Hidden Heart: This Magic Moment / Storm Warning

by Nora Roberts

Two fan-favorite stories about unraveling the mysteries of the heart...

This Magic Moment
Ryan Swan is out to prove herself as the best producer in the business. Getting master illusionist Pierce Atkins to work on an exclusive television special could make or break her career. Ryan has vowed to never give her trust away again, but she can't help but be drawn to the charismatic magician. Pierce can't create a new illusion when thoughts of Ryan fill his mind. He's put his lie on the line before, but never his heart—and now he's not sure which is more perilous.

Storm Warning
When Autumn Gallagher returns to run her aunt's mountain inn, the last person she expects to find is Lucas McLean. Autumn hasn't forgotten the man who broke her heart, and much to her dismay, she's more attracted to him than ever. When a guest of the inn is suddenly found dead, Lucas becomes a suspect. Could the man she once loved be a coldhearted killer? She much decide if she can risk trusting Lucas again before more than hearts get broken.

Genres: Romance

392 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Nora 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.

Reviews

[Kissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This Magic Moment" is my favorite story of the two featured in this book. From the first chapter, I was hooked and loved the interactions between Ryan and Pierce. The romantic encounters were a lovely level of spiciness and fit well among the plot points of the story. I was a bit confused by the sudden conclusion, feeling like something needed to be expanded or filled in more before reaching that point. Another minor issue was the name of our main female character- Ryan; I had a hard time accepting it until halfway through the story.

"Storm Warning" gave me "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Glass Onion" vibes, which I enjoyed. The colorful cast of characters were enjoyable to read about and speculate how they were involved once the dead body was revealed. The romantic aspect of the story was slim and was far from enjoyable; I found myself constantly cringing from Lucas forcing himself on Autumn and questioned why Autumn was still in love with the guy. The potential romance with Steven was pretty lackluster too and felt like it came out of nowhere. If you are looking for a good murder mystery, this is a perfect read. If you are looking for romance, look elsewhere.

[Lea McKenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hidden Hearts by Nora Roberts is actually two shorter works: This Magic Moment and Storm Warning. This Magic Moment is a story of a young woman, Ryan Swan, trying to prove herself to her famous father. She is producing the television show of illusionist Pierce Atkins. Of course, sparks fly between them and Ryan must choose between love and success.
Storm Warning is the story of Autumn Gallagher. She is staying at her aunt's inn when she runs across Lucas McLean who broke her heart years ago. When one of the guests is murdered, Lucas is one of several suspects, and Autumn is hiding the film that can help determine the killer.
Nora Roberts wrote the Chesapeake Bay books, which are some of my favorite romances, but I started reading less of her books when they started becoming more mysteries and magic. These two stories fall into that second category, and I thought the writing, particularly the dialogue, somewhat stilted and emotionless. Not a fan of this one.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly really enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. The first story was a very easy and romantic read that made me cry multiple times. It had quite a bit of erotica, but I still enjoyed it.

The second, well, it had a few scenes that made me uncomfortable. Once I found out what had happened at the ending, explaining his behaviour and apologizing for it, I forgave him as well and loved the book all over again. The second story does include quite a bit of abuse, so if that triggers you, I would not recommend this book.

Overall, I loved this book. Can’t wait to read more of Nora Roberts!

[Marika Lenee Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two stories in one! Ryan is working hard to get illusionist Pierce Atkins to work with her company for a great show in Las Vegas. She is falling in love, but is it all magic or real? A cute love story with great characters. Autumn goes to stay at her aunt's inn when Lucas her past love is staying there too! He is always there to catch the story for his next book; however, when a murder takes place he is the number one suspect. Can Autumn look past his flaws and see that he is innocent or will he prove to be the one responsible for murder? There is an Agatha Christie feel to this story!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give two separate star ratings for the two separate stories, because I had very different feelings about each of them.

I would give This Magic Moment three stars because it's an enjoyable, easy read.

Storm Warning, however, would receive one star. The entire story was too much like a cheesy murder mystery. Add in the near-rape, with its easily accepted excuse and apology, and it's too much. I guess I expect better from Nora Roberts.

[Brittney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biased because I like every Nora Roberts book, but I will say I think these stories could have been better. It seems they were intended to be quick stories, but they weren't overly developed plots and id didn't take any of the characters long to fall in love. I still enjoyed it and liked the couples, and endings to each story.

