Writers live inside their heads as much as in the real world. We make up characters and stories that feel more real than reality. My stories were always adventure oriented. And many of them took place in worlds revolving around far-flung suns or in fantasy lands where magic ruled. I invented people you could never meet on the street–creatures of the night, men who explored the universe, or who could change from human to some other form. And characters who could get inside each other's minds and share their consciousness. Then my mom would call me to dinner, and I’d be back to reality–for a little while.

BEYOND FEARLESS (ISBN: 042521866X, Berkley Sensation, December 2007) Anna Ridgeway's mind-reading nightclub act takes her to the Caribbean Island of Grand Fernandino. She knows she's being stalked by sinister forces. But she doesn't realize that her destiny hangs in the balance when she meets diver Zachary Robinson. Zach and Anna are inexplicably and powerfully drawn to each other--sexually and psychically. As the physical intimacy between them deepens, so do their psi talents. But island shaman, Raoul San Donato, has plans of his own for Anna. Already a powerful force on Grand Fernandino, he plans to kill Zach and bind Anna to him in a shocking ceremony that will make her his consort and consolidate his hold over the island.

"Huntress Moon" in ELEMENTAL MAGIC (ISBN: 0425217868, Berkley Trade, November 2007) tells the story of Zarah, a freeborn woman forced into slavery after her father is convicted of embezzlement and executed. To save her mother's life she agrees to spy on Griffin, a high council member in a neighboring city-state. Although Griffin hides a dark secret, he and Zarah are drawn to each other. But what will happen when he discovers her duplicity? Griffin is a werewolf but not one of the Marshalls. Their story is set in the parallel universe I created for NEW MOON ( ISBN: 0425216020, Berkley Sensation). "Huntress Moon" also introduces Quinn, the heroine of the next Moon novel, GHOST MOON, July 2008.

Occasionally, when I’m playing “what if,” my mind leaps from the far out to the REALLY far out. As in RETURN OF THE WARRIOR, my October Harlequin Intrigue.

RETURN OF THE WARRIOR (ISBN: 0373692846, 43 Light Street, Harlequin Intrigue, October 2007). From the moment Luke McMillan opens an ancient box that arrived in a shipment of stolen antiques, he’s in trouble. And so is Sidney Weston, the art expert unpacking the consignment. Sinister men will stop at nothing to acquire this object of power, which belongs to an ancient religious cult, the Moon Priests. They’ve been forgotten by modern society, but they’re still around–protecting the interests of the human race. The spirit of an ancient warrior is locked inside the box, and when he comes roaring out, he enters Luke’s body and forces him to return the chest to the Moon Priests. Of course, Luke must take Sidney with him, since her life is also at risk. Luke was an ordinary guy. Now he’s become an extraordinary combination of his own personality and the warrior’s. He’s forced to deal with this new reality as his growing love for Sidney brings out his protective instincts.

NEW MOON
(ISBN: 0425216020, Berkley Sensation,
March 2007) the sixth book in my Moon series.

While prowling through the woods in wolf form, Logan Marshall is caught in a trap meant for Rinna, a shape-shifter from a parallel universe. Although she’s fleeing from a powerful man who will do anything to capture and control her, she risks everything by changing from a beautiful white wolf into a naked woman so she can free Logan.

He quickly understands that Rinna is his lifemate. Yet as the passion between them builds, he finds that she’s been abused, and he must win her trust with his tender lovemaking. When she realizes her nemesis has followed them from her world to ours, she hatches a desperate plan to save herself and Logan.

When I began writing about werewolves, I was entranced with the idea of a man who struggles to find his humanity. As I’ve gotten into the Moon books, I realize I’m just as drawn to the exceptional women who bond with the Marshall men. Now a female werewolf has stepped into the mix, and I have a whole new concept to play with.