Website: mikeallegra.com/

Published with: Macmillan, Albert Whitman, Imprint, Dawn Publishing

Mike Allegra is the author of the picture books Sarah Gives Thanks (Albert Whitman & Company, 2012), Everybody’s Favorite Book (Macmillan, 2018), and Scampers Thinks Like a Scientist (Dawn, 2019) and the Kimmie Tuttle chapter book series (ABDO 2021). He also not-so secretly pens the Prince Not-So Charming chapter book series (Macmillan, 2018-19, pen name: Roy L. Hinuss). He received an Independent Artist Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, won the 2014 Highlights Fiction Contest, and received a 2019 Creative Access Fellowship. Check out his blog at www.mikeallegra.com and befriend him at www.facebook.com/mike.allegra.

"Readers will look forward to more from this talented author, who has penned a perfectly paced, rousing biography." - Kirkus starred review

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.rachelealpine.com

Published with: Medallion Press, Aladdin M!x, Simon Pulse

Rachele Alpine is a lover of sushi, fake mustaches, and Michael Jackson. By day she’s a high school English teacher, and by night she writes with the companionship of the world’s cutest dog, Radley, a big cup of coffee, and a full bag of gummy peaches. Rachele lives with her husband in Cleveland, Ohio, but dreams of moving back to Boston, the city she fell in love with while attending graduate school there.

"A searing and tender portrait of the complexities of high school friendships, dating and privilege. CANARY is a testament to the power of hard-won truths." -Daisy Whitney, author of THE MOCKINGBIRDS and WHEN YOU WERE HERE

"The subtle way Rachele Alpine addresses love, loss, popularity, and friendship makes this book a realistic and arresting read. For anyone who ever struggled with frenemies and fitting in, CANARY is an important addition to contemporary YA discussions." -Jennifer Brown, author of THE HATE LIST

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.adrianaanders.com

Published with: Sourcebooks

A recovering actress and singer, who grew up between Virginia and Paris, Adriana has finally returned to her first, obsessive love: romance. She has translated or written about nearly everything under the sun, but only in recent years has she allowed herself to do it for fun. She resides with her tall French husband, two small children and fat French cat in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.alexaster.com

Published with: Sourcebooks

Alex Aster lives in NYC, where she writes stories influenced by her Colombian heritage. She graduated from UPenn summa cum laude and is the Chief Innovation Officer of The Newsette, a media company with over 400,000 daily readers that has worked with brands like Twitter, LinkedIn, Ulta Beauty, and more. Her middle grade fantasy EMBLEM ISLAND: CURSE OF THE NIGHT WITCH is forthcoming from Sourcebooks. Alex is also more than a little obsessed with coffee, and her twin sister’s miniature poodle Leo.

Represented by Laura Bradford

Published with: Simon Pulse, Katherine Tegen Books

Legacy of the Clockwork Key "A swashbuckling and clever heroine, a murderer intent on making her his next victim, fantastical beasts and devices, and a budding love affair that defies Victorian conventions only add tension, interest, and excitement to this first title in the Secret Order series."-- Booklist

She also writes adult fiction under the name Jess Granger.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.tessabailey.com

Published with: Entangled & Avon Impulse

Protecting What's His: "The sexy banter between the couple is hot enough to singe the pages, but the emotions remain genuine and real." -- RT Book Reviews

Asking For Trouble: "Bring out the oven mitts to read the fan-your-face hotness." --USA Today Recommended Read

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.amberabardan.com

Published with: Mira Books Australia, Carina Press, Ellora's Cave

After spending years imagining fictional adventures, Amber finally found a way to turn daydreaming into a productive habit. She now spends her days as a graphic designer but her nights writing scintillating tales about heroes with tough exteriors who are warm inside. She lives with her husband and children in semi-rural Australia, where if she peers outside at the right moment she might just see a kangaroo bounce by.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.anyabast.com

Published with: Berkley Sensation and Berkley Heat

Cruel Enchantment “Bast’s unique voice rings loud and clear in her latest Dark Magick offering. She has a knack for creating believable and completely original worlds for her characters, then populating those worlds with thoroughly enjoyable characters. Here’s a story about deep love and deep hate, and all of the complications of both.” —Romantic Times Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: literarylilycate.blogspot.com/

Published with: Little, Brown

Lindsey Becker lives in Wisconsin with her husband and child and writes middle grade fiction with ghosts and monsters and mythical beasts and daring little girls who love adventure and magic. She loves books, movies and all forms of art and craft, and blogs. Her untitled debut MG will release from Little, Brown in April of 2017.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.jennbennett.net

Published with: Pocket Books, Berkley, Feiwel & Friends

Jenn Bennett is an award-winning author of the Arcadia Bell urban fantasy series (KINDLING THE MOON), the Roaring Twenties romance series (BITTER SPIRITS), and the young adult contemporary romances THE ANATOMICAL SHAPE OF A HEART (aka NIGHT OWLS in the U.K.) and ALEX, APPROXIMATELY. Her books have earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, won the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA® Award, received two Reviewers' Choice awards and a Seal of Excellence from RT Book Reviews, and been included on Publishers Weekly Best Books annual list. She lives near Atlanta with one husband and two pugs.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: julianalbrandt.com

Juliana Brandt is an author and kindergarten teacher with a passion for storytelling that guides her in both of her jobs. She lives in her childhood home of Minnesota, and her writing is heavily influenced by travels around the country and a decade living in the South. When not working, she is usually exploring the great outdoors. You can find her online at her website.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil

Website: tarabrown22.blogspot.com/

Published with: Montlake Romance

Tara Brown is the mother of two beautiful girls who are growing up so fast, the wife of a cute guy in a uniform (her own personal hero), and a writer. She writes Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Romance, Science Fiction, Erotica (under Sophie Starr), Thrillers, and even some Romantic Comedies.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.sarahcastille.com

Published with: Sourcebooks, Samhain, St. Martin's Press

Recovering lawyer, karate practitioner, and caffeine addict, Sarah Castille worked and traveled abroad before trading her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home near the Canadian Rockies. Her steamy, contemporary romantic tales feature blazingly hot alpha heroes tormented and tattooed for your reading pleasure.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.twinkiechan.com

Published with: Creative Publishing International

Crochet designer and craft superstar Twinkie Chan first learned to crochet from her best friend’s grandmother when she was ten years old, and she always turned to crochet to make gifts for friends and family. She worked in publishing for 10 years before throwing crochet hooks to the wind and trying her hand at crafting full-time. Twinkie’s signature crochet work is cute, colorful, food-themed, and always functional, highlighting an attribute she likes to call “cute-tility.” Her fun, unique projects are inspired by Japanese “kawaii” (cute) culture and her childhood collection faux food toys.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: monicaclarkrobinson.com/

Published with: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Scholastic

Monica Clark-Robinson writes picture books and contemporary middle grade fiction. Her debut picture book, LET THE CHILDREN MARCH, will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2017. She is also a professional actor, voice-over artist, and speech-writer, and lives in a yurt in the country with one husband, too many cats, and just the right amount of daughters.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: jessicacorra.wordpress.com/

Published with: Zest Books, Drollerie Press

Jessica Corra believes in wonder, chocolate, love, and words. She is a contributor to the Dear Teen Me anthology (Zest Books) and Straying From the Path (Drollerie Press). She lives outside Philadelphia where she enjoys cooking, baking, and developing recipes for (and eating!) a whole-foods, plant-based lifestyle and occasionally swing dancing.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.emmycurtis.com

Published with: Forever Yours

Emmy Curtis is an editor and a romance writer. An ex-pat Brit, she quells her homesickness with Cadbury Flakes, and Fray Bentos pies. Her life is chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny. She’s lived in London, Paris and New York, and has settled, for the time being, in North Carolina.

Emmy also writes young adult under the name Suze Winegardner for Entangled Teen Crush.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.lizczukas.com

Published with: Harper Teen, Ballantine

Liz Czukas is a freelance writer for About.com (on the important, but very sad topic of Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss), and also writes books for young adults (which are rarely sad and full of kissing). Before that, she was a nurse and she still kind of misses starting IVs. She lives outside Milwaukee, WI with her husband, son and the world’s loudest cat. She types too loud (according to her husband), spends too much time on the Internet, and can’t get enough of disaster movies. There is *always* a song stuck in her head, and she once won a hula-hoop contest.

Liz also writes New Adult under the name Ellie Cahill.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: christinadalcher.com

Published with: Berkley

Christina Dalcher earned her doctorate in theoretical linguistics from Georgetown University. She specializes in the phonetics of sound change in Italian and British dialects and has taught at universities in the United States, England, and the United Arab Emirates.

Her short stories and flash fiction appear in over one hundred journals worldwide. Recognitions include the Bath Flash Award’s Short List; nominations for The Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, and Best Small Fictions; and multiple other awards. She teaches flash fiction as a member of the faculty at The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk, Virginia. After spending several years abroad, most recently in Sri Lanka, Dalcher and her husband now split their time between the American South and Naples, Italy. Her first novel will be published by Berkley in late 2018.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.laurendane.com

Published with: HQN, Grand Central, Berkley Sensation, Berkley Heat, Carina Press

Inside Out, Never Enough and Heart of Darkness “Lauren Dane writes with an emotional depth and authenticity that always leaves me breathless.” —New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian

Broken Open: "Sexy, emotional and intense, you're going to love the Hurley brothers. You'll want them to be your next book boyfriend." --New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.victoriadelao.com

Published with: St. Martin's

Victoria De La O is an award-winning author and native of California’s Silicon Valley. She spends her time raising two crazy kids with her husband, working at Stanford University, arguing about films, and partaking in chicanery. Her debut book, Tell Me How This Ends, will be released by St. Martin's Swerve in late 2016.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.fedisbest.org

Published with: Rowan & Littlefield

Christie is a Board Certified Emergency Physician, Newborn Brain Injury and Breastfeeding Complications Researcher who studies the scientific literature on newborn brain injury, jaundice, dehydration and hypoglycemia as it relates to insufficient and delayed breast milk production. She is co-founder of the Fed is Best Foundation, a non-profit organization of volunteer doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, parents and patient advocates who study the scientific literature on infant feeding complications. She investigates the real-life breastfeeding stories of mothers through social media on her Facebook page and has a following of over 630,000 representing families and health professionals in nearly every continent. She leads a group of almost 200 physicians, nurses, and lactation consultants who support the Foundation’s work to provide health education and patient safety recommendations to prevent complications of infant insufficient feeding through the Foundation’s website at fedisbest.org.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil

Website: www.merriedestefano.com/

Published with: Harper Voyager, Entangled Teen

In a previous life, Merrie Destefano was the editor of Victorian Homes magazine, founding editor of Cottages & Bungalows magazine, and contributing editor of Romantic Homes magazine, and as such, she wrote for a combined circulation of approximately 250,000. Born in the Midwest, she currently lives in Southern California with her husband, two German shepherds, a Siamese cat and the occasional wandering possum. Her favorite hobbies are reading speculative fiction and watching old Star Trek episodes, and her incurable addiction is writing.

"A concise, bold crime tale that, even in its darkest moments, shines with brilliance." -Kirkus

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.helenkaydimon.com

Published with: Harlequin, Avon, Berkley, InterMix, Carina Press, Samhain

When She Wasn't Looking "Between the explosive action, snappy dialogue, sizzling attraction and intricate plot, Dimon’s got a tour de force tale of greed and revenge."-- Romantic Times Book Reviews, 4 1/2 Stars TOP PICK

"So smart, sexy, and fast-paced, I devour her stories.”—New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.nandixon.com

Published with: Harlequin Superromance

Nan spent her formative years as an actress, singer, dancer and competitive golfer. But the need to eat had her studying accounting in college. Unfortunately, being a successful financial executive didn’t feed her passion to perform. When the pharmaceutical company she worked for was purchased, Nan got the chance of a lifetime—the opportunity to pursue a writing career.

She’s a five-time Golden Heart finalist and lives in the Midwest where she is active in her local RWA chapter and on the board of a dance company. She has five children, two sons-in-law, a husband and one neurotic cat.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.moniquedomovitch.com/

Published with: Carina Press

Monique lives with her physician husband and their three dogs. They divide their time between their homes in Canada and La Jolla. Monique also writes under the pen name of Carol Ann Martin for NAL, an imprint of Penguin.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.businessofcollegesports.com

Published with: John Wiley & Sons/Turner Publishing

Kristi Dosh is an attorney who is a noted expert on business and legal issues in professional sports, with special concentrations in collective bargaining in all four major professional sports and the finances of college athletics. Kristi is ESPN’s sports business reporter. She reports on and analyzes everything from collective bargaining to endorsements to the finances of pro and collegiate athletics. Her reporting is featured on all ESPN platforms: ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, and ESPN radio and tv programming. Kristi is also the founder of BusinessofCollegeSports.com, where she wrote until joining ESPN. The site has become a nationally-recognized source for news and analysis of the business of college sports.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.kcdyer.com

Published with: Berkley, Doubleday/Random House

Finding Fraser "Jamie Fraser would be Deeply Gratified at having inspired such a charmingly funny, poignant story—and so am I." -- Diana Gabaldon, Author of the #1 New York Times bestselling OUTLANDER novels.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: stephaniefaris.com/

Published with: Aladdin

Stephanie Faris is the author of more than 300,000 articles and blogs published online. Stephanie lives in Nashville with her husband, where she works in information systems.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.saadiafaruqi.com

Published with: Capstone

Saadia Faruqi is a Pakistani American author, essayist and interfaith activist. “Brick Walls: Tales of Hope & Courage from Pakistan” is her debut adult fiction book, and her children’s early reader series “Yasmin” will be published by Capstone in August 2018. She trains various audiences including faith groups and law enforcement on topics pertaining to Islam, and has been featured by Oprah Magazine in 2017 as a woman making a difference in her community. She is editor-in-chief of Blue Minaret, a magazine for Muslim art, poetry and prose. She resides in Houston, TX with her husband and children.

Represented by Kari Sutherland

Website: www.jacquelinefirkins.com

Published with: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Jacqueline Firkins is a playwright, screenwriter, and comics artist who’s been creating worlds and characters as a set and costume designer for the past twenty years. She’s on the fulltime faculty at the University of British Columbia where she also takes any writing class they’ll let her into. When not obsessing about where to put buttons or commas, she can be found running by the ocean, listening to earnest love songs, and pretending her dog understands every word she says. Her debut title will be released by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2019.

Website: www.jessgranger.com

Published with: Berkley Sensation

Beyond the Shadows “Granger continues her futuristic worldbuilding with this fantastically tight and active story about power, deception and love…the nonstop action will keep [fans] turning the pages.” —Romantic Times Book Reviews

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.greenfield-thong.com

Published with: Chronicle, Scholastic, Abrams, Holt, Viking, Albert Whitman

Roseanne Thong is the author of over a dozen children's picture books, including Green is a Chili Pepper (Chronicle 2014), Noodle Magic (Scholastic 2014) and 'Twas Noche Beuna (Viking 2014). She has also published eight educational textbooks, teacher’s guides, and thirteen works of adult short fiction.

Among many others, her picture book awards include The Society of School Librarians International’s 2010 Honor Book (Fly Free), California Readers Collection 2010 (Wish), Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best 2008 (Wish), Smithsonian Magazine’s Best of 2008 (Wish), Skipping Stones Honor Award for Multicultural Education 2005 (The Wishing Tree).

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: katiehenrywrites.com

Published with: KT Books and HarperCollins

Katie Henry is a writer living and working in New York City. She received her BFA in dramatic writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and is a published playwright, specializing in theater for young audiences. Her plays have been performed by high schools and community organizations in over thirty states. Her debut YA novel, HERETICS ANONYMOUS (HarperCollins/KT Books, 2018), received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, with praise from School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, BCCB, Horn Book, and Entertainment Weekly.

“Henry’s funny, heartwarming tale of unlikely rebels soars: an auspicious debut.” – Kirkus (Starred Review)

“First-time author Katie Henry has crafted a thoughtful, refreshing story that expects more from its characters, and in turn, its reader, convincingly making an argument for tolerance and empathy.”
– Entertainment Weekly

Represented by Sarah LaPolla

Website: www.troyhowelletc.com

Published with: Ripple Grove Press, Abrams/Amulet, Schwartz & Wade

His first published work appeared in Cricket magazine. Troy's work has won awards, starred reviews, but what matters most to him is work well done, that tugs at the reader or viewer in some way, whether it’s wonder, a laugh, a new thought, a sigh. Those are the best rewards.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil

Website: www.corrinejackson.com

Published with: Simon Pulse and K Teen

Touched "The first Sense Thieves novel does not disappoint. Filled with anticipation and drama, paranormal fans will love Touched. The characters are so realistic; you can’t help but imagine yourself as one of them. Thrilling and chilling!" --RT Book Reviews

If I Lie "The storytelling is gripping. Much more than a unique spin on being the high school outcast, this is also a thought provoking glimpse into a community built around service to our country and the many faces of honor." --Voya

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: writeinbk.com/

Published with: Harper Collins

Tiffany D. Jackson is the author of the critically acclaimed, NAACP Image Award-nominated ALLEGEDLY and forthcoming MONDAY'S NOT COMING (May 22nd, 2018 HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books). A TV professional by day, novelist by night, she received her bachelor of arts in film from Howard University and her master of arts in media studies from the New School. A Brooklyn native, she is a lover of naps, cookie dough, and beaches, currently residing in the borough she loves with her adorable Chihuahua, Oscar, most likely multitasking.

"Suspenseful without being emotionally manipulative, compelling without resorting to shock value, this is a tightly spun debut that wrestles with many intense ideas and ends with a knife twist that will send readers racing back to the beginning again." -Booklist, starred review

"Well conceived and executed, this is an absorbing and exceptional first novel." -Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Searing and true." -Kirkus, starred review

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.clarejamesbooks.com

Published with: Entangled

Clare James writes steamy contemporary romance and new adult stories, penning more than a dozen novels. Her Entangled Brazen debut, CAUGHT, was a #1 Amazon Best-Selling Romance Series, and her new intense romance series, TRAPPED and TEMPTED, will also be published with Entangled in 2017. Clare is also a former dancer and still loves to get her groove on – mostly to work off her beloved cupcakes and red wine. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men – her husband and young son – and is always on social media chatting with readers.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.terrycjennings.com

Published with: Holiday House, Aladdin/S&S, Arbordale

Terry Catasús Jennings came to the United States with her family after fleeing Cuba during the Revolution. Today, Terry resides in Reston, Virginia with her family. She is the author of UNA CASITA (Holiday House, 2020) and the DEFINITELY DOMINGUITA chapter books (Aladdin, 2021).

Represented by Natalie Lakosil

Website: www.sarajohnsonauthor.com

Published with: Poisoned Pen Press

Sara Johnson spent a year exploring New Zealand, which inspired her first novel. She is currently an educator in Durham, NC and program chair of Triangle Sisters in Crime.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil

Website: www.christiekelley.com

Published with: Kensington Zebra

Something Scandalous “Kelley reinforces her deserved reputation for page-turning, exciting, humorous plots filled with sexual tension and populated by unforgettable characters readers can’t help but fall in love with.” —Romantic Times Book Reviews

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.clarakensie.com

Published with: Harlequin Teen

Clara Kensie grew up near Chicago, reading every book she could find and using her diary to write stories about a girl with psychic powers who solved mysteries. She purposely did not hide her diary, hoping someone would read it and assume she was writing about herself. Since then, she’s swapped her diary for a computer and admits her characters are fictional, but otherwise she hasn’t changed one bit.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.alisonkent.com

Published with: Montlake, Thomas & Mercer, Berkley, Harlequin

Alison Kent is the author of more than fifty published works, including her debut novel, Call Me, which she sold live on CBS’s 48 Hours, in an episode called “Isn’t It Romantic?” The author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Erotic Romance and a veteran blogger, Alison decided long ago that if there’s a better career than writing, she doesn’t want to know about it. She lives in her native Texas with her geologist husband and a passel of pets.

RITA-nominated The Second Chance Café: “Girl talk, brownie recipes and a goofy dog named Magoo complete this pleasant confection with the right balance of hope and memory, tears and sizzle.”—Publishers Weekly

Alison Kent also writes suspense novels as Mica Stone

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.leekilraine.com

Published with: Lyrical Press

After moving around the country with her military family, Lee finally put down roots, allowing her to unpack and hang her art collection of dogs dressed as people. She found the perfect wall for it in a house in the pine woods of North Carolina. She still holds the enviable highly paid job of domestic engineer to three of their four young adult children since sadly one has flown the nest. She is a 2014 Golden Heart® Finalist. She has a weakness for dogs, bacon cheeseburgers, red wine and Alpha heroes.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.carolinekimberly.com

Published with: Carina Press

Caroline Kimberly has spent most of her life reading books and making up stories in her head. It wasn’t until she was in graduate school, however, that she realized she wanted to write for a living. Since then, she’s worked at a newspaper as a reporter and copy editor and at a children’s book publisher, where she had the chance to write a number of school library books. While she very much enjoyed those experiences, romance writing has been her favorite genre by far. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, their two children, and three lazy cats.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.dawnklehrbooks.com

Published with: Flux, Entangled

Dawn Klehr is the author of the young adult novels The Cutting Room Floor (Flux 2013), a Junior Library Guild Selection, and If You Wrong Us (Flux 2015), and the forthcoming Surviving the Enemy (Entangled Publishing). She began her career in TV and though she’s been on both sides of the camera, she prefers to stay behind the lens. Mostly, she loves to get lost in stories and is a sucker for both the sinister and the sappy. Dawn lives in the Twin Cities with her funny husband, adorable son, and naughty dog.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.katielanebooks.com

Published with: Grand Central Publishing

"Katie Lane is a wonderful new voice in Western romance fiction." —Joan Johnston, New York Times bestselling author

Make Mine a Bad Boy “This second in Lane’s Deep in the Heart of Texas series is a delightful continuation of Going Cowboy Crazy with this one focusing on the wild child twin. There’s plenty of humor to entertain the reader and the people of the town will seem like old friends by the end of this entertaining story.” —Romantic Times Book Reviews

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: sorayalane.com

Published with: Mills and Boon, St. Martins, Lake Union Press, Montlake

Soldier on Her Doorstep “This is a beautiful story about the healing power of love and understanding.” —Romantic Times Book Club, 4 ½ Stars TOP PICK

She also writes under the name Soraya Nicholas.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.ajlarrieu.com

Published with: Carina Press

A. J. Larrieu grew up in a small Louisiana town, where she spent every summer knee-deep in mud exploring the swamps or nose-deep in a book, so it's no surprise she grew up to be a biologist moonlighting as an urban fantasy novelist. She currently lives in San Francisco with her husband and son, and even though she's been in the Bay Area for almost a decade, she still misses those pounding Gulf Coast thunderstorms. A.J. is a member of Romance Writers of America and was an RWA Golden Heart ® finalist for TWISTED MIRACLES, Book 1 in the sexy urban fantasy series, The Shadowminds.

Twisted Miracles: "Dark and atmospheric....a deeply emotional, imaginative debut" - RT Book Reviews

"A captivating new voice in the urban fantasy genre. Mesmerizing characters, scorching chemistry, and a unique supernatural plot set in Louisiana's paranormal underworld. Superbly written...I'm hooked!" - -Kristin Miller, author of Gone with the Wolf

Dangerous Calling:"It more than met my expectations. In fact, it exceeded them. Everything I loved about Twisted Miracles was back, and then some." - All Things Urban Fantasy

Represented by Sarah LaPolla.

Website: www.katlatham.com

Published with: Carina Press & Tule Publishing

Kat Latham is a California girl who worked as an editor in London for five years and now lives among the Dutch, so if you think her spelling’s messed up you should hear her accent. After spending her entire adult life living in big cities she now lives in a small town in the rural Netherlands which is surrounded by miles and miles of green pasture, canals and Shetland ponies. Kat’s slowly adjusting to life in a place where bicycles and cows seem to outnumber people. She writes sexy contemporary romance set all around the world.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.ellenlindseth.com

Published with: Lake Union

Ellen Lindseth received her undergraduate degree in Classical studies. She has also studied at the Loft Literary Center (Minneapolis, MN), and is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and Romance Writers of America. When not writing about the adventures of resourceful women, she lives her own life of adventure as a pilot, world traveler and avid student of World War II, particularly the societal changes in the United States. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, a trio of rescued kitties, and an elderly bearded dragon who probably should have been named Methuselah. Her debut novel will be released by Lake Union in 2018.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.jenniferlohmann.com

Published with: Harlequin

Jennifer Lohmann is a Rocky Mountain girl at heart, having grown up in southern Idaho and Salt Lake City. When she’s not writing or working as a librarian, she wrangles three cats and one elderly dog. Fortunately, the boa constrictor is better behaved. She lives in North Carolina with her own personal Viking.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.janeymack.com

Published with: Kensington

Janey Mack is a former television advertising editor who’s had plenty of parking tickets. A freelance writer/graphic designer, she lives in Scottsdale, Arizona where she is currently working on her next book. Her debut, Time's Up: A Maisie McGrane Mystery was released by Kensington in late summer 2015.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.madelinemartin.com

Published with: Diversion Books

Madeline Martin lives in Florida with her two sweet daughters and two quirky cats. Though she puts on the Corporate America face, deep down she’s a total bookish history dork, which serves rather nicely for her passion of writing historical romance.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Published with: NAL

National Bestselling Author

“I loved Looming Murder! Carol Ann Martin has created a new series featuring engaging characters, a puzzling mystery, and the promise of romance. I can hardly wait for the next installment!”—Amanda Lee, author of the Embroidery Mystery series

"The small-town setting and community vibe of the weaving studio enhance the mystery by providing a central location to introduce key players. Della is a smart and likable sleuth who has a penchant for high heels and nasty spills. Her sleuthing skills and her relationship with Matthew provide plenty of drama to keep readers hooked. Weaving projects included!" -RT Book Reviews

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.erinmccarthy.net

Published with: Berkley & Harlequin

True "McCarthy’s entry in the burgeoning new adult subgenre is a page-turning, gut-wrenching success. Tyler is the tattooed, troubled bad boy we’ve come to expect, except he’s levelheaded and kind, and a good match for Rory. Their troubles are real, their love True, and readers will root them on past the very last page.-- RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars TOP PICK

Flat-Out Sexy "McCarthy will have you giggling on page one, fanning yourself by page 25 and rooting for the hero and heroine the whole way through. Buckle your seat belt and hold on -- this is a fast and fun ride." --RT Book Reviews

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.CaraMcKenna.com

Published with: NAL, Intermix, Harlequin, Ellora's Cave

After Hours: Recommended read "After Hours is a gritty romance...blunt, beautiful, and believable. It is a harsh tale well-told and I like it so much I've read it three times in the past month." --Dear Author

"McKenna writes dark, lush, erotic romance. Her sexy stories open the door and gently usher you through, pushing you out of your comfort zone. She tempts you to explore the forbidden and taboo, right along with her well developed and engaging characters." —Heroes and Heartbreakers

Cara McKenna also writes as Meg Maguire for Harlequin Blaze & Samhain.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.victoriamorgan.com

Published with: Berkley Sensation

For the Love of a Soldier "Readers will enjoy Morgan’s debut novel, with its charming characters and depth of emotion. Morgan deftly handles returning soldiers’ trauma within the context of a love story and adds spice with a bit of mystery and unexpected secrets." --RT Book Reviews

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.traceyneithercott.com

Published with: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers and Random House

Tracey Neithercott’s first book was written by hand and illustrated with some really fancy colored pencils. It was highly acclaimed by her mother. Now she spends her days as a magazine editor and her nights writing stories about friendship, love, murder, and magic. (None of which she illustrates—you’re welcome.) She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, who suggests improving her novels by adding lightsabers. 

Find her on Twitter (@T_Neithercott) and Instagram (@traceyneithercott).

Represented by Sarah LaPolla.

Published with: Penguin Australia

As a horse crazy girl, Soraya dreamed of owning her own pony and riding every day. For years, pony books like The Saddle Club had to suffice, until the day she finally convinced her parents to buy her a horse. There were plenty of adventures over the years, and lots of stories scribbled in notebooks, which eventually became inspiration for Soraya's very own pony series. Soraya lives with her husband and children on a small farm in her native New Zealand, surrounded by four-legged friends and still vividly recalling what it felt like to be 10 years old and head over heels in love with horses.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.corypoakes.com

Published with: Sourcebooks and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Cory Putman Oakes was born in Switzerland and grew up in California. She graduated from UCLA and Cornell Law School. Since then, she's been an associate at a big law firm, taught at Texas State University, and has written several books. Cory lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, children, two dogs, and two very fat cats. She loves to write, cook, and run and dreams of one day figuring out how to do all three of these at once. She is the author of the YA contemporary fantasy novels, THE VEIL (Octane Books, 2011), WITCHTOWN (Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt, 2017), and the MG sci-fi novels, DINOSAUR BOY and DINOSAUR BOY SAVES MARS (Sourcebooks, 2015 and 2016).

Represented by Sarah LaPolla.

Website: www.cathypegau.com

Published with: Kensington & Carina Press

Cathy Pegau resides in Alaska with her husband, kids, pets, and the occasional black bear roaming the yard. Everything Cathy writes tends toward speculative fiction because she likes to make things up as she goes along.

