Hello, and welcome back! Though we could use a couple days of good, soaking rain here, I won't complain about the warm weather we're having. Good baseball weather, anyway. If you haven't stopped by the forum lately, you just missed out on a big box of books, not to mention some of the interesting discussions we've been having. I hope you'll register and join in. I have the last of the April romances this time out, plus a May release, and I'm about to dive into more May books that I've had sitting here on my desk for some time now.

Tempt Me (Berkley) by Lucy Monroe is up first, the last of our April books. Lady Irisa Langley has already refused one suitable peer's marriage offer, but she has no intention of refusing Lord Ashton's offer when he makes it. But she did hope for a little more enthusiasm. Maybe a kiss. Then again, knowing that he's learned her secret and doesn't care about it makes a little bit of a difference. I didn't like this one as well as I'd hoped. Irisa does some truly foolhardy things, and there are a few inconsistencies, but if you're looking for something light with a little bit of steam, this might be just the thing. It's earned two and a half arrows.

The Deadliest Denial (Love Spell) by Colleen Thompson is the first of the May books. Claire Winslow's life come crashing down around her when she's told her cop husband Spence is in jail for trying to kill her. I'll say right up front, I don't think this belongs in romance, but in the fiction section of the bookstore. The suspense in this one far outweighs the slim thread of Claire's relationship with her husband (and they are already married, not courting). If you look at this one as a suspense rather than romantic suspense, it might work for you. If, as I did, you look at this one with 'romantic suspense' on the spine, you're going to be sorely disappointed.

Until next time, happy reading!