Hello and welcome back! Back to the grind of real life, with no long holiday weeks in sight for a while. But make sure you find the time to enjoy some of the new romances available this month.

First up is "The Yorkshire Lady," by Nadine Miller (Signet Regency). Yves St. Armand has a mission to complete: find the spy who is responsible for the death of his own love. Rachel Barton knows nothing of spies, wanting only to enjoy the gentle courtship of the Earl of Fairbourne. In the course of his investigation and attempts to trap the villain, the pair are thrown together for the duration in her hometown. Scheming and unfulfilled desires abound. This story is a pleasant way to while away a couple hours. I´m borrowing three of Cupid´s five arrows for this one.

Next is Scottish Bride by Catherine Coulter, (Jove Historical). Tysen, the last Sherbrooke brother gets his story this time. In the course of attending to an inheritance in Scotland, the serious widowed vicar offers his protection to Mary Rose Fordyce, who´s on the run. Along with a greedy family and a mad mother, she comes with other complications to disrupt his orderly life. Is it time for a change in Tysen? Mary Rose does some growing herself during the story, but not as much as Tysen. But I admit the character I liked best was his daughter, Meggie. Though set partly in Scotland, I didn´t get much feel for the setting unfortunately. Nor much of that wonderful Scottish brogue in any of the dialogue. But even for those of you who haven´t read any of the other Sherbrooke books, you´ll be able to follow this one without any trouble. I´m giving it three of Cupid´s arrows.

Last this week is "My Lord Pirate" by Laura Renken (Jove´s Seduction Romance). If you´ve been reading my columns for at least the past few months, you´ll remember that this new line is based on a strong hero´s point of view. Though I like Talon Drake, I feel I know Regan Welles much better as I read the book. Talon is looking for vengeance and justice. His parents were killed by Regan´s father. Now, he intends to steal her brother´s fiancee and acquire a treasure map. Regan is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is the one he ends up with instead, believing her to be her cousin. This pair has a lot to overcome, with both believing the other responsible for the death of their parents and many lies between them. At times I wanted to shake one or both of them. This one also earns three of Cupid´s arrows.

Until next week, happy reading!