Hi again from Lovereading, we hope you've been enjoying the warmish weather (come on Spring, you can do it!). Some authors with birthdays this month who definitely aren't April Fools are Charlotte Bronte and Sebastian Faulks. And on 25 April 1856 one Charles Dodgson bumped into a family in Oxford and met Alice Liddell, the little girl for whom the story of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was conceived. Little did either of them know it would still be sparking imaginations in 2010.

Author of the Month – R J Ellory

R J Ellory is one of the most exciting crime writers out there, and his new book, The Anniversary Man, is a dark and complex work of genius: after losing his girlfriend to a vicious murderer and barely escaping himself, John Costello became a virtual recluse. But 20 years on his unmatched knowledge of serial killers is called on to solve a case, which just might threaten his own life once again, if he can't find the killer quickly... Read this and more of his brilliant novels today.

Sexing up the past – our Guest Editor Katharine McMahon

Katharine McMahon is author of unputdownable, gripping and sexy historical fiction. Her new story The Crimson Rooms follows Evelyn Gifford, who is blazing a trail as a lawyer in 1920s London when her life is turned upside down by murder, deceit and passion. But, as well as Katharine's own incredible books you can discover the titles that influenced her on her literary adventure. Visit the Guest Editor section to find out more.

Magic, mayhem and misanthropic murderers – our Books of the Month!
Map of the Invisible World Tash Aw Reminiscent of Graham Greene, this mesmerising book is set in Indonesia and Malaya during the mid 1960s, with all the upheaval of post-colonialism, communism and civil war Format: Paperback Released: 01/04/2010 £5.99 Save 25%
Blueeyedboy Joanne Harris A dark psychological thriller, from the enduringly popular author of Chocolat, about online communities where nobody is quite who they say they are, and sinister secrets get revealed... Format: Hardback Released: 31/03/2010 £14.24 Save 25%
The Dead - Tossed Waves Carrie Ryan A magical and brooding novel about a girl who must face the forest of her mother's past, teeming with spirits, in order to save herself and the one she loves. Format: Hardback Released: 08/04/2010 £7.49 Save 25%
Evil at Heart Chelsea Cain The third in this excellent series sees the return of evil serial killer Gretchen Lovell, and the terrifying action carries on unabated! Format: Paperback Released: 02/04/2010 £5.24 Save 25%

Spring awakening - Maxim Jabukowski's April Erotica

Our guru of tastefully titillating literature has put together a list of recent ventures into 'the seductive forests of the imagination'. These books are sure to get you hot no matter what the weather is like, but they're also proof that erotic fiction can be funny, scary, heart-breaking and intelligent. Enjoy!

Stars in the making – Four breathtaking Debuts of the Month
Instruments of Darkness Imogen Robertson A wonderful historical murder mystery set in Sussex and London during the Gordon Riots of 1780. £5.24 Save 25%
Tiger Hills Sarita Mandanna From a surefire star in the making, this is a masterful and moving epic novel charting the lives of several generations in a Southern Indian coffee plantation. £9.74 Save 25%
Mathilda Savitch Victor Lodato A young girl is trying to make sense of her sister's death, while her family seems to be falling apart around her ...told with a tender yet humorous voice. £5.99 Save 25%
The Weight of Silence Heather Gudenkauf A gripping read about two families who awaken to find their little girls have gone missing in the night; to find them they will have to face up to some unspoken family secrets. £5.99 Save 25%

It's a crime - 200 Gillian Flynn books to give away!

Gillian Flynn is an award-winning crime writer whose brilliant second novel, Dark Places, is out in paperback in June. To get you excited about it we're having a free-to-enter prize draw – just throw your name in and the first 200 entrants will receive a copy of her incredible first novel, Sharp Objects. Get in there quickly before they're all snapped up! So, why not take a trip to Lovereading to download free Opening Extracts of some or all of this month's featured books. With so many remarkable titles on the site you're bound to find a couple of wild literary adventures to keep your spirits high and your mind whirring and the 25% discount makes them good value as well. Happy reading