Tag Archives: Nora Roberts

Hideaway by Nora Roberts – a Review

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Hideaway by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

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Description:
Caitlyn Sullivan, a daughter of Hollywood royalty, was already a star at ten, but still loved to play hide-and-seek with her cousins at the family home in Big Sur. It was during one of those games that she disappeared.

Despite her glamorous background, Cate was a shrewd, scrappy survivor, and she managed to escape her abductors. Dillon Cooper was shocked to find the bruised and terrified girl huddled in his ranch house kitchen—but when the teenager and his family heard her story they provided refuge and comfort, reuniting her with her loved ones.

Cate’s ordeal, though, was far from over. First came the discovery of a betrayal that would send someone she’d trusted to prison. Then there were years away in Ireland, sheltered and protected but with restlessness growing in her soul. Then, finally, she returned to Los Angeles, hoping to act again and get past the trauma that had derailed her life. What she didn’t yet know was that two seeds had been planted that long-ago night—one of a great love, and one of a terrible vengeance…

 

 

Review:

Hideaway by Nora Roberts is another one of her wonderful standalone novels.  The story revolves around the Sullivan’s, a famous Hollywood family, with the oldest member, a film legend, having recently died at the age of 92, and many of his children/grandchildren are also Hollywood royalty.  The story begins with a bang, as child star, 10-year-old, Caitlyn Sullivan (Cate), gets kidnapped during a family celebration in Big Sur. After being terrorized, she manages to escape, and ends up at a local ranch who protects her and brings her safely home.  When the police come, they suspect an inside job, and Cate reveals that her mother was the one who told her where to hide during a hide and seek game, and when she was locked up, she heard the man talking on the phone and recognized her mother’s voice.  Everything changes for Cate, as her mother and two others are sent to jail.  She will spend a few years in Ireland with her grandmother, with visits from her father and grandfather. 

At 18, she resumes her acting career, and the story revolves around Cate trying to cope with the past, and finding a way move on.  She also keeps contact with the family that helped her years before, and to her surprise, the young boy who helped her, Dillon, turns into a hot young man.  When Cate’s mother, an actress, is released from jail, Cate avoids her like the plague, as she hates her mother; who would do anything to get publicity, including using the media to fake plead apologies to her daughter. 

What follows is a wonderful and intense story, as we watch Cate grow and become stronger, even when she starts receiving scary phone calls; as her ordeal is not over. I loved how the family was so loyal and protective of each other; always being there for Cate.  After having some bad relationships, Cate returns home to Big Sur and meets up with Dillon and his family.  In a short time, she and Dillon find themselves falling for each other, but she worries about anyone in her family getting hurt.  The original two members of the police who helped solve the kidnapping years before, suspect some recent murders of those previously involved, might be an act of vengeance.  

Hideaway was a wonderful, emotional and intense story that had a bit of everything; family, romance, love, betrayal and vengeance.  I thought Roberts created a wonderful group of secondary characters that made this story even better.  Nora Roberts once again gives us a terrific family saga story that was so very well written.  I suggest you make sure you read Hideaway.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

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The Rise of Magicks by Nora Roberts – a Review

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The Rise of Magicks by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

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Description:
After the sickness known as the Doom destroyed civilization, magick has become commonplace, and Fallon Swift has spent her young years learning its ways. Fallon cannot live in peace until she frees those who have been preyed upon by the government or the fanatical Purity Warriors, endlessly hunted or locked up in laboratories, brutalized for years on end. She is determined to save even those who have been complicit with this evil out of fear or weakness—if, indeed, they can be saved.

Strengthened by the bond she shares with her fellow warrior, Duncan, Fallon has already succeeded in rescuing countless shifters and elves and ordinary humans. Now she must help them heal—and rediscover the light and faith within themselves. For although from the time of her birth, she has been The One, she is still only one. And as she faces down an old nemesis, sets her sights on the enemy’s stronghold, and pursues her destiny—to finally restore the mystical shield that once protected them all—she will need an army behind her…

 

 

Review:

The Rise of Magicks by Nora Roberts is the 3rd and final book in her Chronicles of The One trilogy. I loved the two previous books in this trilogy, and I have to say that Nora Roberts once again gives us a masterpiece in this satisfying thrilling conclusion.

