Tag Archives: Nora Roberts

The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts

Posted on May 1, 2012 by TBRG| Leave a comment

Title: The Last Boyfriend                                            Series: Inn at Boonsboro bk 2                                 Author: Nora Roberts                                                  Genre: Contemporary

 Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish…

Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent.
As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected—and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last…
From the moment that I discovered romance books and Nora she has always been a favorite of mine and I have always loved her stories. Some I have liked more than others but she has always delivered for me. Especially as her books are always centered around family. Whether its a family they are born to or one of their own making.
When I read the first book in this series The Next Always I had a feeling that this was going to be one of THOSE series for me. You know the ones I’m talking about, one that when you are looking for a nice warm love story with no major drama. That is going to be how this series for me.
Owen and Avery have known each other their entire lives. Their dad’s were best friends and except for a brief time when they were kids they have never thought of each other as anything more than friends. That is until they share a very explosive kiss.
Watching as these Avery and Owen go from being friends to lovers was really nice. They didn’t rush into it. they took their time and thought about how it would impact not only them but their families.
One of my favorite scenes is when Owen decides to throw a party at the last minute, and Avery laughs at him. This is not Owen he has spreadsheets when he plans a party, but he wants the time with Avery.  It’s really sweet and Avery being Avery helps him out, because she wants the same thing to spend time with him.
There is also the rest of their families and the secondary stories that Nora is famous for having regarding her secondary cast. We get more of Becket and Clare, Hope and Ryder are still butting heads and there is something going on with Avery’s dad and Owen’s mom.
Overall I have to say that this book lives up to everything I expect from one of Nora’s books.
Grade A

Posted in Contemporary, Grade A, Review

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The Witness by Nora Roberts

Posted on April 20, 2012 by TBRG| 1 Comment

Title: The Witness

Author: Nora Roberts

Genre: Contemporary

Daughter of a controlling mother, Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.

Twelve years later, the woman known as Abigail Lowery lives on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she designs sophisticated security  systems—and supplements her own security with a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. But Abigail’s reserve only intrigues police chief Brooks Gleason. Her logical mind, her secretive nature, and her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something—and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

There is a reason that 200 books later Nora Roberts is the queen of romance. She knows how to craft a story with a hero and a heroine that make you fall in love with them, and a story that makes complete sense for them.

One of the things I really like about this book is that it starts when Liz is 16 and we get to see what caused Liz to rebel against her mother and set everything in motion. When it then moves to 12 years later her being the way she was made absolute perfect sense, because we saw how she was raised and why and how she went into hiding.

Brooks is one of those perfect Nora heroes. He’s confident and secure in who he is and what he wants. When he moved back home to become the sheriff of his small town he knew that it was time for the next phase in his life. When he meets Abigail he’s at first intrigued and then fascinated with.

The relationship between Abigail and Brooks was a seamless slide into love. While they had their fights (what couple doesn’t) he understands her and only pushes so far into her space, until she accepts him there and then he pushes some more.

The secondary cast of characters help to make this story that much better. Brooks parents and sisters, the other officers in his department, and the people that drive Brooks nuts in his town. They manage to bring another dimension to the story that makes Brooks and Abigail richer characters.

This book is the reason that I love Nora. She creates interesting characters, a plot and story line progression that is very seamless in its progression. As soon as I was done I wanted to start all over again.

Grade: A

Posted in Contemporary, Grade A, Review

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Nora Roberts Celebration Day 4: Fan Letter to Nora + giveaway

Posted on April 19, 2012 by TBRG| 10 Comments

This part I was think was the hardest part. I mean how do you tell the woman who introduced you to romance thank you for changing my life, and giving me hours of  enjoyment and great characters that stick with you long after you’ve finished the book.

Shana Galen (author) Thank you, Ms. Roberts for being a spokesperson for the romance genre, for encouraging and inspiring other writers, and for all you give back to the romance community. And thank you for 200 wonderful books! I’ve enjoyed every book you’ve written and eagerly anticipate the next 200!

Jessa Slade (author) Happy 200, Nora Roberts! As a writer, I appreciate the strength of your commitment to the world of romance writing, and as a reader, I appreciate your strong heroines and the men who commit to them. Write on!

Melissa B ( Mimmi’s Musings )  Thank you, Nora, for the many years of enjoyment and escapism you’ve brought to me!  You’ve made me laugh, you’ve made me cry ~ you’ve made me giggle, and you’ve STILL got me trying to figure out who the hell the candy thief is, lol!  I’ve grown up reading your books, and like to think you’ve taught me some valuable lessons over the years ~
and for that, too, I thank you!  Congrats on your 200th book (of which I own EVERY one ) and may you have 200 more!

Jules Bennett ~ Thank you for inspiring me to follow my dreams and become an author. My very first romance was Irish Thoroughbred and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read it over the years. Congrats on your 200th book! I own them all and if you published your grocery list, I’d buy that, too:) Your words are that magical!

