Tribute
by Nora Roberts
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Book Reviews of Tribute
Book Review: Yet another great Nora Roberts
Summary: 5 Stars
Leave Hollywood for Virginia? That is exactly what Cilla McGowan does. As a well-known child star in a family television series whose acting career has not included other choice roles, Cilla describes her own childhood "as playing another child's life." Acting is her family heritage --- a legacy inherited from her grandmother and mother. So just what is success these days anyway?
For the last five years, Cilla has been "flipping houses" for a living. She buys from her mother what is known as "Little Farm" in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Her grandmother, a legendary actress named Janet Hardy, had owned the house and acreage. Janet's larger-than-life presence in her own lifestyle included parties with the glamorous and famous at her farm, and more than a few dabbles in affairs of the heart. When her grandmother committed suicide there, the house was left to decline. But Cilla plans to restore and sell it. She is more comfortable restoring old homes than she ever was as an actress. Her mother, who has been married five times, relishes living her life with the public viewing her every turn. Cilla, on the other hand, yearns for a more normal day-by-day life.
When Cilla starts the restoration of the house, she finds some unsigned letters that relate to her grandmother's life right before her death. They allude to a love affair with a married man. Her grandmother has always been the ghost who dances into her life now and then - so Cilla is drawn into figuring out what really happened to her.
So much of Cilla's family history is tied to the town where the farm is located. It is where her parents met and old family dramas are still playing out. Cilla is reminded of the tragic death of her young uncle, and another local boy, who lost their lives in a car accident. One family is still filled with bitterness over their loss. She also becomes re-acquainted with the father she never really knew and gets to know his wife and her half-sister. Their neighbor, Ford Sawyer, was a student of her father's and has become very successful in his career as a graphic novelist. He is fascinated by Cilla, the neighbor woman who demolishes parts of houses, rebuilds and refurbishes this old yet well-known farm. Ford wants to create a new character in his graphic novels based on her, but Cilla is not sure how she feels about playing another public character. She agrees... reluctantly.
Life seems to be going smoothly for Cilla. Then a series of intimidating acts occur, including a frightening assault. Why is this happening? Does it concern Cilla's public past? Her grandmother's past? Revenge surrounding the old car accident? Is her life in jeopardy? Or does someone just want her out of town? It is a race against time as Cilla and Ford come to realize who is behind the danger that threatens Cilla's life and discover the truth about her grandmother.
Nora Roberts is a gifted storyteller. Her characters often bring laughter or tears, and their dialogue offers truth about life. Her settings add to but don't overwhelm the tale, while the suspense keeps you turning the pages. But above all, her stories always return to the joys of the human heart. This book delivers it all, and is one to add to your bookshelves.
--- Reviewed by Jennifer McCord
Book Review: Change Your Opinions, Keep Your Principles; Change Your Leaves, Keep In Tact Your Roots. - Victor Hugo
Summary: 5 Stars
Cilla McGowen was raised in the spotlight. Her Grandmother was the famous Janet Hardy; a child star turned Hollywood actress and famous singer. Her mother, Dilly, wasn't quite as famous as Janet but managed to stay in the Hollywood spotlight all her life. From a very young age Cilla was thrust in front of the cameras by her mom. She was part of a successful TV show, made a few records, but by the time she was an adult she was pretty much a has-been.
Happy to be out of the public life, Cilla now makes her money flipping houses; it is a labor of love. Finally getting her hands on her famous Grandmothers long neglected farm, Cilla is rehabbing to make herself a home. Questions surround her Grandmothers too early death and as Cilla repairs the house, she seeks answers. But someone doesn't want Cilla around and is making things very difficult for her, her friends and workers. Finding a friend and an unexpected love in her graphic novelist neighbor, Ford Sawyer, Cilla gets some much needed TLC.
This is a lengthy new novel by Nora Roberts, but amazingly enough I flew through 451 pages, easily, I absolutely loved it.
