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The Calhoun Women #1-2
L'héritage des Calhoun
Follow the intriguing tale of the first two Calhoun sisters and the men who love them in this first collection that includes two full-length novels, "Courting Catherine" and "A Man for Amanda". This two-part collection presents the Calhoun legacy from start to end. Republished titles.
First published January 1, 1991
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About the author
Nora Roberts
1,221 books60.1k 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 79 reviews
January 27, 2015
“The Calhoun women – Catherine and Amanda” are actually a compilation of two books (the series contains 5 in total) and the beginning of this romance/ mystery/ trip to the past story. It all centers on the Calhoun “castle” and the supposed buried treasure – an emerald necklace from the heroines grandmother, who is also somewhat present as a ghost and in flashbacks throughout the books. In the first book the girls struck a deal with the delicious Trent - CC’s (Catherine the mechanic) would be lover and real estate millionaire in order to make it into a specialty (haunted) hotel. The romance of the first book is in the very familiar old school Nora Roberts (almost written by numbers) style. Maybe I’m feeling nostalgic but I really enjoyed that aspect, kind of like comfort food you haven’t had in a long while. The second book – Amanda and Sloan’s story was much more interesting to me. Slaon is the rugged architect (and Trent’s friend from the first book) who comes to help renovate the “castle” and heavily make out with the oldest sister. Honestly, this was fun, a little angsty and all around delightful. It made me yearn for simple times and definitely get the rest of the books. I feel like the most interesting character is Lyla – the mystical syster. I hope Nora Roberts gave her a real treat of a love story.
August 21, 2022
I really enjoyed this book … but it left a lot of unanswered questions …. ummm …. maybe she’ll write a follow on …. fingers crossed 🤞
September 16, 2019
The Calhoun Sisters contains two romantic stories from the Calhoun series which is set in Maine.
Book one is Courting Catherine and is the story of C.C. Calhoun. The Towers is currently home to five women and two children. It is an old rambling house and is desperately in need of repair which they cannot afford to make. If only they could locate the lost family emeralds then they might not have to sell to the St. James hotel chain.
Book two is A Man For Amanda. A planner and a head for money, Amanda is in charge of the renovations to The Towers, but her plans do not include being romanced by Sloan O'Riley. He's the opposite of her perfect man, so why he she still thinking about him?
With a lovely setting and a dip into the supernatural these stories are ideal for fans of classic romance.
Book one is Courting Catherine and is the story of C.C. Calhoun. The Towers is currently home to five women and two children. It is an old rambling house and is desperately in need of repair which they cannot afford to make. If only they could locate the lost family emeralds then they might not have to sell to the St. James hotel chain.
Book two is A Man For Amanda. A planner and a head for money, Amanda is in charge of the renovations to The Towers, but her plans do not include being romanced by Sloan O'Riley. He's the opposite of her perfect man, so why he she still thinking about him?
With a lovely setting and a dip into the supernatural these stories are ideal for fans of classic romance.
June 18, 2024
I enjoy the stories about the four Calhoun sisters. The stories take place in their ancestral home and includes the history of their Great-Grandmother, Bianca’s love affair and her emerald necklace that is believed to be hidden in the house. The book includes the love stories of Catherine and Amanda. At the end of the book I was disappointed because the necklace was still missing. I learned that there is another book, which includes the love stories of Lilah and Suzanna. I am looking forward to reading this book and hopefully uncovering the mystery of the missing necklace. I like that Nora Roberts has the ability to incorporate mystery and romance in her books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2016
Author: Nora Roberts
First published: 2011
Length: 303 pages
Setting: Contemporary, 1991. Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine.
Courting Catherine
Sex: clean
Hero: Wealthy Real Estate / Hotel Developer.
Heroine: Mechanic
Highly enjoyable story with engaging characters and a good story leading into a 5-book series.
4 stars
A Man for Amanda
Sex: Explicit. Euphemistic. Twice.
Hero: Architect
Heroine: Assistant hotel manager.
Enjoyable but not as good as book 1. Nice but limited.
3 stars
The Calhouns:
Book 1 Courting Catherine - Trenton St. James and Catherine (CC) Calhoun
Book 2 A Man for Amanda - Amanda Calhoun and Sloan O'Reilly
Book 3 For the Love of Lilah - Lilah Calhoun and Maxwell Quartermain
Book 4 Suzanna's Surrender - Suzanna Calhoun and Holt Bradford
Book 5 Megan's Mate - Megan O’Riley and Nathaniel Fury
References:
Author's website: http://noraroberts.com/1991/06/courti...
Author's website: http://noraroberts.com/1991/07/a-man-...
(ISBN 9781743568965)
-CR-
First published: 2011
Length: 303 pages
Setting: Contemporary, 1991. Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine.
Courting Catherine
Sex: clean
Hero: Wealthy Real Estate / Hotel Developer.
Heroine: Mechanic
Highly enjoyable story with engaging characters and a good story leading into a 5-book series.
4 stars
A Man for Amanda
Sex: Explicit. Euphemistic. Twice.
Hero: Architect
Heroine: Assistant hotel manager.
Enjoyable but not as good as book 1. Nice but limited.
3 stars
The Calhouns:
Book 1 Courting Catherine - Trenton St. James and Catherine (CC) Calhoun
Book 2 A Man for Amanda - Amanda Calhoun and Sloan O'Reilly
Book 3 For the Love of Lilah - Lilah Calhoun and Maxwell Quartermain
Book 4 Suzanna's Surrender - Suzanna Calhoun and Holt Bradford
Book 5 Megan's Mate - Megan O’Riley and Nathaniel Fury
References:
Author's website: http://noraroberts.com/1991/06/courti...
Author's website: http://noraroberts.com/1991/07/a-man-...
(ISBN 9781743568965)
-CR-
January 5, 2023
Hmm, not sure if this compilation counts as one book or two since they are separate novels. Oh well, either way. Meh.
The Catherine book, well, two totally opposite personalities and styles fall in love over a minute or two. Sex, then tension, then sex. Meh.
The Amanda book, well, hmm, do I hear domestic violence, anyone? How, yet again, two totally opposing types can hit it off in, let's see, 4.32 minutes perhaps? Oh, don't forget the forced sex! Gotta have that, don't we? Meh.
Of course, again, another piece of drivel from Ms. Roberts. All the while practically copying her Holding the dream etc series. (or were they written later?) Stereotyping of Lilah, Amanda, Suzanne and C.C. was starting to do my head in. Almost every time there are sisters, friends or cousins in any of the Ms. Roberts books, there is the copy of some previous book characters.
As I have mentioned in the past, I believe Ms. Roberts puts in a hat pieces of note paper with the scenario, type of people, and some odd names pulls out what she needs for her next 'big' seller and runs with it.
Occasionally, there is a good novel from Ms. Roberts, however, not this one.
The Catherine book, well, two totally opposite personalities and styles fall in love over a minute or two. Sex, then tension, then sex. Meh.
The Amanda book, well, hmm, do I hear domestic violence, anyone? How, yet again, two totally opposing types can hit it off in, let's see, 4.32 minutes perhaps? Oh, don't forget the forced sex! Gotta have that, don't we? Meh.
Of course, again, another piece of drivel from Ms. Roberts. All the while practically copying her Holding the dream etc series. (or were they written later?) Stereotyping of Lilah, Amanda, Suzanne and C.C. was starting to do my head in. Almost every time there are sisters, friends or cousins in any of the Ms. Roberts books, there is the copy of some previous book characters.
As I have mentioned in the past, I believe Ms. Roberts puts in a hat pieces of note paper with the scenario, type of people, and some odd names pulls out what she needs for her next 'big' seller and runs with it.
Occasionally, there is a good novel from Ms. Roberts, however, not this one.
August 26, 2023
Courting Catherine & A Man for Amanda were literally the same exact story line. I almost didn’t want to read the second half because I was so annoyed it was exactly like the first. It had the potential to be a really good book with the storyline of the house & the emeralds. Boring & a let down.
April 29, 2019
I loved this book!! Great story!! Love this author's books!!
September 2, 2023
Summer Promises contains 2 novels about the Calhoun sisters. 4 stars for Courting Catherine. 3 stars for A Man For Amanda.
I picked up this book as a summer beach read not realizing it was published in 1991. Sometimes with novels that are 30 years old it is too difficult to read, but there are no references made that I didn't understand, and the lack of cell phones doesn't come into play. The only thing incredibly frustrating was how Trent and Sloan spoke. Typical 90s masculine man!