Cindy Kirk–Happy 200th book Nora!  I loved your books for Silhouette as well as all the ones you’ve written since.  I appreciate all you’ve done to raise the profile of the romance genre.

Kim (reader) You are the sole romance author that I have read that has the knack of writing snark, humor, romance, everything we look for in a book. You keep me coming back for more. I read the first 33 In Death books in a month. That to me is a talented author. Thank you for your dedication to your craft. I look forward to your future books.

Elisabeth Naughton –  Dear Nora,

You were the first true romance author I discovered. I consider myself a late bloomer—I didn’t start reading romance until college when I picked up SCARLETT: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind. Halfway through that book I realized I was reading to see what happened with the romance between Rhett and Scarlett, and after ingesting all 823 pages and knowing there must be something better out there, I went looking for other Irish-set romances. Enter your Irish Born Trilogy, which I quickly tore through in a matter of days. Several years later—and several series of yours later—I can honestly look back and say that your books had a profound impact on me, not only as a reader, but as a writer. I didn’t know I wanted to write until I was in my thirties, until after I’d lost myself in the worlds you created and realized I was spending hours coming up with your characters’ “after stories” in my head. It was then I knew I had my own stories to tell and my own characters waiting to break free, and I’ve been writing ever since.

Your books still line my shelves. I have favorites—like the Chesapeake Bay series and the Key Trilogy—and when friends come over looking for a good read I’m quick to recommend your books I fell in love with. Thank you for all your words, all your characters and your inspiration. This writer appreciates all you’ve done not only for women writers but for the genre as a whole.

Kati (reader/blogger):
Dear Nora – You may not know this, but you popped my romance cherry. That’s right, at age 12, I took Irish Thoroughbred off the shelf during my family’s vacation and swept into the world of horses and horseracing that you had created. The book had everything I love: romance, an uncle who forces the couple to wed, and yes, they TOTALLY DID IT in Chapter seven. All scandalous and rapturous to a young girl. I quickly became enthralled by romance, developing a love of reading that got to the point where I’d be sent outside to play rather than read.

I admire so many things about your writing, but I think my single favorite aspect of it is the incredible sense of place you create in your books. When I open a Nora book, I know without a doubt that I will be drawn into a vividly drawn world where I can practically taste the food, smell the air, and see the glory of the vistas. I  experience that sense of place in the language you have your characters use, if Irish, the lilt of the accent; if southern, that sexy drawl. You sweep me along for the ride, making me wish to visit places I’ve never been. It’s an incredible talent.

Sure, you create heroes I fall in love with and heroines I want to chat and have cocktails with. But for me, it’s worlds they inhabit that make you such a master in the craft of writing romance. And it’s why I look forward to buying and reading your books every time a new one comes out. Thank you!

Lisa B(reader/blogger) www.modokkerbookpicks.blogspot.com  Nora you were the very first author I started reading a few years ago when i decided to take up reading again since my high school years. I picked up my first book by you at a library book sale and was hooked. You were actually the only author i read for months after that. My plan was to read your entire backlist. I had a great time trying to do just that. You  take readers on a journey in your books. There is always a great story but always there are lessons in there too.  You create characters that people can relate too and wouldn’t mind knowing in person if they could be real. Nora you are always on my must buy list and i keep your yearly release schedule magnet right on my fridge so i don’t miss a book release. Thank you Nora for all the great stories and all the amazing hours of reading and getting lost in a books Congrats on 200 books!.

Liza (reader/blogger) Blogging by Liza Dear Nora, Irish Thoroughbred was my very first romance novel. My mom and grandmother shared their books each month and at 12 I went to my mom’s keeper stack and took it to my room to read. I lost most of your early books to a house fire, but thanks to used bookstores and ebay, I’m pretty sure I own all of you books. Your books have their very own bookcase in my house and it cracks my brother up that only Nora Roberts and JD Robb books are allowed to be put on that bookcase. Thank you for many hours of great reading and introducing me to some of my favorite characters ever!

Vivian Arend (author) Dear Nora,

As a new author at the national RWA convention in 2010, your keynote address not only made me proud to be a writer of romance, it inspired me to strive for certain goals.
1) to write stories that are full of real people and real emotion. Not based on the whims of what’s the current craze–your stories are fresh and new because they are exactly what you want to write. And frankly? They are what we want to read. You hit it on the head every damn time.
2) to surround myself with great friends in the industry who would support me, and that I could support. Your words of praise about those who you’ve been involved with for so many years brought tears and laughter–it’s a community and family that’s worth giving to, and I thank you for that reminder.
3) you also assured me it’s okay to be myself. I don’t know that I’ll ever have the opportunity to drop the F-word during a keynote address, but if the moment comes, I’ll do it in fond memory of just how honest you are.
Thank you for doing what you do, and for being who you are. You rock.

Jennifer Porter (blogger from Romance Novel News – http://www.romancenovelnews.com )
Dear Nora,
One cannot possibly be a romance reader without being aware of your writing and your impact on the genre. I began reading romance as a pre-teen, borrowing them from my mother. She read category romances, so I was often reading your early Silhouette romances. These books had a huge impact on my reading habits and helped make me a lifelong romance-novel addict. 200 hundred books is an incredible milestone. The romance genre would not be what it is today without you. Congratulations and thank you so much for years of wonderful romance!

