Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts Series: The Guardians Trilogy #1
Published by Berkley on November 3, 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance
Pages: 314
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
ISBN: 0425280101
Sasha Riggs is a reclusive artist, haunted by vivid dreams and nightmares that she turns into extraordinary paintings. Desperate to understand her visions, she finds herself drawn to the Greek island of Corfu.
She has only just arrived when she encounters Bran Killian, an Irish magician with a warm charisma and secrets dancing in his eyes. Sasha has never met Bran before, but she knows him only too well - because this is the man from her dreams. The man she has painted over and over again. The man she seems fated to be with...if she can find the courage to accept who she really is.
Sasha soon discovers that four other strangers have been lured to the island. Like Bran, they are all desperately searching for a mysterious jewel known as the fire star - before it falls into the wrong hands. Together, they might just succeed. But first they must learn to trust one another, and reveal their deepest secrets.
On the sun-drenched island of Corfu, love and magic are sparked into life. And for Sasha, nothing will ever be the same again.
Stars of Fortune is the first book in the Guardian’s Trilogy and I was lucky enough to grab all three books at my local library. And boy, I haven’t read this author in quite a long while….since her Bride Quartet series was released and I wanted to give her paranormal’s a chance, and since I heard nothing but good things about these books I knew I needed to pick them up and first off I wish I could just leave this review with AWESOME SAUCE!! Yep that is my overall feel to these books and even though it wasn’t as highly engaging as I was expecting I found myself immersed in the story. I do want to mention you NEED to read these book in order, in fact, its a must. I do not think you should skip ahead to book 2 or 3. All three books are connected to each other, and together make one story.
Stars of Fortune brings together six of our delightful and diverse mix of characters. We have a Seer, A Sorcerer, A Mermaid, A Time Traveler, A Werewolf and An Immortal. All six are driven to the Greek Isle of Corfu in search of the Fire Star, one of three jewels that will return a goddess to her throne as queen unless an evil witch will find them first. It will take all six of them to find these three jewels, and only trust and working together will they succeed from a great evil obtaining them.
To just lay this out. We’ve got a witch, a seer, a werewolf – I like the word, okay?” he said with laugh before Riley could growl at him. “A mermaid, and immortal and a time and space traveler. Think about it. We’re like the freaking Avengers.
Our heroine of the story, is our Seer, Sasha. Sasha sees visions and dreams, and she is also an artist. And for months she has seen five strangers, two women and three men and sees them working together and draws them just like she sees in her visions. So she decides to take a flight to Greece and take a risk because she is drawn to this island and there is something in her that knows she needs to be there. On the journey she meets Bran, a Magician and Sorcerer along with Riley, a werewolf. Sasha is not used to sharing her secrets but she feels like she can open up to Riley and Bran. And while heading to Corfu and the house they will stay in, they find Sawyer, their time traveler. And then their resident mermaid, Annika find them. A beautiful and carefree woman who believes in their destiny. And then their final member, Doyle joins them when they least expect it. But there is an evil on the horizon, an evil that wants to destroy them. Sasha knows that they will fail if they don’t begin to trust each other.
To crave forever is to dismiss the beauty and wonder of the cycle.
I found Stars of Fortune to be so intriguing and the plot of the story kept me on the edge of my seat here. The characters that come into play all have various talents and abilities, and they eac play an important role. In each book we have two of the six pair up…in Stars of Fortune we have Sasha and Bran get together. From the beginning of the story, there is a connection between them. Sasha though knows that something vital will happen between them because she has seen them together in her visions but she doesn’t know how or why. We see a beautiful love build between Bran and Sasha. I really liked seeing Sasha and Bran get together, they just fit even in the beginning you just know that they will end up together. The bedroom scenes aren’t super steamy, but if you know how Roberts writes her love scenes, than you won’t be surprised, although they have their ow sexiness but I didn’t find them super impressive. We see some strong sizzles but nothing too memorable.
There is such a strong friendship that builds between these six characters and this is what I focused most on. Even though I always get a kick out of a good romance, there was more to this book than just the romance although its definitely a strong point in the story. But we have these six characters that have to learn some important lessons here. And of the biggest issues they seem to have is lack of trust in each other. They all come from different background and they learn that only when they really work together as a unit, will they be able to defeat the evil that is hunting them and seeking the Fire Star just like they are. And yes we see the beginnings of another future romance between Sawyer and Annika.
So my overall thoughts on Stars of Fortune: This is a WINNER….this has everything I look for in a paranormal and in a romance that delivers by Nora Roberts. It just has everything you want in a solid romance…it has magic, romance, good vs. evil plot, adventures and mystery, with the poignant storytelling from Nora Roberts….I honestly couldn’t put this book down and I wanted to just jump into book 2.
