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The MacGregors #5, 6.5
Daniel & Ian
Two classic, passionate stories about the beloved MacGregor clan by fan favorite Nora Roberts are collected in this two-in-one volume. Includes "For Now, Forever" and "In from the Cold" Reissue.
For Now, Forever
Anna--Daniel's wife of forty years--relives her remarkable courtship, when meddlesome matchmaking patriarch and self-made millionaire Daniel MacGregor faced his biggest challenge: to convince the love of his life to marry him! Here at last is the story of how Daniel wooed and won the fiercely independent Anna Whitfield and launched his formidable dynasty.
In From the Cold
In this story about an eighteenth-century MacGregor, we learn that battling the British couldn't prepare Minuteman Ian MacGregor for the fight he's got on his hands to win the heart of Irish spitfire Allanna Flynn.
For Now, Forever
Anna--Daniel's wife of forty years--relives her remarkable courtship, when meddlesome matchmaking patriarch and self-made millionaire Daniel MacGregor faced his biggest challenge: to convince the love of his life to marry him! Here at last is the story of how Daniel wooed and won the fiercely independent Anna Whitfield and launched his formidable dynasty.
In From the Cold
In this story about an eighteenth-century MacGregor, we learn that battling the British couldn't prepare Minuteman Ian MacGregor for the fight he's got on his hands to win the heart of Irish spitfire Allanna Flynn.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
43 people are currently reading
3618 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,210 books59.8k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
June 6, 2019
Daniel: 4 stars
Ian: unread
Ian: unread
July 27, 2019
I felt like both novellas were really similar in concept, so it was obvious what was going to happen in the seecond one.
September 25, 2017
Where to start.
This book starts in the present and then the story itself is a memory of the falling in love of the two characters. This type of narrative worked in Wurthering Heights, not so here. I simply didn't like it.
And here is the crux of the problem, there were too many things which I simply didn't like.
Daniel is 'new' money on the hunt for a bride with the right pedigree, enter the heroine who is trying to break free from her blue blood Boston family tradition and she's studying medicine. Daniel is arrogant, pushy, rude, presumptuous... I could go on. Anna is sweet, but for a girl who's had to stand up to her family and insist on becoming a doctor in a time when it was not very common, she's remarkably spineless when it comes to Daniel. Oh, I'm all for a girl getting flutters and feeling excited in the presence of a handsome man, but seriously, she is a door mat.
Possibly my biggest beef is that to prove that Anna is sweet and innocent the author has her saying no a lot to Daniel, and then Daniel completely and utterly ignores what she says to the point where it starts feeling a bit creepy. I was feeling uncomfortable when on a date at his mansion things start to heat up and he's trying to take her blouse off. Anna manages to keep it on and says something like yes she finds him attractive, but she's not sure that she wants to go down that road with him. His response? He's sure he does, so why doesn't she just trust him and go along with it?
Okkkkaaaaayyyyy. This is where I lost all interest. I know that he didn't 'seduce' her after she says no again, but that is not the point. As a reader you always put yourself in the shoes of the hero/heroine, and if I'd been Anna and some great lout was trying to fondle my breasts and was 'trust me, you'll be so much happier afterwards' I would have gotten a hold of the nearest heavy object to hand and beaten him over the head with it. Not because I was in fear of being raped (oh, sorry, I meant seduced), but because I'd expect any REAL man to take my answer of no to mean NO, and an answer of I'm not sure to also mean NO or at least NOT NOW. Clearly the author and I don't see eye to eye on this, which is ok. She's a very successful writer and there's obviously a host of women who are ok reading about possible abusive relationships masquerading as romances.
Would I seek out one of the author's other 200 odd books? Maybe if one caught my eye in a charity shop in the 20p rack, for all I've said, the writing was good. But if that book turned out to be along the same lines then that would be it.
I realise that this book has lots of 5* ratings...sorry people, not my kinda relationship. Ditto to the author.
