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The MacKades is the best of Nora's contemporary series novels that I've read. Although I enjoyed the Stars of Mithra series enormously, the MacKades top it by a mile. The paranormal elements to the story are much more credible than the Stars and fit into the story much more seamlessly. I enjoyed plumbing ever more deeply in each succeeding novel into the ghosts of Antietam and seeing their continuing effect on the MacKade family.
The best of the best of the four is THE HEART OF DEVIN MACKADE. After Devin's story, I'd list the others: Shane, Rafe, and Jared. Enjoy the MacKade brothers and their ladies. I look forward to Nora writing about the children someday ala the MacGregor series.
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Seth, the youngest Quinn, is home for the first time in years. An acclaimed painter, who is blessed with a gift he can't quite explain, Seth is as handsome and dynamic as the other Quinns. He comes home to find things in St. Chris much the same, with the exception of lovely Dru Whitcomb-Banks, a new shopkeeper in town. Dru is not what Seth expected and he soon finds himself drawn to her, despite his unsavory roots. She's carrying quite a bit of baggage herself, but finds that she's falling for him just the same.
Nora Roberts had already built a compelling family that intrigued readers through the first of the Chesapeake Bay saga, Sea Swept, Rising Tides and Inner Harbor. But in response to overwhelming reader demands (she dedicates the book to "Every reader who ever asked, "When are you going to write Seth's story?") she writes Seth to be as dreamy and decidedly alpha as the other Quinn men. Dru is a perfect match for Seth, strong willed and determined and also a bit of a lost soul. The combined traits make the couple vibrant and interesting. On top of that, you get to revisit your favorite characters from the first three books and find out what's become of them and their children. Nora's greatest gift is her ability to write a family that keeps the reader's attention.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to both first time, or habitual Noraholics! If this is your first Nora book, I suggest that you read the first three in the saga before reading Chesapeake Blue. You'll find your enjoyment of the story even greater having met the secondary characters before.
Nora's done it again!
Seth is home with his family, the business, and the mother who has followed him over the years since he was a young boy. Blackmailing him, doing her best to ruin everything for him and for the family that gave him everything and made him who he is. Although he's all grown up now, he'll still pay her off, do just about anything to protect the family he loves.
Dru enters the picture, who has fled a cheating fiance and the life of the wealthy in Washington D.C. to strike out on her own in St. Chris. She owns a flower shop and does her best to fit into the community. Given her experience with men, she doesn't want to fall in love, doesn't even want to date. But Seth can be as convincing as any of the Quinn men and Dru finds herself in love with Seth.
I think Nora Roberts did an excellent job with this ending story. Her plot was great, the ending was a surprise and all the characters we loved in this trilogy have returned. If you start with this book you may want to read the first three to start.
Seth turned out just the way I pictured him would be. Dru was one perfect match for him. And the whole reunion with Cam, Anna, Ethan, Grace, Phillip, Sybill, and Aubrey ... surely brought brought a trip down memory lane. I laughed, I had tears in my eyes ... it was a perfect book, with a very great ending. It's surely one of Nora's best, one of my favorite. I can already picture this one as a Hallmark movie.
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Both stories are fairly quick reads because they are shorter than a typical Nora Roberts novel. However, that does not mean that the characters are not developed or the story line is not believable. Quite the contrary.
Natasha and Spence are both very realistic. I felt their actions were what I would do in a similar situation. I particularly like how I can place myself in the main character's (Natasha's) place and feel her emotions.
Rachel and Zack was a very interesting story. I particularly liked Zack's brother. Again, I am impressed by Nora Roberts ability to take tough subjects and treat them with respect while also writing a romance.
If you have not yet read any of the Stanislaski Series, this is a real treat and not to be missed.
The first novel in the Stanislaski series is "Taming Natasha." Natasha, a toy-shop owner, and Spence, a college professor and famous composer, are the two main characters and their relationship is very realistically portrayed. Natasha's inner turmoil is palpable and Spence's dedication to his daughter, Freddie, makes for some touching and heart-warming scenes. It was wonderful watching these two find love and understanding with each other as they healed each other's old hurts. This is just an all-around wonderful read!
The second novel in this publication, "Falling for Rachel" is actually the third book in the Stanislaski series. This story deals with some tough subjects in a compassionate and perceptive manner. Rachel Stanislaski is a public defender and is assigned to the larceny case of 19 year old gang member, Nick LeBeck. But with Nick comes his sexy older step-brother, Zack Muldoon, and the attraction between Rachel and Zack is instant. In a strange court ruling, Nick is granted two months probation with Zack and Rachel as co-guardians. When these two are forced into close quarters they soon find their attraction hard to resist, and it makes for some very sexy scenes! Unfortunately, Nick finds himself falling for Rachel as well, due mostly to the fact that she is the first person to make him feel cared about and important in a very long time. This unusual triangle makes for some humorous situations. It also creates some very emotional and affecting scenes, as Nick once again finds himself disillusioned by the two people he was beginning to trust. This is a novel you don't want to miss!
"The Stanislaski Sisters" typifies all that is good about romance writing. It is a very fast read simply because it is tough to put down. NR really makes the reader care about the characters and what happens to them. I highly recommend this book!
