One of God's most precious gifts is a sister. Maybe it is an acccident of birth-sometimes great; sometimes not. or maybe it is one of life's blessings, friends of the heart. What a joy to have sisters, special women who are on the same page, who share your hopes and dreams, and who reaches out to offer love and support. Here's someone who accepts you as you are, with all your faults and imperfections. Someone who seeks your higher good. Someone you can tell your inner thoughts and share your most intimate secrets. Sisterhood does not always mean everything is smooth sailing. Some of your liveliest arguments, most forceful debates, and bitter disagreements will be with your sisters. When all is said and done, there's still love, caring, and commitment.
Romance authors successfully showcase the special relationship between sisters and between sisters of the heart. Nora Roberts explores interaction between these women in the O'Hurleys Triplets, the Concannon Sisters, and Mac Gregor Brides. Other authors with novels about filial relations include Jude Deveraux, Barbara Delinsky, and Judith McNaught. Join me and take a peek at romance's sisters and friends of the heart.
 THE MACGREGOR BRIDES
Nora Roberts introduces her readers to the next generation of MacGregors, one of her most popular and celebrated families, as cousins Laura, Gwendolyn and Julia discover what their parents already know--that their busybody grandfather has an unerring instinct for love. Daniel MacGregor's three single granddaughters all have busy lives in Boston, building careers for themselves. But to Daniel, their lives could be more complete. Over three Christmases spent at his mansion in Hyannis Port, the patriarch and matchmaker of the MacGregor clan plans to find each granddaughter a special gift that money can't buy--the gift of a perfect man!
God! I am so in love with the MacGregor clan! In THE MACGREGOR BRIDES, meet Laura, Gwendolyn, and Julia. Their grandfather Daniel, "the MacGregor", has decided it's time they should wed. He has found the perfect men for them, Royce Cameron, Branson Macguire, and Cullum Murdoch. He manages to have them cross paths and waits for the sparks to fly. And they do fly! You just can't help but fall in love with these gorgeous men and cheer them on throughout the book. They are the perfect matches to these three incredibly stubborn women, a MacGregor trait. Visit with Daniel's children and their spouses, Serena and Justin Blade, Caine and Diana MacGregor, Alan and Shelby MacGregor, Ian MacGregor, and of course, Daniel and Anna MacGregor. You'll just fall in love with this family.
Although it doesn't explore sisterly relations, read THE WINNING HAND. Richard "Mac"(the oldest MacGregor grandson) and Darcy Wallace's story, and THE MACGREGOR GROOMS, where "The MacGregor" targets his other grandsons D.C., Duncan, and Ian. Trust me, you'll love them all!
THE O'HURLEY TRIPLETS
LAST HONEST WOMAN IN AMERICA
When journalist Dylan Crosby starts digging up the past for the book he's writing about her infamous late husband, Abigail O'Hurley Rockwell is determined that she will do everything possible to keep the family's secrets under lock and key. She desparately wants to escape the emotional turmoil associated with the past. Dylan is dedicated to finding out the truth for a biography on Chuck Rockwell, a notorious racecar driver who was killed in a crash during a race. Crosby is ready to "dish the dirt" on everyone, including Rockwell's widow. Dylan expects that Abby is as conniving and selfish as his ex-wife, and anticipates that Abby will tell lies for her financial advantage. Little does he know that Abby is a strong, practical woman who has raised her two sons as a single mom for most of their lives, with little or no financial or emotional support, especially from her mother-in-law.
Since Abby lives in a rural area of Virginia, she has invited Dylan to stay in a guest room of her farmhouse while he conducts his in-depth interviews with her. Abby had led a sheltered life before she married at eighteen and realized early on in her marriage to Chuck, that she had only her own inner strength and innate practicality to rely upon, because Chuck just wasn't there for her or her children. Dylan can't believe that Abby is really as she appears. He knows that she is hiding something, but before he discovers information that is potentially harmful, he grows to appreciate Abby's sons Ben and Chris as well as Abby herself. He learns that sometimes the truth can be destructive if used irresponsibly, which is a whole new experience and realization for him. Dylan was considered to be "hard nosed" and compassionless before he met Abby. Both Dylan and Abby are healed by the the truth that they uncover and the love they share.
DANCE TO THE PIPER
Fans of Nora Roberts will be delighted with her tale of a woman who dared to dream and a man who had forgotten how. She moved in perfect harmony to the music that ruled her life both onstage and off. He dealt with ruthless expertise. Music was his business and he was all business--until she lit up the stage.
Pursuing a daring dream of musical stardom, this young performer meets the high player in the industry whose professional dealings have made him a ruthless businessman, and whose fear of getting too close makes him resist their uncontrollable attraction.
This is one of Nora's best. It's a love story featuring Maddy O'Hurley, a talented Broadway actress, and Reed Valentine, high-powered executive, whose company is backing the musical Maddy is starring in. The attraction between them is immediate and strong, but there are risks. Reed's past throws shadows over any possibilities of happiness for them. The plot is well-crafted with realistic contemporary characters. You won't want to put it down. I didn't!