This book starts in the present and then the story itself is a memory of the falling in love of the two characters. This type of narrative worked in Wurthering Heights, not so here. I simply didn't like it.
And here is the crux of the problem, there were too many things which I simply didn't like.
Daniel is 'new' money on the hunt for a bride with the right pedigree, enter the heroine who is trying to break free from her blue blood Boston family tradition and she's studying medicine. Daniel is arrogant, pushy, rude, presumptuous... I could go on. Anna is sweet, but for a girl who's had to stand up to her family and insist on becoming a doctor in a time when it was not very common, she's remarkably spineless when it comes to Daniel. Oh, I'm all for a girl getting flutters and feeling excited in the presence of a handsome man, but seriously, she is a door mat.
Possibly my biggest beef is that to prove that Anna is sweet and innocent the author has her saying no a lot to Daniel, and then Daniel completely and utterly ignores what she says to the point where it starts feeling a bit creepy. I was feeling uncomfortable when on a date at his mansion things start to heat up and he's trying to take her blouse off. Anna manages to keep it on and says something like yes she finds him attractive, but she's not sure that she wants to go down that road with him. His response? He's sure he does, so why doesn't she just trust him and go along with it?
Okkkkaaaaayyyyy. This is where I lost all interest. I know that he didn't 'seduce' her after she says no again, but that is not the point. As a reader you always put yourself in the shoes of the hero/heroine, and if I'd been Anna and some great lout was trying to fondle my breasts and was 'trust me, you'll be so much happier afterwards' I would have gotten a hold of the nearest heavy object to hand and beaten him over the head with it. Not because I was in fear of being raped (oh, sorry, I meant seduced), but because I'd expect any REAL man to take my answer of no to mean NO, and an answer of I'm not sure to also mean NO or at least NOT NOW. Clearly the author and I don't see eye to eye on this, which is ok. She's a very successful writer and there's obviously a host of women who are ok reading about possible abusive relationships masquerading as romances.
Would I seek out one of the author's other 200 odd books? Maybe if one caught my eye in a charity shop in the 20p rack, for all I've said, the writing was good. But if that book turned out to be along the same lines then that would be it.
I realise that this book has lots of 5* ratings...sorry people, not my kinda relationship. Ditto to the author.
June 14, 2010
I really like this light hearted, humorous series. Great summer reading with good characters and endearing storylines. I've read most of the books in this series and enjoyed them all. Not realizing it was part of a series, I started with MagGregor Brides (the one with Daniel MacGregor acting as matchmaker for his grandaughters). It was hiliarous. I was hooked! I actually think I liked the series more by starting with the later books, because it made me more interested to go back and read the other character's story. I loved the way Daniel MacGregor was portrayed--he was a hoot. And the three generations of family were a lot of fun.
Nora Roberts hit the ball out of the park with this installment, which contains two novellas: one is focused on Daniel as a young man when he meets Anna and the other is a historical with Ian MacGregor. When an author has a larger than life, popular character it's sometimes hard to go back and write his story. Roberts was up to the challenge. Daniel is one of the more appealing characters I've read in a while, and his love story with Anna does his character justice. Anna was a strong woman in her own right--studying to become a doctor before women were prevalent in professional roles.
The second novella was also a pleasant surprise. When I read the description saying it was a historical, I immediately assumed it'd be your typical highalander romance. Instead, this story was about Ian, a Scotsman who migrated to the colonies. A Sons of Liberty member fighting for the rebellion, just after the Boston tea party he barely gets away from the redcoats. He makes it to a barn and collapses, bleeding from his injury. Alanna Flynn finds him and nurses him back to health. I really liked this historical romance set in colonial times.
Nora Roberts hit the ball out of the park with this installment, which contains two novellas: one is focused on Daniel as a young man when he meets Anna and the other is a historical with Ian MacGregor. When an author has a larger than life, popular character it's sometimes hard to go back and write his story. Roberts was up to the challenge. Daniel is one of the more appealing characters I've read in a while, and his love story with Anna does his character justice. Anna was a strong woman in her own right--studying to become a doctor before women were prevalent in professional roles.
