Burke Logan was a gambler, and luck had made him owner of Three Aces, one of the finest stables in Maryland. He'd come to Ireland to buy horses, but one look at Erin McKinnon's fiery beauty told him that he'd be leaving with a whole lot more.
Erin McKinnon had dreams and ambitions--and no intention of living out her days in the small town of Skibbereen! She knew Burke held all the cards, but when he asked her to come with him to America, it was an offer she couldn't refuse. Burke Logan was a man to be reckoned with, and from the moment they met, Erin knew that even if she lost, she'd win.
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.
More than seven years after she left Ireland Adelia has returned for a visit with her brood, husband Travis, three kids and two on board, and a family friend, Burke Logan. Sparkes of awareness fly for Burke at the first meeting with Adelia's lovely cousin, Erin McKinnon. Sparks were flying for Erin too.
Burke Logan is a man who gambles on life. Sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses. This time he has no intention of losing. Erin McKinnon has never been far from her home. She longed for something more and when Burke offered her a job in America, she seized the opportunity. She just didn't realize that love was a part of the bargain.
I really liked this early romance. The plot was pretty standard, and the characters took a bit to warm up to, but I really liked the touch of suspense in the plot.
I really enjoyed the first half, but the second half went off the rails a bit. While of its time, I did like the banter & dynamics between our main leads for the first half. Once they got married... eh, not so sure. Also, very weird that the hero's Latina half sister was his housekeeper? Especially considering how uptight he was about the heroine cleaning things? Not sure that added anything other than yikes to the story
This is the second book in this series by Nora Roberts. In this book we have Adelia's cousin from Ireland story. Her name is Erin and she is just as feisty. She is trapped in a home situation and she is looking for a way out, a way to branch off and be herself. She has had to sacrifice a lot and with Burke (the hero) she finally has that chance.
Does she dare to take it?
Burke is a guy with a huge chip on his shoulder and he sees in Erin a chance to get all that he wants. He is a womanizing gambler who is not afraid to take risks. He offers her a solution to escape her situation, marriage. Minus the love because to him this is not something he has ever really truly experienced or wanted. He was happy with an arrangement. Little did he know that this little Irish lass was going to rock his world and leave him wanting more! Maybe love can be found in his heart after all?
I think I enjoyed this a little less than the first one because of the hero. He was very closed off till the very end and I didn't like how he froze out the heroine after she was kidnapped. These two meet when the hero is in Ireland with the h/H from the first book. Our heroine grew up in a small village and feels stifled, something the hero recognises, so he offers her a job bookkeeping on his farm. Of course he is aware of the attraction between them. Our hero doesn't get attached to things or people. Heroine has big dreams and wants wealth but she isn't mercenary. Of course when she refuses to become the hero's mistress he offers her marriage. She marries him for love but he is happier to believe it is because of his wealth no matter how much she tries to show him differently. I guess I along with the heroine got fed up with the hero's broodiness.
A beautiful tale of love and compromises, in this book we meet Erin McKinnon, cousin to Adelia, who is a part of a large Irish family. Her dreams and ambitions have always been larger than the small town of Skibbereen, something our hero Burke Logan recognizes when he goes to visit Ireland with Adelia, Travis and their brood. Instantly propositioning her while offering her a job in Maryland, Erin seizes the opportunity and travels to make her aspirations come true. But when Burke asks for more, she demands commitment, which leads an impromptu proposal. Eventually realizing her love for him, Erin agrees. But can Burke, who has never believed in, or understood love, ever return her feelings?
I honestly had my inhibitions about this book. Erin had stars in her eyes, Burke was cold as a fish. This was going to be a difficult journey. But you know what made it worth it? Erin and her persevering attitude. When the marriage got hard, when Burke was closed off, when she got kidnapped, when he did not include her in his problems, when society mocked her- stood stood her ground and fought for her love. I LOVE Nora Roberts heroines, and they have this backbone of steel that is worth envying. They have heartbreak, pain- yet they are stubborn enough to keep holding on. I loved you Erin. Burke was..well OK. I mean, , but I'm glad he was able to come around to finding happiness and love in the end.
OMG it was so GOOD to see Adelia and Travis's HEA in this one!
2 estrellas y media - 5/10 Se nota que es una novela ochentera, típico prota que había con monosílabos, prota femenina guapísima y virgen que sufre un instalove instantáneo... creo que es de esas novelas que olvidaré en breve
They meet when her cousin, Adelia comes to Ireland for a visit with her children, her husband, and her husband's friend. Burke immediately recognizes a similar soul in Erin, knowing she's dying to get out in the world, and offers her an opportunity to do so in the form of a job offer...But they'll both soon learn some bargains and decisions are not to be taken lightly.