Natasha is the oldest child in a family of four children. She has two brothers, Alexi and Mikhail. Rachel is the baby of the family. The three oldest siblings are brought to America as children from the Ukraine and continue to carry their heritage with them. A typical younger child, Rachel is annoyed that she wasn't born until later and has no memories of life in the Old Country. The entire family is very close and shares a strong bond of love and friendship. Their charming parents, Yuri and Nadia Stanislaski are also a part of their stories.
Natasha's story is that of a dedicated ballet dancer who finds love and joy at the age of 17 and loses it very quickly. She rebuilds her life, but is afraid to commit again until she meets Spencer Kimball, a handsome and very distinguished musician. Spence is immediately attracted to Natasha when they become acquainted in a toy store, but because of a misunderstanding, she takes a strong dislike to him.
Rachel's life is that of an overachiever who wants to succeed in her chosen profession as an attorney. Her ultimate goal is to be a judge. Her life is changed forever when she defends Nick, a hostile young man who is on the verge of ending up in the prison system. His older brother, rugged Zack Muldoon is mucho and aggressive and difficult to deal with. In spite of all his bravado, Zack loves his brother very much and will do anything to help him. Rachel's court room defense, and the judge's decision to make Rachel and Zack co-guardians of Nick, put her on the defensive as she fights to keep from falling in love with Zack.
The love stories are good, but more importantly they show the backbone of family life that shapes all of us.
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Savannah Morningstar had a child when she was 16 years old. Beyond that, Savannah didn't speak much of her past. This and her easy acceptance of Jared into her life made Jared worry about her past and he became jealous of it. My big problem with Jared was he never asked Savannah about it in a calm way. He took digs at her and made accusations.
Savannah claimed to love Jared and he was obviously insecure about her past, so I thought she should have shared with him and spoken with him rationally about it, which she refused to do. While I thought, as insecure as she was she should have better understood his insecurity and reassured him, I couldn't blame her for not wanting to after the way he attacked her about it. Jared learned very early in the story how insecure Savannah was, and he responded by repeatedly undermining her confidence, both in herself and in his "love" for her.
Savannah ultimately responded to this by vandalizing Jared's property. I think this was supposed to be funny. I'm not sure. I found it disturbing. Her actions weren't in the heat of the moment, which would have made them almost understandable. She planned it out and then was proud of herself. Besides all the OBVIOUS problems with this, so much of the book was about what a good mother she was, but the message she was sending to her son here was that it's ok to destroy other people's property if you're mad at them.
These were two people who really brought out the worst in each other. They were sexually attracted to each other, but they never had trust, compassion or understanding for each other - and didn't seem to want them. If these were real people I think we would have seen them on the Jerry Springer show by now.
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When Chantal receives obsessive phone calls, flowers and notes her agent hires private investigator Quinn who is quite a good looking man. At first there's the usual cat and mouse games between Chantal and Quinn, as she doesn't think he's necessary to protect her and he stubbornly refuses to leave. Clearly there is an attraction between the two of them which both denies and they continue to resist these urges even though it's clear to everyone else something is brewing. As usual there's the standard Nora Roberts reunion of the O'Hurley family as first sister Abby who is now pregnant arrives with her second husband (The Last Honest Woman) and then their parents Frank and Molly arrive for sister Maddy's wedding (Dance to the Piper). But once the family wedding is over, Chantel must reveal a long held secret that none of Quinn's snooping has unearthed and one which may forever change their relationship. As romance readers and Nora Roberts fans know there always must be a happily ever after ending. Quinn eventually finds the stalker, but not before Chantel's life is in danger, and finally Quinn and Chantel are able to pledge their devotion and love to one another.
I imagine that those readers who enjoy the romantic suspense genre will find this book a most enjoyable read.
Another reviewer's comparison to the movie "The Bodyguard" is right on, and this thought crossed my mind several times as I read this book. Unlike that movie, the reader never really gets any good clues as to who the obsessive fan might be. The book centers much more on the inital love/hate relationship of Chantel and her new bodyguard Quinn, and then focuses almost entirely on their romance when they fall in love.
In that sense alone, "Skin Deep" was a bit of a disappointment as a "mystery" because the stalker storyline was really only there to move along the romance. But let's be honest -- many NR fans read her books for the romance, not the intrigue. It's only in her newer books that Nora has begun to write really well-crafted mysteries. Since I'm sure the O'Hurley trilogy (plus "Without a Trace", about the triplets' brother) was conceived as being essentially about the lives and loves of these three sisters, NR did her job well here and writes an entertaining, satisfying romance.
The main character is Chantel O'Hurley. She's a famous actress/movie star. Unfortunately she has attracted the attention of a fan who begins to stalk her and ultimately terrify her. In steps Quinn Doran, hired by Chantel's manager to find out who the culprit is while protecting her from the sick fan who is stalking her. Though most of the story is developed around the budding relationship between Chantel and Quinn, there is enough about the stalker to hold your interested and ultimately you're unable to put the book down until its thrilling conclusion.
Ms. Roberts is indeed a gifted storyteller. This is one book you'll enjoy so much that as the end you'll draw a breath and say "Wow!"
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However if you are a strong fan of Robert's writing, then you will probably enjoy this book, but it won't be one you read a second time.
I just got finished with this book. I loved it!! I could not put it down even though I had other things that where time important.
This book is about a family who happen to be all witches. There are three books in one so to speak so you get to read about three wonderful loves and their lives, through all the good times along with the bad. These three books go in order and you don't want to read them out of order or you will spoil all of the fun.
These cousins are great friends and they each have a special 'talent' that helps and forms their character through out all three books.
You will soon find out how much family means to the cousins and how they stick together no matter what, the witches will hang people from the ceiling, read peoples minds, and save lives all within these books. This is one book is one that you will not want to miss and you will not be able to put down till you finish it. Enjoy this book...I know you will because I loved it.
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~In a small Southern town called Innocence in the middle of the swamps of Mississippi, evil is lurking. A brutal and merciless killer is claiming the lives of the town's most beautiful women. People are scared for in their mist lurks a killer, a killer so vile and evil that the town is left second guessing each other's personalities. Is it their own next-door neighbor?
A world-famous concert violinist, Caroline Waverly is trying to find some peace and quiet in her hectic life when she decides to leave her secure life in Philadelphia and stroll into her grandmother's house in Innocence, Mississippi after she has died. Caroline doesn't expect to be caught up in a horrible manhunt for a serial killer! Or to be seduced by the town 'playboy' the infamous Tucker Longstreet!
Tucker is used to fast women and even faster cars, he has no time for dallying with 'good girls' until he nearly crashes his 'fast car' into the new neighbor down the road, a cute blonde by the name of Caroline Waverly. He knew her grandmother since he was a boy and cannot believe his eyes! 'Caro,' as she was known in town as, had grown into a stunningly sexy blonde that seemed to take his breath away until she opened her mouth...she hated 'men like him.' 'Playboys,' 'Rakes', that sort of men. But Tucker wasn't to be daunted, he wanted her and he would do anything to get her. He would use his infamous Longstreet charm to woo her, except Tucker realized, it wasn't working on her...
Caroline has her hands full of this man when she is horribly broguth back to earth with the discovery of yet another body, this time on her land and in her lake. Tucker's latest girlfriend...was the roguish man she had started to find attractive the serial killer? Weird that all the women were ex-lovers of his...
I truly did not realize who the killer was and was honestly in shock at the realization! WOW! A definate twist on this neatly done story that kept you guessing and on edge! The small-town aspect was the thing that kept you wondering in anxiety of who the person was. When you think you figured the person out, you are proved wrong and then you have to start over and find yourself wondering who in the world it could be! Is it the person you LEAST expected??? Truly gripping and different! The romance was great and the chemistry was real. I love the way Ms. Roberts wrote the dialog as it would really have been between the townsfolk and the things they really do behind closed doors. I am in awe of her talent, she brought this story to life for me. A real clincher, read it on a cold and snowy night with a hot cup of chocolate...but keep a notepad for your suspects and make sure you haven't dismissed anyone before REALLY thinking about it.... :)
Tracy Talley~@
This story was anything but sleepy (like the town Innocence). When Caroline comes to town, she doesn't know that there is a seriel killet on the loose. The suspense and action was great keeping me turning the pages eagerly, and giving me a GREAT surprise at the end of the story.
The plot and sub-plots where nicely interwined so that story was more than about just Caro & Tucker. There relationship developed nicely with a nice sensitive touch to it. You got to know the other characters nicely, without owerpowering the main story.
I enjoyed the setting of this book as much as the story. This is the second book I have read from NR set in the south (Carolina Moon) and now have a wonderful visual picture of the area, despite not living in the US.
I am looking forward to reading more of your books Nora.
In "Carnal Innocence" the writer beautifully meshes romance and mystery into a wonderful page-turner from start to finish.It has you constantly guessing who the killer is, with the frequent twists and turns of the plot.
You will fall in love with Caroline and Tucker, and you will absolutely love Cousin Lulu.On the other hand you won't be able to wait to see the back of Austin.
If you have never read a Nora Roberts book before, this is a good one to start with.
As an avid reader of all genres of fiction, I recommend this book and I assure you that you will not be disappointed.
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Hester Wallace is a single mother living in Manhattan with her young son. The story begins with their move to a new apartment, a new job and a new school. Her son, Radley, is a comic buff, is much more excited than she to discover that the author of his favorite comic resides just a few floors away. Mitch Dempsey falls for the boy and mother almost instantly. But Hester must overcome the demons of her first marriage if they are to have the chance of becoming a family.
DUAL IMAGE
Ariel Kirkwood, a young actress on the rise, has just landed a role that could launch her career. Playing the cruel, undermining ex-wife of script writer Booth DeWitt would be her most difficult role to date. But winning isolationist Booth's trust, and love, proves to be more difficult than any role she could imagine.
This is the light, short-length Roberts. I read each of these in a few hours. Its the type of Roberts that makes you relax without digging too deep into the characters. I ranked this a four only because I prefer her full length murder/romances - but there is nothing wrong with these as well!