There are a lot of authors whose books I enjoy. Unfortunately, most of them only produce one or two books a year--Nora Roberts being the exception to all rules. There are, however, a number of category romance authors who create several new books each year, and I don't think they get enough credit for their good writing. People tend to look at the shorter romances and dismiss them, figuring they're all the same. I'm here to tell you they're not, and the two books I want to share with you this week are definitely not written to any formula.

First up is Karen Rose Smith's With One Touch: Soulmates (Silhouette Romance) (Silhouette Romance Soulmates). Brooke Pennington is a vet with a secret going to work with Nate Stanton, who has his own secrets. It's rather difficult to keep a secret from a person you find yourself attracted to, however, as they both find. Nate has come to Arizona to put down roots, and to try to evade his past. Brooke has come to Arizona as only one stop of many to keep ahead of her own past and those who'd ferret out her secret for their own benefit--a woman who'd love to settle down, but keeps on the move and tries hard not to get close to anyone to keep her heart safe. Keep in mind that the Soulmates stories have a touch of the paranormal in them. Along the way, Nate and Brooke must both deal with their secrets coming out, in ways neither of them planned on, and one has to wonder if this pair can possibly make a relationship work. Okay, maybe not for long--this is a romance, after all, and we romance readers demand our happy endings--but you'll be pondering how they can succeed. Of Cupid's five arrows, I'm borrowing four and a half for this touching story. Definitely a keeper, and a bonus for readers who like a bit of paranormal in their romances.

Next is Susan Meier's Baby on Board: Daycare Dads (Silhouette Romance) (Silhouette Romance), the first in her "Daycare Dads" trilogy. FBI agent Max Riley has returned to his small hometown and hired Caro Evans to assist him with his newly-discovered baby girl. Despite a sizzling attraction, his past puts him at a disadvantage with Caro--and all the other women in Wilburn, who have extremely long memories. Fourteen years long, to be exact. Caro doesn't expect to like him, and is confused by his behavior now, which is a direct contradiction to what she and the rest of Wilburn know about his past. Max would love to have Caro for his own--forever--but the secret he keeps is not his to divulge, and it will keep him from his happy-ever-after. But he doesn't take into consideration a determined and in-love Caro and the lengths she'll go to to get the man and child she's fallen hard for. Max is truly a man of honor, the kind of man sometimes in short supply in real life--good thing we have our trusty romances! The struggle here is realistic and heart-tugging. I'm giving this one four and a half arrows as well. I can't wait to meet the next Daycare Dad!

Until next time, happy reading!