Dance Upon the Air (Three Sisters Island, #1)

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Dance Upon the Air (Three Sisters Island #1)

4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 · rating details · 29,037 ratings · 823 reviews

Perennial New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts's new Three Sisters Island trilogy Dance Upon the Air is pure magic. An intriguing combination of The Witches of Eastwick and Sleeping with the Enemy, it introduces readers to the idyllic town of Three Sisters Island. Reputedly conjured by a trio of sisters seeking to escape the Salem witch hunts, the island remains...more

Paperback, 400 pages

Published June 1st 2001 by Penguins USA (first published 2001)

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May 25, 2008 Isis FG rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Isis FG by: random buy

Shelves: author-nora-roberts, favs-reread, favs-all-time, reviewed, genre-romance-fiction, stars-5

I love this book. It was the first Nora Roberts novel I read and it got me hooked on her stuff.

I enjoyed every aspect of the book. One of my favorite parts is the simple, sort of true-blue romance between Nell and Zach. So often in romance novels these days the hero is a super-alpha, or a dark and brooding alpha or a tragic alpha - which there's nothing wrong with, I love a good alpha male; it's just nice to get some variety once in a while. And that's what Zach is. He's just your normal, nice g...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Kristen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-paranormal-fiction, fun-fluffy-reads, favorites

I really enjoyed this book! Roberts does a great job of making you connect to the characters in the story very early, so that you are really invested in their lives and rooting for them almost from the first page.

The magic aspect is well-written, with the introduction of the three "sisters" and their varying knowledge and participation in their abilities being quite different. There really is a character for almost anyone to connect to here. The characters of Nell, Mia and Ripley are totally dif...more

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Mar 05, 2010 Ally rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Nora Roberts fans

Recommended to Ally by: No-one :(

Shelves: 2008, re-read, 2010

I've just finished re-reading (for at least the fifth time) one of my favourite Nora Roberts books. Dance Upon The Air. Although I love this book for many different reasons, witches, love, century old curse, new friends etc etc.
The main female character Nell Channing is running away from her past. She's left her abusive husband tricking him and everyone else she knew into thinking she's dead.
She was known as Helen Remington. And as the story evolves so does the character. You see in a way as the...more

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Mar 12, 2009 Makuka rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nunca tinha lido nada da Nora Roberts, mas a curiosidade já começava a apertar. N' "A Ilha das Três Irmãs", o primeiro livro da trilogia das Três Irmãs, todas as expectativas foram superadas. Numa escrita simples, a autora consegue captar a nossa atenção e, à medida que as páginas se vão virando, a tensão aumenta.

A história gira em torno de Nell Channing cuja vida familiar enfrenta um período conturbado. Para se afastar dos seus medos e do seu sofrimento, Nell engendra um plano de fuga que a faz...more

