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Once Upon #6
Once Upon a Midnight
In Nora Roberts' "The Witching Hour," a kingdom is plagued by tragedy until a wizard-god’s spell brings forth a courageous and beautiful young woman who must follow her heart in love and follow her destiny in battle.
In Jill Gregory's "Mirror, Mirror," a healer sworn to protect the heir to a troubled kingdom must rely on a wounded knight and a magic mirror for assistance.
In Ruth Ryan Langan's "Dream Lover," a young American disillusioned by love gets swept up by the romance of the Highlands on a business trip to Scotland—and by the charms of a perfect stranger.
In Marianne Willman's "The Midnight Country," an American researching her family history in Europe stumbles upon an enchanting chateau and its enigmatic master, who is convinced she is the key to a terrible curse.
In Jill Gregory's "Mirror, Mirror," a healer sworn to protect the heir to a troubled kingdom must rely on a wounded knight and a magic mirror for assistance.
In Ruth Ryan Langan's "Dream Lover," a young American disillusioned by love gets swept up by the romance of the Highlands on a business trip to Scotland—and by the charms of a perfect stranger.
In Marianne Willman's "The Midnight Country," an American researching her family history in Europe stumbles upon an enchanting chateau and its enigmatic master, who is convinced she is the key to a terrible curse.
407 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 30, 2003
18 people are currently reading
1431 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,209 books59.7k 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 46 reviews
March 20, 2017
I must've started reading these anthologies backwards.. ah well... :P
The Witching Hour 5/5
I really liked this story! Such a wonderful setup for both the H and h, and I loved reading the scenes when they met one another (or caught sight of one another!). The ending was quite hastily tied together, but it was still satisfying and I loved it all!
Mirror, Mirror 5/5
I loved this story too! For once, the one who needed protecting was neither the H or the h, which made things a lot more interesting. It was such a well-written story, and met the fairy-tale brief perfectly!
I adored their meeting, the tension, the reveal and their reunion. Soooo so sweet!
Dream Lover 2/5
A magical experience that... I just couldn't buy. This was one story that I really didn't enjoy, despite having a mysterious and helpful third party that I usually enjoy having the inclusion of.
The Midnight Country 2/5
This story was intriguing (what's not to like about stumbling into a hidden town, and then being unable to leave because the town lacks modern conveniences like cars and phones?), and held my attention up until the end. What a twist. I should've seen it coming a mile away, but sadly, it ruined the story for me.
The Witching Hour 5/5
I really liked this story! Such a wonderful setup for both the H and h, and I loved reading the scenes when they met one another (or caught sight of one another!). The ending was quite hastily tied together, but it was still satisfying and I loved it all!
Mirror, Mirror 5/5
I loved this story too! For once, the one who needed protecting was neither the H or the h, which made things a lot more interesting. It was such a well-written story, and met the fairy-tale brief perfectly!
I adored their meeting, the tension, the reveal and their reunion. Soooo so sweet!
Dream Lover 2/5
A magical experience that... I just couldn't buy. This was one story that I really didn't enjoy, despite having a mysterious and helpful third party that I usually enjoy having the inclusion of.
The Midnight Country 2/5
This story was intriguing (what's not to like about stumbling into a hidden town, and then being unable to leave because the town lacks modern conveniences like cars and phones?), and held my attention up until the end. What a twist. I should've seen it coming a mile away, but sadly, it ruined the story for me.
March 9, 2016
So I'll admit it these are kind of cheesy stories but really good. These are the sort of stories you want to read on a cold rainy day when your feeling like crap.
March 13, 2024
Re-reading. Four stories, all in the supernatural world of magic, fantastical creatures that put the reader in a somewhat suspenseful way of living. They're pretty good, even if rushed, since it is different characters, different times, different ways of writing.
If someone wants to start reading in this genre, any of these authors, I recommend it to see if they're your kind of writers to follow.
If someone wants to start reading in this genre, any of these authors, I recommend it to see if they're your kind of writers to follow.
February 12, 2021
Some very nice romance stories for Valentine's Day ... or any time. Castles, princes, werewolves ... lots of stuff really good romances are built on. In bite size pieces, so a nice short read at a time.
September 25, 2018
Series of romances based on midnight. Best one The Midnight Country. It involves werewolves.
November 27, 2019
I loved this book...it was all about a princess regaining her life and kingdom with the help of her loved one.
