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Romance Book ReviewsPage One of TwoBirthright by Nora RobertsPutnam, March, 2003Hardcover, 465 pages ISBN: 0399149848 Subgenre: Contemporary Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Archeologist Callie Dunbrook is thrilled to be called in on
an important find of 5,000 year old bones buried at
a Maryland development site. But Callie is in for a number
of shocks when she reaches the dig. First, the head anthropologist
is her handsome, yet annoying, ex-husband, Jake Graystone. Second,
some of the local residents don't care about some old bones, and want the
planned development to proceed. And third, the site itself seems cursed with
bad luck. A televised interview about the
plagued project brings another shocking occurrence. Suzanne
Cullen, a wealthy businesswoman, shows up on her doorstep claiming
that Callie is Suzanne's long-lost daughter, who was kidnapped
when she was just a baby. At first, Callie is resistant to Suzanne's
story, but eventually begins to dig into her own past. But the more
she investigates, the clearer it becomes that someone doesn't want
the past dredged up -- and is willing to kill to keep it quiet.
Birthright is an exciting and suspenseful tale which addresses the themes of love, loss and the power that the past can have in our lives. Ms. Roberts provides a powerful main storyline, which is greatly enhanced by a romantic subplot involving Callie's attorney who is dating her long-lost brother. Nora Roberts is one of the most reliable authors around; you can always count on one of her books to be entertaining, with emotional resonance that will stay with you after you finish reading. Portrait in Death by J. D. RobbBerkley, February, 2003Paperback, 368 pages ISBN: 0425189031 Subgenre: Futuristic Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Homicide cop Eve Dallas is back for another
adventure in 2059 Manhattan in this tautly plotted thriller.
A serial killer is on the loose, targeting young girls
who he photographs after their deaths. He then sends
the photos to the press and the police, challenging them to
stop him. He's ruthless and very twisted, and the
crimes keep getting worse. Eve and her partner,
the beautiful Peabody, dive into the college and
club scenes to find the killer. Meanwhile,
Eve's billionaire husband Roarke, is doing some
investigating of his own. He grew up believing
that his mother was a heartless woman who deserted
him, but it seems that he was totally wrong. His investigation
stirs up a lot of emotion, and Eve and Roarke are
in for some rocky times in their marriage.
2059 New York, as imagined by Nora Roberts writing as J. D. Robb, is full of luxuries beyond imagining and the depths of depravity. Eve Dallas is a vivid character: tormented by the abuse she suffered as a child, determined to make good, and totally bemused when she's asked to dress up and play socialite at one of Roarke's functions. Robb knows how to write high-octane action scenes, and her characterizations are pitch perfect. This is an outstanding series that will appeal to both crime readers and romance lovers. Romance Reviews Page One | Page Two Return to Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of romance novels reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |