Hello, and welcome back! Our weather´s been so beautiful here, if I weren´t packing to move, I´d be outside working in the gardens. But since I´m not, I can justify reading time during packing breaks. I hope you´re getting in some reading time despite the gorgeous spring weather.

This week, I have two new historical romances for you, but that´s not the reason for the title of this week´s article. It actually refers to past loves, as in Jo Beverley´s latest,
The Dragon's Bride (Signet Historical). If you recall, a month or two ago, I reviewed an anthology called "In Praise of Younger Men," which had a novella by Ms. Beverley, where the hero was one of a group of friends. In the new book, Con Somerford is also a part of that group of friends. He´s come to claim the family home that is part of his inheritance as earl. But he´s also come back because of Susan Kerslake, his first lover. Susan is now working as housekeeper in his cursed family home, and though he doesn´t want to still be attracted to the woman who sent him away ten years ago, he wants her. But there are too many secrets and lies between them, and now Con has practically offered for another woman as his wife. It´s going to take a lot of effort for this couple to overcome all their obstacles. I have to say, I liked this story much better than the novella, and am looking forward to the stories of more of the men in this little group. I´m giving this one three and a half of Cupid´s five arrows.

The second book I read this week is Juliana Garnett´s
Knight (Jove Historical). Sir Stephen is on a quest for the Holy Grail. Aislinn, niece of the late abbot, may be able to help him. If she is willing. Ha! The widowed Aislinn has no intention of helping him find the grail, but she may just tag along anyway. Stephen and Aislinn are wonderful together, though there´s a part of Aislinn´s personality I couldn´t really relate to. However, their medieval tale of love is one that will keep you reading from beginning to end, so plan to sit down with it when you´ll be uninterrupted--perhaps after everyone else in your house has gone to bed and the phones won´t be ringing to distract you from your reading. This one has also earned three and a half arrows.

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