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Bogata, prelijepa Whitney MacAllister voli brze automobile, filmske klasike i opasne muškarce. Ali čak i ta blazirana pripadnica otmjenih krugova s Manhattana doživljava iznenađenje kad neznanac u crnoj koži otima njezin Mercedes - trenutak prije nego meci počnu letjeti.
Douglas Lord, međunarodni kradljivac dragulja, naviknut je živjeti brzim tempom - dio primamljivosti profesije što ju je izabrao upravo je uzbuđenje lova. Ali on ima jedno neprikosnoveno pravilo: uvijek radi sam. Dosad.
Douglas Lord, međunarodni kradljivac dragulja, naviknut je živjeti brzim tempom - dio primamljivosti profesije što ju je izabrao upravo je uzbuđenje lova. Ali on ima jedno neprikosnoveno pravilo: uvijek radi sam. Dosad.
332 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1987
2102 people are currently reading
5241 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,188 books59.4k 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 676 reviews
August 17, 2009
CHEESY!!!
And if you're ok with cheese, it's not a bad book. My chief complaint is that they eat a lot of mangoes in this book...here's a quote...Pulling out a mango, he took a big, greedy bite. And they never peel them. Obviously the author has never eaten a mango. And that bugs me, because I love mangos, and...geesh, do a little research. But I guess mangos were more exotic in the 80s, and most readers didn't know you had to peel them.
So anyway.... think Romancing the Stone, and that's about the gist of this book.
And if you're ok with cheese, it's not a bad book. My chief complaint is that they eat a lot of mangoes in this book...here's a quote...Pulling out a mango, he took a big, greedy bite. And they never peel them. Obviously the author has never eaten a mango. And that bugs me, because I love mangos, and...geesh, do a little research. But I guess mangos were more exotic in the 80s, and most readers didn't know you had to peel them.
So anyway.... think Romancing the Stone, and that's about the gist of this book.
February 17, 2022
"When you want something bad enough, you can be anything."
August 2, 2011
Wow, has Nora Roberts ever gotten better in the last twenty years! I used to love her "two-word title" books which were always her mystery/romance books. I could barely make it through my 2006 re-read of "Hot Ice"! It was so repetitive, all the characters smoked a lot, and they were just dumb. What thief just gives out his name and travels with his own papers when being pursued by a Mafia God?
September 10, 2019
Re-read..needed some laughter..it was once again perfect for my mood :)
Well this had to be one of the more enjoyable reads by this author for me.
"Would be thief for hire" Douglas Lord has just finished a "job" lifting important papers that date back to Marie Antoinette and the lost french jewels that lead to a fortune in treasure.
After almost turning over the papers he finds out he is to be double crossed & dumped in the nearest river, so he decides to keep them for himself.
Douglas has to get to it before Dimitri & his goons get him first.
Whitney MacAllister..
Manhattan socialite & heiress lives at a fast jet set pace, but is so bored with her life and where its not going.
(Whitney's character was a surprise for me, far from being spoiled & air-headed as one might think)
She is returning from a trip when her Mercedes and herself is hi-jacked by wounded Douglas Lord who is now trying to escape Dimitri's goons.
Well nothing like some adventure to spice up her hum-drum life!
Whitney is not a girl who takes orders well nor does she take crap from anyone.
So Doug is in for another adventure and with this woman!
They are thrust into a partnership and find they must stay one step ahead of death itself from merciless killers who eliminate anyone in the way.
These two characters had me laughing out loud throughout this story. I dont know which was more funny the banter between them or the situations that they got into and even funnier how they got out of them.
Non-stop action, intrigue with a very interesting plot that keeps you moving right along with the characters.
A lot of "Remington Steele" and "Romancing The Stone" that goes on in this story.
A fun and fast read..the only reason it didnt get a 5 star was I would have liked a little more "romance" between Doug and Whitney.. but III excuse them as they were rather busy :)
Well this had to be one of the more enjoyable reads by this author for me.
"Would be thief for hire" Douglas Lord has just finished a "job" lifting important papers that date back to Marie Antoinette and the lost french jewels that lead to a fortune in treasure.
After almost turning over the papers he finds out he is to be double crossed & dumped in the nearest river, so he decides to keep them for himself.
Douglas has to get to it before Dimitri & his goons get him first.
Whitney MacAllister..
Manhattan socialite & heiress lives at a fast jet set pace, but is so bored with her life and where its not going.
(Whitney's character was a surprise for me, far from being spoiled & air-headed as one might think)
She is returning from a trip when her Mercedes and herself is hi-jacked by wounded Douglas Lord who is now trying to escape Dimitri's goons.
