Here are quick reviews of some recent novels that have come my way.

The Last of Something

By Susan Kelly

Pegasus Books, 2006, $21

Kelly's novel about three friends who have known each other since college pulls at the heartstrings.

Shotsie, Bess, and Claire have been meeting at the North Carolina coast almost every year for the past 20 years, along with their friend, Ian.

This year, however, Ian doesn't show up, although his new (and pregnant) wife, Nina, puts in an appearance.

In the past, Ian has had romantic relationships with all three of his college friends, so accepting Nina is a little difficult for the girls.

There are back stories we learn about Shotsie, Bess, and Claire with which many women will identify.

The Slow Moon

By Elizabeth Cox

Random House, 2006, $23.95

Sophie Chabot and her boyfriend, Crow Davenport, sneak away from a party in order to have sex (Sophie's first time), but when the ill-prepared Crow sprints back to his car for protection, he is gone longer than he intended to be.

When he returns, Sophie is unconscious. It looks as though she has been sexually assaulted, and Crow panics, running away without calling for help.

The reader knows that Crow is innocent, but everyone else has doubts. Sophie is not talking about it -- to anyone. (One thing that is jarring to me is that Sophie doesn't seem to be upset enough, considering the trauma she's suffered.)

Crow can't believe that any of his friends could do such a thing. The author looks at each boy by turn until it becomes obvious what happened.

The book is well-written and keeps your attention, sometimes in spite of the fact that you don't always want to know what happened.

Into The Storm

By Suzanne Brockmann

Ballantine, 2006, $21.95

This is another of Brockmann's "Troubleshooter" series. You don't have to have read the other books to enjoy this one, but there are a couple of relationships and situations that may not be totally clear.

The Troubleshooters compete with the "Saltwater Cowboys" (Navy SEALS) in a training exercise. Lindsay Fontaine, a member of the Troubleshooters, finds she is crazy about SEAL Mark Jenkins, but she thinks he is in love with Tracy, their airhead receptionist. (And he thinks he is.)

When it's decided to have another competition, this time in New Hampshire, Tracy is supposed to portray the victim.

When Tracy disappears, and everyone realizes that she is not with one team or another, they all band together to find her.

Meantime, Tracy is trying to figure out how to save herself from a serial killer.

There is a lot going on in this novel: several romances (or potential romances) and also the serial killer on the loose.

Faye Dasen may be reached at fdasen@thepilot.com.