Hello, and welcome back! We're staying inside where the air is cooler as much as possible right now, probably through the holiday weekend as well. Fortunately, I've been getting new review books almost daily, so my July stack hasn't really shrunk too much, despite my regular reading. I still have a few books waiting for reviews, but many more July releases to wade through.

This time out, I have the latest from Karin Tabke, Master of Surrender (Pocket). Isabel of Alethorpe is holding her father's lands for his return from war when Sir Rohan du Luc and his soldiers arrive, claiming the land for the new king. And Rohan claims Isabel for himself in the meantime. Isabel is betrothed to another, however, but Rohan knows ways to have her for his own while still leaving the ultimate prize for her fiance, should the other man ever return. The wait is unending, with the Normans making themselves comfortable in her Saxon family's home, and the unyielding Rohan determined Isabel will submit to him, not just in body but in spirit as well. And Isabel finds it harder to resist her wicked knight, despite the secrets that come to light during the lengthy siege. If you're a fan of the old, old historical romances, such as those from Woodiwiss, with the heroes who don't take 'no' for an answer when the heroine doesn't desire his advances, you'll probably love this one, because Rohan doesn't understand the meaning of the word, at least not as it comes out of Isabel's mouth. There's plenty of historical detail here to please the pickiest of readers, I'm sure. While I liked it better than I like her contemporary tales, I didn't love this one. Perhaps I just wasn't in the proper mood for this sort of story. Maybe it's that I just didn't love Rohan and Isabel's story. In any case, this one gets only three of Cupid's five arrows. I just don't think Tabke's writing style is to my taste. I'm sure there are plenty of readers who disagree, and that's fine with me. I know there are books I love that other readers do not. To each, her own.

Until next time, happy reading!