Well nothing like some adventure to spice up her hum-drum life!
Whitney is not a girl who takes orders well nor does she take crap from anyone.
So Doug is in for another adventure and with this woman!
They are thrust into a partnership and find they must stay one step ahead of death itself from merciless killers who eliminate anyone in the way.
These two characters had me laughing out loud throughout this story. I dont know which was more funny the banter between them or the situations that they got into and even funnier how they got out of them.
Non-stop action, intrigue with a very interesting plot that keeps you moving right along with the characters.
A lot of "Remington Steele" and "Romancing The Stone" that goes on in this story.
A fun and fast read..the only reason it didnt get a 5 star was I would have liked a little more "romance" between Doug and Whitney.. but III excuse them as they were rather busy :)
January 1, 2013
It just didn't do it for me. The storyline plodded along, and I couldn't like either of the main characters. There didn't seem to be a plausible reason why I should root for them. Vain, shallow, brash females don't engage me, and neither do narcissistic, immature males. I finished it because I wanted to see how it would end, but I would never reread or recommend it. The end was actually the best part...
February 18, 2018
Bueno, bueno… Ha sido una auténtica sorpresa. Llevaba mucho tiempo buscando un libro de romance con suspense y que se desarrollara en la búsqueda de un tesoro. No sé por qué me gustan tanto los libros de aventuras como este. Los disfruto mucho, y este no ha sido menos.
Si tuviera que sacarle algún punto negativo, sería que quizá todo empieza demasiado deprisa y los personajes “confían” uno en el otro muy rápido, pero teniendo en cuenta lo que la historia me ha gustado, sería quisquilloso por mi parte ponerle más peso del necesario.
Una de las cosas que más me ha gustado ha sido las conversaciones que mantenían los personajes. Ligeras, ágiles, irónicas y sarcásticas. Whitney está como una cabra y Doug tiene un encanto nato. Entre los dos se despierta cierta química que es agradable a la hora de leer. También reconozco que el viaje por Madagascar me ha resultado muy suave, me encanta este tipo de lectura: expedición, exploración, suspense y romance. (Si alguien conoce más libros así, por favor, que no dude en recomendármelos).
La verdad es que poco más puedo decir. Es fácil de leer y si te gusta este tipo de lectura, te enganchará rápido. Así que sí, la recomiendo. Es un soplo de aire fresco cuando pretendes librarte de lecturas tediosas.
Si tuviera que sacarle algún punto negativo, sería que quizá todo empieza demasiado deprisa y los personajes “confían” uno en el otro muy rápido, pero teniendo en cuenta lo que la historia me ha gustado, sería quisquilloso por mi parte ponerle más peso del necesario.
Una de las cosas que más me ha gustado ha sido las conversaciones que mantenían los personajes. Ligeras, ágiles, irónicas y sarcásticas. Whitney está como una cabra y Doug tiene un encanto nato. Entre los dos se despierta cierta química que es agradable a la hora de leer. También reconozco que el viaje por Madagascar me ha resultado muy suave, me encanta este tipo de lectura: expedición, exploración, suspense y romance. (Si alguien conoce más libros así, por favor, que no dude en recomendármelos).
La verdad es que poco más puedo decir. Es fácil de leer y si te gusta este tipo de lectura, te enganchará rápido. Así que sí, la recomiendo. Es un soplo de aire fresco cuando pretendes librarte de lecturas tediosas.
January 16, 2013
Definitely not one of Nora Roberts best books and the only one I've ever given less than 3 stars. This is a story about an unrepentant thief who steals priceless documents leading to a spectacular treasure from his mob-like boss and is therefore chased basically around the world (from Manhattan to Madagascar).
Unfortunately, neither the hero nor the heroine were likable characters. Whitney is shallow and vain and gave off that Paris Hiltonesque vibe - more money than brains. Douglas was worse - being immature and narcissistic. Like I said, absolutely nothing to like about either one of them which made an entertaining story not so entertaining.
The "fight" scenes were hooky and it amazed me that these idiots could outmaneuver the pros chasing them. The ending was the best part of the book but even that was over the top and slightly ridiculous. I had a real problem with the supposed chemistry between the h/h....there wasn't any. He had nothing but contempt for her sort and she was just looking for something to alleviate the boredom of being rich. However I will admit that the descriptions of Madagascar (a place I've never been) were interesting and it seems like a beautiful, if poor, place.
Unfortunately, neither the hero nor the heroine were likable characters. Whitney is shallow and vain and gave off that Paris Hiltonesque vibe - more money than brains. Douglas was worse - being immature and narcissistic. Like I said, absolutely nothing to like about either one of them which made an entertaining story not so entertaining.
