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In de wolken
Twee onweerstaanbare verhalen… om bij een knapperend haardvuurtje van te genieten!
Een bundel van twee heerlijke romans zoals alleen Nora Roberts die kan schrijven. Haar unieke talent om humor, warmte en romantiek te combineren maakt al haar boeken tot een feestje!
CIRCUSLIEFDE
Jo Wilder heeft bij voorbaat al een hekel aan Keane Prescott. Hij heeft het circus waar zij leeuwentemster is geërfd, maar zal nooit de magie van haar wereld kunnen begrijpen. Ze neemt zich dan ook voor hem lekker dwars te zitten…
TEGEN HET LICHT
Megan is verbijsterd. Denkt David Katcherton nou echt dat hij zomaar haar leven op zijn kop kan zetten? Niet alleen wil hij haar familiebedrijf overnemen, hij beweert dat hij haar óók wil veroveren! Het idee alleen al…
Een bundel van twee heerlijke romans zoals alleen Nora Roberts die kan schrijven. Haar unieke talent om humor, warmte en romantiek te combineren maakt al haar boeken tot een feestje!
CIRCUSLIEFDE
Jo Wilder heeft bij voorbaat al een hekel aan Keane Prescott. Hij heeft het circus waar zij leeuwentemster is geërfd, maar zal nooit de magie van haar wereld kunnen begrijpen. Ze neemt zich dan ook voor hem lekker dwars te zitten…
TEGEN HET LICHT
Megan is verbijsterd. Denkt David Katcherton nou echt dat hij zomaar haar leven op zijn kop kan zetten? Niet alleen wil hij haar familiebedrijf overnemen, hij beweert dat hij haar óók wil veroveren! Het idee alleen al…
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
12 people are currently reading
1022 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 52 reviews
June 16, 2024
Dit boek bevat twee verhalen. Eigenlijk zo'n beetje met hetzelfde thema: een jonge verweesde vrouw heeft het moeilijk en is bang haar broodwinning kwijt te raken, en een rijke brutale jongeman verovert uiteindelijk haar hart en zorgt ervoor dat ze het leven krijgt waar ze altijd van droomde...
Het eerste verhaal heet 'Circusliefde' en hierin is het de jonge Jovilette die de aandacht trekt van de nieuwe eigenaar van het circus. Ze vreest dat hij het circus gaat verkopen en ze haar job--en het leven waarvan ze houdt--kwijt zal zijn. Ze in namelijk dompteur van de leeuwen. Ze voelt woede jegens deze man, Keane, maar tegelijkertijd kan ze hem niet weerstaan. En natuurlijk komt uiteindelijk alles goed.
Het tweede verhaal is getiteld 'Tegen het licht' en gaat over Megan, die samen met haar grootvader een pretpark runt. Het park is echter verouderd, en de kosten voor reparaties lopen op, om nog maar niet te spreken van de vernieuwing die het park eigenlijk dringend nodig heeft. Maar de echte passie van Megan is beeldhouwen. Hier heeft ze echter weinig tijd voor, omdat ze zich zoveel met het pretpark moet bezig houden.
Het verhaal begint ermee dat ze in de supermarkt een aantrekkelijke man ontmoet, die zich nogal brutaal aan haar opdringt. Als ze thuiskomt, komt hij kort daarna ook aan de deur, blijkt dat hij een afspraak heeft met haar grootvader. Deze man, David Katcherton, wil namelijk het pretpark kopen. Megan is in alle staten. Want Katch vertelde haar, dat hij niet alleen het pretpark wil, maar ook haarzelf....
Het heeft heel wat voeten aan de dijk voordat Megan beseft dat hij de liefde van haar leven is.
Ik vond dit boek niet zo goed als andere van Nora Roberts die ik al gelezen heb, omdat ik niet hou van 'dominante man krijgt zijn zin'. Maar de verhalen lazen wel heel vlot.
Het eerste verhaal heet 'Circusliefde' en hierin is het de jonge Jovilette die de aandacht trekt van de nieuwe eigenaar van het circus. Ze vreest dat hij het circus gaat verkopen en ze haar job--en het leven waarvan ze houdt--kwijt zal zijn. Ze in namelijk dompteur van de leeuwen. Ze voelt woede jegens deze man, Keane, maar tegelijkertijd kan ze hem niet weerstaan. En natuurlijk komt uiteindelijk alles goed.
