The Law Is a Lady

by Nora Roberts

Hollyhock: Ambition

Director Phillip Kincaid could have sworn Victoria Ashton was smiling when she tossed him in the slammer for speeding. But as sheriff of Friendly, New Mexico, Tory had a job to do—and falling for an out of towner was out of the question. If only she'd known how dangerous Phillip would be to her heart, she would have kept him behind bars for good!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Harlequin, Roman, Chick Lit

219 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 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

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Law Is a Lady" is the story of Victoria and Phillip.

Our hero is a famous film director, scouting for the ideal location to film his next movie. He arrives speeding in Friendly, New Mexico-finding the perfect place, but not before he is arrested, a jailed for a night by the town's temporary sheriff, our heroine- who is also a city lawyer. Attraction strikes immediately, and how they navigate their relationship forms the story.

A very enjoyable read! A strong and confident heroine, a smitten alpha hero, super hot lovemaking, no miscommunications and honest expression of feelings, minimal angst, some background issues that are resolved and a wonderful ending.

Heavily recommended!

Safe
4.25/5

[Lizabeth Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollywood director Philip Kincaid was searching for the perfect location for his latest movie, paying no attention to the speed limit in Friendly, New Mexico. When he was pulled over by Friendly's only deputy, Phil refuses to sign the ticket, finding himself under arrest. Furious, he still managed to acknowledge the surge of an entirely different emotion when he laid eyes on the temporary sheriff, Victoria Ashton.

A successful lawyer, Tory was home to cover her late father's job until it is time for an election. She has no time for an arrogant, self-important Hollywood big shot. Not even one who makes her feel funny inside.

An older book from 1984, formerly from the Silhouette Romance line, The Law is a Lady just helps prove why Roberts is one of the best romance writers in the business, a woman who regularly appears on the bestseller list. Romance, humor, and a taste for the small town way of life all make this a fast and wonderful read.

Roberts' characters are very three dimensional, with their own foibles and strengths, making them people you think you could know. Side stories include a young boy on the edge of manhood who may be abused, a deputy who gets involved with an actress in town for the filming, and a shaky relationship between Tory and her mother, the woman she blames for her father's ultimate death.

If you're looking for a fun couple of hours, pick this book up at your local used book store. You won't be sorry.

[Skirmantė Rugsėjis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Buvau pasilikusi šią knygelę tokiam vakarui, kai norisi kažko lengvo, ką būtų galima perskaityti vienu prisėdimu ir paskui neprisiminti. Panašiai ir nutiko. Kūrinys dar trumpesnis nei tikėjausi atsiversdama, o autorės gerbėja niekada nebuvau, nors praėjo ilgas laiko tarpas nuo tada, kai skaičiau jos senesnius kūrinius.
Visai smagu matyti, kad ir veikėja gali būti lyderė, tačiau, knyga tokia skubota, labai lėkšti pasikartojantys dialogai, kad visai nesudomino ir esu tikra, kad po kelių dienų nė neatsiminsiu apie ką čia skaičiau.
Keista, pagalvojus, kad autorė viena geriausiai žinomų ir vertinamų meilės romanų rašytojų pasaulyje. Niekaip nerandu už ko užkibti jos kūriniuose. Gal tiesiog ne mano skonio.

[sakura_txell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pesar de ser un Harlequín, lo que podría considerarse un punto en contra, lo he disfrutado muchísimo. Supongo que también afectó el hecho de que hacía días que no leía nada de romántica. El caso es que me he reído bastante, especialmente un par de escenas al principio y al final de la novela. La pega: que un Harlequín!!!!! Es una pena, porque el libro daría para unas 150 páginas más: hay tramas secundarias que se podrían haber desarrollado más ampliamente, la relación de los protagonistas podría haber tenido escenas más largas, con los secundarios te quedas con las ganas de saber más de ellos, conocer más sobre los entresijos de sus profesiones...
Es un libro sencillo, rápido y con pocas pretensiones de ser algo más.
Así que siendo lo que es, se queda en un 8, sobre todo por la sensación de satisfacción que me ha dejado al terminarlo, más que otra cosa...

Estáis avisados. :)

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philip Kincaid is exploring film locations and is passionate about the right venue as he is the film producer. He is pulled over for speeding in a small historic and hick type of town. After spending =the night in jail, he realizes the sheriff (Tory) is strong and law abiding to the letter. She will not give him an inch in her dealings with him. He proceeds to work on this town being the back drop for his next movie. He and Tory find themselves in a complicated relationship that generates sparks. The thing they have going for them is their easy with communication and understanding of their relationship. A good light right that moved very fast.