I do love the way Nora Roberts writes a book, which is why I continue to read her novels. This one is definitely not my favorite. You would have to continue reading the Calhoun sister novels to really finish the book, and they weren't that interesting to make me want to do that. The mystery of the emeralds isn't solved in either of these 2 books just FYI.
The endings of both books were very quick. Like 'all of the sudden' CC and Amanda were in love and ready to be in a relationship then the book would end. A lot of details missing for me.
Trent and CC's story was fine to read. You get a good foundation of The Towers and it's history as well as a family history. I didn't mind them as characters. Everything just happened very quick. Not sure if this was how romance was written at the time, or it was just the nature of the novel, but there wasn't much actual "courting" before he popped the question.
Sloan and Amanda's story was frustrating to read that I almost stopped. Amanda was way too stubborn making her actually unlikable to me. Sloan was in the harassment column with how obsessed with Amanda he was. Then, like I said, all of the sudden Amanda is in love with him and BOOM...a proposal and book ends. After chapter 6 when the connection between Sloan and Suzanna is revealed, and Amanda gets angry, I couldn't take it anymore. All Amanda was, in the entire book, is angry. It eventually grinds on you.
I probably wouldn't recommend to another reader. They're cute novels, but unless you're going to read the whole series, nothing is really wrapped up nicely. You HAVE to read them in order to understand the Calhoun mystery and the relationships. I still like Nora Roberts! I definitely wouldn't have bought the book if I saw it was published in 1991 though.
I picked up this book as a summer beach read not realizing it was published in 1991. Sometimes with novels that are 30 years old it is too difficult to read, but there are no references made that I didn't understand, and the lack of cell phones doesn't come into play. The only thing incredibly frustrating was how Trent and Sloan spoke. Typical 90s masculine man!
I do love the way Nora Roberts writes a book, which is why I continue to read her novels. This one is definitely not my favorite. You would have to continue reading the Calhoun sister novels to really finish the book, and they weren't that interesting to make me want to do that. The mystery of the emeralds isn't solved in either of these 2 books just FYI.
The endings of both books were very quick. Like 'all of the sudden' CC and Amanda were in love and ready to be in a relationship then the book would end. A lot of details missing for me.
Trent and CC's story was fine to read. You get a good foundation of The Towers and it's history as well as a family history. I didn't mind them as characters. Everything just happened very quick. Not sure if this was how romance was written at the time, or it was just the nature of the novel, but there wasn't much actual "courting" before he popped the question.
Sloan and Amanda's story was frustrating to read that I almost stopped. Amanda was way too stubborn making her actually unlikable to me. Sloan was in the harassment column with how obsessed with Amanda he was. Then, like I said, all of the sudden Amanda is in love with him and BOOM...a proposal and book ends. After chapter 6 when the connection between Sloan and Suzanna is revealed, and Amanda gets angry, I couldn't take it anymore. All Amanda was, in the entire book, is angry. It eventually grinds on you.
I probably wouldn't recommend to another reader. They're cute novels, but unless you're going to read the whole series, nothing is really wrapped up nicely. You HAVE to read them in order to understand the Calhoun mystery and the relationships. I still like Nora Roberts! I definitely wouldn't have bought the book if I saw it was published in 1991 though.
February 26, 2023
It's a Nora Roberts book, so you know it's going to be good. I read this series many years ago, so long ago in fact that I don't remember much of the details.
This tetralogy is about 4 sisters who live with their aunt Coco in their crumbling ancestral home. The Towers was built by their great grandfather as a summer home for his wife Bianca and their children. It was a loveless marriage and unexpectedly Bianca falls in love with an artist. Throughout the four books, sections of her diary are revealed to the reader. She is tormented, but finally decides to leave her husband (and children?) and packs away her priceless emerald necklace along with some other items. But in the end she jumps from her tower to her death and haunts the place. To pay for the upkeep of the mansion and taxes, the Calhouns have had to sell off many heirlooms, but it is not enough. So Coco invites hotel magnate Trenton St James to spend some time at the Tower to evaluate it, but she has ulterior motives- a match for one of her girls. And he is attracted to the least likely, grease monkey and garage owner Catherine (C.C.). In the end he finds a solution so they end up with their HEA. The second book is about Amanda, who has worked in the hotel industry and will be the manager of the new hotel. Enter Trent's friend architect Sloan O'Riley, who manages to rile up Amanda up good. And a dangerous man seeks to find the missing necklace.
As always with a Nora Roberts book, a great story, wonderful characters and lots of details.
This tetralogy is about 4 sisters who live with their aunt Coco in their crumbling ancestral home. The Towers was built by their great grandfather as a summer home for his wife Bianca and their children. It was a loveless marriage and unexpectedly Bianca falls in love with an artist. Throughout the four books, sections of her diary are revealed to the reader. She is tormented, but finally decides to leave her husband (and children?) and packs away her priceless emerald necklace along with some other items. But in the end she jumps from her tower to her death and haunts the place. To pay for the upkeep of the mansion and taxes, the Calhouns have had to sell off many heirlooms, but it is not enough. So Coco invites hotel magnate Trenton St James to spend some time at the Tower to evaluate it, but she has ulterior motives- a match for one of her girls. And he is attracted to the least likely, grease monkey and garage owner Catherine (C.C.). In the end he finds a solution so they end up with their HEA. The second book is about Amanda, who has worked in the hotel industry and will be the manager of the new hotel. Enter Trent's friend architect Sloan O'Riley, who manages to rile up Amanda up good. And a dangerous man seeks to find the missing necklace.
As always with a Nora Roberts book, a great story, wonderful characters and lots of details.
February 6, 2025
You know sometimes you just fancy a good old fashioned romance - well that was my mood when I picked up this book. Yes it is old fashioned, yes it is a little dated but, I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed escaping into the world of the Calhoun's , a world so very different to mine and a world which is very different from present day. I knew their would be a happy ending and you can almost guess what it will be but, sometimes that is the comfort of an old fashioned romance.
The book contains two stories - Courting Catherine and a man for Amanda. Both stories are set in Maine and revolve around four sisters and their aunt Coco ,who is an absolute character (probably my favourite) who live in a tumbling down mansion together. They have a very strong connection to their home which was built as a holiday home by their great grandfather over 80 years ago.
With repairs and taxes it is beginning to look like they may need to sell which none of them want to do. Enter Trent ST. James who falls head over heels with CC and offers her a way to keep her home and Sloan the architect who finds the very efficient Amanda frustratingly sexy.
This is exactly what you would expect from a Silhouette romance written in 1991 but, that it was I liked about it.
The book contains two stories - Courting Catherine and a man for Amanda. Both stories are set in Maine and revolve around four sisters and their aunt Coco ,who is an absolute character (probably my favourite) who live in a tumbling down mansion together. They have a very strong connection to their home which was built as a holiday home by their great grandfather over 80 years ago.
With repairs and taxes it is beginning to look like they may need to sell which none of them want to do. Enter Trent ST. James who falls head over heels with CC and offers her a way to keep her home and Sloan the architect who finds the very efficient Amanda frustratingly sexy.
This is exactly what you would expect from a Silhouette romance written in 1991 but, that it was I liked about it.
January 17, 2018
Four sisters live in The Towers, their ancestral home in Bar Harbor, Maine and love it fiercely, but are on the brink of having to sell. CC, the youngest is an auto mechanic and has several run-ins with Trenton St. James III - who has come to buy it for his family hotel chain. They compromise & fall in love.
Amanda is asst. manager of a local hotel and very practical. When OK native Sloan O'Riley comes to do the architecture on The Towers, they clash. After chasing down a would-be thief of the famous Calhoun emeralds (which are hidden somewhere in the house?) Amanda and Sloan work it out.
Amanda is asst. manager of a local hotel and very practical. When OK native Sloan O'Riley comes to do the architecture on The Towers, they clash. After chasing down a would-be thief of the famous Calhoun emeralds (which are hidden somewhere in the house?) Amanda and Sloan work it out.
September 5, 2020
Courting Catherine 2.5
A Man for Amanda 3.5
This book served as a wonderful introduction to the stories of the Calhoun women. Though I thought both love stories were fast, I found CC and Trent’s love wonderful and Amanda and Sloan’s charming and exciting. I liked how the stories sort of reversed the roles of the MCs, switching the genders of the meticulous vs laid back personalities. Amanda and Sloan’s story was better in my opinion as it had more action in terms of the mysterious search for the necklace and we got to explore Bianca and Christians love story some more. I can’t wait to read what happens next.
