Review - Happy Ever After

Title: Happy Ever After
Author: Nora Roberts
Publishing Date: November 2010
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: B
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I received a used copy from paperbackswap.com

Happy Ever After is the last book in Nora Robert's Bride Quartet, a series that revolves around four twenty-something women who co-own a wedding planning company. Parker Brown's three best friends from childhood have found the loves of their lives and are soon to be married. Parker, Ms. Super-Organized, hasn't made time for herself. She is great at micromanaging everybody else’s lives but when it comes to dating she has let the ball drop. Enter Malcolm Kavanaugh, Parker's mechanic and brother’s friend. He is not intimated by Parkers cool demeanor. He wants to take their relationship to the next level. He just has to let Parker know that his intentions are honorable.

Happy Ever After is a good conclusion to a fun series. I feel like the women of Vows, Emma, Mac, Parker and Laurel are my girlfriends too. Nora Roberts is just good like that. She really excels at scenes with group action and dialogue, and there is plenty of that in Happy Ever After. Not to worry though, Parker and Mal get their one-on-one time too. Mal is my kind of hero. He knows what he wants and he is confident enough to go after it. He takes what he wants and asks for it after the fact. Uppity Parker doesn't have a clue how to handle Malcolm. He is completely unpredictable and the shields she keeps in place end up shattering in his presence.

I rather enjoyed Happy Ever After, however this book was not a WOW book for me. I feel that Mal and Parker were missing that magic ingredient, that certain something, to make it really shine. I don't know if the development of the relationship was too quick for me, or if I just wanted more scenes between Mal and Parker. I really don't know, but something was missing. All in all, this was a fun book to read and Happy Ever After was a satisfactory conclusion to the series.

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Review - The Search

Title: The Search
Author: Nora Roberts
Publishing Date: July 2010
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: B
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from the library

When Fiona Bristow was in college she was abducted by a serial killer while out for an early morning job. She was the one woman who managed to escape from Perry, the Red Scarf Killer and managed to put him behind bars for life. Years later Fiona has built up a successful dog training business on Orcas Island. One tough cookie, Fiona has put the past behind her or so she thought until the murders begin again. Fiona with the help of a sexy, grumpy carpenter Simon, struggles to build a relationship while trying to stop a copy-cat serial killer.

Fiona Bristow is a paragon of strength, patience and integrity. She was forced to live through a horrible experience at the hands of a madman and managed to put him away for life. She managed to fight every step of the way and to not allow fear to rule her life. The fact that she is targeted a second time only makes her fight that much harder to keep what she has built for herself. Simon Doyle a grumpy, blunt carpenter with an unruly puppy Jaws, can't help but find himself attracted to her and her strength. Fiona manages to worm her way under his skin no matter how hard he fights the attraction.

Simon was the best part of this book for me. He had some of the best lines in the book because he says what he is thinking without censoring it. Fiona is definitely able to hold her own with the overbearing man. She flings zingers right back at him. Fiona and Simon had great chemistry. However, I did think that these two characters had extremely good control over their emotions, almost too good of control that it seemed a little unrealistic. I would have liked to have seen Fiona or Simon lose that control at some point. It would have made them seem a little more human, imperfect.

The Search is a very gripping tale and Nora Roberts is always good for a fun reading experience. I can easily recommend it to her legions of fans.

Review - Savor the Moment

Title: Savor the Moment
Author: Nora Roberts
Publishing Date: May 2010
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: B
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I received a used copy from Paperbackswap.

Savor the Moment is book 3 in Nora Robert's Bride quartet. It features Laurel and Del. Laurel has been in love with her best friend's brother Del for as long as she can remember. She has never acted on it because she believes Del thinks of her as just a sister. After an argument Laurel shuts Del up with a steamy kiss. This kiss leads to Del seeing Laurel in a completely new light.

For me, Savor the Moment was all about the friendship between the four women and less about the romance between Laurel and Del. Laurel is rather prickly and difficult to like, although she does have a vulnerable side to her which makes her endearing. Fortunately for Del, Laurel's brash personality doesn't bother him in the least and being the confident man he is just barrels through her insults.

I like that this series appeals to my own personal fantasies e.g. living out a dream job of being a wedding planner, florist, photographer, baker, getting to live in a beautiful historical house in the richest part of New England, vacationing in the Hamptons, wearing Prada shoes, having a live in cook and getting to use the home gym. Need I go on? The setting is just so perfect, like living in a catalog.

I just wasn't all that interested in Laurel and Del's romance, however I do believe that this book had one of the best proposals I have ever had the pleasure of reading. That was a fantastic scene. I find myself very much looking forward to the final book, which will be Parker and Mal's story. Robert's definitely suckered me in by providing a few good scenes between Mal and Parker.

Here is what others had to say:
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This book can be purchased in print or kindle format from Amazon.

Review - Tears of the Moon

Title: Tears of the Moon
Author: Nora Roberts
Publishing Date: 2000
Genre: Contemporary (with a small paranormal element)
Rating: B+
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I purchased a used copy of this book.

Brenna O'Toole has been in love with Shawn Gallagher since she was a young girl. They grew up together and have always been the best of friends. Brenna decides that she is going to finally take the bull by the horns, so to speak. She tells Shawn she wants to have sex with him. She thinks that by having sex she'll be able to get him out of her system and move on with her life. She shocks the hell out of Shawn, but after he’s gotten used to the idea he begins to court Brenna himself.

Tears of the Moon is the second book in Nora Robert's Irish Trilogy. The book takes place in modern day Ireland. I have to say that this is one of Robert's better books. The characterization just blew me away. Brenna and Shawn will live in my memory long after finishing the book. Brenna is very independent with a lot of drive and fierce determination. Once she knows what she wants, she goes for it. She is not afraid to state her feelings and tell people exactly what she is thinking. Shawn is much more subtle in his actions. He is quietly content to live in the moment, stop and smell the roses. Both are very strong in their convictions, yet how they deal with people is very different. The reader will easily see how well these two compliment each other’s personalities.

The story is completely focused on the romance between Shawn and Brenna. That's not to say there isn't other stuff taking place in the book, because there is a large cast of characters. Most of them make up Shawn and Brenna's family and they play a large role in bring Shawn and Brenna together. For those readers who enjoy family relationships as well as friends to lovers theme, won't want to miss this one! If you missed my "Guess the Book" post earlier, you might want to check it out for a fun passage!

Here is what others had to say:

Thrifty Reader

This book can be purchased in print or kindle format from Amazon.

Review - Bed of Roses

Title: Bed of Roses
Author: Nora Roberts
Publishing Date: 2009
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: C+
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: Borrowed from the library

Bed of Roses is the second book in Nora Roberts Bride Quartet. Emma Grant and her three best friends started the wedding company Vows. Emma runs the flower portion of the company. She is in it for the romance. Everything she believes centers around romance. She has noticed her increasing feelings for their good friend Jack, but she hasn't wanted to act on them for fear of ruining their friendship if things don't work out. It seems fate has other ideas, as Emma and Jack keep getting thrown together.

I really loved the first book in this series Vision in White and was really looking forward to Bed of Roses. Unfortunately Bed of Roses did not live up to my expectations. It's true that Bed of Roses did have some of the same elements that I loved about Vision in White in that the friendship between these four amazing women is still there. Where the book was lacking was in the actual execution of the main romance between Emma and Jack. Since this is a romance, that's not exactly a good thing.

For the most part I felt that Emma and Jack's relationship was overshadowed by the other things taking place in the book. The weddings being coordinated by Vows, the set up of Parker and Laurel's future books, and even Mac and Carter's relationship all detracted from Emma and Jack. Then to compound the problem, Emma's work took up so much of her time that she and Jack weren't together much of the book. This made their developing passion seem a tad unbelievable. Their relationship just didn't work for me. I found myself more interested in the teaser scenes for Laurel and Parker's books than the main romance of this one.

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This book can be purchased in print or kindle format from Amazon.

Review - Vision in White

Title: Vision in White
Author: Nora Roberts
Publishing Date: May 2009
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: B+
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: Borrowed from the library.

Vision in white is the first book in Nora Robert's Bride Quartet. Four women as little girls used to hold "play weddings" in their backyard. Eventually those four girls grew up and now own the business Vows, a company that produces beautiful weddings. Mac is the photographer and she meets the brother of one of the brides of the wedding they are planning. It turns out Carter Maguire and Mac went to school briefly together as teenagers. Carter had a crush on Mac but Mac never knew he existed. Carter has a way of getting under Mac's skin now and she can't seem to get him out of her head. Mac has commitment issues, but will she be able to make it work?

The first thing that really stands out in Vision in White is the cohesive unit of friendship which four little girls formed and maintained over the years, all based on their love of weddings and each other. Mac and her friends come alive on the page based on their lively interaction and conversations with one another. Each woman brings a unique talent to their business. Mac's is photography. Much of the descriptions and interaction revolve around Mac's perspective and her photography.

Mac has problems with intimacy and commentment. She finds the perfect match for her in Carter. He is more Beta in his behavior, allowing Mac time to come to terms with her feelings. He is very patient and understanding - a true gem of a man. I found Vision in White to be a very good balance of romance and friendship. I loved the symmetry between the business and the friendship with the four women and I can't wait to read more in this series. Roberts makes it all seem so effortless.

Here is what others had to say:

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This book can be purchased in print or kindle format from Amazon.

Review - Angels Fall

Title: Angels Fall
Author: Nora Roberts
Publishing Date: 2006
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: A
Sensuality: Warm

Something terrible happened to Reece Gilmore back in Boston, terrible enough to cause her panic attacks and doubt her own sanity. Trying to make a new life for herself she hits the road and is not sure where she will end up. She is just living in the moment trying to survive each minute, each hour. Her radiator in her car finally gives up in the quant town of Angel’s Fist, Wyoming. As she is walking down the street waiting for her car to get fixed she notices the sign in a diner window proclaiming a need for a cook. With only $200 in her pocket, she decides maybe it's time to stop running and get a job.

Not more than a week into her stay in Angel’s Fist as she is hiking a trail Reece witnesses a murder. When she reports what she saw the town Sherriff investigating doesn't quite believe her. There is no evidence of the supposed murder that she witnessed; no body and no signs of a struggle. Her only saving grace is that local recluse and mystery author Jamison Brody believes her. Strange events start happening and Reece begins to doubt her sanity. Brody and Reece start to build a trusting relationship and with each other’s help begin to decipher this murder mystery.

I am on a roll with my choice of romantic suspense books lately. Angels Fall is another one for the keeper stack. Reece Gilmore is a complex puzzle that readers will fall in love with. Sure she is a little bit neurotic with her tendency to check, double check and triple check the locks on her doors and windows. And sure she sleeps with the lights on and can’t handle small closed spaces, but that’s what makes her so unique and lovable. She wasn’t always like that but something horrific happened in her past. The reader doesn’t find out right away why Reece is this way and that is part of the intrigue to the story.

Brody is a perfect match for Reece. He is brutally honest with his opinions. Whenever Reece would start to have a panic attack he would not allow it. There would be no pity, or sympathy from his corner. He sees the inner strength in her, the courage that it takes for her to get up every day and face the world and he admires that. He only wants to encourage her to keep moving forward, not backwards. As soon as Brody takes the tough guy approach with her, it gets her back up. Reece not one to let him badger her, gives as good as she gets. Let the sparks fly!

I felt that the suspense and romance was perfectly balanced in Angels Fall. The romance was passionate and the suspense was thrilling. The town of Angel’s Fist is the perfect backdrop with its soaring sights and charming townspeople. I can see why Nora Roberts is the Grand Dame of romance.


This book was part of Keishon's TBR Challenge 2009. The theme for this month was wrongfully accused or just released from jail. This doesn't quite fit that description, but it had been lanquishing in my TBR since the book was first released three years ago. I don't know what took me so long to get to it!

This book can be purchased in print or kindle format from Amazon.