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From Eloisa James's "READING ROMANCE" column on The Barnes & Noble Review
This fall Penguin Books has launched a special initiative to promote breast cancer awareness: classic, reissued romances written by Nora Roberts, Bertrice Small, and more, tagged with pink ribbons. I read a few of these novels, and was delighted to find romances with no relation to cotton candy. These are books that tackle life's toughest issues head-on, that depict men and women in hardship, in pain, and in love.
Nora Roberts's Angels Fall is the story of Reece Gilmore, a woman whose life is torn apart by the kind of casual violence that has become seemingly commonplace in America. The sole survivor of a workplace massacre, she suffers from extreme PTSD. Once a promising chef, she now lives hand-to-mouth in a rattling car, hitting the ground every time a truck backfires. When the novel begins, she finds herself in a tiny town, meeting a sardonic, surly writer named Brody, and begins to heal -- until she witnesses a murder. She's already considered a nutcase, so no one believes her, except for Brody. He is the man every woman living through trauma needs at her side. When Reece tries to hide her scars, Brody shocks her out of self-pity by mocking her ears and her skinny hips. He never babies her, but he fights for her, always remembers to lock the doors, and brings her tulips in every color of the rainbow.
Irene Stenson, the heroine of Jayne Ann Krenz's All Night Long, is also haunted by murder -- but in her case, it's the deaths of her mother and father. She discovered their bodies as a teenager, and even now, seventeen years later, she's afraid of the dark, and blood makes her dizzy. Irene never believed the police's verdict of murder/suicide, and she's come home to find out the truth. Along with a murderer, she finds a man who understands, bone-deep, what it is to be scarred by death. Luke Danner is an ex-Marine haunted by the whap-whap-whap of helicopters, unable to take himself out of "battle ready" mode. Luke is a gruff, taciturn man, the kind a woman can lean on, and cry on, and depend on. He's no more social than Brody and he, too, believes Irene when no one else does. In a spinning world, he is, as she says, "sure and true and right."
In Jodi Thomas's Welcome to Harmony, Alex McAllen is the town sheriff -- and a woman given to behavior unbefitting to her uniform. She is so scarred by the guilt she feels for her brother's death that she tends to drink herself insensible on Saturday nights. Luckily for Alex, her brother's best friend, fire chief Hank Matheson, hauls her out of the bar before she goes home with any cowboy who wanders by. In short, Alex's problems aren't small, and Jodi Thomas doesn't minimize them. She is a woman in pain, a woman whose guilt is as crippling as Reece's fear in Angels Fall. Hank becomes her right hand, not only in the bar, but as they tackle a firebug threatening their small town, and his strength gives her the courage to fight on, to accept the past. This novel looks squarely at the fact that despairing people are not always easy to get along with -- nor to love. And yet they need love more than anyone else.
Catherine Anderson's Always in My Heart looks at a pain that is even sharper than that caused by the death of a brother or parent: two years ago Ellie Grant and her ex-husband Tucker lost their oldest boy Sammy -- and their marriage shortly thereafter. Now they're both trying to mend. Ellie is certain that Tucker's luscious girlfriend Liz doesn't bother her. Tucker thinks Ellie's friend Marvin is a loser, but it's none of his business. The only people who truly don't accept Marvin and Liz are the Grants' two remaining children, Kody and Zach. But it's not until the boys manufacture a way to get Ellie and Tucker into the wilderness together, with time alone, that they discover each other's wracking guilt. Both of them are hiding a heart-breaking secret, and it's Tucker who realizes that they must learn to talk to each other. Even better, he knows exactly the words that will start the healing: "I'll always, always love you…until the rivers stop flowing, and the ocean goes dry."
Christina Dodd's Ann Smith, in Scent of Darkness, feels unlovable not because of a burden of guilt or sorrow, but because she was convinced as a young girl that she somehow attracts devilish attention -- and that those who love her will die. Thinking that camouflage will work a miracle, she laughs softly, never swears, keeps her virginity, and dresses sedately, hoping to disguise the scary little tattoo she's had from birth, the one that will attract the Evil One and his minions. What she needs is no more than what the other women in these books need: someone who believes her, who loves her, and who is not frightened by her problems. Someone who will stop her from feeling unloved, unwanted, and sorry for herself. In her case, this turns out to be Jasha Wilder. A distant ancestor of Jasha's made a pact with the devil, so her little tattoo is nothing compared to the one that ripples from his shoulder to his waist. He realizes that Ann wouldn't, in his words, recognize love if it dragged her into the forest, but he convinces her: "Without you, I'm not whole…Maybe you want a stronger man who doesn't need you. But this is the only kind of love I have, and it's yours if you want it."
