Here are three romances for fast by-the-pool or beach reading. All are good choices.

Spellbound

By Janet Chapman

Jove, $7.99

This is the first of a new series of romances set in contemporary Maine.

Suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride as Maximilian Oceanus, a man who seems to have strange powers, meets Olivia Baldwin, who has been hired to manage a family summer camp.

Mac is trying to build a relationship with his son, Henry, whom he has only just met.

Things get really interesting when Mac's parents and sister decide to visit. This is a romance filled with fun.

Whisper to Me of Love

By Shirlee Busbee

Zebra, $6.99

You can't go wrong with a Shirlee Busbee historical romance. Morgana Fowler was stolen from her dying mother's arms. Raised as a thief, Morgana picks the wrong pocket when she tries to pick that of American Royce Manchester.

Royce, at first believing she is a boy, takes her to his home to have his servants clean her up to be a servant. It doesn't take too long before her secret is out, and by then Royce is beginning to care about his new charge.

Morgana's former boss is looking for her, not just because of her talents, but because he knows something about her that she doesn't know, and will kill her to keep her from finding out.

The Rake

By Mary Jo Putney

Zebra, $7.99

Putney is another well-loved romance writer. Reginald Davenport, who was disinherited, has spent the past several years drinking and carousing.

When the new earl takes over, he has a sense that there is more to Reggie than meets the eye. He offers Reggie the estate of Strickland, which he has discovered should have gone to Reggie in the first place, through his mother's line.

Reggie heads for Strickland to meet the estate manager Weston, who by all accounts has done a great job in managing the place. Reggie is shocked to discover that Weston is actually Alys Weston - a woman. But he is willing to give her a chance because she's handling things so well - and he is rather clueless.

Alys has a secret in her past, though, and when the secret appears to be coming out, her life is in danger, and Reggie will do anything to save the woman he has come to love.

Good enough to read in one sitting.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@ thepilot.com or (910) 693-2475.