[Michelle Bartlow · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to say this was one of the worst books I’ve listened to!! Plot was sappy and so predictable and the characters were not likable at all. I’m not a quitter so I finished it but it was cringe worthy!!

[Crystal Pressley reiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the Magician’s love story. Not so much the photographers story

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard getting into this story!

[Sarah Nixon Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care for the first story, too much of Twilight meets Fifty Shades of Grey. The second one was more interesting.

[Kim Schellin-Rog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storm warning reminded me of the movie clue. Who dun it kinda of a thing. Good mystery to figure out.

[Betty Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two stories in this book. Each one had lots of action, romance and one of the stories had murder in its plot. Good plots . Kept my interest from the beginning. Recommend.

[Laurie Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book was 4⭐️ second story was 2⭐️

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fantastic bind up edition of Nora Roberts containing two wonderfully written stories





In this magic moment Ryan Swan is the daughter of Bennett Swan the successful patriarch of Swan Productions. Ryan is a very determined young woman with deep emotional insecurities she feels like she’s a disappointment to her father because he wanted a son and got her and all her life she’s desperately tried to win his affection and pride. She is tasked as a representative to finishing up with a contract to get the highly successful Illusionist Pierce Atkins to agree to a exclusive television special. She’s is successfully but is leery of her and Pierce’s mutual attraction she doesn’t believe in magic, doesn’t trust easy but Pierce is determined to show her that he cares about her, the more time she spends with him the more she gets to know the real Pierce she finds herself falling in love with him, Pierce hasn’t always been successful or had a easy life, he grew up in a home where he’s father abused his mother and him, until he was taken off them and placed in an Orphanage he met his lifelong friends Linc and Bess, as a child he suffered a spinal injury that threatened to stop him from ever walking again luckily he was determined and persevered. I loved Pierces kooky pets Merlin the big black bird that speaks pick up lines or the big black cat that he rescued from the side of the road one night after it had been hit. This was a beautiful written story about overcoming past hurts and embracing love. I loved the relationship between Ryan and her father Bennett approved quite a bit when he realised how he’s treated her and how she’s felt because of it. I loved the fact that Linc and Bess finally admitted their love for each other and got married and I loved the fact that Ryan and Pierce got their happy ending as well. This was a very enjoyable and entertaining book to read







In Storm Warning Autumn Gallagher is a photographer who after receiving a letter from her Aunt Tabby she visits her inn, the pine view inn in the blue mountains an isolated place in the woods. Once arriving it surprises her with the celebrities guests staying including her former lover Lucas McLean a writer whom three years ago broke her heart. Julia Bond an actress, Jacques LeFarre a movie producer, Helen an art teacher, Steve Anderson heir to Anderson Manufacturing company, Doctor Robert Spicer and his wife Jane. Lucas seems determined to have her attention but she wants to ignore him not interested in anything to do with it, but he seems to be there heatedly kissing her showing she still loves him but she’s not forgiving him for breaking her heart. Things get complicated when there is tension in the group especially between Helen and the others, veiled threats . Helen gets a black eye before being found dead. Autumn is attacked and her film destroyed and her bedroom is trashed and her camera broken. It turns into a murder mystery who dunnit type of story which I loved they all had motive Helen was blackmailing them Julia had an affair with a married senator, Jacques had damaging information that could cost him custody of his children with his ex wife, Jane is gambler and lost a lot of money, Steve had a deal that wasn’t entirely by the book. So which one of them is the killer turns out it was Steve who was afraid his father would find out he’d been into his inheritance and would cut him off so he killed Helen. Lucas admits to Autumn that the reason he came to the inn wasn’t to write it was to get her back he was still in love with her, he got scared by how deep he loved her, and how sad he was when she wasn’t beside him in the mornings so he pushed her away but after three years of still being in love with her he was determined to win her back. He got her aunt tabby to write to her knowing Autumn would come, he expects her to embrace him back instantly but he didn’t take in account how hurt and angry she was with him and how determined she was to Ignore him. Things only got worse when he got jealous of her and Steve kissing and he kept messing things up. But luckily for him after saving her life and confessing the truth she loved him enough to take him back. I really enjoyed reading this book it was entertaining and enjoyable a very good mystery of who dunnit like the game cluedo. I definitely recommend this book it was highly enjoyable.