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Jan 08, 2009 Gette rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked up Dance Upon the Air from my favourite bargain bin and found it full of corny stuff that I enjoy. That's the good news. The bad news is that it's a trilogy, and I have to track the other two down.[return][return]The Three Sisters Island Trilogy opens with a prologue of three witches � Earth, Air and Fire - who used their power to create a sanctuary from prosecution during the Salem witch trials. They found refuge on the island, but each witch went on to enter relationships that ultimat...more I picked up Dance Upon the Air from my favourite bargain bin and found it full of corny stuff that I enjoy. That's the good news. The bad news is that it's a trilogy, and I have to track the other two down.[return][return]The Three Sisters Island Trilogy opens with a prologue of three witches � Earth, Air and Fire - who used their power to create a sanctuary from prosecution during the Salem witch trials. They found refuge on the island, but each witch went on to enter relationships that ultimately led them to their deaths. Their descendants must break the curse or the island will sink back into the ocean.[return][return]Dance Upon the Air sees a timid Nell Channing arriving at island three centuries later. She is immediately "adopted" by Mia Devlin, the proprietor of Cafe Book. Mia hires her to cook at the cafe and helps her settle into a little cottage. Sheriff Zack Todd begins courting her. For the first time, Nell felt safe and secure, with friends and a life to call her own.[return][return]We gradually learn Nell� s secret; she faked her own death to escape her abusive husband. When Evan Remington discovers that she is not dead after all, he bears down on her hard and fast, threatening everything she has come to love.[return][return]I found book two in a local bookstore. This didn't surprise me because our bookstores are good at stocking the orphan "middle" book(s). It also didn't surprise me that days of searching didn't turn up book three.[return][return]In Heaven and Earth, the focus switches to Ripley Todd, the quick-tempered deputy sheriff and Nell's sister-in-law.[return][return]While Nell freely embraced her powers and Mia never abandoned hers, Rip made a conscious decision to walk away. This happened many years ago when Mia had her heart shattered by Sam Logan, another name that gets a lot of mention.[return] [return]Rip� s troubles began when paranormal researcher MacAllister Booke arrived; sniffing around at the island� s purported paranormal activities. He is intrigued by Rip, and pursues her for both business and pleasure. She falls for him, but not without protesting as much as a maiden in a Victorian romance novel.[return][return]When danger looms, the eye-for-an-eye Rip has to be careful not to repeat what her ancestor did � break the witch� s vow not to harm others. [return] [return]My friend in KL called to let me know she found book three. I was content to wait for her to bring it home, but when I mentioned it to a fellow bookworm here, she said, "I have the whole set!"[return][return]Face The Fire is about Mia Devlin, so far the most intriguing of the three. We've already been through two books with her as an unflappable supporting character, so it was a little startling to discover her human side. [return][return]Like Rip, her story was set in motion with the arrival of a man � Sam Logan, who walked out on her years ago and left her an inconsolable wreck. Mia had since pulled herself together and moved on, locking her heart away so she will never be hurt like that again. She still (obviously) holds a candle for Sam, and his return confused and frustrated her.[return][return]But Mia� s personal battle with evil has arrived. To triumph and save her island, Mia must resolve her complicated relationship with Sam, who is also a witch himself and completes the elemental theme in the book with his own powers over Water. [return][return]Everyone has their own definition of "light reading" and mine is Nora Roberts. Her characters are interesting and good looking, the sex is hot and the series of situations they get caught in are mostly unbelievable. In short, things like this don't happen to real people, but that's why we read about it.[return][return]Like most Hollywood blockbusters, you don� t have to get your brain involved, but anything that helps me de-stress by escaping reality for a while is considered time well spent.[return][return](2006)(less)

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Oct 07, 2012 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Nora Roberts is one of those authors that I can read over and over again. I've read these books years ago but decided to give it another whirl since its October and reading about witches should be fun. Nora doesn't need my reviews to help others buy her book but here are my thoughts. Nell Channing escaped her abusive relationship by faking her own death. Talk about going to the extreme. Nell is drawn to the small Three Sisters Island. She is determined to start over and her timing is perfect as...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Tempo de Ler rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Este foi o oitavo livro que li de Nora Roberts...e foi por esta altura que comecei a perceber que Roberts conseguiria tornar interessante até a lista de compras.

Observamos neste livro o desenvolvimento de um romance muito simples e bonito, trabalhado com uma escrita absolutamente mágica. Mais uma vez, as personagens de Roberts são magníficas, embora Nell me recorde bastante Lily, do livro «Céus de Montana».

Misturando o realismo com o misticismo e o sobrenatural, Nora integra muito bem a compon...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Sheila DeChantal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nell Channing finally did what was long over due. She found a way to escape her abusive marriage. Feeling free for the first time since she can remember, she changes her look, and finds herself stepping off a ferry on to a quaint place called Three Sisters Island. Nell was drawn to the stories around the island, the folklore that said the island was created by ancient witches in 1692 and still to this day carried the magic of years gone by.

Nell felt like she had found a home in this touristy isl...more Nell Channing finally did what was long over due. She found a way to escape her abusive marriage. Feeling free for the first time since she can remember, she changes her look, and finds herself stepping off a ferry on to a quaint place called Three Sisters Island. Nell was drawn to the stories around the island, the folklore that said the island was created by ancient witches in 1692 and still to this day carried the magic of years gone by.

Nell felt like she had found a home in this touristy island, and quickly secured a job at the local Book Store, Cafe Books, owned by the mysterious, Mia Devlin. Mia had many island rumors circling around herself as well.. she owned the beautiful house on the cliff that could be seen from the ferry and was believed to have powers handed down from the generations of powerful women of the island before her.