Elise Rome (author)

Dear Nora,
Congratulations on reaching 200! Your books were some of the first romance books I read and include favorites that I go back to again and again. You’ve helped me as a reader to escape when I needed and as a writer to be encouraged and inspired by your hard work and accomplishments. Thank you, and I look forward to reading many more of your books in the years to come.

Sasha H (reader) Elizabeth Naughton and Kati said it best Nora. You have a truly magical ability to draw readers into places and worlds, real or imagined, that make us want to go there to, meet those people. Yes people, because Ethan, Seth, Grace, Eve, Roarke, no matter which character you’ve created, they become ‘real’ to us and we would all love to get the chance to step through the page and into their world.
Ireland is on my bucket list of places to visit because of you Nora Roberts. The women, the places, the history, the Irish B&B, the wonder of nature in Ireland, all came to life for me in your Born In trilogy and ever since, I’ve looked forward to your ‘return trips’ to Ireland.

How many of us can say we remember the first time we ever saw/heard of a particular author? I can if it’s Nora Roberts. :D I was in high school at the time, visiting one of my favourite places; a book club. I’m a ‘visual’ person and was immediately drawn to the covers of and titles to your Dream series and Sweet Revenge. I was hesitant, thinking it might be another one of ‘those’ books; heavy, spanning too many decades to count and full of choices you hate. Instead, I was blown away by the wonderful story of three women who had been friends since childhood, living in a world of privilege without being snobs. I fell in love with the family home, the unfolding story of each woman over the course of all three books, though each got her own starring role in Holding The Dream, Daring To Dream and Finding The Dream. There was no looking back after that, I had become a Nora Roberts FAN and went back to the book club for Sweet Revenge.
This book also has a special place in my heart. It’s darker than the Dream series but sweeps the reader along through decades and exotic locals without ever being boring or overdone. Princess Adrianne was strong and daring at a time when many romance novels had the man as the hero to a brave damsel in distress while Philip Chamberlain showed great insight into the inner workings of his love’s heart and mind. Philip supported Adriane as needed but he also saved her in ways she didn’t even realise she needed saving.Plus, the twists and turns in this jewelry heist sage kept me on the ‘edge of my seat’, as I tried to figure out how these two would accomplish their mission.

I’ve read nearly all 200 of your books and look forward to learning more about gardening and cooking, romance, life, commitment and triumph over struggles and heartbreak in your future novels.

Megan (reader and blogger at Riverina Romantics)

Dear Nora,
I’ve been reading your work since I was a sophomore in high school. You are what I call me first adult romance author crush! I’ve loved every one of your books that I’ve read – I’ve almost read them all – and many of them hold a special place in my heart. Congratulations on releasing your 200th novel and here’s to many more!

Heather (TBRG) Dear Nora, Thank you so much for introducing me to the romance genre. I discovered you when I was a teenager and Moragana and Nash’s book had just come out. Ever since then I have been able to escape into the fantastic worlds that you create and meet fun and interesting characters. One of the things I love about your books is the sense of family. I love how close your characters families, no matter how much they may irritate each other at the end of the day they are family and family is what matters. Thank you for that.

Mad (reader & blogger at RR@H Novel Thoughts) Dear Nora, Thank you for the many hours and late night reading you’ve provided to myself and probably thousands of other fans of yours. I always enjoy my “Nora Roberts mood” when it strikes and always end up kicking myself for waiting so long to read them. (i.e. my Nora Roberts binge reading) Happy 200th and here’s to 200 more!

Dear Nora,

Thanks so much for the endless hours of entertainment you’ve provided me. I started reading regularly when I turned 18, not too long after I had my daughter and I’ve found comfort in more than one of your books. I’ve visited far away countries through your books and met fabulous characters that have stayed with me long after I’ve put their books down and I can’t say thank you enough for the laughs, the romance and the hunky heroes that I continue to drool over today. Don’t ever stop writing!

Always a fan,

Rowena

Dear Nora,
Thank you for years of romances that make me laugh and cry and make
that happy romance reader sigh. Your work ethic, devotion to the
positive image of romance, and your support of literacy are an
inspiration to us all. Congratulations on your 200th release!
Shannon Stacey

***We are giving away a copy of one of Nora’s books, just leave her a fan letter. Open to US and Canada only***

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Nora Roberts Celebration Day 3: Favorite Nora Hero + giveaway

Posted on April 18, 2012 by TBRG| 21 Comments

Today we are talking our favorite Nora heroes. While we all know that Roarke is at the top of most everyone’s list when it comes to her heroes I have to say I was surprised at some of the response to this one. I mean who knew that those MacKade brothers would be so popular or that rascal Daniel MacGregor.

Shiloh Walker (author) As much as I enjoy Roarke, he’s not my favorite hero by Nora. My favorite is Shane MacKade. I’m not exactly sure what it is about him, but something about Shane has always lingered with me, and when I started thinking through all of her heroes, he was the one who first came to mind.

Shana Galen (author) My favorite NR hero is Roarke from the JD Robb In Death series. I know Roarke is massively popular, and that’s because he’s so perfect! What girl wouldn’t fall in love with a gorgeous, rich, Irishman who only wants to take care of the woman he loves by feeding her, buying her gifts, and sharing her love of her work? Roarke is definitely sigh-worthy.

Elisabeth Naughton (author) Cian from Valley of Silence. Dark, damaged, vampire hero? What’s not to love?

Heather (TBRG) My favorite hero wasn’t hard to choose, no it isn’t Roarke, though he comes in a close second. No my favorite character is Mikhail Stanislaski. He’s a temperamental Ukrainian artist, and gorgeous to boot. I love him so much when we named our oldest after my husband I had to spell it after Mikhail.

Jessa Slade (author) I really liked Mitch from Black Rose, I think because his heroine wasn’t the easiest lady to love and yet he persevered. Not that I’m projecting or anything ;)

Melissa B ( Mimmi’s Musings )  As much as I love Roarke, here I have to go with Tucker Longstreet ~ his slow drawl, the way he took the laid back approach to life, but still remained in control, the way he wooed Caroline with that laid back ease…the love he had for Della and his sister.  How can you NOT love a man like that?

Jules Bennett (author) Favorite hero? I loved Ethan in the Chesapeake Bay Series. A quiet, hardworking man tortured by his past, struggling for a future he doesn’t think he deserves…everything about him screams hero!

Kim: My favorite hero is Rafe MacKade. He was the first Nora hero I read and has stuck with me as I have read my sisters entire Nora library.

Kati (reader/blogger): My favorite Nora hero is Cameron Quinn from Sea Swept. He’s a badass, daredevil race car driver who finds himself caring for a young boy when his father dies. He’s completely stymied by this child, but he becomes a “stay-at-home” big brother/father to the kid and still finds time to woo the heck out of the hot social worker who comes to ensure that his younger brother is receiving appropriate care.

Lisa B (reader/blogger) Wow this is hard. Pick a MacKade brother. Anyone one. How about the boys from the Chesapeake bay series? Um yeah. To many great hero’s I think i have to go with Rafe MacKade the big bad boy who made good. sigh… I feel a re-read of a certain book coming.

Liza (reader/blogger) I have to say as much as Roarke is my dream man, Daniel MacGregor is my favorite hero and character ever of Nora’s. I so see a re-read of the entire MacGregor series soon.

Vivian Arend (author) I’m with Liza. While considering who was my favorite I fell into rereading Daniel MacGregor’s story, and now my weekend is going to disappear as I glom through the entire series yet again.

Jennifer Porter (blogger from Romance Novel News – http://www.romancenovelnews.com ) Hmm, this is a tough one. I do absolutely love Roarke, although admittedly I stopped reading these books some time ago. I suppose that I have to go with Brand from Once More with Feeling as he is certainly the hero that I know best.

Sasha H (reader) Roarke is right up there alongside Ethan Quinn from Rising Tides; book 2 in The Chesapeake Bay series, but if you want me to choose, then Ethan it is. (Jules Bennett I agree with you.) Ethan’s story and part 2 of 4 of Seth’s story just pulled at my heartstrings and made me wish I was right there with the Quinns in Chesapeake Bay. Besides, who could forget that scene between Ethan and Grace Monroe in the trees during the Bar-B-Que? ;)

Megan (reader and blogger at Riverina Romantics) While I love Cian from the Circle Trilogy, I have to admit that Roarke is my favorite hero. The eyes and the accent, as well as his deep devotion to his loved ones, just do it for me!

Mad (reader & blogger at RR@H Novel Thoughts) Hands down, mine is Daniel MacGregor.

Rowena (reader/blogger at Book Binge) This is another hard one for me because if you read Book Binge, you’d know that I’m all about the hero. There are three Nora heroes that instantly come to mind for this one. They’re Jack Cooke from Bed of Roses, Cam Quinn from Seaswept (he made it onto all of my answers so far, Go Cam!) and Sam Logan from Face the Fire. They’re all swoonworthy heroes that I loved for different reasons but they’re all tied for first place in the my favorite Nora hero running. I can’t choose just one. Please don’t make me choose. ;P

Laura Hunsaker (author) Cain/Cian from Valley of Silence-he’s an alpha male and bad boy all in one.

***We are giving away one of Nora’s books today, just tell us who your favorite Nora hero is and why? Open to US and Canada only***

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Nora Roberts Celebration Day 2: Favorite Nora Stand Alone + giveaway

Posted on April 17, 2012 by TBRG| 18 Comments

Today we are talking about our favorite Nora stand alone book. There have been so many that some of us had a hard time choosing.