What Nora does better than anyone is create unforgettable and magnificent characters. This book is filled with people who are written so well, you can see them so clearly and you feel like you know them. Every character in this book added something to this story; love, sex, fear, annoyance, growth, laughter, and sadness. You get as invested with the side characters as you do with the main characters. I love that about her work
Cilla is a heroine not without flaws; she's both hard and soft and has been emotionally drained. She's personable and knows her strengths and weaknesses. I found her extremely relatable. Ford was funny, charming and sexy as hell. It took me all about a page to fall for him and his crazy dog.
The story is strong and takes the reader through past and present day at the farm with clever little visits from the Grandmother. Uncovering the secrets of the past and dealing with the danger of the present lead you through a suspenseful and gripping read. I admit I knew whodunit pretty much from the start, but Nora added a little something extra that threw me off and added plenty of surprise at the end.
This book has everything; a solid mystery, a love story, humor and healing. I really enjoyed it. I am also one of those HGTV junkies that enjoy house flipping and rehabbing and I got a total kick out of the demo and rehab of this house. It was fun to watch it change and I had no trouble picturing the results. This book showcases every reason why I love Nora Roberts writing so much, enjoy!
Cherise Everhard, July 2008
Book Review: Very good.
Summary: 4 Stars
Cilla McGowan is a former child star. She has been flipping houses for the past couple of years. In the near future, Cilla plans to make a business out of doing what she likes best - rehabbing, remodeling homes, and flipping houses. First, she plans to make herself a home, a real home. From her own mother, Cilla purchases her grandmother's house and begins restoring (and a bit of remodeling) it. Her mother, Dilly, is currently married to Mario (husband number five) and in New York working on her latest show. There is no love lost between Cilla and Dilly. In fact, Dilly did not want her own mother's home, but refused to give or sell it to Cilla either. The only way Cilla got her hands on the "Little Farm" was by giving Dilly the money she desperately needed for her show. Used to Dilly's drama, drama, drama, Cilla is more than happy to ignore her and get on with her own life and career. That no longer involved acting.
Cilla's grandmother was the legendary Janet Hardy. She had been one of the best actresses/singers of her time. As legend goes, Janet escaped to the "Little Farm" between shows. But the legend does not stop there; an affair with a married man while on the farm is mentioned too. Thirty years ago Janet supposedly overdosed in the house, ending her life at the young age of thirty-nine. In Cilla's dreams, she visits with Janet and learns about life long ago. And as Cilla cleaned out the attic (in preparation for converting it into her home office) she comes across unsigned letters to Janet from a lover. It is in the letters that Cilla learns that Janet may have died while pregnant.
Across the street lives Ford Sawyer, a graphic novelist. He and his charmingly ugly dog, Spock, begin to wiggle their way into Cilla's daily life. So when threats on Cilla begins, Ford and Spock take interest. Unless they figure out who and why is targeting Cilla, she may end up being cut down in the prime of her life - just like her grandmother.
**** The novel does not begin with anything to capture the reader's attention immediately. Instead, it begins with the telling of (part of) Janet's legend. Most of the first part is setting up characters, the house, and nothing fantastic. But toward the end of part one things begin getting dangerous and everything begins to build. There is a lot of reminiscing with Janet, so expect some time hopping throughout the novel. The author manages to do this without the dreams/back flashes becoming tedious though. That is not easily done for an author, yet Roberts succeeded. This is not one of the author's best novels, but I found it to be very entertaining and gladly recommend it. ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Book Review: Wow! One of Nora's best - a must read.
Summary: 5 Stars
IMO one of the best books NR has ever written. From the moment I read the first sentences I was hooked up in the story and felt like I was actually part of it. The feeling was the same when I first read "Angels Fall" and that's another one of my favs.
