Bay of Sighs by Nora Roberts – a Review

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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Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts – a Review

Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

Stars of Fortune
Guardians Trilogy – Book @1
by Nora Roberts
Release Date: November 3, 2015

Stars of FortuneAmazon / 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…

Sasha Riggs is a reclusive artist, haunted by dreams and nightmares that she turns into extraordinary paintings. Her visions lead her to the Greek island of Corfu, where five others have been lured to seek the fire star. Sasha recognizes them, because she has drawn them: a magician, an archaeologist, a wanderer, a fighter, a loner. All on a quest. All with secrets.

Sasha is the one who holds them together—the seer. And in the magician, Bran Killian, she sees a man of immense power and compassion. As Sasha struggles with her rare ability, Bran is there to support her, challenge her, and believe in her.

But Sasha and Bran are just two of the six. And they all must all work together as a team to find the fire star in a cradle of land beneath the sea. Over their every attempt at trust, unity, and love, a dark threat looms. And it seeks to corrupt everything that stands in its way of possessing the stars…

 

 

 

Review:

Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts is the first book in her new Guardians trilogy. As in most of Nora’s trilogies, there are usually three couples, who are part of the entire trilogy, and eventually are paired off, with each couple leading each book. Stars of Fortune starts off with three goddesses who are in the midst of gifting their new queen with special stars; but they must hide it from another goddess, who is in fact evil. The stars fall and are lost, opening the story many many years later for those who are destined to be the ones to find the hidden stars and return them to the goddess.

We meet Sasha, who is a famous painter, who also has visions of meeting 5 others to go on a quest she doesn’t understand, but she paints the visions. Sasha decides she must act on her visions and goes to an island in Greece, Corfu. She will begin to meet those who are part of the quest, and who are exactly as she painted them.

Riley, an archaeologist, is the first person she meets. Shortly thereafter, she will meet Bran, who calls himself a magician. The three of them realize they were meant to meet, and together they start on their journey, and along the way they will meet the other three: Sawyer, a traveler; Annika, a bubbly beautiful girl, who appears out of the blue; and Doyle, a swordsman. All of them have a little bit of their own magic and each came looking for the stars. They all have secrets that will eventually be revealed, but slowly they must learn to trust each other, in order to be able to defeat the villain, the evil goddess, Nerezza.

Sasha is the key, as she is the seer, who can see things, and draw them out for clues. In Stars of Fortune, the first book belongs to Sasha and Bran, who develop their romance during the journey. Sasha is well known, but she is very private. She knows nothing of love, and in Bran, she discovers what she has been missing all these years. They made a great couple, but they are part of the overall story, as this is a full ensemble storyline, with all six of them playing integral parts of the story. Each person has their own secret, and the powers they bring to the group.

Rather than tell too much more, this was an exciting adventure, with lots of action, and danger; as well as a fun storyline, with a paranormal theme. I love when Nora brings us a group of people who join together in friendship to become a team that will try to destroy the enemy. They must be united in order to be able to stop Nerezza. This was a nice romance, great storyline, and another fantastic battle between good and evil.

I love all of Nora Roberts’ trilogies, and Stars of Fortune was a great start to another winner. If you like romance, exciting adventure, great characters, friendships, nasty villain and a fun storyline, then you must read Stars of Fortune.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Liar by Nora Roberts – a Review

The Liar by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

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



Description:
Shelby Foxworth lost her husband. Then she lost her illusions …

The man who took her from Tennessee to an exclusive Philadelphia suburb left her in crippling debt. He was an adulterer and a liar, and when Shelby tracks down his safe-deposit box, she finds multiple IDs. The man she loved wasn’t just dead. He never really existed.