A Man for Amanda 3.5
This book served as a wonderful introduction to the stories of the Calhoun women. Though I thought both love stories were fast, I found CC and Trent’s love wonderful and Amanda and Sloan’s charming and exciting. I liked how the stories sort of reversed the roles of the MCs, switching the genders of the meticulous vs laid back personalities. Amanda and Sloan’s story was better in my opinion as it had more action in terms of the mysterious search for the necklace and we got to explore Bianca and Christians love story some more. I can’t wait to read what happens next.
August 2, 2023
I would highly recommend if you are in a reading rut or need a cutie, romance reset to offset your heavier reads.
I enjoyed these books! Two books in one. Both books are quick, easy reads that interlay with each other. I’m looking forward to reading the other three to solve the mystery that intertwines the series. Both books are cutie, feel-good reads that follow an enemies to lover arch. I’ve enjoyed reading them but truthfully wouldn’t have read past the first one if it wasn’t for the stories being linked by the mystery.
I enjoyed these books! Two books in one. Both books are quick, easy reads that interlay with each other. I’m looking forward to reading the other three to solve the mystery that intertwines the series. Both books are cutie, feel-good reads that follow an enemies to lover arch. I’ve enjoyed reading them but truthfully wouldn’t have read past the first one if it wasn’t for the stories being linked by the mystery.
November 9, 2024
Two books in one, and I commended myself for completing the pair of them!
This was a study of pure romantic cheese, and it was only as I turned the final page did I realise why, I’d picked up a Mills and Boon book. It was definitely to type.
I was so attracted by the blurb mentioning that the story was based in Maine (my old stomping ground) that I’d not picked up on the cheesy lit element.
Well, it whiled away a few hours and I’ve read worse.
This was a study of pure romantic cheese, and it was only as I turned the final page did I realise why, I’d picked up a Mills and Boon book. It was definitely to type.
I was so attracted by the blurb mentioning that the story was based in Maine (my old stomping ground) that I’d not picked up on the cheesy lit element.
Well, it whiled away a few hours and I’ve read worse.
January 13, 2025
A classic Nora Roberts storyline, I liked the mysterious back story of Bianca and Christian and now I am going to have to find the next book of the series 😄.
CC and Trent's story opens up the underlying Arc of Bianca and Christians love... The house and the history of the family is something that appeals to me.
Both of the stories kept me entertained 😁.
Great for those lazy weekends where pj's and a book is in order
CC and Trent's story opens up the underlying Arc of Bianca and Christians love... The house and the history of the family is something that appeals to me.
Both of the stories kept me entertained 😁.
Great for those lazy weekends where pj's and a book is in order
September 3, 2024
J’ai bien aimé le 1ier livre!! Toutefois, le deuxième ressemblait beaucoup au premier j’ai même arrêté à la moitié tellement que j’étais tannée et je ne sais pas si j’interprétais mal les choses, mais je trouvais que lorsque Sloan embrassait Amanda, elle n’avait jamais l’air très consentante et j’ai trouvé cela dérangeant…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2018
Another brilliant pure romance by Nora Roberts with of course a mystery curled in the pages...CC and Amandas story are unique while the common thread of Ancestor Bianca is played out...will they ever find the Emeralds?
August 5, 2018
3.5 stars
August 21, 2018
Truly Nora. 2 strong sisters. Even an auto mechanic. The twist of the house and jewels are pluses.
March 22, 2020
A fun love story with a bit of mystery.
July 17, 2020
I loved this book!!!! Love, romance with a lot of twist and turns.
October 21, 2020
Light reading but so very soppy and predictable....
October 23, 2020
The pure bliss of reading mediocre books has overtaken me once again...... How long will it be before I pick up the Irish Hearts series for the third time?
April 4, 2021
I accidentally ordered this book from library, thinking it was a newer book. Loved it. Had to get the rest of the series!!!
March 9, 2022
Light, fun, romance reading with a bit of ESP included.
October 25, 2022
Absolutely love this book! I wish it were longer, not that I didn’t love the ending!!
June 26, 2023
Really good read two of the others on my kindle. Just need to read Suzanna’s Surrender
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews