Black Hills

Title: Black Hills
Author: Nora Roberts
Paperback; 544 pages
Publsihed 2010

Lil Chance fell in love with Cooper Sullivan pretty much the first time she saw him, an awkward teenager staying with his grandparents on their cattle ranch in South Dakota while his parents went through a messy divorce. Each year, with Coop's annual summer visit, their friendship deepens - but then abruptly ends. Twelve years later and Cooper has returned to run the ranch after his grandfather is injured in a fall. Though his touch still haunts her, Lil has let nothing stop her dream of opening the Chance Wildlife Refuge, but something - or someone - has been keeping a close watch. When small pranks escalate into heartless killing, the memory of an unsolved murder in these very hills has Cooper springing to action to keep Lil safe. They both know the dangers that lurk in the wild landscape of the Black Hills. And now they must work together to unearth a killer of twisted and unnatural instincts who has singled them out as prey .

Have I mentioned before that I am a BIG Nora Roberts fan? Well, who isn't? From one great book to another, Nora Roberts is a legend!!

The story is set in a wildlife refuge in the Black Hills of South Dakota, hence the title. Lil Chance met brooding city boy named Cooper Sullivan, who clearly had family issues but won't admit it. Soon they became close with each other and remain friends until their adolescent years.

One day, when Cooper decided to go back to the ranch after something terrible happened while he was on duty as a cop. His feelings towards Lil changed. But a psychopathic killer was on the loose and had been stalking Lil. She and Cooper teamed up to discover the truth behind the mystery surrounding Black Hills.

Reading another Nora Roberts after almost 2 years was a welcome change. I’ve been reading a lot of YA/Fantasies/Paranormals lately so I was giddy when I started Black Hills. Nora Roberts writes with passion and her characters really pull you into the story. Cooper and Lilian found themselves embroiled in a romance that needed to be nurtured. The mystery part of the story is great, although the main characters were a little complicated, in my opinion. I would have given this a 5star rating, but something held me back – maybe because I see some Montana Sky anecdotes in the story, specifically on the animal protection part. Nevertheless, Nora Roberts still is one of my favorite authors ever!

Valley of Silence

Title: The Valley of Silence
Author: Nora Roberts
Hardcover, Large Print, 506 pages
Published November 1st 2006

Having traveled through the Dance of the Gods to the land of Geall, the circle finds themselves convincing then training the people of Geall to defeat Lilith’s vampire army. The Valley of Silence is a forbidding place for the battle of all battles, but the circle continues to prepare through magic and a few early stakeouts that test their strength individually and as a team. 

Moira finds herself playing the roles of warrior and royal, as she follows the tradition of her people and prepares to take the crown before leading them into battle. And if that isn’t enough, she finds her thoughts turning to Cian more often than not. 

So what’s a chaste and intelligent young woman to do when given less than a month with the man she loves, who’s not a man, but a vampire? And how will the people of Geall fare against an army of blood-thirsty vampires who have had centuries to prepare?

Cian, the undead twin brother of Hoyt, must learn how to trust the circle and not let love get in the way, even if he had to work hand-in-hand and face-to-face with the one who made his heart beat after a millennium. The fact that Cian is a vampire and his lover is a fighter of life, complicates matters more. What’s worse is, his kind was the very same beings who have killed the parents of the one he love, Queen Moira.

Since vampires are known to be evil & do not have place in this world, Cian set himself apart from the others. He was the only one of his kind who drank pig’s blood and treated people as friends instead of killing them. He vowed to kill his creator Lilith and perish all her minions and live again for a thousand years, but he had to turn his back on Moira and forget her, even if it broke her heart.

Will there be an end to their suffering? Will Cian ever find love? Will Moira ever move on from her heartbreak?
This is my favorite among the three books. I learned more about Cian and how he came to be, and how his life was changed when he met Moira. The war war that took place in the Valley of Silence was crisp and detailed. I even forgot about the old man who was story-telling in the end.

The twist about Cian is a must read, too!

And yes, I was more than satisfied with the ending – the way a Nora Roberts’ book should be. and honestly, among the three pairs, i liked Cian & Moira’s story the most! so I’m rating this last book with 5 Bookmarks!

Dance of the Gods

Title: Dance of the Gods (Circle Trilogy 2)
Author: Nora Roberts
Paperback, 321 pages
Published October 3rd 2006

Second part of the Circle Trilogy – Dance of the Gods – features the relationship between Blair, the vampire slayer of the 20th century New York and Larkin, the shape-shifter, who belonged to the 16th century Geall.

As the circle of six prepare for their final clash with the dark army of the vampire Lilith, the battleground shifts. In Ireland, a stone circle serves as the portal to another land and an ancient time. 

It is in Geall that all will meet their fates—the sorcerer, the witch, the warrior, the scholar, the one of many forms and the one who was lost. And as their courage is tested, hearts will bond as never before.

Set in the luscious green fields of Ireland, home of the undead Cian & sorcerer Hoyt, and training grounds of the Circle of Six, the warriors met Lora, the cunning French beauty brought up & sired by the evil tyrant, Lilith. When Blair failed to vaporize her on their first meeting, Lora swore to kill her in the end after numerous tries of luring the girl to join the coven. Larkin, the shifter of shapes, flew side by side with dragons in the air to keep Blair away from their nemesis. Two equally strong but hard-headed warriors strove to keep the circle together but can’t keep their hands off of each other, even when faced against the greatest evil of all. Will their love continue to flourish beyond the transcends of time? Who will sacrifice to join the other in the Old World? Who will decide to face the new world in the future?

After a week-long marathon, Nora Roberts never failed to amaze me. This second book is much better than the first one, complete with details of chivalry, tall-tale adventures and passionate encounters of two unlikely beings. I liked the way the author set my mind to a whole new perspective about dragons and sorcery. Ohhh.. Dragons! My weakness!

Blair as a warrior and once-a-hopeful bride, shows prowess and class in the midst of a fight. Larkin, on the other hand, was open & accepting, even to the new & modern things that seemed impossible in his homeland, Geall. PLease forgive when I say that I want to read the next book, Valley of Silence because of Cian, the vampire! I’d love to see more of him and his cunning personality.

Of course, I recommend this book to all who wish to be fascinated with fairy tales, romance & war.. Onto my review of the third book… soon!

Morrigan's Cross

Title: Morrigan’s Cross
Author: Nora Roberts
Mass Market Paperback, 326 pages
Published August 29th 2006

In the last days of high summer, with lightning striking blue in a black sky, the sorcerer stood on a high cliff overlooking the raging sea…
Belting out his grief into the storm, Hoyt Mac Cionaoith rails against the evil that has torn his twin brother from their family’s embrace. Her name is Lilith. Existing for over a thousand years, she has lured countless men to an immortal doom with her soul-stealing kiss. But now, this woman known as vampire will stop at nothing until she rules this world—and those beyond it…
Hoyt is no match for the dark siren. But his powers come from the goddess Morrigan, and it is through her that he will get his chance at vengeance. At Morrigan’s charge, he must gather five others to form a ring of power strong enough to overcome Lilith. A circle of six: himself, the witch, the warrior, the scholar, the one of many forms and the one he’s lost. And it is in this circle, hundreds of years in the future, where Hoyt will learn how strong his spirit—and his heart—have become.

Morrigan’s Cross – the first on the Circle Trilogy - the story of Hoyt & Glenna - the sorcerer & the witch

the Goddess Morrigan tells Hoyt he has a mission that must be completed by him and 5 others:

"There is a battle to be fought, the greatest ever waged. Good against
evil. You must gather the forces."

"You must leave this place and go to another, and another still. Some will
come to you, and some you will seek. The witch, the warrior, the scholar, the
one of many forms, and the one you've lost."

"A circle of six, as strong and true as the arm of a god. When that circle
is formed, others may be formed. But the six will be my army, the six will make
the ring. You will teach and you will learn, and you will be greater than the
sum of you. A month to gather, and one to learn, and one to know. The battle
comes on Samhain" ..

..and so the Goddess Morrigan created the Circle to protect the world from the wrath of the uncanny vampire – Lilith – creator of the undead. But before this happened, Morrigan first called upon Hoyt Mac Cionaoith – the sorcerer of the 14th century to gather up the circle and must time-travel to the present to persuade his twin brother into joining…

But how can this be possible, when the sorcerer’s brother was just like the creature that they are trying to defeat – a Vampire??
I love this book the instant I read about Hoyt strongly facing up against his enemy and sworn to protect his family and bring justice back to his “undead” brother..

Basically, the story started in Ireland over 900 years with the goddess Morrigan calling on a circle of six to stand against an immortal enemy. the tale continues as we are transported to present time and the characters found themselves a little bit pre-occupied with the modern world.

Hoyt struggled dealing with his undead brother and building a circle that would destroy Lilith once and for all. I really loved the spin on the brothers, especially how they were going to form the circle of six and hoped that the war would soon be over. Of course, the love story between Glenna & Hoyt was something that made it even more interesting to read. The first fight scenes went so well, I loved it!

I have read Morrigan’s Cross three years ago, and up to know, it has remained one of my favorite Nora Roberts creation. I actually wished she would write more like this. I enjoyed how she breathe life to her characters. Truly a remarkable talent.

Table for Two

Review # 8

Title: Table for Two

SubPlots: Summer Desserts

               Lessons Learned

Author: Nora Roberts

Table For Two proves a delectable and heartwarming experience with two light-hearted romances from Nora Roberts topped with her vast knowledge of Italian and French haute cuisine as a garnish.

Summer Desserts, the first story is about the fiercely independent French chef Summer Lyndon finding herself attracted to successfully suave hotelier Blake Cochran III. Love conflicts with Summer's career when she discovers Blake's family's past to her own family and her fear of marriage which caused an avalanche of control issues in a dramatic high.

The more enjoyable fare turns out to be Lessons Learned when notorious skirt-chaser Carlo Franconi unwittingly surrenders to Juliet Trent, his publicist who finds a heart behind his devastating facade. It is fluffy romance with a dose of humor and fairy-tale charm. The insecurities of Juliet and his reputation as a playboy proves disastrous for their fragile trust.

What makes this book irresistible is Ms. Roberts's flair and sumptuous descriptions of the dishes which makes it a nice indulgent treat for romance fans.

Although I found extreme similarities in story on both books, I still gave it a shot and I always fall in love in the end - the Nora Roberts way.

My rating for these two books - 3 bookmarks!

A Little Magic

A LITTLE MAGIC...includes three of Nora's Irish favorite stories: Spellbound, Ever After and In Dreams.

Nora Roberts is a master at depicting both the legends and the lore of Ireland and the tender, enchanting passions of its people. Together for the first time in one volume, these delightful stories of magic and romance capture the everlasting beauty of this charming land -- and prove that this #1 New York Times bestselling author is truly "at the top of her game." (People)..
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In Spellbound, a beautiful lady casts a thousand- year spell on the man of her dreams-- and unleashes a nightmare only love can conquer.... 

Ever After follows an enchanting woman as she journeys to an otherworldy land -- and introduces a handsome artist to the transforming power of love... 

In Dreams links a young woman to a stranger's past - and to the curse that has trapped him forever in the eternity of his own dreams..

Public Secrets

"Brian McAvoy discovers after three years that he has a daughter, and because her mother is unstable, he takes her back home with him and his fiance, Bev. Emma is immediately accepted and loved by her father's band. Bev acts like a real mother, and soon Emma has a baby brother to help her recover from the three years she spent with her abusive mother.

But after her brother dies in a botched kidnapping, nothing is the same. Bev and Brian split and Emma is sent to boarding school. The story skips around to different times, but Emma continually meets up with Michael, the son of the detective who investigated her brother's murder.

Eventually Emma marries another rock star, who is very abusive and when she finally runs, she goes to see Michael. When she finally kills her husband in self defense, Michael comforts her, and they finally become lovers. The romance progresses, and Michael helps Emma become who she really is, and helps her reconnect with her family after all of the drama they went through. He also reopens her brother's case, but when the men who killed her brother discover Emma is remembering that night, both she and Michael are in danger."

There are many characters in this book. And I believe you will love almost everyone of them. At least I do.

It’s one of the novels that span across a number of years. Emma McAvoy, the main character in this story, grows up in the story. The book starts when she was 3 and follows her growing up till the twenties.

Her father, Brian McAvoy, a rock-and-roll star, gives her a new life so to speak. And the other members in the rock band are permanent fixtures in the story, and in Emma’s life too. I love all the members because they are so unique in their way. And because they all love Emma simply because she is Brian’s child. It really is a nice story to see the dynamics between the members themselves and how they adjust to having Emma around with them.

Roberts is able to depict a very realistic view of the 60s all through the 80s. Although I wasn’t even born in the 60s, I learnt about how the situation was like just by reading the story.

There are many relationships in this story. Brian and his 2 wives, the rock band, Emma and our male character, Michael Kesselring.

Emma and Michael meet when they are in their teens and from then on, Michael harbours a crush for Emma. Nonetheless, they live in different countries, live different lives. Until they meet again. And Emma is caught in major trouble. That is when you see all the characters in the story banding together and supporting her through the whole episode.

I’m touched by this story because you can feel the love between all of them. Emma loves the band as an innocent child does and the members love her back all the more because of her innocence. In times of trouble, Emma uses her link to all of them to pull them together, just like how all of them bond together to help her through her personal crisis.

Michael, on the other hand, is a solid 2nd-generation cop. Through a multitude of reasons, he meets Emma and rescues her time and again. Their relationship really blooms when they meet again and Emma escapes from her personal nightmare.

I’d forgotten how much I liked this story until I picked it up again. It’s pretty long, but once you get started, it gets you craving for more. And like I said, you can practically feel the love and affection of the characters for each other. It’s a story that is innocent, sweet, realistic and yet affectionate somehow. It brings you through the different time periods as the characters grow and develop and that in itself makes it a worthy read.

If you have the time to pick up one of Roberts’ novels, pick this. It’s definitely one of the best in the series.