Sexy! sexy! Sexy! This story is hot...surprisingly so because Lorraine Heath is an historical romance author...She writes good contemp!

Here is a good review by Mary grace Meloche of Ontario Canada.

By MaryGrace Meloche (Ontario, Canada.)

Lorraine Heath delivers a straightforward, enthusiastic page-turner in SMOOTH TALKIN' STRANGER. Using the power of passion, Heath pens a touching story about two strangers who must accept life's Fate. From the beginning, I devoured the hopeful storyline and I truly regretted the final page.

As a widow, Serena Hamilton lives the lonely life, as she raises her young son alone. As a government agent, Hunter Fletcher lives a lonely life, as he exists on life's outer edges. Two very lonely people who intersect in a bar and spend a fiery passionate night together. Two people who cannot ignore the heat from that night.

The book flows with a loving essence. Hunter Fletcher is an isolated man; he is the product of a violent childhood. Sadly, the man has no starting point to build a life. He views Serena as the essential “Adoration Goddess.” Understandably, Hunter Fletcher is terrified of Serena's angelic world - a world for which he secretly yearns - a world that overflows with tenderness, devotion, and love.

Again Lorraine Heath bewitches this reader. When it comes to creating heartwarming and heart wrenching stories, that brim with penetrating emotion, sensuality, and humor, this author knows no bounds. SMOOTH TALKIN' STRANGER is a splendid read.

Synopsis

The first kiss occurred in a dimly lit hallway on the upper floor of Elwin Hastings's grand house. Louisa never saw it coming....

Of course, Anthony Stalbridge couldn't possibly have had romantic intentions. The kiss was an act of desperation meant to distract the armed guard from catching the pair in a place they did not belong. After all, Louisa Bryce, in her dull maroon gown and gold-rimmed spectacles, was no man's idea of an alluring female. The only thing the two interlopers have in common is a passionate interest in the private affairs of Mr. Hastings-a prominent member of Society whom they both suspect of hiding terrible secrets. Now, brought together by their ruse, Anthony and Louisa are united in their efforts to find the truth.

Each has a reason for the quest. Anthony's fiancŽe was said to have thrown herself into the Thames-but Anthony has his own suspicions. Louisa-whose own identity is shrouded in layers of mystery-is convinced that Hastings has a connection to a notorious brothel. When Anthony successfully cracks Hastings's hidden safe-and discovers incriminating evidence-it appears that both their instincts were correct.

Yet Hastings is hiding far more than jewels and ledger books. Bringing him to justice will be more perilous than they anticipate-and their partnership will be more heated than either one expects. For it is not only Anthony's curiosity that Louisa arouses, and the two share something else: a thrilling attraction to danger. . . .

From the triple-threat author who also hits bestseller lists under the names Jayne Ann Krentz and Jayne Castle, this is a delightful new romp filled with suspense and wit-and the steamy Victorian passion herdevoted readers love.

Publishers Weekly

The suspense begins with the first sentence of this romantic mystery from the pseudonymous Quick (Jayne Ann Krentz uses this pseudonym for her Victorian novels). Gossip spreads fast about the liaison between "unimportant, unfashionable, excessively dull" Louisa Bryce and wealthy, handsome Anthony Stalbridge. In reality, their first kiss was a spur-of-the-moment coverup when the two are caught snooping around Elwin Hastings's mansion. Louisa, an undercover reporter for the sensational newspaper, Flying Intelligencer, is investigating Hastings's crooked financial dealings, while Anthony seeks the truth about his fiancée, one of three society women who supposedly committed suicide a year ago. Under the guise of their romance, Louisa and Anthony expose Hastings's many criminal schemes. Their relationship isn't all business, however, and Louisa's profession isn't her only secret. Quick's tightly woven tale allows little room for extraneous subplots—every cracked safe and mysterious prostitute plays an important role. Light humor and playful love scenes temper the more gruesome moments for an alluring combination of foggy nights and steamy afternoons. (Apr.)

Biography

Amanda Quick is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz who-under various pen names-is the author of more than forty New York Times bestsellers. There are more than 25 million copies of her books in print. Visit her website at www.jayneannkrentz.com.

History The Third Circle Sizzle and Burn White Lies Second Sight Profiles

THE THIRD CIRCLE Amanda Quick SETTING: Late Victorian England Leona Hewitt makes a somewhat precarious and not entirely respectable living reading dream crystals. Within the Arcane Society such talent is considered to be only a step up from being a carnival worker. One dark night she steals into a private museum filled with relics of paranormal power. She is determined to retrieve a rare crystal that was stolen from her family. Imagine her surprise when she encounters the mysterious psychic mesmerist, Thaddeus Ware, standing over the body of a savagely murdered woman. Thaddeus is accustomed to fearful reactions from others, especially women. After all, a man with the power to control minds could rob a lady of her virtue without her even knowing it. Leona, however, is no ordinary female. She has power of her own and she is not afraid of him. She is also not about to give up her claim on the crystal. A reckless and dangerous passion flares immediately between the pair as they flee into the night. But at dawn Leona disappears with the crystal. Thaddeus has no choice but to track her down. Not only is he fascinated by Leona -- the only woman who can resist his talent -- he knows that a ruthless hunter of preternatural skill is also hunting her. Back to jayneannkrentz.com Back to Arcane House

Public Displays of Affection

by Susan Donovan

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Happy Reading!!

