Tribute
by Nora Roberts
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Book Summary Information
Author: Nora RobertsEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-07-08
ISBN: 0399154914
Number of pages: 464
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Book Reviews of Tribute
Book Review: Vintage Nora
Summary: 4 Stars
If there'd been an epilogue at the end of the book, I would have given Tribute 4.5 stars probably. Otherwise it was a solid 4-stars. I didn't absolutely and utterly LOVE the book, but I enjoyed it quite a bit (and was rather annoyed that everything seemed to be going wrong this week, keeping me from finishing the book).
Though the book is a romantic suspense, it doesn't have a high-intensity, frenetic feel that you get in other romantic suspense books (such as those by Karen Rose, Beverly Barton, etc). The suspense is more subtle, less intense because the story is character and romance driven. It's about the people, the past, the relationships. About Cilla trying to make peace with who she is, and who she isn't, and about her trying to find her place in the world after life as a child-star. And it's about the sweet and tender romance that gradually grows between her and Ford. The suspense angle is still there and prominent, but its not exactly the driving force behind the story.
Having said that, one of my favorite parts of this book was the fact that Roberts kept me guessing throughout nearly the entire story as to who the antagonist was. The book was 451 pages and it wasn't until about page 434 that I narrowed it down to 2 people, who shared the same reason for hating Cilla. And it wasn't until page 438 that it became obvious. There were so many possibilities as to who wanted to harm Cilla and Roberts did an excellent job throwing suspicion around. I would lean toward one character then a few pages later change my mind and think it was someone else. Even the reason for why someone was attacking Cilla was left for supposition. If it was that character trying to harm her, then it was for that reason, but if it was the other character, it was for another reason. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. It kept me on my toes and reading carefully to pick up on nuances that might clue me in sooner. And it wasn't until nearly the end that I could finally say "Aha!" It did end up being my number 1 suspect, but until a certain event, I could never say for sure. I love it when books have a well-crafted hidden antagonist. It makes the mind work.
My second favorite part of the book was the character of Ford. He would probably be considered the quintessential Beta Male. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Alpha, but I do love the "good guy" heroes as well. Especially ones with a side of Geek thrown in. And that's what Ford was. A down-to-earth, kind-hearted, geek-ish nice guy. I think Cilla said it best when she called him stable. It's the perfect description for him. That didn't make him a push-over, though. He still had his Alpha Male moments. I just really enjoyed reading about him.
The romance was enjoyable to read. It wasn't a flaming hot romance, though there were moments of heat, it was more sweet and tender than anything. I always like reading romances that have a more natural progression versus the angsty "I don't want to love you" types that are so prevalent in romance novels. When Ford told Cilla he loved her for the first time, I actually sighed. I was really rooting for them to get their happy ending.
Other parts of the book that I liked: some of the witty one-liners, the realistic dialogue, the dream sequences with Cilla and Janet, all the details Roberts put into the restoration of the house...and probably lots of other things. Oh! And the dog, Spock! He absolutely rocked!
What didn't I like? Honestly, nothing comes to mind. There weren't any parts of the book that bugged me. I do wish there had been an epilogue but at least there was a final scene separated from the big finale. It just would have been nice to have an epilogue to show how things settled. But so many romance writers are skipping epilogues these days, so I wasn't surprised that there wasn't one.
I've read some comments that this book is too similar to River's End but I didn't particularly see it. Sure, there is a similarity in the fact that they both deal with a Hollywood icon who died under tragic circumstances, and why it happened. But aside from that, they are very different stories. At least to me. I wouldn't have even thought of the comparison if someone else hadn't mentioned it.
Final thoughts...yet another good book from Roberts. I liked it almost as much as Blue Smoke and more than Angels Fall and High Noon. It's a story I'll want to reread again some day.
Summary of Tribute
Virginia?s Shenandoah Valley is a long way from Hollywood. And that?s exactly how Cilla McGowan wants it. Cilla, a former child star who has found more satisfying work as a restorer of old houses, has come to her grandmother?s farmhouse, tools at her side, to rescue it from ruin. Sadly, no one was able to save her grandmother, the legendary Janet Hardy. An actress with a tumultuous life, Janet entertained glamorous guests and engaged in decadent affairs?but died of an overdose in this very house more than thirty years earlier. To this day, Janet haunts Cilla?s dreams. And during waking hours, Cilla is haunted by her melodramatic, five-times-married mother, who carried on in the public spotlight and never gave her a chance at a normal childhood. By coming east, rolling up her sleeves, and rehabbing this wreck of a house, Cilla intends to find some kind of normalcy for herself.Plunging into the project with gusto, she?s almost too busy to notice her neighbor, graphic novelist Ford Sawyer?but his lanky form, green eyes, and easy, unflappable humor (not to mention his delightfully ugly dog, Spock) are hard to ignore. Determined not to perpetuate the family tradition of ill-fated romances, Cilla steels herself against Ford?s quirky charm, but she can?t help indulging in a little fantasy.
But love and a peaceful life may not be in the cards for Cilla. In the attic, she has found a cache of unsigned letters suggesting that Janet Hardy was pregnant when she died?and that the father was a local married man. Cilla can?t help but wonder what really happened all those years ago. The mystery only deepens with a series of intimidating acts and a frightening, violent assault. And if Cilla and Ford are unable to sort out who is targeting her and why, she may?like her world-famous grandmother? be cut down in the prime of her life.
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