Here are some comments on books of all sorts I recently completed.

The Bride Wore Pearls

By Liz Carlyle

Avon, $7.99

The third of this North Carolina-based author's series about members of the St. James Society. Anisha must come from India after the deaths of her Scottish father and English husband. She is living with her brother, Lord Ruthveyn, and his family.

As it happens, Ruthveyn is a member of the St. James Society, as is Rance Welham, Earl of Lazonby, who has scandalized society and even escaped hanging. Lazonby fascinates Anisha because she sees something more in him than does the rest of the town.

Liz Carlyle writes a compelling story that includes fast-paced action along with the romance.

Autumn Winds

By Charlotte Hubbard

Zebra, $6.99

In the second of the Seasons of the Heart series, set in an Amish area, widow Miriam Lantz is still trying to fend off the marriage proposals from Bishop Knepp.

When a new man arrives in the community, it seems providential that he, like her late husband, is a blacksmith. And it doesn't hurt that he is attractive - and attracted to her. Miriam must concentrate on her daughter Rachel's wedding to Micah as well.

I enjoyed the story of simpler lives that don't necessarily always have simple problems.

Moonshell Beach

By JoAnn Ross

Signet, $7.99

I think Hallmark or Lifetime should take a look at this series, which is called Shelter Bay.

J.T. Douchett returns home after his stint in the Marines, and agrees to provide security for Mary Joyce, an Irish movie star who is appearing at a Shelter Bay film festival.

Mary finds she loves the town as well as J.T., who is trying not to get involved with anyone at this point in his life. But sometimes we don't choose the time or place.

I enjoy getting to revisit characters from earlier novels, but the story stands on its own.

The Garner Files

By James Garner and Jon Winokur

Simon and Schuster, $15

When I was a kid, back in the days when old reruns populated Saturday and Sunday afternoon TV, I would come running when I heard "Who is the tall, dark stranger there? Maverick is his name."

I loved James Garner when I was young, and still love watching him in anything old or new today. There was just something cool about him, but he also seemed like a regular guy.

I can hear his voice in the pages of this memoir. He tells stories of his rise to fame, his struggles along with way and a little bit about some of his co-stars - without making this a tell-all story.

Great read for lovers of Hollywood lore.

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