Tuesday 3 April 2012
Friday 16 March 2012
The Night Tales Series
The night tales series is made up of 5 books.
Night Shift
Night Shadow
Nightshade
Nightsmoke
Nightshield
The five books are all linked by a family etc as all of Nora's series and trilogies tend to but these ones are a little different. These books are a little darker with a more violent twist than her other books. She focuses all of the books characters meeting etc at night.
I throughly enjoyed these books and cannot decide which one i like the most!
Night Shift
Cilla O'Rourke is a beautiful young woman with a voice that could melt a thousand mens hearts. She is the voice of a radio show in Denver 10pm-2am. She is sexy and sultry on air and is a massive hit with the listeners. So much so that she is being stalked and threatened by a man.
The threats become a little more serious and violent in nature so the radio call in the cops.
In walks the sexy strong and somewhat moody Boyd Fletcher. Ahhhhhhhh sexy is what you feel from this man he is just pure MAN!
His partner is Althea Grayson who we meet later in another book, she is cool and composed and very in control.
Boyd has been facinated by Cilla's voice on the radio for some time and after meeting her he sees she is not what he expected, she is better!
Passion and feelings of wanting are immediately in effect on both sides but as Cilla's mother was a detective and her father a public defender who both got killed in action in the same room by the same man is too much for Cilla and she immediately refuses any and all advances.
BUT and there is always a but i think.....
Cilla cant help but need and be drawn to Boyd, he is hers and he fits and they both fall madly in love. In the meantime the psycho steps up his game and eventually has Cilla on the ropes. He attacks at the station and Boyd gets stabbed badly, Cilla fights with the psycho and Althea shoots him dead.
Boyd is critical in hospital and the usual fear and worry ensue. Deborah O'Rourke is Cilla's sister and in college she and Cilla are all each other have, we see more of the stunningly beautiful Deborah in the next book.
After much confusion and heart ache from Cilla and a very lovely proposal from Boyd the way she answers him is lovely and totally fits the characters. I will let you read that for yourseleves.
Night Shadow
This book is a little more on the dark and supernatural side. I will let you decide if you like it or not but in my opinion its pretty good and interesting.
The completly straight by the book asisstant district attorney Deborah O'Rourke takes no prisoners in the court room and she rarely looses. She is strong and confident and she believes wholeheartedly in what she is doing. On her way to her car in a very dangerous part of Urbana she gets attacked and dragged into an alley. The dark mysterious renegade the tabloids call Nemesis saves her just before she attempts to save herself. She is grateful but doesnt entirely believe in why he does what he does but she is physically attracted to him and he to her.
Gage Guthrie is a very powerful man, he has so much money he lives in a castle! He was a cop but on his last undercover sting it all went wrong, his best friend and partner got killed and he ended up in a coma fighting for his life.
When he came to 9 months later he had a special 'gift' for making himself disappear.... interesting??
Deborah meets Gage and is a little taken with him, he knows who she is but she doesnt know who he is... She gives in and dates him becoming more involved and falling in love but she is also falling in love with Nemesis who is repeatingly saving her life. She turns down sleeping with Gage but cannot refuse Nemesis, she gives in and when he kisses her for the first time she knows who he is.
Its terribly heart breaking and so emotional and she is torn between her beliefs and her love for Gage/Nemesis.
She moves into his castle and discovers that he is not exactly just nemesis, he has a kind of bat cave i suppose you could call it.
After her current case get very detailed and her life is put in danger, Gage helps her and together they work out who is behind it all and who killed his partner and almost him all those years before.
After a very violent showdown they get the bad guy and its all happy endings again. Another dark book with mystery and suspence intertwined with a little sex and passion to liven it up a little. Nora always stays true to her characters and underlying power of 'meant to be together' she still focuses on their passion and love and how good there are for each other.
An enjoyable book and you get to see Cilla and Boyd a little too, married with three kids.
Nightshade
Althea Grayson is a very tough cop, she was Boyd Fletchers partner and a friend. She now works alone and Boyd is the Captain. She is on a terrible date with a terrible man and she gets beeped to a scene. She is all dressed up but its her job.
On the scene is Colt Nightshade, he was speaking to the dead man when a drive by happened. He dived for cover and the other guy didnt.
Colt is a very good and old friend of Boyds and when he finds out Colt is there is drags him in to find out whats happeneing.
Althea in her dress sits in and he immediately likes what he sees. She on the other hand doesnt, sure he is really hot and has a great body but his attitude stinks.
A friends daughter ran away and now she is missing, a letter from another girl told her parents she was being held by some men so they asked Colt to help find her. He of course helps and ends up in Denver and working with Boyd and Althea.
As they get deeper and deeper into the case he is a loose cannon and she tries to be calm and hold restraint. they soon realise that they like each other and that they have a little spark. The case is looking into sex tapes and young women which is hard but has to be done.
Althea has a past and not a good one growing up in the foster system, it touches her this case and Colt doesnt hear why until the end but he grew up with a great childhood and has got a harvard degree in law, has been in the airforce and been on serect missions. An all rounder you might say?
After a funny night stuck in the mountains they find where the girl is and Althea goes in to distract the three men while Colt gets her out. Thea can really handle herself and he goes back to help her and she has it all under control.
After she talks to the girl and helps her through the ordeal and explains that if she can do it then anyone can.
After a very emotional scene and a lot of thinking and understanding on her part she finally gives in to Colt. He wants to marry her on new years eve but she has other ideas.
She shocks him in saying yes to start with but no to new years eve, she wants it at thanksgiving at Boyd and Cillas home.
You see her marry Colt at the end of the book with Cilla and Boyd, Deborah and Gage (and baby) and a few friends and family. A really lovely story and ending i think!
Nightsmoke
This book follows Natalie Fletcher (Boyds sister) who runs the family business and is extremely sucessful. After a really late night she gets a call one of her buildings is on fire. After she gets there the arson investigator arrives. Ryan is moody and mean and really really fit!!
She really doesnt like him especially when he almost accuses her of fraud and he really doesnt like her and thinks she has far to much money and doesnt really get the whole poor thing.
They clash and fight and he falls in love, she does eventually too. As they work together to find out who set the fire, more happen and it starts to look like someone is after her.
After a very emotional and horrible fight, he breaks it off because he doesnt think that they could ever belong together and live in the same world however after she storms off telling him that she loved him and immediately leaves the city he goes after her. Following her around trying to apologise.
She eventually comes back after a heart to heart with Thea (a very pregnant and in labour Thea) and he mets her at the airport. They argue and he tries and tries to apologise, she goes ot her office and just as they are sorting out how they feel an explosion in the office and a fire breaks out. They are trapped on the 42 floor and the exit is blocked by fire.
He knows there isnt much time so endagers his own life to save hers.
They get out and into hospital and after a touch 24 hours Nat is fine and he is mending. After a touching heart to heart in the hospital as she is discharged he agrees that maybe they could start by living together and she refuses only to tell him she wants marriage and kids.
A really happy moment that makes you heart swell and go arrrrrrrrr.
Nightshield
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and i think this one is probably my favourite. I think its my favourite because i felt more drawn to the bad boy character?
Allison Fletcher is a detective like her dad Boyd was, he is now the commisioner and she is in his old precinct. Due to recent break in's and their link to a local club the owner is asked to help. He has known Boyd a long time and owes him his life.
Jonah is a once upon a time crook as a child and really horrible childhood until Boyd helped him. When he meets Ally he is a little taken with her and he decides nothing can happen because of Boyd.
They rub each other up the wrong way alot and they begin to have a little steam and passion.
After she has worked in the bar undercover for a week they get a break and find the people responsiblefor the break in's. She goes off with her team to arest them and it goes a little wrong. An officer is shot and she is shot at so has to shoot a woman dead.
Jonah goes to her at the hospital and takes her home, he feels protective of her and they start to get closer. He stops whats happening with no reason and she finds the challenge exciting.
Once she has cracked most of the case and is interviewing the workers at the bar she seduces Jonah. He has no choice and is totally taken in by her and they finally have their time.
The sex and passion is really intense and probably the best out of all in this series. The ring leader of the burglaries heads for her and her apartment gets trashed, she moves in with Jonah in the meantime.
The bad ultimately comes to a head and a bloody violent one where Jonah jumps infront of a bullet to save Ally.
After much heat and arguing she tells him she lvoes him and wants to marry him which shocks him.
The book jumps to them arguing about a sports event and have been married for 18 months, when she comes in from the kitchen he is gone.
He is in the bedroom holding their 2 week old baby daughter.......
Really good series and i enjoyed them a lot, not what i expected but i was plesantly suprised. I believe i am yet to find one of her books i dont like. maybe i never will?
my score for the series 8/10.
Night Shift
Night Shadow
Nightshade
Nightsmoke
Nightshield
The five books are all linked by a family etc as all of Nora's series and trilogies tend to but these ones are a little different. These books are a little darker with a more violent twist than her other books. She focuses all of the books characters meeting etc at night.
I throughly enjoyed these books and cannot decide which one i like the most!
Night Shift
Cilla O'Rourke is a beautiful young woman with a voice that could melt a thousand mens hearts. She is the voice of a radio show in Denver 10pm-2am. She is sexy and sultry on air and is a massive hit with the listeners. So much so that she is being stalked and threatened by a man.
The threats become a little more serious and violent in nature so the radio call in the cops.
In walks the sexy strong and somewhat moody Boyd Fletcher. Ahhhhhhhh sexy is what you feel from this man he is just pure MAN!
His partner is Althea Grayson who we meet later in another book, she is cool and composed and very in control.
Boyd has been facinated by Cilla's voice on the radio for some time and after meeting her he sees she is not what he expected, she is better!
Passion and feelings of wanting are immediately in effect on both sides but as Cilla's mother was a detective and her father a public defender who both got killed in action in the same room by the same man is too much for Cilla and she immediately refuses any and all advances.
BUT and there is always a but i think.....
Cilla cant help but need and be drawn to Boyd, he is hers and he fits and they both fall madly in love. In the meantime the psycho steps up his game and eventually has Cilla on the ropes. He attacks at the station and Boyd gets stabbed badly, Cilla fights with the psycho and Althea shoots him dead.
Boyd is critical in hospital and the usual fear and worry ensue. Deborah O'Rourke is Cilla's sister and in college she and Cilla are all each other have, we see more of the stunningly beautiful Deborah in the next book.
After much confusion and heart ache from Cilla and a very lovely proposal from Boyd the way she answers him is lovely and totally fits the characters. I will let you read that for yourseleves.
Night Shadow
This book is a little more on the dark and supernatural side. I will let you decide if you like it or not but in my opinion its pretty good and interesting.
The completly straight by the book asisstant district attorney Deborah O'Rourke takes no prisoners in the court room and she rarely looses. She is strong and confident and she believes wholeheartedly in what she is doing. On her way to her car in a very dangerous part of Urbana she gets attacked and dragged into an alley. The dark mysterious renegade the tabloids call Nemesis saves her just before she attempts to save herself. She is grateful but doesnt entirely believe in why he does what he does but she is physically attracted to him and he to her.
