SEX AND OTHER CHANGES by David Nobbs (Heinemann, £16.99) : When Nicholas Divot decides to go for a sex change and becomes Nicola, his wife Alison is furious - but only because she wants to be Alan and now has to wait her turn.

The irony is that she wants to be a man, but being still a woman, she puts her husband's needs first. Feminine and masculine cannot be so easily changed by a dose of hormones and the surgeon's knife. Then there is the problem of what to tell the children - and the ageing parents.

David Nobbs, who lives near Harrogate in North Yorkshire, is most famous as the creator of Reginald Perrin and he's a very funny writer. Yet Nicolas and Alison - or Nicola and Alan - are not figures of fun. They are treated with kindness and compassion that is ultimately very moving.

BLOODLINE by Fiona Mountain (Orion, £17.99)

NATASHA Blake, a young genealogist studying a family tree for a client receives an anonymous note about a wartime killing of a land girl. Then the client who has commissioned her is murdered. From old documents, and photographs of First World War soldiers, a disturbing story begins to emerge in this intriguing and atmospheric tale.

LOVE AND DEVOTION by Erica James (Orion, £9.99)

HARRIET Swift is single and successful with a very enjoyable life. Then her only sister is killed in a car crash and she is catapulted into bringing up her two demanding children, giving up her job, boyfriend, social life, the lot, to move back in with her parents.

Among the neighbours is Will, middle-aged, divorced, with two grown-up daughters and enjoying a new life in the slow lane. As Harriet copes with the demands of sudden motherhood - and Erica James is excellent on the silly irritations of it all - everything goes along as you might expect.

Then tragedy strikes, absolutely unexpectedly and the books and the characters take on new depths. Erica James, author of a number of romantic comedies, writes easily and fluently. This time she has tackled trickier subjects with grace and style.

Sharon Griffiths

TRAITOR'S KNOT by Jenny Wurtz (HarperCollins, £11.99)

A WIZARD tale of sorcery and high adventure set upon the seemingly doom-laden world of Arithon, where Good is fighting a seemingly impossible battle against Evil. The Master of Shadows faces the Koriani enchantress while brother Lysaer confronts the corrupted Alliance priesthood. And to add to the woes of Arithon, the benevolent Fellowship sorcerers are under increasing pressure, while the clans are suffering horrendous losses in their own struggle. This is glittering edge-of-the-sword heroic science fantasy which sears itself into your mind with flames of glory.

SECOND CHANCE OF SUNSHINE by Pamela Evans (Headline, £5.99)

MOLLY Hawkins seems to be one of life's natural losers - no financial security, a daughter to provide for and a slob of a husband. And then an unexpected legacy offers her money, a job to get her out of the house and a boost to her spirits which will be much needed when tragedy strikes out of the blue. A traditional and heart-warming romance to ward off those winter chills.

Steve Craggs

Published: 04/01/2005