Three unrelated romantic novellas. McCaffrey may be better known for her fantasy and science fiction, but these three have nothing to do with dragons or outer space and everything to do with romance.

In Ring of Fear Nialla Dunn is riding the show circuit, hiding from her past and living hand to mouth out of her horse trailer. When a chance encounter brings her some unwanted attention of the violent variety, a new acquaintance offers her his help - and his name. High society New York style in another day and age.

Mask of Merlin takes place in 1945, and finds young Carlyle Murdock and her German Shepard braving the bitter cold of a Maine winter to meet her new guardian. War-scarred and beyond startled to find his new ward is actually a girl, Regan Laird has more than he bargained for on his hands when Carlyle begins to suspect that her father's death was no accident.

The Kilternan Legacy is the book's final entry. And to be honest, my least favorite. Fresh out of a nasty divorce, Irene Stanford inherits some property in Ireland and packs up bag, baggage and two teenage twins for a jaunt across the pond. Much domestic drama ensues, during which Irene doesn't endear herself much to anyone with a spine.

The first two are old favorites. The third is not. ( )