Hello, and welcome back! The temps here this week are definitely more winter-like, though there's still no sign of snow. At least with the colder temps, it's beginning to feel more like the holiday season. And the colder it gets, the more I want to stay indoors with a good book and a cup of tea or hot chocolate. I'm about halfway through the December review books, and I have three to share with you today.

The Ultimate Romantic Challenge (Brava) by Katherine Garbera has Alexandra Haughton determined that her in-laws won't sell the family resort to hot-shot hotelier Sterling Powell. And Sterling is equally determined to get not just the resort but Alexandra as well. This one had a lot of potential, but fell far short. First, there's Alex's past, which is never fully explained. What exactly happened to her late husband? Who knows? And then she's so wishy-washy about what to do about her relationship with Sterling, that about halfway through, I thought, who cares? I did slog through the rest of it, but I'm afraid it didn't improve. Disappointing for a Brava title, this one gets only two of Cupid's five arrows.

Beyond a Shadow (Brava) by Alison Kent is next. Undercover agent Ezra Moore is posing as the new handyman for the small-town B&B, but Alexa Counsel knows there's more than meets the eye to the sexy, secretive newcomer. Still, despite what appear to be major trust issues, they hit the sheets. That's where this one lost me, I'm sorry to say. The suspense continues on throughout the rest of the tale, but it didn't keep my interest. This one also gets two arrows.

Drop Dead Gorgeous (Ballantine) by Linda Howard is next, with the second installment of Blair Mallory and Wyatt Bloodsworth's love story. This time, Blair's stressed, trying to plan her wedding by Wyatt's deadline or face his own version of a plan, which includes either a courthouse or Vegas, neither of which is acceptable to her. After she's found her wedding shoes, though, someone tries to run her down. And after another attempt, she knows there's yet another lunatic after her, but this time Wyatt doesn't believe her. I'm a huge Linda Howard fan, and I enjoyed the previous tale about Blair and Wyatt, but I have to say I loved this book! Blair and Wyatt still generate enough electricity to power a small city, the suspense is great, but more importantnly, these are wonderful, believable characters. When they're together (or not), a reader will laugh and cry along with them. I'm going to break out that extra arrow for this one and give it all five of Cupid's arrows. This one is a definite keeper.

Until next time, happy reading!