February 15, 2020
Fantasies and fairy tales. Yes novellas, but well written. Very enjoyable
Read
August 7, 2020NR only
August 11, 2020
Fun stories, but very light. I enjoyed the middle two the most, but I liked the surprise in the last one. Nice for a light romantic read.
May 3, 2021
Really enjoyed 3 of the 4 stories and 1 was just okay. Definitely a solid book in terms of someone looking for a mini feel good romance story
October 19, 2021
It's Nora Roberts... :) Good for a nice and cheesy romance!
August 15, 2023
Unlike me to not like a Nora story. Gave up after the second story, they weren’t grabbing my attention.
December 31, 2024
I found the stories okay but too short for development of the plot and the characters in every story.
March 13, 2017
Ganhei este livro num passatempo da página"Páginas de uma Lua" (https://www.facebook.com/PaginasDeUma...).
Este livro encontra-se dividido em 4 contos, de 4 autores diferentes. Retratam histórias de amor, sobrevivências e casas estranhos que acontecem à meia-noite. Reparei que todos os contos estão interligados (um episódio ou personagem retratado num conto, aparece seguido noutro conto, o que foi engraçado, não sei se fizeram de propósito).
Dos 4 contos, gostei mais dos dois primeiros. No entanto, todos eles ficam a perder porque a história esta a ser boa e de repente termina, apesar de terminar em bem. Mas seria realmente necessário terminar assim?
Este livro encontra-se dividido em 4 contos, de 4 autores diferentes. Retratam histórias de amor, sobrevivências e casas estranhos que acontecem à meia-noite. Reparei que todos os contos estão interligados (um episódio ou personagem retratado num conto, aparece seguido noutro conto, o que foi engraçado, não sei se fizeram de propósito).
Dos 4 contos, gostei mais dos dois primeiros. No entanto, todos eles ficam a perder porque a história esta a ser boa e de repente termina, apesar de terminar em bem. Mas seria realmente necessário terminar assim?
March 4, 2017
The Witching Hour - Nora Roberts - 2/5 - One of my least favorites in this anthology. I don't like these kinds of stories where the heroine is destined to overthrow the evil king, has been raised being trained to fight and become a queen and has dreamt all this time of her hero/lover. Well it comes time to do battle and the hero/lover is a major disappointment, but naturally they find their way together and defeat the evil king and live HEA. It's kinda boring and cheesy really.
Mirror, Mirror - Jill Gregory - 3/5 - Fiona is a healer who is guarding a young boy who is an heir to the throne, but is also in danger of being assassinated. She rescues a man who is not what he seems - is he friend or foe? This story is pretty okay. There's quite a bit of insta-love here and some miscommunication and betrayal before things work out. What goes on with the magic is a touch confusing at times as well. But overall a solid 3.
Dream Lover - Ruth Ryan Langan - 3/5 - Ally and Heath meet on a plane. She's on her way to Scotland for work and he's on his way home - conveniently close to where she's going. They end up passing the night at this old inn and fall in love in less than a day. The story does involve a ghost, and its that ghost that leads to the misunderstanding. And then Ally seems to go insane having conversations with ghosts that she doesn't believe are real...
The Midnight Country - Marianne Willman - 4/5 - Searching for the home of her ancestors, Jenna finds herself at Beaumont Foret, where the residents have a pretty big secret. She is taken in by Philippe, the lord of the Chateau, who is doing his best to keep her blinded to their secret but is also trying to discover a cure to their particular problem. In doing so, he falls in love with her, but before they can be happy together, he has to learn her secret. Easily my favorite of the stories.
Mirror, Mirror - Jill Gregory - 3/5 - Fiona is a healer who is guarding a young boy who is an heir to the throne, but is also in danger of being assassinated. She rescues a man who is not what he seems - is he friend or foe? This story is pretty okay. There's quite a bit of insta-love here and some miscommunication and betrayal before things work out. What goes on with the magic is a touch confusing at times as well. But overall a solid 3.
Dream Lover - Ruth Ryan Langan - 3/5 - Ally and Heath meet on a plane. She's on her way to Scotland for work and he's on his way home - conveniently close to where she's going. They end up passing the night at this old inn and fall in love in less than a day. The story does involve a ghost, and its that ghost that leads to the misunderstanding. And then Ally seems to go insane having conversations with ghosts that she doesn't believe are real...
