Hello, and welcome back! I'm really enjoying our late summer weather that's cooler and less humid. Fall is definitely on the way, but I'm liking it right now, though the rain that's on the way will make sitting outside with a book rather unpleasant. I've been working my way steadily through the September romances, and am nearly halfway already, though I did just get a few more in the last few days that I expect will keep me busy reading a bit longer.

This time out, I have Tessa Dare's latest, Surrender of a Siren (Ballantine), the second in her new historical series. Sophia Hathaway has run away from her own wedding and is posing as a governess named Jane and heading to Tortola. She meets up with Benedict Grayson, aka Gray, owner of the ship she's to travel on, and he's a rogue of the first order (as he is well aware). Gray can't seem to help himself when 'Jane' is around; he'd intended this trip to be the one that he travels as a changed man, his business legitimate and his brother captaining the ship to make up for Gray's past actions. But he and 'Jane' share an attraction that only deepens the longer they travel together, despite his best intentions and enforced separation on the ship, and Gray is willing to do almost anything to keep her with him. At least, until he discovers her lies. Sophia's plan seemed just the perfect way to escape a loveless marriage when she hatched it, but now that she's met Gray, her tall tales might be the ruin of everything she really does want. Sophia and Gray's story is sweet, filled with moments heady with their attraction. Some of the secondary characters are endearing, while the villains are a little over the top sometimes. If you're a fan of the old pirate romances of years ago, this might be right up your alley. I found it a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, but I didn't find it a keeper. I'm borrowing three of Cupid's five arrows for this one.

Until next time, happy reading!