The 13th Annual Love is Murder Conference for Mystery writers and readers will be held in Chicago at the Intercontinental Chicago O'Hare Hotel Friday, February 3 through Sunday, February 5. The conference offers author chats, opportunities to meet with publishers and/or agents, and writer's workshops. Entertainment in the evening includes a performance by Those Were The Days Radio Players.

Artistic license by Julie A. Hyzy — Ms Hyzy is the conference's Guest of Honor.

These new romances are on order and will be coming in soon. Get your name on the hold list now.

Run from Fear by Alden, Jami

Darkness Bound by Cameron, Stella

I Want Candy by Donovan, Susan

The boy in the suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis; translated from the Danish by Lene Kaaberbol

Dreams of joy: a novel by Lisa See

Faith: a novel by Jennifer Haigh

The fatal touch: a Commissario Alec Blume novel by Conor Fitzgerald

Take a delightful holiday romance, a creamy glass of eggnog, and one crackling fire (roasting chestnuts optional). Settle down into a comfy chair and you have the recipe for a perfect snowy evening.

Holly Lane: a destiny novel by Toni Blake

A Texas Christmas by Jody Thomas ... [et. al.]

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith — Fans of Alexander McCall Smith, author of several series, including The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, 44 Scotland Street, and Isabel Dalhousie's novels will enjoy this recent interview by Connie Fletcher in BookList Online (12/01/2011).

The End of the Wasp Season: a novel by Denise Mina — has received the Martin Beck Award for best translation. Romantic Times Book Reviewers Awards for Mystery, Suspense, and Crime were recently announced in Orlando, Florida.

Lists, lists, and more lists. As 2011 draws to an end everyone seems to be creating "Best of" lists. For readers of all ages and tastes, holiday gift suggestions:

• Amazon's Best Books of 2011
• Kirkus Magazine
• Publisher's Weekly
• American Library Association/Notable Children's Books 2011

Cutting for stone [kit]: a novel by Abraham Verghese

The Hunger Games [kit] by Suzanne Collins

The postmistress [kit] by Sarah Blake

Room [kit]: a novel by Emma Donoghue

Are you in the mood for an awesome time-travel triology that promises to have a Twilight-ish romance flavor to it too? Then you'd better get started with book #1, Ruby Red by Kirstin Gier now. Gwen lives in London with her mother's rather eccentric family. For years all the attention has been focused on her cousin Charlotte who is supposed to be carrying the family time-travel gene and preparing her for life in the past. However, when Gwen turns 16, she is the one who suddenly starts disappearing into the past.

With less than two weeks left in the Connect Your Summer program, you may not have time to plan and go on a trip to Scotland. But you can still read a book to earn your Traveler Badge!

Great house [Large print] by Nicole Krauss

Full dark, no stars [Large print] by Stephen King

Twelve steps to a compassionate life [Large print] by By Karen Armstrong

The scent of jasmine [Large print] by Jude Deveraux

Stalling for time [Large print]: my life as an FBI hostage negotiator by Gary Noesner

My father at 100 [Large print] by Ron Reagan

Love me if you dare [Large print] by Carly Phillips

Dead zero [Large print]: a Bob Lee Swagger novel by Stephen Hunter

The fatal touch: a Commissario Alec Blume novel by Conor Fitzgerald

The last stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn by Nathaniel Philbrick

Knuckler: my life with baseball's most confounding pitch by Tim Wakefield with Tony Massarotti ; foreword by Phil Niekro

The quantum thief by Hannu Rajaniemi

Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley

Second sight by Amanda Quick

The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

If you are a fan of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, you might enjoy the following authors.

Shades of gray by Amanda Ashley

Dark prince by Christine Feehan

A quick bite by Lynsay Sands

Undead and unwed by MaryJanice Davidson

Looking for a few good summer reads? Put your name on the hold list for these recently ordered romances. Then relax in your chaise lounge, knowing you will have some excellent beach reads on their way soon.

Hunter's Fall by Walker, Shiloh

Forgotten Sea by Kantra, Virginia

Baby, Come Home by Bond, Stephanie

Ah, the timeless appeal of a man in uniform! The following authors understand this and have written exciting books featuring top-notch alpha heroes.

The unsung hero by Suzanne Brockmann — The first book in Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter's series about Navy SEALs.

Trial by fire by Jo Davis — Suspense heats up Jo Davis' series on the Firefighters of Station Five — starting with this book.

Charlaine Harris, author of the popular Sookie Stackhouse series AKA True Blood on HBO, will speak at the Michigan Theater on Monday, May 16 at 7:30PM. Ms. Harris will sign copies of her latest Sookie Stackhouse book Dead Reckoning. Tickets can be purchased at TicketWeb.com or by calling (866) 468-3401.

Ms. Harris is brought to you courtesy of Michigan Theater and Nicola's Books.

Romances set in small towns have a particular charm. The characters feel like sort of like family. Too bad these locations are fictional. I want to visit them, meet the quirky residents, and maybe have a cup of coffee at the local diner. Feel free to pull up a stool at the lunch counter and join us.

1022 Evergreen Place by Debbie Macomber

Ain't she sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

The perfect book for a book discussion is one that's not too easy, not too hard, which will hold the interest of a diverse group of readers and will also inspire a lively discussion.