I can turn on the nightly news, watch CNN, read the Times, listen to NPR or just surf the net for bad news.   So it’s definitely time for Good News Saturday.

Tell us something good – what happened this week that made you smile, made you laugh or just made your day.  For me – it was the smell of fresh cut grass for the first time this season.  I stopped in the middle of the road and took it it. Corny? Maybe. Did it make me feel good? Yes.  Did it made me smile? You bet. For a good long while. That’s what I’m talking about.  What about you?

Reviewed by Buffie Johnson
Publisher: Penguin
Rating:   4.75

Spending her entire life on a country farm, Jolie Russell is a total tomboy.  She loves getting down and dirty on the farm, whether it is fishing, working in the barn, or riding in her old pickup truck.  Jolie and her widowed father are use to struggling in a down home country way.  But all that changes the day Cody Dean knocks on their door.  Cody Dean is the oldest son of predominant local family and has recently taken over running daddy’s high end development company.  Cody offers the Russell family an offer they cannot refuse . . . millions of dollars for their farm property and a home in the upscale community Cody Dean plans to build on the farm land.  Cody is not…

Reviewed by PJ Ausdenmore
Publisher: Penguin
4.75 Stars

Piper Mills was certain that after the death of her parents when she was six years old nothing that bad would ever happen to her again.  She was wrong.   Taken in by her maternal grandparents, Piper grew up in Savannah, Georgia where her grandfather first introduced her to the horses around which her world would revolve.  A fearless rider, Piper was on her way to Olympic glory when her misjudgment resulted in the death of her horse and near fatal injuries for Piper.  Six years later, she still exists in the shadows of life, refusing to go near a horse, unable to move forward or recapture the joy that was once an intrinsic part of her, much like the grandmother who had always hovered on…

The nominations for the RITA Awards are in and here is a peek at some of the finalists – for the complete list check out the RWA web site.

I’m wondering if any of you have read any of these books.

Are there books that were left off the list;  books you think should have been nominated for a RITA?

2009 RITA Finalists for Best First Book
Her One Desire by Kimberly Killion
Kensington Publishing Corp., Zebra

No Good Girls by Jean Marie Pierson
Dorchester Publishing, Love Spell


Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
Penguin Group USA, Dutton


Passionate by Anthea Lawson
Kensington Publishing Corp., Zebra Debut


Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas
Bantam Dell Publishing Group


Strangers in the Night by Kerry Connor
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue


The Secret Soldier by Jennifer Morey
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense


Your Roots Are Showing by Elise Chidley
Grand…

Reviewed by Kati Dancy
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
5+ stars

To say that I love Lisa Kleypas as an author is an understatement. She has a virtually unparalleled knack for writing deeply emotional novels that feature smart and likeable heroines and heroes who sweep a girl right off of her feet. Her latest novel, Smooth Talking Stranger is no exception. We’ve known Jack Travis for a couple of years now, and every time we’ve met him he’s been with a different woman. He’s a handsome, easy going, Texas playboy who has enjoyed his life and the myriad women in it. What we never realized in the past was that he has a deep reserve of generosity and a truly nurturing spirit.

Ella Varner is shocked to receive a frantic phone call from her mother informing…

Reviewed by Andrea Williamson
Publisher: Avon
Release date: March 31, 2009
4 stars

As a prized pugilist in London’s seedy underground, Nicholas Stoneworth certainly knows how to take care of himself, though he hasn’t always been a part of this kind of life.  Born the second son of a marquis, he was never able to live up to his father’s expectations.  Thus, he left his privileged life behind seven years ago.  Now he receives news he never thought he’d ever receive—his brother is dead.  Since his brother had only daughters, Nicholas is thrust into the role of Viscount Stoneworth, a title he does not want.  Upon reentering Society, he once again disappoints his father and embarrasses his family by behaving in a most depraved and ungentlemanly manner.  After a heartfelt conversation with his sister-in-law,…