The second novella was also a pleasant surprise. When I read the description saying it was a historical, I immediately assumed it'd be your typical highalander romance. Instead, this story was about Ian, a Scotsman who migrated to the colonies. A Sons of Liberty member fighting for the rebellion, just after the Boston tea party he barely gets away from the redcoats. He makes it to a barn and collapses, bleeding from his injury. Alanna Flynn finds him and nurses him back to health. I really liked this historical romance set in colonial times.
September 12, 2014
If you love the MacGregors You will love this...Again its a combined effort of two books with the first story: For Now Forever about the love affair of the MacGregor childrens parents... Great Story!!! The second story is a Historical Romance: "In From the Cold"....this story for me personally wasn't as moving as "For Now Forever"... otherwise this would've been a five star...In From the Cold deals w/ a MacGregor in the 1700s battling the British w/ a love story tied in.
Both stories are recommended reads for the fans of the MacGregors & Nora Roberts Romances. This book must be purchased... You'll want to add "For Now Forever" to your collection.
Both stories are recommended reads for the fans of the MacGregors & Nora Roberts Romances. This book must be purchased... You'll want to add "For Now Forever" to your collection.
August 23, 2015
For Now, Forever #5: Anna Whitfield & Daniel MacGregor
In From The Cold #0.2 : Ian MacGregor & Alanna Flynn
In From The Cold #0.2 : Ian MacGregor & Alanna Flynn
February 17, 2017
First book finally delves into the story of Daniel and Anna's romance when Daniel was a young businessman and Anna was still a medical student. The story follows the same plot-line: Daniel meets Anna and immediately decides she's the one while Anna has her reservations from his arrogance and close-mindedness and also because she's studying to become a surgeon.
This story was cute and definitely a lot more enjoyable than the rest of the MacGregor reads so far. Anna was a good match in her quiet, reserved, but strong-willed nature for Daniel's stubborn, bold, but sometimes gentle character. But it felt like she conceded a lot more in their arguments than he did. What was that about? I liked the idea of Anna being ambitious and intelligent enough to take charge of her life by choosing to become a doctor, despite what Daniel, society, or even her own parents thought.
Keeping the time period in mind, it was easy to understand the interactions but parts of the storyline were left untold. We, like Anna, never get a chance to explore Daniel's past. Also, Anna and Daniel make a bet midway through their romance and then it's never mentioned again.
Their relationship was decent but they were two characters who instantly knew and understood every little piece of each other. Every look, every emotion, every thought is so easy for each of them to see/read, which is apparent even when they are parents in later years and earlier books. Yet the very foundation of their courtship "drama" had to do with not communicating enough. There's no way anyone could consistently be that perfectly intuitive, but alas, this is Nora Roberts' world after all.
After this story, I felt like I had to take a short break from the MacGregors. Then when I came back to this book, I realized I should've made the break longer.
The second story has to do with Ian MacGregor, an ancestor of the family line, who was a colonial Boston warrior transplant from Scotland to pre-America or something circa 1700s. He gets shot and almost killed, but manages to find his way into the barn on the property of Alanna Flynn's father. And so begins the relationship between Ian and Alanna.
This story did not catch my interest from the onset. I had no idea whether it was because early Nora Roberts couldn't quite handle stories set in different centuries or if it was just that the characters were boring and one dimensional. Once again, I found myself more intrigued with secondary characters instead of the main duo. And the whole notion of the man forcing the woman to marry him because he says so, as seems to be the theme in these MacGregor novellas, is such a huge turn off. The only reason I managed it this far into the series was because I read the Brides and Grooms stories first.