Bay of Sighs by Nora Roberts Series: The Guardians Trilogy #2
Published by Berkley on June 14, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance
Pages: 319
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
ISBN: 042528011X
To celebrate the rise of their new queen, three goddesses of the moon created three stars, one of fire, one of ice, one of water. But then they fell from the sky, putting the fate of all worlds in danger. And now three women and three men join forces to pick up the pieces.
Mermaid Annika is from the sea, and it is there she must return after her quest to find the stars. New to this world, her purity and beauty are nothing less than breathtaking, along with her graceful athleticism, as her five new friends discovered when they retrieved the fire star.
Now, through space and time, traveler Sawyer King has brought the guardians to the island of Capri, where the water star is hidden. And as he watches Annika in her element, he finds himself drawn to her joyful spirit. But Sawyer knows that if he allows her into his heart, no compass could ever guide him back to solid ground...
And in the darkness, their enemy broods. She lost one star to the guardians, but there is still time for blood to be spilled--the mermaid's in the water and the traveler's on the land. For she has forged a dangerous new weapon. Something deadly and unpredictable. Something human.
In Bay of Sighs, our story continues with our journey to find all three jewels…the stars of Ice, Fire and Water to help with the rise of the new queen. And it all comes down to six players, all with magical gifts, that will save the day and triumph over the evil that is hunting the three stars. They have found the first jewel…the Star of Fire. And now they are on to find the second one…the Star of Water and their trusted time traveler Sawyer, has transported them to the Island of Capri.
Annika is from the sea, she is a mermaid, and was honored to be part of this quest to search for the three stars and make a pact with the other five members. Annika knows that her time is very short, and that she will have to return to the sea after their quest is over. She has a temporary agreement to have both a tail and legs and to change them at will. Annika is carefree and innocent in many ways, she has a beauty that everyone is drawn to. She is athletic, has no inhibitions when it comes to sexual desire, she breathes the water and the sea, she delights in the simple things in life and is in love with Sawyer even though knowing their time is short.
They are on the hunt for the Star of Water, and they are busy training trying to be ready for whatever may be hunting them. Annika delights in cooking and doing laundry, kissing her Sawyer and swimming in the sea with or without legs. Annika is a bit clueless when it comes to social structures of human society, she is a mermaid and sees life differently. She is so full of life and has this vibrant feel to her character that just makes you smile all the way through the story. I will admit that Annika is my favorite character of the six. There is something so different and unique about her character and every time she enters the story, you keep smiling and laughing at her antics but boy she is badass. She can fight when she needs to but she can’t handle weapons. Guns and knives are not her forte, she is innocent in many ways but she has other abilities to fight and protect those she loves.
I’m not going to leave you. I’d never leave you. No.”
Our hero, Sawyer, has his compass, a device that allows him to travel time and space and he can transport himself and others anywhere he desires. Its a gift that has been passed down through his family. Sawyer finds himself drawn to Annika and her joyful spirit. He is reluctant to start anythiing serious with Annika because his feelings for her are serious and he knows she has little time with him. But both Sawyer and Annika realize that they need to hold onto every precious moment they have together with no regrets.
Some people get lifetimes, some get moments. I’ve got to tell myself it’s what you do with what you get that counts.
This book made me laugh and cry and kept me on the edge of my seat. Quite frankly, the romance the builds between Sawyer and Annika is sweet yet SEXY!! I honestly wanted them to get together so badly, and they make such a great team together. The sex scenes were pretty awesome, I mean honestly, they were so FUN and sexy. They have explosive chemistry, and yeah Annika is experience in the bedroom and isn’t shy about her body or the pleasure she gets from sex especially when its with Sawyer. I really loved that about her character, she knows what she wants and goes after it. There was one odd sex scene though, when they have sex when she is a mermaid…that was a little odd but I went with it. But hey…Nora Roberts somehow made it work.
There is suspense and adventure…we get some evil workings of the villain and boy she is so evil and I really liked seeing how these six wonderful characters almost defeated her….but we still have book three before we see her get her justice. The ending got a bit intense there for a moment, and yeah I was a bit in tears in parts especially in some poignant scenes between Sawyer and Annika when their love is put to the test.
Island of Glass by Nora Roberts Series: The Guardians Trilogy #3
Published by Berkley on December 6, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Shape Shifting
Pages: 339
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
ISBN: 0425280128
The final Guardians Trilogy novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bay of Sighs and Stars of Fortune.
As the hunt for the Star of Ice leads the six guardians to Ireland, Doyle, the immortal, must face his tragic past. Three centuries ago, he closed off his heart, yet his warrior spirit is still drawn to the wild. And there’s no one more familiar with the wild than Riley—and the wolf within her... An archaeologist, Riley is no stranger to the coast of Clare, but now she finds herself on unsure footing, targeted by the dark goddess who wants more than the stars, more than the blood of the guardians. While searching through Irish history for clues that will lead them to the final star and the mysterious Island of Glass, Riley must fight her practical nature and admit her sudden attraction to Doyle is more than just a fling. For it is his strength that will sustain her and give her the power to run towards love—and save them all...
From the Trade Paperback edition.
In Island of Glass, our story continues with our six guardians, who travel to Doyle’s and Bran’s home in Ireland. Doyle has some bittersweet moments that he has to face of his past, of losing his brother and losing everyone he has ever loved over the years. This is where they are on the final leg of their journey and their battle again the evil goddess.
This is Doyle and Riley’s book, and I admit I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it. These two aren’t my favorite characters of the six, and I hadn’t really felt much of their chemistry in the previous two books so I was curious to see how this book would play out their romance. And it wasn’t what I was wanting, I did feel like it was a bit lacking at times, but they did have some stunning moments that I loved though. Doyle and Riley have more alpha like characteristics. They are both fights, leaders and are badass. So they have many personality traits in common. Riley is our shifter of the group, but she is more open to love than Doyle is. She views Doyle as her potential mate, but she also knows that Doyle isn’t wanting anything serious.
However weary he might be of life after three centuries of it, he was more weary of witnessing death.
Doyle has closed off his heart completely. He has been alone for a long time and has watched everyone he has loved die over the years, so it makes sense he wouldn’t want to lose Riley either. But I did feel like their relationship had some disjointed moments at times but I will say they create fireworks in the bedroom. Probably the hottest sex scenes in the trilogy is in this book. Which makes sense in some ways, since these two are the strongest and no gentle loving when having sex. But I did want more from their story, more emotional intimacy that I found lacking at times.
The plot of the story was simply just as wonderful as the previous two books. There is adventure, suspense, trickery of the mind, and an evil goddess that is to be defeated and boy what a ENDING!! It was so satisfying and fulfilled me in every way. I just love seeing good win over evil and this one packed a punch.
Overall I had a blast with this trilogy, in seeing the growth and unity of these six individuals and seeing a intriguing and intense story play out which some great adventures, captivating characters and a stunning story I won’t soon forget!!
About Nora Roberts
Eleanor Marie Robertson was born on October 10, 1950 in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. She was the youngest of five children, also the only girl, of a marriage with Irish ancestors. Her family were avid readers, so books were always important in her life. She attended a Catholic school and credits the nuns with instilling in her a sense of discipline. During her sophomore year in high school, she transferred to a local public school, where she met Ronald Aufdem-Brinke, her future first husband.
In August 17, 1968, as soon as she had graduated from high school, Eleanor married, against her parents' wishes; the couple settled in Keedysville, Maryland. Her husband worked at his father's sheet-metal business before joining Nora's parents in their lighting company, while she worked briefly as a legal secretary. "I could type fast but couldn't spell; I was the worst legal secretary ever," she says now. After their sons, Dan and Jason, were born, she stayed home. Calling this her "Earth Mother" years, she spent much of her time doing crafts, including ceramics and sewing her children's clothes. The couple ended up separating; they divorced in January 1985.
In February 1979, a blizzard forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three- and a six-year-old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate. During the now famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of her stories. It was then that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981 under the authorship of Nora Roberts, a shortened form of her birth name Eleanor Marie Robertson, because she assumed that all authors had pen names.
Eleanor wrote, under another pseudonym (Jill March), a story titled "Melodies of Love" for a magazine.
Eleanor met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Bruce owns and operates a bookstore in Boonsboro, Maryland called "Turn the Page Books". Since getting married, Eleanor and Bruce have expanded their home and traveled the world.
In 1992, she adopted another pseudonym so as to publish a futuristic-suspense novel series. She first decided to use the pseudonym D.J. MacGregor, but discovered that this pseudonym was used by another author. In 1995, her first "In Death" serial novel was published under the pseudonym J.D. Robb. The initials "J.D." were taken from her sons, Jason and Dan, while "Robb" is a shortened form of Roberts.
Eleanor has also been known as Sara Hardesty, because when the "Born In" series was released in U.K. it carried that name instead of Nora Roberts. She has since changed publishers.
Eleanor has been plagiarized by another best-selling romance writer, Janet Dailey. The practice came to light after a reader read Nora Roberts' Sweet Revenge and Janet Dailey's Notorious back-to-back; the reader noticed several similarities and posted the comparable passages on the Internet. Calling the plagiarism "mind rape," Eleanor sued Janet Daily. In 1997, Janet admitted to repeatedly plagiarizing from Nora Roberts' work and that both Aspen Gold and Notorious lifted heavily from Roberts' work. Both of those novels were pulled from print after Janet's admission. She acknowledged the plagiarism and blamed it on a psychological disorder. In a settlement, Janet paid Eleanor an undisclosed sum, which Eleanor donated to the Literacy Volunteers of America.
A founding member of the Romance Writers of America (R.W.A.), Eleanor was the first inductee in the organization's Hall of Fame. She also is a member of several writers' groups and has won countless awards.
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