The "fight" scenes were hooky and it amazed me that these idiots could outmaneuver the pros chasing them. The ending was the best part of the book but even that was over the top and slightly ridiculous. I had a real problem with the supposed chemistry between the h/h....there wasn't any. He had nothing but contempt for her sort and she was just looking for something to alleviate the boredom of being rich. However I will admit that the descriptions of Madagascar (a place I've never been) were interesting and it seems like a beautiful, if poor, place.
September 8, 2018
Hot Ice
DNF
Nora Roberts is an incredible author who has written numerous amazing books. Unfortunately, this is not one of them.
The plot is plodding and replete with cliched villains and TSTL moments. The heroine is pretentious and annoying with her constant recording of how much the hero owes her down to the last cent. The hero, a supposedly charming rogue, is nothing more than a wastrel flitting from heist to heist spending his ill gotten gains on undeserving women.
The story never fully captured my attention and it was easy to put the book aside. I really could not care less if either the hero, the heroine or both were killed. Fans and newbies should look elsewhere for a better Nora book.
DNF
Nora Roberts is an incredible author who has written numerous amazing books. Unfortunately, this is not one of them.
The plot is plodding and replete with cliched villains and TSTL moments. The heroine is pretentious and annoying with her constant recording of how much the hero owes her down to the last cent. The hero, a supposedly charming rogue, is nothing more than a wastrel flitting from heist to heist spending his ill gotten gains on undeserving women.
The story never fully captured my attention and it was easy to put the book aside. I really could not care less if either the hero, the heroine or both were killed. Fans and newbies should look elsewhere for a better Nora book.
October 30, 2017
3.5 STARS
I came across the audio version on Overdrive and couldn't resist. It is old school Nora (everyone smokes like a freight train), but I still found it entertaining.
Audio - Anna Fields is a good narrator. I wasn't in love but didn't dislike her style either.
I came across the audio version on Overdrive and couldn't resist. It is old school Nora (everyone smokes like a freight train), but I still found it entertaining.
Audio - Anna Fields is a good narrator. I wasn't in love but didn't dislike her style either.
November 10, 2019
A romance wrapped in a treasure hunt story, between Whitney, a bored socialite, and Douglas, a thief.
Douglas meets Whitney when he enters her car in an effort to slip by his pursuers, and the two end up pairing up for a crazy adventure together.
Trying to stay a step ahead of men with guns, the two embark on a trip across the world where Douglas is convinced he will find the location of long lost treasure with the help of the letters he stole. Trouble is, he needs Whitney's money and language expertise to get there, so he can't ditch her at the first chance as he would have liked.
During their long trip, the two end up falling for one another, but their worlds and dreams for the future are vastly different.
Engaging, if a little dated story, with a reckless pair that suit each other perfectly.
Douglas meets Whitney when he enters her car in an effort to slip by his pursuers, and the two end up pairing up for a crazy adventure together.
Trying to stay a step ahead of men with guns, the two embark on a trip across the world where Douglas is convinced he will find the location of long lost treasure with the help of the letters he stole. Trouble is, he needs Whitney's money and language expertise to get there, so he can't ditch her at the first chance as he would have liked.
During their long trip, the two end up falling for one another, but their worlds and dreams for the future are vastly different.
Engaging, if a little dated story, with a reckless pair that suit each other perfectly.
September 15, 2016
Nora Roberts dispensa qualquer apresentação. É uma autora de renome internacional e mundialmente aclamada. Apesar de não ter dado as cinco estrelas a esta história, tenho de confessar que gostei bastante. No entanto, foi-me complicado entrar na história, sentir-me agarrada, como habitualmente acontece com os livros de Nora Roberts. Não é que não esteja repleto de acção e mistério, não foi por causa disso. Acho que foi mesmo o excesso de lugares, acontecimentos e a falta de mais paixão e carinho entre as duas personagens principais. Que eles se sentiam atraídos um pelo outro não há dúvida, mas até ambos admitirem que sentiam mais do que atracção vai um longo caminho. Muitas desconfianças entre eles e falta de empatia.
Opinião Completa
http://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
Opinião Completa
http://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
May 2, 2018
I usually like Nora's books but I've struggled so much to get through this one. It wasn't interesting, the romance was cheesy. Overall, 2 star rating is generous of me.
dnf
October 11, 2015DNF at 20%
Life's too damn short for this crap!
Life's too damn short for this crap!