This story was cute and definitely a lot more enjoyable than the rest of the MacGregor reads so far. Anna was a good match in her quiet, reserved, but strong-willed nature for Daniel's stubborn, bold, but sometimes gentle character. But it felt like she conceded a lot more in their arguments than he did. What was that about? I liked the idea of Anna being ambitious and intelligent enough to take charge of her life by choosing to become a doctor, despite what Daniel, society, or even her own parents thought.
Keeping the time period in mind, it was easy to understand the interactions but parts of the storyline were left untold. We, like Anna, never get a chance to explore Daniel's past. Also, Anna and Daniel make a bet midway through their romance and then it's never mentioned again.
Their relationship was decent but they were two characters who instantly knew and understood every little piece of each other. Every look, every emotion, every thought is so easy for each of them to see/read, which is apparent even when they are parents in later years and earlier books. Yet the very foundation of their courtship "drama" had to do with not communicating enough. There's no way anyone could consistently be that perfectly intuitive, but alas, this is Nora Roberts' world after all.
After this story, I felt like I had to take a short break from the MacGregors. Then when I came back to this book, I realized I should've made the break longer.
The second story has to do with Ian MacGregor, an ancestor of the family line, who was a colonial Boston warrior transplant from Scotland to pre-America or something circa 1700s. He gets shot and almost killed, but manages to find his way into the barn on the property of Alanna Flynn's father. And so begins the relationship between Ian and Alanna.
This story did not catch my interest from the onset. I had no idea whether it was because early Nora Roberts couldn't quite handle stories set in different centuries or if it was just that the characters were boring and one dimensional. Once again, I found myself more intrigued with secondary characters instead of the main duo. And the whole notion of the man forcing the woman to marry him because he says so, as seems to be the theme in these MacGregor novellas, is such a huge turn off. The only reason I managed it this far into the series was because I read the Brides and Grooms stories first.
December 13, 2024
For Now, Forever
This book was the main one of this novel and covered the beginnings of Daniel MacGregor and the rest of the series. I think reading them out of order wasn’t the best idea, as this kind of read like finding a sex tape of your grandparents when they were young. It doesn’t help that the prologue and epilogue are about them being older, with their kids and their grandkids, really adding to the vibe.
Things I liked included Anna and her character. Strong, independent and SMART who stood by her values despite Daniel being a cunt of a character and the time period not being favorable towards strong women. Also I enjoyed her bestie, also strong and quick witted but she unfortunately fell into the got married immediately trope, disappointing. I realize this is a romance novel and that must come eventually but there are realistic and favorable ways to go about that. For example, Anna and Daniel living together before marriage really surprised me and I’m glad it ended up being successful.
Things I didn’t like included all of Daniel MacGregor. Of course it’s hard to resist a strong willed and passionate lover, but this mans was just not it. I can’t go into the nuance of narcissistic men, and the rest of the series also conveys this type of human, but I just didn’t see Anna and him together. On a personal level, he’s not my favorite, and I was surprised to find Anna okay with it since I identify a lot with that character.
All in all, it’s a romance novel.
In From the Cold (?)
Bruh. This was a short story and it included the characters that originally got me into this series Serena and Bingham), but what the hell was this relationship. Perhaps because of the length, a true and HEALTHY relationship could not have developed, but I truly did not connect these two. Many a time they physically abused each other, which consequentially made them horny. Perhaps this book is hiding a masochism kink and is calling it “ethnic predispositions “, because of course all Scottish and Irish people are predisposed to extreme and violent anger, right?
All in all, it’s a romance novel.
This book was the main one of this novel and covered the beginnings of Daniel MacGregor and the rest of the series. I think reading them out of order wasn’t the best idea, as this kind of read like finding a sex tape of your grandparents when they were young. It doesn’t help that the prologue and epilogue are about them being older, with their kids and their grandkids, really adding to the vibe.
Things I liked included Anna and her character. Strong, independent and SMART who stood by her values despite Daniel being a cunt of a character and the time period not being favorable towards strong women. Also I enjoyed her bestie, also strong and quick witted but she unfortunately fell into the got married immediately trope, disappointing. I realize this is a romance novel and that must come eventually but there are realistic and favorable ways to go about that. For example, Anna and Daniel living together before marriage really surprised me and I’m glad it ended up being successful.
Things I didn’t like included all of Daniel MacGregor. Of course it’s hard to resist a strong willed and passionate lover, but this mans was just not it. I can’t go into the nuance of narcissistic men, and the rest of the series also conveys this type of human, but I just didn’t see Anna and him together. On a personal level, he’s not my favorite, and I was surprised to find Anna okay with it since I identify a lot with that character.
All in all, it’s a romance novel.
In From the Cold (?)
Bruh. This was a short story and it included the characters that originally got me into this series Serena and Bingham), but what the hell was this relationship. Perhaps because of the length, a true and HEALTHY relationship could not have developed, but I truly did not connect these two. Many a time they physically abused each other, which consequentially made them horny. Perhaps this book is hiding a masochism kink and is calling it “ethnic predispositions “, because of course all Scottish and Irish people are predisposed to extreme and violent anger, right?
All in all, it’s a romance novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2018
I love MacGregors series, but this was not my favourite and the reason is this- I did not like heroines. SPOILER-stories had some similarities, such as both ladies refused marriage proposals, but did not hesitate to initiate passionate lovemaking . I like Anna much more as a grandmother, compared to the young woman she was, when she met Daniel. Her refusal to get married to the perfect young man, whom she loves with all her heart genuinely irritated me, and the language used after the servant cut her arm in accident, was slightly disturbing (something like, once you see how handsome the doctors are, you will wonder why didn't you cut yourself long ago...- creepy, right?) Alanna was too violent for my liking, the novel- In from the cold was full of aggression and rude language, such as threats to kill, and actually making person bleed, hitting full force in the face and even taking the knife. This sort of behaviour is unacceptable and gives bad example to readers, what relationship should be. How people "in love" talk to each other and treat each other. Very foul language between Alanna and Ian. I think because it is Nora Roberts, (my favourite!!!! ) she get's away with this sort of writing, if it was written by different author, I doubt I would have bought more books by him/ her.
I keep all N. Roberts books for collection, keeping this also, but I doubt I will be re-reading it anytime soon.
I keep all N. Roberts books for collection, keeping this also, but I doubt I will be re-reading it anytime soon.
May 25, 2019
I liked this book. Daniel was highhanded and arrogant but you just knew that Anna had his measure and would soon have him eating out of her hand, so to speak. How this wild Scotsman was tamed by the quiet, soon to be a doctor, is a delight to read. I also liked how the story began with Daniel defying common sense and doing something he should not have been doing at his age. Then the story goes to Anna and how she and Daniel met and their courtship. Then at the end, they are back in the "present" and Daniel is awake and out of danger and strong enough to meet his newborn grandson Daniel Campbell MacGregor!
The story of Ian MacGregor follows the first story in this book. But I'm not sure if this Ian is before or after Daniel in the line of MacGregors. Since it was set during the Boston Tea Party, I believe it was way before Daniel and Anna. (Yes, I know, I've missed a few of the books in order but why combine modern-day descendants with one back in time?) It messed me up that's for sure though both stories were good as stand-alone stories. :) Personally, Nora Roberts needs to make an ancestory timeline because a lot of the names repeat themselves with family members carrying names forward.
But it was an enjoyable book. The author has a natural flair for telling a story that never gets old or redundant.
The story of Ian MacGregor follows the first story in this book. But I'm not sure if this Ian is before or after Daniel in the line of MacGregors. Since it was set during the Boston Tea Party, I believe it was way before Daniel and Anna. (Yes, I know, I've missed a few of the books in order but why combine modern-day descendants with one back in time?) It messed me up that's for sure though both stories were good as stand-alone stories. :) Personally, Nora Roberts needs to make an ancestory timeline because a lot of the names repeat themselves with family members carrying names forward.
But it was an enjoyable book. The author has a natural flair for telling a story that never gets old or redundant.
August 12, 2018
Daniel & Ian are 2 stories in the MacGregors Series. I actually liked the first story "For Now, Forever" better than the second "In From the Cold". They both concern strong women who are deeply in love with their men but for various reasons are not ready for marriage. The men (being male) don't understand and take it badly at first. But, all ends well for both couples.
"For Now, Forever" is almost twice as long as "In From the Cold". I felt like more time was taken in writing this first story and it flowed well. "In From the Cold" seemed to be quickly developed and held too much unreasonable anger. At least that is what it seemed to me. This marriage is bound for a "rough ride".
"For Now, Forever" is almost twice as long as "In From the Cold". I felt like more time was taken in writing this first story and it flowed well. "In From the Cold" seemed to be quickly developed and held too much unreasonable anger. At least that is what it seemed to me. This marriage is bound for a "rough ride".
August 14, 2020
Well, I only sort of liked this book the first time I read it back in 1999. But, I am a completest and tend to feel like I must read everything by an author I enjoy. Or, if he/she is prolific, at least every book in a series. Worse, I feel like I need to own them all. So, I've had this book on my shelves for about 20 years and haven't read it again. As I am trying to cull down my 4,000+ book collection, I reread this one and decided to finally let it go. It seems I am doing that a lot lately.
June 23, 2020
I'm not sure why Ian's story and Daniel's story are told in the same book. Daniel (whose story comes first even though it's the most recent) is not the direct descendent of Ian so it didn't make sense to me.
The stories were enjoyable but not enough to read again. I found all three of The MacGregor books very similar.
The stories were enjoyable but not enough to read again. I found all three of The MacGregor books very similar.
July 28, 2019
Daniel and Anna's love story that started the family, but not the series. I liked that Nora put their story after their children's, it piques your curiosity and you aren't let down with this sweet romance.
May 31, 2023
My beautiful late nan owned every single one of Nora’s books.
So when she moved in with us for her last few years we spent the time reading our way through every single one together.
Granted they are not the type of books I like to read, but they were still really good and sweet.
July 17, 2017
2 stories in one book. I enjoyed the characters and the historical part of their stories. Good beach read.
August 31, 2017
Not my favourite books in the series but still has some good bits.
September 8, 2017
The clan MacGregor just keeps getting better.
-- Raquel, Cedar Lake Branch
-- Raquel, Cedar Lake Branch
November 25, 2017
Read: 2003
Rated: 9
Rated: 9
July 24, 2018
I loved both of these love stories. It seems that I can never go wrong reading Nora Roberts!
February 23, 2020
Enjoyed the 2nd story ( For Now, Forever) more than the first (In from The Cold).
Very emotional start to the story and I loved reading how Anna and Daniel caught each other.
Very emotional start to the story and I loved reading how Anna and Daniel caught each other.
February 25, 2020
Great series great read.
April 12, 2020
Two stories in one book. Strong headed males trying to court equally strong headed females who are trying to ignore the attraction between them. Enjoyable enough to read in one day.
April 18, 2020
I loved Daniel and Anna's story. Having read the MacGregor series it was fun going back and reading how they got together and started this wonderful family that the series revolves around.
July 21, 2021
I really loved the two books and the concepts were both similar and yet both just as gripping. I was so invested in the characters and finished the book in two sittings :)
July 27, 2021
3.5 stars
For Now, Forever
3.5 stars
Definitely my favourite story yet. They were perfect.
I’m From the Cold
3.5 stars
I loved Ian and Alanna, they were so sweet and Ian reminded me of Daniel.
For Now, Forever
3.5 stars
Definitely my favourite story yet. They were perfect.
I’m From the Cold
3.5 stars
I loved Ian and Alanna, they were so sweet and Ian reminded me of Daniel.
July 29, 2021
more over-sexed family history
library
July 30, 20210
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews