What do you think?
Night Tales #2
Night Shadow
A pulse-pounding Night Tales novel from “the queen of romantic suspense” (Columbus Dispatch), #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts’ Night Shadow shatters the thin line between law and justice—and between a man and woman driven by incompatible convictions, but bound by uncontrollable desires.
Crime and corruption ravaged the city, and people feared walking the streets after dark. Then the masked vigilante known as Nemesis emerged from the shadows, waging war against those who prey on the defenseless. Prosecutor Deborah O’Roarke believes Nemesis is just as dangerous as the criminals he fights, until one night he saves her from an attacker. Realizing just how much the city needs him, Deborah finds herself championing Nemesis’s mission—and longing to share herself with the man behind the mask.
Crime and corruption ravaged the city, and people feared walking the streets after dark. Then the masked vigilante known as Nemesis emerged from the shadows, waging war against those who prey on the defenseless. Prosecutor Deborah O’Roarke believes Nemesis is just as dangerous as the criminals he fights, until one night he saves her from an attacker. Realizing just how much the city needs him, Deborah finds herself championing Nemesis’s mission—and longing to share herself with the man behind the mask.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 1991
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,309 books62.3k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
February 12, 2022
"We need rebels, just as we need heroes. It would be a dull, sad world without them."
I loooved Deborah and Gage's dynamic so much. I feel like the first book of these was a sit-down-and-enjoy book, which is great, but this one? So good. The plot? The characters? There was so much more feeling and drama to it. Gage is my favorite kind of troubled love interest, morally gray, fantastical. I feel like fantasy guys just have a right to be grumpy and rude whereas regular old guys are just annoying about it.
I loved the vigilante super-hero vibe I got from this. I've always been a sucker for spider-man, so the paranormal aspect of his powers really brought that to life for me. This has so much more of a base in it's plot and i thoroughly enjoyed it.
I'm just such a big fan of grumpy boys being a bit less grumpy when they're in love, honestly.
I loooved Deborah and Gage's dynamic so much. I feel like the first book of these was a sit-down-and-enjoy book, which is great, but this one? So good. The plot? The characters? There was so much more feeling and drama to it. Gage is my favorite kind of troubled love interest, morally gray, fantastical. I feel like fantasy guys just have a right to be grumpy and rude whereas regular old guys are just annoying about it.
I loved the vigilante super-hero vibe I got from this. I've always been a sucker for spider-man, so the paranormal aspect of his powers really brought that to life for me. This has so much more of a base in it's plot and i thoroughly enjoyed it.
I'm just such a big fan of grumpy boys being a bit less grumpy when they're in love, honestly.
June 3, 2020
"Motive isn't relevant in this case, results are."
"You're wrong. I went to the mayor, I asked him to use his influence to have you taken off the case. But I'm guilty of more than that-I'm guilty of being in love with you."
Her tensed hands went limp at her side so that the briefcase fell to the floor. Though she opened her mouth to speak, she could say nothing.
"Amazing." His eyes were dark and furious as he took that final step toward her. "A sharp woman like you being surprised by that. You should have seen it every time I looked at you. You should have seen it every time I touched you." He put his hands on her shoulders. "You should have tasted it, every time I kissed you."
Pushing her back against the door, he brushed his mouth over hers, once, twice. Then he devoured her lips.
"Night Shadow" is the story of Deborah and Gage.
As a deadly battle wages in a crime infested city, a young prosecutor, a cunning businessman and a shadowed vigilante engage in a battle of wills. Our heroine is the little sister to the main character from book one, now a fiery lawyer fighting against the injustice she sees everyday. Her two obstacles come in the form of an enigmatic charmer, who takes an interest in her, and a hidden figure, who emerges from the darkness to protect her, and their people.
This book has suspense, bloodshed, a heroine who does not give a crap about her own safety and repeatedly gets into trouble and a smitten but protective hero. Very Zorro like feel to the book, with a love triangle which is basically a circle. The lovemaking scenes are purely sexy, the angst heartbreaking and delicious, and I totally did not expect the reveal towards the end. I do like stalker-ish heroes though!
Fun!
Safe
3.5/5
"You're wrong. I went to the mayor, I asked him to use his influence to have you taken off the case. But I'm guilty of more than that-I'm guilty of being in love with you."
Her tensed hands went limp at her side so that the briefcase fell to the floor. Though she opened her mouth to speak, she could say nothing.
"Amazing." His eyes were dark and furious as he took that final step toward her. "A sharp woman like you being surprised by that. You should have seen it every time I looked at you. You should have seen it every time I touched you." He put his hands on her shoulders. "You should have tasted it, every time I kissed you."
Pushing her back against the door, he brushed his mouth over hers, once, twice. Then he devoured her lips.
"Night Shadow" is the story of Deborah and Gage.
As a deadly battle wages in a crime infested city, a young prosecutor, a cunning businessman and a shadowed vigilante engage in a battle of wills. Our heroine is the little sister to the main character from book one, now a fiery lawyer fighting against the injustice she sees everyday. Her two obstacles come in the form of an enigmatic charmer, who takes an interest in her, and a hidden figure, who emerges from the darkness to protect her, and their people.
This book has suspense, bloodshed, a heroine who does not give a crap about her own safety and repeatedly gets into trouble and a smitten but protective hero. Very Zorro like feel to the book, with a love triangle which is basically a circle. The lovemaking scenes are purely sexy, the angst heartbreaking and delicious, and I totally did not expect the reveal towards the end. I do like stalker-ish heroes though!
