Join Me (and the B&N Book Club) for a Grand European Adventure!

It's the lovely month of May and, for me, that means it's time for a long-awaited virtual voyage to Europe with one of my favorite book clubs. The best part is that anyone in the world is welcome to come along for free! Please join me and the Barnes & Noble General Fiction Book Club as we discuss A Summer in Europe online and talk about our most cherished, funny or anxiety-provoking travel experiences...the most delicious meals we've ever had abroad...and the coolest sites we've seen in fabulous places around the globe.

No matter which airport you may be departing from, I know we're going to have smooth flights, hassle-free security check-ins, lots of overhead luggage space, ample leg room and endless onboard treats. (I'm already breaking open a tasty bottle of Welsh mead -- a honey wine -- that I brought back from a shop near Conwy Castle, and I'm beginning to pour glasses for everyone...)

So, if you already have the book or would like to pick up a copy (there's still time! you can find it at Amazon, B&N, IndieBound and more!), the reading schedule is posted here. I can tell you right now that we'll be reading and talking about Chapters 1-4 during the week of May 7-13, Chapters 5-8 during May 14-20, and Chapters 9-13 during May 21-27. The links to the weekly chats will be posted on the Fiction General Discussion Board HERE. Truly, I can't wait!

Because we were in England and, then, when we returned, I had both the RT Booklovers Convention and Chicago-North's Spring Fling Conference to attend, my real life got a bit too hectic for me to post everything I wanted to share. However, two wonderful friends had new book releases this spring, and I just couldn't wait any longer to tell you about them!

My amazing critique partner, Laura Moore, released the final book in her Rosewood trilogy at the end of March. Trouble Me is the story of Jade, the youngest and wildest of the Radcliffe sisters. She is the last to return home to her family’s sprawling Virginia horse farm and its unsettling memories. She never planned on a night of passion with a stranger before starting her new life as a teacher and riding instructor -- or the shock of recognizing the man who gave her so much pleasure standing right there in her classroom... Officer Rob Cooper is stunned. Not only is the woman who rocked his world his daughter’s second grade teacher, but she’s the troubled teen whom he blames for his wife’s death years ago. Worse, now that he sees her in the light of day, he wants her more than ever. Time has softened Jade’s hard, rebellious edge -- she’s spirited, honest, and sexy to distraction. But will the feelings ignited in the heat of desire be enough to heal a past that needs forgiving?

And, also, my good friend Robin Bielman just released her debut book -- yay! It's a romantic novella called Worth the Risk, which is a story of reunited love. Samantha Bennett put Dean Malloy out of her mind five years ago, when he broke her heart after a summer fling. But now he's back in her life, and ready to steal a heritage protection contract that could make or break her career -- if he doesn't steal her heart first. Samantha's vowed to hate him, but it's more than anger heating the competition between them. With sparks flying across the conference table and sizzling in every touch, Dean proposes a weekend liaison. Anything to have Sam again; anything to get her out of his system. But the unresolved feelings between them complicate both their personal and professional lives, and one wild weekend could turn into a disaster that would destroy the one job that means more to Samantha than anything...

Congratulations, Laura and Robin! I'm so thrilled for you both!! And to everyone, I hope you're having a wonderful start to May ;). What have you all been reading this spring?