Stars of Fortune. Nora Roberts

Stars of Fortune
Nora Roberts
Published: Piatkus
Date: November3rd  2015
Format: Paperback ARC
Pages: 304
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy
Source: thanks to Hachette NZ

Sasha Riggs is a reclusive artist, haunted by dreams and nightmares that she turns into extraordinary paintings. Her visions lead her to the Greek island of Corfu, where five others have been lured to seek the fire star. Sasha recognizes them, because she has drawn them: a magician, an archaeologist, a wanderer, a fighter, a loner. All on a quest. All with secrets.

Sasha is the one who holds them together—the seer. And in the magician, Bran Killian, she sees a man of immense power and compassion. As Sasha struggles with her rare ability, Bran is there to support her, challenge her, and believe in her.

But Sasha and Bran are just two of the six. And they all must all work together as a team to find the fire star in a cradle of land beneath the sea. Over their every attempt at trust, unity, and love, a dark threat looms. And it seeks to corrupt everything that stands in its way of possessing the stars…

So is there anything new for Nora Roberts to write in terms of her magical/paranormal trilogies? I didn't think so, therefore I began Stars of Fortune with a little trepidation. However it wasn't too long before I found myself swept away into the story that begins the Guardians Trilogy.

I love the cover of the book, the setting is Corfu in Greece. Picture the blues and whites and Mediterranean sea, the olive groves. Perfect setting, loved it.

There are six characters, all on a quest to find the three stars before the evil god witch Nerezza does. Sasha is an artist and seer. In the beginning she is a bit of a recluse, not fully trusting of her gift. Physically weaker than the others. She arrives in Greece and then slowly they all begin to link up until there is a team. Yes Sasha and Bran are the main couple in this book, but they all must work as a team, and trust each other. And that trust is not readily given. Sasha though is determined to see unity and speaks her mind forcefully on the matter at times.

Bran is a magician, with a place in New York and Ireland. He is a magician on many levels. Then there are Riley - the archaeologist, and Annika - a gentle beautiful mystery, who are the other two women. As a reader we aren't let into their secrets straight away, although a few clues are strewn along the way. The other men - Sawyer a wanderer and Doyle a fighter do not release their secrets early - and nor did I find any clues along the way as to exactly what they are. Let's just say - freakin' awesome.

The six must work together on a quest and find the stars. As well they must deal with whatever Nerezza the god witch throws at them. Be it black and evil, be it sneaky and cruel. She is the dark and they the light. She has minions who do her bidding and aid her in her evil quest for power and destruction.

I am looking forward to the next two in this trilogy very much. Sasha and Bran made a delightful couple, but how Nora Roberts is going to match up the others - each with some very strange gifts, I am just not sure how that is going to be achieved. Maybe magic - anything can happen of course in the realm of fantasy!

Books of the Kindling series. Donna June Cooper

More Than Magic  #1 in Books of the Kindling
Donna June Cooper
Published: Samhain Publishing
Date: 2014
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: Author

DEA agent Nick McKenzie is sure magic exists - a dangerous drug called Smoky Mountain Magic that's wreaking havoc on the streets of Atlanta. He's also sure that locating and eliminating the source could mean his death.

When he arrives undercover on Woodruff Mountain, the beautiful owner's anxious attempts to scare him off tell him something's afoot, and it s not her secret patch of a rare, ancient species of ginseng.

As her dream of seeking medicinal plants in the Amazon fades into the distance, Grace Woodruff struggles to come to terms with an inherited magical gift she didn't want, and searches desperately for the meaning behind her late grandfather's final, cryptic message.

The last thing she needs underfoot is a handsome, enigmatic writer recovering from a recent illness. Until an accidental touch unleashes a stunning mystical force and Grace senses the wrath of a malicious blight at the heart of the mountain. Now she must choose between her need to hide her gift from the world and her desire to save Nick s life.

My thoughts:

The first book in the series is the story of Grace and the DEA agent that comes to Grace's mountain to try and uncover a ring of drug smugglers, he even suspects it may be Grace.  This is a delightful, if slightly too lengthy tale of magic - an amazing amount of it, a clever dog Pooka, a young Jamie who has a head for codes and a couple that have the best interests of the world at heart.  There is an environmental message to the story, tastefully incorporated.  If you like contemporary romance, much magic, some mystery and justice served - you'll likely enjoy the read.

Mostly Magic #2 in Kindling series
Published: Samhain Publishing
Date: June 2014
Genre: Contemporary romance/Magic/Suspense/Paranormal
Source: Author

Do dreams come true? Dr. Daniel Woodruff hopes they don’t, because his dreams predict a devastating future for him, for those he loves—and for the planet.

His latest premonition, which blows a huge crater in his eroding sanity, holds a singular horror—the loss of a wife and unborn child. Yet another reason he can let no one into his chaotic life, least of all a perky, persistent investigative reporter he finds simultaneously frustrating and fascinating.

Mel Noblett leaves no stone unturned in her one-woman crusade to save the environment. When a whistleblower in Italy proves too frightened to talk, Mel turns to a fall-back lead, an extremely eccentric, beekeeping professor who might just make the trip worthwhile.

Despite their instant attraction, Mel is relieved when Daniel keeps her at arm’s length. After all, she has a secret of her own—one that makes her preternaturally good at her job. And, when Daniel’s terrifying visions prove uncannily accurate and begin to revolve around Mel—it is a gift that could put her life in danger.

My thoughts:

In this book it is the turn of Daniel to take centre stage.  He is beekeeper/bee whisperer and lecturer. He is struggling with his gift - when he touches someone he is thrust into the future and what is about to happen to them - usually he is shown something that could be a severe threat, even death.

The first third of the book takes place in France where Daniel first mets Mel, a persistent and tenacious journalist.  Daniel then returns to Woodruff Mountain and not long after Mel joins him. 

There I enjoyed meeting up again with Grace and Nick and  young Jaime.  Grace is able to help Daniel a little with his gift, as do other members of the family!  It turns out Daniel is not the only one with a gift and as the suspense builds in this book, it becomes a little like a game of chess. A move and then a counter move.

The story has a strong environmental message and explores the impact of humans on the planet - often threatening life, however the story also shows that each one using their specific gifts wisely can have a positive impact. 

Dark Witch: The Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy #1 Nora Roberts

Dark Witch
Nora Roberts
Published: Brilliance Audio 2013
Format: Audiobook
Length: 10hrs 40 min
Narrator: Katherine Kellgren
Source: Own book

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends. Ireland. County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations - and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives. When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself - and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope - and love – alive.…

Dark Witch the first in the Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy has sat in my library for a couple of years.  I was put off my the bad reviews that the narrator was given.  It goes to show I should sometimes be cautious about narrator reviews, because on the whole they were unfounded from my point of view. Too dramatic some said, another bad narrator said others and again over narrated!  Give me a break! She was totally adequate for this book and in fact really narrated the dramatic parts very well.  She certainly did not detract from my enjoyment of this book.  She added to it in fact. While I do have the second one on audio, there is a different narrator, but in any case I have this in paperback as well and I read faster than I listen!

The story is a pretty typical Nora Robert's trilogy that involves three cousins and their partners. There is the battle between good and evil, it's set in the west of Ireland near a beautiful castle.  Each of the three Iona, Connor and Branna have their own gifts and animals that work with them.  Iona is given a beautiful horse - she has the gift with horses and can sense what they want, where they hurt etc. Branna has a hound and Connor a hawk.

This story is about Iona learning her craft, meeting her relations and fighting against the dark Cabhan. The story opened back in the seventeenth century and gives the history of Cabhan and the O'Dwyer cousins ancestors and how their story links to the present.

A very enjoyable and easy listen.