Sitting across from a doctor when she says the word "cancer" is a moment that no woman forgets. But if that woman happens to have at her shoulder a man like those described in these novels -- the kind who will love her no matter what, who accepts her scars and her guilt and even her drunken Saturday nights -- then she is luckier than she feels. Life spends a good deal of time knocking us down. These novels build a reader back up, giving her the backbone and the courage to go on for another day, without pretending that scars and guilt are easy to ignore, or that they don't mark us as people. That makes them perfect complements to the cause they support.
As her fans well know, in 1979 a blizzard trapped Roberts at home for a week with two bored little kids and a dwindling supply of chocolate. To maintain her sanity, Roberts started scribbling a story -- a romance novel like the Harlequin paperbacks she'd recently begun reading. The resulting manuscript was rejected by Harlequin, but that didn't matter to Roberts. She was hooked on writing. Several rejected manuscripts later, her first book was accepted for publication by Silhouette.
For several years, Roberts wrote category romances for Silhouette -- short books written to the publisher's specifications for length, subject matter and style, and marketed as part of a series of similar books. Roberts has said she never found the form restrictive. "If you write in category, you write knowing there's a framework, there are reader expectations," she explained. "If this doesn't suit you, you shouldn't write it. I don't believe for one moment you can write well what you wouldn't read for pleasure."
Roberts never violated the reader's expectations, but she did show a gift for bringing something fresh to the romance formula. Her first book, Irish Thoroughbred (1981), had as its heroine a strong-willed horse groom, in contrast to the fluttering young nurses and secretaries who populated most romances at the time. But Roberts's books didn't make significant waves until 1985, when she published Playing the Odds, which introduced the MacGregor clan. It was the first bestseller of many.
Roberts soon made a name for herself as a writer of spellbinding multigenerational sagas, creating families like the Scottish MacGregors, the Irish Donovans and the Ukrainian Stanislaskis. She also began working on romantic suspense novels, in which the love story unfolds beneath a looming threat of violence or disaster. She grew so prolific that she outstripped her publishers' ability to print and market Nora Roberts books, so she created an alter ego, J.D. Robb. Under the pseudonym, she began writing romantic detective novels set in the future. By then, millions of readers had discovered what Publishers Weekly called her "immeasurable diversity and talent."
Although the style and substance of her books has grown, Roberts remains loyal to the genre that launched her career. As she says, "The romance novel at its core celebrates that rush of emotions you have when you are falling in love, and it's a lovely thing to relive those feelings through a book."
Roberts sued fellow writer Janet Dailey in 1997, accusing her of plagiarizing numerous passages of her work over a period of years. Dailey paid a settlement and publicly apologized, blaming stress and a psychological disorder for her misconduct.
lovetoreadAR
Posted May 2, 2010
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I just got done with this one, great book. We get introduced to the interesting and if understandably neurotic Reece, soon followed by the sarcastic, fun and straight forward Brody. Throw in a murder and a cast of funny yet warm supporting characters and how can you go wrong? Things progress as a relationship (or two) buds and we find out that Reece isn't as out of touch as she thought and Brody has a heart of gold under that gruff exterior of his. But amid the banter and tender moments lurks psychological warfare at the hands of a deranged killer. As friendships grow and some levity thrown in with some hilarious situations for poor Reece, the guy amps up his game and Reece finds herself anything but amused. Short of people who believe her, Reece and Brody must try to find out what's going on themselves, drawing the danger even closer to home. Things really begin to heat up as one development leads to another until we reach a shocking twist and a daring rescue as it all come to a head in the wild conclusion. A great ending wraps it all up nicely. This is an edge of your seat, grip you so you can't put it down story. If you like mystery/romance, you'll want to give this one a try.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have read most of NRs books, i love them all but her single stories are soo much more captivating than the series books...though i have read and reread most of those as well! She always comes through. Angel's Fall has great characters and you really begin to worry about what might be happening to Reece's sanity...you can see how the towns people might look at her sideways wondering if maybe she is a bit off. Luckly with the help of great friends, Joanie and Lynda-gail, she is able to continue with the mystery and with a man like Brody, moody but considerate, she is able to overcome her own fears and find the killer
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 7, 2008
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I loved this book so much, I have read it 3 times. The characters are so awesome and unique. The setting for this book is absolutely gorgeous, I would love to end up there as an escape. The suspect was the last person I would've expected. I highly recommend this book to anyone!!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This isn't a new book, but I am reading it for the second time, and like always, I am so impressed by Nora and her characters. She is just such a great writer. The emotions that Reece goes through in the novel are very real, and they suck you into the pages of the novel, and you can't put it down. Bravo Nora.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 12, 2010
this book is excelent.. i seen the movie afterwards and i just dont think they got into character as much in the movie as they did in the book, it was passonate.... and thrilling. great book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 23, 2012
Hello i made a mistake go to power first book
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 26, 2011
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a one of a kind book!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.love2read_kbl
Posted August 5, 2011
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Loved so much, I named my child after a character in this book. This was the first book I read by Nora Roberts, and I've been hooked ever since. Please keep them coming.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.annie_adv
Posted June 22, 2011
Loved the book...Don't like to give to much detail because it ruins the book when you do. Reece Gilmore is a character that has been though a real trauma. Car trouble lands her in a town called Angels Fall in the Grand Tetons. Full of suspense and surprises which makes this book awesome. All the characters in the book have much more depth and complexity than those in the movie. Definitely worth reading.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 14, 2011
I+love+this+book+soooo+much+i+read+it+over+a+hundered+times+it+is+amazing+and+i+love+all+the+books+nora+roberts+writes+its+the+best+and+i+will+never+stop+reading+her+books
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KristineC
Posted April 12, 2011
Entertaining read with a twist toward the end.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.JessLucy
Posted April 9, 2010
This was the first Nora Roberts novel that I ever read and I really enjoyed it. It was very suspensful as well as romantic. It was very mysterious and the entire setting was very engrossing. The ending surprised me and I have since read several of Nora's books. I would also recommend: Cheasapeake Blue and Divine Evil by the same author. You might also enjoy the novels of Linda Howard, especially: After the Fire, Shades of Twilight and Dream Man. Some other favorites include: The Far Pavilions and Trade Winds by M.M. Kaye, A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag, and anything by Lavyrle Spencer, especially: Twice Loved, Vows, November of the Heart and The Fulfillment.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Eny8A
Posted January 25, 2010
This is a great book to read, once again Nora does not desappoint. The story is interesting and it keeps you wanting to read more and more.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 9, 2009
Loved it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I watched the movie before reading the book and I didn't loose at the end cause the book contains a lot more emotions and character descriptio than the movie shows.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Angels Fall gets you involved from the first page and keeps you turning pages until you finish (as soon as possible). It enthralls you as do most of her books and always keeps you guessing. Great book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GwensMom
Posted August 18, 2009
Nora Roberts as usual gives a good read. The book keeps you interested. The plot of good versus bad is always popular with love interest thrown in, you can't go wrong. This is a perfect book to curl up with and escape for an afternoon or two. Not so long but long enough not to feel you need more at the end.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I loved this book - one of my favorite books. So intriging, romantic, on you edge of your seat book. Loved the whole story, characters. Everythng was just wonderfully written. Thank you Nora. You will not regret getting this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 8, 2009
I really liked this book since it was an easy read. After I got into it a bit I also couldn't put it down because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. After I was done I still would think about the characters. This is my first time reading Nora Roberts and I will definitely try another one of her books.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Believe it or not, this was my first Nora Roberts book & it certainly won't be the last! The story took a little while to develop, but once it did it was exciting---romance, suspense, terrific ending. I would recommmend this book!
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Overview
#1 New York Times-bestselling author Nora Roberts explores the wilds of the Grand Tetons-and the mysteries of love, murder, and madness-in her engrossing and passionate new novel.Reece Gilmore has come a long way to see the stunning view below her. As the sole survivor of a brutal crime back East, she has been on the run, desperately fighting the nightmares and panic attacks that haunt her. Reece settles in Angel's Fist, Wyoming-temporarily, at least-and takes a job at a local diner. And now she's hiked this mountain all by herself. It was glorious, she thought, as she peered ...