Morgan McKenzie has been on her own since running away from her last foster home at 16. When Morgan finally ends up in Grace's Cove, several of the otMorgan McKenzie has been on her own since running away from her last foster home at 16. When Morgan finally ends up in Grace's Cove, several of the others recognize her gifts and help to make her feel at home for the first time in her life. She begins working on the fishing boats and then helps Aislinn in her gallery. Morgan's gift is that she can move things with her mind. Patrick Kearney has been enamoured of Morgan since seeing her at Keelin's wedding, but he's not making much headway. As Morgan finally becomes more comfortable with her gift and with her difficult childhood, they finally come together to get their HEA....more
This story is about Aislinn, an extraordinary artist with her own gallery in Grace's Cove. She's also a descendent of Grace O'Malley and has a gift. WThis story is about Aislinn, an extraordinary artist with her own gallery in Grace's Cove. She's also a descendent of Grace O'Malley and has a gift. When Dr. Baird Delaney opens a psychiatry practice in town, there's an immediate attraction, but he's a scientist and she's a magical artist and things don't go smoothly for much of the book. He finally believes in her powers despite it going against his scientific mind and they get their HEA....more
2nd in the series about the women who inherited "special" abilities from the town founder. Cait Gallagher runs the town pub, but she rarely gets a mom2nd in the series about the women who inherited "special" abilities from the town founder. Cait Gallagher runs the town pub, but she rarely gets a moment of peace - she can "hear" the thoughts of those around her. Shane MacAuliffe is her landlord and she'd dearly like to buy her pub from him. He's one of the wealthier men in town and eyes for Cait, but can't seem to make any headway, not knowing of her gift. Eventually they get their HEA....more
The 3rd and final, unfortunately, in the triology. Breen has chosen for Talamh, the light and her magick. Nan supports her by continuing to love and tThe 3rd and final, unfortunately, in the triology. Breen has chosen for Talamh, the light and her magick. Nan supports her by continuing to love and teach her about her powers. Marco supports her by returning from Philadelphia to the cottage and finds love himself. Keegan also continues to train and love her. All of which is tested and proved in the final battle against Odran where Breen finally "becomes" all that she can be and defeats the dark to find love and light.
I'm not sure how Nora Roberts can so consistently imagine her stories, but she NEVER disappoints.
10.2.24 - One of Roberts best series. 3.21.25 - Had to relisten in preparation for a trip to Ireland!...more
Breen Kelly returns to Talamh with her gay best friend Marco, and resumes her training. That training is becoming more and more important and the comiBreen Kelly returns to Talamh with her gay best friend Marco, and resumes her training. That training is becoming more and more important and the coming battle looms.
Nora Roberts has an amazing ability to create wonderful characters, realistic worlds, and a great story!
11.22.22 Re-listened to in anticipation of book #3's release. 5.20.23 Re-listened to after visiting Ireland... Roberts certainly knows how to tell a great story! 9.29.24 always good 3.12.25 Re-listened to get ready for another Ireland trip!...more
Keelin O'Brien loves the ocean and is studying to be a marine biologist in Boston, where her Irish born mother is a realtor. She hates the society cirKeelin O'Brien loves the ocean and is studying to be a marine biologist in Boston, where her Irish born mother is a realtor. She hates the society circles her mom keeps trying to force her into. When Keelin receives an ancient handwritten book from her maternal grandmother in Ireland, she decides to return to the small village of Grace's Cove in the south of Ireland for the summer. There she meets her 80+ grandmother Fiona and discovers that she comes from a long line of healers, descended from the famous pirate queen, Grace O'Malley. Fiona begins to train Keelin in the art of healing through herbs and her touch, and in other things. Neighbor Flynn is close to Fiona, but when he sees Keelin for the first time, he knows exactly who she is - she's haunted his dreams for over a year. The two begin a love/hate relationship with super hot chemistry. When Keelin is forced to heal Flynn to save his life after a hiking accident, he's thrown, not realizing the extent of her healing power before. The two eventually work out their differences and fall deeply in love.