Fun!
Safe
3.5/5
May 9, 2018
The romance was pretty good, a classic Nora Roberts one but the side plot... I'm not sure.
Basically it was Nora Roberts's way of writing a "Batman in love" story!
There's a rich vigilante who has lost his parents to a mugging gone bad and he has a butler who knows about his extracurricular activities. He wears a mask at night and his lady love doesn't recognize him when he's wearing it. He also has some supernatural powers! The only thing he doesn't have is a cape!
I probably would have rated it higher ifBatmanNemesis wasn't a big part of the plot.
Basically it was Nora Roberts's way of writing a "Batman in love" story!
There's a rich vigilante who has lost his parents to a mugging gone bad and he has a butler who knows about his extracurricular activities. He wears a mask at night and his lady love doesn't recognize him when he's wearing it. He also has some supernatural powers! The only thing he doesn't have is a cape!
I probably would have rated it higher if
January 18, 2022
Well, this was different with a paranormal element. I am certainly glad she doesn't write such incredibly obstinate heroines anymore. I mean how stupid can a person be when they are constantly claiming they can take care of themselves after their life had been saved several times by someone else because of their stubbornness and stupidity. Geez!
June 26, 2023
Holy Batman! Think Bruce Wayne with an invisibility superpower. Nora Roberts has invented her own crusader in Gage Guthrie. Same suave, debonaire, rich dude by day, but he becomes Nemesis by night to fight crime in the city of Urbana. Lovely Deborah O'Roarke, an Assistant District Attorney, was saved by Nemesis and has captured his interest.
Lots of angst, TSTL and improvable situations. But, some really great NR romance scenes, better than her latest offerings.
Lots of angst, TSTL and improvable situations. But, some really great NR romance scenes, better than her latest offerings.
October 30, 2010
Yet another great NR work in the Night Tales series. Intense, dark, brooding, angsty, dramatic, and slightly paranormal. This last angle could've worked against the story, but it somehow made perfect sense, adding to the plot, instead of making it sound ridiculous and pretentious.
Loved the characters, especially the tension between Deborah and Gage. They had problems from the beginning, not everything about them and their relationship was black-and-white, and for us, lovers of the gray area, this was a real treat...Even the "slight" love-triangle worked in favor of the story, moving it forward, adding to the layers and depth...
Sheesh, I don't know what more to say. Despite its age, I loved this book.
Loved the characters, especially the tension between Deborah and Gage. They had problems from the beginning, not everything about them and their relationship was black-and-white, and for us, lovers of the gray area, this was a real treat...Even the "slight" love-triangle worked in favor of the story, moving it forward, adding to the layers and depth...
Sheesh, I don't know what more to say. Despite its age, I loved this book.
February 18, 2018
Leído en Febrero del 2018
Esperaba más de este libro. Es una mezcla de Batman y Cristian Grey, se lo perdono por que fue publicado en 1991.
Bastante ligero, para pasar el rato.
Aún que es una “saga” no son libros que continúen una historia, si no que toman un personaje relacionado y desarrollan algo totalmente distinto a los otros libros, dicho esto, tomare este libro como Autoconclusivo y no continuare con las otras entregas, con uno basta y sobra.
Esperaba más de este libro. Es una mezcla de Batman y Cristian Grey, se lo perdono por que fue publicado en 1991.
Bastante ligero, para pasar el rato.
Aún que es una “saga” no son libros que continúen una historia, si no que toman un personaje relacionado y desarrollan algo totalmente distinto a los otros libros, dicho esto, tomare este libro como Autoconclusivo y no continuare con las otras entregas, con uno basta y sobra.
May 29, 2015
Not too often I rate a NR book 1 star, but this one deserved it.
Think of it as a generic version of Batman/Bruce Wayne with the added convenience of invisibility. It even comes with a "bat cave" in Gage's house, a house which is very similar to that of Roarke's mansion in the "In Death" series.
The reviews had me skeptical and I now understand why, but, I wanted an update on Deborah's sister, Cilla, from the first installment of the series-which I actually liked. Once I got that info I basically skimmed it for highlights til I reached an ending that earned an eye roll and an "I can't believe I actually read this. Thank God it's over." shake of my head.
Hopefully I won't see any more of "Nemesis" in future installments. But wait! He has the power of invisibility since recovering from a coma so I don't need to see him at all!
Think of it as a generic version of Batman/Bruce Wayne with the added convenience of invisibility. It even comes with a "bat cave" in Gage's house, a house which is very similar to that of Roarke's mansion in the "In Death" series.
The reviews had me skeptical and I now understand why, but, I wanted an update on Deborah's sister, Cilla, from the first installment of the series-which I actually liked. Once I got that info I basically skimmed it for highlights til I reached an ending that earned an eye roll and an "I can't believe I actually read this. Thank God it's over." shake of my head.
Hopefully I won't see any more of "Nemesis" in future installments. But wait! He has the power of invisibility since recovering from a coma so I don't need to see him at all!
