Hello, and welcome back! This has been quite a hectic week, working early on so I can go to the New Jersey Romance Writers conference this weekend. But I haven't forgotten about my reading material here on the desk. In fact, I have three new books to share with you this time out.

Every Breath You Take (Ballantine) by Judith McNaught has gone from hardcover to paperback this month. Kate Donovan and Mitchell Wyatt are from different worlds, but hearts have a way of smoothing away differences like that. If you were waiting for the paperback release, now's the time to get to the bookstore. And if you read the hardcover last year, you might want to pick up the paperback anyway, because there are some enhancements to the story in this version.

My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (St. Martin's) has stories from romance and fantasy authors, and likely something for everyone. My favorite story in this one is Susan Krinard's "...Or Forever Hold Your Peace", with Olivia and Kit trying to determine who killed the uninvited guest at their friends' wedding. And I had to chuckle through L. A. Banks's "Spellbound", with a new twist on the Hatfield & McCoy feuders. But I admit to skimming the fantasy authors' stories (sorry, but fantasy isn't my favorite genre), and I'm not a fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon or Lori Handeland, I'm afraid, so I cannot recommend their contributions to this collection. But, as I think I mentioned, fantasy fans and many paranormal romance fans are going to love this anthology, with its varied stories from (mostly) well-known authors.

I'll Be Home for Christmas (Pocket) has holiday stories from Linda Lael Miller, Catherine Mulvany, Julie Leto, and Roxanne St. Claire. The St. Claire, "You Can Count on Me", features another of her Bullet Catchers, the newest, Raquel Durant, and the father of the child she's set to protect, Grigori Nyekovic. Julie Leto's "Meltdown" has Isabel Ruiz and Spencer Burke tangling over the remaking of his image. "Once Upon a Christmas" by Catherine Mulvany is told in two parts, which I found a tad jarring, starting when Hailey and Thomas are teens and she gets involved with the wrong guy. And Linda Lael Miller's "Christmas of the Red Chiefs" has widowed step-mom Sarah Wagner going back to her aunt's as a temporary stop while she gets back on her feet, and getting tangled up in life in the small town--and a romance with single dad Joe Courtland. Except for the first-person narrative, I liked the Lael Miller best, with the wonderful descriptive language she uses, and the characters who come alive while you read.

Until next time, happy reading!