Sometimes paradise isn’t all it’s cracked up to be That’s what I, Kylie McGraw, have discovered since sacrificing my dreams of traveling the world to run the family shoe store. But if I have my way, peaceful Eden, Indiana, is in for a major shake-up…. It all began on my birthday, when I got drunk and disorderly all over Eden’s hunky new police chief (and my former high school crush), Jack Reynolds. Then I may have, in my Cosmo haze, witnessed a murder in progress. Now I’m almost certain I’m being stalked by the mob, while he-of-the-distracting-abs Jack continues to think I’m nuts. However, there comes a time when a girl has to kick off her sensible shoes (size 7, cushion insoles) and go after what she wants. So if I can just survive long enough to put on my sexy new red heels, that’s exactly what I intend to do….

Have yourself a scrumptious, small-town Christmas with this special Cupcake Lovers holiday novella, Some Kind of Wonderful! Growing up in Sugar Creek, Maya Templeton and Zachary Cole were best friends. After high school, each went out into the world in search of adventure. Maya moved to Florida to explore her passion for baking and pastry-making, eventually establishing her own business: Cupcakes & Dreamscapes. Zach joined the military and became a Marine Scout Sniper. Now, after years apart, they're both going home for the holidays. They don't seem to have much in common anymore. In fact, Zach seems to have the hots for Maya's business partner. But when the two get stranded together during a blizzard, they are forced to reexamine their connection. Are Maya and Zach better off "just friends"-just as they were when they were young? Or could it be that true love was there all along? Look for Anything But Love-available now!-from St. Martin's Paperbacks. Praise for Beth Ciotta's Cupcake Lovers series: "An absolute treat."-Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author "Ciotta is a master of the fun-to-read romance, and this [series] is no exception."-RT BOOKreviews "Will keep readers waiting eagerly for [more]." -Publishers Weekly ABOUT THE AUTHOR Beth Ciotta is an award-winning author who specializes in romantic comedy with a twist. Her work includes contemporary, historical, and paranormal romantic fiction. "I can't think of anything more fulfilling than writing stories where everyone (except the villain, of course) gets a happy ending!" Beth lives in New Jersey with her husband, two zany dogs, and a crazy cat. A retired professional performer, Beth now pours her artistic passion into her writing.

CASTING CALL NOTICE: Seeking actress for role of ditzy former Vegas showgirl Sugar Dupont. Must possess strong vocals, outgoing personality and great gazongas. Well, two out of three ain't bad. A showbiz veteran, Evie Parish knows she has the chops to sing and dance with the best. A Wonderbra should take care of the rest. YOUR SCENE PARTNER: Arch, aka Charles Dupont, a doting older husband. THE GIG: Eight days of smooching, fawning and otherwise making a PDA spectacle of yourselves on a Caribbean cruise. AND…THE CATCH: Arch is one of a team of former con men staging a sting to catch a grifter—and, under his stage makeup, he's the sexiest hunk ever to don a fake mustache…. This will either be the roll of a lifetime or the end of her career!

When River Kane's fiancé abandons her at the altar for being too conventional, she's heartbroken. But everything changes when her estranged archaeologist father sends her his journal—filled with cryptic maps and a note indicating he's in mortal danger. Worried, River faces her greatest fears and flies to the Amazon to find him. But she needs a guide. Someone completely unlike danger-seeker Spenser McGraw. A charismatic treasure hunter who thrives on risk, Spenser hosts the popular TV show Into the Wild, dedicated to locating lost treasures and mythical icons. But River's father's life depends on discretion, and too-sexy Spenser is all about publicity. Forced to team up, they embark on a jungle adventure ripe with temptation and danger…ultimately discovering a hidden treasure that could alter history—and a steamy love neither expected.

Former casino lounge singer/variety act Evie Parish has moved up in the world, joining Chameleon, an organization that exposes fraud using reformed crooks to catch current ones. Her last assignment landed her in the arms of the delicious bad boy Arch Duvall, who taught her how to spot a grift and how to get over a lousy ex by having a superheated fling. Now it’s time to take to heart what she’s learned. When Evie’s mom falls for a sweetheart scam, Evie rushes to the rescue (undercover, of course), accompanied by Milo Beckett, her sexy new boss at Chameleon. Closely pursuing is Arch, who’s decided Evie may not be a passing fancy after all. It’s hard to concentrate on the case with these two macho males squaring off, but Evie’s up to the challenge.

Two out of three ain’t bad—unless you’re talking about dead guys! The body count on this job is freaking me out. Since I signed on to bust scam artists with Chameleon, the missions have been getting increasingly dangerous—and so has my love life! There’s Arch, my bad-boy Scottish lover, who’s been keeping secrets so long, he may never come clean. Then there’s my sexy boss, Milo, who’s in hot water with some seriously bad characters. Maybe it’s time for a whole new gig—one without cons or criminals. But first I have to bring in one more bad apple…in my own inimitable style. After that, one of my guys had better step up to the plate, or it’s hasta la vista for Evie….

Simon Darcy has a daring plan to win Queen Victoria's competition to recover lost inventions of historical significance. His scheme draws the attention of the Clockwork Canary, London's sensationalist reporter. But, as the attraction between Simon and the Canary ignites, Simon realizes that this vixen has secrets that could be the key to his future. Original.

I now pronounce you husband and wife . . . for the weekend. When Megan Rooney gets fired from her job, her life is turned upside down. But then her sexy neighbor, Nick Walker, tells her that he needs a wife for a weekend trip to Tuscany, and she's the perfect candidate. She surprises herself when she agrees to go -- but what if the lie turns out to be exactly what she's always wanted? BookShots Flames Original romances presented by JAMES PATTERSON Novels you can devour in a few hours Impossible to stop reading

Life Sentences Celeste Brookstone has the perfect life. When her daughter, Pilar, takes a job with the Department of Corrections in the Michigan Prison System, she worries for her safety. But she?s glad she?s away from the hell on earth Marcus Brookstone has created within his own home. Pilar Brookstone is an idealist. She thinks she can change things, Make inmates? lives a little better. And never, ever make the mistake her mother made. Chad Wilbanks is a serial killer serving life for taking the lives of eight young women. Is he about to take his ninth? Inevitable Sentences Big Bay Point Lighthouse on Michigan?s Lake Superior is a domestic violence shelter for women and children. Celeste Brookstone, as new owner and director of the safe house, has found a satisfying life mission and a wonderful new man, retired prison warden Max Whitefeather. However, when an inmate comes to settle a score with her, what Celeste is not prepared for is a fight for her sanity.

Amelia Darcy has no interest in marrying well. Her heart belongs to the sky and the dirigibles of brass and steel that swoop over Victorian England. But when her father, an eccentric inventor, dies, the Darcy siblings are left with scrap metal—and not a penny to their names. Their only hope to save the family name and fortune is to embark on a contest to discover an invention of historical importance in honor of Queen Victoria. Armed with only her father’s stories of a forgotten da Vinci workshop, a mechanically enhanced falcon, and an Italian cook, Amelia takes flight for Florence, Italy. But her quest is altered when her kitecycle crashes into the air ship of ex–Air Marshal—and scandalous dime novel hero—Tucker Gentry. Challenged by political unrest, a devious sky pirate, and their own sizzling attraction, Amelia and Tuck are dragged into an international conspiracy that could change the course of history…again.