[Clau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esperaba algo mas de intriga... bueno, esperaba INTRIGA. Sin embargo, este libro trata unicamente sobre el romance de esos dos. De todas maneras, Nora Roberts formo bien a sus personajes,dandole vida a la novela. Lo recomiendo, aunque no se si lo leeria de nuevo, ya que resulta un tanto predecible.

[Carla Simoes · Rating 3 out of 5]

antes de mais nada quero agradecer à harlequin por me ter oferecido este livro, da Nora Roberts sabe sempre super bem um livrinho.
gostei da história e dos personagens l, não amei porque penso que faltou algum suspense e risco, no geral é um bom livro uma leitura rápida e agradável.

[Mónica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apesar de achar que não ia achar grande piada aeste livro, as personagens principais acabaram por me conquistar. Adorei a Tory. O Tod também era muito fofo.

No entanto acho que este livro não tem a qualidade a que a Nora Roberts já nos habituou.

[Tania Martins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance fofinho entre Tory e Kincaid, gostei da picardia entre os protagonistas e face à época em que foi escrito está bem conseguido...

[Nari · Rating 1 out of 5]

Die Charaktere werden so dargestellt als hätten sie eine tiefe aber gleichzeitig verhalten sie sich nicht getreu ihrem Charakter nach. Des Weiteren isr irgendwie alles einfallslos und das Ende war vorhersehbar und ziemlich überstürzt als wäre die Motivation ausgegangen. Nicht empfehlenswert...b

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phillip Kincaid speeds through small town Friendly, New Mexico scouting a location for his next movie. A speeding incident brings Phillip into contact with the town's sheriff, who is none other than our heroine Tory Ashton. Tory locks Phil in a cell for refusing to sign the speeding ticket. After some sassy banter and flirtatious moments, Phil is released and decides that Friendly is the perfect locale for his movie. I enjoyed seeing a woman in a place of authority in the mid-80s romance, and there are a lot of interesting side characters/relationships. To hear a full discussion of The Law is a Lady listen to Season 1, Ep. #8 "Nora Roberts 1984: The Law is a Lady, Rules of the Game, and Opposites Attract" of Romancing the Shelf, a Nora Roberts podcast: https://romancingtheshelf.libsyn.com/

[Julianne Koerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The law sure is a lady!

Just like all of Nora Roberts books this was a great read! It had a great difference with a small town beautiful lady sheriff, who really knows her law and isn't
't afraid to enforce it! Even on a rich Hollywood director who refuses to sign a ticket when he is caught speeding through her town. What ensues is a very entertaining story that will keep you on your toes throughout.

[Marybelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considering it was Nora Roberts who wrote this book, I was a little disappointed. The story is ok, and there are some very good scenes, but in general the characters were two-dimensional and predictable. It’s a pleasant read for a rainy afternoon, but not one of Robert’s best.

[GrandmaK3 · Rating 1 out of 5]

My least favorite of all Nora Robert's books. I was disappointed with this one. I normally love all her books. Maybe this character just wasn't my type. Who knows? lol Did not like it.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fantastic book by the very talented storyteller Nora Roberts. In this book we meet Phillip Kincaid a successful movie director who was searching small towns in New Mexico looking for the perfect location for his latest movie. When he ends up being pulled over for a speeding ticket and refusing to pay the fine he is lead to the station of Friendly New Mexico where he meets Sheriff Victoria “Tori” Ashton. Who is also an attorney in Albuquerque but after her father the Sheriff died she promised to be the sheriff for a six month period. They’re both intrigued and annoyed by each other from the very first meeting. When the rest of the filming cast and crew turn up in town and start shooting scenes. Tori and Phillip can’t fight their attraction for each other especially when they keep running into each other and a Phillip makes it clear he wants her. They begin a simple relationship with no complications, no strings no commitments just some fun while it lasts whilst they’re both in town before parting and going their own ways . But things get complicated when they both start falling in love with each other and wanting a more permanent relationship with marriage and children but neither are willing to admit it out loud and try to change their arrangement. This was a enjoyable and entertaining book to read and I’m a sucker for a happy ending and luckily this book has one. I loved the banter between Phillip and Tori they were hilarious to read. I definitely recommend reading this book.

[Eglė / Gal paskaitom? · Rating 2 out of 5]

Labai labai saldžios romantikos dozė. ��

Į mažą miestelį atvyksta garsus režisierius Filipas Kinkeidas. Pačią pirmą atvykimo dieną už greičio viršijimą jis atsiduria areštinėje. Besėdėdamas už grotų jis negali atsižavėti miestelio šerife – Viktorija. Nors ji yra užsispyrusi ir nepriklausoma moteris, Filipas sugeba greitai apsukti jai galvą ir jiems tenka keisti savo ateities planus.