Note:  The Rise of Magicks is not a standalone, do not read this book if you have not read the previous books.

Background of Chronicles of One: a post-apocalyptic dystopian, with a bit of fantasy, that starts with a lethal virus (The Doom) that will destroy most of the world. A new beginning will start with the survivors, which will pit the dark (evil) and the light (good) against each other that will divide and separate all. Magic (witches, fairies, elves, etc) rises, causing division among those with newfound powers that are used for good, and those who are evil and want to hurt others, and the humans with no power at all, bent on destroying all magic.

It has been 20 years since the Doom, and in The Rise of Magicks, our heroine, Fallon Swift, after years of training, has become extremely powerful. She brings everyone together working toward building an army to fight the violence that threatens them, such as Purity warriors to want to kill all magickal people, the corrupt government and the evil darkness that they must defeat to survive.

As the members of her team, from New Hope, and other communities that they have rescued and trained towards winning this war, Fallon’s plan is to head for Arlington, one of the biggest compounds, as well as two other camps in other cities.  Fallon knows she needs add many more people to fight and free those imprisoned, building her army to the thousands they will need to weaken and destroy the enemy.   Many of those they rescue are the tortured innocent humans, as well as the magickal witches, faeries, elves, who will stand with them against the evil.

What I loved about this story was seeing all my favorites from the previous books, who are loyal to Fallon, whom they know as The One, and seeing them all work together for a common goal; bring out the light and destroy the dark.  It was also wonderful to meet so many new characters that would rise up beyond their terrible torture and be willing to fight for The One. Fallon was a wonderful heroine, whom I loved from the time she was born in the second book, and as she gets older, it was nice to see a romance in the background of the story.   The wonderful characters that supported her were equally so great; Lana, Duncan, Mallick, Simon, Tonia, Katie, Rachel, Hannah, Fred, Arlys, Colin, Mick, just to name a few.  Great cast of characters.

I do not want to give spoilers, as that would ruin the story, and you really need to read this trilogy.  What follows is an exciting, fast paced, nonstop action-packed, at times dark and intense adventure, with everyone working together and preparing for the war of good vs evil.  The battles were many, and each one had me on the edge of my seat; and in any war, there are lives that are lost.  The last half of the book was intense and captivating. Fallon and her team, old and young, were amazing.

The Rise of Magicks was a fantastic finale to this wonderful epic trilogy, which is no surprise, as Nora Roberts always gives us a masterpiece. There is so much to love about this dark, tense and magical world, in a dystopian fantasy that was a thriller a minute.  If you enjoy an exciting, mind boggling adventure, in a fabulous dystopian world and fantastic characters, you need to be reading Chronicles of The One trilogy. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts – a Review

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Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

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Description:
They look like an everyday family living an ordinary life. But beyond the edges of this peaceful farm, unimaginable forces of light and dark have been unleashed.

Fallon Swift, approaching her thirteenth birthday, barely knows the world that existed before—the city where her parents lived, now in ruins and reclaimed by nature since the Doom sickened and killed billions. Traveling anywhere is a danger, as vicious gangs of Raiders and fanatics called Purity Warriors search for their next victim. Those like Fallon, in possession of gifts, are hunted—and the time is coming when her true nature, her identity as The One, can no longer be hidden.

In a mysterious shelter in the forest, her training is about to begin under the guidance of Mallick, whose skills have been honed over centuries. She will learn the old ways of healing; study and spar; encounter faeries and elves and shifters; and find powers within herself she never imagined. And when the time is right, she will take up the sword, and fight. For until she grows into the woman she was born to be, the world outside will never be whole again.

 

Review

Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts is the 2nd book in her Chronicles of The One trilogy. I loved the first book in this trilogy, Year One, and waited impatiently for Of Blood and Bone, and I have to say it is equally as good or even better as the first book and once again, I will wait with high anticipation for the final book in this trilogy.  I have the utmost respect for Nora Roberts, who changes things with this dark dystopian fantasy, and still manages to gives us another masterpiece.

Note:  Of Blood and Bone is not a standalone, as it is book 2 of a trilogy.  If you have not read Year One, you need to read that book first to fully understand the story line.

