Hello, and welcome back! We're stocking up the house for the storm heading our way tonight, and I'm hoping we have enough of the necessities, like hot chocolate and tea, to last for the next couple days. We'll need it after we start shoveling snow again. I'm happy Mother Nature is being so cooperative this year about giving me my winter. My guys, however, are ready for spring to put in an appearance.

This time out, I have a new series starter from Jennifer Ashley, Pride Mates (Leisure) (received from publisher). This one kicks off her 'Shifters Unbound' series, with defense attorney Kim Fraser heading into Shiftertown to try to find out more about her newest client, who's about to be on trial for a murder he says he didn't commit. But Shifters aren't trusted, and are kept collared in this world, for the safety of the humans, a collar that is supposed to rein in their wild impulses and cause them pain if they give in to instinct. Kim goes to Liam Morrissey for help with her defense plans, but Liam doesn't make her feel safe. Wild and tempted, yes, but not really safe. Liam shouldn't help her, but he does, and having Kim in Shiftertown draws the attention of a killer, making Liam shift into protective mode. Not that he only feels protective of her. No, Kim brings out his animal instincts in a way he's never felt, and in a way he'd promised himself he'd never indulge. But even though she's human, that doesn't mean their hearts can't get as involved as their bodies want to be. I'll start this by saying I'm really not a Jennifer Ashley fan, no matter which name she writes under. But I really did like this one. Liam is sexy from the beginning, and whether in human or cat form, he's terrific. Kim is great, too, going into a place she's never been despite her fears, in order to stay true to herself and help her client. If Ms. Ashley continues in this vein, she may make a fan of me yet. I'm borrowing four of Cupid's five arrows for this one.

Until next time, happy reading!