Compared to its predecessor, this was an utter and complete wreck. The hero was an asshole, the heroine a greedy bitch, and Ms Roberts wanted me to buy the starry-eyed romance between these two people.
Well, I didn't.
Not even at the end, when the idiotically long (and unnecessary, easily solved with a conversation) conflict was finally resolved. I merely saw two compatible, similar characters living under the same roof and sharing a bed, I didn't see them as a couple in love as it happened with Adelia and Travis, who even in this story where they served as mere supporting cast, had more chemistry and more passion than the main characters.
The only spark of light in this otherwise dull and gray story, was the all-too-brief moment of suspense.
Another great read by author Nora Roberts, well her older books are more to my liking.
Strong Irish heroine, sassy, tough but also can be kind and sweet. Hero, our typical alpha but also has a soft side to him that he doesn't show easily.
Great romance, pacing and chemistry.
I really enjoyed the story line of horse breeding, racing and all it entails. Fascinating and something a little different.
Letto in soffio. D’altronde al mare non ho altro da fare. Secondo racconto trovato in un libro preso sulla bancarella al mare.
Erin è la cugina di Adelia che con suo marito e i bimbi torna in Irlanda. Li accompagna un loro amico Burke proprietario terriero e allevatore di cavalli che si innamora di Erin e le offre il lavoro di contabile nel suo ranch in America pur di averla vicina. Storia dolce e intrigante con un piccolo mistero da risolvere. Anche se si capisce subito chi è il “cattivo”.
La Nora mi piace sempre, e mi è spiaciuto per la brevità, perché secondo me ne avevano da raccontare questi due personaggi molto orgogliosi ma bisognosi d’affetto.
Nonostante non abbia letto il volume uno della serie non è stato un problema.
Anche questo consigliato alle inguaribile romantiche
Irish Hearts -sarjan ensimmäiset osat ovat mitä ilmeisemmin Nora Robertsin ensimmäisiä julkaistuja töitä - liekö se syy siihen, miksi vuonna 2021 luettuna nämä aiheuttavat lähinnä ihmetystä, ärsytystä ja ei-niin-lievää turhautumista henkilöhahmojen valintoihin?
Kirjan luki nopeasti lähinnä nollaustarpeena, itse juonellisesti ei poikennut paljoakaan Robertsin myöhemmästä tuotannosta. Henkilöhahmot aiheuttivat minulle lähinnä päänsärkyä edesottamuksillaan.
I read this book immediately after I read the first one, which was when I was 14, and the first time I read it, I didn't like it as much as I liked Adelia and Travis' story.
A couple years later, I reread Irish Thoroughbred, and decided to reread this one too. I loved it.
The sweet anguish the heroine feels, loving the hero, thinking he thinks she only wants his money, and how she suffers, and pain his treatment causes - it is everything I love in a book. Nora Roberts is truly one of the best writers I've ever read. It's so unfortunate all her contemp heroines are such sluts.
I must have read this book over 5 times, just to feel the pain and longing and the anguish again. It is a beautiful book.
Nice older book by Nora Roberts. Some of the events that happened would not be seen as "ok" or "romantic" in books written in modern times. But overall sweet story, good plot for the most part. I read the first book in this series too and also enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading the 3rd book in the series.
This was an enjoyable sequel to Irish Thoroughbred, and another fun romance. Erin and Burke felt real, even if slightly caricaturish. Some of plot points were pretty far-fetched as well. Both are to be expected given the genre, but it was bit more jarring than usual. I wished this had built a little more, it was a short read at just under 300 pages. I did like that unlike the first book, some of Burke's perspective was shared by the narration, and there was certainly more steam.
Definitely a recommended romance, it's not disappointing, just not my favorite.