Ėmiau šią knygą daug nepasidomėjusi, tiesiog norėjosi romantiškos istorijos ir ši patraukė akį. Įprastai taip knygų nesirenku, tačiau pasitaiko silpnumo akimirkų... 😄 Romantišką istoriją tikrai gavau, tačiau kokia ji buvo vaikiška ir nuspėjama. 🙈 Nors veikėjai suaugę, visa knyga persmelkta paaugliškų simpatijų ir spyriojimųsi. Nuo vieno žvilgsnio jiems linksta kojos ir jie iškart pajaučia begalinę meilę, tačiau tai stengiasi slėpti ir išlikti šalti. Bandyta šiek tiek užčiuopti smurto šeimoje ir ankstyvos tėvo netekties temas, tačiau labai paviršutiniškai. Žodžiu, tai labai lengva, trumpa meilės istorija, be jokių papildomų rimtesnių siužeto linijų ar gilesnių apmąstymų. 😉

Rekomenduoju šią knygą, norintiems trumpos, neįpareigojančios meilės istorijos. Knygutė labai mažytė – labai tinkama įsimesti atostogoms. Nerekomenduoju ieškantiems kažko rimtesnio, sukrečiančio ar įsimenančio ilgesniam laikui. 😊

1,5 🌟 | 2020 – 30 📚

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tory is the sheriff and Kincaid finds out that Tory is a woman when he gets pulled over for speeding and refuses to sign the ticket and pay the fine. Kincaid is thrown in jail for over night and discovers the town he is captured in would be perfect setting for the next film he is signed up to produce.

The book does not flow well and seems to be forced, not a normal Nora Roberts book. The strong female role is nice but underlying issues takes away from the strength. Phil Kincaid is not typical Hollywood type, but wants to control Tory. They feel a spark and discover they might have something else in common.

Penguin
A sexy small-town sheriff is the last thing a film director expects to find on his latest set in this novel of blockbuster attraction from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts.

Film director Phillip Kincaid sees the unfriendly side of Friendly, New Mexico, when he’s busted for speeding. But the gritty town proves the perfect place to shoot his latest film. And though sheriff Victoria “Tory” Ashton had no trouble putting Kincaid behind bars, she’s finding it hard to resist his attempts to put her on camera—and in his bed.

Phil’s a man who’s used to getting what he wants—and he’s about to make Tory’s summer longer and hotter than ever…

[Jkuat Bookclub · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel unfolds the mystery of love and how it wins at the end..
In a small town in New Mexico, Philip Kincaid a Hollywood director is pulled over by the deputy sherrif Merle T for over speeding but ends up refusing to comply and this ends him in prison where he meets a beautiful female, Victoria Aston alias Tory whom she falls in love with.Tory acts as the sherrif after the death of her father for a period of six months till the next election is done and a new sherrif is elected. Phil decides that the small town,Friendly is the best location for his movie filming and after getting in touch with the mayor, Bud, he's allowed to film in the town .This however doesn't seem to align well with Tory but she has no option but to give in after giving some regulations to Phil and his crew..Both agree to have a no strings attached relationship but when time comes for Phil to leave for California he discovers that he has feelings for Tory and he goes back to her to confess this.. Tory in turn also confesses to having the same emotions for Phil and they both set out on their next journey together..

[Mariachiara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Libro carino, si sente che è datato, e che l'autrice ha dovuto contenersi in poche pagine, ma se avesse avuto più spazio ne sarebbe un uscito un bel libro. L'argomento, un regista che per girare un film da oscar finisce in un paesino sperduto della provincia americana e finisce per innamorarsi dello sceriffo, una donna affascinante che in realtà è un avvocato che ha assunto quel ruolo solo temporaneamente dopo la morte del padre, è veramente ma veramente buono e interessante. Peccato Nora all'epoca abbia dovuto accorciare il tutto per stare nelle pagine richieste dall'editore e abbia dovuto ridurre a un romance come molti altri, quello che poteva essere un gran bel romanzo. L'impronta c'è e si sente, manca approfondimento ma solo per mancanza di pagine.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book in the 48 book series "Language of Love", which is basically most all of the early Silhouette books by Nora Roberts. I'm doing a re-read of all of Nora's books, so some of these I've read before, but I had not read this one. This is the kind of book she does best, a nice cozy romance set in a small town. Phil Kincaid is a Hollywood director scouting for a location to shoot his latest movie, when he is arrested after speeding through the little town of Friendly. After spending time in jail for a day or two, he decides that Friendly would be perfect for his needs, which just might include getting to know temporary Sheriff Tory a little better. A nice cozy, quick read.

[Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you deal with falling in love with the person who puts you in jail? That's the big question for a famous movie director who happens to drive too fast in a small forgotten town in the middle of nowhere, which has a temporary female sheriff who happens to be an attorney in regular life. When he refuses to sign the ticket the deputy writes him and doesn't want to pay the fine, he goes behind bars. Easy to solve, right? Sign, pay the fine, done. But he's fallen for the sheriff, it was love at first sight, and he gets more and more impressed with her over time. She resists, she wants nothing to do with him. So, then what?

This is Nora Roberts at her best. Only she can turn up the heat through the bars of the local jail.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phillip Kincaid, movie director is looking for the perfect location for this next movie and he finds it in Friendly New Mexico. But, he didn't bargain for spending a night in jail or being captivated by the small town sheriff Tory Ashton. Tory is a lawyer who is spending six months filling in as sheriff after the death of her father and she's really enjoying having the famous Kincaid in her jail cell.

When Phil decides to bring his film crew to town and hopes to get Tory into bed, their relationship explodes while the film is being made but both understand that it can't go any further once the movie is complete. Although, love seems to always find a way.

[Julie Macarle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like just about all Nora Roberts books. This one I could not make it past chapter 3. Since I only read 2 chapters, I don't think my spoilers will be too bad. I found it unbelievable that a rich Hollywood person wouldn't just pay a $40 fine and be done with it. But then when she gets the "prisoner" dinner and sits in the cell with him when he eats and he FEEDS HER bites of his apple pie, I was done. She's the sheriff letting a prisoner feed her apple pie off his fork. I know most of these books are far fetched, but it all seemed too soon for that and the shared kiss after, needed a little more time to establish a connection. This one felt too juvenile for me.

[A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read as part of the Every Nora Roberts Book in Publishing Order book club. Notes pasted below exactly as written while reading.


THE LAW IS A LADY
- His name is Merle and he’s 24? Even in the 80s that’s an old man name.
- Is the female lead the sheriff
- Yep she is
- YEAH GIRL cock that gun at him
- Random kiss scene, but at least this one isn’t like… gross
- Honestly I don’t hate this so far, but I am tired of Kincaid.
- Okay so… he didn’t get all butt hurt when she said no, but he was like… “you know this is going to happen” and she was like “yeah but not tonight” and he respected it.
- Well. Not terrible, I guess. Two stars.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I really liked the book or if I just liked the lead characters. Tory and Phillip are both likeable, to me at least: headstrong, loyal, caring, and funny. Somehow though the pace of the story was maybe too fast and the portrayal of the characters was a little bit flat. There were a couple of side-stories that gave it a little bit of depth as a whole.

I've read other stories by Nora Roberts that have appealed to me more. Especially the supernatural stories. I guess that might be because in those stories there's more going on than just romance, there's a darkness to them that I like.

All in all, it's an okay book to pass some time with, but I wouldn't read it again.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars ⭐️ The Law is a Lady is a standalone romantic drama between Victoria and Phillip. Victoria is a small town sheriff and a lawyer. She locks Phillip up because he refused to pay a speeding fine. Phillip is a famous Hollywood director who is looking for a place to shoot his new movie. Sparks fly. They banter. They realize they can’t live without each other. The beginning was rough but I liked the rest of it.

[Pam Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun & Endearing

Entertaining read. But what ever became of the Home movie with the Palomino? Which is stronger: male chivalry ( me Tarzan ,you Jane... Phil’s fall back style) or the female role of taking care of the most vulnerable and using compassion(Tory’s desire to nurture Merle, stop the cycle of abuse in Tod’s family and resolve issues with without conflict?)

[Irina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this in the same book as the 3rd part of Stars of Mithra made it even more clear just how far the world moved since 1984 and so did Nora Roberts. Nevertheless, The Law Is a Lady is a classic old-fashion romance full with cliches and happilyeverafter-ness, lightly written and a nice way to spend your time when you have a few hours to kill.

[The Sleeping Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted more from the ending. I really did. I need an epilogue. I need more of Tory's relationship with her mum. I wanted to see Tory on film.

But this was lovely, though I admit I wasn't such a big fan of Phil's assertiveness at first. He was really sweet as the book went on. The descriptions and town setting were evocative and fantastic.

4 stars deservedly.

[anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was an okay book. nothing special. i would’ve liked to see their relationship in the city.

i didn’t like how quickly phil dismissed tory as a sheriff. mmc was such a diva.

when mmc was arrested for not refusing to cooperate but it was everyone else’s fault but his.

“He hadn’t paid her back for that yet, and he was determined to.”