Shelby takes her three-year-old daughter and heads south to seek comfort in her hometown, where she meets someone new: Griff Lott, a successful contractor. But her husband had secrets she has yet to discover. Even in this small town, surrounded by loved ones, danger is closer than she knows–and threatens Griff, as well. And an attempted murder is only the beginning …


Review:

I absolutely loved Griffin Lott!!! He made a wonderful hero in this one, and Nora’s characterization of him for this story and it’s heroine was spot on. Griffin Lott is everything every woman could want in a man and partner. He’s loving, patient, intelligent, loyal, trustworthy, hard working, knows his way around power tools and landscaping, has a sense of humour, loves kids, oh hell he’s just my perfect man. 😉 I think I need to speak with Nora and see if Griffin was modeled after any single man she may know, cause if he was, I need to meet this guy. 😉 Okay, okay, enough about me and my perfect guy, onto the rest of my review.

Like I said I loved Griffin and how he was with our resident heroine, Shelby and her daughter Callie. His very first interaction with both women had me swooning and I knew I’d be a goner for their romance as it played out over the course of the story. I really liked the fact that Nora didn’t rush this romance, but played it out in a very thoughtful and smooth fashion. After everything Shelby endured with her rat of a husband, oh wait, was her really her husband???? Let’s just say her so called hubby went by many names, depending on which personality he needed to portray at a given time. Let me just say, if I had to deal with what Shelby did with Richard, I’d be a little gun shy too if another man suddenly was interested in me. However, Griffin didn’t push or prod Shelby, instead he saw what she needed and gave it to her no matter how he felt and knew what he wanted with her and Callie. Griffin fell for Shelby at first site and knew she was meant for him, and Callie deserved to have someone like him for a father. He just melted my heart in every scene he shared with Callie, so sweet and adorable, and the room he created for Callie in his house just did me right in when he shows Shelby the finished product just before he proposes to her. Loved that scene too!! What can I say, Nora Roberts out did herself with The Liar, she shows just why she’s the queen of contemporary romance.

On top of a perfectly written romance between Shelby and Griffin, in typical Nora fashion she weaves a mystery filled with danger, suspense and intrigue that surrounded our hero and heroine. Every time I think I knew who was spying and following them around Nora goes and does something to change my opinion. I was on the edge of my seat by book’s end to see who this person was, and I was very surprised to find out just who it was. The reveal was perfectly timed, and the action moving forward to the end of the book was fast paced and very nerve wracking for me.   Would Griffin and her brother Forrest get to Shelby in time, would Shelby and Griffin get that HEA they both deserve, would Shelby see her daughter again??? These questions were all running through my mind as the last final chapters unfolded. By the end of this book I felt like I just finished running a marathon, it was that intense. I love the way Nora can write a beautiful romance like she did in The Liar, but still manage to weave into it a mystery filled with danger and intrigue that keeps the reader on the edge of their seats. She never ceases to amaze me with her ability to write a good and proper story.

The Liar is another excellent addition to Nora’s collection of stand alone novels. It had everything in it that I deem a well balanced romance. It had a little of everything; well written characters and storyline, secondary characters that helped move the story along by adding humour and giving more insight into Shelby and Griffin, danger, intrigue and suspense, but most importantly a very satisfying HEA complete with a beautifully written proposal scene that had me ooooing and awwwwing my way through it. As I said earlier Nora was in true Nora fashion when she wrote The Liar, and for anyone who’s a fan of hers won’t be disappointed with this addition to her collection of wonderful stories.

Until next time, Happy Reading everyone!

Reviewed by Marcie

 

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Home for Christmas by Nora Roberts-a review

Home For Christmas by Nora Roberts-a review

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Home For Christmas
by Nora Roberts
Genre: contemporary, romance
Re-release: November 2014

Home For Christmas

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-released November 2014

After years of world travel, prizewinning reporter Jason Law was back in Quiet Valley, New Hampshire, with the most difficult assignment he’d ever faced: winning back Faith, the woman he’d loved then left ten years before. Jason had found that home was where the heart is, and Faith held his.

•••••••••••••••••••

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is a reissued novella by the great Nora Roberts. Prizewinning reporter Jason Law is returning home to New Hampshire after ten years. He left to seek fame and fortune and he has returned to win back the woman who slipped through his fingers.

