In Roberts’ second book of the Born In series we are back in Ireland at the home of the younger Concannon sister Brianna, who is happily enjoying the winter and peace and quiet of isolation in her B&B on the west coast of Ireland. Brianna enjoyed people but also her quiet time before her winter guest would be arriving – a renowned mystery writer, Grayson Thane, from America. A nomad by nature, Grayson seeks the isolation to write alone, but from the very first, a fire is ignited as he gets to know his beautiful inn keeper. *** Lord, but I am just loving this series and these irrepressible Concannon sisters, their significant others, neighbors, workers, and even one very self-absorbed momma! Roberts’ characterizations of all her people are just so real - non-perfect people in a non-perfect but very real world. Although, to my mind of thinking Brianna is probably one of the more perfect people who is portrayed as really quite happy with her life, B&B, and meeting all her tenants at the B&B. Brie is truly a happy person with her life the way it is, but of course, like most humans she does have dreams. Those dreams of making a truly loving home – one that was filled with happiness, lots of children and above all laughter. However, that would need a husband to affect that dream. Enter Grayson Thane, Brianna’s newest boarder who had booked and paid the first month of his stay planning to stay through the winter. After the first few days of Brianna’s cooking - Grayson felt he’d died and went to heaven. A very wealthy and famous author, he’d never settled down and wandered the earth keeping only an apartment in NYC close to his publisher. Partly because he’d never had roots or any kind of stable childhood, Gray had never been close to anyone or let himself grow close - too many memories of abandonment. With a remarkably deft hand Roberts lets the reader enjoy the romance between Brie and Gray as they both quietly discover in their own hearts the way each others hearts were bruised and needed healing. It was such a pleasure to experience the care and thoughtfulness of two genuinely wonderful people learning to love and trust. And the bigger bonus was seeing the ‘thoughtless momma’ bend just a wee little bit and smile - I think it happened at least once in this book.Bottom Line: Another remarkable listen to a lovely Irish lilting performance by Fiacre Douglas, who is fast becoming one of my favorite narrators of Irish themed stories. Add to that the excellence of Nora Roberts’ brilliant story telling and bang - you are in for one very big treat! Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
When you have a......a writer......and Ireland...then you'll definitely have a romance!You can see the following review also here: http://loveandlivetoread.wordpress.co...I LOVED IT! Every single page of this book was great! The author describes both the scenery and the characters with beautiful details and the reader feels comfortable with them. Of course, I am a huge fan of everything Irish but it’s not the only reason that I liked this book. The main reason is the fact that the characters seems the real deal. They made bad and good decisions, they have regrets and they’re not afraid of admitting what they want at the end.This is the story of Brianna. I have to admit that she seemed kind of boring in the first book but I am glad that she wasn’t boring at all in this one. Yeah, the truth is that she’s a shy one and very quiet but she’s not boring.Brianna lived all her life with her mother (or The Snake as I want to address her) but not that she lives alone and managing her B&B she’s very happy. Or at least, she pretends she is because the truth is that she’s very lonely. She craves to be loved and love in return. She wants to have a big family because she’s the kind of woman who loves to take care of other people. She is shy and she doesn’t want to be a bother for anyone. Sometimes she acts like she doesn’t matter much but the truth is that everyone loves her because of her kind nature.Grayson Thane is an author who lived like a gypsy, without having a permanent home. He went to Brianna’s B&B because he needed to write his new book in this location. He’s the kind of man who didn’t want any ties with anyone and, of course, love wasn’t in his plans. But there, in this small Ireland town, he found both love and a home. I liked him a lot because he was funny and kind. I realized that he wasn’t a loner by nature, but because he was afraid. I loved this book not only because it had a great plot and an amazing couple, but because we can learn secrets from the past that can change the life of the sisters. I won’t say anything because I don’t want to write any spoilers but I guarantee that all the fans of this genre will love it!
What do You think about Born In Ice (1995)?
As I read this series, I skipped this book and went from the first book to the second. Brianna struck me as too homey, too perfect for a family life. A man wouldn't give a second thought to marrying her. Once I finished Born in Shame, and started this one, I saw how wrong I was. Brianna is the most flawed of all three of the Concannon sisters. Yet, at the same time, she's the most perfect. She seems to perfect on the outside. She's kind, caring, considerate, and loving; truly Saint Brianna. Yet, inside, she's sad, scarred, and of low confidence. Then there's Grayson Thane, the impeccably flawed author. Nora Roberts wrote of his books with such high praise that I can't help but want to read one of them myself. It's such a shame that his handsome face and his books don't exist in real life. Grayson Thane seems to be two people, the carefree, tempermental outside, and the love searching soul inside. His story is so sad, and his ending so beautiful.I have to say, this was the best ending to a romance that I've ever read. it was so very perfect. Obviously Brie and Grayson end up together, but Nora Roberts fools you for a moment. ;)
—Síafra
AudiobookNarration - Fiacre Douglas - Really GoodLove this series. Sister #1 (Maggie) Born in Fire was born of a fire filled passion that ended up with a marriage of duty and not of loveSister #2 (Brianna) was conceived of the duty to the church to procreate and then Mave never let her husband touch her again. (she's such a b**ch!)Brianna is the prim and proper sister and hard working owner of a B&B where the sexy Grayson Thane comes to write his next great novel. There's insta-love again, but practical Bri knows he's only here for a short time and she's not going to risk her heart again, that is until the truth comes out about what that shrew of a mother did to her some 10 years ago! Don't know exactly why, or if it's just my mood, but just loving this series, and loving that we get to continue to follow Maggie and Rogan in this story as well.
—One-Click
I thought the first in this trilogy was great, but the story of Brianna and Gray was so much better!!! It was so emotional. I had to grab out the tissues. I loved reading about Maggie and I thought that she was stubborn, but oh my Brianna is just as if not more stubborn that her sister. Growing up caring for her mother and being at her every beck and call didn't give Brianna any time for herself. With her mother finally out of her home, Brie is able to start her B and B business. Having her sister there from time to time with her new baby and husband Rogan it has Brie thinking about all the dreams she had before Rory left her. Enter Gray, the mysterious Yank writer. He's so closed off and used to being alone with no one to care for. Living in Brie's B and B to finish his newest book and fighting his own inner battles with his past. This book was wonderful. I loved every damn minute of it!!!
—Sara Frahman
