After September’s glut of releases, October feels sparse by comparison. But it’s quality, not quantity here… Let’s start with the new excerpts and sneak peeks* posted.

New York Times author Eloisa James posted another excerpt from When the Duke Returns, the soon-to-be-released next installment in her smash series that started with Desperate Duchesses.

Hope Tarr posted a sneak peek excerpt of her next contemporary novel, Every Breath You Take, which will be taking readers to steamy Brazil.

Monica McCarty brings us a sneak peek excerpt from Highland Warrior, the first in her new Clan Campbell trilogy.

Michele Scott posted an excerpt from Zamora’s Ultimate Challenge, a children’s fantasy novel, the first written under Michele’s pseudonym, M.K. Scott.

Sophia Nash posted Sneak Peek of her next release ~ Love With the Perfect Scoundrel.

And Maya Rodale gave us readers another installment in her fabulous online serial, Darcy Darlington and the Diamond of Desire. Only one more installment to go!

No new books this month (we have at least five next month), but a round of applause to Jane Porter for the re-release of her June 2005 Presents smash The Sheikh’s Virgin in a new UK anthology, The Desert Sheikh’s Marriage.

*The difference between an “excerpt” and a “sneak peek” in Wax speak is this: an excerpt is usually chapter length, though not necessarily a chapter in full. It usually comes from near the front of the book, though not necessarily chapter one. Usually. There are, of course, exceptions. A sneak peek is a shorter excerpt, usually from deeper in the book. The sneak peek is only online for a month or two, however, so read it as soon as you hear about it!