January 6, 2018
4,25 stars - Nederlandse pocket
Ik heb heimwee naar Frankrijk. Naar Parijs en mijn eigen kamer die uitkijkt op de mooie tuinen. Mama houdt me steeds voor dat we niet moeten klagen. We wandelen soms langs het strand, en daar geniet ik van. We vinden de mooiste schelpen, maar als ik mama dromerig in de verte zie staren, weet ik dat ze ook naar huis verlangt. Er komen ook schepen, papa praat wel eens met de kooplieden. Het nieuws uit Frankrijk is meestal slecht. Ik hoorde papa laatst met mama over het schrikbewind praten. Hij had het over duizenden gevangenen die eens naar de guillotine moeten. Ik vrees dat we nooit meer naar huis gaan. ...... Ik verheug mij op een broertje of zusje. In de avonduren naaien we kleertjes. We spreken nooit over het houten kistje onder de keuken vloerplank.
Dit is een van de dagboek fragmenten waarop Whitney ( een rijke erfgename) en Doug (een meesterdief) een jacht naar de schat beginnen, een houten doosje met Juwelen behorend tot Marie- Antionette, de laatste koningin van Frankrijk. Ze leren elkaar kennen als Doug bij een stoplicht in haar auto stapt. Ze moeten vluchten voor achtervolgende gangsters die Doug willen doden en hem de papieren ( waaronder bovenstaand fragment) afhandig willen maken. Whitney wil op avontuur en wil als partner mee, zich niet realiserend dat de gangster baas niet alleen over lijken gaat.
Ik vond dit een Harlquin boek met inhoud. De verhaallijn zit heel goed in elkaar, de twee karakters zijn elkaars uitersten die toch het beste in elkaar naar boven halen. En de gangster baas is echt door en door slecht. 😀🍷🌸
Ik heb heimwee naar Frankrijk. Naar Parijs en mijn eigen kamer die uitkijkt op de mooie tuinen. Mama houdt me steeds voor dat we niet moeten klagen. We wandelen soms langs het strand, en daar geniet ik van. We vinden de mooiste schelpen, maar als ik mama dromerig in de verte zie staren, weet ik dat ze ook naar huis verlangt. Er komen ook schepen, papa praat wel eens met de kooplieden. Het nieuws uit Frankrijk is meestal slecht. Ik hoorde papa laatst met mama over het schrikbewind praten. Hij had het over duizenden gevangenen die eens naar de guillotine moeten. Ik vrees dat we nooit meer naar huis gaan. ...... Ik verheug mij op een broertje of zusje. In de avonduren naaien we kleertjes. We spreken nooit over het houten kistje onder de keuken vloerplank.
Dit is een van de dagboek fragmenten waarop Whitney ( een rijke erfgename) en Doug (een meesterdief) een jacht naar de schat beginnen, een houten doosje met Juwelen behorend tot Marie- Antionette, de laatste koningin van Frankrijk. Ze leren elkaar kennen als Doug bij een stoplicht in haar auto stapt. Ze moeten vluchten voor achtervolgende gangsters die Doug willen doden en hem de papieren ( waaronder bovenstaand fragment) afhandig willen maken. Whitney wil op avontuur en wil als partner mee, zich niet realiserend dat de gangster baas niet alleen over lijken gaat.
Ik vond dit een Harlquin boek met inhoud. De verhaallijn zit heel goed in elkaar, de twee karakters zijn elkaars uitersten die toch het beste in elkaar naar boven halen. En de gangster baas is echt door en door slecht. 😀🍷🌸
March 7, 2019
(3,8/5⭐) Una trama llena de aventura, acción, romance y suspenso. Acompañamos a nuestra protagonista, Whitney MacAllister, una joven mujer de la alta sociedad neoyorquina, a la que su vida da un giro cuando se encuentra de la forma más inquietante y sorpresiva con un desconocido que sube a su auto al segundo que empieza a haber una lluvia de balas. Él es Douglas Lord, un ladrón de guante blanco, siempre al borde del peligro. Le gusta trabajar solo, es su principal regla, aunque esta se rompe al instante que entiende que necesita del dinero y ayuda de Whitney para poder conseguir un fabuloso tesoro del que va detrás, por lo que se convierte en su socia.
A partir de esta propuesta, ambos se embarcan en una excitante y peligrosa aventura por Madagascar, en busca de ese tesoro que data de la época de la Revolución Francesa, siempre al límite de que la gente que los persigue logre encontrarlos y atentar con sus vidas.
En medio de todo lo que están por vivir, la inevitable pasión, comienza a despertar el uno por el otro. ❤
.
