaze authors’ blog is one year old today! (^) It seems hard to believe. Then again, I’m still a little surprised when I realize that Blaze itself will be 10 years old next year. It just seems like yesterday that we were all working our behinds off trying to launch a series that would be something radical – something sexy, contemporary, groundbreaking. And what’s really cool is that, at least in my humble opinion, Blaze continues to be just that.

So here’s a look at the sexy, mostly contemporary, groundbreaking books out this month…

First up is Just Fooling Around…, a 4-stories-in-1 Encounters by Julie Kenner and Kathleen O’Reilly. Now, we’ve all heard about April Fool’s Day pranks. But the four siblings in these stories are actually the victims of an April Fool’s Day curse! Of course, once they get lucky, they suddenly become very lucky.

Next up is the second book in Kate Hoffmann’s Smooth Operator’s miniseries, The Drifter. The hero in the story has done it all and seen it all. But it’s not until he’s conquered the highest mountain that he realizes he hasn’t done anything that matters…and he knows the woman he has to find to help him change his life for good.

Isabel Sharpe follows with the first book in a Wrong Bed duo, While She Was Sleeping. The heroine’s sister finds her own story in next month’s Surprise Me! Who knew that falling into the wrong bed could be genetic?

And now for our not so contemporary title – The Captive by Joanne Rock. This book, which received a 4/1/2 Top Pick from Romantic Times magazine, has a Viking hero. Do I really need to say any more????

Jade Lee’s alter ego, Kathy Lyons, brings readers the Forbidden Fantasy title this month, with Under His Spell. A stressed out workaholic meets a hynoptist who makes her feel very, very good. Isn’t that everyone’s fantasy?

And finally, Karen Anders comes up with a riveting conclusion to her Undercover Lovers miniseries with Deliciously Dangerous. It doesn’t get any hotter–or tastier–than this.

Pretty nice line-up, isn’t it? Not bad for an almost decade-old series.

To celebrate the blog’s birthday, I’m offering a full set of April Blaze books to TWO lucky winners. Just put ‘Happy Anniversary to my favorite series!‘ in the comment field for a chance to win. (Yes, I’ll take compliments any way I can get them. )

See you next month.

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

Even though the official first day of Spring is 20 days away, I’m ready for it to show up now. Although we’ve had a mild winter compared to some places, Mother Nature wasn’t letting us get by without one final whomping. Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday were absolutely abysmal – a couple of feet of wet snow. (I emphasize ‘wet’ because there’s nothing you can do in it – the X-country ski trails were a nightmare, and if you ventured outside, you came in looking as if you’d just endured a torrential downpour. There was nothing to do but read or clean. I decided to read.

For those of you faced with the same dilemma, I’d like to offer you a glimpse of the wonderful books we have this month at Blaze. No matter how wretched it is outside, you’ll be feeling the heat soon. I promise.

First up is another volume of Blazing Bedtime Stories. Kimberly Raye and Samantha Hunter are the geniuses behind this collection. Kim’s story is based on the myth of Cupid and Psyche (in other words, she’s having sex with somebody she doesn’t know, and can’t see. Now, that’s a fantasy!) And Samantha’s book is a modern day version of Aladdin (doesn’t everybody want a genie who can fulfill sexual fantasies?)

And talking about fantasies, Nancy Warren has the Forbidden Fantasies title this month – Too Hot to Handle. The hero in this book is a real scoundrel…and he’ll definitely make sure this book lands in your keeper pile!

Heather MacAllister offers up another Encounters this month with His Little Black Book. When an oversexed corporate executive mistakenly sends an invitation to the company beach house to everyone in his address book, he’s the only one who doesn’t end up getting lucky! This book is a lot of fun, and reviewers are raving about the ending.

Debbi Rawlins finishes up her Stolen From Time miniseries with Lone Star Lover. When a sexy modern day cop ends up going back to the Old West, all he can think about is going home. Until he meets the woman he was sent back to find…and protect! A great read!

Bonnie Edwards makes her Blaze debut with Possessing Morgan. You’ll never see two more unlikely Blaze characters than these two protagonists – a billionaire playboy and a repo woman! But when Morgan Swann gets the chance to meet her fantasy man, she takes it. Even though it means hitching up his prized Morgan (a car) to her tow truck! This one’s a lot of fun. You never know what’s going to happen next.

And finally, Marie Donovan finishes up the month with Knowing the Score, a book set on the polo fields of the rich and famous. And if you didn’t think polo players were sexy, think again! This guy is HOT!

Remember, if the weather gets you down, just pick up a Blaze book. You’ll be hot soon.

For a chance to win this months books, please add the phrase “I need to warm up with a Blaze” to the comment field. Good luck and happy reading. (H)

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Blaze