July 9, 2025
(3.5) oohhhh the BATMAN! พระเอกเป็นนักธุรกิจผู้ร่ำรวย พอตกกลางคืนก็ใส่หน้ากากแต่งชุดดำออกปราบเหล่าร้าย มันแบทแมนมากแบบถ้า matt reeves คิดบทหนังไม่ออกก็สามารถหยิบเล่มนี้ไปทำหนังได้เลย เมืองในเรื่องก็ gotham city สุดๆ
แต่ despite the interesting premise รู้สึกว่าเรื่องราวมันครึ่งๆ กลางๆ ไปหมด มันมีทั้งเรื่องราวการทำตัวเป็นศาลเตี้ยของพระเอกที่ตั้งคำถามว่าความยุติธรรมคืออะไร บลาๆๆ, การทำงานของนางเอกที่เป็นอัยการผู้ช่วย, ความรักระหว่างพระนาง ซึ่งเรื่องทั้งหมดนี้เขียนออกมาในความยาวแค่สองร้อยหน้ากว่าๆ ทุกอย่างมันเลย underwhelming ไปไม่สุดเลยสักทาง ยิ่ง romance คืออะไรมันจะง่ายดายขนาดนี้ รักกันตรงไหนยังงงอยู่ แถมจบห้วนสุดๆ
เอาจริงๆ มันมีอะไรน่าสนใจหลายอย่างนะ ชอบที่พูดถึงเรื่องความยุติธรรม/ระบบของสังคม ซึ่งก็ไม่ใช่เรื่องแปลกใหม่แหละ แค่ไม่ค่อยเจอในนิยาย romance เลยรู้สึกว้าว แต่สุดท้ายก็รู้สึกว่าประเด็นพวกนี้มันแค่อยู่ตรงนั้นเฉยๆ เหมือนใส่มาให้ดูมีอะไร แต่ไม่ได้ส่งผลกับตัวละครหรือนำพาคนอ่านไปไหน
ป.ล. ประทับใจบทแปล ตัวละครด่ากันว่า นังสุวรรณมาลี ไทยมาก 555555555
แต่ despite the interesting premise รู้สึกว่าเรื่องราวมันครึ่งๆ กลางๆ ไปหมด มันมีทั้งเรื่องราวการทำตัวเป็นศาลเตี้ยของพระเอกที่ตั้งคำถามว่าความยุติธรรมคืออะไร บลาๆๆ, การทำงานของนางเอกที่เป็นอัยการผู้ช่วย, ความรักระหว่างพระนาง ซึ่งเรื่องทั้งหมดนี้เขียนออกมาในความยาวแค่สองร้อยหน้ากว่าๆ ทุกอย่างมันเลย underwhelming ไปไม่สุดเลยสักทาง ยิ่ง romance คืออะไรมันจะง่ายดายขนาดนี้ รักกันตรงไหนยังงงอยู่ แถมจบห้วนสุดๆ
เอาจริงๆ มันมีอะไรน่าสนใจหลายอย่างนะ ชอบที่พูดถึงเรื่องความยุติธรรม/ระบบของสังคม ซึ่งก็ไม่ใช่เรื่องแปลกใหม่แหละ แค่ไม่ค่อยเจอในนิยาย romance เลยรู้สึกว้าว แต่สุดท้ายก็รู้สึกว่าประเด็นพวกนี้มันแค่อยู่ตรงนั้นเฉยๆ เหมือนใส่มาให้ดูมีอะไร แต่ไม่ได้ส่งผลกับตัวละครหรือนำพาคนอ่านไปไหน
ป.ล. ประทับใจบทแปล ตัวละครด่ากันว่า นังสุวรรณมาลี ไทยมาก 555555555
October 16, 2024
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t this.
April 11, 2014
นิยายเก่ามากแล้ว ยี่สิบกว่าปี ของนอร่า ดองไว้นานมากเพราะอ่านเล่มแรกในชุดแล้วเฉยๆ เพิ่งหยิบมาอ่าน อ๊ะ ปรากฏว่าชอบมากกว่าเล่มแรกค่ะ ถึงแม้จะเว่อร์สุดๆ ประมาณอินเดธ+แบทแมน แต่มันเว่อร์ดีอะ เล่มนี้อ่านแล้วรู้สึกราวกับได้อ่านโปรโตไทป์ของอีฟและโร้ค(ในชุดอินเดธเลยค่ะ) มีอะไรหลายอย่างเหมือน นิสัย อาชีพ พฤติกรรม อะไรเล็กๆ น้อยๆ แต่บวกความเป็นซุปเปอร์ฮีโร่เข้าไปหน่อย แปลกใจเหมือนกันเพราะจำได้ว่าเล่มแรกไม่มีกลิ่นอายพารานอร์มอลเลยนี่นา
ชอบความหวาน แล้วก็เคมีระหว่างพระนาง เรื่องนี้ถ้าอ่านเมื่อยี่สิบปีที่แล้วคงจะได้คะแนนเต็ม แต่หลังจากผ่านนิยายมาเยอะ ย้อนไปอ่านงานเก่ามันเลยไม่แปลกใหม่มาก แล้วก็นางเอกยังมีงี่เง่าบ้างเล็กน้อย ประเภทไปลำพังในตรอกค่ำๆ มืดๆ พาลให้หงุดหงิดใจ สวยบอบบางขนาดนั้น เหมือนที่พระเอกด่าว่าอยากถูกข่มขืนแล้วฆ่าทิ้งรึไงยะ แต่ก็นะ ถ้านางไม่เจออันตรายพระเอกก็ไม่ได้โชว์แมนสิ ชอบตอนเธอว่าความแก้ต่างให้โสเภณีที่ถูกซ้อม ทำได้ดีมาก สงสารสาวๆพวกนั้นและยกนิ้วให้นางเอกเลย ความเก่งเว่อร์รวยเว่อร์ของพระเอก ถึงแม้มันจะทำให้เรื่องดูหลุดกรอบไม่สมจริงไปนิด แต่ก็อ่านแบบนิยายพาฝันน่ะ ตัวร้ายเราเดาไว้ว่าเป็นคนนึง แต่ผลออกมาไม่ใช่ ก็นับว่าทำให้ประหลาดใจได้นิดหน่อย
ชอบความหวาน แล้วก็เคมีระหว่างพระนาง เรื่องนี้ถ้าอ่านเมื่อยี่สิบปีที่แล้วคงจะได้คะแนนเต็ม แต่หลังจากผ่านนิยายมาเยอะ ย้อนไปอ่านงานเก่ามันเลยไม่แปลกใหม่มาก แล้วก็นางเอกยังมีงี่เง่าบ้างเล็กน้อย ประเภทไปลำพังในตรอกค่ำๆ มืดๆ พาลให้หงุดหงิดใจ สวยบอบบางขนาดนั้น เหมือนที่พระเอกด่าว่าอยากถูกข่มขืนแล้วฆ่าทิ้งรึไงยะ แต่ก็นะ ถ้านางไม่เจออันตรายพระเอกก็ไม่ได้โชว์แมนสิ ชอบตอนเธอว่าความแก้ต่างให้โสเภณีที่ถูกซ้อม ทำได้ดีมาก สงสารสาวๆพวกนั้นและยกนิ้วให้นางเอกเลย ความเก่งเว่อร์รวยเว่อร์ของพระเอก ถึงแม้มันจะทำให้เรื่องดูหลุดกรอบไม่สมจริงไปนิด แต่ก็อ่านแบบนิยายพาฝันน่ะ ตัวร้ายเราเดาไว้ว่าเป็นคนนึง แต่ผลออกมาไม่ใช่ ก็นับว่าทำให้ประหลาดใจได้นิดหน่อย
July 11, 2015
Weird, not what I'd expect for a RS. Gage was a mixture between Batman, Superman, Invisible Man & Spiderman..........As I said WEIRD!!
July 5, 2019
Deborah O'Roarke is a young, tenacious prosecutor who isn't afraid to do a little legwork to make her case. That's how she gets caught in a life-threatening situation while in downtown Urbana. Fortunately, she is rescued by Nemesis, a vigilante crime-fighter whose methods Deborah disagrees with, even as she's grateful for his timing. She's also drawn to him and his charm, even though he's completely arrogant and irritating. But at the same time, Deborah is forming a relationship with Gage Guthrie, former cop turned millionaire with a tortured past, and he makes her feel the same way. She's torn between which of these men she should be with. What she doesn't know is that Gage IS Nemesis, and has been holding back secrets and interfering with her investigations so that he can protect her...but only because he loves her.
I was a tad skeptical at all the reviews saying this was just like "batman" but I totally see it now. He even has a batcave and a helpful, secret-knowing butler. That similarity made this story feel a bit hokey...like fanfiction instead of an original novel. Although in fairness, the was something completely original to the story. Despite the similarities, the story itself was pretty engaging. I enjoyed the secret-keeping, the constant angst because of their trust issues and waiting for him to drop the bomb (or her to figure it out). And while the characters each had irritating moments (Gage with his domineering attitude and Deborah with her stubborn insistence on putting her life at risk) and frustrated me plenty, I didn't hate either one and they irritated equally, so I didn't like one more than the other. What I didn't see in the reviews that I saw plenty of myself, was how much this couple reminded me of Roarke and Eve from the In Death series. He's uber-rich and has computer technology behind sliding panel doors that can search out anyone's background. Both approach justice in diametrically opposed ways but find themselves bending just a little to trust the other's view of justice enough to work together. Overall, even in the face of the batman fanfiction and the frustrating characters, I did still enjoy the story and was honestly surprised by the villain. So as a mystery, this works okay too.
I was a tad skeptical at all the reviews saying this was just like "batman" but I totally see it now. He even has a batcave and a helpful, secret-knowing butler. That similarity made this story feel a bit hokey...like fanfiction instead of an original novel. Although in fairness, the was something completely original to the story. Despite the similarities, the story itself was pretty engaging. I enjoyed the secret-keeping, the constant angst because of their trust issues and waiting for him to drop the bomb (or her to figure it out). And while the characters each had irritating moments (Gage with his domineering attitude and Deborah with her stubborn insistence on putting her life at risk) and frustrated me plenty, I didn't hate either one and they irritated equally, so I didn't like one more than the other. What I didn't see in the reviews that I saw plenty of myself, was how much this couple reminded me of Roarke and Eve from the In Death series. He's uber-rich and has computer technology behind sliding panel doors that can search out anyone's background. Both approach justice in diametrically opposed ways but find themselves bending just a little to trust the other's view of justice enough to work together. Overall, even in the face of the batman fanfiction and the frustrating characters, I did still enjoy the story and was honestly surprised by the villain. So as a mystery, this works okay too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
This was kind of corny, and they was def moving fast but I lowkey enjoyed it. I loved how dramatic everything is and my fave aspect was how “mysterious” Gabe was and how we would just disappear (although I did find him a bit pushy, not my fave book bf) overall fun read
This was kind of corny, and they was def moving fast but I lowkey enjoyed it. I loved how dramatic everything is and my fave aspect was how “mysterious” Gabe was and how we would just disappear (although I did find him a bit pushy, not my fave book bf) overall fun read
December 10, 2022
Synopsis: Nora Roberts meets Batman
September 8, 2024
This started nicely till it turned into a retelling of batman with a nice spicy touch to it.