Het tweede verhaal is getiteld 'Tegen het licht' en gaat over Megan, die samen met haar grootvader een pretpark runt. Het park is echter verouderd, en de kosten voor reparaties lopen op, om nog maar niet te spreken van de vernieuwing die het park eigenlijk dringend nodig heeft. Maar de echte passie van Megan is beeldhouwen. Hier heeft ze echter weinig tijd voor, omdat ze zich zoveel met het pretpark moet bezig houden.
Het verhaal begint ermee dat ze in de supermarkt een aantrekkelijke man ontmoet, die zich nogal brutaal aan haar opdringt. Als ze thuiskomt, komt hij kort daarna ook aan de deur, blijkt dat hij een afspraak heeft met haar grootvader. Deze man, David Katcherton, wil namelijk het pretpark kopen. Megan is in alle staten. Want Katch vertelde haar, dat hij niet alleen het pretpark wil, maar ook haarzelf....
Het heeft heel wat voeten aan de dijk voordat Megan beseft dat hij de liefde van haar leven is.
Ik vond dit boek niet zo goed als andere van Nora Roberts die ik al gelezen heb, omdat ik niet hou van 'dominante man krijgt zijn zin'. Maar de verhalen lazen wel heel vlot.
February 14, 2012
These two stories are the perfect match! The characters are super sweet and romantic. I usually don’t like it when there is more than one story in a book, but Nora Roberts pulled it off. This book kept my attention all the way to the end. Especially when it switched in the middle to the new story. I may be biased because Nora Roberts got me started in the romance genre, but I’m glad Dream Makers was the first book i read.
With the first story; Untamed you meet Jo Wilder. She tames lions at a circus for a living. Then Keane Prescott comes along and tames her heart. They then learn that life together is worth it all. Personally this storyline was absolutely beautiful to me. I can’t think of a better way to be inducted into the romance craze. Even if you have been reading romance for years this story will still warm your heart and keep you wondering how Jo and Keane’s life will continue even after the last page.
In the second story; Less of a Stranger you meet Megan Miller. She is a professional artist. She does any kind of sculpting, but mainly focuses on clay and wood. She doesn’t sculpt for money she does it because it is her passion. When David Katcherton comes along and tries to buy her grandfathers amusement park. Megan will do anything to keep Katch away from her and her grandfathers business. But will she push him so far away that there is no hope for them as a couple? When i read this part of Nora Roberts Dream Makers book i found myself crying with happy tears :D Less of a Stranger is the perfect complement to Untamed. Though don’t get me wrong, it is just as amazing a story as Untamed.
I really hope you guys enjoy Dream Makers, whether it is your introduction into romance or just another book that caught your eye.
Enjoy, and Have Fun while reading Nora Roberts’ Dream Makers!
With the first story; Untamed you meet Jo Wilder. She tames lions at a circus for a living. Then Keane Prescott comes along and tames her heart. They then learn that life together is worth it all. Personally this storyline was absolutely beautiful to me. I can’t think of a better way to be inducted into the romance craze. Even if you have been reading romance for years this story will still warm your heart and keep you wondering how Jo and Keane’s life will continue even after the last page.
In the second story; Less of a Stranger you meet Megan Miller. She is a professional artist. She does any kind of sculpting, but mainly focuses on clay and wood. She doesn’t sculpt for money she does it because it is her passion. When David Katcherton comes along and tries to buy her grandfathers amusement park. Megan will do anything to keep Katch away from her and her grandfathers business. But will she push him so far away that there is no hope for them as a couple? When i read this part of Nora Roberts Dream Makers book i found myself crying with happy tears :D Less of a Stranger is the perfect complement to Untamed. Though don’t get me wrong, it is just as amazing a story as Untamed.
I really hope you guys enjoy Dream Makers, whether it is your introduction into romance or just another book that caught your eye.
Enjoy, and Have Fun while reading Nora Roberts’ Dream Makers!