Background of The Chronicles of One: a  post apocalyptic dystopian, with a bit of fantasy, that starts with a lethal virus (The Doom) that will destroy most of the world. A new beginning will start with the survivors, which will pit the dark (evil) and the light (good) against each other that will divide and separate all. Magic (witches, elves, etc) rises, causing  division among those with newfound powers that are used for good, and those who are evil and want to hurt others, and the humans with no power at all, bent on destroying all magic.

Of Blood and Bone picks up 12 years later, after the massacre that made Lana run away to save the others, and protect the baby she was carrying. We catch up with Lana, her husband, Simon and their 4 kids living on the same farm where they last left off.  Time is close for when Mallick promised he would return when their daughter Fallon reached the age of 13, and he would take her away for two years, to train, as everyone has been waiting for the girl who is the One; the one who will save them all from the evil that still threatens the world.  Lana, who has witch powers, has trained Fallon all her life, teaching her what is her destiny as the One.  But now Mallick will take her to further train her how to fight, use a sword and most importantly use her powers in leading the light to win this oncoming war. When Mallick comes, both Lana, Simon and the 3 boys are unhappy, but they knew this day would come.  As Fallon leaves with Mallick, Simon and Lana will begin to work on training their boys how to fight.

The story centers on Fallon, who even at 13 is a great heroine, and as the story progresses, she will be even more so.  I loved how Fallon grew stronger with each passing day, and most of all loved her bonding with the three animals that will stand beside her throughout this adventure; Taibhse, the Owl; Faol Ban, the Wolf and  Laoch, the horse (Alicorn).   This was just another wonderful element to this story.

Another great part that I worried about at the end of the first book; we returned to New Hope, and got to spend a lot of time with most of the originals.   Many of our favorites (Arlys, Fred, Will, Katie, Rachel, Eddie, Jonah, Bill,etc just to name a few) continued to build up New Hope, with their children (many Fallon’s age) having their own gifts, and destined to join with Fallon in fighting all evil.  I absolutely loved (almost to tears) when Fallon, Lana, Simon and the boys finally arrive in New Hope (close to 16 years after Lana left) and the emotional responses from Lana and those still there from when she left.  Very nice indeed.

What follows is an exciting, action-packed, at times dark and intense adventure, with everyone working together and preparing for the war of good vs evil.  The last quarter of the book was captivating, with us on the edge of our seat, and there were some twists and surprises that shocked us all.  Fallon and her team, old and young, were amazing, and I for one cannot wait to see what Nora has in store for us in the third and final book of this trilogy.

Of Blood and Bone was a fantastic addition to this trilogy, which is no surprise, as Nora Roberts is a master at her craft.  There is so much to love about this dark, tense and magical world, in a dystopian fantasy that was a thriller. I will not give spoilers, but you need to read this and enjoy the amazing wild ride, fabulous characters, fantastic animals, and a heroine that you will be rooting to win and bring light back to the world.  We all need a Fallon Swift.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts – Review & Giveaway

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Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Sometimes, there is nowhere safe to hide.

It was a typical evening at a mall outside Portland, Maine. Three teenage friends waited for the movie to start. A boy flirted with the girl selling sunglasses. Mothers and children shopped together, and the manager at the video-game store tending to customers. Then the shooters arrived.

The chaos and carnage lasted only eight minutes before the killers were taken down. But for those who lived through it, the effects would last forever. In the years that followed, one would dedicate himself to a law enforcement career. Another would close herself off, trying to bury the memory of huddling in a ladies’ room, hopelessly clutching her cell phone–until she finally found a way to pour her emotions into her art.

But one person wasn’t satisfied with the shockingly high death toll at the DownEast Mall. And as the survivors slowly heal, find shelter, and rebuild, they will discover that another conspirator is lying in wait–and this time, there might be nowhere safe to hide.

 

 

Review:

Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts is another one her wonderful standalone novels.   In Shelter in Place, Nora gives us an exciting and intense story of the aftermath of a mass shooting at a mall in Portland, Maine.   Shelter in Place was not only an amazing and fascinating story that had me unable to put the book down, but the characters Nora created, most of whom were survivors of the shooting, were simply great; such awesome characters.

