Hello, and welcome back! As we creep closer to winter and the holiday season, my TBR pile is maintaining a steady height that assures me I'll have plenty of reading material when it's too cold to go outside, or when I've finished clearing out the flower beds for the season. The only thing left is to stock up on tea and hot chocolate.

First up this week, we have the latest from Jodi Thomas,
A Texan's Luck (Jove). The last of the bride lottery trio is getting her story this time. Lacy Larson's husband is coming home at last, but, after their first and only meeting, she wants no part of it. Frankly, Walker doesn't really have any use for a wife, but he has no choice in making this visit--he's under orders to keep his wife safe from the man she thought she'd killed. I didn't like this one as well as the previous two in the trilogy. Lacy's too prickly at times, and at others, inexplicably kind to a man who hasn't earned it. It's earned three arrows.

Next is Virginia Henley's
Insatiable (Signet). Catherine Spencer's impulsiveness leads her to all sorts of adventures a young woman in Queen Elizabeth's court should not be having. Patrick Hepburn is one such 'adventure', though he has secrets that could threaten their tumultuous relationship. This is a great example of Ms. Henley's work--filled with just enough historical detail to root you firmly in the setting, inhabited by characters you can't help but love, and dotted with enough steamy attraction to keep her most devoted fans happy. I'm giving it four of Cupid's five arrows.

Next is Emma Holly's
The Demon's Daughter (Berkley). Roxanne McAllister's past has made her an outsider, but Adrian Phillips ranks even lower on the social ladder than she. Their pasts don't stop them from becoming involved, and the future of many more depends on what they can accomplish together. This one features demons and humans, and, like many of her paranormal stories, wasn't a keeper for me. I've been a paranormal fan for years, but I find myself disappointed with many of the newer ones. This one's earned only two arrows.

Finally, we have
Blue Dahlia (Jove), the first in a new Nora Roberts trilogy. Stella Rothchild is about to start over again. Widowed two years previously, she's brought her two young boys from Michigan to Tennessee, close to her father, and hopefully to a new job with Rosilind Harper. Stella's got ideas for Roz's nursery business, and with her organizational skills, she knows she can do well. Her organizational skills, though, are what drives disorganized landscaper Logan Kitridge craziest. They're a match made in Nora Roberts heaven. Yay! There's a great cast of characters here, and I can't wait to read Roz's story next--but it's not coming till June, darn it. Ah well. I'll wait, along with all her other fans. And in the meantime, this one gets four and a half arrows.

Until next time, happy reading!