SKIN DEEP
The high price of fame meant learning to deal with eager, aggressive fans. But this one was different. He was watching, waiting, and obsessive-Chantel O'Hurley was afraid. She needed help and it came with a $500-a-day price tag--Quinn Doran, a P.I. with the kind of tough, go-to-hell looks that made a woman's pulse race. Chantel didn't need his arrogant insinuations. She needed to stay alive!
WITHOUT A TRACE
Gillian Fitzpatrick was frightened and desperate--her brother had disappeared. Trace O'Hurley was her only hope. He had the connections, the expertise and the guts. But, Trace turned his back on responsibility and commitment long ago. Gillian takes on the difficult task of convincing Trace to help her. Willing to do almost anything to find her lost brother, can she risk falling in love? Just what will she have to do to get Trace's help?
STANISLASKI SISTERS
In "Taming Natasha", Natasha Stanislaski falls for Spencer Kimball, a gifted musician and teacher. Natasha is stubborn and snippy with Spence, but after taking his music class at the local university, she decides there's more to him than she first thought. Can Spence heal the scars of Natasha wounded heart? This one is my favorite of the two novels on the sisters Stanislaski.
In "Falling For Rachel", Natasha's sister Rachel is a public defender assigned as counselor for Nick LeBeck, an out-of-control teen with an sexy older brother, Zack Muldoon. Nick falls for Rachel, while Rachel falls for Zack. It's interesting reading as these likeable characters work things out. Great ending to this story!!!! I could hardly wait to read "Waiting For Nick" the spin-off from his novel.!
WAITING FOR NICK
In great Nora Roberts style, this book ties up the Stalanislaski family stories with the tale of Zack and Rachel's step brother, Nick, and Freddie, Tash's step daughter. Freddie and Nick really light this book up! "Waiting For Nick" is a good book. We finally find out what happens when Zack's little brother and Natasha's daughter get together in one city. They definitely let sparks fly. I was mad at Nick for being such a jerk, but beautiful, determined Freddie held her own. Although each book stands alone, I recommend reading the other books in the series first. You'll enjoy this one even more.
STARS OF MITHRA
HIDDEN STAR
The opener of this series places Bailey James in the hands of private investigator Cade Parrish. She's lost her memory and doesn't even know her name, but she knows she's in danger. She's carrying a tote bag filled with more than a million dollars, a pistol, and a priceless blue diamond. It's an entertaining read!
CAPTIVE STAR
In this fast-paced second book of Nora Roberts's Stars of Mithras series, bounty hunter Jack Dakota figures he's in for an easy assignment when he accepts a job tracking beautiful bail-jumper M.J. O'Leary. His plan is simple: find her, push his way into her apartment, explain the situation, and bring her in.
When M.J., a fifth-degree black belt, misinterprets his intentions and attacks him, Jack is forced to reevaluate his assumptions. Jack and M.J. discover they've both been set up. M.J. is no bail-jumper, and whoever put Jack on her trail knows it.
Before they can figure out what's happening, a goon with a gun--and every intention of shooting M.J.--interrupts their discussion. They join forces to fight him off and escape, but much to the tough-minded M.J.'s annoyance, Jack takes charge of the situation and she finds herself handcuffed to the door handle of his beat-up, souped-up Oldsmobile. Jack has no intention of letting M.J. go until he gets to the bottom of things. The men on her trail are professionals, and if she's not directly involved in something illegal, she is involved in something that's likely to get her killed. The cynical bounty hunter is no knight in shining armor, but he finds himself in the uncomfortable position of protecting her; whatever is happening, M.J. isn't talking about it.
Searching her belongings, Jack discovers a magnificent blue diamond. M.J. is forced to explain that a friend in trouble sent her the stone for safekeeping. The diamond is one of a priceless trio known as the Stars of Mithras, which her friend was appraising for the Smithsonian. But someone else knows M.J. has it--someone who will stop at nothing to obtain it. Soon Jack and M.J. are on the run, forced to work together to stay alive in an ever-tightening web of danger and conspiracy complicated by an attraction neither can deny. This novel keeps you guessing and takes your breath away.
SECRET STAR
Lieutenant Seth Buchanan is investigating a murder scene when the supposed victim walks through the front door. Grace Fontaine is even more beautiful in person than she is in the portrait over her mantel, and Seth knows that she means trouble. But he's a cautious man, long accustomed to guarding his heart, and he's determined to continue the practice. Grace, however, has other ideas; Seth is the man she's been waiting for through all the long, lonely years she has spent as an unbelievably rich, impossibly beautiful child and woman. Thrown together by Seth's determination to solve the murder, the theft of three incredible diamonds, and the imminent threat to Grace's safety, the two struggle with the passion and the bond that pulls them together. Nora Roberts is a master at spinning a tale, and she doesn't miss a beat in this novel of love, murder, mystery, and obsession. |