June 15, 2020
Hi, This is my first Nora Roberts novel. I should say that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel . I am mostly inclined to crime thrillers not romantic one but this one is different and I was totally hooked to this one. Both the stories are crisp and clear and the chemistry between the characters are well portrayed
Read
May 18, 2020Wow, what a difference a few years can make. I expect if I had read these when I received them, well before the Me Too movement, I would have seen things with a different eye.
First off, let me say that I did eventually get into these two books, even if there were a number of things which I found very difficult.
One thing which disturbed me greatly was why these two books were marketed together. I suppose someone thought, "yes, they're more or less the same theme - circus/amusement park... they fit together". Putting them together, in my opinion, did both the books and the author a disservice. Because at the end of the day they are far too similar to complement each other.
Potential spoiler follows.
Young orphaned gorgeous girl, unusual, creative, competent, fiercely protective of her own, to the point of ignoring her own needs.
Handsome powerful rich hero - one has inherited and therefore owns the circus, the other is intent on buying the amusement park.
Both men won't take no for an answer, but have to flee/withdraw without explanation when they start to recognize that they have actual feelings.
So I am not sure what exactly got my goat - was it the power discrepancy, was it the hot and cold..? Once I read the first and started on the second, I really resented that the two books were placed back to back, as it really was the same in the blue. Tropes do often follow formulas, but that's part of the charm, to see how things will evolve in this instance. Placed too close together, it just seems to indicate that the author was using the same cookie cutter, and I would like to give Nora Roberts more credit that that. So in my opinion this was a big marketing mistake.
At any rate I have been a big Roberts fan in the past and wonder if I would read the books I enjoyed so much the same way if I were to read them again today. I will continue to keep her on my list of authors to read.
First off, let me say that I did eventually get into these two books, even if there were a number of things which I found very difficult.
One thing which disturbed me greatly was why these two books were marketed together. I suppose someone thought, "yes, they're more or less the same theme - circus/amusement park... they fit together". Putting them together, in my opinion, did both the books and the author a disservice. Because at the end of the day they are far too similar to complement each other.
Potential spoiler follows.
Young orphaned gorgeous girl, unusual, creative, competent, fiercely protective of her own, to the point of ignoring her own needs.
Handsome powerful rich hero - one has inherited and therefore owns the circus, the other is intent on buying the amusement park.
Both men won't take no for an answer, but have to flee/withdraw without explanation when they start to recognize that they have actual feelings.
So I am not sure what exactly got my goat - was it the power discrepancy, was it the hot and cold..? Once I read the first and started on the second, I really resented that the two books were placed back to back, as it really was the same in the blue. Tropes do often follow formulas, but that's part of the charm, to see how things will evolve in this instance. Placed too close together, it just seems to indicate that the author was using the same cookie cutter, and I would like to give Nora Roberts more credit that that. So in my opinion this was a big marketing mistake.
At any rate I have been a big Roberts fan in the past and wonder if I would read the books I enjoyed so much the same way if I were to read them again today. I will continue to keep her on my list of authors to read.
October 20, 2018
I've been struggling to finish this. I used to read a lot of Nora Roberts' books, but as I get older I find them repetitive and misogynistic. These two are painful. The first story is ok, kind of, he treat her like shit, she loves him and gives up everything. It's OK that he treats her like shit, because if he doesn't he will have sex with her and want it all. Umm what?
On to Less of a Stranger..... I want to burn this book out of rage. That is very rare for me. Two chapters in and he's already been condescending, rude, demanding, demeaning and belittling. And that is him trying to woo her... And she finds him attractive. Both books were originally written in the 80's so times and attitudes on acceptable behavior and what women really want have changed, but damn was that hard to read. Example-he just bullied her into a date. "on our next date I'll be sure to remember. Don't say anything, he added feeling her stiffen at his side. Didn't your mother ever tell you not to say anything if you couldn't say something pleasant?" page 263.
Excuse me I have some pages to rip out and shred in a fit of anger since I can't say anything if it's not pleasant anymore.
On to Less of a Stranger..... I want to burn this book out of rage. That is very rare for me. Two chapters in and he's already been condescending, rude, demanding, demeaning and belittling. And that is him trying to woo her... And she finds him attractive. Both books were originally written in the 80's so times and attitudes on acceptable behavior and what women really want have changed, but damn was that hard to read. Example-he just bullied her into a date. "on our next date I'll be sure to remember. Don't say anything, he added feeling her stiffen at his side. Didn't your mother ever tell you not to say anything if you couldn't say something pleasant?" page 263.