Heather (TBRG) This was a hard one for me as I have read every single book she has written, I finally narrowed it down however to three and then couldn’t decide between them so I have 3 favorite stand alone books. Unfinished Business which is one of her HQN books and one of the first ones I read as a teenager. The next is Carolina Moon, I can’t tell you why I love this book only that I do, it has everything I love in a book great characters a love story that was years in the making and bad guy that fools everyone. The last book is Three Fates, I love this book because at it’s core is family. Malachi, Gideon and Rebecca and their loves who they meet as a result of searching for the Fates are a family and that comes first and always.

Shana Galen (author) My favorite NR stand-alone is Midnight Bayou. No, Northern Lights. No, Blue Smoke. It’s so hard to choose! I guess if I was forced to choose I’d have to pick Montana Sky. The mystery in that novel kept me up all night and the characters have stayed with me all of these years later. I don’t often read books more than once, but this is a book I find myself pulling off the shelf time and again.

Elisabeth Naughton (author) Divine Evil. Super dark. Awesome characters. Couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

Jessa Slade (author) The Search is a particular favorite of mine because of the dogs and the Pacific Northwest setting.

Melissa B ( Mimmi’s Musings )  Carnal Innocence.  Tucker Longstreet ~ wow.  I love how Nora did the darker titles back in the day, and this one has always remained a fav ~ she fooled me up ‘til the very end, and filled the pages with so many suspects and town full of people who were just flat a trip to read about I can’t help but still love to reread it!

Kim (reader) My favorite stand alone is Chasing Fire. It was a really well written story that made you feel like wanted to hang out with fire jumpers. You wanted to be with those guys. I can always figure out who the bad guy was by chapter 3 however in this book I had no clue and was surprised.

Kati (reader/blogger) My favorite stand alone is High Noon. I love High Noon because Duncan Swift is my favorite kind of hero, sucking you into his “beta-vibe” until he goes all alpha on your ass. I love her more laid back heroes. And Phoebe, the heroine, is self-sufficient, silly smart, and totally a girl I’d like to share a glass of wine with. There’s also a dandy suspense plot that left me guessing and Phoebe’s fascinating family and career as a police negotiator. It truly is Nora at her finest!

Lisa B (reader/blogger) When i first started reading again a few years ago after a 20 year hiatus for kids/military time and well life i was Nora i first started to read. She has so many great books i have yet to read all of her books. I have a bookshelf ok maybe 3 bookshelve’s full of her books that i reach for if i need a comfort read.  If i think recent book i would have to say Chasing Fire and The Search. Both tell a great story but educate you also.  If i think older books i have to say High Noon and maybe Northern Lights. It’s a hard decision no doubt.

Liza (reader/blogger) My favorite stand alone is Montana Sky…no make that True Betrayals. Guess if I’m hard pressed to pick only one it would be Montana Sky. I love watching the 3 women become true sisters.

Jennifer Porter (blogger from Romance Novel News – http://www.romancenovelnews.com ) Again, I have to go back to Nora Roberts’ early days. I absolutely adore the reunited-lovers trope of Once More with Feeling, a Silhouette Intimate Moments book from 1983. I have vivid memories of Raven and Brand reuniting, making music, and finally finding love. This was one of the first books that I hunted for in used books stores (and later eBay) when I was building my collection of romance novels. This one is a classic.

Sasha H (reader) Favourite stand-alone novel? Hard to pick just one but in the end, I have to go with Sweet Revenge. Princess Adrianne and Philip Chamberlain wear figurative masks as they move through a world of jewelry thefts, Arab royalty and Western high-society. Nora Roberts has written a couple books about jewelry/art heists but nothing compares to the high-stakes drama and intrigue of Sweet Revenge. I also hold Montana Sky close to my heart, for very similar reasons to Shana Galen and Liza. :D

Megan (reader and blogger at Riverina Romantics) This is an easy question. My favorite Nora Roberts book is Honest Illusions. It was the first Book by Nora Roberts that I ever read. A close friend of mine in high school gave it to me and I instantly became enamoured of Nora Rober’s writing.

Mad (reader & blogger at RR@H Novel Thoughts) I would have to say the newest one, THE WITNESS. I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this to read and enjoyed it immensely. I still have lots of her others still in the TBR and reading over the other comments here have me wanting to go and pull them out of the TBR to get started on them.

Rowena (reader/blogger Book Binge)  This one is a lot harder for me because there are a lot of her standalones that I absolutely adore. Top 3? Sea Swept, The Villa and Hidden Riches. I liked all of those books for different reasons. I adored Cam and his struggles to be that stay at home brother for Seth and his family in Sea Swept and I adored the romance between Ty and Sophia in The Villa and I really enjoyed the romance between Jed and Dora but also the coming together of the mystery part of the story. Nora Roberts excels at writing stories about things that I would have never been interested in before and making them shine. I’m not a fan of antiques, I have no desire to learn about the everyday dealings of an antiques dealer but that didn’t deter me from enjoying the hell out of Dora’s story. I don’t drink wine and I don’t really care how the wine goes from the vine to the bottle but I ate up all of the wine talk in Ty and Sophia’s story. She writes stories that I love and these are the stories that I’ve loved the most over the years.