At the start, we meet Simone, Mi and Tish, who are bff’s, waiting for a movie to start in the mall, when Simone makes a quick run to the bathroom.  Reed and his friend, Chaz take a lunch break to meet a couple of girls. When Simone tries to go back in the theatre, she hears screaming, and sees someone running out of the theatre dripping with blood; she goes back into the bathroom and calls 911.   All hell is breaking loose, and Essie,  a young cop,  is the first on the scene, trying to help the survivors and find the culprits.

This is the start of an enthralling story of the survivors, and the healing process.  It is also a continuing story of another villain tied to the shooters, who will haunt the survivors over the years.  We follow the main characters, Simone Knox & Reed Quartermaine, their family and friends, over a period of 13 years, as they cope with the tragedy, and try to find a way to go on with their lives.

Reed decides after the tragedy to become a cop and eventually will become a detective and partner with Essie. Together they will work together to keep an eye on all survivors, as over a few years, they notice that one by one the survivors of the shooting are being killed. This will become an obsession with both, and when the villain comes for  Reed, he is shot but returns the fire;  the killer escapes but he now knows who the person is.  But the FBI decides to take control and force them not to be involved, Reed will leave the force and become the Chief of Police of Tranquility Island.

Simone and Mi remain very close, as they still grieve over the loss of their friend, Tish.   Simone is distant from her family, as she does not want to be a lawyer, which the family wants her to be.  Simone is very artistic, a trait she learned from her grandmother, Cici.   Cici is an acclaimed painter, and sort of physic.  She was such a wonderful character, you couldn’t help but love her, as she is the reason that Simone became such a wonderful painter and sculptor; as well as growing up to be such a great heroine.  It is Cici who will bring our heroes, Simone and Reed together. 

I loved Reed, who was always so good and caring to all.  He managed to win over the island residents, as well as his police force.   At the same time, he knows that the killer will be looking for him and Simone sometime in the future, so Reed prepares everyone to be on the lookout.  I also adored Simone, who had a hard time early on, but over the years she used her talent to create wonderful sculptures that touched many people.

What follows is an amazing exciting, intense and pulse pounding story, as the killer comes closer.  Nora created an excellent villain, whom was evil, but who also managed to fool the police over the years.   The exciting climax had me holding my breath, as Reed, Simone and Cici lives were very much in danger. 

Simone and Reed’s romance was slow built over the years, very sweet and they were great together, with Nora perfectly keeping it in the background.

Though Shelter in Place was a different kind of story for Nora Roberts, she mastered it. This was a fast paced thrilling suspenseful storyline, with a group of wonderful characters.  Roberts took a heartbreaking story, and managed to show us how the will to survive, with hope, courage & love can heal us all.  Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts is a must read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Nora’s publisher St. Martinis offering a print copy of SHELTER IN PLACE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please follow  NORA ROBERTS on Facebook.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Giveaway open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from May 28 to June 1, 2018

 

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Year One by Nora Roberts – a Review

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Year One by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

Year OneAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
It began on New Year’s Eve.

The sickness came on suddenly, and spread quickly. The fear spread even faster. Within weeks, everything people counted on began to fail them. The electrical grid sputtered; law and government collapsed—and more than half of the world’s population was decimated.

Where there had been order, there was now chaos. And as the power of science and technology receded, magic rose up in its place. Some of it is good, like the witchcraft worked by Lana Bingham, practicing in the loft apartment she shares with her lover, Max. Some of it is unimaginably evil, and it can lurk anywhere, around a corner, in fetid tunnels beneath the river—or in the ones you know and love the most.

As word spreads that neither the immune nor the gifted are safe from the authorities who patrol the ravaged streets, and with nothing left to count on but each other, Lana and Max make their way out of a wrecked New York City. At the same time, other travelers are heading west too, into a new frontier. Chuck, a tech genius trying to hack his way through a world gone offline. Arlys, a journalist who has lost her audience but uses pen and paper to record the truth. Fred, her young colleague, possessed of burgeoning abilities and an optimism that seems out of place in this bleak landscape. And Rachel and Jonah, a resourceful doctor and a paramedic who fend off despair with their determination to keep a young mother and three infants in their care alive.