The Midnight Country - Marianne Willman - 4/5 - Searching for the home of her ancestors, Jenna finds herself at Beaumont Foret, where the residents have a pretty big secret. She is taken in by Philippe, the lord of the Chateau, who is doing his best to keep her blinded to their secret but is also trying to discover a cure to their particular problem. In doing so, he falls in love with her, but before they can be happy together, he has to learn her secret. Easily my favorite of the stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2024
2024
Witching Hour-☆☆☆ 1/2- It started out like bad fanfiction, but got better as the story progressed.
Mirror, Mirror-☆☆☆☆- This story was the whole reason I decided to re-read this book. I only recollected bits and pieces of it, but it was just as good as I remembered.
Dream Lover-☆☆ 1/2- not enough character development
Midnight Country-☆☆☆-interesting take on Beauty and the Beast/loup garaou. Somewhat ubrupt ending.
Witching Hour-☆☆☆ 1/2- It started out like bad fanfiction, but got better as the story progressed.
Mirror, Mirror-☆☆☆☆- This story was the whole reason I decided to re-read this book. I only recollected bits and pieces of it, but it was just as good as I remembered.
Dream Lover-☆☆ 1/2- not enough character development
Midnight Country-☆☆☆-interesting take on Beauty and the Beast/loup garaou. Somewhat ubrupt ending.
April 11, 2011
A quick read because once again, the stories didn't really capture my attention and I have so many other things currently to be reading. I'm sure these are fun for the authors because they can use story ideas that either aren't commercial enough for a full novel or don't have enough heft to carry a full story. The Nora Roberts in this one wasn't bad, the others were just fill for me.
November 11, 2008
I find most of the stories disappointing. Esp. the second one, the ending is like a story written by a teenager. So cliche. The third one started okay but nearing the end? Ugh. Same goes with the last story. And for the one written by Roberts, it seems to lack the conflict.
February 7, 2012
Esta antologia possui quatro contos: os dois primeiros desenrolam-se num ambiente de fantasia durante a idade Média e as outras duas nos tempos modernos.
(Opinião completa)
(Opinião completa)
April 27, 2012
'The Witching Hour' by Nora Roberts (Aurora & Thane)
'Mirror, Mirror' by Jill Gregory (Ariel & Prince Brandon)
'Dream Lover' by Ruth Ryan Langon (Allison & Malcolm)
'Once Upon a Midnight' by Marianne Willman (Jenna & Philippe)
'Mirror, Mirror' by Jill Gregory (Ariel & Prince Brandon)
'Dream Lover' by Ruth Ryan Langon (Allison & Malcolm)
'Once Upon a Midnight' by Marianne Willman (Jenna & Philippe)
July 25, 2012
Overall: 3.5 stars
The Witching Hour by Nora Roberts
Aurora and Thane
4stars
Mirror Mirror by Jill Gregory
Fiona and Conor
3.5stars
Dream Lover by Ruth Ryan Langan
Allison and Heath
3stars
The Midnight Country by Marianne Willman
3.5stars
The Witching Hour by Nora Roberts
Aurora and Thane
4stars
Mirror Mirror by Jill Gregory
Fiona and Conor
3.5stars
Dream Lover by Ruth Ryan Langan
Allison and Heath
3stars
The Midnight Country by Marianne Willman
3.5stars
September 6, 2014
I enjoy these "Once Upon a ..." anthologies, they are quick, easy and plain old fun to read. In this collection, my favorites were "The Witching Hour" by Nora Roberts and "Mirror Mirror" by Jill Gregory.
October 5, 2015
This was kind of a hokey collection of stories (containing magic, sorcery, ancient curses etc.).
The Witching Hour by Nora Roberts
Mirror, Mirror by Jill Gregory
Dream Lover by Ruth Ryan Langan
The Midnight Country by Marianne Willman
The Witching Hour by Nora Roberts
Mirror, Mirror by Jill Gregory
Dream Lover by Ruth Ryan Langan
The Midnight Country by Marianne Willman
December 4, 2007
pretty good
March 18, 2012
I'm a fan of this series, but none of these stories really caught me. I was just ho-hum about all of them, which is sad considering the potential.
April 21, 2010
trust , love , betrayal and action
November 4, 2010
My take on this is it's an OK book. I'm not a huge fan of short stories so I may not be the best judge.
January 17, 2011
This is an anthology and i love them....except for this one!only one good story in this book.I flipped through a lot of pages and i don't get bored easily!My advice is to pass on this book.
August 28, 2011
Better than Once Upon a Star. I loved all the stories in this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews