I know I say this for just about every book, but it happens to be true.  I just got the best review ever for THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

This one comes from Delane of Coffee Time Romance.  In addition to many other wonderful things about my holiday vampires, she gave BITE 5-cups & says:

“The Bite Before Christmas is an excellent specimen of the art of the written word. Heidi Betts has expertly orchestrated three outstanding stories that will withstand the test of time. Each story has a feature that entices and engages the senses, is difficult to resist, and the tie between all of them makes this anthology addictive. The unusual chapter names were my favorite part and made me giggle for their whimsical nature. Heidi Betts is a superior writer and a master of paranormal writing.”

Woot-woot! I R very happy. :dancing

You can read the rest of the review—which is equally wonderful, by the way, & elaborates on each of the three novellas—here.

Thank you, Delane & Coffee Time Romance!  (Which should perhaps be renamed Happy Time Romance. :winkwink )

With the release of INHERITING HIS SECRET CHRISTMAS BABY only a few short weeks away, I thought it would be a good time to start with book-related hunka-hunkas.

So here’s the first contestant who could play rich & powerful Trevor Jarrod, if he wanted to…  Sexy Ryan Reynolds all suited up & ready to seduce…

As you know, I am part of this year’s “Dynasties:  The Jarrods” continuity series for Silhouette Desire, wrapping things up with INHERITING HIS SECRET CHRISTMAS BABY early next month.

I am SO excited about this release!  For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been away from Silhouette Desire for a while…doing the knitting books & then the vampire book.  All great projects, but I do dearly love writing for Desire, & CHRISTMAS BABY has been a wonderful re-introduction to the line for me.

Yes, it’s a continuity story, which means that it’s part of a multi-book, multi-author series, but even though I was handed much of the plot for this book, it was right up my alley from the very beginning.  We’ve got a secret baby, a bit of blackmail, & a boatload of super-steamy sexual tension between the hero & heroine—who could ask for anything more? :winkwink

So let me introduce you to this wonderful story & it’s even more wonderful characters, Trevor Jarrod, Haylie Smith, & baby Bradley.  (Is he a Smith or a Jarrod—or both? :whhhat )

Silhouette Desire #2055
December 2010
ISBN 978-0373730681
(Dynasties: The Jarrods — Book 6)

This wasn’t the type of Christmas present he’d been expecting. Trevor Jarrod—a daddy? Yet the enticing woman seated in his office claimed the Aspen businessman was the father of her baby nephew. Quick as he could say paternity test, Trevor discovered she was telling the truth. But just what did this revelation mean? The confirmed bachelor knew nothing about being a parent. And Haylie Smith wasn’t about to hand off the precious infant to a complete stranger.

If Trevor really wanted to claim his unexpected heir, he had an important choice to make—head to court…or head to the altar!

And now, to introduce you to our cast of characters (as suggested in the “Dynasties:  The Jarrods” bible).

MEET TREVOR JARROD

At six-feet-two-inches, flirty, laid-back, athletic Trevor Jarrod can often be found frequenting the slopes. He runs a marketing firm in Aspen, Colorado, & has recently taken of as President of Marketing for Jarrod Ridge.

MEET HAYLIE SMITH

Slightly full-figured, honey-blond Haylie Smith always takes care of everyone else before herself. She owns her own event-planning company in Denver, Colorado, & is sister to Bradley’s deceased mother, Heather.

MEET BABY BRADLEY

Aww.  Bradley Smith—possibly soon-to-be Bradley Jarrod—is an adorable three-month-old baby boy.  He enjoys naps, baths, sucking his toes, & a warm bottle on a cold day.