Tribute by Nora Roberts Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Tribute
Book Review: ENTERTAINING AS USUAL!
Summary: 5 Stars
I FOUND THE NEW NORA ROBERT'S NOVEL "TRIBUTE" TO BE ONE OF HER BEST! IT CATCHES YOUR ATTENTION RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING AND I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN TILL I WAS DONE...I EVEN KEPT READING WHILE DRYING MY HAIR FOR WORK.
I FOUND IT WELL RESERCHED AND COMPELLING GIVING INSIGHTS INTO BOTH THE ART OF WRITING GRAPHIC NOVELS AND FLIPPING HOMES. I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS BOOK...DEFINITELY A KEEPER!Tribute
Book Review: Enjoyable for a die-hard fan
Summary: 4 Stars
I'd probably rate this book about 4 stars overall...a strong B rating. There's a lot about it that I liked: the characters, the smooth storytelling and readability of the book, the basic premise. But the identity of the bad guy left me scratching my head.
One of the things I have always admired about Nora's characters...her protagonists...is that they are psychologically sound individuals. That doesn't mean they don't have issues and neuroses and all that, but Nora always explains those traits, and they make sense. The behavior of the main characters makes sense. But in the case of the bad guy in this story, what left me scratching my head was that the behavior just didn't make sense. And then that bugged me a little because the other thing that Nora does fairly regularly is give us bad guys who are unhinged...as if insanity is the only explanation for their behavior. The bad guy's motivation in this book just didn't seem realistic to me, especially as Nora goes to such great lengths to draw this character in a specific way during the story. With some of her characters -- antagonists or secondary characters -- Nora sometimes creates CARICATURES rather than just characters, as if we readers need that exaggeration in order to form an opinion. In my opinion, this is truly the only weakness of her writing, but unfortunately it's one that appears in way too many of her books.
The romance in TRIBUTE is kind of pared down, but not unsatisfying. It's sweet. I definitely believe that Cilla and Ford love one another, and their relationship is founded on friendship and a mutual respect for each other's strengths and independence. But this isn't a particularly passionate love story. I wouldn't necessarily say that the romance takes a back-seat to the "suspense" part of the story, because they're there together, every step of the way. But they act more like a couple who has known each other and been secure in their love for one another for decades, rather than like a newly-fledged couple exploring the first flush of their love. Does that make sense? It's sweet and it's romantic, but it's not necessarily what I expect from a Nora Roberts romance novel.
(One character who really grabbed my attention in this book was the character of Cilla's ex-husband, Steve. Now THERE'S a guy I'd like to read more about!)
Overall, I very much enjoyed this story, but I think it's possible that a less-devout Nora Roberts fan might be less enthusiastic due to the identity of the villain and the tenor of the romance.
Book Review: Excellent Romantic Suspense
Summary: 4 Stars
Cilla McGowan has spent her life living in the shadow of her famous movie star grandmother, Janet Hardy. The legendary actress had purchased a small farm in Virginia where she would go to unwind, but it was also the site of glittering parties and the place where she died of an overdose. Now Cilla, herself a former child star, has decided to settle in one place and start her own contracting business flipping houses. The place she has chosen is Janet Hardy's Little Farm, which is in dire need of a rehab. She camps in one of the bedrooms and begins the process of remodeling the once graceful old house. Across the street, in a restored Victorian, is Cilla's sexy neighbor, graphic novelist Ford Sawyer. Ford introduces himself to Cilla when he asks for permission to use her image for a new superhero. Cilla is at first put off, and then intrigued by the idea, and also by Ford himself, and his little dog Spock.
Also intriguing is the hidden cache of old letters Cilla finds in the attic that were written to Janet by an unnamed lover. At first, the letters were full of ardor, which then cooled and turned to anger and disgust. The last one alludes to Janet being pregnant, which is a revelation, as no one had known she was pregnant when she died, presumably by her own hand. It leaves Cilla to wonder if perhaps Janet's death was helped along by her lover, a theory bolstered somewhat by Cilla's vivid dreams about Janet in the past. After she carelessly discusses her theories with Ford where any number of workmen could have overheard, Cilla and her home are plagued by vandalism, and her ex-husband, who is a dear friend, is viciously attacked one night in her barn. She has a suspect, a bitter old man whose son was paralyzed in the same accident that took the life of Cilla's uncle Johnny, Janet's son, a few months before Janet's death. Not quite everything fits so neatly with that theory, however, and until Cilla and Ford can figure out who Janet's mystery lover was, anyone and anything close to Cilla isn't safe, most especially Cilla herself.
Nora Roberts is a talented author who can write entertaining books of many types, and this time out she has chosen to weave a rich tapestry of a story with an emphasis on home and family, with intrigue driving the story. Cilla's relationship with Ford, while crackling with sexual electricity, is comfortable and relaxed, and their friends and various family members are an integral part of their lives. Delivering a story both gripping and cozy, Nora Roberts easily retains her place at the top in women's fiction.
Book Review: Fantastic Story of Romance, Celebrity, Mystery and Suspense!
Summary: 5 Stars
Cilla McGowan is the granddaughter of the famous actress/singer Janet Hardy. Cilla's mom Dilly is also a star and Cilla herself was a child star and had a successful TV series. Cilla's mom and dad divorced when she was little. Cilla has finally bribed/persuaded and in the end paid to have her mom sell her Janet Hardy's farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The last few years has seen Cilla "flip" houses - that is, buy an old broken down house cheap, rehab and remodel and sell for a nice profit. Cilla got into this as her ex-husband had also been doing construction along with being a rock musician.
As Cilla takes her first real tour of the house and write notes on what she will do, her father comes by. He, his second wife and her half-sister live in the small town area that the farm is just outside of. Cilla never got to really know her father as her parents divorced when she was quite young and her mother kept her very busy with her movies, singing, TV series, etc. Cilla does not know what family really is as her mom flitted from husband and boyfriend and back again and is currently on her fifth husband. Cilla is sick of Hollywood and is studying for her contractor's license so she can have her own business flipping homes. Cilla's dad also gives her some names of local contractors she can use.
Across the road from Cilla in a lovely Victorian home lives Ford Sawyer, graphic novelist, and his very ugly dog. Ford gets inspired for his new graphic novel series when he sees and watches Cilla from across the road.
As the ensuing romances struggles, Cilla also is determined to learn more about Janet Hardy and find out who wrote a bunch of unsigned love letters that she has found in the attic. Unfortunately, some one is not happy with Cilla's possible snooping and more and more dangerous incidents and threats occur.
How this is resolved and Cilla learns that she does have a family and friends who care and she can rely on is very well done.
Highly recommended.
Valerie Matteson
Ann Arbor, MI
Book Review: Fantastic!
Summary: 5 Stars
I always look forward to another Nora Roberts. Tribute was a story that keeps Nora at the top of her game!
The hero was just super. He was not your typical gung-ho macho hero, but completely and totally lovable. His quirky humor, his absence of mechanical abilities, his dog, his slight (very slight) nerdiness all combined to make him an unique hero. I fell in love with him immediately.
The heroine was so strong and determined to succeed despite her feelings of past failures. It was fascinating to read of her efforts to both restore and make her grandmother's house her own. My mind boogled at the expense she incurred to remodel this house.
Nora's secondary characters were the best! They seemed so solid with each other. Of course, now I hope that there will be a sequel so that a couple of the secondary characters can have their own story.
One can only hope!!