Faith is a single mother to Clara and she owns her own small business. Seeing Jason, the man who walked out on her ten years ago has Faith feeling again. This is a very short, dated novella about forgiveness and finding love again. Christmas traditions are a secondary character in this novella. Nora Roberts even shares some of her favorite recipes in the book’s prelude! This is a sweet story about misunderstandings, forgiveness and second chances. Faith was an outstanding heroine who did the best she could with her circumstances. Jason is carrying some major hurt thinking that Faith didn’t wait for him. There are a few twists and turns before a big secret is revealed. In short, this is a perfect holiday read!

Reviewed by Jules C

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Blood Magick by Nora Roberts – a Review

Blood Magick by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

Blood Magick
The Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy – Book #3
by Nora Roberts
Release Date: October 28, 2014

Blood MagickAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
County Mayo is rich in the traditions of Ireland, legends that Branna O’Dwyer fully embraces in her life and in her work as the proprietor of The Dark Witch shop, which carries soaps, lotions, and candles for tourists, made with Branna’s special touch.

Branna’s strength and selflessness hold together a close circle of friends and family—along with their horses and hawks and her beloved hound. But there’s a single missing link in the chain of her life: love…

She had it once—for a moment—with Finbar Burke, but a shared future is forbidden by history and blood. Which is why Fin has spent his life traveling the world to fill the abyss left in him by Branna, focusing on work rather than passion.

Branna and Fin’s relationship offers them both comfort and torment. And though they succumb to the heat between them, there can be no promises for tomorrow. A storm of shadows threatens everything that their circle holds dear. It will be Fin’s power, loyalty, and heart that will make all the difference in an age-old battle between the bonds that hold their friends together and the evil that has haunted their families for centuries.

 

Review:

Blood Magick by Nora Roberts is the 3rd and final book in her The Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy. I couldn’t wait to start this book, as I knew it would be up to Branna and Fin to have their story, and once again, Nora completes this trilogy so well. I love all of Nora’s books that take place in Ireland, as well as those that deal with witchcraft. Nora is one of the best that creates such wonderful characters, especially in her trilogies. We loved Iona and Boyle in book 1; adored Connor and Meara in book 2; but we couldn’t wait for Branna and Fin.

In the last two books, during their face to face battle with the sorcerer, Cabhan, they hurt him and were close to destroying him. But he was able to escape and spend time to heal himself, before he would come back after them. The three witches, Branna, Connor and Iona are supplemented by Fin, who is also a witch. In the end, it will take a few changes to increase the attack for a chance to finally win.

Branna and Fin have loved each other since they were teenagers, but after she discovered that Fin had the mark of Cabhan, she pushed herself away. The evil curse of Cabhan has been around for 100 years. As they got older, they remained friends, as Fin was close to the other 4. But Fin has spent years searching for a way to remove his mark and the curse put on by original witch murdered by Cabhan (Scorcha) to anyone with sorcerer’s blood. Branna has always trusted Fin, and knows that Fin will play an important part in the final battle against Cabhan, who is now getting stronger, with another source of evil driving him.

Branna is the strongest one, confident, powerful, determined, loving; as she makes potions, spells and plans to be ready for the next battle against Cabhain. With all this going on; all 6 of them (their circle) work together, with the animals (a hawk, hound and horse) helping each other to support and do whatever is necessary to win this fight, even with the danger they could lose lives.

It was great to spend time with them all, as Nora allows us to feel like we are part of them. Nora always gives us details about Ireland, past and present; not to mention all the wonderful food dishes that Branna mostly makes for the meetings they all have. Everything is done so well. I loved every moment.

Most of all, this was a special romance between Branna and Fin. One that was doomed and looked hopeless, with both of them suffering all those years. Branna finally follows through on her feelings, especially with all the pressure building of the upcoming battle, she allows herself to succumb to Fin. It was done so beautifully, and I loved their love finally coming together. However, Fin still had the mark, and once the battle was over, would they still stay together?

I do not want to spoil what happens for those who will read the book. I will say it was an exciting climax, and a satisfying ending that Nora usually does. This was a wonderful trilogy filled with romance, three great couples, magic, fantasy, witches, animals, time travel, bad villain, and Ireland. I strongly suggest you read The Cousin’s O’Dwyer to have yourself a fun, romantic and exciting read.