Gage Guthrie is a very powerful man, he has so much money he lives in a castle! He was a cop but on his last undercover sting it all went wrong, his best friend and partner got killed and he ended up in a coma fighting for his life.
When he came to 9 months later he had a special 'gift' for making himself disappear.... interesting??
Deborah meets Gage and is a little taken with him, he knows who she is but she doesnt know who he is... She gives in and dates him becoming more involved and falling in love but she is also falling in love with Nemesis who is repeatingly saving her life. She turns down sleeping with Gage but cannot refuse Nemesis, she gives in and when he kisses her for the first time she knows who he is.
Its terribly heart breaking and so emotional and she is torn between her beliefs and her love for Gage/Nemesis.
She moves into his castle and discovers that he is not exactly just nemesis, he has a kind of bat cave i suppose you could call it.
After her current case get very detailed and her life is put in danger, Gage helps her and together they work out who is behind it all and who killed his partner and almost him all those years before.
After a very violent showdown they get the bad guy and its all happy endings again. Another dark book with mystery and suspence intertwined with a little sex and passion to liven it up a little. Nora always stays true to her characters and underlying power of 'meant to be together' she still focuses on their passion and love and how good there are for each other.
An enjoyable book and you get to see Cilla and Boyd a little too, married with three kids.
Nightshade
Althea Grayson is a very tough cop, she was Boyd Fletchers partner and a friend. She now works alone and Boyd is the Captain. She is on a terrible date with a terrible man and she gets beeped to a scene. She is all dressed up but its her job.
On the scene is Colt Nightshade, he was speaking to the dead man when a drive by happened. He dived for cover and the other guy didnt.
Colt is a very good and old friend of Boyds and when he finds out Colt is there is drags him in to find out whats happeneing.
Althea in her dress sits in and he immediately likes what he sees. She on the other hand doesnt, sure he is really hot and has a great body but his attitude stinks.
A friends daughter ran away and now she is missing, a letter from another girl told her parents she was being held by some men so they asked Colt to help find her. He of course helps and ends up in Denver and working with Boyd and Althea.
As they get deeper and deeper into the case he is a loose cannon and she tries to be calm and hold restraint. they soon realise that they like each other and that they have a little spark. The case is looking into sex tapes and young women which is hard but has to be done.
Althea has a past and not a good one growing up in the foster system, it touches her this case and Colt doesnt hear why until the end but he grew up with a great childhood and has got a harvard degree in law, has been in the airforce and been on serect missions. An all rounder you might say?
After a funny night stuck in the mountains they find where the girl is and Althea goes in to distract the three men while Colt gets her out. Thea can really handle herself and he goes back to help her and she has it all under control.
After she talks to the girl and helps her through the ordeal and explains that if she can do it then anyone can.
After a very emotional scene and a lot of thinking and understanding on her part she finally gives in to Colt. He wants to marry her on new years eve but she has other ideas.
She shocks him in saying yes to start with but no to new years eve, she wants it at thanksgiving at Boyd and Cillas home.
You see her marry Colt at the end of the book with Cilla and Boyd, Deborah and Gage (and baby) and a few friends and family. A really lovely story and ending i think!
Nightsmoke
This book follows Natalie Fletcher (Boyds sister) who runs the family business and is extremely sucessful. After a really late night she gets a call one of her buildings is on fire. After she gets there the arson investigator arrives. Ryan is moody and mean and really really fit!!
She really doesnt like him especially when he almost accuses her of fraud and he really doesnt like her and thinks she has far to much money and doesnt really get the whole poor thing.
They clash and fight and he falls in love, she does eventually too. As they work together to find out who set the fire, more happen and it starts to look like someone is after her.
After a very emotional and horrible fight, he breaks it off because he doesnt think that they could ever belong together and live in the same world however after she storms off telling him that she loved him and immediately leaves the city he goes after her. Following her around trying to apologise.
She eventually comes back after a heart to heart with Thea (a very pregnant and in labour Thea) and he mets her at the airport. They argue and he tries and tries to apologise, she goes ot her office and just as they are sorting out how they feel an explosion in the office and a fire breaks out. They are trapped on the 42 floor and the exit is blocked by fire.
He knows there isnt much time so endagers his own life to save hers.
They get out and into hospital and after a touch 24 hours Nat is fine and he is mending. After a touching heart to heart in the hospital as she is discharged he agrees that maybe they could start by living together and she refuses only to tell him she wants marriage and kids.
A really happy moment that makes you heart swell and go arrrrrrrrr.
Nightshield
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and i think this one is probably my favourite. I think its my favourite because i felt more drawn to the bad boy character?
Allison Fletcher is a detective like her dad Boyd was, he is now the commisioner and she is in his old precinct. Due to recent break in's and their link to a local club the owner is asked to help. He has known Boyd a long time and owes him his life.
Jonah is a once upon a time crook as a child and really horrible childhood until Boyd helped him. When he meets Ally he is a little taken with her and he decides nothing can happen because of Boyd.
They rub each other up the wrong way alot and they begin to have a little steam and passion.
After she has worked in the bar undercover for a week they get a break and find the people responsiblefor the break in's. She goes off with her team to arest them and it goes a little wrong. An officer is shot and she is shot at so has to shoot a woman dead.
Jonah goes to her at the hospital and takes her home, he feels protective of her and they start to get closer. He stops whats happening with no reason and she finds the challenge exciting.
Once she has cracked most of the case and is interviewing the workers at the bar she seduces Jonah. He has no choice and is totally taken in by her and they finally have their time.
The sex and passion is really intense and probably the best out of all in this series. The ring leader of the burglaries heads for her and her apartment gets trashed, she moves in with Jonah in the meantime.
The bad ultimately comes to a head and a bloody violent one where Jonah jumps infront of a bullet to save Ally.
After much heat and arguing she tells him she lvoes him and wants to marry him which shocks him.
The book jumps to them arguing about a sports event and have been married for 18 months, when she comes in from the kitchen he is gone.
He is in the bedroom holding their 2 week old baby daughter.......
Really good series and i enjoyed them a lot, not what i expected but i was plesantly suprised. I believe i am yet to find one of her books i dont like. maybe i never will?
my score for the series 8/10.
Friday 2 March 2012
The Stanislaski series by Nora Roberts
The stanislaski series consists of 6 books focusing around the Ukranian family.
Taming Natasha- Natasha and Spencer Kimball
Luring a Lady- Mikhail and Sydney Hayward
Falling for Rachel- Rachel and Zack Muldoon
Convincing Alex- Alexi and Bess McKnee
Waiting for Nick- Nick LeBeck (Zack's brother) and Freddie Kimball (Natasha and Spence daughter)
Considering Kate- Kate Kimball and Brody O'Connell
A really lovely series that i have to say thoroughly enjoyed reading. The wonderful story of how the Ukranian family came to settle in America.
I was unsure if i would like this series because the titles didnt really stand out to me and i didnt think i would enjoy them that much.
I was wrong again and did infact really enjoy them.
Taming Natasha
Natasha is a wonderfully energetic and loving character and i was a little taken by her in this book. She lives in West Virginia and owns a toy store. She has a past and a history, coming to America at a young age and sruggling the first few years of her life there. The moe from the war torn Ukraine was difficult and frightening but her parents wanted what was best for them.
Natasha and her two siblings came into the country and made a life for themselves. Her youngest sister was born in America.
Spence Kimball is a widow with a 5 year old daughter Freddie. He moves to the small town to give his daughter the best life possible. He is a world famous composer and one that Natasha knows about and has danced to when she was prima ballerina.
Natasha and Spence hit it off and become entangled with each other. Natasha falls in love with Freddie and struggles with her feelings for Spence. She once was in love and fell pregnant following that she quit ballet and had the baby. Shortly after birth the baby dies and leaves Natasha distraught.
Natasha has to relive and come to terms with her past in order to make a future for herself.
Her family make their debut in this book, brothers Mikhail and Alexi and sister Rachel and the brilliant Nadia and Yuri her parents.
Yuri is the centre of this family and Nadia is the heart of that centre, strong characters that reminded me a little of The MacGreggors.
I really enjoyed this book and couldnt wait to start on the next. As you know i have OCD when it come to reading and if i start a series/trilogy etc i have to finish the whole lot in sequence and one after the other while the last is still in my mind.
Luring a Lady
Mikhail is a very strong and huge man. He exerts power and stregnth and makes women weak at the knees. He has an accent and can melt away any fears or thoughts with his gentle words. He is of course very good looking as all of Nora's men are!
He is a carpenter and artist. He works with his father on contruction but indulges in art and sculpting with wood.
Sydney Haywood is a business woman and just taken over her grandfather property business that she has no idea how to run. Mikhail lives in a building she owns and has issues with maintanence etc and after no help or contact for 18 months he charges head first into her office demanding answers.
She explains her grandfather died and she has recently taken over. She promises to start repairs immediately.
Both of them however feel the passion and sizzle when they were near each other and they found themselves interested. She goes to the building to help and get to know Mikhail and he finds himself more and more infatuated with her.
She was married before so of course there lies the issue that is going to comeback and bite them in the ass come the time they say 'I love you'.
True to form the story involves the rest of the family and the relationship crashes, after a heartfelt one to one with her ex husband Sydney realises she needs Mikhail and him her.
Happy happy ending of course.......
Falling for Rachel
Rachel was born in America and resents it always, not having the history of walking through the mountains to America to a better life. She was born into that better life.
She is a lawyer, public defender to be exact and loves her job.
Nick LeBeck is arrested by Alexi, Rachels brother and Rachel is his PD. Messed up in a gang and a load of crap that goes along with it.
Zack Muldoon is Nick's older step brother who was in the Navy for year, returning when his father died 2 years before.
After court Zack and Rachel are appointed legal guardians of Nick and have to work together to help him.
As you can imagine the story goes into the whole history of Nick and Zack and Rachel trying to get through to him. He gives in a little and she takes them to meet her family and Nick slowly melts. Freddie falls in love with Nick then at the age of 13 (watch this space!).
After much love and passion and plenty of sex the end blow and final woosh is Nicks old gang trying to rob Zack's bar and shoot him. Nick jumps infront of the bullet and nearly dies.
Is there a happy ending???
OF COURSE there is, Nora wouldnt dissapoint!
Convincing Alex
Alexi is a cop and a good one. He is working on the case of prostitutes being murdered. He arrests 2 women he believes are working girls and wants to question them about the murders. Once he gets them to the station he finds out that the cute blonde is actually not a hooker but a writer for a popular soap and is in fact a red head.
There is immediate annoyance on his part and some attraction. She is very happy and enthusiastic about life and the show.
After much resistance Alex finally gives in to his needs and desires and the finally admit they have feelings for each other.
There again is the emotional deal of Bess easily falling in love and dealing with the fact that this time it is real love and Alex cant accept that. Alex has issues with trust and jealousy and he hates to not be in control.
Bess inadvertantly helps Alex solve the case and finally things become better, and a happy ending happens.
