I thoroughly enjoyed reading both of these novels by Nora Roberts. Honestly, a series like The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians is not the type of series that I ever thought that I'd even attempt to read. More surprisingly, I'd never imagined -- not even in the slightest -- that The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians would be a series that I would enjoy and in which I'd become emotionally invested. But, I'm convinced that unexpected surprises still lurk around the most unlikely corners. The right time arrived for me to begin exploring Nora Roberts as an author; therefore, the right time arrived for me to learn about and want to explore the excitement of this unique, exotic, and exciting series of hers. And... May I say that I am glad that I embraced this surprise when it came along.
TAMING NATASHA: (4.5 stars) - I really enjoyed reading this novel by Nora Roberts. Because I thoroughly enjoyed reading both REFLECTIONS and DANCE OF DREAMS, I was looking forward to reading this first novel in The Stanislanski series. Like REFLECTIONS and DANCE of DREAMS, I was drawn in and charmed by the fact that both Dr. Spencer Kimball and Miss Natasha Stanislanski lived and worked in a small, close-knit town. I was pleased that Shepardstown, West Virginia, was just large enough to offer a university, but it was still small enough that friends and neighbors knew each other intimately. Strong, caring, and friendly ties existed among the citizens of Shephardstown, West Virginia, and I related to that "homey" feeling immediately. For, you see, Shephardstown, West Virginia, reminded me of the small community in which I have lived my entire life. As in the two previous, aforementioned novels, I also enjoyed meeting the entire cast of characters introduced throughout TAMING NATASHA. I admire the fact that Dr. Spencer Kimball was a college music professor and composer. I sincerely appreciated the way that Nora Roberts chose to convey the role that music played within this novel. Although music's role was more subtle and understated in TAMING NATASHA than it had been presented in either REFLECTIONS or DANCE OF DREAMS, its very presence still enhanced the plot line very sweetly. Also, I admire the beauty, intelligence, drive, and dedication that Natasha Stanislaski illustrated by moving to a new town alone and building a successful business. Such a lofty venture would require independence, strength, determination, and hard work; fortunately, Natasha embodied each trait masterfully. I am so glad that Nora Roberts skillfully created yet another strong female character. And... Then, of course, there is the adorable Freddie Kimball. I fell in love with this precious little girl from the very beginning of the novel because her personality and zest for life were so infectious. The plot of TAMING NATASHA surely would not have been the same without Freddie's sense of humor, love, optimism, and childish innocence. Although the chemistry, love, and attachment that exists -- and later blossoms -- between the Kimball family and the Stanislanski family was a joy to witness and unfold so patiently from beginning to end, I believe that a connection would have never been foraged at all if Freddie had not been an integral part of Spencer Kimball's life. This particular plot detail -- Spencer being a widower and a single parent -- is not one that I am familiar with in Nora Roberts' work. It has never been a factor in any of the novels that I have read up to this point; however, I found it to be a charming, fanciful, breath of fresh air in TAMING NATASHA, I really could not have asked for a better setting or a sweeter story. Honestly... The only ways that this novel could have exceeded the expectations that I had built up in my head were if Nora Roberts had done the following. First, I wish that she had enabled the plot line to move more fluidly sooner than it did. I felt like I was having a hard time becoming engaged with the characters and plot line for the first few chapters. Then, second, I wish that Nora Roberts would have incorporated the element of professional dancing into Natasha's life more than she chose to. I loved the role that classical music and professional dancing played throughout both REFLECTIONS and DANCE OF DREAMS, so I was disappointed by the fact that the latter art was barely broached in TAMING NATASHA.
LURING A LADY: (5 stars) - I really enjoyed reading this novel by Nora Roberts. Because I enjoyed reading TAMING NATASHA so much, I could not wait to continue reading this series. As much as I ended up enjoying and appreciating TAMING NATASHA, I must admit that I enjoyed reading this second novel included in The Stanislaskis series even more. LURING A LADY grabbed my attention from the very first word and held it captive until the very last. Unlike the beginning of TAMING NATASHA, LURING A LADY neither started slowly nor was difficult to become invested in. First, Miss Sydney Hayward was my favorite character introduced in this novel. I found myself intrigued by her from the beginning of the first chapter. I liked the way that she looked, I admired her breaking and overall demeanor, and I appreciated the drive and determination she possessed in terms of running a successful business. Miss Sydney Hayward was the epitome of a true lady, and she certainly deserved to be treated in that manner. Second, I was just thoroughly excited and thrilled to meet Mikhail Stanislaski in TAMING NATASHA, and he was the perfect man to complement Sydney in her journey to find her own independence, sense of belonging, and love that she had never had. Just in the same way that Mikhail's older sister, Natasha Stanislaski Kimball, this sensitive, giving, talented artist also revealed the fact that he also possesses a dramatic flare and a passionate temper behind those masculine, strong, dark looks. Speaking in terms of physical appearance alone, Mikhail Stanislaski was not the type of man that a prim, proper, sophisticated, and well-bred woman like Sydney Hayward should be initially attracted to, but the chemistry that existed between them was undeniable from their first meeting. They made a perfectly well-suited pair, and the differences in their individual background was not as big a stumbling block to their interaction as it could have been. In LURING A LADY, Nora Roberts vividly created a situation in which a strong, well-put-together lady had an opportunity to see exactly what she could become if she allowed herself to be lured into the arms of a handsome, rugged man. Someone who was not chosen for her. Also, I found the entire Stanislaski family to be just as warm, loving and accepting toward Mikhail and Sydney in LURING A LADY as they had been toward Natasha, Spencer, and Freddie in TAMING NATASHA. Love, respect, and closeness is the firm foundation on which this sweet family built their lives and relationships.