The book is acout Cilla McGowan who just recently bought her grandmothers old farm to renovate it and finally build up a home for herself. Cilla's family is not an ordinary one with her grandmother being a famous Hollywood legend who comitted suicide, a mother who tries to step in the old ladies shoes but can't fill them, a father Cilla hasn't met too often and Cilla herself who was pushed in the spotlight buy her ruthless mother but is more interested in finding her own way.
In the present Cilla plans to live in her fathers hometown hoping to get some roots there, a better relationship with her dad and she also plans to start her own business (renovating and selling houses). That's a lot to work on even for a strong woman like Cilla but fortunately for her she has one sexy new neighbour, Ford Sawyer, who is more than willing to help her out whenever he can.
Ford is not you typical alpha hero, he is so much more than that and way better than an alpha. He's always there when Cilla needs his strong shoulder to lean on but he also knows when to step back because Cilla needs to manage a situation by herself. He is also funny, intelligent, in a great shape and has the weirdest dog ever - to make this short, he is perfect for Cilla.
Cilla is not to sure about where her future is going to take her but she can't resist Ford's charm and realizes that he may be a big part of her new life.
All could be perfect if not for one very annyoning mother, an old family enemy and mysteroius events taking place at Cilla's new home which threatens her and her beloved ones.
But with the help of Ford, her father and some old and new friends Cilla is the woman to solve the mysteries surrounding her grandmothers life and death.
This book is so perfect that I already read through it several times and I can recommend it without reservations to everyone who loves a good romance. The main characters are awsome (I love Cilla and Ford, they are one of my favourite couples) and the minor characters (especially Cilla's ex Steve is the hit) are great too. Cilla's new family and her friends are one great group.So all in all Nora did it again and wrote a book that is so special and good that for me there is no doubt why she is the queen of romance.
Hurry, get yourself a copy and read on.
Enjoy.
S.M.
Book Review: Excellent Romantic Suspense
Summary: 4 Stars
Cilla McGowan has spent her life living in the shadow of her famous movie star grandmother, Janet Hardy. The legendary actress had purchased a small farm in Virginia where she would go to unwind, but it was also the site of glittering parties and the place where she died of an overdose. Now Cilla, herself a former child star, has decided to settle in one place and start her own contracting business flipping houses. The place she has chosen is Janet Hardy's Little Farm, which is in dire need of a rehab. She camps in one of the bedrooms and begins the process of remodeling the once graceful old house. Across the street, in a restored Victorian, is Cilla's sexy neighbor, graphic novelist Ford Sawyer. Ford introduces himself to Cilla when he asks for permission to use her image for a new superhero. Cilla is at first put off, and then intrigued by the idea, and also by Ford himself, and his little dog Spock.
Also intriguing is the hidden cache of old letters Cilla finds in the attic that were written to Janet by an unnamed lover. At first, the letters were full of ardor, which then cooled and turned to anger and disgust. The last one alludes to Janet being pregnant, which is a revelation, as no one had known she was pregnant when she died, presumably by her own hand. It leaves Cilla to wonder if perhaps Janet's death was helped along by her lover, a theory bolstered somewhat by Cilla's vivid dreams about Janet in the past. After she carelessly discusses her theories with Ford where any number of workmen could have overheard, Cilla and her home are plagued by vandalism, and her ex-husband, who is a dear friend, is viciously attacked one night in her barn. She has a suspect, a bitter old man whose son was paralyzed in the same accident that took the life of Cilla's uncle Johnny, Janet's son, a few months before Janet's death. Not quite everything fits so neatly with that theory, however, and until Cilla and Ford can figure out who Janet's mystery lover was, anyone and anything close to Cilla isn't safe, most especially Cilla herself.
Nora Roberts is a talented author who can write entertaining books of many types, and this time out she has chosen to weave a rich tapestry of a story with an emphasis on home and family, with intrigue driving the story. Cilla's relationship with Ford, while crackling with sexual electricity, is comfortable and relaxed, and their friends and various family members are an integral part of their lives. Delivering a story both gripping and cozy, Nora Roberts easily retains her place at the top in women's fiction.