Hello, and welcome back! We're finally getting a respite from the heat and humidity--with rain. At least I still have plenty of reading material, including current and soon-to-be-released titles, though I admit when I got a November book the other day, I read it instead of some of the books I've been dreading opening, because it was by an author I loved a few months ago. And I wasn't disappointed with it, but since it's not coming out till November, I'll wait to share that one with you. I wish I could say I wasn't disappointed with what I read after it, but I'd be lying.

First Dance: The Bridesmaid Chronicles (Signet) by Karen Kendall leads things off this time out, with the third story in The Bridesmaid Chronicles. Attorney Vivien Shelton hasn't only picked up lawyering skills watching the men around her--she's also picked up on their dating and mating habits as well, which is a problem when she insists her best friend must have a prenup, because the groom-to-be's lawyer is one of those men she honed her skills on. J.B. Anglin has been holding a grudge ever since. Frankly, Vivien isn't the most sympathetic heroine I've ever read, and it's difficult to understand how on earth J.B. could have a single warm feeling toward the woman when she treats him the way she does. I was completely unconvinced by this one, unfortunately. It's getting only two of Cupid's five arrows.

Bachelorette, Vol. 1 (Signet Eclipse) by Jennifer O'Connell has Sarah Holmes leaving her husband and young daughter at home while she goes off to do an expose on a dating show. Reality t.v. annoys me immensely in real life, so I was particularly annoyed when I got into this one far enough to realize it's not a romance, and I'd been wading through this reality dating show in the book for far too long. I skimmed through the last third of it, and didn't find anything there that appealed, so I can honestly say, if you're not looking for a romance, but perhaps instead a book that's not quite chick lit, not quite women's fiction, this might appeal. If you're looking for a great romance, keep looking.

Blaze (Pocket) by JoAnn Ross is next, with Tess Gannon trying to track down an arsonist and tangling with Gage O'Halloran when he steps on her toes, figuratively speaking. This one is the only book this week really worthy of the title 'romance'. Tess and Gage set off their own sparks, hot enough to compete with the work of the arsonist who manages to stay just a step ahead of them, which heightens the tension in the story very nicely. Ross fans will enjoy this one, and it may even gain her some new fans as well. It's earned four arrows.

If you haven't yet checked out our reader survey, you still have time. The deadline for getting your responses to me is August 31, 2005, and I'd love to see more readers answer some of these questions.

Until next time, happy reading!