And then there is Ripley, sister to the handsome sheriff, Zak. Ripley, as Mia knows, is the second of the"three sisters" on the island that still carry magical powers, yet as much as Mia embraces her powers, Ripley rejects them, hates that this is a gift handed down to her from the island, and does everything she can to deny it.

But Mia, and with her pulse on the island itself is well aware of the power the island has given her. She is also well aware that the island is called Three Sisters Island, and to complete the circle, there is to be a third. Mia has a strong feeling the third part of the sisterhood just came to the island in the form of a small woman who is currently in her employment and seems to be running from something. And that something, seems to be coming towards the island like a dark cloud that Mia can see and feel clearly, and she knows it will take the power of three to ensure the survival of all involved.

Two things are true: 1. This is not your typical Nora Roberts book. 2. This is one on my all time favorite reads.

I first read Dance Upon The Air in August of 2001. I know this for a fact because it was the first book our book club read together and because the book touched me so much that it graces my book shelf in triplicate, so I can always have a spare to give out to someone.

I LOVE books that have to do with strong, independent women, and if these women have powers... all the better. Dance Upon The Air covers all this well, I often refer to this book as paranormal, before paranormal was cool.

There is so much I love about this book and the two that follow it, Heaven and Earth, and then Face The Fire - all written in typical Nora Roberts fashion with her trilogies, each book features one of the three women. All equally awesome - which is rare in trilogies.

I have wanted to read this one again for a long time, but as book lovers know - its hard to get back to the ones you have read before when so many awesome reads are waiting to still be read...

I think I have found the secret to the re-read, try it in a different format. In this case, I listened to this book on audio and I am so over the top thrilled that I did. It is narrated beautifully by Sandra Burr and I cant even tell you how relieved I was that this older read was delightful as well in audio.

Do yourself a favor and give this book (or audio) a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised and this is definitely a do not judge a book by its author. (and yes, watch this weekend for a post on that!)(less)

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Dec 07, 2011 Patricia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: nora-roberts-three-sisters-island-t

“I really enjoyed this book. I love it when a book reminds me of what I forget in our everyday life and has a background lesson to be learned.

This said here goes a short description of the book...
Nora Roberts introduces readers to the idyllic town of Three Sisters Island.
Reputedly conjured by a trio of sisters seeking to escape the Salem witch-hunts, the island remains a place of quiet refuge for one and all, including pretty Nell Channing who arrives in town afraid of her own shadow, with few p...more “I really enjoyed this book. I love it when a book reminds me of what I forget in our everyday life and has a background lesson to be learned.

This said here goes a short description of the book...
Nora Roberts introduces readers to the idyllic town of Three Sisters Island.
Reputedly conjured by a trio of sisters seeking to escape the Salem witch-hunts, the island remains a place of quiet refuge for one and all, including pretty Nell Channing who arrives in town afraid of her own shadow, with few possessions and no past. But the warm, sunny days and cool, windswept nights, as well as the loving concern of new friends--especially hunky sheriff Zack Todd--soon lure skittish Nell into a much-welcome fresh life. Nell's new boss, the captivatingly lovely bookstore owner Mia Devlin wonders from what or whom Nell is running. Mia treats Nell as she would a sister, which isn't too far off the mark, helping Nell discover and explore her inner resources while Zack's romantic attentions bring a rosy glow to Nell's cheeks and to her future. But something wicked this way comes… Will Nell be ready to face and conquer her past? Even with the love and support of Mia, Zack, and Zack's fellow police officer, his peppery, down-to-earth sister Ripley, Nell has the fight of her life--the fight for her life--on her hands.

Nell is the woman that we all want to be. She has the will to take her life back from the hands of her "psycho" prince charming, the will and the courage to die and be reborn into a brand new woman with a hole new life, reinventing herself and reconstructing the pieces that were shatered along the way.
I think that we all want a prince charming, someone that picks us up from our feet and offer us the everlasting happy end. But not all that shines is gold, is it?
Nell stands against a battle to finally win over fear and transforming it into freedom.

Our hero Zack is also worth the fight, a pacient man, trustworthy, and the perfect partner for our heroin.
Love does happen and sometimes you do recognize your other half, you have to take the risk.

This first book coach's us for the next two with Ripley and Mia
playing a secondary but important role in Nell's life.

The big picture is that this is a very satisfying read, with a strong plot, that leaves you reconsidering that if our life was lived in a simplyer way we would be a lot happier.

Bring on the next two ! ”
(less)

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Sep 28, 2011 Joanne rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Sisters, female friends

I'm not a romance reader. So why did I bring Dance Upon the Air home from the library? I don't know. Maybe the cover appealed to me...I didn't start to read it until it was almost due back. Then I had to renew it or let it accrue fines, one or the other...

Is Dance Upon the Air great literature? Probably not. But it was a satisfying read despite its genre. I don't want to tell the story here--enough reviewers have done that already. However, you should know that it deals with the aftermath of spo...more

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Aug 13, 2011 Paula Phillips rated it 5 of 5 stars

I think if you are a person that finds the Salem Witch Trials fascinating and tales of witches and folklore and descendants , chucked in with a sense of mystery, thriller , magic and finding yourself in a small cosy township, then the Three Sisters Island Trilogy is just what you need and Dance Upon the Air is just what you need to start the trilogy. Our story starts way back in June 1692 when the Salem witch trials are in full stem. Nineteen women , innocent have been hanged and this has worrie...more

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Jun 23, 2011 Jintana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-audio-collection

ตอนแรกของซีรีส์ชุด Three Sisters Island นางเอก (เนล)โดนสามีที่ทั้งรวยและมีอำนาจทำร้ายทางร่างกายและจิตใจจนต้องสร้างเหตุการณ์ให้ตัวเองตายในอุบัติเหตุแล้วหนีมาที่เกาะนี้ที่มีตำนานเล่าว่าเป็นเกาะที่เกิดขึ้นด้วยเวทย์มนต์โดยพี่น้องสามสาวที่เป็นแม่มดเมื่อ 300 กว่าปีก่อนสมัยที่ยังมีการล่าแม่มดอยู่ นางเอกมีความสามารถในการทำอาหารสมัยที่ยังไม่แต่งงานแล้วช่วยแม่บริหารงานจัดเลี้ยงนอกสถานที่ เลยมาสมัครงานในร้านหนังสือ/คาเฟ่ของมีอาซึ่งก็เป็นหนึ่งผู้สืบเชื้อสายจากตระกูลแม่มด มีอารู้ทันทีว่าได้เนลเป็นหนึ่งในผู้ส...more

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Mar 11, 2011 Shanrina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, contemporary-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 05, 2010 Elementswater13 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Taken from my blog http://www.reviewcarnival.blogspot.com. *Might include spoilers*

1. DANCE UPON THE AIR tells the story of Nelll Channing, a woman who is running from her abusive husband. Her husband, who is a celebrity lawyer, assumes that she is dead because of her staged death a few months ago. With little money, Nell arrives in Three Sisters Island. She thinks about looking for work, and walks into the Island's bookstore owned by resident witch Mia Devlin. Coincidentally, teh cook at the bo...more

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Oct 03, 2010 Fiction State Of Mind (Kai Charles) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It is 1692. In Salem, MA. Three women meet on June 2nd the night of the solstice. It is a time of danger for their kind. They are witches. Though they've harmed none, fear and hate are putting their lives in danger. The three of them combine their powers and create an island. They entertwine their lives and their fates together forever.

Now hundreds of years later Nell Channing arrives on Three Sisters Island. She is escaping from an abusive husband. She ends up working at a local bookstore/cafe...more It is 1692. In Salem, MA. Three women meet on June 2nd the night of the solstice. It is a time of danger for their kind. They are witches. Though they've harmed none, fear and hate are putting their lives in danger. The three of them combine their powers and create an island. They entertwine their lives and their fates together forever.

Now hundreds of years later Nell Channing arrives on Three Sisters Island. She is escaping from an abusive husband. She ends up working at a local bookstore/cafe and begins to conect with the community and Mia her mysterious boss.

Nell's life is about to change even more as she learns she is a descendant of the Three witches who formed the island years ago. Now the island is under a curse and Nell is a piece of the history and the possibilty of salvation for herself and the island.If these decendats of the original creators of the island cannot heal and correct the mistakes and pain of the past the island will cease to exist.

I loved everything about this novel. Nora's words are magical! She breathes life into her charactes and the islands. I felt an immediate resonace with Nell.I also found myself wishing I was on the island sampling some of her cafe food! She is a true "kitchen witch" :)

In this volume we learn that Nell is related to Air one of the withces who left the island and married a man who abused and ultimately killed her. Ripley adn Zack Todd are also introduced. Ripley denies her magical heritage, but as Zack falls more in love with Nell she may be forced to make difficult choices for those she loves.

WITCHY WOMEN

Nora's description of magic is similiar to magical traditions of Witches who live in the balance with the earth and seek to do no harm. Once she get's over her initial disbelief Nell embraces her magical heriage and begins a relationship with Zack. What I enjoyed just as much as the magic in this book is the themes about empowerment and choice. When her past catches up to her Nell isnt immediately saved by her power. She stands with her sisters and faces her greatet fear. With her sisters support and her own strength she unleashes a powerful protective magic and works towards relieving the a bit of the Island's curse.

I also like the fact that this is a stand alone story, but trust me you will want the sequels!
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Mar 16, 2010 Sabrina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: readadvisoryreading09-10

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Dec 17, 2012 Lydia Perversius rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: three-sisters-island

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Now that was something new. Romance with just the right dose of Salem-based magic lore and legend.

The Three Sisters Island was said to be a small part of land that was cut off the mainland, due to a spell cast by three sisters who were witches, during the time when the Puritans used to hunt witches and anything related to magic. Now, many years later, three women, each a descendant of one of the sisters, are all on the island, with a deadline to a deadly curse approaching, and their own problem...more Now that was something new. Romance with just the right dose of Salem-based magic lore and legend.

The Three Sisters Island was said to be a small part of land that was cut off the mainland, due to a spell cast by three sisters who were witches, during the time when the Puritans used to hunt witches and anything related to magic. Now, many years later, three women, each a descendant of one of the sisters, are all on the island, with a deadline to a deadly curse approaching, and their own problems to solve.

The first book is about Nell Channing, originally named Helen Remmington, who arrives on the island to finally find a place to settle down, as she is on the run to escape her abusive husband. Evan Remmington is a famous and wealthy person with lots of connections, so turning to the authorities for help, or anyone else on that matter, was extremely difficult, and resulted in her enduring his psychotic behavior for three years. So, she fakes her death, changes name and papers, and takes off to find her old self again. She ends up in front of Mia's bookstore, which also serves as a small restaurant, and is hired on the spot. Nell has an undeniable talent when it comes to the kitchen, something that Mia finds useful and intriguing, so she rents her a small cottage as well, and becomes her friend. But Mia is a witch, and now that Nell, who's also a witch, is here, she has more plans concerning the sweet, scarred cook. Zachariah Todd, the island's sheriff, adds to the mix of problems Nell has to face, as he is immediately drawn to her, and pursues her steadily. And if he's gonna stick around, something she really wants him to, even if she doesn't admit it at first, Nell has to overcome her issues and harness her powers.

Dance Upon The Air was a nice read, fairly easy to finish. It didn't give me that much of a thrill as the Bride Quartet books did, but it's still nice, and the magic element added to the story was a bonus. Nell was a real sweetheart, and the parts where her fear for Evan showed were so well-written, I got scared just by reading them. I don't necessarily take Zack's side on their arguments concerning her past, but I do agree that she should have told him when she realized things were getting serious between them. It would have saved her so much effort. Zack was a nice piece of male ass - pardon the language - and his courting was alright, though there were times where I would have punched him if I were in her shoes, especially those in the fist chapters, when he was so persistent even if he knew she was scared.

All in all, it was a really good book. I'm off to start the next one, and thank God it's about Ripley, cause she and Lulu have proven to be my favorite characters so far, no matter how annoying they can be at times.(less)

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Sep 27, 2009 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Erin by: my best friend

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 09, 2012 Patti rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The generally good reviews and my fascinating experience visiting Salem, Mass. lead me to read this book.
Because of those reasons the book (and it's two sequels) started with my interest peeked…continued until two-thirds into the story….then slowed to the point that I found myself checking to see how many more pages there were ‘til the end. Not a great sign!

I can put the witchy stuff into the fantasy part of my imagination, but I was not comfortable with the some of the real raunchy language th...more

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Jun 18, 2012 P.A. Lupton rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is my first Nora Roberts book. Boy do I feel a little late coming to the party. Dance upon the Air was such a good read.

I really enjoyed Nora Roberts writing style. She is so talented at painting the scenery that I could almost feel the sea breeze on my face, smell the ocean, and hear the seagulls. I could picture the quaint island of Three Sisters as if I were there. And yet, as descriptive as it was, it didn’t get boring. It reminded me of one of my favorite authors, Anne Rice. Not since...more

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Jan 21, 2011 Patricia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone that loves a good romance

Recommended to Patricia by: Pick it up from the library

Shelves: nora-roberts-three-sisters-island-t

I really enjoyed this book. I love it when a book reminds me of what I forget in our everyday life and has a background lesson to be learned.

This said here goes a short description of the book...
Nora Roberts introduces readers to the idyllic town of Three Sisters Island.
Reputedly conjured by a trio of sisters seeking to escape the Salem witch-hunts, the island remains a place of quiet refuge for one and all, including pretty Nell Channing who arrives in town afraid of her own shadow, with few po...more I really enjoyed this book. I love it when a book reminds me of what I forget in our everyday life and has a background lesson to be learned.

This said here goes a short description of the book...
Nora Roberts introduces readers to the idyllic town of Three Sisters Island.
Reputedly conjured by a trio of sisters seeking to escape the Salem witch-hunts, the island remains a place of quiet refuge for one and all, including pretty Nell Channing who arrives in town afraid of her own shadow, with few possessions and no past. But the warm, sunny days and cool, windswept nights, as well as the loving concern of new friends--especially hunky sheriff Zack Todd--soon lure skittish Nell into a much-welcome fresh life. Nell's new boss, the captivatingly lovely bookstore owner Mia Devlin wonders from what or whom Nell is running. Mia treats Nell as she would a sister, which isn't too far off the mark, helping Nell discover and explore her inner resources while Zack's romantic attentions bring a rosy glow to Nell's cheeks and to her future. But something wicked this way comes… Will Nell be ready to face and conquer her past? Even with the love and support of Mia, Zack, and Zack's fellow police officer, his peppery, down-to-earth sister Ripley, Nell has the fight of her life--the fight for her life--on her hands.

Nell is the woman that we all want to be. She has the will to take her life back from the hands of her "psycho" prince charming, the will and the courage to die and be reborn into a brand new woman with a hole new life, reinventing herself and reconstructing the pieces that were shatered along the way.
I think that we all want a prince charming, someone that picks us up from our feet and offer us the everlasting happy end. But not all that shines is gold, is it?
Nell stands against a battle to finally win over fear and transforming it into freedom.

Our hero Zack is also worth the fight, a pacient man, trustworthy, and the perfect partner for our heroin.
Love does happen and sometimes you do recognize your other half, you have to take the risk.

This first book coach's us for the next two with Ripley and Mia
playing a secondary but important role in Nell's life.

The big picture is that this is a very satisfying read, with a strong plot, that leaves you reconsidering that if our life was lived in a simplyer way we would be a lot happier.

Bring on the next two !

(less)

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May 19, 2012 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was spellbound...no pun intended. I so resisted the urge to read the last chapter after I'd read the first two. I couldn't wait to find out how they were going to dispatch the bad guy. Face it, they always do. How else are we going to get to resolve Ripley & Mia's dilemmas? We have to have two more books. Thank you Nora, because we do!

What I also liked was the realistic writing...no trite dialogue, no contrived solutions, no bogged down passages. I especially enjoyed the "witch ways". I'm...more

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Jan 13, 2011 Xythen rated it 2 of 5 stars

About half way through this book. It's a fantasy romance about a woman who escapes an abusive marriage and starts a new life across the country.
She is very nervous, distrustful, and not interested in another relationship.
The thing that is disturbing me is that the romantic interest seems to be following in the same steps as a typical abuser; he doesn't listen to her when she says she doesn't want to be touched, he violates her personal space even though it scares her, and other dick moves.
Her hu...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Marilyn Rondeau rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This first installment of Robert’s Three Sister’s Island series gives a great prologue setting up how the island was formed as well as to its naming. In trying to escape the mayhem of the Salem witch trials, three sisters formed an island sanctuary that has survived the centuries and where their descendants still live - some accepting their gifts, others not.

In this a young woman, Nell Channing has been running for her life after staging her own death to escape a brutal husband and has found th...more This first installment of Robert’s Three Sister’s Island series gives a great prologue setting up how the island was formed as well as to its naming. In trying to escape the mayhem of the Salem witch trials, three sisters formed an island sanctuary that has survived the centuries and where their descendants still live - some accepting their gifts, others not.

In this a young woman, Nell Channing has been running for her life after staging her own death to escape a brutal husband and has found the island. Nell formed an immediate attachment to it the moment her feet hit the soil. With little in the way of money or possessions she meets Mia Devlin who recognizes Nell’s aura and helps her to settle in with both a job and place to stay. Nell also meets Ripley Todd, who no longer believes in her gifts, and her brother Zach, the sheriff, whom after a time Nell falls in love with. Danger is coming to the island and Nell’s visions show a bloody knife in terrifying nightmares, leaving her to wonder if she should stay and fight or keep running.

*** I loved, loved, loved this story! It had everything I could have imagined in character development, setting, romance, and more! In other words it was a perfect read, even if it was something I listened to in this audio unabridged version. It did bring about a bit of deja vu though, making me think of the Julia Robert’s movie SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY, however this was much, much deeper and well thought out. Ms. Roberts development of Nell in showing us how Nell started out from the bottom and with enormous culinary talent, drive, and hard work began to build an incredible new life for herself. {Nell’s recipes and descriptions of her daily concoctions made my mouth water.}

As Nell started to carve out a new career for herself, Robert’s used Mia Devlin to introduce and begin to teach Nell the natural gifts she possessed but hadn’t been aware of which were passed down to the three sisters descendants. Along with Nell, Mia’s interaction with Ripley (the other descendant who refused to use her gifts) added another layer to this fantastic tale.

Then of course Ms. Robert’s created Zach Todd, every woman’s idea of the solid, handsome, loyal and perfect love interest for Nell. It wasn’t love at first sight, more love at first bite, considering Nell’s culinary genius! Robert brought their romance along slowly and in lovely detail as Nell learned to trust and admire a man for his goodness instinctively knowing that he would never raise a hand to harm her as did her abusive husband. Not forgetting that legally Nell was still married, a romance developed but because of Nell’s secret, a lie albeit by the sin of omission. There would be angst of course, but this again only added to a real life scenario of dealing with what life brings to the table.

All in all, this was a phenomenal read (listen) and I am digging out the other two books of this series to indulge myself in Ms. Robert’s marvelous tale and brilliant prose. This is highly recommended reading.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
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Jan 04, 2010 Desiree Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars

"it is the way for us, Todds, isn't it? We go along, go alone, then pow; it hits and it's all over. I've been hit and I like it." -zack todd

That was one really nice line from the book. :)

"She was careless with her wish, as women can be when they yearn." -Mia

I couldn't agree more.

It's amazing how Nora Roberts could make witches and magic seem so ordinary.

The way Nell/Helen behaved in the story very well illustrated how it is like to be battered and how one battles with the demons and fears lurki...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Canoeu rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 3-stars-i-liked-it, fantasy, kindle, romance

Sleeping with the Enemy meets Practical Magic pretty much sums this book up. I felt like this borrowed heavily from each of those movies. I wouldn't have been surprised if the main character started monologueing about someone afraid of the water but learned to swim and knew the lack of light would be her pathway home.

It was an ok book. I liked most of the characters. Though I much preferred the character of Ripley over Nell (maybe I will read the 2nd book in this series). Zach was pretty dreamy,...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Jenny Q rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-my-nook

One thing I've learned about Nora Roberts is that you can't go wrong with one of her books. Sure some are better than others, but all of them are good. Her Three Sisters trilogy came highly recommended to me. This story revolves around Nell Channing, who has started a new life for herself after escaping an abusive marriage. She ends up on the charming New England island of Three Sisters where she meets two women with whom she shares an instant and strange connection and she comes to learn that s...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Jana Deleon rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was the first book I ever read by Nora Roberts. I bought it at a cafe because it was raining and I didn't feel like getting out in the weather. I was a mystery reader and hadn't read a romance since high school. I didn't realize I was reading a romance when I picked up this book or even when I'd finished it. It didn't even remotely resemble the rich boss/save-me secretary romances that my mom used to read years ago.

I loved the relationship between the three women and loved the intrigue of t...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Dsjwrites rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nora Roberts is one of the most prolific writers of our time and Dance Upon The AIr, the first installment of the Three Sisters Island trilogy doesn’t disappoint. While perusing my bookshelf I came upon this favorite and it is as much an intriguing read today as the day it was first published.

The setting, Three Sisters Island, is located off the coast of Massachusetts and has a past steeped in legend and lore.

Nell Channing is drawn to this island after she escaped from an abusive marriage just...more

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Feb 22, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

This is one of my absolute favorite series of Nora Roberts. I have read this at least once a year for I think ten years now. I lost the paperbacks in a move and purchased each book on the Kindle within 2 days of receiving my Kindle. I am very happy to see Mrs. Roberts’ books being offered as a set for the Kindle now, since if I am going to read one, I am probably going to read the whole set.
Back to this series, this book combines a little witchy magic, a little imagination, and of course wraps i...more

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by J.D. Robb

About Nora Roberts

aka
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 aka
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 sophomore year in high school, she transferred to a local public school, where she met Ronald Aufdem-Brinke, her future first husband.

In Augusy 17, 1968, as soon as she had graduated from High School, Eleanor married, against her parents' wishes. The marriage settled in Keedysville, Maryland. Her husband worked at his father's sheet-metal business before joining her parents in their lighting company. While, she worked briefly as a legal secretary. "I could type fast but couldn't spell, I was the worst legal secretary ever," she says now. After their sons, Dan and Jason, were born she stayed home. Calling this her "Earth Mother" years, she spent much of her time doing crafts, including ceramics and sewing her children's clothes. The marriage ended separating, and they obtained the divorce in January 1985.

In February 1979, a blizzard in forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate. During the now famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981 as Nora Roberts, a shortened form of her birth name Eleanor Marie Robertson, because she assumed that all authors had pen names.

Eleanor wrote under the pseudonym Jill March a story for a magazine titled "Melodies of Love".

Eleanor met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Her husband owns and operates a bookstore in Boonsboro, Maryland called "Turn the Page Books". Since that time, they've expanded their home, traveled the world.

In 1992, she decided adopted other pseudonym so to publish a futuristic-suspense novels, she first decided to use the pseudonym D.J. MacGregor, but she discovered that this pseudonym was used by another author. In 1995, her first "In Death" serial novel was published under the pseudonym J.D. Robb, the initials "J.D." were taken from her sons, Jason and Dan, while "Robb" is a shortened form of Roberts.

Eleanor has also been known as Sara Hardesty, because when the "Born In" series was released in U.K. it carried that name instead of Nora Roberts. She has since changed publishers.

Eleanor has been plagiarized by another best-selling romance writer, Janet Dailey. The practice came to light after a reader read Nora Roberts' "Sweet Revenge" and Janet Dailey's "Notorious" back-to-back; she noticed several similarities and posted the comparable passages on the Internet. Calling the plagiarism "mind rape," Eleanor sued Janet Daily. In 1997, Janet, admitted to repeatedly plagiarizing from Nora Roberts' work, and that both "Aspen Gold" and "Notorious" lifted heavily from Nora Roberts's work. Both of those novels were pulled from print after Janet's admission. She acknowledged the plagiarism and blamed it on a psychological disorder. In a settlement, Janet paid Eleanor an undisclosed sum, which Eleanor donated to the Literacy Volunteers of America.

A founding member of the Romance Writers of America (R.W.A.), she was the first inductee in the organization's Hall of Fame. She also is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the (less)

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“Laying a hand on his heart, she timed its beats to her own. And knew the truest magic was there.” — 6 people liked it

“Who I am now is who I was before. The three years between, they were the aberration. You wouldn't recognize the person I became during that lost time. I barely do.” — 1 person liked it

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Dance Upon the Air (Three Sisters Island #1)

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