Hello, and welcome back! I've been reading like crazy this week, and even have three more books read for next week's first article already. It's cold and very windy outside, but the house smells like chili at the moment, and tomorrow, I'll fire up the bread machine, so between all that tasty food, some hot tea, and the stack of books here on my desk, I think I can manage to occupy my time indoors very nicely.

Heart of the Dove (Ballantine) by Tina St. John starts things off this time out, with the last tale in her Dragon Chalice series. Randwulf of Greycliff is on a mission of revenge, but is washed into the sea while fighting his enemy. Innocent Serena finds him on her secluded shore, injured and in need of medical attention. This is a pair that should have no chance at a happy ending, but you'll want them to get there, for her to heal all his injuries, internal and external, and for Rand to move beyond his painful past. You won't be disappointed, and if you've been waiting impatiently for this last tale in the series, your wait is over. I'm borrowing three and a half of Cupid's five arrows for this one and wondering what she has in store for us next.

Swift Horse (Signet Eclipse) by Cassie Edwards is in stores now as well. Her latest has Marsha Eveland falling for Swift Horse, despite her misgivings about his people and their role in her tragic past. As always, impeccable historical details, just not my kind of story. I know there are plenty of readers who love the traditional Indian romances, though, so here's your chance to grab one.

Deception (Signet Eclipse) by Terri Lynn Wilhelm rounds things out this time with a fantastic story. Isabel Millington flees the only home she's ever known when she discovers her uncle's treachery, only to find she must hide until she's able to reach her maternal uncle in far-away Sweden. To do that, she poses as a companion and teaches Swedish to the sister of Fox Tremayne, disgraced in India as a traitor and forced to live in seclusion. Only Fox isn't quite the man he appears, so both have their secrets, though for far different reasons. Isabel is a charming character, and Fox very imaginative, if tortured. I liked this one a lot, so am giving it four arrows.

Until next time, happy reading!