Traitor to the Blood - Book 4 of the Saga of the Noble Dead
by Barb Hendee and J.C. Hendee

Born a half-breed to an elven mother and human father, Leesil was raised in the Warlands as assassin, spy, and slave to Lord Darmouth, ruler to one of its independent provinces. But Leesil's mother trained him too well, and he used his skills to escape, leaving his parents to suffer Darmouth's wrath for all such traitors and their kin. Now, with newfound purpose in the company of his beloved Magiere, Leesil returns to confront the sins of his past and uncover his parents' fate.

Unable to turn him from this dangerous course, Magiere follows Leesil into the darkness of his past in the Warlands. Knowing what may happen should Darmouth learn of Leesil's return, she is prepared to slaughter any who may try to take him from her. But Magiere's own past may well pose a more deadly threat. Two creatures of unfathomable power continue to stalk her-one who believes she's the key to his salvation, and one who seeks to destroy her...and all those she loves.

The Noble Dead Saga continues with another great story. Now I have to wait for the next instalment to be written. There is another book in this series planned and a second series is on the cards, set on a different continent.

The Italian Romance
by Joanne Carroll

Lillian has had to make the hardest decision a woman can make. In war-torn Australia in 1947, she is forced to choose between her baby daughter and the love of her life, an Italian prisoner-of-war. She flees to Italy to make a new life in an act of love that haunts her for fifty years.

Set between rural New South Wales and Italy, The Italian Romance examines the choices we make and their unexpected consequences. In this moving novel about families and the different faces of love, Joanne Carroll reminds us what it is to be human.

This book was a BRA selection. Beautifully written, three stories take us on a journey through the life of Lillian. From her sadness and courage as a young woman, to her melancholy existance as a widow in Italy meeting her daughter for the first time since she was a baby. Can you love two men? Can we be happy if we give up our children for love? Difficult questions are explored in this novel with thoughtfulness. A lovely story with an ending full of hope.