He tenido los mismos problemas que con el primero de la saga. Me daba la sensación de estar leyendo algo antiguo en la USA de los yankis y los caballos, los carros y los indios, pero es contemporánea... y me molestaba. A muchos niveles. Encima la trama principal es la romántica y para mí los protas tenían 2 guantazos xD
Jiwa Erin sangat gelisah, dia begitu ingin pergi meninggalkan kota kelahirannya, melihat wilayah lain, tetapi dengan situasi keuangan keluarganya, rasanya dia harus bersabar. Burke mampu melihat kegelisahan jiwa Erin, karena jiwanya dan jiwa Erin laksana cermin, dan itu yang membuat Burke sangat tertarik kepada Erin. Dengan dalih menawarkan pekerjaan kepada Erin, Burke membawa Erin masuk kedalam kehidupannya. Kekuatan, keberanian, ketabahan, kepolosan dan kejujuran Erin membuat Burke jatuh cinta tanpa dia sadari. Tetapi masa lalu Burke membuat dia tidak mudah didekati. Untuk mendapatkan Erin selalu berada didalam rumahnya, Burke memutuskan untuk melamar Erin. Erin merasa bahwa cintanya cukup untuk mereka berdua, memutuskan untuk menerima lamaran tersebut, walaupun ada gosip yang mengatakan bahwa dia menikah krn uang Burke. Erin mendapatkan gambaran masa lalu suaminya dari Rosa, yang ternyata saudara tiri Burke, dan Erin berusaha untuk bersikap positive terhadap sikap Burke. Ketika salah satu kuda pacuan Burke terlibat masalah, Burke berusaha mengirim Erin pulang supaya dia tidak perlu menghadapi gunjang ganjing, tetapi Erin berkeras menemani suaminya, dan tanpa dia sadari, dia mendengar rencana penyingkiran kuda milik suaminya, yang menyebabkan dia culik. Burke merasa bahwa kesulitan2 yg dialami Erin disebabkan olehnya, dan mulai dari malam Erin ditemukan dia menjauhkan diri dari Erin.Dan tidak menyadari jika istrinya sedang hamil, ketika menemukan bill dokter kandungan dan membaca pesan yang ditulis oleh Erin bahwa dia kerumah sakit, Burke terkejut, serta langsung menyusul Erin kerumah sakit karena dia berpikir telah terjadi sesuatu pada istrinya. Dan ketakutan ini membuahkan satu perasaan, bahwa dia sudah lama jatuh cinta pada istrinya. Bagi yang sudah membaca kisah sebelumnya tentang Adelia Cunnane, dan jatuh cinta pada kisah cintanya, buku ini buku yg wajib dibaca karena dari awal Adelia dan Travis selalu disinggung2 dan diceritakan, dan menyenangkan sekali ketika mengetahui bahwa dua tokoh dari cerita sebelumnya masih bersama, memiliki beberapa anak2, dan masih saling mencintai.
Irish Rose was published in 1988, 7 years after Irish Thoroughbred (Nora's first published novel). The story begins in Ireland where Erin McKinnon waits at the airport to greet her cousin Adelia’s family. Traveling with the family is bad boy and fellow horse owner Burke Logan. Burke quickly sees that Erin wants more from life, and convinces her to move to America to be his bookkeeper. The boss/employee dynamic tends to make me uncomfortable, but Erin is a strong character who does tend to push back at an overbearing hero. As 80s romances go, this one isn't bad, especially if you love a bad boy. It also feel like a necessary read, since Irish Hearts is the foundation of the Nora canon. To hear a full discussion of Irish Rose listen to Season 1, Ep. #1 "Nora Roberts Irish Hearts: Irish Thoroughbred, Irish Rose, Irish Rebel" of Romancing the Shelf, a Nora Roberts podcast: https://romancingtheshelf.libsyn.com/
This book is the sequel to Irish Thoroughbred and while the writing is better I didn't like it as much. It started out pretty strong and I enjoyed the part at the beginning that was set in Ireland. But right off the bat I didn't like Burke. What an asshole. He was terrible to Erin the whole book. She deserved a better hero because I absolutely loved her. For the 1980s she is a really strong and canny heroine. Not an ingenue at all, even if she is young. I would have given this book 3 stars because of her but Burke just annoyed me so much at the end. And I wish there had been more about the horses. They go to a lot of races but we don't see much of the horses themselves. Still, this book was an easy read and I didn't hate it.
Nora Roberts tiene algo muy tipico en ella no importa si es un libro escrito en 1988 o en 2003 siempre llegaras a saber sus desenlaces, su escritura es muy similar a lo largo de los libros y so aunque es bueno llega a ser un poco monotono al leer los libros.
No se es bueno pero es simplemente uno mas de Nora Robert nada nuevo ni nada que se salga de su linea de escriura, lo cual no es malo pero me recuerda a muchos otros libros de ella.
No lo digo con afan de insultar o de menospresiar a la escritora pero ya sabes a lo que vas cuando lees un libro de ella.
The main character Erin picks up her relatives from what seems to be America. This man Burke appears to be with them and she does not know who he is and neither do I as a first time reader into this novel which appears to be a series. Not good writing. Then, this woman is so annoyed by Burke when he looks at her. It is common sense that when someone stares at a woman that is naturally beautiful that is why. Instead, she reacts like a cranky bitch. Difficult to read.
¡Cada vez mejora esta serie! En el primero Travis era un sol, pero debo reconocer que Burke me ha ganado en este libro, con una personalidad única. Lo mejor el mundo de las carreras de caballos. ¡Genial!
I did like Erin, I think this could have been a cute little romantic clyche story of it wasn't for Burke. I will state this now, Burke is a manipulative, emotionally abusive and controlling husband who does not respect Erin in any way possible.
I can't count how many times in this book he forced her to do stuff she didn't want. It was small stuff like getting in the car or sit down but it's still not okay.
He hurt her too, he by force got her to stay in rooms when she wanted to leave, by holding her arm real tight or blocking the exit.
He also did kiss her, on multiple occasions without consent.
Now this was before their marriage (which he manipulated her into) during their marriage he was much worse.
It's clear that he has an old standard for how a wife should be, even if he would rather kill someone then that she takes care of anything or do anything at all. Basically he want her to be quiet in the background even tho he himself says that she is not that kind of person.
He literally said "she has been the perfect wife since they come back. Never demanding, never questioning, never arguing" He did not want her to have her own opinion, just follow him.
You're supposed to feel bad for him, to understand that he didn't have a good childhood and have to go through bad things and therefore he can't express emotions. But that doesn't give him the right to ignore her wife and treat her like sh!t.
Also the "he didn't believe someone could love him" does not give him the right to be an idiot.
Everything he does in their relationship is wrong, he ignore her after she literally got kidnapped and hurt and he refuse to believe her when she says anything. He forces her to stuff and never ever let her know anything about him.
No wonder she did not tell him she was pregnant.
Al lot of the problems between them could have be easily solved with a conversation. Which they had in the very end, where it's obvious that they both went into the marriage unhappy.
She blamed herself for how she looked was the reason Burke was distant and treated her badly and he never reassured her that he loved her or even cared about her.
I don't think their little conversation in the end solved even fracture of the problems they had, and it most defenetly did not solve Burke being manipulative, abusive and controlling.
If we are going to ignore Burke for a moment was the entire plot weird, it was new "plot twist" and sub plots which just made the story confusing. All the problems where solved way to fast and it just didn't made sense.
I just hated this book, if it weren't for Burke I think it maybe would have been 2 or even 3 stars but nothing more, I just can't understand how this book got such high ratings.
The lack of consent was a big no no for me throughout this book. It was uncomfortable to read and made me wonder why Nora Roberts would include such a thing. You can argue that “well Erin didn’t really mind because she also had feelings for him but she was just trying to deny those feelings by acting like she didn’t want to be touched or kissed by him.” But no. It’s unacceptable. It’s clear she didn’t want him to touch her or kiss her and yet he did! It’s clear he made her uncomfortable and although she told him to stop, he didn’t. I don’t think that makes a “bad boy”, I think it makes a un-respectable character. Which leads me into my next problem...
Burke. Burke Logan. An unlikable, plain, and broken man. We’re we suppose to feel bad for him? Or agree with what he was doing? Or the type of man he is? We’re we suppose to be drooling after him because of his appearance or natural flirtation? Because I didn’t. Your past doesn’t give you an exception to be bitter. Especially to the woman you married!! Leaning into the NEXT issue...
Erin why?! Why did you marry him? I don’t understand. She deserved so much more than him. And for goodness sakes, the ending was just horrendous. One minute shes wondering if she wants to take off and no longer be married to him and the next she has forgiven him and she’s giggling in his arms? And oh finally he says I love you after being married for a while already. I just don’t understand. It’s clear why he married her...it’s for lust. It was for the pleasure. But her? I’m still confused. Why choose him? What made her love him? I still haven’t found an aspect that made her fall in love with him except for the fact that he was good looking. A quality that shouldn’t only be taken into account for when getting married to someone.
I do enjoy romances where the man is the dominant, but not like this. He grabs her, pushes her, and pulls her every which way he wants. He does what she wants and although she puts her foot down and is a strong woman, he always gets his way.
As for the things I did like about this book, I did like Nora Roberts’ writing style. It’s light and easy to read. Also, I liked the concept of the story, but it wasn’t exactly how I expected it to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Erin McKinnon es la prima de Adelia del libro anterior; se encuentra parada en el aeropuerto esperando la llegada a Irlanda de los Grant. Es una visita familiar y de negocios que lleva como invitado a Burke Logan, el vecino de los Grant.
Hay electricidad desde el primer momento que ambos se conocen, es bastante insta-love desde el inicio. Erin es una mujer ambiciosa y testaruda al igual que Burke y hace que choquen constantemente todo el tiempo.
Hay que tener es cuenta la época en que fue publicada la novela; hoy en día hay muchos elementos que son completamente inapropiados. Los dos personajes son tercos y testarudos hasta el cansancio, un poco difíciles de agradar. La falta de comunicación entre ellos es lo que hace que uno quiera golpearlos todo el tiempo.
En líneas generales me gustó un poquitito más que el anterior; tiene un elemento de suspenso que si bien predecible le agrega un condimento interesante a la historia. Habrá que seguir con el último de la trilogía y ver que pasa con este clan irlandes.