by Suzanne Clarke, Editor
Following up our general Presents feedback, here are some further general comments for all you aspiring Modern Heat writers out there, based on what we saw among the entries.
The most important aspect for Modern Heat is definitely author voice – we’re looking for voices that are sparky, lively, young, contemporary. Voices that [...]

by Catherine Witmer, RT senior series reviewer
Do YOU:

Love Harlequin Presents Extra?
Have a strong point of view?
Possess the ability to write about both in a clear and concise manner?

Then you just might be the new Harlequin Presents Extra reviewer Romantic Times BOOKreviews is looking for!
Previous review experience isn’t necessary, but an ability to [...]

by Harlequin Presents Editorial Team
There’s was a great deal about Eve’s first chapter that we loved:
 This story was dark, dark, dark! It threw you right into a sizzling opening scene with a gritty, edgy back-story with taut, intense tension building up to the moment that the hero and heroine first meet.
 There is a smouldering sexual [...]

by Eve Powers
THE GAMBLER, SYNOPSIS:
Marcos Allende is a millionaire, a gambler, and a mystery. From the first moment Virginia sets eyes on him, she feels an intimate pull to the dangerous Latin businessman. Until she finds herself gambled off by her father. The winner isn’t Marcos, but Marcos isn’t about to let anyone touch Virginia [...]

The Gambler by Eve Powers
Chapter One
How could he?
She wasn’t currency, or a car, a house, a necklace. She was flesh and blood. His flesh and blood. Bartered off like a…
Virginia Hollis shuddered. She wrapped her arms around herself and stared out the back window of the sleek black Lincoln as it wound its way along [...]

by Malle
As I have been posting the winning chapters, sysnopses and critiques on the site I realize I have been posting them in the order an editor reads a partial or manuscipt. We (I’m a former editor) always read the  chapters first to delve into the writing and see whether we are swept away and [...]

by Harlequin Presents editorial team
Reasons why we loved Dani’s entry:
• Compelling style – great sense of electricity between the hero and heroine
• Well developed intensity and fabulous sensual tension
• Sexy hero full of strength and confidence; engaging heroine
• Strong dialogue and a good sense of pace sweeping the reader along
Dani has really impressed us with her writing voice, and [...]

by Dani Collins
SYNOPSIS: THE HEIRESS’S INSTANT SEDUCTION
Self-made tycoon Grayson Maddock doesn’t need anyone, but he’s curious enough about his past to stay in a hotel belonging to the man he believes is his father.  Gray would have drawn the line at sleeping with the man’s former daughter-in-law, however, if she’d confessed that’s who she was.  [...]

by Dani Collins
Here is chapter one from one of our two runners up in the Presents writing competition: The Heiress’s Instant Seduction  by Dani Collins. Since it took me all day to get this chapter up, we’ll post the synopsis on Wednesday and critique on Thursday.
CHAPTER ONE
This sort of incompetence was the reason Gray Maddock kept [...]

by Malle, Digital Team Member
As of 11:23 a.m. EST this morning we have read and reviewed 7846 books for the 100,000 Book Challenge. Of course that leaves us with some books still to read before we can donate 100,000 books to the NCFL, a truly worthy organization dedicated to spreading literacy.
So I’m asking you, avid [...]