Hello, and welcome back! The soup pot has been busy in our house this last week, and there's been plenty of tea and hot chocolate steaming up the place, too, with the winter chill that's settled over the Northeast. It looks as if this week is going to be more of the same, so if you've run out of soup ideas, let me know. I have plenty.

To start us off this week is Elizabeth English's latest Scottish historical,
The Linnet (Berkley). Lady Maude Darnley is known far and wide as a shrew of the first rank. Ronan Fitzgerald has been sent by one who rescued her long ago from a horrid attack, and he slowly, slowly whittles away at the walls she's built up around herself. I loved Ms. English's first two books, but, though I enjoyed this one particularly the setting, I wouldn't say I loved it--something about Maude grated on my nerves as I read. I'm giving it three of Cupid's five arrows. Also, for those of you following Ms. English's work, her next book, due out in November 2004, will be published under the name Elizabeth Minogue.

Next up is
A Whole Lotta Love (Signet), with stories of women who aren't skin and bones from Donna Hill, Brenda Jackson, Monica Jackson and Francis Ray. This one was a pleasant way to while away an afternoon, though I do hate having the bedroom door slammed in my face, as happens here a couple times. For those of you eager for more African-American romance, grab this one. For those of you looking for stories about women who wear real sizes, grab this one. I'm giving it three and a half arrows.

Finally, we have Catherine Anderson's
Blue Skies (Signet). If you were a fan of LaVyrle Spencer, you should discover Catherine Anderson's books. Real people with real problems and believable stories. Carly Adams has only been able to see for a short while, and the cowboy in the bar is a beautiful sight. Hank Coulter is drawn to Carly, too, but he's only interested in temporary relationships. Until Carly turns out to be pregnant, a fact which threatens her new eyesight. What starts out as a marriage of convenience turns into so much more, and boy, am I glad it does. As usual, a very touching tale, one that'll make you hope she writes another Coulter story soon! I'm giving this one four arrows.

Don't forget to check out our February Book Club Selection and join us next month over in the forum to talk about it.

Until next time, happy reading!