The MacKade Brothers by Nora Roberts – a Review

The MacKade Brothers, is another wonderful series by Nora Roberts. A four book series about four brothers; Jared, Rafe, Devin and Shane. Equally handsome with the ability to set a woman’s pulse racing at 20 paces with only a single look. These are the bad boys of the small town of Antietam, Maryland.

The Return Of Rafe MacKade – Book 1

After 10 years of being away from his home and family the bad boy of Antietam Maryland has returned.   Rafe MacKade returns home a success, owning his own business, with plans to stay.  He purchases the old Barlow Place on the hill, which is said to be haunted, with plans to turn it into a Bed and Breakfast.  Enter Regan Bishop, an Antiques dealer who owns her own shop Past Times and moved to Antietam 3 years ago.   At first glance Regan appears too neat and tidy to be drawn to a man like Rafe MacKade.  However, once their paths cross there’s no denying the attraction between the two.  No matter how hard they try to keep a professional relationship they can’t deny the attraction each feels for the other. 

As Rafe and Regan’s relationship develops we learn that Antietam was the scene for the bloodiest day of the Civil War and that many ghosts from that day still haunt the area.  The story of the two Corporals who met and fought in the woods that border the MacKade farm and the old Barlow place is perfectly woven and tied to Rafe and Regan’s budding romance. 

As the story moves along Nora introduces us to Rafe’s 3 other brothers, as well as Cassie and Joe Dolin.   Cassie has been a friend of the MacKades since childhood, and has been in an abusive relationship with her husband for years.  Regan and Cassie became friends over the years and Regan has been encouraging Cassie to get out of this relationship.

The Pride of Jared MacKade – Book 2

Bad boy turned town lawyer Jared MacKade takes front and center in book two of this series.  Having already been married once and divorced,  Jared, the eldest of the brothers isn’t sure he wants to go down that road again.  He’s quite happy in his life right now, running his own law firm down in Hagerstown, and recently selling his home there and returning to the MacKade farm.  Life is good until he turns down the laneway to deliver news to the newest inhabitant of Antietam, Savannah Morningstar. 

Savannah and her son Bryan have just moved into the log cabin bordering MacKade  land, and Rafe and Regan’s Bed and Breakfast.   Savannah is a single mother, who got pregnant at 16 and was tossed out by her rodeo circuit Bronco riding father.  She was drawn to the town of Antietam, particularly the woods, with the hope of starting fresh and giving her son the chance at a life she never had.  However, when she and Jared meet for the first time sparks fly, and it’s just the beginning of a wild and exciting ride for them.  Both are attracted to the other from the start, but they each need to come to terms with the other’s backgrounds.  

As their relationship progresses Nora continues to weave the ghost story of the two Corporals who met in the MacKade woods, and did battle during the Civil War.  As in Rafe and Regan’s story, the two Corporals and the woods they battled in are also tied to Savannah and Jared.  We also get to see the progression that Cassie and her children are making now that she is divorced from her abusive husband and moving on. 

The Heart of Devin MacKade – Book 3

Who would ever have thought the town’s resident bad boy Devin MacKade would one day be keeping the peace in the small town of Antietam Maryland.  Devin MacKade is now the town sheriff and takes pride in his small town and looking out for its residents.  One resident in particular, Cassie Dolin.  Devin has always been in love with Cassie but was never brave enough to ask her out.  Now, after years of pining over Cassie, Devin has decided to step up to the plate and take matters into his own hands. 

Cassie Dolin has always been a friend of the MacKades since childhood.  She married Joe Dolin, but had a miserable life with him, as he abused her both physically and verbally.  Thanks to the help of her friend Regan, and the MacKades, Cassie is finally free of her miserable life and moving on.  With her ex husband in prison, Cassie and her children Connor and Emma can finally start over. Now the proud manager of the MacKade Bed and Breakfast, Cassie is starting to see Devin in a different light.  But does she have the courage to take the leap?

Nora continues to weave her ghost story of the two Corporals, as well as the ghosts of Abigail and Thomas Barlow who were the owners of the Old Barlow place back at the time of the Civil War.  Once again Nora does an amazing job of overlapping the lives of Devin and Cassie with that of the past lives of Abigail and Mr. Barlow. 

The Fall of Shane MacKade – Book 4

Shane MacKade, youngest of the MacKade brood, resident bad boy and ladies man is happy living his life on the MacKade farm.  He’s a man of the earth and loves riding his tractor, tending the earth, looking after his livestock and charming Antietam’s ladies.  Shane is not one to turn away from a challenge and when Dr. Rebecca Knight strolls into town on a ghost busting mission, Shane goes on high alert. However, for all his charming and charismatic ability with the ladies, Shane for once is baffled.  All he’s ever known goes right out the window as the town’s resident ladies man begins  to fall into the realm of love and commitment.  An area he’s never been in before and doesn’t know what to do.   

Dr. Rebecca Knight, kid genius turned psychiatrist has had enough of her academic life.  She’s tired of being the frumpy nerd girl who never fit in.  Now back from Paris with a new look and view on life she’s ready for something new and challenging.   Shane Mackade is just what the doctor ordered.

Like Savannah, Rebecca finds she’s drawn to the town of Antietam and the battle that took place there.  Through dreams she’s been having she feels a strong connection to the area and decides it’s time to find out why.  As Rebecca digs deeper into Antietam’s history and what happened on that fateful day, Nora continues to weave the story of the two Corporals and role the MacKade’s great grandparents played.  Shane is resistant to any talk of ghosts and the paranormal, but over time begins to see that it’s too strongly tied to him to ignore it any longer. Through Shane and Rebecca’s love for each other and acknowledgement of the past the spirits that have been haunting the area can finally find a semblance of peace. 

If you’re looking for a series that has love, romance, paranormal and humor this one’s got it all.  You can’t go wrong with Nora’s bad boys of Antietam Maryland.      

Reviewed by Marcie