Hello, and welcome back! Our lovely spring-like weather is coming to an end, I think. The sun is hiding behind some very ugly dark clouds, and the breeze is picking up, though it's still warm outside. It really is good I still have a nice stack of review books sitting here on my desk, because it really isn't time yet to start doing yardwork or playing in the flower beds. I'll satisfy my need for pretty flowers by heading to Longwood this week, I suppose, where I can sit and look at them indoors while I read.

This time out, I have one from one of my favorite people, Sophia Nash, Secrets of a Scandalous Bride (Avon), which I picked up last month when I saw her at a booksigning in Maryland. Ms. Nash is a lovely lady, inside and out, and her writing is a treat. This one continues her fabulous 'Widow's Club' series, this time with Elizabeth Ashburton, who isn't really a widow, but the lie was to keep her from having to marry the man who ruined her family, destroying her father. Rowland Manning is a rake of the first order, and he's never going to settle down, and assuredly not with a lady like Elizabeth. But he can't seem to resist her, even though he knows better, even though he knows he will only destroy her. He will, however, do whatever he can to protect her from the villain and eventually, he won't be able to resist himself where she is concerned. Rowland is himself irresistible, as Elizabeth soon discovers, and if she should give her heart to such a man, there is also the possibility that he might return the feelings. Eventually. This is an absolutely terrific addition to the series, with gripping emotion and plenty of steam generated between Elizabeth and Rowland, not to mention visits with her friends from previous stories. You'll be delightfully surprised along the way, making the reading even more of a pleasure. And there is just no way a reader can resist the wonderful Rowland, even when he's trying very hard to be resistible. I'm borrowing four and a half of Cupid's five arrows for this one. It's a super addition to my keeper shelf.

Until next time, happy reading!