Hello, and welcome back! There's a definite chill in the air this week--with highs only in the 60s, fall is settling in here. At last! The perfect season to curl up with a good book and a cup of steaming hot tea. What more could a romance fan want?

This is the last week (10/11/04) to qualify for the big giveaway over in the forum, and the other readers have been pouncing on the opportunity, so I wouldn't wait. You must be a registered forum user, and registration is free and painless, so hurry on over!

This time out, I have three new books to share with you so let's get started! First up is the anthology
Moon Shadows (Jove), the now-annual collection of stories by Nora Roberts, Jill Gregory, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Marianne Willman. These stories are a great way to escape from reality for a little while, or perhaps a long while if you find yourself with an uninterrupted afternoon or evening. Ms. Roberts starts things off with "Wolf Moon," Simone finds herself with a bit of a dilemma, interested in the new vet, Gabe Kirby. Except she's got a secret she can't share with anyone, certainly not Gabe. An engrossing story, that seemed not to last nearly long enough. Next is Jill Gregory's "Moon Witch," with Princess Gwynna determined to defeat the evil witch who's taken her sister's youth and beauty. She needs the help of Keir, Duke of Blackthorne, the man her sister spurned in favor of true love, a man also harmed by the evil witch. Ruth Ryan Langan's "Blood on the Moon" is next, and Royce MacLish finds himself drawn to help Alana Lamont and her clan to escape the greedy man who killed Royce's family years before. Finally is "West of the Moon" by Marianne Willman, with Phoebe Sutton arriving at her new post only to discover the former lord has died and his heir is the man who broke her heart, Gordon Tremaine, who suffers from a mysterious malady, and whose home is near a fairy castle. I love their anthologies each year, and I can't wait to see what they come up with next. I'm giving this one four arrows.

Next is the anthology
Stroke of Midnight (Onyx), with stories from Carly Phillips, Janelle Denison, and Jacquie D'Alessandro. Ms. Phillips leads off with "Midnight Angel," with movie star Dylan North returning to his hometown, and his true love, Holly Evans. In "Meet Me at Midnight" by Janelle Denison, best friends Alyssa Harte and Shane Witmer have shared a lot over the years, and now Shane wants more: he wants it all, and he wants it with Alyssa. But how to tell her? I liked this one best of the three. Finally, in Jacquie D'Alessandro's "Mine at Midnight," Merrie Langston and Tom Farrell's work relationship takes a decidedly personal turn during the holiday season, but can it last? The stories here were fun, but this one isn't a keeper for me. I didn't love the characters enough to want to revisit any of them. I'm giving this one only three arrows.

Finally, we have Emma Holly's
Strange Attractions (Berkley). Charity Wills isn't quite sure what to think when she's offered a position by Eric Berne with his friend and employer, scientist B.G. Grantham, but she's not stupid, and a free trip to college is enough motivation to get her there. Compared to some of Ms. Holly's other erotic romances, this one seems a bit tame, which may be disappointing for readers looking for some serious spice. Charity's likeable enough, but that fact seems to be repeated throughout the story, as if the reader might not get it on her own. This one's earned three and a half arrows. Here's hoping her next one is steamier.

Until next time, happy reading!