In 1796, Lefroy began a flirtation with English novelist Jane Austen, who was a friend of an older female relative of his. Jane Austen wrote two letters to her sister Cassandra mentioning "Tom Lefroy" but it does not seem to have been a serious relationship. It has been suggested that he might have been who Austen had in mind when she invented the character Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.

Today...On the way out of the theater, everyone began discussing this movie and it was all very favorable...I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Maggie Smith is perfection as the aristocratic snooty prototype of Lady Catherine from Pride &Predjudice. Ian Richardson was so at ease in the role of Tom Lefroy's disgruntled guardian and Anne Hathaway was positively delightful as "the ironic little authoress"!

The Jane Austen Handbook: A Sensible Yet Elegant Guide to Her World

"I want to tell you that I have got my own darling Child from London." ~ Jane Austen talking about receiving her copy of Pride and Prejudice in a letter to Cassandra Austen, 29 January 1813

What Would Jane Austen Do? Take the Quiz!

The Jane Austen Handbook:
A Sensible Yet Elegant Guide to Her World

Learn how to conduct yourself like a Jane Austen heroine or hero, with step-by-step instructions for all the mysterious details of Regency life that can confuse 21st-century readers.

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"The Jane Austen Handbook is indispensable reading for anyone who wants to know more about Jane Austen and her world: how a lady spent her leisure time, how she dealt with illnesses in the family, how she celebrated Christmas etc. It's also worth its weight in gold for fledgling Regency authors because it answers all those niggling questions that suddenly appear from nowhere in the middle of chapter 3: my hero's masquerading as a steward, but what exactly does a steward do? And last but not least, it's a witty, engaging read that entertains as it informs. Highly recommended." - Amanda Grange, author of (Mr.) Darcy's Diary, Mr. Knightley's Diary, and Captain Wentworth's Diary

"Part tongue in cheek 'How To' guide for the young Regency gentleman or woman, part historical reference, this small volume is an invaluable resource for those only just discovering Austen and the Regency...and a delicious indulgence for those familiar with her life and works. . .makes a great gift for yourself, an Austen loving friend, or the Regency novelist in your life. It's a terrific resource for quickly finding answers to late night questions and most of all, presented in such a charming and conversational tone, that you can't help sitting down and reading it from cover to cover, once you start." - Laura Boyle, The Jane Austen Online Magazine

"This slightly tongue-in-cheek guide offers helpful hints to anyone who might want to live in Jane's world; how to dress, how to manage the household staff, and how to marry off all of your daughters to the most incredibly rich and handsome men while seeming to be not the least bit intrusive. An essential tool for modern living." - The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

"I think this book would be a particularly useful introduction for young Janeites who have just discovered their passion for Jane Austen. As for those of us who are slightly longer in the tooth and who have loved Jane for almost as long as she's been buried, this is a must-have, quick pocket reference." - Ms. Place, Jane Austen's World

"Sullivan is the editrix of the fascinating Austenblog.com and has a huge knowledge of Austen and her time. She brings all that to the book, along with a cool wit that Jane herself would have admired." - Joanne Sasvari, The Calgary Herald

"Margaret C. Sullivan takes readers back to England from the late 1700s to the early 1800s and entertainingly explains it all, from 'how to become an accomplished lady' to 'how to elope to Scotland' to 'how a lady might earn a living (if necessary)' to 'how to get rid of unwanted guests,' still a valuable skill. It's a book jammed with fascinating information about the role of women in society 200 years ago and how that has - or has not - changed." - Carole Goldberg, The Hartford Courant

"useful, entertaining" - Caryn James, The New York Times

"A valuable companion to Austen's novels" - Dana Cobern-Kullman, School Library Journal

Signed Bookplates

If you would like a bookplate (a label to place in your copy of The Jane Austen Handbook) signed by the authoress, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope (or an International Reply Coupon for anyone outside the U.S.), a note letting us know how you would like the bookplate signed (i.e., just a signature, to a particular name, with or without a message), and your e-mail address in case we have a question to:

Margaret C. Sullivan
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I will be at the JASNA AGM in Vancouver, BC this October. I have no formal book signing scheduled but I'll be delighted to sign the book if you find me there. Look for the loudmouthed bespectacled redhead wearing a Team Tilney shirt and tapping on a PDA; you can't miss me.

Question: What is the true definition of an historical novel?

Does it need to go back 100 years or fifty years?

How far back does a novel have to be set to make it “historical”? A hundred years? Fifty years? Five years? To a reader born in the 1960s, novels set during the Second World War may be considered “suitably historical,” but readers who vividly remember the 1940s may not agree. Should the definition be relative, so that a novel can be considered historical by one reader, but not by someone else? Or, given that ALL novels are set in SOME time period, should we use the broadest definition possible, saying something like, “All novels are historical, but some are more historical than others”?