FICTION · ROMANCE
Kate Hoffmann
Kate began reading romance in 1979 when she picked up a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss's Ashes in the Wind. She read the book from cover to cover in one very long night and was immediately hooked on the genre. The next morning, she was standing at the door to her local Waldenbooks and when they opened, she hurried inside and asked for everything else written by Woodiwiss. At the same time, she found wonderful books by Rosemary Rogers, Laurie McBain, and Jennifer Blake. Nearly 10 years later, while working as an advertising copywriter, Kate decided to try writing a romance of her own. After a history of interesting jobs in teaching, retailing, advertising, and nonprofit work, she was determined to add romance author to that list. After numerous failed attempts over three years, Kate decided to forget writing historical romance and turned to category romance. Six months later, her first story, A Vagabond Heart, was finished. A year later, Harlequin bought the book after Kate won the national 1992 Harlequin Temptation contest. The book was published in 1993 as Indecent Exposure. Her dream of adding romance writer to her resume came true and in December of 1993 she turned off her alarm clock, shredded her pantyhose, and became a full-time writer. Since then, Kate has written numerous books for Temptation, Weddings by DeWilde, Harlequin anthologies, Love and Laughter, and Duets. Her new Duet, Three Babies and a Bargain (July 2000) will be her 24th project for Harlequin and All Through the Night (August 2000), a Temptation Blaze, will mark her 25th. Kate lives in southeastern Wisconsin in a cozy little house in a picturesque village. Two cats also live with her—Tansing, a grumpy Himalayan, and Tibriz, a tortie Persian mix that she rescued from an animal shelter. She enjoys gardening, golf, reading, and romantic movies.
The state highway started its scenic curve around the Ski Basin, its waters calm and reflecting the blue of a Texas sky.
— from Terms of surrender
Most acclaimed
The charmer
1989
Who is the charmer? Collis Tremayne could make any female swoon; yet no one would guess the hidden desperation that drove him to become the most skilled spy in service to the Crown. All that stand in his way is...Rose Lacey, the first female Lair and a confounding chit who manages to outsmart him with cunning and courage. She is the only woman he cannot melt with his smile. With every breath, he wishes he had never laid eyes on her. And with every flash of her green eyes, he craves to possess her... Rose Lacey fought hard to meet the challenges of becoming a spy for the infamous Liar's Club. And if it weren't for Collis Tremayne, who manages to make her blood boil with his arrogance and leave her breathless with white-hot longing, she'd achieve her dream. Now, they must work together on a secret mission to uncover a dangerous plot--one in which the very safety of England hangs in the balance. Armed with wit and wiles, they must face deadly intrigue, clever enemies, and if they can manage not to murder one another--the intoxicating lure of unbidden passion...
The Drifter
"An explosive thriller debut introducing Peter Ash, a veteran who finds that the demons of war aren't easily left behind . . . " -- "Peter Ash came home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with only one souvenir: what he calls his 'white static,' the buzzing claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress that has driven him to spend a year roaming in nature, sleeping under the stars. But when a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Ash returns to civilization to help the man's widow with some home repairs. Under her dilapidated porch, he finds more than he bargained for: the largest, ugliest, meanest dog he's ever encountered...and a Samsonite suitcase stuffed with cash and explosives. As Ash begins to investigate this unexpected discovery, he finds himself at the center of a plot that is far larger than he could have imagined...and it may lead straight back to the world he thought he'd left for good." -- Peter Ash came home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with a buzzing claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress that has driven him to spend a year roaming in nature, sleeping under the stars. When a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Ash returns to civilization to help the man's widow with some home repairs. Under her dilapidated porch, he finds more than he bargained for: the largest, ugliest, meanest dog he's ever encountered... and a Samsonite suitcase stuffed with cash and explosives. Soon Ash is at the center of a plot that is far larger than he could have imagined-- and it may lead straight back to the world he thought he'd left for good.
Compromising positions
A very intimate battleground Amelia Sheffield arrives in the sleepy town of Millhaven, New York, to collect what was promised her for a museum exhibit: an antique bed that George Washington once slept in. The problem is one incredibly infuriating -- and incredibly sexy -- innkeeper who insists the bed belongs to him. Of course, Sam Blackstone has no idea how dirty Amelia is willing to play this game… Sam is furious -- and intrigued -- when he learns that Amelia plans on sleeping in the bed until it's hers. But he can be just as stubborn as her. After all, that bed could keep his family's inn from closing. Which means he'll sleep in the bed, too. And if she wants to play dirty, he's right there with her!