I liked Alex's character and Bess is a brilliant and vibrant person. She fits in well with the family and its great to once again see the family and how they have all changed and grown. Natasha has had children and so has Mikhail and his Sydney is preggers again and Rachel is about to pop and goes into labour at the dinner table!
Its a great read and again i enjoyed it.
Waiting for Nick
This book follows Nick (Zack's brother) and Freddie (Natasha and Spence's daughter). Now she is 24 and moving to New York to follow her dream of being a lyricist. As Nick is a composer and a good one about to write the score for a new musical it is a perfect time for her to start her career and also get him to fall in love with her like she has been with him for the last 10 years.
Zack is dealing with his past and still has it interferring with his life. After seeing that Freddie is set on helping he lets her try and while they do they slowly fall in love and fall into bed.
The musical is being funded by Reed Valentine and Maddy O'Hurley is starring, YES YOU HEARD IT RIGHT!!! This is a fabulous twist and i very much enjoyed the fact that we get to meet all of the O'Hurley's again. I was shocked and totally excited when i got to read all about them again.
Abby and Dylan had 4 kids, Maddy and Reed had 3 (1 twins) and Chantel and Quinn had triplet boys. It was lovely to see how their characters have developed.
After a violent and heart breaking scene there is a happy ending at the end!
Considering Kate
Kate Kimball is a strong and confident woman who knows exactly what she wants. She is a prima ballerina and had success all over the world.
She moves back to West Virginia now wanting to settle down. She opens a dance school and hires Brody O'Connell to do the rehab. He has a small boy and is a widow, the story has a similar ring to Natasha and Spence's story.
They hit it off and after much getting in his way she finally wears him down and they get jiggy!
Kate goes to New York for a one off performance and gets Brody and Jack to go with her to see her dance.
The principle dancer and choreographer for the dance is Davidof (from Reflections and Dreams book, not yet blogged) I loved that again Nora has connected her books and feel that this is something she will continue to do over the list.
After an emotional finale they finally admit they want to be together forever and want to get married and the cutest bit is when Jack asks Kate to marry hima dn his father. Its too cute.
Again the rest of the Stanislaski gang is in the story and all of the generations, Nick and Freddie have 2 kids in this book which is great and the progression of all of the characters is relative.
Emensly enjoyed this series and was a little sad they ended, they had fantasy and romance and dance and violence and lots of heart ache. Brilliant writing and wonderful insight into really dreadful things that happen to people in the real world.
The tug at your heart strings and ou find yourself aching along with the characters and you find crying and laughing with them too.
I was actually on the train and reading one of the books and there was a really funny part that i laughed at forgetting i was on the train and not sitting ina quiet room, i was that engrossed in the story.
Quite simply LOVED IT! 10/10.
Taming Natasha- Natasha and Spencer Kimball
Luring a Lady- Mikhail and Sydney Hayward
Falling for Rachel- Rachel and Zack Muldoon
Convincing Alex- Alexi and Bess McKnee
Waiting for Nick- Nick LeBeck (Zack's brother) and Freddie Kimball (Natasha and Spence daughter)
Considering Kate- Kate Kimball and Brody O'Connell
A really lovely series that i have to say thoroughly enjoyed reading. The wonderful story of how the Ukranian family came to settle in America.
I was unsure if i would like this series because the titles didnt really stand out to me and i didnt think i would enjoy them that much.
I was wrong again and did infact really enjoy them.
Taming Natasha
Natasha is a wonderfully energetic and loving character and i was a little taken by her in this book. She lives in West Virginia and owns a toy store. She has a past and a history, coming to America at a young age and sruggling the first few years of her life there. The moe from the war torn Ukraine was difficult and frightening but her parents wanted what was best for them.
Natasha and her two siblings came into the country and made a life for themselves. Her youngest sister was born in America.
Spence Kimball is a widow with a 5 year old daughter Freddie. He moves to the small town to give his daughter the best life possible. He is a world famous composer and one that Natasha knows about and has danced to when she was prima ballerina.
Natasha and Spence hit it off and become entangled with each other. Natasha falls in love with Freddie and struggles with her feelings for Spence. She once was in love and fell pregnant following that she quit ballet and had the baby. Shortly after birth the baby dies and leaves Natasha distraught.
Natasha has to relive and come to terms with her past in order to make a future for herself.
Her family make their debut in this book, brothers Mikhail and Alexi and sister Rachel and the brilliant Nadia and Yuri her parents.
Yuri is the centre of this family and Nadia is the heart of that centre, strong characters that reminded me a little of The MacGreggors.
I really enjoyed this book and couldnt wait to start on the next. As you know i have OCD when it come to reading and if i start a series/trilogy etc i have to finish the whole lot in sequence and one after the other while the last is still in my mind.
Luring a Lady
Mikhail is a very strong and huge man. He exerts power and stregnth and makes women weak at the knees. He has an accent and can melt away any fears or thoughts with his gentle words. He is of course very good looking as all of Nora's men are!
He is a carpenter and artist. He works with his father on contruction but indulges in art and sculpting with wood.
Sydney Haywood is a business woman and just taken over her grandfather property business that she has no idea how to run. Mikhail lives in a building she owns and has issues with maintanence etc and after no help or contact for 18 months he charges head first into her office demanding answers.
She explains her grandfather died and she has recently taken over. She promises to start repairs immediately.
Both of them however feel the passion and sizzle when they were near each other and they found themselves interested. She goes to the building to help and get to know Mikhail and he finds himself more and more infatuated with her.
She was married before so of course there lies the issue that is going to comeback and bite them in the ass come the time they say 'I love you'.
True to form the story involves the rest of the family and the relationship crashes, after a heartfelt one to one with her ex husband Sydney realises she needs Mikhail and him her.
Happy happy ending of course.......
Falling for Rachel
Rachel was born in America and resents it always, not having the history of walking through the mountains to America to a better life. She was born into that better life.
She is a lawyer, public defender to be exact and loves her job.
Nick LeBeck is arrested by Alexi, Rachels brother and Rachel is his PD. Messed up in a gang and a load of crap that goes along with it.
Zack Muldoon is Nick's older step brother who was in the Navy for year, returning when his father died 2 years before.
After court Zack and Rachel are appointed legal guardians of Nick and have to work together to help him.
As you can imagine the story goes into the whole history of Nick and Zack and Rachel trying to get through to him. He gives in a little and she takes them to meet her family and Nick slowly melts. Freddie falls in love with Nick then at the age of 13 (watch this space!).
After much love and passion and plenty of sex the end blow and final woosh is Nicks old gang trying to rob Zack's bar and shoot him. Nick jumps infront of the bullet and nearly dies.
Is there a happy ending???
OF COURSE there is, Nora wouldnt dissapoint!
Convincing Alex
Alexi is a cop and a good one. He is working on the case of prostitutes being murdered. He arrests 2 women he believes are working girls and wants to question them about the murders. Once he gets them to the station he finds out that the cute blonde is actually not a hooker but a writer for a popular soap and is in fact a red head.
There is immediate annoyance on his part and some attraction. She is very happy and enthusiastic about life and the show.
After much resistance Alex finally gives in to his needs and desires and the finally admit they have feelings for each other.
There again is the emotional deal of Bess easily falling in love and dealing with the fact that this time it is real love and Alex cant accept that. Alex has issues with trust and jealousy and he hates to not be in control.
Bess inadvertantly helps Alex solve the case and finally things become better, and a happy ending happens.
I liked Alex's character and Bess is a brilliant and vibrant person. She fits in well with the family and its great to once again see the family and how they have all changed and grown. Natasha has had children and so has Mikhail and his Sydney is preggers again and Rachel is about to pop and goes into labour at the dinner table!
Its a great read and again i enjoyed it.
Waiting for Nick
This book follows Nick (Zack's brother) and Freddie (Natasha and Spence's daughter). Now she is 24 and moving to New York to follow her dream of being a lyricist. As Nick is a composer and a good one about to write the score for a new musical it is a perfect time for her to start her career and also get him to fall in love with her like she has been with him for the last 10 years.
Zack is dealing with his past and still has it interferring with his life. After seeing that Freddie is set on helping he lets her try and while they do they slowly fall in love and fall into bed.
The musical is being funded by Reed Valentine and Maddy O'Hurley is starring, YES YOU HEARD IT RIGHT!!! This is a fabulous twist and i very much enjoyed the fact that we get to meet all of the O'Hurley's again. I was shocked and totally excited when i got to read all about them again.
Abby and Dylan had 4 kids, Maddy and Reed had 3 (1 twins) and Chantel and Quinn had triplet boys. It was lovely to see how their characters have developed.
After a violent and heart breaking scene there is a happy ending at the end!
Considering Kate
Kate Kimball is a strong and confident woman who knows exactly what she wants. She is a prima ballerina and had success all over the world.
She moves back to West Virginia now wanting to settle down. She opens a dance school and hires Brody O'Connell to do the rehab. He has a small boy and is a widow, the story has a similar ring to Natasha and Spence's story.
They hit it off and after much getting in his way she finally wears him down and they get jiggy!
Kate goes to New York for a one off performance and gets Brody and Jack to go with her to see her dance.
The principle dancer and choreographer for the dance is Davidof (from Reflections and Dreams book, not yet blogged) I loved that again Nora has connected her books and feel that this is something she will continue to do over the list.
After an emotional finale they finally admit they want to be together forever and want to get married and the cutest bit is when Jack asks Kate to marry hima dn his father. Its too cute.
Again the rest of the Stanislaski gang is in the story and all of the generations, Nick and Freddie have 2 kids in this book which is great and the progression of all of the characters is relative.
Emensly enjoyed this series and was a little sad they ended, they had fantasy and romance and dance and violence and lots of heart ache. Brilliant writing and wonderful insight into really dreadful things that happen to people in the real world.
The tug at your heart strings and ou find yourself aching along with the characters and you find crying and laughing with them too.
I was actually on the train and reading one of the books and there was a really funny part that i laughed at forgetting i was on the train and not sitting ina quiet room, i was that engrossed in the story.
Quite simply LOVED IT! 10/10.
Sunday 26 February 2012
The O'Hurleys Series
The O'Hurley Series is made up of four books. They follow the story of three sister (triplets) and their older brother. All led by the talented and strong Frank O'Hurley.
The Last Honest Woman- Abby O'Hurley
Dance to the Piper- Maddy O'Hurley
Skin Deep- Chantel O'Hurley
Without a Trace- Trace O'Hurley
The parents Molly and Frank are entertainers and live like gypsies forever on the road looking for their next show. Trace being the eldest plays the piano and is part of the acts but the triplets are the stars. Abby's beautiful voice and gentle nature, Maddy's super dancing feet and her hunger for the outragious and beautiful then Chantel the dramatic and most beautiful of all (and probably the vainest!).
The Last Honest Woman
Abby Rockwell is the middle sisiter and a beautiful and talented woman, she lives with her two sons on a farm in virginia. She tends to the farm and breeds horses to earn money. She loves her life and her boys yet her husband who died years before still haunts her.