Shannon Stacey (Author): The first title that comes to mind when asked
my favorite of Nora’s standalone novels is Carnal Innocence. Hello,
Tucker Longstreet! But the book I’ve reread most often, and the one
I’d put at the top of my very-favorite list, is Montana Sky. It has
the strong, emotional core of a Nora Roberts romance, with a striking
and unique setting, a nail biting suspense plot, and the engrossing
relationship between Willa, Tess and Lily. And who could resist three
of her incomparable heroes in one book?

*** We are giving away one of Nora’s books today, just tell us your favorite stand alone book and why. Open to US and Canada only)***

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Nora Roberts Celebration Day 1: Favorite Nora Series + giveaway

Posted on April 16, 2012 by TBRG| 20 Comments

This week we are celebrating Nora’s 200th book release by talking about our favorite Nora books. Today we are talking about our favorite Nora series.

Heather (TBRG) My all time favorite Nora series is the Chesapeake Bay series. I love this series because it came out as my husband and I were going through the process of adopting two amazing baby boys from the foster care system. As I read about Cam, Ethan, Phillip and Seth I couldn’t help but think there but the grace of God goes my boys.

Janon (TBRG) My favorite series is the Bride Quartet

Shana Galen (author) My favorite Nora Roberts’s series is the Three Sisters Island trilogy. I love the sisters and the different men they fall in love with. Nell from Dance Upon the Air is one of my favorite heroines ever. She’s so fragile and yet so strong. Ripley from Heaven and Earth is tough in the most endearing way. And Mia from Face the Fire made me so happy I have a sister I’m close to.

Elisabeth Naughton (author) The Chesapeake Bay Series. I absolutely fell in LOVE with Cam, Ethan, Phillip and Seth.

Jessa Slade (author) I’m a fan of The Key Trilogy for the paranormal elements and the fabulous love stories.

Melissa B ( Mimmi’s Musings ) The MacGregor’s ~ I’m such a fan of Nora’s relationships ~ between her heroes and heroines, between friends and family members, and although I love them all I can’t think of any series filled with more characters that just stand out than the MacGregors.
And Daniel!

Jules Bennett (author) The Chesapeake Bay Series ~ hunky men fighting to keep their family together? Seriously, what could be sexier? And the emotional struggles? *sigh* I think I’m going to have to read these again soon!

Cindy Kirk (author)  The Chesapeake Bay Series remains my favorite.  Loved every single one of them.  The father coming back to help each boy truly move on was especially touching!  Great job, Nora!

Kim (reader) My favorite series is the In Death series. Of all the series she has written this is the one that I go back to over and over. Eve and Roarke are real people with real marital issues.

Kati (reader/blogger) My favorite Nora series in the “Born In Trilogy” set in Ireland. I’ve re-read them hundreds of times. The reason I love them so much is Nora’s complete mastery of creating a sense of place. You can practically smell the Guinness in the pub, you can hear the lilt of an Irish accent in the voices and you can see the verdant greens that the characters are looking at. Each time I read the books I’m charmed, and I fall in love again.

Lisa B (reader/blogger) My favorite Nora Roberts series is the Chesapeake Bay series. I’ve read so many great series by Nora but this is the very first one i fell in love with. I’ve read them over and over again. Such a great example of how there are different ways to make a family. Family loyalty and ways to love.

Liza (reader/blogger) I have so many favorite series by Nora, but if I could only pick one it would be the Born In Trilogy. I’ve re-read my copies so many times I’ve actually had to replace them. I love experiencing Ireland through each character. One of the reasons Ireland is on my dream travel list.

Vivian Arend (author) As a new discoverer of Nora’s work, picking up the MacGregors was like dropping into the middle of the family I’d never had. Each story is different, yet with characters who tangle around each other and connect in ways that make each individual’s journey richer. And generations deep? So inspiring and romantic.

Jennifer Porter (blogger from Romance Novel News – http://www.romancenovelnews.com ) I am old school Nora Roberts’ fan, and my favorite series of hers is the one featuring the Stanislaskis. Waiting for Nick is one of my all-time favorite romance novels. I love the family that Roberts created. These books are classic comfort reads for me.

Elise Rome (author): My favorite Nora Roberts series is the Dream Trilogy. I can re-read those books over and over again (and have, numerous times).

Sasha H (reader): It was very hard to choose one series; I have four favourites, but in the end I have to go with the “In Death” series featuring Eve and Roarke. There are on average two books published per year in the series, allowing the reader to see the relationship truly grow and strengthen between two strong, independent people who found something in each other they neither wanted nor expected to ever get; love.

Megan (reader and blogger at Riverina Romantics) I’d have to say that my favorite series by Nora Roberts is the Circle Trilogy. I’ve only read it twice, but I still remember it well. Cian is my favorite character from the series.

