Hello, and welcome back! We finally got a fairly decent snowfall here. I'm afraid it'll be the only one for the season, and it's going to be melted before the week is out. That makes me very sad. On the other hand, it's still very pretty right now, so I'm enjoying it. I'm about to fire up the bread machine, though no soup today. Maybe tomorrow.

This time out, I have Robin Schone's Cry for Passion (Berkley). Ever since I found her first book, Awaken, My Love, many years ago, I've been a big fan. This new one continues her 'Men & Women's Club' series, this time with Rose Clarring now publicly called horrible names for her participation in the group and her testimony at the trial for Frances Hart's freedom. And Rose has made up her mind to be free of her marriage, much as the idea pains her. After all, she loves her husband; she just can't be what he wants. Unfortunately, there is no law on the books in England that will free her, so she turns to Jack Lodoun, who just finished asking her difficult questions during the trial, to go to his position in Parliament to help her. Jack has just lost his case, though for good reason: he knew that committing Mrs. Hart to her son's 'care' was the wrong thing to do. But he does not believe that he can help Rose, just as he does not believe passion is required between a man and a woman. But if Rose can prove differently to him, he'll try to help her, that is the bargain they strike, this wounded pair. Rose, who still loves her husband, but can't be married to him anymore because she knows their childless state is hurting him, is a strong woman, even for her time. But it is when she and Jack come together, and come to understand the true nature of passion, that we really get to know them. Then we also understand that making the right choice is sometimes making the more difficult choice. Jack and Rose are fantastic characters, and their story is truly compelling. Not to mention hot, but when did Robin Schone ever pen a story that wasn't? This one's earned four of Cupid's five arrows. It's a definite keeper.

Until next time, happy reading!