Excuse me I have some pages to rip out and shred in a fit of anger since I can't say anything if it's not pleasant anymore.
August 4, 2016
3.5 stars
These haven't stood the test of time as well as many of Roberts' other stories.
These haven't stood the test of time as well as many of Roberts' other stories.
September 1, 2024
Sometimes you just need a really easy read that requires very little effort but, is a nice enjoyable story.
There are two stories in this book - Untamed and Less of a stranger.
Untamed - Two friends reunite after many years for an amazing night and rekindle their feelings from the past. The very next day Jo finds out that Keane is actually her new boss so, any kind of romantic relationship would not be a good idea. The problem is they can not stay away from each other.
Less of a Stranger - Megan and her grandfather have looked after each other and ran a local amusement park for as long as Megan can remember. David Katcherton (Katch) wants to buy the park but, did not realise that there would be such a strong attraction between him and Megan. Now they have the problem of who has the park and by buying/keeping the park will this upset the other one.
There are two stories in this book - Untamed and Less of a stranger.
Untamed - Two friends reunite after many years for an amazing night and rekindle their feelings from the past. The very next day Jo finds out that Keane is actually her new boss so, any kind of romantic relationship would not be a good idea. The problem is they can not stay away from each other.
Less of a Stranger - Megan and her grandfather have looked after each other and ran a local amusement park for as long as Megan can remember. David Katcherton (Katch) wants to buy the park but, did not realise that there would be such a strong attraction between him and Megan. Now they have the problem of who has the park and by buying/keeping the park will this upset the other one.
September 25, 2022
A 2 in 1 book. First story "Untamed". Jo Wilderis the granddaughter of an amusement park owner and the want to be the owner Keane Prescott, find an attraction between them, but both fight the feelings. Second story "Less of a Stranger". David Katcherton sweeps into Megan Miller's life and awakened her dormant feelings. Both of these stories were written in 1983 and 1984 respectfully. I enjoyed them both.
March 10, 2023
Tja.. Gewoon zo'n roman waar je zo doorheen leest. Zonder veel diepgang. De mannelijke hoofdrolspelers zijn eikels en toch winden ze de vrouwen om hun vingers... Hoe dan? Daarbij is de man in het tweede verhaal redelijk #metoo bezig op meerdere momenten maar lijkt dat de vrouw weinig uit te maken..
Fijn boek als je even niet na wilt denken en iets simpels en voorspelbaars wilt lezen maar als je meer zoekt dan dat zou ik dit boek niet aanraden
Fijn boek als je even niet na wilt denken en iets simpels en voorspelbaars wilt lezen maar als je meer zoekt dan dat zou ik dit boek niet aanraden
March 12, 2018
I'm not a fan of stories where the man overpowers or ignores what the woman is saying and then the woman stops fighting herself and enjoys what's going on. Then, after the woman responds, the man backs off because he doesn't want to force the situation. So then the woman is left feeling like she's not enough. It's no wonder society is so skewed if romance novels are written like this.
January 8, 2021
Geen al te beste eerste kennismaking met Nora Roberts. Het kostte me moeite om deze uit te lezen.
Het boek bevat 2 verhalen. Beide irriteerden me al snel en deelden helaas hetzelfde concept. Een te assertieve man en een koppige vrouw die toch om de vijf minuten zwicht voor de ander zijn charmes.
Het boek bevat 2 verhalen. Beide irriteerden me al snel en deelden helaas hetzelfde concept. Een te assertieve man en een koppige vrouw die toch om de vijf minuten zwicht voor de ander zijn charmes.
March 29, 2021
So untamed was an OK read, not read any Nora Roberts before. Liked the circus element, bit different to lots of romance novels.
I made a start on the second book but Ive decided to not continue with it. It just sounds like the same story but in a different setting.
I made a start on the second book but Ive decided to not continue with it. It just sounds like the same story but in a different setting.
October 24, 2018
**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** Aries
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2019
Same exact recipe for each story. Really boring.
April 18, 2020
Great read!!!
August 18, 2022
Too fluffy for me.
August 24, 2024
Loved these two stories. I can always rely on Nora for a great read.
September 19, 2024
Good books could have been better, a bit more romance was needed. But overall, was two lovely books.
November 28, 2024
Silly romance
November 12, 2025
i liked this book....2 stories....both very good.......changed direction a couple times but thats what keeps you reading.....
January 2, 2015
Untamed - 2/5 - The book started out pretty well. It takes place in a traveling circus - the heroine Jovilette is a lion trainer and Keane has just inherited the circus from a father he never knew. There are plenty of misconceptions and assumptions that get in the way of these two to start and they overcome them pretty well. The hero goes through what seems an irrational asshole phrase (since we don't get his POV we have no idea why he's acting like that) but we get to experience the angst through the heroine. And it all goes pretty well. The insights to the circus were interesting and the characters were likeable enough (even Keane, because we just know he's being an asshole for a good reason, right?) Then the ending. All I could think was, WTF? That's not how to end it. It was rather unsatisfying. And I'll give a spoiler ending...just in case you'd like to know.
Less of a Stranger - 2/5 - Some of these early Nora Roberts books are completely awful. I'm supposed to think that a guy who creeps about and stalks a woman in the grocery store and crosses physical boundaries like touching and kissing without any hint from the woman that it's okay, is romantic? He (the Hero Katch) is arrogant and bent on owning everything...including the heroine. He doesn't even know her and he tells himself that he will have her - it's as though he's saving up for a new car or something. And I'm sorry, but how is "We both know if I'd been a little more persuasive tonight, I'd have had you," even the slightest bit romantic...no wonder the heroine hates him. He also blows hot and cold. One minute he's ready to have sex with her on a beach and she's trying to stop him and the next she's trying to have a sleepover and he's pushing her out the door. Incidentally, we never see his POV, which I don't like.
The heroine, Meg, is overly suspicious and thinks the worst of him, even though all he's done so far is make a few unwanted moves. He doesn't listen to the word no, but she honestly doesn't seem to mean it. She tells him no and then a minute later she changes her mind. Talk about mixed messages. Not that the hero understands the word no. About halfway through the book, the hero becomes a bit more likeable, but then the heroine gets out of control annoying. She thinks he's deceitful and manipulative until she finds out he's involved in several charities - then he's a nice, trustworthy guy. And despite her hatred of him, she fell in love with him about a week after meeting him. This whole book irritated me. So far, I don't recommend anything by Nora Roberts before 1990.
Less of a Stranger - 2/5 - Some of these early Nora Roberts books are completely awful. I'm supposed to think that a guy who creeps about and stalks a woman in the grocery store and crosses physical boundaries like touching and kissing without any hint from the woman that it's okay, is romantic? He (the Hero Katch) is arrogant and bent on owning everything...including the heroine. He doesn't even know her and he tells himself that he will have her - it's as though he's saving up for a new car or something. And I'm sorry, but how is "We both know if I'd been a little more persuasive tonight, I'd have had you," even the slightest bit romantic...no wonder the heroine hates him. He also blows hot and cold. One minute he's ready to have sex with her on a beach and she's trying to stop him and the next she's trying to have a sleepover and he's pushing her out the door. Incidentally, we never see his POV, which I don't like.
The heroine, Meg, is overly suspicious and thinks the worst of him, even though all he's done so far is make a few unwanted moves. He doesn't listen to the word no, but she honestly doesn't seem to mean it. She tells him no and then a minute later she changes her mind. Talk about mixed messages. Not that the hero understands the word no. About halfway through the book, the hero becomes a bit more likeable, but then the heroine gets out of control annoying. She thinks he's deceitful and manipulative until she finds out he's involved in several charities - then he's a nice, trustworthy guy. And despite her hatred of him, she fell in love with him about a week after meeting him. This whole book irritated me. So far, I don't recommend anything by Nora Roberts before 1990.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2016
Okay, I may have to rethink my goal of reading all of Nora Roberts' books from the beginning of her career. And the reason is because they are formulaic Silhouette Romance books.
I mean, I'm tired of the same-0ld, same-old. The heroine's parents are both dead. If the heroine is not completely ditzy, she's confused and/or cutesy dumb, and she lets past failed relationships rule her heart & won't let the new man into her life almost to the point of losing him altogether. Mind you, this is not just Roberts' books written in the 1980s; it's also books by now well-known mainstream romance writers who also started out writing these formulaic romances, whether they were Harlequin or Silhouette Romances.
Because of Roberts' newer books (and also the books from Jill Shalvis, to mention one of my other favorite authors), I am now used to reading about strong, smart heroines who know their minds, know what they want from life, and go after it, whether it's a career or a man. None of this confused simpering, AND their parents are still living, which sometimes adds to the heroine's (or the hero's) stress & day-to-day juggling act. Quite often, there are other family members involved, too, as is usually the case with the average family. It all helps to make a more entertaining story. And on top of that, the hero's not always rich. He's more than likely just an average hard-working Joe. Same with the heroine. What a breath of fresh air the modern mainstream romances are compared to the old formulaic Harlequin & Silhouette Romances!
I realized early on, that I'd already read both "Untamed" and "Less of a Stranger" (the books included in the "Dream Makers compilation), but went ahead and finished reading "Less of a Stranger" because the story was less familiar. In other words, I couldn't remember exactly how it went & how it ended (although I knew it was going to be a happy ending--after all, that's one reason why I read romances!). But only 11 pages into "Untamed," I stopped reading. "Oh, no, I thought. Parents are dead, rich hero is about to make an entrance, & the heroine, for whatever reason, already hates him." Was it because they'd already met & didn't hit it off, or was it for some other inane reason? Plus, "Untamed" is a circus story, and I don't like books about circuses. So, I promptly closed it, took another Roberts' book from my bookcase with higher hopes for this one, which is part of the MacGregor family series. These two books were published in 1985, but I already know from reading other books in this series that at least the parents are still alive & a big part of the two main characters lives.
So, I'll at least START reading this compilation as hope springs eternal. Why else would I read romance in the first place, right?
I mean, I'm tired of the same-0ld, same-old. The heroine's parents are both dead. If the heroine is not completely ditzy, she's confused and/or cutesy dumb, and she lets past failed relationships rule her heart & won't let the new man into her life almost to the point of losing him altogether. Mind you, this is not just Roberts' books written in the 1980s; it's also books by now well-known mainstream romance writers who also started out writing these formulaic romances, whether they were Harlequin or Silhouette Romances.
Because of Roberts' newer books (and also the books from Jill Shalvis, to mention one of my other favorite authors), I am now used to reading about strong, smart heroines who know their minds, know what they want from life, and go after it, whether it's a career or a man. None of this confused simpering, AND their parents are still living, which sometimes adds to the heroine's (or the hero's) stress & day-to-day juggling act. Quite often, there are other family members involved, too, as is usually the case with the average family. It all helps to make a more entertaining story. And on top of that, the hero's not always rich. He's more than likely just an average hard-working Joe. Same with the heroine. What a breath of fresh air the modern mainstream romances are compared to the old formulaic Harlequin & Silhouette Romances!
I realized early on, that I'd already read both "Untamed" and "Less of a Stranger" (the books included in the "Dream Makers compilation), but went ahead and finished reading "Less of a Stranger" because the story was less familiar. In other words, I couldn't remember exactly how it went & how it ended (although I knew it was going to be a happy ending--after all, that's one reason why I read romances!). But only 11 pages into "Untamed," I stopped reading. "Oh, no, I thought. Parents are dead, rich hero is about to make an entrance, & the heroine, for whatever reason, already hates him." Was it because they'd already met & didn't hit it off, or was it for some other inane reason? Plus, "Untamed" is a circus story, and I don't like books about circuses. So, I promptly closed it, took another Roberts' book from my bookcase with higher hopes for this one, which is part of the MacGregor family series. These two books were published in 1985, but I already know from reading other books in this series that at least the parents are still alive & a big part of the two main characters lives.
So, I'll at least START reading this compilation as hope springs eternal. Why else would I read romance in the first place, right?
April 1, 2012
These two books are obviously Nora's earlier work, so I won't be too picky... they're cutsie stories, but nothing more. In fact, I thought they lacked depth, but that's probably because they're both really short. In Untamed, Jolivette Wilder is a lion trainer. She was born and raised in the circus and followed her father's footsteps. Unfortunately for her, her parents died in a fire when she was 5-6 y.o. Her legal guardian was Frank Prescott, the owner of the circus, and she loved him as a father. Frank just died recently and he left the circus to his son, Keane Prescott. Jo resents Keane because he never came to visit Frank (Keane is an attorney and lives in Chicago... his parents divorced when Keane was still a baby). So anyway, Keane comes to the circus and must make a decision about what to do with the circus.
In Less of a Stranger , you have Megan who's an artist (she sculpts thing) and who lives with her grandfather after the death of her parents. Her grandfather owns Joyland, an amusement park. Enter David Katcheron, Katch, who wants to buy the amusement park and you almost have the whole story already.
So as I said, both are cutsie and simple stories. Nothing compared to Nora's present work. My problem with these two stories is that even if they can "withstand" time... they lack the sleekness of Nora's writing and you can still tell by the way the storyline and the characters are written that it is a work in the 80's, early 90's. First of all, the two heroines are very, very naive ^^; and they easily fell in love with the guys, a few kisses and the deal was done... only, it took them so much time to realize it. What bug me more tho is that you don't get anything from the main guys. Of course, by the way they behave, you know that they're smitten too, but they don't say it and the heroines are clueless... they're not TSTL... just extremely clueless and naive. At the end, when the heroes are "I love you" they're like: "Really?!?" well yeah girls, obviously. Another thing that bug me, esp. in Untamed is that you don't get to know the heroes very well, esp. compared to the heroines. Why didn't Keane visit his father? Why does he resent his father? Finally, the stories were too short, so lack of development. You know, each year, Silhouette re-prints a couple of Nora Roberts earlier book that you can't find anymore. I have a couple of them and some were just awesome... Loving Jack is one of them... however, these two are not on par.
In Less of a Stranger , you have Megan who's an artist (she sculpts thing) and who lives with her grandfather after the death of her parents. Her grandfather owns Joyland, an amusement park. Enter David Katcheron, Katch, who wants to buy the amusement park and you almost have the whole story already.
So as I said, both are cutsie and simple stories. Nothing compared to Nora's present work. My problem with these two stories is that even if they can "withstand" time... they lack the sleekness of Nora's writing and you can still tell by the way the storyline and the characters are written that it is a work in the 80's, early 90's. First of all, the two heroines are very, very naive ^^; and they easily fell in love with the guys, a few kisses and the deal was done... only, it took them so much time to realize it. What bug me more tho is that you don't get anything from the main guys. Of course, by the way they behave, you know that they're smitten too, but they don't say it and the heroines are clueless... they're not TSTL... just extremely clueless and naive. At the end, when the heroes are "I love you" they're like: "Really?!?" well yeah girls, obviously. Another thing that bug me, esp. in Untamed is that you don't get to know the heroes very well, esp. compared to the heroines. Why didn't Keane visit his father? Why does he resent his father? Finally, the stories were too short, so lack of development. You know, each year, Silhouette re-prints a couple of Nora Roberts earlier book that you can't find anymore. I have a couple of them and some were just awesome... Loving Jack is one of them... however, these two are not on par.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2012
Dream makers, both romantic stories, and both l really enjoyed.
This is the second Nora Roberts 2 in 1 book, l have read, and feeling very satisfied at the end.
The first short story is called:
Untamed - It is set in the circus. the owner has just died and left the circus to his son, whom he had no contact with for most of the son's Keane's life.
Jo was the protagonist, is worried that Keane will sell the circus and had disliked him since before his father's death.
Things change when she meets him. the chemistry is instant and distracting.
The second story is called:
Less than a stranger - The feature of this story is an fairground.
Megan has grown up with her Grandfather, who owns, the fairground.
She is worried when a stranger, Katch comes along and tries to buy it.
Although the fairground is only just making a profit, Megan does not want to see it go. Along with that Katch is determined not only to have the fairground, he is determined to have Megan too, and she is finding it hard to resist falling for him.
Both of these stories were good.
l preferred 'Less then a Stranger.'
l felt l engaged with the characters more.
However both were romantic and can keep you reading all night.
l liked both Jo and Megan. they were both determined and prepared to stand up for what they think is right and what they believe.
This is the second Nora Roberts 2 in 1 book, l have read, and feeling very satisfied at the end.
The first short story is called:
Untamed - It is set in the circus. the owner has just died and left the circus to his son, whom he had no contact with for most of the son's Keane's life.
Jo was the protagonist, is worried that Keane will sell the circus and had disliked him since before his father's death.
Things change when she meets him. the chemistry is instant and distracting.
The second story is called:
Less than a stranger - The feature of this story is an fairground.
Megan has grown up with her Grandfather, who owns, the fairground.
She is worried when a stranger, Katch comes along and tries to buy it.
Although the fairground is only just making a profit, Megan does not want to see it go. Along with that Katch is determined not only to have the fairground, he is determined to have Megan too, and she is finding it hard to resist falling for him.
Both of these stories were good.
l preferred 'Less then a Stranger.'
l felt l engaged with the characters more.
However both were romantic and can keep you reading all night.
l liked both Jo and Megan. they were both determined and prepared to stand up for what they think is right and what they believe.
March 16, 2014
Untamed is one of my favorites. Nora roberts takes you inside of a circus where you realize how much danger lies within it, how much love and how much family. When she throws Keane into Jo's life, Jo realizes that danger isn't just found amoung the lions in her cage, it's also giving her heart away to a man she is sure is going to break it. The lovw between Keane and Jo is beautiful and by the end, you feel like you really understand what love is.
Less of a stranger. I loved this book for so many reasons. David is a strong, confident and from the description, an extremely good looking man. A man that I believe Megan needs. Megan is a beautiful, strong, independent woman who puts her grandfather before herself, before her dreams. The undeniable attraction between Megan and David keeps you wanting to keep reading... it keeps you wanting to know if he can make her see who she is and the talent she holds inside.
Less of a stranger. I loved this book for so many reasons. David is a strong, confident and from the description, an extremely good looking man. A man that I believe Megan needs. Megan is a beautiful, strong, independent woman who puts her grandfather before herself, before her dreams. The undeniable attraction between Megan and David keeps you wanting to keep reading... it keeps you wanting to know if he can make her see who she is and the talent she holds inside.
November 16, 2009
I feel really bad for saying this, but I wanted to stab both heros with a fork. They were pushy and domineering and thought they knew what was best for the woman. It just drove me crazy how controlling they were and insistant that the lady would bend to their ways just because they were supposedly sexy. I do have to say it was a good thing for Megan's character because she was very lame and needed someone to force her to get her life together. The only reason I read this was because a friend told me that the first story starts out in the town where I live.
August 24, 2016
first stories was about jo and keane who was the new boss of a circle and his question of what to do about it keep it , sell it or give it to the circle people because its their home. jo is a lion tamer but doesn't trust him but she can't deny their attraction to each other.
david wants to buy fairground attraction from megan dad but she is scared of what could happen to her dad when he isn't working. megan mistrust misleads her in different directions but eventually to each other.
david wants to buy fairground attraction from megan dad but she is scared of what could happen to her dad when he isn't working. megan mistrust misleads her in different directions but eventually to each other.
September 14, 2009
I just love that they keep repackaging her old books into 2fers! I may have read Less Of A Stranger before… it seemed familiar and I am almost sure I remember having this book with this cover… at any rate cirus / carnival books!! Untamed makes you want to join the circus and both sweep you away… if you like Nora, then these classics are must reads!
March 22, 2015
Two more great stories by Nora Roberts. She took me to places I loved growing up - the circus & boardwalk/carnival.
I loved seeing the circus through Jo's eyes. I wanted to train the lion right along side of her. She is brave and loving. And she other's see the world from her point of view.
Megan learned there is more to life. Katch helped her find it.
I loved seeing the circus through Jo's eyes. I wanted to train the lion right along side of her. She is brave and loving. And she other's see the world from her point of view.
Megan learned there is more to life. Katch helped her find it.
November 16, 2009
I loved the settings but hated the characters. I couldn't help but feel the heroines were whiny and the guys were giant douchebags. I picked it up at a used bookstore and suspect that it will be going right back over there.
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