March 1, 2025
Prima tussendoortje
March 5, 2021
3-3.5 stars - Romantic Suspense
February 20, 2026
This second book in the Night Tales is a good read. It started intense right away with mystery and through the whole book to the end. It’s not a long book so a faster read.
May 5, 2022
Overall: 3 stars. A little cheesy and over-the-top, but a lot of fun
This was my first Nora Roberts, and it’s an older one (early 1990s). I read this more as a “historical” or a period piece, rather than a contemporary, and I think that helps with some of the outdated clothing and technology (car phones!) from seeming silly for not seeming “modern” enough. The book itself is also a little old-school in that it’s got some melodrama vibes, purple prose (especially in the sex scenes), and the occasionally cheesy dialog in ways that you don’t necessarily see in today’s contemporaries.
HOWEVER. I had a blast reading this. It was a little cheesy but a lot of fun. It’s basically 1990s power attorney woman + vigilante millionaire who is pretty much Bruce Wayne. He rescues her from danger a few times; she sasses him non-stop; they make dramatic, purple-prosey love and fight crime together. It’s awesome.
If you want some Batman-loving vibes with a 90s style girl!boss, then you’ll love this. Embrace the cheesiness, and it’s a great read.
This was my first Nora Roberts, and it’s an older one (early 1990s). I read this more as a “historical” or a period piece, rather than a contemporary, and I think that helps with some of the outdated clothing and technology (car phones!) from seeming silly for not seeming “modern” enough. The book itself is also a little old-school in that it’s got some melodrama vibes, purple prose (especially in the sex scenes), and the occasionally cheesy dialog in ways that you don’t necessarily see in today’s contemporaries.
HOWEVER. I had a blast reading this. It was a little cheesy but a lot of fun. It’s basically 1990s power attorney woman + vigilante millionaire who is pretty much Bruce Wayne. He rescues her from danger a few times; she sasses him non-stop; they make dramatic, purple-prosey love and fight crime together. It’s awesome.
If you want some Batman-loving vibes with a 90s style girl!boss, then you’ll love this. Embrace the cheesiness, and it’s a great read.
March 28, 2014
"I am Vengeance.
"I am Hot Masked Sex.
"I am - NEMESIS!"
http://youtu.be/A71i0a5x-qA
Basically, Nora Roberts wanted to write BATMAN IN LOVE, only she didn't want to deal with Time-Warner over rights. So she created a superrich ex-cop masked vigilante of her own, Nemesis, who wears the Non-Union Canadian Equivalent of Will Eisner's The Spirit costume (trenchcoat, snap-brim hat, domino mask),
from Frank Miller's Mostly-Awful The Spirit Movie....
...and yes, that IS Stana Katic grinning in the background!
has a variant on The Shadow's Invisibility Superpower, lives in the family mansion with his ex-con housekeeper/bodyguard/emergency medic Frank, and who as Gage Guthrie pretends to be a playboy.
Or Maybe Oliver Queen...?
Into his life charges Assistant DA Deborah O'Roarke (sister of Cilla O'Roarke of NR's previous series entry
Night Shift), who first meets him while he's Nemesis - and there are, yes, immediate sparks flying even if she doesn't approve of masked vigilantes! The next night she meets him at a social 'do as Gutherie, and immediate sparks fly even if she doesn't approve of rich wastrels offering her foot massages, either -
so, yeah, Deb's pretty picky when it comes to her guys. However, the more she runs into Gutherie or Nemesis, the more she keeps confusing the two - until on one Hot Summer Night Nemesis comes into her apartment and takes her to bed, and in the throes of orgasm she realizes the two men she knows she shouldn't be so strongly attracted to are, in fact, the same guy! (Guess that makes her smarter than Lois Lane, at least....)
I kid because I love - NIGHT SHADOW does an adept job of fusing romance novels and superhero comics into an entertaining whole. While it's true that Nemesis is a pastiche character, he works quite well as a superhero, right down to the vengeance-driven motivation for his actions (while a cop he and his partner were betrayed, his partner killed and him nearly so, by a slimy drug lord) and handwave of his superpowers. Deb works nicely as a woman who's fallen, hard, for a man on a quest she's not sure she can accept - and while I won't give away the ending, let's just say it lets them come to terms with that quest in a way they're both good with, so they can share a life together. The supporting cast, with includes the family that came out of the previous book about a decade later, are enjoyable in ways that presage the large casts of NR's later Eve Dallas policiers. While short, this book doesn't feel rushed - it feel just right to tell its blended story.
"I am Hot Masked Sex.
"I am - NEMESIS!"
http://youtu.be/A71i0a5x-qA
Basically, Nora Roberts wanted to write BATMAN IN LOVE, only she didn't want to deal with Time-Warner over rights. So she created a superrich ex-cop masked vigilante of her own, Nemesis, who wears the Non-Union Canadian Equivalent of Will Eisner's The Spirit costume (trenchcoat, snap-brim hat, domino mask),
from Frank Miller's Mostly-Awful The Spirit Movie....
