I'm not usually drawn to contemporary romance, but I saw this on audio at the library and it looked like an interesting feel-good book. Plus, it's set in Ireland and the story involves ghosts and a dash of fairy magic, so I didn't really feel like I was reading about the plain ol' everyday world (I prefer more exotic places and times, thankyouverymuch). So, this is the story of a very buttoned-up sort of woman who thinks she's going crazy when she suddenly quits her job and takes off on a six-month getaway to her deceased great-grandmother's cottage in Ireland. Jude, formerly a psychology professor, is initially uncomfortable in her the tiny seaside village of Ardmore. She is socially awkward and doesn't know anyone, but she starts making friends right away--everyone she meets is friendly and familiar from the start (and some are even distant cousins). Ardmore is a place with a strong sense of community, where everyone knows everyone and where neighbors feel comfortable in each others' homes. I really don't know if this is true of Irish villages or not. I've heard such things, but I've never visited myself so I can't say. Anyway, the major hub of community life in Ardmore is Gallagher's Pub, the place everyone goes to hear good music, have a good time, and sometimes wind up having a good fight too. The owner of this family-run pub is Aidan Gallagher, a man who has returned home to take up this responsibility after years of travelling. He is instantly intrigued by Jude and starts trying his best to draw her into conversation and flirtation. His efforts to engage Jude are assisted by his sister, Darcy, and a neighbor, Brenna, who seem like lots of fun as they befriend the newcomer. Slowly, slowly, Jude starts to loosen up her self-imposed constraints and learn how to live with a little more vivaciousness and relaxation. But she has difficulty trusting herself and others, and always seems ready to balk or bolt at a moment's notice. Her growth process is challenging. As Jude gets to know people and the area better, she studies local music and folklore. Her story is entwined with a particular legend involving fairies, ghosts, and a lovers' curse. After a reasonable amount of disbelief and denial, she finally accepts that she's getting messages from beyond the normal world. Will these messages get through to Jude and Aidan? Of course they will!! I was never in too much doubt about the outcome, but the predictability of a happy ending is one of the big reasons people sometimes like to read a romantic story. The magical elements add an extra bit of sweeping romance to the story, and make the charming village setting seem even more wonderful. You can just picture a green field, good friends, a rainbow, a little fairy magic... This book would make almost anyone want to go to Ireland. Like I said, it was predictable and at times a little repetitive, which kinda made me roll my eyes. But still, it was a pleasant, enjoyable book, and the challenges Jude faces in rebuilding her life were realistic and relatable. I might listen to the other two books in this trilogy (about Jude's new friends) if I'm in the right mood in the future.
Sometimes, you just need to read a book that you know will end well. No one will die, the girl will get the boy, and they'll all live happily ever after. The thing I enjoy about Nora Roberts' "Jewels of the Sun" is that all of those things will happen, but there's also fairies. And a mystery. And the Irish countryside, which is practically its own character, full of beauty and history. Jude Murray, a recently-divorced, tightly-wound, history professor, travels to Ireland in an attempt to make some sense of her life. There are many things Jude wants to do-- write a book, relax, laugh--but she has a hard time letting go and allowing any of those things to happen. Enter Aidan Gallagher- pub owner and all-around Handsome Irish Lad. Because this is a romance novel, Aidan is the answer to nearly all of Jude's problems. He's strong, handsome, interesting, and most of all, encouraging and full of faith in Jude's dreams. They fall into bed, and then, as people do in romance novels, in love. Of course, one of the other things I enjoy about Roberts' novels is that they are also (relatively) true to life. They argue and bicker, they have miscommunications and misunderstandings that, when resolved, help bring them closer together. However, Roberts also allows Jude to develop on her own, which is refreshing. Aidan doesn't solve her problems as much as give her the framework and support to resolve them on her own.Roberts also provides an excellent cast of supporting characters. Aidan's brother, Shawn, and sister, Darcy, are fabulously entertaining, as well as the people who pack into Gallagher's pub every evening. Even minor characters have depth and believability, which is something not even writers of more serious novels manage. In particular, the friendship that develops between Jude, Darcy, and Brenna is enviable, and made me wish for more girlfriends.I promised there would be fairies, and the story of Prince Carrick and his human love, Gwen, is the theme that ties all three novels of the "Gallagher Trilogy" together. Centuries ago, a fairy prince fell in love with a human woman. He offered her jewels rather than speak of the love in his heart, and so she refused him, three times. Being refused, the prince laid a curse on them both; that they wouldn't reset until love met love and accepted, three times. Jude and Aidan are the first step in breaking Carrick's curse (no mention of why, in the centuries following Carrick's actions, no other couple has met whatever criteria there may be).Like a palate cleanser between courses, "Jewels of the Sun" will leave you happy & refreshed, but ready for something a little heavier.
What do You think about Jewels Of The Sun (1999)?
I read this trilogy for the first a few years ago and fell in love with all the characters and their stories. Nora Roberts has a magical touch that draws the reader in and makes them feel involved with the lives of the characters in her stories. I waited to read these after they were all out and read them one right after the other. When I was done with the third book I was slightly saddened to know I would not be involved with the lives of Jude and Aiden, Brenna and Sean, and Darcy and Trevor. They became like friends and I could wait to see what they were up to next. The idea of using a folklore story about the Faerie Prince "Carrick" and his unfortunate attempts at winning the heart and hand of the human he fell for "Lady Gwen" was great. Carrick's mistakes build the foundations for the three stories and makes it a very beautiful tale. It is pretty much a given who the major players will be, but the way they go about falling in love with each other, the mistakes they make even with the ghosts and faeries meddling to keep them on track makes these stories very refreshing. I loved being able to loose myself in the books not having to think and just enjoy the tales and heartfelt romance. They are a nice change from typical romance story! I hope one day Nora brings these couples back for some new stories. I just recently re-read these stories and fell in love all over again!
—Marcie pollack
The first book in Nora Roberts' Gallaghers of Ardmore/Irish Trilogy. Jude Murray has come to Ardmore in Ireland to write a thesis on myths and legends and how they relate to psychology. While there she meets the handsome Aidan Gallagher, local pub owner and hottie.This had a slightly dated feel to it and ran at a rather slow pace for me. It also didn't feel completely finished. Like there needed to be an epilogue or something. But it is a series so I guess the future books will address the issues I felt were not complete. But it wasn't bad and I did like the characters and the banter. Enough that I am curious about the siblings and their stories.
—Pamela(AllHoney)
Well I read this trilogy awhile ago and decided to reread it this summer for fun. If you like Nora Roberts you'll most likely like this book as well. Now for me it isn't my favorite of her books due to the fact that she brings in some fantasy in the form of a fairy prince and a ghost. I understand its fiction so on some level I'm okay with that however I prefer a more realistic story. But even with that said the rest of the story is solid and the characters likeable. The part about the fairy prince and the ghost doesn't overwhelm the book. So all in all I would say read this book if you like her other books and you want a light fun read.
—Brooke