Dylan Crosby is a writer and journalist and very good one at that. He is employed to write a story, an official biography about Abby's husband t he great and notorious Chuck Rockwell the racing driver.
Abby has never spoken about her time with Chuck and has tried to forget about it however she needs the money and it would pay well so she agrees.
Dylan comes to stay with them and of course he is goegeous as well. They are immediately attracted however Dylan believes she is some rich widow who is living off the inheritance and hiding the truth.
She is hiding hte truth but not hte one he thinks and believes. He finds this hardworking honest woman who appears to not be rich. Chuck had been very wealthy not just from racing but from family as well.
Abby had nothing and got nothing when he died thanks to his mother who hated her. Abby didnt mind really but for the boys she wished she had more.
Dylan uneashes many of the memories Abby is still running from and forces her to face up to it all the while they are falling in love.
Abby's two boys are fun and Dylan falls in love with them too.
It all comes good in the end and lovely cosy happy ending.
I enjoyed this story and enjoyed the back story of the family performing and how Abby full of romance and love ran off with Chuck and got married at 18.
A heart warming story of heart ache and freedom. Nora doesnt fail to entice you with a little mystery and violence. She is true to herself when giving all of her main characters in the books a little back story and history.
Dance to the Piper
Maddy O'Hurley is the youngest sister and a dancer and performer on the theatre circuit in New York. She is a broadway star but doesnt have the ego of one. She works hard and enjoys her job.
She has the lead in a new play about a stripper adn is very excited to play this very sexual and strong female. The routines are gruelling and she is exhausted most of the time. The funding for the play is being given by a owner of Valentine records, a record producing company that is one of the most successful. Reed Valentine is the new owner after his father stepped down to retire.
Reed visits the studio and bumps into Maddy they immediately have a moment and as you have probably guessed it a romance ensues although they are completly different from each other and she is a gypsy and he a very tailored and successfull business man in suits and no stubble.
Lots of heart ache and worry on her part, lots of anger and distrust on his side. Proves for a wonderfully emotionally charged few chapters and a happy happy ending.
You catch up a little with Abby and Dylan in this story and they are married and she is pregnant. Its wonderful to see the previous characters which Nora does well with the trilogoes and series.
I enjoyed this book and it was a good read.
Skin Deep
Chantel O'Hurley is the eldest sister and a world successsful actress of movies. Sh elights up the screen and is very good at what she does. It helps that she si absolutely stunning and has a great personality to boot. Although she is a little materialistic, why not she is rich and never had that as a child so shse deserved the best.
Chantel starts to get harrassed by who she thinks is a crazed fan. He sends her roses and follows her and even phones her house nad trailor on set.
She eventuall tells her manager who enlists the help of his friend and security expert Quinn Doran. He has a history that is kept quiet and not until the last book do you get it! Excellent!
He is strong and a little rude which irritates Chantel. He thinks she is a silly actress who deserves what hse gets after all she chose to be an actress.
He takes the job and after living in her house for a few weeks realises that she is not what she appears to be and immediately satrts to fall in love with her.
She has been burned before and is reluctant to get into another relationship but Quinn is very persuasive and he is always there for her witht the stalker.
They rub each other the wrong way and right way i suppose!! Its actually quite fun to read and when they go to New York for Maddy and Reed's wedding the stalker strikes again and there is a lot of stress and worry.
The story really keeps you guessing who the stalker is beacause it is clearly someone close to her.
They both cant figure it out and when the stalker strikes for the last time its already a little late.
She is trapped in the pool house and it is on fire, Quinn is on his way back from a meeting with her manager and sees the fire.
An exciting scene and a happy ending of course.
Without a Trace
Trace O'Hurley is the older brother and hasnt seen his family in about 8 years. He lives around the world and his family have no idea what he does for a living.
Turns out he is an agent as in James Bond without all of the fancy gadgets and glamour!
He is on holiday and decides that it his time to quit and get his life back together. In walks Gillian a doctor and desperately searching for her brother and neice.
Dr Gillian is a scientist as are all the members of her family. On the verge of developing some vaccine her brother is kidnapped by rebels and extremists. Her father too ill to help directs her to a friend who can help who then sends her to Trace.
He is reluctant to help but for some reason he feels compelled to, the friend she saw is dead and he owes it to him to see this one through and with the money she was paying him he could retire easily.
He didnt expect or want to fall in love but inevitably he did as did she.
This book is more dangerous and gives the reader a littel bit of the fantasy life. All of the other stories are a littel more believable and you can see your self as the person your reading baout however this book doesnt draw you in like that it maeks you think of a gangster movie or a spy film and you are watching all of the scenes with excitement and on the edge of your seat.
I really enjoyed Trace and he was rough and tough and a little bit mean with his bad boy persona however deep down he missed his sisters and wanted so babdly to see them.
After a very violent and exciting escape plan where Gillian shoots Trace (only a scratch) and the saving of Gillians family they go home to see his family. Making a brilliant entrance at Chantels Wedding. The littel twist i mentioned earlier with Quinn was that he was also a secret agent and had met Trace years before but didnt realise who he was (undercover names).
I enjoyed this book and the rest of them. I liked how like with most of her books there is a central parent of adult figure that pulls the families together. Frank and Molly are those people in these books and they were a pleasure to read.
My score 7/10
The Last Honest Woman- Abby O'Hurley
Dance to the Piper- Maddy O'Hurley
Skin Deep- Chantel O'Hurley
Without a Trace- Trace O'Hurley
The parents Molly and Frank are entertainers and live like gypsies forever on the road looking for their next show. Trace being the eldest plays the piano and is part of the acts but the triplets are the stars. Abby's beautiful voice and gentle nature, Maddy's super dancing feet and her hunger for the outragious and beautiful then Chantel the dramatic and most beautiful of all (and probably the vainest!).
The Last Honest Woman
Abby Rockwell is the middle sisiter and a beautiful and talented woman, she lives with her two sons on a farm in virginia. She tends to the farm and breeds horses to earn money. She loves her life and her boys yet her husband who died years before still haunts her.
Dylan Crosby is a writer and journalist and very good one at that. He is employed to write a story, an official biography about Abby's husband t he great and notorious Chuck Rockwell the racing driver.
Abby has never spoken about her time with Chuck and has tried to forget about it however she needs the money and it would pay well so she agrees.
Dylan comes to stay with them and of course he is goegeous as well. They are immediately attracted however Dylan believes she is some rich widow who is living off the inheritance and hiding the truth.
She is hiding hte truth but not hte one he thinks and believes. He finds this hardworking honest woman who appears to not be rich. Chuck had been very wealthy not just from racing but from family as well.
Abby had nothing and got nothing when he died thanks to his mother who hated her. Abby didnt mind really but for the boys she wished she had more.
Dylan uneashes many of the memories Abby is still running from and forces her to face up to it all the while they are falling in love.
Abby's two boys are fun and Dylan falls in love with them too.
It all comes good in the end and lovely cosy happy ending.
I enjoyed this story and enjoyed the back story of the family performing and how Abby full of romance and love ran off with Chuck and got married at 18.
A heart warming story of heart ache and freedom. Nora doesnt fail to entice you with a little mystery and violence. She is true to herself when giving all of her main characters in the books a little back story and history.
Dance to the Piper
Maddy O'Hurley is the youngest sister and a dancer and performer on the theatre circuit in New York. She is a broadway star but doesnt have the ego of one. She works hard and enjoys her job.
She has the lead in a new play about a stripper adn is very excited to play this very sexual and strong female. The routines are gruelling and she is exhausted most of the time. The funding for the play is being given by a owner of Valentine records, a record producing company that is one of the most successful. Reed Valentine is the new owner after his father stepped down to retire.
Reed visits the studio and bumps into Maddy they immediately have a moment and as you have probably guessed it a romance ensues although they are completly different from each other and she is a gypsy and he a very tailored and successfull business man in suits and no stubble.
Lots of heart ache and worry on her part, lots of anger and distrust on his side. Proves for a wonderfully emotionally charged few chapters and a happy happy ending.
You catch up a little with Abby and Dylan in this story and they are married and she is pregnant. Its wonderful to see the previous characters which Nora does well with the trilogoes and series.
I enjoyed this book and it was a good read.
Skin Deep
Chantel O'Hurley is the eldest sister and a world successsful actress of movies. Sh elights up the screen and is very good at what she does. It helps that she si absolutely stunning and has a great personality to boot. Although she is a little materialistic, why not she is rich and never had that as a child so shse deserved the best.
Chantel starts to get harrassed by who she thinks is a crazed fan. He sends her roses and follows her and even phones her house nad trailor on set.
She eventuall tells her manager who enlists the help of his friend and security expert Quinn Doran. He has a history that is kept quiet and not until the last book do you get it! Excellent!
He is strong and a little rude which irritates Chantel. He thinks she is a silly actress who deserves what hse gets after all she chose to be an actress.
He takes the job and after living in her house for a few weeks realises that she is not what she appears to be and immediately satrts to fall in love with her.
She has been burned before and is reluctant to get into another relationship but Quinn is very persuasive and he is always there for her witht the stalker.
They rub each other the wrong way and right way i suppose!! Its actually quite fun to read and when they go to New York for Maddy and Reed's wedding the stalker strikes again and there is a lot of stress and worry.
The story really keeps you guessing who the stalker is beacause it is clearly someone close to her.
They both cant figure it out and when the stalker strikes for the last time its already a little late.
She is trapped in the pool house and it is on fire, Quinn is on his way back from a meeting with her manager and sees the fire.
An exciting scene and a happy ending of course.
Without a Trace
Trace O'Hurley is the older brother and hasnt seen his family in about 8 years. He lives around the world and his family have no idea what he does for a living.
Turns out he is an agent as in James Bond without all of the fancy gadgets and glamour!
He is on holiday and decides that it his time to quit and get his life back together. In walks Gillian a doctor and desperately searching for her brother and neice.
Dr Gillian is a scientist as are all the members of her family. On the verge of developing some vaccine her brother is kidnapped by rebels and extremists. Her father too ill to help directs her to a friend who can help who then sends her to Trace.
He is reluctant to help but for some reason he feels compelled to, the friend she saw is dead and he owes it to him to see this one through and with the money she was paying him he could retire easily.
He didnt expect or want to fall in love but inevitably he did as did she.
This book is more dangerous and gives the reader a littel bit of the fantasy life. All of the other stories are a littel more believable and you can see your self as the person your reading baout however this book doesnt draw you in like that it maeks you think of a gangster movie or a spy film and you are watching all of the scenes with excitement and on the edge of your seat.
I really enjoyed Trace and he was rough and tough and a little bit mean with his bad boy persona however deep down he missed his sisters and wanted so babdly to see them.
After a very violent and exciting escape plan where Gillian shoots Trace (only a scratch) and the saving of Gillians family they go home to see his family. Making a brilliant entrance at Chantels Wedding. The littel twist i mentioned earlier with Quinn was that he was also a secret agent and had met Trace years before but didnt realise who he was (undercover names).