Believable romance with a touch of magic. Great characters and location. ...more
Breen Kelly is a less than adequate middle school teacher, living with her gay best friend, Marco, in Philadelphia. She hates her job, dies her red haBreen Kelly is a less than adequate middle school teacher, living with her gay best friend, Marco, in Philadelphia. She hates her job, dies her red hair brown to "blend in" better, struggles to make ends meet and pay off her school loans, and is belittled by her successful businesswoman mother at every turn. When she accidently discovers that her mother has been sitting on a 4 million dollar trust fund for her, funded by her long absent father, she finally breaks free, quits her job, and heads to Ireland with Marco. The plan is for her to spend the summer, trying to figure out what she wants to do, and trying to find her Irish father. What she finds in a whole other world, Talamh, where she was born, and where they still fight and die to protect her from her evil grandfather - a god. It's a lot to take in, but as she gradu.ally discovers her past and her powers, she begins to overcome the issues caused by her mother. Her magic grows, but the need to return to Philadelphia and deal with her other life, causes her to leave at the end of the summer. When things in Talamh start to get dicey, Keegan, the taoiseach, goes after her, and they return to Ireland/Talamh.
I'm not sure how Nora Roberts manages to create such amazing worlds and storylines without repeating herself, but she continues to do it, and this new series is no exception. I'm just sorry I have to wait until November for the 2nd book and a year after that for the 3rd!
2021 - 52 Book Reading Challenge #14 - written by an author over 65 (when published).
11.22.22 re-listened to in anticipation of new 3rd book in trilogy. Still amazing. 5.19.23 re-listened to after visiting Ireland. Still a great story! 9.27.24 - love this series 3.10.25 - always fun to listen to, especially before a trip to Ireland!...more
A little girl named Varyusha was given a magic ring by an old soldier. He told her it had powers to bring happiness to her and health to her ailing grA little girl named Varyusha was given a magic ring by an old soldier. He told her it had powers to bring happiness to her and health to her ailing grandfather. On her way home, the ring slipped off her finger and fell into the deep snow. However, much she dug, she couldn't find it. Each day as her grandfather's cough grew worse, she blamed herself for having lost the ring. Then one spring day when the snows were all melted, Varyusha went to the woods to search for her ring, found it and all was well.
Well done, beautiful book. Delicate illustrations match the story very well. Includes some Russian words....more
A family of magicians keep a bad giant under control. Arthur, the littlest, is not allowed to help with magic because he has a lisp, but when his wholA family of magicians keep a bad giant under control. Arthur, the littlest, is not allowed to help with magic because he has a lisp, but when his whole family is captured by the Giant, he saves them and is allowed to do magic after.
Cute story. Animated color pictures. Should be good for storytelling....more
A retired spy and his ghost friend reluctantly become involved with the case of Crown Prince Brulph who "disappears" on the eve of his coronation. HanA retired spy and his ghost friend reluctantly become involved with the case of Crown Prince Brulph who "disappears" on the eve of his coronation. Hannibal Stern, the spy, solves the mystery. Different type of story for a picture book....more
Whip Kincade doesn't understand why his partner is so concerned with money all of a sudden. Just as he's about to discover why, there's a mine cave-inWhip Kincade doesn't understand why his partner is so concerned with money all of a sudden. Just as he's about to discover why, there's a mine cave-in. Later that evening when he goes to talk to Josiah, he finds him dead of a gun shot wound. He also finds several other people around Rose House. One is Josiah's polygamous wife Rosalyn, who had just arrived on the stage to find him. Another is the man out to find her, Zephaniah Strong, an extremist splinter group head. Whip is forced to hide in hidden passages in his own house while he tries to clear himself of the murder. In the process, several secondary characters, including a ghost, make their appearance. Rosalyn and Whip also fall in love and eventually all of the pieces come together.
