I've got a quickie round-up of holiday releases for you. First, reviewed a few weeks back here, is Christine Feehan and Susan Sizemore's 
The Shadows of Christmas Past (Pocket Star). Second is also Christine Feehan's 
The Wicked and the Wondrous (Pocket Star), with two previously told Christmas tales, including 'The Twilight Before Christmas', which I reviewed here last year. Finally, we have the reissued anthology 
Upon a Midnight Clear (Pocket Star), with stories from reader faves Jude Devereaux and Linda Howard, plus tales by Margaret Allison, Stef Ann Holm, and Mariah Stewart. Here, there are a variety of stories, historical and contemporary, sweet and steamy. I'd almost forgotten Linda Howard's, though it resides on her shelf in my book room, but I'm happy to have been reminded of it. What a lot of fun, revisiting these tales. If you haven't read this one yet, grab it before they're gone again!
Finally, I have the latest from Judie Aitken, a Bella fave. 
Secret Shadows (Berkley) is her latest foray into the world of the Native Americans and the paranormal. Dane White Eagle's work undercover takes an unexpected twist with the death of his sister, which gives him the chance to go even further undercover--to prison, where his main quarry is still running a drug ring. Emergency room doctor Claire Colby testified at the trial, telling the jury what she saw and heard, just what they needed to hear to find him guilty, but she doesn't believe it herself. And when they start to dream, about his sister and each other, things really take a turn. I haven't yet been disappointed by the believability of any of Ms. Aitken's stories, or by the level of sensual tension between her characters. Claire and Dane have some serious issues to overcome despite the steamy attraction between them, not to mention Claire's lingering doubts about his sister's death. Dane is a great hero, sexy and tender and tortured just the right amount, and Claire does a lot of growing in the story, from a woman still recovering from her past to trusting in her heart again. This one's earned four of Cupid's five arrows. I can't wait for the next one!
Until next time, happy reading!
