Hello, and welcome back! I'm getting my things together and preparing to head off to the New Jersey Romance Writers' annual conference, and I can hardly wait--all those writers I love to read. All those writing buddies I've met at previous conferences. All that inspiration in the air. The editors and agents who'll be there. Yippee!

Ahem. So, if any of you will be there, look for me. Now back to business. If you haven't popped over to the forum, you're missing out on some book giveaways this month. We gave away a copy of Bertrice Small's latest earlier this week, and are currently working on the second giveaway of the month: Judith Gould's The Greek Villa (NAL). Writer Tracy Sullivan doesn't know it, but her entire life is about to be turned upside down. Traveling from Florida to Greece to meet the mother she's never known should be an adventure. Little does she know how much of an adventure. Remember the old Judith Krantz novels? Glitz, they and other like them were called. This leans heavily in that direction. Not exactly my cup of tea, though not an unpleasant few hours.

Next up is our title book, Elda Minger's The Dare (Berkley). Alyssa Preston agrees to help out her best buddy by spying on her groom-to-be at his bachelor party--by going as one of the strippers. She didn't exactly agree to spend the night with the best man, Cooper Sinclair, but when things turn steamy, who is she to mess with good chemistry. Trouble is, she really likes this guy, and, when she disappears without a word, he's determined to find out who "Bambi" the stripper really was. This book was a lot of fun, but I couldn't quite love it. I don't know if it's the writer's voice giving me that little "off" signal or something in the story itself, but it's not a keeper for me. On the other hand, it's not a terrible story at all. Plenty of scorching hot love scenes and a smart, sassy heroine. I'm borrowing three of Cupid's five arrows for it.

Our next book this week is Karen Rose Smith's The Most Eligible Doctor (Silhouette Romance #1692). Brianne Barrington's first day working with Jed Sawyer, the new doctor in the practice where she works, doesn't get off to such a hot start, though all the patients' mothers are quite interested in the new hunk in town. But he makes it clear to Brianne that anything personal has to be off-limits. Not that Brianne has time to deal with a man, no matter how much her heart races when he's near. These two have a lot of past obstacles still getting in their way, which will make a relationship difficult, no matter who they might be with, but especially between this pair. It'll be a rocky and emotional road, but you know they'll work it out somehow. I'm giving this one four arrows.

Finally this week is Amelia Grey's A Little Mischief (Berkley). Isabella Winslowe has gotten herself on Daniel Colebrook's bad side without even intending to, simply because his sister has joined her young ladies' society, a group being called the "wallflower society" by some. As you all know, I'm not a huge fan of the Regency, but this story is entertaining, though after a while, I did get a tad annoyed with Isabella and Daniel for not just 'doing the deed' already. If you're a Regency fan, you should love this story, and for those who like a little suspense, with its mystery running alongside the main story, this should fit the bill. I'm giving this one three arrows, too.

Until next time, happy reading!