Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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Nora Roberts
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Year Long Nora Roberts Read-A-Thon
Trea - I'm on my third year of doing a buddy read with several others of the In Death series. We are up to #28. I have to admit to completely loving that series. We read 1 a month, which is perfect. Some are obviously better than others, but it doesn't bother me if she recycles a theme. I have a very high tolerance for repetition.And I loved the Dark Witch! That's what started me on doing this whole NR read-a-thon.
See, that's what I mean. So many people could say Dark Witch reminded them of this or that series by NR. And I realized that I had so little of her work, I had no idea what anyone was talking about. And I completely understand why it's not your cup of tea anymore. That's why it's fun to talk books with people. So many different opinions. I often find the murder mystery to be completely secondary to the people. Frankly I just want to read about Roarke and Eve. I am a total romance junkie!
Victoria "Trea" wrote: From what I read on the blurb about it, it reminded me of The Circle Trilogy and a tiny bit of the Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy mixed into one. I enjoyed the Gallaghers, but hated Circle when I tried to read Morrigan's Cross, so I am a bit apprehensive about reading Dark Witch."It's really nothing like the Circle trilogy, I struggled with that one too. This is more in line with In The Garden or Key trilogies, IMO.
Interesting discussion on Dark Witch. I loved The Circle Trilogy (especially the third book) and The Gallaghers but not so much the Key and Garden trilogies. It will be interesting to see how it matches up when I read it. I tried reading J.D. Robb because I love mysteries and thrillers (I'm also a Criminal Minds junkie, Trea) but the futuristic elements turned me off.
Lauren wrote: "I tried reading J.D. Robb because I love mysteries and thrillers (I'm also a Criminal Minds junkie, Trea) but the futuristic elements turned me off."Criminal Minds junkies unite!
Just finished
. Hadn't read one of her Robb books before but once I got into it I enjoyed it and will try another. I dont tend to read thrillers that often. Have hit the charity shops and come up with 9 more in the set.Have also read
and
in January. I am trying to finish series of her books that I have started. Just have the grandsons book to find and read of this set.Read
at the beginning of this month. really enjoyed it. Its nice to read one off books for a change knowing you dont have to go looking for the rest of the set.
The comments about the In Death series are interesting to me. To me, the romance is preeminent and the mystery very secondary. I love the people in the books and I have a mad book crush on Roarke.I too read romance almost exclusively, except for Urban Fantasy (which I love!). The futuristic elements are so few I hardly notice them. I actually find it amusing to think about how she came up with some of the stuff. She wrote these in the early and mid 90's. Some of the computer stuff is actually not even futuristic, it's passe'. But I do want an Auto Chef!
Glad you enjoyed The Witness, Tania! I agree about reading a stand alone book.
I'm 1/3 in to
and while I'm enjoying it, the pacing is a little slow. Too much internal musing by the hero and not enough action in the mystery and romance departments.
It is interesting to read the different perspectives on the In Death series and the romance vs. mystery aspect. I like Roarke and Eve's relationship but I really like the books for the mysteries (as well as all the background characters). I usually skim past the love scenes so I can get back to the mystery or the humorous banter between characters.
is it good? i have a bunch of Nora's Single books but i haven't have the time to read them...
That is interesting, Teresa. I've been reading 1 a month going on my third year now in a thread in this folder. I am addicted to all the relationships and people. The mystery is definitely secondary. Though my favorites are the ones where both the mystery and people parts are both strong.I love romantic suspense, when it's good it's one of my favorite genre's. But it can go very wrong as well.
The Witness is downloaded from the library on my tablet right now. Not feeling terribly inclined after your assessment, Lauren.
~Leslie~ wrote: "The Witness is downloaded from the library on my tablet right now. Not feeling terribly inclined after your assessment, Lauren. "The Witness was actually pretty good, Leslie. It's Whiskey Beach that I have just finished this morning and am not very impressed.