Mad (reader & blogger at RR@H Novel Thoughts) I’d have to say my favorite series by Nora are her older categories. That’s where I first discovered her. I read her MacGregor series (loved & adored Daniel!) then moved on to her McKade Brothers series. Then there’s her Stanislaskis series.

Rowena (reader/blogger Book Binge) My favorites series by Nora Roberts is hands down, the Chesapeake Bay series. That series is so full of awesome and is one of those series that my love has stayed true to over the years. I love the way that it’s written, the way that each story mirrors the personality of the hero. Cam’s book is fast paced and in your face, just like Cam is and Ethan’s story is more laid back and slow to unfold but no less thrilling and Phillip’s story is told in a no non-sense way. It’s also very detail oriented just like Phillip is. I loved that the three brothers were brought back together again to help raise their new brother, Seth. I like how their father played a big part of bringing them back together even though he was dead and I just really liked getting to know the Quinn brothers and seeing what brought them all together in their different books and I really liked that Seth got his story all those many years later. Such a great series.

Laura Hunsaker (author) My favorite NR series is absolutely her Circle Trilogy. I loved the suspense, the characters and the paranormal aspect. I don’t think Nora has a trilogy I don’t love

***We are giving away a complete set of one of Nora’s series published by Penguin/Jove. Open to US and Canada only. Just tell us your favorite Nora series and why.***

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The Next Always by Nora Roberts

Posted on November 10, 2011 by TBRG| 1 Comment

Title: The Next Always

Series: The Inn BoonsBoro bk 1

Author: Nora Roberts

Genre: Contemporary Romance

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett’s social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen…

I have been in love with Nora’s heroes for almost twenty years. There is just something about them that makes you fall in love with them. Then there are the families she creates for her heroes. My sister likes to say that I love Nora’s families because she writes the kind of families I wish I had. I would have to agree with her. I will also admit that when it comes to Nora I have to read her books the day that they come out. Or as soon as I can get my hands on it.

I knew nothing about this book other than the fact it was coming out. When it showed up on my door I dropped everything and read it.

There was so much I loved about this book. Claire is a war widow. She married her high school sweetheart who was killed in Iraq. She has three little boys whose antics had me laughing out loud because only a mom of boys would be able to write little boys so perfectly. The antics they go up to, the way they acted had me remembering my boys pulling some of those same antics. When Beckett and his brother’s do something for the boys and their action figures I have to say it was one of my favorite scenes.

Beckett and Claire’s romance was simple and easy, and I have to say I really liked that. There are times when I want a simple love story with no major conflicts and that is exactly what we get in this book.

Beckett has been in like with Claire ever since they were teenagers. However Claire was in love with her late husband, and had no eyes for anyone other than him. When he finally makes his move it is done so well and he is very understanding of the fact that her boys come first. As their relationship changes from friends to lovers it is so seemless, not only does he fall for Claire but her boys as well.

Claire has had the love of her life. She never expected to find love again. Finding it with Beckett is something that she never expected but it feels very right. He doesn’t pressure her, and he likes her boys which is a huge plus in his favor.

One of the best scenes of this book is when Beckett is talking to Claire’s boys about their dad and he shares a story about him and their dad and the fun they’d had. Letting them know that he was friends with their dad.

There is a great secondary cast in Beckett’s brothers Ryder and Owen and Avery and Hope. Not to mention Beckett’s mom who is seriously a riot. I have my suspicions about who is going to hook up with who in the next two books, but I will let you figure out that yourself.

I do have to say that after reading this book I want to book a trip to Boonsboro to stay at the Inn with Mike. With rooms named after some of the greatest love stories in literature, Westley and Buttercup, Titiana and Oberon, Elizabeth and Darcy and of course Eve and Roarke. Here is the link to the actual inn.

In case you haven’t guessed it I absolutely loved every page in this book. I loved the characters, the story line, everything. It’s a simple love story with two people falling in love and having to make changes in their lives to include the person they love.

Grade A

The other books in this series haven’t been released yet.

Posted in Contemporary, Review

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Chasing Fire

Posted on April 7, 2011 by TBRG| 5 Comments

Chasing Fire

Nora Roberts

The number-one New York Times-bestselling author delves into the world of elite firefighters who thrive on danger and adrenaline-men and women who wouldn’t know how to live life if it wasn’t on the edge.

There’s little as thrilling as firefighting-at least to Rowan Tripp. The Missoula smoke jumpers are in Rowan’s blood: her father is a legend. She’s been fighting fires since her eighteenth birthday. At this point, returning to the wilds of Montana for the season feels like coming home-even with reminders of the partner she lost last season still lingering.

Fortunately, this year’s rookie crop is one of the strongest ever-and Gulliver Curry’s one of the best. He’s also a walking contradiction, a hotshot firefighter with a big vocabulary and a winter job at a kids’ arcade.

Everything is thrown off balance when a dark presence lashes out against Rowan, looking to blame someone for last year’s tragedy. Rowan knows she can’t complicate things with Gull-any distractions in the air or on the ground could mean the end-but if she doesn’t find someone she can lean on, she may not make it through the summer. . . .

Before I begin let me preface this by saying I own every single Nora book. She is an auto buy for me, so when I got this book I immediately dove right into it, and then I got distracted by a million other things, and it got piled under the mountain of books that I have. However the book was never far from my mind, so when I finally got a free day I devoted it solely to the reading of this book, and I am really glad that I did.

I have to say that as someone that has lived on the west coast for my entire life summer wildfires are fact of life. It is very unusually to go to a camp ground and not see forest fire warnings as high. So to read a book about the guys that fight these fires was very enlightening to me, especially as I have always been fascinated by them, and at one point when I was young (before marriage and kids) I thought about seeing if I could be a smoke jumper. These men and women put their lives on the line for us so that we can have the places to go and see nature in all its splendor.

The cast of characters is varied and unique.

Rowan and Gull, her the seasoned smoke jumper, and he the hotshot turned smoke jumper, are one of the best couples that she has written. They are essentially perfect for each other. In a word he simply gets her, and she gets him. At times it baffles her but it works for them.

Then there is Lucas “Iron Man” Tripp Rowan’s dad, the former smoke jumper and owner of a skydiving school down the street from the smoke jumper’s base. His story is a secondary love story between him and Ella a local high school principal, which causes Rowan to have some moments.

Rowan and Gull’s fellow smoke jumpers make up an interesting crew and add some great chemistry to the mix, Cards, Stovic (aka Chainsaw), Barbie, Trigger, Yangtree, Dobie.

There is a lot of them fighting the fires, but I think that is important as that is who they are, and how they came to be together. While there was some things that I didn’t understand I have to say that I am amazed at the research that went into crafting this book. It made me feel like I was there with the smoke jumpers at times.

This book is in my top five stand alone books by Nora, that is how much I enjoyed it.

Grade A

 

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Happy Ever After

Posted on November 1, 2010 by TBRG| Leave a comment

Happy Ever After

Bride Quartet bk 4

Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts is the queen of romance. Over a career that has spanned almost thirty years she continues to give us great stories, with characters that we want to have as our best friends, or even siblings. In the last installment of her Bride series she doesn’t let us down at all.

In Vision in White we have Mac and Carter’s story, in Bed of Roses it is Emma and Jack, in Savor the Moment we get Laurel and Del’s story and in this book we finally get to see what is going on between Mal and Parker. The sparks have been flying between the two of them since the Cinco de Mayo party in book 2.

As the public face of Vows wedding planning company, Parker Brown has an uncanny knack for fulfilling every bride’s vision. She just can’t see where her own life is headed. Mechanic Malcomb Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker is no exception. Both know that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step. Parker’s business risks have always paid off, but now she’ll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart…

I loved everything about Parker and Mal. They are two very different people from very different backgrounds and yet at the core they want the very same thing, a family,  a family that is the core of who and what they are.

Parker with her spreadsheets and manners, Mal with his greased jeans and Harley, on the surface they aren’t a couple that you would expect to be together, that is until you see them together, and they make perfect sense, because they just fit.

Two of my favorite scenes were when she goes to dinner at his mother’s, and when he screws up and how he apologizes to her. He doesn’t buy her flowers of jewelry he gets her something that he knows she loves. Something that she doesn’t expect in the least.

One of the things that I loved about this series is all the wedding parts. It has made me remember my wedding, and wondering what I would do different if I had these four in charge of it, and also how much in love I was with Mike when we got married.

If you haven’t read this series yet, than you will love everything about these four friends, and the men that they fall in love with, if you have read the other books in this series and have been anxiously awaiting this book like I have than you won’t be disappointed.

I so love the covers of all these books as well.

Grade A+

Posted in Contemporary, Review

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Savor the Moment

Posted on June 1, 2010 by TBRG| Leave a comment

Savor the Moment

Bride Quartet bk 3

Nora Roberts

This is one series that started strong and has had stayed strong throughout.

Wedding cake baker Laurel McBane appreciates a strong, intelligent man–a man just like Parker’s older brother, Delaney. But Del is out of her reach and too protective of Laurel to ever cross the line with her, or so she thinks. After a mind-blowing kiss, Laurel will have to quiet the doubts in her mind to turn a moment of passion into forever.

Laurel has been in love with her best friends brother for most of her life and has resigned herself to the place that he has put her in as his honorary little sister, that is however until she has a little to much to drink on night and lays one on him.

Del has had no clue that Laurel had those kinds of feelings for him (can we say clueless man here), and it takes some getting used to, however he is soon very much on board with changing their relationship.

In Jack and Emma’s book we got to see some meddling from the gang, however in this book they go one step better and actually make a bet on how long it will take them to get it on. Del and Laurel decided to win the bet, which means that they can date and make out but no nookie.

The romance between these two felt very natural, as if they had each just been waiting for the right moment. There are some moments between them that they have to work out like any relationship, and they do.

I loved the ending in this book, and how Del proposes to Laurel, it is very much about them, but also those that they have loved.

I give this book a 5 out of 5.

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