...and yes, that IS Stana Katic grinning in the background!
has a variant on The Shadow's Invisibility Superpower, lives in the family mansion with his ex-con housekeeper/bodyguard/emergency medic Frank, and who as Gage Guthrie pretends to be a playboy.
Or Maybe Oliver Queen...?
Into his life charges Assistant DA Deborah O'Roarke (sister of Cilla O'Roarke of NR's previous series entry
Night Shift), who first meets him while he's Nemesis - and there are, yes, immediate sparks flying even if she doesn't approve of masked vigilantes! The next night she meets him at a social 'do as Gutherie, and immediate sparks fly even if she doesn't approve of rich wastrels offering her foot massages, either -so, yeah, Deb's pretty picky when it comes to her guys. However, the more she runs into Gutherie or Nemesis, the more she keeps confusing the two - until on one Hot Summer Night Nemesis comes into her apartment and takes her to bed, and in the throes of orgasm she realizes the two men she knows she shouldn't be so strongly attracted to are, in fact, the same guy! (Guess that makes her smarter than Lois Lane, at least....)
I kid because I love - NIGHT SHADOW does an adept job of fusing romance novels and superhero comics into an entertaining whole. While it's true that Nemesis is a pastiche character, he works quite well as a superhero, right down to the vengeance-driven motivation for his actions (while a cop he and his partner were betrayed, his partner killed and him nearly so, by a slimy drug lord) and handwave of his superpowers. Deb works nicely as a woman who's fallen, hard, for a man on a quest she's not sure she can accept - and while I won't give away the ending, let's just say it lets them come to terms with that quest in a way they're both good with, so they can share a life together. The supporting cast, with includes the family that came out of the previous book about a decade later, are enjoyable in ways that presage the large casts of NR's later Eve Dallas policiers. While short, this book doesn't feel rushed - it feel just right to tell its blended story.
February 28, 2017
Este livro surpreendeu-me. Não estava à espera dos poderes do Gage Guthrie. Mas achei interessante andarem os dois atrás dos criminosos, cada um de sua forma e a tentar demover o outro de o fazer daquela maneira.
January 13, 2016
Yes, even throwing all kinds of disclaimers into the mix regarding my knowing that I'm really not the target audience for this kind of thing, that it's harmless escapism for folks who like a bit of romance and thriller mixed together, and admitting that it was pretty readable (which many 'better' books have not been), this was still pretty crap.
The story concerns a strong female lead, who is a lawyer, who is independent and classy and beautiful and intelligent and all those other wonderful things that heroines are. During her work putting away criminals, she gets involved in some dangerous situations (involving drugs and South Americans, naturally) and is saved by a mysterious hero. She also falls for an initially arrogant rich handsome man, and her love of course eventually brings him round and it is revealed that he is some Bat-man stroke Superman crime fighting vigilante with a normal alter-ego. Together they crack the mystery and bring the (oh what a surprise, it involves a cover-up by seemingly trustworthy authorities) baddies to justice.
Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed some of it as it was a pacy story with some moments of wit. I'm trying not to come over as a snob, but there was *so* much cheese in it, so many randomly inserted romantic/erotic clinches, such ridiculous dialogue and descriptions (at one point she notices his hands fit perfectly round the stem of a wine glass.. and he notices that she has a watch on, which is 'set to the minute', as if this is somehow important!) and a worrying amount of times when 'harmless romantic escapism' came over to me as ridiculously misogynistic - feminists would be up in arms at the frequency and ease with which this independent woman turns pathetic and gooey, and some of the love scenes were rather 'rapey' in places.
Still, if the genre is your kind of thing - Beverley Barton and the like - it would make for an enjoyable read. Slightly formulaic as it is, you can understand why Nora Roberts makes a good living.
The story concerns a strong female lead, who is a lawyer, who is independent and classy and beautiful and intelligent and all those other wonderful things that heroines are. During her work putting away criminals, she gets involved in some dangerous situations (involving drugs and South Americans, naturally) and is saved by a mysterious hero. She also falls for an initially arrogant rich handsome man, and her love of course eventually brings him round and it is revealed that he is some Bat-man stroke Superman crime fighting vigilante with a normal alter-ego. Together they crack the mystery and bring the (oh what a surprise, it involves a cover-up by seemingly trustworthy authorities) baddies to justice.
Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed some of it as it was a pacy story with some moments of wit. I'm trying not to come over as a snob, but there was *so* much cheese in it, so many randomly inserted romantic/erotic clinches, such ridiculous dialogue and descriptions (at one point she notices his hands fit perfectly round the stem of a wine glass.. and he notices that she has a watch on, which is 'set to the minute', as if this is somehow important!) and a worrying amount of times when 'harmless romantic escapism' came over to me as ridiculously misogynistic - feminists would be up in arms at the frequency and ease with which this independent woman turns pathetic and gooey, and some of the love scenes were rather 'rapey' in places.
Still, if the genre is your kind of thing - Beverley Barton and the like - it would make for an enjoyable read. Slightly formulaic as it is, you can understand why Nora Roberts makes a good living.
March 30, 2020
Esta es una historia oscura y rara!!
Una novela romántica donde en realidad el romance es demasiado rápido a pesar de los secretos entre Deb y Gage. Justamente el secreto de Gage es lo más raro. Adoro las cosas raras y misteriosas pero el "secreto" de Gage en realidad no tiene verdadera credibilidad.
