Romance novels take center stage in this week's round-up of recent releases.

That's Amore

By Wendy Markham

Warner Forever, 2008, $6.99

Those of us who are of a certain age tend to think of crooner Dean Martin when we hear the words, "That's Amore."

Popular romance writer Wendy Markham has certainly given readers a delightful story of "amore."

Markham's loyal fans will recognize the Chickalini family and truly enjoy reading about youngest son, Ralph, and his quest for true love.

The patriarch of the family has died, and the children have decided to sell the family home -- the only one that Ralph has ever known.

It's hard for him to explain how he feels about that -- and hard for him to understand his attraction to Daria Marshall, a young woman who has is visiting her sister. Oh, she just happens to be psychic.

For Daria's part, she is having a hard time dealing with the spirit of an old man who seems to keep appearing in her life, nudging her toward a relationship with Ralph.

The author writes suspense novels under the name Wendy Corsi Staub.

Hot

By Julia Harper

Warner Forever, 2008, $6.99

This is a debut novel for Julia Harper, but not for her alter ego, Elizabeth Hoyt, whose historical romances have been quite popular.

Hoyt makes the transition to contemporary romance quite easily.

Turner Hastings is a local librarian who moonlights as a bank teller on Saturdays. When bumbling bank robbers hit the bank, Turner finds that she has a chance to find evidence to clear her uncle of the charges for which he is serving time.

She doesn't realize that her actions have been caught on camera, and that the FBI agent assigned to the case knows that something else is going on that has nothing to do with a robbery.

Between the Sheets

By Robin Wells

Warner Forever, 2008, $6.99

Let's just suppose that the president-elect drops dead of a heart attack while in the arms of a call girl. The tabloids get hold of the story -- but they finger the wrong girl.

That's what happens to Emma Jamison in this hilarious tale of mistaken identity. Poor Emma has to move back to a small town in Louisana in hopes of escaping the vicious gossip -- but no such luck.

Max Duvall, who is running for district attorney, finds himself attracted to Emma, but tries to distance himself because of her reputation -- without success.

Is he risking the election just to prove Emma's innocence?

Just a Taste

By Deirdre Martin

Berkley Sensation, 2008, $7.99

In another culinary romance, widower Anthony Dante has been busy with his restaurant.

When Vivi Robitaille opens her new bistro across the street, he is determined to compete with her, but alas, finds he is attracted to her.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com or 693-2475.