Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts

Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts 2002 A Jove Book

[image error]Roberts wrote a trilogy about three brothers, Cameron, Ethan, and Phillip, taking in a 10 year old named Seth, who like them had been abused and needed a family. Readers wanted a story about Seth and Roberts delivers with this book that has Seth returning home, an accomplished artist, but running from a dark secret.

Back home, he reunites with his brothers, their wives, and their children in the small town on Chesapeake Bay. Roberts shows how to write a sequel and tie it to the previous story or stories in this case. Not only does she share details from the original three tales to satisfy the reader, she adds a ghost with a twist from the original books.

The villain, Gloria DeLauter, has been blackmailing Seth for years, and when she realizes his new girlfriend is rich, she sets her stakes higher. A villain that is a real threat increases the tension. Gloria is a good example of how to write someone who causes plenty of trouble for not only the hero but the heroine. Roberts also leaves the door open for her to return.

The love story between Seth and Dru is fast and furious. Seth falls for her at first sight, but doesn’t think about marriage until half way through the book. Dru had a privileged and perfect life but discovers her fiance was cheating on her. She left the spotlight of the rich and famous and found joy owning her own flower shop and little house without servants. But her bruised heart takes a long time to heal even under Seth’s skilled hands. Then Gloria makes Seth think sending Dru away with lies will keep her safe.

There were plenty of characters introduced in this story to write more books about, but none of them had the tortured past so the love interests will have to bring some serious baggage with them. The love of the Quinn family shines through this novel and makes everyone want to be a Quinn. That is Roberts’ gift. She brings her characters alive and they live in your minds and hearts long after you close the book.

For more book reviews, go to http://www.authorfreeman.wordpress.com