The pacing is too slow and neither the romance nor the suspense plot contain sufficient intensity of tension or emotion. It is like Nora was simply going through the motions to publish another book :0(
Victoria "Trea" wrote: " It just means that my habit is to check it out from the library first before making a purchase of it for my keeper shelf. "Me too. For most of Nora's recent books, I've been waiting for the Kindle price drop or used a Kobo discount code because I'm not willing to pay full price (I live in a non-English speaking country so unfortunately the local library is not really an option)
Thanks for the heads up, Trea. I see that it is on sale - $4.99. That's a great price and I'm going to snatch it up :0)
I loved the first half of Witness - or however long the character was still in her teens/young adult years (I can't remember now, it's been a few years since I read it). But, once she became an adult, I found it really boring. I haven't read Whiskey Beach yet. I'm kind of afraid to now, haha.
Lauren wrote: "~Leslie~ wrote: "The Witness is downloaded from the library on my tablet right now. Not feeling terribly inclined after your assessment, Lauren. "The Witness was actually pretty good, Leslie. It'..."
You are right! I read The Witness and loved it. Whiskey Beach is the one on my tablet! Too many books to keep straight.
I am reading
right now and enjoying it. I like the characters and the storyline is interesting. I may have read it a long time ago as it is very vaguely familiar.
Victoria "Trea" wrote: "Hey, Lauren, if you can access the US Amazon website, The Next Always is on sale for $3.99 if you want it. I'm grabbing it for my challenge later this year."Thanks Trea. I already have this one :0)
~Leslie~ wrote: "You are right! I read The Witness and loved it. Whiskey Beach is the one on my tablet! Too many books to keep straight."Glad you enjoyed it, Leslie.
I'm going to add
to my list for this challenge.
Sorry you didn't enjoy Birthright, Trea. It is actually one of my favorites but I read it before GR so I don't have a review. I remember that I loved the second chances romance and the emotional intensity of the child abduction plot.
@Trea, I remember not being crazy about Birthright either when I read it. I've never gone for a reread. It's one of the few I haven't liked.
does it mean we can also read her stand alone novels? i was thinking that it was only for series.. i may have to change the list i'm formulating.
Yes, Questian - anything goes, though we are trying to stick to her books written as Nora Roberts. There are other threads that are reading her In Death series.
I haven't read any of the Death series of her's. HAven't started with that one...I have to read ALL of the Stand alone books first before i began with that particular books...hehehehehe
Questian, with the way you read you could go through her In Death series pretty fast!
i remember when i started reading nora roberts, like two years ago... i think i rad half of the series list i have posted within one month... and most of them were the longer series....but you are right about that, that is why i'm stoping myself from reading her books...
Just finished
and am now looking to read the second book
Enjoyed the first book of the brothers.
I read 173 of her books (all written under Nora Roberts not J.D Robb). The Concannon Sisters Trilogy is still one of my favorite series, Born In Fire is the first romance novel I read(it will always have a special place in my heart) It should be fun re-reading some of those books this year plus the 2nd and 3rd books in the Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy (both to be released this year)
I will be doing a Buddy read with Vi of
. We will be discussing it on this thread if anyone wants to join in. Also, if anyone wants to BR other Nora Roberts books, feel free to do so!Welcome everyone!! Hope you enjoy the conversation!
Ella wrote: "Born In Fire is the first romance novel I read(it will always have a special place in my heart)"I love that series/book so much! Definitely a favorite. I don't even know how many times I've re-read.
leslie, can i join? are you guys goin to read the whole series or just that book?
Questian, you can join us of course. When can you start? I think we are planning to read the series but Leslie has to confirm.
I would love to the whole series, and of course you can join! My library has them all as ebooks, so I'm set.Started this morning. The toy store reminds me of one I used to take my kids to in New Orleans. They could play with the toys. It was awesome.
its up to you guys. i'm a Really fast reader so it's up to you guys. i don't have a problem when.
