Hello, and welcome back! We've had our first real snowfall over night, though the roads are already clear. That's a good thing, since the booksigning at work is scheduled for tomorrow (12/10/05), and I was hoping everyone participating could safely make it here. If you've forgotten time or location, and want to come meet some great authors, email me for more details. And in the meantime, I have three new historicals to share with you this time out.

The Lady Killer (Berkley Sensation) by Samantha Saxon leads things off with assassin Nicole Beauvoire in sudden danger, and Daniel McCurren trying to rescue a woman who doesn't want rescuing. It takes an inordinate amount of time in this one for the reader to find out what makes Nicole tick, which makes it difficult to dredge up any sympathy for her until far too late in the story. Daniel is a lot of fun, however, but he can't carry the story alone. There is also some rather awkward phrasing throughout this one that jarred me out of the story more times than I could count. I liked the premise, just not the actual story, sadly. I'm giving this one only two of Cupid's five arrows.

A Taste of Temptation (Berkley Sensation) by Amelia Grey is next, with Olivia Banning and Andrew Terwilliger, Earl of Dugdale butting heads as they're forced into a marriage neither wanted. If you're looking for a light, sweet romance to while away a few hours, this one might be just what you're looking for. It's not complicated, with too many subplots, and it's not difficult. Just two likeable characters falling in love. What a refreshing change from some of the books on the shelves in the romance section of the bookstore these days! This one's earned three and a half arrows.

When You Love Someone (Brava) by Susan Johnson finishes things up this time. Julius D'Abernon, Marquis of Darley has decided to seduce the very married Elspeth, Lady Grafton, whose pristine reputation precedes her. There are some things I find exceedingly difficult to countenance in any story, let alone in a romance novel, and adultery is one of them. That Julius is so determined to bed her the instant he sees Elspeth does not endear him to me. Nor does Elspeth make herself much more likeable when she very easily tosses aside her reputation for pleasure with a man not her husband. If you're reading just for the sex, you might want to pick this one up. If you're reading for the romance, you may be sorely disappointed. It made me want to go dig out some of Ms. Johnson's previous stories that I liked far better. It's earned only two arrows as well.

Until next time, happy reading!