In a world of survivors where every stranger encountered could be either a savage or a savior, none of them knows exactly where they are heading, or why. But a purpose awaits them that will shape their lives and the lives of all those who remain.

The end has come. The beginning comes next.

 

 

Review:

Year One by Nora Roberts is the 1st book in her new Chronicles of the One trilogy. I am a big fan of Nora Roberts/JD Robb, and I absolutely have love every one of her trilogies.  Year One is a post apocalyptic dystopian, with a bit of fantasy, and a totally different type of storyline book for Nora, but there are some similarities.  Year One begins with a family on vacation, a hunting that kills something more than a bird, and the start of a lethal virus (The Doom) that will destroy most of the world. In a short period, 80% of the world’s population will die, leaving the survivors that are immune to the virus.

We meet along the way, three sets of characters, who will travel to find others in a world that is deep in devastation, desperation and darkness.  In a new beginning, we will always find the dark (evil) and the light (good), that will divide and separate all. Magic (witches, elves, etc) will also arise, causing another division among those with newfound powers that are used for good, and those who are evil and want to hurt others, and the humans with no power at all, bent on destroying all magic, and those who have it.

Max and Lana is a married couple,  who have some magic ability that they continue to learn about, and they are good people.  Together they will leave New York to find a safe place to live and find others. Arlys and Fred (she is an elf) work at the radio station, and leave together, as word comes that they will be in danger.  Rachel and Jonah, both medical professionals, who also leave to find safety, along with Katie, who just gave birth to twins.  Along the way in this dark and doom, they will all eventually meet to start with about 300 others a land they call New Hope.  When Lana becomes pregnant, everyone is beginning to feel comfortable, with hope.

But just when the light shines beautifully, evil rears its ugly head; everything changes, and the last quarter of the book becomes centered on one person.  The ‘One’ who is destined to be the savior of this new world; who must stop the darkness that threatens to destroy them all.  This is where Roberts changes the game, and throws us for a loop, as she rarely ever does this in her other trilogies.  There are surprises, twists and deaths we never saw coming.  The only thing I worry about is that I want to know what happens to wonderful great characters we got to know during the majority of the book, but were not part of it in the last quarter. 

I am holding my breath to see where Nora will take us in the next book.  Bravo to Nora Roberts for giving us a fantastic start to a fabulous breathtaking, emotional, tense and exciting storyline.  I am hoping we do not have to wait too long for the next book, as I am already on pins and needles.  Year One proves that Nora Roberts can write anything at all, and give us a fantastic story. I strongly sugges that you  read Year One.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Island of Glass by Nora Roberts – a Review

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Island of Glass by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

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Description:
As the hunt for the Star of Ice leads the six guardians to Ireland, Doyle, the immortal, must face his tragic past. Three centuries ago, he closed off his heart, yet his warrior spirit is still drawn to the wild. And there’s no one more familiar with the wild than Riley—and the wolf within her…

An archaeologist, Riley is no stranger to the coast of Clare, but now she finds herself on unsure footing, targeted by the dark goddess who wants more than the stars, more than the blood of the guardians. While searching through Irish history for clues that will lead them to the final star and the mysterious Island of Glass, Riley must fight her practical nature and admit her sudden attraction to Doyle is more than just a fling. For it is his strength that will sustain her and give her the power to run towards love—and save them all…

 

Review:

Island of Glass by Nora Roberts is the final book in her wonderful Guardians Trilogy. As in all of Nora’s trilogies, each book brings together the designated couple to fight against evil; but most importantly, the three couples become friends, and always work together throughout the series to complete their mission. In Island of Glass, Riley and Doyle take the lead in finishing off Nerezza, the evil witch.  A refresher to those who have not read this series:  The six heroes (guardians) have been brought together by goddesses to find the 3 missing stars (water, fire & ice) to be able to defeat the evil goddess who will do anything to stop them, and turn the world into darkness. The 6 are Sasha, the seer; Bran, the magician; Sawyer, the traveler; Annika, the mermaid; Riley, the archaeologist and werewolf; and Doyle, the immortal swordsman The final star, the Star of Ice, brings the six to Ireland, which is Doyle and Bran’s homeland. 

As they prepare for their final battle with Nerezza, we get to see the relationship between Riley and Doyle change, as they both discover their feelings, and the knowledge that they were meant for each other.  Riley has always been a leader, with her knowledge from being an archaeologist and her toughness with the wolf inside her.  She was such a great heroine all through the series, and I loved how close she became to her “sisters”, Sasha and Annika.  This wasn’t an easy romance, as Doyle had issues from his immortality, and closing his heart centuries ago.  But the friendships, closeness and loyalty for the 6, helped Doyle open his heart again, thereby opening his heart to Riley.

They searched in various parts of Ireland, especially by Bran’s home, but Nerezza was there with her beasts to try and stop them, coming very close to killing Riley.  The last 1/3 of the book was very exciting, with pulse pounding action that kept me reading into the night, as I could not put the book down.  I had to know how this would end.  To tell too much more would be spoilers.  I will say that Nora Roberts does a fantastic job writing this finale to a wonderful fantastic conclusion.   

If you have not started this trilogy, you are missing a gem, which you will need to start with the first book, Stars of Fortune.  This is a fantastic three books that give us wonderful characters, as they all bond into wonderful friendships and loyalty to each other.  You will eventually fall in love with all three couples.  If you enjoy exciting suspenseful, action filled stories, great characters & romances, and evil villains, you should be reading every trilogy by Nora Roberts.  She always gives us fantastic trilogies.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Obsession by Nora Roberts – a Review

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The Obsession by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

The ObsessionAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository


Description:
“She stood in the deep, dark woods, breath shallow and cold prickling over her skin despite the hot, heavy air. She took a step back, then two, as the urge to run fell over her.”

Naomi Bowes lost her innocence the night she followed her father into the woods. In freeing the girl trapped in the root cellar, Naomi revealed the horrible extent of her father’s crimes and made him infamous. No matter how close she gets to happiness, she can’t outrun the sins of Thomas David Bowes.

Now a successful photographer living under the name Naomi Carson, she has found a place that calls to her, a rambling old house in need of repair, thousands of miles away from everything she’s ever known. Naomi wants to embrace the solitude, but the kindly residents of Sunrise Cove keep forcing her to open up—especially the determined Xander Keaton.

Naomi can feel her defenses failing, and knows that the connection her new life offers is something she’s always secretly craved. But the sins of her father can become an obsession, and, as she’s learned time and again, her past is never more than a nightmare away.

 

Review;

I just love a good Nora Roberts book.  She may be known in the world of literature as a romance writer, but her books are so much more then the romance between her hero and heroine.  The Obsession is a perfect example of this.  It’s a riveting, suspenseful, yet charming story.  Yes we have our romance between Xander Keaton and Naomi Carson(Bowes), but weaved into this romance is a mystery that involves  danger, murder and death.  All these elements had me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting and praying that on the next page I’d find out who this person is that’s stalking Naomi and praying on the people around her.  Every time I thought I had an idea of who this mystery man was, Nora would drop another clue and I’d change my mind.  I will admit I never expected who the culpit was, I should’ve, the clues were there upon hindsight, but Nora was successful with the element of surprise for this reader anyways. 

No matter how hard Naomi has tried to put her past behind her, it’s always hovering on the edge of her life, causing her to keep her distance from people and living a quiet life.  However, things were about to change, and change for the good where Naomi is concerned.  Enter Xander Keaton, mechanic and lead singer of the town band The Wreckers.  I must confess I loved Xander from the get go.  He’s your typical alpha male on the outside, but underneath that macho stuff lies a man with a heart of gold.  Oh Xander………swoon, thud, ouch, rubs her backside, gets back into chair, resumes review. LOL!!  Yes okay Xander had me swooning on a few occasions.  His personality just jumps off the page and it’s hard to miss the connection and chemistry that Naomi and Xander have from their first meeting.  Xander is pretty much like a dog with a bone, he sets his sights on Naomi and vows to make Naomi his.  Just like Tag, the dog Naomi and Xander wind up rescuing from the side of the road and he talks Naomi into caring for him till he’s healthy.  She winds up keeping the dog, or is it the other way around? Tag winds up keeping her?  Sneaky Xander, that was step one to getting Naomi to open up and trust again.  I absolutely loved Xander’s pursuit of Naomi and watching him slowly but surely break through her defenses and bring her into the light and land of the living. Naomi is kind of like her photographs she takes, she’s developing into a whole new, more confident, trusting and courageous women.  Their romance is a sweet and steady climb, that just keeps building, all the while letting the reader learn more and more about our pair as individuals and as a couple. They really are well matched for each other. 