No logré en verdad conectar con ninguno de los dos personajes, a parte de ser un romance rápido y de que ninguno de los dos verdaderamente confía en el otro hasta el final. Me hubiera gustado un poco más de fondo y un eíilogo no hubiera estado nada mal.
Interesante pero no lo mejor, verdaderamente no convence la actividad extracurricular de Gage, sin contar que no es nada que no hayamos visto antes.
December 24, 2011
This book was kind of weird, with a hero who led a double life, as an ex-cop turned businessman and a super-hero of sorts, working at night in a mask protecting people and having the power of invisibility, then he meets ethical ADA Deborah( the sister of the heroine from Night Shift) and falls for her.
Deb believes in the law and feels the pull towards two men who turn out to be one and she doesn't know how to reconcile her job with the secrets the man she loves keeps.
The story moves too fast, with an evil organization in the middle responsible for what happened to the hero when he was on the force, I found the ending too abrupt.
Deb believes in the law and feels the pull towards two men who turn out to be one and she doesn't know how to reconcile her job with the secrets the man she loves keeps.
The story moves too fast, with an evil organization in the middle responsible for what happened to the hero when he was on the force, I found the ending too abrupt.
August 10, 2026
I don't usually say this for a Nora Roberts book, but man, what a disappointment this one was!
This is Deborah's story, after she graduated from law school and left Cilia to make a life of her own. But the place she's ended up in is crawling with crime, and there's a vigilante who seems hell bent on stopping her from doing her job. Along with a very wealthy man, intent on making her his. Can she solve her case in time, and keep her heart intact?
First of all, can we all agree that Nemesis is practically Batman? I mean, come on.
Rich guy who pretends to be a playboy? Check.
Traumatic past, with the dead family and all? Check.
Secret identity? Check.
Ridiculous amount of resources? Check.
Disappears into the night to beat criminals into submission? Yup, check.
The only difference is, Nemesis actually had a superpower, unlike Bruce Wayne.
But you know what else Nemesis, aka Gage, had unlike Bruce?
MY IRE!
Dude, look at Deborah. She's a girlboss. She's finally a lawyer, she's fierce, she's competent (as she kept reminding people who only saw a pretty face), she knows her shit, and watching her eviscerate people with nothing but facts and her sharp tongue was such a turn-on. Yes! Give me more of that woman! What a badass in a suit!
And then you have Gage, who is supposed to be the male lead, and who sees this amazing, brilliant creature of jawdropping beauty and immense brainpower, and decides that the best course of romantic action is to get in the way of her job. And research her like the creep he turned out to be.
Ummm... stalker much, dude?
Because I'm sorry, but what the actual fuck? This man digs into Deborah's life, inserts himself into her life, keeps tabs on her, and repeatedly pushes boundaries because "he knows what's best and just can't keep himself away from her pants" (not his actual words, but that's what he kept saying pretty much all the book).
At least Boyd had a reason - an actual reason - to dig into Cilia's background. Gage was just being creepy.
And that's ultimately why I couldn't get behind this romance.
Boyd's persistence in the previous book felt cute because there was respect underneath it. Gage's persistence felt like he had decided Deborah's boundaries are like the traffic lights in Greece and Italy: a mere suggestion!
The man was constantly trying to paw at Deborah when she had actual, serious shit going on. She was trying to do her job, a job she had worked her ass off for and studied for and had Cilia working overtime to pay tuition for. And all Gage cared about was getting his dick wet!
But the thing that pissed me off the most?
He is actively making Deborah question herself. Because she has feelings for both Gage and Nemesis without knowing they're the same man. And Gage KNOWS this. He knows she's struggling and thinking of herself as immoral, as a loose woman - when morals are everything to her psyche! And instead of telling her the truth, he keeps leading her on, pursuing her as both of his personas.
It wasn't cute in the Batman Forever '95 movie, no matter how hot Val Kilmer was in it, and it wasn't now, either!
Oh, oh, and the whole "you should back off this case you worked so hard to get and since you're not doing it on your own I'm gonna use my money and influence to convince your boss to get you off the case myself"?
Again, Deborah worked for her position. She studied. She built her career. She's damn good at what she does. The book itself shows how competent she is in the courtroom and how seriously she takes her cases. And Gage's instinct is basically "Oh, you should stop doing this because I don't like you being in danger".
Fuck you, man!
I don't care how attractive you are (supposedly, because I'm still team Boyd for obvious reasons). I don't care that you're this cool vigilante dude. I don't care that you have trauma. I don't care that you're trying to protect her.
You do NOT get to decide that a woman should abandon the career she worked her ass off for because YOU are uncomfortable with the risks.
And that's where this book completely lost me.
Because Gage isn't just protective. He's controlling. There's a difference, people. Ladies, don't fall for such bullshit! You all deserve better than a man who sees your independence as an obstacle to his peace of mind. And so does Deborah.
Which is particularly frustrating, because I actually wanted to like Gage. The whole vigilante premise was intriguing. But then he would open his mouth or he would cross another boundary she had clearly outlined and I'd be like "Gage, no. Gage, put the pretty woman down and let her do her damn job, fucking hell!"
Honestly?
I'd rather read about Deborah winning cases than watch Gage try to convince her that being a lawyer is inconvenient to his libido.
So, 1 star. Deborah gets the star, by the way. Gage should get a restraining order. Someone alert Boyd and Althea, please!
Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com
This is Deborah's story, after she graduated from law school and left Cilia to make a life of her own. But the place she's ended up in is crawling with crime, and there's a vigilante who seems hell bent on stopping her from doing her job. Along with a very wealthy man, intent on making her his. Can she solve her case in time, and keep her heart intact?
First of all, can we all agree that Nemesis is practically Batman? I mean, come on.
Rich guy who pretends to be a playboy? Check.
Traumatic past, with the dead family and all? Check.
Secret identity? Check.
Ridiculous amount of resources? Check.
Disappears into the night to beat criminals into submission? Yup, check.
The only difference is, Nemesis actually had a superpower, unlike Bruce Wayne.
But you know what else Nemesis, aka Gage, had unlike Bruce?
MY IRE!
Dude, look at Deborah. She's a girlboss. She's finally a lawyer, she's fierce, she's competent (as she kept reminding people who only saw a pretty face), she knows her shit, and watching her eviscerate people with nothing but facts and her sharp tongue was such a turn-on. Yes! Give me more of that woman! What a badass in a suit!
And then you have Gage, who is supposed to be the male lead, and who sees this amazing, brilliant creature of jawdropping beauty and immense brainpower, and decides that the best course of romantic action is to get in the way of her job. And research her like the creep he turned out to be.
Ummm... stalker much, dude?
Because I'm sorry, but what the actual fuck? This man digs into Deborah's life, inserts himself into her life, keeps tabs on her, and repeatedly pushes boundaries because "he knows what's best and just can't keep himself away from her pants" (not his actual words, but that's what he kept saying pretty much all the book).
At least Boyd had a reason - an actual reason - to dig into Cilia's background. Gage was just being creepy.
And that's ultimately why I couldn't get behind this romance.
Boyd's persistence in the previous book felt cute because there was respect underneath it. Gage's persistence felt like he had decided Deborah's boundaries are like the traffic lights in Greece and Italy: a mere suggestion!
The man was constantly trying to paw at Deborah when she had actual, serious shit going on. She was trying to do her job, a job she had worked her ass off for and studied for and had Cilia working overtime to pay tuition for. And all Gage cared about was getting his dick wet!
But the thing that pissed me off the most?
He is actively making Deborah question herself. Because she has feelings for both Gage and Nemesis without knowing they're the same man. And Gage KNOWS this. He knows she's struggling and thinking of herself as immoral, as a loose woman - when morals are everything to her psyche! And instead of telling her the truth, he keeps leading her on, pursuing her as both of his personas.
It wasn't cute in the Batman Forever '95 movie, no matter how hot Val Kilmer was in it, and it wasn't now, either!
Oh, oh, and the whole "you should back off this case you worked so hard to get and since you're not doing it on your own I'm gonna use my money and influence to convince your boss to get you off the case myself"?
Again, Deborah worked for her position. She studied. She built her career. She's damn good at what she does. The book itself shows how competent she is in the courtroom and how seriously she takes her cases. And Gage's instinct is basically "Oh, you should stop doing this because I don't like you being in danger".
Fuck you, man!
I don't care how attractive you are (supposedly, because I'm still team Boyd for obvious reasons). I don't care that you're this cool vigilante dude. I don't care that you have trauma. I don't care that you're trying to protect her.
You do NOT get to decide that a woman should abandon the career she worked her ass off for because YOU are uncomfortable with the risks.
And that's where this book completely lost me.
Because Gage isn't just protective. He's controlling. There's a difference, people. Ladies, don't fall for such bullshit! You all deserve better than a man who sees your independence as an obstacle to his peace of mind. And so does Deborah.
Which is particularly frustrating, because I actually wanted to like Gage. The whole vigilante premise was intriguing. But then he would open his mouth or he would cross another boundary she had clearly outlined and I'd be like "Gage, no. Gage, put the pretty woman down and let her do her damn job, fucking hell!"
Honestly?
I'd rather read about Deborah winning cases than watch Gage try to convince her that being a lawyer is inconvenient to his libido.
So, 1 star. Deborah gets the star, by the way. Gage should get a restraining order. Someone alert Boyd and Althea, please!
Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com
October 25, 2020
Maybe 2.5 but rounding down because I wouldn't really suggest anyone go and read this. It's not 1 star because I finished it, and it was more because this book is SUPER CHEESY. I'm assuming this is supposed to be like a "modern" superman story, but it wasn't fleshed out properly. Events moved at warp speed - it seems like they fell head-over-heels in love in a week. The eye-rolling factor is significant with this one - I almost had eyeball strain by the time I was done.
February 6, 2013
Deborah ve Gage çifti okurken bana Eve ve Roarke çiftini anımsattı hem de fazlasıyla :) Çok hoş bir hikayeydi ilk defa bir hq hikayesinde fantastik bir duruma rastladım çok da hoşuma gitti güzel bir değişiklik oldu ;) Seri gayet güzel gidiyor keşke bu kadar bekletmeseymişim dedim yani :D
April 11, 2015
This is reminiscent of a gritty film noir graphic novel, where the palettes are all in stark contrast - a lot of black and red and rooms filled with the wispy fog of cigars. Essentially, Nora Roberts does Batman - and it is sexy, dangerous and atmospheric- and I absolutely loved it.
June 9, 2016
Gage Guthrie bana biraz gerek yaşam tarzı gerek pahalı oyuncakları bakımından Roarke aşkitoşkomu hatırlattı. :3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews