The bond Keri Cassidy shares with her adopted kids couldn't be stronger if they were her own flesh and blood. So when coach Grady Quinlan suspends her teenage son from the basketball team, the fiercely protective single mother is fit to be tied. Until she uncovers the scandal in Grady's past.

Grady claims he's innocent of any wrongdoing. In spite of evidence against him, Keri finds herself believing Grady when no one else does. But how can she trust a man who threatens her son's future? She doesn't want to have to choose sides. But she may have already made a choice. If she has the courage to follow what her heart is telling her.

Charlie Keene has poured everything she's got into running her father's concrete company, and now her brother wants to sell.  Worse, handsome acquisitions specialist Jack Maguire's arrived in town...and he wants to buy.  Charlie's worked too hard to let the family firm go.

One delicious dance and an even more surprising dinner later, all bets are off, as Charlie draws Jack into her Carnelian Cove world.  But what does he really want--her or her company?  And can Charlie ever trust a man in love if she can't trust him in life?

Taking the Heat by Kathryn Shay, Berkley. ISBN: 0425222004

Liam O'Neil is trying to take care of his troubled seven-year-old son and cocky teenager, and work full time at the family-owned Bailey's Irish Pub.  Widowed three years ago, he's ready to date again (at the insistence of his brothers.)  But his life is in flux, his future unclear, when he meets Sophie Tyler, a female in the Fire Department of New York.  A consummate firefighter who was rescued herself by the FDNY when she was ten, she loves her job and her "firefighter family."  Liam's as attracted to her as she to him, which is fun and flirty, until they both start to care about each other.  Yet she's the last person he can get involved with. His youngest is suffering from abandonment issues and depression, and needs stability.  Even when they become involved, both Liam and Sophie know their relationship is doomed. Or is it?

A round of applause to NovelTalk authors who finalled in the Wisconsin Write Touch Readers' Award Contest:  Brenda Novak, and Linda Warren. 

During the month of May, Kathryn Shay will be doing a "virtual book tour," visiting several online sites for chats, interviews and reviews.  Check out her website for her itinerary.

Anna DeStefano's celebrating the release of Baby Steps, as part of her April "Mother's of the Year" anthology, and her June To Protect the Child, Book 2 in her Atlanta Heroes series, with fabulous prize giveaways on her website and blog Prizes include a high-fashion purse from Italian designer Isabella Fiore!!! Don't miss the fun!  Contest runs from April 15 - July 1st.

Terry McLaughlin is celebrating the release of A Small-Town Temptation, the first book in her new Built to Last series, with a series of giveaways on her blog.  Come by for a visit and leave a comment to be eligible for one of several prizes. Contest ends July 1.

Win a trip for 2 to Bainbridge Island and Port Orchard.  Bestselling Authors Brenda Novak, Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs and Allison Brennan are joining forces to give one lucky reader a Fabulous Trip for Two to Port Orchard and Bainbridge Island, Washington--including airfare, accommodations, massages and more!  For full details and to enter the contest, visit Brenda's contest page. Contest ends May 31.

Kathleen O'Brien: Texas Wedding, the sequel to Kathleen's bestselling SuperRomance Texas Baby, will be published in early 2009.  To help pass the time till then, Kathleen is holding a very special contest.  As those of you who read Texas Baby know, Susannah Everly is trying to keep her family peach farm afloat through rough economic times. Email your favorite original recipe for a peach dessert by June 1, and she'll pick one special recipe for Susannah to serve at her annual Peach Party, featured in Texas Wedding. The winner will also receive a $25.00 American Express gift certificate to spend at your favorite grocery store...buying peaches, of course! Please be sure your recipe is not under copyright elsewhere. Contest ends June 1.  Visit her website for more details.

Kathryn Shay will give away an autographed copy of her new book, Taking the Heat, along with a Fire Department of New York coffee mug. Visit her website for more details. Contest ends May 31.

For her May contest Linda Warren will be giving away a copy of Adopted Son and a Texas beaded bookmark. Just answer the question on her website and your name will go into the drawing. Contest ends May 31.