The Toughest Girl in Town by Maggie Shayne 3/5
Cute story about a schoolteacher (Melinda Terwilliger) who is struggling with being a doormat. After being mugged in her deteriorating neighborhood, she is fed up and willing to try just about anything. Her best friend hypnotizes her in order to give her more self confidence. A minor snafu causes her to believe she has a secret past which was erased from her memory. She now has the confidence of a "super spy" and takes on those who have walked all over her in the past. She comes face-to-face with real danger and relies on a new love interest with some secrets of his own to help her realize she is brave, strong, worthy, etc. all on her own.

Resolution by Linda Winstead Jones 3.5/5
Nell Rose Collins is heading for a rental cabin in the mountains of Tennessee when she's caught in a winter storm and crashes her car into a ditch. She makes her way to the nearest house, hoping to call for a tow truck and assistance to get to her destination. Unfortunately, all roads have been closed and she is forced to impose on the handsome homeowner (author of horror thrillers, Julian Maddox) for a day or two. They share a strong connection but when faced with baggage from their pasts and a stalker wreaking havoc on their time together, they have some issues to work through.

Mystery Lover by Day Leclaire 4/5
Jayne Myleston is given a free ticket to a charity ball by her employer and is hoping she can overcome her "Mary Poppins" persona enough to attract her long-time crush at the office, Jonathan, by transforming herself at the masquerade ball. She is charmed and seduced by the Zorro-clad "Jonathan" at the ball and is completely smitten by him after their incredible night together but is not sure how to reconcile a personal relationship with him since she doesn't believe in dating coworkers. She soon learns that it wasn't Jonathan at all that she spent the night with but her "Zorro" figure isn't yet willing to reveal his true identity to her. At the same time, she is given a promotion at work which requires her to work more closely with her boss, Nick Fontana, a.k.a. "Mr. Intimidation". Over a period of several months, she keeps weekly dates with "Zorro", each time meeting at the same hotel room but disguised as different characters. Those scenarios are charming, funny, romantic, and are a lot of fun to read. Very clever dialogue and situations. Over time, though, Jayne has to decide if her self-imposed "physical relationship only" rule with her mystery lover are enough for her. ( )