Caught In Amber: "...takes on a challenging premise and does a great job .... enjoyable and romantic without sugar coating the serious issues it describes." - Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.onlybylaura.com

Published with: Sourcebooks Fire

Laura Pohl is a Brazilian YA author. She likes writing messages in caps lock, quoting Hamilton and obsessing about Star Wars. When not taking pictures of her dog, she can be found curled up with a fantasy or science fiction book. She makes her home in São Paulo, where she graduated in Literature.  When not writing, she likes reading science fiction and fantasy, and enjoys deep discussions about conspiracy theories and alien life. Be sure to follow her on Twitter (@laurampohl), Instagram (@onlybylaura), and Pinterest (@onlybylaura).

Represented by Sarah LaPolla

Website: sarahraughley.wordpress.com

Published with: Angry Robot, Simon Pulse

Sarah Raughley grew up in Southern Ontario writing stories about freakish little girls with powers because she secretly wanted to be one. She is a huge fangirl of anything from manga to science fiction/fantasy lit to Japanese Role Playing Games…but if she has to, she will swear up and down that she was inspired by Jane Austin at book signings. She imagines it sounds better than Chrono Trigger.

On top of being a YA writer, she is currently completing a PhD in English, because she communicates via literary narratives, and also the sight of blood makes her queasy (which crossed medical school off the list).

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.shelbyreed.com

Published with: Berkley

Games People Play "Reed writes with an almost lyrical flow, and the words seem to whisper off the page. The storyline is out of the ordinary and will remain on the minds of readers. Though there are a few sex scenes, the passion really lies in the verbal foreplay between the two characters. The buildup of emotion and mutual attraction is sexy by itself and will keep readers on the edge of their seats." --RT Book Reviews

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.laylareyne.com

Published with: Carina Press

Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her scientist husband and three smushed-face dogs. Writing romantic suspense and contemporary romance, she is inspired by and delights in weaving her coast-to-coast experiences into her stories for readers everywhere to enjoy. Layla is a 2016 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist for Romantic Suspense.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.alexariley.com

Published with: Carina Press

Alexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes. Alexa’s first release with Carina Press will be out late 2016.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.kateerobert.com

Published with: Entangled, Grand Central

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa's knee. She found romance novels at age twelve and never looked back. When not writing sexy contemporary and speculative fiction romance novels, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her little ones, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

"Wit, humor, and a super-sexy here. Katee Robert will leave you breathless." ---USA Today bestselling author Maisey Yates

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.maggierobinson.net

Published with: Kensington Brava and Berkley

“A delightful writer. A delicious, sly sense of humor.” —Virginia Henley

“Robinson's witty multidimensional characters are vividly entertaining.” —Publishers Weekly

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.beepandbob.com

Published with: Aladdin

Author-illustrator Jonathan Roth is a graduate of the Cooper Union School of Art, a published cartoonist (The Funny Times, Comic Relief, various weeklies), a public school art teacher (more than 600 creative students a week!), and a member of SCBWI. His debut, a new graphic chapter book series BEEP AND BOB’S HORRIBLE ADVENTURES IN SPACE, will release from Aladdin in 2017.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.margaretrowe.net

Published with: Berkley Heat

Tempting Eden “Tempting Eden is a deeply emotional story that offers both wicked heat and delicious connection.” —USA Today bestselling author Victoria Dahl

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.ericasagebooks.com/

Published with: Sky Pony Press

Erica Sage is currently an English teacher in Washington, where she lives with her husband and two sons. When not reading and writing,she hikes around Mount Rainier and travels whenever and wherever, whether it’s packing up and heading to a new country or just climbing into the car for a road trip.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.jasouders.com

Published with: Tor Teen

"Grim, vicious, riveting. RENEGADE is a haunting, unforgettable debut." —bestselling author Ann Aguirre

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.stephaniescott.net

Published with: Bloomsbury Spark

Young adult and romance author, Stephanie Scott, loves to write characters who put their passions first. Her free time is spent elaborately posing books on Instagram, performing weekly as a back-up dancer (OK, it’s Zumba at the gym), and mentoring writers in online pitch contests. Her young adult debut, ALTERATIONS, about a fashion-obsessed loner who reinvents herself, was a 2017 finalist for the Romance Writers of America Best First Book RITA® award. You can find Stephanie chatting about all things books on Twitter and Instagram at @StephScottYA.

Represented by Sarah LaPolla.

Website: www.fedisbest.org

Published with: Rowan & Littlefield

Jody is a registered Nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Newborn Nursery and Newborn Intensive Care Unit Nurse, and founder of The Momivist (https://themomivist.com/). She has spent her entire 30-year career dedicated to caring for healthy and medically fragile babies in the nursery and NICU and co-founded the Fed is Best Foundation with Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi, a non-profit organization of volunteer doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, parents and patient advocates who study the scientific literature on infant feeding complications. She works to debunk the myths surrounding "Breast is Best" while supporting mothers to breastfeed, mix-feed, pumped-milk-feed, formula-feed and tube-feed their babies.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil

Website: www.lydiasharp.blogspot.com/

Published with: Scholastic

Lydia Sharp worked a number of different jobs, everything from retail management to veterinary medicine, before turning their passion for stories into a career. They are now an editor for Entangled Publishing and write young adult novels with lots of kissing and adventures. Lydia lives in Ohio with their family and an ever-growing collection of owls. When not completely immersed in a book, Lydia binges on Netflix, pines for Fall, and hosts mad tea parties in Wonderland. Follow on Twitter @lydia_sharp and visit lydiasharpbooks.com for updates.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.joannashupe.com

Published with: Kensington

Joanna Shupe grew up in the Midwest, where her love of history began with Schoolhouse Rock. When her mother wasn’t looking, Joanna began reading every romance novel she could get her hands on. The countless novels that followed led to a journalism degree and a passion for creative writing. It was a few years later, when pregnant with her second daughter, that she began drafting her own stories. Joanna now lives with her family in New Jersey and can still recite all the words to the Preamble.

Joanna’s manuscript, DRAWN TO THE EARL, won RWA’s Golden Heart® for Best Historical Romance.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.writingtoconnect.wordpress.com

Published with: Abrams

Gabi Snyder writes picture books and middle grade fiction. When she’s not writing, she loves taking nature walks, visiting little libraries, and baking sweet treats with her kids. She lives in Oregon with her family, including one dog, and one dog-like cat.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil

Website: www.rachelsolomonbooks.com

Published with: Simon Pulse

Rachel Lynn Solomon is a Seattle native who loves rainy days, tap dancing, red lipstick, and new wave music. A former public radio producer, she currently works in education. Her debut contemporary YA novel, You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone, will be out from Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse in spring 2018, with a second book, A Year of Bad Ideas, to follow in 2019. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @rlynn_solomon.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.jonsaintamant.com

Published with: Kendall/Hunt

Jonathan St. Amant is an art teacher and graphic novel writer and illustrator who still manages to find time for the occasional nerf gun battle with his sons. While he loves reading about and creating quirky characters, his comic book, manga, and graphic novel collection threatens to take over the family bookshelves. He lives in Southern California with his wife and kids.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil

Website: www.mesummer.com

Published with: Delacorte

Mary Elizabeth Summer contributes to the delinquency of minors by writing books about unruly teenagers with criminal leanings. She has a BA in creative writing from Wells College, and her philosophy on life is "you can never go wrong with sriracha sauce." She lives in Portland Oregon with her partner, their daughter, and their evil overlor—er, cat. TRUST ME, I'M LYING is her debut novel.

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: www.auraleewallace.com/

Published with: St. Martin's Press

Skinny Dipping With Murder: "Auralee Wallace's debut mystery is a frolicking good time. Erica "Boobsie" Bloom challenges Stephanie Plum for the title of funniest sleuth. From the quirky characters to the hunky sheriff, Skinny Dipping with Murder will tickle your funny bone and capture your heart." - New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson

Auralee Wallace is an author of humorous commercial women’s fiction and occasional guest blogger at Penny Dreadful Books and Reviews.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.kaitlin-ward.com

Published with: Adaptive Books, Scholastic

Kaitlin Ward grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, and ended up back there, somehow, with her husband and son. She works on an organic egg farm and is the author of WHERE SHE FELL, GIRL IN A BAD PLACE, and BLEEDING EARTH (Kirkus star).

“Ward’s apocalyptic novel will have readers checking the ground beneath their feet after each turn of the page.” – Kirkus (Starred review, BLEEDING EARTH)

Represented by Sarah LaPolla.

Website: https://josswoodbooks.wordpress.com/

Published with: Harlequin

Joss Wood wrote her first book at the age of eight and has never really stopped. Her passion for putting black letters on a white screen is only matched by her love of books and travelling (especially to the wild places of Southern Africa) and, possibly, by her hatred of ironing and making school lunches. Happily, and chaotically, surrounded by family, friends and books, she lives in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa with her husband, young children and their many pets.

It Was Only A Kiss "The story takes readers passionate, emotional roller coaster ride." --RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 Stars, TOP PICK

Represented by Laura Bradford.

Website: nataliezaman.blogspot.com

Published with: Thomas Dunne Books (St. Martins), Flux, Llewellyn

Sirenz co-authored with Natalie Zaman

"...indulgence for young chick-lit devotees." —Kirkus Reviews

"...funny and entertaining.... Bennardo and Zaman are bringing the gods into the twenty-first century." —Booklist

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.

Website: www.elizabethzechel.com/

Published with: Lark Books, Sky Pony Press, Dawn Publishing

Elizabeth Zechel is an illustrator and author of the children’s book IS THERE A MOUSE IN THE BABY'S ROOM (Lark Books, A Division of Sterling Publishing Co. 2008). Her illustrations appear in books such as WORDBIRDS by Liesl Schillinger (Simon & Schuster, 2013), THE LITTLE GENERAL and THE GIANT SNOWFLAKE by Matthea Harvey (Tin House Books, 2009) and cookbooks such as Bubby’s Homemade Pies by Jen Bervin and Ron Silver (Wiley & Sons, 2007) as well as a variety of magazine and literary journals.

She lives and teaches kindergarten in Brooklyn.

Represented by Natalie Lakosil.