Nora Roberts tiene una facilidad fantástica de crear una historia con tantos géneros y que te atrapa desde la página 1. Me gustaron mucho ambos protagonistas, cómo al principio no se llevan muy bien, lo distintos que son, sus discusiones, y con el tiempo empiezan a conocerse y entenderse. La ambientación fue asombrosa y se describe muy bien todo.
No es de mis favoritos de la autora, pero es Nora, se disfruta y te mantiene en vilo hasta el final. ¿Lo recomiendo? Por supuesto, siempre. 💎❤
A partir de esta propuesta, ambos se embarcan en una excitante y peligrosa aventura por Madagascar, en busca de ese tesoro que data de la época de la Revolución Francesa, siempre al límite de que la gente que los persigue logre encontrarlos y atentar con sus vidas.
En medio de todo lo que están por vivir, la inevitable pasión, comienza a despertar el uno por el otro. ❤
.
Nora Roberts tiene una facilidad fantástica de crear una historia con tantos géneros y que te atrapa desde la página 1. Me gustaron mucho ambos protagonistas, cómo al principio no se llevan muy bien, lo distintos que son, sus discusiones, y con el tiempo empiezan a conocerse y entenderse. La ambientación fue asombrosa y se describe muy bien todo.
No es de mis favoritos de la autora, pero es Nora, se disfruta y te mantiene en vilo hasta el final. ¿Lo recomiendo? Por supuesto, siempre. 💎❤
October 27, 2025
Esta es una que tenía por casa desde hace años y me dije, vamos a leer una de suspense romántico de Nora Roberts, a ver qué tal. No recordaba nada de nada, así que ha sido como leerla la primera vez. Si quieres probar con Nora Roberts, mejor coges otra.
Es muy ochentera, se nota bastante, no por machismo, sino por los hábitos de vida de los protagonistas. Esto va de Whitney, niña pija neoyorkina, que acaba con un ladrón de guante blanco, Doug, por la isla de Madagascar en busca de un tesoro legendario. Les siguen unos malos muy malos con aviesas intenciones.
No sé si intentó ser un remedo de aquella película llamada «Tras el corazón verde», pero se le da un aire: acción y aventuras en un entorno exótico. Solo que aquí la cosa funciona regulero, está muy lejos de la excitación que causaban Michael Douglas y Kathleen Turner. No sé por qué, no le vi chispa a Whitney & Doug. Tampoco es que los personajes me cayeran bien o mal, es solo que,... no me ha llamado mucho y he acabado leyendo muy por encima muchas partes. O sea, que es una novela perfectamente prescindible, no pasa el test del tiempo.
Es muy ochentera, se nota bastante, no por machismo, sino por los hábitos de vida de los protagonistas. Esto va de Whitney, niña pija neoyorkina, que acaba con un ladrón de guante blanco, Doug, por la isla de Madagascar en busca de un tesoro legendario. Les siguen unos malos muy malos con aviesas intenciones.
No sé si intentó ser un remedo de aquella película llamada «Tras el corazón verde», pero se le da un aire: acción y aventuras en un entorno exótico. Solo que aquí la cosa funciona regulero, está muy lejos de la excitación que causaban Michael Douglas y Kathleen Turner. No sé por qué, no le vi chispa a Whitney & Doug. Tampoco es que los personajes me cayeran bien o mal, es solo que,... no me ha llamado mucho y he acabado leyendo muy por encima muchas partes. O sea, que es una novela perfectamente prescindible, no pasa el test del tiempo.
July 3, 2017
Um ladrão profissional e uma herdeira dum império de gelados é uma dupla improvável para uma caça ao tesouro.
Douglas e Whitney conhecem-se de uma forma muito peculiar e uma convergência de interesses vão levá-los numa perigosa aventura em busca de um colar que em tempos pertenceu a Maria Antonieta.
Douglas e Whitney conhecem-se de uma forma muito peculiar e uma convergência de interesses vão levá-los numa perigosa aventura em busca de um colar que em tempos pertenceu a Maria Antonieta.
March 26, 2025
The plot was solid, but the villains were cliche. Basically, it was rich people participating in a jewel heist. The main characters are morally gray, and the romance was fine.
Read
March 21, 2018This was gifted to me from a neighbor before she passed away so reading it added an extra layer of enjoyment. I will read anything Nora Roberts writes!
February 9, 2016
Doug entra num carro aleatório para tentar despistar uns tipos que o perseguem para o matar... e assim conhece Witney, uma jovem que, apesar de pertencer a uma família riquíssima, vai obrigar Doug a torná-la sua parceira quando descobre que ele vai embarcar numa caça ao tesouro. Doug tem as peças necessárias para decifrar o puzzle, Whitney tem o dinheiro para financiar a expedição e juntos vão embarcar na aventura das suas vidas.
Esta é a parte que eu gosto no livro.
A aventura desenrola-se nas exóticas paisagens de Madagáscar. Constantemente perseguidos, Doug e Whitney têm que estar sempre a olhar por cima do ombro para garantir que se mantêm um passo à frente, o que dá à história um ritmo muito agradável e uma boa dose de suspense e acção. Além disso, não se trata de um tesouro qualquer mas sim de um espólio com importância histórica.
Quanto mais estes companheiros de viagem se conhecem, mais curiosos ficam um pelo outro. Whitney quer perceber se Doug é simplesmente um ladrão vigarista e oportunista ou se há nele algo de honesto... e Doug tenta entender afinal de que fibra é Whitney feita. Enquanto passam uma boa parte da viagem a espicaçarem-se um ao outro - o que resulta em cenas bem caricatas - a tensão sexual entre os dois vai aumentando para níveis quase palpáveis.
...E assim chegamos ao que eu não gostei no livro: o carácter (bastante duvidoso) dos protagonistas. Não é pelo facto de Doug ser um ladrão sem remorsos, até porque este não é o primeiro com o qual convivemos num livro de Nora Roberts, mas sim por ter escolhido deliberadamente esta "profissão". Tendo ganho uma bolsa para uma das universidades americanas mais prestigiadas, Doug preferiu seguir carreira de ladrão porque era mais "divertido"... Além disso, tinha "jeito" com sistemas de alarmes e fechaduras... E eu sugiro, por exemplo, e como simples analogia, que alguém que tenha "jeito" para manobrar objectos afiados com precisão siga carreira cirúrgica e não de assassino...
Por sua vez, Whitney é demasiado fútil e esta também está longe de ser a nossa estreia com personagens ricas e fúteis nos livros de Nora Roberts, mas Whitney, por se encontrar num meio tão empobrecido, abusa da nossa paciência estando constantemente preocupada com o que tem vestido, mesmo tendo em conta que corre um perigo enorme. E o pior é que ainda se atreve a criticar Doug por colocar o dinheiro à frente de tudo...
Whitney e Doug costituem um par demasiado egocêntrico e nem a tentativa de redenção no final do livro os isenta, pelo menos não aos meus olhos. Além disso este é um dos livros que nos mostra que, desde que bem romanceado, o leitor deve aceitar qualquer coisa, mesmo um trabalho em que as prioridades estão todas erradas. Lamento, mas não concordo - nem mesmo num livro de cariz leve como este - e a expressão "ladrão que rouba a ladrão..." tem muito pouco significado quando existem vítimas colaterais, como é o caso.
...E está visto que este é um daqueles livros que quanto mais aprofundo, menos motivos encontro para gostar deles... Assim sendo, vou limitar-me a dizer que, moralidades à parte, me diverti durante a leitura, que culpo as incongruências do livro na inexperiência da autora na altura em que o escreveu... e que vale a pena ler A Felicidade Nunca Vem Só pelo entretenimento.
Esta é a parte que eu gosto no livro.
A aventura desenrola-se nas exóticas paisagens de Madagáscar. Constantemente perseguidos, Doug e Whitney têm que estar sempre a olhar por cima do ombro para garantir que se mantêm um passo à frente, o que dá à história um ritmo muito agradável e uma boa dose de suspense e acção. Além disso, não se trata de um tesouro qualquer mas sim de um espólio com importância histórica.
Quanto mais estes companheiros de viagem se conhecem, mais curiosos ficam um pelo outro. Whitney quer perceber se Doug é simplesmente um ladrão vigarista e oportunista ou se há nele algo de honesto... e Doug tenta entender afinal de que fibra é Whitney feita. Enquanto passam uma boa parte da viagem a espicaçarem-se um ao outro - o que resulta em cenas bem caricatas - a tensão sexual entre os dois vai aumentando para níveis quase palpáveis.
...E assim chegamos ao que eu não gostei no livro: o carácter (bastante duvidoso) dos protagonistas. Não é pelo facto de Doug ser um ladrão sem remorsos, até porque este não é o primeiro com o qual convivemos num livro de Nora Roberts, mas sim por ter escolhido deliberadamente esta "profissão". Tendo ganho uma bolsa para uma das universidades americanas mais prestigiadas, Doug preferiu seguir carreira de ladrão porque era mais "divertido"... Além disso, tinha "jeito" com sistemas de alarmes e fechaduras... E eu sugiro, por exemplo, e como simples analogia, que alguém que tenha "jeito" para manobrar objectos afiados com precisão siga carreira cirúrgica e não de assassino...