I enjoyed this book and the rest of them. I liked how like with most of her books there is a central parent of adult figure that pulls the families together. Frank and Molly are those people in these books and they were a pleasure to read.
My score 7/10
Friday 24 February 2012
The Cordina's
This series consists of four stories. It follows the lives of the very royal family of Cordina, Princess Gabriella, Prince Alexander and Prince Bennett.
Affaire Royal which follows Princess Gabriella
Command Performance follows Prince Alexander
The Playboy Prince follows Prince Bennett
The fourth book is a bit of an odd one for me, it follows Camilla the daughter of Gabriella and for me doesnt really fit. I didnt see the need for this book the three would have been just as good without this one although it was still a great read.
Affaire Royal
Princess Gabriella is a young vibrant woman who after her mother passed away became the female of the house and the one to hold all of the responsibilities that go along with that.
She is however kidnapped and escapes but left with temporary amnesia.
The amnesia story is great and I really enjoy reading these type of stories, it reminded me of the book Sophie Kinsella wrote called Remember me?
Her father Prince Armand enlists the help of Reeve MacGee an ex cop in America with a strong history of solving the most difficult and dangerous cases.
Reeve has been in love with Gabriella for a long time but at the moment she has no idea who anyone is including herself.
The book looks at her struggle with her memory and trying to find who she really is deep down all while falling head over heels in love with Reeve.
As the story evolves the identity of those involved in her kidnap become evident and the biggest enemy of Prince Armand and his family.
I enjoyed this book even though i was a little unsure at first. The characters are loveable and the whole mystery aspect adds a certain excitement to the usual sex adn romance.
Command Performance
This book follows Prince Alexander, he is the air to the throne and next in line to rule being the eldest son. He has been bred and was born for the time he was to take over from his father.
He knows this and acepts it with ease however he needs to settle down and have a family, not just needs but wants to.
Eve is a friend of Gabriella and the very best friend of Bennett. She is wild and carefree with the social upbringing to be accustomed to the lifestyle of the royal family.
She is beautiful and a successful director of theatre. She comes to Cordina at the request of Alexander to put on a series of plays for charity.
There has always been a connection with Alexander and he believes that her and Bennett have been an item. He however still persues her and wins oout her heart.
The deadly enemy from the first book strikes again in this one and decides to start setting off bombs to kill the near and dear of Prince Armand.
Eve is almost killed a couple of times and in the end is shot, jumping infront of a bullet to save Alexander.
This book had a little more violence and excitement than the first and i enjoyed reading it very much. I didnt feel massively connected to any of the characters in the book like i sometimes do and this was the same across all of them.
Overall a good read.
The Playboy Prince
The book follows Bennett the youngest of the Cordina royal family and he has lived up to the name of Playboy. Known for his sexy ways and sleeping around but he really isnt as bad as they make out.
Hannah is a very plain woman or so he thinks. She comes to stay in Cordina to help Eve and her baby and unborn baby.
Bennett is immediately attracted and interested in Hannah and starts to seduce her.
She is tough and a lot more than anyone realises, well apart from Armand and Reeve that is.
Hannah is a secret agent a kind of undercover spy you might say. She has infiltrated the enemy and they believe she is working for them. She is actually working for Reeve.
She completely opens the case and she captures the bad guy in the end, Bennetts heart is bruised that all the while they were sleeping together and falling in love she had lied about who she was.
There is a bit rough fighting in this book and Hannah is a true female power attitude kind of character and taking care of the family she now loved.
I enjoyed this book the most and the unknown whats going to happen next makes the book hard to put down.
Cordina's Crown Jewel
This book for me wasnt really necessary. It is 20+ years after the last book and focuses on Camilla, the daughter of Reeve and Gabriella. She has the life her mother had and feels trapped and shut in. She decides after almost having a nervous breakdown to flee the family for an extended holiday under her fathers name MacGee rather than Princess Cordina etc etc!
She has a car accident and ends up staying with the rude and mean Delany Caine.
He is a Indiana Jones type of archeologist and really really mean.
Of course they fall in love and have a wonderful affaire however he is unaware that she is the Princess so when it eventually comes out he shuts her own and quite literally throws her out of his house.
The parents become involved and get the two of them talking however its her time to feel decieved as he didnt tell her that he is really a Lord. She goes mad and they argue etc etc
I didnt get the reason for this book, it just kind of flaps seperate from the rest. It was of course good to read and i did it in about 10 hours.
Nora explores more mystery and excitement in these books and i really enjoyed reading them however not my favourite. I give them a 4/10
Affaire Royal which follows Princess Gabriella
Command Performance follows Prince Alexander
The Playboy Prince follows Prince Bennett
The fourth book is a bit of an odd one for me, it follows Camilla the daughter of Gabriella and for me doesnt really fit. I didnt see the need for this book the three would have been just as good without this one although it was still a great read.
Affaire Royal
Princess Gabriella is a young vibrant woman who after her mother passed away became the female of the house and the one to hold all of the responsibilities that go along with that.
She is however kidnapped and escapes but left with temporary amnesia.
The amnesia story is great and I really enjoy reading these type of stories, it reminded me of the book Sophie Kinsella wrote called Remember me?
Her father Prince Armand enlists the help of Reeve MacGee an ex cop in America with a strong history of solving the most difficult and dangerous cases.
Reeve has been in love with Gabriella for a long time but at the moment she has no idea who anyone is including herself.
The book looks at her struggle with her memory and trying to find who she really is deep down all while falling head over heels in love with Reeve.
As the story evolves the identity of those involved in her kidnap become evident and the biggest enemy of Prince Armand and his family.
I enjoyed this book even though i was a little unsure at first. The characters are loveable and the whole mystery aspect adds a certain excitement to the usual sex adn romance.
Command Performance
This book follows Prince Alexander, he is the air to the throne and next in line to rule being the eldest son. He has been bred and was born for the time he was to take over from his father.
He knows this and acepts it with ease however he needs to settle down and have a family, not just needs but wants to.
Eve is a friend of Gabriella and the very best friend of Bennett. She is wild and carefree with the social upbringing to be accustomed to the lifestyle of the royal family.
She is beautiful and a successful director of theatre. She comes to Cordina at the request of Alexander to put on a series of plays for charity.
There has always been a connection with Alexander and he believes that her and Bennett have been an item. He however still persues her and wins oout her heart.
The deadly enemy from the first book strikes again in this one and decides to start setting off bombs to kill the near and dear of Prince Armand.
Eve is almost killed a couple of times and in the end is shot, jumping infront of a bullet to save Alexander.
This book had a little more violence and excitement than the first and i enjoyed reading it very much. I didnt feel massively connected to any of the characters in the book like i sometimes do and this was the same across all of them.
Overall a good read.
The Playboy Prince
The book follows Bennett the youngest of the Cordina royal family and he has lived up to the name of Playboy. Known for his sexy ways and sleeping around but he really isnt as bad as they make out.
Hannah is a very plain woman or so he thinks. She comes to stay in Cordina to help Eve and her baby and unborn baby.
Bennett is immediately attracted and interested in Hannah and starts to seduce her.
She is tough and a lot more than anyone realises, well apart from Armand and Reeve that is.
Hannah is a secret agent a kind of undercover spy you might say. She has infiltrated the enemy and they believe she is working for them. She is actually working for Reeve.
She completely opens the case and she captures the bad guy in the end, Bennetts heart is bruised that all the while they were sleeping together and falling in love she had lied about who she was.
There is a bit rough fighting in this book and Hannah is a true female power attitude kind of character and taking care of the family she now loved.
I enjoyed this book the most and the unknown whats going to happen next makes the book hard to put down.
Cordina's Crown Jewel
This book for me wasnt really necessary. It is 20+ years after the last book and focuses on Camilla, the daughter of Reeve and Gabriella. She has the life her mother had and feels trapped and shut in. She decides after almost having a nervous breakdown to flee the family for an extended holiday under her fathers name MacGee rather than Princess Cordina etc etc!
She has a car accident and ends up staying with the rude and mean Delany Caine.
He is a Indiana Jones type of archeologist and really really mean.
Of course they fall in love and have a wonderful affaire however he is unaware that she is the Princess so when it eventually comes out he shuts her own and quite literally throws her out of his house.
The parents become involved and get the two of them talking however its her time to feel decieved as he didnt tell her that he is really a Lord. She goes mad and they argue etc etc
I didnt get the reason for this book, it just kind of flaps seperate from the rest. It was of course good to read and i did it in about 10 hours.
Nora explores more mystery and excitement in these books and i really enjoyed reading them however not my favourite. I give them a 4/10
Wednesday 18 January 2012
The MacGregors by Nora Roberts
The MacGregor series by Nora Roberts are made up of 11 books and are each unique yet tangled to each other in different ways and family being the ultimate tie.
Playing the Odds
Tempting Fate
All the possibilities
One Man's Art
For now, forever
Rebellion
In from the cold
The MacGregor brides
Winning hand
The MacGregor grooms
Perfect neighbour
Now I have to admit that when I first read the synopsis for these books i was a little confused and to be honest not really wanting to read them. I danced around choosing the series despite loving all of her other ones.
Due to my need to read as any Nora books as i can i decided i had to read them and i happy to announce i was totally wrong and i absolutely love the books.
So far i have read the first three and am blogging about them first as i am not sure i can read all 11 and then blog. I wanted to remember everything and write about them when i have them fresh and real in my mind.
The books are about a fabulous family that you dont quite meet and understand until a little ways through the first book. The loveable Daniel MacGregor is a wonderful character and central to all of the books and he is a pleasure to read.
Playing the Odds
Serena MacGregor is the first member of the family who gets the intense and wonderfully interferring personality of Daniel MacGregor.
Serena is a very clever and beautiful woman, she has a wonderful family who she loves and a job working as a black jack dealer on a cruise liner. She is good at her job and the customers love her.
She is a beautiful woman and i really enjoyed getting to know her and form a picyure of her in my mind. Blonde and petite with violet eyes, she meets her match in the gorgeous and handsome gambler Justin.
He is everything she isnt looking for and yet she uncontrolably attracted. The sparring between the two is brilliant to read and very enjoyable. The immdiate passion and wanting in the two is lovely and as you get their stories you fall in love with them individually and asa couple.
Daniel is her father and a meddling one at that, he believes he knows whats best for them and takes every opportunity in becoming involved!
He sets up Justin to take the cruise and knowing his daughter and justins personalities he knew they would meet, hoped they would be more than just friends.
Even after Serena and Justin found out that he had set the whole thing up they still couldnt saty mad at him. It was so funny and i just fell in love with Daniel, he is a fiery scotsman who i can totally relate to being half scottish! He is a powerful and exciting character to read. Serena has his fiery scottish temperment and every time she blows Justin falls a little bit more!
After finally coming to Justin in Atlantic city to run a casino hotel with him she eventually gives in and admits she loves him and him her. But there is no happy ending just yet. As you feel the whole thing is coming to an end Nora adds in the little twist of Serena being Kidnapped by someone from Justins past and you finally see the real and emotional love that is oozing from Justin. My heart was aching for him and i found myself totally in depth with the family like i was one of them!
Meeting the brothers Caine and Alan and their mother Anna in this first book and seeing a family with a lot of love and passion its easy to want to read the rest of the books.
Totally and utterly in love with the series so far but that could change as the stories unfold!
Tempting Fate
Caine MacGregor is a highly sucessful lawyer and one that every person knows of and in the court room is afraid of and every woman knows of in the bedroom.
He has a reputation for being smooth with the women and never has had any trouble getting one or dealing with them.
In walks Diana the beautiful and mysterious younger sister of Justin, she comes to visit her brother and meets Caine and immediately there is a spark and powerful and lusty spark. Caine is a little un-nerved by it and Diana is a little cofused and totally attracted.
Finding out most of her life is a lie and not really having a true family that loved her she decides to start all over again.
There is a great deal of respect for this character and i believe that she has grown up to believe that she is something she really isnt. Caine touches on her passion and her ability to love which is so lovely to read. The eternal ladies man falls in love and helps her build herself back up.
I like to think his family and the love he has for them makes his connection to Diana and wanting to help and protect her that much more powerful.
Of course there is resistance from her and arguments and passionate kisses ensue but it all comes good in the end! Daniels meddling in his children's life is amusing and he doesnt disappoint in this book either, he brings Diana's feelings for Caine to the surface and deal with it. The emotional outbursts i think are wonderful and you feel really angry or upset right along with them.
When they are scared you feel it and when they are passionate you also feel it. I couldnt put these books down and read them in 2 days flat! My husband wasnt very happy with being neglected!
I went straight onto the third installment and the final of the three siblings eager to get the last siblings story.
All the possibilities
Alan MacGregor is a politician, senator to be precise and a damn good one at that. Well liked and known and a shoe in for the presdental election in a decade.
His life of society parties and living amongst other politicians can be a little tiring however its the life he chose.
Shelby Campbell is a beautiful half Scottish potter who is living her life exactly how she chooses to and not afraid to do it. She is accustomed to the society life as her father was a senator who was assasinated on the run up to presidental elections when she was 6 years old.
Her mother still runs in those circles and she still has friends in high places.
Alan and Shelby are completely different in so many ways and that is what makes this my favourite book out of these three. I was initially not very feeling about Alan, in the other books i didnt really get a fell for him and found i didnt really mind. However needing to finish the series i went on to read it and enjoyed it very much.
Alan's character is tidy and logical and sensible but love never is so you get to see a rougher side to him. The more sensual and passionate side that sweeps Shelby off her feet. She doesnt want a man like Alan and haas vowed never to fall in love with someone in his job.
Shelby's character is quirky and fun and very aware of herself, she is a joy to read and i thought she would be the more dominant in the relationship but Alan just swoops in and gives her everything she wanted. The amazingly passionate sex and kisses that left her weak in the knees and he just got her without really getting to know her.
The relationship is reallt powerful and i think its the most passionate out of the three, the urgency and need for each other is really well dialogued in this book and i felt i was in that relationship. Being a Campbell her clan and the MacGregors are enemies throughout history and so when Daniel wants to meet her she is eager to match him insult for insult.
She really stands up for herself and she stands her ground with him to which he adores and she seems to slot into the family very easily.
Reading all of the family together, Daniel and Anna so clearly perfect and in love, Serena heavily pregnant and Justin, Caine and Diana, Alan and Shelby. At last Daniel see his children happy and in love, grand children being born and his heritage becoming a reality.
I felt like a member of the family and was connected to them beyond belief, it was truely a lovely read and i am eager to continue into the next books.
One Mans Art
This book is a spin off to the first three books. Although its a spin off it still has that strong connection to the MacGregors.
This book focuses on Grant Campbell who we met briefly in Shelbys and Alan's story, he is her brother and a social recluse and utterly gorgeous.
Genvieve Grandeau is a beautiful artist looking to enjoy a month painting the beautiful town and she has her sights set on Grants lighthouse to paint.
Grant is still living with his fathers assassination when he was a teenager and Gennie is dealing with her sisters death. This book is a lovely story about battling demons and dealing with the things that hurt you the most. Gennie is a strong woman and possibly the only one who has ever got to Grant.
Grant felt it the moment he saw her and she did too. Their firey relationship is a wonderful read and although the story was a spin off it was linked very well.
Grant knows the MacGregors through his sister and being at their wedding. Gennie is related to Justin and Diana from their french side of the family. Amazingly there is the link and once again Daniel is able to have a little fun helping a romantic out!
All together they are at the MacGregors home and becoming a family, Diana now pregnant and Alan and Shelby home from their honeymoon and Rena giving birth to the first of the grandchildren,
Its a good story and a lovely way to keep the interest in the MacGregors.
For Now, Forever
This book is a favourite of mine. It gives you the back story of Daniel and Anna. Its a wonderfully written book and its done from the point of view of Daniel dreaming. It starts with Daniel being hurt really badly in a car accident and the whole family waiting at the hospital. While waiting for him to come around Anna sits with him and he dreams about how he and Anna first met and fell in love.
Its a beautiful story and one i have not too much to say about.
Anna is a headstrong and independent and falls wildly in love with Daniel and his arogant and totally sexy manish attitude. He knows what he wants and that is Anna.
It was really lovely reading the way he and Anna met and why he is the way he is. The end of the book is seeing him wake to all his family around him, Serena and Justin and their baby and pregnant, Alan and Shelby and new baby boy Daniel, Caine and Diana and their daughter, Grant and Gennie heavily pregnant. He has everything he ever wanted around him and so much love.
Its lovely to see his and Anna's love and friendship and how that came about, totally brilliant book.
Rebellion
This book i found a little hard to get into, i found the jump to 1735/45 really difficult and found it really hard to imagine myself there. Dont get me wwrong it was very well written and like all of her novels the story was of romance and pain and survival but with the series starting with the children then going back in time to thier parents then jumoing all the way back again to eventually going forward and leaping way ahead to Daniel and Anna's granschildren.
Once i got into the story it was really good and i understood the rebellion at the time and the hatred for the English and certain clans of Scotland. The fire and passion of the Scottish and their need ot fight for what they believe in is evident and you can feel what they are feeling.
I did enjoy the story and once i was used to the tie difference it was a nice story to read. Seeing where the MacGregor passion and stubborness comes from and the brilliant red hair too. Serena MacGregor is a very fiery character and with lots of paaion and needs. Falling in love with an Englishman is not what she wanted or expected but never the less it was meant to be.
Brigham was a lord and very wealthy and fell in love with Serena and her fiery ways. He believed in what the Scottish did and being of the same heritage they were. He would fight along side the Scottish and almost died for them.
Coming back for Serena and taking her to America giving her the life he wanted for her along with some of her family.
In from the Cold
This story is all about Ian MacGregor who was born to Serena's brother in the end of Rebellion. He is now a grown man and still fighting the war. He gets injured and collapses in a barn. Alanna a beautiful widow comes upon him and her family nurse him back to health.
They are too firery with each other and soon love comes over them, she is anxious because war took her brother away, she lost her mother to grief adn her husband soon after. She never wanted that life for herself adn had no intention of falling in love with a man who embodied all she didnt want.
After a lot of heart ache and sufferring and a heartfelt intervention for Serena the couple go on to marry and have a baby the night the MacGregor name is cleared.
I did enjoy these stories but it was hard to put myself there like i do with all books i read. It wasnt the best of the books and i found i really didnt feel the need or want to know the history to be honest. I was quite happy reading the books in chronological order.
The MacGreggor Brides
This book is made up of three stories. It focuses on 3 of Daniel's grand daughters. Laura, Julia and Gwendolyn.
It starts with Laura MacGreggor the daughter of Caine and Diana. She is a tough new lawyer and works with her parents. She lives with her two cousins and has done for years.
She is strong and confident and of course as all the women in these books, she is stunning. She has no trouble with men but then Royce Cameron wasn't standing infront of her. He is an ex cop who has his own security business and hired by Daniel MacGreggor to check his grand daughters security at their home. He purposely puts Royce infront of her.
They start and have a wonderfully passionate love affair leading to what neither if them expected. He had been married before and wasn't sure he wanted it again but he didn't expect to love Laura.
A lovely short story with the infamous Daniel MacGreggor getting his way!!
Next up for his meddling ways was Gwendolyn, a beautiful doctor and daughter of Serena and Justin. She has no time for a man. In walks Branson Maguire a novelist and very successful. He is researching a book with a doctor as the main character. Daniel asks her to help him out so she obliges as she loves her grandfather.
What she didn't expect was to fall in love and risk everything.
Feeling the love and romance between them and her innocence is so beautifully written.
Nora is able to make you feel those feelings and bring it to the surface. I live reading her and cannot put the book down.
Gwen and Brandon so perfect and Daniel MacGreggor once again pulls it out the bag!
My favourite part in this story is the 12 days of Christmas he gives her and how the emotion is clear as he does. I just loved it!
Last but by no means least is Julia and my favourite out of the three. She is the daughter of Alan and Shelby and a super super business woman. Buying houses and doing them up she is the best at what she does. Her regular builder is unable to work the new house she has so hi son who she hates is doing it.
Funny though because Daniel and the father of cullum plotted it together, naughty naughty! I love the conspiracy and naughtyness of it all!
She is a feisty woman and knows what she wants and that is not cullum but he keeps popping up! They fight and argue so much and it's so fun to read. And you can feel the passion oozing and building up and as your reading you are waiting for that moment when the passion explodes and they don't let you down. It's heat and fire and without realising it falling in love.
The whole Cilla Black of Daniel MacGreggor and his mischievous ways just makes me smile. Thoroughly enjoyed these three little stories and am looking forward to reading the next installment of the great MacGreggor and his clan!
The Winning Hand
I absolutely love love love this book! Darcey is a very pretty innocent young woman who ran away from her terrible life and a man who frightened her.
She ran all the way to Vegas and was dazzled by the bright lights. She strolls into The Commanche and right up to the slots and putting her last 10 dollars in the machine she hit big! A little under 2 million dollars.
She looks like a homeless person with only a bag to her name but when she wins and a crowd builds she faints and wakes up with a gorgeous man watching her. Daniel 'Mac' MacGreggor the eldest of the grandchildren and son to Serena and Justin. He runs the Vegas casino and proceeds to help Darcey and her winnings.
Eventually they become entagled and love becomes an issue. He falls hard and she is smitten. Daniel plays his part in this novel, although he doesnt set up the meeting he however does fly to vegas and meddle a little. As does Serena becoming a little like her meddling father!
I really enjoyed the book and found myself feeling excited by the buzz of vegas just as i had with Serena and Justin and their casino story.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and am finding it very hard to think the series is nearly finished!
on to the next i believe!!
The MacGreggor Grooms
OMG i am totally falling in love with these books. The MacGreggors have become a part of my life for the past month and i have been living in their world. I have thought about them constantly and needing to read the next is always on my mind. The phrase "i just couldnt put it down" is so true in every sense of the word. I really have not been able to put them down!
These next stories in one book are about three of Daniel MacGreggors grandsons, DC MacGreggor, Duncan Blade and Ian MacGreggor. And i have to say i am totally in love with all of the men as well!!
DC MacGreggor is the son of Alan and Shelby and a very good artist. He is a little bit of a recluse like his uncle and just as brilliant. He loves his family with passion and after living in the white house for 8 years likes his peace and quiet.
Layna is a beautiful young woman who is the god daughter of Myra (Anna's best friend in Daniel and Anna's story). DC is also Myra's god child and she sees fit to help Daniel in his meddling ways!
Layna has taken over her fathers department store and has recently moved to the area. Daniel get DC to help her and from then on a love blossoms. She is not his type (or so Daniel tells him) therefore DC finds it amusing to start a romance with her and it ending with them both head over heels (just as Daniel and Myra planned!).
I loved this story and laughed at some of the lines, Nora does put comedy into her books but only enough to make you smile or have a little laugh and then the romance and pure passion ooze out of the books.
Duncan Blade is the son of Serena and Justin and runs the riverboat casino and is a known playboy nad all around lady's man. And why not he is gorgeous and young.
Cat Farrell is a beautiful singer on the rise and is hired for the entertainment on the boat, By recommendation of his brother Mac who advised of her via Daniel of course!!
Cat is a rising star with the voice to match and she is aware that nothing can stand in her way so when Duncan decides he wants her she tries so hard to not be interested but how long can she stay away from him when she is slowly falling in love with him.
She tries hard not to care and even after e helps her career by contacting a record label she cant hel but fall head over heels.
I loved Cat's character and she is a very sexy and exciting woman, you can see what Duncan sees in her. The love and passionate scenes in the books are as always amazing and you feel the tingles and makes you wish you were the woman on the recieving end of it!!!
Ian MacGreggor is a lawyer and the son of Caine and Diana. He works at the family lae firm with his parents and sister Laura. He loves his job and he is heading for politics as his father did and possibly presidency as his uncle did but for that to happen he needs to settle down and he is ready.
Ian is a little bit of a scamp with the women and can easily get one but he meets Naomi and everything shifts.
She is a quiet woman with a very differnet life to Ian, she used to be fat and not that attractive. She shied away from people and lived a very sad and quiet life. When her father passed the bookstore to her she grabbed hold and decided to change her life.
She got a makeover and lost weight and now a successful business woman she runs the store. Ian is tasked to deal with the deal of partnership between her and her father, organising the contracts and then for reasons unknown to him he falls in love with her.
She is innocent and had never even been kissed by a man. She was having all her firsts with Ian and he was totally unaware of that. When she told him he was shocked but loved her more.
After some heart ache (of course) and some emotional realisations for both they come back together.
A great story and i really enjoyed each of the stories but after each one finished i wanted more!
onto the last one now.....:0(
The Perfect Neighbour
I loved this story. That is it really.
This story is about an artist Cybil the daughter of Genvieve and Grant Campbell. They are honorary family to the MacGreggors and that doesnt deter the lovely Daniel from meddling in her love life!
Preston is a play write and a very good one at that, a little solitary like her father and when her sunny and happy nature infect him he has no hope!!
She becomes part of his life and despite not wanting it he finds himself needing her and he becomes totally infatuated with her.
he has a past that is affecting his present and she realises that it may not work out as she wants it to.
After again much heart ache and emotional arguments they finally get together and admit how they feel. Daniel is not innocent in the match as well because he owns the building that Cybil lives in and offers the apartment to Preston while his house is being rennovated. Placing him directly in her path and hoping the rest will just develop. He had never got it wrong up to now and even in his 90's he still has it!
This is the last book in the MacGreggor series and a good one at that! Meeting Gennie and Grant again and their relationship that has impacted on Cybil.
Preston had no chance!!!
When i finished the book i was left feeling a little sad and deflated that it was all over, the MacGreggors have been a part of my life for over a month now and i am upset that it has ended however am pleased i can go on and read more of Nora's brilliant stories.
The MacGreggor's will always have a solid place in my heart and i will be happy to go back and read them in the future reminding myself of the wonderful family.
Daniel and Anna's love and commitment carries through all of the books and in the lives of all of the children and grand children, influencing them and making them feel and want the love they still have even after 60 years.
A huge well done to Nora for this collection, it must have been a joy to write them and develop them over the years she wrote.
A very well deserved 10/10 for me!!!
Playing the Odds
Tempting Fate
All the possibilities
One Man's Art
For now, forever
Rebellion
In from the cold
The MacGregor brides
Winning hand
The MacGregor grooms
Perfect neighbour
Now I have to admit that when I first read the synopsis for these books i was a little confused and to be honest not really wanting to read them. I danced around choosing the series despite loving all of her other ones.
Due to my need to read as any Nora books as i can i decided i had to read them and i happy to announce i was totally wrong and i absolutely love the books.
So far i have read the first three and am blogging about them first as i am not sure i can read all 11 and then blog. I wanted to remember everything and write about them when i have them fresh and real in my mind.
The books are about a fabulous family that you dont quite meet and understand until a little ways through the first book. The loveable Daniel MacGregor is a wonderful character and central to all of the books and he is a pleasure to read.
Playing the Odds
Serena MacGregor is the first member of the family who gets the intense and wonderfully interferring personality of Daniel MacGregor.
Serena is a very clever and beautiful woman, she has a wonderful family who she loves and a job working as a black jack dealer on a cruise liner. She is good at her job and the customers love her.
She is a beautiful woman and i really enjoyed getting to know her and form a picyure of her in my mind. Blonde and petite with violet eyes, she meets her match in the gorgeous and handsome gambler Justin.
He is everything she isnt looking for and yet she uncontrolably attracted. The sparring between the two is brilliant to read and very enjoyable. The immdiate passion and wanting in the two is lovely and as you get their stories you fall in love with them individually and asa couple.
Daniel is her father and a meddling one at that, he believes he knows whats best for them and takes every opportunity in becoming involved!
He sets up Justin to take the cruise and knowing his daughter and justins personalities he knew they would meet, hoped they would be more than just friends.
Even after Serena and Justin found out that he had set the whole thing up they still couldnt saty mad at him. It was so funny and i just fell in love with Daniel, he is a fiery scotsman who i can totally relate to being half scottish! He is a powerful and exciting character to read. Serena has his fiery scottish temperment and every time she blows Justin falls a little bit more!
After finally coming to Justin in Atlantic city to run a casino hotel with him she eventually gives in and admits she loves him and him her. But there is no happy ending just yet. As you feel the whole thing is coming to an end Nora adds in the little twist of Serena being Kidnapped by someone from Justins past and you finally see the real and emotional love that is oozing from Justin. My heart was aching for him and i found myself totally in depth with the family like i was one of them!
Meeting the brothers Caine and Alan and their mother Anna in this first book and seeing a family with a lot of love and passion its easy to want to read the rest of the books.
Totally and utterly in love with the series so far but that could change as the stories unfold!
Tempting Fate
Caine MacGregor is a highly sucessful lawyer and one that every person knows of and in the court room is afraid of and every woman knows of in the bedroom.
He has a reputation for being smooth with the women and never has had any trouble getting one or dealing with them.
In walks Diana the beautiful and mysterious younger sister of Justin, she comes to visit her brother and meets Caine and immediately there is a spark and powerful and lusty spark. Caine is a little un-nerved by it and Diana is a little cofused and totally attracted.
Finding out most of her life is a lie and not really having a true family that loved her she decides to start all over again.
There is a great deal of respect for this character and i believe that she has grown up to believe that she is something she really isnt. Caine touches on her passion and her ability to love which is so lovely to read. The eternal ladies man falls in love and helps her build herself back up.
I like to think his family and the love he has for them makes his connection to Diana and wanting to help and protect her that much more powerful.
Of course there is resistance from her and arguments and passionate kisses ensue but it all comes good in the end! Daniels meddling in his children's life is amusing and he doesnt disappoint in this book either, he brings Diana's feelings for Caine to the surface and deal with it. The emotional outbursts i think are wonderful and you feel really angry or upset right along with them.
When they are scared you feel it and when they are passionate you also feel it. I couldnt put these books down and read them in 2 days flat! My husband wasnt very happy with being neglected!
I went straight onto the third installment and the final of the three siblings eager to get the last siblings story.
All the possibilities
Alan MacGregor is a politician, senator to be precise and a damn good one at that. Well liked and known and a shoe in for the presdental election in a decade.
His life of society parties and living amongst other politicians can be a little tiring however its the life he chose.
Shelby Campbell is a beautiful half Scottish potter who is living her life exactly how she chooses to and not afraid to do it. She is accustomed to the society life as her father was a senator who was assasinated on the run up to presidental elections when she was 6 years old.
Her mother still runs in those circles and she still has friends in high places.
Alan and Shelby are completely different in so many ways and that is what makes this my favourite book out of these three. I was initially not very feeling about Alan, in the other books i didnt really get a fell for him and found i didnt really mind. However needing to finish the series i went on to read it and enjoyed it very much.
Alan's character is tidy and logical and sensible but love never is so you get to see a rougher side to him. The more sensual and passionate side that sweeps Shelby off her feet. She doesnt want a man like Alan and haas vowed never to fall in love with someone in his job.
Shelby's character is quirky and fun and very aware of herself, she is a joy to read and i thought she would be the more dominant in the relationship but Alan just swoops in and gives her everything she wanted. The amazingly passionate sex and kisses that left her weak in the knees and he just got her without really getting to know her.
The relationship is reallt powerful and i think its the most passionate out of the three, the urgency and need for each other is really well dialogued in this book and i felt i was in that relationship. Being a Campbell her clan and the MacGregors are enemies throughout history and so when Daniel wants to meet her she is eager to match him insult for insult.
She really stands up for herself and she stands her ground with him to which he adores and she seems to slot into the family very easily.
Reading all of the family together, Daniel and Anna so clearly perfect and in love, Serena heavily pregnant and Justin, Caine and Diana, Alan and Shelby. At last Daniel see his children happy and in love, grand children being born and his heritage becoming a reality.
I felt like a member of the family and was connected to them beyond belief, it was truely a lovely read and i am eager to continue into the next books.
One Mans Art
This book is a spin off to the first three books. Although its a spin off it still has that strong connection to the MacGregors.
This book focuses on Grant Campbell who we met briefly in Shelbys and Alan's story, he is her brother and a social recluse and utterly gorgeous.
Genvieve Grandeau is a beautiful artist looking to enjoy a month painting the beautiful town and she has her sights set on Grants lighthouse to paint.
Grant is still living with his fathers assassination when he was a teenager and Gennie is dealing with her sisters death. This book is a lovely story about battling demons and dealing with the things that hurt you the most. Gennie is a strong woman and possibly the only one who has ever got to Grant.
Grant felt it the moment he saw her and she did too. Their firey relationship is a wonderful read and although the story was a spin off it was linked very well.
Grant knows the MacGregors through his sister and being at their wedding. Gennie is related to Justin and Diana from their french side of the family. Amazingly there is the link and once again Daniel is able to have a little fun helping a romantic out!
All together they are at the MacGregors home and becoming a family, Diana now pregnant and Alan and Shelby home from their honeymoon and Rena giving birth to the first of the grandchildren,
Its a good story and a lovely way to keep the interest in the MacGregors.
For Now, Forever
This book is a favourite of mine. It gives you the back story of Daniel and Anna. Its a wonderfully written book and its done from the point of view of Daniel dreaming. It starts with Daniel being hurt really badly in a car accident and the whole family waiting at the hospital. While waiting for him to come around Anna sits with him and he dreams about how he and Anna first met and fell in love.
Its a beautiful story and one i have not too much to say about.
Anna is a headstrong and independent and falls wildly in love with Daniel and his arogant and totally sexy manish attitude. He knows what he wants and that is Anna.
It was really lovely reading the way he and Anna met and why he is the way he is. The end of the book is seeing him wake to all his family around him, Serena and Justin and their baby and pregnant, Alan and Shelby and new baby boy Daniel, Caine and Diana and their daughter, Grant and Gennie heavily pregnant. He has everything he ever wanted around him and so much love.
Its lovely to see his and Anna's love and friendship and how that came about, totally brilliant book.
Rebellion
This book i found a little hard to get into, i found the jump to 1735/45 really difficult and found it really hard to imagine myself there. Dont get me wwrong it was very well written and like all of her novels the story was of romance and pain and survival but with the series starting with the children then going back in time to thier parents then jumoing all the way back again to eventually going forward and leaping way ahead to Daniel and Anna's granschildren.
Once i got into the story it was really good and i understood the rebellion at the time and the hatred for the English and certain clans of Scotland. The fire and passion of the Scottish and their need ot fight for what they believe in is evident and you can feel what they are feeling.
I did enjoy the story and once i was used to the tie difference it was a nice story to read. Seeing where the MacGregor passion and stubborness comes from and the brilliant red hair too. Serena MacGregor is a very fiery character and with lots of paaion and needs. Falling in love with an Englishman is not what she wanted or expected but never the less it was meant to be.
Brigham was a lord and very wealthy and fell in love with Serena and her fiery ways. He believed in what the Scottish did and being of the same heritage they were. He would fight along side the Scottish and almost died for them.
Coming back for Serena and taking her to America giving her the life he wanted for her along with some of her family.
In from the Cold
This story is all about Ian MacGregor who was born to Serena's brother in the end of Rebellion. He is now a grown man and still fighting the war. He gets injured and collapses in a barn. Alanna a beautiful widow comes upon him and her family nurse him back to health.
They are too firery with each other and soon love comes over them, she is anxious because war took her brother away, she lost her mother to grief adn her husband soon after. She never wanted that life for herself adn had no intention of falling in love with a man who embodied all she didnt want.
After a lot of heart ache and sufferring and a heartfelt intervention for Serena the couple go on to marry and have a baby the night the MacGregor name is cleared.
I did enjoy these stories but it was hard to put myself there like i do with all books i read. It wasnt the best of the books and i found i really didnt feel the need or want to know the history to be honest. I was quite happy reading the books in chronological order.
The MacGreggor Brides
This book is made up of three stories. It focuses on 3 of Daniel's grand daughters. Laura, Julia and Gwendolyn.
It starts with Laura MacGreggor the daughter of Caine and Diana. She is a tough new lawyer and works with her parents. She lives with her two cousins and has done for years.
She is strong and confident and of course as all the women in these books, she is stunning. She has no trouble with men but then Royce Cameron wasn't standing infront of her. He is an ex cop who has his own security business and hired by Daniel MacGreggor to check his grand daughters security at their home. He purposely puts Royce infront of her.
They start and have a wonderfully passionate love affair leading to what neither if them expected. He had been married before and wasn't sure he wanted it again but he didn't expect to love Laura.
A lovely short story with the infamous Daniel MacGreggor getting his way!!
Next up for his meddling ways was Gwendolyn, a beautiful doctor and daughter of Serena and Justin. She has no time for a man. In walks Branson Maguire a novelist and very successful. He is researching a book with a doctor as the main character. Daniel asks her to help him out so she obliges as she loves her grandfather.
What she didn't expect was to fall in love and risk everything.
Feeling the love and romance between them and her innocence is so beautifully written.
Nora is able to make you feel those feelings and bring it to the surface. I live reading her and cannot put the book down.
Gwen and Brandon so perfect and Daniel MacGreggor once again pulls it out the bag!
My favourite part in this story is the 12 days of Christmas he gives her and how the emotion is clear as he does. I just loved it!
Last but by no means least is Julia and my favourite out of the three. She is the daughter of Alan and Shelby and a super super business woman. Buying houses and doing them up she is the best at what she does. Her regular builder is unable to work the new house she has so hi son who she hates is doing it.
Funny though because Daniel and the father of cullum plotted it together, naughty naughty! I love the conspiracy and naughtyness of it all!
She is a feisty woman and knows what she wants and that is not cullum but he keeps popping up! They fight and argue so much and it's so fun to read. And you can feel the passion oozing and building up and as your reading you are waiting for that moment when the passion explodes and they don't let you down. It's heat and fire and without realising it falling in love.
The whole Cilla Black of Daniel MacGreggor and his mischievous ways just makes me smile. Thoroughly enjoyed these three little stories and am looking forward to reading the next installment of the great MacGreggor and his clan!
The Winning Hand
I absolutely love love love this book! Darcey is a very pretty innocent young woman who ran away from her terrible life and a man who frightened her.
She ran all the way to Vegas and was dazzled by the bright lights. She strolls into The Commanche and right up to the slots and putting her last 10 dollars in the machine she hit big! A little under 2 million dollars.
She looks like a homeless person with only a bag to her name but when she wins and a crowd builds she faints and wakes up with a gorgeous man watching her. Daniel 'Mac' MacGreggor the eldest of the grandchildren and son to Serena and Justin. He runs the Vegas casino and proceeds to help Darcey and her winnings.
Eventually they become entagled and love becomes an issue. He falls hard and she is smitten. Daniel plays his part in this novel, although he doesnt set up the meeting he however does fly to vegas and meddle a little. As does Serena becoming a little like her meddling father!
I really enjoyed the book and found myself feeling excited by the buzz of vegas just as i had with Serena and Justin and their casino story.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and am finding it very hard to think the series is nearly finished!
on to the next i believe!!
The MacGreggor Grooms
OMG i am totally falling in love with these books. The MacGreggors have become a part of my life for the past month and i have been living in their world. I have thought about them constantly and needing to read the next is always on my mind. The phrase "i just couldnt put it down" is so true in every sense of the word. I really have not been able to put them down!
These next stories in one book are about three of Daniel MacGreggors grandsons, DC MacGreggor, Duncan Blade and Ian MacGreggor. And i have to say i am totally in love with all of the men as well!!
DC MacGreggor is the son of Alan and Shelby and a very good artist. He is a little bit of a recluse like his uncle and just as brilliant. He loves his family with passion and after living in the white house for 8 years likes his peace and quiet.
Layna is a beautiful young woman who is the god daughter of Myra (Anna's best friend in Daniel and Anna's story). DC is also Myra's god child and she sees fit to help Daniel in his meddling ways!
Layna has taken over her fathers department store and has recently moved to the area. Daniel get DC to help her and from then on a love blossoms. She is not his type (or so Daniel tells him) therefore DC finds it amusing to start a romance with her and it ending with them both head over heels (just as Daniel and Myra planned!).
I loved this story and laughed at some of the lines, Nora does put comedy into her books but only enough to make you smile or have a little laugh and then the romance and pure passion ooze out of the books.
Duncan Blade is the son of Serena and Justin and runs the riverboat casino and is a known playboy nad all around lady's man. And why not he is gorgeous and young.
Cat Farrell is a beautiful singer on the rise and is hired for the entertainment on the boat, By recommendation of his brother Mac who advised of her via Daniel of course!!
Cat is a rising star with the voice to match and she is aware that nothing can stand in her way so when Duncan decides he wants her she tries so hard to not be interested but how long can she stay away from him when she is slowly falling in love with him.
She tries hard not to care and even after e helps her career by contacting a record label she cant hel but fall head over heels.
I loved Cat's character and she is a very sexy and exciting woman, you can see what Duncan sees in her. The love and passionate scenes in the books are as always amazing and you feel the tingles and makes you wish you were the woman on the recieving end of it!!!
Ian MacGreggor is a lawyer and the son of Caine and Diana. He works at the family lae firm with his parents and sister Laura. He loves his job and he is heading for politics as his father did and possibly presidency as his uncle did but for that to happen he needs to settle down and he is ready.
Ian is a little bit of a scamp with the women and can easily get one but he meets Naomi and everything shifts.
She is a quiet woman with a very differnet life to Ian, she used to be fat and not that attractive. She shied away from people and lived a very sad and quiet life. When her father passed the bookstore to her she grabbed hold and decided to change her life.
She got a makeover and lost weight and now a successful business woman she runs the store. Ian is tasked to deal with the deal of partnership between her and her father, organising the contracts and then for reasons unknown to him he falls in love with her.
She is innocent and had never even been kissed by a man. She was having all her firsts with Ian and he was totally unaware of that. When she told him he was shocked but loved her more.
After some heart ache (of course) and some emotional realisations for both they come back together.
A great story and i really enjoyed each of the stories but after each one finished i wanted more!
onto the last one now.....:0(
The Perfect Neighbour
I loved this story. That is it really.
This story is about an artist Cybil the daughter of Genvieve and Grant Campbell. They are honorary family to the MacGreggors and that doesnt deter the lovely Daniel from meddling in her love life!
Preston is a play write and a very good one at that, a little solitary like her father and when her sunny and happy nature infect him he has no hope!!
She becomes part of his life and despite not wanting it he finds himself needing her and he becomes totally infatuated with her.
he has a past that is affecting his present and she realises that it may not work out as she wants it to.
After again much heart ache and emotional arguments they finally get together and admit how they feel. Daniel is not innocent in the match as well because he owns the building that Cybil lives in and offers the apartment to Preston while his house is being rennovated. Placing him directly in her path and hoping the rest will just develop. He had never got it wrong up to now and even in his 90's he still has it!
This is the last book in the MacGreggor series and a good one at that! Meeting Gennie and Grant again and their relationship that has impacted on Cybil.
Preston had no chance!!!
When i finished the book i was left feeling a little sad and deflated that it was all over, the MacGreggors have been a part of my life for over a month now and i am upset that it has ended however am pleased i can go on and read more of Nora's brilliant stories.
The MacGreggor's will always have a solid place in my heart and i will be happy to go back and read them in the future reminding myself of the wonderful family.
Daniel and Anna's love and commitment carries through all of the books and in the lives of all of the children and grand children, influencing them and making them feel and want the love they still have even after 60 years.
A huge well done to Nora for this collection, it must have been a joy to write them and develop them over the years she wrote.
A very well deserved 10/10 for me!!!
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