Rating:  Summary: Funny, charming, a great read. Step one of a beautiful trip Review: Maybe it's my fascination with stories set in Ireland but I don't know what to say except I loved this. Roberts hooked me from the first five words, telling of a psychology teacher dreading her own "mental problems" or what she thought were sure signs that she was either going nuts or was already there. (Yee-hah!) For those of you who like the allure of mythical legends, fairy stories and tales of eternal love that is present. The couple in question is Carrick the immortal Prince of the Fairies and Gwen Fitzgerald, a simple common woman of noble manners. They were in love and still are, but they let duty and pride get in their way and paid for "turning off" their hearts by spending 300 years apart. So, they need help to break the spell Carrick set so they can be together. Enter Jude Frances Murray (the uprooted American psychologist) Aidan Gallagher (The owner of the Ardmore's best and finest pub) and the rest of Ardmore's merry citizens. All the spice of Romeo And Juliet without the tragic overtones, told in simple beautiful language with loads of humor. The writing style was engaging, the scenery very vivid and beautiful. Ms. Roberts for me captured the essence of Ireland here, her heart, her people, her music, and general ambiance very well. I could easily see the countryside with how skillfully Ms. Roberts wrote of it.It made me wish I was there living amongst these people. Warm, compassionate, loving, and at times hard as a rock, but loyal friends for life. And what a cast this is. These are characters I absolutely loved, from the proud yet soft and heartsick Carrick, gentle loving Gwen, the captivating and very amusing Gallagher trio (Aidan, Shawn and Darcy) to old storyteller Riley, and the kindhearted but fierce O'Toole clan. Ah, to have neighbors like these merry ruffians! :) Humor abounds in this book from everyone's friendly banter that goes from cussing each other out (playfully) to "kiss-and-make-up" moments. Jude's druken party with Darcy and Brenna was classic. The love scenes here are VERY intense and sensual (I still suffer from dry mouth and increased pulse rate every time I read this book) but they are not too graphic and come across as tender and beautiful rather than lewd and disgusting. On the whole this was a great book, one I could not put down and often pick up again eagerly. It's a "feel good" story that drives the point home that even though it may take some time and a lot of hardship, true love is a wonderful treasure that is well worth the effort to get and one that you should NEVER turn your back on.
Rating:  Summary: good start to the trilogy Review: I loved this book. Occasionally, I thought Jude needed to develop a spine a little more quickly, but otherwise I liked her. Aidan was an enjoyable character who had some interesting tales to tell, although I didn't think it was entirely believable that he would think Jude needed all the practical details of what a marriage with him could bring her spelled out. For a while there, it seemed as though his brain had left him, but, for the most part I really like him too. The story that runs through the trilogy of Lady Gwen and Carrick is fascinating, and I think it's better integrated into the story than some of the other things Nora Roberts has done (I thought the Legend of Seraphina storyline running through her Dream trilogy was fairly worthless). There were several really fun parts in the book; one that I really enjoyed was when Brenna and Darcy stayed at Jude's cottage for a while, tried on her clothes, and drank a lot. It was hilarious, although at times Jude did come off as a bit pathetic.
Rating:  Summary: magic! Review: the first in this awesome series is the best! now, i have to say, i didn't think i read this all the way through when i read the first chapter. but i am so glad i stuck with it! Aidan is by far my favorite character of all the Nora Roberts I have read. A lot of times in romance novels i find the Hero to be to pushy and arrogant. Aidan is sure of himself in a way that does not come off as unappealing, and he is oh so charming! Jude's self discovery and personal growth is heart warming, and I wanted to stand up and cheer for her when she begins to shut off the nay saying in her head and persues her her repressed dreams. Their romance is sweet and funny. I fell in love with the Gallagher and the village of Ardmore.
Rating:  Summary: Did not live up to expectations Review: When i read the back of this book i genuinely thought it would be good i was however very dissapointed i love a good fairy tale but this book just killed it, Ms Roberts din't develop Aidan in any way, i feel like she had a good plot but din't know what to do with it and that just puts me off reading any trilogy involving any of the other characters.
Rating:  Summary: Did not like this book Review: I thougght after reading some other of her books I would give the irish trilogy a try. I really wanted to like this book I thought it was going to be very intersting but I just could get the entire way through it. I only read halfway through the book and I thought it was rather dry and boriong. Skip this trilogy and read the 3 sisters island trilogy IT WAS GREAT!
Rating:  Summary: Jude the Obnoxious Review: A beautiful travelogue, a whimsical glimpse into the legends of Ireland - and one of the most obnoxious female "heroines" ever written is basically my review of this book. Loved the picturesque flower covered Faerie Hill cottage, the star crossed for centuries ghosts, the ceili and the charming locals (who ALL seem to settle their disputes with a quick punch and then a wee dram). However, it was all a little too contrived. The Jude character was an absolute "poor little rich girl" who evoked NO sympathy, empathy, or believability - I just didn't buy her story. I also struggled with an Irishman named Shawn (isn't it Sean?) and the saccharin charm of the romance was just way too much for this reader. But I will move on and read Tears of the Moon, for really I loved the Irish part of the tale.
Rating:  Summary: I fell in love with the Gallagher clan Review: This was my first Nora Roberts book and upon finishing it I had to buy and read the rest of the trilogy. I adored the fable and fantasy aspect to the book, and the descriptions of the cottage, the pub and the people of Ardmore made me feel I just wanted to jump on a plane and visit them all! I enjoyed the fact that the romance comes without the usual formula of conflict ripping the lovers apart before they can reunite as is so common in most romantic novels. I am now preparing to start reading another Nora Roberts trilogy.
Rating:  Summary: Another series from Nora Roberts Review: I first began reading Nora Roberts a few years ago with the Born In series. I fell in love with the story of the three Irish sisters and since then became an avid Nora Roberts reader. I even spent one summer collecting all of her books. And the more I read, the more I enjoyed these books and the more I became a loyal Nora Roberts fan.What then happened while I was reading Jewels of the Sun to turn me off to this series is anybody's guess. Was it a case of same old, same old or have I reached my Nora Roberts saturation point? The plot of Jewels of the Sun is a familiar one especially for Roberts. In Ireland, two brothers and a sister run the family pub. Aidan, finally home from years of traveling is the keeper of Irish legends. Content to run the pub he doesn't expect to meet up with Jude Murray, who flees America with a broken heart to live in a cottage to study Irish folklore. When Jude finds the cottage has a ghost, she seeks out Aidan for advice and finds herself clearly on the path into his arms. Now it should have been interesting to see how the lonely and unhappy Jude and the fiercely independent Aidan will get along and what happens next but instead the plot fell all too flat. I do have the next two books in the series, but truthfully haven't had the oomph to pick them up. And now Nora Roberts has written another series, the first book is titled Dance Upon the Air. Naturally I bought this when it was first published. Some things die hard. Now I'm hoping I enjoy it as much as my first Nora Roberts reads, Born in Fire, Born in Ice and Born in Shame.
Rating:  Summary: Great beginning to a great trilogy Review: "Jewels of the Sun" is an enchanting and well-written book. It is the first in Nora Robert's series about the Gallaghers of Ardmore. This first installment introduces the reader to the oldest brother, Aidan, who has taken over the family pub. Aidan is a great, well-developed hero. Jude Murray arrives in Ireland feeling lost and alone. She soon finds that her pretty little cottage and the village of Ardmore are fast becoming home to her. The story Nora weaves is completely enthralling. I could not put this book down. I loved watching Jude and Aidan come together, and it was also great seeing Jude grow as a person and gain confidence in herself. The fantasy elements of the book are just fabulous. The story of Carrick, prince of the faeries, and Gwen, the lovely ghost who haunts Jude's cottage is touching and compelling. This book is great all-around, and I highly recommend reading it, as well as the two that follow.
Rating:  Summary: Enchanting! Review: Nora Roberts is the master of the trilogy. This starts a beautiful adventure into the world of magic and Irish folklore. And the characters are so engaging. You can't put it down once you start. An excellent read!
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