Romance novelist Maya Banks has landed a 7-figure deal with Penguin’s Berkley Books imprint. Starting in 2013, Berkley will release a new erotica trilogy by Banks (pictured, via)–the Breathless series.

Book one, Rush, will hit bookstores in February 2013. The sequels Fever and Burn will follow in April 2013 and August 2013. Executive editor Cindy Hwang negotiated the deal with Trident Media Group literary agent Kimberly Whalen.

Here’s more from the release: “In this new trilogy Banks brings her talent for writing edgy, seductive, and darkly sexual novels to a story that will appeal directly to a wide group of readers.  The series follows three billionaires—Gabe Hamilton, Jace Crestwell and Ash McIntyre—who are best friends and business partners.  The men dominate both in the boardroom and in the bedroom.  Each novel in the trilogy will explore the relationship of one of the men as he discovers the woman he will love.”

Readers can purchase the books in both digital and trade paperback format. The deal includes world English rights.