Hello, and welcome back! I cannot wait for fall to get here. I'm so tired of the weather being sticky and hot. Just walking outside is a huge effort the last few days. Yuck. Good thing the air conditioner is working just fine, which makes it much, much more pleasant to be inside than out. So I've been reading, though some days that's been a chore.

Other days, however, it's not a chore at all, but a real pleasure. Karen Rose Smith's new romance, Her Texas Bodyguard's Proposal (Silhouette Special Edition) was one of the latter. Bodyguard Rafael Balthazar thinks he knows what to expect when he takes on the job of protecting model and socialite Gabriella McCord from the reporters who follow her and an overzealous public. But Gabby surprises him nearly from the start. She's not a dumb woman, nor is she press-hungry, or flitting from man to man as the tabloids claim, but she works hard for her family jewelry business, and even befriending a young girl whose letter touched her heart. But Rafe still mourns his late wife, and getting involved with someone he's supposed to be protecting is a definite no-no, so indulging the attraction he feels for her will never happen. But Rafe can't protect his heart forever from Gabby, even though he tries, very hard. Gabby has spent most of her life in the public eye, so she's learned a lot of tricks for dealing with rude questions or cameras in her face when she just wants to be left alone. But she hasn't ever dealt with a man like Rafe, and he's a mass of complications like she's never seen before. He is, however, determined to protect her, even from an unhappy ex who's almost as determined to have her back. Karen Rose Smith is an expert at creating stories peopled with realistic characters whose journeys will touch your hearts. Rafe and Gabby's tale is one of those that makes you feel absolutely fantastic when you reach the end. It's earned four of Cupid's five arrows.

Until next time, happy reading!