Patricia Briggs has a talent for writing characters who seem realistic, even if the setting is other worldy.

Hunting Ground is the second book in her Alpha & Omega series. A spin off of her popular Mercy Thompson novels, we are taken deeper into the world of werewolves than ever before.

Previously in Cry Wolf, we met Anna. In her early 20's, she was forced to the Change and suffers for years before 200 year old Charles Cornick meets her. She is saved and, it turns out, so is he. Charles is only second to his father in power and dominance. Under his cold facade, he has a raging beast. And Anna is Beauty to his beast. Or should I say "music." As an Omega wolf, she soothes him in a way that he has never experienced in all his long life.

The second novel focuses on a conference of Alpha European werewolf leaders. Charles' father, the Marrok, is leader of the North American werewolves. With the advent of so much forensic technology, he decides that they have to come out to the public before someone else outs them.

Patricia Briggs continues her Mercy Thompson books with Bone Crossed. Mercy is part Native American, and also happens to be able to change shape at will. No, she's not a werewolf. She's a walker--not controlled by the moon, but magic. Oh, and she sees dead people.

The novel takes off right after the close of Iron Kissed (the third Mercy Thompson novel). Mercy is vulnerable, tentatively accepting her relationship with local pack-leader Adam Hauptman. But recovering from traumatic events is not as easy as she wishes.

Lisa Kleypas launches a new romance novel series with Mine Till Midnight. The Hathaway siblings have been having a bad luck streak. They've lost their parents and now the head of the family, Leo Hathaway, Lord Ramsey, is driving himself to death. Amelia Hathaway is determined not to lose any more of her family. They are losing money fast.

Enter Cam Rohan, half-Gypsy and former factotum to one of the most successful game houses in London. And extremely lucky with money.

Cam and Amelia are drawn together, even through social taboo wrought by Victorian sensibilities that frown upon their relationship. Amelia is the sister of a lord (albeit a drunk/self-distructive one) and Cam's half-Gypsy heritage clearly marks him as no prince.

This book is a spin off of her Wallflower series and many readers were very curious about Cam Rohan's mysterious past.

Lisa Kleypas creates a loving and supportive family with the Hathaways. And though they do have their flaws, she takes time to build up several characters who will obviously be featured in their own stories in the future.

We are introduced to Merripen, a Gypsy man who also has a mysterious past. He grew up with the Hathaways after being left for dead. His love for Win, the most frail of the Hathaway children, is a little painful to read as he is filled with dark emotions and feelings of being inadequate.

Mackenzie's Mountain, Mackenzie's Mission, Mackenzie's Pleasure, Mackenzie's Magic and A Game of Chance.

Sometimes, when I'm in the mood for a comfort read, I reach for Linda Howard's Mackenzie books.

For one thing, they are quick reads.

And for another, they are good reads.

Beginning with Mackenzie's Mountain (Published with Mackenzie's Mission in Mackenzie's Legacy), she creates a family of characters who are lusty, loving, and just plain tough guys who have soft spots for their loved ones.

It's like seeing a big tough warrior holding a soft kitten with love. Utterly adorable. At least in a book.

Anyway, the series follows Wolf Mackenzie as he falls in love and continues with the stories of several of his 5 children. Each character is flawed (or just stubborn). Linda Howard's humor and ability to create sexual tension is evident in each of these books.