Nora Roberts Groupies discussion

The MacGregors return in All the Possibilities, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts’ story of a man and woman divided by familial history but driven towards one another by passions that refuse to be denied.

Shelby Campbell caught Senator Alan MacGregor’s eye. Among the ambitious influencers stalking Washington D.C.’s hallowed halls, she stood apart from the petty politicians demanding his time. She had her own agenda that the Senator couldn’t fulfill, but awakened a desire in him unconnected to national diplomacy. However, Shelby and Alan are connected by an enmity shared between their families for generations. Unwilling to let the past decide their future, Alan commits himself to proving his love for Shelby—and healing both their hearts.

Settings
Washington, DC
Hyannis Port, Massachusetts
Maine

12 Chapters

Character List
(view spoiler)[
Shelby Campbell: Potter with a shop in Georgetown called Calliope. She’s 26-years old and has curly red hair and gray eyes.
Alan MacGregor: Eldest of the MacGregor siblings. He’s a US senator. He’s 35-years old with dark hair and dark brown eyes.
Caine MacGregor: Youngest of the MacGregor sons. He’s a former state’s attorney, recently returning to private practice. He’s married to Diana. He has blond hair and violet eyes.
Diana Blade: Justin’s younger sister, a lawyer married to and working with Caine. She formerly worked for Barclay, Stevens & Fitz. She has black hair and brown eyes.
Serena (Rena) MacGregor Blade: Married to Justin and now pregnant. Graduate of Smith with degrees in English, history and sociology. She took a year to work on the cruise ship Celebration as a blackjack dealer. She now manages the casino in Atlantic City, the Comanche, and owns half of it. She’s 26-years old and has blond hair and violet blue eyes.
Justin Blade: Married to Serena. He owns a hotel-casino, Comanche, in Las Vegas. He owns four others through the country and Europe. He has black hair and green eyes.
Daniel MacGregor: Serena’s father, a financial wizard. He’s married to Anna. They’re the parents of three children.
Anna Whitefield MacGregory: Serena’s mother, married to Daniel. She’s a thoracic surgeon.
Deborah Campbell: Shelby’s mother.
Grant Campbell: Shelby’s brother who lives in Maine.
Robert Campbell: Former US senator. He was shot and killed 15 years ago.
Lily: MacGregor housekeeper.
McGee: Alan’s manservant.
Nero: Serena’s assistant at the Atlantic City Comanche.
Lucy Robinson: Caine’s secretary.
Adelaide Grandeau: Diana’s aunt.
Carol Write: Deborah’s friend, married to Charlie.
Charlie Write: US congressman, married to Carol.
Kyle: Shelby’s shop assistant.
Herbert Ditmeyer: Supreme Court justice. Married to Myra.
Myra Ditmeyer: Married to Herbert.
Anton Dilleneau: French ambassador dating Deborah.
Maureen Francis: Interior designer.
Moshe Dayan: Shelby’s one-eyed tomcat.
Auntie Em: Shelby’s parrot.
(hide spoiler)]

I finished this! Enjoyed it so much more than the first two. Really liked Shelby.

I also enjoyed this one more than the first two books. As I read I found some things that I found similar to the In Death books.

MacGregor house seems similar to Roarke's house ( house itself. not the furnishings)in particular the pool with the plants and mosaic tiles.

Shelby doesn't believe she'll fit into Alan's world, like Eve with Roarke.

McGee & Alan reminded me of Summerset & Roarke. The comfortable relationship each pair had and each older man had taken care of the younger man since childhood.

The scene where Alan couldn't find Shelby reminded me very much of the scene in Innocent in Death when Eve didn't come home. Alan and Roarke had similar thoughts.

A couple of silly similarities-

Alan and Shelby had a discussion about water temp as Roarke and Eve have had many times. As with Eve, water that's comfortable for Alan is too cold for Shelby.

After sexy time in the pool, shelby omments she's too tired to even tread water and Alan says they'll use the buddy system to make their way out of the pool. Eve and Roarke have had similar conversations after "pool time for 2".

Maggie, interesting observations! Perhaps this book was the genesis for the In Death series.

I am so behind. Lots of library Holds have come in at the same time.

Been there, Anita.

Just catching up now. I enjoyed this book. I am really loving the McGregor clan.

Leane, I’m really liking this family. It would be nice to know more about Anna. She’s a quiet force but to date we haven’t heard much from her.

I loved this one! There were many similarities between this couple and Eve and Roarke. The one I thought of most in addition to the ones Maggie listed, was that Shelby felt she wouldn't be able to do what Alan would need as his wife; being a hostess, mingling with other wives, etc.

I really want to know more about Anna also, Jonetta. I hope we get her's and Daniel's story soon.

It’s been so long since I read early Eve and Roarke I missed all of these similarities. The difference for me is that Shelby could do all those things but didn’t want to fit into the mold. Eve was clueless and didn’t want to fit that mold.

I think if you look at most of Roberts heroines, they all tend to be unconventional and not fit a mold, with some exceptions.

She also tends to create male characters we tend to really like and who are the pursuers in the relationships. That certainly is the case with Alan who I really, really liked! He’s thoughtful, considerate and respectful of Shelby’s feelings.

I really liked Alan too. He didn't give up but pursued her in a realistic way. And I loved how she stood up to Daniel.