Dear Faithful Readers,

Between finishing one book and beginning another, I attended my first Kentucky Derby! My daughter, Heather, traveled with me and we had fun choosing our hats, a real mother-daughter occasion. Unintentionally, we went to the track on Friday for the Kentucky Oaks. It was a beautiful sunny day and Heather took some lovely pictures that I've posted to share with you on my photo page. But when Derby day arrived, so did the rain! We weren't allowed to use an umbrella so bought ponchos for the worst of the rain. The rain stopped just before the big race and, for a first time race track goer, I was unbelievably lucky because I bet on the winning horse, Super Saver! So, despite the rain, my time at the Derby was a wonderful adventure.

I'm back at my desk now and working on a next Benedict Brothers book, UNFORGETTABLE.

The first book in this brand new Benedict family series, INVINCIBLE, will be in stores in November. Some of you met the Benedicts in OUTCAST. Who knew that Foster Benedict had a younger brother, Bull? Or that banking heir Bull Benedict would marry Bella, the modern-day Duchess of Blackthorne! 

I'm so enjoying writing this series, which features the (dying) Duchess of Blackthorne matchmaking for her four sons and daughter. Fabulous jewels--rubies, pearls, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds--each bearing a legend--assist the Duchess in her quest to help her children find true love. INVINCIBLE features the priceless Blackthorne Rubies, a gift to the first Duke of Blackthorne from Henry II for saving his life in a battle for the throne of England. 

I have a new novella, Almost Lost, in the MORE THAN WORDS, Volume 6 collection, released this month. Harlequin More Than Words is a community investment program dedicated to celebrating the good works of women who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities. Harlequin More Than Words seeks to make a difference by sharing—with millions of readers—the inspiring stories of ordinary women. Almost Lost is about a young woman caught up in sex-trafficking.

Almost Lost was inspired by Katherine Chon, who started the Polaris Project to help women escape modern-day sexual slavery by providing the support victims need to find their way to freedom. Today, the Polaris Project is one of the largest anti-trafficking organizations in the United States and Japan. Learn more by visiting www.polarisproject.org.

For those of you who enjoy my Hawk's Way Series, there's a new reprint edition out as well. HAWK'S WAY CALLEN & ZACH features two unforgettable classics: The Headstrong Bride and The Disobedient Bride. I hope you enjoy getting re-acquainted with the Whitelaws of Hawk's Way!

Happy reading,

Also, be sure to sign up on my snail mail list if you'd like to receive a postcard reminder when my next book is in stores as well as signing up for my new e-newsletter to receive occasional emails from me.

Other Recent Releases:

A Bitter Creek Novel	A Benedict Brothers Novel
August 2009 Now in Paperback! Pocket Books ISBN: 978-0-7434-5439-1 Read More . . .	JULY 2009 MIRA Books First Time in Print! Mass Market ISBN-13:978-0-7783-2574-1 Read More...
Celebrate the return of Hawk's Way's sexiest cowboys with these classic tales . . .
Joan Johnston's beloved Whitelaw boys have been branding hearts for over a decade. HAWK'S WAY: FARON & GARTH The Cowboy and the Princess The Wrangler and the Rich Girl HQN Reprint Edition January 2010 ISBN: 978-0-7783-2723-3 Read More . . .	HAWK'S WAY GROOMS The Virgin Groom The Substitute Groom HQN Reprint Edition January 2010 ISBN: 978-0-7783-2723-3 Read More . . .
click cover for info