Reviewed by Barb

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The Collector by Nora Roberts – a Review

The Collector by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

The CollectorAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
When professional house-sitter Lila Emerson witnesses a murder/suicide from her current apartment-sitting job, life as she knows it takes a dramatic turn. Suddenly, the woman with no permanent ties finds herself almost wishing for one. . . .

Artist Ashton Archer knows his brother isn’t capable of violence—against himself or others. He recruits Lila, the only eyewitness, to help him uncover what happened. Ash longs to paint her as intensely as he hungers to touch her. But their investigation draws them into a rarified circle where priceless antiques are bought, sold, gambled away, and stolen, where what you possess is who you are, and where what you desire becomes a deadly obsession. . . .

 

Review:

As I said before, when I need a break from all my paranormal and fantasy genre books, Nora Roberts is my go to author, and with her latest stand alone book The Collector, I couldn’t have been happier to step away from my favourite genres. Even though Nora is classified a romance writer, I find more and more with her stand alone books at least, that the romance in the book isn’t the central plot. For me, it feels more like she’s telling a story of suspense, murder and adventure with a lovely romance intricately weaved throughout the main plot. As is the case in her latest book The Collector.

Right from the first chapter Nora draws the reader into her story with her heroine Lila Emerson witnessing the death of a total stranger. Thanks to her joy of people watching while house sitting, her life is turned upside down and poor Lila soon finds she’s smack in the middle of a crime investigation /adventure where not only is her life in jeopardy, but so too is her soon to be lover and artist Ashton Archer(don’t you just love his name?), who just happens to be the half brother to one of the deceased.

While trying to solve his half brother’s murder both Lila and Ashton keep getting deeper and deeper into a world of high stakes thievery and murder. With a hit-woman hot on their trail as they try to discover who is behind the murders of his family members over lost Russian Faberge Eggs, Lila and Ashton find romance and love as he discovers she’s his muse and needs to paint or sketch her, and Lila discovers that it’s okay to let someone in and allow herself to depend on someone else for a change.

I really enjoyed the way Nora set up the romance between Lila and Ashton. At first I thought these two characters are complete opposites of each other, and just how is this romance going to work? Well, being Nora, she found just the right way and weaved a beautiful romance around mystery, murder and adventure. I love the fact that with any of her books Nora never rushes the romantic plot. She keeps it slow and low key at the beginning but then once the romance takes off, the characters run with it and it pulls the reader in even more. Yes I will admit at times I wanted to smack Ashton for his over bearing ways where Lila is concerned, but as we get to know more and more about Ashton and his life, I began to see why he’s like that. I finally stopped wanting to smack him and instead began swooning over him and his protective ways. As it turns out Lila is the perfect female for him because she brings out the best in him not only with his art, but also his personality. I also love Lila as the heroine, she’s funny, flirty, and keeps our poor hero on his toes every moment of the day. He never knows just where she’s going or what she’s rambling on about most times, and it’s these scenes in the book that pull the hero and heroine even closer together.

The romance between Lila and Ashton is fun, sexy, flirty but with danger and murder following their every move. I absolutely loved the whole Faberge Egg and Russian Tsar history we got in this one. I absolutely love that kind of history and the stories that go with it. Nora really did her research on that part of plot and had me wanting to book a trip to Russia and Italy to visit some of the places that our couple journey too as they try and solve the murder mystery while dodging a crazed hit-woman who’s after them. I got so carried away while reading this book thanks to Nora’s amazing way with words and the pictures she can paint in my head that there were a few times I jumped when my phone or doorbell went off. For all I know it could have been the crazed hit-woman coming after me, LOL!!! If you are a Nora Roberts fan I promise you this one won’t disappoint. Nora paints a world full of danger, thievery, murder, cons, Russian atifacts, and romance all wrapped up in one fun filled adventure.

Until next time, happy reading!!

Reviewed by Marcie

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Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts – a Review

Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts – a Review

Shadow Spell
The Cousins O’Dwyer – Book #2
by Nora Roberts
Release Date: March 25, 2014
The Shadow SpellLinks to order Shadow Spell:  Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository


Description:

With the legends and lore of Ireland running through his blood, falconer Connor O’Dwyer is proud to call County Mayo home. It’s where his sister, Branna, lives and works, where his cousin, Iona, has found true love, and where his childhood friends form a circle that can’t be broken…

A circle that is about to be stretched out of shape—by a long-awaited kiss.

Meara Quinn is Branna’s best friend, a sister in all but blood. Her and Connor’s paths cross almost daily, as Connor takes tourists on hawk walks and Meara guides them on horseback across the lush countryside. She has the eyes of a gypsy and the body of a goddess…things Connor has always taken for granted—until his brush with death propels them into a quick, hot tangle.

Plenty of women have found their way to Connor’s bed, but none to his heart until now. Frustratingly, Meara is okay with just the heat, afraid to lose herself—and their friendship—to something more. But soon, Connor will see the full force and fury of what runs in his blood. And he will need his family and friends around him when his past rolls in like the fog, threatening an end to all he loves…

 Review:

Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts is the 2nd book in her The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy. In the first book in this series, Dark Witch, Branna, Connor, Iona, and their friends managed to hurt the evil sorcerer, Cabhan, very badly;  but they did not kill him.  The first book belonged to Iona, who moved to Ireland to learn about her Cousins, and her ancestry.  Iona fell in love with Boyle, a longtime friend of the Cousins O’Dwyer, and Iona also learned that she was a witch, and one of the three that was destined to fight Cabhan, after centuries of her ancestor’s unsuccessful attempts. 

Shadow Spell belongs to Connor and Meara, whom we just knew in the first book, were meant for each other.  They just had to move past their longtime friendship, and discover their love for each other.  Throughout this continuation of the cousins working together with the help of the other three (Fin, Boyle & Meara) to defeat Cabhan, this story was also a beautiful romance between Connor and Meara.  It was special to watch Connor first discover he truly did love Meara.  Then to see Meara try fight off admitting she was in love with Connor, because of her fears…the memory of her father leaving her mother. 

The beginning of the book spends time in the past, when the three children of Sorcha escaped Cabhan and mourned the death of their mother, who as she lay dying, passed over her powers to each of her children.  I thought since we knew the story from the first book, it was a bit slow to start for me.  Once they went to the present, it picked up and was good the rest of the way.

A few months have passed since the battle with Cabhan, and Connor is the first to come upon him; the others are warned, but it is Meara, who is very much in danger. Cabhan is using a shadow spell, which allows him to sneak up on them, and it is Meara, who is the main target.  Hurt Meara, you hurt Conner. Hurt Connor and you hurt the Circle of Three. So Cabhan lurks, sneaks, and attacks.Together they use protection spells to protect themselves until they come up with a plan to trick Cabhan, and destroy him once and for all.

What I loved about this book is the closeness and camaraderie of the 6 family and friends. I love all of Nora’s books set in Ireland.  I loved seeing them use their powers, and learn more about their descendants from as far back as the 1200’s.  I loved Connor and Meara together.  I adore Branna, and cannot wait for the third book, when she will be the main part of finally destroying Cabhan with Fin’s help.  Those two still love each other, despite Branna’s refusal to accept Fin, due to his blood relationship to Cabhan, even if Fin is one of the good guys.    I also enjoyed the animal familiars that protect them, the hawk, the horse and the hound.  They are a big part of this story.

How do I know that Branna and Fin will be the key to ending it all????     The Cousins O’ Dwyer trilogy is very similar to my favorite trilogy of Nora’s..Three Sisters Island.  Whereas it is different, and to me, not quite as good, there is so much that is similar. Of course, not to mention, that Branna and Fin are the only two left to pair up for the last, and as in Three Sisters Island, the strongest one (Branna) is saved for last.  🙂

Shadow Spell is another very good story for Nora Roberts, who always makes us want to travel to Ireland, as she describes it so well.  Her trilogies to me are her best stories, and Shadow Spell will continue the trend.  I am looking forward to the final book, Blood Magick.

