I'm employed again

Okay, technically, I've always been employed, since I have a day job. But I just signed a new contract with Harlequin Intrigue, for a book coming out in October 2011. (I also have a three-book proposal with my editor, who e-mailed to say she liked it and planned to turn it in to the senior editor next week for approval, so I may be signing yet another contract in a few weeks).

About the new contract—it's for a Harlequin Intrigue continuity called Daddy Corps, featuring ex-military heroes working for a security company who find themselves dealing with children—in some cases, their own, and in other case, the children of the women they fall in love with—over the course of the stories.

My book, which will be the fourth book in the series, features Carter Michaelson, an ex-Marine whose bitter divorce has left him cynical and distrustful of women. He's assigned to head security for a fundraiser for the Texas governor, who is considering a presidential run now that her term of office is nearly done. Unfortunately, he soon clashes with the governor's aide, Shaelyn Giordano, whose opinion of men isn't any better than his opinion of women. Shaelyn's also divorced, from a man whose passion for marriage and fatherhood didn't last past their son's autism diagnosis. She's learned how to be both father and mother to her son, in the midst of a demanding career, so the last thing she needs is a big, overbearing male trying to tell her how to do her job. Unfortunately, someone is determined to ruin the governor's big night, forcing Shaelyn and Carter to set aside their distrust and work together to keep a disaster from happening.

The other authors involved in the continuity are Delores Fossen, Mallory Kane, Elle James, Jan Hambright and Cassie Miles. I'm thrilled to be working with these fabulous writers and can't wait to see how the series turns out.