FICTION · CONTEMPORARY
Joan Elliott Pickart
Also known as: JOAN ELLIOTT PICKART, Joan E. Pickart
Joan Elliott Pickart is the author of over 80 novels, including long and short contemporary romance, historicals, and mainstream women's fiction. She also writes under the pen name Robin Elliott. She received the Best New Series Author of the Year award from Romantic Times Magazine in 1985, and is a two-time Golden Medallion (RITA) Award finalist of the Romance Writers of America. The Society of Southwestern Writers awarded Joan a Certificate of Award for Outstanding Achievement and a Certificate of Recognition for Notable Attainment as an Author. Joan's books consistently make the Waldenbooks top-ten bestseller list and often enjoy the number one spot. She has been on the USA Today top 150 bestseller list twice for cross-line series. Joan is the cofounder of the Professional Writers of Prescott, a member of the national Romance Writers of America, the Phoenix Desert Rose Chapter of RWA, and a charter member and copresident of the Northern Arizona RWA. A single mom, Joan has three grown daughters and two fantastic little grandsons. In 1995 she traveled to China and adopted her fourth daughter, three-month-old Autumn. Joan and Autumn live in the high-pine country of Arizona.
RETURNING THE KEY WEST LETTERS TO THEIR MANILA folder, I got out a packet of surgical gloves, tucked it inside my black medical bag, and took the elevator down one floor to the morgue.
— from Body of Evidence
Most acclaimed
Warm Fuzzies
Patrick Mullaney was a hunk of a heartbreaker, a gorgeous specimen with tanned muscles and a lethal smile -- and a bum knee that had probably ended his brilliant football career. When Lux Sherwood appeared at his door almost hidden behind a six-foot-tall teddy bear, he was in a rotten mood... until he saw the lovely lady hugging his present and longed to take the bear's place in her arms! Lux felt heat curl inside her as Patrick's gaze caressed her; then she nearly fainted with pleasure as his coaxing kisses reddened her cheeks and warmed her heart. Spellbound with desire, but unsure of her feelings for this handsome rogue, Lux pulled away, but she couldn't escape her sizzling attraction for the powerful but vulnerable man who'd needed her tenderness, yearned for her touch. He'd learned that was worth fighting for, but could Patrick convince her that he'd met his match, that he wanted her always and forever?
Fascination
2004
Pretty but penniless Grace Wren yearns for love ... but must marry for money. So she consents to wed Lord Arran Rossmara, the ancient and ailing Marquess of Stonehaven -- unaware that her fiance is considerably younger and healthier than she has been led to believe. But the handsome, reclusive lord wants a plain and docile mate who will bear him children and leave him alone -- not a fascinating temptress who arouses his long-suppressed desires with her breathtaking sensuality. And so Arran sets out to seduce the misled miss incognito, thereby exposing Grace to the world as a shameless fortune hunter -- never dreaming that his intricate and shockingly intimate game of hearts will go romantically, passionately awry.
Whispered Wishes
How could she believe he loved her, when deception was the name of his game? — Men just didn't enter the door of Amnity Ames's crafts shop -- especially not breathtakingly handsome hunks like Tander Ellis! He made her stomach flutter, her mouth water, and her heart tap dance like Fred Astaire. Tander told Amnity he'd decided to try needlepoint as therapy while his knee healed from surgery, but she couldn't know he suspected her of being involved in the smuggling of stolen diamonds -- and he never imagined he'd succumb to the most alluring eyes he'd ever seen! Amnity felt mesmerized and wanted to lose herself in Tander's strong arms, but caring for such a tantalizing man was dangerous business. Desperately hurt by those she loved best, Amnity had built walls to protect her heart, but nothing could keep the man for whom she'd waited a lifetime from fighting his way inside. Tander dared her to believe in tomorrow, to vanquish the ghosts that divided them, but could he show her that rainbows would follow the storm they'd been through?