Here are three more novels that will make good reading for the hot summer days.

The Triumph of Deborah

By Eva Etzioni-Halevy

Plume, 2208, $14

If you've read the author's other books, "The Garden of Ruth" and "The Song of Hannah," or if you enjoyed "The Red Tent," you'll like the story of Deborah, a character from the book of Judges.

Deborah was, at a time when women were expected to defer to the men, a most unusual woman. A prophet, she was called upon by Barak for help in defeating Sisra, a Canaanite leader.

Deborah is cast off by her husband after years of marriage, finds herself attracted to Barak -- as are two of his captives.

The author has expanded on the story related in Judges, and her speculation about how events played out makes a pretty good story.

Born in Vienna, Austria, Eva Etzioni-Halevy and her parents lived there until escaping the Nazis in 1939. She spent World War II in Italy, partly in an Italian concentration camp, and then in hiding.

She is currently professor emeritus of political sociology at a university in Israel. She and her family live in Tel Aviv.

The Last Time I Was Me

By Cathy Lamb

Kensington Books, 2008, $15

Jeanne Stewart is searching for some peace and quiet when she lands in the little town of Weltana, Ore.

Bringing with her a few special treasures, she has left behind in Chicago an upcoming trial as well as her job. It seems her boyfriend cheated on her once too often, so Jeanne exacted some revenge, and now he has filed a lawsuit. She might have to face criminal charges as well.

Upon arriving in Weltana, Jeanne meets Donovan, chef and owner of The Opera Man's Cafe. She stays at the bed-and-breakfast owned by Rosvita Sanchez, and decides she's going to make Weltana home while trying to get her life back together.

Readers get to meet other wonderful characters when Jeanne makes a weekly drive to Portland to attend court-ordered anger management classes.

And the possibility of a new relationship comes to fruition when Jeanne meets a man down by the river.

I liked "Julia's Chocolates," Lamb's first book, and figured the second would be just as good -- and it was.

A Howl for Mayflower

By Dan Gilmore

Imago Press, $12.95

Gilmore's book is filled with humor but also a little sadness as well.

Tobias Seltzer has lived alone since the death of his wife. When in the basement of the apartment building doing laundry one day, he meets Mayflower, a woman a few years older than he. She convinces him to dance with her -- and life is never the same again.

Tobias soon finds himself taking in Naomi, a pregnant teenager, and then dealing with the realization that Mayflower may have Alzheimer's.

The book's characters cry out for the reader's attention and make us want to know more about them.

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