Not one of Nora's best (Tribute - Nora Roberts)

Member Name: ladybracknell

Product:	Tribute - Nora Roberts
Date:	14/02/09 (54 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: An easy and pleasant read that doesn't tax the brain

Disadvantages: Rather bland, stereotypical characters

As I think I've declared before, Nora Roberts is a consummate storyteller and there is not doubt this is a good story, albeit a somewhat formulaic one.

Cilla McGowan had once been a child star in a sitcom, granddaughter of an even more famous film star, who had taken her own life at her farm in Virginia some thirty years before the story begins . Since that time, Cilla's mother has allowed the farm to fall into ruin but now Cilla is there to try to restore it to its former glory and put down some permanent roots in the area.

Soon after she arrives, Cilla meets her sexy neighbour, Ford, who is a graphic novelist, and in the way of all good romances, it isn't long before she and Ford become an item. However, their happy-ever-after, doesn't arrive without the couple facing a few problems, not least of which is that there seem to be people in the locality who bear a grudge against not only Cilla but her grandmother too and at least one of those people seem to be intent on murder.

The story is pacey and enjoyable but I did find all the characters rather stereotypical and it wasn't difficult to work out fairly early on just who the real baddie was despite a couple of red herrings thrown into the story.

Nora Roberts' heroes are always very attractive, just the kind of man we'd all like to meet and fall in love with, and her heroines tend to be a little on the feisty side and Cilla is no exception. However, I had a problem relating to either Cilla or Ford. They were both just a little bit too good to be true. In fact, Cilla's ex-husband who makes a brief appearance, seemed more of a well rounded character than either of the two main protagonists.

This was an enjoyable book but not one of Nora Roberts's best by a long chalk. It wasn't a great page-turner and I never had a problem putting it down to go and do other things so I can't recommend it wholeheartedly. It was all just a little too bland for my taste.

Summary: Won't blow your socks off or keep you reading late into the night.