Por sua vez, Whitney é demasiado fútil e esta também está longe de ser a nossa estreia com personagens ricas e fúteis nos livros de Nora Roberts, mas Whitney, por se encontrar num meio tão empobrecido, abusa da nossa paciência estando constantemente preocupada com o que tem vestido, mesmo tendo em conta que corre um perigo enorme. E o pior é que ainda se atreve a criticar Doug por colocar o dinheiro à frente de tudo...
Whitney e Doug costituem um par demasiado egocêntrico e nem a tentativa de redenção no final do livro os isenta, pelo menos não aos meus olhos. Além disso este é um dos livros que nos mostra que, desde que bem romanceado, o leitor deve aceitar qualquer coisa, mesmo um trabalho em que as prioridades estão todas erradas. Lamento, mas não concordo - nem mesmo num livro de cariz leve como este - e a expressão "ladrão que rouba a ladrão..." tem muito pouco significado quando existem vítimas colaterais, como é o caso.
...E está visto que este é um daqueles livros que quanto mais aprofundo, menos motivos encontro para gostar deles... Assim sendo, vou limitar-me a dizer que, moralidades à parte, me diverti durante a leitura, que culpo as incongruências do livro na inexperiência da autora na altura em que o escreveu... e que vale a pena ler A Felicidade Nunca Vem Só pelo entretenimento.
March 5, 2018
Reviewed by JoAnne
Book purchased by JoAnne
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Hot Ice is a romantic suspense which leaned more towards the action/adventure side of the story rather than the romance part which is sometimes carelessly thrown in here and there and doesn’t always seem to fit. The adventures though were top notch with lots of action, shootouts, weapons, deductive reasoning, bad guys, good guys who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, untimely deaths, thefts, escapes and slips and treasures found.
The descriptions of the locations that Whitney and Doug travel to are extremely vivid and I can picture the animals, the heat, the cities/towns/villages, hotels, homes, their modes of travel and the food in my mind. All my senses were engaged by the descriptions of the smells and the tastes of the food, the sweat and heat, the noise of cars, helicopters, the animals and birds amongst others.
There wasn’t much chemistry between Doug and Whitney but that could be a result of their chance meeting on the streets of Manhattan and she not acting like she was being carjacked. Somehow Whitney gives as good as she gets which totally floors Doug that she’s not acting like he expected. She ends up bankrolling his travels to find the treasure he’s seeking and they become 50/50 partners and travel companions much to his dismay.
There was an unexpected happily ever after that didn’t fit for me in the romance side but did where the adventures were concerned. I definitely would have liked a few more pages/chapters or an epilogue so there could have been better closure. While I enjoyed this book and it was a fairly quick read it didn’t get my heart racing like some of Roberts’ more recent suspense novels and didn’t have the full blown romances from her that I’ve grown to love.
I have not read most of Nora Roberts earlier books since I have gotten into her books more recently and Hot Ice is one of definitely one of her earlier books. I do plan to add many of her books that I’ve missed through the years to my always growing TBR pile but hope they have more depth to the characters and realism to the interactions between characters!
This book for me was between a Rose in Bloom and a Lovely Rose. I just couldn’t bump up the rating since there were too many things that didn’t fit into the storyline for me and the happily ever after shouldn’t have happened the way the story unfolded.
Favorite Quote: She could smell feathers and spice and animal sweat. True, the roads were paved, there were sounds of traffic and not too far away the windows of a first-class hotel glistened in the burgeoning sun. A goat shied at a sudden noise and pulled on his tether. A child with mango juice dripping down his chin tugged on his mother’s skirt and babbled in a language Whitney had never heard. She watched a man in baggy pants and a peaked hat point and count out coins…
Book purchased by JoAnne
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Hot Ice is a romantic suspense which leaned more towards the action/adventure side of the story rather than the romance part which is sometimes carelessly thrown in here and there and doesn’t always seem to fit. The adventures though were top notch with lots of action, shootouts, weapons, deductive reasoning, bad guys, good guys who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, untimely deaths, thefts, escapes and slips and treasures found.
The descriptions of the locations that Whitney and Doug travel to are extremely vivid and I can picture the animals, the heat, the cities/towns/villages, hotels, homes, their modes of travel and the food in my mind. All my senses were engaged by the descriptions of the smells and the tastes of the food, the sweat and heat, the noise of cars, helicopters, the animals and birds amongst others.