The cast of secondary characters is a strong, supporting and lively cast.  They help advance the story and bring an extra part and life of it’s own to the story.  The cast of characters is also instrumental in helping Naomi develop this new sense of self she possesses by books end.  She learns that even non-blood ties can become family if you only stop long enough to allow them too. 

If you are a Nora Roberts fan then you can’t go wrong with The Obsession. It’s a fast paced novel, with plenty happening all around.  A good solid romance, suspense, and murder to keep the reader on the edge of their seat soaking it all in to the very end. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone.

Reviewed by Marcie

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Bay of Sighs by Nora Roberts – a Review

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Bay of Sighs by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

Bay of Sighs
Guardians Trilogy
by Nora Roberts
Release Date: June 14,2016

Bay of SighsAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
To celebrate the rise of their new queen, three goddesses of the moon created three stars, one of fire, one of ice, one of water. But then they fell from the sky, putting the fate of all worlds in danger. And now three women and three men join forces to pick up the pieces…
 
Mermaid Annika is from the sea, and it is there she must return after her quest to find the stars. New to this world, her purity and beauty are nothing less than breathtaking, along with her graceful athleticism, as her five new friends discovered when they retrieved the fire star.
 
Now, through space and time, traveler Sawyer King has brought the guardians to the island of Capri, where the water star is hidden. And as he watches Annika in her element, he finds himself drawn to her joyful spirit. But Sawyer knows that if he allows her into his heart, no compass could ever guide him back to solid ground…
 
And in the darkness, their enemy broods. She lost one star to the guardians, but there is still time for blood to be spilled—the mermaid’s in the water and the traveler’s on the land. For she has forged a dangerous new weapon. Something deadly and unpredictable. Something human.

 

 

Review:

Bay of Sighs by Nora Roberts is the 2nd book in her Guardians trilogy.  The first paragraph of the above description explains or reminds you of the premise of this series.  In the last book, Sasha, the seer, was instrumental in finding the first star, as well as finding her love in Bran.  However, it is important to note, that though each book will bring together two people as couples, the storyline in each book is a 6 person ensemble.  All 6 play important roles and work together throughout.  For a refresher, the 6 are Sasha, the seer; Bran, the magician; Sawyer, the traveler; Annika, the mermaid; Riley, the archaeologist and werewolf; and Doyle, the immortal swordsman.

Bay of Sighs starts off immediately after Stars of Fortune left off, with Sawyer have used his magical compass to bring all 6 to the island of Capri, and safe temporarily from Nerezza, the evil goddess and villain of this series.  Everyone knows they must find the next star (Water star) before Nerezza finds them, and they begin their search.   Sasha continues to have some visions giving them information on Nerezza or to warn them of an oncoming attack. They learn that a former enemy for both Sawyer and Riley has joined hands with Nerezza, escalating the danger.

In Bay of Sighs, Annika and Sawyer begin a romance that is destined to fail, since Anni must return to the sea and her people.  Will they find a way to stay together?   This was an exciting adventure, lots of action, danger and vicious attacks by creatures created by the villain. But amidst all of this, was the wonderful story of 6 people who are joined together to save the world from the threat of darkness; and along the way we watch their friendship and loyalty to each other grow.  This is something I have always loved about Nora, how she brings us a group of wonderful characters, whom we fall in love with.

I do not want to give any spoilers.  I will say it was fun to spend time with all of the 6 characters, watch their wonderful chemistry and teamwork.  It was a very exciting adventure, sweet romance, and so much action and danger throughout.  I loved Sawyer and Anni together.  She was a totally different and sweet heroine, who shined in her innocence. 

Bravo again to Nora Roberts, who always gives us fantastic trilogies, with great characters, friendships, romances, nasty villains, and exciting pulse pounding and fun storylines.  I cann’t wait for the final book in this trilogy, Island of Glass.  I suggest you read this series and start with Stars of Fortune.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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