Hello, and welcome back! We're still in the midst of a heat wave, which has partnered with sticky, humid air, and which won't leave. Staying inside in the a/c with a stack of good books seems the best way to go here.

One Night of Sin (Ballantine) by Gaelen Foley headed up this week's reading, with Becky Ward fleeing for her life from her new, debauched guardian, and finding safety, for one night at least, in the arms of Lord Alec Knight. But it turns out that maybe Alec wants more than one night, though he'll have his work cut out for him trying to keep Becky safely hidden from the Russian bent on finding her. Becky's reasoning here is easy to follow, Alec's not so. Nevertheless, this one was a pleasant enough way to while away a hot evening. It's earned three of Cupid's five arrows.

Stolen Magic (Ballantine) by M. J. Putney is out already and was next in the stack. Simon Malmain, Earl of Falconer, has another identity, one secret from most people in England--enforcer of the laws of the Guardians--one which takes him to the home of Lord Drayton, rogue mage. The encounter leaves Simon fighting for his life, and, with the help of Meg, a young woman Drayton has held hostage for years, Simon manages to escape, but for how long? This one started very slowly for me, which was a bit surprising, given how many of Ms. Putney's other books I have on my keeper shelf. There were points where I had to force myself to keep reading, but about a hundred pages in, things finally picked up a little, though the pace throughout is still not what I'd call quick. Simon and Meg are a wonderful pairing, but the evil Drayton is rather a stereotypical villain, which was a bit disappointing. Still, for fans of Ms. Putney's recent fantasy stories, this one should prove interesting reading. It's also earned three arrows.

Baby before Business (Silhouette Romance #1774) by Bella-fave Susan Meier is next. Madelyn Gentry has barely met her new boss before he's fired her, though the unexpected arrival of his late cousin's baby into his care has Ty Bryant hurrying to make a deal with her: help take care of the baby until he can find a nanny and he'll consider her p.r. ideas for his company. Ty has a lot of growing to do here, and, with Madelyn's help, he manages it quite nicely, just in time. You'll be cheering him on at the end. I'm giving this one four arrows.

Until next time, happy reading!