Reviewed by Barb

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Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

Concealed in DeathLinks to order Concealed in Death: 
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
In a decrepit, long-empty New York building, Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband begins the demolition process by swinging a sledgehammer into a wall. When the dust clears, there are two skeletons wrapped in plastic behind it. He summons his wife immediately—and by the time she’s done with the crime scene, there are twelve murders to be solved.

The place once housed a makeshift shelter for troubled teenagers, back in the mid-2040s, and Eve tracks down the people who ran it. Between their recollections and the work of the force’s new forensic anthropologist, Eve begins to put names and faces to the remains. They are all young girls. A tattooed tough girl who dealt in illegal drugs. The runaway daughter of a pair of well-to-do doctors. They all had their stories. And they all lost their chance for a better life.

Then Eve discovers a connection between the victims and someone she knows. And she grows even more determined to reveal the secrets of the place that was called The Sanctuary—and the evil concealed in one human heart.


Review:

Concealed in Death is the 38th novel in J.D. Robb’s In Death series.  Most of you already know that I am a In Death fanatic, and have read all 38 of the books, and all of the novellas, which Nora (she is J.D. Robb) writes a few times a year.  I love that that I can get my In Death fix without too long to wait (no less than 3 times a year, including the novellas).  Now to my review.

Concealed in Death begins with Roarke, who is and always will be the best and swoonworthy male character in the literary world.  Roarke has just purchased a broken down building, and while reviewing with his staff of what he wants done, he helps start the wrecking ball going by knocking down part of a wall. Of course, we knew something would happen, this is after all a murder mystery, and it is Eve Dallas, our fabulous murder detective.  Roarke calls in his wife, as behind that wall they found two bodies.

Before Eve, Peabody, and the rest of the police crew are done, there will be 12 bodies found, all bones, and all young girls between 12-15 years old.  What will make it a difficult case is that the murders took place 15 years ago. We get to meet a new interesting character, Garnet DeWinter, the new forensic anthropologist. There is an immediate clash of personalities between Eve & Garnet that will continue throughout the book, as they are both strong independent women at the top of their field.  Should be interesting where this will go in future books. 

While the bodies are slowly being identified Eve, her civilian consultant (Roarke), and Peabody delve deep into the history of the old building (The Sanctuary), which was a home for troubled, wayward children/runaways.  As is usual with Eve, we get to find out about the dead girls, at least some of them, such as Shelby, who was the leader of a group of girls.  The story revolves around her, and her friends, who are mostly dead.

With all the years past, and no clues, Eve will slowly begin to put the pieces together. Having had her own troubled childhood, will help Eve put herself in those children’s eyes.  We meet the people who ran The Sanctuary, Philly (Philadelphia) and Nash (Nashville) Jones, a brother and sister team, who had closed the The Sanctuary years before, as it was falling apart, and thanks to a benefactor, moved to a new, bigger and more exclusive building.

This was a different type of case then normal for the In Death series, with lots of details as they continue to dig into the past.  There was no tense murder that we normally witness or a horrible villain that we had to endure.  It was a sad story that came to life for us to see.  But it was an excellent story, one that kept your attention and one you had no idea who the murderer was.  The ending was filled with many surprises, and as I said before, totally different then usually done in this series, very well done.

As is with all the In Death books, there are always two stories that mesh together: the murder(s)/villians and there is Eve & Roarke.  They are such a great couple together, and their love for one another is just beautiful, sexy, heartwarming, and fun.  They are truly partners in every sense of the word.  38 books later, we can see Eve becoming more content in her life, letting her horrific past go, and opening up more to friends and family.  At the same time, Eve the cop, is still a tough, rough, in your face heroine, and that will never change.  She will always stand for the dead.  Concealed in Death is another wonderful addition to this fantastic series, which I pray continues for another 40 more. 

Reviewed by Barb

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