Emerson Wyatt MacVey is a ruthless, heartless, corporate raider who dies of a heart attack at 32. Nearly two years later, he's sent back as Gabriel FaEmerson Wyatt MacVey is a ruthless, heartless, corporate raider who dies of a heart attack at 32. Nearly two years later, he's sent back as Gabriel Falcone on Thanksgiving. He has until Christmas Eve to save three lives - 3 of the people he helped to bring down. The primary person is Carrie Alexander who was his NY secretary for 3 months until Christmas when she tried to comfort him and he spent the night having sex with her and then fired her the next morning and destroyed her hometown by shutting down the factory that's the mainstay of the town. As Gabriel, he starts caring and finds he's in love. He ends up doing what he's supposed to and when he goes back to be judged he's given the chance to return to Carrie permanently....more
**spoiler alert** Bridget Mulligan eloped with Irishman Culley Mulligan. The day after the wedding, he disappeared leaving Bridget alone and pregnant.**spoiler alert** Bridget Mulligan eloped with Irishman Culley Mulligan. The day after the wedding, he disappeared leaving Bridget alone and pregnant. Thinking he had deserted her, she eventually divorces him, sending the papers to his home in Ireland. When her granny is killed, her lawyer employer tells her he's finally heard from the Mulligan's in Ireland. Culley's grandmother has also died and his mom finds the divorce papers hidden in her stuff. Fiona then sends for Bridge and Jacob. Culley's mom and sister Maggie welcome them with open arms, but his brother Riley thinks she's a witch or a con artist. Considering the instant attraction between them, he thinks both. The Mulligan family has a beautiful castle on their farm, but a family curse has caused it to be closed up for 100 years. Bridget Frye Mulligan turns out to be a descendant of the family that caused the curse, and her returning and marrying Riley ends it. But there are lots of problems and misunderstandings along the way. Unusual story, fairly believable for the most part, several bedroom scenes....more
**spoiler alert** Kara Fitzgerald is a psychic who also works as a very successful editor for a brides magazine. She works for NYPD helping solve murd**spoiler alert** Kara Fitzgerald is a psychic who also works as a very successful editor for a brides magazine. She works for NYPD helping solve murders, kidnappings, etc. She also does free-lance work as a feng-shui expert - Oriental art of energy flow. She's trying to get permission to shoot a bridal issue at Dunraven Castle in Scotland, but the Lord refuses. She goes to London to do a feng-shui commission and interrupts what looks like a robbery. In fact, it's a security test being done the Lord of Dunrave, Duncan MacKinnon. She escapes but is reintroduced when they are thrown together the next day. Someone has other ideas and tries to murder them. The someone turns out to be Kyle, Duncan's evil twin brother who supposedly died 5 years earlier. Duncan and Kara work together to thwart Kyle's bobing attempts, she gets her shoot and they fall in love.
Skye's usual complicated plot with helps from the Draycott Abbey ghost, prvious characters, and flashbacks to Abbey history 600 years earlier....more
In 1994, a wall in the Draycott Abbey wine cellar is punctured to reveal a hidden room, a skeleton and his will and a case of 1792 Chateau d'Yquem SauIn 1994, a wall in the Draycott Abbey wine cellar is punctured to reveal a hidden room, a skeleton and his will and a case of 1792 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes wine. In his will, Gabriel Montserrat, 5th Earl of Ashton, leaves the wine to his eldest surviving kin and the eldest surviving kin of Geneva Russell. Dominic Montserrat is the 10th Earl, formerly a body guard to the Royal family and now a French winegrower. Caithlin O'Neill's father was also in security before his death. Her mother fell from the parapets of Draycott Abbey when Caithlin was 10. She remembers nothing of it and is now a renowed wine expert. The will brings them together unwillingly, but when strange things start happening, they come together. Both start having memories of Geneva and Gabriel and both look very like them. In the course of the story, they marry to meet the will's terms, solve the mystery of who and why Gabriel and Geneva were murdered and who and why Caithlin's mother was murdered.
Remarkable book. Convoluted, but makes sense in the end....more
Michael Burke has done several national security operations for England. He's also grown up next door to Draycott Abbey. Kelly Hamilton is an archaeolMichael Burke has done several national security operations for England. He's also grown up next door to Draycott Abbey. Kelly Hamilton is an archaeologist with 2nd sight after an accident five years earlier. She's done several missions for the U.S. They're both sent to the Abbey to recover an urn hidden there only they don't know why the other one is really there. They eventually find it and uncover several traitors and fall in love.
Good basic story but somewhat choppy. There are ghosts at the Abbey, but why isn't well explained nor is their part in the present story....more
**spoiler alert** Susie Salmon has just been murdered, but no one knows it yet although she's already in heaven. One of her neighbors, Mr. Harvey, is **spoiler alert** Susie Salmon has just been murdered, but no one knows it yet although she's already in heaven. One of her neighbors, Mr. Harvey, is the murderer and eventually her dad realizes it, but can't prove it. The police only found her elbow and some school papers - she was dismembered, put in a safe and tossed in a sinkhole. Her family starts to fall apart. Her dad becomes obsessed with her murderer, her mom goes off the deep end and has a very brief affair with the detective. She leaves the family after a year to "find herself", ending up at a winery in CA. Meanwhile, back in CT, younger sister Lindsey struggle to cope, but manages well with the help of boyfriend Ray and another schoolmate Ruth, who senses places of murder. All work together to help brother Buck and Lindsey move on. When dad has a heart attack, mom finally comes home and there's resolution between everyone - years later. Told from Susie's perspective and incorporates her views of heaven - unusual, disturbing, but compelling. I'm not sure how I feel about it - makes you think....more
May Taylor is a 4th generation wedding planner in CT. Her illegitimate daughter Kylie has had to deal with a lot of death - her grandmother and then tMay Taylor is a 4th generation wedding planner in CT. Her illegitimate daughter Kylie has had to deal with a lot of death - her grandmother and then they find the skeleton of a man who hung himself - all by the time she's 4. She starts seeing angels, but not many believe her, so she's now being studied by a group in Toronto. Their flight back to Boston has several Bruins players on it. Martin Cartier immediately catches Kylie's attention because of the angel above his head. When the plane develops problems, Martin rescues May and Kylie. This eventually leads to marriage with excess baggage - injuries cause Martin to go blind without having won the Stanley Cup. His hockey playing father is in prison for gambling and there are lots of back issues. Skipped the middle and read the end. A little too much subplot but interesting story....more
**spoiler alert** Duncan Macrae is a powerful weather mage - and a "Guardian" - a human with mystical abilities to control nature and to see into the **spoiler alert** Duncan Macrae is a powerful weather mage - and a "Guardian" - a human with mystical abilities to control nature and to see into the hearts of others. He's also the laird of a Scottish clan. Gwynne is also from a guardian family, but appears to have not powers from her librarian father and is content with her quiet life in London. Until she meets Duncan and he recognizes her as his mate. Scared by his power, she runs until the Guardian Council encourages her to marry Duncan to balance his Scottish tendencies in the coming conflict between Bonnie Prince Charlie/the Jacobites and the Hanovarians. They marry and the mating uncovers that Gwynne is a powerful enchantress. They become intensely connected, but the pull of Prince Charlie and his heritage tear them apart when Duncan tried to aid the uprising. Gwynne sees into the future and sees the disaster the Stuarts would create. She uses her powers to bring him home and then entraps him with iron that disables his powers, so he can't help with the final battle. When the truth becomes apparent, reconciliation and forgiveness is possible. Very well done story. Some sex. Very interesting. Sequel to a story in Irresistible Forces anthology....more
The planet Celta was colonized 400 years previously by earthlings with supernatural powers - Flair. there are First Families - the original colonists,The planet Celta was colonized 400 years previously by earthlings with supernatural powers - Flair. there are First Families - the original colonists, and other class distinctions based on the amount of Flair a person has. Rand T'Ash, the only person left in his family after someone firebombed his house and killed both brothers and parents, has rebuilt his home and power and is a powerful jewelry and sword maker. Danith Mallow is an orphan with no known Flair. She's drawn to the jewelry T'Ash makes - especially the Heartgift T'Ash made for his heart mate during his last "passage". Danith feels inferior and dislikes T'Ash's dominating attempts. When he discovers her healing animal Flair - very unusual - she's elevated in status to him, but resents many of the changes he's brought into her life. Through many trials, they both open themselves to the love foreordained for them. Very unusual story, more Sci Fi than romance in many ways., but engaging after suspending disbelief....more