There wasn’t much chemistry between Doug and Whitney but that could be a result of their chance meeting on the streets of Manhattan and she not acting like she was being carjacked. Somehow Whitney gives as good as she gets which totally floors Doug that she’s not acting like he expected. She ends up bankrolling his travels to find the treasure he’s seeking and they become 50/50 partners and travel companions much to his dismay.
There was an unexpected happily ever after that didn’t fit for me in the romance side but did where the adventures were concerned. I definitely would have liked a few more pages/chapters or an epilogue so there could have been better closure. While I enjoyed this book and it was a fairly quick read it didn’t get my heart racing like some of Roberts’ more recent suspense novels and didn’t have the full blown romances from her that I’ve grown to love.
I have not read most of Nora Roberts earlier books since I have gotten into her books more recently and Hot Ice is one of definitely one of her earlier books. I do plan to add many of her books that I’ve missed through the years to my always growing TBR pile but hope they have more depth to the characters and realism to the interactions between characters!
This book for me was between a Rose in Bloom and a Lovely Rose. I just couldn’t bump up the rating since there were too many things that didn’t fit into the storyline for me and the happily ever after shouldn’t have happened the way the story unfolded.
Favorite Quote: She could smell feathers and spice and animal sweat. True, the roads were paved, there were sounds of traffic and not too far away the windows of a first-class hotel glistened in the burgeoning sun. A goat shied at a sudden noise and pulled on his tether. A child with mango juice dripping down his chin tugged on his mother’s skirt and babbled in a language Whitney had never heard. She watched a man in baggy pants and a peaked hat point and count out coins…
May 1, 2016
Não me apaixonou mas ri-me muito com os protagonistas nesta aventura por terras de Madagáscar. Gostei da forma como Whitney e Doug se conheceram e dos diálogos entre eles (Vai a pé. ... Se há aí uma arma, eu quero vê-la. De outro modo desaparece.) E a mania de Whitney de apontar todas as despesas num bloco de notas para Doug lhe pagar? Oh, o que me ri com estes dois! Lol
December 31, 2014
Mehhhhh, I didn't really like either of the main characters - they had questionable morals and their personalities were not the type that I admire. Still a pretty entertaining read, but not as enjoyable as other Nora Roberts I have read.
May 21, 2009
This is the only book of Nora Roberts I did not enjoy.
Did not like the charactors and the danger I did not fall into as I have in the past.
Did not like the charactors and the danger I did not fall into as I have in the past.
October 5, 2023
DNFing for the time being. Just too many mangoes 🥭.
July 24, 2023
I enjoyed this audiobook spoken in 1950s Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant style it’s likeable great for driving around in an automobile. It’s a lovely audiobook.
June 14, 2022
A reissue of a romance/adventure first published in 1987 and one of this author's early books. It's well written with lots of word building and excellent descriptions of the jungle etc. This is a mostly light-hearted caper type story, with Whitney and Doug on the run in Madagascar from bad guys. There are some murders. Doug's a thief and Whitney is rich and they are on the hunt for a fortune in jewellery buried in the 1790s.
I didn't like the way Whitney came across and the slow burn romance with Doug just seemed a bit cold and convenient to me. Another reviewer commented that it reminded them of the movie Romancing The Stone and I agree.
It was refreshing to read a mid eighties story though - no cell phones, computers, smoking on planes, etc. Also, I hated the way the author wrote points of view from several side characters. Most were just inserted into the next paragraph and sometimes you never knew who was talking or thinking. It was annoying and unnecessary. I liked the story, but didn't love it.
I didn't like the way Whitney came across and the slow burn romance with Doug just seemed a bit cold and convenient to me. Another reviewer commented that it reminded them of the movie Romancing The Stone and I agree.
It was refreshing to read a mid eighties story though - no cell phones, computers, smoking on planes, etc. Also, I hated the way the author wrote points of view from several side characters. Most were just inserted into the next paragraph and sometimes you never knew who was talking or thinking. It was annoying and unnecessary. I liked the story, but didn't love it.
September 10, 2017
I counted this as a mystery - and there is a mystery to be solved here - but this is truly more of a buddy comedy/action/thriller like "Romancing the Stone". The hero and heroine are thrown together with two competing agendas against a fairly exotic (in this case, Madagascar) locale and asked to solve a historic puzzle while staying a step (or two) ahead of the bad guys. It is a little bit predictable but it is also more than a little fun as you find yourself rooting for them and figuring out how they're going to get out of this improbable situation. It is a little dated but it is still fun.
August 31, 2021
I'm not sure why I like this book so much, but I've read it several times since it first came out. Neither the hero nor the heroine are all that admirable, but somehow they make the story work. If you liked Romancing the Stone, you'll probably like this novel.
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