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57th out of 135 books
—
679 voters
The MacGregors: Serena & Caine (The MacGregors: Chronological order)
by
Nora Roberts
From the #1 "New York Times" bestselling author come the first two stories in her classic MacGregor family saga, featuring Serena MacGregor in "Playing the Odds," and Caine MacGregor in "Tempting Fate." Reissue.
Playing the Odds
No more well-intentioned family meddling! Serena MacGregor was on her own and looking for a challenge. She found it in the arms of roguish gambler J...more
Playing the Odds
No more well-intentioned family meddling! Serena MacGregor was on her own and looking for a challenge. She found it in the arms of roguish gambler J...more
Paperback, Original Edition, 441 pages
Published
January 28th 2006
by Mira
(first published 1985)
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I am quickly learning that the early romance version of my favorite author is a mere silhouette of the best-selling powerhouse she has become.
Serena and Caine MacGregor are the youngest children of the great Daniel MacGregor - a modern-day Scottish lord that rules over his family with never-ending love and a hope that they all find the love he has known with his wife and children...even if that involves a bit of heavy-handed meddling! In the case of Serena and Caine, their potential true loves c...more
Serena and Caine MacGregor are the youngest children of the great Daniel MacGregor - a modern-day Scottish lord that rules over his family with never-ending love and a hope that they all find the love he has known with his wife and children...even if that involves a bit of heavy-handed meddling! In the case of Serena and Caine, their potential true loves c...more
Fourth and fifth in the MacGregor romance series. The couples focus is on Serena MacGregor meeting Justin Blade in the first story while the second story focuses on Caine MacGregor and Diana Blade.
The Stories
Playing the Odds finds Serena MacGregor unknowingly set up with a gambler, Justin Blade. Both swept away and rescued. Read a review I did earlier on this particular story.
Tempting Fates finds Diana meeting her brother again for the first time in two decades where she learns some unpalatabl...more
The Stories
Playing the Odds finds Serena MacGregor unknowingly set up with a gambler, Justin Blade. Both swept away and rescued. Read a review I did earlier on this particular story.
Tempting Fates finds Diana meeting her brother again for the first time in two decades where she learns some unpalatabl...more
Daniel's romantic machinations embroil Serena and Caine with another brother and sister team, Justin and Diana Blade. In Playing the Odds, Comanche gambler Justin Blade finds himself on a vacation cruise to the Bahamas where he is instantly attracted to a violet-eyed casino dealer. Only later does he learn that the lissome Serena is one and the same as the much-degreed Rena MacGregor, daughter of his longtime silent business partner, Daniel MacGregor. Serena makes it her practice to never get in...more
This book is a re-release of two of Nora Roberts books featuring the MacGregor family from 1985. Whoa, it's been a long time since I read anything written this long ago. I forgot how corny some of the romantic scenes could be. Between that and societal changes...lots of sexual harassment, smoking indoors, mentions of typewriters and telegrams. It was kind of fun to revisit this older style of romance. And quite honestly, beyond the corniness and the cliche conflicts, I did enjoy reading both of...more
Flannery and I were talking about my latest status update and what to do to possibly fix this. Our interchange went as thus:
F: Well, what have you been reading?
A: I dunno, I read halfway through the first MacGregor book but I had to stop because it was so bad.
F: What do you mean? I remember kind of liking it. And plus, Nora Roberts! Can't be that bad, right?
A: It was so bad that I looked up when it was published to see if it was written earlier in her career.
(Some discussion about the formattin...more
F: Well, what have you been reading?
A: I dunno, I read halfway through the first MacGregor book but I had to stop because it was so bad.
F: What do you mean? I remember kind of liking it. And plus, Nora Roberts! Can't be that bad, right?
A: It was so bad that I looked up when it was published to see if it was written earlier in her career.
(Some discussion about the formattin...more
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There really isn't any surprise or literary merit to this book, but it did make a quick and easy read. It is obvious that the two main characters of both of the books will end up together and that there will be some sort of conflict to complicate matters. I only had two objections about the two books. The first being that the father, Daniel was a very singular and to be quite honest a very creepy character. He keeps mentioning that his children should reproduce in terms that liken it to animals...more
okay,so there's two seperate books in this book-typical nora fashion-so i'll start with Playing the Odds.it was funny in places, which i love in books.
when i first started reading romance book i found the attitude like Justin Blade's charming-likeable,even,but now i find myself not having any warm feelings-i am most certainly not charmed and i don't find it likeable.
&if im being perfectly honest,i find it highly unbelievable that people walk around acting like that-kissing people u just met,...more
when i first started reading romance book i found the attitude like Justin Blade's charming-likeable,even,but now i find myself not having any warm feelings-i am most certainly not charmed and i don't find it likeable.
&if im being perfectly honest,i find it highly unbelievable that people walk around acting like that-kissing people u just met,...more
Both of these books start out with the strong-willed heroine being "unwilling" to fall in love with the main dude. The main dude basically stalks the girl- sending her gifts after repeatedly being asked not to, showing up around them, arranging things so that they'll be bound by business, "forcefully kissing" her even after she's said no, and so on- wearing her down until, apparently, sheer animal lust or something takes over, and then she realizes that not only is this dude hot, he's perfect fo...more
2 likes · like · see review
I am not going to review every Nora Roberts book that I have read in the past because she is quite prolific and it would get redundant and I honestly cannot remember all the plots. I think someone finds someone else attractive but at least one cannot admit it so there is sexual tension, then lots of sex, and then they live happily ever after? Sometimes there is some magic , a family legacy, or a mystery. Certainly not great works of literature (however still 100% better than “the grapes of wrath...more
For Serena and Caine, I liked these stories.
I guess my only complaint is that all the stories follow the same outline, they find their match, push them away, have mind blowing sex, still don't let them in, and because one of the character's is just "that much more hear headed" than the other, they wind up together, to continue on with a happy ending.
It's in the little details, and the way that Daniel commands the children to visit their mother, which is very touching. All of them know that it is...more
I guess my only complaint is that all the stories follow the same outline, they find their match, push them away, have mind blowing sex, still don't let them in, and because one of the character's is just "that much more hear headed" than the other, they wind up together, to continue on with a happy ending.
It's in the little details, and the way that Daniel commands the children to visit their mother, which is very touching. All of them know that it is...more
3.5 stars: Great beach read
I really like this light hearted, laugh out loud series. Great characters. Endearing and hard to put down. I've read most of the books in this series and enjoyed them all. Not knowing it was a series, I started with MagGregor Brides (the one with the MacGregor acting as matchmaker for his grandaughters). It was hiliarous. I was hooked.
My favs in the series are the later books with three generations of MacGregors and the matchmaking, meddlesome grandfather. I actually...more
I really like this light hearted, laugh out loud series. Great characters. Endearing and hard to put down. I've read most of the books in this series and enjoyed them all. Not knowing it was a series, I started with MagGregor Brides (the one with the MacGregor acting as matchmaker for his grandaughters). It was hiliarous. I was hooked.
My favs in the series are the later books with three generations of MacGregors and the matchmaking, meddlesome grandfather. I actually...more
The first story within this book was with Serena McGregor and Justin Blade. I have to honestly say I was throughly please and enjoyed reading this book. It kept you wanting to read more and was edgy because of the kidnapping and the darkend past behind Justin Blade's character. It was well written and I have to say my favorite character is her boisterous father! I just loved how he demanded grandchildren for the mother's sake and how he played match maker in both books. The second story was a li...more
Dec 31, 2008
Amy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Lovers of Nora Roberts and romance
Recommended to Amy by:
my sister Liz
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Really enjoyed Serena and Justin's story. Justin was delicious and Serena was a perfect balance of spunk and soft hearted. I really enjoyed that the beginning was set on a cruise ship. I thought that was a fascinating setting. I also thought the clever plot twist was very well played by Nora Roberts.
I did not enjoy Caine's story near as much. Diana bothered me and although Caine was a great male lead the story was just kind of boring.
I did not enjoy Caine's story near as much. Diana bothered me and although Caine was a great male lead the story was just kind of boring.
Sadly, another romance that starts off with a hero who acts like a stalker, and a heroine who says "no" but isn't listened to, yet clearly will fall for him anyway.
Women shouldn't write this crap (well, neither should men) and women shouldn't read it. I didn't. I put it down around page 25. Which is sad, because it's very possible that the characters and the storyline and the writing are wonderful.
But no means no. Even in books.
Women shouldn't write this crap (well, neither should men) and women shouldn't read it. I didn't. I put it down around page 25. Which is sad, because it's very possible that the characters and the storyline and the writing are wonderful.
But no means no. Even in books.
Oct 05, 2011
Kimberly
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemporary-romance
One of Robert's many formats is doing double stories from the same family. This one is about an estranged brother and sister who enter into each other's lives as adults. "Playing the Odds" was a Comanche gambler falling for a snobby heiress- not so interesting. The second story "Tempting Fate" is about Caine falling for Diana with all the courtroom drama of Ally McBeal Show (so if a fan of show may like this one).
This has to be my favorite book series of all time (so far). Nora Roberts out did herself with this series. You start off with one generation and leads you into the next. This is an eleven story series(not eleven books). By the end of the series you are sad that it has to end. Your heart is so attached to the characters that you just don't want it to end. You would not regret reading this series.
Wow another NR book, Nora's writing skills are phenominal and every book I read gets me hungry for more. The MacGregors are one of those series that just make me envy the characters. I honestly fall in love with Daniel MacGregor (though I am 17yrs) and Serena's story was enchanting. Alan and his love match have an element I love! Would definietly read this one again
the serana book was good her dad is so devies or mendigo. how he sets his childerens couples. i liked it when she screams at his dad n breaks his hidden cigars.Man justin had alot of confidence when he first saw serena he was really presistain. Caine book was funny i loved him but i really didnt like diana justin's sis.
I just finished reading the 1st story, Playing the Odds. I really liked it. For some reason, I thought the series was set in historical romance and was pleasantly surprised that it isn't. I really liked Serena and Justin. Both are strong, stubborn people. They fit well together. I have read 3 romances in a row and need to change up for my next read, but look forward to reading the 2nd story soon.
I finally came back and finished the second story, "Tempting Fate". I feel "Playing the Odds" was bet...more
I finally came back and finished the second story, "Tempting Fate". I feel "Playing the Odds" was bet...more
I love Serena MacGregor's love story with Comanche gambler Justin Blade. It's sly and sexy with a dash of fun and adventure added in. The whirlwind romance between these two strong characters is well-plotted, and I especially love the MacGregor patriarch's matchmaking. Caine's story with Diane is very sweet as well.
This is the book that first introduced me to some classic romance novel tropes, although I didn't realize it at the time. I read this when I was a teenager so I don't remember it much, but it was a fun read. Definitely not one of my favorites by Nora Roberts, though.
Yet another great family series from Nora Roberts. I love to read this series over and over again. I still enjoy the story. It is like watching your favorite Saturday afternoon movie over and over. Best part there are several books in the family series.
I love the MacGregors. I mean the stories are OK but more than that the characters are wonderful, especially, Daniel MacGregor. I think I read the series more to see what is going on with the characters than the actual stories LOL
Serena was a card dealer on cruise ship and Justin a casino owner on vacation. I couldn't get into this story where he'd make a move, she'd resist, but she couldn't control her bodies reaction to his kiss; then she spent equal time mentally reviewing everything. I gave up after 85 pages not even bothering to browse second story about her brother.
Playing the Odds
No more well-intentioned family meddling! Serena MacGregor was on her own and looking for a challenge. She found it in the arms of roguish gambler Justin Blade. His charm and ruthless good looks invaded her every waking moment, but she was wary of a man who seemed to have secrets to hide. No way was this a setup -- what were the odds?
Tempting Fate
Attorney Caine MacGregor had a reputation for being a demon in the courtroom -- and in the bedroom. He yearned to break down Diana Blad...more
No more well-intentioned family meddling! Serena MacGregor was on her own and looking for a challenge. She found it in the arms of roguish gambler Justin Blade. His charm and ruthless good looks invaded her every waking moment, but she was wary of a man who seemed to have secrets to hide. No way was this a setup -- what were the odds?
Tempting Fate
Attorney Caine MacGregor had a reputation for being a demon in the courtroom -- and in the bedroom. He yearned to break down Diana Blad...more
The MacGregors and been on my wish list to read for to long, and it was worth the wait! The MacGregors are a wonderful yours, mine, and ours family. And I can't wait to meet the rest of them! :D
I love Nora Roberts and her easy and quick to read romance novels that always help take you away for just a few hours. I love all of the MacGregors, it is my favorite of all of her series.
The MacGregor series is my favorite Nora Roberts series. They are just TOO MUCH FUN!! One of the few series I own so I can read again whenever I need some good, lighthearted fun.
Basically two stories in one book.. both with the same plot. I liked the stories but it was just another Nora Roberts book. I loved the humor and character interactions. Overall not my fav or best I've read from her.
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J.D. Robb
Sarah Hardesty
Eleanor Marie Robertson was born on October 10, 1950 in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. She was the youngest of the five children, also the only girl, of a marriage with Irish ancestors. Her family were avid readers, so books were always important in her life. She attended a Catholic school and credits the nuns with instilling in her a sense of discipline. During her sopho...more
More about Nora Roberts...
J.D. Robb
Sarah Hardesty
Eleanor Marie Robertson was born on October 10, 1950 in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. She was the youngest of the five children, also the only girl, of a marriage with Irish ancestors. Her family were avid readers, so books were always important in her life. She attended a Catholic school and credits the nuns with instilling in her a sense of discipline. During her sopho...more
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“Why don't you put your ego down for a while, Justin. It must be getting heavy.”
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22 people liked it
“Some romantic you are," Caine complained as he pushed the door open with his back."Whatever happened to women who liked to be swept off their feet?"
"They got dropped," Diana said flatly.”
—
13 people liked it
More quotes…
"They got dropped," Diana said flatly.”
