Dear Readers,

I tend to get in a bit of a funk after the holidays. It's super cold, all the sparkling holiday trimmings have been taken down and people seem to be grouchier than normal. But on the bright side of things, Valentines Day is right around the corner. I'm not really a huge fan of Valentines Day, but I do love the idea of people taking a moment from their lives to celebrate and appreciate all the loves in their lives. And really, it's not just a day for boyfriends, husbands, wives and girlfriends; it's a day to romance everyone, from kids to best friends to parents and brothers and sisters. [My family and friends and significant other get yummy treats and cards from me!] But if you're feeling a little less than jolly about celebrating our annual love day, perhaps Ballantine's latest books will put you in the mood. With these sizzling books, romance is never far away.

Wishing you all the romance in the world,

Junessa
jviloria@randomhouse.com

The ruthless enforcer of Scotland's most powerful clan, Jamie Campbell will use any means necessary to vanquish lawlessness and unrest among the feuding Highland clans. Seduction is a game as easily played as subterfuge, but when Jamie poses a as suitor to a rival clan's daughter in order to expose treason, the line between duty and pleasure is suddenly blurred. Ebony-haired, ruby-lipped Caitrina Lamont defies him, denies him, and arouses him like no other woman.

On sale January 27th! Pre-order your copy today!

Waiting with bated breath for the next book? Well you don't have to! The second book in this irresistible trilogy - HIGHLAND OUTLAW - goes on sale February 24th!

And be on the lookout for the explosive finale HIGHLAND SCOUNDREL. On sale March 24th!

Did you love Nicole Jordan's "The Courtship Wars" series as much as I did? Well, we're in luck because the fourth book in this alluring series -TO ROMANCE A CHARMING ROGUE- goes on sale February 24th!

The bold games of passion play out with delicious consequences in this fourth novel of Nicole Jordan's seductive new series, The Courtship Wars.

Two years ago, lively beauty Eleanor Pierce spied her dashing betrothed, Damon Stafford, Viscount Wrexham, with his former mistress and furiously ended their engagement. Now the charming rake is back in London, meddling in Eleanor's affairs, bent on thwarting her new suitor. And when Damon's intoxicating kisses rekindle her deepest longing, Eleanor loses her heart . . . again. But as she has no intention of allowing history to repeat itself, she embarks on a plan of tantalizing seduction, vowing to tame the rogue before she surrenders to his wicked, willful desires.

You don't want to miss this next installment in Nicole Jordan's fabulous series! Pre-order your copy this very instant!


Visit www.nicolejordanauthor.com for an excerpt and blogs by the series characters. For a free Courtship Wars bookmark (while supplies last), email your postal address to CSaundersPR@nancyberland.com by May 31, 2009. All who request a bookmark will be added to Nicole's reader list.

Suzanne Brockmann's latest book in her Troubleshooters series - DARK OF NIGHT - is so sexy, so edgy, so thrilling, it'll knock your socks off!

Only a handful of people know that Nash is still alive-and fellow Troubleshooters Dave Malkoff, Sophia Ghaffari, and receptionist Tracy Shapiro aren't among them. Believing that Nash is dead and that Decker has begun a romantic relationship with Tess, Sophia settles for second best and begins a love affair with Dave, who has adored her for years. But Tracy puts two and two together, discovering the truth about Nash-much to Decker's dismay.

As passions flare, Decker, Sophia, Tracy, and Dave are swept into the deadly play. Under fire and racing to unmask their relentless adversary, the Troubleshooters know that the closer they get, the greater the risks. But sacrifices and consequences come with the territory. Forced to choose between love and loyalty, they are no longer just solving a crime-they're fighting for survival.

You'll want to race to your bookstore on January 27th! Better yet, pre-order your copy today!

And while you're at it, pick up the paperback of INTO THE FIRE - it goes on sale January 27th as well!

Enter the world of witches, demons, and guardians in BLOOD MAGIC, Jennifer Lyon's first book in her new passionate and enchanting series, where The Hunter and The Hunted play deadly games with one another..

In the days when powerful witches used their magic to shield humanity from demons, their allies and guardians were a group of men gifted with preternatural abilities of their own-the witch guardians. But when a band of witches traded their humanity for demonic power, the ancient bond was broken, and the guardians became the hunters.

Darcy MacAlister knows nothing of demons or magic. But this beautiful young woman is about to discover the truth about her past . . . and her future. For she is a witch-not just any witch, but the key to breaking the curse that has plagued witches and the men who hunt them. For if a hunter kills an innocent witch by mistake, the price is no less than a piece of his soul.

Axel Locke, gorgeous leader of the Wing Slayer Hunters, has sworn never to shed the blood of the earth witches who have resisted the temptation of demonic power. But when his sister is cursed by a demon witch, he discovers that Darcy MacAlister may hold the cure-if she can master her newfound powers in time. When the chase begins and Axel and Darcy come face-to-face, this hunter must weigh his soul against his honor-and against his heart.

Fall under the spell... BLOOD MAGIC goes on sale February 24th!

Haven't read Mariah Stewart's MERCY STREET yet? This outstanding first book in her new series is fantastic and should not be missed! Pick up a paperback copy on February 24th!

New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart crafts compelling stories of romantic suspense, full of richly imagined characters, dazzling plot twists, and breathless action that keeps the pages turning. Now Stewart begins a thrilling new series-with a novel that proves to be her biggest and boldest yet.

MERCY STREET is tautly paced, resonant with emotion, and relentlessly gripping. It showcases Mariah Stewart at her most brilliant, as she ratchets up the suspense to new levels of excitement.

Pre-order today!