Ella wrote: "The Concannon Sisters Trilogy is still one of my favorite series, Born In Fire is the first romance novel I read(it will alway..."I absolutely love that series. Born in Shame was my very first Nora book and it hooked me for life :0)
Questian, Leslie and I didn't read any books yesterday so we jumped into Taming Natasha. Do you have the book on hand? If not, we can comment on the first book as we read and start the second book together..
i have, i can still remember some parts, but i will catch up with you guys. i just need to download it from my email...hehehe..
This is a quick read! Love the toy store! It reminds me of a toy store that I took my kids to when they were younger. The people would put out toys that they could play with, so not touching was not a problem. At Christmas time, my kids would wander and play and I would grab things and literally throw them to someone behind the counter. They would wrap and I would pick up later. It was awesome!! My kids had no clue.Such a sweet story! I'm really enjoying it, though the writing is very different than what I've come to expect from NR.
So true, Leslie. I love her earlier books - sometimes I feel her recent writings have got stilted or something. I can't put my finger on it exactly what. I've been a long time reader of NR so her newer works feel a little flat.Leslie, doesn't Christmas at Friday Harbour have a similar story as this one? It sort of reminded me because the premise was essentially the same but the rest are not. I'm about 60% in and really enjoying it.
It's funny you say that. When I started reading it, I actually had to stop and think if I had ever read it before. It felt so familiar. Toy store owner, man with a child. But you are right, that's totally from Friday Harbor. The rest of the story isn't though.I really like it. I didn't start reading NR until a couple of years ago and so I'm just now getting into her back list. But so far I've loved them!
I'm half way in reading Taming Natasha...NAd i have just copied the rest of the series on my phone....if you guys ever owned a toy store, what name would you give it and why?
I have been in some great toy stores. The one I was talking about was called The Magic Box. I would want to name mine something whimsical and that alluded to a children's book maybe. Maybe The Wild Rumpus!!
Just finished The Next Always, I really liked it. It was a little hard to get into at first with all the decorating talk, and the whole meta aspect of it being "Boonsboro". But once I got past that Beck and Clare and her boys really sucked me in. Also I kind of love "Lizzy". I want to know more about her, so I'm forced to finish the series LOL.
Calila wrote: "Just finished The Next Always, I really liked it. It was a little hard to get into at first with all the decorating talk, and the whole meta aspect of it being "Boonsboro". But once..."I like the last book of this series, and yes, the start of the book was really boring, but once you get past that, it becomes interesting.
Questian wrote: "I like the last book of this series, and yes, the start of the book was really boring, but once you get past that, it becomes interesting. "I couldn't make it past the beginning - too much decorating talk and it didn't help that I tried it soon after reading the first two Bride Quartet books with there excessive descriptions of the wedding business ... I much prefer Nora's romantic suspense to her straight contemporary books. I need action!
Lauren wrote: "Questian wrote: "I like the last book of this series, and yes, the start of the book was really boring, but once you get past that, it becomes interesting. "I couldn't make it past the beginning ..."
same here!!! but if you get pass the description they are good...the Book two of her new trilogy is out...you guys will read it?
I see that
is out. I will be reading this one in April. I'm excited as I really liked the first one.
Finished
- enjoyed the Irish setting and the magical elements. The hero is the gruff and sexy silent type who is surprised when love hits him over the head. The heroine is sweet and engaging but their chemistry wasn't really there for me. One other thing that didn't work for me was the dialogue, which felt overly sentimental.Entertaining enough the continue with the series.
So I obviously wasn't paying attention to our previous conversation on here when I posted about the book. Silly me.Nice summation, Lauren.
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I've also enjoyed some of her newer ones although I wasn't a fan of the Bride Quartet. Too much focus on the wedding business (which became boring after a while) and not enough on the characters and the romance.
@Calila - I'm really looking forward to this one as well.