Hello, and welcome back! I do love fall. We've had our first pot of soup of the season, and now I can't wait to have more to go with the breads that've been giving my bread machine a workout. And it's the perfect season to curl up with some steamy reading material to warm your toes.

So, on that note, let's start with a new collection of erotica, Naughty Fairytales from A to Z: 26 Racy Retold Fairy Tales, Fables and Nursery Rhymes (Plume), edited by Alison Tyler. This one is definitely not for the faint of heart. Don't expect much romance here either, but definitely some steamy stories with interesting twists on the classics, and literally, from A to Z. This one was a lot of fun, and for someone looking for reading material that's a bit different, this should fit the bill.

Next up is Meg Chittenden's Snap Shot (Berkley). Former investigator Diana Gordon needs a change of pace and the small town in Washington seems perfect. Connor Callahan is a local chiropractor, and the pair get pulled into a murder investigation. More suspense than romance, unfortunately, though if you're looking for good suspense, you'll find it here. Just don't expect it to balance equally with the romance. Not a keeper for me, but I'm currently in a definite romance mood.

Finally, we have Karen Rose Smith's latest, Once Upon a Baby... (Silhouette Romance #1737). This one definitely falls onto the romance side of things thank goodness. Widowed mother-to-be Risa Parker is still trying to get back on her feet after the end of her marriage, but a romance with next door neighbor and local sheriff Simon Blackstone isn't in the cards. This one was over too soon, darn it. Emotional and believable, without distractions like serial killers or stalkers bent on revenge...just about the perfect romance for purists. I'm borrowing four and a half of Cupid's five arrows for this one.

Aside from all the great discussions going on in the forum, you'll miss out on a huge giveaway if you don't get over there and get registered soon! Beginning the week of September 19, 2004 is a big giveaway along the lines of what we did last year, with a goodie bag packed with books and other nifty stuff. Registration is free, and now's the time to get registered so you can take part! You'll find details in the forum, plus you'll be able to talk books with other romance fans in the meantime, so what are you waiting for?

Until next time, happy reading!